Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 19

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

S/N	CATEGORY	MAJOR INCIDENTS
1	Kidnap/Hostage	5
2	Robbery	3
3	Gang	3
4	Drugs	1
5	Militancy/Maritime Incidents	6
6	Terrorism	10
7	Political/Government Agencies	1
8	Murder/Assassinations	11
9	Rape Incidents	3
10	Others	1
	Review/Analysis

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Gunmen Kidnap Paramount Ruler’s Pregnant Wife

About 10 unidentified gunmen attacked the residence of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom, Ubong Assam, and kidnapped his pregnant wife along with four of his children. The Secretary of the Traditional Rulers Council in Esit Eket, Chief Asuquo Abia, disclosed that the gunmen invaded the palace of the paramount ruler in the early hours of April 29, shooting sporadically for over five hours. According to him, the gunmen had earlier arrived at the palace on April 28, claiming to be policemen from Abuja on an investigation before they returned the next morning. A witness disclosed that seven people were wounded in the incident. The kidnappers have reportedly established contact with the family and demanded a ransom of N100m for the release of the victims.

Rivers Police Smash Kidnap Gang

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have smashed a notorious kidnap gang after the police raided their hideouts in Okrika and Abuloma towns in the State. The raid led to their arrest of their alleged ring leader, Mitchell Tamuno, in Okrika.  It was gathered that the suspects were responsible for the abduction of a 14-year-old girl, Charity Ikirigo, on April 18. Police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, April 29, disclosed that the arrest of the suspects was made possible by useful information from the public. Ikirigo has since been rescued by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Two AK-47 rifles and 170 rounds of live ammunition were reportedly recovered from the suspects. The police spokesman also disclosed that one Iyalla Appollos was arrested in his hideout in Ozuboko Ama on April 28. Appollos is alleged to be a dangerous kidnapper leading a seven-man kidnapping syndicate that operates around Abuloma and its environs. Two AK-47 rifles, 170 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition and four magazines were recovered from Appollos.

Court Sentences Three Kidnappers to Death in Delta State

Three kidnappers, Augustine Akpojivi, Dawel James and Collins Enye, were, April 29, sentenced to death by a Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun. The three convicts were also found guilty on three other counts of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, demanding property with menace and stealing, and were slammed with jail terms of 20 years each with hard labour. The trio and others now at large, had in August 2013 kidnapped one Rufus Uzoma Allwell and demanded for a ransom of N2 million for his release. The judge averred that the third accused person, James, who was the driver of Allwell, masterminded the abduction of his boss and received part of the N2 million ransom paid by the elder brother of his boss. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, expressed optimism that the judgment of the court will send a strong signal to criminally-minded persons in the state.

Kidnapped Senator Anisulowo Regains Freedom

Former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who was kidnapped on her way from her farm by armed men in Sawonjo area of Yewa LGA of Ogun State, has regained freedom with no ransom paid. A family source, who confirmed this, commended the efforts of the state government, security men and Nigerians. Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the senator was rescued at Gbegbelawo, near Olorunda town on May 2. He said two suspects who might be members of the kidnap gang had been arrested.

Kidnappers Demand N60m to Free UCTH Workers

Kidnappers have demanded N60m from families of three persons abducted from the staff quarters of the University of Calabar in Calabar in Cross River State. Unidentified gunmen had on May 2 stormed the staff quarters and abducted the wife of a lecturer, Nancy Ndifon, alongside her daughter, Oyebah Ndifon. The kidnappers also abducted a medical doctor, David Iniama, before escaping through the creeks. Previously, unidentified armed men had, sometime in April 2016, invaded and ransacked the residence of a lecturer and medical consultant, Dr Wilfred Ndifon, whose wife and daughter are victims of the latest attack. Police spokesman, John Eluu, said the command was doing all within its power to ensure the safe release of the victims.

Robbery

Police Arrest Five for Armed Robbery in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command, April 28, arrested a gang of suspected armed robbers comprising five Fulani men who were being transported in a hired taxi to their base in Iseyin. The State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, said the suspects were found to be in possession of an automatic pistol, seven mobile telephones, a sum of N191,000 and weed suspected to be marijuana during their arrest. The police commissioner also disclosed that two suspects were arrested for their involvement in car snatching operations in Ogun, Lagos, Oyo and other states in the South-West. They were part of a four-man robbery gang. Oyebade said the suspected robbers were arrested with a Hyundai saloon car, which was snatched at gunpoint from its owner in Lagos State.

Lagos Mob Lynches Armed Robber for Killing OPC Leader

An armed robber was mobbed and lynched at the Iponri area of Lagos State after his gang shot and killed a leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Sanjo Akintoye, during a failed robbery attack on May 4. It was learnt that the robber, who came on a motorcycle with another suspect, expended his bullets on the 43-year-old security guard. But as he made to reload his pistol, residents swooped on him and broke his skull with stones, sticks and bottles. He died on the spot and the corpse was recovered by policemen from the Iponri division. The suspect and his accomplice had trailed a worker at a construction site, who had gone to withdraw money from a bank in the area, when they were challenged for riding a motorcycle into the area, and they opened fire. The gunshots attracted the attention of other OPC members and some residents in the area. Police spokeswoman, Dolapo Badmos, said the police recovered one pistol with nine expended and 10 unexpended cartridges.

Police Nab 11 Suspects for Robbery, Cultism

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected armed robbers and five persons involved in cultism in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, May 5, said that the suspects were picked up from different locations in the state. One of the suspected armed robbers, Emmanuel Effiom, admitted to being among those using tricycle to rob residents. He explained that his friend was the one that tried to rob a woman at the Ewet Housing in Uyo. He stated his friend, a tricycle rider, had pointed a gun at the woman when policemen arrived at the scene and arrested them.

Gang Incidents

STF Parades Gun-Runners in Jos

The Special Task Force (STF) deployed to restore peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi State, April 30, paraded a syndicate of four gunrunners apprehended around Du community of Jos South LGA of Plateau state. Commander of the STF, Major General Tagbo Ude, explained that the syndicate uses women and children as shields to evade arrest. He revealed a dangerous trend in Plateau State where women and children are used as shields by criminals in an attempt to resist arrest. He said the suspects were planning to assemble six AK-47 rifles for sale when they were apprehended.

Hoodlums Attack Policemen, Stab Sergeant

Two of the hoodlums, terrorising the Elegbata area on the Lagos Island, Lukman Kayode (29) and Olusegun Ayanniyi (19), have been arrested after they reportedly attacked some policemen. A sergeant, Tunde Adeyemi, was stabbed in the head during the attack. It was learnt that the policemen from the Area Command had mobilised to the area after receiving a distress call on a clash between two rival gangs. It was gathered that the team stormed a stadium in the community, where members of one of the two groups had converged. The thugs reportedly brought out cutlasses and attacked the policemen. The police team later reinforced and went back to the area during which the two suspects were apprehended while other members fled.

Police Parade 14 Suspected Cult Members in Benue

At least 14 suspected cultists connected with the recent clash between rival cult groups in Otukpo have been arrested by the Benue State Police Command. The clash left three persons dead with five others severely injured. Parading the suspects on May 4, the State Commissioner of Police, Dibal Yakadi, said that the suspected cultists were arrested in Otukpo following an intelligence report on their involvement in cult activities in the area. The commissioner listed exhibits recovered from the suspects to include one red unregistered Jianshe motorcycle, three locally made pistols, and three cartridges. Others are one 7.62mm live ammunition, two car stereos, one Army camouflage uniform, one white beret, two charms, some wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and one ford bus used in conveying some of the cultists.

Drugs

Man Jailed for Producing Fake Drugs

A 35-year-old fake drugs manufacturer, Osita Eli, has been jailed for five years without option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Eli had been standing trial since October, 2015 over manufacturing, distribution and sale of fake drugs in Asaba. He was arrested at his residence in Asaba September 2015 by operatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) following a tip-off with cartons of already produced and packaged fake drugs, machines and other equipment used for the production.

Militancy/Maritime

Sea Pirates Kill Four Naval Ratings, Two Others in Bayelsa Creek

Six persons, including four naval ratings were, May 3, killed in an attack by suspected militants in the Nembe creeks in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa state. It was learnt that a senior employee of the oil servicing firm and his wife were among persons killed. A source disclosed that the victims had left the flow station sold to an oil company, ICEO, by Shell to inspect the wellhead. The spokesman for the Central Naval Command, Lt. Commander Edward Yeibo, who confirmed the attack, however, did not confirm the killings. Some indigenes of the Nembe community have expressed concern over the recent incident of violence along the Nembe creeks and waterways. They accused some personnel of the military authorities of contributing to the violence and killings of military personnel due to alleged bribery for release of arrested pirates. Indigenes have reported seeing the bodies of the slain persons floating in the River.

Militants Blow up Chevron Valve Platform

Suspected militants in the Niger Delta, May 4, blew-up a Chevron Valve Platform in Abiteye, Warri North LGA of Delta State. It was reported that the platform, which is a major connecting point where all other platforms are linked and served as a fulcrum to Chevron BOP and the Chevron Tank farm, was destroyed with dynamite, thereby halting the company’s major operations in the region. A militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that the attack was in line with its promise to the Nigerian government to cripple the economy. The group, which had earlier claimed responsibility for attacking the Forcados 48-inch Export Pipeline, also threatened to attack oil facilities in Lagos and Abuja.

NSCDC Arrests Two Suspected Oil Thieves in Bayelsa

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa State Command, have apprehended two persons in connection with illegal bunkering of crude. It was learnt that the suspects were conveying their illegally-sourced crude oil to an undisclosed location when they were intercepted by NSCDC operatives. The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Desmond Agu, May 2, confirmed the arrest, saying the suspects were rounded up along the creeks of Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw LGA of the state. Agu said the product and a local boat used in conveying it were impounded. He said the operatives of the Anti-pipeline Vandalism Unit of the corps in collaboration with a private security firm, Guardian Dragon, recorded the success on May 1.

Soldier Injured, Four Gunmen Killed in Ambush by Pirates

A soldier was injured while four gunmen were killed in an unsuccessful ambush by sea pirates in Peregbene, along the Ogbia-Nembe waterways in Bayelsa State on May 2. Security operatives attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF) reportedly overpowered the gang of sea robbers during a shootout, killing four members of the gang in the process. The pirates had allegedly laid ambush for the gunboat conveying the soldiers to an undisclosed location for an official assignment, resulting in several casualties. Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Isa Ado, said that the soldiers were on patrol of the waterways when they saw the hoodlums riding on a speedboat with 200 horse power engine, which was banned in the state’s waterways when they came in contact with the military gunboat.

Sea Pirates Attack Traders in Rivers State

A gang of suspected pirates attacked a commercial boat conveying traders to Kaa in Khana LGA of Rivers State, killing two of the traders. The travellers were said to have left Bonny Island in for Kaa when their boat came under attack by the gunmen, who had laid ambush and tried to stop the vessel. The boat operator, on sighting the gunmen, sped off, causing them to open fire, killing the traders.

Navy Impounds Arrest 13 for Oil Theft

The Director of Information (DINFO), Commodore Christian Ezekobe, May 2, disclosed that a naval patrol team deployed by NNS Delta has arrested 13 persons suspected to be engaged in illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft and piracy. Ezekobe said that while 12 suspects were picked up at Forcados River, one suspect was arrested after some sea pirates engaged the naval patrol team in a shootout at Ndolo community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa state. According to him, the 12 suspects arrested on April 23, 2016 were picked up when the patrol team intercepted two Cotonou boats laden with about 150MT of substance suspected to be illegal refined AGO. He listed items recovered from the suspects to include 31 tanks measuring 5000 litres containing illegally refined AGO, 13 pumping machines, eight empty tanks of 5000 litres each and seven boats fitted with 115HP and 75HP outboard engines.

Terrorism

Troops Discover, Destroy Boko Haram Administrative Base

The troops from the 156 Task Force Battalion and 29 Task Force Brigade, assisted by Civilian JTF, May 5, engaged some Boko Haram terrorists in a gun battle at Ngula and Kukuruk villages in Alagarno general area, where the troops discovered and destroyed the terrorist’s administrative base. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, disclosed that the troops discovered that the area served as the Boko Haram terrorists’ administration and harbour area, field hospital and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making factory. He listed the items recovered by the troops at the base including; six motorcycles, two bicycles,  four machine gun mounts,  power generating set, three Armoured Personnel Carriers  (APC) tyres, 10 bags of assorted foodstuff, four different vehicles radiators,  a wheel chair, two  clutches,  stretcher and 11 different car batteries. Other items recovered included three gas cylinders, two stabiliser, a welding machine, three motorcycle batteries and four gallons stuffed with grains.

Troops Repel Terrorists’ Attacks against Sambisa Operation
…Rescue over 400 captives

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, May 5disclosed that the troops involved in the clearance and rescue operations in Sambisa forest, were able to halt attacks by the terrorists, while on harbour. According to him, the terrorists who came in five Toyota Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns which they fired along with 81mm mortar. But the troops rose to the occasion and repelled the attack and pursued the terrorists towards the river line of Izza-Mainyakare axis. A number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed in the attack. The troops recovered an 81mm mortar tube from the terrorists. Usman further disclosed that the troops of 7 Division, based on information received, conducted a special operation at Chingurimi, Walasa and Masa villages with large concentration of abducted women and children. The troops killed a number of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 17 women, an old man and 24 children at the area.

Troops Kills 3 Boko Haram Suspects

Troops of 120 Task Force Battalion, 27 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with vigilantes, while on patrol on May 5, intercepted five Boko Haram terrorists logistics team at Gotumba area trying to move logistics items to suspected Boko Haram hideouts at Aluwa, using donkeys. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said that the terrorists, on sighting the patrol team, fled, abandoning the items. But the troops pursued and killed three of them, while two escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered from the encounter include three packets of Tramol, two packets of Lamumol, seven packets of Really Extra, two packets of Viagra, two packets of Ulgra and 14 of washing soap.

Troops Discover another Boko Haram Bomb Factory, Kill Terrorists

The Nigerian troops have discovered another Boko Haram bomb factory in Borno State. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, disclosed that troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole, had on April 29, raided a secret Boko Haram terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) making-factory in Ngala town, in Gamboru Ngala LGA. He commended the efficiency, intelligence and resilience of the troops that acted on information to swoop on one of such factories in Ngala town and destroyed it. The troops also killed some of the Boko Haram terrorists during the raid. In addition, he said the troops recovered 20 gas cylinders of various sizes prepared and ready for explosive insertion, primers, gun powder, electric wires and tape recorders, among other items.

Military Foils Boko Haram Attack in Borno

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said the troops of 3 Battalion 22 Brigade,  April 29, carried out a successful pre-emptive strike to foil a planned terrorists attack on the military and innocent civilians around Wunbi in Kala Balge LGA of Borno State.  According to him, the pre-emptive attack was carried out after information was received about the plans and location of the terrorists. The troops encountered the terrorists at Tatakura village 20km South West of Wumbi. There was heavy exchange of gun fire during which nine Boko Haram terrorists were killed, he stated. The army spokesman said the troops captured three AK-47 rifles, a Fabrique  Nationale rifle,  General Purpose Machine gun, a 60mm Mortar Tube,  Rocket Propelled Grenade 7 (RPG 7) Tube, G3-Machine gun and seven Fabrique Nationale Magazines. He listed other recovered items to include 108 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, Energa grenade, one RPG 7 bomb as well as three 60mm mortar bombs and two motor cycles.

Military Clears More Boko Haram Enclaves

Troops of 231 and 331 Battalions and elements of the Armed Forces Special Forces Battalion, accompanied by some vigilantes, April 29, conducted a clearance operation at Doksa village aimed at clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the area. According the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, the team cleared all the routes in the general area as well as suspected hideouts of the Boko Haram terrorists before arriving and clearing the terrorists out of their enclaves in Doksa 1, 2, and 3, as well as Sabon Garin Doksa. He said the military also dominated the area with heavy artillery shelling against other registered locations of Boko Haram terrorists at Buga Dam, Golgore and Lariski villages. Usman added that the troops also rescued four women and two children. The military revealed that it was presently engaging the insurgents in a fight to finish within the Sambisa Forest stronghold.

Military Kills 4 Terrorists

Nigerian troops have cleared a Boko Haram enclave in Borno State and killed four terrorists. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, April 29, disclosed this, saying the troops also recovered several items from the Boko Haram remnants. He said the troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B attached to 22 Brigade, made these gains when they embarked on fighting patrol in Yerwa and Kaluketu, where the Boko Haram terrorists kept rustled cows. The troops killed four Boko Haram terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles.

Military Discover Boko Haram Dumping Pits

Nigerian troops engaged in the ongoing operations to clear terrorists’ enclaves in the north-east, have discovered a pit used by the Boko Haram terrorists to dump their victims in Borno State. The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, April 29, said the troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B attached to 22 Brigade embark on combination of foot and mobile fighting patrols on daily basis to deny the terrorists  freedom of action in their area of operations. The troops embarked on clearance operations in the general area of Bogoro, Duguno 1, Duguno 2 and 3, Mbaraka, and Jadda village, which was suspected to be strong hold of the Boko Haram terrorists. They succeeded in rescuing hostages and recovered an AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 12 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 14 Dane Guns, a motorcycle, two solar panels and food storage facility.

Troops Capture Nine, Kill Three Insurgents in Borno

Troops deployed in the on-going operation Lafiya Dole in the north-east have captured nine members of the Boko Haram sect, who were hiding in fox holes in the Borno State. The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, May 2, stated that the troops of the 22 Brigade Garrison, captured the insurgents during a clearance operation at terrorists hideouts of Cinga, Mallum Maja, Bosuma and Murye villages. Usman added that three of the insurgents were also killed by the troops. According to him, the troops recovered ‘nine dane guns, three machetes, one bow with arrows, six motorcycles used by the Boko Haram terrorists to ferry slaughtered cow meats to Boko Haram terrorists hideouts, one tricycle, four Tiger Generators and one solar panel’ from the insurgents. Usman also stated that the troops also released 400 persons held hostage by the insurgents. He added that the troops recovered 300 cattle rustled by the Boko Haram and handed them over to their rightful owners.

Troops Kill 13 Cattle Rustlers, Boko Haram Members

The troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 18 cattle rustlers with several others injured in an operation in Zamfara State. The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, May 5, said that the troops of 223 Battalion, 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who were on patrol, carried out the attack when they were alerted to the presence of the bandits in the area. He said that the troops averted what would have been an attack on Dansadau community by the cattle rustlers and armed bandits. He said that the troops laid ambush for the bandits, who stormed the area en masse on motorcycles. According to him, the troops recovered 11 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one locally-made pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, a magazine of a G3 rifle and 161 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition in addition to destroying the bandits’ camp at Babban Doka area.

Political/Government Agencies

Army Court-Martials 6 in Ibadan

Six military personnel, including a major, a captain, two lieutenants, and two soldiers are currently standing trial before a general court martial at 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged offences ranging from murder to sexual relationship with spouses of other military personnel. The military men appeared before a six-man panel set up by the General Officer Commanding for the division, Major General Laz Ilo. Other alleged offences preferred against the accused include manslaughter, stealing and negligence of performance of military duties. Other soldiers standing trial before panel, led by Brig. Gen Ibikunle Raji, include one corporal and one private. The offences were said to have been committed at various units under the 2 Division of Nigerian Army.

Murder/Assassinations

Trigger Happy Soldier Kills Woman in Warri

A soldier in Warri, April 30, opened fire on a tricycle, killing a woman instantly. The soldier was said to have flagged down the tricycle at Jakpa Junction, but the operator failed to stop. One of the soldiers aimed his gun at the tricycle, and the bullet hit the woman, killing her on the spot. Angry youths in the neighbourhood reportedly mobilised and attempted to attack the soldier, but operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) were said to have swiftly deployed troops to the area. Police spokeswoman, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the killing, noting that the police have commenced investigating the incident. She dismissed insinuation that the trigger-happy soldier might escape justice, noting that there was standard procedure in arresting an erring soldier if the army authorities failed to voluntarily hand him over.

Boy, 17, Kills Mother for Rituals

A 17-year-old boy, Agayo Iorzenda, was, May 3, paraded by the Benue State Police Command for killing his mother in Katsina/Ala LGA. The boy reportedly confessed that he killed his mother because she was responsible for his being impotent. State Commissioner of Police, Paul Yakadi, said that the suspect was apprehended on May 2 by the Police in Katsina-Ala after he shot his mother with a locally-made gun. The Police Commissioner said the matter was still being investigated by the Police and that the boy would face trial. Iorzenda confessed that he had consulted an oracle over his impotence and was told that his mother, who he accused of being a witch, had rendered him impotent. He added that his friend advised him to kill her so as to use her blood to acquire spiritual powers.

Two Feared Dead as PDP, APC Clash in Bayelsa

Two persons are feared dead and five others wounded as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed in Bayelsa State. The clash, which took place at Bassambiri in Nembe LGA of the state, during a funeral on April 30, was said to have started when the PDP supporters, led by the newly appointed Caretaker Chairman of the LGA, Walter Kuroekigha, chanted his party slogans, which allegedly provoked the APC members at the ceremony. It was learnt that in the violence that ensued, the two unnamed persons were reportedly stabbed to death while five others sustained various degrees of injuries. Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the clash in Nembe.

One Killed in Rivers Cult Clash

One person was killed when suspected cult members stormed Okwale community in Khana LGA of Rivers State on May 1. The suspected cultist reported set houses ablaze as indigenes of the community fled for safety. It was gathered that two rival cult groups had engaged each other in a supremacy battle earlier in the day. Trouble was said to have started at a funeral ceremony where the suspected cult members engaged one another in a gun battle, leading to one death. Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was not aware of the incident, but disclosed that a kidnap suspect was arrested in neighbouring Gokana LGA on April 29.

Gunmen Kill Rivers PDP Chieftain

Yet-to-be identified gunmen, April 28, stormed Okposi community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State, killing a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Lucky Ajie. Ajie was murdered at his residence by the assailants as he returned home in the early hours of the day. He was reportedly trailed from a hotel and shot dead in front of his compound. A former Chief of Staff of ONELGA, Chijioke Ejebide, condemned the killing, describing it as senseless. Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that the police had commenced investigation into the killing with a view to apprehending the culprits.

Rejected Suitor Stabs Woman to Death, Injures Mother

A 45-year-old man, David Ogundele, who was deeply obsessed with 30-year-old Oluwatosin Ashinwo, is on the run after stabbing her to death and inflicting serious injuries on her mother following Oluwatosin’s refusal of his marriage proposal. Brother to Oluwatosin disclosed that the deceased had a day earlier reported that Ogundele had threatened her with knife to her neck if she refused his marriage proposal. It was learnt that Ogundele returned on April 24 and an argument ensued, during which Oluwatosin insisted the man must leave her house. But rather than leave, grabbed a knife from her kitchen and stabbed her and her mother, who was visiting at the time. He allegedly locked his victims in the room, thinking that they were both dead and fled. Police spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed that the police are on the trail of the suspect.

Gunmen Kill 17 Persons in Rivers

Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, April 30, invaded Ula-Ukpata and Edoha communities in Ahoada East Local Council area of Rivers State, killing no fewer than 16 persons. According to an eyewitness, who escaped the attack, the gunmen attacked Ula-Upata community twice. At their first attack, they reportedly killed 12 persons, and returned in the night to kill two more persons. It was further learnt that the gunmen thereafter moved to Edoha, a nearby village, where they beheaded five persons. However, the state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo confirmed that only four persons were killed in Ula-Ukpata community on April 30. Kimo added that four patrol team of policemen had been deployed to the community to beef up security and forestall reprisal attack.

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Nephew in Kaduna

The District Head of Karshi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State, Bala Madaki, and his nephew, Emmanuel Tanko, were, May 1, murdered by unknown gunmen, who stormed his residence and opened fire. Madaki, 66, and his nephew, a secondary school student, both died on the spot from gunshot wounds. The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Zubairu Abubakar, confirmed the incident. The state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has condemned the killings, saying investigations were on to fish out the perpetrators.

Customs/Smugglers Clash Claims Six Persons in Ogun

Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, May 1, clashed with suspected smugglers at Oke-Odan town in Yewa LGA of Ogun State leading to the death of three children and three adults during an operation by customs officers, who were chasing smugglers, who had smuggled two vehicles loaded with rice from Benin Republic. While the vehicles were seized by the customs, the smugglers launched an attack on the customs which led to the deaths. Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi and the customs spokesman, Usman Abubakar, however, said only two people died.

Three Killed as Soldiers, Youths Clash in Cross River Community

Three persons were reportedly killed and two soldiers injured as irate youths in Mkpani community clashed with soldiers drafted to quell the communal fight between their community and Nko in Cross River State. The incident occurred on May 1 after the soldiers requested the Mkpani youths to remove the barricades they had mounted on the Ugep- Ikom highway. But the youths mistook allegedly opened fired, prompting the soldiers to call for re-enforcement, which arrived and reportedly killed three persons. The conflict between the two communities was aggravated on April 30 with the killing of two Ugep persons by yet to be identified persons at the Nko Robber Plantation, which serves as boundary between the two warring villages. While the Nko people accuse the Mkpani youths of the killing, the Mkpani people see the killing as an act by Nko people to drag Ugep into the fracas in order to join forces with them to fight Mkpani.

Three Feared Dead as Clashes Erupt in Aba Market

At least three people were killed in Aba, Abia State, in a clash at the popular Ariaria Market on May 5 between some Igbo and Hausa traders. An eyewitness disclosed that the crisis started after a member of the Hausa community stabbed and killed an Igbo trader, who reprimanded him for urinating near his store. Other Igbo traders rounded the assailant and killed him. As news of the incident spread to other parts of the town, a mob gathered and attacked the Hausa community around the abattoir located at Ogbor Hill area of Aba. Soldiers in nearby barrack, in a bid to restore normalcy, fired some gunshots, and an Igbo trader was hit and killed by a bullet.

Rape

Man, 28, Remanded over Alleged Oral Sex with 5-Year Old

An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court, May 2, ordered a 28-year-old man, Emmanuel Andrew, to be remanded at Federal Prison in Ilorin for allegedly having oral sex with a five-year old girl. The Prosecutor, Corporal Sanni Abdullahi, told the court that the victim’s mother caught the accused putting his finger into her daughter’s genitals on April 26. Abdullahi said that the accused also confessed that sometime in February, he had taken the girl to his room and put his penis into her mouth to suck till he discharged sperm. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor opposed the bail application of the accused. He urged the court to remand him in prison custody pending the conclusion of investigation. The Defence Counsel, Mr Shina Ibiyemi, applied for bail for the accused. The Magistrate, Shakirat Olanipekun, refused the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded. Olanipekun adjourned the case till May 11 for further mention.

Police Arrest 50-Year-Old Man for Raping 10-Year-Old by Roadside

A 50-year-old man, Kelvin Ezeigbo has been arrested by the police for reportedly raping a 10-year-old niece of his neighbour by the roadside in Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos State. It was gathered that the girl was running an errand for her aunt at about 9pm on April 26 when the suspect waylaid her, forcefully dragged her into a tricycle by the roadside, covered her mouth and raped her. It was learnt that girl immediately ran home and informed her aunt about the incident. The aunt promptly reported to the police. Ezeigbo, who was arraigned before chief magistrate T.A Elias, however, pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial. The magistrate, admitted him to bail in the sum of N2.5m with two sureties in like sum. Elias ordered that Ezeigbo should be remanded in prison custody pending when his bail conditions would be perfected.

25-Year-Old Man Remanded in Prison for Rape

A 25-year-old man, Yusuf Opeloyeru, who was, May 5, arraigned before Chief Magistrate T.A Elias, was ordered to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping his co-tenant’s 11-year-old daughter. It was learnt that Opeloyeru and a friend, who is still at large, had raped the 11-year-old victim at the Agege area of Lagos State on April 17. It was gathered Opeloyeru had lured the girl into his room under the pretext of sending her on an errand to buy food. It was learnt that after Opeloyeru and his friend had finished eating the food, they lured her into their room again, and this time they locked the door and allegedly took turns to rape her. The girl, however, opened up to her mother on the rape as she felt severe pains. Her mother thereafter reported the matter to the police station and Opeloyeru was arrested. His friend, however, remains at large.

Others

19-Year-Old Dies in Police Custody

A 19-year-old man, Gafar Ayoola, who was arrested and detained at the Denton Police Division for questioning over a robbery incident, reportedly died while still in police custody. It was gathered that Gafar had gone to deliver a message to his aunt and to see some friends in the area when he was arrested by a police corporal on April 29. The corporal had taken the teenager to the station and began to interrogate and torture him over a robbery incident. But when the family of Ayoola went to the police station to secure his bail, they were informed that he was dead. A friend of the family, identified as Musibau, claimed that he saw the Ayoola being tortured till he became unconscious, and that he died because he was not given immediate medical attention. According to him, the policemen had thought he was pretending and abandoned him. Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said the suspect died in a hospital shortly after his arrest, adding that investigation was ongoing into the matter.

Army Arrests Suspected Killers of General Shuwa

The 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Kano, May 2, paraded two suspected Boko Haram members believed to have masterminded the killing of Gen. Mamman Shuwa (retd.) in Maiduguri, Borno State. The late Shuwa was killed in Maiduguri on November 2, 2012. Parading the suspects, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General H. Hassan, disclosed that the suspects were arrested separately in the Hotoro quarters of Kano metropolis on April 30 and May 1 by troops of the Nigerian army. Hassan explained that Ali Mohammed (25) was a staunch supporter of the late leader of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammadu Yusuf. Hassan said Mohammed preached the sect’s doctrine in Baga, Borno State. Hassan said that preliminary investigations revealed that the other suspect, Mohammed Sani Nafiu (35), aided the terrorists, who killed the late General Shuwa.

Review/Analysis

Murder/assassination remained high on the crime index as activities of hoodlums, killers and herdsmen across the nation consistently claim lives. Strange is the case of a 17-year-old boy in Benue State, who killed his mother after he accused her of sorcery and making him impotent. Two persons were stabbed to death and five seriously injured as two political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed in Bayelsa State. As cult clashes and political instigated wars become rampant, the authorities have remained formidable as suspected criminal gangs have been apprehended and taken to custody. The south-south and south-east regions of the country witnessed more of these heinous crimes.

The military troops prosecuting the war to stamp out acts of terrorism continue to hamper the activities of terrorists in the north-eastern region of the country. The troops have been able to clear more boko haram enclaves, killing and arresting suspected terrorists following continuous aerial bombardments and ground assaults. The troops also recovered various calibres of arms and ammunition from fleeing Boko Haram terrorists. It was also recorded that about nine members of the Boko Haram sect, who were hiding in fox holes was captured by military troops deployed in the on-going operation Lafiya Dole in the north-east state of Borno.

The activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves swell, especially in the Niger Delta have seen a rise in recent days. Suspected militants attacked and blew up a Chevron Valve Platform Delta State. In other incidents, soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), were heavily engaged in a gun fight with sea pirates in an unsuccessful ambush. Four members of the gang were killed as a soldier sustained gunshot injuries. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also arrested two persons who had connections with oil thieves dealing in illegal bunkering of crude oil in the creeks of Bayelsa State. Sadly, some naval ratings lost their lives in an ambush by suspected sea pirates. The south-south and south-east bore the brunt.

Kidnap/hostage incidents took a nose dive as activities of kidnap gangs were halted by the authorities. In a brazen attack, the pregnant wife of a traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom, alongside four of her children, was kidnapped by 10 unidentified gunmen, who raided the community shooting sporadically for over five hours. This and many more were seen across the south-south and south-east regions of the country. In a separate incident, the police arrested suspected kidnap kingpins after raids in the Okrika and Abuloma towns of Rivers State. One of the suspects was responsible for the recent kidnap of a 14-year-old girl. She has since been reunited with her family.

The authorities continue to urge the public to provide them with useful credible information that could lead to the arrest of suspects and reduction of crime.

Villeworth urges you to remain law abiding and be your neighbour’s watch.