The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Troops kill 10 bandits in clearance operation

    Troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, deployed at Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Operation CLEAN SWEEP, has confirmed 10 bandits during a clearance operation at Kuduru forest.

    According to the NAN report, the Operation CLEAN SWEEP is the climax of exercise HARBIN KUNAMA III, is aimed at flushing out the remnants of armed bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements from the North Western Zone of Nigeria.

    The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, told newsmen in Kaduna on Friday that the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits, killing 10 of them while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    Yahaya said the bandits’ camp was also destroyed, but that five soldiers sustained injuries during the operation.

    Read Also: Troops arrest 17 bandits in Katsina, kill one

    He said the injured soldiers were evacuated to 44 Reference Hospital, Kaduna, to save their lives but sadly two of them paid the supreme price.

    During a visit to the hospital, the GOC commiserated with the wounded soldiers and also commended the gallantry performance of the dead soldiers.

    He assured that their sacrifices would not go in vain.

    Yahaya said their bravery and dedication to duty was exemplary that every Nigerian soldier and indeed Nigerians should be proud of.

    He promised that the soldiers would be given befitting burials after informing their families of tragic loss.

  • Recovered vehicle owners get ultimatum

    The spokesman of Ogun State Police Command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, has urged owners of recovered and abandoned vehicles and motorcycles to report at Ewekoro Division/ Ijebu Area Command for possible identification and claims within two weeks or risk forfeiture.

    Ewekoro Division: One Nissan Xterra (APP 150 DH); one Toyota Carina (LSD 958 DE); one Peugeot(AGL 10 XQ); one Mazda (BDG 449 XL); one Mazda (AAA 840 BS); four unregistered Jincheng motorcycles; three unregistered Bajaj; one Jincheng motorcycle (XW 4944 BQ); one Bajaj motorcycle (QZ 459 LND); one Bajaj motorcycle (DE 302 KRD); one Honda motorcycle(AYE 317 VP); one unregistered Jincheng motorcycle; one unregistered Sinoki Supra; one Suzuki motorcycle(OS 140 LSD) and one Bajaj motorcycle(574 KTU).

    Ijebu Ode Area Command: One Mazda bus (EPE 05 XY); one Peugeot 307 car (BC5 73 RSH); one Golf car( LSD 782 AS); one Bajaj motorcycle(LSR 370 QA); one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle; one Tricycle( AGL 329 QD) and one Jincheng motorcycle(QP 576 GBE).

  • Nine injured in Ibadan bloody clash

    About nine persons were reportedly injured in a fresh bloody clash between some hoodlums at Sasa, area of Ojoo, Ibadan in the early hours of Friday.

    The hoodlums also looted and destroyed several properties in the area.

    It was said that trouble started when some house owners attempted to prevent some scavengers from picking scraps from their area, leading to a free for all.

    Read Also: One shot as truckers, hoodlums, clash at Tin Can Port

    The hoodlums, according to sources regrouped on Friday and unleashed mayhem on residents and shop owners, causing the violence to spread rapidly to other areas of Ojoo.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu and his deputy, in charge of operations, Mr Kehinde Alonge hurriedly visited the community to assess the situation.

    In a statement issued on Friday, Olukolu said the violent disturbance was not between Yorubas and Hausas.

    He assured that peace and normalcy had been restored in the area, and urged members of the public to disregard the rumour that it was a fight between the two ethnic groups.

    The Commissioner of Police warned miscreants, and mischief makers to desist from causing mayhem in the state.

  • Police arrest two over alleged murder of 38-year-old man in Jos

    The Police Command in Plateau has arrested Ezeala Augustine and Lawal Aliyu for allegedly killing one Chinedu Okoye, 38, of Abdul Salam Street, in Chorbe community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

    Police spokesman, Terna Tyopev, said the incident occurred on Friday at about 11:20 a.m.

    He said: “This morning at about 11:20 a.m., we received a distress call that a gang of armed men suspected to be cultists, armed themselves with guns and went to Abdul Salam Street in Chorbe Area of Jos North and shot one Chinedu Okoye in his shop.

    Read Also: Shi’ite protest: Buhari sends delegation to family of slain police officer

    “The victim was immediately rushed to Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

    “Our detectives immediately swung into action and arrested Ezeala Augustine, 26, of No. R40 Unity Junction, Chorbe.

    “Augustine was in one of the tricycles that was used for the criminal operation

    “Also, Lawal Aliya, 40, of Angwan Rogo, was arrested in connection with the matter,” he said.

    The police spokesman added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

  • Court sends electrician to prison for cheating

    An Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama, Jos, on Friday sentenced a 28- year-old electrician, Umar Faruk to seven years in prison for breach of trust.

    The judge, Yayaha Mohammed who sentenced Faruk however gave him an option to pay a fine of N200,000.

    Mohammed said that the judgment would serve as deterrent to other people of like disposition who would want to indulge in such criminal act.

    Read Also: Court sends man to prison for sharing pornographic images

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Monday Dabit told the court that the case was reported on July 3, at the C Division Police Station by one Mercy Eseoghene of Rantya Jos, who is the complainant.

    The prosecutor said that the complainant entrusted her gas burner valued at N90,000, an inner glass valued at N5000 and the sum of N6000 to the convict who resides at Duse Uku, for repair.

    “The convict sold the aforementioned items and converted the money to his personal use without the complainant consent,‘’ said the prosecutor.

    On arraignment, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence, which the prosecutor said was punishable under sections 297 and 309 of the penal code law.

  • Man ‘impersonates’ lawmaker, ‘forges’ INEC seal

    A 30-year-old man, Toluwalope Akanni, was on Thursday arraigned before Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly impersonating a House of Representatives member to defraud the public.

    Akanni, who lives at Madogun area of Oke-ara in Ogun State, is facing a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, stealing and breach of the peace.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwabuisi, said the defendant committed the offence on June 10 at Ijaye Ojokoro, Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant forged an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Certificate of Return to claim that he is a House of Representatives member.

    Nwabuisi alleged that the defendant convened a meeting where he solicited for funds from people for his inauguration.

    He said Akanni told some of his victims that he would secure federal appointments for them.

    Nwabuisi also alleged that the defendant collected N665,000 and a new Samsung S9+  worth N260,000 from Miss Jessica Eyimofe.

    Read Also: Atiku: Why INEC didn’t call witnesses

    Akanni, the prosecutor claimed, collected N430,000 from Mrs. Dolapo Tunner and N125,000 from Mr. Odulanmi Murtala, who he promised to secure jobs for.

    “My lord, the defendant also claimed to be a lawyer; he told everyone that he had won the election.

    “He also collected some money from members of his church with this scam.

    “He went as far as taking people to Abuja under the guise of going for his inauguration.

    “He forged INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s signature and the INEC seal on the certificate of return,” the prosecutor said.

    Magistrate S. O. Obasa granted the defendant N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must be above 40 and live within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Obasa said the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She ruled that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s relation.

    The case continues on August 20.

     

  • Driver remanded for ‘illegal possession of pistol’

    AN Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 32-year-old driver, Emmanuel John, following his arraignment for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

    Magistrate J. A. Adegun, who did not take John’s plea, ordered that he be kept in Kirikiri Prison.

    He also ordered the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    The case continues on August 9.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Clifford Ogu said John committed the offence on June 12 on the Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

    He alleged that John was arrested with a double barrel pistol with two live cartridges without a licence.

  • Three suspected robbers killed

    THREE suspected robbers, who specialised in operating in commercial tricycles, were killed yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by a mob.

    One was severely injured.

    The angry residents were said to have apprehended the suspects following their failed attempt to rob their victim.

    The suspects were identified as Nsikan Phillip, 23, from Akwa Ibom State, Lucky Iniokpo Lucky, 21, and Perekebina, 18, both from Toru-Ebeni community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Read Also: Police kill four teenage robbers in Edo

    It was learnt that the incident, which occurred at Dimrose Street, in Biogbolo community, threw the entire street into jubilation.

    The suspects were reportedly apprehended by members of a local vigilance group.

    Contacted, police spokesman Asinim Butswat said the victims were not dead at the time they were handed over to the police.

    He said the police recovered a locally made pistol, the tricycle and rushed the suspects to a hospital in Yenagoa.

     

  • Police nab two women for alleged theft

    TWO women have been arrested for allegedly stealing N400,000 from a woman at Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The suspects with their accomplices allegedly robbed their victim, Nwanye Philomina, after picking her around Nteje area of the town.

    The Nation gathered that the victim had ignorantly boarded a vehicle heading for Onitsha when she was attacked.

    A police source said the syndicate, who saw the money in the victim’s bag, suddenly stopped and requested she should come down, claiming they wanted to adjust her seat.

    “Oblivious of their plan, the victim came down and immediately the hoodlums sped off with her bag containing N400,000,” the source added.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the suspects were arrested by the patrol team attached to 3-3 Division.

    Read Also: Police to recruit 40,000 community policing officers

    He gave their names as Cynthia Agu, 20, and Mary Andrew, 20 both from Enugu State, as well as Collins Okoli, 33, and Friday Ebim, 41, both from Delta State.

    Mohammed said: “At about 2pm, Nwanye Philomina, aged 30, from Akwuzu, boarded a taxi at Nteje Boys High School bus stop in Oyi Local Government.

    “When the vehicle got to Nkwelle Ezunaka, the syndicate suddenly stopped and asked her to come down to enable them adjust the seat, but they sped off.

    “The victim immediately raised the alarm, which attracted the attention of some motorists, who pursued the suspects to Nkwelle community where a police patrol team attached to 3-3 Division intercepted and arrested them.”

    The spokesman said the suspects were nearly lynched by a mob, but for the quick intervention of the police.

    He added that the money was recovered, while the vehicle used in perpetrating the act was impounded.

    Mohammed said the suspects would be arraigned after investigations.

     

     

  • Man held for ‘biting woman’s breast’

    A 22-year-old man, Precious Michael, who allegedly bit a woman on her breast, on Wednesday appeared at a Magistrates’ Court in Asaba, Delta State.

    The police charged Michael with assault and causing grievous hurt.

    Prosecution counsel Mrs Blessing Okafor  told the court that Michael assaulted Miss Ella Ibeawzie, near the Royal Park Hotel, Asaba.

    Okafor alleged that the defendant bit Ibeawzie on her breast and also knocked out her tooth during an altercation.

    Read Also: Man held with 17 bags of suspected Marijuana

    She alleged that the defendant also tore Ibeawzie’s dress, valued at N4,000.

    The offence, she said, is punishable under sections 355 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol 1 laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Edith Anumodu admitted the defendant to N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    Anumodu ordered that the surety must provide an affidavit of means.

    She adjourned the case till August 20.