They were arrested during a clash with security operatives in Abuja on Sunday. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had said 97 Shi’ites were arrested over the clash where two officers were killed and three others critically injured and are receiving treatment at the National Hospital.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, while addressing reporters during a parade of the suspects which include young men, women, and infants at the command headquarters in Abuja, said interrogations were ongoing.
He added that the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
He said: “On 25/08/2024 about 11:30am, six Police personnel drafted from various divisions and posted to Wuse market junction came under sudden and unprovoked attack by members of the proscribed sect called “Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN)” aka Shi’ite.
“The six police officers, who were attacked by the suspects wielding dane-guns, machetes, IEDs and stones, were rushed to Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital where ASP Innocent Agabi and Inspector Alex Odeh were confirmed dead by medical doctors on duty while four other officers are on admission and in critical condition. Members of the sect also set ablaze three patrol vehicles and damaged one other.
“So far, 94 members of the proscribed sect linked to the heinous attack are in custody. Interrogations are ongoing and suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.”
Another suspected killer of the former Anambra State House of Assembly member,
Chief Frank Anthony Igboka, was yesterday paraded by the police.
Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura spoke while addressing reporters on the progress made in respect of the murder, which occurred on April 16.
He said the suspect, Okoye Ernest Chinwe, aka IBB, was arrested following discreet investigation.
Dandaura said: “The command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), on May 3, at about 7:30pm, arrested the second principal suspect, Okoye Ernest Chinwe, aka IBB. He is from Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The suspect was initially concealed, but later mentioned by the first suspect, following discreet investigation.”
The police commissioner said the suspect was traced and arrested at his hideout on the old Independent National Electoral Commission Road, Awka.
“Upon interrogation, he confessed to being among the gang members, who killed Igboka.
“He is assisting the police with information that can lead to unveiling the circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest of fleeing accomplices,” he said.
Dandaura said the command would not relent in its efforts to arrest the remaining suspects.
He called for citizens’ cooperation.
“One of the major factors that contributed to the success of the operation was the support by Governor Willie Obiano and the good people of the state.
“We are indeed in an era where community policing is in vogue and the people we are serving continue to demand excellent service,” the police commissioner added.
Dandaura last week paraded one of the suspects, Chigbo Aneigbu, and declared three others wanted.
The police in Abuja yesterday paraded eight suspected robbers and kidnappers, said to be allegedly responsible for the death of a former Commissioner in Katsina State, Prof. Halimatu Idris.
They said 35 bandits had been arrested in Zamfara State, adding that six AK47 rifles, 15 locally-made guns, 183 AK47 live ammunition and seven cartridges were recovered from them.
The suspected highway kidnappers were alleged to have been responsible for the attack on the Director, National Agricultural Research Extensions and Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Mohammed Othman, and abduction of a mum and her seven-month baby.
The police said six of their victims were rescued and the suspects were caught after a gun battle with special forces.
The suspects, Lawal Tukur, 40; Sulaiman Sani, 27; Abubakar Ahmad, 30; Abubakar Adamu, 33; Yahaya Musa, 33; Kabiru Bala, 23; Rufai Tukur, 26 and Shehu Audi, 32, had unleashed terror on road users on Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway before their arrest by operatives of Operation Absolute Sanity.
Sani and Adamu confessed to have killed four persons, the police said, adding that Bala kidnapped Rahinatu Shehu, 51, a mother, Aisha Sani, 23, with her seven-month-old baby at their Mararaba Guga town, Giwa Local Government home.
Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said two AK47 rifles, three pairs of fake military uniforms, cutlasses, motorcycle as well as Shedda cloth and other items belonging to their victims were recovered from the suspects.
He said their arrest followed an order by Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris (IG) that those responsible for the July 22 murder of the former commissioner and other heinous crimes in the axis should be arrested.
“Investigation is in progress and effort is being intensified to nab other suspects. They will be arraigned after investigation,” said Moshood.
He said operatives and equipment had been deployed in the axis to ensure safety, adding that the IG has directed the return to Kaduna State, the Police Mobile Force (PMF) squadrons in MOPOL 1, 47 and 61, who were on special duties outside.
The spokesman said: “PMF units of the Squadrons in MOPOL 1 Kaduna, MOPOL 47 Zaria and MOPOL 61 Kafanchan on special duties outside the state have been ordered by the IG to return to Kaduna State to tighten security, particularly on Kaduna-Abuja highway, Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Kaduna-BirninGwari-Zamfara-Funtua-Zamfara highway and other flash points.”
On the situation in Zamfara, he said peace had been restored, adding that more policemen were deployed following the attack on Kodi village in Zurmi Local Government on July 24, during which four people were killed.
Moshood said: “The Force is embarking on police crime prevention, visibility and confidence building patrols. The people in the affected villages have started returning to their homes.
“Thirty-five bandits have been arrested in connection with the recent attacks in villages in Zamfara State. Six AK47 rifles, 15 locally-fabricated guns, 183 AK47 ammunition and seven live cartridges were recovered from the bandits.
“The suspects have made useful statements to the police and confessed to the killings.”
The police in Borno State yesterday paraded 22 suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
They include eight said to be responsible for the abduction of over 200 girls at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in 2014.
The suspects, who were paraded by Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu, were reportedly arrested between July 4 and 9 by special forces deployed in the Northeast by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.
The Nation learnt the IGP deployed the team, following suicide bombings and killings of innocent persons by insurgents.
Chukwu said the suspects were nabbed at locations in Borno and Yobe states.
•The suspects with their arms and ammunition … yesterday
Those allegedly responsible for Chibok school girls’ kidnap and other attacks were identified as Mayinta Modu, 23; Adam Mohammed, 20; Gujja Jidda, 21; Mamman Wadi, 25; Alhaji Modu Jidda, 29; Ajiri Bulama Dungus, 22; Mohammed Abba, 20 and Fannami Mustapha, 22.
The commissioner said the police recovered 11 AK 47 rifles and other weapons from the suspects, adding that they confessed to over 50 suicide bombings in Borno and Adamawa states, invasion of Bama, Gwoza and others.
He said the suspects admitted killing thousands of innocent citizens, including security agents, in the Northeast.
“The suspects confessed their roles. Among them are commanding and coordinating suicide bombings in Borno State, ambushing of security agents, logistics suppliers and receivers of gold, international currencies, cows, among others.
“Modu, alias Abor, confessed to being one of the Boko Haram commanders, who coordinated and led the kidnapping of the Chibok girls and attacks on Bama, Gwoza and Mubi in Borno and Adamawa states.
“Mohammed confessed to have participated in Chibok school girls’ kidnapping and coordination of suicide bombings. Gujja Jidda confessed to have participated in Chibok girls’ kidnapping and coordinated suicide bombings.
“Wardi confessed to have participated in Chibok girls’ kidnapping and coordinated suicide bombings. Modu Jidda confessed to have participated in Chibok girls’ kidnapping and coordinated suicide bombings.
“Dungus confessed to have participated in Chibok girls’ kidnapping and suicide bombings. Abba confessed to have participated in Chibok girls’ kidnapping and Mustapha also confessed to have participated in the kidnap of Chibok girls and coordinated suicide bombings,” Chukwu said.
He named other paraded suspects as Adam Mustapha, 20; Mustapha Kanimbu, 20; Ibrahim Mala, 48; Abdullahi Gawi, 23; Wano Musa, 27; Ishaka Musa, 26; Abubakar Mohammed, 28; Usman Umar, 28; Maina Abba, 27; Maina Gambo, 24; Abubakar Kori, 25; Bukar Abatcha, 39 and Muhammad Bashir, 35.
The commissioner said Mustapha, alias Ba’Adam, was the coordinator and kingpin of suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, and Adamawa State, adding that he took suicide bombers; men and women, from Sambisa forest to locations, to detonate bombs.
He said the suspect also admitted to have masterminded bomb blasts on Baga Road, Bulunkutu, Custom, Post Office, 3-3, Muna, etc. in Maiduguri, which led to the destruction of life and property.
Chukwu said: “Mustapha Kanimbu, alias Aaramma, was one of the Boko Haram commanders, who supplied logistics to the group members in Sambisa. He confessed to have participated in attacks and killings of hundreds of people in Maiduguri.
“Ibrahim Mala, also one of the Boko Haram terrorist commanders, lived in Dalori Karekere MMC, Borno State and supplied food and logistics to his members in Sambisa forest.
“Bukar Abatcha is a confessed member and major logistics supplier to Boko Haram terrorist commanders living in the bush. Muhammad Bashir, aka Kalijango, was a civilian JTF member at Gambaru Ngala, but he aided and assisted Boko Haram terrorists to supply logistics.
“All suspects arrested have confessed to be masterminds of attacks and suicide bomb blasts on Baga Road, 3-3, Custom, Bulunkutu, Post Office, Muna, Kasuwan Shanu, Dalori IDP Camp, etc in Maiduguri and many suicide attacks in Adamawa State.
“The suspects are helping the police with information to arrest fleeing Boko Haram terrorist commanders.”
The police in Imo State yesterday paraded the suspected killers of an American veteran soldier, Oscar Okebata, who was robbed and murdered in Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area on January 12.
Also paraded was a police sergeant, Iseke Koradam, who was arrested at a hospital in Oke – Uvuru in Aboh, Mbaise Local Government while attempting to steal a baby.
The Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, said Osondu Chukwu (29), Uchechukwu Stanley (30), Onyekachi Kelvin Nwoke (28) and Uchendu Promise (40) were apprehended with evidence showing they murdered the veteran, who was in the state for the Yuletide.
The police commissioner said the suspects allegedly sold the victim’s Samsung Note 5 phone at N125,000, which led to their arrest.
He said: “The suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery and murder of Oscar Okebata of Achi Mbieri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, an American veteran solider who returned home for the Yuletide.
“The victim’s Samsung Note 5 phone was sold at N125,000, leading to the arrest of the suspected masterminds.”
The police commissioner said Koradam and his gang had confessed and would be charged to court soon.
“On February 22, Rev. Erancisco Emeh, Chinedu Ubah (30) and Ifeoma Joseph (27) were arrested at Orient Hospital in Oke-Uvuru Aboh Mbaise Local Government while trying to steal a baby from the hospital.
“They have since confessed to the crime, alleging that they planned to steal the baby in connivance with a police sergeant, Iseke Koradam.
“On February 18, Emeka Onyema (19), Nduka Chekwube (22) and Dera Ebuka (22) attacked a recharge card dealer, Ubahaeze Awo, in Idemili Orsu Local Government and stole recharge cards valued at N300, 000, his car key, one phone, one Qlink 150 motorcycle and N150, 000.
“The suspects have made useful statements and are helping the police in its investigation.
“On February 8, operatives arrested a notorious robbery syndicate which trailed the victim after he had withdrawn some money from a bank at Amakohia in Owerri North Local Government.
“They were apprehended as they used a master key to damage the driver’s side door of the victim’s black Toyota Land Cruiser in an attempt to remove the money from the car.
“The suspects are Chibuzo Amankwe, Prince Igbo Williams, Enwereazu Ibe and Uchenna Ononugbo all of Agwa in Oguta Local Government.
“They are helping the police in their investigation.
“On February 14, following a tip-off, operatives arrested Okwudiri Aluo (35) of Obiti in Ohaji Local Government while on a robbery operation with his gang members.
The Oyo State Police Command paraded members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) for alleged armed robbery yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The two suspects, who claimed to be members of the OPC, allegedly attempted to rob a commercial motorcyclist.
The suspects, Rasheed Adedokun and Ridwan Suleimon, were said to have committed the offence on June 29 at about 11pm.
The Oyo police also announced that it recovered six stolen vehicles from armed robbers in Kano State.
The recovered vehicles include Toyota Matrix, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Honda Odyssey and a Honda Civic.
Commissioner of Police Mohammed Indabawa said on October 1, last year, Mr Alaka Ayoade of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo reported that his Toyota Camry with registration number ABC 761 AE, was snatched at gunpoint by four armed men.
He said: “Sequel to this information, all efforts made by SARS operatives to recover the said vehicles and arrest the culprits proved abortive. But on the April 17, Akinwumi Olatide and Uwatse Samson were arrested in another armed robbery operation and confessed to be members of armed robbery syndicate that have been terrorising Oyo town, Ogbomoso and Ibadan metropolis by snatching of expensive cars at gunpoint.
“They confessed that their leaders are: Oluwole and Oyelade Olamilekan, aka Alex, who had relocated to Kano State on discovering that police were on their trail.
“They stated further that their major receivers are based in Kano and Kaduna states. This information shed more light on previous robbery operations in Oyo town and this made the SARS operatives to move to Kano State where the six vehicles were recovered from the armed robbers, major receivers and some of their owners have since been identified.”
The major receivers of the stolen vehicles, according to Indabawa, are Moruf Bello (35), Mohammed Mustapha (35), Mohammed Issah (37), Yussuf Ibrahim (45) and Azeez Adamu(43).
