The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Civil Defence ‘killer officer’ in detention, says Corps chief 

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has detained its officer, who allegedly killed a 100 level student of Niger Delta University (NDU), Ammassoma, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The officer allegedly shot dead the Petrochemical Engineering student identified as Obinna, who was said to have been taken to a hospital in the community, but died shortly after.

    NSCDC Commandant-General (CG) Abdullahi Muhammadu said the incident could have been avoided if the officer was careful.

    He added: “I assure the family that the erring officer will not go unpunished. He will be sanctioned in accordance with the law, to act as a deterrent to others.”

    A statement in Abuja yesterday by NSCDC spokesman Emmanuel Okeh said: “Following the death of a 100 level student of Niger Delta University (NDU), Ammassoma, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu, has commiserated with the bereaved family.

    ”Lamenting the incident, the visibly disturbed NSCDC boss described the situation as unfortunate and regrettable, saying it was an accident that could have been avoided had the personnel been a bit more careful with his rifle. He described the untimely death of the young man as a huge loss to the family and prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.

    Read Also: NSCDC operative kills 100-level varsity student in Bayelsa

    “Gana stressed that the Corps placed so much premium on human life as an inviolable entity, hence, his administration from inception has maintained zero tolerance for accidental discharge from personnel of the service, which explains why so much energy and resources are channelled towards training and retraining of his officers and men, but most importantly arms bearing personnel because of the sensitive nature of their job.

    “Berating his personnel involved in this accidental discharge, he appreciated the bereaved family for their show of understanding and assured them of support in reducing their burden and ensuring that the deceased is given a deserving and befitting burial. For the erring officer; the CG hinted that he is in detention and being investigated to unravel the circumstances that led to the costly mistake.”

    The NSCDC boss warned officers and men of the Corps to show more responsible and patriotic attitude towards their professional calling and desist from such behaviours that will drag the good name of the organisation in the mud, stressing that the Corps is noted for humility and integrity in service delivery, hence, stiffer penalty will be handed down to anyone found culpable in such avoidable and life threatening mistake.

    “The suspect was on an official escort duty at Ammassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State when the unfortunate incident occurred. He was neither drunk nor found in a drinking bar as insinuated in some quarters. May the Almighty God grant the bereaved family and the entire Niger Delta University community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

  • Landlord accused of threatening tenant

    The police in Lagos have arraigned a landlord and his employee at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly threatening a tenant.

    The landlord, Olatunji Shakioye, 37, lives at Bariga. His employee, Halimat Olabiyi, 20, lives at Shomolu.

    The duo are facing a two-count charge of breach of the peace and threat to life.

    Prosecuting Inspector Donjour Perezi said the defendants committed the offences on July 7 at Olorunkemi Street, Bariga.

    He alleged that the defendants conspired and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by threatening, Shakioye’s tenant, Miss Adesuwa Matuwo.

    “Olabiyi – an employee to Shakioye –  had a misunderstanding with the complainant (Matuwo) and took a picture of her (using a phone)  without her consent.

    Read Also: Court remands applicant for ‘defiling’ girl, 12

    “As a result, the complainant reported the incident at a police station, and when Olabiyi was questioned by the police, she admitted to have snapped her without her consent.

    “The pictures were extracted from the defendant’s phone and while the case was still being investigated, the other defendant, Shakioye, out of anger that the complainant didn’t seek his consent before arresting his worker, threatened her.

    “He said if the complainant didn’t vacate his premises, he would deal with her.’’

    Perezi said the offences contravened sections 56(1) (a) and 168(1) (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Mrs. Bukola Mogaji admitted them to N50, 000 bail each, with two sureties each in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned till September 6.

  • Three jailed for stealing vehicle

    Three persons have been jailed for stealing a Toyota Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), valued at N3.5million.

    Those convicted are Igho Ita and two of his boys, Wellington Osagie and Pascal Bossou.

    They were sentenced to 32 months imprisonment each by an Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Edo State presided over by Mrs. Ivie Akere.

    The convicts were arraigned on two-count charges bordering on stealing.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Read Also: Three jailed seven years for kidnapping, selling infant

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Patrick Agbonifo called two witnesses, but the convicts did not call any witness.

    Agbonifo told the court that the owner of the vehicle, John Paul Orjika, took his car to a car wash owned by Igho on August 11, 2018 and left his keys with them.

    He said the owner returned later and was told by the car wash operators that another person came and took the car away.

    Mrs. Akere found the three guilty of both charges and sentenced them accordingly.

    She, however, gave them an option of N160,000 fine on both charges.

  • PDP urges Army, Police, DSS on abduction of party chair

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the hierarchy of the Army, Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to speak out on the abduction of its Okene Local Government Chairman, Musa Adelabu, by gunmen reportedly clad in military camouflage.

    The party expressed grave concerned about the whereabouts of Adelabu, who was abducted in his home last Saturday, with his abductors allegedly telling his family that they were acting on “orders from above”.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said it was unacceptable that the security agencies had kept mum over the abduction, even as his party and family had continued to demand his release.

    The statement alleged: “This situation has heightened apprehension of high-level partisan conspiracy to use some compromised security operatives against the opposition in Kogi State, in a desperate bid to foist the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the failed Governor Yahaya Bello on the people of Kogi State.

    Read Also: Fayemi seeks citizens’ support for Army to tackle kidnapping, others

    “Already, there is an ominous tension in Kogi State following intelligence reports filtering into the public domain that our local government chairman is being tortured by his captors in a secret facility where his life is now in great danger.

    “Such provocative situation is capable of sparking off serious crisis in Kogi State, which location as gateway and convergence state means a lot of dire consequences for our nation, in the event of any disturbance in the area.

    “It is, therefore, unacceptable that the security high command is not forthcoming with concrete statement or decisive action to secure his release despite calls by our party and the people of Kogi State.

    “The PDP, therefore, calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces to address his parade and ensure the release of our Kogi PDP leader.”

  • Kidnapped officer freed after payment of N3m ransom

    A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Delta State allegedly kidnapped last weekend, has regained freedom.

    The victim, simply identified as Mr. Okoro, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), headed the Galilee Police Station, Ute-Ogbeje community, in Ika North East Local Government.

    The Nation learnt that the victim was freed after a ransom of N3million was paid.

    The police officer was kidnapped between Onicha-Ugbo and Issele-Uku along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway by gunmen, who shot sporadically before taking him to an unknown destination.

    Read Also: Kidnapped monarch, wife regain freedom

    It was gathered that the victim was freed on Sunday after the ransom was dropped at a location.

    But Police Commissioner Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke denied the incident and subsequent payment of ransom.

    He said it was the DPO’s friend that was abducted.

    Adeleke said the police would not encourage the payment of ransom.

  • Suspected herdsmen attack ‘ex-teenaged governor’s dad’

    Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, the father of the first teenaged governor of Abia State, Joy Eze Chikamnayo, has narrowly escaped death. This followed an attack on him by suspected gun-wielding herdsmen.

    The Nation learnt that the suspected herdsmen attacked his car.

    Joy, who is studying Law at the Abia State University, Uturu, on December 11, 2017, presided over the affairs of Abia State for 24 hours at the age of 14, after emerging top in a week-long rigorous essay competition.

    The attack, our reporter gathered, occurred on the Enugu axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    Although no injury was sustained during the attack, the fender and radiator of the car the popular Abia politician was travelling in with one of his workers identified as Prince were, however, riddled with bullets.

    Read Also: Hausa leader condemns killing by suspected herdsmen

    Narrating his ordeal to our reporter when contacted on the phone, Chikamnayo, who was the Abia House of Assembly candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Umunneochi State Constituency in the 2019 general election, said it was by the special grace of God that he escaped being killed by the gunmen, who dressed like herdsmen.

    Chikamnayo, a former commissioner for Information, said the attack was a terrible experience for him, which he would not wish his enemies.

    He said the incident happened after Awgu junction, as he was driving to Enugu from his hometown, Isuochi, in Umunneochi Local Government.

    Drivers and commuters travelling along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway have called on heads of security agencies in the Southeast to ensure that security on the expressway is tightened, following recent incidents on the road.

  • Hausa leader condemns killing by suspected herdsmen

    The head of Hausa community in Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Hassan Sadauki, has condemned the August 8 killing of Mr Friday Etor, a farmer from Ikot Obio Nso, Mkpat Enin Local Government by suspected herdsmen.

    Sadauki made the condemnation while reacting to the incident, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Monday

    The community leader noted that the Hausa/Fulani settlers in the state had coexisted for years with the farmers without any such incident.

    “It very sad indeed; we are not praying for such a thing to happen again.

    “We the Hausa/Fulani that reside within this very environment have been enjoying very peaceful coexistence with the host community,” Sadauki said.

    He urged the Hausa/Fulani resident in the state to be law abiding and report any misunderstanding they might have with the people to their leaders in the state for peaceful settlement.

    Read Also: Engage youths to tackle killer herdsmen -Ohanaeze tells S’East govs

    Sadauki reminded them that there could be no meaningful development in any atmosphere of rancour and misunderstanding among the different ethnic groups in the state.

    “There was no reason for the killing and attack; though as human, even in one family we are bound to have one misunderstanding or the other because of individual interests.

    “So it is very uncalled for to lose a life. We pray that relevant security agencies will do their best to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “No matter the level of misunderstanding, there should be a peaceful way to dialogue and find a way out of such a situation.

    “We have the Myetti Allah in the state which represents the Fulani herdsmen.

    “In case of any misunderstanding, they should bring it to the notice of Myetti Allah for peaceful settlement, instead of taking laws into their hands.

    “I can recall that in the past, we have settled such misunderstandings amicably.

    “I pray that we coexist in peace and harmony. I pray to the Almighty that this should be the last; we should not be having crisis among ourselves

    “I use this medium to draw the attention of our faithful to the fact that they should be law abiding citizens,” he said.

    NAN recalls that the Chairman of Ikot Obio Nso Village Council, Chief George Okodi, had informed Governor Udom Emmanuel about the incident when he visited the place on August 9.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, commiserated with the family of the deceased and victims of the attack.

    He directed the police command and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the violence, which also left a boy, Nsikak Udoh, 11, hospitalised, following the bullet wounds he sustained.

  • Police arrest farmer for alleged murder of business partner

    Enugu State Police Command has arrested Mr. Sampson Nwaobasi, an Enugu-based farmer, for allegedly killing his business partner, Mr. Friday Ani, over payment of proceeds made in farm business.

    Spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement on Monday in Enugu that the incident happened on July 31 at Agbani community; while the suspect was arrested on August 7 by operatives.

    He said the deceased and Mr. Paul Eze were partners in the planting of cucumber, as the deceased and Eze had raised money for the suspect, who does the farming, sells same and shares profits.

    “It was gathered that his victim, Ani, a student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and his business associate met his untimely death when he demanded from the suspect payment of his share of the proceeds.

    “It was gathered that they were to share N6 million, as the business thrived for four months. However, the suspect allegedly started avoiding his partners, which made them believe that he might have craftily reinvested the proceeds without their knowledge.

    Read Also: Abia youths protest murder of kinsman over N100

    “The deceased traced the suspect to the farm to find out what has been happening; and on the farm, misunderstanding arose between them, which allegedly resulted in the killing of Ani by the suspect. He buried him inside the bush.

    “The deceased was said to have been reported missing by relations who could not immediately find out what happened.

    “Following the suspicious ways the story appeared, Police Commissioner Mr. Sulaiman Balarabe ordered investigation. The suspect was nabbed by operatives in partnership with neighbourhood watch group members from the community where he was hiding,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu said the suspect had been helping the operatives in their investigation in relation to how he allegedly killed his victim and quickly buried him inside the bush.

    He said the suspect had, however, maintained in his confessionary statement that the money in question was not to the tune of N6 million but N300,000.

    The spokesman said the suspect also maintained that he never wanted to kill the deceased and that the deceased wanted to kill him over the money, but he had to snatch the knife from him and he stabbed him to death.

  • Hard times await kidnappers in Ogun, says Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said hard times await kidnappers.

    He spoke on Monday when he received the Remo League of Imams, who paid him a Sallah visit at his Iperu home.

    The governor described kidnapping as an economic crime that must be stopped by all means.

    Read Also: Police recover N6m from kidnappers in Niger

    He said most of the kidnappers were foreigners who disguised as herdsmen, adding that it would not augur well if criminals were allowed to operate and hurt Ogun State regarded as the industrial hub of the nation.

    “We don’t want criminals to cause problem for us. The state hosts a lot of companies and industries. It will not augur well to hear that crime is prevalent in our state.

    “I have asked that those caught in the recent kidnappings be brought to me. My government will not spare anyone caught in kidnapping henceforth,” Abiodun said.

  • Man held for allegedly impregnating daughter 

    The police in Ogun State have arrested a 52-year-old man, Emmanuel Ikhine, for allegedly raping and impregnating his teenage daughter.

    The suspect was arrested last Saturday at his 6, Iyaniwura Street, Joju home in Sango Ota, Ogun State.

    It was learnt that a neighbour, Yemisi Ashade, took the 18-year-old victim to a police station to lodge a complaint after the teenager disclosed how her father had been allegedly raping her.

    The victim alleged that Ikhine usually raped her whenever she was home alone, adding that he would threaten to deal with her if she disclosed it to anyone.

    Read Also: Man loses wife in gamble, asks friends to gang rape her

    She alleged that he always targeted when her two brothers were away to rape her.

    The Nation gathered that when the victim could no longer bear the torture, she informed a neighbour, who took her to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sango Ota, Godwin Idehai, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    Confirming the incident, spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the suspect had been arrested and he confessed to the crime.

    “He made a confessional statement that he has been having carnal knowledge of the victim long before now.

    “The victim was taken to the general hospital where it was confirmed that she is pregnant.

    “Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has ordered the transfer of the suspect to the anti-human trafficking and child labour unit for further investigation and prosecution,” Oyeyemi said.