The Nation Newspaper

Tag: robbery

  • Robbery: Police inspector, soldier nabbed

    A police inspector and a soldier attached to 2 Mechanised Division, Herbert Mbachu, 55 and Sikiru Balogun, 46, have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for alleged robbery in Ibadan and other towns.

    Other suspects said to allegedly specialise in hijacking fuel-laden trucks on highways are the leader of the gang, Johnson Precious, 45; Lawal Olalekan, 26; Sodiq Onifade, 26; Timothy Ayodele, 53; Oluwadare Segun, 30; Gabriel Olanrewaju, 39 and Gbadegesin Olawale, 45.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the Eleyele Police Headquarters, Ibadan, Police Commissioner Mr. Abiodun Odude listed the items recovered from the suspects to include N1.2million cash, two Honda Accord cars registered as AKD 74 BH and LSD 680 ES, and one Nokia C-200 phone.

    He said they operated at Ojoo, Iwo Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other parts of the state, snatching trucks conveying petroleum products to parts of the country.

    Odude said 34 suspected robbers were arrested in the last two weeks.

    He paraded the leader of a six-man gang of kidnappers, Mohammed Abdullahi, 29, who confessed to be responsible for the abduction of an Ibadan-based oil magnate, the managing director and chief executive officer of Bovas Oil and Gas Ltd, last year.

    Among the suspects involved in the kidnap of the oil magnate are Abubakar Mohammed, 35; Umoru Abubakar, 32; Ogun Aremu, 35; Mutairu Mohammed, 30 and Tambaya Tukura, 29.

    Also paraded was 20-year-old Ibrahim Aliyu Babatunde, who allegedly masterminded the kidnap of his father.

  • Soldier, policeman, others paraded for tanker hijacking, robbery

    Soldier, policeman, others paraded for tanker hijacking, robbery

    The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded a serving soldier and a police inspector for allegedly hijacking   fuel-laden trucks on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 38 other  suspects were also paraded for offences ranging  from armed robbery, kidnapping and  stealing to  cultism.

    Addressing  newsmen at the police headquarters in  Eleyele, Ibadan, Mr Abiodun Odude, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police,  said  the suspected hijackers often wore camouflage and police uniforms to carry out their operations.

    “The alleged hijackers of fuel-laden trucks usually wore military camouflage and police uniform in their operations.

    “They were nabbed by the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad of Oyo State during one of their operations on April 15 at about 8.am after they waylaid a fuel-laden DAF tanker with registration number  APC 937 XB on a bad portion at Shasha, near Ojoo, on Ibadan-Oyo Road.

    “The suspected policeman would be recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police for professional misconduct,’’ he said.

    Odude said both the soldier and the policeman confessed that they actually participated in the crime.

    In another incident,  a suspect  allegedly conspired with others to abduct his  own father.

    Odude said that the kidnapping of the suspect’s  father took place at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area on May 17 at about 6pm.

    “ The suspect said he got a share of less than N1 million in the ransom collected although he confessed that his father never offended him,’’ he said.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was completed.

    Similarly, six suspects said to be  involved in the kidnapping of  popular Ibadan-based oil magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Bovas Oil and Gas Limited were also paraded.

    Items recovered from the suspects included  firearms,  nine  vehicles, one motorcycle,  N1.2 million,  musical instruments, knife and phones.

     

  • Police parade inspector, soldier for robbery

    Police parade inspector, soldier for robbery

    A police inspector and a soldier attached to 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army , Herbert Mbachu (55 ), and Corporal Sikiru Balogun ( 46 ), and seven others have been arrested by the Oyo state Police Command  for various armed robbery operations in Ibadan and other major towns in the state.

    Other suspects who were said to be specialized in hijacking fuel laden trucks on highways were the leader of the gang ,Johnson Precious (45), Lawal Olalekan (26), Sodiq Onifade (26), Timothy Ayodele (53), Oluwadare Segun (30), Gabriel Olanrewaju (39), and Gbadegesin Olawale (45).

    The police inspector was said to have deserted for about a year, having served the police force for 34 years .

    Addressing newsmen at the Eleyele Police Headquarters, Ibadan  Wednesday, the state Commissioner of Police , Mr Abiodun Odude listed as exhibits items recovered from the suspects to include the sum of N1.2million cash, two Honda Accord cars with registration numbers AKD 74 BH , and LSD 680 ES , and one Nokia C-200 cell phone.

    The state police boss noted that until their arrest , the suspects had operated in Ojoo, Iwo Road, Lagos-Ibadan expressway and other parts of the state, snatching trucks conveying petroleum product to various destinations across the country.

    Odude said ”From 2016 till date , no fewer than six of such trucks had been hijacked by this notorious gang whose members include a dismissed police inspector and a soldier both whom often operated using the military camouflage and police uniform.

    ” In one of their latest operations , the suspects on April 4, 2017 at about 0800 hours waylaid a fuel laden DAF tanker with registration number APC 937 XB at a bad portion of the road in Salsa , Ojoo area of the state and snatched the vehicle with thirty-three thousand litres of petroleum from the driver whom they abducted to an unknown destination but was dropped off afterwards.

    “Discreet investigation carried out by the Special Anti-robbery Squad led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Sodiq Onifade , from whom the victim’s handset was recovered. His arrest and subsequent confession led to the arrest of other members of gang at their various criminal hideouts.”

    In totality, the Commissioner said about 34 suspected armed robbers were arrested in the past two weeks in the state.

    Paraded also by the Commissioner of police was the leader of a six man gang of kidnappers , Mohammed Abdullahi (29) who confessed to be responsible for the abduction of an Ibadan-based popular oil magnate , the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bovas Oil and Gas Limited sometimes in 2016 .

    Among the suspects involve in the kidnap of the Ibadan based oil magnate Abubakar Mohammed (35) , Umoru Abubakar (32) ,  Ogun Aremu ( 35) , Mutairu Mohammed (30) , and Tambaya Tukura (29).

    The Commissioner of Police explained to newsmen that the kidnap kingpin was arrested by the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad in his criminal hideout in Ilesa  Baruba , Kwara state .

    ” The kingpin , upon his arrest confessed to have led series of robbery and kidnap operations on several occasions within the state. One of the victims of the gang was an Ibadan based popular oil magnate , the MD/CEO of Bovas Oil and Gas Ltd. who was kidnapped in 2016 and an undisclosed ransom collected from her family before being released from captivity.

    “The gang also kidnapped and eventually killed another victim , Alhaji Saliu Sale along Ago-Are , Saki after collecting a staggering ransom of six million naira from victim’s relations , ” he said.

    Also, paraded was a 20 year-old Ibrahim Aliyu Babatunde who allegedly masterminded the kidnap of his own father.

  • Kogi police command parade 33 suspects

    Kogi police command parade 33 suspects

    The Kogi State Police Command Wednesday in Lokoja paraded 33 suspects over their alleged involvement in criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping and illegal possession of fire arms.

    The suspects according to the command were arrested at different locations in the state.

    Parading the suspects, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations, Edward Egbuka, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCO) said that one of the suspects, Salami Yakubu from Ankpa, residing at Oyangede in Ohimini Local Government, Benue State, made to dispose of a Beretta pistol before he was arrested.

    Others paraded included suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, namely: Ugbogada Wada, Abdul Mudi AKA Adamu Faruna, Nuhu Usman a.k.a Lambisa and others were intercepted by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Egume, Anyingba, Itobe and Adogo.

    Four of the suspects according to the police were arrested at Aiyetoro Kiri in Kabba/Bunu Local Government with two AK 47 and 27 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

    Other items recovered from the suspects included locally made revolver pistols, vandalized power armoured cables, a white coloured Nissan Sunny vehicle marked: YAB 980AL ABJ, an ash coloured Toyota Carina, and weed suspected to be Indian hemp.

    The command also arrested a suspect who escaped from the Koton Karfe prison, during a jail break about two years back.

     

  • Soldier’s son held for ‘robbery’

    Soldier’s son held for ‘robbery’

    •Soldier assaults policewoman in Oshodi

    The police have arrested the son of an army personnel for allegedly stealing a car.

    Richard Edet, 34, who live in Block 10, Flat 31, Bonny Cantonment on Victoria Island, was caught with a Honda Accord car marked GWA507AH.

    They allegedly had military camouflages and tools when they were arrested.

    Edet was said to have worn a camouflage singlet and army cap. Abdullahi wore a camouflage trouser.

    A source said the suspects could not explain how they got the vehicle, adding that the papers they provided did not correspond with the car.

    The policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abdulmajid Isa, also arrested a 26-year-old man, Paul Dauda, who allegedly in the past burgled homes and shops on Ben Okagbue Mba Street in Lekki.

    Dauda, it was gathered, specialised in stealing expensive lace fabrics, jewellery and other household items, which he sold out at giveaway prices.

    A source said he was arrested after a guard attached to 19, Ben Okagbue Mba Street reported a case of burglary.

    He said: “The guard said that around 9am, he saw the suspect enter the house from the Plaster of Paris (POP) ceiling to cart away 11 laces, which were inside a bag.

    “The suspect also took car keys but when he wanted to scale the fence, he was caught because the guard raised the alarm. Neighbours came and overpowered the suspect.

    “He was beaten up and searched.  They discovered a toy revolver pistol on him. Police were invited to the scene and he was taken to the station for questioning.”

    The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba.

    Yesterday, a soldier was arrested for allegedly assaulting a policewoman at Oshodi.

    The women were said to have engaged in an argument for some minutes before the soldier descended on her police counterpart.

    It was gathered that a surveillance team stationed nearby rushed to the scene to arrest the soldier.

    The soldier, it was learnt, was taken to the police command, before the arrival of her colleagues.

    To prevent a clash, the police were said to have contacted the Nigerian Army over the matter.

    Passersby, who witnessed the fight posted on social media that it was police/ soldiers clash.

    Debunking the viral post, the police assured residents of synergy among security agencies in the state.

    The police said the soldier would be handed over to the army.

    Deputy Spokesman for the Lagos police, Ifeanyi Iheanacho, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed the incident.

  • Police arrest boy, 13, others for ‘cultism, robbery’

    Police arrest boy, 13, others for ‘cultism, robbery’

    The Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday paraded a 13-year-old boy and 31 others for alleged robbery and cultism.

    The suspects were reportedly apprehended in different parts of the state.

    Police Commissioner Asuquo Mba said the  junior secondary school (JSS) pupil was a member of Greenlander cult.

    Mba, who paraded the suspects at the police headquarters in Yenagoa, the state capital, said: “Twelve are Greenlander; 11 are Icelanders; six are Bobos; three are Bargers and two are Vikings.”

    The police chief said the command launched a special operation to stem rising crime in the state and some suspects were arrested.

    He said: “A month ago, we noticed an increase in crime rate. After the visit of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), the Bayelsa State command re-strategised and reduced it. With community security participation, we have achieved successes.

    “We also discovered that cultism goes along with armed robbery. It also led the command to believe that cultism is a close offence to armed robbery. But we warn that Bayelsa State was not created for cultism and we are out to smoke them out.”

    Mba hailed the various community vigilance groups for assisting the police to rid the state of criminals.

    The police chief said the command also arrested four suspected robbers in connection with the killing of two policemen and the attack on a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) cameraman, Oladele Olatunji.

    He said: “Oladele Olatunji, an NTA worker, was robbed at Ebis junction by three armed men who used a tricycle with Ministry of Transport registration number 1517, and carted away an iTel phone valued at N19,000 and N50,000 cash.

    “On the same day, a patrol team accosted the same tricycle at Sobaz filling station and arrested the occupants, identified as Emmanuel Francis and Faith F. They have confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court.

    “Josephine Bernard was robbed by Daddy Dressman with a locally-made pistol, opposite Opolo Plaza at Amarata. The robber dispossessed her of a Techno handset.

    “Vigilantes at Amarata community arrested the armed robber and handed him over to the police. One locally-made pistol with one live cartridge was recovered from the suspected robber. The suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime.”

    Mba added: “The command has intensified its efforts at fighting crime through visibility policing, intensified patrols and surveillance, as well as encouraging active participation of neighbourhood  watch and vigilante group.

    “Violent crimes have been reduced to the barest minimum and we believe community participation in our proactive approach to policing will make Bayelsa State the safest in the country.”

  • Four to die by hanging for robbery

    Four to die by hanging for robbery

    An Osun State High Court in Osogbo has sentenced four persons to death by hanging for armed robbery.

    State Prosecutor Mrs. Idiat Abdulrahman Temitope said the convicts – Joseph Moses (24), Samuel Job (19), Gideon Ode (25) and Daniel Abraham (24) – committed the offence on October 14, 2013 at 8 p.m on Kajola Road in Osogbo.

    Temitope, the State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, said the convicts conspired and robbed Abubakar Rauf of a motorcycle with registration number (Lagos) BDG 896 QB.

    The lawyer said the accused were armed with a car jack, knife and assorted charms as well as other locally-made weapons.

    She said: “The convicts conspired to attack the complainant with a knife and other weapons and collected his motorcycle. They injured the complainant and stole his Bajaj motorcycle before they were apprehended in their house.”

    Temitope said armed robbery was regular in the area, adding that many deaths and cases of missing persons were prevalent in the area.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 6 (b) and punishable under Section 1(1)(2)(a) and Section 1(1)(2)(a) as well as under Section 1 (1)(2)(a) of the Robbery and Fire Arm (Special Provision) Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Lawyer to the accused Mr Promise Jones pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.

    Justice Olubunmi Ayoola said the prosecutor proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge said the accused were guilty of the four-count charge of conspiracy, theft and armed robbery preferred against them.

    She sentenced them to death by hanging.

  • Court remands driver for alleged robbery

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday ordered the remand of Yakubu Abdulrahmon (30) for alleged robbery.

    Police prosecutor Bankole Olasunkanmi, a Sergeant, said the accused committed the offence on April 7 at Ado-Ekiti, EStaten capital.

    Olasunkanmi said Abdulrahmon, a driver, worked at a bakery and went to his employer’s house to deliver the sales  for the day.

    He said by midnight, some men went to the bakery owner’s house, asking for money.

    The police officer said the baker recognised his driver among the armed men.

    According to him, the accused committed an offence punishable under Section 2 (1) and (a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Law of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.

    The prosecutor applied for an adjournment date to enable him duplicate the case file and send same to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Abdulrahmon’s plea was not taken, but his lawyer, Busuyi Ayorinde, applied for a date, pending advice from DPP office.

    Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody  pending  advice from the DPP’s office.

    He adjourned the matter till May 22 for mention.

  • Robbery suspects arrested in Oyo

    The police in Oyo State have arrested two robbery gangs, Commissioner of Police Abiodun Odude said yesterday.

    The first gang was smashed  on March 22 by detectives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.

    Represented by the spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu, the commissioner said Abdulkareem Wasiu (26), Segun Odelotan (28), Afolabi Segun (26) and Lekan Usman (19) were responsible for robberies in Odo-Ona and other areas in Ibadan.

    Recovered from them were one locally made cut to size single barrel gun and two cartridges.

    Odude added: “Policemen from Alakia/Adelubi Division on a stop and search arrested a gang at Iwo Road.

    “Kunle Adelakun was arrested on March 30. Two locally made cut to size single barrel guns and cartridges were recovered from him.

    “His arrest led to the arrest of two others at their hideouts.

    “During interrogation, Adelakun said the gang was responsible for snatching cars, motorcycles and other valuables.”

  • Three to die by hanging for robbery

    An Ilorin High Court on Thursday sentenced three persons to death by hanging for armed robbery and attempt to murder  Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi of  University of Ilorin.

    The judge, Hon.Justice H. Saleeman, found the three accused persons, Opeyemi Esan (former driver to the university lecturer), Benjamin Musa and Oluwasegun  Ajiboye, guilty of armed robbery and convicted them under Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, CAP  11, Law of  the Federation, 2004.

    The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, who led the prosecution, had told the court that the former driver to the lecturer was sacked due to his unruly behaviour.

    Ajibade further said that because the ex-driver was aggrieved over his sack, he organised the robbery to retaliate.

    He also told the court that the ex-driver had in his confessional statement to the police, admitted that he recruited the two others from Lagos to help him deal with his former boss.

    “On Sept 10, 2016 at the Senior Staff Quarters, University of Ilorin, the accused persons, while armed with offensive weapons, including guns and machete, robbed one Prof. Abdullahi Onimisi and his family of their properties, including car, handsets, jewelries and other valuables”, the prosecution said.

    NAN reports that the prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered 59 exhibits in the course of the trial to support its submissions.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Saleeman held that the case of robbery and attempt to commit culpable homicide against the three accused persons had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The society needs to do away with the likes of the accused persons in order to have a sane society,” he said.

    Consequently, Justice Saleeman convicted them as charged and condemned them to death by hanging.