The Nation Newspaper

Tag: robbery

  • Bank staff arrested over theft of N25m

    Bank staff arrested over theft of N25m

    The Delta State Police Command has arrested four bank officials for their role in an armed robbery operation between Otulu and Ubulu-Okiti axis of the Benin-Onitsha Expressway.

     A policeman was shot dead in the robbery operation. The four suspects work for an old generation commercial bank.

     In a statement made available to The Nation, Delta Police spokesman  DSP Andrew Aniamaka said the four suspects include a female cash management officer of the bank’s Branch 1, Amina Oyewole,Chief Security Officer and two drivers.

    He said the quartet were arrested after a preliminary investigation showed that in their bid to “cut corners” picked seven policemen from different locations and engaged them in an illegal escort to convey N25 million from its branch in Agbor ,Ika South L.G.A to Asaba-the State Capital without using a serviceable armoured vehicle as required by law.

     The statement reads in part, “ The Cash management Officer Branch 1  Asaba, one Amina Oyewole ‘f’, the Chief Security Officer of the bank and two drivers were arrested by Delta State Police Command following an armed robbery attack which occurred Tuesday, September 5, 2017 between Otulu and Ubulu-Okiti, along Asaba/Benin expressway, Delta State.

    “Their arrest followed preliminary investigation into the attack which revealed that, in a bid to cut corners, the bank officials illegally picked seven police officers from different locations, yet to be determined, and engaged them on an illegal escort for the conveyance of the sum of twenty-five million naira from its branch in Agbor to Asaba without using a serviceable, secure armored bullion van as required by law”

    He said a policeman was killed in the attack while the robbers emptied their loot into two getaway cars.

    The statement added ,”one of the police escorts was fatally injured by the armed robbers who also emptied the twenty-five million naira (N25, 000,000.00) into their cars- a Honda Pilot Jeep and Toyota Corolla, Registration numbers unknown,  and escaped”.

     The Command warned that banks requiring police escort must adhere to laid down regulations on specie escort especially during the ”ember” months

  • I smuggle marijuana because I cannot engage in robbery – Suspect

    A 43-year-old man Okafor Secopter has told police that he ventured into smuggling of marijuana (Indian hemp) in Lagos, because he could not do armed robbery.

    Police sources said the suspect was arrested by the Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) while on routine patrol at Isheri Berger area of Lagos, on August 28, 2017.

    It was learnt that Okafor was intercepted with a Ghana-must-go bag at Isheri Berger area which contained Indian hemp weighing over 20 kilogramme.

    The suspect allegedly confessed to the ownership of the hard drug.

    Confessing, Okafor said:  “I am a smuggler. I was into smuggling business. I used to smuggle marijuana because I cannot do armed robbery job. Smuggling is the only business I know how to do well.

    The country is too tough and rough. I cannot kill my fellow human beings to get money. Leave matter for Mathias. I cannot do armed robbery and I cannot do kidnapping. I do not have the mind to do obtaining by false pretense aka 419 or big fraud. I cannot operate dangerous gun.

    I am hustling to get what I and my family will eat. It is not a crime. I have to take care of my family.

    “I was buying and selling foreign rice before the government banned foreign rice importation. As if that was not enough, the bags of rice in my shop were seized and for me to survive I started smuggling marijuana. I used to buy it from Benin, Edo State. It was when I was carrying the bag of Indian hemp to Lagos that police on patrol saw me at Isheri Berger area and stopped me. When they opened the bag to know what I was carrying they saw marijuana and they said I was under arrest. It is not my fault. The country is tough.

  • Two brothers arrested for ‘robbery’

    Two brothers arrested for ‘robbery’

    The FCT Police Command has arrested two brothers for alleged robbery and car snatching.

    The police alleged the brothers, Solomon Manger, 26, and Isaac Manger, 22, operated between Wuse and Kuruduma in Abuja and specialised in snatching cars from cab operators.

    The command said the suspects snatched a Honda Accord car from a victim and sold it for N40,000.

    Giving details of how the arrest was made, spokesman Anjuguri Manzah said: “The suspects Solomon Manger, 26, and Isaac Manger, 22, of Koti in Kwande Local Government of Benue State were arrested on August 24 about 9:20pm by operatives attached to Asokoro Division on pin-down at Abacha barracks overhead bridge, en route to Kuruduma village, following a report that on August 23 around 9p.m. the duo robbed a victim of his black Honda Accord car.

    “The suspects, who operate between Wuse and Kuruduma via Abacha barracks bridge, were nabbed by eagle-eyed operatives after their attempt to snatch another car from a cab operator, whose services they engaged from Wuse Zone 2, was foiled by the police team.

    “Following their arrest, the suspects confessed to have sold a Honda Accord car they had snatched a day before their arrest for N40,000 to their cohort, who is on the run.”

    The police said the suspects would be transferred to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for investigation and prosecution.

    Police Commissioner Musa Kimo urged taxi drivers to be vigilant when carrying passengers.

     

  • Kogi: Police parade 40 suspected criminals

    Kogi: Police parade 40 suspected criminals

    The Kogi State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 40 suspects for various alleged offences including kidnapping, robbery, illegal possession of fire arms, vandalism and unlawful possession of substance.

    Four of the suspects were allegedly behind the kidnap of two businessmen and other recent robbery incidents in the state.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operation, Edward Ebuka, while parading the suspects at the Police Command Headquarters in Lokoja, said they were arrested at their different locations around the state.

    He said six of them, Ugbodaga Wada, Abdul Mudi, Adamu Faruna, Nuhu Usman, Abaji Awor and Abdulahi Sule were arrested for the kidnap of Alhaji Musa Oseni and Alhaji Buba in April at Ayingba.

    According to him, 17 others are being held for their alleged involvement in various robbery incidents on the highways and other parts of the state.

    He said that arms including two AK-47 rifles, a locally-made pistol and a Bareta Pistol with number 21244 and 27 rounds of live ammunition, were recovered from the suspects.

    Other recovered items are, a white Nissan Sunny marked: YAB 980 AL and an ash-coloured Toyota Carina, car (AA 479 FFA).

  • Police arraign two for ‘robbery’ 

    The police command in Benue State has arraigned a technician, John Okodo, 21, and a businessman, Michael Orji, 32, at a Makurdi Upper Area Court II for alleged robbery.

    The two men are standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and membership of an unlawful society.

    The prosecutor, Alexander Akule, told the court that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led by Inspector Joshua Tor, arrested the men during a patrol in Makurdi.

    He said while a team of SARS was on patrol, it received a distress call from Edmond Igbodinze of Kanshio village, Makurdi that a group of young men had attacked and threatened to kill him and his family.

    “On August 16, a  group of able-bodied young men, who identified themselves as members of the Black Skull Confraternity, led by John Okodo, Michael Orji and others at large, armed with guns, irons, cutlasses and axes attacked him at his home.

    “They beat him up mercilessly and smashed his eye with an iron rod. As a result, the eye got swollen and Okodo threatened to kill him and his family if he informed anybody of the incident.”

    Akule, however, told the court that the matter was still under investigation and requested for another date to enable the investigating police officer conclude investigation.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 6 (b) and 1 (1) (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provisions Act, 2004 and Section 11 (2) of the Abduction, Hostage-taking, Kidnapping, Cultism and other related activities (Prohibition) Law, 2017.

    When the case came up for mention, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Akintomide, ordered that the two men be remanded in Makurdi Prisons.

    She adjourned the case till October 20 for further mention.

  • RRS nabs wanted robbery suspect

    RRS nabs wanted robbery suspect

    A Rapid Response Squad (RRS) has arrested a 20-year-old man, Ahmed Lateef, who has been on the police wanted list for armed robbery. He was arrested on Saturday morning while returning from an alleged robbery in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    Lateef, a.k.a ‘Ajona’ was said to have confessed that he participated in robberies in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.

    The suspect, who is from Osogbo, the Osun State capital, was quoted by RRS as saying that he participated in two robbery operations twice a week in company of Enu–Ose, his associate.

    Lateef, according to RRS, said they went to Kuto in Abeokuta to burgle a computer and phone retail outlet. He was arrested with a motorbike marked OGUN:MEK 339 WM, which he also confessed to have stolen in Kuto.

    The suspect said there was ready buyers for every stolen item such as jewellery, phones, motorcycles and lap tops.

    His gang, he allegedly told interrogators usually hired metal cutters in Mushin for N10,000 per operation.

    He listed other gang members as Noah, Segun, Lekan, Ishan– Idi, Rilwan, Shile, Ege and Jandor.

    Two of his gang members, Seyi Adebayo, 26 and Saheed Funsho, 23, and two receivers of stolen items have been moved to the Lagos State Task Force at Oshodi for prosecution.

  • Teenage boy faces break-in, robbery charges in Lagos

    Teenage boy faces break-in, robbery charges in Lagos

    A teenager, Elijah Daramola, was on Friday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos charged with robbery and breaking into a house in the wee-hours of the day.

    The 18-year-old is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and robbery.

    Magistrate Bola Folarin-Williams directed that the plea of the accused be taken and quashed the remand order brought by the police.

    She granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 19 at 4.00 a.m. at No. 33/35, Modele St., Surulere.

    He told the court that the accused, armed with gun and other dangerous weapons, broke into the residence of the complainant, Oluyinka Olumide and stole property worth thousands of naira.

    He listed items allegedly stolen by Daramola as one Hp laptop valued at N70, 000, one Toshiba laptop valued at N50, 000, one iPhone6 valued at N160, 000 and a Samsung smart phone valued at N40, 000.

    Others are a Nokia phone, two Itel phones and a smart phone valued at N140, 000.

    Iseghede also alleged that the accused stole two gold rings and a wedding band, a driving licence, seven ATM cards, N60, 000 and 300 dollars, all belonging to Oluyinka Olumide.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 297, 307 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The case has been adjourned until Aug. 24 for mention. (NAN)

  • Dismissed soldier held for ‘robbery’

    Dismissed soldier held for ‘robbery’

    A dismissed soldier, Ndubisi Ogana, 31, has been arrested by the police for alleged robbery.

    He was apprehended when he attempted to snatch a motorcycle.

    It was gathered that he had been arrested twice and charged to court, but was released.

    According to a source, Ogana has been stealing motorcycles, tricycles other properties for over four years.

    He usually wore military camouflage for his operations.

    The source said: “He was arrested last Tuesday while trying to steal a motorcycle. He usually robs road users of their valuables and also steals motorcycles and tricycles.

    “It was a team led by Godwin Onyebuchi that arrested him. He claimed he was dismissed from the military because he was caught smoking weed. They have charged the suspect to court.”

    It was gathered that the policemen also arrested some suspected members of the Awawa cult group, who have since been charged to court for robbery and murder.

  • Ex-convicts held for alleged robbery

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives have arrested two persons for allegedly robbing a motorist in Mile 2.

    Sunday Chukwunweike, 26 and Emmanuel Friday, 28 were arrested after a four-man gang robbed a driver Yinusa Salami, whose truck broke down in Mile 2.

    The gang was said to have robbed Salami of N45,000 cash and his mobile phone.

    Salami, RRS said, reported the case to RRS men on Mile 2 Bridge.

    “Our men actually saw them but thought they were together unknowing that those guys were robbing him. It was few minutes after they had left that the driver approached the operatives. The suspected robbers were traced and two of them were arrested,” RRS said in a statement yesterday.

    The operatives quoted Emmanuel as saying: “I was in the company of my friends when we saw the driver. He was coming from Apapa. He stopped on the bridge to pick somebody. It was the elderly ones among us that robbed him. I thought they were going to drop some money for us to eat when we approached him. It was Silas and Sule that took the money and the phone and we went our way. They later told us that it was N40,000 they took in his pocket. They gave my colleague and I N10,000 to share. We went back to our usual joint before the truck driver led police to arrest us.

    “I have been to the prison twice, one in 2013 where I spent seven months in jail and also in 2016 where I bagged three months after engaging in street fighting.”

    Chukwunweike said: “I came back from prison after spending three months but here I am again in another mess”.

    Salami said he stopped on the bridge to pick his brother.

    He said: “I was coming from Apapa and heading to Osun. I wanted to assist my brother who was equally going to Osun State. I got to the bridge and I alighted from the truck that was when I saw four of them.

    “I was about giving them some money when they seized my arms, before dragging me to the ground and forcefully collected all the money in my pocket N45,000 claiming they control the area and nothing can happen afterwards.

    I reported to the police and they followed me to track the boys. That was when we saw the two of them trying to split their own share of the money. They were arrested there but the other two guys escaped.”

    The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

  • Nine robbery suspects arrested in Abuja

    Operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested nine robbery suspects said to be terrorising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Lawal Peter (25); Emmanuel Adole (26); Ojuma Onoja (24); Danjuma Mohammed (30); Dickson Uche (21) and Ali Abdul (24) were arrested at Mabushi, Abuja, while Friday Emmanuel (28); Akaninyena Etukdo (32); Ikechukwu John (32) and Joe Effiong (28) were apprehended in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

    It was gathered that a Samsung Galaxy, an Infinix Hotnote and Nokia phones, gold wristwatch, Toyota Camry (2010 Model), all belonging to a Pastor, and six other vehicles, were recovered from the gang.

    Also recovered were the suspects’ operational burglary and car-jacking tools.

    They were arrested between May 22 and 27, after the IGP, Ibrahim Idris, ordered a major swoop on the gang.

    It was gathered that their arrest became imperative after they attacked Pastor Davies and snatched his Toyota Camry, gold wristwatch and phones.

    Peter, it was learnt, was first arrested and an Infinix Hotnote recovered from him. He was said to have led detectives to his colleagues. Adole, in his confessional statement, said he sold the car for N400,000. Onoja was found with two of the pastor’s phones and the wristwatch.

    The police said fleeing members of the gang would soon be arrested..