Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 1

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

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

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Kidnap Suspect Attempts to Reclaim Vehicle from Police, Arrested

A kidnap suspect, Ojiedu Doctor, who had been on the wanted list of the Delta State Police Command, has been arrested as he walked into the Police Headquarters, Asaba, to reclaim a vehicle used for a kidnapping operation in 2015. Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, disclosed that operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKCCS), effected the arrest on December 29. While four of his accomplices were arrested during the kidnap incident in 2015 when a mother and her child were taken hostage, the mastermind, Ojiedu Doctor, evaded arrest in 2016 and abandoned his Toyota Camry at the Police Station, Ebrumede. He was eventually arrested when he walked into the police station to reclaim his vehicle. He was arrested for his complicity in most kidnap cases in Warri and environs. The suspect has reportedly confessed to his role in the kidnap.

Cleric Tasks Security Agencies on Abducted Reverend Sisters

The Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to rescue reverend sisters abducted in Edo State since November 2017. Martins, at a news conference in Lagos on January 1, said it was dangerous for the sisters to still be in the hands of their captors after 48 days.  The three reverend sisters and three aspirants were kidnapped by gunmen on November 14 from the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Convent in Iguoriakhi, Edo State. The archbishop said the Benin Archdiocese had been making efforts in collaboration with the security agencies in the state and the country as well as the state government to secure their release. He expressed sadness that the security agencies had not been able to rescue the sisters.

Taraba Lawmaker Kidnapped

A member of Taraba State House of Assembly, representing Takum 1, Mr. Hosea Ibi, was, weekend, kidnapped by unknown gunmen in his house located opposite the Ada Barrack in Takum. A witness disclosed that the gunmen, numbering about 3, stormed the residence of Ibi in motorcycles at about 10pm. The invaders were said to have taken the mobile phones of everyone in the house before dragging the lawmaker to their motorcycles and whisked him away. The Taraba Police Command, December 31, 2017, confirmed the abduction of the legislator. The Command’s spokesman, David Misal, confirmed that Ibi was kidnapped in his hometown on December 30.

Woman Steals Toddler at RCCG Camp to Satisfy Husband

A 28-year-old woman, Anuoluwapo Joshua, who stole a three-year-old girl at the Redemption Camp in Ogun State in July 2017, has been arrested. The woman in her confession, said that she stole the toddler to satisfy her husband, who had been asking to see his daughter, since she claimed to have given birth to a baby for him. Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said that Anuoluwapo Joshua stole the child during the monthly Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and all efforts to know the whereabouts of the child since then proved abortive. Luck ran out on the suspect in December 29, 2017, when the child was sighted inside the youth centre at the Redemption Camp. On receiving the information, the DPO, Redeemed Division, Olaiya Martins, led detectives to the centre where they waited until the end of the programme when the suspect came out to pick the child, and was promptly arrested. She admitted that she lured the child out of her parents’ sight and took her to Ofada area where she has been taking care of the child since. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ilyasu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

Notorious Kidnap Kingpin Arrested in Warri

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a notorious kidnap and robbery kingpin, Anthony Ogbalor, alias Dracula, that had been terrorizing residents of Warri and its environs. The suspect was arrested at a bar by detectives from “B” Division of the Nigerian Police led by a District Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Aniete Eyoh. The Ogbalor was arrested on December 27, 2017 after a member of his gang was apprehended five days earlier at Enerhen village in Udu Local Government Area of the state. Ogbalor was the leader of the kidnapping gang that killed an Assistant Commissioner of Police Usman Ndanbobo earlier in the year. Dracula was arrest following investigations that began penultimate Saturday when detectives from the “B” Division, Warri, arrested one Kesiena Henry with a grey coloured Honda Accord, which was recently snatched at Ozoro community. Upon interrogation he confessed that he was a member of the dreaded kidnapping syndicate. Kiesena reportedly exposed the activities of the gang which led to the arrest of other members of the gang including Ogbalor. The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim confirmed the arrest of Dracula and members of his gang.

Navy Rescues Rating, Daughter during Shootout with Kidnappers

Men of the Nigerian Navy, December 30, 2017, rescued an unnamed naval rating and his daughter, who were kidnapped on December 28. The operatives also arrested five notorious kidnappers after a gun battle in the Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Samson Bura, indicated that the naval personnel and his daughter were kidnapped at about 8pm between Ozuoha and Omademe communities in the Ikwerre LGA. The navy disclosed that while the hoodlums were dislodged during the encounter, the leader of the gang identified as Kirgika Stanley Lucky, also known as School Boy, escaped with gunshot injuries. It added that three of the suspects were injured during the gun duel. He further disclosed that the same group had attempted to assassinate a director of the Naval War College in Ubima community in the Ikwerre LGA. Declaring the leader of the kidnap gang wanted, the navy stated that efforts were ongoing to track him down, adding that all arrested persons had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

Police Nab 16 Suspected Kidnappers in Fake Military Uniforms

The police have arrested three gangs of 16 suspected kidnappers terrorising commuters on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and the Minna-Suleja-Abuja road. The force recovered from the suspects five AK47 rifles, 1598 7.62 X 39mm AK47 ammunition, two swords and cutlasses, four pairs of suspected fake military uniforms and mobile phones. Parading the suspects on January 2, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, explained that some of them were nabbed while waiting to kidnap people returning from the Christmas and New Year holidays. The suspects were arrested after an intense gun battle that lasted more than five hours between the F-SARS Special Tactical Squad attached to Operation Absolute Sanity and the first gang along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, the police team arrested the four suspects including their leader who is a trained armourer and the hit man. The police described the suspects as the most vicious kidnappers arrested in recent times. Moshood said efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang, adding that those in custody would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

Gunmen Abduct Traditional Ruler in Kaduna

A traditional ruler in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Agwam Akulu, Yohanna Sidi Kukah, has been abducted by unknown gunmen. Kukah, a second class chief of the Ikulu people is the younger brother to Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto. The traditional ruler was said to have traveled from his palace in Kumuru to Anchuna, his village where the gunmen invaded his house. They were said to have arrived the private residence at about 9pm, shooting sporadically. One of his guards who attempted to prevent the gunmen from taking the traditional away was also kidnapped. A community leader in the area, Waziri Ashafa, who confirmed the incident said the gunmen drove away with the traditional ruler and his guard in a vehicle. The abduction is coming barely 38 hours when another traditional ruler in Sanga Local Government Area of the state and his wife were murdered by suspected herdsmen.

Robbery

Residents Lament Attacks by Robbers in Akwa Ibom

Residents of Akwa Ibom State, particularly Uyo, Eket and Itu LGAs have expressed worry over the rising cases of robbery in their localities. According to some residents, the hoodlums rob within two to five minutes and if one attempts to resist them, they shoot. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Akwa Ibom Command, Bala Elkana, December 30, disclosed that the police arrested 67 criminal elements in recent weeks. According to him, the suspects were arrested for various crimes including armed robbery, kidnap and rape, and cultism. He stated that the police were clamping down on suspected cultists, and called on communities to support the police.

Robbers in Police Uniform Attack Motorists with Toy Guns

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, December 31, 2017, foiled an attempt by some robbers to snatch cars from some motorists along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. It was learnt that the gang, while posing as policemen, flagged down the motorists on the expressway However, as the drivers stopped, some other members of the four-man gang reportedly emerged from hiding and held the victims hostage. They were about taking the vehicles away when the RRS operatives, who were on patrol, gave them a chase. The police said the suspects fled into the bush, abandoning the vehicles and a toy gun. The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, Chike Oti, confirmed the incident, adding that the command would intensify patrols along the highways for the safety of residents. Oti said the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, had ordered that the fleeing robbers be apprehended.

Troops Kill Armed Robber, Rescue Victims in Akwa Ibom

Troops of the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army on Monday foiled an armed robbery operation at Otoro village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state. The Assistant Director Public Relations of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Umar Shuaibu, said the soldiers shot dead one of the armed robbers during the combat with the hoodlums. According to Major Shuaib, the army troops swung into action following a distress call from policemen on road block duty along Nkek-Ukanafun-Abak road that they were under attack by armed robbers. The troops swiftly moved and repelled the attack. It was on their way back to the base that they encountered armed bandits and successfully shot one of them after exchange of fire. A locally fabricated pistol and one expended cartridge were recovered and all the properties of the robbery victims were returned to them, he said.

NSCDC Arrests 26 Suspects for Various Offences in Nasarawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nasarawa State Command, said it has arrested 26 suspects for various offences committed between December 28 and January 1. The Corps Commandant, Muhammad Mahmoud-Fari, while parading the suspects on January 2, said they were apprehended for cultism, theft, defilement, breach of trust and assault. Mahmoud-Fari said seven of them were arrested for theft, four arrested for assault, 13 for cultism, one caught for defilement and another suspect for breach of trust. He said they were apprehended from various locations in the state. “Eleven suspected cultists, belonging to a group known as `Assist Group’ were arrested, while two others belong to another group known as “Touch and See’’. The suspected cultists were arrested at the polytechnic in Lafia. Mahmoud-Fari said the arrest of the suspects was done in collaboration with the officers of Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme (NAYES) and members of the public who shared information with the corps.

Drugs

Militancy/Maritime

Terrorism

Troops Liberate over 700 around Lake Chad

Nigerian troops fighting to clear out Boko Haram terrorists from the north-east have liberated over 700 farmers, fishermen and members of their families that were held hostage as slave workers by the terrorist group. Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Timothy Antigha said, disclosed that over 700 farmers, fishermen and members of their families hitherto held by Boko Haram terrorists as farm workers have fled the various islands in Lake Chad to Monguno. “The exodus of the former Boko Haram abductees is not unconnected to a follow up operation which was conducted a few days ago to exploit the gains of the recent successful Operation Deep Punch 2 in Chikun Gudu and adjourning localities. The follow up operation which was conducted by the Nigerian Air Force and 38 Task Force Artillery Brigade, 8 Division, Operation Lafiya Dole, was targeted at destroying Boko Haram infrastructure and logistics. He further disclosed that the infrastructure bombed include communication centres, fabrication yards, bomb making equipment, vehicles and other means of sustenance. According to him, over 700 former Boko Haram abductees, comprising adult males, females and children have been received by troops of 242 Battalion in Monguno.  Profiling of the displaced persons is on- going to ensure that no terrorist takes advantage of the situation to sneak into the town.

3 Killed in Madagali Bomb Attack

About three person were feared dead in a bomb attack on Magadali LGA of Adamawa on January 1. Witnesses disclosed that the bomb was planted on a road side in the town. The Adamawa Police Spokesman, Othman Abubakar, confirmed the development but said only one person was killed. He said that the command was still gathering information for full details.

Boko Haram Fighters Kill 25 Loggers near Maiduguri

The number of loggers killed in a Boko Haram attack in Borno State has risen to 25 following the discovery of more victims, survivors and militias said on December 31, 2017. Gunmen on Motorcycles had attacked a logging site where people were loading firewood into vehicles close to Maiduguri on December 30. Four bodies were initially recovered, but search teams later found 21 more victims in the surrounding area. A logger, who survived the attack, Bunu Gana, disclosed that 53 of them set out to the logging site from Bakin Muna (village) but only 28 made it back after the attack. The loggers were displaced by Boko Haram from nearby Mujtari, Zangale, Anzamala and Kumbulla village who turned to logging to feed their families, a militia leader, Ibrahim Liman, said. He said the victims had been logging at the site for seven months without incident as they were always escorted by troops to protect them from jihadists. But that Saturday, they had gone without security escort and it was evident some informants alerted Boko Haram that the loggers had no security protection. Boko Haram fighters have accused the loggers of spying and passing information to the military and the local militia.

Suicide Blast Kills 14 in Borno Mosque

Fourteen worshippers were killed on January 3 when a suicide bomber attacked a mosque on Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, civilian vigilantes men reported. The suspected Boko Haram jihadist blew himself up amid worshippers inside the mosque in Gamboru, shortly before morning prayers. Fourteen bodies were immediately pulled out of the rubble of the mosque that was completely destroyed. It is feared that the death toll may likely rise. Earlier, a patrol of vigilantes spotted four suspected suicide bombers on the outskirts of the town and arrested one of them after a chase, while two others successfully fled. The fourth disappeared into the darkness and is suspected to have carried out the bombing.

Political/Government Agencies

Joint Security Team Track Down, Kill Don Waney in Enugu

The Nigerian Army, January 7, confirmed that notorious kidnapper, cultist and killer, Johnson Igwedibia, aka Don Waney, has been killed by security operatives. The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, disclosed that a combined team of military, Department of State Services, (DSS), and the Police killed Don Waney in a rented apartment, in an undisclosed community in Enugu State, alongside his second-in-command, one Ikechukwu, and one of his commanders. The joint security force had launched a manhunt for the killer and his gang after they killed over 21 persons returning from Church services on January 1 in Omoku, Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area of the state. The military displayed and later handed the three bodies to the Police. The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major General Eni-Obong Udoh, noted that Don Waney was killed in a joint operation involving the Army, Police and DSS. He pointed out that the joint team trailed them to Enugu, where they were living in a rented apartment, after they left Imo State, where they were previously hiding.

Police Deploy 9,000 Officers for Delta LG Polls

The police is deploying the full complement of its 6,000 men in the state and an additional 3,000 from neighbouring states to ensure a hitch-free Local Government election on January 6, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Zanna Ibrahim, has said. The CP disclosed that every policeman in the state would be involved, but we will be deploying 6,000 men, while at least four police officers will man each polling station. He added that the state command was expecting 3,000 police officers from other commands to beef up its 6,000-man strength. He called on members of the public to see themselves as stakeholders in the security project. Ibrahim said the police were expecting hitch-free polls and enjoined the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, to ensure honest and transparent conduct of the exercise.

NAF Releases Posting, Redeployment of 41 Senior Officers

The Nigerian Air Force, (NAF), December 31, 2017, released the postings and redeployment of 41 senior officers. The NAF Director Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal​​ Olatokunbo Adesanya, revealed that the posting affected 19 Air vice Marshals (AVMs), 14 Air Commodores (Air Cdre), 4 Group Captains (Gp Capt), 2 Wing Commanders (Wg Cdr) and 2 Squadron Leaders (Sqn Ldr). The postings and redeployment came as a result of the recent promotion of senior NAF officers to the next higher ranks. Though a routine exercise, the posting exercise is aimed at ensuring that the NAF is effectively manned for operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Nine Policemen Dismissed for Corrupt Practices

Nine policemen have been dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force over offences ranging from corruption and discreditable conducts, between September and December 2017, in Lagos. Similarly, 25 officers were demoted for being drunk while on duty. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chike Oti, said this while reviewing the command’s disciplinary scorecard in the last three months. Oti explained that the action was aimed at keeping up with promise of the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, to rid the force of corruption and indiscipline. A total of 94 erring policemen according to him, were punished for various disciplinary offences within the months under review. Giving a breakdown of the figure, the PPRO disclosed that nine officers were dismissed for offences ranging from discreditable conduct, corrupt practice, disobedience to lawful order and falsehood; 25 others were demoted for offences ranging from gross insubordination, drunkenness, incivility to members of the public and leaving their beats. A total of 60 Inspectors and rank and files were awarded the punishments of major and minor entries. The Commissioner of Police expects that the punishments handed down to the unruly officers would serve as deterrent to others who may wish to toe the path of ignominy.

Murder/Assassinations

Gunmen Kill 14 in New Year Day’s Attack in Rivers State

Omoku main town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was thrown into mourning, as bandits opened fire on people returning from Church, where they had gone to usher in the New Year. It was gathered that over 26 persons were shot in the attack, 14 persons died on the spot, with 12 hospitalised. The Rivers State Police Command described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the culprits must be smoked out and prosecuted. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, said the Police are aware of the incident, but noted that the number of casualties could not be immediately confirmed. He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations and other tactical heads have been mobilised to restore peace in Omoku. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Zaki, promptly launched a manhunt for the bandits to ensure they were arrested and prosecuted. Yet-to-be identified gunmen had operated at two different locations, Kirigani and Oboh axis of Aligu in Omoku, attacking their victims randomly.

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Pregnant Wife in Southern Kaduna

Tragedy struck in Southern Kaduna on January 1 as a traditional ruler, the Etum Numana, Mr. Gambo Makama, and his wife were shot dead, while his palace and car were set ablaze. The son of the traditional ruler survived the attack with gunshot injuries and is being treated at an undisclosed hospital. The killing of the traditional ruler and his wife has brought to 10 the number of persons killed by unknown gunmen in Southern Kaduna in the last 7 days. Police spokesman, Aliyu Mukhtar, who confirmed the killings, said that no arrest had been made. He, however, disclosed the Police were on the trail of the gunmen. According to reports, Makama had travelled to his village to celebrate New Year when masked gunmen invaded the palace few minutes after midnight and opened fire on the family. While the chief and his pregnant wife reportedly died on the spot, his son sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The armed immediately men fled into the bush. The police appealed for calm, assuring that they would everything possible to get to the root of the matter.

Badoo Kills Man, Injures Wife, Baby in Lagos

A fresh attack by the dreaded killer gang in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Badoo, claimed the life of a man on Alajo Street. While the breadwinner of the family was killed, his wife and baby were seriously injured and remain in coma. It was gathered that that the victims were found in a pool of blood by a neighbour on December 30, 2017. They were said to have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, from where they were referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. It was gathered that the man, Sakiru Yekini, popularly known as Shako in the community, died a day later. Residents lament that the attacks were becoming rampant after a few months of peace in Ibeshe. One of them said the assailants tore the window net of the family’s apartment to gain entry, adding that the window did not have burglar-proof bars. Another eyewitness said the attack was the fourth in recent times in Ibeshe. He urged the police to device proactive measures towards addressing the problem. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Chike Oti, confirmed the murder, adding that the command was on the trail of the suspects.

10 Arrested over Death of Primary School Head Teacher

Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) attached to the Imo State Police Command have arrested 10 indigenes of Umuoma-Nzerem, in the Ehime Mbano LGA of the state for allegedly setting ablaze a primary school head teacher, Cosmos Iwu, in November 2017. Some youths of the community had on November 30, 2017, set Iwu ablaze after stripping him naked and dragging him around the community as they accused him of retarding the growth of youths in the community through diabolical means. Iwu was killed in the presence of his wife and children. According to a police source, apart from the president general of the community, who had been arrested, about 10 indigenes, including the prime suspect, Margaret Nwoke, had been arrested for the crime. The commander of the FSARS, Godfrey Victor, who led the operation, disclosed that majority of those who participated in the gruesome murder had been arrested, but that some remained at large. The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said investigations were still on, adding that the fleeing suspects would soon be arrested.

Suspected Killers Apprehended in Niger State

The Niger State Police Command, December 31, said that it had arrested two suspects, Simon Jacob (26) and Shamsudeen Mohammed (28) in the Magama Local Government Area of the state for killing a 25-year-old man. The suspects were reportedly trailed and apprehended by a team of policemen attached to Nasko Division of the state. It was learnt that Jacob and Mohammed were arrested for allegedly killing one Abubakar Aliyu (25), with a stick for allegedly stealing money belonging to one Gabriel Andrew, a patent drug dealer, in the same area. The command Public Relations Officer, Peter Sunday, confirmed the incident, stating that the victim died while receiving treatment at Kontagora General Hospital.

SARS Operatives Kill Revenue Collector in Cross Rivers

Men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the Cross River State Police Command have killed a revenue collector, identified as Edward Inyambe, and arrested another on the alleged orders of the   state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Anthony Eneji. It was gathered that the incident, which took place on December 29, 2017 in Gakem, Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state, was alleged to be an attempt to take over the collection of revenue of ‘non-cocoa’ produce from a consultancy firm appointed by the state Internal Revenue Service. Aggrieved youths, protesting the killing on December 30, had burnt down some houses in the area. An eyewitness, Solomon Odey, alleged that the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Eneji, brought in the SARS operatives to arrest some revenue collectors, who were said to have opposed his taking over the collection point in the area. But as some youths resisted the arrest of the collectors and blocked the area, the SARS operatives shot into the air and a stray bullet hit Edward, who died instantly. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed that a revenue collector was hit and killed by a stray bullet from SARS operatives who had gone there for intervention, but were attacked by the youths.

Police Arrest Suspected Killer Herders in Benue

Eight herdsmen have been arrested by the Benue state police command in connection with the January 1 attacks on Guma and Logo LGAs in which 17 people died. Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, January 3, said that the attacks were carried out between December 31 and January 1, 2018. Eight herdsmen – six in Guma and two in Logo – have been arrested in connection with the attacks. He added that additional deployments of policemen were made to the troubled area and its environs for monitoring, in order to forestall further occurrence and to restore confidence in the minds of the people. The command noted that investigation was on-going and the situation was under control. According to the PPRO, the Command acted promptly by deploying five combined teams of mobile and conventional Policemen to the scene in Guma. The team was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Emmanuel Adesina, and engaged the armed herdsmen in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat.

Two Killed as Groups Clash over Pipeline Surveillance Job

A violent clash ensued between rival youth groups in Ondewari community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State leading to two deaths. The youth groups reportedly clashed over oil pipeline surveillance jobs at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) oilfields. Residents of the community, have reportedly fled the community for safety due to the violent clash by the youth groups engaged in supremacy fight. An indigene of the community, Alagoa Morris, said that the crisis, which had left the community deserted, began on December 30, 2017. Morris, who is the Bayelsa State Coordinator, Environmental Right Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria, regretted that the community lost two promising youths in the renewed clash. The acting Paramount Ruler of Ondewari Community, Chief Peresho Erefawari, who decried frequent clashes by armed youth groups, had reportedly urged the Bayelsa State Government to intervene to halt the bloodshed before the latest disaster occurred. The spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the clash and the deaths of two persons.

Man Kills Friend over Quarrel with Wife

A 39-year-old man, Olayiwola Stephen, was on January 1 stabbed to death by his friend and co-tenant, Ibrahim Adetunji, during a quarrel at their residence in Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos. An eyewitness explained that a quarrel started between the two friends when the victim was trying to broker peace between Adetunji’s wife and other tenants in the building. Adetunji allegedly got angry at the way the deceased was addressing his wife when mediating in the dispute, the eyewitness said. The eyewitness said that Adetunji, in anger, used a broken bottle to stab the victim. He said that the incident happened at about noon on January 1 at 66, Lafunke Street, Ijegun. Another eyewitness, Sharafa Ogunbisi, said that Stephen was first treated at a nearby hospital from where he was referred to the Ayinke Hospital in Ikeja due to excessive bleeding. Ogunbisi said that Stephen eventually died on the way to the hospital and his corpse was deposited at the Isolo General Hospital mortuary. The suspect was detained at the Isheri-Oshun Police Station for further interrogation.

Driver Kills Octogenarian Boss

The Edo State Police Command has arrested one Clement Ekuase for the alleged murder of an 87-year-old man in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, January 2, disclosed that the suspect dumped the remains of his victim in a pit toilet. It was also learnt that two other suspects were arrested in connection with the killing. It was gathered that Ekuase was employed as a driver to the deceased, Nosakhare Omo-Osagie. He was said to have clubbed the aged man with a pestle and dispossessed him of the vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz wagon. The suspect was said to have later sold the vehicle to one herbalist in Ovbiogie village and told the late man’s children that their father had been kidnapped. It was learnt that the suspect was later arrested by policemen from the Ekiadolor division while trying to collect a balance of N500,000 from the buyer of the car before Christmas. The Commissioner of Police stated that the incident was being treated as a case of murder and that the suspect had been charged to court.

Rape

Driver Arrested for Detaining, Raping Woman

Police operatives in Delta State have arrested a driver, simply identified as Victor, who allegedly locked away and raped a 29-year-old woman through the anus at his residence in Okwe, near Asaba. The IPOB member arrested with various paraphernalia of the group and fetish items, however, claimed the woman was his girlfriend. Commissioner of Police in the state, Zanna Ibrahim, who confirmed the arrest, however, said that Victor lied. He disclosed that the victim reported that on November 26, 2017, she boarded a vehicle from Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba, Delta State and arrived Koka Junction in the evening but could not get a vehicle to Isoko as it was late. She stated further that the suspect, who is a bus driver deceived her to accompany him to his house under the pretense of assisting her to pass the night in his place so that she could continue her journey the following day. But at about midnight, the suspect forcefully raped her through the anus by tying her mouth with cloth and putting on a generator and loud music so that his neighbours would not know what was happening. “At about O4.30 hours, when the victim noticed that the suspect was in a deep sleep, she carefully collected the key from where the suspect hid it, opened the entrance door and escaped to inform the Police and vigilante, who immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect,” the commissioner said.

Others

Police Arrest 10 Suspects after Attack on Worshippers

The Kwara State Police Command, January 1, said it had arrested 10 youths for allegedly participating in the attack on worshippers at Taiwo area of Ilorin, the state capital on New Year eve. During the attack, three persons sustained serious injuries, while vehicles and other property at the area were damaged by irate youths in the area. The rampaging youths were said to have gone on rampage following the refusal of the leaders of Taiwo area of Ilorin for the youths to embark on a carnival in the area. According to eyewitness account, some Christian worshippers at Methodist and other churches in the area and Muslims faithful under the aegis of Quareeb Muslim Society that had their New Year eve services at one of the secondary schools at Taiwo were attacked by the youths. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, said the police command had arrested 10 youths in connection with the attack. He also confirmed the three people who sustained serious injuries during the attack were receiving medical attention in one of the private hospitals in Ilorin.

Stepmother Arrested for Brutalising Siblings

A woman, identified as Omo Akotho, was, December 30, 2017, arrested for child abuse after she brutalised her stepchildren. Akotho had locked herself up in the house on Jembo Street in the Egan, Igando area of Lagos State to evade arrest. It was learnt that a resident had sent an SOS to the social media page of an official of the OPD, calling for help for two children, Blessing and Daniel, who were in the custody of the suspect and were being abused. It was gathered that the two children were from the previous marriage of the suspect’s husband. The social worker said the agency stormed the Igando area, residence of the suspect, with some policemen. She explained that on getting to the house, the agency discovered that the two children had been locked up in the apartment. Some of the officials were said to have gone to the suspect’s shop, where she ran a catering service, without finding her. The children looked malnourished and there were marks of floggings on their backs. The girl’s hand was swollen and when we asked the woman what Blessing did, she said she thought the girl stole her wristwatch.

Bereaved Dad, Soldiers Trade Words on Son’s Alleged Murder

A Resident of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr. Damson Audu, has petitioned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Turku Burutai, over the alleged ‘extra-judicial killing” of his son, Esekwe Damson, by the soldiers stationed at Katsina-Ala on December 25, 2017. Audu said that he had received a phone call from his wife, Adetsav Damson, in Katsina-Ala on Christmas Day that soldiers invaded his house at about 4:30am searching for his son whom they arrested and took away. Audu added that the soldiers who took his son away and later returned to the house with the young man, with his hands tied behind his back. They reportedly searched the premises but found nothing and again left with him. He further disclosed that when he went to Katsina-Ala to follow up the matter, the soldiers there denied knowledge of anybody by that name. According to him, he was informed that the soldiers allegedly executed all those they arrested that night and deposited their remains at the General Hospital, Katsina-Ala mortuary. He went there and found his son’s corpse. He called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Turku Burutai, to order an investigation into the matter so as to bring to justice all those who had a hand in the murder of his son, saying his son must not die in vain. But the Assistant Director Army Public Relations 707 Special Forces Brigade, Nigerian Army, Makurdi, Major Ayeni Olabisi Olanikon, has denied the allegation, saying the soldiers did not carry out such unlawful act.

Alaka, Suspected Badoo Kingpin’s Fuel Station, Hotel, Event Centre Sealed

The Lagos State Government, on January 3, sealed off a three properties - Petrol Filling Station, Hotel and Event Centre - belonging to a suspected Badoo cult kingpin, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi Kamal. The Police, had on December 22, 2017, declared Alaka wanted in connection with series of well-orchestrated killings and nefarious activities of the Badoo cult group in Ikorodu and Epe area of the State. Alaka is believed to be the ring leader of the Badoo menace. The State’s Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, on January 2, paraded a Badoo kingpin arrested in Ikorodu axis who confessed to the killings and took Police to their shrine in Imosan, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Police Uncover Badoo Oath Taking Shrine in Ogun

The Lagos State Police Command, January 2, uncovered a shrine at Ayegbami quarters, Imosan in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where suspected Badoo cult members take oath before going on operations. The shrine was discovered in an operation carried out by the command, SARS and the Lagos State task force, following an arrest of some suspected Badoo cult members. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, who led the operation, said the kingpin of the notorious cult group was arrested while trying to escape through the waterways. Imohim disclosed that all other suspects were in custody and in a confessional statement, one of the suspects described this shrine as the place where the suspects come before going on an operation. The owner of the shrine will immediately be placed on arrest and the shrine will be destroyed, he said. The owner of the shrine, Fatai Adebayo (34), has reportedly admitted owning the shrine but said the piece of stone discovered there is for grinding pepper.