The Nation Newspaper

Tag: mastermind

  • Police arrest ‘mastermind’ in Bayelsa DCP’s abduction

    The police yesterday said they have arrested an alleged ringleader of last week’s abduction of a Deputy Commissioner (DCP) Kola Okunola in Brass, Bayelsa State.

    This was contained in a statement issued on yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

    Mba identified the alleged ring leader of the crowd whose assault on the senior officers went viral as Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, adding that two others,  Tamarapreye Victor, 34, and Azi Newton, 34 years were also arrested.

    DCP Okunola was on Sunday morning abducted by a crowd of armed hoodlums for attempting to protect officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from their attacks.

    The youths beat up the officer, tore his uniform, stripped his rank and were at the point of beheading him when they received information that their wish was being done by the electoral officials and they abandoned him, The Nation learnt.

    It was gathered that prior to his abduction and assault, armed youths said to be members of one of the major political parties had snatched ballot boxes and papers, which they went and thumb printed before returning same to force INEC officials to declare as results of the election.

    They were said to have absconded with voting materials for seven wards Bassambiri community in Nembe council area, hence, no elections were held in the affected areas.

    According to sources, the hoodlums manipulated the elections at a popular hotel in the riverine area, brought same to the collation centre for INEC to announce but met supporters of other parties protesting the manipulation.

    “The armed thugs that earlier hijacked INEC materials arrived at the jetty accompanied by a great number of armed youths and insisted that INEC officials must authenticate the manipulated results before leaving the community.

    “The police officer who was on duty in that area was alerted to the scene after hearing a loud noise coming from the INEC office with party agents insisting that no election held at Bassambiri and they do not know where the results came from.

    “With the number of youths, the INEC officials felt unsafe and requested that they and election materials be escorted to Yenagoa. The situation was communicated to the Police Commissioner of the State and he ordered that the officials and materials be moved to the state capital.

    “It was while on their way to the jetty that one of the candidates led youths and attacked the officer dragging and assaulting him,” a source said.

    All pleas by the officer was said to have fallen on deaf ears as the hoodlums vowed to kill him unless INEC officials returned to the centre there and commenced collation of the alleged manipulated result.

  • Cleric ‘mastermind’ of kidnap gang flees Delta

    An unnamed Asaba-based pastor is on the run for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of a lady, The Nation has learnt.

    The lady, it was learnt, recently received some money from relatives residing overseas to help them do a project.

    The pastor reportedly escaped as policemen closed in on him.

    It was learnt that the church the suspected kidnap kingpin oversees has a branch behind Ibori Golf Club and another near an old generation bank on Nnebisi Road in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    He is also said to have other branches in the Southeast.

    A police source said another lady, said to be a friend of the victim, had been arrested, while another suspected member of the kidnap ring, who watched the victim in an uncompleted building, was shot dead in a gun duel.

    It was gathered that the victim’s family reported her missing to the police on May 7 at “A” Division in Asaba.

    Her abductors have reportedly demanded N100 million ransom and recharge cards.

    The police, it was learnt, tracked the calls and discovered the identities of the abductors, including the friend of the victim and a member of the pastor’s church, who the victim had allegedly seen off after her visit on May 7.

    The police arrested the suspected woman accomplice who led them to the hoodlums’ hideout.

    It was gathered that the pastor, who got wind of the police advancement into his hideout, reportedly fled to an unknown place.

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the victim was rescued unhurt.

     

  • Nyanya blast: Row over prosecution of mastermind

    Nyanya blast: Row over prosecution of mastermind

    The inability of the Ministry of Justice, the Police and Department of State Service (DSS) to agree on which agency should prosecute the suspected mastermind of the April 14 bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, Aminu Ogwuche, stalled his arraignment on Friday.

    Ogwuche has been in the DSS custody since his extradition from Sudan over a month ago.

    His arraignment on Friday before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court  by counsel to the Police and the DSS  agencies had the authority to prosecute the suspect.

    The police, who filed the charges, could not produce Ogwuche and his co-accused because the suspects were held by the DSS.

    DSS lawyer  Cliff Osagie, urged the police to withdraw the initial charges against the accused to enable the DSS complete its investigation.

    “I expect them (the police) to have withdrawn the charges to enable us (DSS) complete our investigation, and hand, over the case to the attorney-general of the federation, who is empowered to prosecute cases such as this,” he said.

    Osagie said after the accused was extradited from Sudan, the DSS on September 11 obtained an order from Justice Gabriel Kolawole, to keep the accused in custody for 90 days “in the first instance.”

    Counsel to the police, Oloye Torugbene, said he would not withdraw the charges, as he was not instructed to do so.

    The charges were filed by the police to facilitate Ogwuche’s extradition from Sudan, where he allegedly escaped to after the incident.

    Justice Ademola held that the police had not presented the documents to show investigations had been completed.

    The judge, who expressed surprise about the lack of “collaboration” between the two security agencies, asked them to sort out the issues and agree on a date.

    He adjourned the case till November 10.

    Over 100 persons died in the blast, which was said to have been masterminded by the accused.

    Ogwuche and others were reportedly arrested in Sudan with the assistance of the Interpol.

    In one of the three counts, Ogwuche was alleged to have conspired with others (at large), to commit terrorism by detonating improvised explosive devices at the Nyanya terminus, which resulted in the death of 75 persons. Over 100 were injured.

  • Attack on Buhari: Military arrests suspected ‘mastermind’

    Attack on Buhari: Military arrests suspected ‘mastermind’

    •IG sets up panel to investigate  blasts

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday announced the capture of a man it described as the mastermind of Wednesday’s  botched suicide attack on  former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The suspect was arrested at the scene  of the blast in Kaduna  dressed like a woman.

    His true sex was established  only after  his arrest.

    He is already being interrogated, the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement.

    Inspector-General of Police   Mohammed Abubakar   yesterday  ordered a probe into the  bomb blasts in Kaduna  which has so far claimed over 100 lives.

    The ‘mastermind’ according to Gen.Olukolade  was apprehended by  the military patrol team that swooped on the area immediately after the explosion.

    He said the suspect  ”had disguised as a woman clad in female garb to exude femininity with a brazier affixed to his chest.

    “The suspect was arrested while trying to fizzle into a crowd of onlookers when the patrol team arrived the scene.

    “Youths in the area attempted to mob him while he was being arrested, but were restrained by troops who quickly whisked him away in an armoured personnel carrier.

    He is currently being interrogated by security agencies in a bid to ascertain his links.”

    The Nation gathered   the State Security Service (SSS) is  handling the investigation of the suspect  in Kaduna.

    “One bend of the ongoing probe is that the man is suspected to have remotely controlled the IEDs used to attack Buhari’s convoy,”  one source  said.

    The source said he might   be transferred to Abuja for further questionning  .

    Police anti-bomb and forensic experts    are already analyzing the remains of IEDs  recovered from the scenes of the twin explosions.

    The second blast was apparently targeted at the popular Islamic preacher,Sheick Dahiru Bauchi.

    Another source said: “The police are handling the comprehensive investigation into the incident based on orders from President Goodluck Jonathan who personally assured Buhari that security agencies will get to the root of the explosion.

    “Some of the recovered items are going through forensic examination in order to verify some suspected links.”

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar  yesterday  instituted a probe into the  bomb blasts .

    The  panel, headed by  the Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Department, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu, is  expected to work in close collaboration with other security agencies.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba,  named the other members of the committee as DCP Chris Ezike of the Federal SARS; DCP Dan Mallam of the Monitoring Unit ;and DCP Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi of the Interpol Unit.

    The IGP also ordered that security be beefed up across the states, especially  states perceived to be more vulnerable to terror attacks.

    The IGP appealed to Nigerians, particularly Kaduna residents to remain calm and enjoined the citizenry to cooperate with the security agencies by providing them with relevant information.

    Also yesterday, the Kano State police command  promised to put in place adequate security ahead of the Eid-Fitr festival.

    The  arrangement includes stop and search of vehicles,police spokesman , ASP Magaji Musa Majiya said.

    He advised worshippers attending Eid grounds to  avoid “taking unnecessary objects other than their praying mats.”

    He said: “People attending recreation centre and places of gatherings during the Sallah celebration  should be extra careful by taking cognizance of people and objects around, with a view to report any suspicious move to security agencies .

    “Parents and guardians should accompany their children with adult to guide them throughout the festivities . This will checkmate the rampant cases of missing children.”

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)  is deploying 50,000 troops and counterterrorism units, including special forces, a nuclear, biological chemical and radioactive squad and “sniffer dogs” across the country ahead of the Sallah.

    Emmanuel Okeh,  spokesman for  the organisation  said personnel  will patrol gathering spots, highways and other “strategic places.”

  • Maiduguri explosions: Military arrests ‘mastermind’, 30 others

    Maiduguri explosions: Military arrests ‘mastermind’, 30 others

    A KEY suspect in the twin-bomb explosions in Maiduguri was arrested yesterday by the military after a massive combing of the city.

    He was said to be one of those who generated the explosives which killed more than 50 people in the troubled Borno State capital.

    A probe of the Maiduguri incident was on yesterday in Abuja, forcing top military leaders to hold a long review session.

    A source in the military admitted that some of those injured in Saturday’s explosions had died, leading to the rise in the death toll.

    The troops and Boko Haram were locked in more encounters in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states since. Friday. The battle in Mainok is described as fierce.

    Following the encounters, 30 other Boko Haram members were picked up in Adamawa and Yobe states and taken into custody for interrogation.

    The Nigerian Air Force continued aerial attacks yesterday, targeting Boko Haram bases and hideouts.

    A military source, who spoke in confidence on the Maiduguri explosions, said: “A suspect believed to be one of those who generated the explosions has been arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.

    “He was picked up from his temporary hideout from where he had planned to run away from Maiduguri.

    “The probe of the blast is ongoing; we are trying to study and analyse how they penetrated the tight security in Maiduguri with a van conveying firewood. We have also beefed up security to prevent a reoccurrence.”

    The source said the success of recent air raids accounted for the reprisals by Boko Haram.

    “Due to persistent air strikes, these insurgents were dislodged from their bases and cells or camps. In frustration, they sneaked into Maiduguri to wreak havoc.”

    Asked of the update on those killed, the source admitted a rise in the death toll.

    “The death toll must certainly be from those wounded,” the source added.

    “Some of these fighters were also picked up in border towns and villages in their attempts to escape to their camps in Cameroon.

    “We have found on them fighting weapons; they are undergoing intense grilling in some designated centres.

    “Some of them were behind recent attacks on villages and towns in Adamawa and Yobe states.”

    Yesterday, the Air Force continued its air strikes of identified camps and bases of Boko Haram.

    Defence Headquarters spokesman Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said: “Somebody was arrested in connection with Saturday’s explosions in Maiduguri. Investigation is in progress.”

  • Police arrest suspected mastermind of Lagos blast

    A man suspected by the police to have planted the explosive device that killed a sand dredger, Oladele Pius, under the Amowo-Odofin/FESTAC link bridge on Monday, has been arrested.

    Police sources said the suspect was arrested early yesterday by undercover policemen who had been keeping watch over the blast scene since Monday.

    Sources at Area ‘E’ Police Command, FESTAC Town, Lagos disclosed that the suspect was arrested when he came to remove power cables from the scene. The police, The Nation learnt, are investigating the cable’s connection with the explosion as it was passed through the canal to the fence where the device was planted.

    It was gathered that the suspect who is currently being interrogated at the Police Area Command had made useful statement.

    Sources disclosed to our reporter that the suspect is an Ijaw man from Delta State, who was said to be an employee of the late Pius.

    The suspect, it was learnt, had mentioned the names of nine others who were involved in the explosion.

    On Tuesday, The Nation reliably gathered that the police had arrested those who spoke with the deceased shortly before the explosion occurred.

    Attempts to get an official comment on the arrest failed as the Area Commander, Mr Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), did not answer calls put through to him.

    Lagos Police Commissioner, Mr Umar Manko confirmed that his men were holding somebody in connection with the incident. He, however, said he could not say that the person is the mastermind of the explosion as investigation is still ongoing.

    Manko, after his visit to the scene, told reporters that the explosion was not caused by a bomb, but as a result of an electrical fault.

  • Kaduna bomb explosion: Security agencies identify mastermind, launch manhunt

    arely four days after a suicide bomber killed eight people and injured 145 in Kaduna, security agencies have uncovered the mastermind of the blast and his operational base.

    They have launched a manhunt for the mastermind who reportedly relocated from Kaduna immediately after the blast.

    There was security alert yesterday following the leakage of a likely teleconference in Maiduguri today by the Boko Haram leadership.

    It was learnt that reporters in Maiduguri had been informed about the teleconference.

    There were indications that while some leaders of the sect wanted a shift of the conference, others favoured it.

    According to findings, security agencies have identified the coordinator of the bomb explosion and his operational base in Kaduna.

    A highly-placed security source said: “Preliminary investigation into last Sunday’s incident has revealed the identity of the coordinator of the blast. Also, security agencies were able to locate the operational base of the mastermind.

    “The suspect, however, relocated from Kaduna after accomplishing his mission at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kaduna.

    “We have launched a manhunt for him. We will soon arrest him because we have been trailing him.”

    The source added: “We have established that the fleeing suspect was the ‘key’ mastermind of the blast.

    “We uncovered his operational base, but for strategic reasons, we will not give the details until he is caught.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The security agencies are on top of the challenges posed by violent groups such as the Boko Haram.

    “You should realise that terrorism is a new security problem confronting the nation. But we are responding to it.

    “The Federal Government is also collaborating with international agencies to address the problem.”

    Meanwhile, there was security alert yesterday following alleged plans by the Boko Haram to hold a teleconference in Maiduguri today.

    Another source said: “We have placed security agencies on the alert following a notice to reporters in Maiduguri that Boko Haram might open up today on the recent bombings.

    “We learnt that while some of their leaders were opposed to the briefing, others favoured it.

    “Whatever it is, we are eager to know what they will say and we will respond appropriately.”