The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Suspected PDP thugs, OPC men invade Oshodi

    Suspected PDP thugs, OPC men invade Oshodi

    Suspected People’s Democratic Party (PDP) thugs and Odua People’s Congress (OPC) members went wild in Oshodi, Lagos, yesterday shooting indiscriminately and harassing passersby.

    Commuters and traders scampered for safety in the melee.

    Eyewitnesses said there was heavy shooting at Brown Street near Oshodi-Mafoluku road around 7:30am. Some thugs coming from the nearby Cappa attacked commuters waiting for BRT buses. Some were robbed of their bags, phones and money.

    Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials said no fewer than 30 OPC and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members working for PDP were seen brandishing arms and ammunition.

    They went on the rampage, destroying billboards and posters belonging to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “Those wearing t-shirts or caps belonging to APC were attacked and many injured,” another eyewitness said.

    According to him, a group, Fire Two boys whose members work for PDP in Oshodi were among the thugs.

    “The base of the Fire Two boys is directly adjacent to Akinpelu Police Station and the police did not do anything on the matter. Not a single arrest was made,” he said.

    He said Igbehin Adun, Akinpelu, Balogun and adjoining streets were turned into theatre of war.

    A LASTMA official said the PDP thugs were in mask, but the OPC members were unmasked.

    “I saw about 30 of them with guns, shooting. They went through Oshodi road down to Boladale and from Boladale, they passed through under the bridge,” he said.

    He said people were surprised that Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and uniformed Task Force personnel did nothing to stop the hoodlums.

    He said the OPC thugs also destroyed properties belonging to the NURTW faction loyal to APC.

    Some of them wore PDP vests; others wore OPC vests, he said.

    He said: “The RRS and Task Force officials took one-way so as not to face the hoodlums; people were amazed, wondering why the security agents compromised their duty to restore peace and arrest the hoodlums. We later lodged a complaint at Mosafejo Police Station which mobilised their men with a team of military men and started shooting into the air to disperse them. That was when the hoodlums ran away. None of the hoodlums was arrested.”

    He said some people were injured while running away – they fell down and were trampled upon.

    Calm was restored around 10am when soldiers took over the area.

  • Man, three kids in road crash

    Man, three kids in road crash

    A Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) bearing a man and his three children was damaged yesterday in an accident on theOshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    The SUV with number-plate KSD 990 CG was heading towards Oshodi when it collided with LAGBUS vehicle with fleet number D158 marked XQ 878 AGL. The motorist was trying to overtake the bus when the accident occurred.

    According to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials, the accident occurred around 1:35pm.

    The car nearly jumped over to the other side of the road; it was caught in between the median.

    The LAGBUS, LASTMA said, was filled with passengers.

    Nobody was hurt.

    The vehicles have been taken to Ilupeju Police Station.

    LASTMA Public Relations Officer Bola Ajao enjoined motorists to be safety conscious.

    “We should be patient on the road; everybody wants to get to his destination in a hurry with no one trying to give way to another motorist, hence, they rush to overtake one another. It is when we are alive that we can drive home safely. Let’s always tolerate fellow motorists; no one will definitely sleep on the road, we will all get to our destinations at the end of the day,” Mrs Ajao said.

  • ‘I robbed to settle my case in court’

    ‘I robbed to settle my case in court’

    A suspect said yesterday that he took to robbery to get money to settle his drug case in court.

    Ibik Emmanuel, 24, spoke after being paraded by Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives at Ikeja.

    He was arrested on February 23 at Lekki, Lagos, where he and Chima Tony Agomoh, now at large, allegedly snatched a Honda Accord with number-plate EK 804 LSD from Mrs Dupe Agonoma at gun point.

    Mrs Agonoma and her friend, who ran away, shouting: “thieves, thieves”.

    Emmanuel, who thought the car was faulty when it didn’t start, started running away, leaving Agomoh behind.

    The car eventually started and Agomoh zoomed off.

    Emmanuel was pursued by a crowd who mobbed him before handing him over to policemen from Maroko Police Station.

    Agomoh abandoned the car and fled when it stopped.

    Emmanuel told reporters: “I used to sell drugs especially Indian hemp and cocaine for my master, Ifeanyi Okoye (aka Perfect man), who pays me N1, 500 daily at Ukwu in Anambra State. I later went to Umuahia, Abia State. Unfortunately, I was arrested by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and charged to Federal High Court, Awka, on October 23, 2013. I perfected my bail and went to Umuahia to meet my master to get money for my case. I had planned to steal his car if he refused to give me money, unfortunately, he ran away and his car was seized by NDLEA men.

    “I came to Lagos and planned to rob with one Chima Tony Agomoh at Lekki. We saw two ladies in a Honda Accord and ordered the two ladies to come down at gun point. They started shouting thieves, thieves and Agomoh zoomed off, leaving me behind. The crowd pursued me, got me, beat me up and handed me over to policemen from Maroko Police Station. Later, I was transferred to SARS.

    “I bought N400 toy gun from Eke Awka market in Anambra State. I was working as a security man in Lekki before I became a drug seller and later car snatcher.

    “I was the one that pointed gun at them. It was a toy gun operated with battery, it does not kill rather it makes tatatata noise and those victims who do not have liver tremble like cray fish. I could not escape with my colleague because I thought the car would not move but to my surprise Agomoh drove off with it and abandoned me.”

    Command’s spokesperson Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), advised Agomoh to “surrender himself as the command has spread its dragnet to get him anywhere even if he runs into an anthole.”

  • Three remanded for hotel manager’s death

    Three men – Agbomeji Seun 25, Rasaq Babatunde 30 and Anthony Gbagolo 19 have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing an hotel manager, Olalekan Oduwobi, 40.

    The defendants allegedly stabbed Oduwobi to death with a dagger.

    It was learnt that the defendants were seen jumping into the hotel while returning from an operation.

    The witness person told the hotel manager, who approached the defendants and they allegedly stabbed him dead.

    The incident occurred on February 25 about 10:45pm at Twelve Thirty Hotel in Imokun, Noforija, Epe, Lagos.

    The defendants were said to have unlawfully possessed one pistol.

    They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and unlawful possession of fire arms.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting police Inspector Victor Eruada applied that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Magistrate M.O Tanimola ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from the DPP’s office. The case was adjourned till April 27.

  • Police detain man for shooting self

    Police detain man for shooting self

    A 20-year-old security man, Meshack Samuel, has been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for shooting himself.

    The police described the incident as “robbers’ accidental discharge.”

    Samuel is being detained for alleged illegal possession of fire arm.

    His action led to the arrest of his friends – Uja Emmanuel, 32 from Otukpo, Benue State and Adams Ameh Idoko, 30, from Igbokoto also in Benue State – in Awoyaya Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

    According to the command’s spokesperson, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the suspects were arrested following complaints by people, who alerted them on hearing the sound of gunshot.

    Samuel told reporters that he ran into trouble when he asked a friend to help get a gun for protection from hoodlums and cult boys.

    He said: “After relocating from Abuja to Lagos, I got a job as a security man from Threeshat Guard Security Company; the company posted me to Coscharis Motors on a monthly salary of N18, 500.

    “My trouble started when I told my friend Adams that I needed a gun to protect myself from the menace of the hoodlums and cult boys in Awoyaya. He brought one Double Barrel gun and said he would sell it for N20, 000 and I told him that I don’t have such amount of money. He later promised to exchange it with my laptop which cost more than the gun.

    “When he brought the gun, I tried to test it to know whether it was working, I just heard gbosa and my right hand started bleeding profusely. I knew I have shot myself.

    Adams took me to General Hospital and told the doctor that I was shot by some hoodlums in Awoyaya who he claimed to be cult boys. The doctor told us to bring a police report before he could treat me. Adams rushed to Elemoro Police Station.

    “Surprisingly, as we entered the police station, we saw one of our neighbours there who went to report us. He pointed at us and told police ‘that is the man, see his bullet wound.’ Police quickly arrested us and transferred us to SARS.

    “When the SARS asked me what I intended to do with a gun, I told them that I wanted to defend myself from cult boys. Thereafter, they searched Adams’ house and recovered the gun with two kitchen knives. There, SARS officers arrested Emmanuel.”

    Emmanuel, who also works as a security man guarding MTN Mast, said he picked the gun from bush.

    “I later dropped it but Adams said he would take it. When I heard that they were arrested, I went to police as a good friend to know why they were arrested. There, Adams told the police that I was the one who gave him the gun which I accepted,” he said.

    Adams said he was arrested for trying to help a friend.

    “I am a security man opposite Mayfair at Awoyaya area. Police arrested me because I had a gun I wanted to sell to solve my family problem. I did not rob with the gun. I needed money desperately and it is only the gun that has value to give me the change (N20, 000) I desperately needed. I am not an armed robber but a business man trying to help a friend,” he said.

  • Hotel worker held for ‘attempted robbery’

    Hotel worker held for ‘attempted robbery’

    A 24-year-old man Chimezie Osuagwu has been arrested by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for allegedly conspiring with a friend, Austin Chukwuemeka, now at large, to rob his company’s accountant.

    Osuagwu, an employee of Royal Bliss Hotel in Lagos, allegedly conspired with Chukwuemeka area to rob the hotel’s accountant of workers’ salaries.

    According to the Police, Osuagwu, at a time, complained about his poor pay to Chukwuemeka, threatening to resign, but his friend prevailed on him not to, saying things will be better.

    “The salaries cannot solve reasonable problem even if I work for 20 years there,” Osuagwu reportedly told his friend.

    On the day he was arrested, Osuagwu after a rendezvous with Chukwuemeka, told him of a plan to rob his firm’s accountant.

    The police said: “The accountant had collected the money to pay workers salaries and the duo planned to snatch the money from him with a toy gun. Chukwuemeka produced the toy gun. When they got near the gate, he put the gun in Osuagwu’s bag and they entered. As they were approaching the accountant’s office, he gave the gun to Osuagwu. When they entered, Osuagwu pointed the gun at the accountant. As the accountant screamed ‘Ole Ole’ meaning thief, thief,’ fear gripped Osuagwu and he dropped the gun. Chukwuemeka got disappointed and ran away. He tried to run after him but it was too late. The workers had surrounded him and arrested him; they beat him and handed him over to the police.

    Osuagwu said he dropped the gun because “I lost courage.”

  • Community leader hails Tinubu

    Community leader hails Tinubu

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been hailed for his commitment to democratic principles.

    In an interactive session with journalists in preparatory to Asiwaju Tinubu’s forthcoming birthday, Alhaji Taroeed Farombi, the Akinrogun of lsolo, said as a leader that has confronted the challenges of democracy, Tinubu deserved to be honoured on such an occasion.

    Tinubu, Farombi said, has ensured better life for all, quality education, uncommon philanthropy and building enviable future for the youth.

    His words: “Asiwaju has laid a good foundation which makes the whole world to recognise him. He is a dogged fighter, a strategist, an uncommon achiever and a winner. Whatever they might say about him, he remains a colossus and would lead to better fulfilment of his destiny.”

    The Babaloja of Aswani Market, Isolo prayed for his good health and more years of selfless service to the country. He enjoined Nigerians to emulate him.

  • Police warn troublemakers

    The police has warned troublemakers of the dire consequences of their action during the forthcoming election.

    At the signing of a peace accord by parties and their candidates in Agege and Ifako Ijaiye local councils in Lagos State, the police urged the parties to advise their supporters to shun unlawful acts.

    Commander, Area ‘G’ in Ogba, Lagos, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edward Egbuka said the Force Headquarters has empowered policemen to effectively discharge their duties during the elections.

    He appealed to candidates to warn their supporters against pasting their posters on those of others, noting that the command would not tolerate the use of armed thugs for campaigns.

    He said: “This election is about the future of Nigeria and we are very prepared for it. We won’t allow miscreants and thugs to undermine the process. We have enough manpower and resources deployed by the headquarters to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.

    “We will not allow any one or group to subvert the wishes of the masses. While we are stakeholders, the candidates themselves are major players and that is why we held this peace accord so that they can pass the message to their supporters.

    “Nigeria is bigger than any political party, politician or group. No individual’s ambition is greater than the unity and peace of this country.

    “Election should not be seen as do-or-die affair, not winning election is not the end of the world. All politicians must call their supporters to order. Signing of this peace accord might be simple but its effect if any political party or politician is caught promoting violence goes beyond what one can imagine.”

  • Guns boom in Lagos gang war

    Guns boomed in Palmgrove, Onipanu, Lagos yesterday as hoodlums engaged in gang war.

    Those returning from church and residents fled for dear life. Traders hurriedly closed their shops.

    The incident occurred at noon when activities on the street, which links Onipanu to Mushin, were at their peak.

    A resident, who simply gave his name as Owolabi, said it was a continuation of the gang war in Mushin area. He said he could not recognise some of the hoodlums, hinting that they could have come from another area to avenge the killing of a gang leader in January.

    The hoodlums reportedly fled following the arrival of riot policemen. Some of them fled on motorcycles through the adjoining streets.

    Matthew Alamu, who was returning from church when the incident happened, said he saw two of the youths with AK-47 rifles on two motorcycles.

    “I could not move an inch as the gunmen riding on Okada passed by me,” he said.

    An automobile technician said the area has been the battle ground for cultists in the last three years.

    He said: “There is hardly a month that the cult boys won’t come to shoot on Kayode and Ogunmokun streets. We live at the mercy of these criminal gangs killing themselves and innocent people. Despite the presence of the police armoured tank at the Ogunmokun Junction, the boys still use deadly weapons freely to cause havoc in this area.

    “We appeal to the government to help us from the criminal activities of the gangs. We cannot sleep with our eyes closed because the hoodlums fight at any time of the day.”

    The Nation learnt that the incident caused panic among residents of Railway line, Sule Bada, Idera, Adegboyega, Iseyin and Awoyokun streets.

    The hoodlums returned to Awoyokun Street around 9pm, shooting sporadically.

  • Barons recruit mules for drug trafficking

    Barons recruit mules for drug trafficking

    •NDLEA arrests three with 58.755kg of cannabis

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered plans by barons to use mules to smuggle locally grown cannabis to United Arab Emirates and China, among others, where drug trafficking carries death penalty.

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said the agency had foiled several attempts by barons to smuggle cannabis in foodstuff outside the country using mules.

    Three persons including a woman were caught with 58.755kg of cannabis destined for Dubai and China at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Wednesday.

    They are Ogbonna Ogbu, 33, caught smuggling 35.115kg of cannabis to China; Famolu  Adebisi, 34, caught smuggling 4kg of cannabis to Dubai and a woman, Osamunyi Omas, 26, found with 19.640kg of cannabis on her way to Dubai.

    Ogbu, a trader in Onitsha main market told narcotic investigators that he was given N100, 000 to smuggle the drugs.

    He said: “My friend in China gave me N100, 000 to take a bag to China. The last time I travelled to China, he assisted me. When he gave me the money to take the bag containing gala to China, I thought he was doing me a favour I never knew he was digging my grave. After my arrest, I feel bad and regret my action. I am married with a child.”

    Adebisi, who sells laptops in Lagos, said he bought the drugs himself.

    “I bought the cannabis myself for N44,000. I was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend who assisted me with my travel documents. He told me that if I can bring 4kg of cannabis to Dubai,  he will pay me N500, 000. That was what encouraged me to take the risk. I blame myself because I should have listened to my conscience,” he said.

    Omas, who sells shoes and female hand bags, said she had learnt a bitter lesson.

    She said: “I lost my parents and I sell shoes and female clothes and bags to earn a living. My friend in Dubai told me that somebody will give me foodstuff to take to him.

    “That was how I collected the bags from the person. I still find it difficult that this will happen to me but I have learnt a bitter and painful lesson in my life.”

    Giade said their arrest followed intelligence report and intense covert operation.

    “It is pertinent to alert members of the public of fresh plot by drug barons to smuggle cannabis to countries with capital punishment for drug trafficking because of the high profit involved. Drug barons are wicked and callous. They are only interested in making money even at the risk of others sacrificing their precious lives,” he said.