The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arrested

  • Suspected ‘notorious’ kidnapper arrested in Okota

    Suspected ‘notorious’ kidnapper arrested in Okota

    •Four held for alleged robbery

    A MAN described as a notorious kidnapper has been arrested by the police.

    Solomon Chuwkudi alias King Solomon was arrested yesterday after his Okota residence was discovered to be a cell for hostages.

    Chukwudi, who was on the wanted list of the police, was caught after a victim described the house to the police.

    Arrested with him during an undercover operation were three other men.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said a victim was trailed to the suspect’s 46, Canal View Street, Okota home.

    Besides, Owoseni said his men arrested four suspected armed robbers at Epe, and rocovered a cut to size pistol from them.

    He said: “We have made some commendable breakthroughs in the past two days. Policemen foiled a group of vicious armed robbers led by one John Ibafo from attacking people in Ebute Meta.

    “Information was received that the criminals were planning to attack and acting on the information, policemen went to the scene. The hoodlums upon sighting the police, started shooting and fled into the crowd, using innocent people as shields.

    “To avoid hurting innocent people, our men could not fire. They abandoned three of their operational vehicles which they drove to the scene. We recovered AK47 rifle with 22 rounds of live ammunition and three magazines. Also recovered was a revolver pistol and two bottles with figurines inside.

    “We believe those were the gang’s charms which they used for operations. Efforts are on to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice.”

  • Police: why we arrested Peace Corps leader, 49 others

    Police: why we arrested Peace Corps leader, 49 others

    THE Police have explained why  Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) National Commandant Dickson Akoh and 49 others were arrested.

    Members of the Corps were arrested in Abuja on Tuesday at their head office by personnel of the police, military and Department of State Services (DSS).

    According to the police, those arrested are operating an illegal security outfit.

    The police said the arrest was an attempt to halt and rid the country of illegal and unlawful security outfits constituting threat to national security.

    Flag of the Corp, the police added, “is in semblance with the flag of Gambia”, adding that its beret was for officers on United Nations (UN) Missions.

    Recruitment forms were part of documents confiscated during the operation.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja yesterday at a joint news conference and parade of arrested PCN members, the Force Spokesperson,  CSP Jimoh Moshood, said intelligence report showed that the corps has started acquiring weapons and conducting convert military training in different locations across the country.

    Moshood said: “It is evident that in 2013, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dissolved and proscribed illegal security outfits such as Nigerian Maritime Security Agency (NMSA), Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Petroleum Security and Safety, Peace Corps of Nigeria and other quasi-illegal security outfits”

    The police said it observed that some of the outfits were still operating outside their mandates and purposes, which they were registered by the CAC.

    He added: “The PCN under the leadership of Akoh was registered as an NGO. But with brazen impunity and total disregard to the laws of Nigeria, it opened illegal training camps in some states of the country, where thousands of youths and other persons without proper background checks and screening are receiving converts military training.

    “It is consequent upon veracity of intelligence reports from reliable sources, indicating that subversive groups and terrorists affiliates have infiltrated the Peace Corp secretly to ruin and destroy the existing peace being enjoyed in the country that the PCN secret training camps were closed down in Abuja. Kwara and Niger states.”

    He added that investigation revealed that personnel of the Corp “are extorting money from unwary youths”.

    “Under the guise of recruitment, amounts ranging from N50,000 to hundreds of thousands are being paid by innocent Nigerians to the Corp. Once you pay the money, you are automatically recruited,” Moshood alleged.

    The police asked those who paid money under any pretence to the Corp to report their case at the nearest police station across the country.

    “The corps has unlawfully turned itself into a security outfit without authorisation and establishment by the Federal Government. As such, it has deviated from the purposes for which it was registered as an NGO by the CAC.

    “The Corp has no legal right to wear uniform, parade itself as security outfit, post their personnel on guard duties, and use ranks, insignia, badges of rank, which are semblance of that of the police, military and other paramilitary organisations without the approval of the Federal Government,” he added.

    The police revealed that halting of illegal security outfits would be carry out across the country.

    The police, however, urged parents to prevail on their wards to return home from illegal military camps opened in some states.

    On whether the police was not questioning the authority of the National Assembly, he said: “We are not in contrast with any authority. What we know is that security outfits are established and approved by the Federal Government and in this case, that has not being done.”

    But Akoh explained that the money collected was for the kits for the Corp members.

    He said: “It is shameful that we have teething security challenges and you are showing our uniform as exhibit. The constitution of the Corp approved by CAC was properly vetted by the security before we were registered in 1998.

    “There is national youth development policy that spells out youth organisation to operate and we have over 47 uniform youth organisations.

    “We have been operating within our scope and we are out to re-orientate the youth. No matter the character of youths, when they are taught national ethics and discipline, they change. The youths need a platform to change and that is what we do.

    “The money paid is for their uniform, kits and accommodation because we pay for the venue. It is voluntary and not compulsory. We have ICPC’s clearance for that money. EFCC is investigating this matter and they discovered that we never forced anybody.”

    He accused the police of instigating youths against the corps.

    According to a source, six officers of the PCN were injured, with three unconscious at the National Hospital, Abuja, after operatives of the police and DSS agents  raided the corps’ National Headquarters.

    The headquarters, which was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, was still cordoned off by security operatives as at last night.

  • 16 arrested as Navy raids proscribed merchant camp

    Operatives of the Navy at the weekend arrested four officials of a proscribed Merchant Navy (MN) and 12 trainees at a camp in Ijanikin, Lagos State.

    The suspects, who were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were apprehended at Oto Awori in Ijanikin on Lagos-Badagry Expressway by naval operatives attached to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Badagry.

    The suspects are: Commanding Officer Adewale Seun, Musa Masiru, Olabimi Bisola, Lukman Bello, Sunday Sule, Ilesanmi Quadri, Dauda Dogara and Beshel Godswill.

    Others are: Lieutenant Adeoye Busuyi, Awha Seyon, Monday James, Cecilia Okpa, Manmanse Foiter, Olowokere Babatunde and and Adebayo Blessing.

    They were said to be between 17 and 42 years old.

    The Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Maurice Eno said Bello was arrested by some soldiers at Irekiti in Badagry while parading himself as a naval officer.

    But when the Navy was contacted to identify him, it was discovered he was an impostor, Eno said.

    After investigation, naval operatives at the FOB, led by Commodore Simon Dogo, stormed the training camp and arrested 15 others, including three women.

    Eno said the trainees were made to pay N30,000 fees, adding that the Navy had warned operators of the illegal agency to desist.

    He said: “The Federal Government has proscribed such agencies by Official Gazette Number 58, Volume 100, dated August 28, 2013. The Navy had severally warned its operators and advised parents to not take their children there. It is illegal for them to parade themselves as naval personnel.”

    Bisola said she paid N55,000 for training, forms and letter.

    She said: “I paid the money to a man called Godwin in Shagamu (Ogun State) and I was told the training would take place in Port Harcourt (Rivers State).

    “I and a few others met Godwin in Shagamu and boarded a bus en route Port Harcourt. But he detoured and told us that the training was in Lagos. He claimed that they found another base. We were supposed to spend six months but had only completed three months’ training before we were arrested by the Navy.

    “They told us to be patient, that the academy would be approved by the government before the completion of training. We have been deceived and are innocent. We fed ourselves but sometimes, our Commanding Officer gave us some money to feed. We had seven women and 29 men on training.”

    Denying that the agency was proscribed, Seun said his outfit was the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force.

    The suspect said the approval for the outfit was ongoing.

    He debunked the allegation of impersonation, saying they were not using Navy’s uniform or accoutrements.

    Seun said: “We’re not impersonating the Nigerian Navy; we are not using their property. I don’t see any reason why they should arrest us. In respect of the legal backing of our operations, it is only my boss, Commodore Agaba in Abuja, who can explain that.

    “We secure the coastal area and protect lives and property. We are waiting for the Federal Government to pronounce us as a registered body. Merchant Navy has been in existence since 1941. I am a sailor and I have worked in different ships before joining Merchant Navy.

    “I joined Merchant Navy’s Coastal Defence Force in 2002 and we started training people in 2007 under Commodore Edema. Currently, I have no salary except what I get on board of vessel every month. It is not true that the trainees pay N30,000. What they pay is N15,000 for three months’ training and for their feeding.”

    The Navy also handed over two suspected impostors – Ebube Dike and Isaac Utibe-Abasi – to NSCDC.

    They were arrested at Ilesan in Epe on January 2 and 5 for alleged possession of proscribed Navy camouflage in their custody.

    Ebube said: “I was arrested the first day I wore the uniform. I don’t know what went into my head to wear it. I am not a criminal and I don’t extort people. If I knew it was a navy uniform, I wouldn’t have worn it. I only went to buy drugs with it at a chemist shop.”

    Receiving the 18 suspects, NSCDC Commandant Tajudeen Balogun promised that they would be prosecuted at the conclusion of investigation.

  • Man arrested for alleged arson

    The police in Ondo State have arrested a man, Oladapo Alaba, for allegedly attempting to burn a popular supermarket, Ceci, in Akure, the state capital.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the suspect was apprehended about 3am last Friday by officers on patrol.

    It was gathered that Alaba was about pouring petrol on the building before he was apprehended.

    The police spokesman said Alaba was suspected to be among those yet to be arrested for burning public places in Akure.

    His words: “Our men, while on patrol at about 3am, saw the suspect in the premises of the supermarket.

    “Immediately, he saw our men he ran away and our men chased him until he was arrested.

    “We have begun investigation and in our preliminary report; we discovered that he wanted to set the supermarket on fire.

    “We are still interrogating the suspect to know his intentions.”

    The PPRO added that the suspect will be charged to court after the investigation.

  • ‘What we know about ‘arrested’ Borno council chair’

    The Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, which supervises chairmen of the 27 local government areas in Borno State, has described the arrest of the Chairman of Mafa council, Shettima Lawan Mafa, as a “a very worrisome twist”.

    Mafa was at the weekend arrested for his alleged connection with the Boko Haram insurgency.

    It noted that contrary to media reports, the chairman wasn’t arrested but reported himself to the military.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Usman Ali Zanna, however said the ministry neither questioned the judgment and authority of the military nor exonerated Mafa of any wrongdoing so as not to pre-empt the outcome of ongoing investigation.

    He said: “If not because of media reports on this matter, the ministry would not have said anything because the matter is being investigated. But this statement has become necessary in order to put some records straight.

    “First of all, contrary to reports, the chairman in question was not arrested but reported himself to the military command after he got information that he was needed by the military.

    “Secondly, contrary to reports that Mafa was arrested at the 1,000 housing estate on Maiduguri-Damaturu road, there was never any issue at the estate. Mafa lives at 505 housing estate located on Dikwa and Mafa road.

    “The chairman actually reported himself to the military last week and was detained pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

    “This development is a worrisome twist. It is a twist because, for years, Mafa has been known for his courage in joining hunters in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. His commitment in the fight against terrorism is known to army commanders who have served in Mafa in the last two years. The like of Major Manga can bear testimony to this and it is mainly due to his passion that he was reappointed caretaker Chairman of Mafa.

    “We assure citizens of the 27 council areas; other concerned Nigerians and the international community that we are usually very thorough in identifying those appointed, either as local government chairmen, ward councillors, traditional rulers, vigilantes and members of the Civilian JTF deployed in the 27 councils.

    “As can be confirmed by security agencies, we do not engage any youth as vigilance members or in the Civilian JTF, unless he or she is verified by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “We anxiously look forward to the outcome of the investigation while we shall abide by Governor Kashim Shettima’s stand that anyone found having any connection with insurgents is an enemy of Borno State and its people.”

  • Army chief: Boko Haram fighter arrested in Lagos

    Army chief: Boko Haram fighter arrested in Lagos

    Governors, IBB, Tinubu hail Buhari, troops

    Fed Govt urges vigilance

    Nigerians were told yesterday to be more vigilant after the arrest of a Boko Haram suspect in Ikorodu, Lagos.
    Boko Haram terrorists, who fled Sambisa Forest after it was captured at the weekend, are believed to be finding their way into communities.
    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who broke the news of the arrest during the reopening of two Borno State major roads, which were shut in 2013 because of the insurgency, did not give further details on the arrest.
    The Federal Government called for increased vigilance among Nigerians as Boko Haram escapees seek to integrate themselves into communities far and near.
    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, in a statement yesterday, congratulated “the gallant troops of the Nigerian military for finally seizing the Sambisa Forest from the Boko Haram terrorists,” and urged Nigerians “to continue to support the troops as they clear the remnants of the terrorists who are now on the run”.
    ‘’We urge Nigerians to keep our gallant and victorious troops in their prayers, and to also imbibe the mantra of ‘if you see something, say something’ as a way of ensuring that no escaped terrorist is able to wreak havoc in their communities. It is also important to know that now that they have been dispossessed of their fortress, the Boko Haram escapees will intensify their cowardly attacks on vulnerable targets if only to maintain an illusion of terror. But there should be no panic because the worst is over.’’
    Gen. Buratai urged troops to pursue fleeing Boko Haram terrorists and intercept them. He spoke before Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima cut the tape to re-open the two major roads – Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak and Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga.
    He told the troops: “You must maintain the momentum of the operation. We must pursue the terrorists wherever they are. We must not allow them to regroup.”
    He said in spite of the takeover of the terrorists’ last stronghold in the Sambisa forest as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, “we have no time to waste”.
    The chief of army staff described the seven-year fight against the Boko Haram terrorists as “quite sober and touchy”, saying that a number of officers and soldiers had died in the war.
    He prayed for the repose of their souls and vowed that the army would recommit itself to the fight until “remnants’’ of the terrorists are cleared.
    Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said the Northeast had been secured.
    He also said insurgency had brought untold hardship on the people of Borno and the entire Northeast.
    The information minister praised the military for the feat and hailed Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima for his unwavering support for the military and his administration’s determination to quickly restore normalcy in the state.
    The minister’s plan to lead reporters to join Minister of Defence Mansur Dan Ali, the Service Chiefs and Shettima at the opening of the two roads was thwarted by bad weather which prevented them from travelling to Maiduguri.
    ‘’Unfortunately, due to bad weather, our flight to Maiduguri from Abuja was cancelled after several hours of waiting at the airport. However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, accompanied by the top brass of the military, re-opened the two arterial roads. This is very significant because the two major roads, which were closed due to the activities of the terrorists in the area, are of strategic importance to the economy of the Lake Chad Region,’’ he said.
    Mohammed said overall, President Muhammadu Buhari provided the much-needed impetus for the military’s victory, and urged Nigerians to keep supporting the President in his untiring efforts to restore peace and security across the country and also revamp the economy.

  • Fake soldier arrested in Bauchi

    THE Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday fixed January 19, 2017 to hear an appeal filed by embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rickey Tarfa, challenging a Lagos High Court’s refusal to quash the bribery charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    EFCC arraigned Tarfa before Justice A. A. Akintoye on March 10, on the allegation, among others, that he offered N5.3million gratification to Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, to compromise the judge.

    It claimed that Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to Justice Nganjiwa between June 27, 2012 and December 23, 2014.

     

    But Tarfa, through his defence team comprising about 34 SANs, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    In her ruling, Justice Akintoye dismissed the application and held that the court had jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    Dissatisfied, Tarfa filed a Notice of Appeal and urged the appellate court to and set aside the judgment of the lower court.

    At the appellate court yesterday,  appellant’s lawyer,  Biodun Owonikoko (SAN), informed the court that record of appeal had been compiled and transmitted, adding that the appeal was ripe for hearing.

    EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said the commission had filed its briefs and was ready to argue the appeal.

    Consequently, the presiding Justice, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garuba, fixed January 19 for the hearing of the appeal.

     

     

     

     

  • Man arrested for ‘bestiality’in Ondo

    A middle-aged man, Mr. Afolabi Bamidele was, at the weekend, allegedly caught having sex with a goat at Irun-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State.

    It was learnt the goat died in the process.

    The victim was arrested by the police after one of his neighbours, who saw him in the bush, reported the matter.

    A resident, Badmus Akinoye, said Bamidele was caught by somebody who went into the bush to defecate.

    Akinoye said: “He picked the goat from a neighbour’s house and took it into the bush. He took his clothes off and started having sex with it.

    “When he finished, he brought out a handkerchief to clean up when he was caught by somebody who called on neighbours.”

    He said the suspect was about to be mobbed but was rescued by the police.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said: “The divisional police officer in Ikare Akoko has not briefed me about the incident, I will let you know when I’m briefed.”

  • 74-yr-old arrested for defiling two girls

    74-yr-old arrested for defiling two girls

    A septuagenarian, Godwin Agbada, has blamed the devil for the alleged defilement of two girls aged 12 and 14 years in his workshop.

    Agbada, who was paraded at the headquarters of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba, yesterday admitted to the offence, but denied having carnal knowledge of another victim, Ebele Olise.

    The 74-year-old suspect, who expressed regret over his action, added that both minors often came to his workshop to visit and that he frequently gave them money.

    He said he is married with five children.

    Asked if he could defend himself before his wife and children following his arrest, Agbada said: ‘Yes, I fit look my children for face. I noh shame, but I noh happy with wetin I do. Na devil make me do am.’

    The Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, who briefed reporters said: ‘‘On October 3, 2016, one Sunday Umukoro  reported at the police station in Ubiaruku that on observing the painful movement of his 12-year-old daughter, Blessing Umukoro, he inquired from her and discovered that on October 2, about 7:00 p.m., one Godwin Agbada, aged 74, and a bicycle repairer at No. 9, Morka Road, Ubiaruku, defiled the said Blessing Umukoro in his workshop at Old Ubiaruku/Sapele road, Ubiaruku by having unlawful carnal knowledge of her. The said Godwin has been arrested and medical report has confirmed the commission of the offence.

    “Investigation revealed that the victim was invited to the suspect’s workshop by one Ebele Olise, aged 14, where both were defiled by the suspect who, thereafter, gave them N200.00 each.”

  • EFCC operative arrested for collecting N15m bribe from lawmaker

    EFCC operative arrested for collecting N15m bribe from lawmaker

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arrested one of its operatives, Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue, for allegedly collecting a N15million bribe from a lawmaker to kill a case.

    The commission said the suspect might face trial after administrative action has been taken against him.

    The EFCC made the disclosures in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, against the backdrop of the ongoing cleansing of the anti-graft commission of bad eggs.

    The statement said: “In furtherance of its avowed commitment to upholding the integrity of its officers, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, September 15, 2016 arrested one of its operatives, Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and extortion.

    “Agbazue, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, DDS, was arrested following a complaint by a lawmaker currently under investigation by the commission, alleging that the operative collected N15million from him with a promise to give him soft landing by compromising the investigation.

    “According to the complainant, Agbazue allegedly approached him, claiming he had been mandated by the officer handling the case to discuss and reach an agreement on how to ‘kill the case’.

    “Following the approach, a sum of N15million was given to Agbazue whose game plan collapsed after the investigating officer, who was ignorant of his scheme, refused to do his bidding.

    “With the investigation gathering increased momentum after parting with the hefty sum, the complainant became uncomfortable and demanded a refund.

    “The complainant stated that when he requested for the refund of his money, Agbazue only returned N5million claiming that the balance of N10million had been given to someone ‘to kill the case from the top’.

    “The complainant also alleged that the operative collected N1million at a different time as assistance for settlement of his wife’s medical bill.

    “Agbazue’s action is in contravention of the commission’s mandate and ideals as the EFCC will not solicit or accept gratification from a suspect to compromise a case under investigation.

    “The suspect will be subjected to administrative action as precursor to possible prosecution at the end of the investigation.”