SUSPECTED robbers yesterday at Esegine Street, off Afiesere Road in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State allegedly killed a commercial motorcyclist.
They absconded with his motorcycle and money.
The Okada rider, Samson Itoje, a father of two, was in his early 40s. He was also a motorcycle/generator mechanic.
Itoje was reportedly on his way to work when he was shot dead by hoodlums. His body was said to have been taken away by his relatives to an unknown destination.
A source said the gunshots attracted security men to the scene, finding the deceased in a pool of blood.
The source said about three weeks ago, hoodlums attempted to rob a commercial motorcyclist at the same spot. He added that they shot him in the leg and fled on sighting people.
Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka said he was at a meeting and could not pick calls. He promised to call after the meeting.
A source at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division confirmed the incident.
Tag: Suspected robbers
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Suspected robbers ‘kill’ commercial motorcyclist
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Two suspected robbers burnt in Calabar
Angry residents, who have been incessantly harassed by robbers, yesterday burnt two suspected robbers to death in Calabar, Cross River State.
One was burnt on White House Street and the other at Abua by Ephraim Street.
It was gathered the robbers, about 30, and armed with guns, machetes, axes and other weapons, were walking in the streets of Calabar South in broad daylight, harassing and robbing residents.
They were confronted by policemen and a shootout followed. Some sustained injuries and some escaped. Five were arrested.
The two who were killed were among those who sustained injuries; they were arrested while trying to escape.
A resident, who lives on Ekondo Street, recounted: “It was like a war zone; bullets flew everywhere as policemen and the thieves engaged each other. From Ekondo Street, Ebuka Street, King Duke Street, Abua Street, Nyong Edem Street, White House Street, up to Mayne Avenue, and many others, it was a terrifying experience.
“People ran helter-skelter to escape from stray bullets. It was complete pandemonium. The government should do something to check the activities of these cultists who seem to want to take control of this city. I hail the police for their response today, but something should be done to check this situation permanently.”
Commissioner of Police Hafiz Inuwa, in a text message, said after receiving a distress call, he deployed his men immediately to check the situation.
He said five of them were arrested.
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Two suspected robbers set ablaze in Calabar
…Five arrested after shootout with police
Angry residents, who have been incessantly harassed by dare-devil robbers, burnt to ashes two suspected robbers in Calabar, the Cross River State, Thursday.
One of them was burnt along White House Street, while the other was at Abua by Ephraim Street.
It was gathered that the suspected robbers numbering over thirty and armed with guns, machetes, axes and other weapons were walking through the streets in Calabar-South in broad daylight, robbing and harassing residents.
They were however confronted by the police and there was a shootout which resulted in some of them sustaining gunshot wounds. Some still managed to escape with the wound, while five were arrested by the police.
The two that were killed were among those that sustained the bullet wounds and while trying to escape were caught and burnt alive by the people.
A resident who lives along Ekondo Street recounted, “It was like a war zone here, bullets were flying everywhere as the police and cultists engaged each other.
“From Ekondo Street, Ebuka Street, King Duke Street, Abua Street, Nyong Edem Street, White House Street, up to Mayne Avenue and many other others in Calabar South it was a really terrifying experience. People were running helter-skelter to protect themselves from stray bullets.
“It was complete pandemonium. The government should do something to check the activities of these cultists who seem to want to take control of this city. I actually commend the police for their response today, but something should be done to check this situation permanently.”
Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Hafiz Inuwa, in a text message Thursday said after received a distress call from residents, he deployed his men immediately to check the situation.
He said five of them were arrested.
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Police parade suspected robbers, burglars in Abia
The Abia State Police Command has debunked the news that suspected ritualists in Aba have resorted to getting their victims through advertisement for jobs.
Addressing reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, Police Commissioner Leye Oyebade said the news was not only false but that such incident had never happened in the state.
The police chief said Abia was among the safest states for investment.
There was a report in the social media that suspected ritualists in Aba advertised for jobs and that when applicants went for the interviews, they never came back.
Oyebade said after a thorough investigation by the command, it was discovered that such incident never happened in Aba or any other part of the state.
The police chief said the state was not only safe but peaceful.
Oyebode spoke in Umuahia as the command paraded suspected robbers.
The police chief said men of the Anti-Kidnapping Section arrested Chimaobi Kalu, 29, from Ovim in Isuikwato Local Government, with two others on the run, for allegedly robbing Tobi Ojekayode of New Haven Estate at Olokoro.
He said Kalu, with three others, robbed their victim of N50,000 at gun point and attempted to rape his wife before he was apprehended.
According to him, the police recovered an iron shaped like a gun from the suspect.
Oyebade said his men at the Aba Police Station arrested Daniel Ariyo, 19, and Prince Kalu, 20, on Eziukwu Road in Aba.
He said: “The duo specialise in robbing innocent members of the public of their valuables within the area and its environs.
“Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Owerrinta, who were acting on a tip-off, arrested Nwafor Henry, Chinedu Christopher and Onyemaechi Emmanuel, being members of a four-man robbery gang that has been terrorising residents of Umuojima Village in Osisioma area of Aba.
“Items recovered from them include two locally-made pistols and four live cartridges.
“In a related development, the SARS had an encounter with kidnappers, who attempted to pick a ransom of N500,000 from Sebastian Azubuogu. During an exchange of gunshots, one of them was shot and he later died in the hospital.”
The police also paraded a suspected robber, Emeka Ikonne.
He was said to have conspired with others, who are on the run, and robbed Ngozi Eze John of Obohia Road in Aba of her phone at gun point.
Oyebade said: “The phone was recovered and the suspect will soon appear in court.”
The police paraded four suspected burglars who burgled the home of Henry Nkobi of Ehere Road at Ogbor Hill in Aba.
The victim was said to have travelled to his village for Christmas and New Year celebrations when the suspects allegedly burgled his home.
Oyebade gave the names of the suspected burglars as: Okenwa Ogbonna, Obioma Goodluck, Victor Abarue and Valentine Oko. -
Suspected robbers attack Aba residents
•Money, valuables stolen
Residents of Nwala Street, off Faulks Road, Aba, Abia State, were last weekend attacked by suspected robbers, who stole large amounts of money and valuables.
The incident, The Nation learnt, occurred on Saturday, around 2 am.
Sources said some residents were injured.
Most affected were students of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
A resident, who preferred anonymity, said: “The victims were sleeping when the incident happened. They heard a bang on the door. The robbers used torchlight to search their rooms.
“They ordered them to give them money and valuables, such as ATM cards, laptops, mobile phones, jewellery and others. They forced the victims to give them their ATM cards’ pins. The hoodlums injured them with knives. They escaped through the backyard.
“It was after they left that the victims shouted, which attracted us. It wasn’t clear whether they alerted security agencies.”
Another source, who confirmed the incident, said they suspected the robbers lived in the vicinity, stressing: “Only people who live in the neighbourhood can enter the house in the manner the robbers did.”
An operative of one of the security agencies decried the attitude of Aba residents, “who find it difficult to call security agencies in time of distress. We are ready to respond swiftly to distress calls.”
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Police arrest five suspected robbers
Two members of a notorious armed robbery gang that specialises in raping and videotaping their victims have been arrested in Lagos.
Joseph Barise, 24 and Christopher Anafiok, 27, were arrested by policemen from Ajah Police Station after they attempted to extort one Mrs Ishola, a trader around Ikota Housing Estate.
The woman’s scream, it was learnt attracted bystanders who accosted the suspects and found a locally made gun on Barise.
A mob was said to have attempted to lynch the suspects, but they were rescued by patrolling policemen.
It was gathered that another locally made gun as well as 16 live cartridges, charms and red candles were found in their home during a search.
A source told The Nation that the suspects have confessed that they bought two motorcycles and a tricycle from robbery proceeds.
The suspects, he said, admitted under interrogation that they have been robbing for years, adding that video footages of secondary school girls that they kidnapped and raped were stored on their phones.
The suspects allegedly confessed that they were members of a five-man gang headed by Anthony Aniote.
They claimed that Aniote supplies the gang with weapons and charms.
Barise claimed that Aniote usually gave them water to drink before they went on operation to avoid being caught.
He said Aniote travelled for the Yuletide with the water and warned them not to go on any operation until he returned.
The suspects said they went against his instructions when they were cash strapped.
“They usually go to a drinking joint or a supermarket late in the night. They monitor the sales, and look into their save when they are giving customers change.
“Then early morning the following day, they will strike. They have been doing this for about three years now without being caught. The worst part of it is that they also kidnap and rape young girls. Secondary school girls who usually go to school late are kidnapped by these monsters and taken to their apartment.
“They buy food for them and then, point gun to their heads and sexually assault them. While, they take turns in raping the children, someone videos it and they use it to threaten the girls to keep quiet about the incident or have their sex tapes circulated,” the source said.
In a related development, the police have arrested three suspected armed robbers who terrorised their victims with toy guns in Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.
Olarenwaju Rilwan, Ope and Enitan were arrested by operatives of Abesan Police Station at Ipaja, after their victims, a couple, held on to one of them.
It was learnt that the woman, upon discovering that a toy gun was pointed at her, grabbed Rilwan and screamed; the other two fled.
His colleagues were later arrested through him.
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Suspected robbers kill one in Benue
•Disarm police, attack bank
Suspected armed robbers have invaded Vandeikya in Benue State, disarming a police officer and robbing a first generation bank.
A witness said they blocked Vandeikya-Obudu Road, deflated the tyres of the vehicle of a security outfit, ‘Operation Zenda’, took a strategic position to avert any eventuality and headed for the bank.
The suspected robbers disarmed the police officer on duty and carted away huge sums of money.
It was learnt that during the operation, which lasted for over an hour, the suspected hoodlums shot dead one person and injured another, who has been hospitalised.
A man, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent that the bandits later drove towards Vandeikya-Korinya City Road to Konshisha Local Government.
Residents converged on the bank premises to discuss the incident.
The police in the Vandeikya Division and the bank manager refused to comment on the incident. -
Police arrest eight suspected robbers, others
The Abia State Police Command has arrested eight suspected armed robbers, who specialise in snatching vehicles.
It also arrested 12 suspected cult members and rescued a two-month-old baby girl.
The police rescued a kidnap victim, who was abducted last month. Her Nissan Xtera Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number APP 959 AZ was recovered.
Speaking in Umuahia while parading the suspects, Commissioner of Police Adamu Ibrahim said his men received information that a Mitsubishi Montero SUV registered as APR 820K was hidden in a compound at Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government.
He said the police discovered that the vehicle was stolen from the owner, Ezenwa Enwerem, where it was parked at Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government, adding that Mr. Michael Okon was arrested during the raid.
Ibrahim said the police also recovered a Toyota Camry car registered as BH 372 YAB at Obehie on the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway, while a Toyota Avensis car registered as SMK 919 CK was recovered after a chase on the suspects.
The commissioner said his men from the Eastern Ngwa Police Division arrested Henshaw Friday and Uduak Effiong at Umuocha village in Obingwa Local Government with one locally-made pistol.
He said his men also apprehended two suspected robbers in Ikwuano Local Government. They are Chinda Thankgod, 22 and Onuoha Chukwuka, 24, residents of Umuariaga Ikwuano. Others are on the run.
Ibrahim said Innocent Anaba of Umuchima village in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government suspected that two young men with an unregistered motorcycle attempted to rob him of his motorcycle registered as NSK 662 QD.
He said Anaba, who fought the thieves, was rescued when the driver of an oncoming motorcycle flashed them.
“One of the suspects ran into the bush, while another, Eze Tochukwu of Uratta village, was arrested.”
The commissioner said men of his command attached to the Uratta Police Division, on a routine patrol, recovered a Ford van, which was snatched at Owerri North in Imo State from Marshal Nnaji of Aguila Leasing Company in Port Harcourt.
He said one of the suspects, Faith Allwell of Uratta, was arrested, while a Toyota Corolla 2005 model registered as AAA 438 CU, which was stolen in Port Harcourt, was recovered.
Ibrahim said his men recovered a Toyota Corolla registered as AGL 700 BU, belonging to Ernest Mbaeli, which was stolen in Umuahia and traced to Ehime Mbano.
He said Christian Ebomuche of Umuemeke Agbaja, Ehime Mbano in Imo State was arrested after trying to use the car as a collateral to borrow N50,000 from Okechukwu Agunwa.
The police chief said 12 suspected cult members were arrested with weapons at Peoples Hotel on the Ama-Ogbonna Road in Aba, adding that a Ghana-must-go bag filled with weeds suspected to be Indian hemp was recovered.
Ibrahim said one of the suspects, Ejike Okafor of 69, Degema Street, Aba sustained a bullet wound, while Umahi Emeka is in hospital with bullet wounds.
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Police parade eight suspected robbers
Abia State Police Command has paraded eight suspected armed robbers.
It said it would not allow hoodlums to operate during and after the Yuletide.
Speaking in Umuahia, Commissioner of Police Usman Tilli Abubakar said two men, who rob at Umuire waterside, have been arrested by his men.
He said the suspects, Ikenna Chukwu, 23, of Aha village in Orlu East Local Government Area of Imo State and Ndubisi Emmanuel, 24, of Nkpa village in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, were arrested with three locally-made pistols, cartridges and two tricycles with registration numbers HAF 373 AQ and QR 956 MBA.
Abubakar said the third suspect, Pa-Kings, escaped, adding that the police had launched a manhunt for him.
He said the police also arrested three suspected robbers at Amaeke in Umuahia.
The commissioner gave two of their names as Moses Chimezie Amuchionu of Isingu Mbutu in Osisioma Local Government and Kelvin Chinedu Goodluck of Umuchi in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government.
Abubakar said they were apprehended with one black Toyota Camry with registration number LSD 478 BT.
He said the suspects said they stole the car in Aba.
The police boss said his men recovered another Toyota Camry with number plate DQ 231 DBU from Chibueze Friday of Ihie Umuduru in Osisioma Local Government, with one locally-made pistol, a master key and documents of snatched cars.
He also paraded three other robbery suspects robbers, including Azubike Udugbor of Amuzu Olokoro, Umuahia. After interrogation, the suspect led the police to Okwu Olokoro where Chimezie Chimbo and Ugonna Ndubisi were arrested.
A locally-made double barrel shotgun and a locally-made single barrel long gun were recovered from them.
Abubakar displayed three AK 47 rifles and one military rifle, which were recovered in a buried bag.
“After examination, we found out that two of the AK 47 rifles were those snatched from Inspectors Jimmy John and Kingsley Etuk, who were killed on the Aba/Enugu Expressway by hoodlums.”
He said the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation.
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Suspected robbers relive operations
MEMBERS of a five-man armed robbery gang smashed by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, have spoken of their escapade.
One of the suspects, who are now being held by the FSARS, Nurudeen Yinusa, 33, told The Nation: “I am from Ibadan; I am a bus driver, plying Ijesha to Yaba in Lagos. I pick conductors from any bus stop, garage or motor park in Lagos. I reside at 25, Asabi Soniyi Street, Ijesha-Tedo, Surulere, Lagos. I am not an armed robber, but I know some of the suspects, especially, Taye, Ahmed, Boro, Kola Sule and Funmilayo. I used to meet them at Funmilayo’s shop where I often drink and smoke at my leisure time. That day I was arrested, I was there, drinking my beer and playing with Funmilayo’s sister when policemen arrived. They just ordered me to stand up and move into their vehicle; that I was under arrest. I was there when they pursued the main suspect. I did not run because I am not a member of their gang.”
He added: “I knew Suleiman, Kola as friends. Kola is a motorcycle (okada) rider in that area; Suleiman is a welder. I had nothing in common with them except that they are fellow street boys.”
“If I knew that the case would be like this, I would have escaped,” he said.
The second suspect, Suleiman, 18, said: “I reside at 12, Atirelu-Ijesha in Lagos. I am a native of Kwara State. Sule and I are friends. We attended Mummy Shaibu Nursery and Primary School. The AK47 rifle recovered from us belongs to Sule. We have one AK47 rifle and one locally made pistol. We are many in our gang but I can only remember are Sule, Kola, Pepper, Saula, Kazeem and Nasiru. I think we are seven in number. Wasiu escaped with one AK47 rifle. Sule is our gang leader. His popular name is Starboy.”
The third suspect, 30-year-old Funmilayo, from Ile-Ife, Osun State, in whose shop the police recovered Sule’s gun, is also being questioned by the operatives.
Boro, it was learnt, escaped and abandoned his AK47 rifle and a car. He escaped with Sule, whom other members of the gang called their leader.
Most of them, the police said, were arrested at Ogunlana, Ijesha in Surulere area while enjoying their loots. Their arrest, residents said, had restored sanity in the area and reduced the incessant armed robbery operations.
Confirming their arrest, the FSARS spokesperson, Lekan Ogundare, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said they would be charged to court after investigations.