The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • NDLEA laments rise in drug trafficking at Lagos airport

    NDLEA laments rise in drug trafficking at Lagos airport

    Drug trafficking rose by 16.22 per cent in the past two years at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said yesterday.

    Drug seizures fell by 33.68 kilogrammes during the period.

    Last year, NDLEA’s  Airport Command apprehended 129 suspected traffickers comprising 118 men and 11 women, with 436.065 kilogrammes of drugs.

    In 2013, the agency arrested 93 suspects with 878.81kilogrammes of narcotics.

    A breakdown showed that last year 120.44 kilogrammes; methamphetamine, 108.645 kilogrammes of Gzaine; cannabis sativa, 107.855 kilogrammes; heroin, 51.01kilogrammes; psychotropic substances, 37.285 kilogrammes and ephedrine, 10.83kilogrammes were seized.

    The estimated street value of the seized drugs according to the agency, is N2.9 billion.

    Its Lagos Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said 117 drug were apprehended aboard 18 airlines.

    “More arrests of drug suspects were made on Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, South African and Qatar Airways. A total of 44 suspects were caught trying to import narcotics into the country. South Africa, China and United Arab Emirates top the list of preferred destinations by suspects. The command received 229 people who were deported on drug-related charges,” Umar said.

    Of the 229 drug-related deportees, 39 came from Italy; 37 United States; 36 Spain; 31, Norway 22, Thailande, Saudi Arabia, 14; Switzerland, 13; France, seven; United Arab Emirates (UAE), five; Greece, four, Brazil and Sweden, three each.

    Australia, India and South Africa, two each; Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal, Turkey Uganda and United Kingdom (UK), one each.

    Twenty-one persons were arrested on Ethiopian Airlines; Emirates 17; Etihad Airways 12; South African Airways 11; Qatar Airways 10; Turkish Air seven; Air France and Arik Air two each; Kenyan Airways and Royal Air Maroc, five each; Alitalia and Rwand Air four each. Egypt Airline, three; Cargolux, two, Africa World Airline, Iberia, KLM and Lufthansa, one each.

    The commander said suspects adopted different methods of concealment.

    “Those that ingested narcotics were 29, while 88 traffickers hid drugs in their luggage. Four of the traffickers were caught in connection with anal ingestion; one female suspect inserted drug in her private part and one other packed the drug on his body. The MMIA command also made the following financial seizures: $24, 362 dollars; 23,450 Euros;  E10,000; N240,000 and 1,140 South African Rand. In addition, 107 ATM cards and take $252,500 were intercepted,” he said.

  • Two held for biting off trader’s ear

    Two persons accused of biting off the ear of Sunday Nwali, a trader at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos, have been arrested by the police.

    Their arrest followed the victim’s petition to the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, through Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Olugbenga Adeyanju.

    The victim alleged that the suspects attacked him in a warehouse, resulting in the loss of three of his teeth and his right ear.

    He said he took his case to the SCID when he could not secure justice at the Olosan Police Station from where the matter before it was transferred to Area ‘D’ Command in Mushin.

    Nwali told The Nation that when the SCID demanded what he wanted yesterday, he said he requested a refund of the money he spent on treatment.

    Adeyanju, he said, expressed dissatisfaction with the way the case was handled and ordered a full-scale investigation.

  • Lagos monarch, chief differ on title withdrawal

    The Onibeju of Ibeju Land in Lagos, Oba Rafiu Bamidele Salami, has disowned Chief Jamiu Eletu who is parading himself as “Oba of Awoyaya” under the Onibeju’s authority.

    Oba Salami said he did not confer such title on Eletu, describing his claims as “dubious, of no effect and void.”

    The monarch said he withdrew the “Asiwaju of Awoyaya” conferred on Eletu because of his alleged “unwholesome acts”.

    But Eletu said he has not been notified on the withdrawal of his title.

    Besides, he said Oba Salami cannot remove him from office without a court order.

    Oba Salami said Eletu obtained a form seeking the chieftaincy title of Oba, but did not return it for processing.

    “I did not sign any document investing him with any title at any time,” Oba Salami said.

    He said Eletu did not conduct himself with dignity, but rather acted in a way that could diminish the honour of the chieftaincy institution.

    “All documents relating to the Asiwaju of Awoyaya title with Chief Adewale Jamiu Eletu’s name is hereby rendered null and void.

    “He should, therefore, desist from parading himself as the Asiwaju of Awoyaya,” Oba Salami said in a statement.

    In a telephone chat, Eletu said Oba Salami lacks the power to strip him of his title.

    “He has not told me that he has withdrawn any title from me. He ought to serve me a letter.

    “I hold the title of Oba Oduduwa Olorisa of Lagos and Obarisa of Ijo Olorisa ati asa ile Adulawo Worldwide. The title is registered under the Federal Government. We have the certificate. So the obaship of Ijo Olorisa does not concern him (Oba Salami).

    “If he wants to withdraw the title of Asiwaju of Ibejuland from me, he must go to court and serve me. If he does anything to the contrary, I will take him to court.

    “I gave him my application form for the Asiwaju of Ibejuland. He stamped and signed it and I also signed it,” Eletu said.

  • Council chief warns cultists

    Cultists among youths and other criminals who have been tormenting residents of the Bariga area of Lagos State have been warned to turn a new leave or face the wrath of the law.

    The new Executive Secretary of the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Kolade Alabi, who gave the warning yesterday, said his administration would not condone any act that could disrupt law and order in his domain.

    Alabi, the immediate past vice chairman of the LCDA, said he would step up enlightenment and re-orientation campaigns across the area, urging parents, guardians, community leaders and traditional rulers to join hands with the council to foster peace and orderliness in the area.

    The LCDA, he promised, would continue to partner all stakeholders, especially the police, to tackle crime and delinquencies among youths.

    Among other key people-oriented commitments, Alabi assured residents of the area that his administration would embark on massive infrastructural development of the area.

    “We will do more on road and drainage rehabilitation to aid free access in our domain. By so doing, we will be tackling flooding. I urge our people to imbibe decent waste disposal habit in line with the policy of the state government.

    “All members of the LCDA’s Transition Committee, the management and staff, have resolved make enough sacrifices to take the council to the next level in the interest of our people and democracy. Above all, we are deeply committed to actualising the ideals of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) here,” he said.

    The council chief, who assured residents that he would run an open administration attend to demands without any discrimination, urged them to cooperate with him in whatever way.

  • Fashola promises to help Balogun Market traders

    Fashola promises to help Balogun Market traders

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola promised yesterday to help traders whose shops were razed by fire at Balogun Market on Monday.

    Fashola said the government would work with the market’s officials to verify losses, adding that relief would be provided to victims after the exercise.

    Describing the incident as pathetic, he said the government would reconstruct destroyed buildings and structures.

    The governor said: “I sympathise with you on this incident, especially you women trying to earn a living and keep body and soul together. This is indeed a very pathetic incident. Be assured that our government will stand with you at this difficult period and we will help you get back on your business; that is the reason I have come with the Commissioner for Special Duties.

    “I am working with the Iya Oloja and other market women to authenticate and verify all legitimate losses to the incident and this will apply to all affected in all the plazas. Once everyone has been identified, we will do our best to put you back to business and that will include replacing as many destroyed properties and buildings as possible.”

    He said the incident was a compelling reminder of the need for traders to insure their businesses against losses.

    Fashola said, apart from compensating for losses, insurance would also help to reduce business risks.

    He urged Lagosians to be on their guard, saying: “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all Lagosians that this is the dry season. We have two seasons in our state, the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season, where we have the risk of flooding, we have successfully contained that. We are now in the dry season, where we have the risk of fire.

    “We must be interested in our own safety and security. I appeal to you to stop storing inflammable materials in your homes and business places. Residents should cultivate the habit of turning off their electrical appliances not in use. It is the harmattan period and the harmattan wind makes fires easy to start and difficult to contain. As at yesterday, we were dealing with 18 fire incidents. That should tell anyone that a lot more precautions are needed this season.”

    Hailing the fire service for responding adequately to the incident, he said the fire engines acquired by the last November greatly helped to contain the fire.

    Briefing Fashola, Director of the Fire Service Mr Rasaq Fadipe said the cause of the fire had not been ascertained, but an electrical fault around the market was suspected.

    Fadipe said it was a challenge putting the fire under control as there were too many illegal structures around the market which limited access of equipment and men to the scene.

    “We are happy that at last, the fire was brought under control. What we have now is smoke billowing from the destroyed market and that poses little threat. We are still here, we will ensure that the smoke is gone before we vacate here,” he said.

  • Muslims seek peaceful poll

    Over 5000 Muslims across Lagos and its environs are expected to converge on the Blue Roof, Lagos Television (LTV), Ikeja, Lagos for a special prayer for peaceful elections this year.

    The prayer session, put together by the Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) under the auspices of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, will hold on Sunday.

    A statement by the Chairman, Steering Committee of the group, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, said the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, would lead the prayer session.

    Vice-President, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Senator Hassan Fasinro, will deliver the welcome address, while NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof Ishaq Oloyede and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu, will give keynote address.

    Prayers will be led by the National Missioner Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, while NASFAT Chief Missioner, Sheikh Abdullai Akinbode; Chief Missioner, Al-Fatiu Quareeb Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Sulaiman Adangba and AbdulHakeem Awwal of Ikhwan Muslimun Society of Nigeria will take turns for special prayers.

  • New church opens Saturday

    The Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Atunbi Mose (Oke Aanu El-Shaddai), will on Saturday commission its Ajowa-Akoko, Ondo State branch.

    Its Founder, Primate Gbenga Ogundele, said the church was built to spread the word of God.

    Dignitaries expected at the event, according to him, include: Alesifa of Esifa, Oba Olumitan Ogundele; Deputy General Superintendent of the church, Abraham Olorunfemi and Major Gen. Kazeem Ibrahim.

  • ‘We can’t watch our daughter die’

    ‘We can’t watch our daughter die’

    •Parents seek N3m to save girl with hole-in-heart

    Some diseases can be wicked. This ailment troubling my child should have realised that I am a poor primary school teacher like her mother and leave us alone. Where do we go from here; where?”

    This is the cry of the cash-strapped father of a three-year-old girl who needs N3 million for a surgery to correct the hole in her heart.

    Mr Kehinde Bashorun cut a pitiable sight yesterday when he took the case of her ailing daughter, Teniola Bashorun, to the Lagos Headquarters of The Nation to seek help for her.

    Bashorun said Teniola was four months old when the family noticed an unusual growth on her neck, adding that he did not realise that it was a big problem when he took her to the Ifako General Hospital (IGH) in Lagos.

    “It was there it was confirmed she has a hole in her heart. From there, we got a referral letter to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Since then, we have been struggling with fate on her,” he said.

    His wife, who is expecting a baby, is also distraught. She wondered where help could come for the family to tackle the “huge problem in our hands.”

    Bemoaning the girl’s condition, she said: “Her growth has been so slow. She can’t walk for long. Her gait is unsteady as she is always weak and dizzy. She lives on liquid food. She always suffers sudden loss of consciousness which leads to vomiting and excretion whenever she is playing. She doesn’t talk much. Our daughter is in pains and we can’t watch her die.”

    A Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at LUTH, Dr N. Ekure, in a report, said Teniola needs urgent surgery to correct her abnormalities before they grow worse.

    The report noted that the needed facilities are not available at the hospital, suggesting that the surgery could be done in India.

    The father said:”The fact that my daughter can’t partake in what her peers do makes me sad. I am even more troubled that we are at a loss for where to turn for financial succour to rescue her.

    “It is painful that we have to turn to beggars to appeal to individuals, government and non-governmental organisations for assistance. We have nowhere to run to.”

    Bashorun said an account had been opened at Ecobank with number: 2961198124 under the name: Bashorun Felix Kehinde. He gave his phone numbers as: 08188275717 and 08028561402.

  • ‘I was ordained pastor in police cell’

    ‘I was ordained pastor in police cell’

    I am now Reverend Sunday Ajuwale. I repented and was ordained a Reverend Pastor in police cell. I will build my own church when I regain my freedom.”

    These were the words of 32-year-old Sunday Ajuwale who is being detained by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Before his arrest last October, the suspect had been on the “wanted list” for his alleged involvement in a bank robbery, snatching of vehicles and other operations.

    Police said the arrest of three of his accomplices at a hotel in Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, led to his arrest in his house while praying for people who needed salvation.

    The suspect said: “I am an armed robber, but my wife is not aware. I have three children. I was into the business of supply/sale of kerosene and diesel in Lagos; that was where I got my money to build my house at Ishefu in Ayobo area.

    “I was praying for members of a robbery gang at a party in Ayobo, unknown to me that police operatives were at the party; I was arrested. I joined robbery gang due to the downturn in the business of kerosene and diesel that I was doing.  I wanted a business that would give me quick money.

    “I bought my house 10 years ago. I bought the land for N220, 000 but I did not know how much it cost me to build the house because I was building it little by little. It was one of my friends called Omoloja that brought a gun, claiming that he belonged to a cult, Aiye Fraternity, at Ishefu. He is a land speculator.  My role is to keep guns for them and sponsor whenever the need arises, but I do not follow them to robbery scenes. I am the custodian of their guns. I usually hide the guns at the back of my house. We were 15 members when we went to rob Bureau de Change operators at the Ayobo gate.”

    Ajuwale, who said he dropped out of the Osun State College of Technology, claimed to have “graduated in SARS cell as a pastor,” adding: “Robbery did not pay me; that is why I became a pastor in the cell.”

  • Why I deal in human head, by suspect

    Why I deal in human head, by suspect

    A 38-year-old man,  Rasheed Alabi, has run into trouble for dealing in human head.

    Alabi was said to have exhumed a body and cut off the head.

    He told the police that he went into selling human heads in order to raise money to buy a motorcycle for commercial purpose.

    The suspect, who hails from  Igbogila in Ogun State, is being held in the custody of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

    A police source said he was caught last December 14 while trying to sell the head of a dead man at about 10pm in his home town.

    Following a tip-off SARS operatives laid ambush and arrested him with the late man’s head.

    The suspect said: “I had wanted to take the man’s head to a native doctor for ritual purposes, but my friend, Muyi, told me that I could get someone to buy it for N15,000, adding that if I could get at least 10 heads, I would solve my financial problem and feed my family well.

    “I knew the man before he died. There was a small boy who bought the farm where he was buried. I was told that he became rich through selling human heads and I became interested. Unfortunately I was arrested.”

    The command’s spokesperson, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.