The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspected militants

  • Squad nabs suspected militants

    •Three AK47 rifles, others recovered

    Operatives of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Lawal Shehu’s  Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) have arrested two suspected militants said to have participated in a botched ship hijack on the high seas.

    Sunday Sama, 44, and Olorunjuwonlo Elebiju, 35, were nabbed in Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos on Monday night after the ZIS trailed them to their hideout.

    Shehu said the suspects had in their possession three AK47 rifles, an AK49, G-3 rifle and 50 rounds of live ammunition.

    He said: “Information was received that unscrupulous elements were noticed around Ajegunle taking precautions to conceal their presence. They were suspected to be cultists. A team of ZIS operatives was detailed to track them.

    “About 9:30pm, two suspects were arrested with three AK47 rifles, an AK49 rifle, a G-3 rifle and 50 rounds of live ammunition.

    “Investigation is in progress, while efforts are on to arrest other suspects. They will be arraigned after investigation.”

    Read also: Come to our rescue, ex-militants beg Akeredolu

    The Nation learnt that the suspects, who are Ondo State indigenes, conspired with some Ijaw boys to hijack a vessel, but they were dislodged by the Navy.

    While they were being chased, it was gathered that the brainbox of their double engine boat fell off.

    The Nation learnt that Elebiju, the suspected armourer of the gang, was offered N200,000, but given N42,000 part payment to ferry the weapons back to Ondo State.

    Trouble, however, started for the suspects after Sama, who bought one of the boat power engines from the gang, was arrested.

    He told reporters that he knew the gang through his younger brother, adding that he only bought the power engine from them for N50,000.

    Sama said: “I bought the power engine for N50,000. Then they gave me the bag of weapons to keep for them, which I did for some days. They later collected the bag and gave it to Elebiju. So, when police arrested me, I took them to him and he showed them where the guns were. The other guys are Ijaw boys from Delta State.”

     

     

  • Suspected militants kill youths’ leader

    Suspected militants yesterday shot dead the youth leader of Ikot Edet community in Etim Ekpo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Udeme Daniel Akpan.

    He was killed by militants, suspected to be members of Iceland cult; barely 48 hours after the government outlawed 33 cults.

    Akpan, a father of three, The Nation learnt, was at the forefront of anti-cultism campaign.

    It was gathered that he was given a notice to pay an undisclosed amount to the militants or risk being killed.

    Family sources said: “Akpan escaped to a neighbouring community, Ibio Nnung Achat, where he remained as a fugitive until the militants obtained information through their network and mobilised to kill him.

    “The shooting this morning was so heavy that policemen at Ibio Nnung Achat scampered for safety.”

    They implored the government to deploy soldiers in the area.

    Police spokesman Odiko Macdon Ogbeche said security agencies would declare mass action to dislodge the hoodlums.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel, apparently worried by security breaches by militants, read a riot act on Wednesday at a security stakeholders’ meeting at Etim Ekpo Council Hall.

    He urged militants to embrace peace and comply with the 21-day ultimatum given by Police Commissioner Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi by handing over arms in exchange for amnesty.

    “But 24 hours later, militants breached ceasefire by killing the youths’ leader. It is shocking and surprising,” Effiong Obot, a member of the community’s vigilance group, said.

  • Suspected militants kill youths’ leader

    Suspected militants yesterday shot dead the youth leader of Ikot Edet community in Etim Ekpo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Udeme Daniel Akpan.

    He was killed by militants, suspected to be members of Iceland cult; barely 48 hours after the government outlawed 33 cults.

    Akpan, a father of three, The Nation learnt, was at the forefront of anti-cultism campaign.

    It was gathered that he was given a notice to pay an undisclosed amount to the militants or risk being killed.

    Family sources said: “Akpan escaped to a neighbouring community, Ibio Nnung Achat, where he remained as a fugitive until the militants obtained information through their network and mobilised to kill him.

    “The shooting this morning was so heavy that policemen at Ibio Nnung Achat scampered for safety.”

    They implored the government to deploy soldiers in the area.

    Police spokesman Odiko Macdon Ogbeche said security agencies would declare mass action to dislodge the hoodlums.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel, apparently worried by security breaches by militants, read a riot act on Wednesday at a security stakeholders’ meeting at Etim Ekpo Council Hall.

    He urged militants to embrace peace and comply with the 21-day ultimatum given by Police Commissioner Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi by handing over arms in exchange for amnesty.

    “But 24 hours later, militants breached ceasefire by killing the youths’ leader. It is shocking and surprising,” Effiong Obot, a member of the community’s vigilance group, said.

  • Suspected militants allegedly behead soldier

    Suspected militants allegedly behead soldier

    •Three others killed 

    Suspected militants have allegedly beheaded a soldier attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF).

    They killed three civilians.

    The incident occurred in Etim Ekpo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

    The Nation learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday in a shootout.

    It was gathered that security operatives launched a raid on militants’ hideout at Obon Ebot village in Etim Ekpo Council.

    JTF stormed the community to arrest a wanted militant’ leader, popularly called ‘Aboy Ikpor’, and his gang.

    He was alleged to have masterminded the Ikot Ekpene Prison jailbreak last month in which 40 inmates escaped.

    “The suspected militants ambushed the soldier and killed him. They chopped off his head and dumped his body at Urua Obo Inyang market, Akpan Udotim, a resident of Ikot Unna village, said.

    He said three civilians, including a woman, were killed by suspected cultists at Udianga Enem, Ikot Obioma and Uruk Ata 11 in Etim Ekpo Local Government.

    The Commander of JTF team in-charge of Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Ika and Ikot Abasi local governments, Major Mohammed Husseini, confirmed the incident, but denied that the deceased was a soldier.

    He said: “The deceased was just our informant. We gave him military camouflage so that he could lead us to the camp.

    “The informants were three. We gave them military camouflage to lead us to the camp to arrest some of the suspects, who escaped from Ikot Ekpene Prison. When the deceased heard gunshots, he attempted to escape because he was afraid. He was hit by stray bullets.”

    Militants loyal to their deceased leader Akaniyene Jumbo, alias ‘Iso Akpafid’, who was killed by the military last month, have kidnapped Ekikere Hanson Ukpekpe, a teacher at St. Joseph Primary School, Iwukem.

    The teacher, from Ikot Obioma village, was abducted by the ‘Red boys’ on his farm, after returning from his base in Ukanafun.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers demanded N1 million ransom.

    A source said: “Such a huge amount won’t be easy for the victim’s family to raise. The man and the wife are primary school teachers.

    “Because of the crises in the community, the man evacuated his family to Ukanafun, but only returned temporarily to farm. He was unlucky to be abducted on his farm by hoodlums.”

     

  • Suspected killer of policemen, soldiers arrested

    Suspected killer of policemen, soldiers arrested

    One of the suspected militants, who killed four policemen and two soldiers at Ishawo in Ikorodu, a Lagos district, has been arrested.

    Endurance Ominisan alias Mighty, an Arogbo indigene of Ondo State, who was arrested during an Easter Sunday operation, however died Tuesday at a hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained.

    It was gathered operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP’s) Intelligence Response Team  (IRT) trailed the kingpin to his lover’s home at 20, Joel Adebolu Street, Ibeshe in Ikorodu.

    It was gathered that a Turkish made Fatih 13 pistol marked 12TF00126 with four expended and five live ammunition were recovered from him.

    Their onslaught on the gang was sequel to a directive from IGP Ibrahim Idris to all police units and commands in Lagos and Ogun to get the culprits dead or alive.

    According to a source, Mighty, who rented the accommodation for his lover, left the creek to hide there, after he learnt about a planned attack on the creek by security forces at the weekend.

    “While other policemen were in the creek waiting for signal to carry on with the operation, IRT got information that the masterminds were fleeing the creek and one of them was at his girlfriend’s place at Ibeshe. He was followed and the house surrounded.

    “Mighty escaped to the roof of the house from where he fired several shots with his pistol on the IRT teams. The team responded swiftly and fatally wounded him in his hiding place on the roof. He was eventually brought down from the roof and rushed to General Hospital Ikorodu where he later died.

    “But before his death, he mentioned one America, Stone, Vika and others as his gang members, who participated in the killing of the four policemen and soldiers.

    “The kingpin confessed to have masterminded the kidnaps of Iba Monarch, Turkish School Girls and many others within the zone,” said the source.”

  • Suspected militants abduct seven in Epe

    Suspected militants abduct seven in Epe

    •Police: It’s not true

    Twenty hooded gunmen in military camouflage have abducted seven persons at Igbodu-Isiwo in Epe Local Government of Lagos State.
    The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically on Sunday when they invaded Kodjo Farms and whisked away five victims, including a 65-year-old man, Kakaja Joseph, a security guard.
    It was gathered that the abductors stormed the farm at 8 a.m, took eggs and live chickens, besides their victims, in a speedboat.
    Not satisfied with Sunday’s attack, the gunmen were said to have stormed the area yesterday in an attempt to kidnap children of Molajoye Community High School, but ended up whisking away two travellers.
    The attacks occurred less than two weeks after the gunmen abducted 13 farmers from the area, including six foreigners.
    It was gathered that the hoodlums blocked the road, while some of them went to the school to abduct the pupils, who were on assembly.
    Security agents, including men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Area “N” Police Command, Navy and Army, reportedly repelled the kidnap attempt.
    The news of the invasion went viral on social media, with some messages saying most residents slept inside the bush out of fear.
    A farmer said: “After kidnapping the poultry workers, the gunmen went to Molajoye Expressway and kidnapped two travellers. Some of the occupants of the bus sustained injuries.”
    According to the son of the guard, Isaiah Joseph, the family has been making efforts to rescue his father.
    He said: “Since our father was kidnapped, we’ve been running from pillar to post to rescue him. When he left home on Saturday, we expected him back on Sunday for the church service. We waited with our mother, but he didn’t show up. We decided to go to the farm to check on him.
    “We were told by one of the engineers that he had been kidnapped alongside four workers.
    “We’re still waiting for him to return. But our major concern is his health. He’s old. We don’t know how they are treating him. The management has assured they would secure his release.”
    The victim’s in-law Isaac John said: “We’re anxious! We don’t know his condition. If not because of the economic situation in the country, the old man wouldn’t be doing that sort of job.”
    Lamenting the spate of kidnapping in the farm settlement, a community leader, Chief Oguntayo Abiodun said: “We were still discussing the kidnap of the guard and poultry workers when we got news about the attempted abduction of Molajoye pupils. On Saturday, there was serious commotion in the community when the gunmen confronted men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) in a gun battle.
    “The sporadic shooting lasted about 29 minutes. We’re appealing to the state government and the police to provide regular patrol of the community. Some of the vigilantes cannot confront the gunmen because of the sophisticated weapons they carry. Some investors in the community have started relocating due to the incessant abduction of farmers and workers. Farmers these days fear to go to work.”
    Operatives from Police Mobile Force 22 and RRS patrol vans were said to be all over the place yesterday.
    But the Lagos State Police Command denied the report, insisting that nobody was abducted.
    The command’s spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said those peddling the rumour should desist or they would be held responsible.
    She said: “The command wishes to state that this publication is not only false and misleading but also a figment of the imagination of the writer. The Epe axis and other parts of Lagos State are safe. There is no invasion by militants or any other criminal elements of any part of Lagos.
    “The command hereby advises anyone peddling this falsehood to desist or be made answerable to the law. Residents of Epe and Lagos should disregard this falsehood and carry on their lawful activities. The command has devised operational strategies to ensure the safety of life and property during this festive season.”

  • Suspected militants attack army camp in Indian

    Indian police on Thursday said suspected militants attacked an army camp in the Handwara District of Kashmir.

    “Two or three men attacked the 30 Rashtriya Rifles camp in the town of Langate in northern Jammu and Kashmir State.

    “But the militants did not breach the security of the camp’’, a senior police official said. There were no reported casualties.

    It added that firing between camp guards and the suspected militants went on for about 20 minutes.

    “The army remained on high alert and a search operation in the area was underway’’, police said. 

  • Breaking News: Gunmen invade Lagos school, kidnap principal

    Breaking News: Gunmen invade Lagos school, kidnap principal

    Gunmen suspected to be militants morning invaded Igbo Nla Model College in Epe, Lagos, and whisked away the principal.

    However, it has not been ascertained if students of the college were kidnapped, as there were contradictory reports at the time of filing this report.

    The Nation learnt that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been deployed on a rescue mission to  the school.

    Details later…

     

  • Suspected militants kidnap two children in Lagos 

    Suspected militants kidnap two children in Lagos 

    Suspected militants on Tuesday night abducted two children of same mother at the Igando area of Lagos State.

    The children aged six and eight were allegedly kidnapped at Ojo Olorunfemi Street while playing with their mates at their residence, 43, Oje Olorunfemi street.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers might have been led by a barber on the street, (DeClassic Barbing Salon owner), who has been arrested by policemen in Igando.

    His arrest was sequel to allegations from other children who disclosed that he was seen talking to the kids before their disappearance from the playground.

    The Nation gathered that the abduction of the children prompted security operatives currently engaged in Operation AWATSE to comb the entire with the hope of rescuing them.

    Although the kids were yet to be found, a security source disclosed that five suspects, including two militants were arrested at Igando and Isheri-Osun.

    When The Nation visited the family’s residence, the children’s parents were said to have gone to the police station.

    However, The Nation’s reporter who went to the station was not allowed in.

    A gateman who gave his name as Oseni said: “We did not hear of any ransom. The thing is that the parents are keeping the whole matter under wrap for their own safety because we are not even sure if it was an organized crime for just kidnapping children. I have been a gateman here for six years now and I have never witnessed any kidnap here.

    “This is the first and I hope we never get a repeat. I think the kidnapper took those children through the adjoining gate on the street because if he had taken them through the main street, people would have raised an alarm. Problem is none of us really knows this barber since he just moved into the street not long ago. I know the woman more. She hawks corn in the area.”

  • Insecurity: Lagos residents urged to know their tenants, neighbours

    Insecurity: Lagos residents urged to know their tenants, neighbours

    As suspected militants continue to flee the creeks following onslaught by the military, Lagos residents have been urged to be mindful of those they lease their homes to.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni made the appeal Tuesday at Idimu while inaugurating the division’s Eminent Persons Forum (EPF), as well as unveiling the community town hall built at the station.

    Owoseni noted that the fleeing militants, who might want to infiltrate other areas, will not only terrorise the residents but also introduce their children to crimes.

    According to him, landlords should endeavour to collect passport photographs of their prospective tenants, get duplicate copy of their International passports data page or identity card, as well as investigate them.

    He also advised that they should find out their villages and ask to see any of their community members who know them, stressing the need to not be carried away by the money the tenants intend to pay.

    The Commissioner who said the police introduced the EPF following the divisions along ethno-religious line that have erupted the country, added that it was the believe of the acting Inspector General of Police  (IGP) Ibrahim Idris that community policing strategy will help unite the people.

    “Mind the kind of tenants you take. Militants fleeing from the creeks have short guns which they can hide and enter your house as tenants and start to wreak havoc. They have a way of influencing the children by buying drinks for them. You should be able to know your tenants. Ask them questions. Get their passport photographs and even a copy of their ID. In Ethiopia, you cannot rent a house as a foreigner without producing your passport. These are some of the ways to help make the job of the police easy.

    “Globally, policing is for community members. You see what we don’t see in our offices. So, the EPF is a way to further community policing. “Because of things happening in the country, we are falling apart. As elders, youths, traditional and religious institution, we are losing it. Gone are the days when people were alive to their civic responsibilities. We have been divided along ethno-religious line even in Lagos.

    We are now torn apart. We carry daggers to pursue each other and it should not be so,” he said.
    Owoseni also charged transporters in the state to conduct checks on passengers’ luggage before departure, urging them to avail the police information on criminal elements.

    “Some criminals have been arrested in motor parks with guns stocked in their bags, while trying to escaped and smuggle their weapons out of the state,” he said.

    Also speaking, Special Adviser to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Civic matters, Kehinde Joseph urged the residents to corporate with the police in fighting crime.

    “With the provision of security gadgets by the state government to the police and their being put to use adequately, crime rate has drastically reduced in the state. There is hardly any crime that the police do not uncover in Lagos,” he said.