The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ARMED ROBBERY

  • ‘I kidnap my girlfriend to raise money for wedding’

    ‘I kidnap my girlfriend to raise money for wedding’

    A-24 year old man, Micheal Duda, has said that he kidnapped his teenage girlfriend identified as Victory Aseguah with the intention of raising money for their wedding.

    Micheal was paraded alongside 104 suspects arrested for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and cultism at the headquarters of the Edo Police Command.

    He said the girlfriend just finished secondary school and there was no way he could approached the parents that he want to marry their daughter.

    Speaking to newsmen Thursday, Micheal said he kept the girl in his house for four days and asked her father to pay him the sum of N2m.

    Micheal who said he sells dispensable cups admitted that he had sex with the girl all through the four days the girl spent in his house.

    “I live at Ekae community off Sapele road. She came to my house. We planned to collect money from her father to raise money for our marriage but I did not collect the money again. She stayed in my house for four days.

    “I couldn’t tell the father I want to marry his daughter. She said her father would not support the idea because she was yet to go to the university. She was with me for four days. The man said he has no money to pay. I was at home with the girl when police came and arrested me.”

    But Victory who was present at the parade said they met on facebook and after several days, she decided to visit him.

    Victory said she was surprised that the boy kidnapped her when she got there and heard that the boy demanded for N4m from her father.

    Elder sister of Victory, Rodha, said her sister was sexually abused before the police rescued her.

    On the alleged plans to get married, she laughed saying, “My sister is 16 years old and has never slept outside before. She told me they met on facebook and the boy professed love to her. When she went to the house, she said the boy hatched the plan and said he would collect N10,000 from our father but the boy demanded for N4m.

    “He will lock her inside the house and called us threatening that he will kill her if we did not pay. He took advantage of my sister’s condition.”

    “She told me the boy is 21 and a student but she later saw that it was a lie. We took her for treatment after the rescue.”

    Also, three suspects that allegedly killed Prof. Paul Otasowie of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the University of Benin were paraded.

    Late Prof. Otasowie  was killed in October 4 at his residence at Evbuotubu area in Egor local government area.

    Names of the suspect were given as Osaze Oghogho, Best Ogumode and Happy Okoro.

    The suspects said they never intended to kill Prof. Otasowie but to collect his car and used it for armed robbery.

    They said he was mistakenly shot when he rushed at Osaze who was holding the gun.

    According to Osaze, “We decided to go for street robbery when we saw a vehicle driving out, so we decided to collect the car. I asked the man to give me the car keys but he threw the keys away. I shot into the air. As I was loading another bullet, the man embraced me and during the struggle, the gun exploded.”

    Speaking to newsmen, Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo , said the police suspects would soon be charged to court.

    He listed items recovered within three weeks included five AK 47 rifles, military weapons. 33 cut to size guns, motor-cycles, 90 live AK 47 ammunition, 234 live cartridges, assorted vehicles and the sum of N1.2m.

  • Cripple, seven others arrested for kidnapping, robbery

    Cripple, seven others arrested for kidnapping, robbery

    The Police have arrested a cripple and seven others for their alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other criminal activities.

    The suspects paraded include; Umaru Ibrahim Mujuma, Jibrin Adamu, Samaila Haruna, Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Idris, Iliya Adamu,  Ifeanyi  Linus, Silas Kelvin and Kamilu Mohammed.

    The police claimed that the Cripple, Kamilu Mohammed, serves as the informant to the Kidnappers.

    The group were said to be responsible for the murder of a youth leader; Haruna Maikudi Maikaji who was killed in his farm at Sabon Gayan Village in Kaduna State on Sunday.

    Items recovered from them include; One AK47 rifle, one locally made revolver pistol, two single barrel locally made gun, seven rounds of AK47 ammunition, one round of live cartridges  and two Toyota Corolla Vehicles.

    A statement in Abuja Tuesday by the Force Spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood reads: “In the course of investigation into the killing and the operation embarked by personnel of Operation Absolute Sanity in Sabon Gayan Village and environs to root out and arrest the killers of the Youth Leader, the Special Tactical Squad team attached to Operation Absolute Sanity on trail of the killers, were ambushed and attacked by the gang responsible for the killing of the Youth Leader.

    “The information to the Gang was traced to a Cripple, Kamilu Mohammed who phoned the Kidnappers to inform them that the Police are on their way to their hideout in the forest.

    “The Special Tactical Squad personnel attached to Operation Absolute Sanity repelled the attack and in the process, two of the suspected kidnappers died as a result of the superior fire power of the Police personnel.

    “The Cripple Kamilu Mohammed was later arrested and currently under investigation”.

    The police also noted that a Sergeant sustained injury and currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

    Moshood added that the suspects would be arraigned on completion of investigation into the cases against them.

  • Police parades 16 for robbery, kidnapping, car snatching

    Police parades 16 for robbery, kidnapping, car snatching

    The Police Thursday paraded 16 suspect for their involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery and car snatching.

    The police said the suspects belong to four different gangs adding that they terrorise innocent motorists on Abuja-Kaduna, Abuja – Minna – Bida, Birnin Gwari – Funtua, and Abuja – Lokoja highways.

    The police also said some of the suspects use military uniforms as bait to get their victims.

    The suspects who were paraded in Sabon Wuse,  Niger State include: “Abdulkareem Isah, Mohammed Mustapha, Yunusa Mohammed, Ahmadu Musa, Bashir Yero, Abdullahi Mohammed, Tanko Isah, Usman Adamu.

    Others are: “Yakubu Suleiman, Usman Ibrahim, Ahmed Suleiman, Isah Suleiman, Abdulmalik Sadiq, Usman Bawa, Sani Ahmed, and Alex Egor.

    Some of the suspects were also said to be responsible for the murder of a policeman.

    Items recovered from them include two AK47 riffles, one  SMG OFN Mode 12 gun, one locally-made revolver pistol, three pump action guns, two berretta pistol, one air rifle, 85 rounds of 7.62X39mm ammunition, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 6 rounds of 380 Auto.

    Other items are: “Three live cartridges, five AK47 magazines, one fabricated master key, two Toyota Corolla car, one Toyota Muscle car, one technology phone,  two pairs of military camouflage uniform and a box of fake dollar currency.

    Speaking during the parade, the Force Spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood said: “On 6th of November, 2017, after a sustained surveillance and raid of the criminal hideouts and kidnappers den by the men of Operation Absolute Sanity comprising the Special Tactical Squad (STS), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) raided identified kidnappers dens, camps, armed robbers and Car Snatchers in their camps, Black spots and Criminal hideouts in the forests located in the FCT, Niger and Kaduna States.

    “They successfully smashed four vicious and notorious gangs in the process arrested 16 suspects in the act of kidnapping and collection of ransom, car snatching and armed robbery.

    “All the suspects arrested confessed to the crime and admitted to the various roles they played in the commission of these capital offences.

    “They will be arraigned in Court on completion of investigation. Investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large.”

    As part of preparations for the festive period, Moshood also noted that the IG has directed Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zones and State commands across the country to beef up security in their area.

    “They are to ensure massive deployment of Armed Police Personnel, Patrol Teams and undercover operatives to black spots, flash points and other vulnerable criminal spots to nip in the bud all forms of crimes and criminality nationwide throughout this period to the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities and beyond.

    “They are also to make sure that detection of crimes that couldn’t be prevented is prompt to serve as effective deterrent to who-will-be criminal.”

  • Ekiti: Five docked for robbery, unlawful possession of arms

    Ekiti: Five docked for robbery, unlawful possession of arms

    Five men on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate court over alleged armed robbery and possession of illegal arms.

    Police Prosecutor, Caleb Leranmo gave the names of the accused as Faroye Ojo (30), Aikesoro Ojo (27), Ilesanmi Dada (26), Ojo Akinwumi (26) and Mayowa Asaolu (27).

    He said that the accused committed the offence about 12.13 am on September 16 at Efon-Alaaye Ekiti in Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    The police prosecutor had earlier said that the accused were in possession of unlawful arms such as guns, cutlass and other offensive weapons

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms, Act Cap R 11, Laws of Federation 2004.

    He added that he had duplicated their case files and sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    The defendant plea were not taken as their counsel, Mr Rotimi Agbaje sought for a date of adjournment.

    The presiding Magistrate, Mr Aderopo Adegboye ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

    He adjourned the case to October 4, for mention.

  • Two arraign for alleged armed robbery

    Two arraign for alleged armed robbery

    The police command in Benue on Tuesday arraigned a technician, John Okodo, 21, and a businessman, Michael Orji, 32 , before a Makurdi Upper Area Court II for alleged armed robbery.

    The two men are standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and membership of an unlawful society.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Alexander Akule, told court that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led by one Insp. Joshua Tor arrested the men during a patrol in Makurdi.

    Akule said that while a team of SARS was on patrol, it received a distress call from one Edmond Igbodinze of Kanshio Village, Makurdi that a group of young men had attacked and threatened to kill him and his family.

    “On Aug. 16, a group of able-bodied young men, who identified themselves as members of the Black Skull Confraternity, led by John Okodo, Michael Orji and others now at large, armed with guns, irons, cutlasses and axes attacked him at his residence.

    “They beat him up mercilessly and smashed his eye with an iron rod as a result, the eye got swollen and Okodo further threatened to kill him and his entire family if he informed anybody of the incident.”

    Akule, however, told court that the matter was still under investigation and requested for another date to enable the investigating police officer to conclude investigation.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 6 (b) and 1 (1) (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, 2004 and Section 11 (2) of the Abduction, Hostage-taking, Kidnapping, Cultism and other related activities (Prohibition) Law, 2017.

    When the case came for mention no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Fatima Akintomide, ordered that the two men should be remanded in Makurdi Prisons.

    She adjourned the case until Oct. 20 for further mention.

  • Abia police parade suspects

    Abia police parade suspects

    Abia State police command has paraded a crop of suspected hoodlums for allegedly committing various criminal offences in Aba, the state’s commercial heartbeat, and other parts of the state.

    The hoodlums, The Nation learnt, were reportedly responsible for heinous crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery and car theft, among others, in different parts of the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade in a briefing at Umuahia, the state capital, lauded his men for rising to the challenge of insecurity in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state.

    Oyebade said some of the suspects were arrested while carrying out the act, others before or after the act, but all nabbed using a well-planned information gathering method.

    He lauded the synergy between the police and other security agencies in the state, stressing that the era when criminal came and operated in the state freely and undetected is gone. He said it is the desire of the police and sister agencies in the state to stop crime before it happens.

    The police said some of the suspects undergoing interrogation would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations into their matter were concluded.

    Oyebade said, “On 23/07/2017 at about 0010hrs, information was received that there was a corpse later identified simply as Prince ‘m’ of Ngwa and works in a bakery at Garki (Catlle Market) Lokpanta reasonably suspected to have been stabbed to death by his fellow cult members. Sequel to the information, the Divisional Crime Officer Isuochi raced to the scene with a team of detectives, removed the corpse to the mortuary and commenced investigation into the incident. The trio of Samuel Chukwuemeka, Abdulazeez Mukaila and Obisike Ekezie all males and members of ‘Red Barger’ confraternity were arrested. The suspects have confessed to the crime, search was conducted in their houses during which the following items were recovered: three red caps, four bangles, two daggers, one Samsung TV with its remote control, one Sony Speaker, one DSTV Decoder and a pair of canvas. The dagger used in the act has been identified in the two recovered. Effort is intensified toward the arrest of other fleeing members of the cult group.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 1100hrs, responding to a distress call on the presence of strange faces in Nkwoudara Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, patrol team attached to Omoba Division in raced to the scene and with the collaborative efforts of the Vigilante men in the Community, arrested the following four suspects: Chisom Chimezie 19yrs, Ogbonna Onyeka 22yrs, Kingsley Onyemuru 20yrs and Chinonso Madugba 18yrs all males of Osisioma LGA. Search on them resulted in the recovery of the following items: One locally made pistol with two live cartridges, two jack knives, four ATM cards, Wallet containing sum of N9,090.00 and six ID cards. One Uchenna Ikpendu ‘m’ of Ibeku- Ngwa in Osisioma LGA has identified the suspects as hoodlums that snatched from him on gun-point, his brand new Qlink 150 Motorcycle on 23/07/2017 at about 1730hrs in Umuehim Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South. Discreet investigation is in progress.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0500hrs, the operatives attached to the Command’s Dragon Squad Aba acting on a tip off, arrested the duo of Samuel Akoma and Kenneth Ananaba both males in an Hotel room at Aba where the hoodlums lodged after collecting ransom to release their hostage. Two vehicles, including that of the released hostage were recovered.

    “On 24/07/2017 at about 2205hrs along Milverton Area Aba, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba while on routine patrol, intercepted one Obasi Chibuike ‘m’ putting on Police bullet proof jacket and extorting motorists. On sighting the patrol team, suspect fled the scene but was over-powered by the team. The following items were recovered from him during search: three live cartridges, one bullet proof, one jack knife and an International Passport. The suspect has however, confessed to being a member of four man robbery gang terrorizing Aba and its environs. Effort is put in place toward arresting the other members of his gang as well as recovering their weapons.

    “On 22/07/2017 at about 1305hrs, PMF 55 men on nipping point duty at Owerrinta acting on a tip off, intercepted a 14 seating Mitsubishi L300 bus with reg. no.SB 639 WER painted white and green and arrested the duo of Chinemere Amamba aged 39yrs and Nnamdi Monday both males of Nmelele Isiala Ngwa South. The suspects abducted one Ijeoma Okereke ‘f’ of Imo State University Owerri at about 1200hrs along Emekuku junction, Douglas road Owerri.

    “On 27/07/2017 at about 0645hrs, acting on a tip off, detectives attached to Abiriba Division arrested the duo of Ifendi Eke and Nwokocha Ndukwe both males of Abiriba who are behind series of house burglary and stealing in the Community. The suspects confessed to the allegation and led the investigation to the arrest of one Arua Uta Agbai ‘m’ of Abiriba that aids them in disposing their loots. Items so far recovered are bags, Electronics, empty carton of plasma TV carted away from the house of a Cameroun based business man, Hon. Agbara Ashiegbu. Investigation is in progress toward recovering more stolen items.

    “On 25/07/2017 at about 0015hrs, a distress call was received from one AzubuikeEjikeme ‘m’ of No. 24 Okigwe Road Aba that his residence was under siege by hoodlums. In response to the call, team of patrol men attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene and laid ambush against the hoodlums during which one Frank Egure ‘m’ of no fixed address was arrested at about 0050hrs with Generating sets and motor tyres. On interrogation, the suspect confessed to have burgled an apartment in the complainant’s residence from where, he carted the recovered items. Similarly, another patrol team attached to the same Division had on 20/07/2017 at about 0015hrs arrested the duo of Joseph Patrick and Chinedu Elewechi both males of no fixed address in their area of responsibility following a distress call received from one Amarachi Patrick ‘f’ of No. 142 Jubilee road Aba on 19/07/2017. Items recovered from the suspects are: One Elemax SH 2900 DX Generator, two Century Stabilizers, one Plasma TV, one truck and assorted drinks. Suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigation is concluded.

    “On 21/07/2017 at about 2105hrs, a distress call was received from one Ezinne Okorie ‘f’ of No. 132 Terryvin road Aba that while she was making call from her Tecno Y2 GSM phone valued #500,000.00, a group of four armed men accosted her, pointed guns at her and robbed her of the phone. In a swift response, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba raced to the scene where the duo of Ugochukwu Ugwumba 22yrs and Goodnews Uwem 18yrs both males were arrested with a machete while others fled with their guns. The suspects confessed to the crime and are leading the investigation toward arresting their cohorts cum recovering the phone.

     

  • Police parades 50 suspected criminals in Edo

    Police parades 50 suspected criminals in Edo

    Edo State Police Command Thursday paraded 50 persons arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

    The suspects were among those arrested between April and July in Edo State.

    State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, who paraded the suspects, said it was information provided by members of the public that led to the breakthrough.

    Gwandu stated that many other suspects arrested within the period under review have been charged to court.

    He said large quantity of firearms including 132 live cartridges,126 rifles,two double barrel guns, 11 vehicles were recovered within the period under review.

    Among the suspects paraded was a 19-year old confessed killer teenager, Uyimwen Lawrence.

    Lawrence said he has killed two persons who are members of rival cult group and left others injured.

  • Kaduna Police parade 55 kidnapping, armed robbery

    Kaduna Police parade 55 kidnapping, armed robbery

    Kaduna State Police command has paraded 55 suspects arrested for various criminal offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and money doubling.

    The command also condemned the recent reprisal attack in Kajuru local government area of the state that claimed several lives, describing it has barbaric.

    The police however confirmed that 32 persons, mostly women and children were killed in the reprisal attack between groups of youths and Fulani in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspects who are mostly youths between 15 and 23 years of age according to the command were arrested while carrying out their nefarious activities along Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highways.

    Though the police said the suspects are many, 55 were counted while they were been paraded before newsmen by the Police Commissioner, Mr. Agyole Abeh at the command’s headquarters in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    The Commissioner  said within the last two weeks, fight against crime and criminality has paid off with the arrest of several criminal suspects involved in crime which include armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, rape, Sara-Suka, kidnapping, cattle rustling, counterfeit US dollars printing among others.

  • Police arrest five suspects over alleged ritual murder, armed robbery

    Police arrest five suspects over alleged ritual murder, armed robbery

    Anambra state police command has arrested five persons for armed robbery and ritual murder while others are being tracked.

    Some of the items recovered from them are one pump action revolver gun, blood soaked cloths, charms, cell phones, one locally made pistol, cartridges among others.

    While parading the suspects Friday at the police headquarters at Amawbia, the new state police commissioner, Mr. Garba Baba Umar, said there would be no hiding place for criminals in Anambra state.

    The suspects were Emeka Anorunso (25 years), a vigilante operative attached to the brewery depot company in Aguata.

    The suspect allegedly killed a person yet to be identified, chopped off the head and buried the person in a shallow grave within the premises but failed to report the incident to anyone.

    It was the stench that awakened the interest of the workers around after some days that warranted the search, the suspect according to the CP was making useful information.

    Also Michael Nwokedi (18 years) and Praise Okoli (18 years) were arrested with a blood stained bus with registration number Awk424X when they were robbing passengers along new parts Nkpor.

    They were also said to have gone to an old generation bank at Nkpor without breaking into it between 8:30am to 5am with a drilling machine and one sawing machine.

    Items recovered from the suspects were 5,688,500 CFA, 25 assorted GSM handsets, one laptop.

    According to Umar, “I want to assure Ndi-Anambra that the command under my watch will do everything possible to ensure adequate protection of live, and properties of all citizens and residents of the state”

    Umar further said that the command under his watch had re-introduced the X-squad (special squad), adding that Anambra deserved the best.

    “Anambra will be no go area” for criminals, and that is my promise when I was posted to this state and so shall it be,” Umar said.

     

  • ‘Those who violated our peace won’t escape justice’

    ‘Those who violated our peace won’t escape justice’