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Tag: arrest

  • Police kill two highway robbers in Ogun, arrest one

    Two members of a robbery gang were gunned down  while another was arrested on Friday by men of the Ogun State Police Command along the Sagamu-Benin/Ore road.

    Parading the suspects before journalists at Igbeba Area Command in Ijebu-Ode, Commissioner for Police, Ahmed Iliyasu said the police acting on a tip-off, arrested the suspects at along the J4, Ogun Waterside stretch of  the  Sagamu – Ore express way.

    Iliyasu added that the  anti-robbery team of the Ogbere Police Division led by John Okoh, a Superintendent of Police (SP) engaged the suspects in  gun duel before they were attested.

    He said other members of the syndicate escaped from the scene with bullet wounds.

    “In the early hours of today, our men at Ogbere Division received a distress call about a group of armed bandit who blocked Sagamu/Ore expressway at J4 area to rub commuters plying the road.

    “Upon the distress call, the Divisional Police of Officer (DPO) of the station, John Okoh led his anti-robbery and other tactical and combat team to the scene where they met the robbers dispossessing commuters of their valuables.

    “On sighting the policemen, the bandits engaged them in a gun duel which lasted for hours. At the end of the encounter, two members of the dreaded syndicate were gunned down and one was arrested alive while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries.

    “The victims were rescued unhurt and we have launched a serious manhunt for the escaped members of the gang.

    “Recovered from them are single- barreled gun, one phone, a carton of car sound protector and other instruments used in their heinous activities.”

    While assuring of safety of life and property in the Command, the Police boss appealed to members of the public, especially health workers to report any incident of gunshot wound to the police.

    “I hereby appeal to members of the public, especially hospitals and other health workers to report to the police if anybody with gunshot wound is seen around this area.

    “The Command is determined and resolute against crime and criminality and any criminal who dares any part of the state will definitely have himself to blame,” Iliyasu said.

  • Arrest of Fayose’s aides shouldn’t cause salary delay, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said the arrest of the Commissioner of Finance, Toyin Ojo and Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not the cause of the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries.

    The party described the claim by the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Odunayo Adesoye, as “another conspiratorial role that some labour leaders have been playing to sabotage the interest of their members”.

    In a statement yesterday, Ekiti State APC’s Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatunbosun expressed regrets that Labour had failed to protect the interests of workers but was ready to defend Governor Ayo Fayose’s alleged failure to pay their entitlements.

    Olatunbosun said: “It is common knowledge that a section of the Labour movement has compromised their office in the protection of workers’ interest. But Fayose should not hide under the arrest of the Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo and the Accountant General, Yemisi Owolabi, for non-payment of salary.

    “Ojo is not a signatory to any salary account; there are two other alternate signatories who include the Director of Funds Management.

    “Ekiti people and workers in particular should also note that when the Accountant General was on leave for about three weeks recently, the financial transactions of the state were going on unhindered.

    “Therefore, contrary to TUC’s claim, there is no reason the arrest of the two state officials should be an excuse for non-payment of salaries by the governor, which of course, he has not been paying before their arrest.

    “Fayose has received several billions of naira in the form of bailout and Paris Club refund but has refused to pay workers’ salaries for five months: local government workers for eight months’ and pensioners’ 13 months’ allowance arrears. These include his refusal to pay the severance package of former political office holders after the funds for these purposes were captured in tranches of bailout and Paris Club refund.”

  • Police arrest IDPs for protesting in Maiduguri

    Borno State Police Command has arrested Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, in connection with yesterday’s protest to return home.

    The Nation reports that displaced people from Bama on Sunday morning demonstrated on Bama/Maiduguri Highway, near University of Maiduguri Gate II, to demand their return to Bama where they were displaced by Boko Haram insurgents about three years ago.

    During the protest, coordinated by Bama Initiative for Human Development, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Hassan, the IDPs decried the slow process of their return, and decided to embark on the journey home, “even if it means trekking to Bama.”

    Hassan said 70 per cent of reconstruction and rehabilitation had been completed, adding that they are tired of living as displaced persons.

    “We’ve been in Maiduguri for more than three years without means of livelihood. Our people’s condition is pathetic. The process of returning displaced persons to their homes is slow. It exposes them to unbearable conditions.

    “We can no longer send our children to schools. Many have died of hunger. Most of us live in host communities and no one is supporting us,” he said.

    Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said the IDPs did not notify the command of their planned return to Bama.

    He advised them to dialogue with the government and other stakeholders over their demand so that preparations would be made for them.

    His words: “The police have a duty to protect you. We will not allow you to gather people and expose them to danger in the name of home return.

    “Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is on in Bama, executed by federal and state governments under the Bama Initiative. We will not allow you to go because of your safety. You better go back and wait for the time the government will permit your return to the town.”

    It was learnt that the protesters persisted, giving the police no option but to arrest them.

    A police source confirmed  in Maiduguri that the demonstrators, including their leaders, are in police custody and will be prosecuted.

    The source said: “I cannot believe that despite the subtle approach and advice by the Police commissioner to these people, they became riotous. We were left with no choice but to arrest them. It is the duty of the police to protect life, property as well as maintain law and order.”

    There is apprehension of more protests by the IDPs, as news of the arrest spread.

    The government has urged the protesters to be patient, to allow the smooth actualisation of their return home.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, speaking through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Gusau, said the government was not against return of IDPs to their homes.

    “It is to the government’s advantage if IDPs return home because their return will lessen the economic burden of keeping them in camps.

    “The greatest wish of the governor is safe return of IDPs to their communities. Much as he wants them to return, he is also concerned about their safety.

    “Governor Shettima is committed to the rebuilding of homes, police stations, hospitals, schools, water facilities, markets, council secretariats and others in communities across 15 local governments in the state,’’ he said.

    Gusau said the government built 20,000 housing units in Bama and provided health facilities, schools and police stations.

    He added that the Federal Government is training a Special Anti-Terrorism Squad and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to be deployed in the town under the Bama Initiative.

    Gusau said the squad and agro-rangers, trained to secure farmers, would replace the military.

    “We have to ensure that there is return of civil security before IDPs can return.

    “The governor encourages safe and dignified return only after putting the right things in place,” he stressed.

    The aide said the government re-built houses and re-settled displaced persons in parts of Kaga, Konduga and Gwoza councils.

     

     

     

  • Police arrest herbalist for ‘murder’

    Police arrest herbalist for ‘murder’

    Enugu State Police Command has arrested two men, Onyekachi Idoko and Felix Akor, for the alleged murder of three persons in Udenu Local Government, spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said yesterday.

    He said the suspects were nabbed, after a well-coordinated operation by the police.

    Amaraizu said Idoko, of Ifuroka-Amalla community in Udenu Council, was arrested by operatives of Udenu Division.

    The spokesman said the suspect, who fled after committing the alleged offence, was nabbed on September 16 at Inyi community in Igboeze North Local Government.

    He alleged that the suspect, with others, murdered Onyemaechi Eze on July 5 over a yet-to-be established issue or issues and escaped.

    “The suspect is helping operatives in their investigations, as he has given insight into how he and his gang allegedly collected N200,000 from a native doctor, Akor, who hired them to kill the victim.

    “The native doctor is alleged to be responsible for the mysterious death of two siblings, Blessing and John.

    “Akor has been arrested by the operatives,” Amaraizu said.

    He said both suspects were helping the police in their investigations.

  • Police arrest army deserter

    Police arrest army deserter

    A 26-year-old alleged army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi, suspected to be the trainer of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested by Police in Anambra.

    Nnamdi was arrested alongside three others for their alleged involvement in armed robbery in Iyi Oji area of Anambra on Wednesday.

    The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Garba Umar, presented the suspects to newsmen on Thursday at the police command headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka.

    The police also arrested 22 suspected cult members who were allegedly conducting their initiation ceremony in a bush.

    Umar said the police recovered 336 rounds of 7.22x39mm, AK-47 live ammunition from the alleged (IPOB) members and their trainer.

    “Police equally recovered three empty AK-47 riffles with magazines, one locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges, (IPOB) wears, IPOB flags, muffler, criminal charms and ATM cards.

    “The Army deserter was formally of the 20 Mechanised Battalion, Taraba, in 2014 before he disappeared,’’ Umar said.

    The  commissioner said Nnamdi became a member of a six-man gang responsible for the attacks and killings of policemen at nipping points, robberies at fuel stations including that of Bukachi filling station, Eziowelle, both in Onitsha on Aug. 31, 2017.

    Others who were arrested alongside Nnamdi were 26-year-old Onyebuchi Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, he said.

    Umar said their case was under investigation and that they would be charged to court after investigation.

    He also  said that two members of a four-man gang of kidnappers were arrested, while one was killed in a gun battle with members of the state anti robbery squad (SARS), while the victim was rescued.

    H said the alleged kidnapers were said to have abducted one John Ifediorah of Umuganagu village to Iyi Oji shrine, where he was said to have been subjected to torture before the police swooped on them.

    Those arrested during the raid, he said, were Chukwudi Nwabundo and Obiora Madubueze, while Chinaza Udeezue was killed during the gun battle in the Aguleri bush.

    The commissioner further said that the 22 cultists were apprehended at their initiation centre at Nnewi when the police teams from the Special Anti-Cultism (SPAC) cordoned off the place.

    Umar said the suspects were members of Junior Vikings confraternity (JVC), Ayees, Aro, 2-2, Bagger, Baby Ayees and black axe and were of between the ages of 16 and 25.

    Some of the items recovered from them included one locally made revolver pistol with one live ammunition; one locally made pistol gun with three live cartridges; daggers; three short axes; three machetes; one black turban belonging to Aro; muffler and black berets.

    “The Anambra State Police command has continued to deliver on its mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of the State.

    “The command has been achieving results in the fight against crime due to the cooperation of well meaning people in the state. We solicit that such synergy should be sustained.

    “I wish to reiterate the readiness of the command to continue partnering with other security agencies and law abiding citizens of the state to eliminate all forms of crime and criminalities.

    “I wish to advise parents to take care of their children/wards so as to reduce cult activities in the society,’’ Umar said.

    The commissioner advised the people of the state to always report to the police or other security agencies any suspicious movement for urgent intervention.

  • Police arrest eight suspected cultists

    Abia State Police Command said yesterday it arrested eight suspected members of two cults operating in Aba and Isiala Ngwa North councils.

    Police Commissioner Oyebade Adeleye, in an interactive session with reporters in Aba, said the suspects confessed to be members of Vikings and ABC cults, notorious on Isiala Ngwa axis.

    Oyebade named the cultists as Prince Nwachukwu, Nnamdi Raymond, Okoronkwo Chikezie and Uchenna Kalu, who are members of Vikings; while David Adieze, Chinemere Isaac, Chimezie Moses Francis and Okon Effiong were identified as members of ABC.

    He said they recovered two locally-made revolver pistols, two rounds of live ammunition, charms, among others, from the cultists when policemen at Ndiegoro and detectives attached to Isiala Ngwa North Division swooped on them.

    The police boss said efforts were on to arrest fleeing cultists, hoping with the success, crimes would reduce.

    “Mighty Monday of Ohanku Road, Aba, reported at Ndiegoro Police Station, Aba that he was robbed of his Nokia phone, valued at N5,500 sandal, valued at N8,000 and N2,000 by four armed men. Based on the report, detectives attached to Ndiegoro Police Station arrested Prince Nwachukwu identified by the complainant and he (Nwachukwu) led the detectives to a hideout at Umuba village, Ogbor Hill where Nnamdi Raymond, Okoronkwo Chikezie and Uchenna Kalu were nabbed. The suspects confessed to be members of Vikings.

    ”A locally-made pistol and other stolen items were recovered from the hideout of Sampson Ukeji, now on the run. Efforts are on to arrest the suspect.”

  • Energy firm to arrest, prosecute thieves

    The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has threatened to arrest and prosecute any person, group or corporate body found to be engaged in energy theft in its network.

    Acting Chief Executive Officer, PHED, Kingsley Achife, talked tough yesterday in Rumuorlumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a town-hall meeting on customers’ bill of right, according to the company’s Manager, Corporate Communications, John Onyi.

    He decried the constant loss of about 30 per cent of the company’s anticipated revenue to energy theft on a monthly basis, which he described as unacceptable.

    Achife said: “PHED has collaborated with security agencies. A crack team of anti-energy theft squad has been established to work on a daily basis with the Revenue Protection Department (RPD) of the company (PHED).

    “We can assure you that anybody caught in meter tampering, by-pass through diversion of load or hooking directly to power lines shall not go scot free. He or she must face the full weight of the law. We cannot continue to condone energy thieves in our network. It must be stopped.

    “This is an era of energy accountability. For us to sustain the power industry, energy theft must be eradicated. We urge you to join in the war against energy theft and it must be won.”

    PHED’s acting chief executive officer also stated that the spate of energy theft in the company’s coverage area (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states) was a major source of huge revenue leakage.

    Achife added that with the warning and the setting up of the anti-energy theft crack team, PHED would tackle the ugly energy theft in the system.

  • Police arrest 11 for cult-related killings in Kwara

    Police arrest 11 for cult-related killings in Kwara

    The police in Kwara State have arrested 11 suspects for cult-related killings and clashes, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    NAN learnt the suspects were nabbed by operatives of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID).

    A police source told NAN in Ilorin yesterday that those arrested were suspected members of Eiye and Aiye confraternities.

    The source said the suspects were nabbed at their hideout in Kulende, Ilorin, following an order for their arrest by Police Commissioner Ado Lawan.

    Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the arrest.

    He said the command would not relent until the state was rid of cultism and other crimes.

    NAN recalls Ilorin Emirate Descendant Union (IEDPU) had revealed that nearly 30 people had been killed by cultists in the last six months.

    The National President, Alhaji Abdulhammed Adi, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin, decried rise in cult-related killings.

  • Youths call for Kanu’s arrest

    The Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC) and the Coalition of Southwest Youths have called for the arrest of the leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

    Addressing reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the National President of YYC, Prince Dapo Adepoju, said Kanu was taking Nigerians for granted. He noted that the IPOB leader was provoking the youths and not respecting the bail conditions given to him.

    He warned Kanu of the dire consequence of causing violence, noting that nobody had monopoly of it.

    Adepoju said efforts were being made to douse temper, stressing that the over 25 million Yoruba youths were not happy with Kanu’s war-like attitude.

    According to him, Kanu’s unbecoming attitude would continue to charge the polity.

    He said: “We decided to keep mute all along as well we felt Kanu and his men his men will allow for dialogue.

  • Police arrest ‘serial rapist’

    Police arrest ‘serial rapist’

    An alleged serial rapist has been arrested by the police in Lagos for defiling a five-year-old girl.

    Emeka Kingsley, a resident of Osoyintola Street in Ilasamaja, Isolo Local Council Development Area, was said to have raped five other children at different intervals before his current victim.

    It was gathered that the suspect was arrested over the weekend after a tenant caught him penetrating the minor.

    According to a resident, Tolani Bakare, he offered the child biscuit before taking her to the toilet, where he raped her.

    Bakare said: “He gave the girl biscuit and took her into the toilet where he raped her. The girl was crying inside the toilet and her elder sister, who was looking for her, heard her voice.

    “She called her name and walked towards the toilet. At that point, Kingsley rushed out. When the little girl was asked why she was crying, she told her sister what Kingsley was doing to her.

    “It wasn’t the first time he raped children in this neighbourhood. He has done it to five others and begged their parents for forgiveness when they discovered it.”

    The suspect was arrested after the victim’s mother filed a complaint at the Ilasamaja Police Station.

    A source said the suspect’s family offered policemen bribe to settle the case but they were rebuffed and warned.

    After obtaining a medical report which indicated that the minor’s hymen had been broken, the division moved the case file and the suspect to the Gender Unit, Command Headquarters, Ikeja.