The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Armed robber

  • Police kill suspected armed robber in Ekiti

    Police kill suspected armed robber in Ekiti

    The men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Ekiti State Police Command have killed a suspected armed robber during a gun duel along Ikere-Ise RoadThe Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alberto Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday explained that SARS operatives intercepted the seven-man gang at about 10.00 pm and engaged them in a gun battle.
    Adeyemi said one of the robbers named Barnabas was killed in the crossfire while another gang member whose name was given as Jelili Wale sustained bullet wounds.Wale is presently receiving treatment while the SARS team recovered two (2) cut-to-size guns, cartridges and motorcycles from the suspects.
    The police spokesperson disclosed that the police is on the trail of other suspects that escaped with bullet wounds urging members of the public to always volunteer information that could lead to the arrests of criminals among them.

    Meanwhile, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the Southwest have declared war on cross-border terrorism and other crimes in the geopolitical zone.

    Rising from a meeting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday, the security outfit said proactive measures would be adopted to make the zone free of armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killing and other violent crimes.
    Ondo State Commandant of VGN, Gideon Akinwumi, expressed dismay at the increasing wave of armed robbery and other crimes in the region expressing the group’s readiness to curb the menace.
    VGN Commandant in Osun State, Fatai Akinola, said VGN in all the six states in the Southwest will form a synergy to combat crime and make the zone a no-go area for criminals and terrorists.
    His Ekiti State counterpart, Bola Aliu, called for cooperation of all state governments in the zone to assist the security agency with patrol vehicles, arms, ammunition and other logistics to tackle crime in the grassroots.

  • Armed robber sentenced to death by hanging

    Armed robber sentenced to death by hanging

    An Akure High Court in Ondo State has sentenced one Mr Femi Aseye to death by hanging for his involvement in armed robbery.‎

    Before he was nabbed, Aseye was accused of robbing two persons, Adegoke Adeniran and Rasheed Abiola.

    The convict was said to have stolen their blackberry phone, techno phone, and a wrist watch in Akungba Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of the state in August 2012.

    It was learnt that during the trial, Aseye, allegedly assaulted Abiola, who testified against him in the court.

    Abiola was said to have been arrested in Akungba during a riot few days after he testified against Aseye and was remanded in the same cell where the convict was remanded at Olokuta medium Prison in Akure.

    Abiola told the court how he complained to the Prison officers about the danger of putting him in the same cell with the person he testified against but he was ignored.

    He also told the court how Asaye and his cohorts in the cell were severely torturing him and he reported the matter to the prison officials, but the official took no action on the matter.

    It was gathered that some senior officials of the Olokuta Prison were summoned by the court but they denied the allegation saying Abiola did not raise any objection concerning the cell he was held.
    However, the prosecutor, Mr John Olowokere proved to the court that some prison officials were involved in some unethical practices in a bid to pervert justice.

    He told the court specifically that the Olokuta prison officials, Dr Adetula who is the prison’s psychologist and Mrs Florence Alukuluka, the defence counsel, Mr Dele Kuboye and the accused person, Asaye made false affidavit against the complainant (Abiola and Adeniran) in favour of the accused person.

    Following the prosecution’s ability to prove the case of armed robbery against the accused person beyond reasonable doubts, the presiding judge, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu sentenced Aseye to death by hanging.

    The judge also recommended the defence counsel, Kuboye and two prison officials; Adetula and Alukuluka for sanction by appropriate authorities for their involvement in the procurement of an affidavit purported to have emanated from the complaint, Abiola that the latter had withdrawn from the matter.

    The said false affidavit was said to have been masterminded and signed by Adetula’s office.

    While referring the Kuboye to the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Bar Association, the judge noted that the conduct of the counsel was not only unethical of law profession but also criminal.

  • ‘I’m not an armed robber’

    ONE of the six suspects arrested by the police during a raid of criminal hid-out, has denied being an armed robber. Lucky Igbarabe said he was arrested when he wanted to run on sighting the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) operatives.
    Igbarabe, Muredeen Lamuta, Rasheed Olusoga, Adeyemi Yusuf, Isaac Monday and Ayinde Abiodun were paraded yesterday by Police Commissioner Fatai Owosen.
    Igbarabe said: “I am not a criminal. Don’t mind the way I look or dress. If I am a robber, I will not dress like this. I helped one woman to park her vehicle around Lekki area and people said, ‘FSARS operatives are coming.’ I tried to run away because I am afraid of FSARS.
    “They just arrested me and held me together with these suspects. Ask them whether they know me. I swear, I don’t know any of them and none of them knows me, I am not a criminal like them. I sell things in hold ups on roads in Lagos.
    “I will not come to Lagos again.”
    Lamuta said: “I am from Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos. I am a plumber. I don’t know Lucky. I was arrested during raids.
    Olusoga said he did not know Lucky. Others who said they did not know Lucky include Adeyemi who claimed to be a carpenter, Isaac the furniture man from Kaduna State and Ayinde, a motor mechanic based at Lekki.
    But, police sources said they were robbers, who pretend to be selling goods on the highway which they used as a cover to rob motorists, even at gun point. They said the raid followed information.

  • Robbery suspect arrested, gun recovered

    Robbery suspect arrested, gun recovered

    The police in Lagos Monday arrested a suspected armed robber, Babatunde Abass, 23.

    Abass was apprehended at Aina Bus Stop in Ifako Ijaiye, while trying to snatch a motorcycle marked JA213QA from its owner.

    He was said to have been armed with a locally made pistol and was with other suspects who fled the scene when the victim, Hasiru Aliyu, 24, raised alarm.

    The victim’s voice was said to have attracted a patrol team along Bakare Street to the spot, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

    Confirming the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police  (SP) said the incident occurred around 6:25am, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the others.

  • Police arrest suspected armed robber in Lagos

    Police arrest suspected armed robber in Lagos

    The police in Lagos have arrested one Daniel Sunday for alleged armed robbery.

    Sunday, a resident of Odun Street, Bariga, was nabbed by operatives of the Maroko Police Station on Tuesday at about 5:45am after he allegedly snatched a woman’s bag.

    It was gathered that the victim raised alarm, and a team of policemen on patrol went after the suspect.

    According to the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) a locally made single barrel pistol was recovered from the suspect as well as the victim’s handbag continuing N14, 600.

    She added that the suspect has confessed to the crime and will be charged to court.

  • Mob kills suspected armed robber in Minna

    Police threaten to charge masterminds with homicide

    A notorious robbery suspect believed to have been terrorising Shango suburb of Minna, Niger State for long was on Thursday night beaten to death by an angry mob.

    The 30 years old suspect, who was identified as Ali, was said to have been caught during one of his operations.

    Residents of Shango sai Ali and other members of his gang had been terrorising the area and giving the residents sleepless nights for a long time.

    Luck however ran out on him when some angry residents caught him and decided to take the law into their hands, beating him to death while on a robbery mission with a member of his gang who escaped.

    Residents of the area, who saw his corpse tied to an electric pole early the following morning beside Shango Primary School, alerted the police who arrived the scene and carried the body away.

    Gambo Musa, a resident of the area, said: “We saw his body tied to the pole when we came to pray at 5:30 am. We can now sleep peacefully with our eyes at least closed. “Ali has been a problem to us for some time. Now we can rest from his activities with his gang.”

    When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident, saying Ali, regarded as a hardened armed robber, was killed by some residents of the area who decided to take the law into their hands.

    He said: “The Police discovered those that masterminded the killing of the suspected armed robber during a house to house investigation. As I am talking to you, we have been able to ascertain who the ring leader is. “It is a case of homicide and the Police is presently after them. Even though it is a case of armed robbery, nobody is allowed to take the law into his or her hand. That should be left for the law enforcement agents.”

  • Customs men kill suspected armed robber

    A suspected armed robber, Sunday Joseph was yesterday killed by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) operatives, attached to the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Joseph was killed on Apena Street, off Unity Road, after he was caught hopping from one room to the other, stealing peoples’ valuables.

    He was said to have gained access into his victim’s homes through the roof, the same means through which he attempted to escape before he was gunned down.

    It was learnt that one of his victims caught him in his apartment and raised the alarm, attracting neighbours, who wanted to lynch him before he jumped on the rooftop.

    The patrolling Customs officials were said to have fired at him when he refused to surrender.

    The state police command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the incident was reported at the station by Julius Obasohan.

    She said: “Julius identified the suspect as Sunday Joseph, 32, when he came to the station and reported.

    “He reported that Sunday was found jumping from one roof to another after trying to steal from some houses. Some unknown Custom men came and shot the suspect to death.”

  • Police kill suspected armed robber, recover weapon

    Police kill suspected armed robber, recover weapon

    A Mobile Policeman attached to Micura Services Limited Thursday gunned down a suspected armed robber in the Apapa area of the state.

    The suspect was killed during a shootout around Coconut Bus stop, Trinity, while attempting to snatch a woman’s handbag.

    It was learnt that the deceased, with his accomplice both on motorcycle, opened fire upon sighting a policeman attached to who moved towards them.

    The policeman identified as Corporal Ayeni Adetayo who sustained injury, fired back at the criminals, knocking down the suspect, while his accomplice, the motorcyclist fled.

    Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said a pistol and seven rounds of ammunitions were recovered from the deceased.

    She stated that the suspect has been under watch by the police for his notoriety in armed robbery.
    Badmos said: “Corporal Ayeni Adetayo posted to Micura Service Limited, Apapa, while on duty noticed two men on motorcycle trying to snatch a bag from a woman.

    “On sighting the situation the policeman moved towards the scene but the armed robber at the back of the okada opened fire on the policeman and in a shootout that ensued the robber died, while the rider of the okada fled.

    “The Policeman sustained gunshot injury at the abdominal area. However one pistol with 7 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspect who has been on the watch list of the command in the last two months. “The deceased robber specializes in snatching bags from women mostly those from banks.

    “Effort is on to track the rider who is at large, while the policeman is receiving treatment in the hospital. The Lagos state command reiterates its commitment to protection of lives and property and warns all criminals that Lagos will no longer be safe haven for them.”

  • Lagos: Man to die by hanging for robbery

    Lagos: Man to die by hanging for robbery

    A middle aged man, Friday James, was Wednesday sentenced to death by hanging by a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye handed down the death sentence after finding the convict guilty of a two count charge of armed robbery preferred against him by the office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

    The prosecution team  led by Chief State Prosecutor, Akin George, had accused the convict of the offence of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and armed robbery.
    George he told the court that the convict robbed one Olanrewaju of her jewelleries worth N100,000.
    He also accused the convict of inflicting injuries on the head and hand of the husband of the victim through the use of machetes and guns.
    ‎
    The prosecutor said the convict committed the offence, on February 17, 2012 around 3 a.m. at Ewegbemi Street, Meiran, Ajasa Command within Ikeja.
    The offence, according to the prosecution is contrary to Section 297 Criminal law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 295 subsection 2(a).
    When the charged were read to him on arraignment in 2012, James had pleaded not guilty to the two count charge preferred against him by the DPP.
    But the trial judge declared that the prosecution has proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.
    Justice Ipaye subsequently found the convict guilty on the two count charge offence and sentenced the convict to death by hanging.
  • ‘Armed robber’ held in Lagos church

    ‘Armed robber’ held in Lagos church

    AN attempt by a suspected armed robber to operate in a Lagos church has been foiled by the police.

    Kelvin Ajomagberin, 23, was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command after a gun was found inside his bag.

    Ajomagberin, who said his father was a pastor, went to a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) located at Mafoluku, Oshodi on April 26, to consult the prophet ahead of an operation he was to execute same day. He, however, ended up in police net after the guards at the church found a ‘toy gun’ in his bag.

    He was said to have dropped the bag at the reception and proceeded to see the cleric for ‘spiritual cleansing’.

    Oblivious that the church’s security agents had discovered his bag where it was hidden and searched, the suspect initially denied ownership of the bag, but he later admitted.

    It dawned on Ajomagberin that he was in trouble when the church workers raised the alarm, which attracted other worshippers screaming: “Where is the armed robber?”

    The angry mob allegedly pounced on the suspect, who confessed to have robbed thrice and was in the church for a blessing before carrying out another operation.

    But for the intervention of security men from nearby Makinde Police Station, the suspect would have been lynched. He was subsequently handed over to the policemen, who transferred the matter to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Upon interrogation at SARS, Ajomagberin disclosed that he had solely operated within Ajah, Ikorodu and Oshodi, adding that he was resident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, but usually came to Lagos for operations.

     “My mother is late and my father is a pastor based in Spain. I usually work with bricklayers as a labourer and earn N1, 500 daily. I completed my secondary school education in 2009 in the State High School, Alimosho in Lagos. There was no money for me to get more education. It was the bricklayer I was working with that suggested that since bricklaying was no longer lucrative, we should look for other means of survival.

    “I left him and went to Ajah and later, Oshodi. I became stranded because I had no money. I slept in a shop behind Oshodi market. I knew the man who owns the shop. When I woke up one morning, I wanted to go and rob but my spirit told me to go and see the pastor for spiritual cleansing for a successful operation,” he said.

    The suspect added: “They finished service by 4pm and I went into the pastor’s consulting room. The security men there saw my bag and opened it. When they saw a gun, they started beating me. I could not see the pastor because I was told to come back the following day.

    “I had operated in three places before I was arrested. At Ajah, I got N3,500 and I also robbed a woman at Ikorodu where I got another N3,500. The third place was at a church in Oshodi. My visit to the CCC was the fourth time I would have robbed. I learnt how to attack people with a toy gun in Ghana. It was one Tope who taught me. I usually paid my tithes and offerings after each operation.”