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Tag: Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

  • JAMB arrests 25 persons over illegal sale of UTME materials

    JAMB arrests 25 persons over illegal sale of UTME materials

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has arrested 25 persons over illegal registration and sale of 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) materials.

    JAMB registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said the individuals arrested were  selling registration materials to the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to candidates.

    The suspects, he said, were arrested by a combined team of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU); members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force.

    Oloyede said the e-Brochure and e-Syllabus, which were meant to be free were being sold by the culprits as high as N800 each nationwide.

    He also said the culprits were extorting money and inflating cost of registration for candidates.

    “Our quality assurance unit, particularly the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit had to go out to see what was happening, following reports of extortion.

    “We were having reports that candidates are paying more than the N5,500 that is required.,” Oloyede said..

    “Some of them inflated the prices of registration and application documents, so we had to arrest them to show Nigerians that those items were not supposed to be sold.

    “The arrests were carried out across the country yesterday April 1, and we have handed them over to the Nigerian Police for prosecution, ” he said.

    He urged applicants seeking to register for the forthcoming UTME to go about their registration in line with due processes, to avoid hitches associated with irregularities.

    He noted that JAMB would stick to its stipulated  April-ending deadline  for registration for this year’s examination.

    Oloyede debunked complaints about  poor internet connectivity.

    According to him, many of the business centres who wanted  JAMB  to return to the old practice or producers of the scratch cards are behind the complaints.

    Oloyede also assured all applicants that they would be registered for the exercise before the end of the month.

  • Dislodged militants now enroll as private guards – Police

    Dislodged militants now enroll as private guards – Police

    Lagos residents have been warned to ensure circumspection when employing domestic workers, and to allow proper profiling of their domestic employees by the police.

    Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Fatai Owoseni gave the warning Friday, disclosing that some of the militants/kidnappers dislodged from creeks now disguise as private security guards.

    Owoseni said the police were already taking census of some of the estates where these kidnappers have been posted by their firms as guards, without knowing they were spying on victims.

    He also disclosed that cases of criminality perpetrated by domestic helps were on the increase especially with respect to drivers fleeing with their employers’ vehicles.

    The police boss warned estate managers, private guards to stop denying policemen on patrol, duty access into the premises, adding that the command was working with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to address anomalies.

    Owoseni said: “Criminal elements and suspected militants/kidnappers have found themselves enlisted into services of private security company, where they choose the estates they want to go and work.

    “It gives them platform to do monitoring and then give information to their cohorts outside. The command wants to advice Lagos residents on the need to profile domestic servants and drivers they employ.

    “By doing that, they would be helping to secure themselves, protect valuables and assist the police in its quest to reduce crime to minimal level in Lagos.”

    Giving details of arrests made by the command between Tuesday and Friday, Owoseni said a syndicate that advertises and present themselves as drivers in order to steal from their employers was apprehended.

    He said: “They do so in connivance with guards in some of the houses they work as drivers. We got four members of the gang after a Hyundai jeep which was stolen from the owner’s home, was intercepted at Ondo State, enroute Abuja.

    “Through diligent investigation, kingpin James Jacob was arrested. During interrogation, three others were arrested. On a serial basis, they give out themselves as drivers. After working for the family for some time, they steal the car or connive with guards.

    “They have confessed that there are five other cars stolen in that manner. James Jacob has been paraded last year for a case of rape and stealing of vehicle. He raped his boss’ house help and stole the car. He was charged to court but unfortunately, he got bail and refused to learn his lessons.

    “The gang had number plates belonging to government offices, which they use to move stolen vehicles to places they sell them.”

    Owoseni also said the command through the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), arrested four suspected tricksters, armed robbers, who usually shoot their victims after luring them to particular locations under the guise of buying wares from them.

    Wilfred Ehi, 30; Bright Eloho, 24; Olanrewaju Kamilu, 33 and Ekeme Gbmedu, 22, were arrested at Olamoti Hotel, Iyana-Iba by a decoy team.

    They were said to have shot a policeman, who disguised as a phone seller and stood at a place they asked him to stay with the phone.

    According to Owoseni, the command has received about 13 reports on the activities of the suspects, prompting an undercover operation to arrest them.

    He said: “They ask the sellers to bring phones to the hotel. Once the person got there, they fire the person and collect the phone. They fired one of the policemen who carried phones to them as a seller. He was shot in the leg in the course of the operation.

    “Police eventually had upper hand and kingpin of the syndicate was nabbed, leading to arrest of three others.

    “A KIA Optimal saloon car, four expensive telephones, two wristwatches, a cannon E087D camera, laptop, WiFi and a wrap of weeds was recovered from them.

    “We also arrested three suspects including the brother of producer, Seun Kareem alias Egbegbe for being his accomplices. The suspects, Lawal Kazeem,  Olalekan Yusuf and Muyideen Shoyombo have confessed to the crime and would be charged to court.

    “Five members of a syndicate that specialises in faking to be haulage contractors were arrested. The command has been on their trail until the last operation where the command worked with victim.  “They present themselves as haulage contractors to big companies and individuals wanting to transport goods from Lagos to other parts of the country. They use their trucks or those of victims to carry goods, which they divert and sell around Shagamu and then, they take the trucks away.

    “RRS tracked and arrested five suspects. Two of the diverted trucks were dismantled and sold to different spare-parts dealer. The two have been recovered. They confessed to other trucks they have diverted and butcher like that.

    “Flour that was given to them to transport out of Lagos has been traced to the receiver. It has been recovered and worth N46m.”

     

  • Navy hands over two suspected vandals, fuel to NSCDC

    Navy hands over two suspected vandals, fuel to NSCDC

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT Wednesday handed over two suspected pipeline vandals and 53 fuel-laden jerrycans to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Suleiman Ismail, 38, and Kingsley Imaeto, 40 were arrested by operatives attached to Operation AWATSE, the anti-vandals/militants taskforce combing Lagos-Ogun creeks.

    According to the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno, the suspects were apprehended at Imagbon in Ogun State.

    While handing over the suspects and exhibits to the NSCDC Area Commander, Lagos Central, Assistant Commandant Padonu Augustine, Eno said: “The 76km stretch of pipeline running from Atlas Cove to Mosimi Depot was shut down for 11 months due to severe acts of vandalism on the lines. This was to allow total refurbishment of the lines which cost the Federal Government billions of Naira.

    “The maintenance of the lines was completed early this year and pumping of products to Mosimi commenced on March 21.

    “However, at about 3am on March 27, a private security outfit, Topline Leighton Limited, engaged for security and maintenance of the pipeline, in conjunction with personnel of Operation AWATSE arrested two suspects in Ogun.

    “They were arrested with 53 Jerry cans of 50 litres each of PMS suspected to have been siphoned from the pipelines. The products were being conveyed in four vehicles as at the time of the arrest.

    “The vehicles used for the illegal act were Toyota Sienna marked LSR142BH, Volkswagen Bus with registration number KRD151XM, Mazda Bus- XU138EPE and Toyota Camry marked VL03APP.

    “Some of the vandals on sighting the securitymen, fled the scene.”

    Eno assured the public that security forces would continue to arrest those involved in pipeline vandalism and oil theft, warning the perpetrators to desist from such acts.

    “We should note that criminals involved in pipeline vandalism are sometimes involved in kidnappings, bank robberies and other nefarious activities,” said Eno.

     

  • Cleric jailed for’ seducing’ male children

    An Akure Magistrate court has sentenced a 32 year-old prophet, Sunday Waleola to three years imprisonment without option of fine for ‘sodomizing’ some male children.

    Waleola, the founder of a Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Church in Akure, the Ondo State capital was alleged to have sodomized some male children who were between the ages of six and nine at the premises of his church located in Oke Aro area of Akure.

    The court presided over by Mrs. Victoria Bob-Manuel handed down the sentence to the pastor after he was found guilty of child molestation.

    It was learnt that trouble started for the prophet when officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, acting on a tip off found him committing the immoral act at the premises of his church.

    The legal officer of the NSCDC, Mr  Ebiriku David, told the Court that the pastor was a “serial homosexual” who was in the habit of seducing male children.

    David said the offence committed by the prophet was against section 32 (1) of the Ondo State Child Rights Law 2017.

    Waleola who pleaded guilty to the offence, blamed the devil for his misdemeanor.

    Besides, he confessed that he had sodomized four children, adding that the victims were all pupils of public primary schools who he enticed with money.

    The court thereafter ordered the Pastor to be jailed at Olokuta prison in Akure for three years without an option of fine.

  • Woman accuses IKEDC, NSCDC of assault, wrongful detention

    Woman accuses IKEDC, NSCDC of assault, wrongful detention

    A petty trader, Mrs. Ayodele Ediale, 35, has accused Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of smearing her name, after treating her unfairly.

    Mrs. Ediale was paraded in January and alleged to have stabbed an IKEDC official, Stephen John Enyinna during a disagreement at 6, Ayodola Street, Alimosho

    The woman, who said she was detained for four days and later charged to court without her side of the story heard, denied committing the crime.

    Mrs. Ediale who was described as a murderer by some media houses after she was paraded, Monday told The Nation she was shocked at the unprofessional conduct of officials of the NSCDC.

    At the Public Advice Centre (PAC), Alausa, where she alongside her husband visited to demand justice, the woman appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to look into her matter.

    According to her, she was severely beaten by the said Enyinna, who also used his helmet to hit her on her stomach and other parts of her body for “being rude.”

    She said: “It is really sad how people who think they have power trample on others. At no point did I stab him. In fact, he was the one who slapped me and started beating me that I answered his boss rudely. I had to fight back when the beating was too much before neighbours saw what was happening and pulled him away.

    “What actually caused the problem was that they had disconnected light from my mother’s house about three weeks before January 16. They had presented a very high bill which my widowed mother and step-mother couldn’t pay.

    “The men from IKEDC office in Alimosho are always coming in batches to harass and extort the women, who had pleaded to pay the exorbitant bill in instalments.

    “So, I was at my mother’s house that January 16 when two IKEDC workers entered the compound. I was outside with my step sister but my mother was inside. When they came, they asked who disconnected the light and where the wire was?

    “This disgusted me and my step sister. We replied that such questioning was rhetorical and Enyinna Stephen went wild saying we were being rude to his boss and instantly slapped me.

    “I was infuriated and held unto his clothes as my sister tried to calm me down. Stephen continued to abuse and assault me; he incessantly hit my breasts and other parts of my body with his helmet.

    “After the brawls and scuffles, neighbours came around to my rescue. They dragged him out and locked our gate. I felt abused and started throwing stones at him, as my mother and neighbour calmed me.

    “Within an hour, some NSCDC officers came to my place armed with guns. I was surprised to see them and even more shocked to see Enyinna bleeding. They dragged me to their office and detained me after I was asked to write a statement.

    “I was still wondering why I am the one being detained instead of the man who assaulted me, then, it occurred to me that he might have slit his arm intentionally so that he can get away with his crime against me.

    “I was called a witch at NSCDC office. They accused me of being a wicked woman and told me I’ll wrath in prison. No one cared to listen to my side of the story. Nobody asked me what I did and if I really stabbed the man.

    “The counsel to the Ikeja Electric Company was working with the legal department of NSCDC. They were only busy plotting how to make me a scape goat. Then, on January 18, I was paraded before newsmen and called a thief. I even tried to cover my face but NSCDC operatives brushed my hands off and shouted at me.

    “I was maltreated and wondered what crime I committed. At this point, I was advised to start pleading with the Ikeja Electric’s counsel. And that’s when I started apologizing for a crime I didn’t commit. I and my husband knelt down to apologize to Stephen (Enyinna) at the NSCDC headquarters in Alausa.”

    Continuing, the woman said she was detained for four days without bail, exposed to mosquitoes and other inhumane treatment.

    She said: “Because we couldn’t afford to pay a lawyer, we were pleading with the officials to grant me bail but they kept refusing. Eventually, I was charged to court after I was paraded.

    “I am sad that people who feel they have might and money coukd do things and get away with it. How can NSCDC that survives on tax payers’ money become an accomplice in such evil? What stopped them from investigating to know who actually committed an offence?”

    Contacted, spokesperson for NSCDC, Mary Kehinde-Bada denied allegations of connivance and injustice against the agency.

    She said from picture evidence and testimonies of witnesses, Mrs. Ediale stabbed Enyinna with a broken bottle.

    She said: “It’s untrue that we perpetrated injustice against her. We are in partnership with the electricrity companies because we protect their instalments. Normally, when they go out to the field, our men usually escort them.

    “But that day at Alimosho, none of our operatives went with them. So, when the incident happened, the officials called for backup and that was how our people got there. From our investigation, the woman broke a bottle and stabbed the official with it. We have picture evidence and also have testimony from witnesses. It is also not true that she was denied bail. She was granted administrative bail but didn’t meet her bail condition.”

  • 5,000 security personnel for Lagos bye-election

    5,000 security personnel for Lagos bye-election

    No fewer than 5,000 security agents have been deployed by the police ahead of Saturday’s bye-election for Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos state.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni made this disclosure during a stakeholders meeting held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

    Owoseni disclosed that there would be restriction of movement in the election area from 12am, warning trouble makers to stay away.

    According to him, the 5000 security personnel were drawn from the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps  (NSCDC).

    The bye-election was sequel to the death of the former representative, Adewale Elijah in August.
    He said: ”This meeting is an opportunity for candidates to sign an undertaking for a peaceful exercise. As candidates and leaders to be, you must be able to control your supporters and agents.

    ”The Police, Military, NSCDC and DSS are collaborating to secure the election. We are going to use 5,000 officers and men.

    ”Political office holders are warned from moving freely with their security aids during the election. No vehicle is parmitted to go close to any polling boots.

    ”The accreditation and voting commence same time. Anyone with observation should reach the officials and not take laws into their hands.”

    In his remark, zonal supervising officer, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chief Shoyebi Adedeji said all sensitive materials have been distributed to the wards.

  • Calabar carnival: Police, NSCDC assure of adequate security

    Calabar carnival: Police, NSCDC assure of adequate security

    The Cross River Police Command has assured residents and tourists visiting the state of adequate security during the 2016 annual Calabar carnival scheduled to commence December 1.

    This assurance was given on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, in an interview with the journalists in Calabar.

    Ozi-Obeh said that the command had strengthened its security network, with a view to curbing any emergency cases of security in the state at the annual festival which attracts thousands of tourists from within and outside the country.

    “The one month annual festival will be officially flagged off on December 1. We have witnessed the first and second dry-run and there were no security hitches.

    “The command is ever ready to provide adequate security for thousands of tourists that will be coming in for the festival.

    “I want to assure you that we are working in collaboration with other sister agencies to ensure that the carnival period is celebrated peacefully in the state,’’ he assured.

    In the same vein, the Cross River Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Clement Adesuyi assured the people of the state and tourists coming for the carnival of adequate security.

    Adesuyi said that the command would deploy intelligence and uniform officers to different locations in the state to ensure a peaceful Christmas and carnival celebration.

    According to him, one of the objectives of the corps is to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.

    “I want to assure the peaceful people of Cross River and tourists that the state command of NSCDC is on alert to respond to all security challenges within the carnival period and beyond.

    “Our men on uniform and those of the intelligent department will be deployed to strategic locations in the state to ensure a smooth carnival and Christmas celebration,’’ he said.

  • NSCDC arrests five suspected vandals of oil pipes in Asaba

    NSCDC arrests five suspected vandals of oil pipes in Asaba

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Delta on Tuesday said it arrested five suspected vandals of oil pipes.

    Presenting the suspects to newsmen, the Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mrs Isi Irabor, said the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state.

    Irabor said NSCDC had resolved to eradicate oil theft, illegal bunkering and other crimes in the state.

    She said the corps was doing its best to bring line pipe vandalism to the barest minimum in Delta.

    Irabor said that two of the suspects, John Andrew and John Matthew were arrested in Warri South Local Government Area in possession of a locally fabricated boat popularly called Cotonou boat.

    She said that the boat was fully loaded with an estimated 70,000 liters of crude oil.

    The commandant said that one Frank Oweifawer was also arrested in Warri South with five drums of substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO in a speed boat.

    She said that each of the drums contained 200 liters of AGO.

    The commandant said that Friday Ichigbua and Frank Obaje were arrested in Ndokwa East with a truck containing substance suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

    She said that the suspects would be charged to court after further investigations.

    Irabor advised vandals and other criminals to stay away from crime and criminality or relocate from Delta.

    She assured the people of the state that NSCDC had deployed men and available logistics to ensure a crime free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Irabor appealed to the people to feel free to report suspected persons, movements or objects to security agencies for prompt action.

  • NSCDC operative, youth corps member drown in Bayelsa boat mishap

    NSCDC operative, youth corps member drown in Bayelsa boat mishap

    An operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member have drowned in Bayelsa State following a boat mishap.

    It was gathered that the boat incident occurred along the waterways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    It was learnt that the unidentified NSCDC operative died on Wednesday during an operational tour along the Lobia area of the Southern Ijaw waterways.

    The patrol boat conveying the team of NSCDC reportedly collided with another boat when it was pursuing suspected oil pipeline vandals.

    The corps member, who was said to be serving at Okpotuwari community in Southern Ijaw, also died in a separate boat accident.

    The incident reportedly happened at about 2pm on Thursday at a jetty in the community.

    Other passengers in the ill-fated boat were said to have rescued and taken ashore.

    Some sources identified the corps member as a male and an indigene of Anambra State.

    They said the incident happened when a local boat conveying them across the river of Okpotuwari and Ondewari tumbled and threw the occupants overboard.

    While two of the victims were said to have been rescued alive by community divers, the corps member was unlucky and got drowned.

    The corps member and others were said to have crossed over to Ondewari community and were returning to their base in the ill-fated boat when the tragedy happened

    But, another community source, who spoke in confidence alleged that the driver of the boat conveying the corps members lost control of the boat on getting close to the jetty due to high sea tides.

    He said that the high current caused the boat to capsize.

    He noted that while the deceased corps member was unlucky to have drowned before help could come his way, his colleagues were rescued by community folks.

    When contacted, the state coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Anthony Ekeocha, the incident was reported to him by the Southern Ijaw Zonal Inspector.

    But he said he had yet to get full details of the incident.

    Also, a top officer of the Bayelsa Command of the NSCDC confirmed that the operative died when their boat collided with another boat during a chase on oil vandals.

    “When the boat collided, the operative fell into the water. Because he could not swim, he drowned before rescue team arrived”, the officer who spoke in confidence said.

  • NSCDC arrests 10 for alleged illegal mining

    NSCDC arrests 10 for alleged illegal mining

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Monday paraded 10 suspected allegedly caught mining sand illegally at Iyagbe in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

    Afeez Idris, John Okon, Dare Bode, Bethel Gabriel, Bashir Sulaimon, Adekunle Akinbami, Jamiu Jinadu, Amos Adeyemi, Fagbeyi Festus  and Alaba George were arrested last Friday during a joint operation carried out by NSCDC operatives and officials from Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.

    Recovered from the suspects who could not provide documents to back up their activity were a speedboat engine and four motor batteries.

    However, the suspects denied any wrongdoing, insisting that they were simply earning legitimate living from sand dredging.

    According to Akinbami, they were employed by a dredging company and were working for them when they were arrested.

    He said: “We were doing our normal work when the officials came in two boats and arrested us. My arrest is unlawful. I am surprised to hear that our operation is illegal. I have been working for the company for two years now. I collect N35, 000 monthly.”

    Festus claimed he was lured into sand dredging as a result of scarcity of fish in the lagoon.
    He said: “I am a fisherman. It was scarcity of fish in the river that made me to work with the miners. I only hire my boat to them and I collect N2, 000 per trip. I saw anything wrong in what they are doing. I felt it’s a normal job.”

    Jinadu who claimed he joined the company a few weeks ago, said it was his last resort since his fishing business was no longer lucrative.

    He said: “I joined the business because I no longer make enough money from fishing. The money I make could not feed my family and I needed additional source of income. Besides, I didn’t know it was an offence to dredge sand for the company.”

    Parading the suspects, Commandant, NSCDC, Tajudeen Balogun said the agency would sustain its clampdown on illegal miners and other economic saboteurs across the state.

    He said: “The suspects engaged in illegal mining as against the rules and regulations of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel. They were involved in the excavation of sand without having the necessary papers. Four pieces of motor batteries, one speed boat engine and one life jacket were recovered at the scene.”

    An official from the Solid Minerals Ministry, Olugbenga Ajayi, who was at the scene said there was a directive from the Minister, Kayode Fayemi, to allow only registered miners operate.