The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspect

  • NSCDC arrests suspect for killing oil workers with dynamites

    NSCDC arrests suspect for killing oil workers with dynamites

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command, Wednesday, arrested  and paraded a suspected criminal for allegedly planting dynamites that killed three oil workers in the state on Easter Sunday.

    Three oil workers lost their lives in pipeline explosion that occurred in Olugboboro community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The deceased were said to be carrying out repairs on a ruptured crude oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) when the tragedy struck.

    But explaining the real cause of the explosion that killed the workers, the Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said they died of dynamite explosion planted by the suspect and his cohorts.

    Agu explained that the oil workers successfully completed the repairs when the dynamites exploded and killed them.

    The Commandant gave the name of the suspect as Seimghale Perekeyi.

    He also named other fleeing accomplices as Emekoko Taribo, Pani Bulogbo, James Komo and Samuel Joyce.

    Agu said: “The NSCDC has arrested a suspected vandal by name Seimghale Perekeyi.  This vandal along with other vandals attacked Agip pipeline at Olugboboro, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State on March 26, 2016 about 1830 hours with dynamite.

    “The anti-vandalism unit of the command trailed and arrested him (Perekeyi) while the others are at large but are still being trailed by our men.

    “The Agip had contracted the repairs to a servicing company to remediate and clamp the vandalised points. Our investigations reveal that the repair team had successfully completed the clamping on the damaged points and were leaving when explosions were heard in the nearby forest.

    “Those explosions from the forest planted by the hoodlums resulted in the death of three persons. The NSCDC rescue team swung into action and recovered three dead bodies of the oil workers on March 28 who died as a result of the explosions.”

    Agu, who paraded two other suspected oil thieves said Perekeyi would be prosecuted adding that his men on manhunt for other fleeing vandals.

    The Commandant further said a notorious illegal oil bunkerer and an ex-militant leader, alias ‘General Yeri’, wanted for vandalising Agip facilities at Perigbene in Southern Ijaw were nabbed by NSCDC operatives.

    He said they were undergoing trial and were remanded in prison custody.

    Agu further said the command destroyed more than 400 illegal oil refineries in Bayelsa.

    He stated the NSCDC’s zero tolerance for sabotage to critical national assets and stressed that the command was committed to ensuring their safety and security.

  • I have stolen over 100 phones, suspect confesses

    Twenty-Eight year old suspect, Babatunde Ibrahim, who was arrested by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, has confessed stealing over hundred mobile phones within the metropolis.
    The suspect who was nabbed over the weekend  by the Policemen along Abeokuta-Expressway, Ikeja axis, said that stealing has become his act since childhood.
    He made this confessional statement at the RRS’ headquarters at Alausa, mentioning Sanni Azeez, 27, and Hakeem Kamoru,40, as receivers of the stolen items.
    According to him, ” The act of stealing has become part and parcel of me. I am a specialist in burgling unsuspecting members of public’s houses without their knowledge. I used to gain entrance into any house by cutting the door and window net with a razor blade. I derive pleasure in taking what’s  not belong to me.”
    “Apart from house burgling, I also operate during a traffic jam most especially most prone areas to traffic congestion such as Ikorodu road, Lagos-Abeokuta, Apapa-Oshodi Expressways and so on. The last operation I went was at Ilupeju where luck ran out of me on getting to Ikeja along,” he added.
    During an interrogation, he explained that  he entered  the building through the balcony door which was left opened before proceeding to the victim’s room to steal three handsets, two Nokia and one blackberry phones with other valuables.
    The  suspect revealed that the receivers of all his stolen phones were his friends living in Akala Street in Mushin local government.
    He  had successfully stolen the mobile phones and other valuables at ilupeju area before the Policemen suspected his movements along Ikeja upon seeing them during routine patrol on the highway.
    “We noticed his suspicious movement upon sighting us. He wanted to drop his cross bag at one corner but when he found out that we have seen him, he bolted. But we made a hot chase and later caught up with him before Ile-Zik. We interrogated him why he took  to his heels immediately he saw us, he could not provide satisfactory answers.  Then we conducted a thorough check on his bag where we recovered the stolen items,” the Police said.
    The police said that his confessional statement enabled them to apprehend his receivers of all the stolen handsets in Mushin.
    Confirming the arrest , the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmus, said the suspect will face the wrath of the law for the offence committed.
    The three suspects have been further transferred to Ilupeju Divisional Police station following a request from the station’s Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to continue the investigation.

  • Suspect: we planned kidnap for 2 months

    Suspect: we planned kidnap for 2 months

    •Three Lagos schoolgirls rescued

    One of the suspected kidnappers of the three Lagos schoolgirls, Emmanuel Arigidi, 37, yesterday explained how the plot to kidnap the girls was hatched up.

    He also said the girls were not hurt while with their abductors. Arigidi, who also confessed to have participated in the bloody Ikorodu bank robberies, said he was stationed on the river and received N100,000 for ferrying the bank robbers to the creeks.

    Arigidi, who claimed to be a traditional bone doctor, said the abduction of the schoolgirls at Babington Macurlay Junior Seminary (BMJS), Ikorodu was planned for two months.

    The Ondo State indigene, who confirmed that the group stormed the school two months ago but could not kidnap any student, explained that they went back to the drawing board.

    Speaking on his role in the abduction, the unmarried father of one said the gang was contacted by Lami Ami, who he claimed promised that they would make money.

    “We were 12 that went for the operation. Others include Lami, who brought the information, Felix (aka Tradition), Abokin, Ekpokeme,  Preye, Owe, Godfrey and Gift (aka Bayelsa).

    “We started planning the operation after our first attempt at kidnapping a girl inside the school failed two months ago. About seven of our men entered the premises and caught one girl but they could not take the girl out because she escaped.

    “But this time around, we were 12 and we did not break any fence. The school fence is not very high so we jumped from behind and entered.

    “The girls were playing outside when we got there and we took them. Yes we changed their clothes. We gave them jeans and tee shirts bought by Felix. That is standard practice.

    “When we got to the fence, some of our members jumped out and others sat on the fence. Those who were still inside the school carried the girls and passed them to those on the fence, who in turn passed them to the men on ground.

    “From there, we all moved to the Adamo creeks where we stayed with the girls. But problem started that night among us because I tried to tell them that the operation might backfire.

    “I warned my members that we should release the girls but they insisted that the school had money and it is rich people’s school.

    “My members were not happy with me and planned to kill me because they felt I would leak information if I was allowed to go. I sneaked out of the place, told them that I wanted to go to toilet and that was how I ran.

    “I was arrested at a joint where I sat, not inside my canoe. While I was with them, they did not hurt the girls. No one harmed them. We were only after the money.

    We fed them gari, fish and vegetable.

    “We went to the school on seven canoes because the water is shallow. We parked the canoes at the back of the school and entered. While the girls were in the creeks I came out with one canoe to buy foodstuffs.

    “We also contacted two people who were not part of the kidnap to assist with registering the SIM card we used in contacting the girls’ parents.

    “It was when the police team arrested me that they knew where the girls were held before the father of two of the boys went there to convince them to release the girls,” Arigidi said.

  • Robbery suspect arrested with ‘stolen’ SUV

    A robbery suspect has been caught after petrol finished in the Honda Pilot Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) he stole in Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Ibrahim Babatunde, 28, was arrested by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives at Ikeja along on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway around midnight last Wednesday while fleeing with the SUV.

    He was caught when he attempted to run away after the vehicle ran out of petrol.

    The suspect claim that he took to crime in order to pay his children’s school fees, adding that he has stolen about 150 phones, 10 laptops and a car.

    He said he started stealing when he was 10, adding: “I have been stealing from my mother and sisters since I was 10 years old but I never stole from anyone outside my house until three years ago. It was frustration and poverty that drove me into robbery as a profession. I needed money to feed my family and pay my two children’s school fees.”

    Babatunde was knocked down by a trailer as he fled from the police. The accident facilitated his arrest.

    He said he stole the vehicle in Ilupeju, explaining that “I was just going round looking for what to steal. Then I got to a street in Ilupeju and saw a car parked outside a fence. I jumped the fence, landed on the balcony inside the compound; from there I went through an open window and then the staircase.

    “I started going from room to room looking for any one that was open. I now saw a room that only the net was locked. I tore the net and entered inside. The occupant; a man, was sleeping. I took the three phones (two Nokia and a Blackberry) I saw on the table and also collected his car key.

    “I did not know which car but since there was remote on it, I simply pressed the remote and the light came on outside and so, I drove the car away.

    “As I was heading to Agbado, where I have already contacted Akeem Ayoola (another suspect) to find a buyer, the fuel finished just by Ikeja Along bus stop.  I called Akeem and told him what was happening, and came down from the car to look for solution since it was midnight.

    “But as soon as I came out, I saw policemen and out of fear, I started running. That was how they chased me and as I was about crossing the road, a trailer knocked me down and that was how they arrested me,” he said.

    The police have also arrested Ayoola, 40, and Sanni Azeez, 27, who allegedly bought stolen phones, cars from the suspect.

    A source said Babatunde was arrested before Ile-Zik after the police noticed his suspicious movement.

    The Lagos command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said the suspects had been transferred to Ilupeju Division.

  • Photo: Prime suspect of Ikorodu abduction

    Photo: Prime suspect of Ikorodu abduction

    Prime suspect in the abduction of three school girls of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) Ikorodu, Emmanuel Arikiti arrested.
    Prime suspect in the abduction of three school girls of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS) Ikorodu, Emmanuel Arikiti arrested.

  • Drug suspect re-arrested after breaking through glass wall

    A drug suspect, Michael Nwobodo Alli, 31, was on Monday re-arrested after breaking through a glass wall in an attempt to escape at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.

    He was found in possession of eighty-one (81) pellets of hard drugs packed in a clean Parker Whisky carton along with boxes of chocolates in a duty free bag.  The arrest took place during screening of passengers on an Emirates airline flight from Dubai.

    As soon as the drug was detected, the suspect took to his heels breaking through a glass wall, but was pursued by narcotic officers and apprehended with the help of security officials at the airport. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect resides in Dubai where he works as a technician.

    NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect sustained minor injuries in the process.

    “During routine screening of passengers, the suspect Michael Nwobodo was found with drugs. He immediately started running and broke through a glass wall in an attempt to escape justice. Our officers ran after him and caught him with the help of other security officials at the airport. It is amazing that he could break through a glass wall but fortunately, he sustained minor injuries and had been treated” Hamisu stated.

    The suspect who hails from Enugu state told investigators that he ran away because he was afraid of arrest. “I live and work in Dubai. I came to Nigeria for my father’s burial but decided to bring the drugs because I needed money. When the drug was discovered, I ran because I was afraid of arrest. I am ashamed of myself and do not know how to face my friends and relatives”.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah thanked the officers and members of the airport community for their efforts that led to his re-arrest.

    “I am pleased with this arrest. I thank the officers and members of the airport community for their support. We are prepared to track down drug traffickers and scuttle the activities of drug trafficking organizations” Abdallah stated.

    The suspect will soon be charged to court.

  • Police parade 25 suspects for various offences

    Police parade 25 suspects for various offences

    The Lagos State Police Command Friday paraded 25 suspects for various offences allegedly committed since January 27.

    Among the suspects were six aliens from Niger Republic who were nabbed for alleged armed robbery.

    They are Mustapha Musa, Abdulahi Ali, Isah Musa, Seidu Isah, Aliyu Azuma and Yakubu Adamu.

    Their gang also had a Nigerian identified as Isiaka Yakubu.

    According to Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, they were nabbed on January 27, at about 2:30am inside a Nissan Sunny vehicle marked AKD163DW, while going for an operation in Ebute Metta.

    He stated that six cutlasses, an iron cutter and two torchlight’s were recovered from them.

    “While searching the vehicle, various offensive weapons including handsets, a driver’s license and some wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered.

    “The suspects were interrogated and they made confessional statements that they specialised in shop breaking and stealing within Lagos Island metropolis.

    “In the course of investigation, they led operatives of the Anti-Robbery Sqaud to one Alic Hairworld Limited Fashion Queen ACB building in Lagos, where it was confirmed by the complainant that on January 26, at night time, unknown persons broke into their shop and stole N1, 150,000.

    “Six if the seven suspects are from Niger Republic while there is a Nigerian among them. However, a letter has been sent to their embassy for information,” he said.

    Similarly, four suspects were paraded for allegedly robbing guests at a hotel in Alagbado on January 27.

    They are Jimoh Fatai, 28, Isiaka Iyanu, 22, Rotimi Oduola, 26, and Lasisi Muftau, 26.

    According to the police, the suspects robbed guests at Latest View Hotel, located on Baruwa Street, Alagbado.

    Two locally made double barrel short guns and eight live cartridges were allegedly recovered from them.

  • RRS nabs suspect robbing drivers on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

    RRS nabs suspect robbing drivers on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

    The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos Police Command said it had arrested a suspected member of a gang which specialises in robbing broken-down trucks on the Oshodi – Apapa Expressway.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Lagos RRS Commander, Mr Olatunji Disu.

    The statement said that the suspect, Bayo Folayemi, 27, who claimed to be living under the Mile 2 Bridge, was arrested after his partner, now at large, removed a wallet from a truck driver’s pocket.

    “The victim’s articulated vehicle broke down on the highway, and in the course of repairing it, the suspect and his gang demanded money from him.

    “The suspects started to maltreat him. One of them dipped his hands into the driver’s back pocket and removed his wallet which contained N4, 500.

    “When the victim noticed that his wallet had been stolen, he held on tightly to the suspect who was still dragging him on with his trousers, and then shouted for help.

    “Immediately, the RRS policemen on patrol arrived the scene and arrested the suspect while the others escaped,’’ the statement said.

    The statement quoted the suspect as saying that his involvement in forceful extortion from truck and lorry drivers was his only means of survival.

    It said that the suspect had been transferred to the office of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment for necessary action.

  • Delta police kill robbery suspect

    •arrest undergraduate for illegal possession of arms

    The Delta State Police Command has said that it shot dead an armed gunman after a gun duel in a botched robbery attempt at a filling station by a four-man robbery gang in Olomu community,Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

    The state police spokesperson, DSP Tina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, said a combined team of police patrol team and vigilante groups from Olomu community foiled an attempt by a four-man gang.

    She said a member of the gang was killed by the police during a gun battle, while the rest escaped with gunshot wounds.

    According to DSP Kalu, “On 24/1/2016, at about 1600hrs, a combined team of police patrol team and vigilante groups from Olomu community successfully foiled an attempt by four man armed robbers gang to rob Oando petrol station, and in the process gunned down one of the robbers, while the rest escaped in their vehicle with bullet wounds.”

    Kalu also said detectives attached to Kwale Division, Ndokwa West, arrested a final year student of the Department of Business Administration, Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), with a locally-made single barrel cut-to-size gun.

    “On 27/1/2016, at about 1520hrs, detectives attached to Kwale Division, in conjunction with vigilantes, while acting on a tip off, arrested one Ode Victor ‘m’   aged 25yrs, a 5th year Business Admin student of DELSU Abraka, with a locally made single barrel gun cut to size concealed under a tricycle. His accomplices, who are also students of the same institution, escaped. Investigation is in progress.”

  • Suspect gives condition to quit robbery

    Suspect gives condition to quit robbery

    •‘Give me loan to start business’

    AN armed robbery suspect, Ayodeji Bakare, 23, yesterday promised to stop robbery if he gets loan to start business.

    While being paraded by Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Bakare, on ex-convict, said: “I want government to give me loan to start business to enable me stop armed robbery.”

    The suspect was arrested by policemen attached to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCID) in Yaba last Saturday at Ebute-Meta, with one locally made pistol and six live cartridges while robbing a passerby.

    Bakare, an aluminum fabricator in Alagomeji, Yaba, said he is a member of a three-man gang that specialised in robbing people with motorcycle.

    He said: “I am an armed robber. We are three in number and we used to do stop and search operation and the total money I have made in armed robbery is N500,000. I started robbing in 2014 when I came out from prison in 2013; I went to Ikoyi prison for some months after being arrested for robbing a whiteman of his phone in Ikoyi Club.

    “In prison, some inmates are bad and some are good. The bad ones learn bad things. I joined Eiye Cult in prison, they beat me and gave me water mixed with pepper. They later gave me orientation. When I was leaving prison, they gave me the name of an arms dealer who will give me gun. His name is Segun. You can see the Eiye mark on my body. I used to buy one bullet for N1,000.

    “We used to buy like 15 to 20 bullets. If my bullet finishes, I call Segun who is based in Cotonou.”

    On how he beats police and Customs checkpoints, he said: “When I collect gun from Segun in Cotonou, I enter motor that does not carry load. They don’t search motor that does not carry load. I have not married but I have a wife, she loves me. If I go to prison she will still wait for me because she waited for me the first time I went to prison.”