The Nation Newspaper

Tag: GUARD

  • Welder, guard held for Eko Atlantic cable theft

    Welder, guard held for Eko Atlantic cable theft

    The Victoria Island Division of the Nigerian Police has arrested a welder and a guard for the alleged theft of cable wires and a generator worth N1,750,000 belonging to Eko Atlantic Project.

    Adegbola Olalekan, 37, a welder from Yelwa South in Ogun State and Tajudeen Salawudeen, 34, a guard from Ibadan, Oyo State, were employed by South Energy Ltd to work on the Eko Atlantic Project site in Victoria Island.

    The Nation learnt that on the morning of April 8, 2016, Eko Atlantic security officials received a report that thieves were burning some of the company’s cable wires somewhere on the project site in a bid to extract copper.

    When the officials got there, they found smouldering remains of cables some of which the thieves had fled with along with a generator.

    The matter was reported to the police and after investigation; Olalekan and Salawudeen were arrested and arraigned yesterday before Mrs. F. F. George of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Prosecuting Police Inspector Ingobo Emby said the alleged offences were committed at about 8:40am on April 8 at Eko Atlantic Project site, Bar Beach, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

    “On the same date, time and place, they did steal one Elepaq generating set valued at N75,000 and 400 metres of cable wire valued at N1 million. The total value is N1, 750,000, property of Eko Atlantic Project,” he added.

    The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty and were admitted to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in the like sum, one of whom must be a family member.

    The case was adjourned till April 25, for mention.

  • Guard injures colleague’s eye over N3,000

    A 23-year old security guard, David Nwauzor has allegedly injured his colleague Charles Udoh in the eye over N3,000.

    Nwauzor beats up Udoh, inflicting injury on his left eye while sharing the money given to them by a customer.

    Corporal Mike Unah told an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos that the complainant said that a customer who came round gave the three security guards on duty N3, 000.

    “So, Udoh shared the money equally with his other two colleagues, but the accused was not pleased. Udoh said that to his amazement, Nwauzor started beating him, and in the process wounded him on the left eye,” he said.

    The accused committed the offence on March 5 at CFAO Motors, on Awosika Avenue, Ikeja.

  • Driver, guard held for ‘unlawful’ gun possession

    Two men, Okechukwu Achinulo, 27, and Ogbuefi Emmanuel, 60, were yesterday remanded by a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere for allegedly being in unlawful possession of firearms.

    Magistrate O. Kusanu ordered that Achinulo, a driver, and Emmanuel, a security consultant, be remanded pending legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Achinulo and Emmanuel are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

    Prosecuting police Sergeant Innocent Odugbo told the court that the defendants and others still at large, allegedly conspired to commit the offence in February, 2015.

    He claimed that Achinulo stole three Jojeff double-barrelled guns and seven Jojeff pump-action guns valued at N2million, all property of one Ezebunwa Donatus.

    The prosecutor also alleged that Emmanuel received five of the prohibited guns valued at N800,000 from Achinulo, without a licence.

    The defendants’ pleas were not taken. The case was adjourned till February 24.

  • Driver, guard remanded for unlawful possession of guns

    Driver, guard remanded for unlawful possession of guns

    Two men, Okechukwu Achinulo, 27, and Ogbuefi Emmanuel, 60, were Wednesday remanded by a Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere for allegedly being ‎in unlawful possession of firearms.

    Magistrate O. Kusanu (Mrs.) ordered that Achinulo, a driver, and Emmanuel, a security consultant, be committed to custody pending legal advice from the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Achinulo, a resident of No. 1 Amudalabu Street, Ikotun Egbe and Emmanuel, of No. 15 Sarah Fagboyode Street, Asamu Estate, Ejigbo, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms preferred against them by the police.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Innocent Odugbo told the court that at about 10:15am sometime in February, 2015 in Ikotun, the defendants and others still at large, allegedly conspired to commit the offences.

    He claimed that Achinulo stole three Jojeff double-barreled guns and seven Jojeff pump-action guns valued at N2million, all property of one Ezebunwa Donatus.

    The prosecutor also alleged that Emmanuel ‎received five of the prohibited guns valued at N800,000 from Achinulo, without a license from the Inspector-General of Police.

    He added that the offences are punishable under Sections 409, 285, 326 and 28 (b) (1) of the Firearms Act Cap 146 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    The defendants’ pleas were, however, not taken and the case was adjourned till February 24.

     

  • Ripples over death of guard at UniUyo

    Ripples over death of guard at UniUyo

    The death of a security guard attached to the home of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Etete Peters, is causing ripples.

     The security guard, simply identified as Mr. Isong, was said to have been attacked by a dog when he reported for duty last week.

    A security guard, who did not want his name in print, said Isong was still coping with the dog bite until last Sunday morning when he was found struggling on the ground, with saliva rushing from his mouth.

    His words: “We reported the dog bite to the CMD but he did nothing about it. Mr. Isong was quite helpless because we have not been paid for five months. On Sunday morning, he reported for duty, but when we turned behind the building, we saw him struggling on the ground with saliva gushing from his mouth, we rushed him to the hospital, but unfortunately he died.

    “Life has been generally very hard with some of us who are working with the CMD. They keep giving very delicious meals to these wild dogs, but we humans are denied the opportunity of a comfortable life. How do you survive when you are being owed by a man who is not poor?”

    But the CMD denied the allegation.

    He said the news that one of his employees died as a result of dog bite is not true.

    He explained that there was an incident of one of his security guards bitten by a dog three months ago,adding that the guard was well-treated and taken care of.

    He said: “The story is false. We do not owe our staff. The security man in question is not our employee; he was a contract staff from a security firm.

    “We have actually received report that a guard slumped and died. Any dog bite related issue does not last more than 10 days. The incident occurred three months ago, and the victim was well treated and taken care of by the hospital.”

    It was gathered that Isong’s clansmen and family, who were not happy about the death of their son, blocked all entrances leading in and out of the UUTH, alleging that the CMD denied them the opportunity to see their son in the mortuary.

    One of the relations, Mr. Ime Ekong, who spoke with The Nation, said: “We wouldn’t expect him to personally treat our son, why did he not at least pay his salaries? Then the young man would have been able to take care of himself. He killed him out of wickedness.”

    Ekong said that the CMD invited men of the Quick Response Squad to the hospital, who shot sporadically into the air to disperse the protesting Isong’s relations.

  • Guard dupes students

    A security guard at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, has defrauded four students of the school, promising to help them secure accommodation in the area. Basil Chukwuma Okosa disappeared after he collected the cash from the victims.

    The students, Eniola Balogun, Vivian Orekyeh, Chidinma Ubani and Precious Opara paid N20,000, N30,000, N40,000 and N28,000 to the security guard.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Chidinma said after Okosa collected the money from her, he started telling her stories. She said: “After I paid him the N40,000, he told me that my roommates were not in school, because of Industrial Training. It was then I noticed that he was up to something. He told different lies but by the time I noticed, he had run away.”

    Eniola said anytime she asked about the accommodation, Okosa would give flimsy excuses.

    It was gathered that Okosa is not the owner of the house he showed to the victims; the house is owned by a lecturer, who gave the security guard the key to show students, who wanted to rent an apartment.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the lecturer told Okosa not to collect money from anyone interested in the property.

    Vivian, who said she came from the same village as Okosa, spoke of her desperation  for an accommodation, because she lives in Okokomaiko, which is far from the school. “It is for this reason I paid N30,000 to the security man. When he told me to bring additional N10,000, this was when I noticed that I had been duped. I later discovered that some students had paid money to the man for the same apartment,” she said.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Okosa also ran away with the salary of two of his colleagues. He has been declared wanted by his employer, Alpha Forte Security and Guards Services.

  • Nigeria needs a change of guard

    Sir: For the past 15 years or thereabout, Nigeria has been under the rule of a particular set of people who have been doing their best  to develop the country yet our woes as a Third World country subsist. Our leaders have made tremendous efforts and taken steps to move the nation forward but evidently things have not worked out the way we expected.

    We have seen the best this leadership can do especially in the political sphere, in the economic sector and in the area of security, health, education, basic infrastructure. We have seen how our leaders continue to feed fat and live ostentatiously on our commonwealth; amidst the abundance of human capital and mineral resources, majority still wallow in poverty while countries with lesser endowments thrive better than us.

    This is where the leadership has led us. One would say, Nigeria is a largely a heterogeneous country with many tongues, ideas and interests, and this makes the country literally ungovernable. Well, who is to blame for that?

    There are questions about follower-ship too. It is often said that a society gets the kind of leadership it deserves? Does that mean we are doomed forever as follower-ship has its flaws too?

    But whether the future is bright or not, we really need a re-orientation, a renaissance. We need to change our direction, our reasoning, our ways, our understanding, our drive, our perception and the like. We need a change of guard. We have been under a particular line of thought for a while now, let’s try another hand, we might just be in for a change we yearn for.

    In plain terms, a political party has led us since our return to Democracy 15 years ago; it is obvious continuity is not what we need now. While all parties and politicians are pretty much the same old wine in new bottles, we should try out another ideology, another political party and see where that leads us in the next few years as we further look for ways to remove Nigeria from the throes of underdevelopment and oppression.

     

    •Farotimi  Dolapo

    University of Ibadan.

  • Security guard killed in Edo

    A security guard on Lagos Street opposite the Oba Market in Benin City, identified as Oboh John, has been killed, following the continued battle for the collection of revenue from traders.

    Another guard was beaten to a coma by yet-to-be identified gang.

    Two families- the Osulas and Obazees- have been at war for the last four days over the collection of revenue from street traders.

    Three persons were injured last Wednesday when both families engaged in a free-for-all.

    Goods worth millions of naira were stolen after the  guard was killed.

    A trader, Ebere Chukwu Okafor, said she lost cash and goods.

    “Most of our goods were stolen. We want security in this market. I discovered that our shops were broken into. They took the money I kept.”

    Police spokesman Noble Uwoh said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

  • Guard found dead in bank’s premises

    A 32-year-old security guard with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos branch of an old-generation bank, Ovate Erim, was found dead in the premises of the bank at the weekend.

    Although the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained, a source at LUTH said his lifeless body was found at about 5.10am

    “It was one of his colleagues that raised the alarm that attracted others. He was rushed to the emergency unit of the hospital, but was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. Since none of the management staff of the bank was around as at the time his body was found, other security men on ground requested that the body be deposited at the morgue pending the conclusion of investigations into the actual cause of his death,” the source said.

    Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying it was reported at Itire Police Station last Friday, adding that investigation was ongoing.

  • Presidential change of guard marks independence

    Presidential change of guard marks independence

    The Federal Government yesterday marked the 53rd independence anniversary celebrations with a presidential change of guard and signpost ceremony at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was devoid of the usual pomp that attends such event before 2011.

    The ceremony was conducted by 136 officers and men of the Army under the command of Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

    It lasted for about an hour.

    The President inspected the Guards Brigade before moving to the podium where he received general salute, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.

    Prayers were offered by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritshejafor and the Deputy Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Dr Ibrahim Zaria.

    The presidential change of guards was performed by the soldiers with military display, foot and arms drill and rhythmic and calculated steps.

    Their weapons and uniforms were inspected to ensure tidiness.

    After the ceremony, the President signed the anniversary register and cut the anniversary cake.

    Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, supported the President to cut the cake.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, also assisted the President.

    The President subsequently released the flock of pigeons, which signifies peace and freedom.

    Among those who attended the ceremony were PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur; Primate of Anglican Communion, Arch Bishop Rev. Nicholas Okoh; PDP BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anineh; Former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara.

    Others were Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; former Head of Civil Service, Steven Oronsaye; Service Chiefs; ministers, top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.

    There was tight security in Abuja. Security was beefed up in and around the FCT with combined security operatives taking positions at strategic locations.

    The operatives were supported by police Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

    The Eagle Square, the venue where most important events like the independence anniversary were usually celebrated by government functionaries, was devoid of activities except some security personnel keeping guard.

    Traffic was light along some major roads in the city centre while motorists going into hotels, parks and shopping malls were stopped and subjected to thorough screening.

    The police ‘stop and check’ caused heavy traffic in some parts of the city areas.

    FCT Police spokesman Altine Daniel, told NAN that the heavy presence of police in the territory was in line with the directive of Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.