The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspect

  • Ex-lawmaker lauds police over arrest of Boko Haram suspect

    A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, from Oshodi-Isolo Constituency and who is also an indigene of Ondo State, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, has lauded the Nigerian Police for intercepting some suspected Boko Haram members in the state recently.

    In a telephone interview with our Correspondent, Hon. Olatunji-Edet said the development is a plus for the Nigerian police force because the action will help boost the security of the state. She said: “Our security agencies must be encouraged and supported to assist them in performing their duty optimally. People must be at alert at all times. They must also be ready to give genuine information to security agencies within their community in order to save lives and properties.“

    He enjoined the people of Ondo State not to panic and that they should cooperate with security personnel to assist them in doing their work.

    He assured that the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, will do everything possible to rid the country of the menace of terrorists.

  • The devil pushed me to it — Suspect who allegedly participated in attacking Delta Mall

    The devil pushed me to it — Suspect who allegedly participated in attacking Delta Mall

    A YOUTH suspected to have participated in the attack on the Shoprite Mall in  Effurun, Godspower Okpeshaga, has said that he regretted his action. He blamed it on the devil.

    The suspect strained to justify the attack on the mall, saying he obeyed the orders of the chairman and other executive members of the motor park. He said he failed to heed the admonition of the motor park leadership not to loot.

    Irate youths last week looted the Effurun Shoprite Mall following an altercation between the suspended Local Government Council boss, Baro Henry, and two naval ratings outside the shopping mall.

    The attackers destroyed a section of the mall and looted laptops, phones, IPADS and other electronic gadgets during the attack.

    Okpeshaga, 22, who is currently detained by the police, said he was a spray-painter’s apprentice but was suspended from work after a misunderstanding with his boss. Upon returning from an outing the previous night with his girlfriend, he said, he went to Effurun Central Motor Park where he worked as a tout

    but was conscripted into a band of youths whose mission was to attack shoppers at the shopping mall.

    He added that the fracas might not be unconnected with the leadership tussle  that has rocked the motor park in the past few months. He said: “That morning after my girlfriend and I come back from a burial ceremony, as I no get any money for hand, I come say make I go load Agbarhor motor make we use take eat. As I reach there, na im Napoleon and all the executive members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Effurun Central Motor Park, mobilise all agberos to Shoprite make we go pursue people.

    “The community leaders warned us not to steal or loot at the shopping mall. I no know what come over me that cause me to steal phones. As I take the phones na im I start to dey go. As I wan comot from the mall na im the police officer say make I stop. Na im I try to run but them plenty wey pursue me and catch me.

    “I no know the reason why them say make we go attack people for Shoprite, but I think say na because of the leadership wahala wey dey for the garage.

    I regret the action, because na bad thing na im we do. I no know what come over me because them say make we no take anything. Whether na the way wey my enemy wan take laugh me. Translated, Okpeshaga said: “On that fateful morning, I returned from a burial ceremony with my girlfriend. Since I was not having any money on me, I decided to go to the Effurun Central Motor Park where I earn a living as a tout. On getting there, I was told to join a group of youths who were told to attack shoppers at the mall.

    “The community leaders warned us not loot at the mall, but I do not know what came over me as I stole several phones. On my way out of the shop I was apprehended by the police after I tried to escape.

    “I do not know the reason why we were told to attack shoppers at the mall. I totally regret my  action.”

    Eighteen suspects have been arrested for breach of the peace after protesting youths attacked members of the public in parts of the community, according to the Delta State Police Command.

  • Police arrests five suspected cultists in Edo

    Police arrests five suspected cultists in Edo

      Facebook  Google+  LinkedIn

    Five suspected cultists have been arrested by the Police in Edo State for disrupting church activities at Ebelle in Igueben Local Government Area.

    Musical instruments in the church, Disciples for Christ for All Nation, were destroyed and many of the church members including the pastor were beaten up.

    Trouble was said to have started on December 31st during the cross over night celebration when the suspected cultists went to the church to thank God.

    A church member said one of the boys brought in a bottle of beer and was smoking cigarette inside the church.

    The source said the boy refused to leave the church insisting that he used to smoke and drink with the pastor of the church, Prophet Jonathan Momodu.

    Witnesses said the church members fled after more suspected cultists invaded the church and ordered the pastor to leave.

    Tension was said to have heightened in the community as more cultists were said to have stormed the community from Benin City

    Edo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Osifo, confirmed the incident and said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

    He also added that more suspects may be arrested.

    “I am aware of five suspected that were arrested, among the others at large. They (suspects) were alleged to have disrupted a church service and for they are being investigated for cultism,” Osifo said.

     

  • Suspect hides cocaine in anus

    Suspect hides cocaine in anus

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Maxwell Obumneme Ikeh at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, with substances that tested positive for cocaine inserted in his anus.

    The suspect was coming from Brazil with drugs packed in six wraps weighing 120 grammes inserted into his anus.

    Another suspect, Tochukwu Akumma Nwakpo, was also arrested while trying to export a consignment containing 1.860kg of methamphetamine sealed in tin tomato paste to South Africa

    NDLEA Lagos Airport Commander Ahmadu Garba said Ikeh, 40, and Nwakpo, 27, had targeted the festive period to smuggle drugs.

    He said: “Intelligence report received by the agency indicated that the suspects specifically targeted the festive season to smuggle their drugs. Ikeh was caught on arrival while Nwakpo that hid methamphetamine in tomato paste meant for export to South Africa was equally arrested.

    Ikeh said this was his first time of dealing in drugs, adding: “I am married with a child and live in Lagos. I sell children diapers and clothes but travelled to Brazil two months ago expecting to buy my goods at a cheaper price. In the process, I decided to smuggle 120 grammes of cocaine for monetary gains. I inserted six wraps of the drugs into my anus yet it was detected and that was how I was arrested. This is my first time.” Nwakpo, 27, an automobile parts dealer at Ladipo Market in Mushin, Lagos, said he was only assisting a friend to send a consignment of foodstuff to South Africa.

    “I sell motor parts at Ladipo market. My friend in South Africa asked me to send a luggage to him. He called somebody in Lagos who brought the bag to me and I took it to the airport for shipment. During search, the drug was detected and I was arrested,” he said.

     

  • Suspect at large as murder puts Cadet Corps on ‘trial’

    Suspect at large as murder puts Cadet Corps on ‘trial’

    Olumuyiwa Ewaworin, a 400-Level Psychology student of Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, has been beaten to death, allegedly by members of the Cadet Corps, the institution’s anti-cultism outfit. The prime suspect, Adeola Adedoyin, is at large, amid the controversy over the incident, RICHARD ADURA-ILESANMI (300-Level Mass Communication) reports.

    • Anti-cultism corps fingered in student’s death

    How did Olumuyiwa Ewaworin die? This is the puzzle for the police to unravel amid the controversy over the circumstances of his death. Accounts of his death vary. Some eyewitnesses claim that Olumuyiwa was beaten up by Adeola Adedoyin and other members of the Cadet Corps, the institution’s anti-cultism outfit, before he died.

    It all began with “simple disagreement” at a party, some said; others claimed that the deceased was a member of a cult group.

    The late Olumuyiwa was a 400-Level Psychology student. The Cadet Corps was established to check criminal and cultist activities on campus.

    The incident happened at Shanghai Villa, an off-campus residence, where the deceased attended a colleague’s birthday party. As the party ended, eyewitnesses said a hot argument ensued between the late Olumuyiwa and Adeola, who is known on campus as “iron body”.

    A resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The incident happened on Sunday during the birthday party of one of the hostel’s residents. Olumuyiwa was invited to the party by his friends, who reside in the hostel. After the party ended, Olumuyiwa was attacked by Adeola and other cadet members, who were also at the event, for allegedly initiating some of their friends into a cult group.”

    Another eyewitness said: “It seems the cadet had a disagreement with Olumuyiwa before they came to the party, because they did not fight while the party lasted. It was after the party ended and when everybody had retired to their rooms that we heard somebody being beaten at Block A of the hostel.

    “A student identified as Kamal was also beaten mercilessly by the cadet members for unknown reasons. Olumuyiwa was attacked with iron and charm.”

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Adeola alerted other cadet members, telling them that the late Olumuyiwa attacked the Chief Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps, who is a physically-challenged student.

    “So other cadet members reinforced to the scene and pounced on Olumuyiwa with hard materials and charms,” a source said.

    He added: “After beating Olumuyiwa to a coma, Adeola gave other cadet members money to take him to the hospital. On getting there, the doctor on duty demanded for police report before attending to the victim. As they engaged in argument, Olumuyiwa gave up the ghost.”

    The university, which condemmed the incident, banned the corps and suspended the activities of all other paramilitary organisations.

    In a statement by the Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, the university said some of the Cadet Corps members had been arrested.

    Olotu said: “A three-man investigation panel has been constituted to look into the matter and submit its report to the Vice-Chancellor within two weeks.”

    The Dean, Students Affairs’ Division, Bolanle Ogungbamila, said the corps remained banned until the management comes up with its recommendation.

    He said: “The Cadet Corps remains banned while the management investigates the matter.  We advise students not to take the law into their hands; they must remain calm until the school authorities investigate the matter.”

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) called for calm. It urged students not to attack other members of the Cadet Corps. Its president, Odunyemi Adegbola, said the corps had no right to beat up students.

    He said: “One of us, Olumuyiwa Ewaworin, has been beaten to death by Cadet Corps members led by Adeola Adedoyin at Shanghai Villa. The victim was beaten with all kinds of materials till he went into coma and died. We have closed down the office of the cadet corps on campus till further notice. And the leadership of the union commiserates with the family and friends of the deceased.”

    The union advised Adeola to report himself to the police. Other suspects are also said to be at large, but a source told CAMPUSLIFE that the Commanding Officer of the Cadet Corps whose nickname was given as “Iron Danger” has been arrested at his family house in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The hostel remained locked when CAMPUSLIFE visited last weekend. Nobody is being allowed into the building until police investigation is concluded.

    A resident, who gave his name as Olatayo, said: “We have not been allowed to have access to our hostel. Yesterday (Thursday), I had to go and beg the caretaker, who works with the school security unit, to allow me pack my personal effects, since I am travelling immediately after my examination on Friday. I have had one cloth on me since the incident.”

     

  • Paris attacks: Father of suspected mastermind denounces him

    Abaaoud, father of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who is suspected by European authorities of being one of the masterminds of the Paris terrorist attacks, has rejected his son’s behaviour and denounced him in Belgian media.

    The Moroccan immigrants said on Wednesday in an interview in Brussels that he was so ashamed of his son.

    “I am ashamed of Abdelhamid, my son, why would he want to kill innocent Belgians our family owes everything to this country.’’

    Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 28-year-old Belgian national who featured prominently in Islamic State propaganda this year, is suspected by European authorities of being one of the masterminds of the Paris terrorist attacks.

    A report from Belgium said Islamic State’s magazine Dabiq, which was distributed over social media, featured him in an edition that came out in February.

    “In one photo he is smiling, wearing military fatigues and holding an assault rifle.

    “In a second, he stands in front of an armoured car and holds the black Islamic State flag and a copy of the Koran,’’ it said.

    It said further that in the interview with Dabiq, he boasted about his involvement in a terrorist cell in Belgium.

    Authorities in Brussels have suspected he was involved with an Islamist gang. A police raid in January in the eastern city Verviers left two of the cell members dead.

    Abaaoud claimed there was a gun battle lasting 10 minutes at the end of which his two comrades, known as Abuz-Zubayr al-Baljiki and Abu-Khalid al-Baljiki were killed.

    He said both have desired for so long for death.

    Abaaoud said he travelled to Syria and claimed he was stopped by European border guards but managed to evade capture after the shootout in January.

    “All this proves that a Muslim should not fear the bloated image of the crusader intelligence.

    “My name and picture were all over the news yet I am able to stay in their homeland, plan operations against them, and leave safely when doing so became necessary,’’ he said.

    He also talked about smuggling himself into Europe to “terrorise the crusaders waging war against the Muslims’’.

    He was notoriously recorded in a 2014 video driving a car dragging mutilated bodies and boasting about killing apostates.

    Abaaoud claimed in an Islamic State publication that he evaded capture this year after European officials failed to recognise and arrest him.

  • I was forced to carry stolen fuel, says suspect

    I was forced to carry stolen fuel, says suspect

    •’Pipeline vandal’ arrested with 8,500 litres of fuel

    A 35-year-old truck driver, Philip Isaac, has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism (IGPSTFPV), for possession of 8,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), loaded in 170 jerry cans.

    The fuel was siphoned from a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Commission (NNPC) in Arepo, Ogun State.

    Police sources said the operatives of IGPSTFPV sighted the vandal when his Volvo truck, registered as XU 819 KSF, transporting the products to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, ran into a ditch on the Sagamu-Ore Expressway and somersaulted.

    The operatives, who were on a patrol, were said to have arrived on the scene, while the PMS loaded in 50-litre jerry cans were being trans-loaded into another truck.

    The sources added that Isaac confessed during interrogation that he loaded the truck from Arepo.

    The suspect explained that he was contracted by a man to transport the products from Arepo to Ijebu-Ode.

    He said: ‘’ I have been driving for five years. I am the owner of the truck. I normally carry planks with my truck in Ijebu-Ode. It was Nabancy, who contacted me to help him carry groundnut oil. I met Nabancy in our garage in Ijebu-Ode some months ago when he came to look for a vehicle. My vehicle was bad then and he promised to call me when I repair it.

    “Two days before I was arrested, he called me and said that I should come to Arepo.  When I got there, he took me to a place and bought me drinks and food and by the time I finished eating and returned to my vehicle I discovered that it was loaded with PMS.  I told them that I won’t do the job but they threatened to kill me.

    “They were about 30 and some of them had guns. I was frightened and I was left with no other choice. On my way to Ijebu-Ode, I drove very fast because I wanted to beat checking points but unfortunately my truck fell off the road. Sincerely, I didn’t know I was being used to transport stolen fuel.”

    Confirming the report, the Commander of the Task Force, Valentine Olumese, told The Nation that his men acted on an intelligence report.

    He said they trailed the truck to the point where it was found.

    Olumese said the suspect is helping the police in their investigation, and would be charged to court after investigation.

     

  • Suspect killed as soldiers foil suicide attempt at barracks

    Soldiers yesterday shot dead a suspected suicide bomber outside a military base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, detonating explosives concealed in her handbag, a civilian vigilante and a military source told French News Agency, the AFP.

    Her target was thought to be the Maimalari army barracks — the main military base in Maiduguri, which has been hit repeatedly by Boko Haram Islamists.

    “Soldiers at Maimalari army barracks this morning (yesterday) foiled a suicide attack by a female bomber,” said Babakura Kolo, from the civilian volunteer force assisting troops against the rebels.

    The woman approached the barracks around 7am and headed towards the gates, he said. Military guards at the gates shouted at her to stop for security checks but she ignored them and continued walking towards the gates, he added.

    “She continued walking with her handbag slung on her shoulder, despite repeated shouts from the soldiers asking herto  stop.

    “One of the soldiers opened fire on the woman and the handbag exploded, blowing the woman to pieces.”

    There were no other casualties in the explosion, which a military officer described as an “attempted suicide attack by Boko Haram terrorists”.

    Boko Haram has intensified its use of multiple suicide bombers to inflict maximum casualties, with secondary explosions detonated as people rush to help victims of the initial blast.

    Thirty-four people were killed in a wave of attacks on Thursday night and Friday morning on the outskirts of Maiduguri, 117 died last month in explosions in the Ajilari Cross area of the Borno state capital.

    Of the six suicide attacks in Nigeria this month, four have been in Maiduguri, killing at least 48 and injuring 99.

    The military source, who asked not to be named as he is not authorised to talk to the media, said the use of human bombs was a sign of the group’s desperation and frustration at the fight-back by troops.

    “They are looking for every opportunity to hit back, which is why they have resorted to soft-target attacks on mosques and markets and such attacks on a military base is intended to show the terrorists are still strong,” the officer added.

  • Why I rob in traffic, by suspect

    Why I rob in traffic, by suspect

    A 37-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly robbing in traffic.

    The suspect, Michael Ogedengbe, who was caught by Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives in Surulere, Lagos Mainland, blamed his action on alcohol.

    According to the RRS, he had smashed the side screen of a motorist, robbed him of his handset, laptop and other valuables before he was arrested.

    One of his victims, Emmanuel Ugwunne, who was attacked inside his Honda Accord Saloon car with registration number, AGL 41 DC, attracted RRS operatives, when he shouted for help.

    RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said: “The policemen while on patrol duty saw Ugwunne crying for assistance after the suspect had damaged the windscreen and side mirror of his car to steal the valuable items.”

    Ogedengbe confirmed damaging the windscreen and side mirror of the car and stealing Ugwunne’s handset and laptop.

    “I didn’t do it ordinarily. It was because I just took some bottles of alcoholic drinks and liquor. I beg for forgiveness. Devil pushed me into the act,” he said.

    Disu said Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was committed to a crime-free state.

    “The governor is giving the Police Command all necessary support, and the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has charged all the policemen in the state to ensure that Lagos is free from all forms of crime and robbery during and after ember months,” he said.

    The Suspect has been transferred to the Special Anti Robbery Squad for further investigation.

  • Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos

    Boko Haram suspect nabbed in Lagos

    Security operatives attached to Operation Mesa (OP Mesa) have arrested a suspected member of the Boko Haram sect in Ijora area of Lagos State following a tip-off by residents of the community.

    The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Adamu, was apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the security outfit comprising the Army and the State Security Service (SSS).

    Aminiya (Hausa newspaper) published weekly by Daily Trust had reported the arrest of the suspect on page 8 of its last week’s edition in which his photograph appeared.

    In the circumstances, therefore, residents who saw the suspect’s published photograph were apprehensive and on the lookout. They informed the operatives who raided the area.

    The raid, which took place at the Ijora 7-Up area of Lagos, came after a tip-off on the activities of a terror network allegedly co-ordinated by Iranians.

    The suspects was arrested after soldiers ransacked one of the buildings in the area.

    Adamu was said to have concealed some devices suspected to be explosives in boxes, which were stacked in the ceiling of the house.  Also recovered alongside the suspected explosives were two AK47 rifles.

    •Oba Aromire
    •Oba Aromire

    The suspect was taken to the palace of the paramount ruler, Oba Fatai Aromire Ojora before being whisked away by the operatives.

    The leader of the Hausa community, who resides in the area, Ahmed Hamanbade, said the suspect had made some suspicious moves, which attracted the surveillance of some people in the community.

    “This morning, while in my shop, I was called upon that a Boko Haram suspect was in our midst, because everyone in the community had been duly notified that when we see any strange face, we should always question the person. When we caught him, he responded to our questions in the Hausa language and we learnt that he had escaped from Mubi in Adamawa State to Lagos,” he said.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, Oba Fatai Ojora expressed worry over security lapses in the country.

    •Ahmed Hamanbade
    •Ahmed Hamanbade

    His words: “We have been calling on the state government to do something about this. This is the second time we will arrest Boko Haram suspects in this community and nothing has been done on that. The one we caught now had even admitted that he is a terrorist. You know that majority of the northerners in Lagos live in Ijora, Agege and Badia.’’

    Also speaking, a community leader, Mr Sadiku Fashola said: ‘’During the civil war, the only place that experienced havoc was the Casino Cinema at Yaba. When any bomb was thrown during that time, it entered into the sea and would not explode because the olokun (sea goddess) stood as a protection to the people at that time. If anything wants to happen in this community, the people will come and inform the Kabiyesi.’’

    Another member of the community who does not want his name in print said: “People came to me that they saw one man on the internet and that he is a member of Boko Haram, saying they know where he lives. They said they are going to his house and identify him. They arrested him and handed him to Oba of Ojora,” he said.

    A member of the OP Mesa who spoke in confidence because he was not competent to speak on the matter confirmed the raid but did not state whether the suspect is a member of the Boko Haram sect or not.

    He said similar raids were also carried out in other volatile areas of the state, adding that Thursday’s raid was carried out following information on the activities of the suspects.

    “OP Mesa as a joint security outfit carried out its routine raids and made some arrests.

    “The raids were simply part of those carried out everyday based on information at our disposal. The raids give the public confidence that security bodies are working.

    “It is the way the OP Mesa was designed and once our sources give us tips, we swing into action,” he said, advising residents of Lagos to go about their normal businesses without fear.

    There have been fears that the ongoing violence propelled by the Boko Haram sect in some northern states of Nigeria may spread southwards.

    In February, three persons said to be members of Shiite sect were arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital as they were planning to attack some Israeli and American interests in Lagos.