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Tag: syndicate

  • Police burst syndicate that leaks WASSCE questions and answers

    Four suspected members of an alleged  racketeering syndicate  are now in the soup  for what the police described  as selling  forged West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) question and answer sheets.

    The Lagos State Police Command  is questioning them for their alleged role in the syndicate.

    Samuel Kayode, 28; Adebayo Ifeoluwa, 17; Alayande Ahmed, 16; and Elusode Festus, 20 were arrested in Ondo, Edo and Osun States.

    Their  alleged accomplices, said to be in Ghana, are being trailed.

    Their arrest followed reports that a syndicate was leaking exact questions and answers WAEC set for the 2018 May/June examination to some websites and WhatsApp groups subscribed to by students.

    Parading the suspects, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, said they were arrested by undercover operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

    Two of them are said to be  Physics and Mathematics  teachers in a private school in Ondo State.

    Also paraded was an operator of a fake WAEC center at El-Supreme Private School, Igbogbo ,Ikorodu, who allegedly defrauded people seeking to write WAEC by giving them forged questions and answer sheets.

    According to Edgal, Joshua Adeniyi of 3, Oseni Adekogbe Street, swindled hundreds of people seeking to register for WASCE, conducted examinations for them but dumped the answer scripts in his school.

    Edgal said : “Recovered from him are WAEC question papers and answer sheets suspected to have been forged, as well as photographs of all the victims who registered with him.”

    Edgal said the syndicate that leaked correct questions and answers three days to WAEC was a national embarrassment.

    He said: “Investigations revealed that these atrocities were committed through the following websites: www.ceebook.net  (07069198008); www.examloaded.com  (08162563540); www.guruscamp.com  (08132876664); www.solutionclass.com  (0806098704) and www.expotab.com (09039642826).

    There were also 32 WhatsApp groups through which the questions and answers were sent.

    “We discovered that the question papers given by these syndicates are word for word with the ones provided by WAEC for the candidates. The four suspects confessed and admitted to have committed the crime. Evidence of this was established through their mobile phones.

    “Efforts are in progress to arrest owners of the websites and also establish how the questions and answers got out of WAEC office. The command would liaise with WAEC to fish out any insider saboteur.

    “It is important for WAEC to look into this devastating development and take necessary corrective measures to prevent such leakages in future.”

    Admitting to the crime, Ola said: “I saw a website on the internet through which I contacted one Danladi, who sold nine questions to me for N9000. I sent him N500 recharge card as requested before the questions were sent. Thereafter, I created a WhatsApp group which has 25 students.

    “I released these questions and answers to the students on the platform. They only gave me N200 recharge card for each subject. But some of the subjects did not work out.

    “Only subjects like Geography, Government and Biology clicked while English and Mathematics didn’t. I started teaching two years ago. I am a Physics and Mathematics teacher.”

    Ifeoluwa, a student at the Federal University of Technology,  Akure, said he created a WhatsApp group called ‘MCC’ where he shared leaked the leaked questions and answers.

    An Iron bender, Festus Elusode said he created two WhatsApp groups,  ‘WAEC Home of Expo’ and WAEC VIP,’ where he posted the leaked examination questions and answers.

    Ahmed said he also saw the information on the internet and syndicated it to other groups he belonged to.

  • Police arrest car ‘theft’ syndicate, recover weapons, others

    Police arrest car ‘theft’ syndicate, recover weapons, others

    A syndicate that allegedly specialised in stealing people’s vehicles was Monday paraded by the police in Lagos.

    The suspects, Opeyemi Ogundokun, 24, Qudus Abdulkareem, 42, Abdulwaheed Abdulkareem, 28, Shehu Shittu, 42, Nurudeen Abdulrahman, 38, and Musiliu Abdulwahab, 40, were arrested between February 24 and 28 in Kaduna State, after a vehicle they allegedly stole in November was traced there.

    The police said seven cars, 119 ammunition, grenade; an English pistol and eight number plates were recovered from them.

    According to Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, one Saheed Aminu had complained on November 19, last year, that his green Toyota Camry marked ER468KRD was stolen barely 30 minutes after he parked in front of his residence at 45, Awolowo Road, Ikorodu, to enable a co-tenant, who was going to church, drive out.

    Edgal said detectives from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (FSARS), Ipakodo, were mobilised based on the strength of that complaint.

    “Intelligence revealed the vehicle was in the workshop of one Opeyemi Ogundokun, an auto mechanic. He was arrested and interrogated. He made some startling revelations, which led detectives to a town called Rigassa in Kaduna State.

    “At Rigassa, two suspects- Qudus Abdulkareem, 42, and Abdulwaheed Abdulkareem, 28, were arrested. Their job in the syndicate was to steal cars either from where they are parked or to snatch them from their owners.

    “The duo led the police to the other suspects identified as receivers of all cars stolen by them. The Toyota Camry was seen and identified by the complainant and immediately recovered from the suspects.

    “A search warrant was promptly executed at the Rigassa base of the receiver and 118 rounds of AK47 ammunition, an English pistol, military camouflage, one hand-grenade, a Nissan versa, one RAV4 SUV, Toyota Camry Honda CRV and various plate numbers were recovered.

    “Suspects confessed they are based In Kaduna and only come to Lagos when they want to steal vehicles. Investigation into the case is in progress. Opeyemi Ogundokun has been charged to court.”

    Read Also: Police arrest 18 suspected armed robbers, cultists in Bayelsa

  • SON bursts cable cloning syndicate

    SON bursts cable cloning syndicate

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has nabbed a syndicate specialised in cloning of certified made-in-Nigeria cables in Lagos.

    A statement from the office of SON Director-General Mr. Osita Aboloma said the syndicate operated from 5, Collins Street, opposite Akapo Street, Ojo Alaba, Lagos.

    The statement said the operation was carried out by a combined team of the Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police attached to SON, operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos and officials of SON Inspectorate and Compliance Directorate.

    The syndicate specialised in importing unregistered and substandard cable brands like Verginity, New Age and Sunrise, which are then rerolled, rebranded and repackaged as certified made in Nigeria cables for sale.

    The statement added that about 2,647 rolls of cables were awaiting  cloning, while 22 bags, five cartons and 270 coils of already-cloned  ones and two re-rolling and rebranding equipment were seized from the premises.

    Two suspects were arrested at the scene and are helping the Police with investigations.

    The implications of the syndicates’ activities, according to the statement, include inadvertent purchase and use of substandard cables by unsuspecting consumers; de-marketing of certified made in Nigeria cables as a result; loss in sales and revenue by genuine local manufacturers of cables; reduction in capacity utilisation and attendant job losses.

    Abaloma urged Nigerians to continue to provide useful information to assist regulatory agencies serve them better in the overall interest of the nation and its people.

    “The suspects will be prosecuted in line with the provisions of the SON Act 14 of 2015 on conclusion of investigation,”the statement added.

     

  • RRS smashes highway robbery syndicate

    RRS smashes highway robbery syndicate

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives have smashed a 12-man syndicate which specialises in hijacking trucks and tankers.

    The gang was arrested following its botched attempt to kill an escort, Tunji Ajayi, aboard a tanker laden with 45,000 litres of diesel on February 1.

    It was alleged that the gang hijacked a truck conveying 410 bags of Dangote flour, which was diverted last week to Sagamu in Ogun State and sold to Rabiu Bello, who is now in police custody.

    A statement by RRS yesterday said the syndicate allegedly contracted Gbenga Akinboyewa, 33, and Obinna Ofunue, 29, to work with the truck driver, whose name was simply given as Amara, to kill Ajayi.

    The trio were said to have hit the escort, who works for an oil firm, on the head with hammer, threw him inside a ditch, and diverted the diesel tanker marked ENU751XH.

    The hired killers were said to have been promised N800, 000 for the job.

    According to RRS, the tanker was loaded at Optima Depot in Koko, Warri, Delta State but was hijacked in Ondo State on its way to Sango in Ogun State.

    Also in RRS net are Sadiku Ganiu, Oluchukwu Onyema and Gbenga Aliyu.

    According to the RRS, the syndicate leader, Chibueze Nnamdi, a building material dealer in Ore, Ondo State, identified others as Edwin Ozor and Shedrack.

    It quoted Nnamdi as saying: “I invited Akinboyewa into the deal. I briefed him and he in turn invited Ofunue. The instruction we gave them was to tie the hands and legs of the escort and hide him somewhere so that within an hour, we would have closed the deal before he could set himself free. I didn’t say they should kill him. Biggy (Ozor) and I raised N800,000 to settle the boys, lodge them in a hotel, feed them and take care of other emergencies in the course of the job. We promised Akinbiyewa N500, 000 for his own aspect of the job.

    “When we were in control of the truck, we drove to Ijebu Ode, where we discharged 2,800litres. We proceeded to Lagos and offloaded 19,200 litres in one station, 14,000 litres in another and 8,400 litres in the last filling station.”

    Besides, 10 others, it was learnt, have been caught in Ondo, Edo, Lagos and Ogun states for receiving stolen items from the hijackers.

    The complainant, Mrs Nafisat Osinowo, according to RRS, said the diesel was to be delivered at her firm in Sango.

    She said: “Our representative escorting the truck called me in the afternoon when they got to Benin that the tyre of the truck was not good. He called again at 11pm that the truck has been parked in Ore.

    “It is our tradition not to travel at night. Our discussion was that they proceed on the journey at 5am the next day. That was the last time we spoke. Efforts to get him the following day proved abortive until few days later when we were called that he was in intensive care unit at the hospital”.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the suspects would be charged after investigation.

    The suspects, she said, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID) Panti.

  • Police uncover ‘baby-trading’ syndicate

    the police in Lagos have smashed a syndicate that specialises in selling new born babies.

    Two persons including one Chinenye Amama, said to be the leader of the syndicate were arrested.

    Amama, a resident of 8, Unity Close, Satellite Town, was apprehended around 6am, on November 4, with a new born baby.

    While the recovered baby and her mother were taken to the rehabilitation centre at Mushin, the suspects were taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department  (SCIID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    They were said to have made shocking confessions, including that a popular pastor was behind the illegal trade.

    It was gathered that the usually approach pregnant and struggling women whom they offer money in exchange of their babies when delivered.

    The syndicate was also said to be behind most of the new born babies’ theft across the state.

    Efforts to locate Amama’s residence failed as residents of the street said they didn’t know her and haven’t heard about the incident.

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said: “I confirm the case. It’s under investigation. Preliminary investigation revealed that it’s a syndicate that specialises in selling newborn babies.

    “Yes, a big religious leader is fingered but I won’t give you any name until we are done with the investigation. The command is working on the clue to ascertain the religious leader’s culpability.”

  • EKSU certificate racketeering syndicate smashed

    EKSU certificate racketeering syndicate smashed

    Ekiti State University (EKSU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Samuel Bandele has revealed that a certificate racketeering syndicate has been smashed.

    Addressing a briefing on his first three months in office, Bandele declared that the era of students not writing examinations only to be awarded certificates was gone for good.

    He revealed that the Part Time Programmes (PTP) Unit where the scandal used to be common had been sanitised and some indicted lecturers sacked.

    Bandele added that anybody who wants the school’s certificate must be deserving of it, having worked rigorously to pass.

    EKSU has begun new courses at certificate and diploma levels to give opportunities to some people to develop themselves and to generate more revenue.

    Bandele announced the plan for the take-off of some business ventures, such as mechanic village, bakery, eatery, commercial farm unit, entrepreneur unit, table water factory and consultancy services.

  • Gombe: Police smash fake recruitment syndicate

    Gombe: Police smash fake recruitment syndicate

    Gombe state Police Command has cracked a gang of three young men who fraudulently produce and sell fake Police recruitment forms in the state.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Fwaje Atajiri in said the gang had been swindling innocent members of the public by selling the illegal forms to them at the rate of Five Hundred Naira (N500.00K).

    He said the suspects were Mohammed Bashir Ahmed, Musa Suleiman and Shamsudeen Usman Abubakar.

    The PPRO therefore advised members of the public, especially in Gombe to be wary of buying recruitment forms so they do not fall into the hands fraudsters and end up buying illegal forms.

    He said interested persons should wait for public announcement or advertisement of sales of forms from the police authority as it would always publicise recruitments and details of the process at the appropriate time.

    He said the Command is poised to deal decisively with criminal elements bent on soiling the good image of the Force.

     

  • Ogun customs seizes hundreds of smuggled cars in raid of syndicate

    Ogun customs seizes hundreds of smuggled cars in raid of syndicate

    A cross-border  car smuggling syndicate has forfeited hundreds of exotic cars to the Ogun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for allegedly bringing them in illegally from neighbouring Benin Republic.

    The vehicles were seized during a massive raid at the border town of  Idiroko,Ogun State.

    Also impounded during the raid were  cartons of frozen turkey and dozens of motorcycles  used by rice smugglers.

    Spokesman for the command, Abubakar Usman said the operation was made possible by ” the   vigilance of our men who took  proactive measures to contain the errant smugglers.”

    Usman said the smugglers resorted to firing at the Customs men   once they were intercepted but could not match the superior firepower of the law enforcement officers .

    “Many of the vehicles you are seeing here were intercepted from the notorious syndicate who resisted our men. They were  overpowered  and had to flee abandoning the vehicles,” he said.

    ”We  also seized many motorcycles from rice smugglers, and  cartons of turkey from illicit traders who tried to bring them from the Benin Republic into our territory through the bush .”

    The command said  it generated N3,401,647,417.34 as revenue in the first half of this year  as against   the N2,543,266,323.43 it realized within the corresponding  period in 2014.

    “Our command was able to record 515 seizures with Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N445,399,838.00; as against 733 seizures with DPV of N880,002,012.00 same period in 2014.The difference is 218 seizures with DPV of N434,602,174.00,”  he said.

    He added:“the formidable mechanism put in place by the Customs Area Controller, Mr. Haruna Mahmud, to curtail the menace of smuggling activities in the area led to the successes recorded so far.”

  • Police smash interstate car-snatching syndicate

    Police smash interstate car-snatching syndicate

    The game is over for a gang of interstate car snatchers  after being trapped by the   Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Two members of the gang, Evans Demodia and Benson Obode, were arrested in Benin,the Edo State capital by a team of  SARS operatives during a search for a stolen Toyota Corolla.

    The car had been snatched  at gun point  from a Lagos businessman, Alhaji Babangida Isah, at Dopemu area of Lagos.

    The SARS operatives,sources said,had tracked phone calls by the suspects  on Isah’s cell phone which they had stolen with his car.

    Demodia, an auto mechanic, was arrested  at his workshop, at No 33, Auchi Road, Benin City.

    Further search in his house yielded two other cars suspected to have been stolen –a  Toyota Camry belonging to one Mr. Lawrence Oaikhena, of Warri, Delta State, and a Honda CRV.

    The Toyota Camry, was said to have been robbed at gunpoint from its owner, in Warri, Delta State, when a white Peugeot 307 car, with two occupants, double crossed it.

    Twenty-seven year-old Demodia has  confessed that he is a receiver of stolen vehicles from the gang.

    He claimed to have  received over four cars from the gang’s alleged  leader, Obode.

    He said  Obode and one Chief Osama, met him in his workshop and lured him into joining the gang.

    His words:”I joined because I saw there was huge profit in the business. When I met Obode, he told me that he was a car dealer that buys vehicles and he would want me to help him sell in Benin, but later I discovered that he was an armed robber.

    “My suspicion was confirmed when I saw an expended cartridge in one of the cars, I also discovered that the vehicles usually had no papers. I deal in Toyota products, so I told him that I wanted Toyota cars. I paid him N400, 000 for the Toyota Corolla that he gave me and I sold it to a woman for N500, 000. I also bought a

    Toyota Camry from him for N350, 000 and sold it for N400, 000.

    “ I received two other cars which I was yet to sell when the police arrested me. When they interrogated me I told them that,  Obode supplied the cars to me and I took them to his house. We didn’t meet him at home , but his landlord was asked to follow us.

    “A few hours later, Obode, was brought into my cell and his face was covered with bruises. I asked what happened to him and he said he was beaten up by a mob when he got home. He told me that some vigilance men arrested him with a Peugeot 307 and he was identified as the robber who policemen from Lagos were looking for and while he attempted to escape he was chased and they gave him the  beating of his life.

    “On our way to Lagos, Obode, fell very ill and he was taken to the hospital.”

    Pleading for mercy, Demodia blamed his involvement in crime on greed.

    “I should have been contented with what I had. I wasn’t doing badly as mechanic and I have operated my own workshop for over five years. It was greed that made me join the gang. I feel very bad about it.”

  • Police burst car-snatching syndicate

    Police burst car-snatching syndicate

    A member of a notorious car snatching syndicate that specialised in forcing their victims to withdraw money for them through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) has been arrested by the police in Lagos. The suspect, Wasiu Taiwo, said his gang snatched over 50 exotic vehicles in less than five months, besides forcing their victims to withdraw millions of naira from their accounts. The DECOY Team of the State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the state police command intercepted the gang. The Nation learnt that the police team intercepted the robbers last Thursday night in Ejigbo after they had snatched a Honda Accord car and took the victim to an ATM where they collected his money. Wasiu was arrested while three others jumped out of the car when the decoy team closed in on them. Police sources said: “When the robbers noticed the police team, they started driving recklessly and operatives suspected them and gave them a chase. Three of the suspects opened the doors of the vehicle and jumped out. Operatives did not shoot at them because they were not sure they were armed robbers. One of them who was arrested is helping investigators to trail his fleeing accomplices”. Taiwo confessed that his gang had been terrorising residents for months, adding that most of the vehicles they snatched were moved across the border where they are sold to some car dealers. He said: “Whenever we snatched the vehicles, we would take their owners along in case there were security devices in the vehicles which we might not be able to operate. Besides, we took our victims to the banks where we forced them to withdraw money with their ATM cards for us; then, we would take them to a distance where we dropped them off. “Since we started, we have snatched over 50 cars and we sold most of them across the border where we have our receivers. We still have some of our buyers here in Lagos”. Police sources disclosed that the suspect was being detained in the SARS’ custody, adding that investigations were ongoing.