Seriously? Police Recruit Abducts MOPOL Commander For Ransom

Intelligence Response Team have arrested a kidnapping gang who abducted a MOPOL commander in Aba, Abia State.

He was trained as a policeman to fight criminals but ended up as one. Nemesis has however caught up with him and four other members of his kidnap gang after they successfully abducted and collected ransom from their victims; among them a police officer.

They were arrested by detectives attached to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) less than two weeks after they kidnapped a serving Mobile Police (MOPOL) commander in Aba at about 8pm on January 14, 2018.

The suspects identified as Ifeanyi Stanley Ekpelulor, John Alozie, Ogbonna Wesley, Eze Obinna and Eze Orji, abducted Unit Commander 55, ASP Solomon Nyakno Aniefiok and collected his service Beretta pistol.

He was later released after paying an undisclosed sum to his abductors.

On their arrest, a police source said they were all picked up at various locations in Abia State through intelligence gathering generated by the police in Abuja.

From police recruit to criminality 
At the police station, Ifeanyi aged 37 who is the leader of the gang, told detectives that they never knew the man they picked on January 14 was a policeman till he attempted to kill them with his pistol.

“I am from Osisioma in Abia State. After my secondary school, there was no money to further my education, so I learnt to drive motorcycle popularly called as Okada. I was among those who were shortlisted to join the police in 2006.

“After five months training at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, I was dismissed. They caught me with one other person smoking indian hemp. I had no choice but to return back to Aba and start my life all over again.

“After several years, I got a job to drive a Sienna bus for one man. Unknown to me, he was a kidnapper. One day, I was in my house when police came and arrested me. They said I should produce my boss, that he is wanted for kidnapping. Since I could not provide him, I was charged to court and sent to prison. I spent almost two years in prison before I was granted bail. While I was in prison, I made a lot of friends and we agreed to help each other when we finally leave the prison.

“It was easy for me to form a gang because all my members were once in prison with me. My plan was to raise enough money to buy a bus. I never knew that the man we kidnapped in January was a policeman until he tired to kill us with his pistol.”

On the kidnap of the Mopol Commander, Ifeanyi said they were on random picking of victims when they spotted him on the road in Aba. “ We saw him standing by the roadside talking with a woman. We assumed that he is rich because of the Jeep that he was driving. We simply walked over to him and pointed the AK47 at him and grabbed him. We pushed him into the Jeep and drove off to our hideout at Nnekute bush in Aba.

“On our way, he pulled out his gun but luckily, the boys who were at the back noticed it and overpowered him. They beat him thoroughly until he agreed to cooperate. It was then we realized that he is a policeman and we became extremely careful.

“Inside the bush, he tried to escape again but my boy Alagbaso caught him and flogged him with his cutlass. He started begging for his life and I told them to leave him but ensure that he is properly tied up. I took his ATM to the nearest bank and withdrew N240,000 while he contacted his family. After two days with us in the bush, they were able to raise N450,000. I got N250,000 as the leader of the gang.”

On the police uniform found with him, Ifeanyi claimed he bought it from a suspected policeman in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. “I bought the police jacket N20,000. He knew that I was a civilian and he sold it to me. I was planning to use it when I was arrested. The AK47 that was found in my house was because one of my boys brought it to my house. Police arrested his father, so he decided to clear the house of anything that will implicate him. I never knew that policemen who arrested his father were actually looking for us.”

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Ways To Stand Strong & Win Spiritual Battles In Your Life

Over 75% of people who are struggling with POVERTY are suffering from Spiritual Battles, whether you believe it or not. In fact, the only difference between people suffering spiritual battles in Nigeria (Africa) versus those in America (developed countries) is that for over 200 years they have built a government system that works for the majority. Hence, poor people have social security, workers are paid well and regularly, etc.

Today, if American workers are owed for just 3 months, the country will almost collapse, the true poverty state of most of them living on loans and credit cards will force them to resort to Nationwide protests. But in Nigeria, today some teachers are being owed for as much as 28 Months (this is official, not an exaggeration), yet people are managing.

The problem we have in Nigeria is that some pastors don’t know how to restrict themselves to their Calling. Some pastors who do not have the Anointing, Grace or Experience of a MAJOR PROPHET will be discouraging their church members from seeking help elsewhere. You will hear them say things like, “Don’t go and fall into the hands of false prophets o”. Let me tell you, it’s not difficult to identify false prophets unless you’re VERY ignorant. Seek help elsewhere, if you discover that your Pastor doesn’t SEE beyond the flesh. Spiritual Battles cannot be won with BLIND prayers. Yes, no pastor want his members to go and get solution to their problems elsewhere, as it will make him look like he’s not capable. But it’s your life, seek help and get help, then you can go back and continue worshipping in your church if you so love your pastor.

There are evil everywhere, but you can overcome. Read the piece below;

I’m not sure when the term “spiritual warfare” was coined, but in my research I’ve discovered it mentioned as early as the 1600’s.

Spiritual warfare is depicted (without using the term) back to the writing of the New Testament as Paul stated:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Here are proven ways to stand strong in the face of spiritual warfare:

1. Know that spiritual warfare is very real. 
Spiritual warfare doesn’t have to be some weird, confusing, overly spiritual thing. It can be recognized, clearly labeled and endured in God’s strength. Recognizing that the Bible often warns that we will face spiritual warfare, is your first step to being on guard against it. And in recognizing that spiritual warfare is real, we can also know that we are given the tools we need to combat it, outlined in Ephesians 6:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Esphesians 6:10-18).

2. Know how to recognize spiritual warfare. 
Here is what it often looks like:

• Spiritual warfare most often happens right before or after God uses us for powerful ministry impact, or right before or after God moves in our own spiritual lives in a significant way.

• Spiritual warfare often comes in an attempt to steal our happiness in God and His work in our lives. If God has opened a door of opportunity for you, or is furthering you along in His calling on your life, and suddenly something happens that dampens your joy, that could very well be spiritual warfare in an attempt to draw you away from your joy in God.

• Spiritual warfare may look like unusual adversity that has unusual timing right before or after God uses you for kingdom impact, or does something significant in you.

• Spiritual warfare can also look like unusual temptation right before or after God uses you for kingdom impact, or does something significant in you. Years ago, I read Jim Elliot’s journals, and noticed he experienced unusual temptation the month before he was martyred for bringing the gospel to an unreached tribe. The story of his sacrifice has impacted millions of believers to abandon all for the sake of getting the gospel to the unreached.

• For pastors, spiritual warfare often comes in the way of unusual relationship struggles, where a deacon or member in the church causes abnormal issues for the pastor, causing them to be exhausted and discouraged. My grandfather in-law and father in-law led our church for a half century, and most often their greatest challenges were specific individuals in the church, especially a deacon, who would cause abnormal issues that resulted in most of the pain of their ministry. My grandfather in-law would often take it to private prayer. His prayer was, “God, change their hearts or move them out.”

3. Double back on your joy & peace in the Lord. 
Spiritual warfare often comes right before unprecedented seasons of God’s blessing. If you are experiencing unusual adversity and the timing seems odd as you are simply trying to make an impact for the kingdom of God, be encouraged that God may be about to bless your efforts significantly.

Often spiritual warfare is the enemy’s attempt to steal our happiness about what God is doing in our lives. Don’t take the bait! Double back on your peace and joy in God, and His sovereignty over every situation in your life.

Nehemiah told the people, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) In moments where God is moving, and blessing and spiritual warfare comes your way, don’t let it steal your joy – enjoy, and be satisfied and grateful for everything God has done for you, and is about to do through you!

If you need to, pray with David, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12)

Jesus promised he would give us a peace that this world cannot take away, and that surpasses understanding. (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7)

4. Know you’re making a difference. 
Spiritual warfare often comes when we are about to make a mark for God’s kingdom which brings glory to God.

If you are encountering spiritual warfare, know that God is using you, and you are making a difference. In fact, the greater the spiritual warfare likely means the greater the impact you are having for the kingdom.

My friend Jon Bloom (he’s also my favorite author!) shared a powerful blog about spiritual warfare that has helped me immensely. He writes:

In war a breakthrough only really matters if it occurs at a strategic location. And the evidence that a location is strategic is almost always revealed by the amount of enemy forces amassed to protect it. An enemy led by skilled generals plans to ferociously protect what it prizes highly.

But we must keep in mind that strategic ground is not yielded easily. Whether we’re battling for breakthroughs against our own stubborn sin or the unbelief of a loved one or breakthroughs in the missional advance of our local church, reaching unreached peoples, rescuing persecuted believers, orphans, sex slaves, or the unborn, we are up against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). We don’t know exactly what that means, except that these forces are very strong.

So if you are encountering spiritual warfare, you may be about to see a strategic breakthrough for the kingdom of God, for freedom in people’s lives, and for the glory of God. Keep going!

5. Keep praying & trusting the Lord. 
The Bible tells a story about the disciples praying for a boy to be delivered from demons and it didn’t work. Jesus came along and the boy was set free. The disciples had already been used by God to see this in other people’s lives – what were they failing to do here? Jesus said, “This kind can only come out by prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

Jesus was teaching them about prevailing prayer. Some things must be prayed through over a period of years. Never lose faith that God can and will move on your behalf.

But Jesus was also trying to teach them to take their prayer life to another level. For the battle you are facing, one of the greatest ways you can stand strong is to step up your prayer life:

• Begin a season of extra prayer. Pray more than you normally set aside time to.

• Invite several prayerful friends to seriously pray along with you. Share your struggles or challenges with a confidant, and have them pray along with you.

God’s Word tells us to “Endure suffering, as a good soldier of Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:3) There will be seasons in life where we simply need to endure, and we can stand strong by stepping up our prayer life, and deepening our trust in God and his goodness.

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

[written by Matt Brown]

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Businessman Killed By Assassins, Corpse Dumped In Car

Some suspected assassins on Wednesday clubbed to death a 62-year-old Igbo businessman, Mr. Vitalis Okoro, in Calabar, Cross River State, after chasing away his son.

The assailants, after killing Vitalis in the bedroom, dragged the corpse into his Toyota Sequoia and drove some distance away from the house on Anaku Street, in the Ikot Effanga Mkpa area of Calabar.

It was gathered that they abandoned the corpse after the fuel in the vehicle finished.

The slain businessman was a cement dealer who had a block moulding industry which later collapsed.

The victim’s three-bedroomed bungalow was said to have been built in an unfenced plot of land.

The Punch gathered that the assailants gained access into the house after destroying the burglar-proof window bars in the sitting room.

From the photographs sgyted, Me. Vitalis’ neck was tied with a blue piece of cloth, while there were several cuts on his body.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she heard a scream from the victim’s house around 4am, and shortly afterwards, some persons opened one of the doors, dragged the body into the parked car and drove out of the compound.

She said, “I heard someone scream at about 4am and when I peeped through the window, I saw his car outside. I didn’t know what was happening. Shortly afterwards, some people opened one of the house doors and dragged his body out. I guess they entered the building through the back.

“I wanted to call the police, but I did not have credit on my telephone line. Even if I had, I am not sure I would have achieved anything because they left shortly afterwards with his body in the vehicle. That means they had already killed him before bringing him out. I learnt in the morning that they chased the son out of the house before killing him.

“After the incident, my son called to inform me that they abandoned his corpse in the car. He said they left the key in the ignition.”

The younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Moses Okoro, said he learnt about the murder around 8am through a telephone call from a friend.

He said he immediately rushed to Vitalis’ house, where he met the abandoned car on the street with bloodstains in the back seat.

Moses said the victim was not in good terms with his wife who had been invited by the police and was being interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Cross River State Police Command, Calabar.

He added that the victim’s block moulding business had shut down in Calabar and there were plans to relocate him to their hometown in Owerri, Imo State, when the incident happened.

“My brother was at loggerheads with his estranged wife in the last four years. She had three children for him. All attempts to bring them back together had failed because she refused. The police have already invited the woman for questioning.

“About two weeks ago, we concluded that he would relocate to Owerri and I would help him with a business, but after a while, he would sell his house in Calabar to support his new business life,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing to unravel those behind the murder.

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How Your Pain Can Turn To Praise

Jesus said that we would all have trouble in this fallen world. So we expect suffering to enter our lives, but when it does, we often try to get through it as fast as possible rather than asking God what we can learn from it.

If you choose to embrace your suffering rather than running from it, your pain can turn to praise as God brings good purposes out of the suffering he has allowed into your life. 

Here’s how you can respond to suffering by inviting God to turn your pain into praise:

Offer your suffering to God. 

Rather than pleading with God to take your suffering away, view it as a gift that God has allowed to come to you so you will seek Him more and experience His grace in deeper ways. Keep in mind that the same thing that evil forces may intend to destroy you can become what leads you to experience more of God’s blessings in your life. What will determine whether your suffering leads to negative or positive results in your life is how you respond to it. Decide that you will respond to any type of suffering – from illness, grief, broken relationships, financial problems, depression, etc. – by surrendering it to God in prayer, asking Him to use it for good in your life and trusting Him to do so.

Invite Jesus to help you through life’s storms. 

Jesus experienced the depths of human suffering during His time on Earth, so He knows what you’re going through. Jesus chose to go through extreme suffering on the cross to pay for people’s sins, so He cares about what you’re going through. Realize that while you’re dealing with the storms of suffering, Jesus is available to go through them with you, giving you the peace you need in the midst of the storms and guiding you wisely through them. Connect with Jesus frequently through prayer as you’re going through storms to gain the perspective and help you need.

Know that Jesus is praying for you. 

You can trust Jesus, because He has prayed for you to trust Him – and He prayed that before He died for your sins and before you were born. Today, Jesus continues to pray for you in heaven. You can rest assured that Jesus will take whatever weakness that you entrust to Him and infuse it with His strength so you can grow through suffering.

Believe God to redeem your suffering. 

Let your suffering help you see your need for a Savior, and keep in mind that your personal story of suffering is part of the greater story of how God is redeeming the world through Jesus. Give your lost causes, hopeless situations, and broken dreams to God, and expect Him to redeem them somehow, because He wants the best for you.

Embrace God’s kindness to you. 

God loves you unconditionally, and He kindly offers you mercy, despite your sins. Feel free to come to Him just as you are. Expect Him to warmly welcome you and give you all the grace you need to overcome the suffering in your life.

Confess and repent of your sins to begin receiving healing from God. 

Whenever you recognize a connection between your suffering and some type of sin in your life, confess that sin in prayer to God, and turn away from it completely. By doing so, you invite God to start healing you of the damage that sin has caused in your life.

Be confident that your suffering won’t prevent God from accepting you or using your life. 

Rest assured that God has accepted you because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for you on the cross, and nothing that you suffer can ever change that fact. Rejoice that, not only will your suffering not disqualify you from serving God, but the specific ways in which you’ve suffered can actually become the greatest ways in which God can use your life to help redeem the world. When you suffer in a certain area of your life, you develop compassion for other people who are also suffering in that area (for example, you can care more about cancer patients after you’ve overcome cancer yourself). If you respond to your suffering by offering it to God to transform into something He will use to bless others, you may find that your greatest ministry grows out of your deepest suffering.

Trust God even when people betray you. 

When people you had once thought you could trust betray your trust, you need to set boundaries with them to protect yourself until they earn back your trust (if they ever do). But you can still live in faith, even when people have betrayed you, because God is always trustworthy and you can choose to trust God in any situation – even those involving difficult people. Ask God to take what people intended for evil and use it to accomplish something good in your life.

Overcome your regrets. 

Although there are consequences to the choices that you’ve made in the past, God is always willing to forgive you for your mistakes and help you learn from them. Be honest with God about your regrets and ask Jesus to help you move forward with the peace that only He can give.

Remember that God will complete the good work He has begun in you. 

Healing from suffering is a process. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be patient throughout the healing process, however long it takes. Trust in God’s promise to complete the healing work that He begins in you.

Live in ways that will help other people seek God in their own suffering. Ask God to empower you to live with integrity and love, so you’ll inspire others to learn more about your faith.

[written by Whitney Hopler]

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Nigerian Army Captures Boko Haram Battle Tank, Other Dangerous Weapons (Photos)

Gallant men of the Nigerian Army have successfully recovered a battle tank and some dangerous weapons from deadly Boko Haram members.

The troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have been making tremendous progress in the on going clearance operations nicknamed Operation Deep Punch 2, as on Tuesday 30th January 2018, the advancing troops had contact with Boko Haram terrorists and engagement ensued.

During the encounter, they were able to recover an Eagle Main Battle Tank (EMBT), 1 VBL, 1 AK-47 Rifle, a Police Teargas Rifle, religious books, many Gas cylinder and bags of fertilizer, ostensibly for Improvised Explosives Devices making.

Other items destroyed by the gallant troops include 7 Gun trucks, 4 Trucks, 5 Hilux, 1 Prado Jeep, 1 Golf car, 4 Mitsubishi pick up, 1 Hiace bus, several Motorcycles, makeshift shelters, tentages and household items.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director, Army Public Relations

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PHOTOS: Obasanjo’s ‘Third Force’ Takes Off In Abuja (Details)

Allies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo converged on Wednesday on the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja for the launch a new movement – the Coalition for Nigeria (CN).

Two former governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Donald Duke (Cross Rivers), who led the ‘like minds’ to unveil the CN, addressed the audience.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had in a special press statement, pushed for the formation of the movement as a ‘third force’ to complete the political space with the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The CN promoters spoke of plans to mobilise membership enrolment through online platforms.

They said the youths would drive the membership recruitment at all levels. They also confirmed Chief Obasanjo’s support for the coalition.

Besides the two former governors, other notable faces at the at the Yar’Adua Centre venue of the launch, include;

former PDP national chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, former Buhari loyalist and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) chieftain, Buba Galadima, son of the late Prime Minister, Dr. Abdujalil Tafawa Balewa, Obasanjo’s associate, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, amongst many others.

During the question and answer session, a member of the audience asked why the coalition is not coming straight out as a political party.

Author and social media activist Gimba Kakanda asked Prince Oyinlola why the movement “is coming to legitimise the good and the bad in all a former president stands for”.

Gimba asked: “How can we move forward in fixing Nigeria if a body like this, as inspired by the military command of a politician, whom we blame for being part of the problem, appears to have been suggested by him as a way of legitimising his own political legacy and bad precedent that could be a moral burden on the conscience of Nigerians?”

Prince Oyinlola explained that the youths, who will lead the movement and determine their own leaders at various levels, would play a role in deciding whether the coalition transforms into a political party.

He said: “We are not a political party – at least for now but if and when, through the arrangements and decisions of the leaders that you are going to put in place, we come to the agreement that we metamorphose into a political party, it must be a collective decision.

“To say that we are legitimising the former president is a bit off the mark. There was an article in the New York Times sometimes ago which allude to the fact that we are somehow docile in this country; there is no one who can fault the contents and the issues raised in Obasanjo’s letter, forget the messenger, let’s discuss the message.

“If you are saying that we are just legitimising (Obasanjo), are we supposed to just sit there, folding our hands and watching?

“I think that what he (Obasanjo) has done is to rouse us from our slumber to the reality of what is happening to Nigerians and for us to take charge and take action; are there no other leaders looking on at things going wrong in this country?

“I think we should instead, give kudos to him (Obasanjo) for having the courage to be able to address Nigerians on issues that call for immediate action and attention.”

The masters of ceremony – Remi Damola, Omoruyi Edoghere and Genevieve Anthony – urged the youths to buy into the project by joining the coalition, register to vote and help take back and rescue the country.

The former Osun governor asserted his preparedness to quit the ruling APC and relinquish his position as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Board Chairman for the CN cause.

In his closing remarks, Duke stressed that the nation’s terrible condition must not be prolonged, adding that it is only when millions of Nigerians heed the clarion call and constitute themselves into a ‘critical mass’ that the CN can make strong impact.

Duke said: “This endeavor is timely because there were several movements in the offing and this coalition has to bring them all together if we want to make things work.

“More importantly, we have the dire consequences of now in our nation; where we are today, if you project another three to four years, the disaster would be worse, it is not going to get better. We must all come together to change the narrative.”

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Beautiful Lady Killed By Stray Bullet During Armed Robbery Operation In Lagos

A promising lady, Ranti Funsho Akinfolarin has been reportedly killed after she was hit by a stray bullet during a robbery incident in Lagos.

According to her friend Otunba Cashie, the graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic who was a victim during the robbery operation couldn’t be rescued as she gave up the ghost after the gunshot.

Her family and friends have been mourning her loss. She was said to have married less than a year ago and celebrated her birthday two weeks ago before her sad death.

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