The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police detain mum, four-month-old baby

    She went to report at the station, but ended up being detained with her four-month-old baby for five days for alleged murder.

    Mrs Idiat Ajisebutu, an hairdresser, went to the Igbogbo Police Station to report the electrocution of Chris while trying to fix her light.

    The baby has been released, but the mother has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    Her husband, Segun Ajisebutu, who condemned the police action said the late Chris took up the job on the instruction of a welder, Emmanuel.

    Ajisebutu said Emmanuel disconnected his wife’s light because she was owing him N2,000. He explained that she paid N1,000 out of the money, prompting Emmanuel to send Chris, his apprentice, to reconnect the light.

    Ajisebutu said his wife raised the alarm when Chris was electrocuted, adding that sympathisers advised her to report the incident to the police.

    “The apprentice, Chris was reconnecting the electricity when he was electrocuted. My wife raised the alarm and people in the area ran to her shop and saw the body.

    “She was advised to report the electrocution to the police and she went to the Igbogbo Police Station at Ikorodu and reported. It happened on April 4.

    “The police took her statement and went ahead to detain her with our four months old boy. The police kept my wife and our son in the cell for five days. On  Saturday April 9, they were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba where she is still being held over the death of Chris.

    “While my wife was still being held at the Igbogbo police station, the family of Chris came to the station and demanded N2 million as compensation so they can drop the case. My wife told them that she does not have it and so, the police at Igbogbo transferred the case to Panti.”

    Following Mrs Ajisebutu’s statement, the police, it was learnt arrested Emmanuel and another person. They have also been transferred to Panti.

    Ajisebutu claimed that his wife was beaten up the day she was taken to the Homicide Department because she refused to leave her son.

    He said: “At Panti, the officers at the counter tried to take her baby from her, she wept that she should be released as she has nothing to do with the electrocution.

    “Moreover, she was the person that reported the matter to the police. As she was pleading and holding on to her child, the policemen started beating her up. They slapped her and forcefully collected the baby and handed him over to my sister in-law.

    “The electrocution is unfortunate. We have hired a lawyer to get bail for my wife. My wife is breastfeeding and they detained them for five days. We have gotten a lawyer to help us with our case,” he said.

    Their lawyer and Rural Urban Development Initiative (RUDI) president, Ishola Agbodimu, said the infant’s detention would be reported to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

    “The family cried to us that all their efforts to stop police from keeping the baby in a cell yielded no results. The case will be reported to the National Human Rights Commission to look into,” he said.

  • NNPC staff abducted by gunmen

    NNPC staff abducted by gunmen

    A staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), identified as Yusuf Abdulkadir has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Kaduna.
    Abdulkadir, who is a staff in the NNPC Abuja office was said to have been abducted on Saturday at his residence in Rigachiku, Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
    It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 10pm on Saturday when he was whisked away to an unknown destination.
    According to a family source, the gunmen trailed him while he was returning to his house and picked him up.
    ”They trailed him to the house yesterday dragged him out of his car at gun point and whisked him away.
    ”He works at NNPC Towers, Abuja, but on weekends, drives to Kaduna, where his family members reside,” the source added.
    The matter has been reported to police but efforts to reach the Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, Zubairu Abubakar on the development proved abortive as his phone was switched off as at the time of filing this report.
    Three clergymen, Dr Emmanuel Dziggau, Yakubu Talba Dzarma and Iliya Anto who eventually died in his abductors’ custody, were kidnapped on March 21 while another Colonel Samaila Inusa was abducted and killed on 26th of March, 2016, in the state.

  • False alarm: Police avert killing of six persons

    False alarm: Police avert killing of six persons

    Six innocent people, including two children, escaped been shot as robbers by a police officer at Ogudu Ori-Oke, Ogudu, Lagos on Saturday following a false alarm by a woman.
    Police Inspector, Christian Onawona, attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command reportedly hesitated in shooting occupants of a car said to have been snatched when he reasoned they didn’t look like robbers.
    A statement by the police gave an account of how the shooting was averted.
    ” A woman, Lauretta Ehon, suddenly ran to inform RRS operatives patrolling the axis at about 17:30 hrs over the weekend, that some armed robbers just snatched her Toyota Camry car 2012. Immediately, the police officer followed her to give the supposed fleeing robbers a chase.
    “On the trail of the robbers, there was a hectic traffic but in order to catch up with the thieves, the officer alighted from his official vehicle and mounted a motor bike to chase the acclaimed reported robbers. However, the occupants of the car, which was being chased never had an inkling that they were on the verge of being mistook for robbery and that the police was trailing them.
    “In order to prevent the robbers from taking the vehicle with registration number, EP 932 KRD away, the officer shot into air. Upon hearing the gunshot fired by the officer, the driver of the vehicle applied the brake instantly. Then, the police officer cautiously approached the supposedly stolen vehicle only to discover that the occupants were three female, one male and two children. At this point, the police officer got to know that the complainant raised a false alarm.
    “The occupants of the vehicle were, Sekinat Sanni, Wasiu Balogun, Bisola Balogun and Rukayat Joseph. The little children were, Sameer Balogun and Motunrayo Joseph of one and two year old respectively, all family going on social outing.
    “The story later turned out to be faraway from the truth. What really transpired between the woman that raised false alarm and the owner of the 2012 Camry car was a mere business transaction which occurred about six years ago.
    “The husband to the woman who raised false alarm and the owner of the car transacted a business which had to do with clearing of Tokunbo car from oversea. Unfortunately, the vehicle went into demurrage after the client (Mr Ehon) paid the clearing agent, (Mr Balogun). And between the duo, they have settled the matter amicably for both of them worked in the same company in Apapa.
    “But to his paranoid wife, she had promised that she will collect the money from the clearing agent whenever she sets eyes on him. On the day of incident, the woman saw him and started threatening to snuff life out of him. But unknowingly to the woman, the man was not inside the car when she raised the false alarm but his family members were the occupants of the car.”
    In her reaction, one of the lucky occupants of the car, Bisola Balogun, who was visibly elated said that she was full of praises to the officer who pursued them for not have misused his firearm.
    “In fact, I am still at shock. If it were to be another police officer, it is possible that he might shoot our car and anything could have happened. We thank God and appreciate the officer for applying uncommon wisdom in handling the matter”, she added.
    According to the Police PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, the police officer showed experience and bravery in handling the issue, if not for him, the entire event could have turned against the police.
    The woman has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for prosecution.

  • NLC seeks transparency in police recruitment

    NLC seeks transparency in police recruitment

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for transparency in the police recruitment approved by the Federal Government. Ten thousand are to be recruited in the exercise.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba said the recruitment would also help reduce employment in the country.

    “We appeal to the police authorities and other Nigerians in the position of authority to conduct this  exercise with all sense of responsibility, care, transparency, justice, equity and minimum discomfort or pain to the applicants.  There is hardly any family that does not have an army of applicants. This, however, should be no justification for subjecting this process to a selfish end or abuse,” he said.

    He urged the government to ensure that other sectors become vibrant to employ workers.

    In another development, the NLC has praised the National Assembly and President Muhammadu  Buhari for the “rigorous scrutiny” of the 2016 budget.

    In a statement, Wabba hailed the National Assembly for exposing the imperfections in the budget and  President Buhari for his courage in exposing the padding of the budget by a cabal.

    Wabba said it was within the power of President to withhold his assent until the National Assembly sends the details to him.

    He said: “It is within the province of Mr President to do so as a matter of personal style or principle. More over, we have had a presidential precedent. But beyond all this, it is pertinent to note that, the right of due diligence which the National Assembly exercised to the hilt and led to the unearthing of discrepancies in the budget should similarly be extended to Mr President’’.

  • Police parade two arms dealers, seven others in Akwa Ibom

    Police parade two arms dealers, seven others in Akwa Ibom

    Police in Akwa Ibom State Force have paraded  a group of nine suspected criminals for gun running and others.

    They were paraded at the State Command headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia area, Uyo, the state capital by the State Police Commissioner, CP Murtala Mani.

    Emmanuel Akamaba , 38, and Ezekiel Adie, 35, were among the nine suspects paraded at the police headquarters for their involvement in gun running.

    The commissioner, CP Mani told journalists that the paraded suspects were arrested by operatives of the command at various locations in the state during stop and search operations on highways and roads.

    Mani said a stop-and-search exercise is one the proactive measures taken by the command to rid the Akwa Ibom State of criminal elements.

    According to him, two suspects, Emmanuel Akamaba  and Ezekiel Adie both from Ogoja in Cross River state were arrested with four locally-made pistols along Calabar/Itu Highway by Safer Highway Patrol team who carried out a search on the vehicle which they traveled with.

    In their confessional statement, both Emmanuel and Ezekiel admitted to the crime. “When the police stopped us at their Check Point in Itu, and searched the vehicle we boarded, they discovered the four pistols in our traveling bag. We were going to sell the guns to our agent in Bayelsa at the cost of N100,000.00 each. We bought the guns from the manufacturer in Benue state and we have been in the business for about a year now.”

    However, Mani, who was represented by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, said among the paraded suspects was one Blessing Effiong Ambrose who was arrested for human trafficking.

    Blessing was allegedly arrested by the Patrol team stationed along Oron-Mbo Highway who intercepted a white colour Toyota Hiace commuter bus with registration number Lagos – JJJ454 XD which Blessing was among the passengers and were travelling from Oron in Akwa Ibom state to Lagos state.

    Among the passengers in the bus were six children aged between five and fifteen who were victims of child trafficking by Blessing who was taking them to buyers in Lagos state. The children were however rescued and handed over to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Uyo for investigations, the ASP Nwawe stated.

    Also paraded were those who robbed worshippers of a Presbyterian Church at Okopedi Itiam village, along Uyo – Ekim Itam Highway, those who were caught with three stolen Perkins sound proof generators purportedly removed from the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), those who were caught with stolen power transformer and other electrical  appliances on the way to Lagos from Uyo.

    Police said upon proper investigations into the crimes, all those found involved would be prosecuted accordingly.

    Mani called on members of the public, especially commercial vehicle drivers to always check the luggage of passengers to ascertain the contents before carrying them.

    He also warned that the command would not condone crime of any kind in the state, therefore parents should warn their children and wards against keeping bad friends or indulging in crime.

    The police appealed to members of the public to bear with the Police when they are asked to stop for a brief check, that it is done for the overall good of all.

  • Two killed as Tiv-Jukun clash over fish pond in Benue

    Two killed as Tiv-Jukun clash over fish pond in Benue

    Two persons have been reportedly killed while several houses set ablaze following crisis between Tiv and Jukuns ethnic tribe in Abinsi town , Benue state Thursday .

    Abinsi is an ancient town, located on Makurdi- Gboko federal high. It has witnessed over 20 years of several crisis between the two major tribes.

    The Benue State Commissioner of Police Paul Yakadi told The Nation on phone that fighting broke out as a result of fish pond; adding that “While Tiv people were already fishing in the pond, Jukun people also attempt to fish but there was resistance which resulted into bloody fight.

    He said two persons were wounded and several houses set ablaze.

    As at press time there is confusion in the community as women and children were seen running helter- skelter.

    A detachment of Mobil Police Men have been drafted to the town to maintain law and order.

  • Police smash kidnap, robbery syndicates in Enugu

    Police smash kidnap, robbery syndicates in Enugu

    The Enugu State Police Command has smashed what it called notorious robbery and kidnap syndicates operating within the Enugu metropolis and other parts of the state.

    The command yesterday paraded some of the suspects it arrested for various alleged crimes.

    Police Commissioner Nwodibo Ekechukwu said the first syndicate, led by Etim Amos, of Abiakpo Ibo Road, Ikot-Ekpene, allegedly masterminded the abduction of a lawyer, John Abugu, at the G.R.A in Enugu.

    The police chief said the syndicate was also behind the abduction of Mrs. Jane Ekweremadu at Agric Bank junction, Independence Layout, also in Enugu; Mr. Brooks Okwara, in the same area and Sandra Onu, and the snatching of her Honda CRV car, with registration number (Lagos) JJJ 447 CL, at New Haven.

    Ekechukwu said the command, in a carefully-planned operation, ambushed the gang on the Itu-Calabar Road, during which other members of the syndicate attempt to escape.

    The police chief said Amos, who had allegedly been posing as a soldier with an Army cap on the dashboard of any car he drove to deceive people, was shot along another gang member, Otunre Nse.

    The Honda CRV belonging to Sandra Onu, in which she was said to have been abducted, was recovered from the suspects.

    Also recovered were: a gun, the mobile phones belonging to the victims and a fake Army identity card bearing Corporal Etim Henry Amos.

    The other suspected kidnap syndicate, which the police also burst, was allegedly led by Nonso Onyebuchi of Obeagu Awgu.

    Other suspected members of the syndicate include Collins Chime, of Obinagu Udi, who is a relation of their victim and Chukwudi Azemene, of Umuoduma Aba in Abia State.

    The suspects were said to have abducted Elder Chime Edwin, of Obinagu Udi, who just returned from the United Kingdom (UK), on April 2 at his home.

    The suspects allegedly took him away in a Volkswagen Audi car with registration number DWK 929 PP.

    The hoodlums were said to have snatched the car from its owner at Umunede, Delta State.

    The police said the suspects confessed to the crimes and the stolen items recovered from them.

  • Man held for ‘raping’ wife’s sister for 10 years

    Man held for ‘raping’ wife’s sister for 10 years

    A 36-year-old man, Imeh Akpan   accused of raping his wife’s 15-year-old step-sister for 10 years has been arrested by the police in Lagos.

    The suspect, who was paraded before reporters on Wednesday afternoon, however denied the allegation, insisting that he only did it once.

    Akpan, according to the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, started defiling the teenager since she was five-year-old.

    “The teenager has been living with him since she was small. He started raping her when she was five-year-old.

    “She lives with him and his wife, who’s her step-sister and he has been defiling her since then.

    “But he was eventually caught at the weekend after the girl ran out of the house and was rescued by some policemen,” said Owoseni. 

    However, the victim (names withheld) disclosed that the man has taken advantage of her twice and her sister was not around.

    She stated that she has complained to her sister once and when the older woman confronted her husband, he denied raping her.

    She said: “My daddy (suspect) raped me because my mummy travelled to Akwa Ibom last Wednesday. I was sleeping on Sunday, around 10pm, my daddy came and removed my clothes and slept with me. 

    “He used the towel to cover my eye and my mouth but I was still shouting and crying. He said nobody will come and help me. So, I ran out of the house when i got chance. After I ran out, I begged my neighbour to give me phone to talk to my mummy (half sister) and he said there is no credit in his phone. 

    “So, I ran towards the police station at the roundabout. On my way there, I saw one man who asked me where I was going. I told him everything and the man said he will take me to police station and to human right. 

    “So, he now took me to hotel that I should come and sleep in hotel till morning before he will take me to the station. I followed the man and I now said I cannot sleep with him inside the hotel. 

    “When I wanted to close my eyes, I was now seeing the man as if his hand was touching me in my dream. I could not close my eyes. Around 3am, I told the man I want to go and ease myself and he allowed me. 

    “The man now said since I want to go and report everything at police station that he will use his own money and that the money will be N50, 000, that I should do him a favour and enter the room. I did but the man wanted to rape me also and I shouted before the owner of the hotel came and opened the door. 

    “That was how I ran outside. As I was walking on the road, policemen saw me and I told them everything and they called one Okada man to take me to Lion Building. 

    “He has slept with me two times. The first time was last year. I told my mummy everything when she came back from church because my daddy told her that I ran out of the house. When I told her, she believed me but when my uncle now denied, he claimed that I left the door open and someone entered the house. That was why he kicked my left and I ran out,” she narrated.

    But the victim who claimed he was drunk said he did not know what he did or how he did it.

    “She is like my daughter and it is an abomination for me to sleep with her. I have been the one training her since she was a baby. I was drunk and I did not know anything. It was the police that invited me and told me I raped her. I did not even know. It is only this once I have done it. I do not know what came over me,” he said.

  • Police smash kidnap gangs in Enugu

    Police smash kidnap gangs in Enugu

    The Police in Enugu state have smashed two kidnap gangs operating in and around the capital in the past two months.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ekechukwu Nwodibo, who announced this at a news conference on Wednesday in Enugu, said two cars, guns, handsets and a fake army ID card were recovered from them.

    Nwodibo said that the feat was achieved through careful planning after a tip off and warned criminal elements to steer clear of the state.

    “Enugu State is a no go area for all criminals and that any criminal that manages to succeed, we will pursue him swiftly, decisively and zealously until we hunt him or her down.

    “We are putting behind us the misdeeds of some few elements, who try to cause anxiety.

    “You will recall that one Barrister (John) Abugu was kidnapped in front of his house; you will recall that one Mrs. (Jane) Ekweremadu was kidnapped at Agric. Bus-stop around Independence Layout.

    “You will recall that one Mrs. Sandra Onu was equally kidnapped around there. And of course, there was another victim, Dr Brooks (Okwara).

    “Our promise to the people of Enugu State is that any criminal that manages to succeed; we will use professional skills and expertise to make sure that he accounts for his misdeeds and that is what we have precisely done.

    “So, Wednesday, the leader of this dangerous gang and some of his members were ambushed by our men in a carefully planned operation somewhere at Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.

    “When they discovered that our men were closing in on them; they opened fire on them and of course in the ensuing exchange they were gunned down.’’

    The commissioner said the syndicates also kidnapped Elder Edwin Chime on April 2 from his house and took him away in a Volkswagen car with registration number DWK 929 PP.

    He said that the suspects snatched the car from its owners at Umunede in Delta State, adding that they had confessed to the crime.

     

  • Police kill three armed robbers, nab 779 suspects

    Police kill three armed robbers, nab 779 suspects

    Three suspected armed robbers were killed during gun duels, and 779 suspects arrested across Lagos in the last three weeks.

    This disclosure was made by the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni on Wednesday during an interaction with journalists at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

    He also stated that the police recovered 27 guns, 64 rounds of various ammunitions and 33 different brands of vehicles within the period.

    Among those arrested were 23 suspected armed robbers, two ‘cultists’ and 754 persons apprehended during raids of criminal hideouts in the state.

    The police boss stated that 260 persons were released unconditionally from the 754 raided after they were found to have legitimate source of livelihood.

    “494 of them were charged to court and we secured conviction on 298. The courts discharged 151 persons and 45 are still awaiting trial. In an effort to enforce the state Traffic Law 255 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted routes,” he said.

    Owoseni who said the most prevalent crimes in the state since March 18 were cult and gangster related clashes, as well as stealing by domestic employees from their masters, noted that the command has been able to recover about 95 percent of cars stolen from the owners by their drivers.

    “Among the suspects arrested within this period were a group which specialises in dispossessing commercial motorcyclists of their bike. Their modus operandi is that they pretend to be passengers wanting to patronise motorcyclists.

    “Then, after they are carried, they use a certain spray on the rider which makes him unconscious after which they dispossess of his bike.

    “When they are done, they meet one Justin, who generates fake receipt and fake plate number for them and they start operating the motorcycles.

    “Five of them, including Justin were arrested and three of the snatched motorcycles were identified by their owners. Police discovered 50 other motorcycles in Justin’s house, as well as fake number plates and receipts. 

    “Also, 13 suspected ‘one-chance’ operators  who are still being interrogated were arrested at different areas in the state. We apprehended about five of them who operate at Shoprite Ikeja, arrested some in Surulere and recovered two buses. Two other persons were arrested who received the stolen items from the one-chance operators.
    “Six suspected cultists were arrested in Lagos Island and they have been charged to court. There was serious confrontation between Salu Court boys and Okesuna boys on March 23, leading to their arrest. But on Tuesday, three more suspects General, Ejah and Taribu were arrested and are currently in police custody, helping detectives to get others.

    “Five suspected armed robbers who attacked a hotel in Ajangbadi and dispossessed lodgers of their valuables were arrested on April 12. We also got some of the boys who ambush bank customers and trail them with their power bikes to rob them of their money,” said Owoseni.