The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspect

  • Fleeing suspect jumps from storey-building, dies

    Fleeing suspect jumps from storey-building, dies

    A member of a four-man syndicate has died after jumping down from a storey-building while fleeing from Police arrest in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed this, on Friday, said the deceased was among four-man syndicate identified by security operatives with black “Super Shopping” bag while on patrol.

    He said three of the deceased accomplices fled on sighting the operatives, while the deceased, whose name and address are yet to be verified, was apprehended with the bag.

    According to Ikenga, while the deceased was being escorted to be handed over to the Police along with the recovered items, attempted escape by jumping down from the storey building.

    He however said the deceased sustained gunshot injuries in the process of re-arresting him, but noted that he was confirmed dead at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.

    The PPRO added that his body has been deposited at the morgue for autopsy, while all recovered exhibits are in custody and the weapon used by the vigilante has also been secured.

    He added, “The Anambra State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in separate operations carried out at Onitsha and Obosi respectively in its sustained fight against acts of sabotage and vandalism of government infrastructure.

    Read Also: Court convicts eight more internet fraud-suspects arrested at OBJ Library

    “In a separate incident same day, Operatives of the Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence, raided a vandal’s hideout along Atani Road, Onitsha. During the operation, three suspects were arrested.

    “They include: Adamu Ali ‘M’, 25 years, Usman Sulaiman ‘M’, 22 years and Isah Abdullahi ‘M’, 26 years.

    “The Operatives also recovered from them Bags of high-tension cable wires, Melted cable wires and Parts of transformer equipments.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate that specialises in vandalizing and selling power installations, with Lagos identified as their major sales outlet.

    “Meanwhile, a full-scale investigation into both incidents has commenced, including efforts to apprehend the fleeing accomplices and recover more of the stolen items.

    “The Command reiterates its warning to criminal elements engaging in sabotage of public utilities that the Police will relentlessly fish them out.

    “The Command also urges Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around government installations to the nearest Police Station for necessary action.”

  • Strange suspect

    Strange suspect

    In the aftermath of the nationwide so-called hunger protest that turned violent in parts of the country, the Kano State Police Command announced the arrest of hundreds of suspects, including “76 suspects flying Russian flags.”  The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Salman Garba, said the 76 suspects had been transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja “for discreet investigation on charges of sedition.”

    Also, the Department of State Services (DSS) posted on its X handle that it had “apprehended some tailors in Kano State responsible for making Russian flags being distributed in the area. Some of their sponsors have also been picked. An investigation is ongoing.”

    However, the family of one of the alleged tailors, 21-year-old Ahmad Yusuf Muhammad, was reported saying “he was never a tailor.”  According to Nasiru Yusuf Muhammad, who described Ahmad as his “biological brother,” he was arrested because “they said he was the one sewing the Russian flag. I want to clarify that he was never a tailor, he had never been and doesn’t even know how to handle a sewing machine.

    “He is a used water sachet recycling dealer, we are all into it, he directly works under me, that’s our business. He was never a tailor. Even the sewing machine that was said to be his was not his own and was not picked in our house. It was in a neighbour’s house and the owner has since run away.

    “The flag was not even in his custody. Ahmad had not participated in the protest and did not raise any flag.”

    Read Also: Protest: Kano police command parades 873 suspects, recover huge exhibits

    He appealed to the authorities to “look critically into this issue and release him. He was not a tailor and has not committed the offence he is being held for.”

    This counter-narrative raises questions about the announcement that police in the state had arrested “873 suspects” in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protest, which they said had resulted in “wanton destruction and looting of government and public properties in Kano State.”

    Ahmad’s case is a curious one. How did a young man who was said to have nothing to do with tailoring get arrested for allegedly sewing Russian flags? His family’s counter-narrative deserves attention.

    It is unclear whether other arrested suspects have similar counter-narratives. It is important to bring the perpetrators of crimes during the protest to justice for its deterrent effect. But the authorities must ensure that innocent people are not punished for crimes they did not commit.

  • Robbery suspect nabbed for attempting to burgle NAN office

    Robbery suspect nabbed for attempting to burgle NAN office

    An unidentified robbery suspect was on Sunday morning caught while trying to break into the office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, Anambra.

    A security guard in the neighborhood  told NAN that he heard some noise in NAN office around 6am on Sunday and when he peeped into the office he saw the man breaking the windows of the office.

    He said that he alerted other guards in the vicinity and they caught the robber.

    According to him, when the suspect tried to escape they held on to him and  alerted the police at the Government House, Awka located near the office.

    The police at the government house later alerted the Anambra State correspondent of NAN, Mrs Joy Mbachi, who rushed to the office to witness the incident and also alerted the zonal office.

    Read Also: EFCC investigates 11 suspected oil thieves in Lagos

    Mbachi reports that one of the  security guards sustained minor injury when the robber hit him with a stone while he was resisting arrest.

    The state correspondent said that she had officially reported the matter to the police who assured her of their assistance.

    Mbachi thanked the security guards for their gallantry and the government house security for their prompt intervention.

    NAN reports that the suspect is currently in the custody of the Police B, Division, Awka.

    Meanwhile the incident has been reported to the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Anambra command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

    Ikenga assured NAN that due attention would be given to the report and promised that the command would commence investigation into the matter immediately.

    (NAN)

  • Troops killed 814 ‘terrorists’, arrest 1326 suspects in three months

    Troops killed 814 ‘terrorists’, arrest 1326 suspects in three months

    • Over six million litres of stolen crude recovered

    Troops on operations across the country killed 814 suspected terrorists and arrested 1,326 others in the past three months, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday.

    It said the troops recovered 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude worth over N4 billion, 3,577 livestock, 501 weapons, 3,600 ammunition and rescued 721 kidnap victims within the period under review.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said these at a briefing in Abuja.

    According to him, troops killed 80 suspected Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters in the South East, arrested 42 kidnappers and received 4,560 terrorists and members of their families who surrendered to troops at different locations in the North East.

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    The Defence spokesperson said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North West killed 240 terrorists, arrested 276 collaborators, and rescued 249 kidnap victims. He said the troops also recovered 169 different caliber weapons and 1,196 ammunition.

    On troops operations in the North Central zone, Buba said 94 terrorists were killed and  477 arrested, adding that 76 kidnap victims were rescued and 76 firearms, ammunition and 1,722 livestock recovered.

    Troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch in the North West, he said, killed 105 terrorists and arrested 104 collaborators.

    On troops operations against oil thieves and illegal bunkerers in Southsouth, the Defence Spokesperson said 69 criminals were neutralised and 191 others arrested.

    Buba noted that the military would continue to apply strong pressure on criminal groups undermining the national security of the country.

    “It is clear that the terrorists and their cohorts cannot win in the face of ongoing military pressure against them,” he said.

  • 69-old jailed after suspect jumped bail

    An Oredo Magistrate’s Court has jailed a 69-year-old man, Amen Solomon Omere, after a suspected fraudster he stood surety for jumped bail. The suspected fraudster identified as Mene Terry was arrested for defrauding one Helen Imariagbontua the sum of N1.547m.

    Amen was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and perverting justice. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

    Read Also: Six jailed for internet fraud

    Police prosecutor, Patrick Agbonifo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) told the court that the offences are punishable under Sections 516 and 216 of the Criminal Code cap 48 Vol II laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding magistrate, Mrs Ivie Akhere, after hearing witnesses sentenced Amen to three months imprisonment or an option of N150,000 fine. Amen was also asked to pay the sum of N1m in bond to the federal government coffers.

  • We collected N5m ransom for Fire Service boss’ release, says suspect 

    One of the suspects arrested for kidnapping Lagos Fire Service Director Rasaki Musibau, Blessing Boyo, has said the gang collected N5million ransom for his release.

    Boyo, 29, told reporters yesterday that the gang leader identified simply as MK, who is still at large, told them that the money brought was N5million and that he would share it when they returned to base.

    Boyo was paraded alongside Smart Alfred by Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu.

    Narrating how they kidnapped Musibau and six others around 8pm on April 6, Boyo said they used timbers to block the road before ambushing their victims.

    He said the four guns used for the operation were brought by MK, who allegedly lured him into kidnapping.

    Boyo said: “MK called me for the operation. He had guys in the bush. He brought out guns and said it was kidnapping work. I have not kidnapped before. I used to carry timber with an operator.

    “We blocked the road with wood, stopped vehicles and kidnapped the occupants. We had four guns and it was MK that brought them. I have not been given any money. He said we should return to base first. It was MK that was with the money. He told us that the money was N5million.

    “My first time in Lagos was on April 5. I am from Arogbo in Ondo State. We did not beat the man. We took the man to the bush. He was given food. MK’s boys prepared egusi and eba.”

    Corroborating Boyo’s statement, Alfred, also an indigene of Arogbo in Ondo State, said they followed MK because he fooled them that he was a timber operator and needed carriers.

    He said it was when they got to the bush that he told them it was kidnapping job and since he was jobless, he joined him.

    “The guy told us to follow him to do carrier work since we were jobless at that time. He approached us because he knows we are into carrier work. I followed him to the bush because I believed it was carrier work.

    “I did not understand what he meant. He showed us guns and said this is the work he is into. I asked if he wanted to kill me and he said he will show me how he does the work. When we got to where we wanted to operate, he cut a wood and blocked the road. MK fled when the police arrested us,” he said.

    Muazu told reporters that the suspects were arrested on April 10 at about 5:30am at Ibefun along Ikorodu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, a boundary community with Ogun State.

    According to the police chief, all the kidnapped victims regained freedom following a sustained and well- coordinated operation by the command’s Tactical Anti-kidnapping Unit.

    “They all confessed committing the crime. Two single barrel guns were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is on,” Muazu said.

     

  • Suspect stabs friend to death

    An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court has remanded a 51-year-old man, Rasaki Banjo, in Ikoyi Prison, following his arraignment for allegedly stabbing his friend to death with a broken bottle.

    Magistrate A.O. Salawu ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    She adjourned till May 6.

    Prosecuting Inspector Maria Dauda said the defendant committed the offence on March 24, at 8pm, at 3, Babayemi Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos.

    She alleged that the defendant stabbed his friend, Enitan Apangbon, 45, on the neck with a broken bottle during a fight.

  • Suspect remanded for alleged robbery

    Chief Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand in prison custody of 31-year-old Yusuf Lawan, for alleged robbery.

    The suspect and others at large allegedly robbed Chief Seleipiri Bob-Manuel of his belongings valued at N810,000 while armed with machetes and knives.

    A document obtained from the court alleged that the suspect and his accomplices dispossessed their victim of his 42″ plasma LG television valued at N350,000, Samsung S+8 phone valued at N250,000, Samsung S+6 phone valued at N200,000 and a DSTV decoder valued at  N10,000.

    The two-count charge of robbery brought against him was not read to him; the court apparently lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter, which, according to the criminal code, falls within the capital offence charge, hence he did not take plea.

    The offence was allegedly committed on March 5, at Woji community in Obio/Akpor Local Government.

    Chief Magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody and his case file forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    Jaja adjourned till April 22 for report of the DPP advice.

  • Why cult killings can’t stop in Edo, by suspect

    A suspected member of Eiye confraternity, Leviticus Okon, has said that cult killings cannot stop in the state because it’s a generational war.

    Leviticus was paraded alongside 81 suspected cultists arrested in connection with the ongoing cult war.

    Police described Leviticus as a dangerous killer cultist.

    Leviticus told newsmen only one of his victims died while the other escaped with bullet wound.

    He was arrested along Second East Circular road while he and other cultists were on their way to kill a rival cult member

    He said: “The first person I shot did not die. The other one died. We were on our way to kill another person when we were arrested.

    Read also: Outrage trails killing of corps members in Bayelsa

    “The one we killed is a bus conductor. He is a member of Aye. The fight is generation fight. The fight does not end.”

    In Uromi, the police arrested one Micheal Ebhodaghe and Henry Ighalo for selling arms and cartridges to cultists in the locality.

    An army deserter, Private Mbawa Lucky was paraded for belonging to one of the cult groups.

    The Edo Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammed Dan Mallam, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • We cut off victims’ fingers, wrists during robbery, says suspect 

    A suspected robber, Kunle Akerele, alias Poly, has said his gang usually cut off victims’ fingers and wrists to force them to submitting their belongings.

    Akerele and other members of his gang- Toyin Adewale, Nurudeen Akorede (Sypon), Oluwaseyu Makinde, Tunde Yusuf (To Door) and Bankole Mohammed, alias Hunter, were arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team (IRT), at Ikotun, Lagos.

    The suspects, who were paraded by Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu, told reporters that they cut the fingers and wrists of over 20 victims in one operation for lying to them.

    Admitting that he was the leader of the gang, Akerele said they adopted the strategy after they discovered that most of their victims usually gave them inferior phones each time they raided houses.

    He said: “We operated at Agege, Aboru and Iyana Ipaja areas of Lagos State. We attacked homes. When we started, we were not cutting off victims’ fingers or wrists. The people made us to become wicked because each time they knew we were coming, they would surrender small phones. They would tell us they didn’t have money.

    “One day, one of my boys suggested we get cutlass and teach the people a lesson. We tried it and it worked. Our first victim was a rich man, who had many expensive cars in his house.

    “When we got in, we asked for his phone and he gave us a small Nokia phone. We saw his gold wedding ring and told him to remove it, but he pretended as if it was difficult to remove it. So, we cut off his three fingers. The moment his wife saw what happened, she did not waste time in removing hers.

    “The incident occurred on January 13 at Aboru. We needed money when we carried out the raid. All the victims were giving us small phones. After we left the man’s house, we went back and dealt with all those who lied to us by giving us small phones. Over 20 people’s wrists and fingers were cut that day.

    “We did it for future purpose, so that the news will spread and the people will be forced to bring out money when next we strike.”

    Asked how the gang got firearms, Akerele said they collected weapons from Tunde (Yusuf), who got them from a vigilance group member.

    “We ‘settled’ Tunde (gave him money) after each operation. We don’t know his arrangement with the vigilante. Initially, we thought the guns were expensive, but later we heard he bought them for N20,000 each.”

    The police said over 85 phones and 33 laptops were recovered from the buyer of the items the gang stole, adding that the receiver led officers to where the suspects hid.

    “Over 85 phones and 33 laptops were recovered from the buyer of the stolen items. My men are after two members of the gang, who are on the run. The case will be charged to court at the end of investigation,” Muazu said.