The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Gunmen abduct two senior NSCDC officials

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two senior personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The two officials were identified as the Area Commander of Edo North Command, Francis Okunwe and Divisional Officer of Irrua, Albert Eguavoen, a Chief Superintended of Corps (CSC

    They were on their way to Benin city, the state capital, when they were abducted at Ewosaa before Ekpon near Ebele in Igueben Local Government Area.

    Read Also: NSCDC nab 20-year old woman for hawking N.3m naira notes

    Sources at NSCDC said the two officials travelled through Igueben due to the bad state of the Benin-Auchi-Okenne highway.

    It was said that the abduction happened on Friday at about 2 pm and the Toyota Sienna van they were travelling in had been recovered from where it was abandoned.

    “They were on their way to Benin but because of the bad state of portions along the Auchi – Benin road, they decided to pass through Igueben to cut off the bad spots but unfortunately the incident happened around Ewossa before Ekpon.’’

    Confirming the incident, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed, said security agencies had been directed to apprehend the abductors.

  • Lagos: Baale denies involvement in land grabbing

    The Baale of Cardoso area of Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Chief Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, on Thursday, denied any involvement in land grabbing activities within the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of the state.

    A statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Babajide Osokoya, described Owonla as a consummate businessman in various sectors of the country’s economy, who would not engage in such unlawful activities.

    According to the statement: “Apart from being a traditional ruler of repute, High Chief Owonla sits comfortably atop successful businesses spanning hospitality, education, property, oil and gas and automobiles. He is the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Owonla Hotels, Impressive Schools, Owonla Property Management Company, Rosebol Oil & Gas Limited and Kaka Auto Marts.

    ‘’It was, however, shocking that some residents in Ayobo and other communities in the area staged a demonstration to protest against the activities of land grabbers allegedly led by one Moroof Owonla, aka Kaka, who has been terrorising their communities.”

    Owonla said he had no personal or business relationship with the property agent, who issued a 14-day ultimatum dated September 10, 2019 to property owners in the community.

    He urged concerned authorities to feel free to carry out thorough investigations on the matter with a view to ascertaining those responsible for the controversial notice.

    The statement added: “We imagine what could have been the link between High Chief Owonla and the agent known as Gabfod Properties that informed the reported protest against his personality on the streets.

    ‘’For purpose of clarity, Chief Owonla was the property agent of late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, when he won the case over the landed property in suit No. ID/1722/92 in the judgment delivered by Justice O.A Williams (Mrs.) of Ikeja High Court 7 on October 24, 2004, and he successfully managed the property until this year (2019), when the children and family of late Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo decided to disengage Chief Owonla and appointed Gabfob Properties Investments as their new land agent.

    ‘’Chief Owonla, a graduate of Business Administration from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, is equally a landlord on the said property, having bought 15 acres with genuine documents directly from the judgment creditor, late Chief Arimiyau Bello Ekundayo, long before his death,  and this his children and family can attest to.’’

  • Tipper crushes vulcaniser while urinating by roadside

    A 29-year-old vulcaniser has been crushed to death by a tipper lorry in the Akinhan area of Awowo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Sources said the victim, Adeyemi Abiodun popularly called olainukan was called by an unidentified motorist to help him fix his car’s flat tyre penultimate Wednesday.

    He was said to have crossed the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway to meet the customer and quickly fixed the bad tyre.

    Read Also: Five wedding guests die, several injured In Ekiti accident

    Sources said he was pressed and decided to urinate by the road side during which the tipper which had a brake failure hit him and died instantly.

    The driver of the truck fled immediately while irate residents prevented other tipper drivers from passing through the area.

    Normalcy was however restored in the community after about three hours.

    His remains were deposited at the morgue in Ifo General Hospital, while he was buried last Thursday amid tears by sympathisers.

  • Customs boss lauds Ogun command over joint border security

    The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (CGC), Col Hameed Ali has commended the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the ongoing joint border security exercise across the country.

    Ali made the remarks on Thursday during an assessment tour of the ongoing joint border security exercise in Ogun 1 Customs Area Command at Idiroko town, which shares border with the Benin Republic.

    He thanked the operatives of the joint border operations in the command for sustaining the exercise since the beginning of the operations last month.

    The customs chief who was received by the Controller of the Ogun 1 Area Command, Comptroller Michael Agbara, was accompanied by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Kayode Oguntuase, Comptroller General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede and Brigadier General . E.A Ndagi, Coordinator of Joint Border Security Exercise, among others.

    Read Also: Ogun Customs Command 1 rakes N6.7b revenue

    ‘’My observation is that the officers are doing well. They are deployed to do a job and they are doing it exceptionally well, and that is the reason why Mr President (Buhari) asked us to come and convey his appreciation and commendations to the officers.

    He also said the closure of land borders was in the best interest of the country.

    He noted that the closure of land borders by the Federal Government was necessary to fortify the country’s security and economy, against the backdrop of smuggling of unwholesome goods including arms and ammunition into the country.

    He said: ‘’We are touring the operations sectors. As you know, we are doing an operation called ‘’Border Drill’’ and as a result of that, we have deployed our men in most of these commands.

    ‘’There are three reasons for going round. First, is to convey Mr President’s compensation to our troops and personnel that have been deployed to carry out those drills.

    ‘’Secondly is to further explain to them the reasons why we are doing this drill. Thirdly, is to getting feedback on the ground as to the successes and challenges (of the operation).

    He disclosed that the exercise would not be terminated unless there was assurance of cooperation from neighbouring countries on Nigeria’s anti-smuggling policies.

  • No information about my abducted wife, says NRC MD

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Mr Fidet Okhiria on Thursday said his family was yet to receive any contact or information pertaining to his abducted wife, Francisca.

    Okhiria made this disclosure at his NRC Headquarters, Ebute-Metta Junction, Lagos home.

    He said, “No member of the family has been contacted. We have yet to receive any information from the abductors of my wife,” he lamented.

    Okhiria pleaded with the abductors to please spare his wife.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct NRC MD’s wife

    He said his children and other family members have been calling to enquire whether there has been any development or whether he has been contacted.

    He disclosed that the Inspector General of Police Mr Idris Adamu and other top security chiefs have also been in touch, and are on top of the situation.

    Okhiria who appeared very calm as he discussed with journalists, said the family are praying for the safe return of his wife.

    He said, it was only recently that she even permitted him to hire for her a driver, adding that she loves to drive herself anytime she is at home.

    According to him; “rather than having a driver, my wife prefers to be in company of her friends. She was in company of two of her friends when the incident happened.”

    Suspected gunmen on Wednesday abducted Mrs Okhiria, in Oredo, Benin, Edo State.

    It was learnt that the gunmen who were in police uniform trailed her from the airport and kidnapped her on the way to her house.

    When contacted, the state’s Police spokesperson, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, who had confirmed the incident, added that an Army Sergeant was also shot.

    DSP Nwabuzor said the woman was kidnapped at Irhirhi along NNPC filling station in Oredo Local Government Area.

    Top management staff members of the NRC were seen in the house on Wednesday, sympathising with the Managing Director.

  • Two ‘robbers’ killed in Lagos

    Two suspected armed robbers were Monday morning killed and another injured during a gun battle with police in Lagos, The Nation learnt on Thursday.

    It was gathered that the suspects including one Toheed Fashola alias Epo met their waterloo around 5am while allegedly robbing early road users around Alakija on the Badagry Expressway.

    The suspects were said to have hijacked a commercial bus and robbed its passengers of their phones, other valuables when policemen from Satellite Division on crime patrol were tipped off about their operation.

    According to a source, the cops pursued the suspects from the scene of the crime but as they approached a dead end, they opened fire on the officers to evade arrest.

    Read Also: Police arrest four notorious ‘armed robbers’ in Lagos

    “Policemen retaliated and in the process two of the robbers died while the third one, Quadri Suleiman sustained leg injury. They are notorious in Sattelite, Tolu and environs. These boys operate up to Ajegunle and they terrorise people,” he said.

    “The injured one claimed it was his first time to join them.”

    Suleiman, it was gathered, has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) alongside the firearm recovered from the gang.

  • Man electrocuted in Delta

    An unidentified middle-aged man has been electrocuted following a failed attempt to vandalise a transformer belonging the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Asaba, Delta State capital.

    The deceased, a father of three, was found dead by residents after his failed attempt to steal some of the facilities over the weekend.

    The Nation learnt the incident occurred along the High Court Road area of Asaba.

    His remains were discovered on Monday morning by residents.

    Read Also: Phone thief burnt to death in Delta

    It was learnt the deceased broke into the facility on Sunday night.

    The middle-aged man was alleged to have been retrenched recently.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased was discovered lying inside the building housing the transformer.

    A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The deceased vandal was until his death a husband and father of three children, who engaged in unskilled labour to cater for his family. His corpse was discovered on Monday morning by some residents”.

    Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr Adeyinka Adeleke confirmed the incident.

  • Phone ‘thief’ burnt in Delta

    An unidentified phone ‘thief’ was burnt to death at the popular Effurun Roundabout in Uvwie council area of Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7am.

    Witnesses said the suspect  snatched a woman’s phone outside the Delta Mall premises and was headed for the bush across the mall, when an angry mob caught him and immediately lynched him.

    A wristwatch trader who sells at the roundabout narrated the incident.

    Read Also: Black market petrol seller burnt to death

    “It happened on Sunday morning here. As he was running, the people around pursued and caught him. After seriously beating him, they put a tyre on him and set him on fire. They burnt him near were those buses are parked.

    “It was yesterday they removed the body,” the trader who did not disclose his name said.

    A man, Chuks Ifeyinwa, corroborated the story. He said he was on his way to church and saw the alleged thief being set ablaze for “stealing a lady’s phone”.

    When The Nation visited the scene on Tuesday, a bystander simply identified as Mabel claimed to have witnessed a robbery attack on some people who were just returning from a business trip in the same area.

    Stating that the area as from 10pm is “a deadly zone,” she called for security operatives to be drafted to the area in order to reduce attacks on unsuspecting persons.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke said he was “not aware,” of the case but  promised to “find out,” but was yet to give feedback as at the time of filing this report.

  • Doctor re-arraigned for cutting off patient’s kidneys

    A medical doctor in Adamawa State Yakubu Hassan Koji who cut off a patient’s kidneys during a surgery was on Tuesday re-arraigned before a tribunal on a 12-count charge.

    The tribunal is sitting at the instance of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    Dr Koji was questioned on issues bordering on negligence in the handling of a patient Mr. Isa Hamma, now deceased.

    The accused doctor performed an operation on the patient without informing him of the risks involved. In the process he ‘mistakenly’ cut off the patient’s kidneys.

    One of the 12 charges reads: “That you, Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, registered medical practitioner and practicing as such, between 25th June and 7th July, 2016 or thereabouts at Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Jimeta, Adamawa State, were negligent when you undertook a surgical operation on one Isa Hamma and removed an organ you could not identify and by the said fact, conducted yourself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4f of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under section 16 (1) (a) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP M8 LFN 2004 (as amended).”

    Read Also: Doctor performs abortion on the wrong woman

    Although in earlier arraignment, Koji pleaded not guilty to one or two of the charges, in a new twist, the respondent pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges.

    The Defense Counsel, B. E Olowonubi pleaded with the members of the tribunal for a little time to opt for plea bargain for his client. However, the prosecution counsel vehemently opposed the position, saying a plea bargain can only be reached if the respondent accepts that he is guilty of the charges.

    According to the Prosecution Counsel, Dr. Musa A. Aliyu, “We remember that this respondent had earlier pleaded guilty to a count or two; that would have been the proper pedestal to build a leniency of any punishment that can be meted to him.

    “But he, after he has taken his plea, has taken a step to say ‘I am not guilty’, what are you bargaining again? Plea bargain will only result in, I am guilty.

    “This is a tribunal established by law, and the proceedings are guided by law. In criminal crime, in the new development there are issues of plea bargain which the administration of criminal justice have introduced into our criminal justice system, which is accepted in the court.

    “But to the best of our knowledge Mr. Chairman, there is no provision either in the medical ethics of Nigeria or in the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act, which empowers the prosecution or the Medical and Dental investigation panel to enter into any bargain with somebody it has investigated and found that he has a case to answer, as a result of which a charge is proffered against him.”

    He went further to say that if the respondent admits to the charges and pleads guilty then the issue of plea bargain will suffice, if not he  (prosecution counsel) and his team are ready to proceed with the prosecution and call their witness and tender all the evidences they feel that are enough to have the respondent convicted of professional misconducts on all the charges proffered against him.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Prof. Abba Hassan, reminded everyone that the respondent initially when he was arraigned pleaded guilty on one or two of the charges. But because he didn’t have a counsel then, the tribunal granted him some time to prepare with one. Now he has changed his plea to all of them that he is not guilty.

    “The issue is the removal of functional kidneys in an individual, which has led to the death of the patient. Even if you are going to do a plea bargain, the important thing which you raise is not our law now.

    “In the review of the Act, if this comes in, but as far as I am concerned, the members of the tribunal have no option than to go ahead with the prosecution because the case is an issue of somebody who lost both of the organs and the patient is dead. It is only fair to the complainants that we conclude this case to a surgical conclusion,” he said.

    The case continues.

  • Bricklayer ‘rapes’ girl, 15

    Officials of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) have arrested a bricklayer identified as Fatai Kehinde, 41, for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

    The incident occurred at Olisa/Arogundade Street, in Iju Ishaga.

    It was gathered that the suspect allegedly hypnotised the teenager and took advantage of her in his house.

    She was said to be going to work when the incident occurred and had narrated her experience to her colleagues in the office who came for the man almost immediately.

    According to a source, a mob soon gathered and descended on the man following alarm raised by the girl’s colleague who came to his house with her.

    Read Also: Visitor ‘rapes’ host’s daughter

    “They were about to lynch him when LNSC officials arrived the scene. It was around past 11am. They moved in and took the man and the young girl away.

    “But before they got there, people questioned the girl and she said she was going to work when the man touched her and said she was being spiritually monitored by her father’s family.

    “She said after the touch, she did not know what was happening to her again. That the man asked her to go and by egg and salt which she did and followed him inside his house.

    “He told her to take off her clothes and she complied. He raped her and she ordered her to wear her dress and leave.

    “She said she was on her way to the factory she works at when she regained herself and promptly narrated her experience to her colleagues.

    “They followed her to the place and accosted the man. He confessed he slept with the girl and they started beating him,” he said.

    But the suspect told LNSC officials that it was inside his brother’s shop that he raped the girl, adding that he gave her N1,500 after the act.

    He said: “She told me to help her collect money from her boyfriend. From there I took her inside my brother’s shop and slept with her on the floor. After that I gave her N1500. She told me she will come back in the evening and she left.”

    Confirming the arrest, the Public Affairs Officer of LNSC Adewale Afolabi said the suspect, his brother and the victim were handed over to policemen at Isokoko Division.

    He said the man’s house was searched and it was discovered he had three shrines which he and his brother used for alleged fraudulent practices.