Investigation

The Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun has arrested no fewer than 33 persons for involving in various criminal activities in the state.

The state Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspected criminals were arrested in various locations across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Adeleye stated this while parading the suspects on Monday at the command’s headquarters in Akure, the state capital.

He said the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from kidnapping and burglary to stealing among others.

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He said, “We have suspected criminals that have been terrorising every part of the state. We have 33 suspects and their activities range from suspected kidnapping, housebreaking and theft to stealing of motorbikes and human trafficking.

“As you are aware, the festive period is drawing near. I want to use this opportunity to reassure members of the public that the Ondo Security Agency, Amotekun Corps remains resolute in ensuring that the festive period goes without security breaches.

“These 33 suspected criminals were picked up from various local governments of the state.”

He disclosed that 18 of the suspects would be arraigned in court on Tuesday (today).

The Supreme Court, on Monday, dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Smart Adeyemi challenging the emergence of Usman Ododo as the Kogi State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Having lost at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, Adeyemi had approached the apex court, but his appeal was dismissed as the Supreme Court said it lacked merit.

The court described the two issues raised in the appeal as “unreasonable, vexatious, not triable, and against the provisions of Sections 132 and 133(1) of the Evidence Act 2011.”

Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the apex court’s lead judgment, also ordered Adeyemi to pay N1m damages to each of the first and third respondents in the matter

He said, “The appellant never alleged that there was no evidence to support the findings of the two lower courts. This court has no power to revisit those issues of facts raised in the Notice of Appeal unless there is an allegation that the findings were perverse.

“On the whole, this appeal fails. The appellant shall pay the cost of N1m each to the 1st and 3rd respondents (the governorship candidate and the APC). “

The court also described as contemptuous, the practice of parties appearing on TV stations to discuss pending appeals.

He said, “You go saying on television that if the court is a court of justice, the appeal should go in your favour.”

“The court frowns at this practice. Once you’ve engaged a lawyer, go and rest.

“I am giving this elaborate talk so that you don’t go out and say things that are not reasonable.”

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has said it will investigate the alleged murder of a Nigerian student by a group of Chinese citizens in the Philippines.

This was disclosed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocol Unit of NiDCOM.

According to the statement, the investigation is intended to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the student identified as Ikem.

“The attention of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has been drawn to a viral social media news item on the death of a Nigerian student, identified as Ikem, who was allegedly murdered by a group of Chinese in the Republic of Philippines.

“Though the matter had not been officially reported to the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines, NIDCOM has asked the eyewitness who posted the gory incident on his social media handle to provide more details to the Commission’s e-mail —admin@nidcom.gov.ng,” the statement partly read.

Agbor—Delta State Police Command has paraded a 46-year-old male proprietor of a private school in Agbor, for allegedly defiling a four-year-old female pupil of the school.

A statement made available to Vanguard by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said the pupil disclosed to her mum that she was defiled by the proprietor of the school.

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According to Edafe:” One Mrs Joy reported that while she was bathing her 4-year-old daughter, she discovered blood stain in her private part. Upon questioning, she said her daughter kept stating that her uncle used school scissors to cut her on her private part.

“Upon receipt of this complaint, the Area Commander Agbor , detailed a team of investigators to proceed to the scene of the alleged crime.

“The suspect who doubles as the owner of the school and also the only male teacher in the school was arrested and taken into custody. Preliminary investigation led to the issuance of a medical report and the initiation of an identification parade exercise where the suspect, when placed amongst random men, was identified by the victim as the person who allegedly defiled her. The medical report affirmed that there was “no hymen visualized” in the victim’s private part.

“Though the Area Command, Agbor had concluded their investigation and charged the case to court, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Wale Abass ,directed the case be withdrawn from the court and immediately transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCID) for further meticulously executed investigation.”

The police statement assured that CP Abass was determined to get justice for the family of the victim.

The student was found with a stab wound in her room.

The Gombe State Police Command said it has launched an investigation into the death of a student of the state’s College of Education, Yosi Yusuf.

Miss Yusuf was allegedly killed in her room.

According to the police, she died in the early hours of Sunday at Zazzagawa Quarters in Billiri, the headquarters of Billiri Local Government Area.

The police said she might have been murdered.

The incident occurred at Zazzagawa quarters, where Miss Yusuf was a resident of an off-campus residence.

A neighbour who does not want his name on print said Miss Yusuf was a third-year college student.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Mua’azu Abubakar, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday. He said the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday.

“We are aware of the incident and we have launched the investigation already. We understand that she was stabbed with a kitchen knife which led to her death.

“The incident occurred in her room off-campus at the Gombe State College of Education Billiri.

“A kitchen knife was found in her room and there was injury on her body which is believed to have led to her death,” Mr Abubakar stated.

He further explained that after she was found lying in her room, she was rushed to a hospital where she was certified dead by a medical doctor.

The deceased’s body has been taken to the mortuary until the police complete their investigation.

Neighbours then reported to the police after noticing a foul smell coming from Uju’s apartment.

The decomposing body of a Nigerian woman has been reportedly discovered after over one week in her apartment in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.

It was learnt that the woman died without anyone knowing for weeks until neighbours raised alarm about a foul smell coming from her apartment in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

This was made by a Facebook user, @Joi John, noting that the woman, Uju Onyeyili, who is from Abatete in Anambra State, reportedly had an accident two weeks ago, and she was said to have gone home after abandoning her car at the scene.

Neighbours then reported to the police after noticing a foul smell coming from Uju’s apartment. They also reported that they had not seen her in a week and she needed to tow her car that was involved in the accident.

Police investigated and found her decomposing body at her home.

According to reports, no close relative of hers could be reached in the US, so her photograph was shared online as the police asked family members to pick up her corpse or it would be disposed of by the state.

The statement said; “The woman in this picture is an indigene of Anambra State. Her name is Uju Onyeyili from Abatete. She lived in Baltimore, MD and passed on last week. The police and coroner’s office are asking for family members to pick up her corpse. If anyone knows her relatives, please forward this message to them or the body will be disposed of by the State.

“Apparently, she had an accident a couple of weeks ago, according to her neighbours. Her car needs to be towed because she has not moved it since the accident. The neighbors said they had not seen her in about a week. They called the police due to the odour they perceived coming out of her apartment.

“Please, let’s all make sure we have someone we can talk to or check in with daily. If you don’t hear from them and can’t reach them, have someone close by visit especially if they live alone. JJ,” the statement added.

Taofiq quoted the agency’s General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, as saying that the cases against them had been investigated and that the next phase was for them to face the panel.

No fewer than 14 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority caught at different locations across the state extorting money from motorists are set to face a disciplinary panel. 

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists, saying the erring officials include 11 officials on the senior cadre and three junior officials. 

Taofiq quoted the agency’s General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, as saying that the cases against them had been investigated and that the next phase was for them to face the panel.

He added that to get rid of the individuals tarnishing the agency’s reputation, the agency would continue to mete out severe punishment on officers who act contrary to the law. 

He also cautioned the public to stop bribing LASTMA officials. 

The statement partly read, “The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, disclosed that these affected officers whose cases have been investigated would be facing a government disciplinary committee known as the Personnel Management Board which would adjudicate their cases in line with the Public Service Rules.

“According to Mr Oreagba, the 14 male officers (11 seniors and three juniors) were caught at different locations across the state extorting money (bribes) from motorists. 

“He said the agency would continue to mete out stiff and severe punishment on officers and men in its efforts to weed the agency of a few bad elements tarnishing its image. 
“We thereby call on residents, especially the motoring public, to support us by promptly reporting any errant officers at the nearest LASTMA offices or use any of the agency’s complaints hotlines with proof of evidence.” 

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gombe State Command, have arrested scores of individuals who are alleged to be hosting a same-sex wedding. 

The NSCDC operatives arrested at least 76 suspects in connection with the same-sex event. 

The state Public Relations Officer, Buhari Sa’ad, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists at the command’s headquarters in Gombe on behalf of the state Commandant, Mohammed Muazu. 

He said out of the 76 suspects, 59 are males with 21 said to have confessed to being gay, while 17 females were also arrested at the scene.

He said, “They were arrested at Duwa Plaza along Bauchi-Gombe Expressway while holding a homosexual birthday and they had plans to hold a same-sex wedding before our men raided the scene. 

“Fifty-nine males were arrested, 21 wilfully confessed to being homosexuals and 17 females present at the scene were also picked. 

“They will be charged to court to answer for their crime which is on social vice; a crime in Gombe State.”

Leading Reporters had also reported how the Delta State command of the Nigeria Police Force arrested over 100 men suspected to be carrying out a “gay wedding ceremony”, in the state. 

Leading Reporters had gathered that the gay club party was organised at Teebulos Hotel, in Warri South Local Government Area of the State. 

The command in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter had noted that they would be going live shortly on Facebook to parade the suspects. 

“Delta State Command has arrested over hundred gay suspects in a hotel carrying out a gay wedding ceremony. We will be going Live Shortly on Facebook to parade the said suspects,” the command had written. 

At least 11 female students of the Federal University Gusau, FUGUS in Zamfara, are still in captivity following an attack on their off-campus residence in Sabon Gida Village, on September 21.

The incident perpetrated by armed men who invaded the all-female students at about 10 p.m. that day, witnessed the kidnap of at least 24 students.

Three male labourers working on a site near the hostel were also abducted by the assailants.

Although 13 female students and the three labourers were subsequently “rescued” by a Joint Task Force of security agencies led by the Military, at least 11 remain in capacity.

The School Union Government, led by Bello Aliyu said that the school could only stay hopeful while they awaited good news from the military.

Students who spoke to some newsmen echoed the same, “They keep saying the government and other security forces are trying to secure their release,” a student who did not want to be identified told

Attempts to reach the Nigerian Army and Police failed as none responded to calls and texts as of press time.

Leading Reporters gathered from security expert, Timothy Avele who described the issue of kidnapping especially in universities and schools “as a threat to national security”.

Recall that the Zamfara State government had accused the Federal Government of negotiating with the abductors of the FUGUS female students, which allegedly led to the release of the 16 rescued victims.

The FG may have denied the claims afterwards, but the accusation made headlines, given how quickly some of the students regained freedom (barely 24 hours and 72 hours respectively).

The situation stirred both praise and suspicion because it was unusual.

Reacting to why the nation’s security agencies seldom engage in rescue operations, Avele said, “Sadly, the security agencies seem to lack advanced tools and special equipment to tackle this act of terrorism.”

Another factor Avele highlighted is the need to prevent collateral damages that may result during the rescue operations considering how heavily armed these terrorists are.

“Kidnapping seems to be rising due to the gain in it, more money in it and less success in security agencies apprehending these criminals,” Avele added.

NDLEA intercepts exported cocaine, Meth consignments
A 40-year-old Madrid, Spain-based ‘businessman’, Sherif Egbo, arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, has excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes.

Egbo was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Saturday, October 14, after a body scanner revealed that he ingested wraps of illicit drugs in his stomach.

Confirming the development, yesterday, NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was subsequently placed under observation at the Agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes.

According to Babafemi, the suspect, in his statement, claimed he works at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain and is also into drug trafficking business.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) imports shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 16, seized a consignment of 10 cartons containing 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, which was branded as tapentadol.

The cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia.

However, the lid was blown open through partnership and real time intelligence sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart.

Also, attempt by an intending passenger to Muscat, Oman on Qatar Airways, Ngene Chinecherem Oscar, to export 11.100kgs of skunk and 600 grammes of tramadol, concealed in foodstuffs, through the Lagos airport was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and seized the illicit substances.

In another operation, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), attached to courier companies on Sunday, October 15, intercepted 1kg methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream going to New Zealand, as well as another consignment of 2.5kgs of cocaine and phenacetin hidden in walls of a carton heading to Saudi Arabia.

Two more seizures: 112 grammes of Dimethyl Sulfone and 583 grammes of cocaine and phenacetin were made at another courier company in Lagos on Wednesday, October 18. While the Dimethyl Sulfone was concealed in the hollow of a motor driving shaft going to New Zealand, the consignment of cocaine and phenacetin was packed into a bottle of body cream heading to Saudi Arabia.

In Imo State, operatives on Sunday, October 15, intercepted a Mercedes Benz container truck marked ABN 418 YN parked in an isolated area along Owerri – Onitsha expressway. A search of the abandoned truck led to the recovery of 168 bags of skunk weighing 1, 854 kilogrammes.

About 1,381.3kgs of the same substance were seized in four interdiction operations in parts of Edo State, including Ekpon community, Igueben Local Council, Iguiye forest in Ovia North East Local Council and Iruekpen, Ndokwa West, where a suspect, Monday Samuel Nwocha, was arrested and Egwalor village in Onwude Local Council where the duo of Obune Prince and Chika Obi was arrested and their Audi 80 saloon car marked BEN 406 CL loaded with Cannabis sativa, recovered.

In Kano State, an ex-convict, Aminu Suleiman, 46, was arrested along with Haruna Abdurrahaman, 41, and Ojo Joseph Esezobor, 34, at Gadar Tamburawa area of the state on Saturday, October 14, while 106kgs of cannabis were recovered from them. Aminu was first arrested with 22kgs of cannabis on June 3, 2022 and convicted by the court on November 24, 2022. Four other suspects: Inusa Fugu Ali, Yahaya Musa, Abba Audu, Ali Abubakar, and Bunu Kyari were also arrested at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Monday, October 16, for dealing in 75.3kgs of skunk.