Category: Crime Diary

The Chairman of Bunu Hunters in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Caleb Oshe and his son, Sunday have been killed by gunmen.

The government condemned the killing, saying those behind it would be apprehended and prosecuted.

In a statement yesterday through the Director-General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Yahaya Bello described the killing as unacceptable.

He called for restraint, saying: “Security agencies have been deployed to ensure the arrest of the murderers.”

The police command confirmed the killing.

Spokesman William Aya, confirming the incident, said a detachment of operatives had been deployed in the area.

He said: “The story is true. The Commander Kabba, DPO ‘A’ Division Kabba, Sole Administrator Kabba/Bunu Local Government with his exco and other security agencies visited the scene. The bodies were on the floor.

“The Commissioner of Police (CP) assured the family and the villagers that investigation is on. The police will do everything to bring the perpetrators to book,” said Aya.

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The CP appealed to people to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands.

Governor Bello condemned the killing, saying security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those behind the murder are apprehended and prosecuted.

In a statement through his Director-General (Media and Publicity), Kingsley Fanwo, the governor said such is “unacceptable to his government and the people of Kogi State.”

He called for restraint, as security agencies have been deployed to ensure the arrest of the murderers.

“As the governor, the security of lives and property is what I have sworn to protect. It is, therefore, unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to murder our citizens.

“Every life is important to us, and we will stop at nothing to arrest the masterminds of the heinous crime.

“Our administration has placed premium attention on security and it is, therefore, unfortunate that we still have flashes of such dastardly act.

“It is too early to attribute the killing to anyone, and no one should take the law into his or her hands. The late Caleb Osho was not only the head of the vigilance group in Suku, but also the person responsible for logging activities in the community. Given the centrality of Suku community to the politics and economy of the area, we have no choice but to allow security agencies launch investigation into the circumstances leading to the crime. We will support them to achieve success.

“I’ve directed the security adviser to mobilise security agencies to the place, which has been done. Our people must be protected from the pangs of anti-social criminals, who will surely lose the battle against our well woven security architecture.

“I commiserate with the family of the late Mr. Oshe and the entire Suku community over the irreparable loss. We will ensure that justice is done. We will spread our security dragnet to avert this kind of security issue.”

The governor warned residents not to launch any reprisal, assuring them that the security agents on ground have all it takes not only to protect them, but also to apprehend the murderers.

“I have directed the security agencies to make sure the area is well combed, to ensure anyone bearing unauthorised arm is made to face the law,” Bello said.

A soldier attached to the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, Lance Corporal Sunday Awolola, was yesterday arraigned for allegedly raping a 300-level student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA).

He was brought before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Awolola, 33, was brought to the court premises by the police around 9:30am.

The suspect was charged with committing rape, contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. Laws of the Ondo State of Nigeria.

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Awolola, before his trial, had been dismissed by the army authorities. He was dismissed last week.

The suspect was alleged to have had carnal knowledge of the student on July 31, at Ikare-Akoko military checkpoint when the student was returning from the campus in Akungba-Akoko.

The offence, according to the charge sheet, is punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 of the Ondo state of Nigeria

Chief Magistrate Mayowa Olanipekun adjourned the case till tomorrow, to give counsel to the suspect enough time to study the charge levelled against the soldier.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Rev. Noma Elisha of Nagarta Baptist Church, Angwan Makiri, near Udawa in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The kidnap is happening barely two weeks after a pastor in charge of Living Faith Church, Angwan Romi, Kaduna, Jeremiah Omolewa, was killed and ransom was paid to free his wife.

The kidnappers, about 20, reportedly stormed the village around 1:30am yesterday and forced their way into the pastor’s house. They abducted him and his son.

But the gunmen later released the son, Emmanuel, who was told to go and raise an unspecified amount of money as ransom to free his father within five days, or else he would be killed.

The pastor’s son said: “The gunmen came around 1am. They were about 20. They banged on the door, but nobody opened it. Then they forced their way into the house and vandalised our belongings. The hoodlums carted away valuables, including phones and clothes.

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“They kidnapped me and my father and took us to the bush. But after a while, I was released. They went away with my father. One of them was dressed in a military camouflage.

“They threatened that if we failed to bring the money in five days, they would kill my father. They didn’t mention the ransom.

“We are yet to report to the police because when we had a similar experience in the past and we contacted them, they did not do anything. So, it is of no use.”

Police spokesman Yakubu Sabo did not respond to an SMS sent to last night.

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos yesterday remanded in prison custody a man, David Okotie, who allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl.

Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat made the order following an application by the police.

Sule-Amzat, who did not take Okotie’s plea, remanded Okotie in Kirikiri Prison and ordered the police to send the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

Prosecution counsel Benson Emuerhi, who made the application, alleged that Okotie, who lives off Highway Patrol Barrack, Ikeja, Lagos, committed the offence on January 15.

The court heard that the case was reported by the girl’s mother at the Gender Section, Ikeja Police Command.

Emuerhi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the offence infringed Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Sule-Amzat adjourned further proceedings till October 31.

Nine persons are feared killed, as gunmen reportedly attacked two communities in Rivers State.

The communities are Taaba and Okwali in Khana Local Government.

The Nation learnt that the suspected cult attack occurred between Tuesday night and early yesterday, leading to the death of the victims and razing of several houses.

A source, who preferred anonymity, said yesterday that the gunmen invaded Okwale community about 8pm on Tuesday, killing five persons, while another set of assailants attacked four people at Taaba community yesterday morning.

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He said: “The attackers raided Okwali community yesterday (Tuesday) evening around 8pm, shooting sporadically at their targets. They killed about five people. They also burnt several houses.

“This morning (Wednesday), they attacked Taaba community, a neighbouring community to Okwali, shooting and killing about four persons too.”

Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the attacks. He said security had been tightened in the communities to restore peace.

He, however, could not confirm the number of casualties.

Soldiers drafted to secure Kara market have allegedly killed three people and injured six.

The incident occurred on Monday during the Isheri Day Festival in Ogun State.

The Nation learnt that the festival was held at the Local Government Primary School, Isheri Olofin.

The villagers told our correspondent yesterday that before two of the soldiers, who escorted Babalola Tirimusiu, the son of the market owner,  arrived the venue of the festival, they were allegedly drunk, adding that the soldiers harassed people, slapping and pushing some to create access for their principal, Tirimusiu.

Among the victims were Nurudeen Jimoh alias Tayese, alleged to have been shot and taken to Gent-Gilbert Hospital in Isheri, where the soldiers allegedly saw him when they came for their injured colleague and stabbed him to death.

Other victims were identified as Adelani Dare, allegedly shot dead while urinating about 300 metres from the venue; an unnamed guest alleged to have been hit in the chest by bullet. He allegedly died while being taken to hospital; as well as Saheed Ojekunle, Rasheed Adeleke and one old man identified as Michael, who sustained injuries.

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Recalling how the soldiers allegedly stabbed his brother to death at the hospital, Saheed Jimoh said they were four. He alleged that they dragged him on the floor while stabbing him.

Jimoh alleged that the soldiers also pointed a gun at the doctor, who was treating the victim, adding that a friend of his, who helped in taking his brother to hospital, was stabbed in the hand and he fled.

He said: “Tayese was my younger brother. We were having our carnival here and it was very peaceful until Tiri (Tirimusiu) brought in the soldiers. I heard that they had been drinking at a hotel before they came to our carnival.

“The two soldiers and Tiri were drunk before they entered the primary school venue. They slapped people when they got to the venue.

“Before they killed my brother, they had already shot a man in the leg. I ran for safety. It was while I was running that I heard my brother had been shot and his intestine came out.

“I went back to the place, he was with my motorcycle and my friend helped me to carry him while I drove the motorcycle. We got to the hospital that is not far from here, the doctor attended to him.

“While there, four soldiers came in. Apparently, the community people had fought back and injured one of the soldiers and they (soldiers) brought their colleague to the same hospital where my brother was admitted.

“When the soldiers arrived and saw him, (my brother), one of them pointed his gun at the doctor treating him. Others brought out their knives and stabbed my brother till he died.

“They dragged him on the floor as they were stabbing him. My friend, who protested what was happening, was stabbed in the hand. They left him there, saying they would bring a vehicle to take him away.

“My friend ran away and I took my brother to Shagamu General Hospital mortuary.

“We don’t have power and we don’t know anyone. I am only begging the government to help us.”

Efforts to speak with the hospital management were not successful last night.

Spokesman for the 81 Division, Olaolu Daudu, a Lieutenant Colonel, denied that soldiers were responsible for the deaths and injuries.

He said the soldiers were invited by the community to rescue them from a cult clash, adding that they did not fire gunshots while there.

Rather, one of the soldiers was injured by the residents while responding to the distress call, Daudu said.

Ogun State Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He corroborated Tayese’s brother’s account of the incident at the hospital.

A statement by spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said Makama has ordered investigation, adding that the military authorities in Ogun State have been contacted.

He said: “Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has ordered investigation into the “Isheri Day” shooting in Ogun State. The incident occurred on August 12. The shooting was carried out by suspected soldiers believed to be from the Ikeja Cantonment, with a view to bringing the suspects to justice.

“Information at the disposal of the command has it that on the fateful day, four soldiers believed to be from the Ikeja Cantonment and posted to Kara market, left their beat and went to Isheri Olofin, a border town between Lagos and Ogun states, where the indigenes were celebrating their annual ‘Isheri Day’.

“The soldiers, on getting there, had a minor disagreement with some youths, which made the soldiers to start shooting sporadically into the air. Consequently, one Damilare Adelani was hit by bullets and he died on the spot.

“The incident infuriated the people on the scene, who reacted violently against the soldiers, leaving one of the soldiers and three civilians injured.

“The soldiers took their injured colleague to a hospital where they met one of the injured civilians being attended to by a doctor.

“A statement by the hospital workers showed that the soldiers ordered the doctor at gunpoint to leave the injured man and attend to their colleague. They then dragged the patient from the bed and stabbed him to death with a knife.

“The command has contacted the military authorities in Ogun State and efforts are on to ensure that the suspected killer(s) are brought to book.”

A 41-year-old car dealer, Frank Abayomi, has appeared at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged theft of a Hyundai car worth N3million.

The police charged Abayomi, who lives at 10, Magodo Estate in Lagos, with conspiracy and theft.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting Inspector Donjour Perezi said the defendant committed the offences with others at large on July 19, at 11am, at Mile 12, Lagos.

He alleged that the defendant stole the car with number plate SMK 511 DW, property of Miss Ngozi Njokuoma.

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Perezi said Ngozi travelled to her home town and left the car in her sister’s care, Miss Sandra Njokuoma.

“Sandra contracted the defendant to drive her to Mile 12 market to buy foodstuffs.

“They had agreed to meet at First Bank after her shopping, but she ended up waiting for hours, in vain.

“After 24 hours, she reported the case at the Ogudu Police Station, believing something bad must have happened to him, but he was later arrested,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate Mrs. Bukola Mogaji admitted the defendant to N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

She ordered that the sureties must be employed, with evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned till September 6.