Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 19

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

S/N	CATEGORY	MAJOR INCIDENTS
1	Kidnap/Hostage	9
2	Robbery	7
3	Drugs	1
4	Militancy/Maritime Incidents
5	Terrorism
6	Political/Government Agencies	1
7	Murder/Assassination	13
8	Rape Incidents	6
9	Others	1

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Police Raid Kidnappers Den Arrest Four Suspects

Operatives from the Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have smashed a kidnap syndicate believed to have been terrorising Osun and Ondo   States, arresting four suspects following a gun battle in the suspects den in Osun State. The arrested suspects were said to have confessed to have been behind several kidnappings in both states as well as the abduction of eight-year-old Taiwo Ahmed in April. The gang was said to have intercepted the mother of the girl, Basirat Ahmed, while she was driving in her at Dada Estate area of Osogbo, Osun State. They reportedly dragged the little girl out of the car and took her to their hideout from where they demanded a ransom of N10 million for her release. The girl was eventually released after her parents parted with some money. Operatives of the IRT had earlier arrested one of the suspects, Akin Nureni (40), whose information led to the IRT storming the kidnappers den. The gang reportedly opened fire on the policemen. This led to a gun battle at the end of which three other suspects apprehended. Efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang who fled.

Gunmen Abduct Lawmaker’s Mother, Sister

Unknown gunmen on Saturday night, abducted the mother and sister of the member representing (APC) Akwanga South constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Kassim Mohammed-Kassim. Police spokesman, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the abduction on May 7. According to Idirisu, the gunmen in their numbers, stormed the residence of the lawmaker at Moroa in Akwanga at about 8pm, shooting sporadically before whisking the two women away. He said that the police was collaborating with the vigilante group in the area to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. He appealed to members of the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the women. Meanwhile, a family source said the abductors have contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N30 million. The victims were rescued on May 10 after the combined efforts of the police, the vigilante and other security agencies paid off. Idirisu, who confirmed their release, said the police was not aware of any ransom paid to secure their release.

Police Parade Notorious Kidnap Kingpin in Delta

A 40-year-old discharged lance corporal, said to be kingpin of a five-man kidnapping syndicate that specialises in the abduction of women with flashy cars in Asaba and its environs, has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command. He was paraded alongside 174 other suspects arrested across the state for kidnapping, robbery, rape and defilement, fraud, car snatching, murder, cultism and vandalism. Parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, said the discharged lance corporal and his gang have been terrorising the state capital. He assured that the police reduce the trend to the barest minimum. Confessing to the crime, Saliu, a native of Adamawa State, said he voluntarily opted out of the military when he was working at the Bureau de Change, adding that the kidnap of a Nollywood actress was his first operation. While regretting his action, the suspect narrated how relatives of a victim coughed out N1 million to secure her release.

Abducted Cross River Commissioner Released from Captivity

The Cross River State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Gabriel Odu-Oji, who was kidnapped on April 9, has regained freedom. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Irene Ugbo, May 8, confirmed his release in Calabar. She added that no ransom was paid to his kidnappers. The combined effort of security agencies in the state and the office of the State Security Adviser were on top of the matter to secure his release. She further confirmed that he was released unhurt and had since reunited with his family. The commissioner was kidnapped by five gunmen at Mayne Avenue area of Calabar South.

Gunmen Abduct Delta Varsity Lecturer, Demand N100m Ransom

Gunmen, May 6, abducted a lecturer at Delta State University, Oleh campus, Kingsley Uwubiti. Uwubiti, a one-time chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Oleh chapter, was ambushed at 10pm while driving along the Oleh-Ozoro Road. A source revealed that the kidnappers have established contact with his family and are demanding for N100 million for his release. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, said the incident was initially reported at the Ozoro Divisional Headquarters as a case of robbery on May 6. Aniamaka said the matter was being treated as a case of robbery and kidnapping, adding that men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command were on the matter.

Police Rescue Victims Tied to Trees after Combat with Kidnappers

Men of Imo State Police Command, May 8, rescued three victims tied to trees after a hand-to-hand combat with kidnappers in Avu Forest near Owerri, in Owerri West LGA. The three victims were abducted on May 6. Seven of the suspected kidnappers were captured in the operation coordinated by the Imo Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike. Police spokesman, Andrew Enwerem, disclosed that the bandits were overpowered by operatives of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the command inside the forest. He said that the operatives came face-to-face with the abductors in the forest, where they were holding their three victims tied up on trees. Enwerem said that after a hand-to-hand encounter with the kidnappers, the victims were untied and released unhurt. According to him, the police commissioner has directed a mop-up operation in the forest and other hot spots in Owerri.

Police Arrest Couple for Selling Daughter for N400, 000

The Cross River Police Command, May 10, said it had arrested a couple George-Sunday and Victoria Udoh, for allegedly selling their six-year-old daughter for N400,000. The state Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, said that the suspects were arrested on April 26 following a tip-off. According to Inuwa, the couple sold the child to enable them offset their house rent and open up a small provision shop. He added that the case had been transferred to State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department here in Calabar and investigation is ongoing. The father of the child, however, denied selling the child.

Army Foil Kidnap Attempt in Delta

The Nigerian Army, 222 Battalion, Ozoro, Isoko North LGA of Delta, May 10, foiled an attempted kidnap of one Mrs Felicia Ovoh in Ozoro. Captain G.M. Ado disclosed that he led the rescue team to Ovrode forest, where the woman was rescued under heavy gunfire. The Captain appealed to the public to always provide useful information that could help eradicate criminals in the society. The victim, a teacher in Owhe Grammar School, Ozoro, was reported have been on her way to school with her children when she was attacked by four armed men suspected to be kidnappers. The victim’s husband, Peter Ovoh, commended the Nigerian Army for the bravery and expressed gratitude to God for the successful rescue.

Gunmen Shoot, Abduct Youth in Warring Delta Community

Gunmen, May 7, shot and abducted one Pius Okito, an indigene of Polobobo- Isekelewu, an Ijaw community in Egbema Kingdom in Warri North LGA of Delta State, while fishing at a creek between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities. Arogbo and Egbema communities, in a joint statement by the President-General of Arogbo community Warri, Chief Olowo and Eddy Okito, respectively claimed that the victim was shot by Aladja youths. They said Okito’s friend, Perela Pounah, from Opuba community, Ondo State, who went on fishing expedition with him, narrowly escaped death. But the President-General of Aladja Community Council, Dogene Elias, denied the allegation, saying that Ijaw youths were the ones that killed an Aladja native and his 10-year old son on May 3 and also razed their villages.

Robbery

Police parade Armed Robbery Suspects, Others

The Cross River State Police Command, May 10, paraded 28 armed robbery and other criminal suspects. The State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, disclosed that officers attached to the Akamkpa local police division arrested five robbery suspects who allegedly broke into a corps members’ lodge at Government Secondary School, Akamkpa. The Commissioner also paraded three armed robbery suspects suspected of snatching a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ANA 369 CK belonging to one Obi Joseph-Funmi on January 25, 2017. He added that in all the cases, the police had recovered five locally made pistols, two vehicles, an ax, machetes, live cartridges, and other weapons.

Notorious Armed Bandit Killed in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command, May 8, announced that a suspected armed bandit, Sani Abdullahi, had been killed in a gun battle with security agents. The state Commissioner of Police, Shaba Alkal, disclosed that the suspect died during gun battle when a group of bandits attacked Yartukunya village in Bungudu LGA. The police recovered one AK 47 rifle from the deceased suspect, Alkali added. According to Alkali, the team of detectives of the command’s Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) also arrested four suspected criminals in Gusau metropolis and recovered 84 handsets of different types, SIM and memory cards and cash of N111,420.

Police Dock 3 for Alleged Armed Robbery

Three suspected armed robbers were on May 12, brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly robbing one Mr. Isaiah Okeimen of his possessions. The accused: Rasak Lawal (20), Ahmed Akogun (19) and Friday Johnson (18), are facing two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery. The accused residents of Ojo area of Lagos pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Imhonwa, had told the court that the accused committed the offence with others still at large on December 24, 2016. Imhonwa alleged that the trio stole $2,650, seven iPhones, one laptop, and a wrist watch, all valued at N3.2m. According to him, the accused were apprehended by security guards in the early hours of the day and in their possession were knife, cutlasses and planks. The complainant had raised alarm that robbers had invaded his house, which alerted the security guards. The accused persons were eventually arrested, while the other accomplices escaped. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum. Osunsanmi said the sureties must be a blood relation and a community leader and should provide evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government. She adjourned the case till July 11 for mention.

Robbers Attack Abuja Area, Police Arrest One

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja, has arrested a robbery suspect, Godwin Christian, in the Gwagwa area of the FCT. Christian and another gang member had allegedly attacked Angwa Hausawa area of Gwagwa on May 10 and stolen valuables from a resident. It was gathered that a distress call was put across to the police at the Gwagwa division, which mobilised operatives to the scene and arrested Christian. His accomplice, however, reportedly escaped. It was learnt that the police recovered a locally made pistol and an axe from the suspect. The FCT Police spokesperson, Usen Omorodion, confirmed the incident, adding that the operatives were on the trail of the runaway suspect.

Herdsmen Attack Commuters on Abuja-Keffi Expressway

Armed robbers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, May 10, attacked travellers on the ever-busy Abuja-Keffi Expressway. The robbers numbering about ten, with five of them wielding dangerous weapons, including guns and machetes, stopped vehicles and robbed the passengers. The robbers fled into the bush after 30 minutes of successful operation, when they sighted some soldiers from Keffi in Nasarawa state. Some of the victims claimed the robbers were Fulani as they understood the language they conversed in. A woman who was on a business trip to Jos for her boss wept uncontrollably, having lost a huge amount of money. She begged that our correspondent should relay the incident to her boss, and from his exclamation, it was obvious that a big money has gone.

Police Nab Suspected Uber Hijacker

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) posted to the Oshodi Oke area of Lagos foiled the hijack of an Uber taxi by three armed robbers. Although two others fled, the police succeeded in arresting 37-year-old Emmanuel John Ugbomah. Ugbomah was trying to escape after a botched attempt to hijack an Uber taxi belonging to one Adebisi. The suspect, in company of two other accomplices had boarded Adebisi’s taxi in Lekki and reportedly told the victim they were going to Oshodi.  On getting to Ikoyi, the trio told the driver to head to Dolphin where they said they were going to pick a lady friend. According to the victim, he was about to climb the Oshodi-Oke Bridge, when one of them grabbed him from the back seat, and another closed his mouth with his hand.  A gun-like object was pointed at his head and he was ordered to leave the driver’s seat to the back seat. But luck ran out on the suspects, as he opened the door, and saw some RRS policemen and quickly raised the alarm. The RRS operative immediately swung to action but two of the suspects escaped. The suspect has been transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja for further investigations.

Smuggler Killed in Clash with Customs Officers

One suspected smuggler was killed following a clash between men of Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operation Unit, FOU, Ikeja, and smugglers in Ogun State. The clash took place on May 9 at Sango Tollgate end of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Ado-Odo-Ota LGA when the smugglers ambushed a convoy of Customs vehicles, which was carrying loads of confiscated bags of rice and cartons of turkey, said to have been smuggled in through the Republic of Benin, to the Customs warehouse in Lagos. Angered by the death of their own, the remaining smugglers later mobilized and attacked the Customs checkpoint at Atan area along Sango-Idi Iroko Road. They destroyed five vehicles belonging to Customs and civilians at the checkpoint. The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command of Nigeria Customs, Abdulahi Maiwada, confirmed the incident. Maiwada said one officer was attacked by the hoodlums and was lying critically ill at a hospital, while five vehicles were vandalised and one burnt to ashes. The Public Relations Officer said three of the affected vehicles belonged to Customs, while two others belonged to private individuals. He also confirmed that the Customs operatives were able to transport the seized goods to the warehouse in Ikeja.

Drugs

NDLEA Arrests Grandmothers with cocaine, Heroin at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two women with narcotics at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while on their way to the U.S and Saudi Arabia. NDLEA spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, May 6, disclosed that the‎ suspects allegedly ingested 108 wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin and cocaine during outward screening of passengers at the MMIA, Lagos. He said that the‎ NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the names of the suspected drug traffickers as Ebunoluwa Adebayo (60), and Ayisat Amodu (59). Both women are grandmothers. He said that Ebunoluwa was‎ found to have ingested 83 wraps of heroin weighing 1.105kg on her way to New York, while Ayisat ingested 25 wraps of cocaine weighing 275 grammes on her way to Medina.

Militancy/Maritime

Terrorism

Political/Government Agencies

NSCDC Detains 12 Rogue Officials for Robbing Driver

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says 12 officials involved in the alleged torture and robbery of two employees of an oil company in the state have been suspended and taken into custody. The command said the suspension took effect from May 11, adding that a panel had been set up to investigate the conduct of the operatives. The NSCDC officials had flagged down a diesel-laden tanker driven by Lawal Amobi on May 5 along Wilmer Road, Ajegunle, asking him to produce his waybill and operating license. The driver said he produced the waybill, but the latter of was not with him. On the insistence of the officials to see the licence, he called the manager, who brought a photocopy. It was said that the men, apart from inflicting injuries on Amobi’s face and back, robbed him of two phones and a sum of N35,000, while the manager was dispossessed of N70,000, a wristwatch and an Infinix phone. The officials shot at the victims while they were trying to escape after being beaten up for refusing to pay a N5,000 bribe. The spokesperson for the NSCDC, Kehinde Bada, said the two teams comprised 12 officials. She said they had been suspended and detained, adding that a disciplinary panel had been set up to investigate the matter.

Murder/Assassinations

15 Lives Lost as Farmers/Herdsmen Clash in Taraba

A violent clash between farmers and cattle herders in Ussa and Takum Council areas of Taraba has left at least 15 people dead while several others sustained various degrees of injuries. The Taraba state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sahabi Mahmoud, confirmed the death of 15 persons in the clash. But the police, through the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, could only confirm five deaths. Sahabi said the death toll could be more as over 150 herdsmen were still missing. He claimed that hundreds of livestock belonging to the herdsmen were wandering in bush as their owners could not be traced. He called on the security agencies and the state government to come to the aid of hundreds of other cattle breeders, who he said were trapped in the forests of Ussa and Takum to get out alive with their animals. The Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Babas has relocated to Takum to ensure that the crisis was brought under control.

Gunmen Kill Two in Rivers

Two persons were reportedly shot dead, on May 6, by suspected cultists at Mgbuoshimini in Obio Akpor LGA of Rivers State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the incident, saying security had been beefed up to avert further breakdown of law and order in the area. One of those killed was simply identified as Chief Minikwu Chukwu and the other an unidentified lady. Community sources said suspected cultists stormed the area at about 7. The killings nearly sparked another round of violence as two houses were set ablaze.

Gunmen Kill Medical Doctor in Port Harcourt

A medical doctor, Dr. Florence Onua, was, May 5, shot dead by gunmen in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. Onua, a consultant and family physician at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, BMSH, Port Harcourt, was reportedly shot while returning from work by unidentified gunmen. The Public Relations Officer of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Rivers State chapter, Dr. Justice Ohaka, who confirmed the incident, noted that the victim sustained several bullet wounds and later died at the emergency ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Ohaka also expressed worries over the whereabouts of one Doctor Bob-Emmanuel Clark, who was kidnapped in April. The NMA spokesman called on the state government and security agencies to intervene to ensure the unconditional release of their colleague, Dr. Clark. However, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said the police are aware of the shooting, but that he is not aware of the doctor’s death. Omoni said the incident was reported to the Olu-Obasanjo Police Station and that before the police mobilised to the place, the gunmen had escaped.

Ogun Police Command Arrests Fake Soldier over Alleged Murder

The Ogun State Police Command says it has arrested a fake soldier who allegedly killed a petrol tanker motor boy in Abeokuta. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Ilyasu, said the 49-year-old suspect, Tunde Olatunbosun, who allegedly committed the crime on April 29 at Leme in Abeokuta, was arrested on May 5. He said the incident followed an argument between the suspect and the victim, identified as Razaq. The argument came up over claims by the suspect that the vehicle which the deceased was working on obstructed his own vehicle. The suspect, who was then dressed in military camouflage knickers brought out a gun and shot the motor boy at a close range and the boy died on the spot. The suspect quickly fled the scene leaving no trace. However, the police, through deployment of “technically – driven – intelligence- investigation”, traced the suspect to the Republic of Togo and lured him back to Nigeria where he was eventually arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a leader of a notorious armed bandit terrorising Abeokuta and its environs. Ilyasu added that the police recovered some dangerous weapons from the suspect including 43 live cartridges, one camouflage army knicker and two camouflage army trousers.

8 Persons Feared Dead as Suspected Herdsmen Invade Benue Villages

Eight persons were killed following an attack by suspected herdsmen on two villages in Logo LGA of Benue state. The Spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, Moses Yamu, confirmed the attacks on May 8. Yamu said the attacks on Akaa and Tse-Orlalu villages in Mbamar, Ugondo communities, were perpetrated by suspected herdsmen on May 7. He said that the police had yet to establish the motive for the attack and that adequate personnel had been drafted to the villages to restore normalcy. He said the attackers invaded the villages, killed eight people and injured many others. An eye-witness disclosed that the herdsmen came in from Taraba State through Abaji and Mbamar in Ugondo community. The eyewitness further stated that several villagers were still missing following the attack.

3 Dead, Scores Injured in Kaduna Clashes

Three persons were feared dead and several others injured in clashes by youths in the Kabala West Nariya and Umuazu communities of Kaduna State. This is just as the state government, yesterday, said 18 suspects have been arrested in connection with the unrest. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said the situation was under control, adding that those arrested were suspected of being involved in the crisis. The statement also dismissed stories on social media that the crisis had escalated to other parts of Kaduna town, leading deaths and injuries. The statement said government had sent a high-powered delegation, led by Acting Secretary to the State Government, Special Adviser on Internal Security and the Special Assistant Media and Publicity, to the communities. According to him, the delegation met with the leaderships of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), youth leaders, security agencies and traditional rulers of the two communities. At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed that all those responsible for the unrest should be fished out and brought to justice.

Gunmen Kill Enugu Deputy Governor’s Aide-de-Camp

Unknown gunmen attacked and killed the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Cecilia Ezeilo. The deputy governor’s ADC, Sergeant Hellen was said to have been shot dead at Abakpa-Nike axis of Enugu metropolis at about 10pm on her way to her residence after official duty. Contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, who confirmed the incident but said that he was yet to establish the full details of the incident.

1 Person Killed, 8 Arrested in Lagos Street Fight

The Lagos State Police Command, May 10, said it arrested eight suspects following a street fight at Iyana-Ipaja which claimed one life. The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said that the fight broke out at about 10pm on May 9. According to him, the fight raged and continued till 2am on May 10 when normalcy was restored after the police deployed a team to the area. Eight suspects were arrested and one person was killed in the course of the fight. Investigation revealed that fight ensued over a girl, who resides at Abule-Oki area of Iyana-Ipaja. The girl had gone to a party at Elere, Agege, where she was molested. On getting back to her area, she told the youths, who mobilized and blocked the road and led a fight towards Elere during which the police moved in to stop them.

Police Kill 5 Suspected Killers of ACP in Gun Battle

Operatives of the State Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKCCS) of the Delta Command have shot dead five members of an armed robbery/kidnap syndicate. The gang is alleged to have killed the Area Commander of Ughelli, ACP Usman Ndanbobo, in a gun battle. Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, who relocated to Ughelli with operatives of State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to track down the bandits, confirmed the killing to May 6. Four members of a robbery gang, mainly Fulani natives, who laid siege to the Olomoro-Iyede road in Isoko area of the state, during the week, robbing travelers were killed in the operation. It was learned that SAKCSS operatives, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, had as a follow up to the kidnap cases that led to the arrest of a kidnap kingpin, Lucky and two others, seized three other gang members within the Ebrumede/Ughelli axis on May 10. The team, however, ran into an ambush when other members of the gang attacked the operatives, following which five of the suspects received gunshot injuries, but were later confirmed dead by a doctor at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. The suspects confessed that they shot the officer (Ndanbabo), who they waylaid at Ughelli because he took to flight with the keys of his Toyota Camry car, which they attempted robbing.

DPO Arrested over Killing in Lagos

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ijeshatedo Division, Lagos, Mohammed Yakubu, has been arrested in connection with the killing of a fashion designer, Jamiu Ayoade, on May 6. Ayoade, who had attended a friend’s birthday party at Ijeshatedo, was reportedly shot at close range by the DPO. During investigation, the DPO informed the Command that he only led his men to the area following information that cultists were on rampage. He had also denied that neither he nor his men fired any shot during their visit, describing claims that he shot the late Ayoade as a lie. However, the visit of the State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to the deceased’s family revealed otherwise and the CP promptly ordered the arrest of the DPO. Some of those who claimed to have witnessed the incident narrated how it occurred to Owoseni. Residents also revealed that Sunday’s incident was not the first time the DPO would do such thing. They alleged that Ayoade was the third person that had been shot dead. It was further revealed that one of the bullets left at the scene was shown to the police boss.

Rivers Woman Kills Lover, Flees

A woman, identified as Boma Mac-Pepple, has been declared wanted by the police for allegedly killing her lover, Nathan Okojaja, in Opobo town, in the Opobo/Nkoro LGA of Rivers State. It was learnt that the duo had been dating for some time, but had a disagreement. But on May 9, Okojaja allegedly challenged the suspect for cheating on him. Mac-Pepple also accused him of cheating on her with her friend. The disagreement degenerated into a fight, with Mac-Pepple allegedly sustaining injuries. The suspect immediately took to Facebook around 10.44am same day, calling on her friends to help her locate Okojaja so she could bring him to justice for attacking her. Since Okojaja’s death was announced, the lover had stopped commenting on the social media and was alleged to have fled. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi, confirmed the incident, adding that the police had launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Police Inspector, Injure Three Others in Delta

The Delta State Police Command, May 11, confirmed the killing of a Police Inspector by suspected cattle nomads who allegedly ambushed some policemen on routine patrol in Abraka in Ehiope East LGA of the state. The command said three other policemen also sustained various degrees of injury during the ambush on the patrol team on May 9. Police spokesman, Andrew Aniamaka, said that members of the patrol team were from Abraka Police Division and the incident occurred along the dormant Railway Line in Abraka. Aniamaka, who confirmed the report, described the incident as unfortunate.

Man Sentenced to Death for Patricide in Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti High Court, May 9, sentenced a man, Blessing Olumakinde, to death for killing his father, Benson Egunlae, over his inheritance. Handing down the sentence, the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, said the evidence before the court substantiated the allegation against the accused and found him guilty of murder. Justice Daramola opined that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt hence the accused should be hanged by the neck until life goes out of him. The slain father of the accused had six wives and 18 children, who were locked on the sharing of his parcels of land. Dissatisfied with the share allotted to him, Blessing (47) reportedly traced his father and attacked him with cutlass and hacked him to death before fleeing the scene.

Rape

Kano Government Wants Life Imprisonment in Rape of Six-Month-Old Baby

The Kano State Government, May 6, says it would ensure that suspect involved in the reported rape of a six-month-old girl in Kano, go to jail for life. The government said it was deeply saddened by the news of the rape allegedly committed by a close confidant of the victim’s family. The state Commissioner of Information, Malam Mohammed Garba, disclosed that the Ministry of Justice had been directed to prosecute “whoever is involved in this sordid sexual crime.” The government stressed that the action clearly portrayed the perpetrator brutal and unfeeling, adding that the culprit deserved nothing more than the maximum penalty under the law. The statement said the government would settle the medical bill of the victim and advised parents to monitor the movement of their wards and those they keep company with. The law also provides option of imprisonment of not less than 14 years, a fine of N200,000 and payment of compensation to the victim.

Police Parade Suspected Rapist

The Cross River State Police Command, May 10, paraded a security guard for raping his boss’s 11-year-old daughter. The security guard was arrested at the Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality. The case was reported by the mother of the girl. The suspect, however, denied raping the girl, arguing that the girl agreed to have sex with him.

Man in Court for Alleged Rape of Twin Sisters

A driver, Samuel Adebayo (30), who allegedly raped twin sisters, was on May 11, docked before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court. The accused is being tried for rape and an attempt to commit abortion. The Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Raphael Donny, told the court that the accused committed the offences in December 2016 at his residence. Donny said that the accused lived in the same compound with the complainants who are twins, aged 17. The accused raped the girls on different occasions and in the process, one of them got pregnant. The accused gave her N20,000 to terminate the pregnancy but instead, she confided in her elder sister, who informed their mother. The case was reported at the police station and the accused was apprehended, he said. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Davies Abegunde, admitted the accused to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. Abegunde adjourned the case to June 5 for mention.

Father Rapes 17-Year-Old Daughter

A 51-year-old man, Folorunsho Oluwaseun, who allegedly turned his 17-year-old daughter into a sex object, was on May 6, granted a bail by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court. Oluwaseun was released on N300,000 bail with two sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The 51-year-old electrician is facing a charge of rape. Police Prosecutor Clifford Ogu told the court that the accused committed the offence between August 2016 and April 2017. The girl wrote in her statement to the police that any time she refuses her father’s sexual advances, he would not give her and her siblings food. The girl narrated her ordeal to her mother when she visited them. The woman reported the case to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team at Ikeja and the case was brought to the Police station. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, adjourned the case until June 5 for mention.

Man, 40, Nabbed in Attempted Rape of 12-Year-Old Girl

A 40-year-old man at Ikotun, Lagos State, Harrison Udoh, has been arrested after luring a 12-year-old girl into a bush to rape her. It was learnt that the suspect had on a number of occasions, invited the girl into his home and fondled her and rubbed his penis against her vagina. According to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) Coordinator, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the agency was notified by a concerned neighbour who had been noticing how the girl went into Udoh’s apartment. The case came to a head on April 14 when Udoh signalled her to meet him in a bush close to the house. The girl, however, went to report to their landlady, who advised her to go to him while they followed behind. He was caught while trying to assault the girl in the bush. Vivour-Adeniyi said her officials met Udoh as he was packing his things out of the apartment in order to flee. He was then taken to the Family Support Unit of the Ikotun Police Division where he was detained for further investigation. Udoh was charged with sexual assault before the Ogba Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault and defilement. The Magistrate, Mrs. Akanni admitted the suspect to a N250,000 bail with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned till May 22, 2017 for mention.

25-Year-Old Man Abduct, Rapes Physically Challenged Minor

A 25-year-old man, Sunday Aremu, has pleaded guilty to abducting a physically-challenged girl and raping her. Aremu was on May 8 arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos state. He was charged on a three-count of conspiracy, abduction and unlawful carnal knowledge. The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the charge. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Omisakin, had earlier told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 13 at New Motor Park, Ojota, on the outskirts of Lagos. He alleged that the accused abducted a 16-year-old physically-challenged girl for 14 days and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her during the period.

Others

Security Agents Avert Violence in Kaduna

Security agents in Kaduna on May 8 averted what could have led to a bloody clash in the Kabala West area of the city following the alleged killing of a suspected burglar on Sunday. An angry mob was said to have lynched to death the suspected burglar and his corpse was found by his friends and relations in morning. The incident, which was said to have happened along Kaje Street, Kabala West, led to fracas between two groups suspected to be for and against the alleged thief that was lynched by the angry mob. The development caused panic among residents as the news of the clash spread around the city with many whose shops are located in Kabala West area closing their shops and fleeing for their dear lives.