The Nation Newspaper

Tag: robbers

  • Police kill three robbers

    Men of the Oyo State Joint Patrol Team, Operation Burst (OB), yesterday killed of the six-man robbery gang that have been terrorising residents of Adegbayi area of the State for the past three weeks.

    Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Security, Segun Abolarinwa said the OB team responded to a distress call from the residents while the robbers were operating at Emirate Hotel, Adegbayi area, Ibadan.

    Abolarinwa said two members of the gang are in custody while the remaining one escaped with gun wounds.

    He said: “Early this morning (yesterday), the office of the Operation Burst, the joint patrol team set up by Governor Ajimobi to combat crime, got distressed calls from the residents of Adegbayi area, Ibadan.

    The OB men swift to action immediately and engaged the robbers in cross fire while they were operating at Emirate, Hotel, Adegbayi.

    “The engage of gun fire led to one dead instantly while two died in the hospital and one escaped with gunshot wounds. Two are in the custody of OB. We are optimistic that OB team and other Security agencies will not relax on their oars to make Oyo State safe for all and sundry.”

    Abolarinwa enjoined the people to be vigilant about their environment and avail themselves the contacts detail of Security teams in their vicinity.

     

  • Robbers kill four policemen, six others in Kwara

    Robbers bearing sophisticated weapons invaded Kwara State town of Offa yesterday, killing no fewer than 10 people including four policemen and raided five banks in a commando-like manner.

    Gaining access to the town from Ijagbo in the western end, the robbers shot sporadically, killing four policemen at a police station in the entrance to town, and six others, including passers-by. A commercial motorcyclist was among the dead, according to eyewitnesses.

    They reportedly used dynamite to break the vaults of the commercial houses made up of three new generation and two old generation banks.

    Eyewitnesses who recalled the deadly incident told our reporter on the telephone that “The robbers carted away substantial amount of money from the banks’ vaults. They blew open the security of the banks with dynamite.  Many passers-by were hit by stray bullets. A commercial motorcyclist was among those killed.”

    It was gathered that the bandits, numbering about 15, came in about four vehicles. They blocked access to the town from Ilorin and Osogbo. They operated for about one hour from around 4:30pm.

    They reportedly escaped from the town with their loot through Igosun area.

    Bodies were seen in some parts of the town where the policemen operated after their departure.

    The injured were taken to the Offa Genera Hospital.

    Kwara State police Spokesman Ajayi Okasanmi who confirmed the raid, said victims included policeman and other individuals.

    He promised to make details available after full investigation.

  • Police parade suspected cultists, robbers, car snatchers

    Abia State Police Command has paraded suspected cultists, robbers and car snatchers.

    Police Commissioner Anthony Ogbizi told reporters that the suspects were arrested in parts of the state.

    He said others were nabbed on the crime scene.

    Leader of Black Axe Confraternity Princewill Okechukwu, a final-year student at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, was among the suspects.

    He said the suspects would be arraigned.

    A suspected female cultist, who is also a final-year student from ABSU, Chika Ogwalachi, confessed that she was arrested in the vicinity of an initiation in a student lodge, near the campus.

    Ogwalachi, 22, who was paraded with two suspected male cultists, said her boyfriend asked her to wait for him at the venue.

    She said while waiting for him, one of the boys gave her a parcel, which her boyfriend asked her to collect and keep for him.

    Ogwalachi claimed she didn’t know the parcel contained Indian hemp.

    She denied knowing that her boyfriend was a cultist.

    “We just met recently. While I was waiting for him, the police arrived and asked me what I was doing there. I told them I was waiting for my boyfriend. They seized my bag, searched it and found the parcel. They unwrapped it and discovered it was Indian hemp. That was how I was arrested,” Ogwalachi said.

    A 23-year-old final-year student, Salvation Chialu, was also paraded.

    He confessed that he was arrested during initiation.  Chialu said other cultists escaped.

    The suspect, an indigene of Awkuzu in Anambra State, said he was lured into cultism by supposed friends.

    He said: “I bought items for them to keep them at bay, but three days after my exams, as I was packing my clothes, they came into my room and ordered me to follow them.

    “I followed them because of their fierce look. Before then, I hesitated and they attacked me with a machete.”

    Okechukwu told reporters that he was arrested in the exam hall.  He admitted that he was the leader of the cult for only two weeks, alleging that those opposed to his leadership masterminded his arrest.

    Okechukwu said he was aware that the items recovered from his room were weapons, used for cult activities.

    The suspect, from Isuikwuato Local Government of Abia State, confessed that seven live cartridges, dagger, machete,  Black Axe Confraternity bag and red uniform were recovered from him.

    Also paraded was Uchenna Okorocha.

    He said he was arrested when the police searched his home in Aba, following a report by his master’s brother.

    The suspect confessed that he spent his master’s money on MMM Pyramid Scheme and other gambling.

    He said when he could not give proper account of how he spent the money; his master’s brother invited the police to arrest him.

     

     

  • ‘We ‘ll treat armed herdsmen as robbers, kidnappers’

    ‘We ‘ll treat armed herdsmen as robbers, kidnappers’

    Delta Police Commissioner Mr. Muhammed Mustafa has said armed herdsmen will be treated as robbers and kidnappers.

    He said: “We have real herdsmen, who are law-abiding, but any herdsman seen carrying arms should be taken as a criminal. He will be treated as a robber or kidnapper.”

    Mustafa, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said the command had stepped up measures to recover illegal arms in the possession of herdsmen.

    He said: “We have set up a task force headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Wagbara.”

    Mustafa said a 21-day grace period, which starts from March 1, has been given to people to surrender illegal arms to the command through area commanders.

    He listed the affected persons as members of vigilance groups and neighbourhood watch, town unions, hunters, night guards and herdsmen.

    Mustafa said at the expiration of the ultimatum, anyone found in possession of illegal arms would be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.

  • Tears as robbers’ stray bullet kills lady six months after graduation

    Tears as robbers’ stray bullet kills lady six months after graduation

    LADY identified as Ranti Funso Akinfolarin has reportedly died from bullets fired by robbers in the Festac area of Lagos State penultimate week.

    The Nation gathered the deceased was returning home from an outing without knowing that the robbers were operating in the area.

    One of the bullets fired indiscriminately by the robbers was said to have hit Ranti on the chest and she fell down in a pool of her blood.

    It was learnt that the pandemonium that followed the robbery incident did not allow bystanders to take her to hospital as people scamper into safety.

    Our correspondent gathered that the deceased who graduated six months ago from the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, had her wedding last year and celebrated her birthday two weeks ago.

    The story posted on the Facebook wall of the deceased generated emotional tributes.

    One of her friends, Oyebanji Kemmiesola, mourned her on Facebook said: ”Oluwarantimi you went down the earth yesterday at about 4:30pm. I was just like is that the end? Even in your Coffin you were smilling. So,no more play & hangout again. No one to prepare that your delicious pepper noodles again. It was me, Tonia and you . But now you left us. My beautiful always smilling friend. I will miss u forever.

    Another sympathizer, Adebiyi Christiana Abosede said: ”Today mark(sic) it 8days u left this sinful world Oluwarantimi but still look like a dream to me. U will always be remember my Bestie, Rest in perfect peace my dear frd. I love u so much Ranti Funsho Akinfolarin but God love u more. Sleep on……… Itsopainfuluarenomore….. Ore bi omo iya …….

    Another mourner, Ola-Daniels Olatunji said: ” You graduated from #Laspotech six (6)months ago and got married last year (not up to a year) also, you celebrated your birthday two (2)weeks ago which, I wished you all the best in the world. It’s a sad news to hear…you are no more Ranti Funsho Akinfolarin due to #straybullet fired in #Festac

    ”You always extend your kindly heart and understanding towards everything around you..we talked like…same blood, play like…life is free, plan like…future is here. Am just short of words. Like you said in your last fb post “If you understand Time trust me, you will envy no one”.

    It was leanrnt that the remains of the deceased have since been buried.

  • Robbers attack plane on runway

    Robbers attack plane on runway

    A gang of robbers on Thursday night swooped on an Air Peace plane while preparing for takeoff at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    The incident occurred at about 7.35 pm on Runway 18 Right (A1) of the airport, the airline said Friday.

    It said suspected bandits opened the cargo hold of the aircraft.

    Spokesman for the company, Chris Iwarah said the crew observed the development and insisted on thorough security of the Abuja – bound flight after the incident.

    Iwarah said the carrier’s crew acted in line with the high safety standards of the airline.

    He expressed appreciation to “all our wonderful guests on board Flight 7138 for their support, patience and cooperation throughout the precautionary security checks conducted by Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad, Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria Aviation Security and our security team after suspected thieves opened the cargo hold of our aircraft.”

    Pilot-in-Command, Capt. Adesola Arasi was said to have contacted the control tower “when he was alerted by the light that came on in the cockpit suggesting that the cargo hold was opened for about 15 seconds and immediately shut.”

    He added: “In line with our high security standards and the huge value we place on the lives of our guests and crew, Capt. Arasi insisted on having EOD squad check Flight APK 7138 before takeoff to be doubly sure nothing was deposited in the cargo hold by the suspected thieves to endanger the lives of our guests and crew.

    “Our guests, who were fully briefed of the development by the pilot-in-command, were advised to disembark from the aircraft and board an Air Peace bus while the joint security operation by EOD, FAAN AVSEC and our security team lasted. The Lagos-Abuja flight was cleared by the security experts after exhaustive screening of the aircraft lasting about 30 minutes.

    “The flight eventually took off at 9.30pm and safely landed in Abuja at about 10.23pm. Our satisfied guests commended the professionalism of Capt. Arasi and his team as well as the high safety standards of Air Peace.”

  • Residents flee as robbers invade community

    Residents of Mafowoku Street in Alapere, Lagos Mainland are fleeing their homes after armed robbers held them hostage on Tuesday night, carting away their valuables.

    The robbers were said to have stormed the street around 12:30am and went from one building to the other, cutting burglary proofs and breaking doors.

    A motorcyclist, Sani Lawan, was said to have sustained a head injury.

    It was gathered that the hoodlums succeeded in raiding about seven houses before fleeing around 3:30am when they noticed policemen have arrived the neighbourhood.

    Among the compounds raided were 1a, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9, with several phones, laptops, gold jewelleries and money carted away.

    The Nation gathered that most of the residents fled the street in the morning for fear of another attack. The criminals were said to have beaten some of their victims, tied up seven security men and locked them inside a guard room, with two armed men watching over them.

    According to the residents, the robbers attempted to rape three women in one of the houses.

    A banker, Noah Yusuf who said they collected four phones, his wristwatch and a N5,000 cash from his apartment, added that the robbers attempted to rape his wife and her sisters.

    He said: “They asked my wife and her sisters to take off their clothes and were about raping them when they heard gunshot from the police. That was how God saved all three women from being raped. They fled my apartment. Escaped through the back fence and landed on the roof of a hotel on Momodu Street.  They took their time in robbing us and they were calling themselves MOPOL.

    “It took the police about two to three hours to get here but I am still thankful they arrived just in time to stop the robbers from raping my wife and her sisters. The police should be able to fish out the suspects. There should also be regular patrol in this area. It was a terrifying experience.”

    A woman, Mrs Taye Ilesanmi said she was praying when they smashed her door, adding that she immediately ended the prayers and faced down.

    “They climbed the iron bar holding the water tank and from there, they jumped into the balcony. Then, they broke my door and slapped my 12-year-old daughter. After robbing us of our phones and money, they left my house and went to the next flat. The robbers took their time and I think they are people who know this area very well.”

    Another victim who refused to be named called on the police to raid joints and other drinking spots at Agboyi, Campus, Church Street and Ajelogun because the idle boys in the community usually stayed there.

    He said the robbers tied and locked security men before they started going from house to house.

    Mrs Adebimpe Basiru, Rasidat Fawonle and Funmilola Oni were also dispossessed of their valuables.

    Mrs Basiru said they took five phones from her house and N5,000 which her son gave them to stop them from attacking her with their machete.

    At Fawonle’s flat, the robbers went away with three mobile phones and undisclosed amount of money, while four phones, laptop, N11,000, gold chain were taken from Oni’s house with her brother assaulted.

    “They were four that entered my house. One was short and three of them tall. They wore Jean trousers. They broke in and started saying bring your phones, money, gold, laptops.”

  • Robbers invade Mr Ibu’s house, steal N14m cash, property

    Robbers invade Mr Ibu’s house, steal N14m cash, property

    Armed robbers on Saturday morning attacked Nollywood comedian, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, at his Lagos residence, carting away about N14.3m cash as well as properties.

    Mr Ibu who disclosed the matter has been reported to the police, said his wife was at home when the robber s invaded his house.

    “According to my wife, the operation started at about 3am and lasted till about 4:25am this morning after which they left with all my property and cash,” Mr Ibu said on Saturday.

    Mr Ibu, a GoTV Ambassador, is considered to be one of Nigeria’s most talented comic characters.

    Read Also: Army kill armed robbers, rescue victims in A’Ibom

  • Robbers chase blogger to death in Lagos

    A Woman described as a blogger was crushed by a vehicle early yesterday while trying to escape from two suspected robbers at Anthony bus stop.

    One of the hoodlums was wounded in the accident, which happened at midnight.

    The late Oluwafeyidara Adekoya was returning from church when the motorcycle riding hoodlums pounced on her.

    The Nation gathered that they attempted to dispossess her of her bag and phones but she raised the alarm and took to her heels.

    The hoodlums chased her before an oncoming vehicle ran them over.

    The rider escaped, but the hit-and-run driver ran over  his accomplice and Adekoya.

    A witness, who gave his name as Uche,  said: “She died on the spot. The other robber was unconscious but he was stabilised by the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), that came to the scene with officials from LASEMA.

    “She was waiting to take a bus and a bike with a passenger appeared. They struggled to rob her and she raised the alarm. A vehicle later came and ran into them. While the rider rode away, the lady and one of the robbers were hit. The lady died while the guy was critically injured.

    “The suspect was moved to the hospital. I did not get his name but the lady was said to be a journalist with In-Situ Media.”

    LASEMA General Manager Adesina Tiamiyu said the injured suspect had been handed over to the police.

    He said: “Yes there was an accident involving a young woman and a man. They were knocked down by a vehicle. The woman died on the spot. We found the man unconscious and resuscitated him. He was taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

    “We were told the man was a robbery suspect and that he and his accomplice had attempted to rob the lady before they were knocked down by a vehicle. So, we handed over the man to the police for further action.”

    But police spokesman Chike Oti, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the police were investigating a hit-and-run case and not robbery.

    Oti said: “I confirm there was an accident. A woman was killed and a young man sustained injury. There was no robbery. We are investigating a case of hit-and-run because the driver fled.”

  • Police parade 30 inter-state robbers, kidnap suspects in Kogi

    Police parade 30 inter-state robbers, kidnap suspects in Kogi

    The Police yesterday in Lokoja paraded 30 inter-state armed robbery and kidnap suspects terrorising Kogi and the neighbouring states.

    Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood (CSP) said those arrested included some who allegedly kidnapped and killed an expatriate engineer with Dangote Cement Company.

    Moshood said at the Kogi Police Command headquarters that “The IGP directed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Said Hangs, to quickly address armed robbery, kidnapping, social miscreants, cattle rustling, cultism on Auchi-Okene-Lokoja, Lokoja-Ajaokuta-Anyigba, Kabba-Oshokoshoko-Obajana highways.

    “Effort of the commissioner and his team through vigour, dedication, utmost professionalism and passion for the job, led to the arrest of the 30 suspected criminals and recovery of several weapons, he said.

    He said four of the suspects were alleged to have on Oct. 23, kidnapped an expatriate, Mr Jose Machada, a construction engineer with Dangote Cement Company, Obajana.

    Moshood said the suspects killed the expatriate when the ransom they demanded was not forthcoming.

    “Police operatives attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Kogi State Command, in synergy with the DSS promptly swung into action and arrested the four suspects,’’ he said.

    He said one of the suspects killed a senior employee of Dangote Group, Istifanus Bello, for allegedly trying to shortchange his kidnap gang.

    The company worker was said to have been killed for paying them N5 million instead of N7 million ransom for the release of another employee earlier abducted by the suspect and his gang.

    Moshood said two other suspects were arrested on Kano road, Idah, for terrorising the residents through cultism while another was arrested in Okene for kidnapping and cattle rustling.

    He noted that during interrogation the suspects confessed to participating in the killing one Haruna Baso, a resident of Achoze, and carting away the cattle of the deceased.

    Moshood listed items recovered from them to include, 11 AK-47 rifles, two Beretta pistols, two Revolver pistols, 334 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, a dagger, a cutlass and military camouflage uniforms.

    The force public relations officer said the suspects would soon be prosecuted and called on parents to monitor their wards.

    He also appealed to the public to assist security agents with useful information to track down criminals.