The Nation Newspaper

Category: Crime Diary

  • Hoodlums kill two soldiers 

    Soldiers on Tuesday attacked Azagbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    They were in search of suspected militants, who ambushed and killed two soldiers.

    It was gathered that two soldiers protecting an oil facility belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the community were shot dead by the hoodlums.

    Following intelligence that the killers fled into the community, soldiers invaded Azagbene early in the morning, pulling down and burning structures.

    Sources from the community said the invasion caused commotion and forced residents to seek refuge in the bush.

    The Central Zone of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) (Worldwide) condemned the unwarranted killing of soldiers, but urged the Army to apply caution, to avoid bringing hardship to innocent members of the community.

    Read Also: FG to deploy soldiers to highways

    The Chairman, IYC Central Zone, Kennedy Olorogun, in a statement signed by the zonal spokesman, Korubo Kockman, appealed to the Army to work in synergy with the IYC to fish out the perpetrators.

    Olorogun said: “The zonal leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has condemned in strong terms the killing of two men of the Nigeria Army by gunmen at Azagbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    “This act is devilish and it has resulted in attack on Azagbene community by the Army, destroying belongings of innocent indigenes.

    “This ugly development has become a great source of worry and concern to the state and Ijaw Youth Council in the zone as the home and Jerusalem of the entire Ijaw Nation.

    “While we condemn the barbaric act, we call on the Army to be civil in her action, mostly in the areas of destruction of life and property of the innocent Azagbene people. The Army should go after the culprits.

    “We urge the Army to work in synergy with them and other security agencies in the state to ensure perpetrators of this violence and heinous acts are brought to justice. We also advise Ijaw youths to shun violence, crimes and vices that will tarnish their reputation.”

    Contacted, spokesman for16th Brigade Maj. Jonah Danjuma said the brigade would soon make its position known on the incident.

  • Gunmen abduct 18 traders in Niger

    GUNMEN have abducted 18 traders in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The traders were travelling from Pandogari town in Rafi Local Government to Bassa village for the weekly market.

    The incident was said to have occurred last Saturday.

    The traders were in an 18- seater bus when they ran into a blockade by the gunmen, who shot sporadically.

    An eyewitness said yesterday that the traders were mostly women. Although some men were among them.

    The eyewitness said the traders were forced into a waiting bus and driven into the bush.

    The source noted that this was not the first time that such an incident would occur. “It has now become a regular feature that no one is doing anything about.”

    Read Also: Just in: Gunmen kidnap four Turkish expatriates in Kwara

    It was gathered that most of the traders had contacted their families, asking them to pay the ransom demanded, to secure their release.

    The eyewitness said the ransom being demanded was between N200,000 and N500,000, depending on their ‘personality’.

    “They are asking the relations to bring the ransom to a location as far as Funtua town in Katsina State, to avoid being traced by the police. Some of the families are already complying,” the source said.

    Contacted by our reporter, police spokesman Mohammad Abubakar said: “We heard about the incident, but no official report has been made.

    “We are investigating the matter. We will get back to you when we get official report.”

  • Bayelsa-bound travellers kidnapped in Edo

    Gunmen have abducted three ladies travelling from Lagos State to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    The victims, identified as Okuboere, Seifefa and Amara, were reportedly abducted by suspected herdsmen along the Hausa-Fulani settlement in Okada, Edo State.

    Princess Grace, who resides in Bayelsa, identified the victims as her sisters-in-law and their friend from Abia State, Amara.

    Grace said the incident happened about 12 noon yesterday, adding that the assailants demanded N30 million to free them.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap four Turkish expatriates

    She said: “My sisters-in-law from Bayelsa State – Okuboere, Seiyefa and their friend Amara from Abia State, were kidnapped about 12 noon by suspected herdsmen on the Okada Road in Edo State. They were driving down from Lagos to Yenagoa with two children in the vehicle.

    “The culprits were said to have shot at them from the front and while they were trying to reverse, attacked them from behind.

    “They are from Saigbama in Bayelsa State, while their friend is from Arochukwu in Abia State. The children, age 12 and 4, were left in the car in the bush where the incident happened.

    “Last night, one of the victims called me to inform their parents that the kidnappers are demanding N30 million. Despite not having jobs, these girls have worked hard. One owns a small tailoring shop, the other sells drinks and the other supports her husband to raise two children. The police in Edo State have been contacted.”

  • Court remands teacher for ‘defiling’ pupil

    28 year-old teacher, Idowu Daniel, was on Monday remanded in prison by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling a 17-year-old secondary school pupil.

    Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, who did not take the defendant’s plea, ordered that he should be remanded in Kirikiri Prisons.

    She ordered the police to send the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
    The defendant, who lives at Abule-Egba, Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement.

    Read Also: Police kill four teenage robbers in Edo

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benson Emuerhi told the court that the defendant on June 27 at 9:25am unlawfully had carnal knowledge of his pupil in the Biology Laboratory at Anastasia Comprehensive College, Abule-Egba, Ikeja.

    “The teacher lured the pupil to the Biology lab and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her,” the prosecutor alleged.

    According to him, the offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015.
    The case continues on October 21.

  • Command arraigns three cult suspects 

    The police in Ogun State on Monday arraigned three suspected cult members at an Ota Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused are John Paul, 19; Babatunde James, 28; and Tosin Yusuf, 22.

    They are facing trial on a two-count charge of membership of unlawful society and conspiracy, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Abdulkareem Mustapha said the accused and others at large committed the offences on July 4, at 2pm, at Kolas area, Cashier bus stop, Itele, Ota.

    He said the accused and others belonged to a secret society called “Aiye Confraternity”.

    Read Also: Police arrest five ‘armed robbers’, 72 ‘cultists

    Mustapha said the defendants had been creating fears in the minds of the community by carrying cutlass in the public.

    He said the offences contravened sections 5 and 80 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    Chief Magistrate Matthew Akinyemi, in his ruling, granted each of the defendants N200,000 bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    He said the sureties must live within the court’s jurisdiction and be employed.

    He said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    The case was adjourned till August 7.

  • Architect accused of impersonating ICPC official

    The police on Monday arraigned a 40-year-old architect, Idris Unkange, at a Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court for allegedly impersonating an official of the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Unkange, who lives at Bamishi, Kuje Area Council, FCT, is charged with criminal breach of trust, impersonation and cheating.

    The prosecution counsel, A.S. Oyeyemi, told the court that the complainant, Mr. Job Andrew, who lives at Mopo Barracks, Deidei Abuja, reported the matter at the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, on March 1.

    Oyeyemi alleged that on December 12, 2017, the defendant called the complainant on the phone and said the ICPC would be auctioning some vehicles and that he had “reserved” a Toyota Hilux (Pick-Up Van) for him.

    See Also: Two men ‘impersonate’ army, police officers

    He said the defendant deceitfully collected N500, 000 and diverted the money to his use.

    The prosecutor said when the defendant was arrested, he confessed to the crime during police investigation.

    He said the offence contravened sections 312, 322 and 132 of Penal Code.

    After the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Fatima Abubakar admitted the defendant to N600, 000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    She ordered that the surety, who must live within the jurisdiction of the court, must be a civil servant not below GL06.

    Abubakar adjourned the case till September 25.

  • Kidnappers kill eight-year-old girl

    An eight-year-old girl, Aisha Sani, who was kidnapped two weeks ago at Tudunwada quarters in Kano State by an unknown woman, has been found dead.

    The abductor of the girl was later discovered to be a close ally of kidnappers.

    Aisha, who was kidnapped after closing with her siblings at an Islamiyya School, was taken away by a woman who covered her face with a veil.

    Days after, no formal communication was made with her parents.

    A week later, a text message was said to have been sent to her parents informing them that Aisha was in good health and that they should not be bothered.

    Read Also: Police arrest two suspected kidnappers, recover arms in Enugu

    A family member, who preferred anonymity, said the kidnappers later demanded N200 million as ransom.

    The abductors were said to have requested that the ransom be given to her mother, who would bring the money to them.

    But after two weeks of search, Aisha’s body was found yesterday. She was reportedly hacked to death by her kidnappers.

    Her parents have taken custody of the body for burial.

    Contacted, the police said they were investigating the incident, adding that the culprits would be fished out.

  • Domestic workers, relatives loot Jonathan’s N300m jewellery

    The police in Bayelsa State are investigating the looting of valuables, including jewellery worth over N300 million belonging to former President Goodluck Jonathan by his domestic workers and relatives.

    Operatives were said to have arrested some suspects, who allegedly broke into the palatial home of Jonathan at Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government and stole the items, including customised walking sticks.

    The police were coordinated by operatives of “Puff Adder”, a new police tactical squad  launched by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu.

    Sources identified the arrested suspects as domestic workers and relatives of ex-President Jonathan.

    It was learnt that one of the suspects and a management worker of Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s Aridolf Resort, Hotel and Spa illegally duplicated the keys to the rooms where the valuables were kept.

    He reportedly gained entrance to the treasure room and removed most of the valuables.

    The Nation gathered that some persons uncovered the theft and reported the matter to the police, who effected the arrest and recovered some of the valuables.

    Read Also: What do Jonathan and wife want in Bayelsa?

    It was learnt that the incident shocked the former first lady, who wondered why they resorted to stealing her husband’s belongings instead of hers.

    A security source, who confirmed the development, said the theft was carried out by persons working as domestic employees to the former first family.

    “It was not done by outsiders. The suspects have been working for the former first family. They decided to help themselves. One of them is a domestic servant, who is responsible for keeping the key to the room where the treasures were kept.

    “The other ones share relationship with former President Jonathan. I know that the police arrested some of them. I don’t know the monetary value of the stolen items. Only Patience Jonathan can say the value.

    “They are already making useful confession to the police and money from the proceeds is being recovered,” the source, who spoke in confidence, said.

  • Gunmen kidnap four Turkish expatriates

    Armed bandits have abducted four Turkish expatriates at a drinking joint at Gbale village in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred at about 10pm on Saturday while the men were having fun at the joint.

    The victims are Yasin Colak, 33, Senerapal, 40, Ergun Yurdakul, 35 and Seyit Keklik, 25.

    The victims are said to be expatriates working with Instabul Concrete Ltd in the village.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the kidnap.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two soldiers, abduct expatriate in A’Ibom

    He said Commissioner Kayode Egbetokun had dispatched a team under “Operation Puff Adder” to rescue the expatriates and arrest the hoodlums.

    Okasanmi said the efforts were beginning to yield results.

    He, however, did not confirm if anybody had been arrested.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq last night called for calm following the abduction of the Turkish nationals.

    “The governor is working with security agencies to ensure prompt rescue of the expatriates. He urges the people to go about their normal and lawful businesses and not to entertain any fear, as doing so may embolden the criminals,” said a statement by his Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

  • Robbery suspect who operates in Army uniform arrested

    A robbery suspect, Egbeke Ifeoluwa, who operates in Army uniform on Sango-Ijoko Road in Ogun State, has been arrested by the operatives of the Ogun State annex of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response team (IRT).

    A source said the suspect was the leader of a robbery gang that specialised in one-chance robbery in different parts of Ogun State and nearby states, adding that they carried out their operations anytime of the day.

    The source said Ifeoluwa, 25, wore Army uniform to intimidate the public and scare away law enforcement agents.

    Following the gang’s operations, road users and residents gave intelligence report to the IRT annex in Sango on the nefarious activities of the gang.

    Based on the intelligence report, the IRT Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari, directed the Ogun State annex to arrest the hoodlums.

    Read Also: ‘I built my house with proceeds from robbery operations’

    The Nation learnt that the operatives swung into action and saw a commercial bus driver in an Army uniform plying the road. They stopped the bus with number plate XV 14 AKD and the driver, who was later identified as Egbeke Ifeoluwa, the wanted gang leader, was nabbed. His colleagues, however, escaped.

    It was gathered that when the vehicle was searched by the operatives, they found one live ammunition, two jack knives, five military vests, one military beret, military gadget and one Navy ID card hidden under the bus seats.

    The suspect, who initially insisted that he was a soldier, later confessed that he was a fake soldier and the gang leader the police had been looking for.

    He confessed that they usually hid their weapons and army uniforms under the vehicle’s seats and only wore them when they wanted to operate, noting that the uniforms helped to scare away the police and other security agents.

    On how he could assist the police to arrest his fleeing colleagues, he said it would be difficult to get them because none of them had permanent addresses or phone numbers.