Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 35

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

S/N	CATEGORY	MAJOR INCIDENTS
1	Kidnap/Hostage	9
2	Robbery	4
3	Drugs	1
4	Militancy/Maritime Incidents	1
5	Terrorism	2
6	Political/Government Agencies
7	Murder/Assassination	16
8	Rape Incidents	3
9	Others	3

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Man Invites, Kidnaps Facebook Friend

The Abia State Police Command has arrested the leader of a kidnap gang, identified as Prince Agorom, who allegedly invited his Facebook friend to his birthday party, seized him and demanded N5 million as ransom. One Ozoemelam had lodged a report that he met one Johnson on social media and that after chatting with him for few days, Johnson invited him to a birthday party at Omuma Road. When Ozoemelam arrived at the venue, he was beaten up, forced to surrender his belongings and his mobile phone was used to call his elder brother, and a demand of N5 million ransom was made for his freedom. However, the victim managed to escape from the kidnappers’ den at midnight, while the suspects were asleep, and reported to the Police. Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, disclosed that the police quickly swung into action and arrested the suspected leader of the gang, Prince Agorom. The suspect had confessed that he is the leader of a four-man kidnap gang and that efforts were on to arrest other suspects.

Delta Police Dislodge Family of Kidnappers

A kidnap syndicate in Delta State, run by a father, his son, nephews and other relations, has been uncovered by the Police in the state. Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, who confirmed the story on August 27, said that a 56-year-old man, Musa, was behind the syndicate. He said the suspect was arrested by policemen at Ashaka Division and brought to the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKCCS) office in Asaba. The suspect reportedly has complicity in most kidnap cases as he sponsors, harbours and conceals activities of most kidnapping syndicates, mainly dominated by his sons, nephews and his close relations.

Police Foil Kidnap, Recover Ammunitions in Aba

The Abia State Police Command has foiled the kidnap of a man along Umuocham road in Aba. A Police patrol team attached to the Abayi Division was alerted to the abduction of a man along MCC road and promptly raced to the area. The victim, Kalu Deno Hansond, was said to be on his way home at about 7.30pm when the hoodlums seized him and forced him into the back of his vehicle. On sighting the Police team, the kidnappers abandoned the victim in his car and fled. Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, August 26, commended residents of the area for alerting the Police team, stressing that the Police in the state have the capacity to respond to distress calls within few minutes of receiving information. He disclosed that a locally made shotgun with live cartridge abandoned inside the vehicle by the kidnappers was recovered. Oyebade added that efforts are on-going to track the suspected kidnappers.

6 Suspected Kidnappers Killed in Shootout with Army

Six suspected militants, who allegedly masterminded the killing of two soldiers in Sapele, Delta State during a kidnap operation in July, have been killed by military operatives of the 19 battalion, Koko, Delta State. The military operatives, through a tip off had arrested four of the suspects including a female, who in an attempt to take the operatives to their hideout at Akpakakpa near Abigborodo community in Warri North council area of the state, led the team into an ambush leading to a shootout between the soldiers and the hoodlums with six of the hoodlums killed while an army personnel sustained gunshot wound. Two of the suspects earlier arrested, had confessed to being members of a militant gang that abducted a female victim at Amukpe, Sapele and killed two soldiers during that incident. They also admitted being the brain behind the abduction of some staff of an oil company along the Benin River as well as the vandalism of oil and gas facilities in the area.

Woman Fakes Own Kidnap, Demands N3m Ransom from Church Members

The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a 32-year-old woman, Victoria Ndu, for faking her own kidnap. It was learnt that Ndu, who claimed to have been kidnapped, was rescued in Awommama in Imo State on August 24 by men of the anti-kidnapping squad from Akwa Ibom State police headquarters. She was said to have been arrested the same day after investigations revealed that Ndu actually planned her own kidnap in order to get money from her church members. Following investigation, the police said she was found to have placed N3m as ransom for her release. It was gathered that her younger brother, Victor Akan, resident in Awommama in Imo State, was also arrested for allegedly conspiring with her to commit the crime. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Chukwu Ikechukwu, August 27, disclosed that Victoria’s husband had, on August 16, reported that his wife had been kidnapped. He told the police that his wife told him that she was going to the market that day. It was while the woman was being interrogated that she confessed that she actually masterminded her own kidnap.

Six Children Rescued from Suspected Human Trafficker

The Ogun State Police Command has paraded a suspected human trafficker, Paul Aganla, who was arrested on August 26 at Isiu, in Owode-Egba area of the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, August 27, disclosed while parading 43 suspects whose offences ranged from child trafficking, armed robbery to kidnapping and murder. Iliyasu said Aganla, a native of Ogoja, Cross River State, was caught with six children whose ages ranged between seven and 13, who were said to have been brought from Cross River State to Abeokuta to be engaged in child labour. The names of the rescued children were given as Promise Augustine, Elijah Emmanuel, Moses, Kariel, Victor Daniel, Glory Emmanuel and Felicia Owu.

Gunmen Abduct Travellers in Ondo

Four persons travelling along the on Owo-Ikare Expressway at Ose/Oba area of Akoko South-West LGA of Ondo state were reportedly abducted by some gunmen on August 27. The victims were travelling from Ikare to Akure when the hoodlums stopped their vehicle, forced them out of the vehicle and took them away. One person who resisted being taken away was shot and killed. The kidnappers have reportedly contacted the families of each of the victims after the abduction, demanding a sum of N1m on each of them.  Reacting to the development, the Oloba of Oba-Akoko, Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye called for more the deployment of policemen and military checkpoints at the dangerous spots within Owo and Oba-Akoko.   Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said the command had commenced investigation into the matter.

Lagos Court Remands Three in Prison over Kidnap of Filipinos

Three men were, on August 27, remanded in prison on the orders of an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly kidnapping two Filipinos. The accused - Yinka Adebanjo, Seun Ogunsumbo, and Ishau Awokoya, - were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Oluyemisi Adelaja on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnap and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition. The Prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 5 when they allegedly kidnapped Jammie Lacar and Mario Maglundo, both from the Philippines and staff of Mateco Industry West Africa, and demanded a N4 million ransom for their release. The accused also had in their possession arms and ammunition concealed in a DVD player, he alleged. The three accused are to be kept behind bars at Ikoyi Prisons pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gunmen Kidnap 11 Passengers in Rivers State

Unknown gunmen have abducted eleven passengers in a bus on Ndele-Elele axis of East-West road in Emohua LGA of Rivers State on August 28. The victims had boarded the vehicle at Rumuokoro and were travelling to Ndele, Elele and Ahoada before the incident happened. It was learned that 17 persons, including the driver were in the vehicle when the bandits intercepted them at about 8pm. One of the victims, Bright Welekwe, who escaped from the kidnappers during the incident, revealed 17 of them were forced into the bush, but that he sneaked out of the bush and ran straight back to the road. The victim further disclosed that when he got to the road, where the bus was abandoned that he met four of the passengers, who he said had also escaped before police personnel arrived at the scene and helped them. The State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Zaki, who confirmed the incident, assured that the police remained on top of the situation.

Robbery

Armed Robbers Dispense Free Fuel to Motorists in Katsina

Motorists along Katsina/Jibia road received free fuel at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega filling station located along the road from armed robbers that stormed the station on August 25. The robbers later carted away the day’s sales from the station. Eyewitnesses disclosed that innocent motorists who had wanted to buy fuel had driven into the hands of the armed robbers who stormed the station, posing as security agents. After dispossessing the station attendants of the daily sales, they reportedly took over the sale of the fuel and dispensed fuel to the bewildered motorists without harming them. The witnesses could not, however, give the exact number of the armed robbers or the type of uniforms they were putting on, but they insisted that the operation lasted for some few minutes.

Police Parade Two Armed Robbery Suspects in Lagos

A 30-year-old armed robbery suspect, Akeem Anthony, arrested by operatives of the Lagos Police Command, has confessed that he had made over N1 million since he ventured into robbery. The suspect, who was arrested with another gang member, confessed to have robbed about five victims using two locally-made pistols that were recovered from him during the arrest. Police authorities said two locally-made pistols were found on them, with three mobile phones and four cartridges. Two of which are live ones and two expended. Another suspect, Segun Esan, from Illesha in Osun State, denied being an armed robbery suspect. He claimed to be a commercial motorcycle operator and was arrested after a passenger fled from a police checkpoint. He said that he was arrested when he went to retrieve his motorcycle from the police and was told that his passenger was an armed robber. Also paraded were 13 suspected cultists, including a female, who were arrested during their initiation rites.

Ogun State Police Arrest 3 Armed Robbers, 39 Hoodlums

Men of the Ogun State Police Command, in different operations across the state, arrested 42 suspected armed robbers and thugs for terrorizing residents in the state. Three suspected armed robbers, who specialised in robbing filling stations across the South-West states, were arrested by the command. The leader of the gang, Ganiyu Oladeji, while being paraded on August 28, confessed that the gang had robbed three filling stations in Ogun, Oyo and Kwara states, adding that they got a lot of cash from the operations. Thirty-nine hoodlums, who were said to be terrorising residents of Wawa, Kara and motorists on the ‘Long Bridge’ end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, were also paraded. One Zubairu Umaru was said to be the leader of the gang on the expressway. Umaru also reportedly supplied hard drugs to his gang members to influence them to carry out their activities. Items seized from them included tramadol tablets, bottles of codeine, codrux, vega 100, jack knives, cutlasses among others.

Police in Enugu Raid Black Spots, Forests, Arrest 15 Hoodlums

The Enugu State Police Command, August 27, commenced the raiding of black spots and forests areas in Uzo-Uwani LGA to rid it of hoodlums and their activities. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ebere Amaraizu, August 29, disclosed that the police within few days of the operation, arrested 15 hoodlums that had been disturbing the peace of people in Nimbo and Adani communities. According to him, the State Commissioner of Police ordered the operation after an on-the-spot assessment and a thorough brainstorming involving senior police officers and critical security stakeholders. The command has assured members of the public particularly the people of Nimbo and Adani communities of Uzo-Uwani LGA of their safety.

Drugs

Customs Seizes N12.1m Fake Drugs, Arrests 15 Suspects

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has arrested 15 suspects in connection with 1104 cartons of fake pharmaceutical products, estimated at the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N12.1million, smuggled into the country without appropriate documents and permits from government. Some of the substandard drugs fully loaded in two 40ft trucks were concealed with second hand tyres by the smugglers in a bid to escape security checks. The drugs include Cimetidine tables, Derm-Artemether injection, Tetracycline hydrochloride, Diclofenac capsules, Dicmol, Piroxican and many others. The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Mohammed Uba Garba, who disclosed these while handing over the items to the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Controller (NAFDAC), stressed that the suspects would be prosecuted according to the law.

Militancy/Maritime

JTF Confirms Death of Soldier, Civilian in Bayelsa Creek Attack

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Delta Safe, has confirmed that it lost a soldier and a civilian staff attached to a military houseboat in an attack on its operatives by suspected militants near Letugbene community in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State on August 30. The Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of the taskforce, Major Ibrahim Abdulahi, who disclosed this on September 1, also dismissed, as untrue, claims of reprisal attacks by troops on innocent indigenes of Letugbene and surrounding communities. A rescue team supported by gunboats was immediately dispatched to the area and they were able to locate and support two other soldiers, who engaged the militants. He stated that the current operations in the creeks and rivulets around the general area are surgical operations designed to fish out the perpetrators of that dastardly act as some of them fled into neighbouring communities. He clarified that the Operation Delta Safe and the Nigerian Military does not carry out reprisal attacks on innocent citizens as alleged in some quarters. He urged members of the public especially those resident in areas where operations are being conducted to go about their normal lawful duties. The National President of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), Austin Ozobo, while condemning the killing of innocent military personnel by suspected sea bandits and the subsequent burning of harmless Letugbene community, called on the military to stop further burning of innocent Ijaw communities.

Terrorism

Boko Haram Raid IDPs Camp, Kill 11 with Knives

Boko Haram fighters, September 1, killed 11 people in a raid on a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). The insurgents gained access into the camp in Banki, using knives to kill their victims silently, while they slept. The Boko Haram terrorists broke the barricade securing the IDP camp from the rear towards the Cameroon border and entered to seize food from IDPs, a senior military officer disclosed. Adamu Ahmad, a member of a civilian militia charged with protecting the Banki camp, confirmed the incident. Soldiers expelled the attackers from the camp after the informal militia raised the alarm. The raiders also stole food and rations given to those living in the camp.

Troops Bombard Boko Haram Location, Neutralise Commanders

Military troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, August 31, bombarded some Boko Haram locations and neutralised top commanders of the sect. The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, explained that the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force have been carrying out heavy artillery bombardments and air interdictions on registered targets that have killed a large number of Boko Haram terrorists including some of the group’s key leaders. He disclosed that key Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised within the week during the joint Artillery and Nigerian Air Force air bombardments. The army spokesman named five top Boko Haram commanders neutralised in the operation to include Abu Dujana, Man Tahiru, a Deputy to Boko Haram terrorists group Hisba leader, Man Chari, Malam Abdullahi Abu Sa’ad and Goni Bamanga. He added that the Nigerian military would continue with the concerted onslaught on the reported Boko Haram terrorists’ location till they are eliminated.

Political/Government Agencies

Murder/Assassinations

Police Arrest Three Suspected Ritual Killers in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command, August 27, said it had arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and killing of two female students of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, for ritual purpose. The two students, Oladipo Blessing and Oluwasemilore Mary, were earlier declared missing. Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said one of the suspected ritual killers was arrested on August 25 after participating in a robbery operation in Ondo recently. The arrest of the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects. According to the PPRO, the suspects are: John Adenikiri also known as Emir, Fisayo Fasanu a.k.a Abore and Alfa Abdurafiu, an herbalist. He explained that Adenikiri and Fasanu confessed that they sold the mutilated body parts of the victims to Abdurafiu, who used them for ritual. The suspects took the police to where they buried the remains of one of the victims. He added that the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.

One Killed as Gunmen Abduct Travellers in Ondo

One person was shot dead by gunmen, who attacked and abducted four persons travelling along the Owo-Ikare Expressway at Ose/Oba area of Akoko South-West LGA of Ondo state on August 27. One person who resisted being taken away was shot and killed, while four others were taken away. Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said the command had commenced investigation into the matter.

Cannibal Arrested while Preparing Meal with Human Intestines

Men of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected cannibal and member of a notorious kidnap gang, Roland Peter, for killing, beheading and cooking the internal organs of his victim. The suspect was among the kidnappers that abducted, killed and beheaded one Pastor Samuel Okpara from Edoha in Ahoada East LGA on August 15, 2017. State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, explained that the suspect was also in possession of riffles belonging to his gang. He disclosed that the kidnap gang, including the leader, who was simply identified as Justus and also known as High Tension, had been terrorising some part of Ahoada East LGA. Peter was arrested while preparing the meal of human parts for his gang.

Pastor, Six Others Arrested as Police Unearth Body Parts in Church

The pastor in charge of Royal God’s Commandment Ministry International in Calabar, Cross River State, Tony Ekpe, has been arrested alongside six other members of the church after a shallow grave containing fetish items and suspected human parts were exhumed in the church on August 24. Investigations into the suspected diabolical activities of the pastor commenced after a woman in the area complained that her daughter was missing. The police said the shallow grave contained fetish items, birds and some suspected human flesh. Residents of the area alleged that the uncovered flesh were body parts of human beings. An angry mob, August 25, attacked and demolished the church. A resident disclosed that female items such as used sanitary pads, braziers, pants, and many pictures of showing the images of men, were found in the church. The attack on the church incident followed an allegation that the headquarters of the church located at Okon Edak Street also in Calabar, was discovered to be a den where people were kidnapped and taken to for ritual purposes. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident and the arrests. She added that the matter was being investigated by the police.

Three Feared Dead as Government Demolishes Owerri Market

Three people were feared killed and several wounded as clashes erupted when the Imo State Government commenced the controversial demolition of the Ekeukwu Owerri ancestral market on August 26. One of the deceased was identified as 10-year old Somtochukwu Ibeanusi, son of a trader in the area. The Village Head of Amawom, Owerri municipal, Chief Dennis Dike, said that those injured were quickly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, described the killing and maiming of the citizenry as most devastating. Residents alleged that over 500 deadly thugs were recruited by the state government, to clampdown on unarmed indigenes and ensure that the market was destroyed.

Assailants Flee with Corpse of Slain Victim

The Delta State Police Command have launched a manhunt for a suspected ritual killer, who killed his victim, Ogorochi Oluka, a villager at Obetim community at Ndokwa East LGA of the State, and disappeared with his corpse. The victim had gone to the farm along with his landlord’s brother, Henry Ossa, when they were attacked by four men with cutlasses. While Ogorochi was killed, Henry escaped and quickly reported to the police. The State Police boss, Zanna Ibrahim, gave the names of the suspects as Obiechine, Elvis, Goddey and KC, saying Henry managed to escape from the assailants and reported the matter to the Police. Ibrahim said that the scene was visited in the company of vigilante members of the community, but the assailants had fled with the remains of the victim. Efforts are on-going to apprehend them.

Suspected Ritual Killer Disguised as Lunatic Set Ablaze

A man disguised as a lunatic and suspected to be a member of a kidnap and ritualist gang was, August 30, set ablaze by an irate mob in Lagos. The mob action followed the discovery of the gang’s den in the Mushin area of Lagos State. Two other suspected members of the gang, who also disguised as lunatics, were rescued from the mob by the Police. Recovered from the suspects were 100 syringes, most of them with blood stains. Other items recovered from them were expensive phones and four Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cards. An account of the incident said that one of the suspects was sighted dragging a female victim inside the tunnel at Challenge Bus Stop on August 29 and the victim raised alarm, alerting passers-by. The female victim was reportedly rescued, while the suspect, said to be dressed like a mad woman was arrested while attempting to escape through the tunnel. On closer observation, eyewitnesses said the suspect turned out to be a man, wearing bloodstained clothes. A mob descended on him when he could not provide answers to questions bothering on where he was taking the victim to.  On further interrogation, he was said to have confessed not to be a mad man, but revealed that his members used the tunnel as their den. Another eyewitness further stated that prior to his lynching, he confessed that other members of his gang were still inside the tunnel, leading to a search of the den.

Wife Poisons 2-Week-Old Step-son over Forceful Marriage

An angry housewife, Hindatu Abdullahi, who poisoned her two-week-old stepson on August 19 has confessed to the act explaining that she took the action to force her husband to divorce her. According to her, she was forced into the union against her wish by her parents. The incident occurred at Wuro Bogga village, Duguri District in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State. In her confession at the state Police Command, the suspect stated that she was tired of her marriage to Abdullahi Ori and she wanted a divorce. According to her, she felt that the only way to get a divorce was to kill her stepson. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Kamal Abubakar, disclosed that the suspect collected the baby of her co-wife, Fatima Abdullahi, and took him into her room where she fed him an insecticide. The baby was rushed to a nearby dispensary at Gigyari village, but later died while they were trying to get him to the General Hospital. He said the suspect was arrested and the remaining quantity of the toxic insecticide was also recovered.

2 Nabbed with Fresh Human Head in Niger State

Two suspected ritual killers have been arrested in Minna, Niger State. The suspects were caught a few days after they beheaded an eight-year-old boy in Bakajeba village in Paikoro LGA of the state. They were nabbed by the Special Tactical Squad of the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, attached to Abuja-Minna Highway. The suspects, Aminu and Ismaila, were arrested on August 26 with a fresh human head along Minna Paikoro Road Junction during a stop-and-search operation. Police Public Relations Officer, Babalola Adewole, who confirmed the arrest, disclosed that the victim, whose severed head was found in possession of the suspects was an eight-year-old boy, identified as Hassan Abubakar. The suspects, who confessed to cutting off the head of the boy, also disclosed that a third member of the syndicate, escaped arrest.

Police Nab 13 over Monarch’s Assassination in Ogun State

The Ogun State Police Command, August 28, disclosed that 13 suspects have been arrested in connection with the assassination of the Olowo of Owoland in Yewa South LGA of the state, Oba Patrick Fasinu. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, disclosed this while parading 43 suspects arrested across the state for various offences ranging from murder to kidnapping, armed robbery and human trafficking. The late Oba Fasinu was assassinated, dismembered and burnt with his car on July 26 on the road between Ijako and Isagbo in Oke-Odan area while returning to his palace after a traditional council meeting. Iliyasu disclosed that the suspects were arrested after diligent investigations. He added that the command would soon charge them to court. The police also paraded 33-year-old Azeez Kilani, who allegedly stole cassava tubers and subsequently killed the farm owner, David Adima at Sojulu village, Ibogun in Ifo LGA.

Policeman Kill Truck Driver over N100 in Aba

A yet to be identified Policeman has shot dead a truck driver in Aba, Abia State over alleged refusal to pay a N100 bribe. The incident, which occurred at Afoule market junction, along Aba-Owerri, Aba, caused heavy gridlock as two lanes of the road were blocked. Eyewitnesses disclosed that a Mercedes Benz 911 truck was conveying bags of farm produce into Aba when the Police team stopped it at Afoule road junction. According to reports, when the truck driver refused to pay the N100 requested by the Policemen, an argument ensued and shortly a gunshot was heard and the driver was hit. The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said efforts are on top gear to identify the Policeman, who shot the driver. He assured that the Policeman would be brought to book. He urged motorists and residents to go about their normal business without fear of molestation. The Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Aba, Professor Charles Chinekezi, urged the Police authorities to urgently fish out and prosecute the trigger happy cop to serve as a deterrent to others.

Policeman Killed rescuing Driver from Angry Mob after Sallah Tragedy

A policeman was, September 1, killed as he tried to rescue to a truck driver from an angry mob that wanted to lynch him after his truck rammed into worshippers at Etokori praying ground in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North LGA of Ogun State during the Eid-el- Kabir prayer, killing two children. The incident occurred after the truck, laden with logs, had a brake failure, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident. Akinbiyi informed that scores of other Muslim faithful who had come out for the Eid prayer sustained various degrees of injuries. A policeman was said to have died in the melee that followed the incident. The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, and the killing of the policeman.

Police Arrest Five over Lynching Suspected Ritualists in Lagos

The police in Lagos, August 31, said that five persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the lynching of two suspected ritual killers at the Mushin area of the State. Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, who confirmed the arrest, said that the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation was concluded. Another ritualists’ hideout was uncovered in a tunnel at the Challenge area of Mushin, Lagos on August 30. Two of the three suspects found at the hideout were lynched by a mob before the arrival of policemen. Two similar ritualists den had been discovered in different parts of the state in the last two months, resulting in the death of suspected ritualists through jungle justice.

Gunmen Kill PDP Chieftain in Delta State

Suspected assassins attacked and killed a ward Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Felix Okugbeni. Okugbeni was shot dead at his residence in Ughwagba in Okpe LGA of the state. The incident caused many residents to flee the community as several buildings were destroyed and burnt over the killing. The deceased was shot several times while he was driving his tricycle into his residence. A female occupant of the tricycle, Gloria Aragba, also sustained life threatening injuries during the attack. The attack took place shortly after the Okpe LGA chairman, Prince Godwin Ejinyere, visited the late Okugbeni-led PDP ward executive for his re-election bid. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident, adding that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing. He further stated that normalcy had also been restored in the area.

Robbers Kill Baptist Pastor in Ondo

A cleric with the Nigerian Baptist Conference in Ondo State, Pastor Deji Joshua, has been killed in Okitipupa, in the Okitipupa LGA of Ondo state by suspected armed robbers. The deceased was the pastor in charge of the Good News Baptist Church, Igbegunrin. The deceased was on his motorcycle when the suspected robbers killed him on Ode Aye Road on August 28 before they fled with the motorcycle. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, said the command had commenced investigation into the incident. He disclosed that policemen swiftly moved to the scene as they got the distress call, but they met the bullet riddled body of the pastor. He added that Investigation was on-going.

Farmer Steals Colleague’s Crop, Kills Him

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old farmer, Azeez Kelani, for allegedly hacking his colleague, David Adima, to death after stealing his crop. It was learnt that Kelani had gone to Adima’s farm at Sojuolu village in the Ewekoro LGA of the state to steal some tubers of cassava. It was gathered that Adima, who hailed from Benue State, caught the suspect in the act and raised the alarm. The suspect, who was armed with a machete, reportedly resorted to force and eventually slit the victim’s throat with the cutlass. The victim was said to have bled to death. The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded the suspect on August 28, said the incident happened on August 13, 2017. Kelani was among 43 suspects paraded for offences ranging from child trafficking, armed robbery to kidnapping and murder. However, Kelani denied killing Adima, saying the deceased had wanted to attack him with the machete and two of them started struggling. He claimed that the machete slit Adima’s throat during the struggle.

Rape

40-Year-Old Man Lures, Rapes 3-Year-Old

A 40-year-old man, Kehinde Gabriel, was, August 27, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly defiling a three-year-old daughter of his neighbour at the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state. The girl was reportedly going to a mosque with her sisters on August 16, 2017, when the suspect laid in ambush for her. Gabriel reportedly lured her into his apartment with a loaf of bread and drink and defiled her. The mother of the girl told the police that the kid returned home crying, adding that blood was found on her genitals. The suspect denied committing the crime, saying he only gave the girl food because she complained of hunger when he saw crying beside his house. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two reputable sureties each in like sum. She adjourned the case till October 17, 2017 and directed that the duplicate case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Suspect Confesses to Luring, Raping 8-Year-Old in Niger State

A 32-year-old man, Ayuba Salihu, August 31, confessed to raping an 8-year-old child after luring her with N100. He told the Niger State Child Right Protection Agency that he had carnal knowledge of the minor after he saw her in front of his shop crying that she misplaced N100 out of the money she sold from sachet water. The victim’s grandmother told the agency that the victim was sent to buy N50 pepper on August 26, but did not return home till 9pm. The woman disclosed that she and her stepson became worried when the girl did not return home early and they both went round looking for her until they found her walking to the house at night. The girl later opened up on the sexual abuse by Salihu. The grandmother said that she reported the matter to officials of Drug and Crime is Haram (DC Haram), who arrested the suspect and brought him to the agency. The Director-General of the agency, Maryam Kolo, said that the suspect would be handed over to the police for further investigation.

50-year-Old Man Allegedly Rapes Two Minors

A 50-year-old, Okon Etim, who allegedly defiled two minors of ages eight and nine years, was, on August 31, granted bail by a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge bordering on defilement, unlawful treatment and unlawful detainment. The prosecutor, Sergeant Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the offences were committed on August 15.‎ ‎She alleged that the accused, who was a neighbour of the girls’ parents, had raped the girls at different times when their parents had gone out to do their various jobs. The Magistrate, Aro Lambo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum. ‎ Lambo said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the second surety should be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14. In addition, the sureties are to provide an evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. The magistrate adjourned the case to October 5 pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Others

Fulani Herdsman Chop-Off Farmer’s Fingers

A Fulani herdsman is reported to have cut off five fingers of a farmer, identified as Ndubueze Oboro in Ozalla community Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State. It was learnt that Oboro was in a bush at Ozalla when the unidentified herdsman accosted him and gave him a deep cut on his back shoulder with his machete, before cutting off his five fingers. Police sources confirmed the incident, adding that the victim was attacked at about 1.30pm.  The suspect escaped from the area soon after committing the offence. It was learnt that policemen at Ozalla had already visited the scene of the crime and recovered two of Oboro’s severed fingers and deposited them at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku –Ozalla, for preservation while investigations into the incident had commenced.

Barbecue Seller Attempts Killing 4-Year-Old Girl

A 35-year-old man, Alliu Abdullai, who sells barbecued meat, popularly called Suya, has been arrested over his attempt to kill a four-year-old child at the White Sand Market, Otto in the Ebute Meta area of Lagos State. Abdullai was alleged to have abducted the little girl from her mother’s shop and was said to have taken her to his Suya stand, where he took out his knife and attempted to slash her throat. A man reportedly accosted Abdullai and immediately raised the alarm. During the struggle to retrieve the knife from Abdullai, the rescuer was injured. The State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspect alongside two of his relatives, confirmed that the child had been reunited with her mother, while the kidnapper and would-be murderer will be arraigned in court. The suspect’s relative, Akilu Isa, who was also arrested, claimed that the suspect was mentally unstable. According to him, the mental disorder gripped him on that fateful day and he immediately picked up the girl and at the same time, lifted a knife. Isa disclosed that he immediately beckoned on another relative, Salisu, and they both succeeded in retrieving the knife from Abdullai and rescued the girl before the police came. He added that he still did not know why he and Salisu were arrested after they went to the station with the chairman of their section.

DPO Arrested for Ritual Killer’s Escape from Custody

A Divisional Police Officer in Rivers State has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the escape of one Ifeanyi Dike, who killed an eight-year-old girl after sexually assaulting her. The DPO, who was arrested on August 28, was allegedly involved in telephone calls between him and Johnbosco Okoroeze, a dismissed police sergeant, which indicated that there was a premeditated action by him to allow the suspected killer to escape. It was gathered that while preparations were on-going by both the father of the deceased, Ernest Nmezuwuba, and the suspect (Dike) to write their statements, several calls were received from the DPO by Okoroeze. Ifeanyi Dike had allegedly raped, killed and removed vital organs of the eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, before escaping from police custody. The father of the victim, Nmezuwuba, was at the State Criminal Investigation Department when the suspected murderer escaped from police custody. The suspect was able to escape because Johnbosco had unlocked the handcuffs on him to enable him write his statement.