The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni

  • Five arrested for ‘lynching’ suspected kidnapper in Oshodi 

    Five arrested for ‘lynching’ suspected kidnapper in Oshodi 

    Five persons have been arrested in connection with Tuesday’s lynching of a suspected kidnapper at Oshodi.

    The suspects were Wednesday paraded by the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni at the Officers’ Mess, Ikeja.

    They are Ogbonna Nwankwo, Oyetunji Abimbola, Akeem Jimoh, Kingsley Okoro and Iris Adebisi
    According to the police, the suspects instigated the mob action against the suspect kidnapper, who allegedly abducted three children around Akinpelu.

    The Nation reports that one of the children kidnapped by the suspect was found dead inside a bag they were put in.

    Owoseni said despite warnings to residents to shun mob justice, thr suspects pepertrated same act.
    He said: “It is however appalling to note that despite this warning, some hoodlums descended on a yet-to-be identified man and lynched him to death under the guise that he is a kidnapper. Five suspects have been arrested.”

    Similarly, two commercial motorcyclists were arrested for allegedly abducted one Coporal Ojo Taiwo, after they were prevented from parking in front of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Ipaja Agege.

    According to Owoseni, the Corporal was rescued by military personnel attached to the camp, adding that 12 abandoned motorcycles were recovered from other fleeing suspects.

  • Police arrest Baale, three others over Badoo

    Police arrest Baale, three others over Badoo

    …Uncover shrine with graves

     

    The police in Lagos have arrested the Baale of Agbowa, Ikorodu, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi and three others following resumed killings by suspected ritual gang, Badoo.

    A shrine said to be used by the murderous gang was also uncovered and demolished by the team sent by Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.

    It was gathered that the tram led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations, Imohimi Edgal discovered about five graves in the premises, with one of them looking freshly dug.

    One of the cops who went on the operation claimed the shrine was one of the biggest in Ikorodu, adding that it belonged to Alhaji Abayomi.

    He said: “The shrine is situated on a large expense of land surrounded by thick bushes. We saw give graves. One of them looks fresh. We couldn’t enter some of the rooms because they had iron doors.”

    This discovery came barely 24 hours after suspected members of the murderous gang killed a couple, Rotimi and Rita Adejare, as well as two of their children at Oke Ota in Ibeshe.

    It was gathered that the victims were discovered on Sunday evening when their church members came to check on them after they were not seen at the service.

     

  • Gunmen kidnap Monarch, demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen kidnap Monarch, demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen have kidnapped a traditional ruler at Ibeju-Lekki, Baale Salino Kareem.

    The 75-year-old Baale was whisked away around 2am on Sunday when the gunmen invaded his palace through the waterways.

    The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically before taking the man away in their speedboats.

    According to residents, the kidnappers established contact after 48 hours and demanded N20 million as ransom.

    This is just as five persons kidnapped in the area in March have regained their freedom. It was gathered that the victims were released after paying N3million ransom each.

    The Baale’s kidnap was said to have thrown the community into panic, with residents fleeing for safety.

    It was gathered that the development prompted the Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni to visit the area and assure the residents of security.

    During the interactive session with Owoseni, another monarch, Oba

    Muyiwa Ogunbekun appealed for proper monitoring of the waterways.

    He said: “We cannot sleep with our eyes closed anymore. Kidnappers have taken over Ibeju-Lekki. We want proper monitoring of the waterways by providing us with marine police and gun boats.

    “We know police are doing their best but the best is not enough. We want adequate security of our waterways.”

    Tosin Oshinuga said: “The kidnappers are not ghosts and live in our mist. Some of our youths should work with the security agencies to contain kidnapping and other vices.”

     

  • Police arrest man for alleged N4.5m fraud

    Police arrest man for alleged N4.5m fraud

    A 33-year-old man, Babatunde Olaogun, was Wednesday paraded by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly sending fake bank alerts to his clients to defraud them.

    Olaogun, who was arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad  (RRS), had earlier been arraigned for impersonating the state Governor to defraud a car dealer of three vehicles.

    He was alleged to have also produced a fake bank statement, which he used to collect a million naira loan from money lenders.

    According to the police, the suspect generated a false bank alert which he used to defraud his last victim of 25 cartons of HP computers valued at N4.5million.

    Olaogun was said to have promised the company to remit N2.5million within two weeks of the purchase, but instead of doing so, he showed them a bank alert indicating he had made payments.

    But when the supplier went to his account to withdraw the money, it was discovered that no such credit was made.

    Confessing to the crime, he said: “When I bought the laptops I sold to someone else but the person did not pay me on time. When I could not pay the supplier as agreed and he was pressurising me, I decided to send the fake bank alert to him so as to have peace.

    ‘I copied several alerts already sent to me by my bank. Then, I edited and retyped it as sms. That was what I showed the supplier. I didn’t send it to his phone.

    “After waiting endlessly for the person I resold the twenty five laptops, coupled with the pressure of the supplier.

    “Immediately after sending the bank alerts to my phone, I went to his shop to show him the alert so as to give him the assurance that actually the money was sent to him. When I sent the alert to him I wasn’t entertaining any fear.”

    The suspect admitted that he facilitated the vehicles supplied to the office of the governor because of his relationship with the car dealer, saying that two of the vehicles were intercepted before getting to Alausa.

    “Initially I was not afraid, but now I regret my action, because I don’t intend to defraud my friend that supplied the laptops to me.”

    The graduate of Lagos State University who was arrested on May 5, 2017 at his office at Balogun Market, Ikeja, claimed it was greed that pushed him into the act.

    Police Commissioner  Fatai Owoseni said: “The suspect would go into shops and buy good worth millions of naira and instead of paying, he would send fake bank alert to the person that supplied him the goods on credit.

    “When the person went to the bank to collect the money, it was there the person discovered that what they sent to him was fake bank alert. He also generated fake bank statement to deceive suppliers of five million naira and a Toyota Corolla was recovered from him. He would be charged to court.”

     

  • DPO shoots man dead, injure others in Lagos

    DPO shoots man dead, injure others in Lagos

    A trigger-happy Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on Sunday night shot dead a fashion designer, Jamiu Ayoade and injured two others.

    The incident occurred at Ijeshatedo around 7pm.

    It was gathered that the DPO shot Ayoade, who was at a friend’s (Abubakar Animashaun) birthday party with his lover, at close range.

    He was said to have shot him because the youths at the party refused to run at the sight of policemen.

    The DPO, it was gathered, alighted his vehicle, walked up to the victim and shot him on the head, killing him on the spot.

    Those who sustained injuries were said to have been hit by stray bullet.

    According to witnesses, the killer cop had stormed the area with some of his subordinates in two patrol vehicles.

    As if acting on information, the source said they got to the venue the first time, observed what was happening, left and returned to the venue before going berserk.

    While one of his officers was said to have shot in the air, the DPO, it was gathered marched to the place Ayoade sat in anger and shot him.

    According to residents, if any of the youths had fled at the sound of the first gunshot from the police, they would have been arrested and branded criminals.

    They said the policemen would have taken them to their station and demanded money for their bail from their relatives.

    There was a bloodstain on the floor of the house where Ayoade was killed on Monday morning, with residents condemning the manner in which he was killed.

    According to Jelili Bakare, whose brother was the celebrant, the killer DPO called for reinforcement after the shooting.

    He said: “My brother was having a low key party with his friends at our late father’s house when the DPO and his men stormed the place. It was around 6:30pm that they came first. The DPO called one Mama Aliyat, a woman on the street and they left.

    “Surprisingly, the policemen came back to the street after some minutes. One of the officers, who followed the DPO shot in the air, thinking that some of the youths would run away.

    “But when they didn’t run, the DPO came down from his vehicle angrily and went to where Ayoade was sitting in the corridor. He shot him in the head at close range.

    “After the shooting, the DPO called for reinforcement from other police divisions in the area and told them the youths were armed with cutlasses and that broken bottles littered the party venue.

    “But the other DPOs left after they didn’t see traces of violence at the scene. We went to Itire-Ikate Local Council to complain but he told them that the deceased has been on their wanted list. We were disappointed.”

    An elder brother to the deceased, Taofeeq Ayoade, who pleaded to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni for justice, said his brother was an easy going person.

    He debunked the allegation from the LCDA that he was on their wanted list, noting that his brother has never been to a police station in his life.

    He said: “What annoyed us most was the allegation of the DPO that my brother had been on their wanted list. Wanted list for what purpose? We are calling on Lagos State government and the State Commissioner of Police to come to our aid.

    “As I speak with you, my mother is in serious condition. She has been weeping since that day. We have buried my brother in accordance with Islamic rites.”

  • Mushin crisis: Police arrest 59 suspects

    The police in Lagos have arrested 59 suspects for their alleged involvement in Monday’s fracas at Mushin that left several persons injured.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni disclosed this at a press conference held Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

    Parading the suspects, Owoseni said 68 persons were arrested but nine were released after they were screened.

    He said the suspects were arrested at the popular Akala Street, known for its notoriety in illicit drugs.

    Owoseni said the operatives recovered pump action guns, charms, daggers and cutlasses from the hoodlums, adding that the police were on the trail of kingpins, who instigate crisis in the area.

    According to the police boss, some “powerful people” have been named, within and outside the market as sponsors of the hit and run operations for selfish interest.

    He said: “The police are working with sister agencies, especially the military to trail the sponsors and to make sure that hoodlums no longer operate freely in Lagos.”

    Giving a rundown of the command activities, Owoseni said 13 suspected armed robbers were arrested at different locations, adding that two suspects died during shootouts with operatives.

    The commissioner also paraded 21 other suspects including 17 persons arrested for alleged gangsterism.

    He said eight weapons, 18 rounds of ammunition and 10 vehicles were recovered from hoodlums within the period under review.

    On activities of militants, Owoseni said the police would continue the raiding of creeks, adding that more suspects have been apprehended.

    He said: “We are still raiding creeks, aside from Isawo, we are gathering intelligence report on other creeks. We would continue with the exercise until we get rid of the criminals in the creeks. We will sustain the tempo and nothing would make us not achieve our purpose.”

  • Ishawo: Police honour slained, injured cops

    The four policemen killed by militants at Ishawo in Ikorodu, a Lagos district, Tuesday received posthumous commendation from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    Also rewarded at the event held at the Lagos Police Command were cops who sustained injuries during the operation to rescue residents from militants’ invasion on April 9.

    Handing over cash rewards and posthumous commendation letters to the widows of the officers, Idris, who was represented by the state Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said the gesture was to demonstrate the force’ appreciation for their gallantry.

    He said the police also wanted to encourage other cops and make them realise they were not alone in peace and trouble times.

    Owoseni gave the names of the murdered cops as Inspectors Godwin Iruagbalachi and Francis Pemi, as well as Sergeants Mammudu Dembo and Idor Ekoro, assuring their widows they did not die in vain.

    He said: “The men were responding to distress call to save lives when they were shot dead. We should learn how to appreciate sacrifice of our men. That is what we have done today, not that the token can bring them back again. We should pray that God will grant them eternal rest in paradise.”

  • Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    The Lagos State Police Command Wednesday said it arrested 19 suspected kidnappers last month and recovered 18 guns, 26 live ammunition, as well as 22 vehicles.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni stated this while briefing reporters on the activities of the command for the month of February.

    Fourteen of the 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested on Tuesday after their gang allegedly abducted two private guards at Adebayo Market in Bariga.

    It was gathered that gunmen numbering about 24 stormed the market and whisked away two of the private guards, whom they accused of being stumbling blocks to their gaining access to the premises.

    They were said to have whisked the victims to a place known as Ososa where two teams of policemen invaded and rescued them.

    According to Owoseni, the kidnap suspects were being shielded from the media because efforts were on to apprehend their accomplices.

    He said that they would be paraded and then charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.

    Owoseni disclosed that out of 25 distress calls received by the police through the control room last month, 20 were successfully prevented.

    The police chief also commended his personnel for smashing interstate robbery syndicates, arresting suspects and rescuing victims.

    He said: “Police got 25 distress calls in February and through quick response, 20 were successfully prevented. Within the same period, 24 armed robbery suspects and 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested. Fourteen of the kidnappers were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) at Bariga.

    “Eight suspected cultists were arrested. A robbery suspect died in the course of battle with police.

    18 guns were recovered with 26 rounds of live ammunition, while 22 different cars were recovered from criminal elements.”

    According to Owoseni, a Toyota Highlander vehicle that was snatched from its owner in Ibadan was recovered, the victim rescued and three suspects apprehended, adding that the suspects and exhibits have been moved to Oyo State Command for further action.

    He debunked reports that one Tope died in the custody of the police at Lion Building on Monday, insisting that the only suspect who was arrested during the raid and found to be ill, was released to his parents.

    Owoseni stated that the suspect, Kayode Olasukunmi was found to be asthmatic and he was immediately handed over to his parents who took him home with them, adding that the young man was still alive.

    He said: “There was no person with the name Tope that was arrested during the raid in Lagos Island. Of the 187 persons arrested, one Kayode Olasukunmi was discovered to be ill during screening and he was taken to a hospital. His parents were contacted and they disclosed that he was asthmatic and that they usually used local methods to treat him. The young man was released to his parents. His parents are here to speak for themselves. The young man is still alive. No Tope was arrested during the raid and no one died inside Lion Building.

    “Also, the police did not use lethal weapon was used on the people. Instead, a policeman was injured in the course if the mayhem. The people who crowded Lion Building are beneficiaries of hooliganism and street fighting in the area, who were displeased that the suspects were charged to court.

    “Out of the 187 suspects arrested, 63 were released during screening because they have a credible means of livelihood. The remaining 124 were charged to court and 112 were convicted. The Magistrate freed 12 of them including the said pregnant woman after warning them seriously. Drugs and other substances were recovered from the suspects.”

  • Police, TuFace reach truce on protest

    Police, TuFace reach truce on protest

    …We won’t stop Tuface, other Nigerians from protesting – Presidency

     

     

    The Lagos State Police Command Friday rescinded its threat to stop the anti-government protest slated for Monday by pop star Innocent Idibia popularly known as TuFace .

    The two sides met Friday and resolved to modify their hard line positions, according to

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.

    Owoseni explained that the police were concerned about the safety of residents of Lagos, including the protesters and would not want anything untoward to happen to them.

    He said: “We had a meeting with the protesters and we explained to them why we advised against the protest. A pro-government group wants to protest that same day and we don’t want a situation where there would be friction.

    “We also don’t want hooligans to hijack the process and injure the protesters.

    “After explaining to them, they said they will go back and discuss with others. They said if they decide to go ahead, they won’t demonstrate but would assemble at a point and read their demands.

    “That notwithstanding, we have resolved to provide security for them. It is our responsibility and we won’t shy away from it. We will ensure trouble makers do not hijack the process.”

    The Presidency also declared that it has nothing against the protest and that Tuface and other Nigerians are entitled to express themselves in peaceful protests.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice  President, Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande said on his Twitter handle that the Buhari Administration  “will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests, it’s a fundamental right of the people.”

    He added: “No govt has ever laid out the kind of Social Investment Prog, the Buhari govt is now running across the nation, that will touch millions.”

    Meanwhile, Afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti has denied insinuations  that he is against the TuFace protest.

  • 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.