Weekly Security Report Weekly Report Week 3 Week 3
SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY
| CATEGORY | MAJOR INCIDENTS |
| 1 | Kidnap/Hostage | 6 |
| 2 | Robbery | 2 |
| 3 | Drugs |
|
| 4 | Militancy/Maritime Incidents | 1 |
| 5 | Terrorism | 11 |
| 6 | Political/Government Agencies |
|
| 7 | Murder/Assassination | 13 |
| 8 | Rape Incidents | 2 |
| 9 | Others | 3 |
Kidnap/Hostage Incidents
Police Parade Ex-officers, Suspects for Kidnapping Ex-Minister and Diplomat
The Nigeria Police Force, January 9, paraded three ex-police officers -Maisamari Dan Katsina, Bulus Jatau and Jatau Peter- over involvement in the kidnap of the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bagudu Hirse, and the Sierra Leonean diplomat in Nigeria, Nelson William, in 2016. The ex-police officers were paraded alongside and five other suspects by the Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah. Though Hirse and William were separately kidnapped in Kaduna, between June and November 2016, leader of the suspected kidnappers confessed that he collected N10 million ransom from the former minister, while an undisclosed amount was also collected for the diplomat. The police said the suspects were found with two pump action guns, 131 rounds of AK 47 ammunition, police camouflage uniform and two military caps, two operational vehicles, anti-car tracking device, mobile phone, four revolvers, 31 live cartridges, Prado SUV, Toyota Cricket and Toyota Corolla which were separately displayed as exhibits.
Kidnap Suspect Nabbed by DSS
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), January 6, arrested one Paul Ali (aka Simplee), a high profile leader of a kidnap syndicate. The suspect was arrested at Hill Flower Hotel, Asaga Ohafia in Abia State. Ali, who operates camps at Ikot Abasi and Mbo council area of Akwa Ibom State, is responsible for notable kidnap incidents across the Niger Delta region. According to DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, the suspect is also a member of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) which has carried out attacks on oil installations in the area. At the time of his arrest, Ali, with his associate, Chidiebere Kanu, were planning the kidnap of a federal lawmaker and an expatriate. Kanu is presently at large. Similarly, Abdulkarim Dahiru, a key terrorist commander and an indigene of Okengwa, Okene council area of Kogi State, was arrested at the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja. The suspect was identified as the main coordinator of several kidnappings as well as other robbery activities in Kogi and Edo States.
Kidnappers Invade Turkish International School, Abduct Students, Teachers
Five persons, including three students and two members of staff of the Turkish International School, Isheri, a border between Lagos and Ogun states were, January 13, kidnapped from the school premises. The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident but could not give concrete details. The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command immediately deployed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad as well as other police operatives to move there. He has directed that the abducted persons must be rescued unhurt.
Kogi Photographer’s Kidnappers want N50m
The kidnappers of a renowned photographer in Okene LGA of Kogi State, Aminu Yakubu, have demanded for a ransom of N50 million for his release, Yakubu was kidnapped on December 23, 2016. His family said that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N50 million for their son to regain his freedom According to the aged mother of the victim, Hajia Zainab Yakubu, her son was returning home at about 7.30pm from his photo studio when he was kidnapped at the front of his residence and whisked away with his Toyota Hilux van. The van was later abandoned along Ege village in Adavi LGA of the state. She appealed to police to assist in securing his release from captivity.
Hoodlums Snatch Kidnapper from Policemen
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspects in the Agbowa area of the state for allegedly snatching a suspected kidnapper from police operatives. The fleeing suspected kidnapper had led a team of policemen attached to the anti-kidnapping squad of the command to the community sometime in December to conduct a search on his apartment when some youths attacked the police team. The youths were said to have removed a pair of handcuffs on the suspect’s hands, freed him and subsequently set the patrol van that brought the suspect and the team to the area, ablaze. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, January 12, said three policemen were seriously injured in the attack.
Borno Smashes Gang Operating Baby Factory
A syndicate which specialises in trading in new-born babies has been smashed in Borno State. The Commissioner of Justice in the state, Kaka Lawan, January 12, said the state was alerted to the existence of the baby factory when a woman, Kaltume Mohammed, who was newly delivered of a baby got home without her baby. Lawan explained that when the state government investigated what could have happened, it discovered that the baby was sold to a syndicate of baby traders. She was arrested by the Gwange Police Station in Maiduguri for selling her baby. He said the investigation also revealed that another baby delivered by one Aisha Bukar was found with the syndicate. He said that the two babies delivered by Mohammed and Bukar were sold by one Zaria Haruna to Ngozi Nwokocha for N100,000 each.
Robbery
JTF Kills Notorious Armed Robbery Suspect in Calabar
A notorious armed robbery suspect, popularly called ‘AK1’ has been killed by the Operation Skolombo Special Task Force in Calabar, Cross River State. The armed robbery suspect was shot in his upper abdomen at Bogobiri Area, Calabar. The suspect and his gang had been terrorising and robbing businessmen and women at the area for a long period of time. The suspect was gunned down after he and his gang attempted to rob one businessman in this area. Luck ran out on the gang as the security operatives were on patrol at the time residents raised the alarm. Confirming the incident, Captain Kayode Owolabi, the Public Relations Officer of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, said that the suspect belonged to a robbery gang of three members.
Police Arrest Driver, Three Accomplices for Robbing Boss
A team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, January 8, arrested one Abass Ope and three other accomplices for robbing his former boss of his car, electronics and pet dog. The 24-year-old driver was arrested at Ojuelegba area of Lagos while trying to sell off his ex-boss’s Toyota Avensis 2013 model for N2 million. Arrested along with him were three of his friends -Balogun Oluwaseun, Sanni Azeez and Stephen Ewiele. Abass was said to have during the Christmas period stormed his boss Magodo home, while he and his family were holidaying in Delta State. Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, advised members of the public to always do a background check of their domestic servants so as not to expose themselves to criminals. The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Yaba, for further investigation.
Drugs
Militancy/Maritime
JTF Arrests Militant Leader, Five Others in Delta
Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, have arrested six suspected militants in Warri South West LGA of Delta State. The suspects, including a commander, identified as Bounanawei Smith alias ‘King of the Forest’, were apprehended at a private guest house on Esiso Estate in Warri by a combined team of military officers. Smith was arrested on January 7 while holding a meeting with others while some escaped from the military onslaught. The Spokesman of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare, confirmed the arrests. He said those arrested were IYC members and that they were holding a meeting when soldiers invaded the venue. Omare condemned what he described as naked, primitive and unwarranted display of force, recalling that it was on record that Bounanawei had since accepted amnesty and has been very active in maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta especially in Delta State.
Terrorism
Eight Killed in Suicide Bomb Attacks on Maiduguri
Eight persons were, January 8, killed in two separate suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State. In the first incident, three male suicide bombers who were also armed with fire arms and a member of the youth vigilante group who wanted to stop them from invading Maiduguri from Muna, an outskirt of the state capital, were killed. Police spokesman, Victor Isuku, disclosed that the male suicide bombers shot sporadically and attempted to enter Maiduguri via Garki Muna village close to a military checkpoint. The IED strapped to their bodies exploded killing all of them and a civilian JTF. Two AK47 rifles were recovered, while one was completely destroyed as a result of the explosion. The second attack occurred at Kaleri in Gwange, a thickly populated part of the town, where two female suicide bombers detonated explosives strapped to their bodies, killing two other persons.
One Officer, Six Soldiers Killed in Boko Haram Attack
The Boko Haram terrorist sect, January 8, invaded Cinki Gundu, an outskirt of Maiduguri, the Bornu State capital, killing an officer and six soldiers. Eight others were injured. Cinki Gundu is under Division 8 Task Force Headquarters in Monguno, where the Boko Haram members are said to be in their thousands, being their new operational base. The source said it took the intervention of a fighter jet from neighbouring Chad to stop the attack and killing. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen Lucky Irabor, said there were still pockets of resistance by the insurgents that were being contained. He further stated that an operation at Bulakesa village claimed the lives of an officer and four soldiers, while three other soldiers were wounded. He said 50 insurgents were killed in action while three AK47 rifles and several weapons and grenade were recovered from them, adding that nine terrorists and 18 minors were arrested during the operation.
Army Recovers Corpses of Missing Officer and 15 Soldiers
The corpses of an officer and 15 soldiers declared missing in October 2016 by the Nigerian Army have been found along a riverbank in Borno State. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen Lucky Irabor, January 11, said that the corpses of the missing officer and 15 soldiers were found along Kamadugou River line. This comes after troops, in conjunction with the Civilian JTF, January 5, conducted clearance operation along Damasak – Gashigar road. The troops successfully cleared Duoma, Asaga, Gashigar and other surrounding villages. The troops recovered the corpses of one officer and 15 soldiers that declared Missing in Action during the dislodgment of terrorists from Gashigar on October 16, 2016. Among the recovered corpses was that of Lt Col K Yusuf, the former Commanding Officer of 223 Tank Battalion. They have since been buried in Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery with full military honours.
Military Kills Six Insurgents in Clearance Operations
The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen Lucky Irabor, January 11, disclosed that military troops, conducting clearance operations at Metele village in Borno State, killed six Boko Haram insurgents. The troops, in conjunction with the Civilian JTF, January 8, conducted clearance operation to Metele village and encountered pockets of Boko Haram terrorists, and killed them during a shootout. The troops also cleared all identified Boko Haram hideouts from Dogon Chuku toward Tumbun Rago. Two soldiers were wounded in action. The wounded soldiers are currently receiving treatment.
DSS Arrests Boko Haram Members
The Department of State Services (DSS), January 6, arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Ibrahim Mala and Abdallah Modu, at Amba and Gudi villages of Kokona council area of Nasarawa State. The suspects who are indigenes of Maiduguri, Borno State, had fled the military action in the state and were regrouping in the state under different trade covers. The DSS also arrested one Muhammad Auwal at Andaza village, Kiyawa council area of Bauchi State in connection with Boko Haram terrorist activities. Auwal is believed to be a drug supplier to the sect in Sambisa forest. DSS Spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, January 10, disclosed that its operatives at Mutum Biyu in Gassol council area in Taraba State, arrested two suspected Boko Haram members -Bale Kolomi Grema and Kolomi Adba AJI. The suspects were arrested in a mosque after they had fled Marte in Borno State.
Army Arrest 963 Boko Haram Suspects in Borno
The Nigerian Army, January 11, said it had arrested about 963 persons suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists during operations between January 4 and January 9. The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Lucky Irabor, disclosed that a surrendered Boko Haram member was identified as a male sympathiser and spy in Monguno area. He also revealed that troops and the Civilian Joint Task Force arrested four Boko Haram suspects at Shuwari village. During preliminary investigation, some local witnesses identified one of the suspects as the one who provided medical treatment to injured terrorists. The other three suspects claimed they were abducted by the terrorists and that they only spent few days in their camps. He said that the suspects were now in the Army’s custody undergoing further interrogation. Irabor said that the suspects who all confessed to be members of the Boko Haram terror group, claimed to have come to town to buy Tramadol tablets.
DSS Arrests Fleeing Boko Haram Suspects in Lagos, Kogi States
The Department of State Service (DSS), January 10, said that its operatives arrested several suspected fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Lagos and Kogi states. A statement by DSS spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, said that the Service arrested four suspected fleeing members of the Boko Haram; Fanayi Bukar Hassan, Butame Hassan, Kologoni Bukar, and Amina Abubakar on January 10 at Oko-Oba, Ifako-Ijaiye LGA of Lagos State. They are suspected to have fled to the state to evade arrest in the ongoing military offensive in the North East. The same day, operatives at Okene town, Adavi LGA of Kogi State, arrested the leader of the Boko Haram sect in Okene, Abdullahi Mohammed aka Huja.
Army Warns Residents on New Antics by Bok Haram Bombers
The Nigerian Army has alerted residents of Maiduguri and its environs of new antics of Boko Haram terrorists, warning residents to be wary of strange persons knocking at their doors. This is as suicide bombers now disguise as Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) to enter the homes of unsuspecting people, where they detonate their explosives. Two of such attacks are currently on record with one claiming the life of the daughter of a home-owner, who had opened the door to the stranger, claiming that she needed a place to pass the night.
Boko Haram Attacks Military Base in Yobe
Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military post at Buni/Yadi in Yobe State on January 7, killing five soldiers. Buni/Yadi is the headquarters of Gujba, located on the fringes of Sambisa Forest and 54 kilometres south of Damaturu, the state capital. The attackers were eventually overpowered by the army with scores of them killed. Spokesman of 27 Task Force Brigade, Lieutenant George Okupe, confirmed that the attack at Buni/Yadi, one of the escape routes of fleeing Boko Haram fighters, was successfully repelled, with some of the insurgents killed, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
11 Feared Dead in Adamawa Suicide Bombing
Eleven people are feared dead in an early morning bomb blast in Madagali town in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State. An eye witness, January 12, disclosed that the blast occurred near a checkpoint at the entrance of the town, where people gathered to be screened before entering the town on the market day. The suicide bombers blew themselves up alongside the two vigilante members that approached them, according to reports. The member representing Madagali/Michika Federal Constituency, Adamu Kamale, called for deployment of more troops to comb the Madagali axis of Sambisa which he said was still harbouring insurgents.
Four Boko Haram, with 100 Motor Bikes Arrested
Four Boko Haram members, carrying 100 motorcycles have been arrested by Nigerian troops. According to the army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman , the fleeing terrorists were arrested on January 11 at Madaki village in Biu LGA of Borno State by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade. The terrorists were named as Muazu Gogobir, Mamman Shuaibu, Muhammadu and Isah Ibrahim. They were intercepted along with 100 concealed motorcycles at the outskirt of the town. The suspected Boko Haram terrorists are undergoing preliminary investigation, he added.
Political/Government Agencies
Murder/Assassinations
Four Die as Farmers and Herdsmen Clash in Niger
Four persons, January 10, lost their lives when Fulani herdsmen and Gbagyi farmers clashed in Sabon Daga community in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident occurred when farmers denied the herdsmen the right to graze their cattle on their farmlands. According to an eyewitness, a hot argument ensued between the farmers and the nomads, leading to dangerous weapons being used by both sides. It was also said that both the Fulanis and the farmers recorded casualties as a result of the crisis. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident. He added that the situation had been brought under control following the quick intervention by men of the Kpakungu police division with reinforcement from the command. Elkana said Fulani and Gbagyi elders had been invited to a meeting to forestall the possibility of a backlash as well as finding a lasting solution to such incident in future.
Gunmen Kill Girl in Ondo
A young lady, Omoyemi Akinbamiwa, was, January 8, shot dead by unidentified gunmen around Coca Cola Area of Ondo City in Ondo State. Akinbamiwa was killed in the town while in company of a boy. An eyewitness said the deceased was allegedly shot at close range by the gunmen, who rode to where she was on a motorcycle, while the boy in her company ran away. A team from the Special Anti-Robbery Division of Yaba Divisional Police station in the town later arrived the scene to assess the situation. Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said the police had arrested the boy that was with the girl before she was shot. Joseph said the police was looking at several angles on the incident because the lady’s bag containing her laptop and her phone was beside her. He said the police had commenced investigation on the incident.
Fulani Herdsmen Invade Adamawa Community, Kill 3 Policemen, 2 others
Suspected Fulani Herdsmen have invaded Kwayine Community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, killing five persons, including three mobile policemen and two civilians. Several people were wounded, while the community was completely burnt down. An eyewitness reported that the suspected herdsmen invaded the community on January 7 when the locals were preparing to go to bed. The eyewitness said that the herdsmen and the policemen manning the area had a gun battle for several hours before they overpowered the police and entered the community, burning it down. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, January 8, confirmed the killing of three mobile policemen and the disappearance of two others during the invasion. Othman added that the police authorities had constituted a high powered search team to rescue the missing men. The police spokesman said the police killed scores of the militia, explaining, however, that the survivors escaped with their dead colleagues.
One Killed, 15 Injured as Cattle Rustlers Attack Niger Village
A 19-year-old student was reportedly shot dead by cattle rustlers, who attack the Angwa Umadi village in the Shiroro LGA of Niger State on January 8. Fifteen other members of the village were said to be seriously injured during the attack. One of the villagers, Isaiah Baga, said the invaders numbering about 40, operated for about one hour after which they went away with 212 cattle and a number of sheep and seven new motorcycles. Baga said the attack came four days after some armed policemen came to patrol the area. Senator representing Niger East senatorial district, David Umaru, had called on the state government and security agencies in the state to rise to their responsibilities by providing security for the lives and property of the people. Umaru said his people were being exterminated and that many of them had fled their homes for fear of attack.
Son Hacks Octogenarian Father to Death in Ondo
An undergraduate, Olusoji Thompson, has been detained at the homicide section of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly killing his octogenarian father. The deceased, Chief Clifford Olumekun (86), was allegedly hacked to death on January 2, by his son at his residence. The suspect, according to a source, was handed over to the police after he allegedly confessed to the dastardly act after the family had consulted the oracle to expose the killer. After killing his father, the suspect allegedly parked the deceased’s lifeless body, wrapped it with a cloth and cleaned the blood stains in the room to hide the murder. The suspect was alleged to have fled the town immediately after he committed the crime but later showed up and confessed to the crime. He was later handed over to the police. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, confirmed the arrest of the suspect.
Man Arrested for Killing Brother on New Year Day
One Leonard Mba, who allegedly killed his brother, Cletus Mba, in Onicha village, Enugu-Ezike community, in Igboeze North LGA of Enugu State, has been arrested by the police. Police spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, January 9, disclosed that the homicide section of the command had begun investigation into the case. Amaraizu explained that on that fateful day, Leonard Mba allegedly engaged his brother, Cletus Mba, in a fight over a yet to be established issue. In the process of the fight, it was reported that Leonard Mba allegedly hit Cletus Mba, his brother, with an object which left him unconscious. Cletus Mba was later rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, Ogurute, for treatment, and was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital by the doctor on duty.
Herdsmen Kill 2 in Kaduna
Two persons were killed, while two remain missing after a gun battle between Police and herdsmen in Stonje village, Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. Senator Danjuma Laah, January 8, raised alarm over the capture and occupation of villages in Southern Kaduna by the herdsmen, saying that the violence might be a pointer that Boko Haram terrorists were regrouping in Southern Kaduna to team up with herdsmen. The death of these two men, identified as Ephraim Ezekiel, 19, and Joshua Ladi, 41, occurred 24 hours, after gun battle between the terrorists on one hand and the Nigeria police and local vigilante as the Fulani terrorists tried to overrun a village called Tsonje.
3 Policemen, Two Civilians Killed Adamawa attack
The Adamawa State Police Command, January 8, confirmed the killing of two civilians, and three policemen in an attack by suspected herdsmen in Demsa LGA of the state. Police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, who confirmed that three policemen were killed, and two were missing, said four rifles belonging to the policemen were also missing after Fulani militia attacked the three villages. He added that the police authorities had constituted a high powered search team to find and rescue the men. Othman also disclosed that the police had succeeded in killing scores of the militias.
Herdsmen Kill 5 in Delta
Two cousins residing in Abraka, Delta State, were, January 3, killed by herdsmen at their farm. On the same day, two men and a woman, indigenes of Obiaruku community, were also reportedly killed in a separate farm inside a forest reserve along the Abraka-Benin, Urhoka-Abraka Road. A resident of the community disclosed that the victims had gone to the farm on that fateful day but did not return. A search party that was sent out the following day, found them dead at separate locations by a river bank near their farm. A senior officer at the Abraka Police Station, who confirmed the killings, gave the names of the cousins as Akpovona Felix and Sunday Akpupu. Felix was shot in the chest, while the five fingers of Akpupu, who is a member of the vigilante group at the Bembo area of Abraka, were chopped off.
3 Killed as Indigenes Clash with Hausa/Fulani Residents in Akwa Ibom
A bloody clash between Hausa\Fulani scavengers and some local residents of Itiam Etoi in Uyo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, January 11, left three persons dead and scores injured. The incident occurred after one Hausa scrap dealer, who transporting a power generator on wheelbarrow, was accosted by some locals. A heated argument ensued during which the Hausa scrap dealer, who reportedly described the incident as harassment, mobilized his men and launched an attack on the locals. They were said to have used all manner of weapons in the rift which caused tension in the community. The Police Public Relations Officer, Cordelia Nwawe, who confirmed the incident, admitted casualties on both sides. She assured that peace had been restored to the affected community.
Suspected Killers of Undergraduate Arrested
Kidnappers and killers of a student of Osun State University, Osogbo, Adebisi Rofiat Damilola, have been arrested. The suspects apprehended by the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Osun State Command include one herbalist, identified as Jelili; and a commercial driver, Elijah Oyebode. During interrogation, the driver confessed that the herbalist contracted him to bring a young lady and get N10,000 as reward. Elijah said Rofiat boarded his vehicle from Ipetu-Ijesa campus of UNIOSUN to Osogbo when he hypnotized and took her to the herbalist on December 22, 2016. Her corpse was found on the roadside along Ikirun/Iragbiji road six days later. But the herbalist debunked some of claims of the driver. He claimed that the driver was telling lie and that Elijah was just his contract driver that he used occasionally.
Police Arrest Suspected Killers of LASTMA Commander
Two commercial motorcycle riders suspected to have participated in the lynching of a zonal commander, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olatunji Bakare, have been arrested by the police. The suspects, Abubakar Ibrahim (25) and Usman Ahmad (23), were paraded at the state police command headquarters in Ikeja on January 12. A mob in the Liverpool area of Apapa had killed the commander on December 15, 2016, in retaliation for the death of a motor boy, who was allegedly hit by a LASTMA van. Bakare, who led his men to the area to arrest erring motorists, was stoned to death. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the two suspects, said the police were on the trail of others involved in the killing. The suspects were arrested after a thorough analysis of a video of the killing, which had gone viral. The suspects were reportedly identified positively, having matched the recording with their faces. However, the two suspects denied complicity in Bakare’s killing, claiming they were framed by the police.
Woman, 37, Stabs Drunken Husband to Death
A 37-year-old trader, Christiana Odo, was, January 13, charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos with stabbing her 48-year-old husband, Romanus, to death. The Chief Magistrate, A.O. Ajibade, however, did not take the plea of the accused and ordered that she should be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The accused is facing a charge of murder. The prosecutor, Inspector Oladele Adebayo, told the court that the offence was committed on December 25, 2016 at the residence of the accused. He alleged that the accused had stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife in his chest, killing him instantly. The deceased was said to have returned home in a drunken state and had a heated argument with the accused, when the incident occurred. The case was adjourned to February 13.
Rape
15-Year-Old Docked over Defilement of 3-Year-Old Girl
A 15-year-old student, who allegedly defiled a 3-year-old girl, was, January 12, docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The accused, who resides with his parents at Adeyemi Makinde Street, Alagbado, Lagos State, is facing a charge of defilement. Prosecutor, Simeon Inuoha, told the court that the offence was committed on December 19 at the accused’s residence. Inuoha said the accused called the minor and lured her to the bathroom before defiling her. He disclosed that the cry of the girl attracted her brother, who caught the accused in the act. The accused, however, pleaded innocence of the offence and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. Chief Magistrate B.O. Osunsanmi, who gave the ruling, also ordered the suspect to be remanded in the Boys’ Correctional Centre at Oregun, Lagos, until the bail conditions were met. She adjourned the case to January 25.
Cultist Gang-Rape 15-Year-Old Girl in Benue
A 15-year-old girl in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State was kidnapped, drugged and gang-raped by suspected cultists. The teenage girl was, January 5, abducted by the gang and taken to an unknown destination were they drugged and tied her up for several days, while they took turns on her. The girl was, January 9, found heavily drugged at the Katsina-Ala Riverside by a search party led by her father. Her father said his daughter was abducted by a gang led by one Torkula when she went to a nearby market to purchase some items. According to him, the family raised the alarm when the girl did not return by nightfall. According to him, the girl was found after a church member saw her on a motorcycle with two men, who covered her mouth as they were heading for the riverside. He said he immediately proceeded to the riverside in company of a motorcyclist, where he saw Torkula dragging his daughter. Medical report indicated that she was induced with a substance and was sexually assaulted. Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, said a suspect had been arrested, while other fleeing members of the gang were being trailed.
Others
Man Arrested for Attacking 2 Children with Machete
The Police in Delta State, January 10, arrested a young man allegedly masquerading as a lunatic for attempting to kidnap and kill two children in Obinomba community in Ukwuani LGA. It was learned that the suspect had seized the children, who are between the ages of eight and 10, along the Utagba-Unor/Umukwaka Road of the community, and inflicted machete cuts on the head of one of them. The children were rescued after a commercial bike rider and his passenger saw him struggling with the children and raised an alarm, which attracted residents of the area. The suspect tried to chase the residents away with his cutlass. Policemen that were called in over-powered and arrested him. The injured boy was later taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed that the suspect was in detention, adding that it was not an incident of kidnap. He said the suspect could not be said to be a madman, but had been exhibiting violent tendencies in the community.
Missing Herdsmen Feared Killed in Anambra
Two herdsmen that went missing recently, may have been killed at Umuoba-Anam in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State by yet to be identified persons. The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Okaula, January 9, said that the command had already deployed a large number of policemen to the area to maintain peace and to prevent any reprisal attack, while six persons have been arrested over the incident. South East leader of Cattle Breeders Association, otherwise known as (Miyetti-Allah), Alhaji Sadiq Gidado, said that the incident took place at the area where the two men and others were grazing. According to him, the herdsmen were at their grazing ground at Eziagulu-Otu community and later decided to go to Otuocha market to buy something, when they were allegedly abducted. Gidado said the two persons had not been seen since the incident, adding that while the caps and shoes, which they took along with them to the place, had been recovered, but their motorcycle had not been seen.
Herbalist Arrested over Attack on Herdsman
The Police in Delta State have arrested one herbalist, Mr. O. Bassey, in connection with the attack on a herdsman and slaughtering of one his cows at Ossissa community in Ndokwa East LGA of the state. It was learned that the herdsman was heading towards Ossissa community with eight cows, when he was accosted by hoodlums suspected to be cattle rustlers, who attacked him along the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway. Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, who confirmed the arrest on January 12, said the assailants, numbering four, opened gunfire on the herdsman but the bullet hit his cow. The hoodlum later attacked the herdsman with machetes and seriously injured him. He said the shot cow was discovered to have been butchered at a farm belonging to the herbalist in the Umuleke area of the Ossissa community. He said the herbalist had denied involvement in the incident.
Review/Analysis
Murder and assassination took a leap up the crime index. The continuous attacks by herdsmen left at least 17 persons, including policemen, dead in Niger, Adamawa, Delta and Kaduna States. In other incidents, a 48-year-old man was gruesomely stabbed to death by his wife, during an argument. Some lone killings was on record. The police did not rest on their oars as they were able to apprehend some suspects while others were killed. The north-east and south-west region of the country witnessed more of these gruesome killings.
Activities of terrorist persist as Boko Haram terrorists continue their killing spree with suicide attacks. Despite the assurance by the military that the group had been dislodged from their strong, pockets of attacks, resulting in casualties, still occur. It was demoralizing as eight persons were confirmed dead in two separate suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno state. Similarly, one officer and six soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram attack on a military base. A fighter jet from a neighbouring country was sent to fight the invaders. Following the incident, nine terrorist and 18 minors were arrested. In spite of the seeming setbacks and pockets of attacks by fleeing terrorist, the military continues to make success of their operations with major arrests of suspected terrorists. A few of were killed when they dared to confront the military during clearance operations. The north-east persistently bears the brunt of the carnage done by terrorists.
Kidnap/hostage incidents continue but security agencies made major arrests of kidnap suspects with some already charged to court. A notorious kidnapper largely responsible for notable kidnap incidents across the Niger Delta region and also alleged to be a member of the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) which is also responsible for carrying out attacks on oil installations, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). Some victims were still in captive as huge ransoms were demanded for their release. These were recorded across various regions of the country.
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.