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Tag: Five held

  • Five held over Badeh’s murder

    The police are holding five suspects  for their alleged involvement in the killing of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.

    They, however, declined yesterday to reveal the identities of the suspects. According to them, two of the suspects “actively” participated in the killing of the former Defence chief penultimate week.

    The remaining three suspects played other roles that led to Badeh’s murder, the police explained.

    But the suspects were not paraded as scheduled by the Police, who claimed that their decision was to prevent other members of the gang from escaping.

    Force spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) made the disclosures at a briefing in Abuja.

    Moshood explained that the postponement of the parade would help the investigators to arrest fleeing members of the gang.

    He said: “The suspects arrested actively participated in the killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh. On the directive of the IGP, the Police Joint Investigation Team set up by the IGP was mandated within the shortest possible time to arrest all those responsible for the killing of CDS Badeh on the 18th of December, 2018 in Nasarawa State.

    Read also: Badeh: Police postpone presentation of suspects

    “Two principal suspects who participated in the killing of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and three other suspects connected to the crime carried out on the 18th of December, 2018 have been arrested by the Intelligence Response Team of the IGP and the Special Tactical Squad.

    “The suspects are currently in Police custody and undergoing investigation. The public should also know that the investigation into the killing is being intensified to arrest other suspects who are still at large.

    “It is of significant note and for the public to be aware that the parade of the two suspects and the three other gang members will not come up today so as not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

    “While the suspects will be paraded before the media and the public upon the completion of an investigation into this matter, the Nigeria Police Force will not relent and will leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the killing and bringing all perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.”

  • Five held for ‘kidnapping’ professor, doctor

    Five suspected members of a kidnap gang have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly kidnapping a professor at Imo State University (IMSU) and a doctor.

    The suspects, Kenneth Chinedu; David Obiora alias Emperor, 21; Ogbuje Gift, 23; Ogu Obu, 31 and Lawrence Ndubuisi, 30 said to have kidnapped their victims in Owerri, Imo State and fled to Lagos, were paraded yesterday by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal.

    It was gathered that the suspects, who were nabbed at their hideout in Igando, had collected N6,000,000 ransom for the two victims before releasing them from Igando.

    According to Edgal, the command received information on September 21 that kidnappers, who abducted their victims from Owerri, were hiding in Igando, Lagos.

    He said the informant disclosed that after collecting millions of naira as ransom, the kidnappers vanished with the Toyota 4runner Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and were regrouping in Igando where they planned to start picking on new targets.

    On the strength of the information, Edgal said the Divisional Police Officer in Igando was directed to collaborate with operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Ipakodo, to arrest the criminals.

    “Consequently, Kenneth Chinedu was arrested and he led operatives to other gang members. Exhibits recovered include a Toyota Highlander registered as EKY744FIH, Toyota Sienna Bus- EPE326FH.

    “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted that they collected N6,000,000 ransom from their two previous victims- a lecturer at IMSU and a doctor whose Toyota 4runner they stole despite collecting money from his relations.

    “They also confessed to series of robberies/car snatching which they carried out in Lagos and its environs.

    They led operatives in the recovery of a stolen Toyota Highlander  EKY744FH and one Toyota Sienna bus EPE326FH. According to them, they snatched these vehicles from their owners.”

    Edgal said the gang members mentioned others who are still at large, adding that efforts are on to apprehend them and recover their firearms still in the hands of the fleeing criminals.

  • Five held over Lagos PDP chief’s death

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain was killed on Saturday during a factional clash at a meeting in Igbosuku village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    Mr Borisade Adeniyi, the Apapa Local Government Area Chairman of PDP, died in hospital after being shot in the leg.

    Two others injured in the clash are lying critically ill in hospital.

    Sources said the state leadership of PDP was meeting with all the party’s local government chairmen when the trouble started.

    According to the police, the fight was between supporters of the state’s party chairman, Moshood Salvador, and its Eti-Osa, Kehinde Fasasi.

    A statement by the police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said five local government chairmen of the party, had been arrested over the matter.

    The suspects are Fasasi, Rotimi Kujore (Lagos Island), Alhaji Fatai Adele (Mushin), Ismail Abiola (Amuwo-Odofin) and Dr. Amos Fawole (Surulere).

    The suspects, Oti said, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    Oti said: “The Police Commissioner (CP), Imohimi Edgal is worried about the use of firearms and the frequency of violence involving the PDP in the state. It will be recalled that on July 12, two suspected party thugs, Wale Oye, 37, and Ganiyu Ajiboluwa, 47, were arrested at Festac extension by Apple Junction, Amuwo-Odofin with two pump action rifles given to them by their sponsor, Dipo Olorunrinu, a member of the PDP in Lagos State House of Assembly, to escort him to a political rally.

    “The said Olorunrinu was arrested and they are all helping the police in the investigation of the case.

    “The CP warns that no political party will be allowed to truncate the peace in the state. Political parties in the state are hereby called upon to disarm their members as nobody is allowed to bear arms without necessary authorisation. Henceforth, political party leaders will be liable for the actions of their supporters.”

    Yesterday, Salvador described the incident as “very sad”, noting that the party was working hard to rise above its challenges to attain greater heights.

    He blamed the incident on saboteurs who were never interested in the peace and progress of the party.

    Salvador said the police had intervened in the matter, expressing hope that the perpetrators would soon be brought to book.

    “The incident is condemnable and unfortunate, especially as the party has been working hard on its repositioning.

    “You see, this is what I talk about everywhere I go, that people should shun violence at all levels and embrace peace.

    “The incident is saddening. We feel sad that some people would still go in the way of violence in spite our efforts to promote peace,” he said.

  • Five held for Neighbourhood Corps official’s death

    Five held for Neighbourhood Corps official’s death

    •Police chief parades 67 suspected cultists

    LAGOS State Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal yesterday paraded 72 suspected cultists including five who allegedly killed a  Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) official, Bolaji Monsuru.

    Muyideen Bello aka  17, Wasiu Adio aka trouble,  Nurudeen Odofin, Rokeeb Adebayo and Balogun allegedly led others, at large, to kill Monsuru last week in Surulere, Lagos Mainland.

    According to Edgal, 57 of the suspects were rounded up during an initiation rite of the Black Axe group at a hideout in Elemoro, Ajah.

    He said henceforth, suspected cultists would be charged with armed robbery and illegal possession of fire arms.

    The commissioner said the command had started to  clamp down on cultists, appealing to parents to prevail on their children to renounce cultism.

    He said: “It is no more business as usual as we are serious on this issue of war against cultism. We have started pressing for stiffer punishment. Before now, it used to be lesser charges against cultists but now we are going to charge them with armed robbery and illegal possession of fire arms.

    “We want to appeal to parents to advise their children to shun cultism as we are serious in charging any suspect with armed robbery and we will not hear any plea from any parent.”

    Edgal said he was happy with the speedy arrest of the suspected killers of the LNSC official, adding :

    “The deceased’s enlistment into the Corps sent jitters down the spine of most cult members because he knew most of them. Hence the suspects, Bello, Adio, Odofin, Adebayo and Balogun along with other accomplices now at large attacked and killed him at Umunede Bar, Mallam Isa Close, Aguda where he had gone to watch soccer at the close of work.

    “The suspects have confessed that they participated in the killing of Bolaji. An axe and a knife with blood stains recovered from the suspects have been sent to the forensic unit of the police for analysis.”

    Edgal said Trouble also confessed to being a senior member of Eiye Confraternity, adding that his group killed one Timothy last October.

    On the suspected Aiye members arrested, Edgal said: “Based on credible intelligence that members of Aiye Confraternity were performing their initiation rites at a shrine in a forest at Ajah, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised his men. They were assisted by undercover operatives of Area J, Elemoro and men of the Anti-Cultism unit of the command and they stormed the area and arrested 57 members.

    “Two locally made guns, three live cartridges and 22 expended cartridges were recovered from the suspects. Other items recovered from them were two Suzuki mini buses marked LND893XV, and EPE189XV, a Volkswagen bus – EPE580XA, a Mitsubishi space wagon – SMK455AL, and two Toyota Camry. The suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”

  • Five held for vandalism in Abuja

    The police in Abuja have arrested three persons for allegedly vandalising facilities belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

    Uchechi Onyemaizu, Daniel Ugboloke and Abdullahi Usman were arrested for vandalising iron poles and chain link fencing used as barrier around the railway lines in Kubwa. According to police, 80 pieces of iron pole have been recovered from the suspects and efforts are on to get the chain link fencing.

    Two workers of Delta Line – Suraju Aliyu and Hassan Yusuf – were also arrested for vandalising the CCTV stand at Wuye junction.

    This was contained in a statement yesterday by the spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah.

    The statement reads: “Policemen attached to Kubwa Area Command smashed a notorious syndicate that vandalised property of the Nigeria Railway Corporation.

    “The suspects, from Kaba area of Kagini, were arrested on July 6, about 10am, following a tip-off.

    “Their homes were searched and 80 pieces of iron poles were recovered. Efforts are on to recover the chain link fencing.”

    “On July 16, about 5.38pm, policemen attached to Wuye Division arrested Aliyu and Yusuf, of Delta Line Jabi Garage, for vandalising the CCTV stand at Wuye junction.

    “The rods have been recovered from the suspects as exhibits and the suspects will be charged after investigations.”

     

  • Five held for ‘stealing’ N56m drugs

    Detectives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Onikan, have arrested five persons for alleged theft of pharmaceutical products worth N56 million.

    Emmanuel Okechukwu, Ikechukwu  Orji, and Chisom Azubuke, all employees at Peakins Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Mobolaji Johnson, Lekki, as well as two Estate guards – Uchechukwu Ofoepeka and Goddy Ogobi were apprehended following a complaint by the firm’s boss, Isaac Ugwu.

    Ugwu, it was gathered, reported the theft of his products when he allegedly found Okechukwu with a carton of Funbact ‘A’ valued over N400 thousand, stolen from his warehouse.

    His allegation led to the arrest of Okechukwu and in the course of investigation, the suspect allegedly admitted to the crime and named his accomplices.

    Upon arrest, the suspects were said to have disclosed that they have been perpetrating the act since May and have stolen several cartons of drugs.

    According to the police, investigation revealed that about 102 cartons of an anti-Malaria tablet worth N39.78 million, 200 cartons of FUNBACT ‘A’ valued N16million, and five cartons of any tablet worth N200 thousand, totalling N55.98million have been stolen so far.

    Zonal Command spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the suspects have been charged to court.

    He said: “The suspects have already been arraigned in court on a two count-charge of conspiracy and stealing contrary to Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011. They were admitted to bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties each, with a landed property at Lekki and Oshodi by Chief Magistrate Sola Adeoye.

    “The AIG Abdulmajid Ali condemned the cruel act particularly at this time when many manufacturers are struggling to sustain their businesses. He urged industrialists and businessmen to carry out security checks on their intending employees to avoid such acts.”