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Tag: Police

  • Police arrest army deserter

    Police arrest army deserter

    A 26-year-old alleged army deserter, Ebeje Nnamdi, suspected to be the trainer of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested by Police in Anambra.

    Nnamdi was arrested alongside three others for their alleged involvement in armed robbery in Iyi Oji area of Anambra on Wednesday.

    The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Garba Umar, presented the suspects to newsmen on Thursday at the police command headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka.

    The police also arrested 22 suspected cult members who were allegedly conducting their initiation ceremony in a bush.

    Umar said the police recovered 336 rounds of 7.22x39mm, AK-47 live ammunition from the alleged (IPOB) members and their trainer.

    “Police equally recovered three empty AK-47 riffles with magazines, one locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges, (IPOB) wears, IPOB flags, muffler, criminal charms and ATM cards.

    “The Army deserter was formally of the 20 Mechanised Battalion, Taraba, in 2014 before he disappeared,’’ Umar said.

    The  commissioner said Nnamdi became a member of a six-man gang responsible for the attacks and killings of policemen at nipping points, robberies at fuel stations including that of Bukachi filling station, Eziowelle, both in Onitsha on Aug. 31, 2017.

    Others who were arrested alongside Nnamdi were 26-year-old Onyebuchi Peter Ali and Ugwuokpe Nnaemeka, he said.

    Umar said their case was under investigation and that they would be charged to court after investigation.

    He also  said that two members of a four-man gang of kidnappers were arrested, while one was killed in a gun battle with members of the state anti robbery squad (SARS), while the victim was rescued.

    H said the alleged kidnapers were said to have abducted one John Ifediorah of Umuganagu village to Iyi Oji shrine, where he was said to have been subjected to torture before the police swooped on them.

    Those arrested during the raid, he said, were Chukwudi Nwabundo and Obiora Madubueze, while Chinaza Udeezue was killed during the gun battle in the Aguleri bush.

    The commissioner further said that the 22 cultists were apprehended at their initiation centre at Nnewi when the police teams from the Special Anti-Cultism (SPAC) cordoned off the place.

    Umar said the suspects were members of Junior Vikings confraternity (JVC), Ayees, Aro, 2-2, Bagger, Baby Ayees and black axe and were of between the ages of 16 and 25.

    Some of the items recovered from them included one locally made revolver pistol with one live ammunition; one locally made pistol gun with three live cartridges; daggers; three short axes; three machetes; one black turban belonging to Aro; muffler and black berets.

    “The Anambra State Police command has continued to deliver on its mandate of protecting the lives and property of the people of the State.

    “The command has been achieving results in the fight against crime due to the cooperation of well meaning people in the state. We solicit that such synergy should be sustained.

    “I wish to reiterate the readiness of the command to continue partnering with other security agencies and law abiding citizens of the state to eliminate all forms of crime and criminalities.

    “I wish to advise parents to take care of their children/wards so as to reduce cult activities in the society,’’ Umar said.

    The commissioner advised the people of the state to always report to the police or other security agencies any suspicious movement for urgent intervention.

  • Police arrest 3 ritualists,11 others in Ondo State

    Police arrest 3 ritualists,11 others in Ondo State

    The Police in Ondo State have arrested three men for allegedly killing a student of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, for money ritual.

    The suspects are: 20 year-old barber, John Adenitire; 30-year-old herbalist, Abdulrafiu Tijani, and Alfa Jamiu Kilani.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, disclosed this while presenting the suspects to newsmen in Akure on Thursday.

    Adeyanju said the suspects were arrested by a team of Special Anti-Robbery Squad dispatched to Ondo town following a tip-off.

    He said that the suspects were giving relevant information to the police on how they carried out the operation.

    Adeyanju, who said that the command had declared total war on criminals in the state, urged the people to always give adequate information to the police to enable them to rid the state of crime.

    Speaking to newsmen, Adenitire said that his job was to stay on the road to watch if anyone was coming, saying that he was promised N3 million by Tijani’s younger brother.

    “I was in my house when Tijani’s younger brother, Sile, came with his friend, and said that they needed a girl for money ritual and I told them that what they wanted to do was powerful and Sile said there was no problem.

    “On the second day, Sile and his friend came to my house when I was smoking Indian hemp at the back of our house and said we should go and look for a girl, and  I followed them.

    “On our way going, we saw a girl with school bag on her back; we took her to the bush where Sile and his friend killed the girl while they asked me to be watching if anybody was coming.

    “I don’t know what they took from the girl’s body that day but on the second day, I was told that they only cut her left breast and the left hand.

    “The two guys said that the person that sent them is a rich man and has promised them N10 million.

    “They promised to give me N3 million out of the money for the first operation while I was promised another big sum for the second operation but none of the money was given to me before I was arrested,” he said.

    Tijani said that he was promised N1 million to help them to take the breast and the hand to the person that wanted to use it for the ritual.

    “I am a herbalist and specialist on rheumatism and many other things but I don’t know how to do ritual money. I just helped Sile and Adenitire to take it to where they wanted to use it,” Tijani said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police also presented 11 other suspects for various offences such as armed robbery, cultism, murder and unlawful possession of firearms.

    They also displayed a 64-year-old ex-convict driver, Ajibola Aliu (a.k.a Mokan) among the suspects, who had served a 21-year jail term and was granted amnesty at Ilesa Maximum Prison recently.

  • No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    A police traffic warden attached to Sabo Police Division in Lagos,  Insp. Josephine Ogene, was on Thursday honoured by the DAAR Communications for her outstanding performance in traffic management.

    Mr Ambrose Shomide, the Managing Director, Radio Services, Daar Communications, the owners of Raypower, AIT and Faaji FM station, presented the award to her while controlling traffic at St. Agnes Junction, Sabo-Yaba Road, Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the about 180 seconds while the award ceremony lasted, motorists and members of the public watched with admiration.

    Shomide said the award was part of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility to honour people, who had distinguished themselves in their jobs or chosen careers.

    He said that the organisation received many calls, requesting for an award for Ogene as the number one traffic warden in the state.

    “While we were decorating her, motorists and others who had seen her performance,  were singing her praises as number one traffic warden.

    “That shows that our choice of her for the award was not wrong; people testified that anytime she is on duty, no matter the traffic situation, she clears it within a short time,” Shomide said.

    In her response, Ogene, who had put in more than 20 years on the job, told newsmen that she enjoyed controlling traffic and the appreciation she received from people passing or motorists.

    “I feel so happy doing this job. It gives me more joy when people appreciate me on duty. I have got nine awards before now. This Daar Communications one makes it the 10th award.

    “A day I will never forget happened about two weeks ago when a bullion van hit me while controlling traffic,” she said.

    “I was posted to Sabo Division since 2011 and I am grateful to God and the people for appreciating my work.”

    Mr Emeka Udo, a commercial bus driver at the event, told NAN:“Ogene’s performance is outstanding, I am not surprised that she received the award.

    “We call her `Iron Mama’ whenever she is on duty, no traffic around here. She knows the job and she does it smiling.”

  • Police arrest man for defiling minor in Ogun

    Police arrest man for defiling minor in Ogun

    Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Ezekiel Adegbenga for raping  knowledge of a seven –  year old girl.

    Adegbenga (40) was arrested at Olufunmi Ajayi street in Iyana Ilogbo area of Ota, following a complaint by  the victim’s mother  at the Sango Police that the suspect lured the girl into his room and defiled her.

    The Police Relations Officer in the state, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement disclosed that the suspect baited the victim into his room believing she was to run an errand for him.

    Abimbola, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), added that the suspect has since owned up to the commission of the offence after been confronted by the victim.

    According the Police Image Maker in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has given directive to the effect that the suspect be transferred to the  Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for investigation and prosecution.

  • Police arrest two ‘ritualists’ in Lagos

    Police arrest two ‘ritualists’ in Lagos

    Policemen in Lagos have arrested two suspected ritualists and rapists.

    Sarafa Yakubu, 25, and Fatai Muritado, 40, were apprehended at Obele Community in Badagry.

    It was gathered that the suspects and two others at large had kidnapped one Ayomide Bello from Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday.

    They allegedly relocated their victim to Badagry, where she was allegedly raped before they attempted to kill her for ritual purposes.

    But the police stormed their hideout after a distress call was sent to the Area K Commander and the suspects were smoked out.

    Our correspondent learnt that residents attempted to lynch the suspects but were resisted by the police team, which called for reinforcement.

  • 10 tricyclists arraigned in court

    10 tricyclists arraigned in court

    Ten commercial tricycle operators who were allegedly arrested for assaulting and damaging operational vehicle of soldiers attached to 14Brigade at Isi Gate, Umuahia, Abia State capital were on Wednesday arraigned before chief magistrate Court I.

     The Commissioner of Police, Abia State, CP Adeleye Oyebade in a chat with our reporter said that the accused were granted bail of N400, 000 each with a surety in a like sum.

     According to the commissioner “They were arraigned on an eight counts charge of basically 1. Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: Riotous Act 2. Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: wounding 3. Conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor to wit: Malicious Damage to property.  4. Committed the offence of Partaking in a Riot. 5. Wounding each of the three Army officers. 6. Malicious Damage to a Hilux vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Army. They pleaded not guilty to each of the counts.”

     Oyebade said that the sureties until the time he was briefed about the matter were sorting out modalities of perfecting the bail conditions.

     The Commissioner of Police however enjoined Abians and visitors to go about their lawful duties, stressing that the police and other security agencies would not fold their arms to watch few unscrupulous agents disrupt the peace in the state.

    Recall that soldiers and commercial tricycle operators on Monday night clashed turning the city into chaos.

  • Enugu: Police investigate death of three children

    Enugu: Police investigate death of three children

    The Police Command in  Enugu State said it  had commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding  the alleged drowning of three children in a  well at Ezeama.

    Ezeama is a village in Ohodo community in Igboetiti Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu, made this known in a statement he signed on Thursday in Enugu.

    He gave the names of the victims as Chibenyi Ugwuda, Chinedu Ugwuda and Chukwunora Ugwuda.

    Amaraizu said that the children, who were less than three years, got drowned during the weekend.

    The PPRO said, “The command’s operatives have commenced full scale investigations with a view to finding out how their death was bought about and circumstances surrounding it.

    “It was, however, gathered that the children had allegedly fallen  into a well at Ezeama village of Ohodo community in Igboetiti Local Government Area, and  died”.

    “Meanwhile, information gathered revealed that the three dead bodies have been buried.’’

  • ‘Police to arrest cleric’s killers’

    Imo State Police Commissioner Mr. Chris Ezike has said the command will arrest the murderers of Rev. Cyriacus Onunkwo.

    He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the police had begun investigation.

    NAN reports suspected kidnappers abducted the priest at Banana junction in Orlu Local Government last Friday.

    Onunkwo was a priest at one of the Catholic dioceses in the state before he was killed by yet-to-be-identified murderers last week.

    The police found his body in Orsu where it was abandoned.

    Ezike described the incident as “inhuman.

    “How can anybody think of kidnapping or murdering a priest, who is ordained to serve God?

    “I’m optimistic we will nab the culprits and bring them to book. This is my assurance to the government, victim’s family and the public,” he said.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha has described Onunkwo’s murder as “senseless and wicked.”

    His reaction is contained in a statement to reporters by Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, chief press secretary.

    The governor said the killers would pay for their act.

    He told Ezike to arrest the culprits.

  • 121 stranded Nigerians return from Libya

    121 stranded Nigerians return from Libya

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday said it had received another batch of 121 stranded Nigerians from Libya.

    The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Suleiman Yakubu, received them on behalf of the Federal Government, enjoining them to learn from their unpleasant experiences in the course of their sojourn.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NEMA had on Aug. 29 received another batch of 139 returnees from Libya.

    NAN reports that the total number of Nigerian returnees brought back from Libya by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) from February, 2017 to date is 2,638.

    Yakubu said the aircraft that transported them arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) at 5:30p.m on Wednesday aboard a chartered Airbus SA320 Nouvelair Flight with Registration number TS-INA.

    According to a statement signed by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-West Spokesman of NEMA, Yakubu said that the agency received the 121 returnees from the officials of IOM.

    The zonal coordinator explained that on arrival, the profiling of the returnees indicated that there were 60 female adults, one girl, while male adults were 57 with two male children and a male infant.

    “The total returnees are 61 females and 60 males amongst them are two pregnant women and one with medical issues.

    “One of the returnees, Ms Omolara Owoade, who hails from Apomu in Osun, claimed that she spent one year and two months in Libya.

    “Owoade worked as a cleaner in a hospital and when it was time for her to collect her salary, she was accused of stealing and taken to prison from where the IOM came to her rescue.

    “She said N662, 000 was collected from her by a trafficker and vowed that she would get her money back from her trafficker once she returns to Nigeria.

    “Owoade also narrated to NEMA, on her arrival, that many Nigerians are suffering the same fate,” Yakubu said.

    He also explained how Ms Iyabo Abiola from Oyo State narrated how she fell victim to the deceitful talks of the traffickers, who deceived her with a promise of 4,000 dollars per month.

    Yakubu said that Abiola vowed to expose the traffickers, usually called burger, to NAPTIP.

    The NEMA zonal coordinator said that the deportees were also received by officers from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Police and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

  • Misau’s retirement followed due process, says Police Commission

    Misau’s retirement followed due process, says Police Commission

    The Police Service Commission has laid to rest controversy surrounding the retirement letter of the Chairman  Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Misau from the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Inspector General of Police  (IGP), Ibrahim Idris had alleged that the Senator was a deserter adding that his retirement letter from the Force was forged.

    The controversy arose after the Senator accused the IGP of collecting bribes from some officers before they were promoted

    The Police Service Commission on Wednesday however said the letter was not forged and that the Senator’s retirement from the Force followed due process.

    The Commission also said it issued the letter to the Senator.

    The Senator who was expected to appear on Wednesday by 11am before the panel set up by the Commission to confirm  the authenticity of his letter however failed to show up.

    The Commission explained that the Panel headed by Justice Olufunlola Adekeye went ahead with the meeting and found out that his retirement letter was authentic and was done based on recommendation from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    Confirming the authenticity of the letter to The Nation, the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani said: “The Senator did not honour the invitation but the panel still went ahead to sit.

    “At the meeting,  the Panel made some inquiry and they confirmed that the Commission issued the letter and that it was based on recommendation for retirement from the Force Headquarters.

    “The Police normally recommends people to us for retirement, so the recommendation came to the Commisssion and Misau’s name was included.

    Ani further said: “We just confirmed that the retirement followed due process. The letter was dated 5th March, 2014  to take  effect from the 1st of December 2010.

    “The Commission has gone through their document and confirmed that we issued the letter with reference number;PSC/1034/V8/244.  What are simply saying is that we gave him the letter of retirement.”