Villeworth Security Services Ltd

Week 26

SUMMARY OF MAJOR INCIDENTS BY CATEGORY

S/N	CATEGORY	MAJOR INCIDENTS
1	Kidnap/Hostage	10
2	Robbery	6
3	Drugs	1
4	Militancy/Maritime Incidents
5	Terrorism	7
6	Political/Government Agencies
7	Murder/Assassination	12
8	Rape Incidents	4
9	Others

Kidnap/Hostage Incidents

Army, Police Foil Kidnapping, Kill Suspect in A’Ibom

The joint security patrol team comprising personnel of the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and operatives of the Nigerian Police, June 25, foiled an attempt by kidnappers to abduct a monarch, Chief Malachy Umoren, in Idu Community of Uruan LGA of Akwa Ibom State. A member of the five-man kidnapping gang, who sustained gun injuries during an exchange of fire with the security operatives, was said to have died on the way to the hospital. Following a distress call, the security patrol team chased the criminal gang that had already abducted their victim. In an attempt to escape, the kidnappers were said to have engaged security personnel in a gun battle until the hoodlums abandoned their victim and vehicle and ran into the bush. Police Public Relations Officer, Chukwu Ikechukwu, confirmed the incident, adding that the investigation was on-going to arrest others involved in the crime. Several dangerous items were recovered from the hoodlums including one pump action rifle, four locally made pistols, two cutlasses, three mobile phones, three pump action rifle cartridges, four ATM cards, an envelope containing some documents and one Nissan Primera salon car. Commander of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Abdu Ibrahim Hassan, said there would be no hiding place for criminal elements in the state.

Pastor, Sister in Police Net for Human Trafficking

The Edo State Police Command, June 29, disclosed that it had smashed a human trafficking syndicate led by one Vivian Ehiozee and her brother, Endurance Ehiozee. The siblings specialised in trafficking young girls from Benin-city to Russia for prostitution. Ehiozee who is a Benin-city based pastor, is alleged to use his Church as a fertile ground to lure young girls in search of greener pastures overseas into prostitution with the collaboration of his sister in Russia. The smashing of the syndicate was made possible when one of the trafficked victims, Florence Abu (24), who was recently reunited with her family, reported the matter to a non-governmental organisation. Narrating her ordeal, Abu lamented that she paid her ‘madam’ the sum of $45,000. Florence, a hair stylist and a dancer, said she was 18 years old when she was trafficked in 2013 after she was lured into prostitution by her Pastor (Endurance) who facilitated the plans to traffic her.

Benue Police Arrest Two for Stealing Baby

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, June 29, said that two females had been apprehended for allegedly stealing a nine-month-old baby in Gboko. He said that all the suspects would remain in the command’s custody pending the conclusion of investigation. The mother of the stolen baby, Mrs Kwaghbe Ajia, who was at the police headquarters, thanked the command for rescuing her child. She said that her seven-year-old daughter was with her in the market, looking after the baby when the abductors lured the girl to a corner. Ajia said the abductors deceived the little girl to help them buy something while they held the baby for her, adding that as the child went on the errand for them, they ran away with the baby.

Court Sentences Woman for Human Trafficking

A Benin High Court presided over by Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga, June 29, sentenced one Regina Osarieme, a mother of four, to 15 years imprisonment for human trafficking. The suspect was arraigned on a three-count charge of trafficking for prostitution, procurement for gratification and procurement for unlawful carnal knowledge. The trafficker was alleged to have recruited a 16-year-old secondary school girl and promised to take her to Russia. Before embarking on the journey, the victim was requested to pay a registration fee of N50,000 and two ‘Hollandis’ wrappers to the accused. The accused, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges, was said to have recruited the girl through an agent called Anthony.

Police Arrest Military Member of Evans’ Kidnap Gang

Following the celebrated arrest of notorious billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeje Onwuamadike, alias Evans, the police have nabbed another member of the gang, who is a military personnel. The suspect, Lance Corporal Victor Chukwunonso, was arrested by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police. According to the police, the revelations by the prime suspect, Evans, would assist police in bursting several kidnap cases in the country and those behind it. Acting Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Dasuki Galadanchi, June 24, said more suspects have been arrested in connection with Evans and his gang. Galadanchi noted that since Evans activities are legendary, there was need to painstakingly investigate the matter before he would be charged to court. Evans has been a kidnapper for several years and has been on the wanted list of the police in Edo, Abuja, Anambra and Lagos States.

Kidnappers Release APC Councillorship Candidate’s Daughter

The kidnapped daughter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) councillorship candidate for Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, Bode Adeosun, been released. The victim, Bukola, was released after her father withdrew from the race, following threats by the kidnappers to abduct his other children if he did not withdraw. Bukola was abducted on June 27 and taken to an unknown destination. Her abductors, as gathered, contacted her father, informing him that Bukola was in their custody. The only condition they gave for her release was his withdrawal from the race.

NAPTIP Arrests 40-Year-Old Woman in Edo over Human Trafficking

A 40-year-old woman, Mrs Halimatu Omoruyi Osifo, has been arrested by the Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) over allegations of human trafficking. Osifo was arrested by operatives of NAPTIP with the support of officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The suspect was said to have recruited two girls, aged 18 and 20, promising them lucrative work outside the country. However, the suspect sent the two girls to her daughter called Blessing, alias Stella, who is based in Togo for prostitution. According to a statement by NAPTIP’s spokesman, Nduka Nwanwenne, as soon as they arrived Togo, Blessing procured skimpy dresses and introduced them into prostitution and collected their earnings. But exhausted by the ordeals of prostitution, one of the girls had to hide some of their earnings to escape before being rescued by NAPTIP. Reacting, the Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, June 26, said the agency is poised to smoke out human traffickers wherever they maybe in Nigeria.

Businessman Kidnapped in Ughelli

Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, June 25, abducted the father of an Ughelli-based wine dealer at Ughelli in Delta State. The victim, Amos Esemudje, father of the owner of a popular fast food and petrol station, was said to have been abducted at his shop along the busy Post Office Road. An eyewitness disclosed that the hoodlums came to the wine shop pretending to be customers only for them to abduct the victim. According to the witness, the gunmen arrived the shop in a black SUV and another Honda saloon car, nudged the victim with their gun and accompanied him into the waiting SUV before zooming off.

Woman Jailed for Using Teenagers as Sex Workers

A 41-year-old woman, Victoria Oshi, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by a High Court in Oyo State for trafficking three girls from Enugu State to work as commercial sex workers. It was learnt that Oshi lured the victims – two teenagers and one 20-year-old – to Ogbomosho in Oyo State, sometime in 2010, promising to make them sales girls. The victims, however, ended up working as commercial sex workers for Oshi, after which the matter was reported to the National Agency for Prohibition in Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Oshi was subsequently arrested and charged to court after which a series of hearings started. The NAPTIP Director of Press and Public Relations, Josiah Emerole, disclosed that the convict was sentenced by Justice M. A. Adegbola on June 28 for procurement and sexual exploitation of three victims of human trafficking.

Robbery

28-Year-Old Armed Robber Sentenced to Death by Hanging

A Jos High Court, on June 23, sentenced a 28-year-old man, Auwalu Sule, to death by hanging for robbing a woman of her Toyota Corolla car at gun-point. Justice Y.G. Dakwak handed down the sentence after finding Sule guilty of the crime. The convict was first arraigned on March 19, 2014 on a one-count charge of robbery. The prosecutor, Mr G.D. Fwomyon, also the Director of Public Prosecution, told the court that Sule, in the company of two others, who are still at large, committed the offence in December, 2013. Fwomyon said Sule and his gang were armed with a locally made pistol when they robbed Zipporah Mang of her car after they trailed her to her home. The prosecuting counsel said the convict told the police in a confessional statement that he and two others, Abba and Tutu, whom he met in prison sometime in 2010, met on the said date at Anguwan Rukuba to arrange the robbery.

Notorious Onitsha Robber Nabbed by Police

Police operatives in Onitsha, Anambra State, have arrested a notorious robbery gang’s leader identified as Onyebuchi Ibanu Umemo, alias Alamo, whose gang has allegedly been terrorising inhabitants of the commercial city. The arrest by a combined team of policemen attached to the Central Police Station, Onitsha, and vigilante operatives, followed a distress call over a robbery attack, where hoodlums, armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons, were attacking and robbing innocent citizens of their belongings. It was gathered that the team, on arrival, spotted Alamo robbing victims and when the operatives advanced to effect his arrest, he threatened to cut one of the vigilante operatives with a machete. However, the operatives were said to have demobilised him by shooting him in the leg. The Divisional Police Officer at CPS, Ikechukwu Egbochukwu, June 28, confirmed the arrest. He said Alamo was at an undisclosed hospital, following the gunshot injury he sustained while struggling with the police operatives.

Armed Robbers Kill Two in Ughelli

A security guard attached to a community bank in Ughelli, Delta State, was, June 27, killed, when armed robbers attacked the bank, carting away a computer and other items. The remains of the victim, Andrew Okurude, 78, was said to have been recovered near one of the gates of the plaza, where the bank is situated. The incident is coming just as another gang of hoodlums, shot dead a male guest, who had lodged at a hotel near Aroh Road Junction, along the East-West Road. Confirming the incidents, the state Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, explained that the victim had been reported missing by members of his family since June 22.

Bandits Attack Students

Bandits terrorising Iwofe area of Rumuolumeni in Rivers State, June 25, invaded an off campus residence of students of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) robbed and raped female students. One of the victims of the attacks, Bright John, narrated that they were sleeping when the hoodlums arrived the lodge with weapons and robbed occupants of each of the room. John complained that the regular attacks on the students’ apartment were affecting their studies, adding that each time the robbers stormed their residence, they go after their laptops and phone. The spokesman of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, has condemned the incident and promised that the Police will investigate the allegations of inactiveness of some of its operatives.

Police Arrest Five Robbers Terrorising Victoria Island

The Police in Lagos, June 26, said that they have arrested five suspected armed robbers believed to be terrorising motorists in Victoria Island. Police said their men swooped on the suspects following a tip-off by three victims of the robbery attacks. The victims reported that while they were trying to fix their car, the suspects stopped and five men came out and ordered them to lie down at gunpoint. The suspects robbed them of their money, phones, wristwatches, gold earrings, necklaces and other valuables. The police arrested the five suspects, while their driver escaped with their arms. Five live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered from the suspects. The Lagos Command spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, for further investigations.

Police Arrest Notorious Car Thief

The police in Enugu State, June 30, disclosed that they have apprehended a man suspected to be a notorious car thief, who specialises in using master key to steal vehicles. He was arrested at a shopping mall on the Enugu-Abakiliki Road in Enugu metropolis while trying to steal a car. Police Public Relations Officers, Ebere Amaraizu, said that money alleged to be stolen and a master key were recovered from the suspect. The suspect identified as Arinze Chinonso, was nabbed after he allegedly forced open the door of a Murano Jeep with a master Key. According to the spokesperson, the suspect has been helping police in their investigation into his nefarious activities. He said the suspected would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Drugs

65-Year-Old Jailed 25 Years for Drug Trafficking

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, June 28, sentenced 65-year-old woman, Odeyemi Omolola, to 25 years imprisonment for drug trafficking. Omolola, who was charged alongside one Funmilola Ogbuaya, was jailed for attempting to export 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari sentenced the convict after she changed her plea in an amended five-count charge. The convict was arraigned on three counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia. Ogbuaya is facing charges bordering on conspiracy, aiding and abetting and procuring of the said banned drug for the convict. Both accused persons had pleaded not guilty when they were both arraigned before the court in May.

Militancy/Maritime

Terrorism

Premature Explosion Kills Five Suicide Bombers

Five suicide bombers, two males and three females, were, June 27, killed in Maiduguri, Borno State when their explosives detonated unexpectedly. According to reports, the five bombers had explosives strapped on them and the premature explosion of one led to a spiral of explosion of the others, killing all five of them. The suicide bombers had tried to sneak into Maiduguri through the Mamanti village around Jiddari Polo when the incident occurred. Soldiers in conjunction with the Civilian JTF deployed at Jiddari Polo conducted patrol and recovered the dead bodies of five suicide bombers on June 28.

16 Killed as Seven Suicide Bombers Attack Maiduguri

About 16 people were killed as seven Boko Haram suicide bombers attacked various locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Three of the suicide bombers attacked the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) where a security officer was killed, along with the bombers on June 26. The State Commissioner of Police, Damien Chukwu, confirmed the attacks. In another incident, four female suicide bombers infiltrated Zannari community in Gwange general area of Jere LGA. Two of the suicide bombers detonated the IEDs on their bodies in two residential buildings. The bombers died alongside eight other persons while 11 others were injured. The third bomber detonated his bomb, killing himself alone. The fourth female suicide bomber, who was arrested, also died the same night as a result of injuries she sustained. Chukwu added that the police EOD unit had sanitised and rendered the various scenes and their neighbourhoods safe. He assured that normalcy has been restored.

DSS Arrests top Boko Haram Commander, 20 others in Kano

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano State, June 25, said it arrested a top Boko Haram commander and 20 others suspects. The Kano State Director of the DSS, Alhassan Muhammad, disclosed that the 48 hours operation neutralised what would have been a bloody Eid-el-Fitr in the state. Muhammad further disclosed that the combat operations jointly carried out by the police, and his men led to the arrest of the unit commander of Boko Haram, who was also in charge of Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto. He explained that it also arrested 30 other suspects while planning coordinated attacks during Sallah festivities in major northern cities. The Director said the success story was the outcome of a painstaking effort buoyed by intelligence gathering and sharing by the police and DSS which helped put more spots areas at red alert.

1 Officer, 3 Soldiers Die as IED Explodes in Borno

The Army has confirmed that it lost an officer and three soldiers in Borno State when their patrol vehicle encountered IED buried on the road between Kangarwa and Alagarno village on June 29. The Army Spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, confirmed the incident while giving update on the troops’ clearance operations in the North-East. He said three other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries, while the patrol vehicle was completely damaged. Usman, however, said three suspected terrorists, who planted the explosives and hid themselves had been fished out and neutralised. The army spokesman added that apart from the clearance operations, troops stationed at Banki in Borno rendered humanitarian assistance to over 887 Nigerian refugees, who returned from Cameroon since June 27.

Girl Escapes from Boko Haram Reunites with Mother

Troops of the Nigerian army, June 29, handed over one Miss Jada Hachaba, who was abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists, to her mother at Gulak in Adamawa State. The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, explained that Hachaba escaped from the terrorists’ captivity, adding that she was handed over in the presence of the District Head of Gulak. Meanwhile, troops stationed at Buni Yadi in Yobe State, discovered a 122mm D30 unexploded ordinance inside an uncompleted building at the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate. The army spokesman said that the Explosive Ordinance Team was drafted to the scene to safely detonate the explosive.

Military Arrests Two Terrorists

Troops of the Nigerian army battling to rid the north-east of Boko Haram have arrested two suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ collaborators/informants. The suspects, Abubakar Ahmed (23) and Aji Maina (45), were arrested on June 28. Both suspects were arrested at Garin Gada and Kanamma after painstaking trailing. The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who confirmed this, stated that Abubakar Ahmed was arrested while trying to collect relief materials for onward conveyance to Boko Haram terrorists, while Aji Maina was arrested while on transit at Kanamma enroute Gamari in Niger Republic. Similarly, Usman said that vigilant elements of 8 Division Nigerian Army stationed at Kukawa in northern Borno State, June 29, intercepted two minors, who were spying for Boko Haram. The minors were on spying mission on troops’ location at Kukawa.

Troops Arrest Notorious Boko Haram Terrorist

Troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, deployed to Buni Gari in Borno State have arrested another suspected Boko Haram terrorist. The Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, June 28, said that the suspect was arrested by the troops on June 25 while on perimeter patrol. The army spokesman further disclosed that the troops of 29 Task Force Brigade also discovered Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists along Wajiro-Mallam Kuramti cattle route. The team safely removed and detonated it, he added. Usman said the troops of 151 Battalion of the 21 Brigade also cleared an ambush by suspected terrorists on June 28, neutralizing some of the terrorists, while a re-enforcement was immediately dispatched to mop up the general area. The team recovered a 60mm Commando Mortar Bomb, 13 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 51 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

Political/Government Agencies

Murder/Assassinations

Badoo Attacks 4 Families, Kill 3 in Ikorodu

Suspected members of the dreaded Badoo cult, June 28, struck again at Ikorodu in Lagos State, attacking four buildings and leaving three people dead with one missing. According to reports, after the attacks and neighbours rallying for help, they discovered a neighbour, David Ikehi, his wife, Priscilla and their son, Moses, were killed with a grinding stone. Another son, Sunday, was injured, while their two-year-old boy was missing. The bodies lay in their pool of blood, while Sunday was unconscious with a blood-stained grinding stone found in the premises. Policemen from Sagamu Road Division were invited to the scene and the injured taken to the hospital, while the dead were taken to the mortuary.

Cult War Claims 10 in Akure

At least 10 persons were killed between June 25 and 28 in Akure, the Ondo State capital as rival cult groups battled for supremacy. The Police, in trying to curtail the raging crisis, said over 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with crimes in the city. It was gathered that the killing of a member of the group sparked off a reprisal attack, which increased the casualty figures. It was learned that four members of one of the cult groups, riding on a motorcycle, stormed the NEPA Junction area on June 27 and shot their target at close range. Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, said only three persons were killed, while one survived gunshots during the cult war. Joseph said the fight broke out as a reprisal attack by one of the groups, whose member was earlier killed by a rival group.

2 Policemen Killed in Niger State

Two policemen, Inspector Alfa Idris and Sergeant Joseph Peter, were on June 25, killed in Allawa village, Shiroro LGA of Niger State. The cops were killed when they went on official duty to the community to arrest some notorious criminals. Some criminals in the area had been declared wanted by the police in Niger and Kaduna states. After a tip-off, the Niger State Police Command sent a team to the village to effect the arrest of the suspects. But they were attacked and murdered. Earlier, two members of the gang had been arrested by the Police and had given useful information, which led the Police to storm the village with a five-man team, including the deceased. According to a source, immediately the policemen arrived the village, members of the gang attacked the team. Spokesman of the state Police Command, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations on the matter were still on, adding that those involved in the act would be brought to book.

One Policeman Dies in Gombe Communal Clash

A policeman in Gombe State, June 28, died from gunshot wounds he sustained during a communal clash at the weekend between Billiri and Shongom communities in state. The state Police Commissioner, Austin Iwar, June 29, said the lingering crises resulted in the destruction of many property especially houses. The police boss explained that policemen had been drafted to the disputed area to maintain peace while an investigative team had also been put on alert to get to the remote causes of the recurring crises that have become an annual incident at the beginning of every farming season in the last 20 years. According to the police boss, on June 23, they received a report from the Billiri DPO that over 50 heavily armed men from Shongom chased away farmers in their farmland. But while a peace meeting between leaders of both communities was convened the following day, armed men invaded Kufai village in Billiri, leading to injuries and destruction of property.

Herdsmen Kill Father of 7 in Ondo

Residents of Lion Camp, Igbatoro in Akure North LGA of Ondo State, June 24, protested the killing of a 64-year-old farmer, Linus Ogbee, by herdsmen. Farmers and residents from the over 200 villages and camps in the area trooped to the streets to condemn the murder of the father of seven on his farm by herdsmen. The deceased was said to have gone to the farm on the ill-fated day and when he did not return home as promised, his family members went in search of him only to discover his lifeless body in the bush, riddled with gunshots. It was gathered that the camp was a few distance to the farm of the Chief Olu Falae, which the herdsmen had attempted to invade recently but were chased away after a gun battle with policemen, and they lost many cows. It was gathered that the herdsmen stormed the villages in search of their cows and in the process shot the farmer they met in the farm. The traditional ruler of Igbatoro, Oba Adanri Akinsehinde, who confirmed the death of the farmer, said fear had gripped the people of the community as the herdsmen are still around and preventing them from accessing their farmlands.

Armed Gang Kills 30-year-old Man in Bayelsa

An armed gang, June 25, shot and killed a 30-year-old man at the INEC/Kpansia area of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State. The victim, Samuel Collins, was also dispossessed of his valuables before he was left to die. The deceased was reportedly waylaid by his assailants at the INEC junction road on his way from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The young man had tried to drag his phones and other valuables with the hoodlums who shot him at close range, with the bullets ripping through his neck. Police spokesman, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the death, however, said the killing might be cult related from the way the deceased was mauled. But he added that the police had begun a manhunt for the killers, noting that investigations had commenced.

Badoo’ Hacks Couple to Death in Ikorodu

A couple was found murdered on their bed at the Idioro area of Ogijo in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Neighbours suspected they were hacked to death by the notorious group, Badoo as a grinding stone was found on them. The couple, known as “Baba and Mama Seun”, lived in an uncompleted building and were last seen on June 27. Their remains were discovered after their immediate neighbour who kept calling their phone, got alarmed when they did not respond. The neighbour decided to draw the attention of other landlords who banged the couple’s door to no avail. The neighbours later peeped through the window only to behold the gory sight of the couple on their bed. The alarm was immediately raised and policemen from Ogijo Division were called in. The door was then forced open with the arrival of the Policemen and a grinding stone was found on the bodies which suggested that the attack was carried out by the dreaded cultists in Ikorodu known as ‘Badoo’.

Two Feared Dead in Kwara Communal Clash

At least two persons were feared dead on June 29 following a clash between Odo-Owa and Ilofa communities in the Oke-Ero LGA of Kwara State. It was learnt that trouble started when the Olota of Odo-Owa, Oba Adeyemi Adimula, led his community during their new yam festival to Odo-Owa Market, which was also used by Oke-Ero community. It was learnt that Oke-Ero community prevented the Odo-Owa people from celebrating in the market, which led to the clash. It was gathered that the aides of the Alofa of Ilofa, Oba Niyi Dada, wanted to sell the monarch’s yams before anyone else in the market. Members of Odo-Owa community reportedly prevented Alofa’s aides. Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the clash, adding that he had no information of the death. The Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado, had deployed policemen in the area, he added.

One Killed as Hoodlums Attack Palace in Delta State

One person was killed in Idumuje-Ugboko community in the Aniocha LGA of Delta State, after the palace of the traditional ruler, Nonso Nwoko, was attacked by some suspected hoodlums. It was gathered that a town meeting was being held by some elders in the community when the hoodlums struck. A member of the royal family said the meeting was to conclude the burial rites of the former traditional ruler of the community, who died in February.  A witness said two people sustained gunshot injuries and a 32-year-old man, identified as Cyprian Kumaorum, was killed. He lamented that security agencies abandoned the palace and went to the house of Nonso’s cousin, Ned Nwoko.

Gunmen Kill Policeman, One other in Kano

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, June 24, killed two persons, including a policeman, in Kano State. An eyewitness disclosed that the suspects were in a car when they opened fire on policemen at a checkpoint, leading to the death of the policeman and one other person who was passing by. It was gathered that some people also sustained injuries during the attack, while the suspects escaped. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rabi’u Yusuf, confirmed the incident, saying one policeman lost his life and another person was injured. According to him, the suspects were driving in a car when they stopped at a point where the police were conducting a stop and search operation.

Two Brothers in Police Net for Murder

The Ogun State Police Command says it has arrested two brothers, Matthew Elegbede, (27) and Sunday Elegbede (33), over the alleged murder of a 73-year-old man, Odeyemi Adebari. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the suspects were arrested following a complaint from the deceased’s son, who reported that the two brothers attacked his father with a cutlass, resulting in his death. The victim was said to have died in a hospital four days after the attack following severe injuries he had received. The younger Elegbede was reported to have broken into an apartment in the house of the deceased, causing the occupier, a tenant, to raise the alarm. Oyeyemi said that the old man then came out to challenge Mathew. Matthew was said to have run away, only for him to return with his elder brother, armed with a cutlass in which they used to inflict injury on the deceased. The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, was said to have ordered the transfer of the case to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Gangsters Kill Preacher, Chop-Off Man’s Buttock

A group of armed men in Ife, Mkpat Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State, have killed a preacher, popularly known as Nnamani. The hoodlums also shot and chopped off one Sunday Akpan’s left buttock. It was learnt that the village hooligans had threatened to deal with the preacher for disturbing them with message about repentance. The Village Head, Chief Saturday Isemin, June 29, disclosed that the gangsters dragged the preacher to a bush near the back of a primary school in the night, where they killed him and hid his corpse. People saw some of those hooligans drag the preacher in the night to a bush where they killed him and hid his corpse. Since that time, nobody has said anything about the killing of the innocent man. Akpan was admitted in Etinan General Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment.

Rape

Vice Principal Jailed for Life for Raping Minor

The Vice Principal of St. Mary Girls’ Grammar School, Ikole-Ekiti, Mr. Taiwo Ajayi, was, June 29, sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ado-Ekiti High Court for raping a 12-year-old student. The convict was the Vice Principal (Academics) at the time he committed the offence on March 18, 2014. Ajayi had lured the girl into his office, locked the door from behind and raped her on the table while blocking her mouth with a cloth. One of the teachers in the school knocked the door but the convict refused to open the door. Two teachers later stormed the convict’s office finding the door locked but gained entrance after about 30 minutes and discovered with shock the vice principal having carnal knowledge of the girl. Handing down the judgement, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond every reasonable doubt on the strength of evidence placed before the court.

Primary School Teacher Arrested over Alleged Sexual Abuse of Pupils

The Police in Benue State have arrested a male primary school teacher suspected to be sexually abusing some pupils. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bashir Makama, June 29, said that the teacher was in the habit of molesting male pupils in school. Makama said that three boys, all in primary five, were brought to the command’s headquarters in Makurdi, from Okpokwu Local Government Area, to substantiate the allegation against the teacher. According to him, it was established that the teacher has been molesting the boys for some months after school hours and warned them never to tell anybody.

50-Year-Old Man Rapes 9-Year-Old Girl

A 50-year-old man, Abdullahi Yusuf, June 28, appeared before a Jos Upper Area Court, sitting at Kasuwan Nama, over allegations of luring and raping a 9-year-old girl. But the suspect, who denied raping the girl, however, confessed that he only viciously fingered her. The police prosecutor, Mr E.A. Inegbenoise, alleged that the accused person lured the minor into his room and had carnal knowledge of her.  The girl, who was unable to walk properly after the incident, told her mother that the accused raped her and showed bruises she sustained in the process. Inegbenoise stated that the accused, in a confessional statement, owned up to the crime, but claimed that he did not penetrate her. The accused was granted bail by the judge, Mr. Mustapha Yahaya, in the sum of N50,000. He ordered the accused to produce one surety, who must be a guardian of the accused or a ward head residing within the jurisdiction of the court. The matter was adjourned until July 21 for hearing.

Man Arrested for Raping, Robbing Trader

The police have arrested a 28-year-old man, Tunde Giwa, for allegedly robbing and raping a trader in the Awoyaya area of Lagos State. The police said Giwa threatened the victim with a knife and other weapons before he raped the woman and subsequently robbed her. It was learnt that the incident happened while she was going to a market in Oyingbo around 5am on May 8. The victim said the suspect and his gang members stopped her at a bus stop in Awoyaya, took turns to rape her and made away with her phone, and N8,000. The case was reported to the police, leading to Giwa’s arrest. However, the suspect denied the allegations.

Others

Review/Analysis

Murder and assassination remain high on the index with very shocking incidents on record. In a killing spree, suspected members of the dreaded Badoo cult attacked various residences in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State, killing whole families, including children with a grinding stone, which they always leave behind as their crime signature. In other incidents, two persons including a policeman, were gunned down by unknown gunmen close to a police checkpoint in Kano State. Details of the gunmen was not known as they fled after the shooting. Other killings include invasion and attacks by herdsmen, cult wars and communal clash. In a bid to quell the rate of killing in the society, the authorities were able to apprehend some suspects in separate incidents, while others remain large. The south-west witnessed more of this events with a trickle recorded within the north-central and south-east regions of the country.

Kidnap/hostage maintained its pace as the authorities remain steadfast in their bid to curb the menace of kidnap in the society. This was seen when a joint security patrol team involving the Nigerian Army and the Police Force thwarted an attempt by kidnappers to abduct a monarch in Akwa Ibom State. It was gathered that a member of the kidnapping gang was shot in a gun-fight with the security operatives and he died on the way to the hospital. In Edo State, the law caught up with suspected human traffickers, whose stock in trade was to lure young girls outside the country for prostitution, as operatives of NAPTIP rescued some of the trafficked girls and the suspects, including a pastor, were variously arrested. There was chain of arrest of suspected kidnappers in different incidents as some escaped the police net. It was also a cheerful moment for an APC councillorship candidate as his daughter was released by kidnappers after he was threatened to withdraw from the race. A businessman at Ughelli, Delta State was reported to have been kidnapped by hoodlums and taken to an unknown place, the police however remain on the trail for the suspects. The south-east and south-south recorded more of these incidents.

Terrorism took a leap up the index as the activities of Boko Haram terrorist continue to bedevil the north-east. About 16 persons lost their lives in an attack carried out by seven Boko Haram suicide bombers in various locations in Maiduguri. But the military, alongside several security agencies, remain undaunted in their pursuit to stamp out terrorism in the country. This was evident in a case of several Boko Haram suspects who were arrested by members of The Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano state. Similarly a top commander of the Boko Haram sect was also captured by the security operatives following a painstaking effort buoyed by intelligence gathering by the security operatives. The military also arrested four suspects, including two minors, for spying and serving as informants to the terrorists. In a cheering case, a young girl, who escaped from Boko Haram captivity, was reunited with her family. The north-east bear the brunt of insensitive terror attacks by Boko Haram.

While the police authorities fight hard to rid the society of armed men, robbery incidents were recorded in various regions of the country as was witnessed in Ughelli, Delta State. It was a sad scene when the lifeless body of a security guard attached to a bank in Ughelli was found in front of the bank gate by security operatives, investigations revealed that he was gruesomely murdered by armed robbers that attacked the bank and ran away with computers and other valuable items. This happened just after a gang of hoodlums shot dead a male guest who lodged at a hotel in the same community. Meanwhile, an armed robbery got the death penalty for robbing a woman of her car at gunpoint. His accomplices, however, remain at large. In separate incidents, the Nigerian Police was able to catch some suspected armed robbers. Several other suspects remain at large.

As insecurity infest the society, Villeworth calls on the general public to remain vigilant. Take cognizance of your environment and stay safe.