The incident took place on Friday, August 2, during the second day of ongoing protests against poor governance, economic hardship, and hunger.
Eyewitnesses reported that chaos ensued when the police began firing at the protesters. In the confusion, one officer was struck by bullets from other officers. The wounded officer was found lying in a pool of blood amid a distressed crowd.
The protests, part of the #EndBadGovernance movement, have attracted considerable attention as citizens nationwide voice their dissatisfaction with the current conditions. Demonstrators have been demanding improved governance, economic reforms, and solutions to widespread hunger.
The incident in Katsina has intensified the strain between law enforcement and the public. Videos of the tragic event have spread widely on social media, leading to outrage and criticism of the police’s conduct.
Many have condemned the officers’ unprofessional behavior and called for accountability and better training for those managing public demonstrations.
Despite the tragic event, protesters have remained steadfast in their calls for change. The #EndBadGovernance protests continue to gain momentum, with participants urging the government to tackle the urgent issues facing the nation.
Obasempire reports that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) issued a warning on Wednesday to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State and the military to cease purported land acquisition for RUGA projects in Enugu State, asserting their intent to oppose such actions.
IPOB sounded the note of warning through its image maker, Emma Powerful, stating, “We have observed that the Nigeria Army deceitfully and shamefully mounted their flags and signboards at the ancestral land of Ochima community at Igbo Etiti LGA, Enugu State. The Nigerian Army and Enugu State Governor have marked these lands to be taken by force or by crook.
” The Enugu Governor and the Nigerian Army are deceptively occupying these lands and handing over the same lands to the Fulani terrorists they nicknamed herdsmen to convert into a Fulani settlement called RUGA. It is obvious that Governor Peter Mba and the Enugu State House of Assembly members want to create confusion and insecurity in Enugu State.
“When did the Nigerian Army start collecting the community’s lands by force and handing them over to Fulani terrorists for RUGA and settlement? We will not accept that in the South East Region. The Governor and his “Oh Yes members” in the State House of Assembly may be daft to understand that the Fulanized Nigerian Army is grabbing the community lands for Fulani settlements in that region of Biafra.
” The Nigerian Army has a large expanse of land in their formations and barracks within Enugu State. What else do they need these lands in Igbo-Eze LGA for, if not to deceitfully grab the community’s land and transfer to the marauding Fulanis. Ndigbo and IPOB-ESN will resist any marauding Fulani settlement in Biafra Land.
“Ala Igbo is the dot in the circle according to Othman Dan Fodio foundamentalist, Mohammed Buhari. Ndigbo do not have sufficient land for our own agricultural and developmental projects, let alone the land that the marauding Fulani terrorists will occupy in any disguise. Fulanis claim to be Nigerians but can not be found on any Nigerian map as owners or occupiers of any ancestral land.
“Hence, they should go and occupy their ancestral land and leave Ndigbo land alone. Ndigbo are not seeking any lands to occupy in Northern Nigeria. Fulani cabals and their political stooges in the South East Region should desist from actions that will make the South East Region unsafe and insecure. It is evident that the Nigerian Army are accomplices to the various terrorist attacks by the Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army are endangering the territorial integrity of Nigeria that they swore to protect by colluding with foreign Fulani jihadists to grab indigenous People’s land by force. This evil collaboration of the Nigerian Army and the marauding Fulanis in land grabbing will be resisted by IPOB with everything within our power. ESN Operatives must do everything humanly possible to ensure that the Nigeria Military and the Enugu State Governor do not cede any land to the marauding Fulani terrorists nicknamed herdsmen, in Enugu State.
“The Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mba is Establishing Ruga from the back door and he will fail and run out of government and stop subjugating the people of Enugu State and Ndigbo in their land. The information available to us is that the Enugu state governor Dr Peter Mba has agreed to establish livestock Ministry Regional Veterinary Hospital in Enugu State and that is another easy way to establish RUGA and Fulani settlement for Fulani.
“That will not work for Peter Mba and livestock ministry. This Peter Mba must not think that millions of Igbo people are fools. The Fulani tried their best to force Ruga on the East during the Buhari era but failed, now Peter Mba thinks he can succeed with the new gimmicks and antics. They tried to use Fulani herdsmen terrorists to force our people in Enugu State and south East states to succumb to Ruga and met a fierce confrontation from ESN.
“Now they have bargained with the governor of Enugu state to bring this Ruga from the back door. It is imprtant we show Peter Mba how IPOB-ESN behave and Peter Mba should tell us how he became Enugu state governor. The good people of Enugu state did not vote for Peter Mba as governor. Peter Mba is not sure of what he is doing.
“Peter Mba refused to admit that there are other livestock departments like pigs, chickens, goats and other animal but he focused on only Fulani cows, what did Peter Mba need to achieve on Fulani settlement in Enugu State?
“Dr Peter Mba must learn from our neighbours. Fulani has become part of the Yoruba people in Ilorin and part of the Tiv people in Benue. How did they become part of Benue indigenes? They came there and were given land by the elders. After many years, Fulani has expanded; brought their families and turned that place into a community. Today they are now indigenous to Benue state and Kwara state. They have emir and government representatives.
“This is exactly the game they are playing using the Enugu state governor to achieve in Igboland. Why Peter Mba and Enugu state? Enugu state is a gateway out of Ị́gbo land and they are closer to the north. So if Fulani become indigenes of Enugu state, it will be difficult to chase them out and also it will be easier for them to penetrate other communities in Igboland and that IPOB-ESN will not tolerate or accept
“The Enugu State Stakeholders, the Traditional Rulers, and the Religious Leaders must call Governor Peter Mba and his clueless House of Assembly members to order, or they will face what they cannot bear soon.
“The same way IPOB-ESN frustrated desperate Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma from creating Fulani settlement in Imo State, in the same manner the fulanization agenda in Enugu State will be twarted because IPOB has sworn to protect Biafra land from land grabbers, jihadists, and terrorists and we must continue until Biafra is restored.
“Fulani herdsmen settlement is synanimous with terrorism and banditry. The Middle Belt Region of Nigeria is an epicenter of terrorism and banditry today because they allowed Fulani vandals to settle in their land. Today, the same Fulani settlers are killing and maiming their host communities, forcing many of the indigenous people to flee from their ancestral land while the Fulani vandals are allowed to occupy.
“This scenario is what IPOB and ESN are making sure that Ndigbo never experience. Unfortunately, some selfish politicians in the East are blinded by their political ambition. They are willing to trade Ndigbo’s homogeneity, safety, security, and biodiversity. That will not happen as long as IPOB is in control of the Biafra land.
“Gov. Peter Mba and the Nigeria military should stop the subtle and forceful takeover of the communal land in Igbo-Eze LGA in Enugu State. Whatever amount is involved and any agreement reached with Fulani groups should be discarded immediately. No part of Alaigbo will be reserved and preserved for Fulani settlement or in any other code name that they will try to give to RUGA. IPOB volunteers, ESN Operatives, and other patriotic Biafrans will never allow Fulani terrorist settlement in Biafra Land,” the movement vowed.
Obasempire reports that the Ogun State Police Command has detained a 25-year-old woman, known as Yetunde Gbadebo, for attempting to sell her three-year-old daughter on Aladiye Street in Sagamu.
Our correspondent learned on Sunday that the incident occurred around 10:00 AM on July 25, 2024.
A report from a police source at the command indicated that the suspect was apprehended while bargaining a N700,000 price for the child with a 38-year-old man named Sunday None.
A team of police investigators from the Sagamu Division raided the area after a resident reported seeing the two during the negotiation.
During questioning, the spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, revealed that Gbadebo denied the accusation, while None admitted to the offense.
She said, “The woman was about to sell her three-year-old daughter to another suspect. A resident who saw the two suspects negotiating the price approached our station in Sagamu to report what she saw.
Obasempire reports that the Lagos State Police Command has rescued a two-month-old infant from a couple named Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam during the child’s naming ceremony.
According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the couple paid ₦2,350,000 to acquire the baby from a suspected child trafficker, Loretta Nelson, who had purchased the infant from a pastor, Peter Udoh, for ₦1,450,000.
Hundeyin revealed that Udoh had bought the baby for ₦500,000 from another suspected trafficker, Gloria Sunday, who allegedly abducted the child on July 11, 2024, prompting the baby’s mother to report the incident to the police.
Following the report, Hundeyin said the police acted swiftly, arresting Sunday, who then led them to apprehend other suspects involved in the crime, with the help of detectives from the Oko Oba Division.
“Pastor Udoh, who was subsequently arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted reselling the child for N1,450,000 to one Loretta Nelson who was then also apprehended in Festac Town, Lagos.”
Hundeyin said Nelson confessed to selling the baby for ₦2,350,000 to the James Uwam couple, who were apprehended during the naming ceremony of the stolen child.
Hundeyin noted that investigations have commenced, and the suspects will be arraigned at the court after the investigation.
State Commissioner of Police, Yusufu Lawal, represented by Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Kenneth, reported that the suspect had a dispute with her late husband over the alleged theft of a goat by their 13-year-old daughter, Rachael.
The husband reportedly died instantly from the assault.
Lawal said, “On the 4th of July, 2024 one Bulama Mulikabu, male of Kautikari village Chibok Local Government Area reported at Chibok police station that on the same date one Lydia Aji, female 40 years, and her husband one Aji Makinta, had a violent fight which resulted to the wife Lydia Aji striking her husband on his head with an axe and he died on the spot.”
Speaking further Lawal noted that her deceased husband had asked them to leave his house following the theft.
“An investigation further revealed that the couple had a misunderstanding over their daughter Rachael Aji 13 years who stole a goat and sold it to an unknown person, the angry father then asked them to leave his house. The case is still under investigation.”
Obasempire reports that a 13-year-old boy, Umar Hassan, along with three other suspects—Lawai Umar, 70, Ibrahim Lawai, 22, and Abdulganiyu Isah, 22—were apprehended by the Katsina State Police Command for supplying information to terrorists.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, stated at a briefing at the command headquarters on Friday that the informants’ actions resulted in multiple assaults on villages and unsuspecting residents, including cattle theft and abductions, throughout the state.
Sadiq said, “On July 3, 2024, at about 08:00 hours, the command, in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps attached to Dansoda village, Dandume LGA, Katsina State, succeeded in arresting one Umar Hassan, m., age 13, residing at Sheikh Abdullahi quarters of Dandume town, Dandume LGA, in connection with a suspected case of aiding and abetting armed banditry.
“The suspect was arrested following the receipt of intelligence on his nefarious activities, where he specialises in providing information on villages and potential targets to suspected armed bandits.
“In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and further mentioned one Abba, now at large, as his accomplice. He further confessed to being part of the gang that attacked Unguwar Bawa village several times, where they kidnapped and rustled animals. The investigation is still ongoing.”
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that based on credible intelligence on their activities, the trio who hailed from Babbar Ruga village, Batagarawa Local Government Area of the state, were arrested for providing sensitive information to a suspected notorious terrorist leader, Mustafa Gambo, now at large.
During the course of interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and an investigation is ongoing according to Sadiq.
Obasempire reports that the Lagos State Police Command has initiated a search for a middle-aged man known only as Olumide, who is accused of fatally assaulting his apprentice, Adeyemi, in the Alagbado area of the state.
Olumide reportedly struck the 19-year-old victim on the head with a shovel while disciplining him for an infraction.
Adeyemi later succumbed to the injuries from the shovel blow.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, verified the incident on Thursday.
Hundeyin stated that the Alagbado Police Division was informed of the alleged crime on Tuesday.
He said, “At about 12.00 p.m. on July 5, one Olumide gave his son, Adeyemi, a deep cut under moderate correction, at his right hand side with a shovel over an undisclosed offence.”
“The young man was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. But when the injury became serious, he was taken to the General Hospital Ikeja, where he gave up the ghost as a result of tetanus infection, as confirmed by the doctor on duty.”
He said detectives of the division visited the scene.
“However, the father of the victim is currently at large and the case is under investigation,” he added.
Obasempire reports that the Bayelsa State Police Command is probing the circumstances surrounding the death of Francis Palowei, a final-year Political Science student at Niger Delta University, Amassoma.
Initial reports suggest Palowei, from Obrigbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area, was fatally attacked by a group of youths demanding a N500 fee at Sand Dump, a popular hangout in Amassoma.
The investigation revealed that due to its popularity among students for socializing, Sand Dump has become a favored relaxation spot.
However, some local youths have instituted a mandatory N150 fee for students frequenting the area.
Sources revealed that Palowei was said to have visited the Sand Dump, Monday evening, when the boys in charge of the levy demanded N500, instead of the normal N150 they were charging. An infuriated Palowei was said to have vehemently vowed not to pay the N500, which led to a shouting match.
The situation was said to have become tense when some students backed the deceased, while the levy collectors called for reinforcement, which included some suspected cultists.
Palowei was said to have been attacked by some of the suspected cultists and he was killed, while some of the other students sustained injuries.
Palowei’s death heightened tension in Amassoma and sparked a protest from NDU students as they demanded the arrest of the suspected killers.
Many of the community boys were also said to be preparing to resist any form of reprisal from the students.
The Commissioner of Police, Aloyenu Francis Idu, immediately deployed a contingent of policemen as reinforcements to ensure no breakdown of law and order.
The Public Relations Officer in the Niger Delta University, Mr Ndoni Igezi, who confirmed the incident, yesterday, described it as unfortunate, stating that police were already on top of the situation to curtail any escalation.
He explained that though the owner of the sand dump, located at the end of the community, does not charge any fee from those who want to relax there, some youths in the community have an unwritten law of N150 levy to allow people to climb to the top to catch funs.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Musa Muhammed, who also confirmed the incident said the commissioner of police has already deployed additional security personnel to restore calm and orderliness in the area.
He said the police had begun investigations and launched a manhunt for the fleeing killers.
Obasempire reports that the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has detained over 24 individuals for various criminal activities.
The corps also reported rescuing a student named Bisola Olisa, who was abducted by bandits along the Ikare-Ado Ekiti Expressway.
Discussing the arrests on Wednesday, the state Commander of the Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, revealed that the apprehended individuals were involved in offenses such as kidnapping, armed robbery, motorcycle theft, conspiracy, cable theft, illegal migration, possession of firearms, and malicious damage, among others.
The commander emphasized that the operation leading to the arrests was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies in the state.
He said, “We arrested and paraded 24 suspects. We are pleased to report that the security situation in the state is very stable. Law and order are being maintained, political activities continue without disruption, and the anti-open grazing law is being enforced.
“Since the last incident, there have been no serious conflicts between farmers and herders. Human trafficking has decreased, and issues of cultism and militancy have nearly disappeared. Kidnapping activities are mainly confined to the borders and are being addressed.
“There are no significant problems related to terrorism, land, or chieftaincy disputes. Student activities are ongoing without crisis, and there are no current labour union issues.”
On the kidnap case, Adeleye explained that the 32-year-old victim was abducted alongside three other victims in the Supare area in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state but was rescued by the combined team of Amotekun and other security agents. He noted that two of the abductors had been arrested.
“Regarding the recent kidnapping case in Supare, which recorded one fatality and four victims being taken into the bush, the corps responded immediately in collaboration with other security agencies.
“We apprehended two suspects, one of whom is here and we are confident that we will secure the release of the remaining victims,” Adeleye added.
The commander said the suspects would be profiled, and those who needed to go to court would be taken to court, while the corps would explore other means to ensure justice for the rightful owners of the stolen items.
Narrating how she was kidnapped, the victim, Bisola Olisa explained, “ I was coming from Ikare, heading to Ekiti. On getting to Akungba, I boarded a vehicle from the garage; there were seven of us in the vehicle. At a certain spot, we started hearing gunshots from the bandits. So, they stopped us immediately. A passenger beside me was shot dead, and they marched us into the bush. Some passengers were injured.
“The kidnappers were many on the road, but as we moved into the bush, four of them led us, all carrying guns. We trekked throughout the night until the next morning when we reached a mountain where we sat down. They asked us to lie down, and the three of us obeyed for about 30 minutes. I realised they were no longer talking. I peeped to check if they were sleeping but saw only one of them; the other gang members were gone.
“I told them that I needed to defecate, that was how I escaped. On reaching the main road, I saw the Amotekun Corps, and they rescued me and took me to their station. “
Obasempire reports that a Nigerian DJ, known as The Turnup Maestro and identified as #_djtrendy on X, has shared his harrowing experience of being taken to the Kirikiri Custodial Centre in Lagos State.
Sharing his story via his X handle on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the DJ recounted that his troubles began on Sunday, July 7, 2024, when officers from the Lagos State Police Command stationed at the Olosan Police Station showed up at the nightclub where he works.
He explained that upon their arrival, the security personnel cleared out the patrons from the nightclub and confiscated his laptop.
According to him, two days later, the club’s manager and the wife of the club’s proprietor (names unspecified) visited the police station to reclaim the laptop. The manager then contacted him, informing that his presence was required at the station for the laptop’s release.
“Immediately I got to the station, the DPO called one of his officers to take me in and take my statement. That’s how I got to the IPO’s office, then he started telling me that I’m a cultist, that I was playing for cultists, and that when they came to the said lounge, they saw people smoking and all.
“He then proceeded to give me a sheet of paper to write everything I knew.
“Well, I wrote how everything happened. A few minutes later, my lounge manager came in too, that’s how they said I’m done with mine and they told the manager to write his own too. I was behind the counter at this point helpless,” the tweets added.
The disc jockey stated that he and the manager “were detained” and put in a cell at the station on Tuesday as they remained incommunicado.
The following day, Wednesday, July 10, they were released and ordered to remain behind the counter.
However, in a turn of events, they were later put in handcuffs and taken to a Magistrate Court in the Ogba area of the state.
The tweets read further, “They put us in a cell that Tuesday. We couldn’t reach out to anyone, we were not even allowed to make contact with the lounge owner’s wife. Fast forward to the second day, July 10, we were released and the IPO told us to sit at the back of the counter.
“A few minutes later, he called us into his office and handcuffed us, then told us to go into the minivan parked in the police compound. They started driving and we were continuously asking where he was taking us. He didn’t answer. That’s how we got to the Magistrate Court at Ogba.
“Handcuffed, we were able to whisper our lounge owner’s number to one of the lawyers that was around us. We were helpless. We only went to the police station to collect the laptop but instead, they peddled us like criminals. So the lawyer was able to call our lounge owner and he came in with the lawyer just a few minutes before our case was called.”
The DJ claimed that the policemen had “written false allegations” against them but the presiding judge (name unknown) granted them bail.
Afterwards, they were taken to the Kirikiri Correctional Facility before their release two days later.
He wrote, “They had already written false allegations against us. All of the allegations they wrote were completely false. So the judge made her judgment. We were placed on bail but our lounge owner couldn’t perfect the bail that day.
“That’s how were were taken to the Kirikiri Prison on that day, July 10, 2024. We spent two days at Kirikiri correctional facility and we were released on Friday, July 12 after he perfected the bail. My laptop is still at the Olosan Police Station.
“I have always lived my life fight-free, crime-free. I have never broken a law before. The police that was supposed to protect me lied against me. I am very traumatised.”
In another follow-up tweet, the disc jockey wrote, “I have been crying for days. No one deserves to be going through something like this. I didn’t do anything wrong. I am a law-abiding citizen. I don’t deserve this pain they caused me.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to phone calls nor text messages sent to his mobile number when filing this report.
