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Tag: Ammunition

  • Govt charges 10 with illegal importation of prohibited arms, ammunition

    Govt charges 10 with illegal importation of prohibited arms, ammunition

    Ten individuals linked to the illegal importation of prohibited firearms and ammunition have been charged to court by the Federal Government

    They were arrested over their alleged involvement in the importation of arms and ammunition recently impounded at Onne port, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The prohibited firearms, numbering 844 and 112, 500 rounds of cartridges were discovered by officials of the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS). The items were concealed in plumbing materials in a container marked  MAEU-9165396.

    Listed as defendants in the four-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 are: Ali Samson Ofoma, Okechukwu Gabriel Charles, Kingsley Mbibi Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Mayowa Segun, Augustine John Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Wahab Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin and Tolulope Ogundepo.

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    The charge was filed on September 4 on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, an agency under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    The suspects are accused of allegedly importing into Nigeria, prohibited 844 firearms and 112, 500 rounds of Cartridges concealed in plumbing materials in a container with number MAEU-9165396 on June 20, 2024 at Onne in Port Harcourt contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.

    They are also alleged to have altered a Bill of Lading of the consignment from Ola Gold Maratine Services to Dan Autos Limited and diverted the movement of the container from West African Container Terminal to WAX Logistics Limited to cover up the importation of prohibited arms and ammunitions contrary to section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

  • Fed Govt charges 10 with illegal importation of prohibited arms, ammunition

    Fed Govt charges 10 with illegal importation of prohibited arms, ammunition

    …Arraignment stalled by defendants’ rejection of lawyers

    The federal government has charged ten individuals with illegal importation of prohibited firearms and ammunition over their alleged involvement in the recently impounded arms and ammunition at the Onne port, Port-Harcourt, Rivers state.

    The prohibited firearms, numbering 844 and 112, 500 rounds of cartridges were discovered by officials of the Nigerian Customs Services, concealed in plumbing materials in a container with number MAEU-9165396.

    Listed as defendants in the four-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 are: Ali Samson Ofoma, Okechukwu Gabriel Charles, Kingsley Mbibi Chinasa, Oroghodo Maxwell, Akinkuade Mayowa Segun, Augustine John Elechi, Osumini Kennedy, Ajala Wahab Ojo, Faboro Oluwatimilehin and Tolulope Ogundepo.

    The charge was filed on September 4 on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, an agency under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

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    The 10 are accused of allegedly importing into Nigeria, prohibited 844 firearms and 112, 500 rounds of Cartridges concealed in plumbing materials in a container with number MAEU-9165396 on June 20, 2024, at Onne in Port Harcourt contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.

    They are also alleged to have altered a bill of lading of the consignment from Ola Gold Maratine Services to Dan Autos Limited and diverted the movement of the container from the West African Container Terminal to WAX Logistics Limited to cover up the importation of prohibited arms and ammunition contrary to section 1(2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

    Ali Samson Ofoma, Okechukwu Gabriel Charles, and others at large are, in count three, alleged to have on June 20, at Onne in Port Harcourt with intent to commit acts of terrorism, transported prohibited weapons and other dangerous substances on board Maersk Vigo Ship with a bill of lading 238921355 conveying a container number MAEU-9165396 into Nigeria.

    The alleged act is said to be prejudicial to national security and in violation of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and lightweight weapons punishable under section 39(1) of the Terrorism Prevention Prohibition Act 2022.

    Ofoma and Charles are, in count four, alleged to have on June 20 imported firearms and ammunition on board a Maersk Vigo ship with a bill of lading number 238921355 in a container number MAEU-9165396 without requisite license or authority contrary to section 3(B) of the Firearms Act.

    Although the defendants were brought before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, the prosecution could not arraign them because two of them (the defendants) –  Augustine John Elechi and Osumini Kennedy (listed as sixth and seventh defendants) were not represented by lawyers.

    Elechi and Kennedy however turned down two lawyers – Samuel Ogala and Deji Adeyanju, who volunteered to represent them without payment.

    Upon the development, Justice Nwite noted that it would be improper to arraign the defendants without two of them being represented by lawyers.

    The judge then rescheduled the arraignment for September 12 to enable the two defendants to make arrangements for lawyers of their choice.

    He ordered the defendants should be returned to the custody of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force pending arraignment.

  • ‘Gunrunner’ nabbed for transporting 202 live ammunition to terror kingpin

    ‘Gunrunner’ nabbed for transporting 202 live ammunition to terror kingpin

    A suspected gunrunner identified as Musa Yusuf has been arrested by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command while taking 202 ammunition to a terror kingpin known as Emir in Zurmi forest of Zamfara State.

    The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

    He said that the suspect received the ammunition at Bakin Kogi in Kauru Local Government Area of the state and was on his way to deliver them to the notorious criminal when he was arrested.

    According to the PPRO, Yusuf was arrested on January 17, around 8:30pm by policemen attached to Tudun Wada Division, Zaria.

    He said the policemen were on Tactical Operation Duty (TOD) when they accosted the suspect, a native of Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, who was on a commercial motorcycle and in possession of a suspicious handbag.

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    He said the suspect alighted the motorcycle, abandoning his bag and attempted to escape.

    “He was chased, apprehended and when his handbag was searched, two hundred and two rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition were discovered and retrieved. 

    “Early inquisition revealed that Musa Yusuf was on an errand for a bandit alias Emir in Zurmi forest. He received the ammunition at Bakin Kogi in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State and convey the same to the said bandit.

    “He has since accomplished the first stage of the mission by collecting the ammunition but was intercepted before delivering it to the kingpin.”

    The PPRO however said that investigation was ongoing and concerted efforts being made to arrest his accomplices after which the case would be charged to court.

  • IG: 4,000 calibres of ammunition recovered within 10 weeks

    IG: 4,000 calibres of ammunition recovered within 10 weeks

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday said 4,235 ammunition of various calibres were recovered within 10  weeks.

    He said this at the last conference with strategic police managers for the year 2023.

    He said the conference focused on discussing the salient achievements of the Nigeria Police Force within a period of 10 weeks prior to reinforcing deployments for the upcoming Yuletide.

    The IGP noted that the efforts of police operatives within the said weeks also led to the rescue of 134 kidnap victims, arrest of 375 suspected kidnappers, 578 armed robbery suspects, 431 suspects for rape and other sexual related offences, 724 murder/homicide suspects, 2,343 suspects for other criminal offences, as well as the recovery of 419 firearms.

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    Notable among the cases busted within the period under review, Egbetokun said, included the arrest of the ‘daredevil’ robbers responsible for the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of October 20, 2023, during which the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo Division and many other innocent Nigerians lost their lives and huge sums of money were carted away from three commercial banks: “the rescue of eight students of the Federal University Lafia who were kidnapped on December 7, 2023 in Nasarawa State; and the interception of a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN camps, the arrest of the gunrunner and recovery of 22 semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges”.

    Egbetokun underscored the critical importance of seamless collaboration and efficient coordination among the police and other law enforcement and security agencies, particularly as the festive season approaches.

    He lauded the Police Force for its substantial strides in crime prevention and control.

  • Convict jailed three years for unlawful possession of ammunition

    A Jos Upper Area Court II, sitting in Kasuwan Nama, yesterday sentenced Faruk Yusuf, a 33-year-old man, to three years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of live ammunition.

    The presiding judge, Mr Lawal Suleiman, handed down the sentence after the convict pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of unlawful possession of live ammunition.

    Suleiman, however, gave the convict an option of N25, 000 fine.

    Prosecutor Enegbonabe Edwin had told the court that the case was reported on October 17, and transferred from the Plateau Central Police Area Command, Pankshin, to the State’s Criminal Investigative Department for further investigation.

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    He said on October 17, a Police Constable, Mantur Augustine, attached to the Pankshin Command, suspected the accused person and conducted a search on him, during which five live 7.9mm ammunition were found on him.

    Enegbonabe said the suspect had no licence or authority to be in possession of the ammunition.

    The prosecutor said the act contravened Section 27 subsection (1) of the Firearms Act. Cap F28, LFN 2004.

     

     

     

  • Trial of suspected pirates ‘caught with arms, ammunition’ begins

    The trial of seven suspected pirates who were allegedly caught with arms and ammunition resumed yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    They were arrested on a vessel by men of the Nigerian Navy for alleged piracy and dealing in petroleum products without authorisation.

    The defendants were accused of violating laws on money laundering and firearms prohibition.

    They are: Umarama Ovuiro, Adesola Peter, Collins Harrison, Paul Adeyemi, Adedeji Joshua, Samuel Oluwafemi, Abdulrahman Kabir (also known as Tunde), and a vessel, MT Dejikun.

    According to the prosecution, the defendants, on February 19, last year on the Nigerian coast, conspired to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority.

    The complainant – Federal Republic of Nigeria – said the defendants, “while committing piracy, did transfer petroleum products from the MT Maximus vessel”.

    The prosecution said the suspects were in unlawful possession of an AK49 rifle numbered 9973, as well as an AK56 rifle, numbered 15515.

    The defendants were also allegedly caught with a single barrel Magnum revolver, numbered 7080; 161 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, six empty AK47 cartridges and six cartridges.

    The alleged offence violates sections 3 and 8 and is punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Firearms Act of 2004.

    The offence of conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without authority and transferring it to another vessel violate sections 1 (17), 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, the prosecution said.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody.

    At their trial yesterday, prosecuting counsel Mrs E. S. Osiade, a Senior State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, sought to tender statements made by the defendants after their arrest.

    But the defence counsel objected on the basis that the statements were not made voluntarily.

    Kabir’s lawyer, Mr Jerry Omoregi said: “My client informed me that the statement is a product of great torture which spanned over a period of two weeks while he was in a detention cell of the Nigerian Navy in Apapa.”

    Counsel for Ovuiro, Peter, Harrison, Joshua and Olawufemi, Mr N. C. Onyejiaka, also claimed his clients were forced to make their statements.

    “The original statements which they made voluntarily are not here,” he said.

    Following the defendants’ claim, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial within trial to determine the statements’ voluntariness.

    But, the Navy claimed that the statements were obtained voluntarily after the defendants were duly cautioned.

    Testifying in the trial within trial, a Lieutenant-Commander, O. J. Adeyemi, said he took the statements after cautioning the defendants and that none of them was forced to write.

    “I even bought food and drinks for two of the defendants at different times when they complained that they were hungry. They wrote their statements willingly and not under duress,” he said.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until November 6 and 7 for continuation of trial within trial.

  • Trial of suspected pirates ‘caught with arms, ammunition’ begins

    The trial of seven suspected pirates who were allegedly caught with arms and ammunition resumed yesterday at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    They were arrested on a vessel by men of the Nigerian Navy for alleged piracy and dealing in petroleum products without authorisation.

    The defendants were accused of violating laws on money laundering and firearms prohibition.

    They are: Umarama Ovuiro, Adesola Peter, Collins Harrison, Paul Adeyemi, Adedeji Joshua, Samuel Oluwafemi, Abdulrahman Kabir (also known as Tunde), and a vessel, MT Dejikun.

    According to the prosecution, the defendants, on February 19 last year on the Nigerian coast, conspired to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority.

    The complainant – Federal Republic of Nigeria – said the defendants, “while committing piracy, did transfer petroleum products from the MT Maximus vessel”.

    The prosecution said the suspects were in unlawful possession of an AK49 rifle numbered 9973, as well as an AK56 rifle, numbered 15515.

    The defendants were also allegedly caught with a single barrel Magnum revolver, numbered 7080; 161 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, six empty AK47 cartridges and six cartridges.

    The alleged offence violates sections 3 and 8 and is punishable under Section 27 (1) (a) of the Firearms Act of 2004.

    The offence of conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without authority and transferring it to another vessel violate sections 1 (17), 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, the prosecution said.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in prison custody.

    At their trial yesterday, prosecuting counsel Mrs E. S. Osiade, a Senior State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, sought to tender statements made by the defendants after their arrest.

    But the defence counsel objected on the basis that the statements were not made voluntarily.

    Kabir’s lawyer, Mr Jerry Omoregi said: “My client informed me that the statement is a product of great torture which spanned over a period of two weeks while he was in a detention cell of the Nigerian Navy in Apapa.”

    Counsel for Ovuiro, Peter, Harrison, Joshua and Olawufemi, Mr N. C. Onyejiaka, also claimed his clients were forced to make their statements.

    “The original statements which they made voluntarily are not here,” he said.

    Following the defendants’ claim, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered a trial within trial to determine the statements’ voluntariness.

    But, the Navy claimed that the statements were obtained voluntarily after the defendants were duly cautioned.

    Testifying in the trial within trial, a Lieutenant-Commander, O. J. Adeyemi, said he took the statements after cautioning the defendants and that none of them was forced to write.

    “I even bought food and drinks for two of the defendants at different times when they complained that they were hungry. They wrote their statements willingly and not under duress,” he said.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until November 6 and 7 for continuation of trial within trial.

  • Suspected armed robber dies in gun duel

    Suspected armed robber dies in gun duel

    Policemen attached to the Ijanikin Division, Ojo, a Lagos suburb, Monday killed a suspected armed robber and recovered arms, ammunition.

    It was gathered that the suspect was a member of a five-man gang, who operated on a motorcycle marked LAR929VW.

    They were said to have held residents of Oto/Awori hostage when a patrol team stormed the area.

    It was learnt that a gun war ensued which led to the death of one of the suspects, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

    Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) said two locally made pistols with five unexpected cartridges were recovered. He said the suspects also abandoned their operational motorcycle, which the police also recovered.

    “The corpse has been evacuated to Badagry General Hospital Morgue for autopsy. Effort is being made to arrest other fleeing hoodlums,” said Famous-Cole.

  • NDLEA seizes ammunition, others

    NDLEA seizes ammunition, others

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 10 rounds of live ammunition and a Jericho pistol from a suspect at the Seme Border.

    Also seized were six bags of substances suspected to be for the making of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

    The suspects have been transferred to the police for further investigation.

    NDLEA Commander in Seme, Udotong Essien, said the agency was leaving no stone unturned in the war against drug abuse and trafficking.

    He spoke while briefing reporters at his Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos State office during his half-year review.

    He said within the period, the command arrested 31 suspects comprising 26 males and five females.

    Five of them were from Benin Republic and one is a Ghanaian. A total of 9,602.0558 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) were seized, he said.

    Also seized from the suspects were six grammes of Raphenol, five bottles of Benelin with codeine, and N90,000 cash, he said.

  • Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    The Lagos State Police Command Wednesday said it arrested 19 suspected kidnappers last month and recovered 18 guns, 26 live ammunition, as well as 22 vehicles.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni stated this while briefing reporters on the activities of the command for the month of February.

    Fourteen of the 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested on Tuesday after their gang allegedly abducted two private guards at Adebayo Market in Bariga.

    It was gathered that gunmen numbering about 24 stormed the market and whisked away two of the private guards, whom they accused of being stumbling blocks to their gaining access to the premises.

    They were said to have whisked the victims to a place known as Ososa where two teams of policemen invaded and rescued them.

    According to Owoseni, the kidnap suspects were being shielded from the media because efforts were on to apprehend their accomplices.

    He said that they would be paraded and then charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.

    Owoseni disclosed that out of 25 distress calls received by the police through the control room last month, 20 were successfully prevented.

    The police chief also commended his personnel for smashing interstate robbery syndicates, arresting suspects and rescuing victims.

    He said: “Police got 25 distress calls in February and through quick response, 20 were successfully prevented. Within the same period, 24 armed robbery suspects and 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested. Fourteen of the kidnappers were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) at Bariga.

    “Eight suspected cultists were arrested. A robbery suspect died in the course of battle with police.

    18 guns were recovered with 26 rounds of live ammunition, while 22 different cars were recovered from criminal elements.”

    According to Owoseni, a Toyota Highlander vehicle that was snatched from its owner in Ibadan was recovered, the victim rescued and three suspects apprehended, adding that the suspects and exhibits have been moved to Oyo State Command for further action.

    He debunked reports that one Tope died in the custody of the police at Lion Building on Monday, insisting that the only suspect who was arrested during the raid and found to be ill, was released to his parents.

    Owoseni stated that the suspect, Kayode Olasukunmi was found to be asthmatic and he was immediately handed over to his parents who took him home with them, adding that the young man was still alive.

    He said: “There was no person with the name Tope that was arrested during the raid in Lagos Island. Of the 187 persons arrested, one Kayode Olasukunmi was discovered to be ill during screening and he was taken to a hospital. His parents were contacted and they disclosed that he was asthmatic and that they usually used local methods to treat him. The young man was released to his parents. His parents are here to speak for themselves. The young man is still alive. No Tope was arrested during the raid and no one died inside Lion Building.

    “Also, the police did not use lethal weapon was used on the people. Instead, a policeman was injured in the course if the mayhem. The people who crowded Lion Building are beneficiaries of hooliganism and street fighting in the area, who were displeased that the suspects were charged to court.

    “Out of the 187 suspects arrested, 63 were released during screening because they have a credible means of livelihood. The remaining 124 were charged to court and 112 were convicted. The Magistrate freed 12 of them including the said pregnant woman after warning them seriously. Drugs and other substances were recovered from the suspects.”