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Tag: arrest

  • Security agents arrest six Boko Haram suspects in Jos

    Security agents arrest six Boko Haram suspects in Jos

    Many questions remained unanswered at the weekend as Jos, the Plateau State capital which was bombed twice  last week, was enveloped in fear.

    “Were there 100 suicide bombers unleashed on the Tin City ready to strike?

    “Were there 10 bombs already planted around the city by Boko Haram insurgents ready to go off?

    The Special Task Force (STF) on the Jos crisis said  yesterday that three people died from the failed suicide attack on a football viewing centre in the city on Saturday night.

    Two others were injured. A vehicle driven by the bomber and a block of shops were destroyed, it said in a statement by the STF spokesman Capt. Ikedichi Iweha.

    More than 100 people were killed in the first attack in Jos last week.

    A source within the security agencies alleged that over 100 suicide bombers might have been deployed in Jos.

    The senior security officer said: “Let me tell you, we are in serious trouble in this state. Do you know that since last Tuesday’s explosion  more than six members of Boko Haram have been caught and arrested from various places within the city”

    The source added: “All the tension and rumour you are hearing everywhere in town that some people were caught with bomb here and there in Jos are real. Don’t just call them rumour; they are real. We have discovered at least six of them since that Tuesday attack”

    It was learnt that one of the Boko Haram agents apprehended last Friday at the Air Force base in Jos had confessed that there were at least 100 of them deployed in Jos city to detonate explosives at identified points.

    The suspect reportedly claimed that he was heading for the Airforce Hospital to deliver food to a patient on admission. But a security check on the suspect’s car revealed he was carrying explosives and was immediately apprehended and the explosive disabled.

    According to the source: “The suspect made a confession that even shocked the Air force men interrogating him. He revealed that he was on errand for Boko Haram to deliver explosives at identified location, and that he was not the only one on such errand, he claimed there were at least 100 already despatched to the city with explosives”

    A man suspected to be spying for Boko Haram was apprehended at Mobile Police barrack, the MOPOL 8 close to the Air Force base Jos. The state police spokesperson Felicia Anslem said “the suspect was been arrested and detained for trespassing”

    The arrest of the suspect at MOPOL 8, Jos came after letters of threat allegedly authored by Boko Haram were received at government establishments in the state capital. A similar letter of threat was received at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Federal Government College Jos, The Plateau State House of Assembly and other places.

    A security source said: “These threat cannot be treated as mere threats, since after the twin bomb blast. Others explosive have been intercepted and the suspect already helping the security agencies on information about their mission in Jos”

    The Archbishop of Jos, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, yesterday challenged security agencies in Jos to comb and fish out the remaining bombs planted by members of the Boko Haram sect in the city.

    He said a member of the sect, arrested at the wake of last week’s twin bombs that rocked the city confessed that they (Boko Haram) had planted 10 bombs at different locations in the city.

    The Archbishop who spoke in Minna while delivering a sermon titled “The good Shepherd” at the dedication of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and the presentation of four Archbishops of the church, said:

    “There were twin bomb explosions a few days ago in Jos in which many people were killed. Just yesterday when I was about to come to Minna, another bomb exploded in Jos. We are aware that one of the Boko Haram men arrested by the security has confessed that they planted 10 bombs in the city. We are also aware that one of the bombs has been seen and detonated by the police.

    “But where are the remaining six? The Police must urgently search and recover the hidden bombs to save lives and property”, he pleaded.

    The clery lamented the insurgency has wrecked havoc on the Church in the troubled areas, citing the killing of three Deacons of the church in Taraba State and the wanton destruction of properties in the affected areas of northeast.

    “The Bishop in Taraba state sent me a report that we lost three of our deacons in the state while in Adamawa state, eight members were recently killed. No good shepherd will be happy about such loss of his herds”.

    Kwashi admonished the Church to remain steadfast in prayers while seeking for divine intervention for the country to overcome present security challenges.

  • Police arrest 24 in Taraba after clash

    The Police in Taraba have arrested 24 suspects at Wukari Local Government.

    Police spokesperson Joseph Kwaji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo yesterday that the suspects will be charged to court soon.

    “The command has arrested 24 persons in connection with the Wukari crisis.

    “ I can assure you that the suspects would soon be prosecuted,’’ he said.

    The senator representing Taraba Central, Emmanuel Bwacha has urged the government to find a solution to the recurring farmers/herdsmen clashes in Wukari Local Government Area.

    Bwacha made the call yesterday when members of the Abuja chapter of Ugondo Mdema Development Association visited him.

    The senator also urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security in the area to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

    Bwacha appealed to the victims to pray for an end to the crisis ,rather than retaliating.

    He said they should use the Easter period to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, who is the symbol of peace.

    “My appeal to my people is for them to take their complaints to God, especially at this period.

    “I also appeal to them to forgive one another and continue to reflect on the death of Jesus Christ, who is the symbol of peace, and God will fight the battle for them.

    “I urge the government to be proactive on security measure and to spread the security network to prevent an escalation of the crisis,” Bwacha said.

    Crisis broke out in Wukari town last Tuesday, following protests by youths over alleged killings of villagers by herdsmen.

    Acting Governor Garba Umar imposed a 24-hour curfew on Wukari immediately after the clash.

  • Bayelsa killing: Police arrest three

    The police in Bayelsa State have arrested three persons in connection with the free-for-all that led to the death of a youth at the weekend.

    The police were said to have launched a manhunt for the masterminds of the crisis, whch almost snowballed into a communal conflict between Otu-Asiga and Oruma in Ogbia Local Government Area.

    Violence erupted at a wake in Oruma after youths suspected to be cultists turned the ceremony into a supremacy battle.

    One of the youngsters from Otu-Asiga was reportedly stabbed during the melee. He died on the way to the hospital.

    Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara confirmed that three persons, including the alleged mastermind of the crisis, had been arrested by the police.

    He said one of the ringleaders ran away from the state after the crisis.

    Opara said the police arrested him in a community in Rivers State.

    The commissioner said the police acted quickly to stop the incident from degenerating into a communal crisis.

    He said the police also involved the monarchs of Otu-Asiga and Oruma as well as the chairman of the local government, who they urged to help stop the crisis.

  • Police arrest workers over missing baby

    Police arrest workers over missing baby

    The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu in Anambra State yesterday arrested five workers of the Nnewi South Motherless Babies Home (Community Children’s Home), Amichi for the alleged disappearance of a two-month-old baby boy, Emmanuel Chidera Okeke-Nwaorah.

    Officials of SARS, on the directive of the officer in charge, James Nwafor, swooped on the home, following a tip-off.

    The Head of the Department of Social Welfare/ESD Nnewi-South, Mrs. B.N. Emelie was not arrested, but the Head of the home, Mrs. Ozo Eucharia and others were arrested and are assisting the police in their investigation.

    A source said troubled began when a young girl walked into the home and took little Emmanuel away. He said the baby’s guardian cried out when he visited the home and discovered that he was missing.

    The source said the matter was reported to the police and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    The Nation learnt that the baby’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Nworah, were told that their child was ill and in a hospital at Nnewi.

    The source said the parents searched for the baby in hospitals and petitioned the ministry and the police, leading to SARS’ intervention.

    Confirming the incident, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Henrietta Agbata, who spoke through the Director, Child Development, Mr. Emeka Ejide, said the victim’s parents petitioned the ministry. He confirmed that the police arrested workers of the Amichi Motherless Babies Home.

    According to him, they were awaiting directives from the commissioner.

     

  • Police arrest ‘serial bank fraudster’

    A man, who allegedly specialised in opening multiple accounts with different names to defraud banks, other financial institutions and unsuspecting victims, has been arrested by operatives of the Special Fraud Unite (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The suspect, late Oba OlutayoNwachukwu, was arrested following a petition received by the unit on February 12, which alleged that the suspect appeared at Amuwo Odofin Branch of Zenith Bank to open a savings account with an already completed savings account-opening package with the name, Obiozor Ifeanyi. He was said to have identified himself as such with a National Identity Card.

    The petitioner said that while the bank’s customer service office was checking the documents, the suspect went to the marketing unit and collected another savings account opening package and completed same with another name, Ogueji Nnamdi. The suspect allegedly returned to the customer service desk and presented same for account opening with another National Identity Card bearing Ogueji Nnamdi.

    It was learnt that customer service officer became suspicious and she decided to search the system with phone number, 08162502677, supplied by the customer. Then, she discovered that the same person had already opened about 25 savings accounts at various branches with different names.

    It was further alleged that he opened and operated a corporate account number 1012000129 belonging to Chukon Integrated Limited. He was said to have identified himself as Okonkwo Nwachukwu while opening the said account.

    Police said the suspect is 39-year-old and from the Okija Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Spokesperson to SFU, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, said: “He is into cargo business and used to accompany goods from China to Lagos.  He stated that his office is located at Block 4, Shop 169 A.P.T. Market Trade Fair, Lagos.

    She said: “The suspect confessed to the alleged crime, but stated that the multiple accounts he opened was to enable him run his business successfully. He said the current cashless policy did not allow him to withdraw huge sums of money in one account and as such, he was advised to open multiple accounts so as to spread his money.  He added that he had N50,000.00 each in 15 different accounts, while the remaining accounts have N20,000.00, N10,000.00 and N5,000.00 respectively.  He equally confessed that the National Identity Card and PHCN bills were all forged by one Pepper who is still at large.  The suspect came back from China on January 27 and started the multiple account opening from February 5 to February 7 when he was apprehended. Investigation is on-going to unravel the motive behind the multiple account opening.”

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit, DCP Zubairu Muazu, advised banks to properly scrutinise their account-opening customers.  He commended the Zenith Bank management for their quick discovery of the antics of the suspected fraudster and advised other banks to be on the alert.

  • Police arrest three robbery suspects

    Three armed robbery suspects were arrested at the weekend in Lagos by men of the state police command, it was learnt yesterday. Policemen attached to the Ketu Police Division also arrested a suspected armed robber.

    “A distress call from Arikawe Street, Ikosi Ketu that robbers were attacking a resident. A team of anti-robbery attached Ketu Police Station led by inspector Babatunde Amure, raced to the scene and arrested one Abiodun Agomeji with a locally made double-barrel pistol fully loaded with a live cartridge. The robber stated that he and four others from Ojodu came to rob the resident before he was arrested, while others escaped,” a police source said.

    Two other suspects who had allegedly been terrorising residents of Jakande Estate, Isolo and environs for months were also arrested in the early hours of Friday.

    The suspects, Femi Akogun and Tubosun Adenekan, belonged to a three-man robbery gang.

    According to the police, the suspects went from one house to the other, stealing 27 phones, two laptops and other valuables.

    It was learnt that after terrorising residents for hours, the suspects escaped in a blue Toyota Matrix car marked FST 368 CF.

    Sources said on getting to Adeniji Adele area of the state, the robbers were intercepted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and a gun battle ensued.

    It was learnt that during the exchange of gunfire, one of the suspects was killed while 25-year-old Akogun and 21-year-old Adenekan were arrested with bullet wounds.

    Police source said: “We recovered two double-barrel pistols, 16 live cartridges and three expended cartridges from them. We also recovered two laptops, 27 phone sets and other house-breaking tools from them. Meanwhile investigations are ongoing.”

    Command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) confirmed their arrest.

  • Jonathan plans to arrest Obasanjo, Atiku, others, says Baraje PDP

    Jonathan plans to arrest Obasanjo, Atiku, others, says Baraje PDP

    The Abubakar Baraje led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the party has uncovered plots by President Goodluck Jonathan to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar.

    Similarly, the party also said members of the league of G7 governors and leaders of the Baraje faction have also been marked for arrest ad detention.

    Governors in the G7 are: Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara).

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Eze, the faction said intelligence report in its possession revealed that the Presidency was already putting finishing touches to the plan.

    According the party, the Presidency’s plot is code named “Operation Total Crackdown on G7 and their allies in the New PDP”.

    “When we got details of the plot to arrest and commit the leadership of New PDP to prison without charge we thought it was a joke.

    “The reality, however, dawned on us after we read the interview of our friend and brother, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, in the PREMIUM TIMES of 26th September, 2013, confirming that President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar without any further delay.

    “The sin of these two distinguished Nigerian statesmen, according to those plotting their “demystification”, is their alleged support for the New PDP, including the G7 Governors. That this evil plot is being conceived by the Presidency confirms that the Abacha days are truly here again with us”, the statement added.

    The party said in view of the development, the leadership of the Baraje group had, in an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee, brainstormed on how best to respond to the plot.

    “Our conclusion at the end of the meeting was that we would not be intimidated for any reason, even if it means death, as we are fighting a just cause of reclaiming, recovering and establishing our party based on the vision of its founding fathers as the party is currently usurped by some members who do not know how it was formed.

    “Baraje, knowing how dirty some of the hawks in the Presidency can fight when pushed to the wall, directed NWC members to write their wills immediately after the meeting as we have entered the stage of no retreat and no surrender – fully determined to reclaim what rightly belongs to us”, the party said.

    Baraje urged the G7 Governors not to be intimidated or frightened by any tactics or strategy employed by “state forces” to coerce them to forgo any of the issues they have been asked to present before President Jonathan in the October 7 meeting.

    The party regretted that instead of employing diplomacy to attend to the issues that brought about the present conflict, the Presidency had chosen to apply force.

    Baraje said that rather than being disturbed by the plot, his members are ready for any tactics that may be adopted by the Presidency in the alleged crackdown.

    “In this regard, we wish to urge both the Presidency and those detailed to attack us not to waste time or wait till October 7 to start arresting us, as there are thousands of Nigerians ready to step into our shoes and fight this cause to its conclusion.

    “We are convinced that at the appropriate time; Asari Dokubo will join us when he is convinced as a social crusader, the injustice we have been subjected to in PDP all these years so we are not threatened by his outbursts”, Baraje added.

    The party quoted a one time President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, to buttress its determination to face the alleged threat squarely.

    Roosevelt had stated in that memorable speech: “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country.”

  • ‘Arrest of residents for oil pollution wrong’

    The Lagos State Government has kicked against what it described as indiscriminate arrest of innocent residents around Idimu/Ejigbo areas of the state for oil pollution of underground water. It said the arrest did not follow proper investigation.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, yesterday, said the random arrests by men of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) constitute infraction on the residents’ human right.

    He asked leaders of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the affected communities to institute legal actions against the Federal Government for exposing their communities to danger, arising from the failure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to perform its statutory responsibility.

    He said while the state government supports every effort of the Federal Government to curb stealing of petroleum products and pipeline vandalism across the nation, it frowns at any act that constitutes an infraction on residents’ rights through unjust arrests by NSCDC officials.

    He said: “Successive administrations in the state had drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the hazards being experienced by residents of Baruwa-Ipaja,Ilado, Amuwo-Odofin and Ejigbo among others, through polluted boreholes, contamination of underground water and ruptured pipelines among others. But no visible action has been taken till date by the respective agencies of the Federal Government”.

    Bello said the state government has records showing that official letters were written by the immediate past governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000.

    He added that the Babatunde Fashola-led administration also wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke about the serious oil pollution and high-level degradation that residents of these areas are daily exposed to, without any response.

    The commissioner explained that the state government also urged the Federal Government to consider modern methods of protecting oil pipelines, including casing and tamper-proof warning devices among others.

    He said there are many other ruptured NNPC pipelines in other parts of Lagos, which are not being attended to by the agencies.

    He added: “An example is the Diamond Estate where over 137 boreholes/deep wells are affected by the seepage of petroleum products as a result of pipeline vandalism, destroying the source of potable water of inhabitants.

    “Two of the estate’s housing units are now seriously affected while their boreholes have turned into oil wells and without any noticeable remedial action from the NNPC.”

    Bello urged the NNPC to conduct an integrity test on its pipelines in the state without delayand provide the state government with necessary information on how to prevent future re-occurrence.

  • Police arrest three with human head in Minna

    The Niger State Police Command yesterday paraded three suspects for allegedly beheading a 10-year old boy in Amale village of Kaffi-koro District in Paiko Local Government Area for ritual.

    The police said Salleh Ibrahim conveyed the boy on his bicycle from Amale to his accomplices, Usman Sarki and Dantala Doma.

    Sarki, a father of two, told reporters at the Dutsen Kura Police headquarters that he was contracted by a man he simply called Gajere, who is said to be on the run.

    He said Gajere asked him to get a human head for money-making ritual, adding that he initially resisted the demand but later agreed to do it.

    The suspect said he contacted Ibrahim, who promised to get someone, following the promise of a handsome reward.

    Corroborating his accomplice, Ibrahim gave a gory description of how the boy was killed.

    He said: “It was at this point I found this boy on Amale Road. I asked him where was going and he said he was going to his house. I took him on my bicycle to Sarki’s house. Sarki and I took him to Doma’s house where Doma beheaded him. Usman finally killed him and his head was removed.”

    The trio said they contacted Gajere afterwards and he asked Sarki to bring the head.

    Following a tip-off, the police arrested Sarki in Minna, the state capital, with the boy’s head concealed in a sack.

    Usman, in tears, said: “Since we were arrested, Gajere, who contacted us for the job, has not been seen. If I must die, Gajere too must, because he gave us the job. Please, let them (police) bring him too. We are all in the deal.”

    Police spokesman, Richard Adamu Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the command has begun investigation into the matter.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted after a thorough investigation.

    The spokesman said because of the sensitive nature of the case, the police need would not rush their investigation.

    “We want to make a discreet investigation so that we will not rush over it. We want to get to the root of the whole matter so that at the end of it we will take them to court for proper prosecution. This is a capital offence which needs a serious investigation,” Oguche said.

    He added that the command has directed police outposts in Kaffin-Koro Division and its Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to contact the community leaders to know if there is a case of missing child.

    “Up till this moment, we have not received any report from these areas,” Oguche said.

     

  • Police arrest three for ‘kidnapping’ workers

    The police in Bayelsa State have arrested three suspected members of a kidnap gang. The gang allegedly abducted six workers of a dredging company, Beks Kimse Nig Ltd.

    The workers were seized by gunmen last Friday in the creeks of Opuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government. The abductors operated on a speedboat.

    The victims were working for the companies engaged by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to carry out shore protection and reclamation work at the erosion-ravaged riverside of Opuama.

    They were, however, released on Monday by their abductors, who collected N6 million ransom.

    It was learnt that the anti-kidnapping squad of the police, in a coordinated operation led by Mr. Chris, arrested three of the suspects after they shared the ransom.

    Police sources at the force’s headquarters yesterday told The Nation that the command had identified a surveillance contractor with an oil company as the leader of the gang.

    The sources said the contractor is on the run.

    He was said to be an ex-militant leader from the Buo Camp in Southern Ijaw.

    But it was gathered that the leader’s girl friend was apprehended when the police raided the gang’s hideout at Sabagaria in Nembe Local Government.

    She was arrested in a room at Sabagaria with two other male suspects, Izekemi Thomas and Desmond Sunday.

    It was learnt that N1.45 million, part of the N6 million ransom paid to the kidnappers, was recovered by the police after searching the room.

    A source close to the company said: “An anti-kidnapping team led by Mr. Chris, tracked the kidnappers through the ransom paid to them.