The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Kidnapped monarch, wife regain freedom

    THE kidnapped Enugu monarch, Igwe Sunday Orji of Obom-Agbogugu, in Awgu Local Government, and his wife, Alice, have been rescued.

    A family source said they regained freedom on Wednesday night.

    They were kidnapped on Sunday evening near Agbogugu-Ihe junction, on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, while returning from the reception and thanksgiving mass in honour of the mother of the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese.

    They were abducted at the area where Rev Fr Paul Offu was shot dead three days earlier.

    Read Also: Monarch kidnapped in Enugu

    A family member told our correspondent that an undisclosed ransom was paid.

    The kidnappers, suspected to be herdsmen, had initially contacted the family and demanded N50millon ransom. They later reduced it to N20million.

    Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the release of the monarch and his wife.

     

  • Girl found dead in hotel

    A YET-to-be identified girl has been found dead in a hotel at Amukpe area of Sapele town, in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased had lodged in the hotel with a male partner, who was suspected to be her boyfriend.

    It was learnt that some of the hotel workers, however, suspected foul play when they saw the boyfriend trying to escape from the hotel.

    They reportedly stopped him and followed him to the room where he lodged with his lover, but found the girl dead.

    Read Also: ‘Why Delta State needs a female governor’

    The workers were said to have raised the alarm, held the suspect and handed him over to the police.

    The Nation gathered that the girl entered the bar of the hotel with the young man; they both drank Campari before they retired to the room.

    The Delta State Police Command confirmed the death and arrest.

    Spokesman Adeyinka Adeleke said: “Yes it’s true. They told me about somebody who died in a hotel room.

    “Be careful about that story because we don’t know the reason or what might have killed her. But they said they are suspecting fumigation. Be careful about what you write about it. We are not really sure about it, but it’s true.”

     

  • LASEPA seals illegal e-waste factories

    LAGOS State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed two illegal e-waste factories, including that of two Chinese said to have emitted toxic substances in Ikeja.

    The factories, located at 19, Sule Abuka, Street, Opebi, Lagos and 15, Adekunle Fajuyi Street, GRA, Ikeja were said to be owned and managed by Chinese.

    The shutting of the factories followed the arrest of two Chinese, Lin Piehao, 22, and Li Ruoneng, 27, said to be living in the country illegally and operating an illegal factory that was polluting the environment.

    A statement on Thursday by LASEPA’s Public Affairs Officer Bola Ajao said the factories were illegal, unregistered and operated without permit.

    Quoting the agency’s General Manager Ayodele Antonio, Ajao said the factories engaged in handling, recycling and transporting of electronic devices to Asian countries without operational permit, contrary to the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, Part V1 of 2017.

    Read Also: Residents seek govt’s help to fix roads, drainages

    She said Antonio lamented the operators’ breach of basic rules guiding the trade, despite warnings.

    “Nobody will be allowed to operate in the state without valid documentation. Obtaining permit before operation is sacrosanct and cannot be negotiated based on the environmental implication of unprofessionally managed factories.

    “The state has developed effective and appropriate technology for safe management of handling, storing, recovery, recycling, transporting, controlling, treatment and disposal of e-waste materials.

    “Operators are  urged to avail themselves of the opportunities provided by the government in order to safeguard the environment and promote the social and economic growth of the state without compromising the environment, health, welfare, protection of property and quality of life.

    “There will be no hiding place for violators. The agency will comb the nooks and crannies of the state to

    maintain orderliness and sanity in the area of e-waste management and other environment related issues,” Antonio said

     

  • Police parade 49 for alleged robbery, cultism

    THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Thursday paraded 49 suspects for alleged involvement in kidnapping, robbery, car theft, one chance robbery, drug abuse, cultism and others.

    Among those paraded were six suspects, who allegedly stole a safe containing foreign currency belonging to their employer.

    The employer, Casmir Anyanwu, reportedly travelled out of town when his cook, in connivance with his friends and brother, allegedly stole the safe from Anyanwu’s Apo home in Abuja.

    The suspects, who found $22,000 in the safe and shared it unevenly among themselves, also used part of the money to buy generators, electrical appliances and other household items.

    The suspects, from Benin Republic, are: Samuel Tchikhi, Francis Kpohouede, George Akinto, Donald Tokpe, Honore Tokpe and Emmanuel Savi.

    Police Commissioner Bala Ciroma said: “As part of the command’s determination to ensure crimes reported are discreetly investigated and perpetrators arrested, operatives of the command’s special anti-robbery squad have arrested six suspects for the theft of a safe containing large amount of foreign currencies from the Apo home of one of their employers.

    “Samuel Tchikhi, who was newly- employed as a cook in the house, conspired with his cohorts to move the safe from Apo in a taxi to Crush Rock, Mpape, where a hammer was used to break it. They shared the money contained therein.

    “The suspects have made statements on their roles in the crime. According to them, the proceeds of the crime were used to buy generators, electrical appliances, and other items, which have been recovered as exhibits. Some unspent cash have also been recovered as exhibits.”

    Read Also: Taraba: Police fault Army’s claim

    The cook, who had only spent three days as an employee of the Anyanwus, said he decided to steal the safe on his fourth day in the house.

    Narrating how he stole the money, Tchikhi said: “I have been in Nigeria since 2008. I did not know what pushed me to steal. The truth is that my boss does not maltreat me, but I don’t know why I stole the money.

    “I was a worker at Prince and Princess Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State, but I decided to leave because of the salary, which is just N35,000. I took the job in Abuja because the pay is higher. I was offered N40,000.

    “I was newly employed in the house. It was my fourth day in the house that I decided to carry my boss’ safe containing $22,000. I did not count the money very well, but I gave my brother $600. I used mine to buy clothes and phone. The balance was returned to the police when I was arrested.”

    The CP said the suspects would be arraigned upon completion of investigation.

  • Alleged rape: Matter under probe, says police command.

    Ondo State Police Command said on Wednesday that the alleged rape case against a soldier attached to the 32 artillery Brigade, Akure is under investigation.

    It said it will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is done.

    Read Also: A’Ibom secures judgment for over nine rape cases

    A statement by spokesman Femi Joseph said there was no attempt to sweep the case under the carpet as being insinuated by some people.

    He said there was an attempt by some hoodlums to rob a commercial bank at iju on Tuesday at about 2 pm, adding that the intervention of “our men, who raced to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a shootout, foiled the attempt.”

  • Commuter nabbed with police pistol

    The police in Anambra State said they have arrested a 35-year-old man, Sunday Onyema, for alleged possession of a police pistol at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.

    Spokesman Haruna Mohammed disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement in Awka.

    He said the suspect, from Orlu, Imo State, was arrested by Puff-adder operatives in conjunction with a patrol team attached to “Operation Kpochapu”.

    The suspect said he was returning from Asaba in Delta State with a commercial bus when he was nabbed during stop-and-search.

    Read Also: Man bags 10 years imprisonment for illegal possession of firearm

    Mohammed said: “Today, August 7, at about 6:47am, Puff-adder operatives, in conjunction with a patrol team attached to “Operation Kpochapu”, while on-stop-and search duty at Upper Iweka in Onitsha, intercepted a bus with registration number UKP108ZU, coming from Asaba.

    “After a search, they recovered a Police Beretta pistol with breech number AO-4909Z loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition, one expanded ammunition and six phones in possession of  Sunday Onyema, male, aged 35, of orlu in Imo State.”

    He said the suspect was assisting the police with information to aid investigation, adding that he would be arraigned thereafter.

  • ‘Why kidnappers fled Benin-Ore highway’

    Edo State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Abubakar, has said the forest clearing done at hotspots along the Benin-Ore highway has helped to curb kidnapping and robbery previously experienced on the road.

    Abubakar, who addressed reporters on Wednesday in Benin City, said other security strategies also put in place have made the criminals to flee.

    He said no kidnapping has occurred on the Benin-Ore road since the forest was cleared.

    The police boss said he took the battle to the hoodlums because the Benin-Ore highway is too strategic for hoodlums to be allowed to operate.

    Read Also: Edo, Police to LGAs: replicate bush clearing in your domains to flush out kidnappers

    He said: “I, as Commissioner of Police in Edo, will not sit back and allow hoodlums take over the Benin highway.

    “That was why we mobilised ourselves and went after them. We have followed and engaged them in shootout and rescued several persons from them.

    “We discovered that they have an added advantage over us, which is the forest that is closer to the road. We met with the state government to support us to clear the bush. Governor Godwin Obaseki provided the support and cleared the forest. Since we cleared the forest, they have run away. We also carried out bush combing, destroying a lot of camps. The hoodlums and kidnappers have relocated from Edo State. For the past two weeks there is nothing like kidnapping along the highway. The exercise is ongoing and we are going to sustain it. We will ensure that travellers are safe.

    “We have over 20 checkpoints and there are senior officers saddled with supervision. There is another patrol team going round the clock. We have other security measures. Edo is a no-go area for criminals.”

  • Protest rocks Idimu as policeman ‘kills’ miscreant

    Some residents of Idimu in Lagos State on Wednesday protested, following the alleged killing of a popular ‘land owner’s child (omo-onile), Ahmed Segun by a policeman.

    The alleged killing was said to have occurred around 9:30pm on Tuesday at Council bus stop, but violence erupted on Wednesday morning, with youths burning tyres and vandalising belongings.

    Trouble was said to have started after Segun, 32, and yet-to-be identified policemen disagreed over the sharing of the money extorted from commercial drivers, tricycle operators and motorcyclists.

    But the police command said findings from sources alleged that Segun, alias Iron Body, was shot by a mobile policeman, whose whereabouts was yet to be ascertained.

    It added that it received a distress call around 9pm that some hoodlums attacked a car shop and attempted to set it ablaze.

    The deceased, said to have earned the nickname Iron Body for always fighting, it was gathered, felt displeased at the action of the policemen and obstructed further attempts to seize some motorcycles.

    He was said to have brought some of his friends, who resisted attempts by the police to seize the motorcycles, and in order to get out of the situation, one of the policemen fired shots and stray bullets hit Segun.

    A witness told The Nation that the policemen were from Idimu Division, saying they fired the shots to escape from the angry miscreants.

    Read Also: Police arraign three for allegedly stealing MFM’s N2.7m

    He said: “The issue was between the agbero (motor touts) and the police. They fought because of the money they usually collect from danfo (mini bus) drivers and okada riders (commercial motorcyclists).

    “When the policemen attempted to forcefully seize some motorcycles, some agbero challenged the police officers and in order to move out because of the crowd, the police officers started shooting and stray bullets hit one of the leaders of the agbero.

    “It was in the night and there was no way I would have seen the name of the policemen who shot. It happened around 9:45pm and there was traffic.

    “The police officers were shooting anyhow. They are from Idimu Police Station. I don’t know how many police officers were involved, but I can tell you that some of the agbero sustained injuries.”

    The hoodlums disrupted activities in the area for several hours yesterday and attempted to burn down public facilities.

    Residents took to the social media to raise the alarm over a possible outbreak of violence, following the death of Segun.

    A resident wrote: “It is true, ‘Iron Body’ was shot dead yesterday and the body was lying at the Council bus stop last night, at about 10pm. I knew this would happen today. It is going to be a long day.

    “I think the police station at Idimu should be ready for this. It will be a long day and week. ‘Iron Body’ was a leader and had boys who fought on land matters. He was not a small person o!

    “Police will know what to do. It is their job. My only advice is for them to involve the traditional heads of both communities. People going about their businesses should avoid council area.”

    Reacting to the incident, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has ordered investigation into the death of Segun.

  • Man gets 10 years for illegal possession of firearm

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced a man, Mr. Efe Efi, to 10 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of firearm.

    Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Abiodun Adesodun found the accused person guilty of illegal possession of firearm, but was freed of two other charges following lack of evidence against the accused person.

    Justice Adesodun said: “A case of unlawful possession of firearm had been proved beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution was able to establish the elements needed to link the accused person with the crime and he is accordingly sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, but the offender, being a first offender, is given a sum of N20,000 as option of fine.”

    On the attempted murder and robbery charges, she said: “Ingredients of attempted murder and robbery could not be substantiated against the accused person. You are accordingly discharged and acquitted.”

    Read Also: Police arrest man who defiled, impregnated 10-year-old girl in Benue

    In the case, with registration number HAD/10c/2018, the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accused and charged Efi for attempted murder and robbery after he was arrested at Moferere area of Ado- Ekiti on October 27, 2016.

    During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr. L. E. Ojo from the DPP office, called a witness, while the counsel to the defendant, Owoseeni Ajayi, called no witness.

    Ojo also tendered the statement of the accused person as an exhibit.

    He said: “The convict made spirited attempt to rob a man, Adewumi Osasona, a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider) and student of Ekiti State University, who conveyed him from Ijigbo to Moferere on his motorcycle and was arrested by residents after the other accomplice, who shot the victim, had fled.

    “When the accused person got to Moferere, he tied the plaintiff with a rope, while a man who emerged from a nearby bush pointed a pistol at the okada rider and asked him to surrender his motorcycle.

    “After shooting into the air, the okada man resisted, while the second person, who was not available for prosecution, shot the victim and this made him to raise the alarm before residents trooped out to apprehend the convict. The other accomplice fled the scene.”

  • Soldiers ‘kill’ three policemen, one civilian in Taraba

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has ordered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of three police operatives and one civilian in Taraba State.

    The victims were allegedly killed by soldiers.

    The attack also led to some officers sustaining injuries.

    According to a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, the operatives were on investigation to Ibi in Taraba State when they came under attack.

    The statement said the operatives were in Taraba to arrest one Alhaji Hamisu, who was indicted in a series of high-profile kidnap incidents in the state.

    Giving details of the attack, Mba said: “The police operatives, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), reportedly came under sudden attack and serious shooting by soldiers along Ibi – Jalingo Road, Taraba State.

    Read Also: Soldiers allegedly rape varsity student

    “The operatives, who were taking the arrested suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, to the command headquarters in Jalingo, were shot at several times by the soldiers despite proof that they are police personnel on legitimate duty.

    “Three policemen (one inspector and two sergeants) and one civilian died as a result of gunshot injuries sustained in the attack, while others sustained serious gunshot wounds.

    The statement said: “The soldiers thereafter released the handcuffed suspect, Alhaji Hamisu, who is now on the run.

    “Alhaji Hamisu, a notorious kidnap kingpin, has been on the police wanted list for his complicity in several high-profile kidnap cases, including the recent abduction of an oil mogul in Taraba State wherein a ransom of about N100,000,000 was paid.”

    Following the attack, the IGP also ordered the AIG Medicals to proceed to Jalingo to ensure concerted efforts in the treatment of the injured police officers. The remains of the deceased have been deposited in a morgue.

    The Force said it has begun investigation into the incident.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde said Asateru, 53, stands guilty and is convicted to serve a prison term of five years, adding that the convict

    will pay N50, 000 fine as stipulated by the Child’s Rights Law 2005.

    Prosecuting counsel Ronke Odetola said the convict defiled a five-year-old girl on December 23, 2016 at Ifisin-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The priest was arrested by the police and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ado-Ekiti for prosecution.

    Odetola said the offence was contrary to Section 31 of the Child’s Rights Law Cap 7, Laws of Ekiti State Nigeria, 2005.

    The suit with registration number HAD/112/ 117 was first heard in January 2018 before Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde on a one-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

    Odetola tendered the doctor’s report and the defendant’s statement on oath to prosecute her case.

    She called three witnesses to testify against the priest.

    Olanrewaju Oluwasola stood for the accused person.