The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspect

  • Suspect: I deserted army for fear of Boko Haram

    A DISMISSED Lance Corporal, Emmanuel Anthony, yesterday said he deserted the army for fear of being killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

    He was paraded at the 81 Division headquarters in Lagos along with 12 others, including three dismissed personnel arrested for similar offences.

    The suspects are Abdullahi Mubarak, Ibeh Emeka, Olasunkanmi Olamide, Godwin Emmanuel, Private Ahmed Yahaya, Ale Ayokunle, Robert Danang, Corporal Abubakar Suleiman, Private Ibrahim Isah, Monday Ogar, Emeka Stephen and Bala Gabriel.

    Anthony was alleged to have led a gang of fake soldiers, who had military uniforms, accoutrements, recruitment forms and identity cards in their possessions.

    According to him, he fled the army in 2016 when he was posted to the Northeast.

    He said: “I was a Lance Corporal. I deserted the army in 2016. I ran from the Northeast where I was deployed to fight Boko Haram. I was given two weeks pass to go and see my family but I did not return.

    “I went to Akwa Ibom State and stayed there for over a month. I was declared wanted and the army arrested me. I was punished and sent back to the Northeast but I fled. I was afraid and did not want to fight Boko Haram.

    “When I was dismissed, I decided to pretend to be an officer. I impersonated an Army Lieutenant. I bought the uniform and the rank. I did fake identity card and also printed pass forms which I usually filled and stamped each time I went out to show any personnel who checked me.

    “I used to pretend to be an officer to escort Tokunbo vehicles from the border and I get paid for it. Yes I saved army recruitment form in a flash drive. I did it because someone requested for it and he was to pay me N3,000.”

    General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udo, said the suspects were arrested at different locations within Lagos and Ogun states.

    Udo, who was represented by the division’s Chief Staff Officer (COS), Brig.-Gen. Hamisu Hassan, said they had apprehended no fewer than 36 impostors since January, adding that 23 had been handed over to the police.

    He said there was a decline in cases of military impostors since the inception of ‘Operation Checkmate’.

    “It should be noted that these criminals are painting a bad image of the military and the Nigerian Army as they commit these criminal acts and give the impression of being bonafide personnel.

    “Abdullahi Mubarak was arrested on April 2, fully clad in military camouflage, red beret and a Military Police (MP) hand band in Ojo. He had fake military identity card with him. Emmanuel Anthony, a dismissed soldier, is the ring leader of the fake identity card producing syndicate.

    “He has also on various occasions impersonated as a Lieutenant, Captain and any other rank that suited his illegal activities.

    “Ibeh Emeka was arrested on April 3, at Alaba International Market. He is a member of Emmanuel Anthony’s syndicate. They have also worked together as impostors dressed in military uniforms.

    “Olasunkanmi Olamide from Adeoyo in Ibadan was arrested on March 18, in Shagamu for impersonation. He was dressed in military uniform. Godwin Emmanuel was arrested on March 18, while dressed in military camouflage t-shirt.

    “Another deserter, Private Ahmed Yahaya from 202 Battalion in Bama was arrested. He deserted in 2015 and was dismissed in September 2016. He was arrested on April 3 along Sabo-Sagamu road, Ikorodu while dressed in camouflage t-shirt. He was parading himself as a soldier to defraud law abiding citizens.

    “Ale Ayokunle, a resident of Hall Mark Estate, Fish Farm Bus Stop, was arrested on March 31, dressed in Nigerian Army camouflage uniform at Flower Market Odugunyan, Ikorodu. He was molesting and extorting money from innocent civilians. Robert Danang an impostor was arrested on April 3, at Sabo Market, Ikorodu dressed in Nigerian Army Strike Force camouflage jacket, parading himself as a soldier, defrauding and extorting innocent citizens.

    “A dismissed Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Regiment, Corporal Abubakar Suleiman, was arrested on April 4, for assaulting a Beninnois police officer at Assesse Junction, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He was dressed in Army faze cap claiming to be a serving personnel molesting innocent citizens.

    “Private Ibrahim Isah, a deserter from 149 Battalion Ojo, was arrested on April 5, at Ikorodu. He was dressed in military camouflage parading himself as a personnel while molesting and extorting innocent civilians. Monday Ogar was arrested on February 9, along Mile 2 – Badagry Expressway. He was wearing a camouflage t-shirt and driving a Tokunbo vehicle that was to be delivered at United Legal Motors.

    “Emeka Stephen, a computer operator, also a member of Emmanuel Anthony’s syndicate, was arrested in Alaba International market on April 6. Bala Gabriel was arrested on April 2, dressed in military uniform in Ojo area.

    “These suspects would also be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.”

    Udoh provided telephone numbers for reporting uniformed persons engaging in illegal acts.

    “Those in Ojo should call 07069353889 and 08060492529; Badagry 07017064979; Victoria Island 08034347484; Ikeja 08065992320; Owode 08069097624; Ikorodu 08065806870; Obalende 07064281177; Ogun State 08053862233 and 08057705135,” he said.

  • Suspect nabbed for ‘beheading’ woman

    The police in Enugu State have begun investigation into the alleged beheading of a woman, Susana Enejere, by a man at Ugbene Ajima in Uzo-Uwani Local Government.

    Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement in Enugu yesterday, said the killing occurred on Monday.

    He said: “It was gathered that the woman, Susana Enejere, of Ugbene Ajima in Uzo-Uwani Local Government, had gone to farm on that day and never returned.”

    Amaraizu said law enforcement agents got the information and intensified a search in the early hours of the following day.

    He said based on intelligence information, a man from Ugwuoda village in the nearby Nimbo community was arrested in connection with the incident.

    According to Amaraizu, following his arrest, the suspect took operatives to the place where he beheaded the victim.

    “The headless body and the severed head have been recovered and taken to a mortuary.

    “The suspect is helping us in our investigations,’’ he said.

  • Suspect remanded for allegedly stealing iPhone

    A 21-year-old man, Temidayo Akomolafe, has been remanded in prison custody by an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State for alleged theft of an iPhone 4x, valued at N80,000, and a gold ring, valued at N75,000.

    The accused, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of conspiracy and robbery.

    The accused’s pleas were not taken, as the Magistrate, Mrs. Modupe Afeniforo, remanded him in prison custody and directed that the case file be duplicated and a copy sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

    Police prosecutor Oriyomi Akinwale told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on January 18, at Aba Iya Medi on Ilawe Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the accused attacked the complainant, Mr. Emmanuel Adesina, with weapons and robbed him of his belongings.

    “The accused stole an iPhone 4x, valued at N80,000, and his wedding gold ring, valued at N75,000,” Akinwale said.

    The offence contravenes Section 1 (2) (a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act 2004.

    The court adjourned the case till April 20 for mention.

  • Court remands suspect for allegedly defiling minor

    An FCT High Court in Jabi yesterday ordered that a 25-year-old man accused by the police of allegedly defiling a nine-year-old at an IDP camp in Karmajiji, Airport road, Abuja be remanded in Kuje prison.

    Justice Charles Agbaza gave the order after Ekemgba Chisom was arraigned before him on a three-count charge of criminal offence.

    The suspect pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Agbaza adjourned the case till May 2.

    The police prosecutor, Mr. Donatus Abah, told the court that the accused allegedly defiled the minor on November 9, 2017 at an IDP camp in Karmajiji, on Airport road.

    He said the offences were punishable under sections 1 (2) and 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

    Abah said the offences were punishable under Section 285 of the Penal Code.

  • Suspect remanded for ‘defilement’

    A 20-year-OLD man, Sunday Abraham, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl.

    He was arraigned at an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court, Ekiti State, yesterday on a one-count charge of defilement.

    Police prosecutor Mr. Oriyomi Akinwale said the accused allegedly committed the offence, about 10:30 pm, on March 3, at Oke Ako in Ikole Local Government.

    He alleged that the accused seized the girl while returning from an errand.

    The accused, according to the prosecutor, allegedly dragged the victim to his room where he forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

    He said the offence contravened Section 31 of the Child’s Rights Law of Ekiti State 2012.

    Abraham pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Dupe Afeniforo, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    She adjourned the case till April 27 for mention.

  • Mob lynches suspect for alleged murder in Delta State

    Mob lynches suspect for alleged murder in Delta State

    A mob has reportedly lynched a 33-year-old man, simply identified as Ozegbe, at Ogbe-Ogume in Ndokwa West Local Government of Delta State.

    The Nation learnt that he was killed for his alleged involvement in the murder of a commercial motorcyclist (okada rider).

    It was gathered that Ozegbe, who fled after allegedly committing the offence, was relaxing in a beer parlour when he was apprehended by a mob, who clubbed him to death.

    A source said the okada rider was allegedly shot dead at his home in Ogbe-Ogume on January 23 by gunmen, who stole his motorcycle.

    The source said the hoodlums accosted the commercial motorcyclist at the entrance of his home, as he arrived after work and demanded the key of his motorcycle.

    “The robbers snatched the motorcycle from him and shot him dead. The police later arrested one of the suspects, who confessed that Ozegbe was involved in the murder. Since then, he had been on the run until he was found in the beer parlour and killed.”

    Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the incident.

    He said: “There was a case of robbery and murder. The notorious criminal was killed by a mob.”

     

  • Police ‘release’ sodomy suspect

    Police ‘release’ sodomy suspect

    A journalist in Ondo town, Lanre Duyile, at the weekend accused the police of a cover up in a case of an alleged sodomy on his eight-year-old son by a 17-year-old pupil of St. Joseph’s College, Ondo.

    Duyile narrated the ordeal of his son to The Nation and accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Fagun Station, Ondo of allegedly releasing the suspect hours after he was arrested, without his consent.

    He said his son always stayed with their neighbours when he returned from school, waiting for him and his wife to come back from work.

    Duyile alleged that he did not know that the boy was usually abused by an older person.

    He alleged that the abuser, after sodomising his son, threatened him not to tell anyone, or else something terrible would happen to him.

    Duyile alleged: “Each time we go to work, my children stay with our neighbour.  I did not know that my neighbours’s son had been having carnal knowledge of my son.

    “The boy is a pupil of St Joseph’s College, Ondo. He is 17-year-old, while my son is eight.

    He had been having anal sex with him for a long time.

    “Later, each time I took my son out for a stroll, he touched people’s private parts in public. But I didn’t pay attention to this habit until someone brought it to my notice.

    “So I threatened him when we got home and he confessed that my neighbour’s son had been sleeping with him since a long time ago and threatened him not to tell anybody.”

    He said he got the suspect arrested at Fagun Police Station, adding that the family came to beg that the matter be resolved, which he agreed to do, but the DPO insisted the case be taken to court.

    Duyile alleged that he was shocked when he learnt that the boy had been released without his consent.

    He alleged: “Immediately I got the boy arrested at Fagun Police Station, his family came to beg me that we should settle the matter. I initially agreed.

    “So we went to the station to end the case and get the boy released.  On getting there, the DPO said they should sue the boy the following Monday. So I left, but before I got home, I discovered they had released him.

    “They released him without my knowledge. I became angry and said the whole world must know what happened to my son.”

    Duyile accused the police of not being interested in how to conduct a medical test on his son, saying they told him to go and do it.

    “The suspect’s family should be responsible for the test, but they left me alone to do it. So I sense a connivance with the police, particularly the DPO, in a bid to sweep the matter under the carpet,” he alleged.

    The journalist said his son was traumatised, as he cried all day, begging that he be taken to a new environment.

    He alleged that since the case was reported, the DPO had put him under pressure, which prompted him to relocate his family because of unforeseen circumstances.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph denied the allegation that the police were trying to cover up the case.

    He said according to the information at his disposal, Duyile refused to show up to enable them conduct a medical test on his son.

    Joseph said the father of the abused boy was the one who refused to show up for the test.

    “We are ready to take the case to court,” he added.

    But Duyile said the police were only being economical with the truth, as they told him to go and sort out the medical.

    He said he had gone to Ondo State Specialist Hospital for screening for two tests, namely RVS and Hepatitis, adding that the tests showed negative.

    Duyile said his son’s anus was also tested and found to be normal.

    A  Lagos-based Non-Government Organisation, the Center for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), has taken up the case.

    It described it as sad.

    The Executive Director, Betty Abah, urged the police to do the needful, as it would send petitions to appropriate quarters, to prevent a cover up.

    She alleged: “We are surprised that the police allowed the suspect to go home 12 hours after he was arrested. We are in touch with the boy’s father. We have assisted him to conduct tests on the boy. We are determined to ensure justice.”

    Efforts to reach the suspect’s mother, identified as ‘Mama Lekan’, to get her side of the story, proved abortive, as she insisted that our correspondent called the wrong line, after refusing to pick calls with different numbers.

  • Police arrest robbery suspect

    Police arrest robbery suspect

    •Locally-made gun recovered 

    Enugu State Police Command has arrested a suspected robber, Chukwudi Eze, who has been terrorising residents of Enugu city.

    Command’s spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement yesterday in Enugu that the suspect was nabbed by operatives of New Haven Division on February 25, about 6 am, following a distress call.

    He said a locally-fabricated pistol and two 9-mm live ammunition were recovered from the suspected robber.

    Amaraizu said Eze claimed to have hailed from Mgbo in Ebonyi State.

    He said: “It was learnt that the suspect and others at large that day, armed with a gun and knife, allegedly attacked the victim near Niger Foundation Hospital axis of Independence Layout, Enugu.

    “They injured him and robbed him of his phone and other valuables.

    “It was further gathered that this was going on until the police were alerted and when they arrived, they arrested Eze, while others escaped.’’

    Amaraizu said the suspect had been helping the police in the investigation.

  • I’m an informant not a robber, says suspect

    I’m an informant not a robber, says suspect

    The police in Lagos have arrested a suspected robber, whose gang allegedly attacked a bank customer.

    The victim is an expectant mother.

    Mike Ewuzie, 29, a resident of 9, Alafia Street, Orile, Lagos was arrested while fleeing a robbery scene.

    His colleagues allegedly dispossessed the victim of the cash she withdrew from a bank in Lekki, Lagos.

    The police said a Beretta pistol and two live ammunition were recovered from the suspect.

    Ewuzie, who was paraded by Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal yesterday, denied being a robber.

    He said he was only an informant to a three-man gang operating on a Bajaj motorcycle, marked GGE315GE.

    Ewuzie said: “I am jobless. I ran errands for people. I am not a robber. I was a spy for robbers. I helped them to monitor those they asked me to monitor.

    “I gave them information to aid their operation. The real criminals are Koko, Hywuai and Obilo. They have escaped. I don’t know their homes.

    “Koko usually called me on the phone to meet him at a particular place. He chose the location of our meeting. I have worked for him twice.

    “The first time, he asked me to trail a car heading for Mile Two. I don’t know what he got from the operation. All I did was to spy on the victim and give him information.

    “He paid me after each operation, based on his mood. After the first operation, he gave me N20,000. The gun does not belong to me. It’s Koko’s. It fell while he was fleeing.”

    Edgal said a distress call was received about 1:35 pm last Friday that robbers attacked an expectant mother and stole her belongings.

    He said police were mobilised to the scene, adding that two of the suspects fled.

    The police boss said the third suspect was nabbed and when he was searched, pistol and ammunition were found on him.

  • Lagos prince disowns suspect

    Lagos prince disowns suspect

    A Lagos socialite and philanthropist, Prince Kazeem Eletu-Odibo,  has dissociated himself from a suspected   killer, Adeola Williams  aka Ade Lawyer, who was  paraded last week by the police.

    Ade Lawyer was apprehended alongside former Lagos State Chapter of the  National Union Road of Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa for the killing of Ganiyu Ayinla, personal assistant to the NURTW Chairman in Idumota, Azeez Lawal.

    Ade Lawyer claimed that he was contracted by Olohunwa to kill Lawal aka Kunle Poly.

    He also alleged that he had worked for many influential Nigerians, including Prince Kazeem, the youngest son of the late  Lagos white cap chief, Gbadamosi Bamidele Eletu-Odibo.

    Prince Eletu-Odibo said the suspect had never worked for him, adding that he saw him once, when he came with some area boys during a dispute over a land boundary.

    He said: “It wasn’t even a physical fight. Nobody exchanged blows at all. It was just a verbal disagreement with the man who also claimed the (disputed) land belongs to his family.

    “We were surrounded by area boys, some of whom always hail me anytime they came across me and as a kind gesture, I do give them money. So, this bearer (Ade Lawyer) was among them. He came with one NURTW official that day. While the argument was ongoing, the police from the Ilasan Station at Lekki/Ajah came and invited us to their station. That was the first and the last time I met this fellow (Ade Lawyer).

    “We were transferred to Area J Command and both sides were asked to bring relevant documents which we did. At the end, the Area Commander instructed both parties to maintain peace and return to the status quo based on the Supreme Court judgment in favour of our family as the rightful owner of the land’’.