The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Lagos council bans NURTW activities

    FOLLOWING the crisis rocking the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, which led to the breakdown of law and order last Thursday, the council Chairman, Dr Ahmed Olarenwaju Apatira has suspended the union activities.

    Apatira issued a statement last Friday halting to the activities of the union in the council area.

    The council boss said the decision was taken after numerous complaints from the public that the NURTW members were planning to unleash mayhem in Itire-Ikate LCDA.

    Apatira said the decision became inevitable due to intelligence reports gathered in the last few days of an impending factional overthrow and counter-overthrow of leadership of the union within the local government area.

    It would be recalled that the change in leadership of the union at the state level pitched the union members against one another.

    The Nation learnt that those who are not in the camp of the new leadership have been feeling uncomfortable and have threatening mayhem in their branches.

    But the Lagos State Caretaker Committee members led by the former State Treasurer Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo) last week told The Nation that Oluomo urged them to reach out to the aggrieved members.

    A member of the committee, Ibrahim Yusuf said the committee under the leadership of Oluomo will work for the progress of the union.

    Read Also: ‘MC Oluomo’s appointment will end NURTW Crisis’

    Yusuf, the Ifelodun Branch ‘A’ Chairman said: “I am happy that MC Oluomo was chosen as the leader. He has the capacity to bring everybody under one umbrella and during a meeting today (yesterday) he urged us to reach out to the aggrieved members. We will ensure there is unity among our members in all branches. The aggrieved parties should join us to move the union forward. We appeal to them not aggravate the issue at hand.”

    Comrade Tijani, who is the Ikorodu Branch ‘B’ Chairman, said Oluomo has the passion for the development of the union.

    “He wants peace in the union and told us to welcome anybody that wants to join us. He has the capacity to lead the union and won’t discriminate,” he said.

    Apatira said, “It is worrisome that residents of Itire-Ikate LCDA cannot sleep with their eyes closed due to the lingering crisis that has emanated from the union members few days ago.

    “All measures taken over time by security personnel in the local government area to bring lasting and peaceful resolution to the breakdown of peace, law and order by the members and agents of the union proved abortive as lives and properties in the local government have come under severe threat.”

    According to him, the council is invoking her constitutional right to own and manage motor parks as stated in “Schedule 4 made pursuant to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, paragraph 1e thereof, which provides for Establishment, Maintenance and Regulation of Slaughter Houses, Slaughter Slabs, Markets, Motor Parks and Public Convenience”.

    “The suspension order would be in place till sanity and peace is guaranteed by members of the union.”

    Apatira, in a letter to the Area ‘D’ Police Commandant in Mushin, on Friday titled “Obstruction of peace,” urged the police to ensure sanity in the area.

    The letter reads: “I write to inform you of the obstruction of peace by members of the NURTW within the council area.

    “In view of the above, I write to intimate you of this ugly situation and to inform you that the activities of the union are hereby suspended till further notice. Your urgent intervention to avoid breakdown of law and order and restore peace in the community is hereby sought.”

    Lagos State Caretaker Committee Chairman Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo) told The Nation that the warring parties have been called to order.

    “We have spoken to them and advised them to sheathe their swords. Like I always say, there is no point fighting ourselves. We are one body irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs,” he said.

     

  • Gunmen kill 10 in Ebonyi community

    Ten persons have been killed in Ukwuagba in Mgbo Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following an attack by unknown gunmen.

    The attack was carried out on Saturday night.

    This is even as four persons traveling to Effium from Enugu state for burial have gone missing around the area.

    Chairman of the council, Clement Odah stated this when he received the Deputy Governor of the state, Kelechi Igwe at the council headquarters.

    The Deputy Governor was in the council to hold a stakeholders meeting over the incident.

    Odah said the four missing persons were on their way to a burial in Effium on August 27 when they got missing.

    He said they were in a party of 30 persons travelling for the burial when they had an accident at Resthouse Junction along Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

    According to him, they were all brought to Ezzamgbo General Hospital for treatment but the four of them were in a hurry to get to the burial so they left without the others.

    He said that when the other 26 left for the burial they noticed a roadblock at Agbaesa in Mgbo where some youths tried to intercept them but they managed to bulldoze their way through the roadblock and got to the burial.

    However, they did not see the other four and since then their whereabouts have remained unknown.

    Odah said that while the council and stakeholders were trying to investigate the matter in conjunction with security agencies, Ukwuagba Community in Mgbo was attacked on Saturday night.

    “Yesterday, Ukwagba community in Mgbo was attacked and nine persons were killed and later another person died. They were massacred in their homes.

    “There is a situation we were trying to manage that some persons who were our Ezza brothers were going to a burial at Effuim from Enugu state. They were 30 persons in number on getting to Rest House in Ishielu LGA, they were involved in an accident, they took him to Ezzimgbo General Hospital.

    “While they were there, four persons left them and moved ahead of the 30 to attend the burial, leaving the other 26 behind. Then when the other 26 reached the venue of the burial, they couldn’t find the other four persons who left them at the hospital” he stated.

    Reacting, Mr Igwe, frowned at the fresh killings and threatened to arrest and imprison stakeholders of the area if any is found complicit in the matter.

    He gave stakeholders of the area 24 hours to produce the killers of the 9 persons and the missing four others in the area.

    “I am very embittered in my spirit. The first civilian governor from this state and the grandfather of Ebonyi State is from this local government area. And right inside here, I can see about seven past local government area chairmen.”

    “It is a shame on all of you. We did not come to paint pictures or clap for you. Do not deceive the government. It is pure falsehood, you know what is happening to yourselves, you are killing yourselves.

    “You should know people who are causing trouble in your domain. The traditional rulers should be able to fish out people who are causing trouble. We have not come with the message of comfort but to sound a note of warning.

    “We are tired of hearing sentimental stories of what is happening in Ohaukwu. What we want is action. Some people wrote an undertaking to the government. Most of you are here and for those who are not part of it, we will make you part of it. Because they had agreed that if anything as tragic as this happens in Ohaukwu again we should hold them responsible.

    “All the people that signed that undertaking must produce those people that were killed and those that stop playing games”, he fumed.  END waylaid the people going to Effium. You can set up a vigilante to do that. Enough is enough. We must

  • Man, 51, jailed for using expired ATM card to buy drinks and fried meat

    A 51-year old man, Ikidi Innocent, has been jailed by an Oredo Magistrate’s Court for using expired Union Bank ATM card to buy drinks and fried meat.

    Ikidi was said to have committed the offence on June 27, 2019.

    He was said to have tricked one Blessing John and Dorothy Amaka to buy meat and beer for his consumption.

    Ikidi was arraigned on three count charges of cheating and obtaining by false pretense.

    Read Also: Teenager jailed three months for stealing fowl

    He pleaded guilty to the charges.

    Police Prosecutor, Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the convict bought fried meat worth N1500, beer worth N9000, alcoholic drinks worth N3,730.

    Agbonifo said the offences were punishable under sections 516, 421 and 419 of the Criminal Code cap 48 Vol ii laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria now applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding Magistrate, Ivie Akhere, sentenced the accused to three months in prison without an option of fine.

  • ‘Why we rescued over 100 young girls from prostitution’

    A non-governmental organisation, Wholistic Outreach Ministry has disclosed that it decided to rescue young girls who are commercial sex workers in order to restore their lives and give them hope.

    The faith-based organisation was established by the wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Mrs Folu Adeboye in 2002 to cater for commercial sex workers, trafficked girls and boys and stranded teenagers.

    Speaking with The Nation, the Administrator of the organisation, Mrs Biodun Bello said over 100 commercial sex workers had been rehabilitated in recent times.

    She noted that a large number of the girls in their search for jobs, were lured into the despicable trade by their friends and associates.

    Bello revealed that teenagers of 11 years of age had been brought to the outreach for rehabilitation.

    “There is a girl that our outreach team brought in from Abalade, Ogun state, she was 11 years old.’’

    “Some of the commercial sex workers already have children, which they had brought up at the brothels they stayed. A certain girl was brought in from one of the brothels where her mother worked, at age 13, she had already been brutally molested. We do take most of these girls and women to hospitals, as well as bring in trained psychologists and counselors to help them overcome trauma. We eat and have discussions together; calling them our daughters and making them to see us as family members.”

    Read Also: Juvenile sex workers of downtown Yola

    She explained that the organisation had limited facility to accommodate huge number of targeted girls.

    “Even if we have a target of 100-200 on a yearly, the space would still affect it. Only 20 to 40 girls can come in yearly. After three to six months at the shelter home and reconciliation with their families, we take them to a different home for the rehabilitation proper and that home has only 40 bed spaces”.

    “The outreach team coordinated by Mrs Kemi Richard goes out to meet the girls. They go out on a weekly basis to brothels to minister the word of God to them, as well as pray, cook, and run medical checks, and so many other things.

    “During this outreach, some of the girls indicated they want to come out, and we agree to shelter them. We take the girls to the police station for it to be on record that they are with us. In the shelter home, they spend minimum three months or maximum of six months. During this period, we teach them the word of God, let them fast and learn to pray, and take them for deliverance sessions. After the period has elapsed, we take them back and reconcile them with their families.

    “Some families accept them back, while others send them back to us. For those ones still with their families, before going, we take them to the police station to indicate that they are no longer with us. We mostly deal with girls from ages 13 and above and send them back to school.’’

    ‘’However, no sex worker can be taken into the rehabilitation home if she’s not willing to be rehabilitated. So, the team visit brothels and streets to talk to any seek for anyone willing to leave the work and turn a new leaf.’’

    “My advice would be directed to parents. Parents should try to find time for their children. Not everything is all about money, for there are things money cannot buy. When children want to talk or discuss some issues, please give them listening ears. Let your children become your friends; this would let them be free to gist, discuss and confide in you about the things happening in their lives.”

    Bello, stated the challenges faced while rehabilitating the girls.

    “Before we bring them out from the brothels and streets, the girls must be willing to come out. What we do is to go there, tell them we have a better place they can call home, tell them about Jesus Christ and his love for them. The challenges we face now is that some of them after they are out, find it difficult to adjust to the rules and regulations in our homes. These girls were once free and now they are restricted from a lot, it is hard. We also do not let them use mobile phones, to help them focus and avoid distractions from all those who patronize them.’’

  • 28-yr-old Man arraigned for stealing N157,000

    A 28-year old man, Desmond Ovoke Onovaibirhi, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court for stealing the sum of N157,700.

    Desmond was alleged to have conspired with one Elisabeth Augustine to steal the money from a new generation bank on January 12, 2019.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the money belonged to one Loveth Tijani.

    Read Also: Man burns son to death for allegedly stealing N500

    The suspect was arraigned on two count charges of stealing and conspiracy.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Agbonifo said the offences were punishable under Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code vol ll laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria now applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Ivie Akhere, granted bail to the accused person to the sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum.

    The case was adjourned to September 9, 2019 for hearing.

  • Woman seeks N11m for kidney transplant

    A kidney patient, Mrs Ijeoma Okwara, has cried out once again for financial support to undergo a renal transplant in a hospital in Mumbai, India.

    Her pathetic story was first published by Saturday Nation on August 10, wherein the estimated cost of the surgery was put at N11 million.

    In the report, the mother of three, a native of Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, said she had spent all her life savings on hospital bills and had no money to pay for the transplant.

    A medical report issued by the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos, revealed that 34-year-old Ijeoma was brought to the hospital  on February 18, 2019 ‘’with history of easy fatigability and elevated blood pressure.

    Read Also: ‘Please I need N8million for kidney transplant’

    ‘’History, physical examination and laboratory investigations were in keeping with chronic kidney diseases in a known hypertensive patient.

    The report added that she had been placed on hemodialysis twice weekly with oral medications including anti-hypertensive, subcutaneous erythropoietin and iron sucrose.

    She however disclosed that a sum of N500,000 had been realised from donations from kind hearted Nigerians following the publication.

    The distraught Ijeoma who thanked those who had donated so far towards her treatment further solicited donations to enable her meet up with the cost of the transplant.

    ‘’ So far, what we have been realise so far is N500, 000 out of N11 million requested for the transplant by an Indian hospital. I thank those who have taken out of their hard earned money to contribute to my treatment, and I also want to further call on them and others not to abandon me as I still need over N10 million to add to the amount realised so far in order to pay for the renal transplant. May the good Lord bless them as they do,’’ she said.

    Donations can still be forwarded to a Zenith Bank account number 2254452857 with the name Okwara Jane Ijeoma.

    She can also be reached on her mobile phone number- 07064821249.

  • Police arrest 100 robbery, kidnap suspects

    The police in Kano State on Friday paraded 100 suspected criminals including five men they described as notorious kidnappers.

    Police Commissioner Ahmed Illyasu who paraded the suspects told reporters in Kano that the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Squad through Operation Puff Adder tracked and arrested the five alleged kidnapper kingpins after threatening   one Sani Yahaya of Goron Dutse quarters through text messages

    He said: “on August 21, a letter of complaint was received from one Ibrahim Muhammad of Sani Majnagge Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area Kano that an SMS text message was sent to him threatening him that his son would be kidnapped.

    Read Also: Court remands three for alleged robbery

    “Puff Adder operatives attached to the Command’s Anti Kidnapping Squad were immediately drafted and swung into action.

    “One Hamisu Abdullahi alias Baban Gandu aged 37 years and Yusuf Abubakar 48 years were arrested. Suspects confessed to have conspired and extorted the sum of N120,000 from the complaint and would soon be charged to Court.”

    Iliyasu added: “based on technical intelligence, the special Anti-Robbery squad of operation Puff-Adder, Miyyetti Allah arrested one Saidu Abdullahi and four others at Falgore forest, Doguwa Local Government Area.

    “Suspects confessed to have been involved in a series of armed robbery and kidnapping and mentioned other members of their syndicate now at large.”

    Five other suspects were alleged to have stolen 124 solar batteries and vandalized a mast .

  • ‘Gun found on me was collateral for loan’

    A suspected drug baron, James Ameh (54), who was arrested by the Kogi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has claimed that the Pump Action gun found on him was a collateral from a friend he loaned a sum of N80,000.

    Ameh, who was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, was found in possession of a loaded Pump Action gun.

    About 40 personnel of the NDLEA alongside officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) left Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to arrest Ameh, who had been on the wanted list of the command for several months.

    It was gathered that the suspect who was arrested in Igolijo, Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, had 10 hectares of land where he cultivated cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).

    Read Also: Customs intercept N5bn tramadol, other illicit drugs in Lagos

    Ameh who arrested alongside six other suspects, namely: Usman Bello, Eze Stanley, Innocent Ameh, Samuel Idoko, Ojima Ojo and Ekene Ukwueze.

    The suspect who is also a  native doctor denied ownership of the gun, saying that it served as collateral towards recovering his money.

    “I am not the real owner of this Pump Action gun. It belongs to a friend who is owing me N80,000. I needed my money back urgently to do something with it. I am sorry, I never knew that having this in my house would put me into trouble. As for the issue of dealing on drugs and having hectares of land for cannabis, it is also not true”.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after the arrest the head of the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA, Alhaji Idris Bello, said that the arrest of the suspect and his accomplices, was through information gathered by officers of the command.

    He warned that anyone that is caught engaging in illegal drug business will be made to face the full wrath of the law, adding that the suspects will be charged to court at the end of investigation.

  • 77-yr-old Lagos pensioner loses building to suspected grabbers, cries out for justice

    A retired teacher, Madam Lydia Ebunoluwa has cried out for justice after her house was allegedly demolished by suspected land grabbers.

    Ebunoluwa, lamented that she is homeless and in dire need of justice over the illegal demolition of her only house at 7 Church Close in Katangowa area of Abule Egba, noticed the rubble had been overgrown with weeds.

    The 77-year-old woman who retired as teacher in 1995 now sleeps in a kiosk near the popular Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Agbala Itura at Ile Epo bus stop along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

    Narrating her ordeal to The Nation, Ebunoluwa, a native of Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State, said her travails started in 2016 when some persons brought notice from a local government asking her to pull down the building within 48 days for violating building setback regulations, despite the fact that the house was not sited near the road.

    She however said the concerned council authorities denied sending any notice to her, noting that the land grabbers might have contrived the said notice to intimidate her.

    She said she suspected the land grabbers were conniving with some state officials, adding that she had made several entreaties to the police to save the situation but to no avail.

    ”My traducers had been disturbing and harassing me to the extent that they stopped me from finishing work on a soak away facility I was constructing in my house.

    Read Also: Residents protest menace of land grabbers in Ogun

    ‘’When I was alerted to the unlawful demolition on November 29, 2018, I quickly rushed home only to discover the building had been pulled down without caterpillar. I also saw the hoodlums who carried out the demolition drinking and rejoicing in front of my property.

    ‘’I reported the matter to the police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos and some suspects were arrested but they have since been released.

    ‘’Since then, they have not been able to come back to the property while I cannot also live in the house because it has been destroyed and reduced to rubble.

    ‘’ I worked for 28 years as a teacher in various schools in Agege Local Government Area. I retired in 1995 at Orile Agege Primary School with a N13,000 monthly pension that is not enough to take care of my needs. I had been taking care of myself from the rent I collected from my tenants until the house was demolished. I want justice, so my house can be reconstructed by the same people who attempted to annex it by force.

    The septuagenarian who has since resorted to selling pure (satchet) water in front of her wooden shelter said her two surviving children had no job and lacked the means to get a better accommodation for her.

    ‘’Life has been very unfair to me. I lost the only building I spent my retirement benefits to build. I was collecting rent from the house until it was pulled down by some lawless land grabbers. As you can see I sit here all day selling pure (sachet) water to passers-by to eke a living. ‘’

  • Court berates NSCDC over illegal detention, grants suspect bail

    Justice Nkeonye Maha, of the Federal High Court on Friday berated the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for the illegal detention of one Mr Sunday Agu, a tricyclist in Abuja.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agu had on Aug. 29 dragged Mr Abdullahi Gana, Commandant General, NSCDC, before the Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged illegal detention.

    Also joined in the suit are three officers of the Corps; Abdulmajeed Imam, Agili Chinedu and Yebage Adamu who are 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

    While the NSCDC Niger State Command, Commandant is the 4th respondent, Gana, NSCDC, Christy Ojide, and Alex Ojide are 5th, 6th,7th and 8th respondents respectively.

    Counsel to the plaintiff, Ifeanyi Igwe had told Justice Maha, that the matter was brought in pursuant to section 35 (1) to (6), 34(1), 37, 41, 44, and 46(1) of the 1999 constitution, Articles 4,5,6,12(1) and 14 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

    Igwe told the judge that since the applicant was detained on July 16, he had been in the Corps’ detention at David Mark Road, NSCDC Headquarter, Minna, for no justification.

    Read Also: NSCDC parades suspected illegal oil dealers in Abia

    According to him, his client was accused and detained by the NSCDC for allegedly standing in as a guarantor to a hire purchase agreement between one Mr Chibuike Agu (hirer) a tricyclist and Mrs Christy Ojide (owner).

    Justice Maha had on Aug. 29 ordered the release of Agu from NSCDC detention if not arraigned within three days and adjourned the case until Sept. 6.

    She said that the NSCDC was not at liberty to bring a charge against a person under the Advance Free Fraud Act which is under the jurisdiction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    She warned that if such conduct continued, the Corps would let law breakers go free.

    NAN also reports that the Judge invited the NSCDC counsel, Mr Imam and Counsel to Agu , Mr Ifeanyi Igwe on Sept. 13. to balance justice between the applicant and defendant.

    She however granted Agu bail on the terms of providing a surety with the sum of at least N500,000 in his bank account, alongside a landed property in Abuja.

    She added that he should afterwards depose to an affidavit verifying the terms of compliance.

    Counsel to NSCDC, Imam told NAN that In view of NSCDC Act I, the corps is empowered to prosecute on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    “By the charge, the accused person is being charged by the name of the AGF in line with section 3 of the NSCDC Act,  the Act empowers the corps to prosecute on behalf of the AGF.

    “NSCDC is a special prosecutor under the AGF, section 3 (1), paragraph H; the Corps shall have power to prosecute, criminal activities aimed at depriving people of their properties.