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Tag: arrests

  • Cannabis: NDLEA arrests two barons, driver in Edo

    Cannabis: NDLEA arrests two barons, driver in Edo

    The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two suspected cannabis barons with a remarkable seizure of eighteen thousand, two hundred and ninety-four (18,294kg) which is 18.2 metric tons of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.

    The estimated street value of the seized drug is over one hundred and eighty-three (183) million naira.

    A Bauchi-based suspected cannabis baron, Mohammed Lawal Bello Mustapha, was apprehended at Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, where he was facilitating the shipment of 7,272kg of cannabis to Bauchi, while 3,072kg of cannabis was traced to the warehouse of another suspected baron, Lucky Akele at Uzebba.

    About 7,950kg of cannabis with a few bags of cement as a disguise inside a  truck was intercepted at Enweh. The shipment was destined for Maiduguri, Borno State. The truck driver is Zegiru Amadu.

    Edo State commander, Wakawa Buba, said that the 18,294kg of cannabis was seized in three operations.

    “Two of the seizures took place at Uzebba, while one was at Enweh, all in the Owan West Local Government Area.  All the cases are under investigation and the suspects will soon be charged to court for unlawful possession and dealing in cannabis. They risk a minimum of 15-year sentence if found guilty,” Wakawa stated.

    The driver, in his statement, said he was given one million, three hundred thousand naira to transport the drug to Maiduguri, Bornu State.

    “I am a driver with a cement company. It was greed that pushed me to carry the cannabis. They paid me N1,300,000 to carry the drug. It was because of poverty, but l would not do it again if released” Zegiru Amadu stated.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd), while commending the officers who made the arrests, described the seizure as a panacea for peace and positive step towards eradicating drugs from circulation.

    “The NDLEA will continue to work assiduously by consolidating on the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency. Over 15 tons of cannabis would have been taken to the north east if not for the timely interception.

    “Several crimes are perpetrated under the influence of drugs like cannabis and the agency will not rest until the problems of cannabis cultivation, trafficking and use are drastically reduced,” Abdallah said.

    The agency, according to the NDLEA boss, has declared a total war against cannabis cultivation and promised to deploy adequate resources towards a successful eradication campaign.

  • Boko Haram, others: DSS arrests suspects in Ekiti, Bauchi

    Boko Haram, others: DSS arrests suspects in Ekiti, Bauchi

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) has dismantled Boko Haram’s aggressive fundraising operations to finance its plans through kidnapping, armed robbery and gun-running.

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the DSS said it was questioning two suspects, Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu, who were arrested on March 13, at Nasarawa town in Kaduna State for alleged involvement in the kidnap of two Germans – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger – at Pahkogo village in Kaduna State on February 22.

    According to the DSS, about 32 suspected members of Boko Haram, kidnapping and other criminal gangs were arrested in operations conducted in Ekiti, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi states between February and March.

    The statement said: “Determined to sustain the prevailing peace and stamp out all cases of kidnapping in various states where it is taking root, the Service staged vigorous operations, which recorded successes.

    “The duo of Ibrahim Sule and Bello Shehu were arrested on March 13, 2017 at Nasarawa town, Nasarawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State for their suspected involvement in the kidnap of two German nationals – Dr. Peter Breuning and Johannes Brehinger – on February 22, 2017 at Pahkogo, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.

    “On March 20, 2017, a suspected Boko Haram kingpin, Adenoyi Abdulsalam, was arrested in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State by a Joint Military/DSS operation team and an Ak-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect, who is presently undergoing investigation; Abdulsalam was in the final stages of kidnapping some high level targets in Ekiti, not only to raise funds but to terrorise communities in the State.

    “Prior to this arrest, several other Boko Haram suspects had been apprehended in various parts of Northern Nigeria, especially in  Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi.

    “Typical cases of arrest include that of 29-year-old Boko Haram member, Usman Ladan Rawa (a.k.a Mr. X) on March 17, 2017 at Lafia, Nasarawa State. He was discovered to have rented accommodation at Lafia for Abdullahi Isa, known for his notorious terrorist actions and his plan was to establish an effective base to conduct terrorism, kidnapping and robbery operations in Abuja, Minna, and other adjoining states.

    “On March 15, 2017, Nasiru Sani (a.k.a Osama) was arrested at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi. He is a Boko Haram top commander, and discovered to have escaped from Bauchi Central Prison in October 2010 and hid in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “Similarly, on the same March 13, 2017, at Jeka-da-Fari Market, Gombe State, Adamu Jibrin was arrested. He operated under the pseudo name of Dantata Sule and served as a middleman for Boko Haram members and their commanders, especially the one simply identified as Kanumbu.”

    According to the DSS, Adamu Jibrin along with Abdulazeez Umaru, who was arrested in Ngalda Town in Fika LGA, Yobe State on March 1 and Nuhu Usman, alias Okadigbo, who was arrested in Nagazi area in Adavi LGA, Kogi State on March 2, have allegedly confessed membership of the Boko Haram sect.

    On February 2, 2017, one Suleiman Yahaya, who had been on the wanted list of security agencies was arrested during a raid in Potiskum LGA, Yobe State, for his role in several terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

  • Task force arrests 67 miscreants

    The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) have arrested 67 miscreants and impounded 75 motorcycles.

    A statement from its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Taofiq Adebayo quoted the Chairman of the agency, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) as saying that it is battle ready to put an end to all environmental nuisances across the state.

    Egbeyemi said the impounded 75 motorcyclists were plying restricted routes around Oshodi.

    The 67 arrested miscreants, he said, were pick pockets and hoodlums caught smoking Indian helm along rail-way line under Oshodi bridge.

    He enjoined traders to stop selling or displaying wares on road, walkways and setbacks.

    Egbeyemi warned traders along Oshodi to Cappa to immediately move their wares off the road.

    He said the agency with the operatives of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) is ready to commence general enforcement of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws within Oshodi and its environs from today.

  • N310m robbery: DSS arrests operatives

    N310m robbery: DSS arrests operatives

    •Army detains officer for alleged role
    •N66.4 million, $6,200 recovered

    THE Department of State Services (DSS) has announced the arrest of two of its five operatives over alleged involvement in robbery and sharing of N310 million belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja.

    In a statement issued by Tony Opuiyo yesterday, the intelligence-gathering organisation said military authorities have also arrested one Captain Hussein Ishaku Mshelia for allegedly leading four other military personnel to participate in the crime.

    DSS said it was conducting further investigation with military authorities to apprehend the three operatives and four military personnel still at large.

    The statement reads: “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the general public that the service has arrested two out of five of its staff involved in the robbery and sharing, on November 20, of N310 million belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja.

    “While three of the DSS staff are now at large, the military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in the crime.

    “Preliminary investigations have revealed that Abdulrasheed Ahmadu Maigari of the DSS conspired with four other colleagues of his namely: Solomon Inusa, Peter Okoye, Patrick Ishaya and George Mwatapwa Ibbi, to carry out this reprehensible act.

    “The five military personnel were led by one Capt. Hussein Ishaku Mshelia.

    “Meanwhile, the service has arrested Maigari and Ibbi; and Mshelia was equally arrested by the Army authorities.

    “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those still at large. A total of N66,437,445.00 and $6,200 have so far been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amounts.”

    The statement added that both the DSS and military authorities were collaborating under the inter-agency cooperation principles outlined few years ago and that they required inputs from the public to succeed.

  • Navy arrests vessel with 400-tanker load of stolen crude in Warri

    In what it described as one of its biggest breaks in its fight against oil theft, the Nigerian Navy has arrested a motor transport vessel (MTV) laden with about 4,000 metric tons of substances suspected to be stolen crude oil.

    While parading the massive marine vehicle, measuring about 105.6 metres in length, and the eleven crew members yesterday in Warri, the Flag Officer Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman and the Command of the NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, said the Navy will not stop in its campaign against maritime crimes until the criminals are all routed.

    Addressing journalists aboard the arrested vessel, named MT Camille, Rear Admiral Suleiman expressed  concern over the quantity of Nigeria’s crude already siphoned by the vessel, putting the estimation at about 400 trailer tanker loads of crude.

    The officers of the Nigerian Navy, who took turns to speak, said the Central Naval Command of the Navy, through its outpost in Warri, had already commenced its preliminary Investigations into the matter, assuring that it would get to the root of the crime.

    The officers also added that the Navy would not stop at the arrest of the vessel and the crew, but would work to uncover the godfathers behind the MT Camille case and ensure they are exposed.

    “In line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff that all choke points, entering into the sea must be manned and that all seaways must be regularly patrolled, in order to curb the activities of illegal businesses and crude oil theft, the headquarters, Central Naval Command assembled all assets to achieve the zero to crude oil theft.

    “It was during a patrol by a ship from the Central Naval Command that MT Camille was intercepted and arrested around Forcados waters. As at the time of arrest, this vessel, measuring about 106 meters long, was laden with 4000 metric tons of products suspected to be stolen crude.

    “Accordingly, signals have been sent to the naval headquarters for directives, preliminary Investigations are on. NNPC, DPR and Shell, which has the loading terminal at Forcados Terminal, have also been intimated of this development.

    “Eleven crew members, including their captain, were arrested and they are all in our custody for the preliminary Investigation before the final directive will come from the headquarters on what to do with the vessel and the crew. The crew members are all Nigerians.

    “We are still interrogating them and there are some things we might not be able to disclose to you now. Definitely, like I told you the last time, that the Navy is not just after vessels and the foot soldiers, all efforts are on to get those behind this.

    “From some of the statements from the crew, we discovered that this vessel has been in our waters for at least three times. Even those some of the crew members, especially the captain, is coming for the first time. Meaning that this vessel has been stealing Nigeria’s crude, and this arrest has finally put an end to the activities of this vessel and those behind it,” the naval chief said.

    However, responding to questions by newsmen on their role in the activities of the vessel, the arrested crew members from MT Camille claimed the vessel was hijacked by an armed group of four, who they said held them hostage and led them to where the crude was siphoned.

    “We left from Ghana and we were going to Cameroun. We didn’t have bunker and food and the vessel was leaking very seriously. So, our boss told us to go towards Forcados, where we would meet someone who would give us food and bunker. It was around where we were supposed to meet the person that those people took over the vessel and said they needed to use it at night. We had to wait till about 8:00pm when we went to where they got the crude,” the suspects claimed.

  • Mali arrests two suspects linked to Bamako hotel attack

    Mali authorities have arrested two men suspected of links to last week’s  attack on a luxury hotel in the capital that killed 20 people, the security ministry said.

    “There are two suspects arrested,” Amadou Sangho, a spokesman for the ministry said without naming them.

    Another source close to the investigation said the suspects had been brought in for interrogation, based on information found in one of the attacker’s mobile phones.

    One of them had been regularly in touch with one of the gunmen since August, while another sent telephone credit to an attacker, he said.

    “It’s only after questioning that we will find out if the second suspect sells phone credit or is an accomplice,” said the source, requesting anonymity.

    Two armed men launched a dawn raid on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako on November 20, killing six Russians, three Chinese and an American among others.

    The siege ended hours later when Malian commandos stormed the hotel and freed 170 hostages after killing two attackers.

    Three radical extremist groups – al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQMI), its splinter group al Mourabitoun and Massina Liberation Front (MLF) claimed responsibility.

    Security analysts say they could be collaborating.

  • Navy arrests 1,500 ‘illegal’ vessels

    The Eastern Naval Command of the Navy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, yesterday said it arrested 1,500 ships, fishing trawlers and boats allegedly operating illegally on its maritime area from January till date.

    The command’s Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, spoke at the opening of a three-day sea drill, tagged: Operation Mamaki.

    The operation included gun exercise, communication pattern, interrogation of vessels and helicopter operation.

    Abdulkadir said the arrests were made at Naval bases in Ikot-Abasi, Oron, Ibaka, Bonny, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

    The FOC said the “illegal” ships, fishing trawlers and boats were arrested by Naval operatives for failing to present valid maritime papers while others were held for alleged oil theft.

    Abdulkadir said: “In specific terms, since this year, we have arrested and destroyed in the creeks and outside over 1,500 illegal boats and ships conducting illegal activities in term of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.

    “We have handed over a couple of them to the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). In a short while, I can assure you that you will see a number of them being prosecuted.

    “The Nigerian Navy would continue to maintain its presence at sea to ensure that crude oil theft and other illegal maritime activities are brought to an end.

    “Six navy ships and helicopter participated in this exercise and during our patrol we interrogated over 50 ships on the high sea.

    “We searched them thoroughly and found out that were operating legally.”

    The FOC noted that the operation was meant to strengthen Naval personnel, reduce illegal oil bunkering and protect the nation’s mineral and natural resources.

    He added: “We are on the high seas regularly. We try to patrol our area of operation to ensure that no illegal activities are carried out on our waterways.

    “Crude oil theft on the sea is drastically reducing. We will continue to police our maritime domain in order to keep it safe for legal maritime operators.

    The operation was conducted within the Eastern Naval Command maritime area – from Calabar and Bonny fairway – up to the Brass terminal.”

     

  • EFCC arrests two top bankers over fresh N2.8bn pension fraud

    EFCC arrests two top bankers over fresh N2.8bn pension fraud

    •Cash traced to five accounts in Fidelity Bank, UAE 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two top bankers over another round of N2.8 billion pension fraud.

    Those arrested are said to be staff of a second generation bank in the Abuja Central Business District.

    The pension cash, which was lodged in five accounts in the bank was also traced to the United Arab Emirates.

    It was learnt that the EFCC was probing the alleged “collaboration” between the two suspects and a former chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Maina could not be located since the EFCC filed charges against him for allegedly being unable to account for billions of naira alongside a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Steve Oronsaye, for a phony biometric exercise..

    Findings made by our correspondent revealed that the two bankers were arrested on October 22 following what a source described as “fresh evidence that they are managing proxy accounts for Maina.”

    A document on the preliminary investigation by the EFCC reads in part: “The accounts, which have over time witnessed massive inflow of slush funds, include two corporate and three individual accounts.

    “The first individual account opened in the name of Abdullahi Faizer had a turnover of N1.5 billion while the other operated in the name of Nafisatu Aliyu recorded a turnover of over N100 million

  • RRS arrests 45 hoodlums

    RRS arrests 45 hoodlums

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives have arrested more than 45 hoodlums at some black spots in the city.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the arrests followed raids on criminals’ hideouts. He said the onslaught on criminals would continue to secured the environment for prospective investors and protect lives and properties of the residents.

    Disu said the suspects were arrested in Oshodi, Jibowu, Victoria Island, Mile 2, Ajegunle, Ijora and Law school under Bridge.

    “The arrest will be continuous as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is determined to rid the state of criminals and create an enabling environment for peaceful co-existence among residents and business owners,” he said.

    He assured that the increasing rate of armed robbery and criminal attacks in the state would soon be a thing of the past.

  • Alleged N108.1b fraud: EFCC arrests ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio

    Alleged N108.1b fraud: EFCC arrests ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested former Akwa Ibom State governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over alleged N108.1 billion fraud.

    The ex-governor, now a senator, was also accused of mismanaging the state’s funds, and plunging it into huge debt.

    About N18 billion of the said sum was allegedly lavished on special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items.

    The ex-governor was also said to be under probe for allegedly acquiring five choice buildings in Abuja and Lagos.

    But Akpabio last night denied being arrested by EFCC.

    He said he went to the anti-graft agency on his own volition to respond to a petition that was filed against him.

    According to investigation, Akpabio was picked up in Abuja after a two-week surveillance had been carried out on him.

    A top source in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have picked up the ex-governor based on some petitions against him. One of the petitioners alleged mismanagement of about N108.1 billion. Others have visited the EFCC to adopt their petitions and show that they are not anonymous.

    “Akpabio has been under investigation for some time. At a point, he got intelligence report that we were after him, and he has a peculiar security ring around him.

    “But we have got to a convenient bend to arrest him for interrogation on some of the allegations already isolated for him.

    “Akpabio is already in custody where our operatives are interacting with him. This is just the first leg of his grilling by the commission.”

    It was not immediately clear if Akpabio would be granted bail last night.

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The EFCC had interacted with some of the petitioners. Fairness demands that Akpabio should be invited.

    In a June 22, 2015 petition to EFCC, an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong had accused Akpabio of sheer waste in office.

    The petition alleged that between January and December 2014, the trio of Godswill Akpabio, an ex-aide of his and another associate made illegal but substantial withdrawals of cash from a designated state government-owned account with Zenith Bank with account number 101037588, amounting to N22.1 billion.

    “It is worthy of note that reasons for such ungodly cash withdrawals against financial regulations and due process laws range between sundry use and unjustifiable expenditures by Godswill Akpabio and his numerous surrogates and proxies.

    “For example, a whopping N18 billion was withdrawn fraudulently from the state FAAC account with the United Bank for Africa in tranches of N10 million and above by the associate in a surreptitious manner to conceal their dishonest intention.”

    “The cumulative aggregate of the monies stolen by Godswill Akpabio from the coffers of government as pocket money is the annual budget of some states in Nigeria put together.”

    At press time, it was gathered that about five choice mansions have been put under searchlight by EFCC.

    The top EFCC source added: “The allegation we have is that these mansions were bought by Akpabio through some fronts.

    “This allegation is being looked into. If it is true, we may invoke temporary assets forfeiture clause in the EFCC Act.

    “But we have to give Akpabio the benefit of the doubt to react to all these allegations against him. They might be true or false.”

    Some of the choice properties, allegedly traced to Akpabio’s fronts and under probe are a mighty building at Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; a mansionette at Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja; a choice property at Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; another mansionette at Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos and a 25-storey building on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In a swift reaction, Akpabio’s media aide, Mr. Jackson Udom, denied the arrest of his principal.

    Although the statement said Akpabio only visited the EFCC, it was silent on whether Akpabio was being detained or had been released.

    It confirmed that Akpabio went to EFCC voluntarily based on the petition by the Abuja-based lawyer-activist.

    Udom said Senator Akpabio went to the EFCC yesterday evening on his own volition, based on some spurious allegation by one Leo Ekpenyong to the EFCC.

    He said: “This evening, Senator Akpabio left his Abuja residence to honour an invitation by the EFCC.

    “So the issue of being arrested is certainly out of it. Media practitioners should be able to differentiate between an arrest and an invitation so that the reading public would not be misled.”