The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Suspected

  • Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill two in Delta

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen kill two in Delta

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed two persons in  Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

    A member of the House of Assembly, representing Ethiope East, Evans Iwhurie, said the traces of the killers were unmistakable.

    The lawmaker said an employee of the Delta State University (DELSU) at Abraka, Francis Okotie, as well as an indigene of Oria-Abraka, Philip Obayendo, were killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in separate attacks on their farms.

    Okotie (52) and father of eight, including a DELSU worker in the Library Department, was allegedly shot twice on the arm and on the back of his head on his plantain and palm oil plantation farm,.

    Iwhurie said: “It is easy to identify the culprits because they always leave behind trails of cattle excrement and damaged crops by their herds.”

    The lawmaker noted that Okotie’s death happened on the heels of a similar killing of Obayendo, who was reportedly shot and cut to pieces by his assailants on his farm at Oria-Abraka.

    He said: “The decomposed body of Obayendo was discovered five days after he was last seen going to his farm.

    “Though this is a menace that has been occurring across the country, these two cases are among the many that have befallen the people of my constituency, especially in Abraka area.”

  • Customs men kill suspected armed robber

    A suspected armed robber, Sunday Joseph was yesterday killed by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) operatives, attached to the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Joseph was killed on Apena Street, off Unity Road, after he was caught hopping from one room to the other, stealing peoples’ valuables.

    He was said to have gained access into his victim’s homes through the roof, the same means through which he attempted to escape before he was gunned down.

    It was learnt that one of his victims caught him in his apartment and raised the alarm, attracting neighbours, who wanted to lynch him before he jumped on the rooftop.

    The patrolling Customs officials were said to have fired at him when he refused to surrender.

    The state police command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the incident was reported at the station by Julius Obasohan.

    She said: “Julius identified the suspect as Sunday Joseph, 32, when he came to the station and reported.

    “He reported that Sunday was found jumping from one roof to another after trying to steal from some houses. Some unknown Custom men came and shot the suspect to death.”

  • Five suspected robbers killed

    •Arms, ammunition recovered

    Five suspected robbers have been killed and others injured in a clash between the robbers and the Inspector General of Police Anti-Robbery Squad, which partnered a hunter, Ali Kwarra, in Bauchi State.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed told reporters yesterday that arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

    He said the battle followed an intelligence report received by the police and Kwarra’s partnership team.

    Mohammed said: “The incident occurred at Kunjin/Lodio forest, Bursari, in Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The suspects were attacked while preparing for an operation.”

    He said four AK 47 rifles, one locally-made revolver pistol, 164 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, nine rounds of .9mm ammunition, seven empty magazines, two expended ammunition and N17,000,cash were recovered from the suspected robbers.

    The police spokesman said their bodies were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare morgue and investigation was on.

    Kwarra said the suspects terrorised residents.

    He said they killed people and imposed levies on the villagers, ranging from N400,000 to N1 million.

    The Secretary of Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Adamu Gidado, said: “The robbers snatched over N41 million after killing seven people. I hope and pray that now that they are dead, we will experience peace.”

  • Security agents kill 11 suspected trans-border robbers at Seme

    Eleven persons including a wanted man, Tokiche, a.k.a. “TK’’, were killed at Seme border during gun battle with security agents.

    Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, who made this known on Friday in Ikeja, said the suspects were overpowered by the security agents, including policemen from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

    Owoseni said the 17-man robbery gang was led by TK to attack banks and Bureaux-de-Change at Seme border but the attempt was foiled by security operatives.

    According to him, TK had been on the police wanted list for various violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, cultism and pipeline vandalism, among others.

    The commissioner said TK had over 200 men which he used to carry out crimes, stressing that he also had properties in different places, including Isawo, Ikorodu in Lagos State.

    “TK has his signature in various violent crimes in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and the Republic of Benin.

    “They also intercepted a vessel in Niger/Delta Area. He shifts his base from one place to another depending on the operation he wants to carry out.

    “On March 16, we got a report that TK and his gang were planning to attack banks and bureau-de-change at Seme border area.

    “They were said to have come in three boats at about 3 a.m. and immediately started shooting sporadically in commando style,’’ Owoseni said.

    “The Police, Customs, Immigration, the Joint Military Task Force and policemen from Republic of Benin who had earlier prepared for them foiled their operation.

    “The gang surrendered to the superior gun power of the security agencies and fled.

    “The security agents and members of the public pursued them and at the end of the day, 11 of them were killed, while six others escaped. We are on the trail of those at large.’’

    He said three boats, with one of them having the inscription: “Castina Marine’’, 22 pieces of dynamite, six AK-47 rifles, two general purpose machine guns and 33,678 life ammunition were recovered.

    Other recovered items, he added, were 22 empty magazines, eight life jackets, 350 litres jerry can of fuel, two 100 litres jerry cans of fuel, one military magazine, jackets and assorted pieces of charms.

    Owoseni said the bodies had been deposited at the mortuary.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr Solomon Arase, praised all the security agencies involved in the operation, including those of Republic of Benin, for their cooperation.

    He added that the IGP called for more of such partnership in future.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that three bodies, including TK’s were paraded before reporters before being taken to the mortuary.

     

  • Suspected hoodlums beat up judge in Niger

    A Minna High Court judge, Justice Mohammed Maiyaki, was at the weekend beaten up by suspected hoodlums.

    He was attacked about 8pm at Katerigi village while travelling for a wedding in Bida, Niger State.

    It was learnt that the judge stopped to repair his wife’s car that had electrical problem and asked the villagers for an electrician.

    Suspected hoodlums attacked him after recognising him as a judge.

    Justice Maiyaki was said to have sustained a deep cut in the head, following the use of sharp objects on him.

    He was rescued by his friends from Bida, after a distress call by his wife.

    The judge was reportedly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida.

    Our reporter gathered that an assistant commissioner of police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was leading a team of detectives to investigate the matter.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana confirmed the incident.

    He said nobody has been arrested.

  • Three suspected robbers set ablaze in Kogi

    Three suspected armed robbers were on Friday set ablaze at Orunu junction in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State by some youths.

    The youths are suspected to come from the adjourning communities of the area where the suspected robbers met their Waterloo.

    An eyewitness said the robbers, numbering five, took over the road and began robbing commuters before the youths appeared on the scene.

    A source said that unknown to them, the villagers who were tired of incessant attacks on the road, which leads to Idah Local Government Area from Lokoja, the state capital, rushed out and descended on them.

    The villagers, said the source, refused to be intimidated by the armed bandits, who were said to be foreigners from a neighbouring African country. He said: “The villagers came out in their numbers and, in the process, seized their guns before crushing three of them to death with heavy stones, clubs and other dangerous weapons. Two of the armed robbers escaped into the bush while three were burnt to ashes after they were given the beating of their lives.”

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ejule community in the area was kidnapped September last year at the spot while returning from a campaign rally in Ugwolawo.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Aya, who confirmed the incident, said the police discovered three dead bodies on the road. He said that no one was seen at the scene, but the police have commenced investigation into the matter.

  • Suspected gunmen kill DPO, 62 others

    Suspected gunmen kill DPO, 62 others

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen yesterday invaded four towns in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Vunokilang Police Station and 62 others.

    However, there was a conflicting report last night that  the gunmen were suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    The Nation learnt that more than 200 suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked four towns, namely Demsare, Wunamokoh, Dikajam and Taboungo and parts of Fawore at dawn, killing people.

    The DPO, the late CSP Okozie Okereofor, who had just spent two months in the command, was transferred from Okigwe in Imo State.

    An eyewitness said he was ambushed with his team, who moved into the communities to quell crises.

    A community leader, P.P. Elisha, said Okozie led his men to the areas and suspected Fulani herdsmen surrounded his vehicle and killed him.

    The bodies of the police officer and others have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

    Confirming the killings, police spokesman Othman Abubakar said the DPO and his men were attacked on official duty by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    He added that reports indicated that the attackers looted the villagers’ foodstuff and livestock before setting their homes ablaze.

  • Three suspected robbers held

    Three suspected robbers held

    Three of the nine suspected ‘notorious’ armed robbers, who invaded Ibeshe beach at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos last December 26, have been arrested by the police.

    The Nation learnt that they dispossessed people of their phones, jewellery, cash and handbags.

    Operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) on patrol responded to distress calls and arrested the three.

    According to SARS, the suspects specialised in robbing bars and bar beaches.

    They are Chukwuemeka Ikpeazu of Babasha Street, Shibiri, Tajudeen Afeez of Kemo Street, Ojo and Fatai Adeokun of Osunba Street, Oto-Awori Ojo.

    Police said three locally made pistols and 12 cartridges were recovered from them.

    The suspects, The Nation, learnt had also allegedly robbed the occupant of Molusi Street in Surulere, Lagos Mainland.

    Ikpeazu said: “I am not the gang leader, the leader is Wasiu and he escaped with five others. He was the one that gave me this gun to follow them to rob at the beach. We robbed people in Ibeche beach and collected their phones and I was given one phone. We also robbed at Badagry side and my share was N30,000 cash. We robbed only the people drinking and having fun in the beach.

    Afeez, a cobbler, said: “I am not an armed robber. People in the Beach snapped me and told police that I was one of the robbers.”

    Adeokun said he was drinking in a bar at the beach when people pointed to him that he was one of the robbers “because they saw me in the picture they snapped.”

    “The truth is that two people got drowned in the river and when one of the bodies was brought out, I went there to take a look and I was among those they snapped,” he said.

    On why they were arrested, he said some robbers came to the beach, fired gun and robbed people, saying he and Afeez were not among them.

    When Chukwuemeka was asked whether he knows them, he said: “I don’t know them. They are not one of us. One of the people in the crowd saw their pictures in what they snapped and suspected them. Those who robbed with me have escaped. These two are innocent.”

  • RRS arrests 11 suspected hoodlums

    Eleven persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in armed robberies around the National Theatre and Ijora areas of Lagos.

    They are Friday Onuwa, 30; Moses Okiso, 25; Rashidi Olugbenjo, 19; Olalekan Adebayo, 21 and Sheriff  Sanusi, 27, Ganiu Sule, 30; Michael Thompson, 19; Wale Akindujoye, 30; Aderemi Adewale, 25; Adeshina Adetolu, 30 and Moshood Ajao, 45.

    The suspects were nabbed over the weekend by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tunji Disu.

    Their arrest followed the attack in a woman, Adeola Sulaiman, whose handbag containing N250,000 was snatched by one of the suspects.

    It was gathered that RRS personnel who were close to the area, heard the woman screaming, chased and caught the suspect later identified as Friday Onuwa.

    While Onuwa was nabbed with the handbag, two of his gang members were said to have fled.

    He made statements that led to others’ arrest.

    Confessing to the crime, Onuwa said: “That fateful day, I and my friends, Kowasibe and Tallest, went to Costain opposite National Theatre with the intention to rob.

    “On reaching there, we saw a woman whom we robbed successfully. It was Kowasibe, who pointed gun at her before she released her belongings to us.”

    According to the police, the suspects have been transferred to the state Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for further investigation.”

  • RRS arrests suspected traffic robbers

    RRS arrests suspected traffic robbers

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives caught two persons for alleged traffic robbery in Ajah, Lagos at the weekend.

    Mustapha Odunayo, 22, and Adedayo Akinjola, 22, were said to be members of a gang which uses motorcycle to terrorise motorists on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

    They were arrested after they snatched a mobile phone from their victim and fled.

    While fleeing on their motorcycle, patrolling RRS bikers chased and caught them.

    According to the police, the suspects admitted that was not their first operations.

    Odunayo, identified as the gang leader, claimed that financial difficulties lured him into robbery.

    “We were three that left home in search of victims. On getting to Ajah opposite a shopping mall, where traffic is usually hectic, we sighted a woman in a car holding a phone.

    “Then, I alighted from the motorcycle while my two other members stood by on the motorcycle. I forcefully collected the phone from her, mounted the motorcycle and we zoomed off.

    “While on the run, we sighted the RRS men chasing us with brand new power-bike, later, they outran us but one of us disembarked and escaped with the stolen phone before we were arrested”, he said.

    Odunayo, who is from Ogun State, blamed his plight on lack of education.

    He claimed he came to Lagos some years ago and started working as a cart pusher, adding that his meagre proceed couldn’t sustain him.

    “That is why I chose to be robbing innocent members of the public with Okada for easy manoeuvring after operation,” he said.

    “Our first operation was carried out by the three of us in Ajah. We collected one Techno phone from our victim. It was sold to one Mallam Hassan by Adedayo, and I was given N2,500.

    “The second operation was not successful and the third one was this one that led to our arrest,” he said.

    Akinjola said he was an apprentice at an aluminium workshop before he took to traffic robbery.

    According to him, the motorcycle belongs to the escapee third suspect.

    Narrating how the hoodlums were arrested, the police said they were attracted  by the victim’s scream.

    “We were able to intercept the fleeing robbers when their victim, a young lady, screamed that her mobile phone had been snatched. Immediately, we gave the fleeing suspects a chase which led to the arrest of two of them while the third suspect later identified as Lekan made away with the stolen phone”

    Lagos State Command’s spokesman, Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said efforts were on to arrest the third suspect.