₦airaland Forum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned two men, Chester Ukandu and George Achi at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged impersonation.
They were charged on two counts of false representation as Directors of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After their arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr. Ayokunle Fayaju urged the court to remand the accused in custody pending trial, considering the nature of the offence levied against the accused and their likelihood of jumping bail.
Defence counsel, Mr. Samuel Agwe who had earlier filed a bail application before the court, sought for permission to withdraw it and opted to make an oral application for the bail of the accused persons instead. Having not been opposed by the prosecution, Agwe urged the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms.
He said that the first accused was a reputable stakeholder in the Nigeria’s capital market and also the chairman of a Micro finance bank.He also said the second accused was a respected Nigerian citizen, who would not jump bail, and urged the court to grant them favourable bail conditions.
In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Aikawa granted the accused bail in the sums of N20 million each, with one surety each in like sum.The court held that the sureties must be owners of landed property in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki or Ikeja areas of Lagos, who must deposit the original certificate of occupancy to the properties, to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.
The judge added that accused shall report to the office of the EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the court decides otherwise, or until the end of the matter.He further added that the accused persons shall sign undertakings not to delay trial of the case. Aikawa, however, ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail terms and adjourned to December 12 for trial.

source: https://guardian.ng

Six suspected militants alleged to be terrorizing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State were killed in a gun duel between them and vigilance group in Omoku, Rivers State.
It is presumed that the leader of the militants, Ejima Igwedibia, alias Don Wanny, narrowly escaped being killed.
Sources in Omoku told The Guardian the vigilance group under the aegis ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) and the militants engaged in a gun duel in Aligwu community in the early hours of yesterday.
The Guardian gathered that OSPAC’s hunt for the militants started after they had allegedly killed two persons at Okposi, four in Omoku and three others at Obrikom respectively over the weekend. Some of the victims were said to be members of OSPAC.
OSPAC members, who are credited to have restored stability to Omoku and parts of ONELGA, were said to have stormed Don Wanny’s residence in Aligwu, a coastal community in the early hours of yesterday. His suspected gang members were said to have engaged them in a fierce gun duel that lasted several hours.
Four persons were killed.
Don Wanny, whose whereabouts is unknown, was said to have escaped with some of lieutenants through a river behind his residence. Though there were speculations that he might have drowned in the river, sources close to him said he was alive.
Hundreds of persons from across ONELGA besieged the council secretariat in Omoku to see the bodies. Many who had anticipated that Don Wanny was among the victims, expressed disappointment that he was killed.
Earlier, Don Wanny and his gang had embraced the Rivers State government’s amnesty offer granted to militants and other notorious criminals last year.
OSPAC’s attack on Don Wanny was averted in October after he rescinded his plan to attack the vigilance group, which killed one of his gang members, who had challenged them in Omoku.
The Chairman, ONELGA, Osi Olisa, who confirmed the killings of the militants, explained that government could not fold its hands to watch miscreants destabilize the council and waste innocent lives.
He gave the assurance that everything would be done to ensure that security of the council was no longer compromised by militants and other notorious gangs that had been terrorizing the ONELGA since 2013.
The Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Nnamdi Omoni, said the information on the incident was sketchy as at press time.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/six-militants-killed-in-rivers-state/

Two thieves were lynched, weekend, in Isheri Oshun area of Lagos State when a mob descended on them after they snatched a motorcycle from one Soliu Azeez of Rubutu Street, in Kudeibu Estate at about 9:30p.m. According to an eyewitness, Tobi Alade, immediately the robbers stole the motorcycle, the victim raised the alarm, which alerted people in the neighbourhood. They were caught and lynched. A Police source told Vanguard that at about 11p.m. on Saturday, the Police at Isheri Oshun Division received a distress call that some thieves were caught at Ijeidodo Road. Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer and some of his officers raced to the scene. Vanguard gathered that when the officers got there, they discovered the corpses of the two yet-to-be-identified men in a gutter. Contacted, Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said he will get back to us, but had not done so at press time.

source: https://www.vanguardngr.com

Two thieves were lynched, weekend, in Isheri Oshun area of Lagos State when a mob descended on them after they snatched a motorcycle from one Soliu Azeez of Rubutu Street, in Kudeibu Estate at about 9:30p.m. According to an eyewitness, Tobi Alade, immediately the robbers stole the motorcycle, the victim raised the alarm, which alerted people in the neighbourhood. They were caught and lynched. A Police source told Vanguard that at about 11p.m. on Saturday, the Police at Isheri Oshun Division received a distress call that some thieves were caught at Ijeidodo Road. Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer and some of his officers raced to the scene. Vanguard gathered that when the officers got there, they discovered the corpses of the two yet-to-be-identified men in a gutter. Contacted, Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said he will get back to us, but had not done so at press time.

source: https://www.vanguardngr.com

The police are probing the stabbing to death of Bilyamin Muhammed Bello by his wife, Maryam, in Abuja.
Bilyamin is a son of a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and one-time minister, Dr. Haliru Bello.
His wife, who is the suspect, is a daughter of former Aso Savings boss Hajia Maimuna Aliyu.
Hajia Aliyu was recently nominated into the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The couple before the weekend tragic incident had a one-year old daughter.
“The FCT Police Command has commenced investigation into the matter.
“The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section for discreet investigation,” spokesman Anjuguri Manzah stated in a text message last night.
The suspect is being detained by the police while the deceased was buried yesterday after the Janazar prayer at the Central Mosque in Abuja.
Maryam was taken to her residence by homicide detectives for a search, fingerprints and forensic investigation.
She was saved from being mobbed by angry siblings and relatives of the deceased husband.
Clinging to her seven-month old baby girl, Maryam, who looked remorseful, burst into tears after being led into the flat where she allegedly killed her husband.
According to sources, the jealous wife was uncomfortable with the text messages her late husband had been receiving from some women.
It was gathered that a particular message from a banker made the wife to attack her husband.
The source added: “They were at home when the wife became berserk over some text messages, including one allegedly suspected to be from a female banker.
“After engaging in a shouting match, the wife was embroiled in fighting with her husband before heading to the kitchen where she picked a knife to stab Bilyamin three times, including on his private parts.
“Drenched with blood, Bilyamin fought hard by crawling out of the couple’s flat to ask for help from neighbours.
“Upon hearing his distress call, neighbours, who had heard the exchange of words and banging of doors at the flat, ferried Bilyamin to a hospital.
“Unfortunately, the husband died in the hospital. The incident was reported to the police and Maryam was arrested by homicide detectives.”
Maryam is a graduate with two degrees from British university.
In a Whatsapp message yesterday afternoon, her mother Hajia Aliyu expressed shock and feeling of loss over the sad development.
“It is with a heavy heart but with total submission to the will of Allah that I announce the death of my son in-law, Bilyamin Bello Haliru, which sad event took place in the early hours of today.
“Prayers will be held at the Central Mosque…
“May Allah grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus as his permanent place of abode,” the grieving mother in-law stated.
There had been whispers of a rocky relationship in a marriage meant to bring two prominent families together but allegations of infidelity and plans to marry another wife might have caused the insecurity in Bilyamin’s Maitama home.
The patriarch of the family, Bello, is said to be away in the United States for medical attention.
“We were all sad, it was just too heavy for us to break the news to our father,” a family source ad
source http://thenationonlineng.net

Gunmen yesterday attacked the residents of Obong Udo Ekpenyong, commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Elder Aniekan Akpan, immediate past commissioner for Education at Ikot Okusung, Ukanafun LGA.
It was gathered that the hoodlums attacked their residents destroying valuables while three lives were reportedly lost in the process.
According to an eyewitness one of the Ekpenyong sisters (a Teacher), a barber and a family member were reportedly shot dead during the attack.
Residents of the community were said to have fled into the bush following the sporadic gun shots fired by the gunmen
As at the time of filling this report, the names of the victims were yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, Men of the Force are currently manning the volatile area to ensure calm. Hence, Urua Affiong Market junction which leads to Ikot Okusung is currently on a siege by security operatives.
The state police public relations officer Bala Elkana who confirmed the attack said the state Commissioner of police has visited the scene of the crime adding that investigation has commence to unravel the cause of the attack.

Source: http://leadership.ng/2017/11/20/gunmen-kill-3-akwa-ibom/

Ikechukwu Onubogu, a camera man with the Anambra Broadcasting Service, who was declared missing last Monday, has been found dead.

His body was found by men of the Nigerian Police Force at Obosi, Idemili North local government area, which is said to be one of the state’s hot bed for crime.

Mr Onubogu, a humble journalist, who is said to be in His late fifties, DAILY POST gathered, was last seen on Sunday, November 12.

He was reported to have received a strange phone call and walked out of the house with his camera without telling anyone of his movement.

His remains which was said to have bullet marks have been deposited at the Amaku morgue, Awka for an autopsy.

A statement by Nze Uche Nworah, MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service on the death of Mr Ik Onubogu said, “The horrific death of our beloved and hardworking staff, Mr Ik Onubogu has thrown the entire ABS family into mourning.

“IK was a peace loving man and you would never expect that anybody would want to harm him. He was dedicated to his job and would do anything to capture images that will help viewers to make meaning of every developing story.

“We will surely miss him. We cannot speculate at this time the circumstances that led to his death as the police are already working hard to unravel what happened. His death once again reminds us all of the dangers journalists face in Africa in the course of discharging their professional responsibilities.

“Our thoughts remain with his family, particularly his wife who recently gave birth. We ask our friends, colleagues and associates to remember the Onubogu family in their prayers during this difficult time.

“ABS management will release another statement on this in due time”.



Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/11/18/missing-Anambra-journalist-found-dead/

The use of forensic technology in criminal investigation by the Rivers State Police command has paid off to unravel a mysterious killing incident at Shell Industrial Area in Port Harcourt.
This, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Ahmed Magaji was used in apprehending suspected killers of one Cletus Onyekwere.
DAILY POST gathered that Late Onyekwere until his death was a staff of a sub-contracting firm with SPDC located at Rumuobiakani and was murdered on the 13th of April this year at his residents within the Industrial Area of the SPDC.
Parading the suspected killers of Onyenkwere who are identified as Kingsley Nwankor and Joseph Francis, DCP Ahmed said the effort of the forensic tools paid handsomely three months after submitting the forensic exhibits which proved a match that was found belonging to the suspects.
“The ground breaking achievement recorded by the Command on the arrests of the killers of Late Cletus Onyekwele ‘m’ who was murdered in cold blood in his office.
“It could be recalled that on the 13th day of April 2017 at about 2345hrs, the Elekahia Police Station reported a case of murder of Cletus Onyekwele ‘m’ who was found dead in the pool of his own blood at the Industrial Area of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt. The deceased until his death was a staff of Alfamead Nigeria Ltd (A Sub- contracting firm with SPDC).
“As soon as the case was reported, the Divisional Police Officer Elekahia Division led a Police Team to the Scene, where they condoned and preserved the scene of crime, evacuated the deceased and deposited him in the mortuary.
“Subsequently, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department SCIID in the wee hours of 14th April 2017 for further Investigation.
“Investigation into the case commenced in earnest with the main focus on the use of Forensic Science. Consequently, DNA samples, pieces of physical evidence and eye witnesses’ accounts were deployed in tackling this case.
“In the course of our Investigation, we invited a total of fifty (50) suspects made up of contract and Security Staff of SPDC for questioning.
“They were unconditionally released on Bail after recording their statements and obtaining relevant Forensic Exhibits which were later processed and forwarded to the appropriate laboratories for analysis and report.
“This effort paid off handsomely when after three Months of submitting the Forensic Exhibits, a match was found belonging to one of the profiles earlier sent, identified as that of Kingsley Nwankor 40yrs, a staff of MB $ C Investment Ltd, a sub-contracting firm with SPDC who will be paraded today.
“His confession led to the arrest of the second suspect, Joseph Francis 37yrs also a staff of MB $ C Investment who is currently helping us in our Investigation.
“We are proud to inform you that the Command has not only made a ground breaking achievement through the use of sophisticated Forensic technology but has secured justice for the family of the deceased and equally guaranteed a safer environment for all workers and visitors within the SPDC Industrial Area and members of the public at large.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/11/18/police-forensic-investigation-reveals-killers-shell-worker-onyenkwere-rivers/

A44-years-old Reverend Sister Chime Geraldine has been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, for allegedly trafficking two young boys who were kidnapped between January and April 2017.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that the Revered Sister, who was attached to the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and operated an orphanage home known as Oblek Foundation Orphanage Home, at Gwagalada Abuja, was arrested alongside her 35-years-old accomplice, Obie Okoro, who was said to be a member of a kidnap syndicate and supplied the kidnapped young boys to the Reverend sister. Sources disclosed that the IRT, led by ACP Abba Kyari, delved into the matter when it received an intelligence report about the syndicate which specialized in kidnapping children from churches across the South Eastern Part of the country and would then sell them to the Reverend sister for N500,000, who would in turn resell them to people who were in need of children. Following the information, Saturday Vanguard gathered that Okoro was trailed to Lagos by the IRT operatives, where she was arrested and interrogated. She was said to have confessed that she sold two young boys who were between the ages of 6 and 7 years to the Revered sister, and that the children were kidnapped from their churches in Norkwa and Nnewi area of Anambra State by the son of their pastor identified as Nnana. Following her confessions, the operatives took Okoro to the Gwagalada home of the Revered sister where one of the kidnapped young boys, Daberechi Ameke, was rescued while the sister was arrested. She also led the operatives to Monkey Village area of Lagos, where the other boy, Chinnonso Eze was rescued. Parents of the victims, James Eze and Veronica Ameke, told Vanguard that they were members of the Assembly of God Church in Anambra State and their children were kidnapped by their pastor’s son. Ameke told Vanguard that her 6-year-old son was kidnapped on April 28, 2017, during a vigil at the Nokwa branch of the Church while Eze said his 7-year-old son was kidnapped on January 9, 2017. According to Ameke: “I took Daberechi to a vigil in my church, the Assembly of God Church, at Nnokwa in Idemili Local Government. I started looking for him around 8 pm before the commencement of the vigil but we didn’t see him. We also went to Nnobi police station to report the incident we searched for him everywhere but could not find him and we kept on praying. I have five children, Deberechi was my last child. Then, on September 29, 2017, the police in Awka arrested some people who specialized in kidnapping children and when they were interrogated they confessed and they identified the son of my pastor known as Nnana as their leader. He escaped after his gang members were apprehended while the police went after his father. Happily, I received a call from one of my church members that Deberechi had been found by the police in Abuja and I came to receive him from the police. My son told me that it was the pastor’s son who took him out from the church and handed him over to someone who he didn’t know who then brought him to Abuja.” Meanwhile, when Vanguard interviewed Reverend Sister Geraldine and her accomplice, she denied knowing that the young boys who were bought to her were kidnapped. She explained that the woman who brought the boys deceived her that the children had no parent and they were from an orphanage home in the South East and that the money she paid for them was the amount demanded by the operator of that orphanage.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/kidnapped-boys-found-reverend-sisters-orphanage

Two persons whose names are yet to be revealed have been arrested for allegedly stealing 20 bags of cement at Tugan Maje village in Gwagwalada Area Council.
A resident of the area, Yusuf Yahaya, said the suspects allegedly burgled a cement shop at about 12:13a.m. last Friday morning, after the shop owner had closed.
He said the suspects destroyed the padlock and made away with the cement, saying the owner of the shop came the next day and discovered that his shop was burgled.
“The man went to report to the vigilantes in the area, and they started tracing the people involved and luckily they arrested them where they took the cement to sell.
He said the man who bought the cement was also arrested and handed over to the police at Zuba division.
When contacted, the FCT police command spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manza, confirmed the incident, saying the matter was still under investigation.

Source: https://dailytrust.com.ng/

Police officers at the Gwarinpa division have arrested two suspects for allegedly stealing three water heaters and two toilet seats from a building in Works and Housing Estate.
A source at the division said the suspects were arrested after a distress call was placed to the division by an anonymous resident at about 6:00a.m. on Tuesday.
The source said the suspects had already burgled the building but were arrested before they could leave the estate due to the prompt intervention of the police officers.
Reacting, the Gwarinpa Divisional Police Officer, CSP Nuruddeen Sabo, said the two suspects were in police custody.
“Two hoodlums named Jordan Ibrahim and Fidelis both of Gombe State burgled the house of one Adekanye and carted away three water heaters and two toilet seats valued at N215, 000,” he said.
He said the items were recovered from the suspects adding that they would be prosecuted.

Source: https://dailytrust.com.ng/

The Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau State and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna, has paraded two women over alleged trafficking of a four-day old female baby.
Parading the suspects at the Sector 1 Command in Jos yesterday, Col. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, said OPSH personnel arrested the women identified as Doris Egbufurum, 39 and Esther James, 40 with the baby at Babale Gwam checkpoint around 7:15p.m. on Monday after they boarded a commercial vehicle in Bauchi.
“A passenger in the vehicle raised the alarm that she was suspecting the two women in the vehicle as it doesn’t look like they were the mothers of the baby. The troops arrested them and investigation revealed that they bought the baby from one Mr. Abuna in Bauchi for N300,000,” he said.
One of the suspects, Doris Egbufurum, who lives in Imo State and worked as a nurse with People’s Clinic in Bauchi, said she was taking the baby to Lagos after she bought it for N300,000 from one man in Bauchi.
“I am taking the baby to one woman who married for a long time without a child. She sent N320,000 to me, and I bought the baby at the rate of N300,000 and to use N20,000 as transport from Bauchi to Lagos,” she said.

source https://guardian.ng

The Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a multi-security task force maintaining peace in Plateau State and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna, has paraded two women over alleged trafficking of a four-day old female baby.
Parading the suspects at the Sector 1 Command in Jos yesterday, Col. Musa Etsu-Ndagi, said OPSH personnel arrested the women identified as Doris Egbufurum, 39 and Esther James, 40 with the baby at Babale Gwam checkpoint around 7:15p.m. on Monday after they boarded a commercial vehicle in Bauchi.
“A passenger in the vehicle raised the alarm that she was suspecting the two women in the vehicle as it doesn’t look like they were the mothers of the baby. The troops arrested them and investigation revealed that they bought the baby from one Mr. Abuna in Bauchi for N300,000,” he said.
One of the suspects, Doris Egbufurum, who lives in Imo State and worked as a nurse with People’s Clinic in Bauchi, said she was taking the baby to Lagos after she bought it for N300,000 from one man in Bauchi.
“I am taking the baby to one woman who married for a long time without a child. She sent N320,000 to me, and I bought the baby at the rate of N300,000 and to use N20,000 as transport from Bauchi to Lagos,” she said.

source https://guardian.ng

Suspected ritualists have hacked a certain Osasu John Omoruyi to death in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The victim, it was learnt, was abducted from a popular drinking bar along Sakponba Road in the state capital.
He was reportedly killed around Uwa Street, off First East Circular Road in the state capital.
A witness, who pleaded anonymity, said the killers went on with their mission without any hindrance, “due to power outage on Friday.”
According to the source, “ I was relaxing in my balcony upstairs around 11.50p.m. when I saw a saloon car driven on top speed into my street. The car later reversed and suddenly, I saw two men dragging a young man out of the car. They asked their victim to sit on the floor and were yelling at him. One of the men, afterwards, ran into the car and brought out a cutlass, which he used to dismember him.”
Sympathizers later reported the case to operatives of the Esigie Divisional Police Station, who came to remove the lifeless body.
One of the sympathizers said the police had used the victim’s cell phone to invite family members to the station during which they were informed of the sad incident, adding that they were thereafter taken to a private morgue on First East Circular road where they identified the corpse.
When contacted for reaction on Sunday, the State Police Spokesman, DSP. Moses Nkombe said he had not been briefed and promised to call back.
However calls put across to his mobile line at press time yesterday were unanswered.
Meanwhile, this is the second suspected case of ritual killing in the state capital in the last one week
A lifeless body, with the head and other body parts dismembered, was discovered along the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC) Road, in Benin City.
The body discovered along the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Road, in Benin by the police authority was reported to have been taken to a nearby hospital and was rejected.
The police in an interview disclosed that the body be interred in a public cemetery following absence of formal identification and ownership of the corpse.

source https://guardian.ng

The drift abroad will expand in size and scope until the country puts the economy in order
The discovery by the Italian authorities of the bodies of 26 Nigerian girls reportedly murdered on the Mediterranean Sea has triggered a public outpouring of anger, and illuminated the horror of irregular migration. Italian prosecutors were reportedly investigating the death of the victims, mostly teenagers, whose bodies were recovered at sea amid suspicions that they may have been sexually abused before being killed as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean.
In a belated statement, the federal government has described the tragedy as “a monumental loss and a sad moment for our country,” while the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has canvassed “a high level investigation by the United Nations into the incident”. But beyond the usual political statements, it is necessary for the authorities to put the tragedy in perspective. A combination of sustained negative economic growth and a demographic bulge has put the country in a very difficult and potentially explosive situation.
For more than a decade, the economy has been unable to create jobs to absorb its growing army of graduates. Joblessness and frustrations are evidently fuelling the desperation to leave the country as available statistics paint a dire situation of millions of Nigerian youths roaming the streets for work but finding none. So, driven by economic desperation and sometimes by misinformation, hundreds of thousands of able bodied young men and women on a daily basis embark on perilous missions in search of opportunities that do not exist in those very societies. While only a small fraction eventually reach their destinations where they face huge disappointment and frustrations, majority of them usually perish on the way.
Statistics from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that about 75 per cent of the nearly 155,000 migrants and refugees who got to Europe by sea this year arrived in Italy. But the numbers who perished on the way were alarming. According to some records, 10,000 Nigerians died on the treacherous Sahara desert –Libya –Mediterranean route in the month of May, 2017 alone. The accounts of some of the returnees were, to put it mildly, harrowing. Many who made it to Europe were forced into prostitution, used as mercenaries, deployed as household servants, factory workers, drug couriers and even as organ donors. Reports have also emerged of migrants regularly beaten to death, with torture and starvation the daily staple for those who survive.
Even so, the influx of the young and restless to Europe is rising as they pay little or no heed to the dangers on the way or the disappointment awaiting those able to land. Many of the migrants who are unemployed or pushed by outright poverty are deceived by stories of jobs, businesses and prosperity by people smugglers. Indeed, increasingly, the statistics suggest that human trafficking has become one of the thriving businesses after drug trafficking. The central Mediterranean route from the coast of Libya to Italy is reportedly the most travelled by Nigerians and other illegal migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. In the last five months, more than 1000 stranded Nigerians have returned from Libya thanks the effort of the IOM.
However, as we have argued in the past, many others will continue in the footsteps of the dead and the maimed if the prevailing misery and poverty persists. We live in a country where a significant number of the population is mired in poverty. Many able-bodied men and women are lying waste. Therefore, while it makes sense to sensitize the youth to the dangers of the hazardous journey, it would be more productive for Nigeria to begin to put its economy in order.
Source http://www.thisdaylive.com

A middle-aged business woman (name withheld) in Asaba was in the early hours yesterday kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. The victim was said to have been kidnapped around her house located at the Junior Staff Quarters, Asaba by heavily armed hoodlums, who shot sporadically into the air for several minutes before executing their nefarious acts.
It was gathered that the abductors went to the house of the victim, where she was about stepping out and tied the husband while they asked the other members of the family to lie down at gunpoint before they hurriedly dragged their victim into one of her cars and drove off to an unknown destination.
Investigation revealed that the kidnap suspects abandoned the vehicle belonging to their victim and transferred the victim into their waiting operational vehicle and zoomed off.
Police image maker in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the incident said the police were able to recover the vehicle of the victim, adding that the police were working tirelessly to rescue the victim unhurt.
Meanwhile a man suspected of being a lance corporal with the Nigerian Army accused of supplying arms/ammunition to kidnappers, armed robbers has been arrested by the Police in Asaba.
It was gathered that the suspect, a 29 year old man who hails from Auchi, Edo State was arrested with 300 rounds of live AK 47 ammunition. It was learnt that the suspect had allegedly been responsible for the supply of hoodlums across the State including other States but the Police Commissioner in the State, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim who confirmed the arrest of the suspect said the Police acted on intelligence at its disposal and tracked the suspect along Adesuwa Road in Benin City adding that he was been charge to Court on completion of the investigation.

Source https://guardian.ng

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a member of suspected money scammers.The suspect, Dare Yusuf, 31-year-old, who resides at No.1, Abayomi Jones, Oke-Ilube Ikotun Lagos, was arrested after allegedly tricking a road user into buying a substance claimed to be capable of doubling any cash by applying one ‘Adija’ to the money given.
The suspect in connivance with two others still at large, who allegedly specialise in defrauding innocent Lagosians of their hard- earned money, tricked a road-user, who did not want his name on print around Ilasa in Isolo area of Lagos State.
The trio namely: Seun, Ayo and Dare allegedly use different tricks to rid unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables and immediately, desert the scene without any trace.
Dare, while speaking with RRS decoy team, confessed the role each members of the group play, their intrigues and how they usually share the loot afterwards, saying “ Ayo is the ‘Catcher’, Seun is the ‘Jejeti’ while he Dare is the ‘Sitter’.
He disclosed that, the Catcher is the one who roams streets in Lagos for the victim. The Catcher approaches road users to inquest about a location he is going to and systematically tells the road user he didn’t get the description of the place and it’s important for him to get to the place because he is going there to sell one ‘Adija’ worth between N800, 000 to N1millon.”
After the catcher has chatted up the would-be victim and has disclosed his purpose to sell the ‘Adija’, he would then ask to be directed to the location. This is the point the ‘Jejeti’ comes into their discussion showing more knowledge of directing the Catcher to where he claims to be going, but not for free as he will further tell the Catcher to settle him and the stranger.
The Catcher then asks the would-be victim to accompany him to the point of sale of the ‘Adija’ and promises to give him and the ‘Jejeti’ a sum N200, 000 each for helping him to the location.
Unfortunately for the stranger, he is the victim here. Both the Catcher and the Jejeti work together to defraud whoever falls into their trap. The Jejeti then takes both the stranger and the catcher to a customised office in Idi-Araba where the other team player, that is the ‘Sitter’ has been planted to complement the fraudulent efforts of his teammates.
Dare, who is the ‘Sitter’ then collects the Adija from Ayo, who has been playing the role of the Catcher and tells him he will buy it for N900, 000 and that the Adija will help produce about N2million if he can get some chemical to add to it..
The suspect has been transferred to the Police State CID for further investigations.Commenting on the development, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous Cole, advised members of the public to be more vigilant and report any suspicious act to the police.
Source https://guardian.ng

ABEOKUTA—A middle-aged woman, Rose Michael, who was arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for allegedly inflicting life-threatening injuries on her eight-year-old step-daughter, Blessing Michael, in a revenge attack, has blamed her action on the devil. The step-mother reportedly used razor blade to inflict deep cuts on the little girl’s hands and thigh, leading to bleeding. The woman, who resides at 10, Onofowokan Street, Ita-oluwa via Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, was reportedly arrested following a complaint from her husband, James Michael. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that the suspect’s husband reported the matter to the Police in Ogijo, saying his wife called him on phone while he was away at work ,informing him that his daughter, Blessing, beat her little daughter and injured her on her leg and has vowed to retaliate by ensuring that she injures her too. Oyeyemi said: “The complainant stated further that he pleaded with her on phone to wait for him to see what actually happened. But before his arrival, the woman had used razor blade to inflict deep cuts on the little girl’s two hands and thigh, leaving the victim to bleed profusely. “Upon the complaint, the DPO Ogijo Division, Tijani Muhammed, detailed detectives to effect the arrest of the suspect. “On interrogation, the suspect owned up to the commission of the offence, but blamed it on the devil as she claimed not to know what came over her, while carrying out the act. The victim is currently on admission at Lenard Hospital, Ogijo. “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, for further investigation and possible prosecution of the suspect
Source https://www.vanguardngr.com

One Patrick Kalu, an indigene of Abia State has been arrested by the police in Niger State for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old boy.Answering questions from journalists at the headquarters of the state police command in Minna at the weekend, Kalu said he was pushed into the act when he lost his wife.
The suspect, who claimed to have come to Minna in search of work, said he could not raise money to marry another wife or to approach a prostitute to satisfy his sexual urge.
According to him, he brought the boy to Minna for the same purpose of looking for job for him, “and fortunately, I got a job for him in a hotel as a cleaner”
He said he got a place at Railway Quarters in Minna where he usually slept with the boy. “I know it is a shameful thing. I’m really ashamed of myself. Please, help me beg the police to release me and I will never do it again.
“It was my first time of doing this kind of thing and it is because my wife died. I had sex with him only twice before I was caught. Honestly, I will not do it again”
Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Superintendent Abigail Unaeze, who paraded the suspect and 13 others in Minna, said Kalu allegedly lured a 15 –year- old boy to Minna with the prospect of getting him a job, only to turn him into a sex machine, having sex with him through the anus.
No fewer than 13 other suspects were paraded by the police for various offences, ranging from armed robbery to culpable homicide.Unaeze disclosed that the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be charged to court at the completion of investigation.

source https://guardian.ng

A 25-year-old apprentice, Wisdom Azubuike, has been arrested for allegedly belong to a syndicate, which specialise in using fabricated master keys to open vehicles and stealing items found in the vehicles.
The suspect, a native of Obokwu Obidi in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, told Northern City News that he was an apprentice drug vendor, adding that a friend, Christopher, introduced him to the crime when he informed him that he needed money to set up a patent medicine store.
He said, “Christopher gave me a phone number in Onitsha and when I called the fellow, who I eventually met at the Onitsha Central Motor Park, he introduced me to this business and suggested that I should operate in Katsina.
“We normally use the special fabricated key to open car doors or booths and make away with the items found inside. But I was caught after I had used the key to open a Toyota car in Katsina.”
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Besen Gwana, however, said that Azubuke belonged to a syndicate, adding that efforts were on to arrest his accomplices.
He said, “On November 3, 2017 at about 23:30 hrs, the command busted a gang of car thieves/ snatchers and arrested one Wisdom Azubuike, aged 25 years of Obokwu Obidi, Oguta LGA of Imo State whom with others now at large, used a fabricated key and opened the door of a vehicle, Toyota Carina ‘E’ with registration number AA 4335 FN, valued N950,000 belonging to one Emmanuel Okeke of Havana Hotel, Katsina.
“The suspect was nabbed when he wanted to move out of the hotel with the vehicle. Investigation into this case is ongoing.”

Source: http://punchng.com/apprentice-nabbed-for-using-fabricated-key-to-steal/

A 23-year-old man, Kinsley Eze, has said that he sold his five months old baby boy for N250,000 due to lack of money to raise and train him.
Eze made the confession while in the custody of the police in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
He said he had agreed with his girlfriend to sell the baby before luck ran out on them.
Eze said, “I am a mechanic. I was arrested for child trafficking. The baby is mine; my fiancee gave birth to him. We decided to sell the baby because I wasn’t making enough money to take care of him and the mother.”
The police in the state also arrested another child trafficking suspect, Chinkata Chikezie, who reportedly sold his five-year-old son for an undisclosed amount.
According to a police source, the wife of the suspect, one Glory, had reported to the police at the Isiala Ngwa Local Government Area of the state that she woke up on October 16, 2017, and discovered that her baby was missing and the door to their room was open.
The source added that the complainant had raised the alarm and attracted the attention of her neighbours who searched for the missing boy.
He noted that when the villagers sighted her husband (Chikezie) returning home that morning, they handed him over to the police for questioning.
The source said, “During interrogation, Chikezie confessed that he sold his son in connivance with one Kelechi John and Chikezie Ubabuike. Police operatives attached to the division swung into action, arrested the other suspects, and recovered the child.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
He said they would be charged to court as soon as the command concluded investigation into the cases.
He said, “Child trafficking is a serious crime against children, which is forbidden by our laws. As law enforcement agents, our duty is to investigate any case reported to us and unmask those behind the crime.”

Source: http://punchng.com/10/11/2017

The police in Nasarawa State have confirmed the death of a 28-year-old man, Hassan Papalolo, after a fresh clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the Awe Local Government Area of the state.
Three others reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury in the skirmish between the two groups.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Nasarawa, DSP Idrisu Kennedy, explained that the deceased was among of a group of youths who protested against the destruction of a farm by herdsmen.
According to him, Papalolo was stabbed and subsequently died when he and other youths invaded an assembly of Fulani herdsmen in protest over the attack on a farmer, Yunusa Makeri, by suspected herdsmen.
The police spokesman said, “The deceased was killed in Awe market during a skirmish between some youths and Fulani herdsmen immediately after the injured farmer, Yunusa Makeri, and two herders were brought to the general hospital with machete wounds.”
Kennedy stated that the command had already deployed more personnel in the crisis areas to maintain law and order.
Our correspondent gathered that the situation degenerated when the Awe youths insisted that only the farmer should be treated in the hospital while preventing medical personnel from attending to the two injured herdsmen.
It was learnt that the Emir of Awe, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, had to appeal to the youths before the injured Fulani herdsmen were allowed to get medical attention.
But the state chairman of the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammed Hussaini, said the vigilance group in Awe had arrested the herdsman who destroyed the farm which led to the skirmish.
He blamed the Awe youths for over-reacting, noting that the matter would not have degenerated if they had exercised restraint.
Meanwhile, the Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani, has called for the intervention of the Federal Government to address the exodus of Fulani herdsmen from Benue State following the anti-open grazing law in the state.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, described the law, which became effective on November 1, 2017, as an aberration against the provisions of the constitution which guaranteed the rights of every Nigerian to live in any place or states of their choice.
He said, “We have the Benue State Government displacing innocent Fulanis and other pastoralists and Taraba State wanted to follow suit. What have Fulanis done to warrant this persecution?
“Does it mean that the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari are not aware of this development or are they afraid of living up to their constitutional responsibilities?”
Bodejo called on the Federal Government to establish the National Grazing Reserve Commission as part of measures to resolve the crisis.

Source: http://punchng.com/one-killed-as-nasarawa-farmers-fulani-herdsmen-clash-again/

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the alleged sexual harassment and shooting of a female student by a soldier in Plateau State.
The action followed a motion jointly moved by Reps. Istifanus Gyang (Plateau-PDP) and Edward Pwajok (Plateau-APC).
Moving the motion, Gyang informed the House that on the Oct. 19, 2017, Indigenes of Sopp in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State embarked on a protest against soldiers manning checkpoint in the community, who allegedly caused the death of two boys.
He added that in the course of the protest, one of the soldiers a 17-year-old SS1 female student of Government Secondary School, Sopp, for allegedly refusing his sexual advances.
Gyang told the assembly that he personally visited the girl in the hospital where she opened up to him about the sexual harassment and deliberate shooting by the soldier.
The lawmaker further disclosed that apart from the girl two other people, Danjuma kaze and his son, Irimiya, were also shot and were receiving treatment at Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.
“The Military is massively engaged in internal security operations across the nation as part of the commitment of government to live up to its foremost constitutional responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing, safety and security of the citizens.
“In the process of understanding this onerous task, the military has been contending with cases of human rights abuses, some of which have attracted the attention and condemnation of Amnesty International.
“While the military high command has repeatedly assured the citizens of its commitment to the observance of human rights as amply embedded in the rules of engagement, there are behaviours and actions of some operatives that are negating this noble quest.
“The military personnel whom the nation has entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of citizens are turning round to constitute a threat to the people.”
On his part, Rep Edward Pwajok, a co-mover of the motion, noted that since the girl identified the soldier and was ready to testify, she should be provided security because her life was presently in danger.
The Leader of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila questioned the involvement of military in the internal security of Plateau when they were continually empowered to protect the nation from external aggregation.
He noted that if the military were to perform such duty in Plateau it would have been subject to approval of National Assembly.
The leader blamed the legislature for the gap and advocated the quick passage of a bill that would curb incessant killings by the military.
Gbajabiamila also stressed the need for the legislature to properly define what constituted sexual harassment.
“It is important we qualify and establish what is sexual harassment, if we live that window open, we cannot give comprehensive sanction,’’ he said.
Rep. Betty Apiafi (Rivers-PDP), suggested that ‘’we should use more of the police to solve internal problems.
There are so many military operations going on, it is important that executive is cautioned.
The assembly mandated its committees on Human Rights, Defence and Army to investigate the matter and report back within three weeks for further legislative action.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara. (NAN)

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng

Two men, one of them an Egyptian and the other a Libyan,have been arrested and charged in Italy as investigators look into the deaths of 26 Nigerian women and girls, who are suspected to have been murdered while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

The bodies of the women were brought to the southern Italian port of Salerno by the Spanish ship Cantabria on Sunday, and prosecutors opened an investigation over suspicions that the women, some as young as 14, may have been abused and killed.

The bodies were recovered by Cantabria, which works as part of the EU’s Sophia anti-trafficking operation, from two separate shipwrecks – 23 from one and three from the other. Fifty-three people are believed to be missing. The men arrested have been named as Al Mabrouc Wisam Harar, from Libya, and Egyptian Mohamed Ali Al Bouzid. The pair are believed to have skippered one of the boats. They were identified by survivors who were among the 375 brought to Salerno by Cantabria. An autopsy on the bodies should be completed over the next week. Salerno prefect Salvatore Malfi told the Italian press that the women had been travelling alongside men and when the vessels sank, “unfortunately, the women suffered the worst of it.” But in response to concerns that the women were being trafficked for the sex trade, he added: “Sex trafficking routes are different, with different dynamics used. Loading women on to a boat is too risky for the traffickers, as they could risk losing all of their ‘goods’ – as they like to call them – in one fell swoop.”

Marco Rotunno, an Italy spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said his colleagues were at the port in Salerno when the bodies were brought in. “It was a very tough experience,” he said. “One lady from Nigeria lost all her three children.” He added that 90% of migrant women arrive with bruises and other signs of violence. “It’s very rare to find a woman who hasn’t been abused, only in exceptional cases, maybe when they are travelling with their husband. But also women travelling alone with their children have been abused.” Most of the survivors were either Nigerian or from other sub-Saharan countries including Ghana, Sudan and Senegal. The survivors brought to Tripoli also included Nigerians and Senegalese. “I wanted to reach Italy. I don’t know what to do now,” said Dora Omoruyi, a 23-year old arts student from Benin, Edo state, known as hub for human traffickers to smuggle women to Italy where they often end up as prostitutes. “I see no future in Nigeria, there are no jobs,” she said, standing next to a group of weeping Nigerian survivors. The survivors were among over 2,560 migrants saved over four days. People still continue to attempt the crossing despite a pact between Italy and Libya to stem the flow, which led to a drop in arrivals by almost 70% since the summer, according to figures released last week by Italy’s Interior Ministry.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/italy-arrests-libyan-egyptian-death-26-nigerian-women/

A 13-year-old girl, yesterday, disclosed how her uncles— Saviour Philip, 35, and Paul Philip, 17—took turns to rape her in their one-room apartment on Olowolagba Street, off Odunsi, Bariga area of Lagos State.

She also revealed that one of the suspects also assaulted her eight-year-old cousin, while their mother was away. Vanguard gathered that the victims and their mother moved into the suspects’ apartment five months ago, due to their parents’ inability to get an accommodation. The accommodation problem also forced the children to drop out of school. Speaking with Vanguard, the teenager disclosed that her uncles usually assaulted her sexually whenever her mother was away. ‘He threatened to kill me’ According to the Junior Secondary School 2 student, “Paul started it. He usually did it in the afternoon when my mother and other tenants were away. I was arranging my siblings’ clothes one afternoon when he came from behind, lifted me and dropped me on the floor. “He covered my mouth when I wanted to shout. When he was done, he threatened to kill me if I told my mother or anyone. “When he is finished with me, he would call my little cousin inside and asked me to stay outside. At times, I would see him dipping his fingers into my cousin’s private part. “Paul is supposed to be in SSS 3, but he said that he didn’t like going to school, particularly on the day he wanted to do it. “Saviour also did it. But in his case, he penetrated my anus. The first day he did it, I shouted because of the pains, but he covered my mouth with clothes. When he was done, he brought out juju (charms) and said that he will invoke it to kill me if I tell anyone. “I refused to tell anyone because I was afraid to die. Even when I threatened to tell my mother, Paul boasted that she will not do anything to him and that if I did, they would chase us out of the house. ‘Why I exposed them’ “I was forced to open up two weeks ago after my mother beat me because of Paul. She overheard me insulting Paul. Instead of asking me why, she picked up a heavy stick and started beating me with it and at the same time, reminded me that Paul was not just my relation, but my senior as well. “Out of annoyance, I summoned up courage and told my mother that the reason why I was rude to Paul was because he and his elder brother had been sleeping with me. “At that point, she held Paul’s shirt, shook him and at the same time demanded to know how true my claim was.” Her mother, Ekaete, corroborated the victim’s claim, adding that the case was reported at the Bariga Police Division, consequent upon which the suspects were arrested. She stated that while at the station, her twin sister, whose eight-year-old daughter was later discovered to also have been assaulted, when she visited the suspects’ mother’s shop to report the matter, only to be beaten up. She also stated that she only got to know about her niece’s assault at the hospital. According to her, “I did not know that my eight-year-old niece was also assaulted until we got to Mirabel Centre, where my daughter was referred to for treatment. She said Saviour was always ‘fingering’ her and the result of the test at the hospital affirmed that. “The suspects are my distant relatives. I moved into their apartment with my daughter, niece and unborn baby, pending when we will get an accommodation, while my husband was putting up with his friend. “This wicked act started in June, when I went to deliver in the hospital. I never suspected they could do such a thing to these children each time I left them in their care because we are related.” The case was transferred to the Gender Unit of the state’s Police Command, from where the suspects were charged to Magistrate Court 2, Ikeja, yesterday. They could, however, not meet the bail condition of N400,000 each, given by Magistrate Osunsanmi. Consequently, Paul was remanded at a forester home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while Saviour was remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons, with the case adjourned to December 4.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/08/11/2017

A 15-year-old boy (name withheld), who allegedly cut his neighbour with an axe on the neck during a fight, was on Wednesday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court. The accused, an apprentice, who resides at Abimbola Street, Moricas, Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for assault.

A fight had broken out between the accused and his neighbour’s son over who should sweep the compound, Police Prosecutor Raphael Donny told the court. He said the offence was committed on Oct. 26 at the tenement building located at Abimbola Street. “The accused took a small axe and cut the complainant on the neck. “The complainant was rushed to the hospital by other neighbours while some policemen on patrol also came to the scene,” he said. The offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Newsmen report that assault occasioning harm carries a penalty of three years imprisonment. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate Folakemi Davies-Abegunde, in her ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum . She ordered the teenager to be remanded in Juvenile Correctional Centre, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun. The case has been adjourned until Dec. 4 for mention.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/08/11/2017

Barely four days after ace musician, Osayomore Joseph, was released after one month in his abductor’s den, a Benin-based lawyer identified as G.C Igbokwe, has been abducted by gunmen.
Igbokwe, who is the chairman, Benin Law Week Organising Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) was abducted on Monday evening near Okhuaihe village along Benin-Agbor-Onitsha expressway. He was said to be on his way to Enugu where his wife is said to be critically ill when he was abducted.
Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the kidnapping, described it as a very sad incident. Nkombe said the police was already on the kidnappers’ trail and assured that the abducted lawyer would soon be rescued.

Source ://guardian.ng

Eleven persons were killed and four others injured when gunmen opened fire on villagers returning from Rim-Dyem market in Riyom, Plateau State, Tuesday night.
“The attack took place around 7.30 p.m.; the villagers were returning home from a local market when gunmen waylaid them, killing 11 people instantly,” Mr Terna Tyopev, Plateau Police Command spokesman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that those injured had been taken to Christian Hospital, Vom.
“No arrest has been made, but we are already investigating the incident; we shall not rest until the attackers are fished out,” he said.
Tyopev appealed to the affected community to be calm and resist the temptation to take the law into their hands, adding that more security personnel had been deployed to secure the area. Among communities that had come under heavy attacks are Wereh, Foron and Rim in Barkin Ladi Local Government, as well as Miango, Jebu, Taegbe and Ncha in Bassa Local Government.

NAN reports that the Tuesday attack is the latest in a series of violence visited on rural communities in Plateau, in the past few weeks.
The state, which suffered massive violence for more than a decade, enjoyed uninterrupted peace for two years before the gunmen returned in September.
Source https://guardian.ng