The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • 15 Russian crew members in police net

    Fifteen Russian crew members arrested by the Nigerian Navy (NN) on board a merchant vessel (MV) Myre Seadiver, allegedly carrying arms and ammunition, have been handed over to the Nigeria Police.

    The suspects are: Zhelyazkov Andrey, captain of the vessel, Savchenko Sergey, Chichanoy Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Kornilov Alexandr, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskiy Nikolay.

    Others include Mishin Pavel, Illia Shubov, Dmitry Bannykh, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail and Oleksiuk Stepan.

    They were handed over to a special team of policemen, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Zubairu Mauzu. The team was constituted by the Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Abubakar.

    The Nigerian Navy on October 19 last year intercepted the ship at the Lagos Roadstead, which it said entered the country’s waters without clearance.

    On further investigation, the vessel, which hoisted a Scottish flag, was alleged to have contained 14 AK47 rifles with 3,643 ammunition and 22 Benelli MR1 20 Barrel rifles with 4, 955 ammunition.

    At the handing over to the police at the Naval Base in Apapa, Lagos, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Martins Njoku, said the Navy had completed preliminary investigation and handed over the suspects to the police.

    He said: “Our preliminary investigations found the 15 suspects wanting. They entered our waters without clearance and carried arms and ammunition without permission.

    “We were directed to hand them over to the police for further action. This is what we have done.”

    The Nation, however, learnt that a search conducted onboard the vessel by a team of NN operatives showed the presence of a cache of arms, which was not declared.

    “We further learnt that the vessel departed the port of Toliara Madagascar on August 21 last year en route Conakry, Senegal, but made a detour to Lagos on September 20 for replenishment and crew change.

    “The crew change was done same day, which led to the replacement of the vessel’s former captain, Mr. Makarov Mikhail,” our source said.

    Muazu, who received the 15 suspects, their international passports and the armoury’s key from the Navy, told reporters that the police would continue from where the Navy stopped.

    He said for the Navy to have handed over the suspects to the police means that the suspects have a case to answer, adding that the police would ensure speedy and quality investigation as well as prosecution of the suspects.

    Muazu said: “We assure Nigerians that the suspects will be prosecuted. If at the end of our investigation, they are found guilty, we will detain them. So far, there is no clue as to the owner of the arms and ammunition or where the suspects were carrying them to. We will continue from where the Navy has stopped and ensure justice is done.”

    Efforts to speak to the suspects were unsuccessful as the ship’s captain said he would not speak to reporters until the Russian Consul arrived.

    The Russian Consul, on arrival, refused to comment on the reports by a foreign news agency credited to the embassy that the suspects have been released and their journey to Russia is being processed.

    He said: “Please, I don’t want to talk to reporters. I will also not talk on the matter to avoid aggravating issues.”

     

     

     

  • Arms:15 Russians in police net

    15 Russian crew members arrested by the Nigerian Navy on board a Merchant Vessel (MV) Myre Seadiver, for allegedly carrying arms and ammunitions have been handed over to the Nigerian Police.

    The suspects are Zhelyazkov Andrey who is the captain of the vessel, Savchenko Sergey, Chichanoy Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Kornilov Alexandr, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskiy Nikolay.

    Others include Mishin Pavel, Illia Shubov, Dmitry Bannykh, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail and Oleksiuk Stepan.

    They were handed over to a special team of policemen headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Zubairu Mauzu.

    The team was constituted by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.

    The navy had on October 19, intercepted the ship at the Lagos Roadstead, which they said entered the country’s waters without clearance.

    On further investigation, the vessel which flew a Scottish flag, was alleged to have contained 14 AK47 rifles with 3,643 ammunition as well as 22 Benelli MR1 20 Barrel rifles with 4, 955 ammunition.

    At the handing over to the police at Navy Base, Apapa, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, Commodore Martins Njoku, said the Navy had completed preliminary investigation and therefore handing over the suspects to the police for necessary actions.

    Njoku said: “Our preliminary investigations found the 15 suspects wanting. They entered our waters without clearance and also had arms and ammunitions without authority.

    “So, we were directed to handover to the police for further action and that is what we have done.”

     

  • Police avert communal clash in Kwara

    The Mobile Police Unit in Offa, near Ilorin, on Sunday averted a communal clash between two neighbouring communities of Offa and Erin-Ile in Kwara State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a disagreement between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the two communities sparked off the trouble.

    NAN gathered that members of the union in the two communities had earlier reached an agreement that passengers going to Erin-Ile should board designated taxis at Offa Poly Motor Park.

    But on Saturday afternoon, a mini- commercial bus was said to have flouted the directive by conveying passengers from Offa direct to Erin-Ile on inter-township route.

    The mini bus was reportedly accosted on its return trip by NURTW officials in Offa for failure to stop. They had its passengers offloaded at the Poly Motor Park.

    A source who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said the driver, rather than accept the sanction meted out to him in good fate, went to Erin-Ile and returned in company of some motor park thugs.

     

  • Police hunt for killers of Oba’s son in Ondo community

    Police hunt for killers of Oba’s son in Ondo community

    Security agencies are on the trail of unknown gunmen that killed the 23-year first child of the Olikan-elect of Itikan in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, late Orioye Oyetakin.

    The killing of Oyetakin on December 27 was the second in the community in the past few months.

    The Regent of the town, Elder Shem Omoreigha, was reportedly killed barely eight months ago by yet to be apprehended killers.

    The Olikan-elect, Prince Adeleke Oyetakin, said the crisis started in the community after the selection process which led to his emergence.

    He said the kingmakers concluded the selection process in October last year when he defeated his main contestant, Prince Busayo Oroyo.

    According to him, some people who were not satisfied with the outcome of the process are allegedly behind the crisis that engulfed the town.

    He said, “The latest incident, which led to the death of my son started around 6pm on the fateful day at Ode-Itikan when the young man travelled home for the preparation of our family’s annual social gathering slated for December 30.”

    He said the hoodlums invaded the community and started shooting sporadically until they shot the victim dead.

    Oyetakin said the remains of his deceased son had been deposited at the Igbokoda General Hospital’s morgue while the matter was promptly reported to the police.

    He explained that some soldiers visited the town the following day of the incident and took away with them some items which could be useful in the course of the investigation.

    Oyetakin, however, said they were yet to hear from the Army, stressing that he had written the state Commissioner of Police that some of the items recovered by the soldiers at the scene of the incident could be useful during investigation.

    He lamented that the loss of lives and properties would have been avoided if the state government had presented him with the staff of office immediately after he was elected by the kingmakers.

    The struggle to occupy the throne which was vacant in 2009 following the demise of the former monarch had been tough between Oyetakin and Oroyo

    The State Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the development, saying the matter had been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for proper investigation.

     

  • ACROSS THE STATES (2/1/2013)

    ACROSS THE STATES (2/1/2013)

    1 ACTING CHIEF JUDGE OF NASARAWA, JUSTICE SULIEMAN UMARU-DIKKO, TAKING HIS OATH OF OFFICE IN LAFIA.

    2. GOV. GODSWILL AKPABIO OF AKWA IBOM  PRAYING FOR PEACE IN THE STATE AT THE 2013 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY IN UYO.

    3 CLERGYMEN LED BY PRELATE EMERITUS OF METHODIST CHURCH OF NIGERIA, HIS EMINENCE SUNDAY MBANG (M), PRAYING FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN AKWA IBOM AT THE 2013 SOLEMN ASSEMBLY IN UYO.

    4 FULL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES RESUMED AT THE ABUBAKAR GUMI CENTRAL MARKET IN KADUNA AFTER THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY ON WEDNESDAY.

    5 PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS AND LESS PRIVILEGED FAMILIES SELECTED UNDER THE POVERTY ALLEVIATION SCHEME COLLECTING CASH ASSISTANCE AT KANKARA, KATSINA STATE, ON WEDNESDAY. RIGHT IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE STATE GOVERNOR ON POVERTY REDUCTION, ALHAJI BATURE MASARI.

    6 GOV. JONAH  JANG OF PLATEAU (L), BEING DECORATED WITH ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE EMBLEM BY MISS RHODA DADON DURING THE 2013 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY EMBLEM AND APPEAL FUND LAUNCH IN JOS.

    7 COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, PLATEAU, CHRIS OLAKPE (L), IN A HANDSHAKE WITH  GOV. JONAH  JANG  DURING THE 2013 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY EMBLEM AND APPEAL FUND LAUNCH IN JOS.

    8 FROM LEFT: DIVISIONAL POLICE OFFICER (DPO), IPONRI, CSP KUNLE OLUSOKAN; MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA (NAN), DAME OLUREMI OYO, AND MANAGING EDITOR AND HEAD OF NAN LAGOS OFFICE, MR ISAAC IGHURE, DURING THE VISIT OF THE DPO TO NAN OFFICE IN LAGOS.

    9 NASARAWA SOLICITOR-GENERAL AND PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, MR MOHAMMED IDRIS-APA, TAKES OATH OF OFFICE IN LAFIA .

     

     

     

    PHOTO:  NAN-PHOTO

     

     

  • Family petitions police over son’s death

    Family petitions police over son’s death

    The family of the murdered 28-year old, Goodnews Udo, has written the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, demanding for justice.

    Udo, an indigene of Akwa-Ibom was stabbed at Apo District of Abuja on November 6, by two brothers. The case was reported at Apo Police Station before it was transferred to the homicide department.

    In a letter by its lawyer, Austin Uzendu of Apostle and Raji Solicitors; the family is asking for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of Autopsy and Coroners’ Inquest Reports.

    In the letter to the FCT Police Commissioner, Aderenle Shinaba, the family condemned the way the case is being handled by the police.

    It also accused the police of shielding the assailants.

    Uzendu said: “Our enquiry at the Homicide Department reveals that the case is presently being investigated by a team of police officers headed by Dr. Emenike (ASP) and assisted by one Inspector Philibus inter-alia. However, Dr. Emenike (ASP) is said to be on annual leave but his subordinate officer said that he is not briefed of the facts of this case and as such he was not able to give us concrete information about the case such as the names of the suspects and or the place where the corpse is deposited.

    “Upon further inquiry as to whether the Autopsy and the Coroners’ Inquest have been conducted respectively according to Law, we did not receive any answer.

    “Be that as it may, we require the Certified True Copy of the Autopsy and Coroners’ Inquest Reports and do hereby apply for them respectively to enable us to adequately advise our clients on the desirability or otherwise of applying for the release of the deceased corpse for internment.”

     

  • Police deny rescuing kidnapped Gombe lawmaker

    The Gombe State Police Command has denied the rumour that it has rescued the kidnapped House of Assembly member, Jalo Ahmed Ganga.

    The command also denied a report, which said Police Commissioner Mohammed Suleman announced the reunion of the lawmaker with his family.

    The command’s spokesman, Atajiri Fwaje, described the report as embarrassing.

    He said: “The Gombe State Police Command wishes to state unequivocally that the report is false, callous and mischievous. It was made to undermine police investigation, thereby misleading the public.”

    The police spokesman urged the family of the kidnapped lawmaker and the public to remain calm as well as disregard the rumour as the imagination of a mischief maker.

    Fwaje said the police would locate the whereabouts of the lawmaker and rescue him.

    According to him, there has been no communication with the abductors.

    He added that investigation was on and that the police would publicise the result.

    Ganga, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, was kidnapped at 5am in front of his home in Gombe when he was returning from the dawn (Subuhi) prayer.

     

  • Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Nkiru Sylvanus

    The Imo State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested four suspects, who played key roles in the abduction of Nollywood actress and Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Public Affairs, Miss Nkiru Sylvanus.

    Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta spoke at the police headquarters in Owerri, the state capital.

    He said the state is now a graveyard for kidnappers and other criminals.

    The command paraded 20 other suspects, who were arrested for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping and arson.

    It also paraded four suspects for the abduction of a four-year-old daughter of Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary, Mr Blyden Amajirionwu.

    The kidnappers reportedly abducted her from her parents’ home at the Uratta Housing Estate, Owerri North Local Government.

    Bolanta said three police teams were on the trail for Nkiru’s kidnappers.

    The police chief said the teams arrested the four suspects – Okoro Basil, Stella Opara, Festus Olegeme and Chijioke Chima – in their hideout at Imerienwe, Ngor Okpalla Local Government.

    He said the suspects have confessed to being the collaborators to the kidnappers.

    According to him, the suspects named Chinedu Okoro (aka Mopol), Ifeanyi Onyekwe (aka Alaye), Ezekwem Onyekwe and Ifeanyi (surname held) as the kidnappers of the Nollywood actress.

    Bolanta said: “Since the kidnappers have been identified by the police, there have been repeated visits to their homes and hideout to arrest them.”

    The police chief also said following the information Amajirionwu gave the police, two suspects – Tochukwu Ekeh, a cripple and Ngozi Ihemba – were arrested.

    He said another suspect escaped with bullet wounds during an exchange of gun fire.

    The police also rescued a 78 year-old-woman, Mrs Christiana Okeke, from kidnappers.

     

  • Police deny release of abducted lawmaker

    Gombe State Police Command has denied rumours making the round that the kidnapped member of Gombe State House of Assembly, Jalo Ahmed Ganga has been released.

    The police also debunked claims that the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Suleiman, announced the release of the lawmaker to his family.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Atajiri Fwaje, said the report was embarrassing and condemned it in its entirety.

    His words: “The Gombe State Police Command wishes to state unequivocally that the message is false, callous, mischievous and made to undermine police investigation.”

    He therefore called on members of the legislator’s family and the general public to remain calm and disregard the rumour as imaginations of a mischief maker.

     

  • Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Nollywood actress

    Police arrest suspected kidnappers of Nollywood actress

    The Imo State Police Command, on Monday, disclosed that it has arrested four suspects, who played key roles in the abduction of Nollywood actress and Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Public Affairs, Nkiru Sylvanus.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, who made the disclosure at the police headquarters, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the state is now a graveyard for kidnappers and criminals.

    The command paraded 20 other suspects who were arrested over various crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and arson.

    Also paraded were four suspects who kidnapped the four year old daughter of the publicity secretary of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Blyden Amajirionwu.

    While parading the suspects Bolanta said three teams of police operatives carried out a serious man hunt for Nkiru’s kidnappers and eventually arrested the four suspects, Okoro basil, Stella Opara, Festus Olegeme and Chijioke Chima at their hideout at Imerienwe in Ngor Okpalla LGA.

    He said the suspects in their separate statements had confessed to the crime, adding that they implicated Chinedu Okoro alias Mopol, Ifeanyi Onyekwe alias Alaye, Ezekwem Onyekwe and Ifeanyi (surname held) as the main kidnappers of the Nollywood actress.