Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 34

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

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

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Ex-Kogi Permanent Secretary Abducted

A former permanent secretary in Kogi State, Moses Onivehu, has been kidnapped. Onivehu was abducted on the Okene-Lokoja highway while returning from Okene on August 14. His wife, Onivehu, confirmed his abduction. She explained that the kidnappers have contacted his children but made no specific demand. Police spokesperson, William Aya, said the incident will be investigated.

Octogenarian Arrested with Dead Baby in Lagos

An 80-year-old woman, Kuburat Ayinde, was, August 15, arrested by the police after she was caught with a dead baby boy in the Oshodi under bridge area of Lagos State. The woman had allegedly abducted the baby alive from Abeokuta, Ogun State, and strapped him to her back. The infant, however, died before she arrived in Lagos. Ayinde was about to board a bus to Ikorodu from Oshodi when a commuter noticed that she was fidgety. The man and other passers-by were said to have asked her about the whereabouts of the baby’s mother, but she could not give a convincing reply. It was learnt that the baby was discovered to be dead after the octogenarian was forced to remove him from her back. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said the suspect claimed to be the baby’s grandmother, adding that investigation had commenced into the matter.

Gunmen Abduct Uncle of Akwa Ibom Rape Victim

Dr. Ime Stephen, the uncle of a 15-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped at gunpoint by a police inspector in Akwa Ibom, has been abducted. Ime, a human rights activist, who had been fighting for justice for Udo, was whisked away by some masked gunmen that stormed his house on August 16. The victim’s wife, Gloria, stated that when the gunmen entered into their apartment, they locked her and her child in a room. Ime’s abduction is feared to be connected with the rape of his niece. According to reports, the Divisional Police Officer at Mkpat Enin Police Division had sent emissaries, including some police officers, to plead with him to let the matter go, but he objected. Ime had, on August 13, escaped an assassination attempt and had subsequently sent a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, alleging threat to his life.

14 Passengers Kidnapped in Rivers Freed

The Rivers State Police Command has said that 14 passengers abducted in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of the state have regained freedom. The victims were released on August 14. They were kidnapped on August 12 by gunmen, who intercepted a 14-seater bus along Elele-Ikiri-Omoku Road and diverted the vehicle to a bush. The bus was then set ablaze by the hoodlums. Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, August 16, said that the victims were released after a tactical and diligent operation by operatives of the Command. Omoni disclosed that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.

Police Rescue Abducted Sisters

The police in Lagos State have started investigation into the abduction of two sisters – Jumia and Ayomide Badmos. It was learnt that the six-year-old Jumia and Ayomide (four) were abducted on August 9 on Olorunfemi Street, in the Igando area of the state. They were reportedly returning from a holiday school when the incident happened. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that three suspects had been arrested.

Woman Forces Stolen Children to Beg in Lagos

The police have arrested a middle-aged Fulani woman for stealing two children in Ogun State and turning them to beggars in Lagos State. The girls were taken away by the woman, who worked as a maid with their mother in Ogere, Remo North LGA of Ogun State. According to reports, the suspect had stayed with the mother of the children as a house maid for four months before she made away with the girls, ages 6 and 7. She was later arrested in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State while using them as beggars. Mother of the children explained that the maid stole the children on July 6.

Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers of Lawmaker

The Police, August 18, announced that it had arrested three suspected kidnappers responsible for the August 2 kidnap of Honourable Sani Bello, a member of the Federal House of Representatives. Bello was kidnapped in his farm along Kaduna-Abuja road. The Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, assured that the police would arrest three other suspects, who were still at large. Awunah said the arrest followed a coordinated and painstaking investigation by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the IG’s monitoring unit. He explained that the suspects, Haruna Adamu (25), Shaibu Adamu (18) and Abubakar Saidu (30), were trailed and rounded up at Ungwan Kawu village in Dandume LGA of Katsina State. The spokesman said that during interrogation, they voluntarily confessed to committing the offence and roles they played individually. The leader of the gang, Haruna Adamu, said that they got a total of N10 million which they shared with their sponsors.

Cameroonian Couple Caught with New Baby in C-River

Officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, are currently in the custody of a two weeks old baby reportedly rescued from a Cameroonian couple, Mr. Kamsol Ayang (44) and wife, Theresa Asamoa (46), in Calabar, Cross River State. Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted the couple with the baby at the Nfum control post. The state’s Comptroller of Immigrations, Funke Adeuyi, said that baby looked so weak and pale, while neither the baby’s eyes nor body was moving, a situation that sparked suspicion. The couple claimed to have been married for 15 years, and decided to leave Cameroon for Nigeria to take herbal drugs that would make her pregnant. The woman, however, could not give any evidence that the baby was hers, even as she was unable to breastfeed the child.

Police Arrest Woman, Brother for Branding Maid with Hot Iron

The Lagos State Police Command, August 15, arrested the duo of Fatai Williams and her younger brother, Yusuf Waliu, for brutalising and branding their teenage maid with a hot pressing iron. Williams and Wasiu, aged 56 and 29 respectively, were said to have beaten up 16-year-old Kemi Leola because she was purportedly lazy. The suspects stated that they maltreated the teenage housemaid because she refused to embark on any house chores which she was contracted to do. Williams, a businesswoman, was arrested by policemen after their attention was drawn to the plight of the young girl. The woman, who denied branding the girl, stated that the girl, who was asked to kneel down, rather chose to consume a local insecticide. According to her, her younger brother, who was ironing his cloth tried to wrestle the poison from her and in the process, she got burnt by the hot iron. But Leola said she incurred the wrath of her boss simply because she refused to drink ‘garri’ soaked in water.

Robbery

Bus Driver Kills Robber, Injures Another

A 54-year-old commercial bus driver displayed rare bravery after he overpowered two armed robbery suspects, who had attacked him, killing one and inflicting injury on the other in Ejigbo area of Lagos. The suspects, who were operating on a motorcycle, snatched a bag from a woman, who was going to work along Ronik Road, Ejigbo, before accosting the commercial bus driver, Onyema Obinna, who was waiting for one of his passengers. They ordered Obinna to bring out the money on him, threatening to shoot him if he acted otherwise. He explained that he complied, but chased them down as they attempted to escape. The surviving suspect, Lukman Jamiu, 25, admitted to the crime but said he was forced to go into robbery to raise N5,000 for his ailing wife. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni, August 16, vowed that the suspect would be charged to court alongside 78 suspects arrested within six weeks in the state.

Robbers Attack CBN Bullion Vans, Kill Two Policemen

Two mobile policemen were killed on August 16 at Hawan Kibo along Jos–Abuja road as armed robbers attacked a convoy of bullion vans belonging to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The bullion vans, which had left Jos enroute Abuja, were attacked after a military check point by the robbers wearing military uniforms, who opened fire killing a policeman. The robbers then engaged the escorts in a shootout, leading to the death of the other mobile policeman. Police Public Relations Officer, Tyopev Terna, confirmed the ambush. He said three other policemen attached to the bullion van were injured. He added that policemen escorting the bullion van repelled the attack and that the robbers were not able to cart away money from the bullion van.

Robbers Terrorising Farmers in Enugu Arrested

Two robbery suspects, Chukwuebuka Okpeja and Odinaka Nebeolisa, terrorising residents of Adani community, renowned for the production of rice in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State, were, August 13, arrested by police. It was gathered that the suspects laid siege on farmers as they evacuated their produce to markets for sale. Luck ran out on them when operatives of the Adani Police Division swooped on them during an operation. Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed their arrest. Searches conducted on the suspects revealed that they were in possession of a locally-made single-barrelled pistol.

Six-Man Gang of Burglars Nabbed in Ikoyi

Six suspected burglars have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command in the Ikoyi area of the state. The suspects were sharing their loot when they were rounded up by men of the Ikoyi Police Division on August 9. The police said the gang, which was notorious for breaking into houses and stealing valuables, had other members who escaped arrest. The gang had allegedly burgled some houses on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, and driven away in a car to a junction in the area to share the loot at about 10pm when a police patrol team observed them sharing the loot and arrested them. Four laptops, three purses, 13 mobile phones and four iPads were recovered from them. They confessed that they were returning from an operation. The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Gunmen Burgle Warri NUJ Secretariat

Gunmen, August 17, invaded the secretariat of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), carting away property worth millions of naira. The hoodlums scaled the fence into the compound at about 2am, cut the burglary proof to gain access into the ground floor and removed property worth millions of naira including a 43 inch Plasma television, handsets, tablets and chargers. It was gathered that the gunmen had concluded their first assignment and were about to cut the burglary proof at the other floor of the duplex when members of the community vigilante group sighted one of them and raised the alarm. Four suspects were apprehended.

Man Leads Robbery Attack on Sister

A 21-year-old barber, John Ige, who allegedly led a gang of armed robbers to rob his elder sister and her husband in Ijoko area of Lagos, was, August 18, arrested by the police. The suspect, who denied taking part in the robbery operation, however, confessed that one of the robbers was his customer, and that he was informed of the robbery intention. It was gathered that Ige, who was at the scene of the operation, did not go inside the house. The gang members also raped the maid in the house during the operation.

Police Nab Notorious Bank Robbers in Imo

The Imo State Police Command, August 17, arrested two notorious armed robbery suspects in Owerri. The two suspects, Ogochukwu Mbasike (33) and Obinna Osunwa (27) were arrested after they attacked and dispossessed an unsuspecting bank customer of her money. The suspects, who were operating on a motorcycle, snatched the bag containing cash from the victim and made a spirited effort to escape, but were caught on their track. The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, who paraded several others, said that the duo had been on the wanted list of the Command following previous reports of similar systematic robbery activities around commercial banks.

FUNAAB Students Protest Robbery Attacks, Burn Vehicles

Scores of students of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, went on the rampage on August 18, in protest over incessant robbery attacks on hostels within and around the campus. Two policemen and a student were injured while several vehicles were burnt during the protest. A police post at Osiele and 7 vehicles were set ablaze. Also, the church, allegedly headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, Divine Heights Bible Church, Kotopo, along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Road, was also vandalised by the students. The protest followed an attack by armed robbers on Adejoke Hostel in Isolu community on August 17. Tension gripped residents of the school’s environs but the deployment of riot policemen, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, brought the situation under control.

Troops Move against Rustlers in Katsina State, Recover 49 Cattle, 29 Sheep

The troops of 35 Battalion, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army in a joint patrol with elements of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina State, under the auspices of Operation Sharan Daji, August 12, carried out joint operations along Tsambe-Fafare road, Jibia LGA of the state. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, August 13, said the operation was predicated on information received by well-meaning citizens that three gunmen were sighted on motorcycles. According to Usman, the team swung into action and pursued the suspected armed bandits, killing one of the armed bandits, while the other two escaped with gunshot wounds. They recovered an AK-47 rifle with registration number 1985PS6288, additional AK-47 rifle magazine and three rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, he added. Usman said another combined team also carried out special raids operations along Faskari-Sheme-Mairuwa road, Katsina State and successfully arrested a notorious cattle rustler and armed bandit, Abubakar Mohammed (AKA Gora) alongside two of his accomplices. The team recovered 49 cattle and 25 sheep from them.

Gang Incidents

UNILAG Final-Year Student Shot by Suspected Cultists

A final-year student of Economics Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), was, August 17, shot by unidentified gunmen. The student, simply identified as Bayo, was reportedly shot in front Biobaku hostel near the school gate. Bayo was said to be resident in the hostel. The perpetrators, suspected to be members of a cult group, were said to have escaped in a tainted-glass car. According to eyewitnesses, the victim displayed smartness to avoid being shot dead. A student, who craved anonymity, said the victim was aimed in the head, but hit in the neck. Bayo has been transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from the schools’ medical centre.

Drugs

Militancy/Maritime

Navy Apprehends Two Suspected Militants in Delta

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS Delta) Warri have arrested two suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). The suspects, Felix Miyenminiya, aged 53 years and Stanley Jongha aged 35 were arrested on August 11 in Sapele, Delta State after intensive surveillance on the suspects. The Commander, Commodore Joseph Dzunye, August 18, disclosed that the suspects were behind attacks on some Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) facilities in the Warri North LGA between the months of May and July. Dzunve, who indicated the Navy’s precision in its arrest of the suspects, said the suspects had provided useful information that would help in the operations.

Ilasa Oil Wells: Police Arrests Landlords, Suspects

The Lagos State Police Command, August 14, said its operatives will continue to go after landlords and other possible suspects with connection to the oil wells discovered over the weekend at the Ilasa area of the state. Already, the five suspects picked up after the raid led by the Ilasa Divisional Police Officer, Oriyomi Oluwasanni, were said to have given some useful information to the police that would help in picking up others. The landlords that were arrested were those fingered in the massive pipeline vandalism and illegal oil trade that was thriving in the area before intelligence by the DPO uncovered it. The state Police Public Relations Spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the manhunt for more suspects, said the command had launched a full scale investigation into the matter. The command, through the Illasa Police Division had discovered 12 residential houses where water wells were turned to wells storing diesel for sale.

Terrorism

Troops Carry Out Mine, IEDs Clearance Operations

The Nigerian military has carried out mine and Improvised Explosive Devices’ (IEDs) clearance operations in different parts of Borno State. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, August 12, said that following information provided by an arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Lawan Abbai, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, August 11, carried out mine clearance at Gombori, which was along the troops’ main supply route. He said that the troops located and recovered two heavy IEDs buried in the ground by suspected remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. The troops intercepted four fleeing Boko Haram terrorists whom he alleged were on their way to surrender to troops. They were identified as confirmed Boko Haram members planting IEDs along troops’ routes by their arrested colleague, Lawan Abbai. The Army spokesman also disclosed that the troops rescued five women and a baby from Boko Haram terrorists at the same general area.

Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack on Kangarwa, Kill 16 Terrorists

Soldiers battling insurgency in the north-east, August 14, successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists’ attack at the harbour in Kangarwa, Borno State. The Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the troops rose to the occasion and dealt a decisive blow on the insurgents by killing 16 of them and recovering arms and ammunition from them. Usman added that the weapons recovered from the insurgents included one rocket propelled grenade 7 tube, one rocket propelled grenade bomb, 11 AK-47 rifles, a 60mm mortar tube, a dozen of 60mm mortar bombs, a 36 hand grenade, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 1 Gionee handset and 1 bandolier. He noted that unfortunately, an officer and 11 soldiers were wounded in action during the encounter.

Troops Rescue 88 Hostages in Borno, Kill Three Insurgents

Troops on clearance operations in the north-east have rescued 88 people in Bama LGA of Borno State and killed three terrorists during an encounter. Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, August 16, said 28 of those rescued, claimed they escaped from Bula Musa village. Usman said the 28 people comprised two men, nine women and 17 children. He added that the troops killed three terrorists during a separate encounter. He said that another 23, comprising a man, five women and 17 children were intercepted by troops deployed at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Bama. The army spokesman said troops also carried out clearance operation and fighting patrol at Wadama, Izakah, Gelemari and Kalizaram villages.

Mama Boko Haram, Bolori Surrender

Hours after they were declared wanted, Mrs Aisha Wakil aka Mama Boko Haram, and a lawyer, Ahmed Bolori, August 15, surrendered to the military. Wakil reported at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja; Bolori turned up at the Army Headquarters in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The third person declared wanted with them, Ahmed Salkida, a journalist, said he was also ready to give himself up, but asked for a ticket from the military to facilitate his return home from his Dubai base. The spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Sani Usman, confirmed the development. Bolori was later freed by Defence Headquarters after being interrogated and found to be innocent of the offence he was accused of.

Political/Government Agencies

Police Arraign Ebonyi Council Boss, Five Others for Beating Orphan

The Ebonyi State Police Command, August 17, arraigned the Coordinator of Ohaozara West Development Centre, Ogbonnaya Ene Odii and his two brothers, Enekwachi and Martin at the Magistrate Court in Ohaozara for an alleged stripping and beating of a 15-year-old orphan, Uzoamaka Chukwu. Also arraigned were three police officers, who were allegedly involved in the crime. The three officers, Paulinus Nwadonwe, Monday Nweke and Irondi Obinna, were said to have been dismissed by the police. The six suspects were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on indecent assaults on female, abduction, deprivation of liberty and publication of defamatory matters; forcing her to lie on broken bottles and hitting her with cables and electric wires. The trial magistrate, Ojemba Isioko granted the accused persons bail on the grounds that the prosecuting counsel could not prove how the accused persons can tamper with the prosecuting witnesses.

14 Persons Feared Dead in Ebonyi Foiled Jailbreak

About 13 inmates in Abakaliki Prisons in Ebonyi State and one prison guard were believed to have been killed in the early hours of August 18 in a failed jailbreak attempt. The jailbreak attempt occurred as inmates of the prison rioted over the poor meals served to them by the prison. During the riot, the inmates allegedly snatched a rifle from one of the guards in the prison yard and shot at them, prompting the officials to defend themselves. In the course of the riot, the leader of the inmates, who allegedly incited other inmates against the officials, was allegedly killed. The Ebonyi State Comptroller of Prisons, Mrs. Emilia Oputa, confirmed the incident, saying three persons were injured but denied that lives were lost. She admitted that the angry prisoners broke part of the fence, adding that the situation had been brought under control. The state Police Public Relations Officer, George Okafor, said the command was still working to resolve the crisis.

Navy Acquires, Deploys 39 Gunboats, One Locally Built Boat to Fight Militancy

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, August 18, deployed the 39 newly produced gunboats and the second indigenous Seaward Defence Boat built locally by the Nigerian Navy (NN), to fight militancy and other maritime criminalities. The navy also inaugurated 45 operational vehicles to be shared among the commands and units of the navy to aid operational efficiency. The acquired maritime platforms included 30 Epenal boats, three Wave Riders, six Arrow Heads, as well as NN pride, NNS Karaduwa, a 28.9 metres SDB, fabricated and built indigenously by personnel of the navy.

Murder/Assassinations

Assassins Kill Couple, Abduct Three Children

A couple was murdered by some suspected assassins in Okwelle community in the Onuimo LGA of Imo State on August 13. It was learnt that the assailants had stormed the couple’s house wielding cutlasses and other weapons. They were said to have taken turns to rape the woman in the presence of her husband and their children, after which the couple was hacked to death. It was learnt that the assailants subsequently fled with the deceased’s three children. The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerrem, who confirmed the incident, said the cause of the attack had yet to be ascertained, He added that some arrests had been made in connection with the killings. The police were making efforts to arrest the killers and to rescue the abducted children safely.

Couple Found Dead in the Farm

A man, Chijioke Ani, and his wife, Ngozi, were found dead on their farm in Mgbaleze Isu, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State. While the body of the man was found dangling from a tree, his wife’s corpse was found nearby in a pool of blood with marks of violence. It was learned that couple had left for the farm but did not return home. A search party was then sent out by the community, only to discover their bodies in the farm. A resident of the community, Chief Sylvanus Ani, revealed that the couple was seen last on their way to the farm. Police Public Relations Officer, George Okafor, who confirmed the incident on August 13, said the man may have killed the wife and hanged himself. He assured that police would get to the root of the incident, as investigation had commenced.

OPC Members Wanted for Killing Port’s Worker

The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for some members of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) in the Ijora Badia area of the state for allegedly killing a resident, Rasak Muritala. It was learnt that one of the suspects, Dauda Iyanda, was arrested by the Ijora Badia Police Division on August 14 shortly after Muritala died. The OPC members, who were allegedly working for a police inspector, had stormed Church Street, Ijora Badia, about three weeks ago and allegedly beat up residents with charms and, thereafter, cut Muritala, who was a worker at the seaport in Apapa, with machetes, for reporting the inspector’s high-handedness to police authorities. It was learnt that Muritala, who hailed from Abeokuta, Ogun State, and a father of one, battled with the injuries sustained from the attack before he died. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was on-going.

NDLEA Officials Kill Headmaster in Nasarawa

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), August 14, shot dead a primary school teacher, Abubakar Inusa, in Nunku community in the Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State. A witness disclosed that the NDLEA officials invaded the community and shot sporadically into the air. He said during the shooting, Inusa was hit by a bullet in the head and he died. It was gathered that an identity card belonging to one Hassan Musa Abdullahi, a senior narcotics officer, was recovered at the scene of the shooting. Also found was a bag containing Indian hemp and handcuffs. The state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Bello, who confirmed the incident, said it took the intervention of the police and the traditional ruler of Mada lan, the Chun Mada, Samson Yare, to quell the unrest that trailed the killing.

Two Arrested in Ondo for Killing Okada Rider

Two friends have been arrested for allegedly killing a commercial motorcyclist identified as Thomas Amusan at Ile-Oluji/Ipetu Ijesa Expressway in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA of Ondo State. The suspects –Rilwan Rasheed and Sheu Akande– are accused of killing the deceased and also stealing his motorcycle. Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects committed the crime on August 8. Joseph narrated that Rasheed and Akande asked the commercial motorcyclist to take them to one of the villages in the area but later killed the deceased on the way and took away his motorcycle. According to him, the suspects had asked the deceased to take them to a nearby village. On getting to a junction, they asked the man to stop and tried to snatch his motorcycle, but the man resisted, causing them to hack him to death.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Six in Kaduna

Six persons were killed by suspected herdsmen in Godogodo, Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. The victims were said to have been attacked at their farms on August 13 by the rampaging herdsmen with guns. A community leader disclosed that the young men that were killed had gone out as a group to their farms with a few others when the armed Fulani men attacked them. Some of the youths escaped with bullet wounds and machete cuts. Spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, who confirmed the killings, said some arrests had been made.

Rape

Police Smash Rapist Gang in Taraba

The Taraba State Police Command has smashed a gang that has allegedly being kidnapping and raping under-aged girls in Jalingo. Parading the four man gang on August 13, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Yunana Babas said the suspects were arrested by a team of State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at their den in Tudun Wada area of Jalingo. Babas disclosed that the father of one of the victims of the gang, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi had reported to SARS office in Jalingo on July 28 that his under-age daughter, who got missing on July 22, informed him that a group of persons numbering 10 forcefully took her inside a tricycle to one Dickson Zadin’s room and took turns to rape her severally. Based on the report, the police swung into action immediately by raiding the gang’s den where Abdullahi’s daughter and two other minors were rescued. The Police boss further stated that four members of the gang were arrested in the operation while the remaining six are still on the run.

Fake Soldiers Rape 15-Year-Old in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects, who posed as soldiers and abducted a 15-year-old girl in the Oworonshoki area of the state. It was learnt that the suspects, Damilola Balogun and Joseph Agbo, allegedly raped the teenager overnight and left her by the roadside. The victim was sent on an errand by her parents on August 12 when the suspects, who put on a military camouflage, ordered her to climb their motorcycle and rode away. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said four Automated Teller Machine cards and 17 identity cards were recovered from the suspects.

Undertaker Jailed for Raping, Taking Nude Photos of 22-Year-Old Woman

A 29-year-old undertaker, Sheriff Oyewole, was, August 16, sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court after the court found him guilty of drugging, raping and taking the nude pictures of a 23-year-old woman. Oyewole was arraigned on a five-count charge of rape, assault, threat to life, drugging and taking indecent pictures of his victim. The Chief Magistrate, Kikelomo Ayeye, sentenced him to five years imprisonment each on the first three counts which are to run concurrently. She further sentenced him to three years on the fourth count and one year on the fifth count.” Ayeye said the nine years in prison would be effective from the date of arraignment. The prosecutor, Inspector Nurudeen Thomas, told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 16, 2015.

Others

Cleric, Daughter Docked for Allegedly Distributing Poisonous Snack to Beggars

A 50-year-old Muslim cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, and his daughter, Salamat (18) were on August 16, arraigned at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly distributing poisoned bean cakes, popularly called “akara’’, to beggars. The Yusufs were alleged to have inserted needles in the snack before giving them to beggars. The Prosecuting State Counsel, Barr. Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on August 5. He alleged that the man and his daughter carried out the act with intent to endanger the lives of the beggars. The Muslim cleric allegedly sent his daughter to give the beggars near the mosque, the Akara, but when one of the beggars opened the bean-cake, he found needles in the middle. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Ade Adefulire, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500, 000, with two sureties each in like sum. He said that sureties must be blood relations and account owners with a deposit of N100, 000 in their bank accounts. Adefulire adjourned the case to September 29.

Floods Kill 18 Persons in Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that 18 persons lost their lives in floods, which affected 22 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The agency also said properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the floods. NEMA North-west Zonal Coordinator, Musa Ilallah, August 13, revealed that the massive floods had ravaged the 22 LGAs in the last two weeks. According to him, properties including houses and farmlands worth more than N700 million were also lost to the floods by about 1,000 victims. NEMA advised the communities along the river Niger to evacuate immediately to safer ground over the likelihood of floods that may occur at any moment. The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, had received alerts of the flood from information given by the authorities in the Republic of Niger that the present water level in the river had reached a point that might result in the heavy flooding.

Housewife Breaks Step Son’s Arm, Legs in Ogun

A housewife, Fatimoh Olanrewaju, who broke arm and legs of her 5-year-old step son, Iyanu Olarenwaju, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command. Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, August 13, confirmed that suspect was in the custody of Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Department of the state police command. The police spokesman added that the suspect was still undergoing interrogation and on completion she would be charge to court to face the law.

Two Soldiers Arrested for Brutalising Lagos Residents

Detectives from the Yaba Division of the Lagos Police Command have arrested two soldiers, Privates Ihama Osaretin and Okpor Ray, for allegedly attacking and brutalising some residents of Makoko area in Lagos State on August 14. The duo was arrested after rampaging soldiers, numbering about 14, had gone to the community in a rage, beating up anyone they set their eyes on. The residents, who initially fled their community, later regrouped and confronted the soldiers armed with dangerous weapons such as axes, broken bottles, iron rods, wood and cudgels. When they attempted to overpower the soldiers, 12 of them succeeded in fleeing to safety, leaving two others behind at the mercy of the angry residents. The duo was rescued by two police patrol teams that were quickly mobilised to the scene. Police Public Relations Officers Dolapo Badmos, said one Segun Enikumehin of Aiyetoro Street, Makoko was beaten to a pulp by the soldiers. She said an angry mob descended on the soldiers but they were lucky to have been rescued by the police.

Driver, Arrested for Traffic Offence, Crushes LASTMA Official’s Leg

A taxi driver, Sunday Agbariko, August 16, crushed the leg of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), identified as Olayemi Isiaka. Agbariko crushed Isiaka’s leg while attempting to escape with his car that had been impounded. The suspect, who is also a security guard, had been arrested for reckless driving while his vehicle was impounded. He was said to have asked one of the officials to give him his car key, saying he wanted to take some vital documents. He was reported to have immediately sped out during which he hit Isiaka, who was standing at the gate. The spokesperson for LASTMA, Mahmud Hassan, confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect had been handed over to the Area F Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Cable Thieves offer N500,000 Bribe to Police

Two members of a syndicate that specialised in vandalising underground cables belonging to the defunct Nigeria Telecommunication, NITEL, offered N500,000 to men of Lagos State Police Command to set them free. A team of policemen swooped on them in the early hours of August 16 while they were loading the vandalised cable, worth N3.8 million, into a truck. The anti-crime patrol team, attached to Ikeja Division, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, accosted two suspects, Akeem Babatunde and Ibrahim Sisi, while they were loading vandalised NITEL cable into a truck beside Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. They allegedly made an offer of N500,000 to the police officers with a view to covering up that crime and the policemen played along, but took the suspects to the DPO.

Thugs Attack Protesting LG Workers, Journalists in Bayelsa

A peaceful protest by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Bayelsa State chapters, August 16, turned violent as thugs manhandled the protesting workers, including journalists, who covered the protest at the Yenagoa Local Government Council Secretariat of the state. The workers had stormed the council secretariat in their numbers to commence picketing in protest over the non-payment of their salary arrears. No sooner had they began picketing than fierce looking thugs allegedly attached to the council’s caretaker chairman descended on the protesting workers and gave them the beating of their lives.

Salesgirl Brutalised over N400 Fried Meat

The police, August 16, charged a trader, Sharon Okafor (22), before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, Igbosere, for allegedly assaulting and cutting a salesgirl, Comfort Jonah, in the face with ceramic plates. The incident was said to have occurred during a disagreement over payment for drinks and N400 fried meat. The prosecutor, Sergeant Oladejo Balogun, told the court that the incident occurred on July 25 at a bar. According to him, the defendant went to the bar in the company of a man, simply identified as Kingsley, and the duo ordered for drinks and N400 fried meat. When Jonah demanded for payment, Okafor insisted that it was her companion that would pay and he would do so when they were done. When Jonah tried to take back the drinks, Okafor threw a plate at her and she retaliated. About 15 men then pounced on her and beat her up. Okafor, who was docked before Magistrate H. O. Amos, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Magistrate Amos granted Okafor N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till September 9 for mention.

Lassa Fever Kills Doctor, Three Others in Anambra

A doctor and three others have died of Lassa fever in Anambra State. The State Director of Public Health, Dr Emmanuel Okafor, confirmed the deaths on August 18 at a one-day Lassa fever training workshop organised by the Ministry of Health. The medical doctor reportedly died on August 15. Residents were cautioned to observe proper hygiene practices and protect their foods and related items from having contacts with rats.

Review/Analysis

Kidnap/hostage remained high with various incidents of abduction. This was seen in the case of a former permanent secretary in Kogi state who was kidnapped on his way back home. The kidnappers also contacted his children but made no demands. There was relief for the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State as about 14 passengers abducted by kidnappers were all rescued by the police. There was mammoth arrest of kidnappers as the police continuously fight hard to curtail the menace of kidnap in the society.

Robbery incidents, still on the rise, however met stiff resistance from law enforcement agents, as they made notable arrests of suspects. The police were able to arrest major suspects in various operations. It was, however, horrific as two mobile policemen were killed in a robbery attack by unknown gunmen on a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bullion van. A 21-year-old barber, was arrested by the police after allegedly leading a gang of armed robbers to rob his elder sister and her husband. The gang members also raped the maid in the house. This was witnessed more in the south-west and north-central regions of the country, the south-east also had a fair share of robbery incidents on record.

Murder and Assassination took a downward plunge. While the figure was low, the incidents were, nonetheless, very sad and horrible killings. This was seen in the case of a couple that was killed by suspected assassins, who took turns to rape the woman before hacking them to death. The assailants subsequently fled the house with the deceased’s three children. Others include sporadic attacks by unknown gunmen on innocent victims and invasion by herdsmen. The south-east and south-west suffered more of this atrocious crimes.

Terrorism, which had been on the rise in recent weeks, took a nosedive with just few incidents on record. It is calming as the military continues its offensive against terrorists’ enclaves, rescuing hostages. Terrorists were killed in their numbers as the military continues its clearance operations in the north-east with endless recovery of weapons from various terrorist groups. The north-east continues to remain most endemic region.

Every Nigerian and persons resident in Nigeria are charged to be security conscious. It remains the responsibility of everyone to be a neighbourhood watch.