The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • My story, by runaway father of triplets …as he returns

    My story, by runaway father of triplets …as he returns

    There was infectious joy penultimate Thursday when a jobless man, Isiaka Yusuf, who absconded after his wife was delivered of a set of triplets reunited with his wife and babies.

    The identical triplets were named Ameerat, Zainab and Ahmed.

    Yusuf’s homecoming followed appeals by sympathisers, including the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, who urged him to return home for the sake of his family during a visit to their residence a few days ago.

    The Nation had exclusively reported on Saturday May 21, that Yusuf bolted shortly after he was asked to pay N500, 000 as hospital bill following a ceasarian operation carried out on his wife when she was delivered of the babies.

    In the report, Yusuf, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, said he decided to stay away since he doesn’t have any means of taking care of my wife and children.

    Our correspondent also reported on Saturday May 28 how Akinbile-Yusuf and Executive Secretary of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, Hon. David Famuyiwa, donated cash and baby items to the triplets’ mother.

    Speaking with The Nation during a visit to his residence at No 4, Agesinjaweifa Street, Temidire area of Alagbado, Lagos suburb, Yusuf said he was forced to leave home because of lack of money to take care of his wife and children.

    His wife, Idowu, could not hide her joy for seeing her husband over one month after her husband left home.

    She said:” I was more than happy when he returned home on Thursday. His return followed appeals by concerned people. His presence has strengthened my morale and hope that things would get better for us.I thank all those who have been supporting our family through cash and donation of items for my babies since my plight was brought to the notice of members of public through The Nation newspaper.

    Yusuf gave reasons for his controversial disappearance from home, saying: “It was never my intention to abandon my family but I was forced to leave home unannounced when doctors demanded N500, 000 as hospital bill after my wife was delivered of the babies.

    “I also became worried after the babies exhausted 50 pieces of diapers within four days. And when I couldn’t think of how to salvage my situation, I decided to leave my family to their fate by absconding from home. I could barely feed let alone pay hospital bill having lost my job as cab driver.

    “I left home for Lakowe area of Ajah where I was sleeping inside vehicles parked in a filling station. My colleagues were only responsible for my feeding and I was hoping that I could return to my job as cab driver soon”.

    He explained that his return became inevitable following calls from concerned people who read his wife’s story published in The Nation.

    “Although, my sister, who was staying with my wife, had urged me to return home but I did not listen to her. I was however encouraged to come home after some concerned persons who read the story in your newspaper (The Nation) called me on the telephone and asked me to return to my family.

    “One of those who called me was my acquaintance in Alagbado and a brother who lives in Ondo State. They claimed to have heard about my plight on radio stations during newspaper reviews.”

    It was learnt that a woman identified simply as Iya Nla has paid Yusuf’s two-year-rent arrears and also bought a brand new motorcycle for him, so he could use it to work as a commercial motorcyclist.

    Yusuf added: “ I am not thinking of leaving my family again, even though I still need financial support to take care of my children. I thank everyone who has supported us including the commissioner(Akinbile-Yusuf); Agbado/Oke Odo council chairman(Famuyiwa);Iya Nla for their generosity.”

  • Police nab kidnap kingpin in Aba

    Police nab kidnap kingpin in Aba

    OPERATIVES of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a kidnap kingpin said to belong to a kidnapping gang has been terrorizing residents of the commercial city of Aba.

    A source said a patrol team from the Central Police Station, Aba Area Command, arrested the kingpin after investigating the activities of his gang.

    Sources gathered that the gang was linked with so many kidnap incidents in the state.

    The Nation gathered that two members of the gang were arrested along Azikiwe road, while allegedly heading for an operation.

    Items recovered from the gang, according to the police, include a locally made short gun, a pistol and over thirty rounds of ammunition of AK47 and double barrel guns, which they kept inside a bag that was recovered inside a commercial tricycle that they boarded.

    Narrating how the gang members were arrested, a police source said: “The police team was driving out from St. Michael’s road. And as they were heading towards Azikiwe road by Asa, the gang saw us the police team and sped off. Suspecting that there could be something sinister about them, the police team went after them and later double-crossed them at Azikiwe road. The driver of the keke Napep was arrested, but other members of the gang ran away.

    “The police later traced and arrested one of them at one of the streets off East road. When their bag was searched, ammunition, short gun and pistol, which the suspects were going to use for an operation, were discovered.

    “It was also learnt that their ring leader, one Divine

    Nwabuisi, from Umuekpe Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State and a student of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, who is on his one year industrial attachment, has other boys that he recruited and use for various operations. Items including raps of Indian hemp were found in his home.

    “The police also learnt that the gang use the ‘keke’ operator Chubuike Anyanwu, a native of Okigwe, Imo State, living at No. 2 Idimogu off N0. 7 Ogbonnaya road, Aba, for their operations. The gang used the tricycle to ferry innocent commuters in order to deceive the police and other security agencies.”

    Parading the suspects at the Aba Area Command, the state Police Commissioner, Joshak Habila, praised the efforts of his men and warned that the command was not going to make it convenient for hoodlums to thrive in their trade in Aba and other parts of the state.

    Police said that they were on the trail of other members of the gang, said to be at large as at the time of filing this report.

    Speaking with newsmen, Divine Nwabuisi admitted that the ammunition belonged to the gang. However, Chibuike Anyanwu denied being a member of the gang and claimed innocence of the items found in the bag.

    According to Anyanwu, the money he used to buy the tricycle was part of the money he won in a game he played with naira bet.

  • We’re coming back to deal with you

    We’re coming back to deal with you

    In a rare show of bravado, suspected members of a notorious gang, called One Million Boys, have threatened to return to deal with residents of a Lagos community, after some members of the gang were arrested for robbery.

    The Nation gathered that about 18 members of the terror gang, whose ages range between 14 and 17, allegedly invaded and robbed not less than 15 houses in Isheri-Olofin, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, last Saturday.

    Our correspondent gathered that the boys, who were armed with matchetes, guns and other dangerous weapons, raided houses on Fasasi, Anuoluwapo, Fasasi Balogun and Orelope Streets from 12 am to 3am.

    The gangsters were said to have announced their presence with sporadic gunshots.

    Items, including DVD players, undisclosed cash, jewelry and sundry phones, were carted away in Ghana must go bags by the hoodlums.

    It was learnt that those who hesitated to release their belongings were brutally dealt with matchete cuts during the operation.

    Residents, who spoke with our correspondent, said that about five landlords who sustained injuries during the robbery operation are in critical condition at the state General Hospital, Igando.

    An elderly member of a local vigilance group, identified simply as Baba Kazeem, who was dealt several matchete blows and shot during the operation, is said to be on danger list at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

    A 60-year-old woman, simply known as Iya Rotimi, was wounded by the hoodlums, while an unidentified man and his wife were wounded by the hoodlums for not having valuables at home.

    It was learnt that the dare-devil boys took to their heels with their loots after they were confronted by angry residents.

    One of the suspects, called Babyface, was, however, caught at Idimu, and led the police to arrest three other members of the group, including one Yar’Adua.

    The Nation gathered that their arrest was carried out by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Idimu Police Station, Mr. Solomon Adebayo Fayomi, who led his men to the scene of the incident following distress calls by residents.

    The arrested suspects would have been lynched by the angry residents, but for the intervention of the DPO, who pleaded with residents not to resort to jungle justice.

    An eyewitness, who did not want his name in print, said: “We were having a party in front of our house when the boys, numbering about 20, passed through our street, but we did not know that they were hoodlums. Suddenly, we started hearing gunshots from adjoining streets, and before we knew what was happening, one of my husband’s family members who live on one of the streets raided, ran towards our house to ask for help. He had blood all over him and said that he was attacked with matchete by the boys when they threatened to kill his wife, because they could not find valuables in their home.

    “The wicked boys also threatened to kill a three-month-old baby when his parents explained that they did not have money at home. They later spared the baby after carting away valuables in the apartment.”

    The source added: “The hoodlums fled after residents confronted them, but we succeeded in arresting some of them with the aid of policemen who answered our distress calls. We would have killed them, but for the DPO who asked us not to take the law into our hands. Surprisingly, while the boys arrested were being taken away to the station in a police van, they boasted that they would return to deal with us. They said that was not the first time they would be arrested and snapped their fingers at us, threatening to further terrorise us on their return from detention. “Their threats have created palpable fear in this community, because we learnt that their ‘godfathers’ have started making contacts to secure their release and they might carry out their threats by further attacking us.”

    Another resident, who identified herself as Barakat, urged the police not to release the boys because of their criminal activities.

    She said: “The police should not release the boys at all, because we gathered that some people have been making moves to secure their freedom. Their return will spell doom for residents following the threats they made to deal with us while they were being taken to the station.”

    Speaking with our correspondent during a visit to his palace, the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun, urged the police to step up patrol and surveillance activities in order to flush out criminals from the community.

    “This is the first time the so-called One Milliion Boys would terrorise my domain. It is sad that these boys, who are mostly teenagers, armed themselves with sophisticated guns or rifles to brutalise and rob hapless residents.

    “Although, I want to commend the DPO of Idimu Police Station for leading out his men to contain the rampaging boys, but I want to advise the police to carry out proactive surveillance and patrol in this community to checkmate these boys and other criminals. The boys must not be allowed to return to carry out their threats of further attacks on innocent residents.”

    At press time, Lagos police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, did not pick calls or respond to a text message forwarded to her phone by our correspondent.

  • Succour for abandoned mother of triplets

    Succour for abandoned mother of triplets

    The Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, on Tuesday, visited Mrs Idowu Yusuf, the mother of triplets who was abandoned by her husband because she had multiple births.

    Her visit followed an exclusive report published last Saturday by The Nation on the plight of Idowu and her triplets.

    Akinbile-Yussuf arrived at the distraught nursing mother’s residence at No 4,

    Agesinjaweifa Street in the Temidire area of Alagbado, a Lagos suburb at about 11 am.

    She donated cash gift, beverages, baby food, and diapers among others items.

    Speaking, the commissioner urged the father of the babies to come back home for the sake of his children and wife.

    She said the state government, led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has initiated training programmes that would make people in the state self-reliant.

    Her words: “I was really touched after reading the story in The Nation newspaper last Saturday. Children are supposed to be source of joy to parents. But it is sad that the father of the babies bolted because of lack of money to take care of them.

    “I want to, therefore, urge him to return home because his children need him more than ever before. The fact that he is jobless does not mean he should abandon his family to fate. People, like the father of the babies, who are jobless can participate in some of the training programmes initiated by the state government to make them self-reliant.”

    It was learnt that the Executive Secretary of Agbado/OkeOdo LCDA, Hon. David Famuyiwa has also donated cash and other items to the mother of the identical triplets, named Ameerat, Ahmed and Zainab.

    In the story, Idowu cried out for financial support and the return of her husband, Isiaka Yusuf, who allegedly absconded from home shortly after she was delivered of a set of triplets on April 6, 2016.

    The couple has two other children- Yusuf,10, and Mariam,7,before the birth of the triplets.

    The Nation learnt that Idowu’s husband, a cab operator, has been out of job lately.

    He was said to have abandoned his wife and the babies in a private hospital where they were born through Caesarian section, after he was asked to pay the sum ofN500, 000 as hospital bill.

    Speaking from hiding, the absentee father of the babies told our correspondent in a telephone conversation that ”May God not turn our joy into sadness. I had to abscond after doctors at a private hospital, where my wife was delivered of the triplets, demanded a whopping sum of N500, 000 as cost of carrying out Caesarian operation. It was my wife’s relatives who contributed about N250, 000 as part payment before my wife and babies were discharged.

    “It was not my intention to abandon my family, but I lost my job as a cab operator after the engine of the car I was driving knocked down and the owner has refused to change or repair it. I felt ashamed of myself and decided to stay away, since I don’t have any means of taking care of my wife and children.”

    While thanking Akinbile-Yussuf and others for their kind gesture, Idowu said:” I really don’t know what to say, but to thank the commissioner for her kind gesture. May God continue to bless her and others who have shown interest in my plight.”

  • Monarch petitions SSS over plans to install parallel ruler

    The traditional ruler of Itoga in Badagry area of Lagos State, Chief Suru Hoteyin Amosu, has petitioned the Lagos State office of Department of State Security Service (DSS), following alleged attempt to install a parallel monarch in his community.

    In a petition, dated May 11, 2016, Chief Amosu claimed that the Onibereko of Ibereko in Olorunda LCDA, Oba Israel Ade Okoya, has been making surreptitious attempts to impose another monarch on his domain shortly after his installation by the Akran of Badagry.

    The petition, tagged,” Impending breach of peace”, reads: “The Baale in-Council in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State writes to draw your attention to an impending breach of public peace being orchestrated by Oba Israel Ade Okoya, the Onibereko of Ibereko, Badagry, to install yet another Baale of Toga community against the earlier approval order given by the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Local Government  and Chieftaincy , which instructed and directed both the Badagry Local Government Chieftaincy Committee and its chairman, His Royal Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi, the Akran of Badagry and both had performed the traditional and constitutional installation of Chief Suru Hoteyin Amosu as de facto Baale of Toga community on Wednesday April 13, 2016.

    “The entire Toga community now lives in fear and apprehension as the news of a second Baale in same community is underway by the Onibereko of Ibereko, an Awori, who (is) poised to install an Egun Baale in a 100 per cent. This unconstitutional event was initially slated for Friday May 13, 2016 at the palace of Onibereko in Ibereko, Badagry. It took a court injunction to put him to a pause, and as usual he is likely to carry out this ‘unholy’ action… which may result in a serious public turmoil consequently leading to a breach of the peace.

    It added: “Sir, this piece of information is offered to furnish your good offices for your immediate action so as to forestall breakdown of law and order. We are peace-loving people”.

    However, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Oba Okoya denied knowledge of any plan to install a Baale in Itoga.

    He explained that the matter has been taken to a state High Court in Badagry, adding that the affected community is not within the jurisdiction of Akran of Badagry, as a court judgment and a gazette by the state government had stripped him of such functions.

    His words:” I am not planning to install anyone as Baale of the community; it is, however, important to say that their allegation that Akran of Badagry is the consenting authority over their community is not true.

    “The truth is that there is a judgment against the Akran of Badagry, which prevents him from installing anyone as Baale of the community (Itoga).I have a copy of the judgment and it is even gazetted by the state government.

    “Besides, is it possible for anyone to be installed as Baale of a community by a traditional ruler outside his immediate local government? Itoga is within the Olorunda Local Council Development Area, not Badagry Local Government. So, how can those who made these allegations justify their claim when their community is not in Badagry Local Government?”

  • Notorious gang kills 25-yr -old in Lagos community

    Notorious gang kills 25-yr -old in Lagos community

    Tragedy struck penultimate Saturday on Abudu Oladejo Street,off Alfa Nla Street, Agege, a Lagos suburb, after members of a terror gang, Awawa Boys, allegedly killed a 25-year-old man, Ibrahim Bello, aka Emir, during a robbery operation.

    The hoodlums were said to have stormed the building where the late Bello lived in the wee hours of the day and robbed the occupants, moving from one apartment to the other.

    It was learnt that the shout of Ole, Ole (thief, thief) by the distressed occupants roused Bello from his sleep, but was shot dead by the hoodlums when he stepped out of his room to look at what was happening.

    Our correspondent gathered that the marauding boys also took away phones and other valuables belonging to the deceased youth.

    The incident was reported to Isokoko Police Division.

    Impeccable sources told The Nation that the hoodlums initially came to the street around 1 am, but were repelled by some vigilant youths in the neighbouhood.

    “They (Awawa boys), however returned around 4 am and caught the youths unawares. I think that they shot the boy (Bello) because he could identify some of them,” said a source who spoke in confidence.

    Our correspondent learnt that Bello was rushed to a nearby private hospital, from where he was transferred to a public hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

    It was learnt that the hoodlums recently killed a man, popularly called Baba Lateef, in the neighbourhood.

    Residents told The Nation that the police have not been able to contain the notorious Awawa boys in the neighbourhood.

    One of Bello’s siblings, who did not want his name in print, said:”I just covered my face when I heard the shout of Ole, Ole (thief, thief) by other tenants. Then I heard several gunshots without any inkling that my younger brother was the one shot.

    “He was immediately rushed to a private hospital on Alfa Nla Street and later transferred to a state General Hospital, where he died.”

    It was learnt that the deceased was looking forward to the safe delivery of his expectant wife and had planned to throw a party in celebration of the arrival of his baby.

    A cross section of residents urged security agents to step up patrol in the community in order to flush out members of the dreaded gang from the community.

    The spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, has yet to respond to enquiries by our correspondent at press time.

  • Court remands labourer for alleged murder

    A 28- year- old labourer, Onuoha Alex, has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody by an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing one Elvis Chukwuebuka Megwa, 19.

    Onuoha, a native of Abia State was said to have allegedly conspired with two others now at large to kill Elvis by stabbing him to death with broken bottles.

    It was reported that the defendant with two of his friends now at a large, sexually harassed Elvis’ 16 -year- old sister, Amanda at about 9:45pm while running an errand.

    Amanda was said to have reported the incident to her twin brothers Elvis and others (name withheld) leading to a confrontation with Onuoha.

    Onuoha was said to have stabbed Elvis during the argument, while others sustained injuries.

    Elvis allegedly died on the spot, while his brother is still receiving treatment in a hospital.

     The defendant was arrested and arraigned in court  for murder.

    His plea was not taken. The charge filed according to the investigative police officer, Inspector Alex  Oloja reads: “That you ,Onuoha Alex ‘m’ on the 18th day of April , 2016 at about 2115hrs ,at No 5 , Olalekan Street , off Liasu Road, Ikotun, in the Lagos magisterial district , did kill one Elvis Chukwuebuka Megwa ‘m’ age 19 years by stabbing him with a broken bottle on his neck and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.”

    The police prosecutor, Sergeant Maria Dauda applied that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    The presiding magistrate, Miss K.A Ariyo granted the prosecutor’s application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending legal advice from DPP office.

    The case was adjourned to June 27, 2016

  • How we operated, by Kaduna kidnap suspects

    How we operated, by Kaduna kidnap suspects

    Residents of Kaduna metropolis can now sleep with their two eyes closed, following the recent clamp down order by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on a group of dreaded herdsmen, who have held the entire state hostage.

    The clampdown led to the arrest of a notorious gang of kidnappers that had been operating in the state.

    The suspects, who were rounded up by operatives of the IG Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, were alleged to be behind the March 21, 2016, abduction of the President, Vice President and a pastor of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev Emmanuel Dziggan, Rev Illiya Anthony and Rev Yakubu Dzarma respectively, at Dutse village in Kaduna State.

    The gang was also said to have kidnapped a member of staff of the Presidential Villa, Abuja and many other victims. The source also revealed that IGP Solomon Arase was inundated with complaints of the gang’s activities within Kaduna State, as they have successfully made the Kaduna-Abuja road hellish for motorists.

    According to the source, after abducting their victims, members of the gang, identified as Kashimu Shehu aka Baliago, who is the gang leader; Aliyu Mato, aka, Yellow;  Muhammedu Mamman; Hassan Bello; Bala Mohammed and Ishiaku Kabiru, would make them trek for hours to their camp, a deep forest off the Abuja-Kaduna road, close to Tapher Village Kaduna State.

    The gang was also said to have raked in huge sums of money in ransom from their victims, creating an overwhelming sense of insecurity among the residents of the state.

    Arase, who was said to have been miffed by the development, was said to have ordered operatives of his elite Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, to the state to track down the hoodlums and put an to their activities.

    Two of the suspects, Kabiru and Bello, were said to have been arrested at the naming ceremony organised by their gang leader, Shehu, at Gidan Kasimu,  Mai-Yahsi village in Dutse-Wai Kubua Local Government area of Kaduna State. The two later provided the information that led to the arrest of other members of the gang.

    During interrogations, the source revealed that the suspects confessed to the crimes and also narrated how they kidnapped their victims. Some of their victims also identified the suspects.

    In his confessional statement, the first suspect said: “I am Aliyu Haruna, 30-years-old and I am a Fulani by tribe. I was born in Kastina State, but I grew up in the Sabo Gayan area of Kaduna State. I attended Alamajiri school at Gidan Abdulmumuni, Sabo Gayan Village. I am a farmer and  I also rear cattle. I am also a commercial motorcycle operator. I am married to my cousin, Mas’uda, and we are blessed with three children. I have about 10 cows.

    “On the 24 April 2016, I was arrested by some policemen from Abuja at a naming ceremony at Gidan Kasimu, at Mai Yahsi Village , in Dutse-Wai Kubua Local Government area of Kaduna State. The naming ceremony was organised by one of our gang leaders,  Kasimu Shehu, aka Babajo. I joined the gang of kidnappers sometime in April 2016, and we are six members in that gang, namely Shehu,  Musa, Yakil, Aliu and Bashiru. We have one Ak 47 rifle that is always in the possession of our gang leader, Kasimu Shehu.

    Sometime in April, Shehu called me and said I should bring food for them and that they had kidnapped one man at Auden Jangwan village off Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. I saw Shehu with a AK 47 rifle in the bush when I went to deliver the food to him. I used my motorcycle to deliver the food to them inside the bush.

    Shehu promised to pay me N200,000 once the ransom was paid, but I was given just N1000 when I delivered the food. I know I have committed a crime. One of us, Mohammedu Maman, a cousin to Kasimu Shehu, he is our gang member and his role is to guard the hostage in the camp. He was the one who guarded one Nassarawa State indigene in the camp when he was kidnapped”.

    The second suspect, 30-year-old Aliyu Haruna, said: “I am a Fulani by tribe and a native of Kaduna State and I am married to two wives  and I have five children. I had Alamajir education and I work as a security guard at a pure water company on Yakowa Way Kaduna State.  I am also into land business with my friend, Sani. I joined this kidnapping gang last year and we are six members of the group. My gang members are Kasimu Shehu who is our leader, Bashiru, Yaki, Musa, Bello and myself”.

    But the alleged leader of the gang, Kasimu Shehu, denied being a member of the gang.

    The 27-year-old said: “I am a Fulani by tribe and a native of Mai-Yahsi Village in Dutse-Wai Kubua Local Government Area of Kaduna State.  I attended an Alamajiri school at Peleke-Tasher Tsamya village, Zaria, Kaduna State. I am married to two wives and I am blessed with two children. I have over 40 cows, which I am rearing at Audu Jangwan village along the Abuja- kaduna road. I am not part of the kidnapping gang, as my friends, Aliyu Haruna, Hassan Bello have alleged.  I am not the leader of any kidnapping gang. I am not among the gang that kidnapped the pastors or a staff of the presidency as alleged. I don’t have an Ak47 rifle as alleged by the police and  I have a locally made gun, which I bought from one late old man who lived in Kauran Wali-Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State N600,000. I am using the gun to protect my cows. I don’t have a licence for the gun. The locally made gun is with one Mathew for repair at Tunga Sabo Village, Rigina, Kaduna State.”

    Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims, said: “I am Rev. Yakubu Dzarma , I am 63-year-old and I am a native Kaduna state.  On march 21, 2016, I, along with Reverend Emmanuel and Ilia Anthony went to clear the church site for a seminary school. When we were done with the clearing and were about to enter into our vehicles, a Toyota Highlander SUV and a Sienna saloon car, some hoodlums who were all armed with AK47 rifles rounded us up and ordered us to surrender all our valuables including cash.”

    They collected N64,000 cash, my Techno phone valued, at 78,000 and my shoe, valued N20,000. They ordered us into the bush and we started trekking. One hour after we had trekked a very long distance, one of our pastors, Ilia Anto, who was sick, told them that he could not go any further and he complained about his health. They started beating him and when they saw that he wasn’t ready to move again, they left him and used his phone and called his last dialed number and gave the person the location where to find pastor Anto and we continued trekking.

    Just 24 hours later, we got to their camp and they have four camps within the area.  Each camp contains nothing less than 10 men all armed with AK47 rifles. The next day they used my cell phone and called my wife and gave her three numbers she should call.  They gave us five days to pay the ransom or they would kill us but we stayed with them for nine days before a ransom of N4million was paid to them. They shot discriminately into the air while we were all at the camp.  We also left four kidnapped women in the camp, one of them was also pregnant. I can confidently identify one of the suspects arrested by the IRT Operatives and his name is Kasimu Shehu.”

    The Police Force Public Relation, Olabisi Kolawole, while confirming the report, said the suspected kidnappers were terrorising Kaduna and Zaria area of Kaduna State. He said they will soon be arraigned in court.

  • Female cook, others in police net over kidnapping

    Female cook, others in police net over kidnapping

    A 20-year-old female cook, believed to be a member of a kidnapping gang terrorizing Aba in Abia State and other parts of the southeast, has been arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Nigeria Police, Aba Area Command.

     The Nation gathered that, while the male members of the gang were in-charge of trailing and kidnapping their victims, the cook was charged with the responsibility of cooking and feeding the abducted victims in their camp.

     The Abia State Police Commissioner, Joshak Habila, who made the disclosure while briefing the press at the Aba Area Command, said that apart from the female cook, other members of the gang fled before the police stormed the kidnappers den at Eberi Omuma Community in Rivers State.

     Habila, who said that a female victim and her child, who were earlier kidnapped in Aba by the gang, were rescued unhurt, added that the rescued victims were in good health condition.

     He disclosed that the SARS team carried ut a search operation in the area after rescuing their victims and recovered a pistol, filing and welding

    machines and about 25 pieces of yet-to-be expended live ammunition, which were abandoned by other members of the gang while fleeing the scene.

     The CP stated that police investigation shows that the gang, whose members cut across other locations in southeast and south-south, has been linked with several kidnappings and robbery operations within the zones.

     According to Habila, the group is also allegedly linked to bank robbery operations and breaking of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) vaults in the southeast and some south-south states, where they carted away millions.

     The police boss also used the opportunity to restate the commitment of his personnel and the command to ensure that Aba and other parts of the state remain peaceful.

    He, however, warned criminals contemplating to come into the state to carry out their nefarious activities to think twice, saying the command would continue to make the state unsafe for hoodlums.

    Also speaking, the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara, who explained how his team stormed the kidnappers den, said the hoodlums had abducted two persons at Clifford and Ngwa roads in Aba.

     Wagbara stated that the police, who were working on a tip-off, stormed the place where victims were kept in a village, called Umuakwu in Eberi Omuma, Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.

     According to him, “We stormed the community, but the hoodlums had advance information that we were coming and they fled. But we were able to rescue the victims.

     “When we searched the house, we found this young lady, believed to be the one who was cooking food for the victims. Other things found were a welding machine, 22 rounds of ammunition and a filing machine. They used the equipment to break into ATM and bank vaults.”

     He added that the police have launched manhunt for other members of the gang that are still at large.  In a rated development, a three-man kidnapping gang that has been terrorizing residents of the southeast has been bust by personnel of the Aba Area command.

     The gang members, it was learnt, were arrested after they abducted a victim in the Aba area of Abia State.

     The police, however, would not disclose the identity of the suspects, saying they were still investigating the matter.

    It was gathered that one of the suspects had been on the wanted list of the police for a long time.

    The police said the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations into the matter were concluded.

  • Couple robbed minutes after moving into new apartment

    Couple robbed minutes after moving into new apartment

    A top staff member of a Lagos-based multinational company and his wife (name withheld) were robbed in their home on Thursday a few hours after they moved into their new apartment.

    The incident happened at No 20, Oyegunwa Street, Ladipo area of Shogunle in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The robbers were said to have forced their way into the four-bedroom flat on the first floor of the two-storey building by breaking the main door of the apartment and window net.

    The incident was reported to Shogunle Police Division.

    The robbers were said to have carted away phones, laptops, jewelry and other valuable items while the occupants were asleep.

    “The man and his wife were seen moving into the building in the morning at about 11 am. It was so sad that they were robbed a few hours later,” said a source who did not want his name in print.

    Our correspondent learnt that a similar incident happened last December when one of the apartments in the building was robbed.

    Recalling the incident, wife of the new tenant, who spoke in confidence said:” We moved into the apartment around 10 am and arranged our belongings till late in the night. We went to bed after midnight in the hope that we would continue from where we stopped the arrangement of our belongings.

    “We were shocked to find out this morning that our apartment has been burgled by unknown persons. The incident must have happened around 3 am because we didn’t go to bed until about 2 am. The main door to our apartment was smashed and cut open with sharp objects.” She added:”The robbers broke into my husband’s wardrobe and removed his laptop containing vital information relating to his office. My jewelry, phones and other personal items were also carted. I just thank God the robbers did not touch my daughters when they broke into their room.”