The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arrest

  • NSCDC arrests 234 suspects for vandalism

    NSCDC arrests 234 suspects for vandalism

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, on Tuesday said it arrested 234 suspects in 2015 for vandalism of government’s critical infrastructure and other offences.

    The Lagos State Corps Commander, Mr Gabriel Abafi, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ikeja, said the command contributed immensely to ensuring that critical assets within its domain were protected.

    “In view of the operation of the command in 2015, the command arrested 234 suspects for vandalism.

    “The activities of the command spread across Anti-Vandalism, Disaster Management, Surveilance/Intelligence gathering and supervision of Private Guards Companies among others.

    “The command had between January and December in the area of anti-vandalism arrested about 150 suspected vandals who were caught vandalising petroleum pipelines and installations.

    “The arrests were made in different locations from Badagry to Isawo-Ikorodu, Amuwo Odofin, FESTAC Town, Ijora Waterfront and Oyingbo in Ebute Meta Waterfront, Igando, Ibeju Lekki/Epe axis and Apapa.

    “It is pertinent to note that all these areas are prone to vandalism,’’ he said.

    Abafi said the command also arrested some suspects who were involved in adulteration of petroleum products.

    “All the petroleum products seized in the course of the arrests so far in 2015 have been transferred to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution,’’ he said.

    Abafi also said that the command in protecting the national assets ensured that all the electricity and telecommunications installations were protected.

    However, there was vandalism of these installations in different locations in Lagos, especially in Ikeja axis, adding that “it was pertinent to note that all the culprits were arrested.’’

    He said the command ensured that all private guard companies within Lagos metropolis complied with the rules and regulations guiding their operations.

    He added that the command sealed about 50 private guard companies which were operating illegally and helped in the registration process and renewal of licenses for some of them.

    Abafi noted that within the period under review, the suspected vandals arrested had been arraigned in different courts within Lagos after conclusion of investigation by the command’s Intelligence Unit.

    He said the corps had been able to assist in emergency situations in 2015 and thanked other sister agencies which assisted the command for the good of the country at large.

    He added that the corps would continue to maintain 24 hour security surveillance everywhere.

    According to him, the command has mapped out strategies to ensure that the critical assets of government in the state are protected in 2016.

    “This year, the command will focus especially on Lagos waterways.

    “Statistics have shown that majority of the crimes committed within the state are through the waterways.

    “We are mindful of this and we will do our best to curtail it,’’ he said.

  • Police arrest ‘pipeline vandal’

    The police yesterday arrested a suspected pipeline vandal and seized a petrol tanker conveying 13, 800 litres of diesel in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the suspect was arrested after a tip-off.

    According to him, the police also recovered pipeline drilling equipment, two pumping machines, pipeline sealants, a generating set and spanners.

    “The suspect, with others now at large, allegedly stormed Umurah Ndeaboh bush on December 31 at midnight in Aninri Local Government Area with their pipeline drilling equipment.”

    He said the police would arrest other suspects and prosecute them.

  • Mob attacks policemen, snatches riffles

    Mob attacks policemen, snatches riffles

    Two policemen attached to Ebonyi State command were Tuesday hospitalized following injuries they sustained when they were attacked by a mob where they went to make arrest.

    Also, they were dispossessed of their service AK-47 riffles by the mob.

    The two officers whose names and ranks could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered, were attacked at Amofia Ngbo, Ohaukwu local government area.

    The officers had gone to the community to arrest a man who stabbed another man for demanding to be paid money owed him when they were surrounded by members of the community who refused to allow them effect the arrest of the suspect.

    An eyewitness who did not want his name in print said that the policemen insisted that the suspect must be arrested and swooped on him.

    Another source added that following the attack on the policemen by the youths, stern looking policemen in large numbers stormed the area in the late evening and started destroying things.

    He disclosed that houses were razed in the alleged police reprisal attack.

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

    He said the policemen attacked are responding to treatment and that their AK-47 riffles snatched are still missing.

    Okafor added that some arrest has been made in connection with the incident.

    Meanwhile, it was learnt that people have deserted the community.

     

  • Police arrest man for making charms for cattle rustlers

    The Kano State Police Command yesterday paraded a 37-year-old man, Rabi’u Ado, for allegedly making charms for suspected cattle rustlers.

    The command also handed over 1,048 cows and 109 sheep to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    Police Commissioner Muhammad Musa Katsina, who handed over the livestock to the governor, said the command had been battling cattle rustlers at Falgore Forest through its Operation Puff-Adder.

    The police chief said the command was succeeding in the fight and other crimes.

    He said: “The police are gradually dominating the forest, subduing miscreants and forcing them to relocate. We have been recovering stolen animals and weapons and making arrests.

    “In the course of our engagement – from November 2 till date – we have arrested 51 suspects in connection with cattle rustling, robbery, receiving rustled cows and possessing fire arms.

    “Notable among them are Nura Usman and Sabo Audu, both of Dogara Village, who were arrested for receiving rustled cows from Datti Rodi, a notorious cattle rustler who was gunned down in an earlier police operation.

    “Another notable suspect, Alhassan Sani Tata, an accomplice of Rodi, was arrested in possession of a Dane gun and some quantity of gunpowder.

    “Another interesting suspect is Rabi’u Ado (37), of Sabon Gida Ja’en, Kano. The suspect was arrested in possession of two pairs of Army uniform, a pair of police uniform, a jungle hat, five assorted belts and charms. He is suspected to have defrauded people and providing charms to armed bandits and cattle rustlers.”

    Items recovered from the cattle rustlers include 1,048 cows, 109 sheep, pump action, two double-barrelled rifles, two fabricated AK-47 rifles, two fabricated pistols, seven cutlasses, two cudgels, iron rods, a leather whip, 391 cartridges and 25 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition.

    The cows and sheep would be handed over to the committee responsible for identifying their owners.

    Katsina said: “One of our strategic partners, a vigilance group’s member, Mallam Babangida Abubakar, of Diwa Village, was fatally wounded by the miscreants. He died before he could get medical help. Also, 11 cattle rustlers died in the jungle operation.”

    According to him, the command’s Ambush Squad recently arrested Abdulrasheed Nuhu (23), Khalifa Sanisu (19), Hussaini Mohammed (19), all of Gaya Quarters, Badawa, Kano.

    Katsina said the suspects broke into the home of Dr. Shehi Ali and robbed him of property valued at N1,302,000.

    He said: “Investigators recovered some of the property, including I-pad tablet, HP laptop and Toshiba laptop. Investigation further revealed that on August 5, the suspects, with Nasiru Isiaka of the same address, broke into the home of Alhaji Inuwa Uba and robbed him of N96,000 and an I-pad tablet.”

    On the war against drug peddling and addiction, the police chief said on November 26, the command’s Ambush Squad arrested Shafi’u Abdu (28), of Gulu Village, for alleged possession of 25 kilogrammes of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Kwanar Gulu in Rimin Gado Local Government Area of Kano State.

     

  • Police arrest three ‘human traffickers’

    Police arrest three ‘human traffickers’

    The police have arrested three suspected human traffickers in Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, while trying to ferry 26 minors to Lagos State.

    Zainab Ahmad (18), Aisha Abdullahi (55) and Zuliat  Abdulmalik(45) were said to have sourced the underaged children, comprising 25 girls and a boy from Kano State.

    It was gathered that the suspects were bringing the children to Lagos State to be used for menial labour but were arrested at Ibafo Motor Park on Sunday.

    Parading the suspects at Eleweran, Police Commissioner Abdulmajid Ali said the suspects were arrested, following the proactive stance of the command.

    Ali said: “Based on our usual stakeholders’ meeting and proactive measures, we got a report that some underaged kids were seen at a motor park at Ibafo.

    “Security agents were called in.  Our team raced there and got the leaders-three women going with them to Lagos.

    “Their mission in Lagos, according to the suspects, is to take them to do some menial jobs. If you look at them, they don’t even know what they are in for.

    “They look innocent and we had to take some measures to avoid unpleasant situations, particularly in this Yuletide period.

    “We are alert now because of the threat of insurgence in our area and we have to be very proactive. If you see the children, they look quite innocent and they may be used as suicide bombers and that is why we had to round them up and investigate them.”

     

  • Arms deals: Buhari orders arrest of Dasuki, others

    Arms deals: Buhari orders arrest of Dasuki, others

    Panel unveils how Nigeria was duped

    facts & figures

    • N643.8b •$2.1b

    Extra budgetry interventions

    • $2.3b •N13.7b

    Failed contracts (53 out of 513 awarded between 2007&2015)

    • N3.8b

    Cash paid to company without evidence of any contract

    • N2.2b•$1.6b •€9.9b

    Fictitous contracts awarded

    • Four Alpha jets
    • 12 helicopters •Bombs & ammunition

    Equipment purportedly paid for but not supplied

    • N350b •$1.6b • €9.9b

    Contracts awarded to two firms

    • $132m • €9.9m

    CBN transfers to banks without purpose on Dasuki’s instruction

    Those implicated by the investigative panel on arms procurement have been ordered arrested by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidency said last night.

    On top of the list – indeed the only one mentioned – is former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki.

    But a source said last night that a former Chief of Army Staff was among the suspects.

    Another said the suspects were not named to prevent their escape from Nigeria.

    The interim report chronicles alleged massive mismanagement, misappropriation and outright theft of public funds in billions of naira and in foreign currencies –dollars, euro and pounds sterling.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said in a statement that the President issued the executive order for the arrests after receiving the preliminary report of the probe of arms procurement between 2007 and 2015 by the committee raised on August 31 by National Security Adviser (NSA) Gen. Babagana Munguno.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the relevant organisations arrest and bring to book, all individuals who have been found complicit in these illegal and fraudulent acts,” the statement said last night.

    The preliminary report submitted by the Air Vice Marshal (AVM) O.N. Ode (rtd)-led panel listed the many cases established against Col. Dasuki, who is currently in the eye of the storm.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered that he should be allowed to travel abroad, but the Department of State Services (DSS) said he must accept an invitation to defend himself in connection with some deals he was allegedly involved in.

    Col. Dasuki has declined to accept the letter of invitation, preferring to remain within his Abuja residence. But he has not been able to travel. He is on trial for illegal arms possession.

    Other members of the panel are: R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.), R/Adm E. Ogbor (rtd.), Brig.- Gen L. Adekagun (rtd.), Brig.-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (rtd.), Brig.-Gen. N. Rimtip (rtd.), Cdre T.D. Ikoli, Air Cdre U. Mohammed (rtd.), Air Cdre I. Shafi’I, Col A.A. Ariyibi, Gp. Capt. C.A. Oriaku (rtd.), Mr. Ibrahim Magu (EFCC) and Brig.- Gen Y.I. Shalangwa as secretary.

    Part of the mandate of the panel is “in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service”.

    Yesterday’s statement on the interim report of the panel said: “On the authority of Mr President, a 13-man committee was set up by the Office of  the National Security Adviser to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date.

    “While the committee which was inaugurated on 31 August 2015 is yet to complete its work, its interim report has unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.

    “As part of the findings, the committee has analysed interventions from some organisations that provided funds to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Army Headquarters Naval Headquarters and Nigerian Air Force Headquarters,  both in local and foreign currencies.

    “So far the total extra budgetary interventions articulated by the committee is six hundred and forty three billion, eight hundred and seventeen million, nine hundred and fifty thousand, eight hundred and eighty five hundred naira and eighteen kobo (N643,817,955,885.18).

    “The foreign currency component is to the tune of two billion, one hundred and ninety three million, eight hundred and fifteen thousand us dollars and eighty three cents ($2,193,815,000.83).

    “These amounts exclude grants from the state governments and funds collected by the DSS and Police. It was observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defense procurement.

    “The committee also observed that of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32; N2,189,265,724,404.55 and €54,000.00; fifty three (53) were failed contracts, amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively.

    “Interestingly, it was noted that the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the $1bn loan that the National Assembly approved for borrowing to fight the insurgency in the North East.

    “The committee also discovered that payments to the tune of three billion, eight hundred and fifty million naira (N3,850,000,000.00) were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfilment of tax obligations to the FGN.

    “Further findings revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Lt.-Col MS Dasuki (rtd) awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2,219,188,609.50, $1,671,742,613.58 and €9,905,477.00. The contracts which were said to be for the purchase of 4 Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory.

    “Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, two companies were awarded contracts to the tune of N350,000,000.00, $1,661,670,469.71 and €9,905,477.00 alone. This was without prejudice to the consistent non-performance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded.

    “Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of $132,050,486.97 and €9,905,473.55 to the accounts of Societe D’equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.

    “The findings made so far are extremely worrying, considering that the interventions were granted within the same period that our troops fighting the insurgency in the North East were in desperate need of platforms, military equipment and ammunition. Had the funds siphoned to these non performing companies been properly used for the purpose they were meant for, thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided.

    “Furthermore, the ridicule Nigeria has faced in the international community would have been avoided. It is worrisome and disappointing that those entrusted with the security of this great nation were busy using proxies to siphon the national treasury while innocent lives were wasted daily.”

     

     

     

     

  • Civil Defence arrest three for alleged theft of IKEDC meters

    Civil Defence arrest three for alleged theft of IKEDC meters

    THREE men have been arrested for stealing Smart Card Meters belonging to  Ikeja Electricity District Company (IKEDC). They are Uzor Anyanwu, 29, a contract worker with IKEDC, Hassan Usman and Peter Etamen Anyanwu,  who was paraded along with the others last Friday by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said he stole the meters to enable him  get money for his mother’s medical bills.

    He said: “I install meters for IKEDC. I was arrested because I stole two meters from our site. My colleague, Etamen, said I should help him to get two metres as a customer has given him money to install meters for him. He didn’t tell me the amount he was given but he said he was going to pay me N20, 000 each for the meters. So I told him I was going to give him whenever they were available. Few months later, he called me on phone and reminded me. The day I got the meters, I told him but he didn’t give me any kobo. We don’t sell them. They are for free.

    “The problem is that when I was employed, I was told they were going to pay N1,000 for each meter installed and N700 for a single-phase meter. But, for over four months, I haven’t been paid. They said it is until they check what we have installed that they will pay us. I have been using the little money I have for transport. The period Etamen brought the idea was the same time my mother needed money to treat herself. I didn’t get the money let alone my mother who is now late. I am not happy about what is happening. I am still young and also the first child of my family. They should please make this a warning for us.”

    Lagos State NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the suspects were caught tampering with IKEDC installation.

    He said: “Usman was held along Ikosi-Ketu on October 28. He quietly waited until Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) took light and he destabilised the phases. After thorough investigation, he disclosed to have been in the business for a long time. Also, the two other suspects were caught with smart card readers/meters meant for another zone which have been computerised but they didn’t know. They confessed it was a former official of IKEDC who wanted the meters. Meters are not for sale; they are installed free.”

    Abafi enjoined the public to request for meters through the appropriate channel.

    IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Pekun Adeyanju said the firm had distributed 2,000 meters since May.

    “We started a mass roll-out in September. And our target is to install 10,000 to 12,000 metres on a monthly basis. We are targeting 300, 000 installed metres between now and 2016. Everyone will get it; residents don’t need to pay anybody. They need to be patient,” Adeyanju said.

    Usman, a native of Niger State, said he was on his way to his shop in Mile 12 when he was caught defecating beside a transformer.

    He said: “I was on my way to Mile 12 market around 10am when I wanted to defecate. As I entered where the transformer was installed to use the toilet, IKEDC officials entered. I won’t gain anything from lying. I was pressed and wanted to use the toilet. The dirt outside where the transformer is installed made me go inside and not up to two minutes, the officials came. I sell tomato in Mile 12 market. I am married with eight children.”

    Etamen, 38, said a former IKEDC worker gave him the job, adding that he promised  Anyanwu N30,000 out of the N150,000 collected.

    “When Anyanwu told me the meters were available, he said he didn’t get them from a good source but I thought we were not going to be caught. He got me the metres. They should use this as a warning for us. I will never go close to it again. I have a wife and daughter to cater for. The man was already threatening me if I didn’t bring the meters; that was why I kept pestering Anyanwu,” Etamen said.

  • APC seeks arrest of Fayose’s aides over murder of drivers’ union leader

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has asked the police to arrest the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Ajayi Owoseni; and Governor Ayodele Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, over their alleged roles in the manipulation of investigation into the murder of drivers’ union leader in the state, Omolafe Aderiye.

    The call came on the heels of confessional statement reportedly made by the prosecution star witness, Gbolahan Okeowo, who on Monday in court recanted his earlier statement implicating APC members, including Adeniyi Adedipe (aka Apase), Sola Adenijo (aka Solar), Rotimi Olanbiwonnu and Deji Adesokan (aka Jaru, who is still on the wanted list of the police) as suspects in the murder.

    Okeowo had during the last hearing of the case listed the men as Aderiye’s murderers. But on Monday,  he recanted his earlier statement, saying he was not at peace with his conscience in the implication of innocent men facing death for the crime they knew nothing about.

    In a statement by APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said  it was gratifying that the police had declared that none of the suspects was arrested at the murder scene “clearing the way for the only witness, Okeowo,who was at the scene, to tell the truth about what happened. In his sworn affidavit, Okeowo, who was the late Aderiye’s personal assistant, declared that he was the only witness to the murder and that he was forced by Ajayi Owoseni and Lere Olayinka to abandon his original statement to the police and court to lie against APC members as the murderers of his boss.”

    He added: “We want the police to immediately arrest Owoseni and Olayinka to explain their motives for tearing the witness’ statement and substituting it with the one they wrote and then suborned the witness to lie against innocent men.

    “Olayinka’s denial at a press conference that he did not have any hand in the manipulation and his allegation that Okeowo was threatened by the APC leaders to change his earlier statement is an afterthought.”

    Olatunbosun also frowned at the alleged threats by PDP leaders against‎ the witness to change his last statement of confession in court or face the consequences, saying issuing threats against a man trying to bear witness to truth and justice was a criminal act that the law enforcement agents must act on.

    The APC spokesman called on the security agents to “provide security for Okeowo against the threats by PDP leaders, saying adequate security for the witness in court and wherever he lives is the only guarantee of getting to the root of the murder to enable the late union leader, the falsely accused persons and the witness to have justice.”

  • MASSOB condemns Kanu’s arrest

    •IPOB demands release of its leader

    A faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the arrest of the Biafra Radio Director, Nnadi Kanu, saying it will cause more diplomatic harm to Nigeria’s image.

    Kanu was allegedly arrested at the weekend in Lagos by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) on arrival from the United Kingdom.

    In a statement yesterday, factional leader, Uchenna Mdau said the arrest would draw sympathy for Kanu and the Biafran cause from internal and external observers. He maintained that it was an indication that Radio Biafra had become a factor of reckoning in Nigeria.

    He accused the movement’s factional leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of masterminding the arrest, even as he warned the Federal Government to release him or face global demonstration.

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State, have called for the release of its leader and director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

    A group member, who pleaded for anonymity, condemned the arrest, saying the group would do everything possible to ensure that Kanu was released.

    “We are doing everything we can to secure his release. I won’t tell you what it is because we don’t want to be caught unawares. We know they (government) are not sleeping and we are not sleeping too.

    “In a few days, our plans will play out and I can assure you that even if soldiers were to block the streets, it would not stop us from registering our displeasure at Kanu’s arrest.

    “He is only a freedom fighter who believes that his people have been marginalised. We are still consulting and we will not relent. We will carry on with the struggle for the emancipation of the land of Biafra.

    “The Federal Government has no option but to release him because we will engage it in a show down at the appropriate time. His arrest will not deter us from doing whatever we want to do.”

  • Fayose didn’t arrest our staff-FRSC

    Fayose didn’t arrest our staff-FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disowned a traffic offender, Mr. Adeola Alabi, arrested by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose last Thursday.

    Ekiti Sector Commander, Stanley Chinedum, said Alabi was neither a staff, volunteer nor special marshal of the agency.

    He said:  “The offender could be an impersonator or a dismissed special marshal who is still using old sticker of special marshals.

    “FRSC is noted for discipline and exemplary behaviour with adequate machinery to check excesses and abuses.”

    The Head of Media Relations and Strategy FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, said the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, “was full of praises for the governor for arresting a traffic offender and appealed to other senior government officials to emulate this rare deed as road safety is everybody’s business.”