Tag: Police

…recover cache of arms, ammunition 

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested eight high-profile suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, and fabricated weapons.

The operations were executed by tactical units in Kaduna and Delta States.

According to Police spokesman, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Kaduna State, following the abduction of one Hussaini Ibrahim from Jagindi Tasha Village, Jema’a LGA, operatives of the state Police command launched a coordinated rescue operation which successfully yielded results when the abductors abandoned the victim in a nearby forest.

Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of four suspects directly connected with the abduction, named Umar Yusuf Jabiri of Jagindi Tasha, Buhari Muhammad, a.k.a. “General” of Bayya village, Ahmadu Nasiru of Gidan Waya and Zakari Saleh and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and two locally fabricated Ak-47 rifles.

In a related development, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted a suspicious waybill from Jos, Plateau state headed for Gusua, Zamfara state. Detailed search conducted led to the recovery of an Ak-47 rifle hidden inside a sack. Follow-up investigation on the origin of the waybill led to the arrest of two suspects, one Abdulmumin Sani and Naziru Musa who had arrived in Gusau to take delivery of the firearm from Kaduna State.

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Meanwhile, in Delta State, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), supported by the X-Squad and Buffalo Patrol units, raided a kidnapping gang hideout along Ibusa Road. One Chiadiji Collins, a.k.a. “Smooth,” aged 42, a notorious suspected kidnapper linked to multiple abductions in the Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, and Asaba axis, was apprehended. A subsequent search of his residence in Ewulu community, Aniocha South LGA, led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and forty rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Ezechie Andrew, who was found in possession of two pump-action guns and two live cartridges.

All suspects are currently assisting the Police in a series of investigations to apprehend other members of their gangs.

The suspects, police said, will be charged to court upon conclusion of all investigations.

Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun commended the tactical precision, professionalism, and bravery of the operatives involved in these successful operations which are reflections of proactive intelligence gathering.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to remain ahead of criminal elements through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and robust community engagement.

He further urged citizens to remain vigilant, provide timely information, and support the police in its efforts to combat crimes and maintain law and order.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Kebbi Command, says it has rescued two kidnapped victims unhurt in Ribah District of Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

The Spokesperson of the command, CSP, Nafi’u Abubakar, made this known in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

He said that the rescue was part of the command’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other heinous crimes in the state.

“On Aug. 15 at about 3: 05 pm, while on aggressive patrol around Dankade village of Ribah District, Danko/Wasagu LGA, a combined team of policemen, vigilantes and hunters, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ribah, had an encounter with the bandits.

“During a gun duel which lasted for hours, one Tukur Bello, ’26’ of Kembawa village, Augie LGA of Kebbi and Isyaka Abubakar, ’25’ of Budun village, Gummi LGA of Zamfara State, who were kidnapped on August 9 at about 2:p.m while grazing with their cows at Gairi forest in Zamfara State, were successfully rescued unhurt,” he said.

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According to him, the victims have been rushed to a medical facility for check-up before being reunited with their family.

Abubakar quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bello Sani who applauded the determination, resilience and professionalism of the DPO of Ribah and his team.

“He urged them to maintain the ongoing onslaught against banditry and other heinous crimes for socio-economic development of the area.

“The CP also encouraged other DPOs to emulate the DPO Ribah by embarking on aggressive patrols and visibility policing along the highways and nearby bushes in their area of responsibility, with a view to ensuring the safety and security of the good people in the state,” he said.

The PRO equally reiterated the command’s commitment in safeguarding the lives and property of the peace loving people of the state.

The Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court has sentenced a serving police officer, David Friday, and a self-acclaimed soldier, Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for multiple armed robbery offences in Idanre.

The duo faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating security personnel.

Prosecution witnesses testified that on January 15, 2021, the men—one in a black police T-shirt and the other in military camouflage—used jack knives to rob victims at different locations in Idanre, seizing cash, a phone, and fuel.

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They also assaulted victims and threatened them with a pistol.

Akinleye said both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him.

He noted that men ransacked his vehicle, took N6, 000 from him, and instructed him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he did.

He later discovered that his Itel phone, valued at N8,500, was also missing.

Another prosecution witness, Mr. Lanre Olowogbadegun said he was on night duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre that same night when he saw two men on a black TVS motorcycle one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.

Olowogbadegun, a security guard, added that the two men ordered him to drop his gun, but he refused.

“Shortly after, the men stopped an 18-seater bus, ordered the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and took all his money,” he told the court.

Olowogbadegun said the men beat the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him. They offered him (Olowogbadegun) N2, 000, but he declined.

“Around 4 a.m., the driver returned to ask if I knew the two men, and I confirmed that I did. Together, we went to the police station to report,” he added.

When invited by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the driver identified the man who had robbed him while wearing the police uniform.

The third prosecution witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that he was returning home when he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed like a policeman.

He said the man in camouflage demanded N10, 000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, dragged him out of his bus, and began to beat him.

The other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to assault him, according to Adeyeye.

He said they forcibly took N125, 000 from his pocket and the proceeds of his work for the day. After robbing him, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.

Police prosecutor, Ilesanmi Samuel told the court that investigations revealed Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Olofin Police Division, Idanre, while Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Owena Cantonment in Akure.

According to Samuel, both men confessed to the crimes.

In his verdict, Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.