Seven male students of one of the Colleges of Education in Kwara State have been arrested by the Directorate of the State Security Service (DSS) for alleged abduction, rape, cultism, and being in possession of fake currency notes.

Speaking with journalists before parading the suspects in Ilorin on Friday, DSS director in the state, Williams Ologba, said items recovered from the suspects included cult masks, charms, locally made pistol, three different sizes of cutlass, and N72,000 fake currency notes in N500 denominations.

The officer, who said there is a resurgence of cult activities in the state, added that the items were recovered from the suspects during the raid on their hideouts.

He said two of the suspects allegedly raped one of their female colleagues, adding that the culprits who were arrested, subsequently named other members of the gang.

The DSS director, who said investigations revealed that cult members have declared every July as their month of cult activities, appealed to people to expose suspected cult members in their communities as part of measures to keep their activities at bay.

In his words: “It has become necessary to invite you because of the recent development in the state. Not too long ago, we heard of cult activities where two cult members were killed and one of them was beheaded. We were made to understand that the beheading was to hide the identity of the victim. The state government had taken resolute measures to check further occurrence. Specifically, police and DSS were mandated to up their operations to arrest the development. Our efforts yielded fruits.

“There was information that one student of one of the Colleges of Education in the state  was abducted and raped  by two other colleagues. In the course of the investigation, the culprits were arrested and other members of the gang were also arrested.

In the course of our search, these items were found there. Seven people were arrested. They are Abdulrasak Abubakar, Musa Sikirullahi; Kamaldeen Isiaka; Olanrewaju Lawal; Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Tunde Yusuf and Abdulrahaman Jimoh. They were arrested in connection with abduction, rape and cult activities.

“Their arrest followed the cooperation of others. If the victims had shied away and had not reported, it would have been difficult for us to make these arrests. We are urging members of the public to help us get the perpetrators so that we can take measures to protect the society and take the culprits where they can be  reformed and they will join the society after reformation,” he said.

Thunder Kills 35 Cows In Zamfara
Muhammad Sabiu, Gusau

Tragedy struck in the small village of Kiri-Karbo in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State when a herdsman, Alhaji Kiri Gidankiri lost 35 cows to thunder.

Eye witness told Saturday Tribune that the event occurred on Thursday night during a downpour which lasted for several hours in the village.

According to a source, the value of the cows was estimated at N4m.

While empathising with the victim, the Chairman of the local government area, Alhaji Yahaya Shehu, who led other officials to condole with the herdsman appealed him to consider what happened as an act of Allah.

He maintained that  the council would meet and see how it could assist him with funds to enable him to start afresh.

Responding, Alhaji Kiri thanked the local government chairman and his team for their concern, saying the incident was a big blow to him, adding that he has lost everything he had.

Ohimege Igu Stool: Kogi Govt Inaugurates Panel 
Yekini Jimoh, Lokoja

FOLLOWING the chieftancy tussle that is rocking Koton Karfi Local Government Area of Kogi State over who becomes the next Ohimege Igu of Koton Karfi, the state government has  set up a Panel of Inquiry to investigate the succession crisis surrounding the Ohimege-Igu stool and make necessary recommendations that could assist in resolving the impasse.

Members of the panel are Dr. Moses Atakpa, Head Of Civil Service, Kogi State, as the Chairman, Mallam Yunusa Ilani, Permanent secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Representative of Ministry of Justice, His Royal Highness, representing Olu of Oworo Traditional Council and Mallam S.Y. Momoh, Permanent Secretary (Administration) SSG’s Office.

The governor, Captain Idris Wada in his speech  said the late Alhaji Shaibu was a great man of peace who would have wished for a smooth and orderly transition and succession to the throne.

“I have waited patiently for the kingmakers to come up with a successor candidate following due process and established tradition”, the governor said.