Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 2

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

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

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Traditional Ruler Abducted in Kogi

The paramount ruler of Ajaokuta (Ohi of Ajaokuta) in Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi State, Alhaji Musa Isah Achuja, has been kidnapped. It was gathered that the traditional ruler was on his way home from Lokoja on January 1 when he was abducted along the Lokoja-Ajaokuta road by gunmen. The abductors have reportedly contacted the family and are demanding a ransom of N20 million. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya, assured that the police will rescue of the abducted traditional ruler.

Girl, 18, in Court for Alleged Kidnapping in Ekiti

An 18-year-old girl, Bola Adeniyi, January 3, appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged kidnapping. The prosecutor, Oriyomi Akinwale, told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 13, 2016 at Fabor Forest, Efon Alaaye in Ekiti. Akinwale said the accused unlawfully conspired to kidnap one Gbenga Adejare. He said that some of her co-accused had been arrested and remanded in prison, while Bola was a girlfriend to one of the accused persons. Bola pleaded not guilty, and her counsel, Ogundele Lawrence applied for her bail. Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo, consequently granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000 and one responsible surety in like sum. Ayenimo adjourned the case till January 5 for further hearing.

Police Arrest Kidnappers on New Year’s Day

The Bauchi State Police Command has foiled the attempted kidnap of a vigilante leader in Gubi village in Bauchi Local Government Area of the State, and arrested one suspect, Usman Yusuf. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Haruna Mohammed, January 3, disclosed that the suspect, along with his accomplice, who is still at large, had planned to kidnap the vigilante leader who had effected their arrest for robbery in January last year. They had planned to kidnap and assassinate the man who was instrumental to their arrest in order to teach him a lesson. However, the police anti-kidnapping unit was able to foil their plan. The police also arrested a 16-year-old boy, Nafiu Adamu, who allegedly sent a message to one Jamilu Abubakar, threatening to kidnap him. The suspect, who was arrested on January 1, confessed to the police that he actually threatened Abubakar.

2 Urhobo, Isoko Indigenes Abducted in Delta

Two persons from Urhobo and Isoko ethnic nationalities in Delta State have been abducted at Aladja in Udu LGA of the state by suspected ethnic warlords. The victims, Anthony Oshioya from Aradhe community in Isoko North LGA and Arwotu Ohwoavwodjoghan from Aladja, were kidnapped on January 3 when they went to a plantain farm in the Aladja forest. The President General of Aradhe community, F. E. Omakoba, alleged that Ijaw people were behind the kidnap. He appealed for the unconditional release Oshioya, who went to his plantain farm in Aladja bush in company of an Aladja man.

Robbery

Police Arrest Gang of Robbers, Rapists

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, January 2, arrested a gang of armed robbers and rapists. The four members of the gang that were arrested confessed to have gang raped several women. The gang further confessed to have carried out 12 attacks in the last two weeks and raped 9 women during the attacks. The suspects, as gathered, would position themselves under the foot bridge at Charity Bus Stop, opposite the Nigerian Army Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, pretending to be passengers waiting for commercial vehicle. Thereafter, they would attack unsuspecting commuters. They met their waterloo, following the arrest of a suspected member of the gang, Daniel Olayemi, while he was fighting with a member of a separate gang, during a misunderstanding over a Samsung mobile phone. During interrogation, Olayemi confessed to have taken the phone from a lady after she was gang raped last week. His confessional statement led to the raid of the spot by RRS operatives, where others were arrested. Police spokeswoman, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrests.

Police Arrest 21 Cattle Rustlers, Recover 477 Cattle

The police in Minna, Niger State, January 2, said it had made a breakthrough in its offensive against cattle rustlers with the arrest of 21 suspects and recovery of 477 cattle, 90 sheep and the confiscation of assorted weapons. Five of the suspects were reportedly arrested in Tegina, Rafi LGA, where fleeing Boko Haram members recently raided and killed four people and rustling of over 400 cattle. The police said locally made pistols were recovered from the suspects arrested in Tegina. Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, who disclosed this, added that the police also raided the den of cattle rustlers in Pongu Daji in the Lapai Local Government Area of the state during which three suspects were arrested and 124 cattle and 36 sheep rustled were recovered in addition to the recovery of two double barrel guns.

Police Arrest Suspected Burglar of OOU Hostels

A suspected member of a notorious robbery gang that had been terrorising students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. The suspect reportedly attacked students, who live off campus has been arrested. Recovered from the suspect, identified as Onyebuchi Chika, were a sewing machine, some cooking gas and mattresses suspected to have been stolen from the students apartments. Chika allegedly broke into the students’ apartments around Awa Ijebu and its environs at the weekend, where he succeeded in carting away some property of those who had travelled for Christmas. He reportedly came back to continue with his criminal act when luck ran on him after a male student, who was returning from an outing, raised alarm. Chika admitted to have burgled several apartments in the area, adding that most of the apartments were those of female students. Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the arrest.

Notorious Motorcycle Thief Arrested in Lagos

The Police in Lagos State, January 4, disclosed that it had arrested a fake soldier, who specialised in stealing motorcycles from different states of the country. Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, disclosed that the suspect had been parading himself as a military officer before he was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The suspect allegedly intimidates members while pretending to be a military officer. Badmos said that the suspect had made a confessional statement during interrogation, naming an accomplice as the receiver of items he stole. She added that efforts were on to apprehend the receiver and others connected to the crime.

Gunmen Attack Commuter along Ikorodu Road

Gunmen, January 4, attacked commuters at Owode-Elede axis along the Ikorodu road, Lagos. Many of the victims were said to be passengers, motorists and other road users going about the day’s businesses. It was alleged that some people were also kidnapped during the incident. The gunmen were said to have arrived through the creeks in two boats shooting into the air to scare people and thereafter barricaded both sections of the road after which some vehicles were vandalised and the road users were dispossessed of their valuables.

Two Killed in Bayelsa Market Robbery

One person was, January 4, killed after a gang of gunmen invaded the popular Swali Market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. It was gathered that the victim, Raymond Agada, was in possession of a large sum of money which he meant to deposit in the bank. The robbers reportedly operated with sophisticated weapons and other dangerous tools and had information that the victim was in possession of some cash. Petty thieves in the area were also said to have carted away items from shops in the market after the owners fled in the wake of the pandemonium. However, it was learnt that a team of policemen that arrived on the crime scene following distress calls by some witnesses, apprehended one of the suspects, who is said to have made some confessional statements to the police. Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

Drugs

NDLEA Discovers Cocaine inside Shoes Soles

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja have discovered parcels of whitish substance that tested positive for cocaine inside the soles of foot wears. The agency’s spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed that the cocaine weighed 9.150kgs and was discovered in a shipment of shoes during the inward screening of passengers on a Turkish airline flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to him, the cocaine was industrially concealed in the soles of new foot wears. A 34-year-old suspect, Kingsley Okolo, was arrested. He confessed that he was offered N1 million to smuggle the drugs to Nigeria. Ofoyeju added that investigation was ongoing and the suspect was cooperating with the agency.

NDLEA Seizes 870 Blocks of Indian Hemp in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 870 blocks of substances suspected to be cannabis in a bungalow in Damilu area of Jimeta. The commander of the agency in the state, Yakubu Kibo, who disclosed this on January 5, said that the substances, weighing 981 kilogrammes, were seized following an intelligence employed by the command. He, however, said that no arrest was made and that the bungalow was sealed pending the outcome of investigation into the matter.

Militancy/Maritime

Navy Arrests Barges with Stolen Products in Rivers State

The Nigerian Navy, January 3, destroyed about seven illegal refineries, making several arrests in some areas in the Niger Delta region. Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Christian Ezekobe, said the operation yielded positive outcomes in the fight against increasing cases of economic crimes. According to him, the Naval patrol team deployed by NNS Pathfinder arrested 2 barges at Taraba Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering. One of the arrested barges reportedly had about 70,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO while the other was carrying a mixture of AGO and water. The patrol team went on to arrest another barge conveying about 200 MT of suspected illegally refined AGO at Owogoro Jetty in Port Harcourt.

Navy Destroys Seven Illegal Refineries in Delta State

The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Christian According to Ezekobe, January 3, disclosed that the patrol teams deployed by NNS Delta for daily patrols discovered and destroyed 2 illegal refineries together with an estimated 120MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and another 20MT of stolen crude oil at Bikpoku Creek and Asigbo Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State. Another patrol team from NNS Delta discovered and destroyed 5 illegal refineries with about 100MT of combined products at KO Creek in Warri South West LGA of Delta State.

Terrorism

Boko Haram Attacks Military in Borno, 15 Terrorists Killed

Boko Haram fighters, December 30, attacked a military facility in Rann, Borno State, injuring several soldiers in the process. However, the military successfully repelled the attack, killing 15 members of the terrorists’ sect. It was revealed that the troops were able to capture some equipment from the retreating insurgents. This is the first attack by the terrorists on a military position after they were pushed out of their Sambisa forest stronghold.

Suspected Boko Haram Gunmen Invade Villages in Niger State

Gunmen suspected to be fleeing Boko Haram members, December 29, invaded several villages in the Rafi LGA of Niger state. During the invasion several people, especially women, were either kidnapped or raped. The invasion started with assaults on Dan Mayans and Dogon Gona villages during which 30 men were kidnapped. An eyewitness said not less than 250 cows were also stolen during the invasion of the communities. The invaders were said to be operating with sophisticated weapons including AK47 rifles machetes and daggers. About four people were reportedly killed during the invasion. The chairman of Rafi Local government council, Alhaji Gambo Tanko Kagara, said he had reported the case to higher authorities. He stated that drastic measures will be taken to address the attacks of the gunmen by also involving the communities.

Girl Suicide Bomber Killed in Maiduguri Blast

One person was seriously injured when a suicide bomber aged around 10 blew herself up on December 31 in Maiduguri, Borno State. The girl reportedly approached a crowd buying noodles from a food vendor and detonated her explosives. Although no one has claimed responsibility, the attack bore the hallmark of Boko Haram terrorists who are notorious for using suicide bombers, mostly women and young girls, in attacking civilian targets. Borno State police spokesman, Victor Isuku, who confirmed this, also disclosed that a second female suicide bomber was caught and lynched by an angry mob. Her bomb was safely detonated by security forces.

Military Repels Boko Haram Attack in Madagali

Troops of the Nigerian Army, January 3, successfully repelled an attack by the Boko Haram terrorists on Dar village of Madagali LGA of Adamawa State. Hundreds of Bok Haram fighters reportedly tried to attack the village but they were immediately repelled by the troops at the entrance of Dar village in Madagali few kilometres to Sambisa forest. The terrorists had regroup and put up a fight ostensibly to recapture some of it enclaves in Sambisa forest following the recent fall of the forest to the troops. The Chairman of Madagali LGA, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, said the terrorists were contained by the prompt action of security operatives in the areas. He lauded the efforts of security agencies and vigilante in the area and called for the people’s support. The Public Relations Officer of 28 Task-force Battalion, Mubi, Major Akintoye Badare, said the attack was successfully repelled with no casualty on the military side. He assured that the situation had normalized, adding that security agents were on top of the situation.

Wanted Boko Haram Commander Arrested at Borno LG Chairman’s House

Nigerian Army, December 30, arrested the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Mafa LGA of Borno state, Alhaji Shettima Lawan Maina for hiding a top Boko Haram Commander in his house. Neighbours of the LG boss disclosed that the military and some security operatives stormed the house after getting an intelligence report that the top Boko Haram commander, who was fleeing from Sambisa forest, had sneaked into the house for safety. Both the Boko Haram Commander and the Chairman have been detained in a military facility. Similarly, the Vice Chairman of Kaga LGA also in Borno state has been detained for also having links with Boko Haram. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Lucky Irabor, January 4, confirmed the arrest of the men for alleged links with the Boko Haram terrorists. Lawan was described as a big supporter of Boko Haram.

Vigilante Members Kill 3 Female Suicide Bombers

Members of a vigilante group in Madagali LGA of Adamawa, January 4, shot dead three suspected female suicide bombers attempting to enter the Gulak market. The Chairman of the LGA, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the suspected suicide bombers were sighted from a distance by the vigilantes, who were on patrol around the Bakin Dutse area. He said suspects were ordered by the vigilantes to stop, but they refused. The shots by the vigilantes detonated the explosives on two of the suspected bombers. The explosions killed the third bomber, who was close to them. Spokesman of the 28 Task-Force Battalion, Mubi, Major Akintoye Badare, confirmed the incident.

3 Female Suicide Bombers Killed in Borno

The Nigerian Army, January 4, said soldiers killed three female suicide bombers when they tried to ram into troops in Dutse area of Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, said that the three female suicide bombers were intercepted following an intelligence report on their going toward Limankara in Gwoza Council. The soldiers intercepted the bombers but the three of them resisted and tried to ram into the troops, he said. He explained that the Nigerian troops and their Cameroonian counterparts had been making remarkable progress and recoveries in Ngwoshe axis and Gwoza hills.

Troops Arrest 1,400 Boko Haram Suspects in One Week

Soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgents have arrested 1,400 terrorists in one week. The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Leo Irabor, January 5, explained that the suspects and rescued persons were part of the successes in the operations between December 28, 2016 and 4 January, 2017. According to him, troops in conjunction with NSCDC arrested a suspected Boko Haram suspect, Rabiu Ibrahim, at Bajoga in Funakaye LGA of Gombe State. The suspect confessed that he joined the sect about four years ago and took part in the attack of troops along Damaturu–Maiduguri road.

15 Beheaded by Boko Haram Sect in Borno

At least 15 hunters were slaughtered in the bushes between Gubio and Mobbar LGAs of Borno state by suspected members of Boko Haram sect. According to reports, the insurgents clashed with the victims in the bushes near Kareto community and beheaded them. Community sources disclosed that when the grasshopper hunters were in the bush, some group of terrorists suddenly appeared and started shooting sporadically, after which they killed one of the hunters before slaughtering 14 others and fled.

Political/Government Agencies

Rivers Rerun: Army Recovers Alkali’s Gun, Uniform

The Nigerian Army has said it has recovered one AK47 assault rifle and uniforms belonging to DSP Mohammed Alkali and his police orderly that were beheaded by cultists in Omoku, Rivers State during the December 10 legislative rerun elections in the state. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Major-General. Kasimu Abdulkarim, disclosed this on January 1. Abdulkarim said that troops from the Division recovered the items during a raid on four militant camps and cultist’s hideouts in Ujju community near Omoku. According to him, the troops also recovered assorted types of arms and ammunitions stashed away by bandits in the area. The troops had engaged the suspected cultists in a shootout and arrested some suspects. Other items recovered include one AK47 rifle, two G3 rifles, five double barrel guns, two pistols, 31 empty AK47 magazines, 242 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 322 rounds of other ammunition calibres, bulletproof jackets, seven other police uniforms, 31 handsets, Automated Teller Machine Cards (ATM) and a First Aid box, he said.

Murder/Assassinations

Ex- Golden Eaglets, ACP Killed in Edo

A serving Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of training in Edo State Police Command, Christopher Osawe, has been reportedly murdered by unknown gunmen in his house at Upper Sokponba road, Benin City. In a related incident, footballer with Gombe United, Uzama Douglas, was shot dead in Benin City on December 29, 2016. The ex-Golden Eaglets had gone out with friends when some cult boys carried out an attack on them. The killers fled the scene after the shooting. A top official at Gombe United said the club was shocked at Uzama’s murder.

20-Year-Old Woman Killed in Kogi

A 20-year-old lady, who was kidnapped some weeks ago in Kogi State, was found dead on December 31. It was gathered that the lady was kidnapped in Okene some weeks ago with no trace until her remains were found. It was revealed that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

Man Kills One, Stabs Another in Argument

A young man, Onyekachi Omego, has been arrested by the police in Enugu State after he killed a man during an argument in a beer parlour. Omego, who was tried to flee the scene after he reportedly stabbed a fellow drinker during an argument over a girl, killed another with a stick. The deceased, one Ohabuike, tried to apprehend Omego, who was being chased by some people, thinking Omego was a thief. An eyewitness disclosed that Omego, who was quarrelling with another man, suddenly broke a bottle of beer with which he stabbed the man. He tried to run but fell. He got up, picked a big stick and started running again as those around pursued him. But as people were pursuing him, another man, who thought he was probably a thief, tried to hold him, but he used the stick to hit the deceased on the head. The man started bleeding through the nose, mouth and ear and then died before he was taken to a nearby hospital.

Cultists Kill Two in Omoku
…Army Kills Five Fleeing Cultists, Recovers AK47 Rifles

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, January 4, shot and killed five suspected cultists during gun battle in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers. General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Major-General Kasimu Abdulkarim, who confirmed the killings, said the battle was part of “Operation Cleanup” of cultists and militants terrorising residents. According to him, troops have recovered five AK47 assault rifles from cultists in the area since January 1. The incident started when troops stormed the area after receiving distress call over the cultists’ activities. Eyewitness account said the suspected cultists invaded Omoku town on January 3 and shot dead two unidentified young men before making attempt to escape. After killing the men, they shot sporadically before soldiers closed in on them. The division recently launched a major operation in the area shortly after a police officer, Mohammed Alkali and his orderly were beheaded during the December 10 legislative elections in the state.

Two Killed as Police Open Fire on Protesting Workers

Two casual workers with Chi Limited have lost their lives after a team of policemen opened fire on them during a protest at the company’s headquarters in Ajao Estate, Lagos State. The deceased, 19-year-old Daniel Osikoya, and the other victim died from the gunshot injuries they sustained in the leg and thigh respectively. However, the Lagos State Police Command said the workers had attacked policemen deployed in the area with caustic soda, injuring an Inspector. It added that the operatives responded within the ambit of the rules of engagement.

Court Remands Five for Alleged Murder in Ibadan

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, December 3, remanded five men in custody for alleged murder and arson. The Chief Magistrate, Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani, remanded them at the Agodi Prison, Ibadan, pending the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The prosecutor, Inspector Adewale Amos, told the court that the accused caused the death of Balikis Suleiman by shooting her to death. The five men also caused the death of Taye Oyerinde by firing gunshots at him during a pandemonium that broke out on December 9, 2016 in Ibadan. The accused further attacked and robbed Yakubu Abdulraheem of N50,000, and later set his shop ablaze, Amos added. The pleas of the five defendants were not taken by the court. The magistrate adjourned the case till February 6, 2017, for mention.

Kidnapped Female Lecturer Found Dead‎ in Kogi
…3 Suspects Arrested

The female lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Christie Agbulu, kidnapped in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on November 26, 2016 has been found dead. Acting chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi chapter, Dr Bemgba Anjembe, January 3, disclosed that the corpse which was found in a decomposing state by security operatives had been handed over to the family for burial. The lecturer was kidnapped as soon as she arrived in Kogi state and the abductors used her phone to demand a ransom of N150, 000. ASUU had in December expressed worry over the fate of its colleague and called on the police to ensure her release. Kogi State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and killing. Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, who disclosed this, said the suspects were arrested in their hideout. Aya revealed that the handset of the murdered lecturer was found with the suspects.

3 Dead in Ogun Cult Clash

Three people, including a Ghanaian, have been killed in a fresh resumption of hostility between two cult groups in Sango area of Ogun State. Two persons, Joe alias Baby Ghana and Ahmed, were, January 3, axed to death around Ketere and Iyana Araromi by suspected members of Aiye Confraternity. A member of Aiye cult group had been killed four days earlier. It was gathered that the killing was a reprisal attack by the Aiye members whose colleague, simply identified as Para, was murdered by suspected Eiye members recently. The killers of Joe and Ahmed reportedly broke their heads with axe forcing their brain out of their skulls, according to witnesses.

Hoodlums Stab 25-Year-Old to Death in Lagos

Two suspects, Yusuf Aremu and Temitope Adesanya, are being investigated by detectives at the Lagos State Police Command in connection with the killing of a 25-year-old man, Yinka Aiyeworo, on December 30. Aiyeworo was stabbed to death by some hoodlums in Ben Hotel on Ojo Road, in the Layeni area of the state. The victim and his friends were relaxing at the hotel when the assailants stormed the facility and attacked him. He was said to have been stabbed with a knife by one of the hoodlums, who took to their heels, leaving him in a pool of blood. The police are on the trail of other fleeing suspects, adding that the two arrested suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.

Son Hacks 86-Year-Old Father to Death

An octogenarian high chief, in Okitipupa area of Ondo state, Clifford Olumekun has been reportedly hacked to death by his undergraduate son identified as Olusoji. It was gathered the dastardly act was carried out by the suspect at the deceased’s residence at No 1, Okeraye Street, Idepe in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. The suspect reportedly used axe to kill his 86 year old father and high chief in the town for yet to be disclosed reasons.

Rape

Man, 25, Rapes Friend’s 6-Year-Old Daughter

A 25-year-old man, Monday Udeme, was almost lynched on January 1 for defiling his friend’s six-year-old daughter at their King Duke Street residence in Calabar, Cross River State, where the suspect was squatting with the girl’s father. An eyewitness, Ekpeyong Bassey, disclosed that the incident occurred on December 31. The girl’s father has discovered that his daughter’s pant was damp and enquired to know what happened. The little girl reportedly told her father that it was Udeme that raped her. The victim’s father and his friends reportedly beat up Udeme.

Girls Drugged, Raped in Borno State

The Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), January 1, said that some youths in Maiduguri have resorted to drugging and raping unsuspecting young girls. The Commandant of the corps, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who made the disclosure, said that the command had recorded three cases between December 20 and 30, 2016 from Gomari Coasting, London Ciki and Jidari Polo in Maiduguri. The victims aged between 13 and 14 years old, reported that some youths had drugged and raped them. Medical examination on the girls revealed that the girls were raped. The victims recalled that they were abducted in a tricycle before they were taken to separate locations, where they were raped. No arrest has been made so far, but the command vowed to bring the culprits to book.

2 Docked in Kano over Gang-Rape of Teenager

Two men, who allegedly gang-raped a teenage girl in Kano, were, January 3, remanded in Kano Prisons on the orders of a magistrate court. The Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, who gave the order, said the accused should remain behind bars till the next date of adjournment. The accused, Muhammad Abubakar (58) and Ali Garba (45), are facing a charge of rape. The Prosecutor, Suleiman Danladi, told the court that the elder brother of the victim had reported the case at Hotoro Police Division on September 11, 2016. The prosecutor said the victim was taken to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Kano, for examination where she was confirmed pregnant. The case was adjourned to January 18 for mention.

4 Rape Suspects Arrested in Nassarawa

The Police have arrested a Vice Principal in Nassarawa State for allegedly raping his female student. Police Public Relation Officer, Idrisu Kennedy, January 3, said the vice principal allegedly raped the 16-year-old student on December 13, 2016 after he lured the girl to a hotel. Three other persons allegedly engaged in other cases of rape were also arrested by the police. Two suspects, disguised as vigilante members, robbed and raped two female students on December 12, 2016. A man was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old hawker in an uncompleted building in Lafia on December 11, 2016. The police urged the general public, especially parents and relations of rape victims to report any case of rape to security agencies for appropriate prosecution.

Man, 45, Arraigned for Raping, Infecting 13-Year-Old Girl with HIV

A Kano Magistrates’ Court, January 4, remanded a 45-year-old man, Tukur Musa, in prison custody for allegedly defiling and infecting 13-year-old girl with HIV. The Chief Magistrate, Maryam Sabo, ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody pending the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution. The Prosecutor, Inspector Shuaibu Musa, told the court that Rabiu Usman of the same address reported the case to Panshekara Police Division Kano on December 29. He said, “About two months ago the accused Tukur lured the complainant’s 13-year-old daughter into his room situated at Panshekara Quarters Kano, and had unlawful sexual intercourse with her. The victim was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for examination and was found to have been infected with HIV. The Magistrate adjourned the case to January 18, for mention. The accused pleaded not guilty to the one count charge.

Police Arrest Four Suspects over Gang-Rape of Bauchi Woman

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspected kidnappers for allegedly gang-raping a woman in Yali, in the Ganjuwa LGA of the state. It was learnt that the suspects –Bala Mohammed, Dauda Damina, Mohammed Ahmed and Dahiru Mato– were arrested on January 1, 2017, by detectives attached to the Ganjuwa division after a tip-off. It was gathered that the suspects had on November 28, 2016 stormed the house of the woman in Mada Dutsen Kura hamlet and attacked her husband, one Abubakar Mohammed, before gang-raping the woman. According to the police, the suspects thereafter demanded a ransom of N150,000, after which the husband paid N35,000, before the suspects fled the apartment. Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the arrests, said the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be charged to court.

Others

Delta Royal Father Returns Snatched Weapons to Police

The traditional ruler of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West LGA of Delta State, His Majesty Couple Oromoni, December 30, handed over two G3 rifles dispossessed from two immigration officers in Warri by suspected Ijaw militants along the Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja River to the Police. The traditional ruler, HRM Couple Oromoni, the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, said the recovery of the weapons were made possible with the intelligence gathering efforts of the community that immediately mobilised spies to go after those involved in the operation. He noted that as a peace loving community they had been traumatized by the news of the disarming of the immigration officers and since then have never relented in their collective effort to ensure that the arms were not only recovered but taken away from the community by handing them over to the Police.

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Invade Kaduna Communities

Suspected Fulani herdsmen, January 3, invaded Sunji/Kagoro community in Kaura LGA of Kaduna state. But there was a strong resistance by members of the communities and security personnel when the herdsmen invaded the area. The Interim Management Committee Chairman of Kaura LGA, Gima Alex, who confirmed the incident, did not disclosed whether there was casualty. He added that plans were in place to deploy more security operatives in the area to ensure proper security of lives and property. He called on residents to be vigilant and report suspects to the security agency.

Police Arrest 15 Suspected Cultists

About 15 suspected cultists were arrested by men of the Ondo State Police Command in Akure, the state capital during the Christmas and New Year festivals. The Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, who disclosed the action of the police said the suspected cultists were arrested at different locations within the Akure metropolis during routine patrol. Some of them were arrested during the initiations of new members into their cult groups while some were arrested while holding their meetings. Joseph further disclosed that various dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects which he said included: axes, cutlasses, machetes, cut-to-size locally-made pistols, and charms among others. He stated that the suspects had been charged to court and had been remanded in prison custody. He appealed to parents to always monitor the movements and the friends of their wards, reiterating that the command would not relent in making Ondo State crime-free.

Herdsmen Threaten Delta Community

There are palpable fears among the people of Ayakoromo community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State as some Fulani herdsmen have threatened to forcefully grab their land for rearing of their cattle. It was gathered that three unidentified Fulani herdsmen who claimed to have been sent by the Delta State Chairman of Fulanis in Asaba, entered Ayakoromo community on December 30th, 2016 to claim part of the land for grazing purposes. Some elders and executive members of Ayakoromo community rejected the requests of the Fulani herdsmen on the grounds that the community forbids strangers from entering into their land during their Annual Festival, but the Fulani herdsmen allegedly responded by saying that they have freedom to move their cattle to anywhere in Nigeria and as such they will come to Ayakoromo town with their cattle whether the Community liked it or not.

Police Rescue Tortured Teenager from Sister

Lagos State Government, January 3, rescued a 16-year-old girl, Amarachi Iloku, from her half-sister, Nneka Iloku, who allegedly scarred her back with a hot iron, pierced her thigh with blades and shaved her hair. It was also alleged that the woman often beats Amarachi regularly and makes her hawk goods and work late into the night. Neighbours, who witnessed the act, took the case to Lagos State Domestic Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), which also ensured the step-sister was arrested and detained at the Ketu Police Command. Coordinator of DSVRT, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said that the case would be charged to court.

Residents Flee Homes over Renewed Attack By Cattle Rustlers

Residents of Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale communities who have their houses along the ever busy Ogwashi-Uku/Ughelli Express Road in Delta State have fled their homes following renewed attack on them by suspected cattle rustlers. While the suspected cattle rustlers’ activities have continued to create fear among residents, a motorist was, January 6, shot along the Ogwashi-Uku/Kwale portion of the road  by the suspected cattle rustlers who were found prowling the scene when police arrived and found them blocking the road with their cattle. Although the policemen from the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division who did not want their names in the print, confirmed that the victim died on his way to the hospital, they disclosed that six suspects were arrested on the spot, adding that the suspects are currently helping the police for further investigation.

Two Docked over Threatening to Bomb Police Station

Two men, Adebayo Shaib (36) and Olaifa Oluwasanmi (30), were, January 5, arraigned in an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for alleged terrorism after they threatened to blow up a police station in Ekiti state. The accused are facing charges bordering on terrorism. The prosecutor, Sergeant Bankole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 24, 2016 in Ado-Ekiti. He alleged that the defendants sent a message to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Iworoko, Ekiti, threatening to bomb the station. Olasunkanmi sought for an adjournment to enable him send the file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Olabode Agbaje, also urged the court to adjourn the case for an advice from the DPP. Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo remanded the accused persons in prison and adjourned the case till January 25.

30 Youths Arraigned for Cultism in Ogwuashi-Uku

Thirty youths have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State on a four-count charge of unlawful assembly bordering on cultism, a crime punishable under the new anti-cultism and terrorism law of Delta State, 2016. Meanwhile, the accused persons are to be remanded in prison pending the advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). Metro learnt that the 30 accused persons were arrested on December 29, 2016 by a detachment of men of the anti-cultism squad in Asaba and officers from the Ogwashi-Uku Police Division in one of the hotels in Ogwashi-Uku metropolis. During the raid, five battle axes and a hammer were said to have been recovered from the accused persons. The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Andrew Aniamaka, said communities like Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa and many others around Ndokwa axis had been marked out for onslaught against criminal elements who had been terrorising the communities.

Review/Analysis

Murder and assassination maintained the top place on the index with very sad stories on record. A 25-year-old man was brutally stabbed to death by suspected hoodlums in a hotel. It was reported that two of the suspects were arrested by the police while others remain at large. In a sad event, two men were shot dead when the police opened fire on protesting workers in Lagos State. Another sad incident was the murder of a lecturer, who was kidnapped on her arrival in Kogi State. The woman was killed even after the kidnappers received a ransom from her colleagues. Other incidents include cult, wars and communal clash and lone killings in feats of rage. The police has made some arrests and continues investigating other killings. The south-west and south-east witnessed more of these incidents.

Terrorism took an upward plunge even as the Boko Haram terrorists have been reportedly ousted from Sambisa forest. The terrorists in their bid to fight back, have taken their attacks into cities with attacks to attack military facilities. While the terrorists continue to record heavy losses, the military also recorded some losses and injuries. In separate incidents, some under-aged suicide bombers blew themselves up, killing some civilians in the process. Notable arrests of suspects, including politicians sympathetic to the terrorists, were made. The military, while successfully repelling some of these attacks, have called on residents to be wary of strangers, as fleeing Boko Haram members now disguise to enter homes and communities to wreak havoc. The north-east persistently remain most endemic region.

Security operatives made major arrest of armed robbery suspects and dislodged some notorious gangs. This was seen in a case were about four members of a criminal gang was arrested by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to have gang-raped several women and carried out about several attacks on commuters in the early morning hours. In Bayelsa State, two persons were killed when armed robbers, acting on information, attacked a man going to deposit money in the bank. The police however, apprehended one of the suspects. Other suspected armed robbers and cattle rustlers were arrested in other incidents across the country.

Rape incidents, especially attacks on minors, grows worrisome. A 25-year-old man almost got lynched for allegedly defiling his friend’s six-year-old daughter. Similarly, a 45-year-old man raped and infected a 13-year-old girl with HIV. This comes as teenage girls in Borno State face the risk of being drugged and raped by a gang of rapists on the loose. In another rape case, the Bauchi State Police Command arrested four suspected kidnappers for allegedly gang-raping a woman. These were witnessed across the country. Parents and guardians are urged to be protective of the children, both male and female, in their care to prevent them from falling prey to these rampaging rapists.

There is a persistent call on all to remain vigilante, as you can stop a crime by being observant taking preventive measures. Report all threats to the appropriate authorities for investigation. You may save a life.

Villeworth urges you to remain law abiding.