The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Police arrest ‘fake’ spiritualist for defrauding traders in Lagos, Ogun markets

    THE police have arrested a 50- year- old described as a fake spiritualist with specialization in defrauding people.

    Raphael Ekechi’s victims are mainly in Lagos and Ogun States.

    He was picked up from his Alagbado hideout in Lagos after his latest exploit in Abeokuta.

    Ekechi claimed he had spiritual power that could fetch his victims including traders, contractors and politicians, immense fortune.

    He charged his victims heavily, raking in millions of naira in the process, and he often warned them against reporting him to the police, otherwise he would deal with them spiritually.

    But he ran out of luck after allegedly defrauding one Emmanuel Ekpe who defied his threat and reported him to the police.

    The security men went on his trail and arrested him on July 8, 2019.

    Among the items recovered from his ‘mystic temple’ during  the arrest by the police were  a sum of $3,700 suspected to be counterfeit, consultation forms ,a collection of Hindu paraphernalia and posters.

    The suspect  who gave his name in his  ‘metaphysical’ business as Raghdra Anandra ,claims to be  a 100 level Law student of the National Open University.

    The father of four claimed that his journey into the illegal business started when “I traveled to Accra, Ghana, and customs operatives seized my goods and it disorganized me.

    ”I still remember, it was during the military era. I lost about N3million  and it so frustrated me that I couldn’t get money and help from anyone.

    “It was in that horrible state of idleness that I decided to become a fraudster.

    “My second reason is that I found out that some Nigerians are gullible in order to get rich quick and I decided to use my brain instead of gun to get what I wanted.

    Read Also: Police arrest five suspects over Ekiti killing

    “I lied to all my clients or should I call them victims? I lied to them that I got power and learnt metaphysical science from an Indian University and that was how I became a fraudster.

    “I have sold pure water and I was making N400 daily. I have followed these people who sell fake drugs in the open market with loudspeaker and they used to give me N500 after sales. It was the activities of these fake drug sellers that helped to sharpen my mind.

    “I pasted posters on the streets   with Ragen Hindu monk temple boldly written on the posters to attract patronage from people in need of spiritual protection, get rich quick charm, among others.

    “I charged N7,700 for consultation form, N500, 000 for power charm, N2, 000, 000(two million) to see my master general and N1,000,000 (one million) to win contract.

    “I believe in the Bible and I believe that the Bible is supreme.  I don’t mention Bible because I know that what I am doing is fake and you cannot joke with the Bible or  the Quran.”

    Recalling the incident that led to his arrest,Ekechi said : “This man, Emmanuel Ekpe, was in my office and he complained that what (charm) I did for him did not work. He wanted his business to boom and mystic power to perform miracles as an evangelist.

    “I charged him a sum of N167,000   but he deposited N57,000  and he promised to pay the balance after one month.

    “I told him that he must pay me the balance otherwise the charm I gave him would not work, because he cannot cheat the ‘spirit’. Unfortunately, it still did not work for him.

    ‘’When I told him how people like him ran away to avoid the wrath of the mystic gods, I  thought that he would do the same not knowing that he went to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    “I plead for forgiveness, I will not defraud people again.”

    Giving his own side of the story, Ekpe said he reported the suspect to the police after he threatened to deal with him for demanding a refund of his money when the charm he gave him did not work.

    The  36- year- old second hand clothes trader said he approached  the suspect after his business crashed and it became difficult to raise money to start all over again.

    He said Ekechi gave him  a ring for which he paid  N18, 000.

    He added: “He opened a black box and asked me to pick the ring with my left hand. He said I should do a sacrifice for it to work and he asked me to pay N120, 000, but I deposited N80,000.

    “He said I would  pay N18, 000 for spiritual tax, another N35, 000 for sacrifice bringing the total amount I paid to him to N167, 000.

    “I told him that I did not get what I paid for; I asked him to refund my money, but he refused and instead threatened my life. But I was told he has refunded N53, 000.”

  • Customs, NAFDAC destroy N14.7b tramadol

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday destroyed tramadol and hard drugs valued at N14.7 billion.

    The Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (E,I&I), Aminu Dahiru, who is the committee chairman on the occasion marking the joint destruction of the drugs, said the seizures would prevent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and others threatening the peace and security of the country.

    Read Also: Sell over N20b exotic cars in Customs commands, Ali urged

    The exercise was witnessed by NAFDAC and ACG Dahiru, who lamented that the hard drugs would have caused damages if they had been allowed to enter the society via smuggling.

  • Navy seizes 130 vessels in two years

    Over 130 vessels have been seized for maritime infractions by the Navy since 2017, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas said on Thursday.

    He spoke at the inaugural International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEC) held in Accra, Ghana to mark the Ghanaian Navy’s 60th anniversary.

    Delivering a paper titled: “Highlight of the NN operations and projections for advancing information sharing towards overcoming criminality at sea”, Ibas said the Navy conducted round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space, using the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and Falcon Eye (FE) facilities, in addition to surface vessels and helicopters.

    Quoting statistics from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), he said increased information sharing between the Navy and other agencies contributed to 50 per cent reduction of acts of piracy within the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) between the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.

    Ibas advocated more sustained presence at sea and increasing exchange of critical information between regional partners and stakeholders for the security of the maritime domain.

    He said improved database on arrested and convicted maritime criminals would help the region curb the current practice by criminals to move from one jurisdiction to the other to continue their activities.

    The CNS said the Navy had initiated operations and programmes geared towards creating a safe and secure space for maritime commerce to thrive.

    “These initiatives are categorised into independent Navy operations as well as collaborative operations with other stakeholders within Nigeria and beyond her borders. Considering the wide expanse of the maritime domain and the frequently mutating and transnational nature of maritime crimes, the Navy has had to exploit available Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) infrastructure to enhance her operational efficiency towards curtailing crimes within the GoG.

    Read Also: Navy uncovers over N11m worth of PMS on Lagos Island

    “The MDA infrastructure is also critical to our collective efforts, particularly as it relates to information sharing…”

    Using “Operations TSARE TEKU and RIVER SWEEP” as examples of the Navy independent engagements to check piracy and oil theft, Ibas said there had been successive decline in reported cases of pirate/sea robbery attacks within Nigeria’s maritime domain; while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had attested to the successes of “Op RIVER SWEEP”, confirming huge savings for the nation due to massive reductions in pipeline losses between 2015 and 2018.

    “The operation has also contributed to significant improvement in shipping into Nigeria’s maritime environment as attested to by Nigerian Shippers. The anti-COT and illegal refining operations also incorporated the Choke Point Management and Control Regime involving the deployment of armed personnel in houseboats designated at strategic chokepoint within the creeks. Patrol boats attached to the stations serve as counter theft responses to prevent any stolen crude from being taken away in ships or barges.

    “Apart from these two specifically designed operations, the Navy continues to conduct policing patrols across the nation’s EEZ and territorial waters, employing the advantage of its MDA infrastructure to coordinate and direct the pattern of patrols. The service is thus able to conduct round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space, using the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) and the Falcon Eye (FE) facilities in addition to surface vessels and helicopters.

    “These facilities ensure effective electronic tracking of vessels within our maritime environment whether fitted with Automatic Identification System (AIS) or not. The systems also serve as force multipliers, as Navy patrols are more mission oriented with attendant reduction in operational logistic cost. Following the historic tracking and arrest of the hijackers of a tanker MT MAXIMUS by the Navy at the fringes of Sao Tome and Principe in 2016, the service has continued to achieve several successes using the MDA systems.

    “For instance, the FE Systems were used to vector NNS UNITY to arrest MV NESO II in October 2018, while NNS NGURU and EKULU were vectored to arrest MV HAWA and AKEMIJOE DEBORAH, as well as several others in 2019. These vessels were arrested on suspicion of committing infractions within Nigerian waters.

    “To further enhance Navy surveillance and MDA network, the service recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on white shipping with the Indian Navy and has applied to join the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in addition to Italy-based Trans-Regional Maritime Network, which she joined in 2015. The Navy also participated in the establishment of a mechanism for sharing maritime information with regional navies and maritime regulatory agencies at the Maritime Trade Information Sharing Centre here in Ghana.

    “These strategic partnerships have the potential to further increase Navy domain awareness across the Atlantic and Indian oceans, with positive impact on surveillance capacity to facilitate Navy policing duties. To consolidate the gains of the MDA project, the Navy in collaboration with the US government recently established a Regional MDA Training School for joint training of personnel of the Navy and other navies of the GoG. This is with a view to steadily improve capacity for gathering and sharing of vital information to enhance collective response to security challenges at sea.

    “To enhance maritime operations, the Navy engages regularly with stakeholders. In particular, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Customs, Immigration and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been most supportive in this regard.

    “These engagements foster a shared vision on the accomplishment of maritime security tasks and information sharing leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of several cases. One positive outcome of such consultation is the launch of the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of Vessels and Persons (HSOP AD&P) in Nigeria’s maritime environment in January 2017. Further to the launch, the Navy constantly engages directly with each agency on modalities for implementation, resulting in the arrest of over 130 vessels within the past two years.

    “The HSOP was further boosted as a legal instrument for the administration of maritime crimes in Nigeria by the President’s recent assent to the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Bill, 2019. Pertinently, the Act will serve as strategic deterrent to the commission of various crimes within the nation’s maritime environment and curtail the excesses of syndicates that continue to profit from sponsoring acts of piracy within the GoG.

    “The Act also demonstrates the government’s resolve to enforce maritime law within the region towards changing global negative perception of the GoG as a haven for insecurity. To ensure wide dissemination of such legal and operational instruments, the Navy convenes maritime stakeholders’ forum periodically.

    “However, considering the transnational and migratory nature of these maritime crimes there is also the need for even more international collaboration to boost maritime law enforcement. I am glad to mention that the NN has equally shown commitment to strengthening international collaboration towards improving maritime security in the GoG. In line with the intention to collectively address maritime security challenges in the global commons, the Navy has supported regional efforts towards collective maritime security.

    “Going forward, the Navy intends to leverage such audience as today’s conference, to strengthen discussions with regional partners regarding a sustainable collaboration in joint operations and information sharing to guaranteeing the security of the maritime environment of the GoG.”

  • Motorcyclist shot dead, two injured at new yam festival in Ekiti community

    The annual new yam festival, popularly known as Odun Oba in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government area of Ekiti State, on Thursday turned violent with a commercial motorcyclist reportedly killed.

    The feast was characterised by bloody clash as supporters of the two rival kings in the town, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu and Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, engaged in a gun battle.

    Two other persons  were reportedly injured by gunshots during the clash.

    The two kings have been embroiled in crisis over supremacy battle and step taken to reduce the status of Olukere to a mere chief  priest to deny him recognition as an Oba.

    According to a source, the incident happened around the popular Odo Oja roundabout close to Olukere’s palace around 6pm.

    It was also said to have caused panic in the town as people had to scamper for safety as a result of the gunshots.

    Read Also: Soldiers begin ‘operation-stop- and-search in Ekiti

    Those travelling to Akure from Ado-Ekiti and others had to take a detour and returned to their bases to prevent being caught in the conflict.

    The witness said: “The Ogoga, Oba Adu, was preparing for the annual Odun Oba and part of the rituals was for his people to dance around town to perform some rituals.

    “As they were doing this, the traditional hunters were shooting sporadically and the bullet  hit an okada man and two others who belonged to Olukere’s camp and that was the beginning of the crisis”.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, said one okada man died as a result of gunshot during the traditional dancing process while one person was wounded.

    “We learnt one of the supporters of the two camps was performing traditional dance in the town and the hunters  were firing shots  with their Dane guns when one okada man was hit by bullets and died.

    “One other man was also wounded and now receiving treatment in the hospital.”

    Ikechukwu said the crisis had been quelled while his men are already on ground to prevent escalation of the crisis.

    A human right activist, Morakinyo Ogele, appealed to the state police command to unravel and arrest whoever might have perpetrated such heinous act and ensure they face the wrath of justice.

  • NYSC hails corps member kidnapped during poll

    An outgoing 2018 Batch “B” National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member abducted during the February general election in Anambra State was on Thursday celebrated by the NYSC for her gallantry and resilience.

    The corps member, Onisuru Oghenetega, who worked as an ad-hoc official during the poll, was celebrated during the passing out parade with five others who distinguished themselves in their places of primary assignment.

    Speaking at Ajali in Orumba North Local Government, the State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, said he chose the council to appreciate the corps members’ doggedness and commitment to the scheme.

    He said he was impressed by Oghenetega’s determination to carry out her primary assignment despite the bitter experience.

    Read Also: Seven corps members to repeat service year in Nasarawa –NYSC

    Aremu said: “I’m happy to see one of the corps members who was kidnapped during the last general election here with us hale and hearty.

    “One would have expected her to seek redeployment following the trauma she went through after the incident.”

    The coordinator thanked the corps members for their diligence and urged them to practise the skills they had learnt during their assignments.

    He said he was aware that some of them had built relationships during the service, urging them not to be in a hurry to dispose of such contacts, as they would be relevant in future.

    Council Chairman Dr. Ikwueto Obinna hailed the corps members for their contributions, especially in the health care and education sectors.

    “We have corps members who really added values to our health sector and our education sector,” he said.

    Speaking to reporters, Oghenetega said she was not traumatised as expected, adding that she would like to return to the state anytime. She described Anambra as safe.

    Five of the 64 outgoing corps members were rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a standing fan each in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the council.

  • Police: we will rescue those kidnapped on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    Ogun State Police Command last night expressed confidence that its special force comprising Anti-Kidnapping, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and detectives would rescue those abducted on the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

    The command, through its spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation that “we are closing in on the abductors following intensive search for them.”

    Read Also: Gunmen shoot policeman in Calabar

    Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), added that Commissioner Bashir Makama, along with the Anti-kidnapping Unit and SARS had visited the scene of the kidnap to assess the situation and strategise on how to arrest the suspected kidnappers.

  • Gunmen shoot policeman in Calabar

    Gunmen on Thursday shot a police traffic warden, who was controlling traffic at Etagbo Road, opposite Ujimco Filling Station, Calabar.

    Fortunately he did not die. He was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct 18 traders in Niger

    It was gathered that the policeman, whose identity could not be ascertained, was shot while at his duty post by gunmen, who were in a vehicle. They sped off immediately.

    It could not be ascertained why the policeman was shot, but it was suspected to be cult-related.

    Police spokesperson Irene Ugbo confirmed the incident.

    She said some suspects had been arrested.

  • Police rescue kidnapped victims

    Abia State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims in Aba.

    Our reporter gathered that the police, after pursuing the abductors, recovered a Hyundai Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to one of the victims, which they (the hoodlums) abandoned while fleeing.

    The rescued victims are Ndukwe Patrick and Chika Aniere, all residents of New Umuahia Road, off Ogbor Hill, Aba.

    A police source said the victims were kidnapped at about 10pm on Wednesday.

    Read Also: Kidnapped women will be rescued, says Edo CP

    It was learnt that a distress call was sent to Police Commissioner Ene Okon, who instructed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Ohuru Isimiri, under whose division the incident happened, to go after the kidnappers and ensure they didn’t escape with the victims.

    The prompt action of the police was said to have foiled the kidnap attempt.

    Okon confirmed the rescue of the victims, stressing that the prompt action of his men from Ohuru Isimiri Division helped to prevent the kidnappers from achieving their aim.

  • ‘I committed suicide to escape disturbances by mum’

    27-old man, Nsisong Okon Etim, has committed suicide at Efiat Ikot Edo community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    He was said to have killed himself on Tuesday over alleged frequent disturbances by his mother, step-brother and landlord.

    The deceased, a graduate, disclosed the reasons for taking his life in a suicide note he dropped before hanging himself.

    In the note, the late Nsisong said: “I am ending my miserable life to escape from constant worries and disturbances by my mother, step-brother and the landlord, whose shop I rented to sell cooking gas.”

    The suicide has continued to shock residents of Ukpong Edet Street in the Effiat Ikot Edo Offot community where the deceased lived with his mother.

    Read Also: My son’s promising future cut short- Father of Channel slain reporter

    Family sources said the deceased completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme last year and went into the business of selling cooking gas on the Old Ring Road, Uyo, “because of inability to get a job.”

    The deceased, one of the sons of the late village head of the community, Chief Etim Eton, according to her sister, Miss Edidiong Okon Etim, “was very discreet and always kept to himself.”

    “He rarely ate our mother’s food. He usually cooked for himself.”

    It was gathered that the deceased, after returning from shop in the evening, locked himself in his room, removed his clothes and wore boxer shorts. He broke the ceiling, tied a rope to the rafters and strangled himself.”

    His mother, Mrs. Patience Eton, who was in tears on Wednesday morning when his remains were being lowered from the rafters for ritual and burial, was too shock to speak.

    The youth leader (Obong Effak) of Umoebet\Esuene streets, Comrade Godwin Okon Sunday, expressed sadness about what he described as “an unfortunate incident.”

    “I saw him recently. He was an introvert.

    “I think based on the content of his suicide note, he was frustrated following the hardship in the country,” the youth leader said.

    He urged the government to create what he called “economic windows and social security palliatives, to cushion the effect of the prevailing harsh economic realities caused by high unemployment rate in the country.”

  • Woman allegedly inserts pepper in housemaid’s private part

    12-year-old girl, Precious Nwali, has been reportedly battered by her mistress for allegedly stealing her N26,000.

    The Nation learnt that the incident occurred at Nzekwe Street, near Akwata meat market in Awka, Anambra State.

    The victim, from Ebonyi State, was allegedly stripped naked and red pepper was inserted into her private part by the mistress, Mrs. Charity Effiong, who later drove her away from the house around 10:30pm.

    It was gathered that the victim, a primary four pupil, was later found by a good Samaritan while wandering and crying along the meat market.

    Narrating her ordeal, the victim, who sustained injuries, said she had suffered maltreatment in the hands of her mistress.

    “She always flogs me with a cable. She has her own children, but she hardly beats them or sends them on an errand,” she said amid tears.

    The woman who picked her up, Mrs. Amaka Okoye, said it took her about 30 minutes to wash off the grinded pepper in the victim’s private part.

    Read Also: Cry of abused child (2)

    Pastor Effiong Inyang, who connected the girl with the mistress, said the victim’s parents requested she stayed with her following the family’s predicament.

    He said: “Her siblings are being given out because her parents are struggling to survive due to the condition of the family.

    “The father has been under severe pains, having sustained injuries after several falls from the palm tree.”

    He said he had already contacted the victim’s parents, who had requested that she be brought back to them.

    Reacting, the Secretary, Anambra State Child Protection Network, Lady Hope Okoye, described the action as a violation of the state’s Child Right Act of 2004.

    “Stuffing Cameroon pepper in the girl’s private part is another level of abuse, which has psychological, physical and emotional consequences.

    “I don’t know why this should be swept under the carpet. A woman who can treat a little child in this inhumane manner should be exposed,” she said.

    The Nation, however, learnt from a police source that the suspect had been detained on the order of the DPO in charge of the Central Police Station, Awka.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident, but said the suspect denied inserting pepper into the victim’s private part.

    He said she claimed that the victim stole N26,000 from her house, adding that she removed her undies in the course of searching for the money.

    Mohammed said the suspect had been charged for assault, adding that the victim had been handed over to her parents.