The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chike Oti

  • Alleged blasphemy: Security forces avert bloodbath at Law School

    But for the intervention of security operatives from the military, Department of State Services (DSS) and police, violence would have erupted at the Nigeria Law School in Lagos at the weekend over alleged blasphemy.

    It was gathered that tension erupted in the school on Saturday following an alleged social media post that Muslim students found offensive and derogatory.

    One Timothy Mmadu was said to have syndicated a WhatsApp post that painted Prophet Mohammed in bad light, which prompted Muslim students to threaten to lynch him.

    It was gathered that Mmadu had been contacted by security forces and he explained that he was not the originator of the alleged blasphemous post.

    “He said he was not the originator. That he merely posted to the group chat a message forwarded to him by one Takwat

    “We asked for her number in order to invite her too for questioning but her number was switched off. We are on the case and we will get to the bottom of the matter,” said a source.

    Although the content of the post was not disclosed, it was gathered that the school management sent distress calls to security agencies and operatives were deployed to the premises.

    Read Also: Law school graduates 1,562 students

    It was gathered that there was visible security presence at the school on Sunday and yesterday, to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    Despite the school’s mediation, the  school’s chapter of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) expressed displeasure that Mmadu was not dealt with on consonance with the rules.

    MSSN described the post as callous and blasphemous against the prophet, adding that it had no regards “to the sensibilities of the Muslim students.”

    Confirmimg the incident, police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said it had been brought under control.

    He said: “Everything is under control at the moment. The Bar Beach DPO went to the school and spoke to the authorities before addressing the Muslim and Christian communities.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal has directed that a manhunt be launched for the culprits behind the blasphemous publication. The CP also warned that no individual or group would be allowed to jeopardize the religious harmony in the state.”

  • Police arrest five PDP chieftains over killing of LG chairman

    The Lagos State Police Command, on Sunday said it has detained five PDP chieftains in the state for interrogation over the killing of one Mr Borishade Adeniyi, Chairman , PDP Apapa Chapter.

    The arrest was confirmed by the command’s spokesman, CSP Chike Oti in a statement, stressing that what was supposed to be a peaceful political meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members ended in unnecessary bloodletting.

    “In a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal, directed the Area Commander in-charge of Area ‘J’ Elemoro, to ensure the arrests of all those involved in the crime.

    “ Pursuant to the directive, five of the principal suspects were arrested; viz: Engr Kehinde Fasasi, chapter chairman, Eti-Osa LG, Mr Rotimi Kujore, PDP chapter chairman, Lagos Island LG, Alhaji Fatai Adele, PDP chapter chairman, Mushin LG, Mr Ismail Abiola, PDP chapter chairman, Amuwo Odofin LG and Dr Amos Alabi Fawole, PDP chapter chairman, Surulere LG,” he said.

    Oti said that the five suspects have been transferred to SCIID, Panti, for further investigation.

    He stated that the incident took place on Saturday, at about 6 p.m. during Lagos State PDP Visitation meeting at Igbosuku Village, Eti-Osa LGA, attended by Lagos State and Local Government PDP Chairmen.

    The image maker noted, however, that towards the end of the meeting, fracas broke out between contending factions of the party; one faction for the State Chairman, Mr Moshood Sabadon and the other for the Eti-Osa LG Chapter Chairman, Engr Kehinde Fasasi.

    Oti said during the fracas, the deceased, recognised also as the doyen of PDP LG Chapter Chairmen in Lagos State, was allegedly shot and injured on the leg.

    “He was rushed to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, where he was treated but eventually died. Corpse of the deceased is deposited in the hospital mortuary.

    “ Two other persons allegedly injured during the clash, are also receiving treatment in a hospital in Ajah,” he said

    The spokesman said CP Edgal was worried about the use of firearms and the frequency of violence involving the PDP in the state, warning that no political party will be allowed to truncate the peace in the state.

    “He, therefore, calls on all political parties in Lagos to disarm their members as nobody without necessary authorisation is permitted to bear firearms. He said that henceforth, political party leaders will be liable,”Oti quoted the CP as saying.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalled that on July 12, 2018, two suspected party thugs, Wale Oye, 37 and Ganiyu Ajiboluwa, 47, were arrested at Festac Extension by Apple Junction, Amuwo Odofin.

    They were arrested with two pump action rifles they claimed were given to them by one Mr Dipo Olorunrinu, a member of PDP in Lagos State House of Assembly, to escort him to a political rally.

    He said the state lawmaker was arrested and the two suspects, are all helping the police in the investigation of the case.

  • One killed in Lagos cult clash

    A deadly clash by two rival cult groups has resulted to the death of an unidentified man at Alapere in Ketu, near Lagos.

    The incident took place at Modupe Street, off Kazeem Street in Alapere late on June 17.

    A resident of the area, who claimed to have witnessed the fight told our reporters that the cultists came from a nearby street, describing the area as a hotbed of cultist activities.

    The Alapere cult war has been on for more than three years, resulting to the death of no fewer than eight people within the period.

    The source, who pleaded not to be identified, named the rival cults as members of Eiye and Aye confraternity.

    “These cultists are always at war with each other, shooting guns at night all the time.

    Read Also: Lagos workers to get gratuity three months after retirement

    “Kazeem, Aminu and Akampson Streets near the transformer at Alapere are notorious for cult activities,” the source said.

    The spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, Mr Chike Oti, confirmed the development, saying that the dead man was stabbed to death.

    Oti said that the identity of the dead man was not yet known.

    He said, however, that the body had been removed by policemen from the Alapere Division and deposited at a mortuary.

    The spokesman said that no arrest had been made on the development.

    NAN

  • RRS forces robbers to abandon bus, gun, flee into bush

    The operatives of Rapid Response Squad ( RRS ) of the Lagos State Police Command  on Thursday forced four armed robbers to abandon a hijacked danfo commercial bus, a gun and six passengers whom they had held hostage while in transit.

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal disclosed this today at the Command’s headquarter while parading some suspected criminals the police arrested.

    The four robbers who boarded the bus heading to LASU – Iba route from Iyana Ipaja hijacked the bus from the driver immediately one of the passengers alighted at Diamond Estate, Isheri, Lagos.

    According to the driver of the bus, Sherrif Dada, “at around 11:00 p.m on Thursday, after returning from a chartered trip to Sango, my conductor and I went straight to our usual route at Egbeda to make some more money before the closing for the day. We saw lots of passengers at Egbeda Bus Stop who were heading to Igando.

    We picked the passengers and we dropped the first passenger at Diamond Estate Bus Stop. Just after leaving the Bus Stop, one of the passengers, four guys in their 20s brought out a gun and told me to stop”.

    “Just after pinning the gun to my head, the other robbers began to ransack the  passengers particularly, a lady suspected to be carrying a handbag and her Infinix Note 4 android phone. The robbers began to scuffle with the lady to dispossess her of her belonging but the lady refused to surrender her bag to the gun wielding bandits.

    It wasn’t quite long my conductor escaped that they threw me down on motion after sighting an RRS patrol vehicle chasing them. They felt I was not fast enough”, he stated.

    According to the conductor, Hakeem Hassan, “I was also  held down at gun point after attempting to jump down from the moving bus to stop me from raising alarm.

    Unfortunately for them for them I managed to escape from the bus after the driver slowed down. I ran for my dear life. They threatened to shoot me but I defied all their threat to stop me from calling attention of those around the area”.

    He stated further, “immediately I manage to jump from the bus, I ran backward screaming for help and also hearing the robber telling me to stop that he was going to shoot me but I continued running until I ran into a filling station.

    It wasn’t quite long I had been screaming for help when I saw an RRS patrol vehicle speeding towards me. I guessed other road users who saw me had told them”.

    “The chase by the police vehicle unsettled the four robbers. They instantly stopped collecting our valuables and were thinking of how to escape. As soon as we left Igando General Hospital, they drove the danfo into a bush and escaped leaving behind their only gun and mobile phone they took from one of the passengers”, one of the commuters stated.

    Recovered from the bus were a locally made gun and an Android mobile phone, which they collected from one of the passengers.

    Both the danfo bus and the mobile phone were handed over to their owners at the RRS Headquaters in Alausa.

    Commenting on the development, the Police PRO, SP Chike Oti said “Lagos is not a safe zone for any criminal to operate, if they risk it, we will get them”.

  • Breaking: Police to arraign Danish for wife’s, daughter’s murder

    The Danish national, Peter Nielson, 53, alleged to have killed his wife, Zainab and daughter, Petral, would be arraigned in court this afternoon.

    Neilson, the police said, would be charged on two-counts of murder punishable under the Criminals Laws of Lagos, 2015.

    The suspect was alleged to her murdered his wife and child at the wee hours of last Thursday in their Banana Island, Ikoyi residence.

    According to findings from crime scene detectives, the suspect killed them inside their bedroom and dragged their bodies to the kitchen.

    A statement from the command’s spokesman, Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police (SP) indicated that Nielson would be arraigned before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court.

    He said: “The Lagos State Police Command hereby notifies the public that it had decided to take Mr. Peter Nielson, the Danish man alleged to have murdered his wife Mrs. Zainab Nielson and daughter, Petral Nielson to court for two counts of murder.

    “The Commissioner of Police (Imohimi Edgal) has directed that the case be charged to court based on the findings of the crime scene detectives sent to the apartment of the Nielsons after the alleged  murder was committed, preliminary autopsy report and the result of DNA analysis carried out by forensic experts.

    “He would be taken to the Yaba Magistrate Court today April 11, where the case would be mentioned and his trial for the offence of murder begin.

    “Meanwhile, a duplicate copy of the murder casefile has been sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), for legal advice.”

  • Police arrest two suspected cultists in Lagos

    The police in Lagos State, on Friday, said they had arrested two suspected cultists, simply identified as Kanmi, ( also known as Father) and Alami Samuel.

    The spokesman of the command, SP Chike Oti confirmed the arrest to newsmen, stressing that they were nabbed on Thursday while trying to attack a rival gang member at Illasamaja area of Lagos.

    Oti said the first suspect was arrested based on credible intelligence report as he had been on a wanted list for long over many violent crimes, including cultism.
    He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgar, directed the Divisional Police Officer of Ilasamaja to bring to an end the reign of Kanmi the Father who had terrorised the Community for long.

    “His activities had become worse since he came back from the prison. At exactly 5:p.m. on Thursday, Kanmi arrived the community with his gang unknown to him that his rank had been infiltrated by the underground operatives of the Command.

    “The DPO and his team who were on standby for him and his gang, sighted the suspect at Hassan Street, Ilasamaja with two others of his criminal associates in a fight with a young man suspected to be a member of a rival confraternity.

    “He had lifted his machete to cut his rival before he was challenged by the police team.

    “He immediately took to his heels and was pursued and arrested by the police.

    “He was frisked and a locally made pistol loaded with two cartridges was recovered from him.

    “Also arrested was one Alami Samuel, 22, years an associate of Kanmi the Father,”Oti said.

    The spokesman warned all those who belonged to these clandestine societies to renounce their membership or be arrested and dealt with according to the law.

    NAN

  • Lagos CP probes killing of 16 years old boy during protest

    Lagos State Police  Commissioner Edgal Imohimi  has ordered investigation into the alleged killing of a 16-year-old boy, Emmanuel Chukwu, by the police.

    Chukwu allegedly died from gunshot wounds on March 11 when policemen from Ijora Badia Division were dispersing  protesters to prevent a mob from lynching a suspected female kidnapper.

    Police spokesman in Lagos, SP Chike Oti, said that the Command had ordered an  immediate investigation to clear the air on the issue.

    Oti said: “On the 11th of March, 2018, a distress call was received that a suspected kidnapper was about being lynched by irate mob at Afolabi Street, Ijora-Badia.

    “The police mobilised some patrol teams to rescue the woman under attack. On getting to the scene, the police team discovered that the woman had been stripped, she was helpless and at the verge of imminent death.

    “The team braved the odds and rescued the woman from the jaws of death.

    “The mob comprising youths, cult boys and other miscreants who were armed with dangerous weapons stormed the police station and attempted to whisk away the woman who was already in police protective custody.

    “They fired sporadically into the police station, throwing stones, petrol bombs and other missiles to overawe the police and forcefully take away the woman whom they accused of kidnapping a yet to be identified person and dispense jungle judgement on her even when the accusation against her had not been established”.

    According to Oti, the Police resisted the attempt by the mob to raze the police station, take the woman by force and cart away firearms and ammunition by using the tear gas.

    He said that the efforts to repel the surging youth brigands by shooting of tear gas into the air did not have any effect.

    “At this point, the DPO and his men were constrained to use their firearms as a matter of last resort and in line with Force Order 237.

    “In the ensuing melee, eight of the hoodlums were arrested while others escaped. One locally made pistol with one unexpended and some expended cartridges, cutlasses, 15 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, dagger, charms and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects.

    “Furthermore, during the mop up of the area, one of the hoodlums who wore a red shirt with an inscription “Emma bullet”, later identified as Emmanuel Chukwu ‘m’, found with gunshot injury which he sustained during the fracas, was rushed to the Mainland General Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

    “The corpse was thereafter deposited at the hospital’s Morgue for preservation and autopsy.

    “Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State has ordered the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department to carry out a full scale investigation into the matter and come up with a detailed report .” the statement read.

  • Missing Osun student not with us – Police

    Missing Osun student not with us – Police

    The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday denied allegations that a missing Osun State University Student, Yemi Olaniyan was last heard from while he was at Ojodu Division.

    A viral social media message had alleged that Olaniyan, a final year Accounting student, went to the police division on the night of Tuesday, February 28.

    He was said to have been a first timer in Lagos and had come to submit some documents for his Industrial Training (IT) at one of the offices of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

    Olaniyan, according to the report, finished late and went to Ojodu Police Station, explained his predicaments and told the cops on duty he wanted to spend the night there, so that he could travel back early the following day.

    “The policemen attended to him and requested for his name, his ID card and some other documents to make him identifiable, which he presented.

    Read Also: Osun guber: Group makes case for credible successor

    “He afterwards called one of his colleagues in school, to inform him that he would be staying overnight at the police station at Ojodu. Nigerians, that was the last time we heard from Olaniyan Yemi,” the report stated.

    Continuing, the writer said they went to Ojodu Berger police station two days later and the policemen denied they saw Olaniyan.

    Reacting to the report, spokesman for the Police Command, Chike Oti, a Superintendent (SP) advised relatives of the victims to go and report the case at the nearest station for investigation.

    Oti said: “The Lagos State Police Command hereby states categorically that Olaniyan Yemi was never a guest at Ojodu Police Station as alleged. There is no record to show that he was at any police station in Lagos either as a visitor or a detainee. Besides, no police station in Lagos operates as a guest house. It is not allowed.

    “Going forward, the command wishes to advise the concerned family to report a case of missing person to the police so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated. For instance the detectives would want to know which of the ICAN offices in Lagos the missing person went for the submission of his document because there is no ICAN office close to Ojodu Police Station.

    “Secondly, it was stated in the write up that the missing student is a first time visitor to Lagos. The detectives would like to know if arrangement was made for him to contact anybody on arrival. Please hurry up and report this matter to the police because time is of essence.”

     

  • One dead as cultists attack LASPOTECH Ikorodu campus

    One dead as cultists attack LASPOTECH Ikorodu campus

    One person was killed while several others were wounded on Tuesday following a bloody attack on Ikorodu Campus of the Lagos State Polytechnic ( LASPOTECH ) by suspected cultists.

    The deceased, identified as Ahmed Amao, was a former LASPOTECH student who had been expelled from the institution.

    We gather that the groups of hoodlums invaded the Ikorodu campus from different directions on Tuesdacy evening, chasing the students around the polytechnic with guns, machettes and knives.

    LASPOTECH spokesman, Olanrewaju Kuye, told our reporter that the terrified students alerted the institution’s security personnel on sighting the hoodlums, comprising some former students of the polytechnic.

    “So, we had to chase them out the campus via the polytechnic’s first gate; but when we got there, we discovered another set (hoodlums) approaching from the adjourning village to attack our students.

    “Upon sighting our security men the gang began to shoot at will and our security men had no choice but to retaliate.

    “Unfortunately, we hit one of the hoodlums, Ahmed Amao, a former student who had been expelled for examination malpractice. We learnt he died on Wednesday,’’ Kuye said.

    He added that but for the prompt response of the institution’s security personnel, many students could have lost their lives in the attack.

    Kuye assured parents of the safety of their wards following the attack on the campus by suspected cultists, saying “this will never be allowed to happen again.

    “They should go on with their normal duties because nothing untoward will happen to them.

    “Our security men now wield firearms too and our students have our phone numbers for prompt response. We will not take chances,’’ said the LASPOTECH spokesman.

    Confirming the incident, Chike Oti, Spokesman, Lagos State Police Command, said that the attackers were on revenge mission following an attack on one of their members.

    Oti said two suspects were arrested with a locally made pistol following the incident.

    There was heavy presence of gun-wielding security personnel comprising the police, Oyabo (local vigilante) and private guards when our correspondent visited LASPOTECH Ikorodu Campus on Wednesday.

    Calm is gradually returning to the institution as students and other members of the polytechnic community were seen going about their normal activities on Wednesday.

    NAN

  • Golden Stardom honours Nigerian Police

    Golden Stardom honours Nigerian Police

    As part of measures towards ensuring that the hope of Nigerians is always kindled, Golden Stardom, recently launched its Hope for Nigeria project with a major focus on our economy. 

    According to the founder of Golden Stardom, Noble Eze Oluchukwu, as a nation, we must increase our value for life, celebrate creativity not mediocrity, and constantly invest in human capital through golden ideas. 

    “That was why we came up with the ‘Nigeria’s Golden Orator Project’. The aim is to restore Hope for Nigeria. The impact project had three stages including: ‘Presentation of Hope for Nigeria’, ‘Movement of Hope for Nigeria’ as well as the ‘Awards of Hope for Nigeria’,” he said.

    According to him, during the ‘Presentation of Hope for Nigeria’, twenty consultants from various sectors were presented as Golden speakers of Hope For Nigeria. They were saddled with the responsibility to Polish, Mentor, Endorse and Power golden ideas of intellectual Nigerians, within the space of one year of their humanitarian service.

    The speakers are; Mr Amson Adeleke (Educational Sector), Mr Oladele Agbabiyi (Automobile Sector), Mr Lucky Amiwero (Maritime Sector), Mr Soyinka Sonuga (Manufacturing Sector), Prince Godswill Edwards(Aviation Sector), Amb. Chris Odey (Telecommunications Sector), Mr Wale Samson (Entertainment Sector), Mr Colins Nwosu (Store & Retail Sector), Mr Opeseitan Idowu (Banking & Finance Sector), Ms Victoria Mamza (Mining & Agricultural Sector), Mr Alfred Ogar (Mobile & ICT Sector), Mr Fregene A. Daniel (Oil & Gas Sector), Mr Gbenga Onitilo (Tourism & Hospitality Sector), Dr Ademola Ayodele (Health & Pharmaceutical Sector), Mr Babs Fagade (Media & Advertising Sector), Amb. Jonathan Daniel (Real Estate & Surveyor Sector), Mr Sam Sodje (Sports & Games Sector), Mr Jaiye Owolabi (Fashion & Style Sector), Ms Emmanuel Winifred (Food & Beverages Sector), Ed Ugochukwu Onuoka Esq (Law Enforcement & Defence Sector).

    He further stated that the Movement of Hope For Nigeria, Nigeria’s Golden Independence Cup and Exhibition was staged to drive the movement of hope. Eight Multinational brands in Nigeria were nominated as brands of hope, representing various sectors in Nigeria. Among them were Firsrst Bank (Banking Sector), Numatville (Real Estate Sector), Tecno Mobile (Mobile & ICT Sector), Sahara Group (Oil & Gas Sector), Dangote Group and others.

    “During this movement, The Nigeria Police and Numatville Played at the football finals, staged at Agege Stadium, Lagos State. 

    The Awards for Hope als saw The Nigeria Police being awarded as the Brand of Hope For Nigeria 2017 affirming the commission as first amongst equal. 

    DCP Ayuba Elkanah alongside SP Chike Oti and ASP Folarin Olabode received the award on behalf of the Police Force. The award was presented at the Lagos State Police Command last December, by Noble Eze Oluchukwu.