By Our Reporter

The Rivers State Police Command has removed two senior officers from their positions pending an investigation into allegations that suspected cultists renovated a police outpost in the state and celebrated the project alongside police personnel.

The affected officers are the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Abuloma Police Division and the divisional officer overseeing the police outpost where the renovation took place.

The development followed the circulation of a viral video showing individuals suspected to be cult members celebrating the completion of the renovation at the facility on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordered a full investigation into the incident, according to a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe.

The statement, titled ‘Rivers State Police Command Condemns Purported Renovation of Abuloma Police Outpost by Suspected Cultists, Relieves Officers, Orders Full Investigation’, said the two officers had been queried and relieved of their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

The command expressed concern that the incident could undermine public confidence in the police and create an impression of acceptance or recognition of suspected criminal groups.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has taken cognisance of a trending social media report and circulating video alleging that suspected cultists renovated the Abuloma Police Outpost and visited the facility on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to celebrate the completion of the renovation.

“The Command strongly condemns any action or association capable of compromising the integrity, discipline and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force or conferring legitimacy, recognition or acceptance on suspected cult groups or other unlawful organisations.

“Police facilities are public institutions established for the protection of citizens and the enforcement of law and must not become platforms through which criminal groups seek public validation or influence.

“Under the leadership of CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, the Command maintains zero tolerance for criminality and any conduct that undermines public confidence in the Police.

“Consequently, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abuloma Division and the Divisional Officer overseeing the affected Police Outpost have been queried and relieved of their duties pending investigation.

“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and the veracity of the allegations, including the identities and backgrounds of the individuals or groups who financed or facilitated the renovation.”

According to the command, investigators will determine whether the renovation was officially approved, whether established procedures were followed and whether any police personnel violated professional standards in connection with the project.

The investigation will also examine the identities of the individuals or groups that funded or facilitated the renovation and establish whether the necessary checks were conducted before the work commenced.

However, the police clarified that community contributions towards improving police facilities are permissible under the law, provided they do not compromise the independence and integrity of the force.

The statement added, “The Command welcomes legitimate community support for improving police facilities, consistent with Section 26(1)(d) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which provides for gifts and contributions to the Police General Fund.

“However, such support must not compromise police independence, professional standards or security.

“The investigation will establish whether the necessary approvals were obtained and appropriate checks conducted on those who financed or facilitated the renovation.

“No donation or assistance confers immunity from investigation or prosecution.

“The Command reiterates that it will not condone unprofessional conduct, compromise or any form of improper association with criminal elements by any police officer.

“All personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties.”

The command said any individual found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal measures in accordance with the findings of the investigation and applicable laws.

It also appealed to residents to remain calm and provide credible, timely information that could assist security agencies in maintaining peace across the state.

In the video circulating online, the individuals suspected to be cultists appeared to present themselves as students, at intervals chanting “greatest Nigerian students” before reportedly switching to slogans associated with cult groups.

They were seen wearing black trousers and white shirts, with some donning red fez caps and others black berets. The group appeared to celebrate in front of the renovated police facility alongside some police officers.

Naija Confra, an online platform focused on exposing and discouraging cultism, also shared videos and photographs purportedly showing the individuals chanting slogans at the outpost on Thursday.

The footage reportedly showed the individuals taking photographs with police officers at the facility before the celebrations.

It was gathered that October 15 marks the annual anniversary of the Vikings confraternity.

The police have yet to announce the outcome of their investigation.

By Our Reporter

Suspected bandits have allegedly kidnapped 18 students from Oyo State travelling from Sokoto State to their hometowns in Oke-Ogun, after attacking their chartered bus and killing the driver, sources familiar with the incident have said.

The students, who were travelling from Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, were reportedly intercepted by the assailants along the route to Oyo State within the past 48 hours.

The abductors were said to have moved the victims towards the Mokwa axis.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the safety of students travelling between states, particularly along routes where commuters have repeatedly faced attacks and abductions.

An Oke-Ogun youth leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, clarifying that the victims were students of Gamji College of Health Technology and not Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, as earlier reported.

“Sadly, the unfortunate incident is being confirmed by me because I’m from Oke-Ogun too, and our people have confirmed that it truly happened in the past 48 hours,” the youth leader said.

He explained that the students were travelling in a chartered bus from their institution in Sokoto to Oke-Ogun, with Igboho as their specific destination.

“But it wasn’t a bus conveying UDUS students. It was a bus taking students from Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, to Oke-Ogun, Igboho to be precise,” he said.

According to him, the attackers killed the driver before taking the students away.

“The driver was killed and all the students were kidnapped. They have reached the Mokwa side,” he said.

The youth leader further disclosed that the driver’s remains had been buried.

“The driver was killed at the scene and his remains were buried on Saturday,” he said.

Other sources familiar with the incident said the number of abducted students could be as many as 18.

The sources said the students were travelling in a chartered bus arranged by their school to convey them to their respective hometowns in Oyo State when the vehicle was intercepted by the assailants.

They were reportedly taken away by the attackers after the driver was killed.

The latest incident comes barely days after 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members were reportedly abducted by gunmen in Imo State.

The victims were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly attacked their two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

Efforts to obtain further information from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, proved abortive, as he had not responded to messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

By Omire Ogbu

The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Otuocha Market following a violent dispute between Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam communities that left five people dead.

The directive was issued by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, during an inspection visit to the communities affected by the crisis.

Ibezim, who also chairs the Anambra State Boundary Committee, said the decision was taken on the instruction of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

He directed that all commercial and other activities at the market remain halted until investigations into the incident are concluded and appropriate measures are taken against those found responsible.

“No community leader or local government chairman has the authority to determine boundaries between communities without the knowledge of the State Government.

“The State Boundary Committee is responsible for the demarcation and monumentation of boundaries within the state,” he said.

The crisis resulted in significant destruction of property, with several houses and shops, as well as a rice processing factory containing bags of rice, reportedly set ablaze.

Traders were also seen leaving the area with whatever goods they could salvage from the affected market.

Speaking separately to journalists, the traditional rulers of Aguleri and Umuoba-Anam, Igwe Michael Idigo and Igwe George Ekwealor, attributed the outbreak of violence to an attempt by people from Aguleri to erect a signpost and install security cameras within the market area.

According to the monarchs, three people were killed in Aguleri while two others died in Umuoba-Anam. They added that several people sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in hospitals, while property and other valuables were destroyed.

The traditional rulers praised the state government for its prompt response, saying the intervention helped to contain the situation and avert further loss of lives and property.

The deputy governor was accompanied during the assessment visit by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnanna Oji; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Vepor Egbuna; and Special Assistant to the Governor on Boundary Matters, Mr Ekenechukwu Okoye, among other officials.