Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 17

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

S/N	CATEGORY	MAJOR INCIDENTS
1	Kidnap/Hostage	3
2	Robbery	4
3	Gang	10
4	Drugs	1
5	Maritime Incidents	1
6	Terrorism	2
7	Political/Government Agencies	2
8	Murder/Assassinations	9
9	Rape Incidents	1
10	Others	11
	Review/Analysis

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Police Arrested Nanny Kidnapper

Details continue to emerge on the arrest of Mary Adebiyi, the nanny who abducted the Orekoya kids and who was picked up by operatives of SARS, led by Abba Kyari on April 15 at Akowonjo, Lagos. She was arrested with her maid after she fled her home when she realised police operatives have closed in on her. The police say her real name is Funmilayo Adeyemi and she hails from Osun State. She had earlier claimed Oyo State to her cover tracts. According to sources, Adebiyi is not new in the kidnap business, as she was the mastermind of the December, 2014 kidnap of two boys, Raphael and Michael Esharegaran from their home in Magodo, Lagos. The boys were reunited with their parents after N2.5million ransom was paid. Sources also said, she runs the kidnap syndicate with others, who are still at large and effort is on to arrest the other members of the gang. The children, aged 6, 4, and 11 months, were reportedly found in an uncompleted building in Shasha area of Akowonjo, Lagos, April 14, after an undisclosed ransom was paid into an account.

Gunmen Kidnap Syrian in Nassarawa State

Unknown gunmen have abducted a Syrian national in Awe LGA of Nassarawa state. The Syrian national identified as Mah Fath Nagor, an engineer with RIM Construction Company, was abducted on April 13 after the kidnappers came to the site where he and other construction workers were working and started shooting sporadically into the air to scare away onlookers. Afterwards, they forced the Syrian into their waiting vehicle and sped off. The kidnappers have allegedly demanded for a ransom of N50 million for his release. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ismaila Numan confirmed the incident, and assured that the police was working towards the release of the man.

Five PDP Chieftains, Others Kidnapped in Suspected Pirates Attack

Suspected Pirates, April 11, attacked a passenger boat conveying five aides to the Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Sam Ateki, along the waterways of Brass in Brass LGA of the State. While two other boats were successfully attacked and their passengers abducted, the boat conveying the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Tare Akonno escaped due to quick information from a woman fishing in the area. State Police spokesperson, Asinim Butswat confirmed the attack on the passenger boats, but denied that any PDP Chieftain was abducted.

Robbery

Lebanese Woman, 5 Others Arrested for Robbery

A 32-year-old Lebanese, Amira Abdallahi, alongside five others, has been arrested by the police for alleged robberies and frauds amounting to N20m in different parts of Lagos and Abuja. It was learnt that the suspects ─ Princewill Eze, 55; Daniel Okpara, 30; Paul Irior, 37; Bassey Ekpenyong, 39; Royal Nwabuike, 32; and the Lebanese ─ disguised as officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and wore the commission’s branded vests. It was gathered that they allegedly defrauded some Bureau de Change outlets in Lagos with the vests. Eze, who is said to be the gang leader, was arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on February 27 in Lagos. Eze’s confessions led to the arrest of the Lebanese woman and other gang members. Items recovered from the gang included six Toyota vehicles, one single-barrelled pistol with four cartridges and a Bryco pistol with six rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. The police also recovered N4m and $13, 000 from the gang.

Armed Robbers Lay Siege to Calabar on Election eve

A six-man gang of armed robbers, April 10, raided several shops in Calabar, Cross River State. It was further learnt that a large number of the residents sustained injuries and were hospitalized for treatment. It was gathered that the robbery, which started around 5pm, was the outcome of security lapses as the police were busy dispatching officers to various LGAs for the governorship and the House of Assembly elections. Two policemen attached to United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited were reportedly shot, while one of them was said to have died. It was gathered that the robbers stormed supermarkets, a mobile phone dealer, pharmacies, filing stations as well as an electronic shop. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident, adding that the police eventually intervened and brought the situation under control.

Robbers Attack Motorists on Mile 2 Bridge

Some suspected robbers on April 14, attacked motorists on the Mile 2 Bridge of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. The robbers reportedly took advantage of the early morning slow traffic to rob the motorists, especially private car owners. It was gathered that the hoodlums wielded clubs, cutlasses, machetes and other weapons. Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a motorist, who identified himself simply as Iwalade, said the robbers had a field day as there was no police presence. Another motorist noted that the solution was a constant police patrol on the bridge, especially in the early morning traffic hours.

Hoodlums Rob Family Conveying Corpse of Deceased Son

Armed robbers, operating along Eku-Sapele expressway in Delta State, attacked and robbed family members conveying the remains of their son, one Efe Onosakpon, who was said to have been killed by armed robbers. It was gathered that the hoodlums, numbering over 20, were armed with AK47s and other dangerous weapons. Police public relations officer in the state, Celestina Kalu, DSP, confirmed that two of the hoodlums were arrested, and that investigation was still ongoing.

Gang Incidents

8 Nabbed for Public Disturbance

The Kwara state police command, April 12, arrested eight youths suspected to have been involved in disruption of public peace in Ilorin. The suspects were allegedly arrested with dangerous weapons that included guns, knives, and charms. It was gathered that the suspects were using the dangerous weapons to intimidate residents of Ilorin and even engaged in a shooting spree in the town. Sources said trouble began when news of governorship election victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) filtered into some parts of the state about noon. It was gathered that some youth, who were believed to be supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), armed with dangerous weapons, trooped out to protest the outcome of the polls. Eyewitness account said that many people sustained injuries as they ran for dear lives while shooting spree by the political thugs lasted. Public spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi said that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted after thorough investigation of the matter.

Police Arrest 14 Persons over Destruction of Electoral Materials

The Kano State Police Command, April 11, arrested 14 persons for allegedly snatching and destroying ballot boxes and papers in Kauran-Mata ward in Madobi LGA of the state. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Magaji Majiya, confirmed the arrest. He said the suspects were apprehended in Kauran-Mata village after destroying the materials meant for governorship and state House of Assembly elections in the area. He said the police was on the trail of five other persons suspected to be involved in the incident. The suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons, including cutlasses and machetes, Majiya disclosed.

Cultists Kill Pregnant Woman in Delta

The cult war raging in Agbor community and its environs in Delta State, reared its ugly head on April 14 when suspected cultists operating in the areas allegedly killed two persons, including a pregnant woman. Reports said the victims were killed and dumped by the roadside. It was gathered that police in the area have arrested several cult suspected members but upon interrogation and investigation, highly placed persons allegedly intervened to set them free. Police sources at the Divisional police headquarters said the police were on the trail of the suspected cultists, adding that two persons were arrested while the search for others continue. Agbor and its environs have been under the siege of cult related activities where several persons have been allegedly killed in the last few years.

Cultists on Rampage in Ile-Ife

The crisis rocking the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State took another dimension on April 13 when some people said to be members of rival cult groups clashed in the town, shooting sporadically. A source disclosed that the rampaging cultists numbering about twenty shot in the direction of another group, which gathered few metres away in Otutu area. It was gathered that the cult group that launched the attack was on reprisal, after it had lost one its leaders in the previous clashes with the other group. It was also learnt that the two groups recorded heavy casualties, though number of injured or death could not be immediately ascertained. Commissioner of Police in charge of election in the state, Valentine Ntomchukwu, who confirmed the development, said he had deployed his men to the scene of the attack adding that the area was calm in the morning. The violence forced some residents to flee their areas.

3 Killed as APC/PDP Supporters Clash in Lagos

Three persons were, April 13, feared killed in Ojota and Ogudu area of Lagos State, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) clashed. Many people from the two groups were severely injured, as various weapons were used in the clash. The development was as a result of the outcome of the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the area. Anti-riot policemen, who were drafted to the scene, were able to restore normalcy, but the violence sprang out in another section of Ojota. Trouble started when a candidate for the state House of Assembly alleged that the results were manipulated in favour of his opponent. It was further gathered that his claim that he was rigged out of the election angered his supporters, who went on rampage, attacking perceived members of the opposition party, resulting in pandemonium and chaos. Three people were feared killed in the clash, while many others were reported injured.

Ijaw, Itsekiri Youths Clash over Site of EPZ, Houses Torched

Ijaw and Itsekiri youths in Delta State fought again, on April 13, over the ownership of the site of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Ogidigben, an Itsekiri town in Warri South-West LGA of the state. Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta, Captain Musa Gemu, who confirmed the skirmish, said that the Navy intervened immediately to restore calm. A witness disclosed that ethnic militia believed to be from Gbaramatu, attacked Madangho, an Itsekiri community, shooting sporadically and burning houses. It was gathered that some Ijaw youths from Gbaramatu were allegedly clearing some portion of land in Kpokpo, an Itsekiri community in Ugborodo, when they were stopped by some Ugborodo youths over perceived invasion of their community, which has been labelled part of Gbaramatu land as a result of the deep sea port location. According to reports, this made the Ijaw youths strike overnight in a bid to overrun their neighbours.

Cult Clash Claims 5 Lives in Ughelli

Five persons suspected to be members of two rival cult groups have been killed in a renewed clash, which started on April 12 in Ughelli, Delta State. A senior member of Ughelli Vigilant, nicknamed Bakassi, said the killings occurred at Osia, Omosivwe, Orobase, Pipeline, Adagharagba and Upper Agbarho Streets of Ughelli. Meanwhile, a combined team of security agents made up of the army, police and local vigilante, have embarked on a manhunt for the cultists with a promise that anyone arrested in connection with cult-related activities would be dealt with appropriately.

Lagos Community Raises Alarm over Incessant Attacks by Hoodlums

Residents of Moshalashi and Amosu streets at Apapa Iganmu area of Lagos State, April 16, appealed to the police to rescue them from incessant harassment and attacks by hoodlums. They alleged that the hoodlums often invaded their streets from Adeleye and Zion, two other streets in the area. Although policemen from Orile Division were said to have moved in to restore normalcy, the residents want regular police presence to deter the hoodlums from further attacks on them, especially as the hoodlums always staged a return after the police had left.

Armed Thugs Attack Jubilating Youths

The celebration of some youths, said to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress, on Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, turned bloody when thugs invaded the area and shot at them. It was learnt that after the commotion on April 13, seven of the youths sustained gunshot injuries. It was learnt that the youths, numbering over 20, had converged on the Oja Oba Market ground on Adeniji Adenle Road when the attack occurred. While the confusion lasted, policemen from the Adeniji Adele division were said to have visited the scene, but could not curtail the hoodlums.

Hoodlums Clash, Escape with Victim’s Corpse

Hoodlums clashed, April 14, clashed along the railway crossing of Abule Nla Road in the Iponri area of Lagos, during which a middle-aged man, identified simply as Jogi, was hacked to death. It was learnt that two factions of the hoodlums had engaged each other in a fight, during which Jogi, who belonged to a faction of the hoodlums, was killed. The hoodlums reportedly took his corpse away to an unknown destination. It was gathered that policemen eventually arrived to restore normalcy. A police source disclosed that one suspect had been apprehended, while a haunt for the others had been launched. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the clash, adding that the police had restored normalcy to the area.

Drugs

Four Arrested Smugglers Excrete 171 Wraps of Cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended four suspected drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Brazil. It was learnt that the suspects ─ Ejiofor Eliezer (46), Obah Francis (30), Akpa Sobuzochukwu (27) and 36-year-old Ike Okechukwu ─ excreted 171 wraps of drug that tested positive for cocaine. The NDLEA disclosed on April 14 that the discovery was made during the screening of passengers on board Qatar and Emirates airlines. Eliezer excreted 100 wraps of the drug, while Sobuzochukwu, who holds a diploma in accounting, ingested 26 wraps of cocaine. Okechukwu said he had thought that the five wraps of cocaine he ingested would not be detected. The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, said Brazil-Nigeria route was a high risk path to drug trafficking and urged officers to be vigilant.

Maritime

Navy Dislodges Miscreants from Warri Waterways

The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Warri, Delta State, Captain Musa Gemu, April 10, disclosed that naval personnel had successfully chased away the troublemakers, who commandeered a section of the Warri waterways, near the disbanded Camp 5 in Warri South-West LGA, harassing travellers. Captain Gemu, however, said that movement on the waterways was restricted till the period of free movement as ordered for the elections also applied in the riverine area. Former PDP chieftain in Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, raised the alarm that his step mother, Elizabeth Emami, was detained for hours by Ijaw boys at Kurutie, who also harassed and beat up other innocent travelers.

Terrorism

Troops Recapture More Towns from Terrorists

Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), have recaptured several towns surrounding the infamous Sambisa forest in Borno State. The Sambisa forest is a fortress of Boko Haram terrorists. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, April 10, confirmed the liberation of Bita, Izge, Yamteke and Uba towns in Askira Uba and Damboa LGAs of Borno State. Usman revealed that one soldier was killed, while 10 others sustained various degrees of injury. He further revealed that a lot of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and recoveries made.

Police Nab Man with Explosive Detonator

The Police in Kogi State said it arrested one person with eight stolen explosive detonators on April 10. Police Public Relations officer (PPRO), Shola Collins Adebayo, revealed that some other persons were arrested with locally made guns during the election. According to the PPRO, the development would have spelled doom for the state if the police were not proactive, adding that those arrested would be prosecuted in court after the completion of investigation. Shola said the command was ready to perform its expected duties of ensuring peaceful election in areas where elections were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whenever a rerun is schedule. The police however commended other security agents and other stakeholders in helping to ensure that the assembly elections were peaceful in the state.

Political/Government Agencies

Military to Liberate Sambisa Forest before May 29 — NSA

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on April 14, promised that Sambisa Forest, the fortress of Boko Haram terrorists and one of their last remaining camps would be liberated before the May 29, 2015 presidential hand-over date. The NSA also gave an assurance that the Federal Government was making every effort to ensure that over 200 school girls abducted from Chibok, Borno State girls, alongside every other Nigerian abducted by terrorists were rescued. According to him, the Sambisa forest would have since been liberated but for the unfavourable weather condition prevailing in the area as all needed reconnaissance activity and necessary deployment of troops have been made for the operation. He insisted that government is concerned about the welfare of every single Nigerian. He appealed for a little more time to complete the routing of terrorists in the north-east.

Imo, Abia Supplementary Polls to Hold April 25

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed April 25 for the re-run of the governorship and state assembly elections in Imo and Abia States. The commission had declared the elections inconclusive due to irregularities observed in the two states. In the 23 LGAs of Imo State, valid votes cancelled were about 145,000 much higher than the margin of winning which was put at 79,000 votes. The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Imo State, Gabriel Adah, April 15, said the result of the governorship election was not clear enough to have an outright winner. According to him, election would take place in 250 polling booths across the 23 LGAs of the state on April 25. In Abia State, the INEC spokesman, Edwin Enabor, said the polls would be conducted in some polling units across nine LGAs with a combined registered voters of 179, 224. The affected LGAs include Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Umuahia South, Bende, Ohafia, Arochukwu and Osisioma.

Murder/Assassinations

Man Remanded in Prison for Killing 6-Year-Old Son

A Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court, April 13, ordered a 27-year-old man, Abdulmalik Aliyu, to be remanded in Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe for allegedly killing his six-year-old son, Sadiq Abdulmalik. According to the prosecuting police officer, C.S. Ayabatu, the incident occurred on March 9, 2015 and was reported by one Sunday Akande, (a neighbour to the accused). Aliyu had lied that he was taking the deceased back to his grandmother. The Prosecutor further said that the accused quickly buried the body of son in a shallow grave in a nearby bush and returned home. The accused, who confessed that he committed the crime, however, did not give reasons for killing his son. Chief Magistrate Alhassan Hussaini who granted the prayer of the prosecution ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe and adjourned the case to April 28, for mention.

Guards Kill Indian Manager

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos state police command are investigating three security guards suspected to have attacked, robbed and murdered their boss inside his office in Lagos. The suspects identified as Usman Mohamed (27), Umaru Adamu (35), and one Mohamed (still at large) worked as security guards in Trans Africa Farms and Food Company; owned by an Indian national. According to reports, the suspects were employed as security contract staff on January 25, 2015. But on February 11, 2015, at about 3:30am, they broke into the office of the Operational Manager, Mr Srivastava Shailesh Kumar, where they attacked him, slit his throat, stabbed him in his abdomen, stole a brief case and absconded. Luckily, the victim was able to call the Director of the company to alert him of the attack before he collapsed. It was gathered that the Director called the Supervisor to check on the victim, who was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he died three days later. When the Supervisor noticed that the suspected perpetrators of the act had disappeared, he arrested their guarantors, an action that eventually led to the arrest of the suspects.

Bauchi Youths Beat Councillor to Death

Angry youths in Bogoro, Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State allegedly beat a councillor from Gizaki/Badagari Ward, Musa Daniel, to death during the April 12 elections. The Chairperson of the Caretaker Committee of Bogoro LGA, Mrs. Hassana Arkila, who made the disclosure, described the incident as unfortunate and urged the people of the LGA to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

3 Killed in Buguma Violence

Three people are feared killed in election-related violence in Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru LGA of Rivers State on April 11 during the governorship and state house of Assembly elections. It was gathered that one of the persons killed was beheaded close to the palace of the traditional ruler. Meanwhile, the INEC denied reports that fake election materials were distributed in the state.

Two Killed as Fulani, Yoruba Clash in Kwara

Two people reportedly died while property worth millions of naira were destroyed following a clash between Fulani traders and Yoruba natives of Oro-Ago in the Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State on April 15. It was alleged that some youths torched at least five vehicles and 10 motorcycles, said to be owned by Fulani people, in the ensuing melee. A source disclosed that the mayhem was allegedly caused by Fulani-Bororo settlers who allegedly flouted a rule in the area that settlers should never bring arms, ammunition and fighting sticks from their settlements to the market on market days. He stated that some armed Fulani traders came to the market on April 13, adding that the vigilance team and hunters in the area accosted them and seized the weapons. The source said the leader of the Fulani people in the area, stormed the place where the ammunition were kept, took the weapons seized by the vigilance team and handed them back to the Fulani traders. The hunters and vigilance team attempted to retrieve the weapons from them, resulting in the clash.

Ebonyi PDP Council Chairman, One Other Shot Dead

Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi state, Emeka Nworie, was on April 11 shot dead by gunmen, who stormed his residence at Ezzagu in the council area. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chris Anyanwu, said that the assailants had approached the victim's wife and demanded for money before shooting the deceased. Similarly, another person, Mike Ojon, was reported to have been killed by people suspected to be members of an opposition party. Ojon was killed on April 10 at his Ikwo residence.

1 Killed in Lagos Political Clash

One person was, on April 9, killed in a renewed violence between thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oshodi area of Lagos State. The deceased, simply identified as Esi, was killed around Mafoluku area of Oshodi as the hoodlums clashed. It was gathered that the deceased was until his death, the leader of a group of hoodlums, who broke away from the APC to join the PDP. The death of Esi sparked instant reactions as his loyalists went on the rampage before they were curtailed by anti-riot policemen who were drafted to the scene. It was further gathered that another faction of hoodlums loyal to the APC was staging a rally to canvass for votes for the party when the clash started. Residents of the area have expressed their fear over the possibility of a reprisal attack from the hoodlums who are loyal to the PDP. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the death of one person.

Governorship Polls: 16 Killed Across Nigeria

Violence and voter apathy characterised the gubernatorial and National Assembly elections held across the country on April 11. Violence rocked at least seven states across the country leading to 16 deaths. Five persons were feared killed in Benue; four in Kebbi; two each in Rivers and Lagos; and one each in Plateau, Bauchi and Ebonyi states. The European Union Chief Observer to the elections, Santiago Fisas, also lamented the poor voter turnout at the polls.

Post-Election Crisis: 9 Killed in Taraba

At least 9 persons were feared killed across Taraba State between April 12 and 14 in the aftermath of the governorship and state assembly elections in the state. It was gathered that three persons were killed in Gembu, Sardauna LGA, and six in Ardo Kola LGA. A source disclosed that five houses were razed in Sardauna by APC supporters who were protesting alleged manipulation of the result from Mbamga State Constituency. The angry protesters attacked and burnt the houses of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Timothy Gibon Kataps; former SSG, Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwah and member representing Mbamga constituency in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Abel Peter Diah. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joseph Kwaji while confirming the killings, said only one person was killed.

Rape

Man, 42, In Court over Attempted Rape of Daughter, 11

A 42-year-old man, Mufutau Ganiyu, was on April 13 arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court over alleged attempted rape of his 11-year-old daughter. The defendant, who is facing a one-count charge bordering on attempted rape, was charged before Magistrate O. Oshin. Ganiyu pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him. The prosecutor told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on April 9, at about 5pm on Lagos Island. The prosecutor alleged that the defendant attempted to have unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl. Magistrate O. Oshin adjourned the matter till April 16, to hear the bail application of the defendant.

Others

Strange Disease Kills 12 in Ondo

Twelve persons have been confirmed dead due to a strange disease that broke out at Ode Irele, the headquarters of Irele LGA of Ondo State. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, who confirmed the casualty figures on April 16 in Akure, the state capital, said four other persons were being given isolated treatment. Adeyanju, who said the presentation from the investigations carried out on the victims did not reveal symptoms of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), said the state government had moved into the area to curtail spread of the strange disease. He said preliminary report showed that the dead persons complained of headache and later lost their sight before death. Adeyanju said there were no cases of diarrhoea, vomiting and haemorrhage that are usual symptoms of the dreaded EVD. The commissioner, who assured that government would do everything possible to control the strange ailment, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners were already involved in the matter, while samples taken from the victims had been sent for proper investigation.

Couple Jailed 3 Years Torturing Children

Seun and Adepeju Odebunmi, father and step-mother, respectively, of two tortured siblings, Damilare and Michael Odebunmi, have been sentenced to three years in prison without an option of fine. The family court in Ikorodu Magisterial District, Lagos, handed down the sentence for emotionally, psychologically and physically abusing their children and inflicting severe injuries on their bodies. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Femisola Azeez, who delivered judgment on the case, found the defendants guilty of gross child abuse and sentenced both accordingly. Residents of Owutu, Ikorodu, had raised alarm over the abuse suffered by the children when eight-year-old Damilare Odebunmi was found unconscious, lying in the sun with blood dripping from injuries on his back, after he was beaten by his father and step-mother for taking Vitamin C. It was also reported that the siblings had, before the rescue, consistently suffered abuse in the hands of their father and step-mother, who had made it a habit of starving them; an act that led the children to beg other tenants for food. During the arraignment, Seun and Adepeju Odebunmi admitted to committing the crime and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Massive Oil Spill in Pipeline in Bayelsa

A massive oil spill has occurred from a pipeline belonging to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the Kolo Creek oil field operation in Bayelsa. Joseph Obari, SPDC spokesman, April 15, refused to disclose the cause of the spill. It was gathered that immediately the spill was noticed in the early hours of April 14, the company moved to contained it. However, the oil was said to have moved down the creek before it was boomed from spreading further. A community source lamented that the spill had already impacted farmlands and vegetation in the area.

5 Die in Enugu Church Building Collapse

At least five worshippers died on April 11 following the collapse of the St. Anthony Catholic Church Cathedral in Aninri LGA of Enugu State following a heavy downpour at night. An eyewitness said that the worshippers were in a prayer meeting when the incident occurred. Confirming the deaths, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amarizu, said that the cause of the incident was not yet known.

Customs Arrest 56 Suspects for Contraband Worth N501m

At least 56 suspected smugglers have been arrested by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Imo State, for their alleged roles in the smuggling of contraband items into the country, while 56 cases are pending court in connection with the seizures of items in the first quarter of 2015. According to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Victor Dimka, who disclosed this on April 10, the unit recorded a total of 140 seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) of N501 million. According to Dimka, 140 seizures were made within the period under review. The items seized include 108 vehicles; three trucks laden with 384 bags of 50kg foreign rice; two trucks of containing 2,126 cartons of imported frozen poultry products; and three trucks of loaded with 1,181 pieces of used tyres popularly called 'tokunbo'. Others are three trucks containing 780 bales of textile materials as well as two truckloads of cartons of foreign vegetable oil with other items such as used hand bags, cartons of foreign beverages and 1,755 pieces of imported foot wears. He assured that those found guilty will be made to face the law.

Air Force Helicopter Crashes in Lagos

All four persons on board a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Super Puma helicopter, including the two pilots and their two passengers, sustained varying degrees of injuries following the crash of their aircraft on April 10. The helicopter, which crashed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, was said to have been used for training by military personnel. Upon crashing, one of the blades of the helicopter was said to have broken off, before the chopper burst into flames. But the quick response of emergency agencies including the airport fire services, led to the fire being put off promptly and the four persons on board being rescued. The Director of Public Relations (DOPRI), Air Commodore D.J. Alonge, for the Chief of Air Staff debunked claims that lives were lost in the crash. He disclosed that the damage was due to hydraulic failure in taxi to the hangar. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosun, had ordered immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the accident.

Man Shot Dead over Ballot Box Snatching

The Plateau State Police Command, April 12, confirmed the killing of a 23-year-old man during the governorship and house of assembly elections in Jos, identified simply as Salim. Sources said that Salim ran into the voting arena at the Ali Kazaure Polling Unit, grabbed the ballot box and attempted to run away with it. The source said that security operatives keeping vigil at the polling unit, ran after Salim, arrested him and hurled him into their security vehicle, a Toyota Hilux. It was learnt, however, that as they made to move the vehicle, Salim jumped out and started running. The security operatives were said to have ran after Salim and shot him dead.

Couple Burnt to Death after Power Surge

A young couple was burnt to death in their apartment on April 11 following suspected power surge. The victims, simply identified as Ayo and Jumoke, were said to have died in the fire which razed their apartment at the Agege area of Lagos State. Rasak Fadipe, the Director of Lagos State Fire Service, who confirmed the incident, said that the incident was caused by a power surge. According to him, they met the couple dead behind the door after they successfully broke into the apartment. He cautioned people to be mindful of their safety when installing security measure in their homes. Fadipe said that policemen from the Abattoir Police Division later came, removed the corpses and deposited them at an undisclosed mortuary.

Army Recovers Illegal Arms in Rivers

Soldiers in Rivers State have recovered a cache of arms during an operation in Ahoada East, Ogbakiri in Emohua LGA and Buguma in Asari Toru LGA of the state. Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade Port Harcourt Barracks, Brig-General Koko Essien, who spoke when he paraded some suspected political thugs at the barracks, said that the military conducted series of operations before and during the April 11 elections in Rivers State. On April 10, we got information of a stockpile of weapons at a hotel in Ahoada East of which soldiers carried out a cordon and search operation on the hotel with discoveries. Two suspects were arrested at the hotel with two pump action guns, 41 machetes, 55 cartridges and the sum of N300, 000.00, according to the Brigade Commander.

Firearms Trial: Magistrate Raises Alarm over Threat to Life

Magistrate Adeola Adedayo of an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, April 13, raised an alarm over alleged threat to her life and that of her family in a case of illegal possession of firearms levelled against two brothers brought before her. The magistrate alleged that the case of the two brothers, Sulaiman Sanusi and Kehinde Sanusi, had exposed her life to danger. She said the two defendants had written three petitions to her, while the complainant had also written one over the issue. Adedayo also alleged that the defendants, in their petition, stated that they knew where she lived and the people who do come to visit her. During the proceeding, the magistrate also threatened to charge the defendants’ counsel, Gbolu Agbaje-Akadiri, with contempt of court due to his disposition to the court. The arraignment of the defendants received a setback due to the defect on the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP’s legal advice, as what to do with the second defendant was not clarified.

Students Drown in River Osun

Two students of a public secondary school in Osogbo, Osun State were, on April 14, discovered drowned in River Osun. Their lifeless bodies were discovered by a farmer inside the river after two days of searching. The students, identified as Farinde Boluwatife and Adeyemi Tope, were last seen in school on Monday for the ongoing West African Examination Council exams. They were declared missing that same day, prompting the school authorities to immediately contact their classmates and relations. A source said some classmates of the deceased informed the school management that they might have gone to swim at River Osun, located a few meters away from the school.

Review/Analysis

Gang incidents were seen taking the lead in review of report this week with incidents of violent cult clashes and communal crises. The authorities are on top of the major incidents working round the clock to reinstate normalcy in the affected areas. The south-south and south-west region are most popular to have witnessed these deadly activities carried out by gang groups.

Murder and assassination maintained its position at the top of the crime index. Most of the killings that took place were seen to have been politically motivated as rival groups engaged each other. The south-south and south-west witnessed most of these incidents.

Robbery, which was seen to have taken an upward plunge last week, took a nosedive as activities of armed robbers was hampered by the tight security measures put in place by the Police for the just concluded general elections.

Villeworth maintains its call for you to stay safe, law abiding and be security conscious.

Remain alert to your environment and promptly report any perceived threat, strange behaviour or movement to the appropriate authorities for investigation. You could save a life.