The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    Man uses nude pictures to blackmail female victims

    A 35 -year- old man, Michael Atanda, who has been extorting money from four ladies with threat to expose their nude pictures on the social media has been arrested in Lagos.

    Atanda, a computer science National Diploma holder of a popular computer school based in Ikeja, was arrested on Thursday by the surveillance Team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command after about five days of baiting and monitoring.

    The Police in a press statement said the accused, ex – convict and father of three, had collected N121,000:00 from his four girlfriends with the threat but wanted the ladies to pay more or have their nude pictures leaked on social media.

    The suspect who bears Segun Bayo on facebook and a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile – Ife, reportedly said he usually adds several ladies on Facebook and after two weeks, he would start chatting with them.

    “The profile picture on my facebook account is that of a guy based in London, and so as part of my introductions to ladies, I tell them that, I am a Construction Engineer as well as that my parents and I are living in Europe” the suspect said.

    ” After sometime, I would lure them into sexual conversations during which, I persuaded them to send their nude pictures to me. They would send and I would send mine to them too.
    ” Before that I would pretend that I was seeking a serious relationship with them, and that very soon, I would be coming to Abuja on a business trip, during which I would see them.
    “I would again feign my seriousness by calling them with the aid of computer software that transforms my Nigerian line into an international line. Meanwhile, I would warn them that I was calling through a public phone booth.
    ” As soon as they have sent their nude pictures, I would come up with all manners of stories. And begin to extort and blackmail them. Through this means, I have collected over N121, 000:00 from my latest victims.
    ” I was jailed last year in a similar circumstance after fraudulently collected N700, 000:00 from a lady I met through a dating site. I was eventually bailed but the case is still pending in the court” he confessed .
    ” I have collected only 10,000:00 from Funmilola, Motunrayo, N6,000, Joy, N5,000 and Lizzy, N100,000:00” .
    Apart from Lizzy, who reported the incident but declined to press charges, three other suspects, who were discovered during investigations, acknowledged on phone calls they have been paying the suspect so that he doesn’t leak their nude photographs online.
    Though, investigators have reached out to more victims after checking the suspect’s facebook conversations with a number of ladies, all of them have reportedly refused to come forward, after confirming they were paying the suspect through his bank statement.
    Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Suprintendent Dolapo Badmos, said that the Police were carrying out a thorough investigation on the case to aid prosecution.
    The suspect has been transferred to SCID for further investigations.

  • Police arrest two for robbery, murder in Ogun

    Police arrest two for robbery, murder in Ogun

    The Police have arrested two of the suspected four – member robbery gang that attacked one Brahimo Nurudeen of  Gbogboade Street, Elerinko, Ijoko area of Ogun State.

    The gang broke into the shop of Nurudeen last Wednesday around 7:35pm with weapons and robbed him of his money and handset but in a bid to break a barrier in their escape path, one of the robbers shot one Suleman Arogundade on the head and ran away.

    But the Anti-robbery team at the Sango Divisional Headquarters who were alerted to the crime, rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area, according to the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi.

    Oyeyemi said the Police arrest two of the suspects –  Okedele Abayomi and Adeboye Demola, while a locally made Pistol, an Axe, Six Phones, a Knife, Hammer and assorted charms were recovered from them.

    The Police Image maker added that the injured victim was taken to the General Hospital, Otta for treatment but died while receiving medical attention.

    Oyeyemi explained that the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad (FSARS) for investigation and  arrest of  fleeing members of the gang.

  • Trader docked for allegedly receiving stolen property

    The Police on Friday arraigned one Mohammed Antar in a Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly being in possession of a stolen property.

    Antar, a trader in Suleja, Niger, is facing a one-count charge of receiving a stolen property.

    The prosecutor, Gambo Musa, told the court that one Dominic Felix, of Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at Wuse Police Station on Nov. 3.

    He said that on the same date, some unknown men entered into the complainant’s shop at Micro Trend, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    He said that the men forcefully collected N330,000, an i-phone and also collected  employees’ phones.
    .
    The prosecutor added that the phones collected were valued at N180,000, and during investigation, the i-phone was tracked and recovered from the defendant.

    He said that the defendant claimed that he bought the phone from one Chukwuemeka Ikenna in Suleja, who is now at large.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 316 of the Penal Code.

    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and the prosecutor prayed the court to grant him a date to reopen the case.

    Magistrate Munirat Tanko granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

    She ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter till Dec. 8, for hearing.

  • Police not shielding me from trial, says estate agent

    An estate agent, Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, yesterday denied allegations that the police are shielding him from prosecution.

    On Wednesday, leaders of 15 communities in Ibeju-Lekki protested against his arraignment in court for alleged land grabbing by the police.

    The communities comprising Oko Olomi, Olowu Olomi, Adeba Jagunna, Ita Panpa, Ada Onikonko, Oko Ile, Oke Jigi, Alabula, Seriki Alabula, Alaga, Oko Idi-oro, Idi Ope, Adebare, Abule Baba Adisa and Aiyeteju claimed that the police released Mutairu and his son, Gani, instead of bringing them to court.

    Owoeye, said to be recuperating in an Abuja hospital, said through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Semiu Adeshina, that he was neither a land grabber nor a thug.

    He said: “I am not a land grabber. I am a licensed estate agent who is registered with the government. The police are not shielding me and there is no reason I should give the police money when I am not a criminal.

    “The police sent for me in Abuja based on an ongoing investigation into a land matter. When I got to Abuja, I was detained while still under investigation. I was not happy about this because I felt if I am being investigated, I should not be detained since I voluntarily honoured police’ invitation.

    “I got in touch with my lawyer and I was asked to write my statement at the police headquarters. Thereafter, the police detained me and after a few days, I collapsed while in cell. I have issue with my blood pressure and I am also diabetic. When I developed complication and collapsed, I was rushed to the police hospital in Area 1, Abuja.

    “After a few days, I was given bail. But to my surprise, the police said they want to follow me to my residence in Lagos and I had bought my ticket. I suspected foul play. So, I said the arrangement was not tidy. I guessed my blood pressure rose again and I became uncomfortable. So, I was rushed to Mamman Medical Centre, Area 8, Abuja, where I am still recuperating.

    “I bought the land in question from Toll System and I have all the necessary documents. My claims can be verified. I am a legitimate estate agent and I am not on the run. I want the Inspector-General of Police to intervene. My life is under threat. If they have documents on the land, they should bring them.”

  • 30 renounce cults as police, churches fight vice

    30 renounce cults as police, churches fight vice

    The horror of cult groups being in secondary schools, not just tertiary institutions, inspired the collaboration of the Abia State police command and various religious organisations to  tackle vice in schools. The police and the churches came under one umbrella to fight a common threat. The venue was Abia State Polytechnic, Aba which keyed into the plan.

    The commercial city is facing various security challenges such as cult activities, robbery and kidnapping, among others.

    This collaboration has yielded fruit. Over 30 students, spread across the genders, and of various secondary and tertiary institutions, denounced their membership of cult groups.

    Many speakers helped soften the hearts of those who renounced. The  state Commissioner of Police  Adeleye Oyebade, who is also a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was one of such powerful speakers. So was  the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara, who disclosed that he once belonged to a cult group. This revelation amazed his audience.

    Clergymen and even ex-cultists from Abia State Polytechnic equally played an inspiring role at the event.

    In an interview with journalists at the end of the event, the state police commissioner said the crusade was in line with the community policing policy of the Inspector General of Police Mr. Idris Ibrahim.

    He added that churches and campus fellowships in different secondary schools and higher institutions in the state were among the stakeholders the police are partnering with to ensure a crime-free state.

    The police boss who said that over 80 per cent of criminals arrested in the command were committed by youths who are involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes and further investigation has it that the youths were involved in the crime as a result of influence of peers and engaging in cult-related activities.

    He said, “In line with our responsibility to fight crime in Abia State, we have resolved to reach out to students in the secondary schools and higher institutions to sensitise, counsel and educate them on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities.

    “When you look at the age bracket of the youths going into crime this time around, you will find out that those of them in Schools are more in number. So our message is that they should abstain from crime and take their studies seriously to enable them prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow.

    “We are partnering with Churches to achieve this aim, so that when the Student repent the Churches can follow them up to ensure that they will not go back to cultism and crime again”.

    Earlier, the area Commander Aba area Command of the State Police Command ACP Peter Wabara stated that the Police have segmented Aba into seven groups, adding that the anti-cult crusade will be taken to each of the groups in Aba and its environs.

    Wagbara said the event would help to cut the rate of crime under his command. He also used the opportunity to call for the support of all stakeholders to tackle what he described as cankerworm that has continued to pose a threat to the peace of Aba residents and visitors alike.

    He promised that Aba would continue to enjoy the good working synergy between the police and other sister agencies to ensure that crime was reduced to its lowest ebb in Aba and the state in general.

    Some Aba residents said they couldn’t believe that the police could agree to such moves, adding that they were astonished to have seen the result of such collaboration as many students especially, from the secondary school sessions courageously denounced their membership to various secret cult groups, an event that they suggested should be annual.

    In a remark, the Rev John Eze of the Christian Pentecostal Mission Aba, lauded the state police command for organizing the anti-cult crusade in the city.

    He said, “I consider today as one of the days I have been waiting for as a minister of God, for the Police to initiate this programme is an answered prayer, I think God has decided to bring the “name God’s own State Abia” into a reality.

  • Police, fishermen trade words over Lekki mayhem

    The police and some fishermen yesterday traded words over the deaths and burning of houses in Otodogbame in Ikate, Lekki, during an ethnic clash on Wednesday.

    The fishermen accused the police of setting their homes ablaze, but the police denied the allegation, asking the people for proof

    An expectant mother, Bose Alade, her three-year-old son John, Tunde, 18, Tega, 21, Thoto Avonba, Sesinu Ahiaboji, Mawuyon Oviawe, Hosu Whejede, Misimawu Sogotho, Athanji Sosu Abosede, Babajide Tosihun and Mifinrinfo Esinfo, died in the clash.

    Alade with her baby strapped to her back was reportedly fleeing from teargas canisters and gunshots; the children among the casualties drowned in the lagoon on their way from school. Alade’s and John’s bodies have been recovered and buried.

    Insisting that his men had no hand in the incident, Lagos State Police Commissioner said: “Precious, you have a choice. Choose what you want to use. The police relayed what happened on Wednesday and we stand by it.”

    As at 6pm yesterday, the children’s bodies are yet to be recovered. But the injured were being taken out for treatment.

    The fight between the fishermen and youths was said to have continued yesterday as more houses were burnt by those allegedly sent by a traditional ruler.

    The fishermen claimed that policemen from Area J and Jakande Division looted their properties.

    According to Segun Akinkpo, his friends Tunde and Tega were among those that drowned.

    Akinkpo told The Nation in tears that the police set their homes ablaze and shot teargas canisters at people to scare them.

    He said: “It was the policemen deployed here that committed more atrocities. They claimed they were sent by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to destroy all shanties in Lagos but they never showed us any directive to that effect. They usually attacked between 12am and 1pm. Even today (yesterday) they burnt our houses and looted our properties.

    “They blocked all the entrance and exit routes into the community. They were shooting teargas and releasing bullets in the air to scare people. The people are devastated. So many people including me sustained injuries. There’s no hospital in this community to take them to because they burnt down both our health centre and private hospital. Our churches were also razed.

    “Most of us are still in the water. They have killed my paddies – Tunde and Tega. The two of them are still inside the water as I talk to you. The policemen even stole our properties. There is one of them whose name is Mohammed, he usually visited this place before now.

    “I watched him steal Plasma television and he was shooting in the air so that no one could come near him. They burnt down everything. I could only escape with the clothe I was wearing. I am a graphic artist but I lost all my books, documents, art works, my certificates, including my birth certificate.

    “It is very unfair. We do not believe the government would send them to come and kill us or destroy our properties. What kind of government would send people to destroy the properties of its citizens without even allowing them pick their valuables?

    “Everything in my mother’s shop was destroyed. Her fridge and all the things she used for her business are gone. The ones they couldn’t steal, they burnt. As I talk to you, my mother, Mrs Josephine Akinkpo, is still crying. She hasn’t stopped crying since Wednesday. Where do we start from?

    Another resident who simply identified himself as Solomon said they were devastated, adding that they incurred heavy losses.

    Narrating how the kids drowned, he said: “It was horrible. The children were in school and didn’t know what was happening. It was around 11am. And so, some parents contacted the school so that their kids can be released before the school would be burnt.

    “As they were returning home people were running into the water from the teargas. That was how the children fell into the river. Till now, we have not seen their bodies. We got their names from their parents.

    “I was also told that at least five adults are unaccounted for. What they did in our community is unbearable. It was wicked, to say the least. We do not have anywhere to go at the moment. People are still hanging around because there is no place to go to.”

  • Police arraign three for wandering in Lagos

    Police arraign three for wandering in Lagos

    The Police on Thursday arraigned three men at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged wandering.

    The accused are 44-year old Felix Oghenero, an unemployed; John Mapamilekun, 22, a barber and Dare Jimoh, 20, a security guard.

    The accused persons, who reside at Ishawo area of Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, are being tried for conspiracy and beach of peace.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the offences were committed midnight of July 31, at Owutu area of Ikorodu, Lagos state.

    Perezi said that a police patrol team intercepted the accused who could not give reasonable explanation of their mission at that hour.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 166(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. A Layinka granted each of the accused N50,000 bail.

    Layinka adjourned the case until Dec. 6 for mention.

  • Ogun: Police arrest Septuagenarian for raping dumb baby

    Ogun: Police arrest Septuagenarian for raping dumb baby

    The Police in Ogun State have arrested a septuagenarian, Pa. Gabriel Akindele, for sexually abusing an  eight year-old girl, who is dumb and deaf.

    Akindele, who resides at the Owode-Ijako area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government of the state, allegedly lured the girl to the toilet and raped her there.

    The Nation gathered that the victim’s mother discovered strange behaviour in her daughter and upon asking through a sign language, the little girl pointed her finger the private part.

    And when the mother examined the girl closely, she broke down in tears when it dawned on her that the innocent child had been violated and quickly reported the shocking find to the Police.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the alleged crime, said the suspect – Pa Akindele was arrested Wednesday following complaint lodged  by the victim’s mother at the Sango Divisional Police Station.

    Oyeyemi added that the old man had confessed to committing the alleged crime.

    “Upon the report, the DPO Sango Ota, SP Akinsola Ogunwale detailed detectives to the scene and the randy old man was subsequently arrested. On interrogation, he opened up to the commission of the crime. It was discovered that he lured the girl to the toilet where he unlawfully had carnal knowledge of her,” Oyeyemi stated.

    According to Oyeyemi, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has also directed that the case be transferred to Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation.

  • Police kill two robbery suspects

    Police kill two robbery suspects

    Two suspected armed robbers were yesterday gunned down by policemen at the Isolo area of Lagos.

    The suspects were said to be among a gang of four who attacked a customer at a gas station around Oke-Afa.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums trailed the unidentified man from a bank where he had gone to withdraw some money to the petrol station where he was shot at.

    After shooting the man, the gunmen who ride on two motorcycles were said to have fled through Ago Roundabout, but they were pursued by policemen from Okota Division.

    It was gathered that the policemen chased the robbers till they got to Limca Way at Ilasa, where there was an exchange of gun duel.

    The Nation gathered that the police recovered N250,000 cash, two Berreta pistols and 19 rounds of ammunition from the slained robbers.

    According to the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police  (SP) the robbers upon sighting the police opened fire on them, prompting a retaliation.

    In the course of the battle, two of the robbers were killed while the others fled, she said.

    Badmos said: “Around 11am, we received information that robbers were operating at Y.T.K filling station by Oke Afa bus stop, Isolo. They snatched an undisclosed amount of money and were heading towards Okota.

    “Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Okota, Etim Godwin, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) mobilised the foot and vehicular patrol men who chased the robbers to LIMCA way, Isolo.

    “Two of the robbers on sighting the police team opened fire while the police responded. The robbers fell in the gun duel while two others fled.

    Two Barreta pistols and 19 rounds of ammunition were recovered from them together with the sum of N250,000 while others escaped. A boxer motorcycle marked FKJ718QH used by the robbers was recovered to the station.

    “The victim of the armed robbery attack is recovering in the hospital from the bullet wound he sustained; while effort is on to apprehend the fleeing suspects. The command remains resolute in ridding the state of criminal elements.”

  • Cattle Rustling: Police to deploy dogs to remote areas

    Cattle Rustling: Police to deploy dogs to remote areas

    As part of efforts to curtail cattle rustling and boost the security situation in the country, the Police have disclosed that dogs would be deployed to remote and flash points areas of the country.

    This move according to the police is expected to help fight crime and criminality in the country.

    The police disclosed this in Abuja Tuesday during the passing out parade of 19 personnel of the Nigeria Air Force who were trained on patrol dog handling courses.

    Speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Nigeria (AIG) Charles Ugomoh said the training which was conducted by the Police lasted for three months and it focused on dog handling.

    On the deployment of dogs to remote areas, AIG Ugomoh said: “With the acquisition and commissioning of three fully powered air conditioned dog trailers, the K9 operations would now be extended to remote areas and other flash points in the country to fight crime and criminality and to facilitate the Nigeria Police Force zero tolerance for cattle rustling.

    He also hinted that the IGP has approved the implementation of  a communiqué that will curb cattle rustling.

    According to him: “The Nigeria police force is giving zero tolerance to cattle rustling in Nigeria, and as part of its effort, the IGP in furtherance to other machinery put in place has approved the implementation of the communiqué for the curtailment of cattle rustling.

    He explained that the implementation of the communiqué will begin the flag off of the operation show your loading and offloading permit at States and Federal animal posts.

    On the importance of dogs to security, the AIG said: “Today, we are witnessing a new trend of terrorism and other organized crimes. Trained dogs are indispensable in the deployment and sniffing of IEDs, narcotics, arms and ammunition, airport luggage compartment among others. Dogs have proven to be dynamic and when well trained uses their natural odour instincts to match down the tide of crime and criminalities”.

    Also commenting on importance of dogs to internal security, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations (DIG), Habila Joshak said: “The place of dogs in security operations cannot be overemphasized. They are relevant at our borders, sea, land and that is why they are very expensive and not quite affordable.

    “we must also realize that dogs add value to security. What one dog can do, thirty policemen might find it difficult to do, so they are very essential when it comes to the issue of security.