The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State Police Command

  • Police declare Mustapha Seigo wanted for attempting to disrupt APC rally

    The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday night declared a National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chieftain Mustapha Adekunle aka Seigo wanted for attempting to disrupt APC rally

    A statement by police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said Mustapha Seigo, came to the rally with a group of people and were identified at the entrance as supporters of the party.

    Oti said: “However, at the tail end of the event, Seigo and his group for a reason yet to be determined violently engaged other supporters of the party. In the ensuing melee, one MC Oluomo, another NURTW chieftain, was stabbed and was rushed to EKO Hospital where he is currently recuperating while two other victims of the attack were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment. The crisis was quickly contained by policemen at the venue.”

    Read also: One dead, MC Oluomo, three journalists, others injured at Lagos APC rally

    It will be recalled that a few hours before the rally started, the Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal held a meeting with the leaders of the NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) and other affiliate groups where all the parties agreed to eschew violence before, during and after the electioneering.

    “It was therefore surprising that a prominent member of NURTW would attempt to violently disrupt a peaceful political rally.

    “In view of the development, the Command wishes to encourage members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of Mustapha Adekunle popularly known as Seigo to report such at the nearest police station,” he said.

    Oti said two persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

  • Police arrest six for alleged robbery

    The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested six suspects for allegedly dispossessing motorists of valuables at gunpoint.

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Imohimi Edgal, confirmed the arrest to newsmen at the State’s Police Command Headquarters, stressing that the suspects were arrested on Jan. 2.

    ‘‘On Jan. 2, information was received from a reliable source that some hoodlums, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, were dispossessing motorists of their valuables around Ajegunle area of Alakuko, Lagos.

    ‘‘On receipt of the information, operatives from Alakuko Police Station mobilised to the scene.

    ‘‘However, on sighting the policemen, the armed robbers ran in different directions to avoid being arrested but were chased, leading to the arrest of one, who led to the arrest of others.

    ‘‘Exhibits recovered from them include cutlasses and daggers.

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged diesel theft

    ‘‘Suspects have confessed committing the crime and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation,” he said.

    In a similar situation, a 38-year-old man was caught in Ejigbo area of the state robbing motorists.

    The suspect was immediately searched and a cut-to-size locally made gun with two cartridges was recovered from him.

    The CP said suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation.

  • Four policemen arrested for robbery in Lagos

    Four policemen attached to Ijanikin Division in Lagos State Police Command have been arrested for allegedly robbing one Theodore Ifunnaya of 350,000 CFA (about N221,508).

    The police spokesman in Lagos, CSP Chike Oti, said that the victim was a Nigerian based in Togo.

    Oti said that the policemen faced dismissal if found guilty, stressing, however, that the victim was not stripped naked during interrogation as being alleged in some quarters.

    Oti said that the affected policemen had been transferred to the Provost Section of the Command for investigation.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the officers allegedly accosted the victim coming from Togo to celebrate Christmas in Nigeria at Iyana – Ira, Badagry area on Dec. 17.

    It was learnt that the suspects subjected the victim to tortuous search and interrogation, where they discovered the sum of money with him.

    They were alleged to have bundled him into their patrol vehicle to Ijanikin police station where they seized his money and invited a bureau de change operator to exchange the CFA currency into Naira equivalent.

    NAN gathered that having satisfied they had subdued their victim with a threat, they allegedly released him and gave him N2000 out of his money, to enable him locate his Lagos residence.

    It was further learnt that the victim, after regaining freedom from his alleged police captors, told his family all he went through, which led to a complaint to Area ‘K’ Commander, ACP Hope Okafor.

    ACP Okafor was said to have intervened by recovering the stolen money and arrested the erring policemen for interrogation. (NAN)

  • Police arrest suspected armed, traffic robbers

    …Recover weapons

     

    The Lagos State Police Command Tuesday said it arrested five suspected armed and traffic robbers at different locations.

    The suspects are Godson Mbanugo, Abiodun Oladimeji, Mubara Afeez, 25, Dauda Moruf, 27, and Emmanuel Adeshina.

    According to Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, a black toy gun and one cut to size locally made pistol were recovered from Afeez, Moruf and Adeshina who were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at about 9pm on December 6.

    Read Also:Police in Edo to prosecute sellers, buyers of fireworks

    He said the police had received information that hoodlums suspected to be traffic robbers were seen at Cement Bus Stop, Ikeja and RRS operatives moved in to the location where the trio were arrested.

    “Similarly on November 17, at about 5pm, information was received from a credible source that some armed men were sighted robbing passers-bye of their valuables in traffic along Iju-Ishaga Road.

    “Police operatives from Pen-Cinema, Ikeja swiftly mobilised to the scene but the robbers fled in different directions when they sighted the police.

    “They were chased and Olamide Bello was arrested. A cut-to-size locally made pistol with one life cartridge was recovered from one of them. Investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehending other fleeing members of the gang for prosecution.
    “Then, at about 02:30am on December 1, a distress call was received from a compound in Opaleye Street, Shibiri, that armed robbers had invaded their house.

    “On receipt of the information, police operatives from Ajangbadi Division and FSARS, swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested one of the robbers.”

    “He was immediately searched during which a cut to size double barrel gun with seven live and one expended cartridges were recovered.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and gave his name as Godson Mbanugo. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting other members of the gang for prosecution.”

    Edgal said the police also arrested one Abiodun Oladimeji on November 16 who was allegedly robbing motorists at Apongbon Bridge, adding that they recovered a battle axe, Jack knife from him.

  • Police warn vehicle owners

    The Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Area ‘F’, Ikeja Division to come with their original documents or lose them after 14 days.

    They are Toyota Sienna marked FST 63 BD, Land Rover registered as AA 972 TRE, KIA saloon car with number plate FST 454 DZ and Volvo car marked LSD 679 XL.

  • Police arrest 57 for ‘homosexuality’

    …Suspects deny allegation

     

    The Lagos State Police Command Monday paraded 57 young men arrested for alleged homosexuality.

    They were arrested at the wee hours of Sunday at Kelly Ann Hotel/ Event Centre located at 3-7, Adenrele Street, Egbeda during an alleged initiation into a Gay Club.

    But some of the suspects who spoke to reporters, denied being homosexuals, insisting they were at the hotel for different purposes including wedding, trading and leisure, among others.

    Read Also:SARS: No more human rights abuses, Police vow

    Among those arrested were Prince Collins, 23; Emmanuel Odiza, 25; Ola Rotimi; Miracle Onyeka; Wole Ojo, 24; Daniel Sukari; Wealth Olasunkanmi, 25, and one James.

    Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal said the command received intelligence around 12:30am on Sunday that some young men will be initiated into Homosexuals’ Club between 1am and 2am at Kelly Ann Hotel/ Event Centre.

    He said the action contravened Section 1(1) of the Same Sex Marriage Act, 2014, adding that it was based on the information that the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in charge of Shasha and Idimu stormed the location around 2am.

    “On arrival, young men numbering about 80 were met in a hall taking different types of drinks including banned substances like Tramadol, Shisha laced with substances suspected to be Marijuana, etc.

    “As soon as they sighted the police, they ran into different directions but the team arrested 57 of them. Investigation into the case is ongoing.”

    Collins said he was a food vendor in front of the hotel, adding that he was arrested where he plied his trade.

    “I sell food in front of the hotel. When police came they said I am under arrest and I followed them as a law abiding citizen. There were many women in and outside the hotel but they were not arrested. I am innocent,” said Collins.

    Odiza said he was at the hotel to attend a birthday party, claiming he knew nothing about the gay club initiation.

    Rotimi, a student, said he was also at the hotel for a birthday party, wondering why the police did not arrest women who were there.

    Onyeka said he was arrested beside his car, which he used for cab services on the side.

    “I work with AZ Apapa but I also use my car for taxi to get small money. I was arrested just by the side of my car near Barracks Bus Stop. I am married with children. I am innocent.

    Ojo said he was drinking at the hotel’s bar when he was picked up.

    Sukari said: “I stay in Rivers State but came to Lagos for a beauty pageant, Mr Tourism at Lekki. I left there around 6pm. I was heading to Egbeda to lodge in the hotel because I do not stay in Lagos. Because of the closure of Third Mainland Bridge, there was a heavy traffic, so I got to the hotel very late.

    “I was about to lodge when the police team came in. I was asked to lie down which I obeyed because I felt I have done nothing wrong.”

    James said he was at the hotel to perform a dance, adding that that was how he earned his living.

    Olasunkanmi said he was at the hotel for a birthday party, adding that he was invited by a friend, Muyiwa.

    “I went for a birthday party. There were many males and females there. Even Muyiwa that invited me was not arrested. It was a raid. I did nothing wrong. I was piping Shisha, which isn’t a crime. I did not add anything in the Shisha. There was no initiation going on. I think they found the Tramadol in someone’s pocket.”

  • 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.

  • Police destroy ‘OPC shrine’, arrest three suspects 

    Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command Tuesday destroyed a shrine allegedly used by the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) to try suspects.

    The shrine, which was situated under the Opebi Link Bridge, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, was allegedly used by the local vigilante to torture, extort victims.

    Residents and artisans accused the vigilantes of open torture and use of force on victims, adding that they usually opened a case file and dragged an alleged suspect to their shrine.

    Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal who led detectives to the place, said three suspects were apprehended, adding that three Point Of Sales (POS) machines, mobile phones and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cards were recovered.

    Edgal said: “Officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corp (LNSC) informed the command of suspicious movement of people in and out of the shrine. On the strength of the information, I directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ikeja to investigate.

    “A team of undercover policemen led by the DPO mounted surveillance around the area. So yesterday, officials of LNSC saw a man being dragged into the shrine. They were attracted to the place by the screaming they heard coming from the victim.

    Read Also:D’Banj, wife to explain son’s death – Police

    “They quickly informed the DPO who moved his men to the scene where three persons were arrested and the victim rescued.

    “In as much as we believe in community policing and community partnership, let me sound a note of warning to any group of persons, who may want to take laws into their hands that the command will deal decisively with them.

    “Members of OPC have been helpful to the command in the past. We see them as partners. But as you can see, some group of persons under the guise of OPC have erected an office under the Opebi link bridge, where they conduct trial by ordeal.

    “They also have a shrine here where they take victims to. I believe that they force victims to take oath. We will not tolerate this in any part of the state.

    “Three persons have been arrested. A victim was freed. We are investigating and all those behind this barbaric act will soon be rounded up. When they are arrested they will be made to face the wrath of the law.”

    Continuing, Edgal said those already arrested were being interrogated to unravel why they detained people.
    “As a law abiding citizen, you are only allowed to arrest and after which the suspect is handed over to the police who have the constitutional responsibility to investigate and prosecute.

    “What are POS machines doing inside their office? Investigation has revealed that some robbers go about with POS machines. They make their victims transfer money to their account at gunpoint. We are going to be thorough in our investigation. We will not allow any miscreant run amock in Lagos.

    “I have also ordered that the shrine and the office be demolished,” he said.

  • Police uncover ‘illegal’ blood bank in Lagos, arrest suspect

    For allegedly running an illegal blood bank in Bariga, a 45-year-old man, Paul Achegbulu has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

    Achegbulu was arrested by a team led by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal Tuesday after detectives got information that the suspect was draining blood from children in his one-room apartment and selling same to some clinics.

    It was gathered that the police team recovered seven pints of blood from his 18, Kusa Bus Stop, Bariga residence.

    According to residents, trouble started for the suspect on June 10, after he drew two pints of blood from a 17-year-old boy, Ayomide Adesanya, which made the victim to pass out.
    He was said to have also drawn two pints from the same victim on June 4, and on each day, he gave the victim N2, 000.

    Imohimi, who also visited Adesanya at the hospital he was admitted after he passed out, told reporters that the suspect lured underage children with the N2, 000 offer, while he confessed that he sold the blood for N7, 000.

    He said: “Adesanya became weak after donating four pints of blood. He collapsed and is currently receiving treatment at the Bariga Hospital.

    Read Also:I don’t want to die in prison, ex-policeman begs Court

    “The mother told us that the daughter’s friend informed them of Adesanya’s condition after she saw him on a bike.”

    But the suspect said he did not know Adesanya was underage, adding that the victim told him he was 20-year-old.

    “It was when his parents came to confront me that I knew he was 17. He told me he was 20. I am a lab scientist. I was trained five years ago at Nigerian Institute of Laboratory Science Technology.

    “Lab technicians from hospitals used to come and buy blood from me. I used to sell the blood through my assistant, Alfa. He’s the one who knows the hospitals he sold to. I do not know where he is at the moment.”

    Condemning the action, a group, Child Protection Network (CPN) said the blood were collected with a cannula in a stuffy room, where the suspect lived with his nursing wife and their baby.

    The group’s coordinator, Ebenezer Omejalile decried the use of the blood by hospitals, noting that they were neither screened for HIV, Hepatitis or other communicable diseases.

    “Adesanya is currently on blood transfusion at the hospital. He was moved to Somolu General Hospital by his parents and as of 5pm, he was receiving his second pint of blood.

    “We demand the investigation and arrest of all those who have been buying blood from Alfa. The suspect’s family has promised to go all out to pervert justice in this case. The matter was first reported to FSARS men at Gbagada but they did nothing about it.”

  • Pastor held for ‘defiling’ nine-year-old girl

    A-54-year- pastor, Udoh Okon has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl (names withheld).

    Okon, the Pastor of Christ Abiding Church, Bankole Street, Famous Bus Stop, Shomolu, was arrested by the gender section of the command yesterday following a case of defilement filed by the victim’s mother, Peace Effiong.

    According to Edgal, the woman reported that she noticed her daughter was acting strangely, adding that she checked the child on April 13, while she was sleeping and saw semen coming out of her private part.

    Alarmed by the discovery, Edgal said the woman told detectives she woke her child up and questioned her, adding that the victim mentioned Okon as the man who has been raping her since last year.

    He said: “The little girl went further to reveal that it was in the pastor’s wife’s shop at the aforementioned address that she was defiled. Medical examination showed that the victim’s hymen had been ruptured long ago, an indication that the suspect has been having carnal knowledge of her for a long time. Investigation into this case is in progress.”

    The pastor denied the allegation, claiming that she only appealed to the victim’s mother not to punish her in public.

    He said: “I and few people went to the woman’s shop and saw her daughter kneeling down with blocks on her hands and she was crying. I asked what happened and her mother said somebody told her that whenever the child came to the compound, someone used to make love to her.

    “Our shops are not far from each other. I begged the woman to forgive the child and that she should not punish her publicly anymore. She did not listen to me and so, I left them and went to my own shop.

    “I am surprised they said I defiled her. The child could be my granddaughter. There was a day she came to my shop and I asked her to assist me in carrying empty crates. I sell non-alcoholic beverages. She helped me carry the crates to my other shop and kept them outside. That was all.”