The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kidnapping

  • Police parade 14 for ‘kidnapping, robbery’

    The police yesterday paraded 14 suspects, who allegedly specialise in robbing and kidnapping travellers on Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

    Spokesman Jimoh Moshood said the suspects, who belong to two gangs, were arrested in their hideouts by officers of the Intelligence Response Team and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

    He said the arrest and parade were part of Operation Absolute Sanity, intended to make the highway safe.

    Moshood said since the operation began a few months ago, over 80 suspected kidnappers and others had been nabbed.

    The suspects, paraded at Jere Police Station, Kaduna State, are: Umar Mohammed Babuga, 27, Umaru Kiri, 26, AbdullahiTambaya, 25, Abdulkarim Musa,27, Isah Musa 30 and Sani Musa 27.

    Others are: Nura Usman, 37, Bashiru Yusuf, 25, Abdulrahman Abdul, 20, Abdullahi Bali, 40, Abdulrahman Hassan Nagoma, Usman Babuga, 25 and Yeti Muhammad 32.

    Items recovered from them include two AK 47 rifles, 16 locally-made guns, locally-made AK 47 rifles with ammunition, cutlasses, sticks and charms.

    The spokesman said other suspects would soon be arrested, adding that those already nabbed will be prosecuted.

  • Siblings face kidnapping, extortion charge

    Two siblings Ogunseye Olabode and his sister, Odunayo, were yesterday brought before an Ebute-Metta Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly kidnapping a man, Victor Adedeji and demanding a ransom from him.

    Olabode, and Odunayo, both 34, are on trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

    Prosecuting Inspector Cousin Adams told the court that the defendants committed the offences last June 21, at Ipaja.

    He alleged that the siblings conspired and kidnapped Adedeji with the intention of extorting money from his relatives to secure his release.

    The alleged offences contravene Sections 271 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    In a bench ruling, Magistrate Helen Omisore granted each of defendant N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned till October 18 for trial.

  • NSCDC boss calls for more synergy to fight errorism, kidnapping, others

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu has called for more collaborative efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling among others.

     He challenged Private Guard Companies (PGC) to enhance internal security in the country.

     Muhammadu made the call yesterday in Abuja while issuing licenses to 10 PGCs as part of its statutory mandate to regulate and monitor activities of the security companies.

     He said  the Corps had put in place stringent guidelines to register any PGC in line with international best practice.

     The NSCDC boss urged the new PGCs to contribute their quota to stemming the tide of insecurity in the country through pro-active and professional conduct.

     “No countryanywhere in the world has the resources to provide hundred percent security/protection for its citizen,

    “Hence the need for Private Guard Companies to join the fight to ensure insecurity is reduced to its barest minimum,” he said.

     Muhammadu harped on the need for the PGCs to work closely with the Police, NSCDC and other security agencies in gathering security informationý due to their grassroot nature.

     “You will agree with me that terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and general insecurity will only destroy our socio-political and economic structure hence the need for all hands to be on deck to stem this tide. Your numerical strength and spread is of tremendous advantage to this renewed fight against insecurity in Nigeria,” he added.

     Earlier, the President, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Davidson Akhimien assured of the determination to ensure professionalism in their activities.

     He said the Association is working closely with the NSCDC to ensure proper training for its operatives on the field and rid the country of quack elements in the business.

  • Wike: SARS behind Rivers kidnapping, robbery

    Wike: SARS behind Rivers kidnapping, robbery

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday alleged that most of the kidnapping  and robbery in the state are perpetrated by operatives  of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The governor said the Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS)  has been indicted by an official police signal.

    Addressing reporters at the Government House, Wike claimed that the SARS commander was planted in the state to sabotage  the security architecture and create an atmosphere  of fear.

    The governor said the criminal activities of SARS operatives were uncovered by the Inspector General of Police X Squad, Abuja, deployed in the state, adding that the squad foiled the attempted kidnap of Mr Azumana Ifeanyi on Monday at the GRA, Port Harcourt.

    The official police signal provided by the governor, with the title: “Police Wireless Message ” and Reference DT0: 121030/09/2017 —INGENPOL-X-FHQ ABUJA TO-INGENPOL SEC ABUJA, noted that the squad received a distress call on the kidnap of Ifeanyi  and  swung into action.

    According to the signal, they met three SARS operatives robbing and a gun duel ensued. The operatives allegedly took Ifeanyi to a Fidelity Bank ATM where they compelled him to withdraw N500,000 as ransom.

    The governor said one of the SARS operatives was killed, while Inspector Justice Nyeche, who led the IGP team, was injured.

    Wike said: “Most of the kidnapping and armed robbery taking place in this state are done by men of SARS.  They use exhibit vehicles to operate. As the chief security officer of the state, you complain, but they choose to play politics with crime.

    “They fight crime in some state, but they refuse to fight crime in Rivers State. We are done with the elections, but they are using SARS to create insecurity in the state.

    “As I speak with you, they will deny. But the SARS  operative, who was killed, was among those who raided the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre. This man can be identified in the video as one of those who invaded the collation centre with Fakorede.

    “I have never seen a country where they politicise crime. It is obvious that they want to give the impression that Rivers State is unsafe.  They want to instil fear preparatory to declaring during the elections that they is so much killing.

     “Authorities  deliberately trying to destroy a state and you  want the people to be happy. I will no longer write. Now is the time  to take my case to the public, for the world to know what is happening.”

    The governor said his administration has invested more than any other in security logistics, yet the police work against  the state.

  • Wike: SARS behind Rivers kidnapping, robbery

    Wike: SARS behind Rivers kidnapping, robbery

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday alleged that most of the kidnapping  and robbery in the state are perpetrated by operatives  of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The governor said the Rivers State Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS)  has been indicted by an official police signal.

    Addressing reporters at the Government House, Wike claimed that the SARS commander was planted in the state to sabotage  the security architecture and create an atmosphere  of fear.

    The governor said the criminal activities of SARS operatives were uncovered by the Inspector General of Police X Squad, Abuja, deployed in the state, adding that the squad foiled the attempted kidnap of Mr Azumana Ifeanyi on Monday at the GRA, Port Harcourt.

    The official police signal provided by the governor, with the title: “Police Wireless Message ” and Reference DT0: 121030/09/2017 —INGENPOL-X-FHQ ABUJA TO-INGENPOL SEC ABUJA, noted that the squad received a distress call on the kidnap of Ifeanyi  and  swung into action.

    According to the signal, they met three SARS operatives robbing and a gun duel ensued. The operatives allegedly took Ifeanyi to a Fidelity Bank ATM where they compelled him to withdraw N500,000 as ransom.

    The governor said one of the SARS operatives was killed, while Inspector Justice Nyeche, who led the IGP team, was injured.

    Wike said: “Most of the kidnapping and armed robbery taking place in this state are done by men of SARS.  They use exhibit vehicles to operate. As the chief security officer of the state, you complain, but they choose to play politics with crime.

    “They fight crime in some state, but they refuse to fight crime in Rivers State. We are done with the elections, but they are using SARS to create insecurity in the state.

    “As I speak with you, they will deny. But the SARS  operative, who was killed, was among those who raided the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre. This man can be identified in the video as one of those who invaded the collation centre with Fakorede.

    “I have never seen a country where they politicise crime. It is obvious that they want to give the impression that Rivers State is unsafe.  They want to instil fear preparatory to declaring during the elections that they is so much killing.

    “Authorities  deliberately trying to destroy a state and you  want the people to be happy. I will no longer write. Now is the time  to take my case to the public, for the world to know what is happening.”

    The governor said his administration has invested more than any other in security logistics, yet the police work against  the state.

  • Vigilance group to stop kidnapping in schools

    The Lagos Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has unveiled plans to combat kidnapping, robberies and ritual attacks around primary and secondary schools in the state following the resumption of academic activities.

    The Command, which yesterday inaugurated seven executive members including the Deputy State Commander of Operations, said it had restrategised to achieve maximum impact in securing schools and other places.

    VGN State Commander, Mr James Udoma, who spoke at a stakeholders’ conference in Ikeja, said the rejigging would ensure that experienced individuals were fixed in the right positions to direct security affairs at the community level.

    He said stemming the increasing spate of social threats in urban areas could only be possible with the cooperation of the Police and government.

    Udoma said the group was willing to augment the efforts of critical security agencies, noting that it had leveraged on the idea of attaching members to familiar terrain to effectively unearth looming crimes and their perpetrators.

    “Community policing is a collaboration of community members and the police. With the concept of the establishment of vigilantes, they are domiciled in their area of operation and understand their terrain, topography and even speak the language. These are people who will understand security challenges in their area and call for solutions,” he said.

    Stressing the need for the National Assembly to expedite the legal recognition of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the Director-General Institute of Security, University of Lagos (Unilag) Adebayo Akinade, said a local government law promulgated during the military regime already backed the establishment of the VGN to operate in their community.

  • Kidnapping is on downward trend – Okowa

    Kidnapping is on downward trend – Okowa

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday said the spate of kidnapping and other security challenges were on the downward trend in the state.

    Okowa made the the remark shortly after the State Security Council meeting in Warri.

    The meeting was held with the heads of security agents in the state.

    Addressing newsmen, the governor said the synergy between the state and the security agencies, especially in information sharing had helped to reduce crimes and promoted peace in the state.

    “Every two weeks, we sit with security chiefs to analyse security situation in the state.

    “Today, it is heartwarming to note that issues of kidnapping and other security challenges came up, it was discovered that they are on downward trend.

    “I assure that this administration will continue to encourage the good working relationship with the security agencies,” he said.

    Okowa commended traditional and other community leaders for the effective collaboration with the state government to engage the youth to embrace peace.

    He, however, expressed displeasure that the issue of illegal oil bunkering still persisted in spite of several measures adopted by the security agents to halt the menace.

    Okowa said that the Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro had been mandated to go on advocacy visit to areas like the Ogulagha Community where there were threat to oil facilities.

  • Police foil kidnapping of man in Aba

    Policemen attached to Abayi Police Division in Abia State have foiled the kidnap of an Aba resident, Kalu Demo Hansond, of Achilihu Street.

    The Nation learnt the police recovered a Volkswagen Torres Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), registered as NCA 778 AM, belonging to the victim and a locally-made short gun with live cartridge, which was abandoned in the vehicle by the hoodlums.

    It was gathered the police, after being informed of a kidnap on MCC Road, near Umuocham, pursued the abductors, who, on sighting them, abandoned the victim.

    Officers of Ndiegoro Police Division reportedly arrested two suspects, Chinedu Chukwuemeka and Nnamani Emmanuel after a tip-off, for robbery.

    It was learnt the suspects confessed they robbed people of their belongings.

    Efforts are on to arrest their accomplices.

    Police Commissioner Adeleye Oyebade confirmed the arrest.

    He said officers and men from Ndiegoro nabbed six members of ‘Blood Tiger Confraternity’; Paul Obinna, Ndiukwu Kosisochukwu, Prince Anyadike, Israel Chinazaekpere,  Ifeanyi Chikezie and Best Uchechukwu Ngam in Aba.

    Oyebade said military camouflage, red berets, phones and a substance suspected to be cannabis were recovered from them.

    The police boss urged the public to give them information.

  • 23-yr-old Delta polytechnic graduate arrested for kidnapping, murder

    23-yr-old Delta polytechnic graduate arrested for kidnapping, murder

    A 23- year- old National Diploma (ND) graduate of the Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, Obed Ikenna Oluchi yesterday confessed to have been lured into crime because of his desperation for money to repay his creditor.

    He said he ventured into crime after he embezzled money meant for online sports betting at the betting house where he worked.

    He made this confession yesterday at the Delta State Police Command where he was paraded alongside four others for attempted kidnapping and armed robbery.

    According to him, “I work with Bet9ja.I just completed my ND from Delta State Poly Ogwashi-Uku. I studied Office Management and Technology. I was misled by a friend, because I needed money. A policeman came to our betting shop and he played a game worth N30, 000 which I only booked but did not bet because I thought it will not win. But the game won and the policemen wanted to claim his winnings worth over N250, 000. Because I did not bet the coupon I could not give him his winnings. So it was an attempt to find money that lured me into crime. The owner of the betting shop was angry when he found out what happened”.

    Delta State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim who briefed reporters said the suspect was a member of a gang that attacked Mr. Amobi Molokwu in front of his gate behind Cornerstone International School ,off Okpanam, but he narrowly escaped .

    He said the hoodlums succeeded in robbing him of his RAV 4 Jeep with a number plate ASB 176 AV, his phones and other valuables, adding that “intelligence gathered technologically led to the arrest of Ignatius Obagha in whose possession the victim’s Infinix phone was recovered.”

    Ibrahim said Ignatius Obagha following his arrest confessed and mentioned Obed Ikenna Oluchi, Ifeanyi Aniekwe,Ifeanyi Nwosu and Mustapha Ali a.k.a Bababyo as gang members .

    Ibrahim said Obed Ikenna Oluchi was also involved in the robbery incident that occurred at Globe Supermarket, Okpanam on 27/7/2017 resulting in the murder of a lawyer Festus Ashiedu.

    Obed Ikenna said he did not know he was going to use a gun and that he thought he was only going to help his friend carry the N1.5 million during the robbery at the supermarket.

    He denied killing the lawyer, adding that the lawyer was struggling with their gang leader with the keys of his cars and he was shot in the process.

    His words: “I was not the one who killed the man, it was the ring leader that killed the lawyer. Someone switched off the ignition of our getaway car so our leader wanted to snatch the car from him and was struggling with our ringleader for the car keys and was shot. Our attempt to rob the supermarket failed as the N1.5 million had already been moved before we got there”.

  • Evans was forced to plead guilty, says lawyer 

    Evans was forced to plead guilty, says lawyer 

    The lawyer representing suspected kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (alias Evans), Olukoya Ogungbeje, Wednesday alleged that his client was forced to plead guilty.
    In a statement issued after Evans pleaded guilty at his arraignment, the lawyer said his client would change his plea to not guilty when the case comes up for trial.
    Ogungbeje said Evans was denied access to his lawyers and had no opportunity of being properly advised on what plea to make.
    He said the charge was served on Evans in open court Wddnesday.
    “It must be noted that our client had been in police custody since 10th of June 2017 till date and his lawyer and family members have been denied access to him.
    “His arraignment was brought to our attention through the social media platform. We rushed to court in a bid to confer with our client before the commencement of proceedings but the Police denied us access to him.
    “We sought for adjournment to enable us confer with our client in line with the provisions of Section 36(6) (2) of the Constitution but same was turned down by the court.
    “Moreso, the information/charge sheet was served on us in open court on the same day of arraignment,” he said.
    According to Ogungbeje, his client informed him of his intention to change his plea.
    “After the purported guilty plea of our client and the court rose, our client told us clearly that the police told him to plead guilty failing which the police will kill him.
    “This is definitely unconstitutional and we intend to challenge this unconstitutional procedure of hoodwinking, unduly influencing, brainwashing and coercing an accused into entering a guilty plea against his wish and freewill.
    “Our client pointedly told us that being informed now, he will change his ‘police motivated guilty plea’ to ‘not guilty’ at the next adjourned date.
    “It is settled law that plea of guilty must be made voluntarily and devoid of any influence, coercion and manipulation.
    “We have a responsibility to assist the cause of justice in accordance with the law,” Ogungbeje said.