Villeworth Security Services Ltd

week 45

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

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

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Abducted Medical Practitioners Set Free

The three medical personnel, including the former Edo State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Phillip Ugbodaga, who were kidnapped recently in Imo State, have regained their freedom. The other two kidnap victims were Anne Usman, a Matron in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, and Sunny Omo-Alasa, a health worker. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Imo State Police Command, Andrew Enwerem, November 1, confirmed the rescue of the medical practitioners. He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, personally commanded the special anti-kidnap squad that rescued members of the medical team.

Kidnappers Demand N8m as Ransom for Ughelli Businessman

The kidnappers of an Ughelli based businessman, Adetona Olayimika, have demanded N8million as ransom for his release. It was disclosed that the kidnappers have been in contact with his wife. The family has appealed to the kidnappers to release him because they do not have the amount requested. Olayimika, a wholesale distributor of Reckitt Benckiser antiseptic products, was abducted at Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on October 28 while returning home from work.

Police Foil Attempt to Steal Baby

The police in Abia State have foiled an attempt to steal a two-week-old baby in Amaede village, Isiala-Ngwa South LGA of the state. It was gathered that two armed men had invaded the residence of one Uzoma Nweze and tried to steal the baby boy. The armed men shot and dealt machete blows on the baby’s mother, Glory, as she struggled with them to save her baby. The hoodlums later fled the scene without the baby as residents alerted the police, who stormed the area. Luck ran out on the gang as one of the attackers was identified. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ezekiel Onyeke, said when the suspect’s house was searched; two locally made single barrel gun, a live and two expended cartridges, an iron rod and a photograph portrait were recovered while one locally made double barrel gun, one machete, two expended cartridges, a mask, two handsets, a pair of rubber slippers and two sets of head torch were found at the scene of the incident.

Mother of Deputy Governorship Candidate Kidnapped in Bayelsa State

The centenarian mother of the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the December 5 election, Chief Wilberforce Igiri, was, October 29, kidnapped in Bayelsa State. Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro was kidnapped by gunmen, who attacked her residence in Foropa community in Southern Ijaw LGA of the state. Family sources said the kidnappers were yet to contact the family since her abduction, raising fears that the aged woman may have died. She was kidnapped barely a week after the governorship candidate of the APC, Timipre Sylva, formally presented Igiri to the party in Yenagoa as his running mate in the forth-coming governorship election. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, debunked the rumours of her death.

Pastor Kidnapped in Bayelsa

Gunmen, October 31, abducted a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Mark Christmas, from his country home in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State. The cleric was abducted alongside two members of his church at his hometown in Biseingbene community. According to his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Christmas, the pastor was lured to the community under the pretext of attending an emergency meeting with his kinsmen in the area. She reported that the abductors have contacted the family with a demand of N200, 000 as cost for phone calls and N30 million as ransom for their freedom. Police spokesman, Asinim Butswat, however, said the family had not reported the matter to the police.

Gunmen Kidnap 4-Year-Old Boy in Abeokuta

Unknown gunmen, November 2, kidnapped a-four-year-old boy, Stephen Mucipy, while playing in his parents’ compound in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. The parents of the boy, Dr. and Mrs. Mucipay Kanu, explained that the boy, who had rushed to open the gate on hearing a knock, was forcefully taken into a taxi without a number plate, which that was parked outside the gate. According to the father, the neighbours and other sympathizers gave the vehicle hot pursuit, but were scared off when the suspected kidnappers began shooting. He implored anyone with useful information on the whereabouts of their son to call these numbers 08033258190 and 08060577733. Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that all police formations in the state had been notified and directed to fish-out the suspected kidnappers. He expressed the hope that the four-year-old boy would soon be rescued and re-united with his family.

Police Nab Kidnap Suspects in Enugu

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnap kingpins terrorizing Amala community and its environs in Udenu LGA. The suspects were arrested by the police in their hide-out in the community. The two suspects were said to be the architect of major armed robbery operations against motorists on the highway that linked the state through Obollo-Afor to the northern part of the country. The suspects, identified as Okwudili Agbo and Chizoba Okoro, were nabbed after engaging the police in a gun battle. Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made double muzzle pistol, one single barrel gun with four live cartridges, two cutlasses and assorted objects believed to be charms. State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest on October 31, adding that man-hunt for their fleeing colleagues had commenced.

Gunmen Abduct NGC Staff at Ughelli

A member of staff of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) was, October 31, abducted in Ughelli, Delta State. Confirming the incident, a senior police officer, disclosedthat despite the incident occurring over the weekend, the matter was formally reported on November 2. The abduction of the NGC staff, identified as Emeka Eziako, is coming three days after an Ughelli-based businessman was abducted on his way home from work. The victim was abducted after he had purchased some compact discs at a store by the roundabout. According to an eyewitness, the victim was whisked away in his Toyota car to an unknown destination by his abductors.

Police Arrest Four Suspected Kidnappers in Ondo

The police in Ondo state have arrested four suspects over the kidnap of a 53-year-old woman, Eralkhuemen Unulkiere, in Odigbo LGA of the state. The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, who disclosed the arrest of the suspects on October 31, said they had made confessional statements after the victim was rescued. Joseph said that the suspects were apprehended at the creeks by police detectives. The PPRO added that no ransom was paid for her release and that she was rescued unhurt. The police spokesman pointed out that detectives remained on the trail of other suspects still at large. The suspects reportedly ambushed Unulkiere on her way to church, and had demanded for a ransom of N35million. It was gathered that negotiation was still on between the abductors and her family when detectives swooped on them in their hideout.

3 Arraigned over Kidnap, Fraud

A 45-year-old woman, Rabi Shado, and two others, were, November 3, arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate’s court for alleged kidnap. They were docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful confinement and stealing preferred against them. The police prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Molo, told the court that the defendants and others, who are still at large, committed the alleged offences sometime in August 2008. Molo alleged that the trio unlawfully confined and detained one Jude Odionu against his will and also fraudulently obtained N300,000 from one Onyeka Odionu, under the pretence of treating Jude Odionu’s mental illness. Magistrate Komolafe granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum; the sureties must show two years tax payment and verified addresses. The matter was adjourned till November 17.

Zamfara Police Nab Kidnappers

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested some notorious kidnappers in the state. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sanusi Amiru, who disclosed this on October 31, said that two suspects, Babangida Ibrahim and Shehu Dogo, were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and strangling one Abubakar Ibrahim and fleeing with his motorcycle. He called on the public to always report any suspected movement or criminal hideout to the police for timely action.

Robbery

Police Nab 2 for Robbing Hotel in Aba

Two suspected members of a five-man robbery gang terrorizing Aba and environs have been arrested by the Police for allegedly robbing workers and customers of a hotel in Aba. The suspects identified as Chikadibia Orji, Ifeanyi Clement, and others still at large, were accused of taking advantage of power outage during a party holding at the hotel to dispossess their victims of cash and property worth over N200, 000. Luck ran out on one of the suspects, Ifeanyi Clement, who was recognized by a victim. The police, October 30, disclosed that Clement and his suspected accomplice, Orji, were later arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad. It was gathered that the two suspects confessed to the crime as other members of their gang were still at large.  Spokesman of the Abia State Police, Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.

Edo Bank Robbery: Police Nab 2 Suspects

The police in Edo state have arrested two suspects over the recent double bank robbery in Igarra, Edo state, where six persons, including two policemen, were killed. The suspected bandits were arrested in the bushes of the community on November 5 by the police in collaboration with vigilante group members in the area. Edo State Police Commissioner, Chris Ezike, said the suspects were still being investigated to ensure that the wrong persons were not arrested. Following the robbery attack on the two banks, Ezike had deployed a crack team of detectives in the bushes of Igarra, to work with local vigilante groups in combing the bushes for the bandits. Over N4 million, 11 AK-47 rifles and another four assault rifles were recovered; and one of the robbers was shot dead, according to reports.

Police Parade 16 for Alleged Robbery in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command, November 4, paraded 16 persons allegedly involved in various criminal activities, including robbery and rape in various parts of the state. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ali Okechukwu, disclosed that one of the suspects, Chinenye Egeonu, allegedly snatched a trailer load of cement, but following a tip-off, men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) recovered the trailer truck in Aba, Abia State and arrested the suspect on October 3. Also paraded were Maxwell Obemana, Chukwunonso Nwosu and Ugochukwu Simon, who were attached to Udide Vigilante Service in Awka, who were allegedly involved in armed robbery and the rape of a female undergraduate. The PPRO further disclosed that members of a gang that snatched a Mack trailer loaded with 187 Daylong motorcycles were among those paraded.

Police Arrest Robbery, Murder Suspects

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested some notorious suspects in armed robberies and homicide. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sanusi Amiru, who disclosed this on October 31, said that the suspect were alleged to have been involved in cattle rustling, armed robbery and homicide. Amiru further revealed that seven other suspects were arrested in connection with terrorism, following a tip-off. He stated that all the suspects would be charged to court after full police investigation had been concluded.

Hoodlums Rob Delta State Students in Hotel

Armed hoodlums, October 31, robbed the leadership and members of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) in a popular hotel in Asaba, the state capital. The victims were reportedly locked up in the hotel for several hours while the hoodlums robbed them. The Senate president of NADESSTU, Comrade Samson Agolo, said the students had lodged in the hotel after a meeting with the executive secretary of the State Bursary and Scholarship Board where they discussed issues affecting the association. A senior police officer at the ‘A’ Division Police Station confirmed that the police were investigating the matter.

Police Nab Robbers in Abuja, Recover Stolen Cars

The Police in Federal Capital Territory have arrested two members of an armed robbery gang, which killed six persons and snatched two vehicles during an attack on Pyakasa in Abuja. Two vehicles, a Toyota Venza and Mercedes ML, were recovered, while the two robbers were arrested in different parts of the FCT an hour later. In another incident, the police rescued residents of Dawaki suburb in the FCT from armed robbers when they arrested a gang of robbers. The police recovered three double-barrelled guns, one pump action gun, 50 live cartridges and 41 pieces of empty shell cartridges, as they had mobilized and were about to proceed on an operation. FCT Police Commissioner, Wilson Inalegwu, November 2, disclosed that the robbers, who attacked Pyakasa on October 30, shot and killed six persons.

Gunmen Raid Fish Market in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, November 3, confirmed an attack by gunmen believed to be pirates on Itu Fish Market. The Police Public Relations Officer, Cordelia Nwawe, who confirmed the attack, denied the reported casualty figure. Nwawe said the command had already mapped out strategies to curtail such attacks in future. She added that the command had also reached out to state police commands to block their waterways against militants’ infiltration into Akwa Ibom. She disclosed that the police promptly mobilized and repelled the attack on the fish market. She also warned people to avoid scampering during armed attacks, but to simply lie flat on the ground to avoid being hit by stray bullets. However, a resident of the area stated that the gunmen killed two middle aged women and injured many others during the attack. He said the militants, dressed in military camouflage, emerged from the river in two speed boats loaded with machine guns and other ammunition and struck during market hours.

Six Killed in Edo Bank Robbery

Six persons, including two policemen and a private security operative, were killed during armed robbery attacks on two banks in Igarra, Edo State on November 4. A member of the robbery gang was also killed during a shootout with a vigilante group in the area, while another was arrested. It was gathered that the robbers arrived at the town around 6pm in two buses and went straight to the police station, where they killed the two policemen on duty before proceeding to the two banks and gained entry using explosives. During the simultaneous operations on the banks, the suspected robbers also killed a private security man of one of the banks, a commercial motorcyclist and two customers using the ATM. The banks are situated opposite each other along Momodu Ajayi Road. Luck, however, ran out on the robbers as the vigilante group in the area quickly mobilised and barricaded all exit routes. In the process, one of the robbers was reportedly killed by members of the vigilante group, while another was arrested and one of their vehicles was impounded.

Gang Incidents

Police, Vandals Clash Claim One Life in Lagos

One person was, October 30, killed at Ilashe Island, in Amuwo Odofin LGA of Lagos State when men of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism engaged armed petroleum pipeline vandals in a shootout. It was gathered that over 2000 jerry-cans, some of them loaded with PMS, and a Nissan Patrol Jeep, were abandoned by the vandals during the exchange of gunfire. The vandals, who stormed Abule Kamoru axis of the Island, in several speed boats and a Nissan patrol jeep, had meticulously bore a hole on the pipeline, which was buried in the ground. The Commander of the task force, Valentine Olumese, while confirming the report, disclosed that the vandals opened fire on his men when they sighted them approaching the scene and policemen responded.

3 Shot Dead as Rival Cults Clash in Abakaliki

Three persons were shot dead, while five others sustained gunshot wounds as rival cult groups clashed in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. One of the victims, Amaechi Ude, a bar owner, Ude was killed in his bar. The second victim, Sunday Onwe, was shot at a drinking joint; while the third victim, was shot three times in the head at the Abakaliki Township Stadium where he had gone to play football. The incidents happened simultaneously in different locations in the state. While the chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Clement Odaah, confirmed the killing of Onwe, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), George Okafor, November 3, confirmed the killing of Amaechi Ude.

Thugs Attack Bayelsa Governor’s Convoy

Suspected thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state, November 3, attacked the campaign train of state Governor and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the forth-coming governorship election, Seriake Dickson. The intervention of security agents attached to the governor’s convoy prevented the situation from degenerating into a bloody clash. The Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation of Dickson, Jonathan Obuebite described as deceitful, the campaign strategy adopted by the APC, advising the party to look for other sane and more dignifying means of campaign.

Drugs

Man Gets 20 Years Jail Term for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos, November 3, convicted and sentenced a businessman, Ifenna Emmanuel, to 20 years imprisonment for attempting to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine to China. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Oigoga Ichakpa, had told the court that the convict was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on July 1, 2012 during an outward clearance of passengers to China. But after the convict was arraigned on December 18, 2012, he jumped bail, and refused to attend trial for about a year until he was re-arrested in Port Harcourt through the help of his brother, who had stood surety for him. In his judgment, Justice John Tsoho ordered that the $1,000 recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government, should there be no appeal against the judgment within 90 days. The judge further directed that the convict’s passport should be withdrawn and that all drugs recovered from him must be destroyed if the judgment was not appealed.

Women Caught With Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Two women have been arrested for possession of cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. Abdulrasaq Modinat Alake, a 44-year-old trader, is one of two women apprehended by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The NDLEA, had, on November 2, disclosed said the two suspected female drug traffickers were assisting investigators with relevant facts relating to the exportation of 4.450kg of cocaine to India and 7kg of cannabis to China.

Businessman Jailed 10 Years for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, November 2, sentenced a 38-year-old man, Chibueze Onedigbo, to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking. Oneigbo was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one-count charge of drug trafficking after he was arrested in April 2013. Justice Musa Kurya, in his judgment, said that the sentence was in line with the sentencing guideline recently released for Federal High Court judges. The judge stated that the court was duty-bound to sentence the accused having found him guilty after considering the arguments from both parties. The accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, from the day of the judgment. The judge also ordered that the drug exhibits in the custody of the NDLEA are to be destroyed within 30 days, if there was no appeal against the judgment.

Maritime

Oil Thieves Jailed 12 Years Each

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos, October 30, convicted seven men to 12 years imprisonment each for illegal and unlawful dealing in 1,459 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.  Justice Abang also ordered the forfeiture of the vessel, ‘MT Good Success’, used by the convicts in stealing the said petroleum product, as well as the recovered petroleum product to the Federal Government. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the sums of N66.6m and $975,000 belonging to the convicts’ company, Hepa Global Energy Limited, domiciled with the First City Monument Bank to the Federal Government.  The convicts were arraigned alongside their vessel and company on August 28, 2014 on five counts alongside one Padoun Jacob, who was discharged and acquitted by the court. The judge, in setting Jacob free on all the five counts, described him as a desperate job seeker, who became a victim of circumstances. The judge noted that the stolen petroleum product had been loaded before Jacob was employed by Hepa Global Energy Limited on February 7, 2014.

Terrorism

14 Killed as Suicide Bomber Attacks Chad

The Chadian government, November 1, disclosed that its soldiers repelled two attacks by Boko Haram on army posts around Lake Chad, leaving 14 militants dead. According to the report, two members of Boko Haram were neutralised and a third blew himself up, wounding 11 civilians. Soldiers killed 11 Boko Haram members during a second attempted attack on the Kaika army post, also in the Lake Chad region, the statement said. The government said the situation had been brought “under control”. The Chadian army has, since the start of this year, been involved in a regional offensive against Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group operating in Syria and Iraq.

Military Clears Five Boko Haram Camps in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully cleared some reactivated Boko Haram terrorists’ camps at Kerenoa Area of Monguno, Borno State. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, November 4, said that the advancing troops of 5 Brigade Task Force cleared five more terrorists camps at Hausari and Baranga in Marte LGA of Borno State. Usman said the troops during the encounter with the terrorists at the camps, killed two of them and recovered two Dane guns and a double barrel gun, while 12 motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists were destroyed. In addition, he said a suspected female member of the terrorists group was captured and was undergoing interrogation.

Troops Kill 4 Boko Haram Terrorists

Nigerian troops from 243 Battalion under 5 Brigade Nigerian Army on patrol, November 1, engaged some terrorists in a fierce battle, killing four, while others escaped. The terrorists attacked a primary school at Duwabafi village, Borno State, armed with AK 47 rifles, and converted a part of the school to their logistic materials’ base. Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, disclosed that the soldiers on fighting patrol to rid elements of the terrorists from their camps encountered the suspected elements holed up at the Primary School. According to him, there was heavy exchange of gunfire in which the patrol killed four suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered two AK-47 rifles, four solar energy panels, several types of drugs and five motorcycles. He added that the patrol had returned to base and was re-strategizing for more onslaughts against the terrorist sect.

Political/Government Agencies

Murder/Assassinations

Cop Shoots Bus Driver Dead

A trigger-happy police officer, October 30, shot dead a commercial bus driver along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, for allegedly refusing to part with money. According to reports, trouble started after some policemen apprehended the commercial bus driver for allegedly driving against traffic in a bid to escape the traffic gridlock. An eyewitness revealed that the police officer ordered the driver to go back to the right lane or pay an undisclosed sum of money to avoid arrest, but the driver refused on the grounds that he was not the only driver on the wrong lane. This led to an argument, during which policeman shot him. He died on the spot, while the conductor got beat up by other policemen for daring to challenge their colleague, who shot the driver.

Man Absconds after Beating Wife to Death

A 50-year-old man, Charles Oyibo, in Igbo-Etiti LGA of Enugu State, allegedly beat his wife to death over a misunderstanding. The deceased, Angela Oyibo (36), was said to have engaged her husband in an argument, which caused the man to beat her up. This led to her being rushed to the hospital, where doctors battled unsuccessfully to save her life. It was learned that her husband escaped to an unknown destination, having discovered that she did not survive the assault. An eyewitness said the deceased was beaten into a state of unconsciousness, adding that efforts to save her life failed. Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said investigations had since commenced, adding that a manhunt for the fleeing killer-husband was on-going.

Student Arrested for Killing School Prefect

A 19-year-old secondary student, Saka Hammed, who allegedly stabbed a school prefect, Saheed Jimoh, to death on November 4, has been arrested by the police in Lagos. Hammed had stabbed Jimoh to death after the deceased punished him for coming to school late. Also arrested were six students of the school. Academic activities at the Gaskiya College, Ijora were paralysed following the incident. It was gathered that Jimoh was about entering the school when Hammed, who was said to have been hiding at a corner, ambushed and stabbed him with a knife in the chest. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Joe Offor, confirmed the arrest.

Rape

Woman Arranges Gang-Rape

The Police in Lagos have arrested a 20-year-old lady, who admitted to setting up her friend to be gang raped after a misunderstanding between them. The victim was reportedly ambushed by six armed men, suspected to be cultists, at about 8pm in Somolu area of Lagos and raped for over four hours inside an apartment, where she was taken. The suspected cultists, it was gathered, accused the victim of accepting a member of a rival cult group as a lover. The victim, who gave the names of the suspects to policemen at Alade Division, said two of them saw her off to a street close to hers, from where she walked home. It was gathered that one of the suspects was arrested at a hotel, but was released. During investigation, it was discovered that the victim’s friend, identified as Vera, allegedly masterminded the incident and was arrested on October 31. Vera admitted to masterminding the offence.

Others

NAFDAC Impounds Fake Skin Bleaching Creams, Soaps in Lagos

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), October 31, impounded fake and substandard fast moving skin lightening cream, bathing soaps as well as serum worth millions of Naira in Lagos. The agency also sealed three shops in connection with the offensive products. The fake products identified as Q7 Range of products impounded during the Agency’s raid exercise at the Lagos Trade Fair complex includes; Q7 Whiteniser body milk strong treatment, Q7 Carotte Multi- active Whitening Serum, Ndak Q7 Whitening body lotion with manufacturing dates: 07/2015 and expiry dates: 06/2020 and Q7 Gold soap among others. The impounded products originally registered with NAFDAC by ‘Visible Image Cosmetics Nigeria Limited’, were said to have been brought into the country through yet to be identified illegal source. The Chief Enforcement Officer confirmed that the operation became necessary following reports by Visible Image Cosmetics Nigeria Limited about the presence of the offending products in the markets.

Police Arraign Woman for Pouring Hot Water on Minor

The Ebonyi State Police Command, November 3, said it has arraigned a female medical doctor for allegedly pouring hot water on a minor in Abakaliki. Police Spokesperson, George Okafor, who noted that the police acted swiftly when the matter was reported, added that she was being charged for attempted murder and victimization. The doctor, Jane-Glad Ugbala, was accused of pouring hot water on her house-help for allegedly disobeying her directive. It was learned that the medical doctor’s action came to be known when her victim was brought to the Federal Teaching Hospital, FETHA II, Abakaliki, three days after the incident allegedly occurred in the home of the accused. The victim, Nwanga Chidiebere, who is still receiving treatment at the plastic surgery ward of the hospital, explained that he had been living with the lady since January 2015.

Oyo CJ Releases 59 Inmates Awaiting Trial

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, November 3, released 59 out of the 903 inmates awaiting trial in Agodi Prison in Ibadan. The released inmates comprised of 53 males and six females. Justice Abimbola, who released the inmates during his visit to the prison, said that the purpose of his visit to the prison was to ensure a speedy administration of justice to the inmates that were awaiting trials. The CJ also said this would ensure that congestion in the prison was reduced to its barest minimum. He said that some of those released were discovered to have been arrested unlawfully. Others had been detained for more than the number of years they would have spent in detention for the offences committed, he said. The chief judge said that some of those released had health challenges while others were supposed to have been charged as civil matter but charged as criminal cases.

Review/Analysis

Kidnap/hostage incidents took the lead in the crime index. The police continue to engage gang members in gun battles in their bid to rescue kidnap victims. The security agents were fairly successful in the rescue of hostages. The young, aged, middle class and a few political figures were all marked victims of kidnapping. Despite the chase by the police, some suspects remained resolute but were finally caught, while others remained large. The southern part of Nigeria witnessed more of these incidents.

Robbery incidents was drastically hampered by police activities as they made arrest of gang leaders and suspected armed robbers. The police were yet again drawn into gun duels with desperate robbers. Some of the armed robbers were shot dead and others apprehended by security agents with the aid of community vigilante groups. Others, sadly made good their escape with their loot. However, the police have assured that they remain on the trail of the fleeing suspects. The south-east and south-west saw most of these cases.

Gang incidents remained low as there were few clashes by cult groups and the police. Few cultists were killed in clashes, while some hoodlums were arrested.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in its continued bid to ensure a drug free society for Nigerians and residents, successfully prosecuted suspects, who were handed down various jail terms by the court to serve as deterrent to others considering the illegal trade.

Terrorism took a nose dive as events in recent times indicate that the activities of the Boko Haram extremist group are greatly hampered by the unrelenting onslaught by force of the military. However, trickles of bomb attacks by the insurgents were recorded with casualties. The north-east remains the vulnerable region.

Murder/assassination also took a downward plunge. While it seemed the security agencies have brought calm to a large portion of the country, lone killings were witnessed in certain areas. The killers were arrested and charged to court.
Every Nigerian and persons resident in Nigeria are charged to be security conscious. It remains the responsibility of everyone to be a neighbourhood watch.

Villeworth also urges you to remain law abiding and report any perceived threat to the appropriate authorities for investigation