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Tag: Armed robbers

  • Kwara Police Command parades alleged cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers

    The Kwara Police Command on Friday paraded eight suspects over alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, being a member of secret cult and unlawful possession of firearms.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawan Ado, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Ilorin.

    He listed the accused persons as – Qudus Alaya, Yusuf Olatunji, Salami Adesola, Sunday Oluwatobilola, Ridwan Musa, Sodiq Bakare, Quadri Adele and Johnpaul Nditusi.

    He said that the accused persons were arrested for allegedly killing of Allen Ahmed, Alimi Aliyu, Mumini Omo Alhaja and one Yusuf on Nov. 2 at Oke-Foma area of Ilorin.

    He said that one single barrel locally made gun, one double barrel locally made gun and five live cartridges were recovered from them.

    Ado also said that eight suspects were arrested for kidnapping one Usman Muhammed at Sabo-Osi in Ekiti Division and collected N500, 000 ransom from his family.

    He said that the suspects confessed to the crime.

    Ado said that N361, 150 being part of ransom collected from the victim’s family, two single barrel guns, seven mobile phones and dangerous charms were recovered from them.

    According to him, Jimoh Idowu and Taiye Plumber were arrested for dispossessing one Georgina Okoye of her Honda CRV Jeep with registration number Lagos AAA 362 AG at gun point on Oct. 12 at Asa-Dam Road, Ilorin.

    He said that the vehicle was later recovered at Ajese-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government area.

    The commissioner urged the people to provide information that would help the police to curb criminal activities.

  • Abia police parade suspected criminals

    Abia police parade suspected criminals

    The Abia State Commissioner of Police (CP) Anthony Ogbizi has paraded 14 suspected kidnappers and 10 suspected armed robbers in Umuahia, the state capital.

    Parading the suspects, Ogbizi said that the command is determined to rid the state of criminals and make it safe for those coming home for Christmas holidays and other engagements.

    Ogbizi said that policing has gone beyond the work of official officers and men of the police, stressing that it is the reason behind the community policing which has been yielding positive results in the state in particular and country at large.

    The Abia CP said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Omoba division received information which led to the arrest of Victor Jonah 27 of Umuehim Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South at his hide out while his accomplice escaped.

    He said that the suspect had attempted to rob one Ikechukwu Orji of his motorcycle, “But when he was arrested one red Sanyang motorcycle with registration number QU 323 UYY suspected to have been stolen was recovered from him”.

    Ogbizi said that on the 3rd day of October this year that his men received a report from the DPO of Elimgbu in Rivers state that Pastor Raphael Antai has been abducted by unknown hoodlums in a Toyota Highlander SUV with the number LND 438 BK and headed towards Aba.

    He said, “My men moved into action by laying ambush for them which led to the arrest of Philip Iheakolam and Chimezie Abiaka both males and aged 33 and 39 years, when they came to remove the vehicle from where they hid it, the suspects and vehicle have been handed over to the Rivers state command”.

    The Abia state police boss said that his men also arrested three suspected kidnappers at the premises of Federal Government Girls’ College Umuahia while trying to escape from Ubakala youths.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Chinemereucheya Alozie, Emeka Ogbonna both males and Adaku Okereke female all of Ikem Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South, saying that the suspects who operate in a tricycle confessed to have picked up their  victim along Bank Road Umuahia.

    Ogbizi said that one of the victims of the syndicate who they had earlier swindled of the sum of N150,000 within the week has identified them, while one tricycle and GSM phone were recovered from them.

    The last of the suspected kidnappers to to paraded by the police were Kpobaril Menapene 49, Monday Nsam 35, Kikka Jigidam 29 and Nelson Enuu 25 from Ogoni in Rivers state, living at Owaza Ukwa West in Abia state.

    The suspects who were arrested by the men of F-SARS were alleged to have masterminded the kidnapping of Bar Azubuike Innocent in Port Harcourt in September this year.

    The Abia police boss said that the confession of Menapene led to the arrest of the other three while one locally made single barrel gun with one live cartridge were recovered from Enuu.

    Ogbizi paraded Ifeanyi Mba and Orji Uche both of Nguzu Edda, Ebonyi state who were arrested by the task forces of Ozu Abam and Ndiebe and handed over to the officer in charge of Abam police station, adding that they had injuries on their bodies.

    He said that the suspects who were brought in with two locally made guns were later identified by Samuel Irem as those who shot and killed his brother after robbing him of his motorcycle.

    Other nine suspected armed robbers were paraded, while stolen children who were rescued were also handed over to their parents by the Abia state police command, also stolen vehicles were recovered during the period under review by the command.

  • ‘Police seized my gun licence, labelled us armed robbers’

    ‘Police seized my gun licence, labelled us armed robbers’

    A 40-year-old farm manager, Odize Bawo, accused of being an armed robbery suspect yesterday said policemen from Anthony Division seized the licence for his rifle and labelled him an armed robber.

    Odize was arrested alongside Durosawo Alade, 45, and Adebosola Adedamola, 50, around 9pm on Sunday at Idiroko Bus Stop, Anthony.

    Odize said: “I am the Project Manager, Emmanuel Agric Business Nigeria Limited at Igbonla, Epe. My two colleagues are innocent about this firearm. They did not know it was inside my car because I just went to pick them up and was taking them to the farm for them to produce plastic identity cards for our workers.

    “This firearm is duly licenced in my name as the Product Manager. I came to this police command to sign for the licence. We are all aware of the kidnappings of farm owners and workers in Epe axis.

    “It was when they came to our farm and picked up our guard and some farmers. I was the target of that attack but fortunately, I was in Lagos when they came.

    “It was after that incident that the owner of the farm acquired the gun. The gun is duly registered and I had the licence with me that Sunday when the policemen stopped us.

    “They asked for my driver’s licence, documents and identity card. I showed them. They now told us to come down from the vehicle. I was the one who told them that I had a licenced firearm in the boot and showed them the licence.

    “But the licence was collected by Inspector Ogbeide of Anthony Village Police Station. I have not seen the licence since that day. I told them I went to pick up Durosawo and Adebosola who are printers and are supposed to do plastic identity cards for my workers.

    “We are into agriculture. We have 57 acres of land and we are into livestock farming. I came to this command to sign for it. It was about four weeks ago. We are not armed robbers. We know nothing about armed robbery.

    “Everyone in Nigeria knows the security situation in Epe about six or seven months ago. If not for the fact that I was called for a project at Epe, I might have been killed that day kidnappers attacked our farm.

    “Prior to the kidnap of Igbonla students, they came to our farm in Meru village. They took my workers and left them at the beach. We reported to the police and even soldiers came to the farm that day and they left.

    “Police should do their investigation and ask the Anthony Police Station officers to produce the licence they took from me. I do not have anything to hide and I am not a criminal.”

    Parading them, acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said a pump action rifle and five live cartridges were recovered.

    Edgal said the command in the last seven days had arrested 37 cultists, 17 armed robbery and three kidnap suspects, adding that 13 arms, 22 live cartridges and one AK47 ammunition were recovered.

    He said: “Within the period under review, the command arrested 69 suspects and recovered a locally made shotgun, one double-barrelled gun, a Beretta pistol, a locally made gun, six pump action guns and three locally made pistols.

    “We also recovered two live cartridges, one expended AK47 ammunition, knives, three battle axes, charms and substances suspected to be cocaine and marijuana with estimated street value of over N3million.

    “Operatives of the command acting on information from the public arrested one Babatunde Azeez, a suspected cocaine dealer at 6, Palm Church Street, Lagos Island. Substances suspected to be cocaine were found in his custody and the suspect confessed to the crime. All suspected narcotics recovered have been sent to the Lagos DNA Forensic Laboratory centre for further investigation.”

    Continuing, Edgal said on October 27, seven suspected armed robbers were caught in the act and arrested around Charity Bus Stop on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and Mafoluku.

    He said the suspects, known as “catch on the air,” were arrested around 1:45am, adding that four commercial buses marked KJA555XN, EKY678XT, EST362XN, APP820XE and a Lexus RX Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) LSR861ER used as their operational vehicles were recovered.

    “On October 31, at about 1:30am, at Oshodi and Orile Iganmu, six suspected armed hoodlums were arrested with three pump action guns and three locally made guns. The command appeals to residents to be vigilant at all times.”

  • Police nab Ondo Bank robbery suspect

    Police nab Ondo Bank robbery suspect

    The Ondo State Police Command Friday said it had arrested one of the armed robbers who allegedly robbed a branch of Skye Bank Plc at Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday.

    The robbers reportedly attacked the bank at about 3pm on Wednesday and killed two policemen, carting away a huge sum of money from the bank.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, Femi Joseph explained that the men of the command had been on the trail of the bandits immediately after the incident.

    He said during the search for the hoodlums, one of them was caught at the place he was treating the bullet wounds he sustained during the gun duel.

    According to him “There is progress now in our investigation; we have been able to make arrest of one person who is suspected to be among those who perpetrated the dastardly act.

    “We got him where he went to treat his gunshot wounds; he is in our custody now he is helping us in our investigation.”

    Joseph urged the people of the state to assist the police in their assignment, saying the command would arrest other gangsters.

  • Police parades 15 for armed robbery, kidnapping 

    The Police have arrested 15 suspected armed robbers and kidnappers who operate along Abuja-Kaduna, and Kaduna highway.

    The suspects who belong to two separate gangs specialize in terrorizing travelers and motorists on the highway.

    The police also said the suspects have devised tactics for their operations as they now come from the northwestern states to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting members of the public.

    Members of the first gang according to the police were responsible for the murder of Barrister Sherrif Yazid who was killed on the 18th of September.

    The gang members also kidnapped the Wife of the Late Barrister and released her after a ransom was paid.

    The suspects who operate in military uniform include: Adamu Tukur, Ahmadu Bala, Bello Suleiman, Hamza Suleiman, Suleiman Abubakar, Nuhu Ahmadu.

    Members of the second gang are; Aliyu Suleiman, Nauru Abubakar, Muazu Lawal, Haliru Garbage,  Bello Yusuf, Rufai Haruna, Abubakar Haruna, Mohammed Yahaya, Rashidu Hussaini.

    The second gang according to the police operate with a black 18 seater Toyota Hummer bus with Jigawa registration number; XA830BKD

    The suspects pretend like commercial transporters, kidnap people and collect ransom before releasing their victim.

    Items recovered from them include Ak47 rifle, pump action gun, Toyota Hummer bus, pairs of military uniforms and cutlasses, motorcycles and others.

    Addressing Journalists in Rijana, Kaduna State on their operation, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood said: “Consequent on the strengthening of Operation Absolute Sanity with additional personnel and Modern Crime Detection and Fighting Equipment by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris  on Abuja  KadunaHighway with effect from 14th of September, 2017 to proactively tackle and deal with the new emerging gangs of Kidnappers on Abuja – Kaduna Highway who from actionable intelligence gathered usually move in from other States in the North East such as Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi to Kaduna – Abuja Highway and kidnap innocent travellers and after collection of ransoms move back to those States

    “On 21/10/2017, after a sustained surveillance and manhunt of kidnappers terrorising the Abuja – Kaduna Highway who were responsible for the killing of a renowned Lawyer and kidnap of his wife after collection of ransom.

    “The Special Intelligence Response Team led by this operation with other Police detachments of Operation Absolute Sanity deployed on Abuja/Kaduna Highway.

    “Six  vicious and notorious suspected kidnappers were trailed and arrested in their hideouts and camps located around toll gates, Kakau, Sabon gayan and Rijana axis on Abuja – Kaduna Highway where they were hiding.

    “All the suspects mentioned in this case were identified by the wife of the slay lawyer, Barr. Sheriff Yazid, she was also kidnapped by the same gang and freed after collection of ransom.”

    The police noted that investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large adding that they All would be arraigned in Court on completion of investigation.

  • Armed robbers kill two policemen in Ondo Bank robbery

    Armed robbers kill two policemen in Ondo Bank robbery

    Armed bandits on Thursday reportedly attacked an old generation bank in Ifon, headquarters of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Sources said during the robbery operation, two police officers attached to the bank were allegedly killed.

    The hoodlums reportedly went away with an undisclosed huge amount of money.

    The development was said to have disrupted commercial activities in the town for hours as the residents ran helter-skelter for safety.

    An eyewitness said the hoodlums numbering 15 stormed the premises of the bank at about 3:00 pm when the bank had already stopped the transaction with customers.

    They reportedly blew up the bullet-proof doors to the bank with dynamite before gaining access to the bank’s strong room.

    On entering, eyewitness said the robbers packed all the money in the bank’s vault, while some of them engaged the policemen in a gun duel outside the bank.

    It was gathered that stray bullets killed an unidentified man at a medical clinic beside the bank.

    Another eyewitness recounts: “They came in three vehicles and they were up to 15 in number, they were heavily armed. When they got to the bank they could not enter easily because the bank had stopped attending to customers.

    So they had to blow the door up with dynamite.

  • Police parade suspected armed robbers in Ondo

    Police parade suspected armed robbers in Ondo

    The Ondo State Police Command yesterday paraded 13 suspected armed robbers, who had been terrorising the citizens for several months.

    The suspects were apprehended from Akure, Ore, and Igbokoda areas of the state.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the gang attacked a police officer attached to the state command and took away his vehicle and riffle.

    Joseph said: “This gang had been attacking the people for a long time by snatching vehicles, money and other valuables.

    “Unfortunately for them they were arrested after their latest attack on an officer who had car tracker on the vehicle. We trailed and got them arrested.”

    He urged the people to continue supplying necessary information to the police as regards the activities of criminals in their locality for prompt action.

    One of the suspects, Kola Ogunbiyi said he had been in prison for seven months over case of robbery, adding that it was in the prison that he got the contact of the gang.

    Ogunbiyi, a native of Ikole in Ekiti state, said he was giving N25,000 after their last operation.

    He said: “I have been in the prison for same case of robbery and it was in the prison that someone gave me the contact of a man called Otunba, who is the leader of the group that was how I join the gang again. I was involved in the last two operations; we snatched vehicles and also money from people. I was given N25,000 as my share after the operation.

    “The car we snatched from the police officer was tracked and we were all arrested.”

  • Armed robbers invade Ago Palace

    Suspected robbers in the wee hours of yesterday invaded some streets in Ago Palace Way, Okota, vandalising properties.

    The incidents occurred at Tarred Road and Aliu Iboyimi Streets, about 100 metres from the Police Division.

    It was gathered that attacks were the fourth since last week, as the robbers allegedly attacked three other streets, carting away valuables.

    According to residents, the thieves usually drug their victims, mostly people residing on ground floors, before operating.

    They alleged that in all the places the robbers had gone, the residents hardly knew they were being robbed and only woke up to see their homes ransacked.

    “The robbery in Ago is getting out of hands. We have security people manning the gates, yet robbers still have their way in.

    “Only recently, robbers attacked a bungalow on this street (Aliu Iboyimi). They came around 1am and entered the occupants’ homes from the window. They ransacked their clothes, took their money and valuables. They just turned the house upside down.

    “The surprising thing is that while all this was going on, the victims were sleeping. They did not know till they woke up in the morning and saw their belongings outside. Is that not a clear sign that these robbers drug their victims?”

    When our correspondent visited the scene, it was discovered that two Toyota Corolla vehicles were vandalised.

    Their side glasses were broken, all the door engines and other parts removed.

    It was observed that the robbers entered the street with the help of a ladder, which they used to scale a perimeter fence in one of the compounds.

    A woman, who refused to be named, said: “It was around 6am we knew what happened. They came in through the bungalow. When we woke up, we saw foot prints on the ground. The occupants of the bungalow said they didn’t hear footsteps.

    “The robbers cut some of the plantain stems in the compound to pave way for their escape. I believe they are neighbourhood robbers because they apparently knew the routes to pass. All the gates to the street were locked.

    “We do not even know where the guards were at the time of the robbery. The police need to tighten security in this area, especially as Christmas is approaching.

    “Some weeks ago, robbers went to a street before Ago Bridge. They even raped female occupants. Some days ago, they robbed about three buildings on Tarred Road.”

     

     

  • Attack on ex-IG: Police trail suspected armed robbers

    Detectives have launched manhunt for suspected armed robbers, who made a botched attempt to enter the home of a former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomasie.

    The police said its preliminary findings pointed to a case of armed robbery and not assassination attempt.

    But it, however, asked its detectives to leave all clues open in order to track down the suspects.

    The Katsina State Police Command released the details of how the robbery suspects were repelled, leading to the killing of Sgt. Musa Ibrahim attached to 27 Police Mobile Squadron in Katsina.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Preliminary investigation so far pointed to the case of armed robbery, which was repelled by policemen on guard at the residence.

    “So far, we are on the trail of the suspects and we are confident that we will arrest these culprits as soon as possible.”

    But the Katsina State Police Command, through its spokesman, DSP Gambo Isah, in a statement, said: “On 14/10/2017 at about 20:00hrs, two armed hoodlums riding on a motorbike attacked mobile policemen posted on guard duty at the residence of former IGP Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomasie, the Sardaunan Katsina and Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum.

    “The hoodlums met a stiff resistance from the mobile policemen, who prevented them from getting access into the residence.  However, during the gun duel, one Force Number 264505 Sgt Musa Ibrahim attached to 27 police mobile squadron, Katsina, paid the supreme sacrifice and gallantly lost his life during the encounter.

    “Police patrols teams led by the Commissioner of Police BD Gwana arrived at the scene but the hoodlums have already escaped through the dark alleys.  A stray bullet also met one Force Number 270124 Cpl Shitu Maikudi attached to 27 police mobile squadron on his leg, who was coming out of the residence in mufti. He was rushed to General Hospital Katsina for treatment.

    “Eighteen empty shells of expended ammunition were recovered at the scene. The command is assiduously making efforts to arrest the fleeing hoodlums and recover their operational arms.

    “Citizens are hereby assured to go about their lawful business without any fear as the command is on top of the situation.”

  • Police arrest three ‘armed robbers’, recover riffle

    Police arrest three ‘armed robbers’, recover riffle

    Three men alleged to be armed robbers and political thugs terrorising Mushin, Onipanu areas of Lagos State have been arrested by the police.

    The suspects, Habeed Afuwape alias Mabbo, Hammed Sanni (Omolondon) and Ismaila Idris (Balance) were arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) on September 13.

    According to the police, the suspects who were paraded on Wednesday by acting Commissioner Imohimi Edgal specialised in robbing, attacking and killing innocent residents of the area.

    The police said they were busted through the sanitation and crime free environment crusade of IGP Ibrahim Idris in partnership with the state government.

    “Areas like Onipanu, Fadeyi and Mushin were mapped out as crime areas. Men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) Ikeja and IRT were drafted to these areas for surveillance and they discovered that the gang had a pump action riffle.

    “A member of the gang was tracked to Oluwakemi Street, Onipanu, where they were picked and the gun recovered. During investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and gave the nicknames of their members at large as Kobi, SARS, Mababije, Shawonpa, Sobo, Spider, Abdul, Illupeju, Tinny, Essy, 50Cent, Magnet, among others.

    “Effort is on to apprehend the fleeing members, their sppnsors and recover remaining arms ammunition,” said the police.

    Similarly, Kayode Olanrewaju and Aremu Olanrewaju were arrested for allegedly robbing a woman, Oluremi Jimoh of her Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked ADK332EV, N1.55million, phones and laptop.

    The police said the woman was attacked at Oke Ila in Ado-Ekiti on July 14, around 2:30am, adding that the suspects were tracked and arrested through one of the woman’s phones they stole.