The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Civil Defence parades suspected pipeline vandals

    TWO Nigerians and nationals of the neighboring countries like Benin, Togo and Ghana, were among the 15 suspected pipeline vandals paraded yesterday in Lagos by the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command.

    They were among the 16 suspects arrested on Monday with 21,000 litres of petrol carried in 700 jerry cans of 30-litre capacity each in wooden boats.

    One of them had taken ill and was undergoing treatment in an undisclosed medical facility, the command said.

    The Commandant, Donatus Ikemefuna, who paraded them at the NSCDC state command headquarters at Alausa in Ikeja yesterday, said they were arrested based on information received through the machinery put in place by his command immediately he assumed duty three months ago.

    Ikemefuna said the suspected vandals were arrested on the high seas behind the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) in the Badagry area of the state.

    He said one of the core responsibilities of the Corps is the protection of national economic assets, especially petroleum pipelines.

    “We were informed that they were going to carry out the operations; we laid ambush for them and arrested them. We will take them to court after investigations”, he said.

    On why he paraded them, the commandant said they had been arresting vandals without parading them, but since they kept increasing in number, he had no option than to parade them for the country and their families to see.

    He appealed to relevant agencies of state in charge of foreign nationals to help check their influx, adding that the Corps was working hard to unravel the sponsors of the vandals and their patrons.

    One of the suspects, Gbeleyin Adeyemi, a Lagos resident, said he came to give information to NSCDC, but was caught along the line with others, while Imate Fatai, another suspect, said but a boat operator.

    He said somebody from Benin Republic asked him bring goods from Nigeria for him, adding that he boarded the boat only to discover that it was not fish or other products, but petrol.

  • ‘I’m tired of my husband’s irresponsibility’

    A 32-year-old housewife, Olayemi Odemakin, is praying the Customary Court at Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, to dissolve her marriage with her husband, Shola Odemakin, a motorcyclist.

    She alleged that her husband often drink heavily without caring for her and their children.

    The woman also alleged that her husband lacks respect for her folks. The marriage is blessed with four children: Damilola (11), Jemima (7), Akin (5) and Richard (1).

    Olayemi said: “From the outset, my husband has been irresponsible. Knowing that I was pregnant, he disappeared four days to our wedding, saying he was not the father of our unborn child. Our first child is now 11 and has three younger ones, but he still denies being their father.

    “I am young, but I can’t count the number of odd jobs I have done to cater for the family.  When I was expecting my last child, from the little I earned, I bought a new stove because I was tired of borrowing from neighbours. My husband burnt the stove with the rice I was boiling; beat me with a broom as if he was casting a demon out of me.”

    Mrs Odemakin added: “Recently, my husband said he wanted to have ‘fun’ with me, I ran to an uncompleted building close to where we live. Why should I keep sleeping with him when he doesn’t cater for us? ”

    Odemakin, however, said: “We sleep on the same bed, but she never told me she was expecting my child until after four months. Who can accept such a child? My wife is stubborn and doesn’t seem to want my prosperity. Her parents have never bought ‘cycling shorts’ let alone a pencil for our “children.” I bathe and take the children to school on my motorcycle. My wife and “her children” finished half a bag of rice within six days! I cannot continue to give her money if I still wash my cloths. I pray the court teaches her good manners because I want her back and I am also ready to change.”

    The Court President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, ordered Odemakin to deposit N10,000 monthly for the children’s upkeep and advised both parties to maintain peace. He fixed chamber interview for the couple and adjourned the case till July 28.

  • Four feared dead in Lagos clash

    Four feared dead in Lagos clash

    •Nobody was killed, says NSCDC

    Four persons were feared killed on Monday evening in Festac, Amuwo-Odofin, Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos, following a clash between operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Neighbourhood Watch, and traders.

    The incident occurred in front of the council’s secretariat on 41 Road, Festac about 4pm, when some traders whose stores were demolished in Alakija area protested the seizure of their good.

    Sources said the council had ordered men of the Neighbourhood Watch to demolish the shops that were tagged illegal.

    However, during the demolition, the traders attempted to salvage what was left of their wares without success as the wares were loaded into the operational vehicle of the officials who insisted that they were seized goods.

    They also tried to seize the money machine of an operator of the popular ‘Baba Ijebu’ lotto centre.

    Sources said the area boys and some members of the National Union of Road Transport Worker (NURTW), who had staked their money in the lotto and were waiting for the result, resisted the move.

    The council was said to have invited two patrol teams of OP-MESSA, comprising policemen and soldiers, to arrest the situation.

    Operatives of the OP-MESSA were said to have arrested about eight of the traders and transport union members and later released them on realising the illegality of the arrest.

    At Alakija, there was a free-for-all between the traders, NURTW members and the Neighbourhood Watch during which broken bottles and other weapons were freely used.

    The Nation gathered that during the fight, the wares seized were moved to the council’s secretariat even as the protesting traders followed them.

    As the protest went on, operatives of NSCDC made futile attempt to disperse the traders. An NSCDC operative allegedly opened fire on the protesters, killing about four and injured many.

    The wounded were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, where they are being treated.

    Area ‘E’ Commander, Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), confirmed the incident, but could not confirm the number of casualties.

    He said investigation was ongoing, adding that he had briefed Commissioner of Police Umar Manko on the incident.

    The NSCDC spokesperson, Chibuzor Mefor said the allegation is not true.

    He said: “Our men did not kill anybody as far as we know. What happened was that a mob besieged the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government and the Secretariat. To protect him, our men shot into the air. Even nobody was injured.”

  • ‘Fake soldier’, others held for alleged robbery

    ‘Fake soldier’, others held for alleged robbery

    A 48-year-OLD man, Sikiru Aderemi (a.k.a Papi or Commander), who has allegedly been parading himself as an Army Sergeant, has been arrested.

    His four accomplices were also arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command.

    The suspect, who resides at 48, Olowu Street, Sango in Ogun State, claimed to be attached to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) in Lagos.

    He was accused of using his fake identity to dispossess his victims of their valuables.

    Other suspects include: Saheed Akeem, 28, a fashion designer who hails from Ogun State, Dosson Patrick, 28, a Benin Republic national and a locally made gun merchant; Rasak Plariwaju, 37, a Kwara State-born battery charger and Jamiu Adeyemi, who hails from Ilesha in Osun State.

    A source said the suspects specialised in impersonating soldiers and using military uniform and identity cards to intimidate their victims before robbing them on the highways.

    Following petitions by some victims, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Umar Manko, directed the officer in charge, Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP) to take over the case.

    Kyari, it was learnt, swung into action with his team and arrested the “fake” sergeant and his accomplices.

    Sikiru, who confessed being a fake sergeant, said: “One Saidi told me that there was somebody with N18million in the State House, Abuja; I told him that I would arrange my boys to collect the money. I have my identity card as an Army Sergeant attached to DMI Lagos.  He also told the Police that he makes money through escorting smugglers. Whenever I escort smuggled goods to Mile 2 from Seme, I do collect my 10 per cent.”

    Sikiru who described himself as a 1987 Mass Communication graduate from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, said he did his industrial attachment at the DMI.

    He said that based on his experience at the DMI as an errand boy, he recruited three boys “to make cool money.”  He said he also had some vocational studies in Interior Designs after an industrial training at the DMI.

    “In 2002, I met a friend, James Imada, who gave me an ID card and beret of a Sergeant. In 2012, I met another person called Mopol Tunde through another man, Wole, at Campus Square. It was Tunde who introduced me to car snatching,” he said.

    While Rasak said his role was to drive his gang members during operations, Jamiu said he was arrested by policemen who stopped and searched his commercial bus and found ammunition on him.

     

  • Man ‘impersonates’ Arik Air staff

    Man ‘impersonates’ Arik Air staff

    The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Police Command yesterday arrested a man for allegedly parading himself as a staff of Arik Air.

    Police sources hinted that the suspect had been duping unsuspecting Nigerians around the airport premises in Ikeja, adding that he is being interrogated at the domestic police station near Arik Air headquarters.

    The suspect, it was learnt, is helping the police with useful information that would lead to the arrest of other persons involved in such criminal activities.

    Last Year, Arik Air donated a Toyota Hilux Pick-up van to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Police Command, for the improvement of security around the airport.

     

  • Group inspires teenagers

    Support Bridges Initiative (SBI), a non-governmental and non-profit-making organisation, has inspired some teenagers in private and secondary schools in Lagos State.

    It gave out educational items worth several thousands of naira to the pupils after an essay presentation and Spelling Bee competition.

    The beneficiaries got packages including Laptop, IPod and Phones at the event held to mark the initiative’s 9th anniversary at Isale Eko Senior Secondary School in Lagos.

    The initiative is a global multi-directional resource centre, which is committed to building the potential of young people between ages 13 and 19.

    Winner of the essay contest, Gani Yusuff, an SSS2 pupil from Dolphin Senior High School, wrote on “What I expect from our leaders in 2015 election.”

    Odunewu Aminat, an SSS 2 pupil from King Ado Senior High School emerged the second best and won an iPod while Akanyinja Adejoke, an SSS1 pupil from Eko-Akete Senior Grammar School, came third, winning a Samsung Galaxy phone.

    The group’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Folasade Adetiba, said the gesture was to improve on the skills of the students in literacy, presentation and communication on a yearly basis.

     

  • Lawmaker rehabilitates boreholes

    Lawmaker rehabilitates boreholes

    To ensure availability of potable water in Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has rehabilitated and equipped four community boreholes with motorised equipment and power generators.

    Residents trooped out en masse to witness the commissioning of the facilities. Two of the motorised boreholes are located in Odo-Egiri, one in Poka and another in Odomola community.

    The lawmaker moved to upgrade the facilities, following complaints by resident that the hand-pumped boreholes, which were constructed under the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) scheme.

    Community and religious leaders could not hide their joy as they took delivery of the boreholes. An Odo Egiri resident, Mrs Ayo Adesanya, said the senator’s gesture would alleviate their long period of suffering for potable water in the community.

     

  • Hope dims for boy with eye cancer

    Hope dims for boy with eye cancer

    What is this, God? What is happening;  have I wronged you? God, have mercy, please!” The embittered woman – a grandmother – soliloquised as she stared pathetically into emptiness.

    The petty trader, Mrs Abosede Paul, as this reporter later learnt when he visited her 25, Owodunni Street, Onipanu, Lagos home again yesterday, had got more overwhelmed with grief over the plight of her grandson.

    The boy, eight-year-old Toheeb Atobatele, has, from birth, remained in the throes of an ever-worsening eye tumour, which was diagnosed as cancer at various hospitals.

    The woman had told the reporter during his first visit mid last month, the story of how cruel fate had seized the little boy’s comfort since his birth.

    Amid tears then, she had recounted how Toheeb was abandoned by his father immediately after his delivery at a clinic in Ikotun, a suburb of the city.

    “Realising the boy’s condition – the outgrowths on his upper lip and left eye – his father has abandoned him. And since there was no help from anywhere, I have shouldered the responsibility of finding succour for him at all costs. It was a Good Samaritan that sponsored a corrective surgery on his affected lip at a private hospital after which I took him to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja,” she said.

    Amid sobs, she further recounted: “There was no x-ray I have not done to get to the root of Toheeb’s problem. In 2009, I went for scan sessions on the eye at LASUTH several times. At a point, we were directed to some Indians in Ikeja. I borrowed money to buy drugs that were to be used for surgery on the eye there. At last, the Indians said they lacked the equipment that could be used for the operation.”

    For lack of any helper, she said she resigned to fate, hoping on God. His mother, Ebunlomo, Mrs Paul said, could not offer any help since, according to her, she had just passed out of school and was in search of how to make ends meet.

    Describing Toheeb as “a very brilliant and promising boy who is ever-ready to read despite his condition,” she added, painfully: “He is doing well in the second class at a Nursery/Primary School, here in Onipanu. But I must confess that each time I see him strain his only eye to read, I shed tears.”

    Sharing her phone number, 08052965364, with this reporter, Mrs Paul had submitted pitiably: “Well, may be God can use your medium, may be. We are in a world where our people only take delight in spending money on vanities without regard for their fellowmen. I just hope a God-sent person comes to Toheeb’s rescue.”

    A Calabar, Rivers State-based sympathiser, Mrs Asa Nkanor Effiong, read Toheeb’s story in The Nation and contacted Mrs Paul, following which she sent her widow’s mite – N20,000 – to support the boy’s recovery efforts.

    With the support, Mrs Paul was to return Toheeb to LASUTH to resume the needed attention, but the planned move met a brick wall – a strike by doctors which has lingered for about two weeks now. And that is the crux of her compounded worries.

    Now, as the embattled grandmother is desperately observing  dry fasting to seek God-sent helpers for financial support, she hopes the doctors will call off the strike now to end her son’s pains.

    Echoing her mother’s pains, Ebunoluwa, who gave her phone number as 07113482402, said: “For us, it is double trouble; as we pray for helpers, we also pray for urgent end to the doctors’ strike because the boy cries the more by the passage of days.”

  • UNILAG student’s shooting under probe

    UNILAG student’s shooting under probe

    What actually led to the shooting Monday night of Abayomi Sapare, a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), by assailants in front of Jaja Hall, a male hostel in the university?

    This is the question that has since the fateful day, attracted conflicting views from across the institution, but its Dean, Student Affairs, Prof Olukayode Amund, who drove the victim to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after the incident, yesterday said the incident was being investigated by the management.

    He told The Nation that the 400-Level Philosophy student was at the hall’s car park when he was attacked by the yet-unknown gunmen.

    “The victim was standing in the car park when his assailant attacked him. He was shot and stabbed, but after the gruesome attack, he managed to run into the Jaja Hall, his hostel, where other students came to his aid by rushing him to the medical centre and later, the LUTH.  I saw a stab wound on his head and a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest,” he said.

    A source in administration department said Sapare was with a girl in the car park when the assailants confronted him and demanded something from him before shooting him.

    However, an eyewitness in the hall said: “It happened by 8pm Monday night when the Public Address System (PAS) of the hostel announced that the victim had some visitors who wanted to see him. Few minutes after the announcement, a fight was overheard outside the hall between the victim and some men.  They shot and stabbed him. The gunshot scared students who had been watching the fight from afar and they all ran away. We came to his rescue after his assailants had left him in the pool of his own blood.”

    Yesterday, other students were afraid to talk about the issue as they declined to speak with these reporters. But a source said Sapare has a clique he moves around with. Another source said his friends did not sit for yesterday’s examination as part of the ongoing second semester examination, while some claimed he is a cultist.

    At press time, Amund said Sapare was in a stable condition and able to communicate with others, adding that the institution’s management was bent on fishing out the culprits as it has beefed up security.

    Last year, a student of the university was inflicted with machete wounds on campus.  Also, a lecturer in the Faculty of Business Administration was killed by unknown gunmen who attacked him in his home located in Onike, Yaba near the back gate of the university.

  • Underage boys terrorise Agege community

    Underage boys terrorise Agege community

    Imagine young boys and girls between ages of 10 and 14 waylaying you on the road and commanding  you to submit all your belongings!

    It can’t be true! Yes, it is and for real. A visit to Agege Local Government Area of Lagos will not only convince you but leave your mouth wide open.

    Life in Agege community has not been the same for some months now, courtesy of the nefarious activities of the underage boys and girls.

    The boys and girls have formed themselves into groups snatching money, handsets, harassing people, attacking motor bikes, vehicles, even the passersby at secluded places.

    Addressing a stakeholders’ forum on security yesterday at the council secretariat, the council chairman, Hon Jubreel AbdulKareem, lamented the increasing rate at which the underage terrorise the community.

    The event had in attendance religious leaders, marketers, Neighbourhood Watchers, Policemen, members of Community Development Committees (CDC), youth organisations, among others.

    “Some of these boys and girls, AbdulKareem said, are not up to age of maturity when you look at them but what they are doing is more than what a matured person can do. They are under 18; 15 years, 16 years even 14 including those that are still in primary schools. So, when they are being apprehended, you wonder what the police are doing with these young children and whereas, what they are doing is beyond their level.”

    He gave the names of the groups they belong to and their signs as Federal boys – drawing tattoo guns on their bodies; Omi Oju boys with three marks on their faces, Awawa boys and girls with tattoo on their ankles and State boys  tattoo gun on their back.

    He urged parents to always monitor their children’s whereabouts and the friends they keep.

    AbdulKareem said: “Whoever has these signs should desist from it; we should warn our children before they are caught by the security. We cannot afford to allow these boys and girls make our community unlivable.

    “We have made some arrests but the security people look at them as underage, they release but they continued to wreak havoc on the community hiding under the pretence of being underaged.”

    Olu of Agege, Oba Kamilu Isiba called on the populace to be security conscious.

    Oba Isiba said everyone must assume a role of security officer by reporting people with suspicious characters or movement to the appropriate quarters.

    Divisional Police Officer, Isokoko Police Division Oliver Amaechi warned whoever is involved in criminal activities to desist because the law must take its course when caught.

    Amaechi enjoined people to always come up with good evidence when reporting people.