HOW MAN BLED TO DEATH IN DENTON POLICE STATION
The mystery behind the death of Babatunde Apoche a 25 year old private driver who died after his detention at the Denton Police station in Lagos State is yet to be unraveled. Apoche according to sources died after he was allegedly tortured while in detention at the Denton police station in June but police have buried the death from the public the source who is a close friend of the deceased alleged. Narrating the incident which led to Apoche death, the source who claimed to be the friend of the deceased Mr. Babatunde claimed the police from Denton have been doing their best to kill the story about Apoche death . Babatunde said "Apoche lived at Abeokuta Street in Ebute metta.He was married but his wife did not have a child for him. The wife sells spiritual materials. The wife accused him of drinking and reported to the h |
Monday, 9 September 2013
Thieves target NURTW buses.
By Patience Ogbo.
Mustapha Olalekan 42,the Unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Somolu had on July 7th parked his Volkswagen Faragon commercial bus with registration no XV142AKD in front of his house at Number 1 Adebiyi Street Somolu at about 11.pm only for him to wake up the next day to discover the bus had disappeared.
Olalekan reported the theft at the Alade Police Division and the detail was promptly sent to the Radio room.
Three weeks after the theft, Olalekan got a report from a friend who resides at Ogijo in Ogun State but works as a Commercial cab driver along the Ogijo /Ikorodu axis that he saw a Faragon bus with the door bearing Olalekan
By Patience Ogbo.
Mustapha Olalekan 42,the Unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Somolu had on July 7th parked his Volkswagen Faragon commercial bus with registration no XV142AKD in front of his house at Number 1 Adebiyi Street Somolu at about 11.pm only for him to wake up the next day to discover the bus had disappeared.
Olalekan reported the theft at the Alade Police Division and the detail was promptly sent to the Radio room.
Three weeks after the theft, Olalekan got a report from a friend who resides at Ogijo in Ogun State but works as a Commercial cab driver along the Ogijo /Ikorodu axis that he saw a Faragon bus with the door bearing Olalekan
Thieves target NURTW buses.
By Patience Ogbo.
Mustapha Olalekan 42,the Unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Somolu had on July 7th parked his Volkswagen Faragon commercial bus with registration no XV142AKD in front of his house at Number 1 Adebiyi Street Somolu at about 11.pm only for him to wake up the next day to discover the bus had disappeared.
Olalekan reported the theft at the Alade Police Division and the detail was promptly sent to the Radio room.
Three weeks after the theft, Olalekan got a report from a friend who resides at Ogijo in Ogun State but works as a Commercial cab driver along the Ogijo /Ikorodu axis that he saw a Faragon bus with the door bearing Olalekan
By Patience Ogbo.
Mustapha Olalekan 42,the Unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers at Somolu had on July 7th parked his Volkswagen Faragon commercial bus with registration no XV142AKD in front of his house at Number 1 Adebiyi Street Somolu at about 11.pm only for him to wake up the next day to discover the bus had disappeared.
Olalekan reported the theft at the Alade Police Division and the detail was promptly sent to the Radio room.
Three weeks after the theft, Olalekan got a report from a friend who resides at Ogijo in Ogun State but works as a Commercial cab driver along the Ogijo /Ikorodu axis that he saw a Faragon bus with the door bearing Olalekan
Five arrested, in OPC clash with police.
By Patience Ogbo
The police in lagos State have arrested five suspected members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)for allegedly assauting policemen.
The incident took place at the Egbeda/Idimu area of Lagos State yesterday when suspected OPC members said to belong to to Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s faction,allegedly wielding guns and other dangerous weapons beat up policemen.
Trouble stated when the OPC members numbering about 300 said to be travelling in a convoy were held in traffic but flouted traffic law at the Car Wash area.
The OPC members were said to have taken over the duty of controlling the
By Patience Ogbo
The police in lagos State have arrested five suspected members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)for allegedly assauting policemen.
The incident took place at the Egbeda/Idimu area of Lagos State yesterday when suspected OPC members said to belong to to Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s faction,allegedly wielding guns and other dangerous weapons beat up policemen.
Trouble stated when the OPC members numbering about 300 said to be travelling in a convoy were held in traffic but flouted traffic law at the Car Wash area.
The OPC members were said to have taken over the duty of controlling the
Five arrested, in OPC clash with police.
By Patience Ogbo
The police in lagos State have arrested five suspected members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)for allegedly assauting policemen.
The incident took place at the Egbeda/Idimu area of Lagos State yesterday when suspected OPC members said to belong to to Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s faction,allegedly wielding guns and other dangerous weapons beat up policemen.
Trouble stated when the OPC members numbering about 300 said to be travelling in a convoy were held in traffic but flouted traffic law at the Car Wash area.
The OPC members were said to have taken over the duty of controlling the
By Patience Ogbo
The police in lagos State have arrested five suspected members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC)for allegedly assauting policemen.
The incident took place at the Egbeda/Idimu area of Lagos State yesterday when suspected OPC members said to belong to to Dr. Frederick Fasehun’s faction,allegedly wielding guns and other dangerous weapons beat up policemen.
Trouble stated when the OPC members numbering about 300 said to be travelling in a convoy were held in traffic but flouted traffic law at the Car Wash area.
The OPC members were said to have taken over the duty of controlling the
104 miscreants arrested causing public nuisance.
No fewer than 104 suspected miscreants were arrested in Lagos State at the weekend.
It was gathered that officers from the Lagos State police command ,OP MesA and State Security Service stormed the popular Oluwole ,Lagos Island about 5pm on Saturday and arrested the suspected miscreants from their hideouts.
According to a police source,the suspected miscreants had turned the Oluwole garage and environs to a jamboree of sort where they constitute themselves as warlord s ;take hard drugs and molest traders and passers-by.
The source added that residents were fed up with the nefarious activities of the miscreants who also double as cultists and reported to the
Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit .
The the officers recovered a Yahama boat engine,
While about 1000 litres were also recovered from Magodo and Isheri areas
No fewer than 104 suspected miscreants were arrested in Lagos State at the weekend.
It was gathered that officers from the Lagos State police command ,OP MesA and State Security Service stormed the popular Oluwole ,Lagos Island about 5pm on Saturday and arrested the suspected miscreants from their hideouts.
According to a police source,the suspected miscreants had turned the Oluwole garage and environs to a jamboree of sort where they constitute themselves as warlord s ;take hard drugs and molest traders and passers-by.
The source added that residents were fed up with the nefarious activities of the miscreants who also double as cultists and reported to the
Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit .
The the officers recovered a Yahama boat engine,
While about 1000 litres were also recovered from Magodo and Isheri areas
Passengers escape death as LAGBUS crashed into vehicles.
More than twenty passengers on board a LAGBUS escaped death by the whiskers when the bus with registration number Lagos XU998-AAA conveying them to the Leventis Lagos Island crashed into four stationary vehicles parked under the Carter Bridge at Ebute-Ero area of the state.
Eyewitnesses said the bus was filled with passengers with others standing adding that the incident took place about 2:15pm on Wednesday.
There was commotion when the bus said to be on top speed had a brake failure and skidded the road before crushing a man identified as Francis walking by the road side.
The bus dragged Mr. Francis and threw him under a car parked by the road side while the bus crashed into four other cars as the driver struggled to keep it in line.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Samson Momoh said "We were standing by our car at the Carter bridge when a LAGBUs lost control and skidded off the road. The driver tried to control the bus but it ramp into a pavement and hit a business man Francis walking on the roadside. Francis was walking towards his car parked under the bridge when the bus hit him and threw him under a car parked under the Carter Bridge. There was commotion and the passengers in the bus screamed to escape but
More than twenty passengers on board a LAGBUS escaped death by the whiskers when the bus with registration number Lagos XU998-AAA conveying them to the Leventis Lagos Island crashed into four stationary vehicles parked under the Carter Bridge at Ebute-Ero area of the state.
Eyewitnesses said the bus was filled with passengers with others standing adding that the incident took place about 2:15pm on Wednesday.
There was commotion when the bus said to be on top speed had a brake failure and skidded the road before crushing a man identified as Francis walking by the road side.
The bus dragged Mr. Francis and threw him under a car parked by the road side while the bus crashed into four other cars as the driver struggled to keep it in line.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Samson Momoh said "We were standing by our car at the Carter bridge when a LAGBUs lost control and skidded off the road. The driver tried to control the bus but it ramp into a pavement and hit a business man Francis walking on the roadside. Francis was walking towards his car parked under the bridge when the bus hit him and threw him under a car parked under the Carter Bridge. There was commotion and the passengers in the bus screamed to escape but
Thursday, 11 July 2013
UK to ban Boko Haram, Minibar Ansar-Deen’s operation in Britain
July 9, 2013 by NAN 6 Comments
The United Kingdom is set to ban two “radical islamist” groups, Minibar Ansar Deen,
and Boko Harm’s operations in Britain.
While Boko Haram operates from Nigeria, Minbar Ansar-Deen also known as Ansar al-Sharia is based in the UK.
Home Secretary, Theresa May, on Monday asked for the two radical Islamist organisations to be banned under terrorism laws.
If the motion is approved by Parliament, both will be banned from operating in the UK from Friday, the Home Office said.
Police brutality victim refuses to press charges
Author(s): Patience OgboA 35-year-old woman, Tope Moore, who was brutalised by policemen attached to the Pedro Police Station in Lagos State has said she is not interested in seeking justice. The policemen had pushed Moore over a fence and beat her mercilessly until she soiled herself.
The abuse followed allegations that Moore’s younger brother, Bolaji Moore, led cultists who killed one Osondu Boobu (25) at the Famous Hotel in Bariga area of Lagos State on June 9.
Moore was subsequently arrested by the police after Bolaji fled the area and she was detained at the Pedro Police Station with the faeces and urine on her body.
Tope Moore alleges that she was brutalised by policemen who detained her in her younger brother’s stead.
She said that the police forced her to pay N15,000 as
bail. Despite paying the money, she and five other people were
transferred to the Homicide Department of the State Criminal
Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba on charges of conspiracy and
murder.
Moore was detained for five days while police used her wanted brother
as collateral for her release. She would have continued to languish in
the cell but for the timely intervention of a community leader and human
rights activist, Vincent Olatunde, who brought Moore’s plight to
limelight.Inquiries by Nigerian Telegraph at the office of Umar Manko, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, brought Miss Moore’s ordeal to the CP’s attention.
Furious at the behaviour of the policemen, Mr. Manko ordered their detention and directed that Miss Moore be freed.
Lagos CP, Umaru Manko ordered the detention of the policemen who brutalised Miss Moore.
When contacted on the phone about her reasons for doing so, Miss Moore said that she was scared to be hurt again.
“I’m scared. I do not want any wahala (trouble) with the police. I have forgiven them and I do not want justice. My family members told me to leave everything to God so that’s what I have decided to do. I just want to live my life and take care of my business and children. This ugly incident has almost ruined my marriage plans as my fiance’s family is not happy. I leave everything to God to judge the policemen.
“If policemen can hold a gun to my son’s head and force him to tell them where I was, and the way they treated me, I don’t have the strength to fight them. I have treated myself and I am okay,” Moore said.
Mr. Olatunde said Miss Moore’s refusal to seek justice is an indication that Nigerians have lost faith in the police and the government.
“Obviously, this woman is scared to fight for her rights. This is what happens where impunity is the order of the day. It is bad that people can no longer fight for their rights and when they are brutalised they fear to speak up due to intimidation.”
SOURCE; NIGERIAN TELEGRAPH
Report shows rise in use of New Psychoactive Substances
Author(s): Jewel StephenThe 2013 World Drug Report released officially in Abuja by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Friday June 5, 2013, has raised alarm concerning the global rise in New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
The report shows that while the use of traditional drugs such as heroin and cocaine seems to be declining in some parts of the world, use of prescription drug abuse and new psychoactive substances rose by 50 per cent from 166 at the end of 2009 to 251 by mid-2012.
This is the first time the number of NPS will exceed the total number of substances under international control which is 234.
UNODC representative in Nigeria, Mariam Sissoko, expressed concern about West Africa’s vulnerability to organised crime, including drug trafficking, which may contribute to drug use in the region.
“The world drug report indicates that West Africa has assumed an important role as a hub for cocaine trafficking from South America en route to Western and Central European markets. The region was also assessed to be used for the trafficking of heroin originating from Afghanistan via Pakistan,” Sissoko stated.
She hinted that the Commission on Narcotic Drugs would, in 2014, hold a high-level review of the Political Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by United Nations member States on the liberalisation of the use of certain substances other than medical or scientific purposes.
Reacting to the report, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, said that Nigeria was not contemplating the legalisation of controlled drugs, particularly cannabis, for recreational use.
While presenting the highlight of the report, Professor Isidore Obot, the Head of the Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, noted that some Africa countries like Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Togo and South Africa have reported new harmful psychoactive substances.
In his words, “NPS is not a new phenomenon but increasingly a global phenomenon. New approaches must be adopted and explored in the control of these substances. The report has also suggested early warning on identified new psychoactive substances.”
These substances, sometimes referred to as ‘legal highs’, are multiplying in numbers and becoming more widespread geographically, causing great concern as officials struggle to contain them. NPS are substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a public health threat. In this context, the term ‘new’ does not necessarily refer to new inventions but to substances that have recently become available.
Giade, in his address, said that the world leaders must continue to respond to the ever changing nature of the drug trade.
“The drive for addiction is growing daily and world leaders must continue to check drug addiction especially among youths. In Nigeria, the Agency has observed with dismay, the abuse of substances not under international control like a local plant called Zakami. The abuse of licit solvents like fuel, nail polish cleaner, rubber solution and others present a unique challenge that must be addressed through advocacy and public education,” he said.
The NDLEA boss called for the incapacitation of drug syndicates, to prevent the use of drug proceeds in funding acts of terror.
In furtherance of this, the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is partnering with the NDLEA to address the problem of drug abuse in the country.
“NAFDAC is working with the NDLEA to educate youths on the dangers of drug abuse. We carry out enlightenment at motor packs, schools and orientation camps for members of the National Youth Service Corps. This relationship has help in reducing the drug addiction in the country,” the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, said.
SOURCE ;NIGERIAN TELEGRAPH
The child hawkers of Lagos
Author(s): Chinedu OzordiChibuike Ibe jumped nimbly aboard the large bus that was just rolling to a stop at Oshodi, managing to precariously balance a tray of beef rolls in one hand and hang on for dear life to the doors as passengers struggled to alight from the bus. He is nine years old, and the time was few minutes shy of 10pm.
Reacting to the queries of a couple of incredulous passengers on the Mile 2 bound bus, the youngster retorted: “Even my junior brother dey sell for Cele (bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway)”, and proceeded to hawk his wares at the top of his voice while striding the length of the 50-seater bus.
Hawkers in pursuit of a BRT bus at Ojota, Lagos.
Not all passengers, however, shared Ms. Akanbi’s concerns, as the wad of cash that Chibuike clutched in his dirty hands showed sufficient proof that business was good.
As the massive population of Lagos State continues to swell considerably, the activities of child hawkers have continued to increase, despite the efforts made by the state government’s at curtailing this development.
What the government did
Concerned with the trend, the state government have rolled out series of sensitisation programmes in the last few years and warned that parents whose children were caught in the streets, especially during school hours, would be issued a ‘yellow card’ for first offenders, and a ‘red card’ for repeat offences.
The state’s deputy governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has constantly instructed law enforcement agents to sweep the streets and apprehend defaulters, specially targeting the arrest and prosecution of parents whose children were caught.
“Education and proper upbringing of our children is the only way to eradicate poverty,” she said. “The law forbids the use of under-aged children for domestic labour, negligence and maltreatment on the part of parents and guardians as it negates the tenets of the Child Rights law. The Lagos State Government, through the various agencies of government, will ensure the survival, development and protection of all the children in the state, the laws will be enforced to the letter in order to ensure that all the rights of our children are protected.
Parents, scared of finding themselves on the wrong side of the law, reign in their children during day. However, the child hawkers simply come out at night, when law enforcement officials are scarce. And their numbers have continued to swell considerably.
Spots like Oshodi, Ojuelegba, Obalende, Cele bus stop, and Mile 2 are their favourite haunts due to the high number of commuters that pass through these places, and their bustling night life.
‘We make money to support’
Another child hawker at Oshodi, who gave her name as Toun, said she had to make sure that she sold out her oranges before going home, often as late as midnight. She gave her age as 14, but looked 10.
“Our house no far, so if I finish this one, I will go and take more from my mother who is peeling them there,” she said, while expertly balancing a tray of oranges on her head and darting in between the buses at Oshodi. “Why my mama say make we help am sell na to support am.”
Not all of them, however, are trading to supplement family incomes; some, like 16-year-old immigrant Sherrif Adebisi, have no family to take care of them, and simply have to live off the streets.
“Before I used to beg (for alms), but one Good Samaritan gave me
Bad economy
Oluyemisi Wada, founder of Haven for the Nigerian Child Foundation, an Lagos-based NGO that rehabilitates street children, is not comfortable with the government’s efforts so far, and also blames parents for contributing to the increasing population of street children across the metropolis.
A child hawker at Oshodi.
For some of these children, like Chibuike, it is simply a question of survival.
“If I finish selling, I go follow big bus go Cele and help my mama pack for where she dey sell before we go begin go house,” he said.
Glance box: UNICEF REPORT
- Child labour remains a major source of concern in Nigeria, in spite of legislative measures. Child labour is defined as work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children and deprives them of opportunities for schooling and development.
- According to the International Labour Organization, the number of working children under the age of 14 in Nigeria is estimated at 15 million.
- The high level of diverse and tedious jobs that children execute in dangerous circumstances is particularly worrying. These jobs include being street vendors, beggars, car washers or watchers and shoe shiners.
- Research also shows that child workers display poor educational achievements. Girls start working at an earlier age than boys, particularly in the rural areas.
- Major causes of child labour are widespread poverty, rapid urbanisation, breakdown in extended family affiliations, high school dropout rates, and lack of enforcement of legal instruments meant to protect children.
- Traditionally, children have worked with their families, but today children are forced to work for their own and their family’s survival. The money earned by child family members has become a significant part of poor families’ income.
- These children who work suffer from fatigue, irregular attendance at school, lack of comprehension and motivation, improper socialisation, exposure to risk of sexual abuse, high likelihood of being involved in crime.
- source: Nigerian Telegraph
Four Boko Haram bombers jailed for life
July 10, 2013 by Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja Leave a Comment
Four
Boko Haram members – Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar
and Mohammed Ali – were on Tuesday convicted for carrying out multiple
bombings and killings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and
Suleja, Niger State, between March and July 2011.
An Abuja Federal High Court , presided
by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, jailed them for life in her judgment in the
suit filed by the Federal Government after their arrest in 2011.
The four and two other suspects-Musa
Adamu and Umar Ibrahim – were prosecuted under the provisions of section
15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, which
prescribes a life sentence for anyone found guilty of committing or
attempting to commit an act of terrorism.
The convicts were accused of carrying
out bombings at the Independent National Electoral Commission office
and the All Christian Fellowship Church, in Suleja, Niger State, in
April and July 2011, as well as the killing of four policemen at a
check-point at Dakwa-Deidei in Bwari Area Council of the FCT in May
2011.
They were also accused of participating in killings at a political rally in Suleja Secondary School in June 2011.
Furthermore, the Federal Government
alleged that, between June 4 and July 12, 2011, the suspects had, at
various locations in Suleja, Azare in Nasarawa State and the the FCT,
engaged in acts of terrorism “by encouraging through training of
persons now at large, the use of arms and ammunition, and the
preparation, planting and detonation of improvised explosive devices for
the purpose of terrorism.”
But the accused persons, on their arraignment in 2011, pleaded not guilty to the five-count brought against them
However, in the judgment delivered by
Justice Aliyu on Tuesday, four out of the six suspects were convicted
and jailed for life for being members of the Boko Haram sect for
engaging in terrorism.
Another accused person,whose name was
simply given as Ibrahim, was given a 10-year prison term after the
court found that he only assisted the terrorists, even though he was not
a member of the sect.
The other suspect, whose mane was given
as Adamu, was freed after the court discovered that there was no
evidence linking him to the terrorism charges.
The prosecution, led by Thompson
Olatigbe of the Department of Public Prosecutions in the Ministry of
Justice, called a total of 16 witnesses against the accused persons, and
tendered evidence, including the suspects’ statements, materials used
in making improvised explosive devices, as well as a black Honda Civic
with number plate AG94MNG, in which they were travelling when they
were arrested at an army road block at in Kachia, Kaduna State on July
27, 2011.
After the prosecution called its last
witness on January 9, 2013, the suspects, through their lawyers, Kelvin
Okoro and Nureini Suleiman, filed a no-case-submission, arguing that the
evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses did not establish a
prima facie case against them.
But in a ruling on February 11, 2013,
Justice Aliyu dismissed the no-case-submission filed by the accused
persons and declared that the prosecution had indeed established a prima
facie case against them.
Reading a summary of the 87-page
judgment on Tuesday, Aliyu noted that the 2nd accused person, Ahmed, had
initially confessed that a Boko Haram leader, one Bashir Madalla, who
is currently at large, had given them a bag containing improvised
explosive devices to deposit within the premises of INEC.
Justice Aliyu said, “The convicts used explosive devices used for blasting rock and maining their fellow human beings .
“Human life is sacred. They have shown
utmost disregard for human life in a most cruel manner so they deserve
to be removed from the public if only to save more lives.”
Meanwhile, prominent lawyers on Tuesday
hailed the sentencing of the four Boko Haram members to life
imprisonment for their involvement in terrorism.
The lawyers spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews in Lagos.
A renowned lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay
(SAN), said the judgment would help stem the tide of impunity and wanton
killings in the country.
On his part, Mr Wale Ogunade, President,
Voters Awareness Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, lauded
the quick conclusion of the trial.
“We have always clamoured for quick
dispensation of justice because we believe that justice delayed is
justice denied,” Ogunade said.
source:Punch
Court reserves judgment on rape of ex-NYSC member
July 11, 2013 by Tunde Odesola, Osogbo 3 Comments
An
Osun State High Court has reserved judgment in the allegation of rape
levelled by a female National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Helen
Okpara, against a monarch, the Alowa of Ilowa, Oba Adebukola Alli.
Justice Oyejide Falola, who noted that
the case of alleged rape had generated so much media attention, said at
the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday that he had been inundated
with calls over the
case.
He said, “For two reasons, I will not
give a date of judgment because almost a day to the earlier judgment,
the media were awash with the story of the case, and people started
calling my lines
and disturbing me.
“Therefore, this case is adjourned
indefinitely for judgment and the date is to be communicated to the
parties through hearing notice.”
Counsel for the monarch, Mr. Taofeeq Tewogbade, at the last hearing of the case, applied for
extension of time for defence.
But a senior state counsel, Mr M O
Adedokun, urged the court to deliver its judgement, stressing that the
call by the defence for extension of time was needless.
Adedokun, who noted that the case had
undergone a series of adjournments, called for a quick dispensation of
justice in the matter.
The state counsel said, “The attitude of
the defence counsel is an attempt to frustrate the judgment,” urging
the court to dismiss the application for time extension in the interest
of justice and
fairness.
Okpara, while serving as NYSC members in
the domain of the monarch in 2011, accused the traditional ruler of
forcefully having carnal knowledge of her.
Debunking the allegation, the ruler said Okpara was his lover, with whom he had had sex before the allegation came up.
source; Punch
Internet fraudsters reveal how they lure women on dating sites
Author(s): Patience OgboPolicemen attached to the Apapa Division have arrested five men for alleged armed robbery.
The suspects however denied the allegation, arguing instead that they are internet fraudsters, who specialise in defrauding unsuspecting women through dating sites and Facebook.
The suspects were nabbed at the Harvesters Hotel along Ojoo Road in Ajegunle area of Lagos State after the police tracked a
Blackberry Bold 5 phone that was stolen during a robbery at Senator Muse Street Apapa on June 4.
The police revealed that the armed robbers stole laptops, wrist watches, phones, cash and other valuables.
Police investigation revealed that an unidentified lady got the phone from her boyfriend, one of the suspects identified as Desmond Ozore, who claimed to be a drop-out from the Lagos State University.Police identified other suspects as Solomon Mibien, Nelson Mbabie, Jamiu Adigun and Akeem Apejoye. The suspects were lodging at the hotel when they were arrested.
Narrating how they defraud women, Nelson Mbabie, a drop-out from the Imo State University, said they visit various dating websites where they entice divorced foreign women and lure them with marriage.“We are not armed robbers . We do not know anything about the robbery but we are internet fraudsters. We have been staying in the hotel for the past two months and we spend N5000 per night. We have to stay in the hotel because we need constant electricity to keep in touch with our target women. We hunt vulnerable women on dating sites. We also use Facebook to get our victims, who are divorced.
“We chat with them constantly because If we stay away from the internet for too long, our target will become suspicious so we need constant electricity. We usually pretend to be white men working in Nigeria. We use false picture of white men and we claim to be working on a big project in Nigeria. Our targets are divorced lonely women and we tell them to send us money to offset our hotel bills and other needs. We promised to pay them when we visit them in their countries. We also promise to marry them and that’s the part they love. Sometimes, they send us 500 dollars or more.”
On how he got the BB phone, Ozore said; “I bought the phone for N26,000 from Mibien. I never knew it was stolen so when I heard that my girlfriend had been arrested because of the phone, I voluntarily turned myself in to the police. The police asked me to take them to Mibien. That is how all my friends got arrested because they were all at the same hotel,” Ozore said.Mibien however denied being an armed robber. He said, “I bought the phone for N25,000 from a friend. I have gone to his house with the police, his family said he has not been around.”
Also both Adigun and Akeem said they are neither fraudsters nor armed robbers.
“I was not in Nigeria when this robbery took place. I school in the USA and I came back to Nigeria on June 25th for our long break. I came to visit Nelson in the hotel. Adigun is a furniture maker. He escorted me to the hotel but the police arrested us.”
Police say that occupants of one of the two houses robbed identified Adigun and Nelson as members of the gang that raided their house.
Blackberry Bold 5 phone that was stolen during a robbery at Senator Muse Street Apapa on June 4.
The police revealed that the armed robbers stole laptops, wrist watches, phones, cash and other valuables.
Police investigation revealed that an unidentified lady got the phone from her boyfriend, one of the suspects identified as Desmond Ozore, who claimed to be a drop-out from the Lagos State University.Police identified other suspects as Solomon Mibien, Nelson Mbabie, Jamiu Adigun and Akeem Apejoye. The suspects were lodging at the hotel when they were arrested.
Narrating how they defraud women, Nelson Mbabie, a drop-out from the Imo State University, said they visit various dating websites where they entice divorced foreign women and lure them with marriage.“We are not armed robbers . We do not know anything about the robbery but we are internet fraudsters. We have been staying in the hotel for the past two months and we spend N5000 per night. We have to stay in the hotel because we need constant electricity to keep in touch with our target women. We hunt vulnerable women on dating sites. We also use Facebook to get our victims, who are divorced.
“We chat with them constantly because If we stay away from the internet for too long, our target will become suspicious so we need constant electricity. We usually pretend to be white men working in Nigeria. We use false picture of white men and we claim to be working on a big project in Nigeria. Our targets are divorced lonely women and we tell them to send us money to offset our hotel bills and other needs. We promised to pay them when we visit them in their countries. We also promise to marry them and that’s the part they love. Sometimes, they send us 500 dollars or more.”
On how he got the BB phone, Ozore said; “I bought the phone for N26,000 from Mibien. I never knew it was stolen so when I heard that my girlfriend had been arrested because of the phone, I voluntarily turned myself in to the police. The police asked me to take them to Mibien. That is how all my friends got arrested because they were all at the same hotel,” Ozore said.Mibien however denied being an armed robber. He said, “I bought the phone for N25,000 from a friend. I have gone to his house with the police, his family said he has not been around.”
Also both Adigun and Akeem said they are neither fraudsters nor armed robbers.
“I was not in Nigeria when this robbery took place. I school in the USA and I came back to Nigeria on June 25th for our long break. I came to visit Nelson in the hotel. Adigun is a furniture maker. He escorted me to the hotel but the police arrested us.”
Police say that occupants of one of the two houses robbed identified Adigun and Nelson as members of the gang that raided their house.
Saturday, 29 June 2013
Armed men abduct corps members in Rivers
Author(s): Tony TamunoArmed men, on Saturday morning, abducted three National Youth Service Corps members serving with Abua/Odual local government council, Rivers State.
According to Angela Agabe, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, the victims are two male and one female youth corps members, and the motive behind the kidnapping is still unknown.
“Reports received by the command indicate that the corps members went to Ogomokon jetty, near the council headquarters, where three armed men abducted them early today (Saturday),” she said.
She added that the command’s anti-kidnapping unit had commenced a search for the missing corps members.
“So far, no group has claimed responsibility and no ransom has been demanded. The police have commenced investigation into the incident,” Agabe said.
Agbara residents live in fear after police kill suspected kidnappers
Author(s): Patience OgboResidents of Agbara community in Ogun State are living in fear following the killing of seven suspected kidnappers in the area.
Policemen attached to the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday, arrested two men and killed seven others in a hideout at the Agbara area in Ogun State following intelligence report that the gang had kidnapped an Indian.
The police also stated that the gang was behind the kidnap of the Ejigbo Local government Chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan and other prominent persons in the state including an unnamed serving High Court Judge.
A source in the community, who requested anonymity said policemen from SARS stormed the area on Tuesday and arrested four other suspects for alleged links with the notorious kidnap gang.
The source added that the police went to the house of one Chinedu Nnometa Akor, 25, who is one of the suspected kidnappers killed by the police, and arrested his elder brother Mike Nnometa.
” The residents in Agbara are afraid since the police discovered the alleged kidnappers’ hideout and killed some of them on Monday. The police also came back on Tuesday and arrested Mike Nnometa and three other men in one of the dead suspect’s house. We know Chinedu in this community as a business man and we are surprised to hear he is a kidnapper. His parents are in the United States of America and they are rich so we are perplexed that he could be involved in crime. Mike, his elder brother was at home on Tuesday and we learnt the police came to their house and arrested him. The police also picked up three other men. We are afraid because we were told that they might have killed them in the cell and this is causing fear in the community,” the source said.
When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko said that he was not aware of the arrests.
“I am not aware about these arrests on Tuesday (sic). We are investigating the matter and we do not kill suspects in our custody. Those who died engaged our men in a gun battle. Two other persons were arrested alive on that day and the public saw them when they were paraded. Like I said, we are still investigating this matter,” he said.
The Lagos security guard: an endangered specie
Author(s): Ikechukwu MuomahSecurity guards have become common fixtures in corporate Nigeria. They work at banks, pharmacies, schools, and nearly every other kind of corporate establishment in the country.
Private security guards have become a common sight all over Nigeria.
“I just manage this job because I have to pay for my education,’ he said. “
Many security guards face similar risks ― but they earn even less.
Bassey Udor is one of them. He’s a guard at a hotel in Festac, Lagos, and earns only
A private security guard. Many complain that the job is too hazardous for too little pay.
Seun Oyeleye, who is one of the guards at a Lagos bank, belongs to this group. “We don’t have weapons to defend ourselves if the need arises, so if a small boy comes here with a gun and asks me to open the door, I’ll do so or else he may shoot me,” he said.
Most security guards are usually not employed by the company where they really do their work but by a separate security firm. This firm makes a deal with a given company, called the client, and then it hires people to work as guards at this client’s establishment according to the terms of the deal. In this case, the security firm is the real employer of the guards and is responsible for their remuneration and welfare.
Some of such security guards claim that their employer pays them an unfair amount of the money the client pays for their services or that their employer does not provide them satisfactory welfare conditions.
“Here we have no medical, retirement or insurance benefits,” said a guard who did not want his name published. “You’re not allowed to go on leave and nothing is given to you when your appointment is terminated.”
Samuel Yenki gave up after years on the job. “I worked for a security firm for over ten years and left when I learned the client was paying
Experts in the industry have decried the trend, saying that such treatment open avenues for security guards to betray the trust reposed on them.
Tony Ofoyetan, the director-general of International Institute of Professional Security, said professional security firms should not pay their guard less than 65 percent of what the client is offering. ”Besides that, a lot of these guards asking for fanciful welfare benefits do not even have the befitting educational or professional qualification,” he said.
Ray Ekwueme, a chief superintendent at the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said that the agency is trying its best to enforce better conditions for guards employed with security firms.
NSCDC officers at weapons training. The Service says it is trying to regulate the private security industry.
Top Posts & Pages
“Greedy people fall for our trap” – Fraudster
Author(s): Patience OgboFor many years now there have been numerous cases of fraud in the country, and while victims commonly claim that they do not voluntarily cooperate with the fraudsters but that the fraudsters hypnotise them, the fraudsters on the other hand claim that the victims voluntarily cooperate with them out of greed and the desire for easy money. The case of Chidi Nwazor and Mrs Oyekanmi is an example of this situation.
Mr Nwazor was arrested in May by the police in Oyo State for allegedly abducting and defrauding Mrs Oyekanmi of
“I and some friends normally used a car to pick up people at bus-stops,” he said. “We were four in the gang and I was the driver. Two of the others would sit in the car with me alongside a victim. When the victim gets into the car and settles down, I would address one of my gang members, ‘Mr. Man, those dollars you have in your bag in the booth are a lot, and I have to report you to the police.’ Then I would get out of the car, drag a bag full of paper from the booth, and ask everyone in the car to get out so I can go to report at the police station.
“The gang member claiming to own the bag would plead with me not to take the bag to the police and that he would allow me to keep some of the money. We would engage in this drama to get the attention of the victim. If the victim was greedy, he would ask to share in the money and would say I should not report to the police. We would then agree to share the money. Then the ‘owner’ of the bag would say that he stole the money from his boss, that his boss had cast a spell on the money, and that the spell would kill anyone who spent it.
“He would also say the only way to neutralise the spell was to go to a spiritualist to ‘cleanse’ the money. Here, I would volunteer to take everyone to the spiritualist. Our fourth man in the gang was the fake spiritualist. He would ask for a huge sum as fee for breaking the spell, and while we would pretend to bring our part of the fee, the victim would bring his so as to get a larger amount of money as we promised. But after he brings whatever he could get, our spiritualist would collect the money and swear us all to secrecy. Then we would give the victim fake dollar notes, and by the time the victim realises, we would have escaped. Then we would go to another part of town or another state. So you see, greed makes people fall into our trap; we do not hypnotise them.”
Mrs Oyekanmi said she was hypnotised. “I boarded the car (in Ibadan) from Sango to Mokola,” she said. “But the driver drove me to a destination that was unknown to me. I was not myself in the vehicle. There were also two men in the car who were arguing about dollar notes being in the booth. Next thing I know is that they took me to a fake prophet and collected my
Speaking on if fraud cases are a result of hypnosis or greed on the part of victims, Dr Femi Akinfala, a psychologist and lecturer at University of Lagos, said: “Hypnosis happens. People do get hypnotised, though this cannot be scientifically explained. But most cases are a result of greed on the part of the victims.”
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Abandoned slum dwellers fight for education
Author(s): Patience Ogbo
Nigeria, one of the countries which adopted the UN Millennium
Development Goals, will continue to produce illiterate citizens as the
government has neglected the education of its teeming poor; experts
have predicted.
The MDGs, which aim at providing universal primary education, remain a
mirage for many poor and deprived children in Nigeria. Nowhere is this
neglect more evident than among the children of slum dwellers.
The Otto-Ilogbo Extension in Lagos Mainland, one of the over forty slums in Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, has no single government school for its population of about 15,000 residents.
Efforts by the community leaders to get the state government to build a school have not yielded any result, said Agbodimu Musbau, the Chairman of the Community Development Association.
Taking its fate into its own hands, the community initiated the Otto-Ilogbo Model Education scheme; and in collaboration with other nongovernmental organisations, including the UN Partners on MDGs, International Youth Council, the Akiode Foundation and the CARE TRUST, on May 4, 2013, organised a one day enlightenment campaign to sensitise parents and guardians on the need to educate their children.
The community is filthy, with wooden structures on piles of refuse serving as houses. The residents, despite the excruciating circumstance, seem happy and carefree.
The education awareness campaign recorded a massive turn out as most residents turned up with their children to attend a makeshift school built with wood.
Mr Musbau, the funder of the school, said he took the step to check poverty and possible outbreak of crimes in the community as more of the youth were becoming idle and restless.
However, his school can only accommodate 50 pupils in the beginner class despite the over 3000 children in the community.
“The current Education Assistance Scheme came to light with the contributory input of six NGOs coming together to build a wooden classroom and equipping it for the children,” he said. “The scheme also foots the salary of the teachers and equipping the computer laboratory. So far, the school has enrolled fifty children in its-pre-school programmes, and same number in after school learning. We also have a computer appreciation programme, for adults among other health awareness programme for the residents by one of the partners, the Stars Clinic.
As a social crusader, my interest in this scheme was as result of an injustice I suffered in 2011 when I took sole charge of a young boy, Ayodele Olaniyi, whose mother disappeared after his father died. When I got a doctor to look after him, I was accused and detained at the police station for child trafficking. I was released three days later and ever since I resolved to help those children in similar condition. An educated mind is an enlightened mind. A person that is educated would not become a tool in the hands of criminal gangs and dubious politicians who use them as thugs.
We set up the school because we don’t want our community to become a breeding ground for future criminals and societal nuisance. We want our children to be able to compete with children living in Ajah, Lekki and other big communities in Nigeria. Their place of birth should not determine their future as we want them to grow up to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and meaningful citizens in the country. This school will help curb future criminals and society would be better for it.”
Olakunle Sanni, the Founder of Child Advocacy On Right and Education Trust (CARE TRUST), said that educating deprived children is in line with the MDG goal that targets getting 60% of Nigeria children into schools.
“This is necessary as, according UNESCO in 2002, Nigeria had about 10 million out of school children and most of these children live in deprived communities the slums and in the northern part of the country,” he said. “Our aim is to identify these communities one at a time, and with SUBEB and the Ministry of Education, we carry out enlightenment campaigns for parents and guardians so they can bring the children to school and get them enrolled. We are also working on volunteer teachers so as to improve the students –teachers ratio.”
Mr Sanni added that government need not chase slum dwellers away in the guise of building a mega city. He therefore urged the government to provide basic amenities in the slum to make live enjoyable for the residents.
“The slum is the best place for government to identify the poor and deprived citizens, and if they are serious about alleviating poverty, then they already have a pool of those to help,” he said. “Chasing them away is not the solution as these people would not go back to their villages but would rather fall victims to criminal gangs.
The government should learn from Brazil, how the government there did not demolish shanties or send the slum dwellers away but rebuilt the slum communities and provided basic amenities. If there is anybody that is failing in its responsibility, it is the government as the government is expected to provide at least 250 housing units every year but they have not done that. Let the government live up to its expectation and provide for the poor instead of compounding their problems with constant threat of demolition of their abode.”
A parent of one of the new students, Caroline Egan, said she was delighted to have her 7 year old son enroled in a school for the first time. “We have been asked to pay N200; I am grateful to them as I can afford this amount,” she said.
John Nwosu, another parent, urged the government to assit the school. “This is a good community project and my daughter is one of the pupils that have benefited,” he said. “Government should assist by paying the teachers and also providing a good classroom.”
The Otto-Ilogbo Extension in Lagos Mainland, one of the over forty slums in Lagos State, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, has no single government school for its population of about 15,000 residents.
Efforts by the community leaders to get the state government to build a school have not yielded any result, said Agbodimu Musbau, the Chairman of the Community Development Association.
Taking its fate into its own hands, the community initiated the Otto-Ilogbo Model Education scheme; and in collaboration with other nongovernmental organisations, including the UN Partners on MDGs, International Youth Council, the Akiode Foundation and the CARE TRUST, on May 4, 2013, organised a one day enlightenment campaign to sensitise parents and guardians on the need to educate their children.
The community is filthy, with wooden structures on piles of refuse serving as houses. The residents, despite the excruciating circumstance, seem happy and carefree.
The education awareness campaign recorded a massive turn out as most residents turned up with their children to attend a makeshift school built with wood.
Mr Musbau, the funder of the school, said he took the step to check poverty and possible outbreak of crimes in the community as more of the youth were becoming idle and restless.
However, his school can only accommodate 50 pupils in the beginner class despite the over 3000 children in the community.
“The current Education Assistance Scheme came to light with the contributory input of six NGOs coming together to build a wooden classroom and equipping it for the children,” he said. “The scheme also foots the salary of the teachers and equipping the computer laboratory. So far, the school has enrolled fifty children in its-pre-school programmes, and same number in after school learning. We also have a computer appreciation programme, for adults among other health awareness programme for the residents by one of the partners, the Stars Clinic.
As a social crusader, my interest in this scheme was as result of an injustice I suffered in 2011 when I took sole charge of a young boy, Ayodele Olaniyi, whose mother disappeared after his father died. When I got a doctor to look after him, I was accused and detained at the police station for child trafficking. I was released three days later and ever since I resolved to help those children in similar condition. An educated mind is an enlightened mind. A person that is educated would not become a tool in the hands of criminal gangs and dubious politicians who use them as thugs.
We set up the school because we don’t want our community to become a breeding ground for future criminals and societal nuisance. We want our children to be able to compete with children living in Ajah, Lekki and other big communities in Nigeria. Their place of birth should not determine their future as we want them to grow up to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and meaningful citizens in the country. This school will help curb future criminals and society would be better for it.”
Olakunle Sanni, the Founder of Child Advocacy On Right and Education Trust (CARE TRUST), said that educating deprived children is in line with the MDG goal that targets getting 60% of Nigeria children into schools.
“This is necessary as, according UNESCO in 2002, Nigeria had about 10 million out of school children and most of these children live in deprived communities the slums and in the northern part of the country,” he said. “Our aim is to identify these communities one at a time, and with SUBEB and the Ministry of Education, we carry out enlightenment campaigns for parents and guardians so they can bring the children to school and get them enrolled. We are also working on volunteer teachers so as to improve the students –teachers ratio.”
Mr Sanni added that government need not chase slum dwellers away in the guise of building a mega city. He therefore urged the government to provide basic amenities in the slum to make live enjoyable for the residents.
“The slum is the best place for government to identify the poor and deprived citizens, and if they are serious about alleviating poverty, then they already have a pool of those to help,” he said. “Chasing them away is not the solution as these people would not go back to their villages but would rather fall victims to criminal gangs.
The government should learn from Brazil, how the government there did not demolish shanties or send the slum dwellers away but rebuilt the slum communities and provided basic amenities. If there is anybody that is failing in its responsibility, it is the government as the government is expected to provide at least 250 housing units every year but they have not done that. Let the government live up to its expectation and provide for the poor instead of compounding their problems with constant threat of demolition of their abode.”
A parent of one of the new students, Caroline Egan, said she was delighted to have her 7 year old son enroled in a school for the first time. “We have been asked to pay N200; I am grateful to them as I can afford this amount,” she said.
John Nwosu, another parent, urged the government to assit the school. “This is a good community project and my daughter is one of the pupils that have benefited,” he said. “Government should assist by paying the teachers and also providing a good classroom.”
Woman narrates police brutality ordeal
Author(s): Patience OgboTope Moore, a 35-year-old single mother of two children, who was allegedly brutalised by policemen attached to the Pedro Police station in Lagos State and later detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti Yaba, has been released following an order from the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko.
Tope, who was detained over allegations that her younger brother, Bolaji Moore, masterminded the killing of one Osondu Obuneke, was released last Friday after Manko was informed of her ordeal.
Tope Martins alleges that she was brutalised by policemen who detained her in her younger brother’s stead.
When she spoke about her detention, Tope wept as she narrated her ordeal. She said she intends to petition the Inspector General of Police over the police maltreatment.
“I am still in fear over how the policemen treated me. It was around 1a.m. that fateful day when my 12-year-old son, Toheeb, called me on phone that some policemen had held him at gunpoint telling him to take them to his mother. I did not spend the night with my children. I went to my boyfriend’s house that night,” she narrated.
“Toheeb said the policemen threatened to shoot him if he refused to bring them to my lover’s house. I was at the balcony of the house waiting, when I saw the policemen. They were over twenty in 5 vehicles. I greeted them, since I know almost all of them. They asked of Bolaji, my younger brother, the last child of the family, and I told them I had not seen him in over three months. One of the policemen was infuriated by my answer. He jumped into the compound through the fence, bundled me through the balcony and started slapping me heavily.
Lagos CP, Umaru Manko ordered the detention of the policemen who brutalised Miss Moore.
“By 2:30a.m. they finally took us to the station, where I was made to write a statement. I was taken into the cell. By then, I had been totally brutalised. I even passed faeces on my body.
“I was released after paying
“I was taken to SCID Panti but was released on Friday after spending four days in detention for a crime I know nothing about. As I am talking to you, I’m still shaken and in fear over my ordeal. I am glad to be released but I will petition the IGP and the Police Service Commission over my ordeal.”
Rights’ group seeks justice for injured orphan
Author(s): Patience OgboRespite seems to be on the way for 21-year-old Chukwudi Adimoha, whose fingers were crushed while working with an Indian polythene manufacturing company in Lagos. A non-profit human rights advocacy group, Crime Victims Foundation, are intervening to assist the orphan in getting justice.
Chukwudi, a Junior Secondary School drop-out left his village, Arochukwu in Abia State for Lagos in 2012 in search of greener pastures. After months of searching, he got a job as a machine operator with the Bhojraja Industries PLC located in the Ilupeju area of Lagos. But a few months as a machine operator left him without a thumb, and two fingers crushed.
Chukwudi Adimoha’s finger after the removal of the plaster.
Enter Crime Victims Foundation
The Crime Victims Foundation has become a counsel to the orphan to
seek redress over the injury. Sarah Unobe, a lawyer with the foundation
said they decided to assist Chukwudi get justice as he has a right to
be treated with dignity in his work place.
“This is sad that an orphan is trying to fend for himself and his
other siblings but in the process of his honest toil, the company’s
machine crushed his three fingers and they have refused to compensate
him after they saw that he cannot use his hands to work any more We
decided to wade into the matter and help him get justice. We have
written a letter to the management of the Indian company but they have
not replied us.
The machine amputated a part of Chukwudi’s finger meaning that he no longer has full use of his thumb.
Top Posts & Pages
NSCDC seals off private guard companies by Patience Ogbo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command,
has embarked on ‘Operation Do It Right’, in compliance with its powers
over Private Guard Companies.
According to the act which established the corps in 2003, as amended in 2007, it has the mandate to register, license, train and re-train Private Guard outfits in the country.
Mefor Chibuzo, the public relations officer of the Lagos State Command, observed that most of the security outfits shutdown had been operating illegally without licences.
“Equally, the operating licences for some of them have expired and they refused to renew them,” he said.
“In view of this development, the corps has embarked on sanitising exercise to ensure full compliance. In the past three weeks, we have been going round Lagos metropolis sealing-up the offices of those who are operating illegally.”
The PRO warned those operating private security outfits to always abide by the law establishing them because any company found wanting will face the wrath of the law.
According to the act which established the corps in 2003, as amended in 2007, it has the mandate to register, license, train and re-train Private Guard outfits in the country.
Mefor Chibuzo, the public relations officer of the Lagos State Command, observed that most of the security outfits shutdown had been operating illegally without licences.
“Equally, the operating licences for some of them have expired and they refused to renew them,” he said.
“In view of this development, the corps has embarked on sanitising exercise to ensure full compliance. In the past three weeks, we have been going round Lagos metropolis sealing-up the offices of those who are operating illegally.”
The PRO warned those operating private security outfits to always abide by the law establishing them because any company found wanting will face the wrath of the law.
Witness says Cynthia Osokogu’s murder was carefully planned
Author(s): Patience OgboA police officer, Joseph Edo, on Friday told an Ikeja High Court that the murder of Cynthia Osokogu was carefully planned and executed.
Edo said this while testifying at the resumption of the trial of four persons charged with the murder. The accused, Okwumo Nwabufo 33; Olisaeloka Ezike, 23; Orji Osita, 33; and Ezike Nonso, 25, were charged to court by the Lagos State. They allegedly chained and strangled 25-year-old Osokogu to death at Cosmilla Hotel, FESTAC Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012.
Edo, who was led-in-evidence by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, said that Osokogu was murdered in Room 1C of Cosmilla Hotel. He said that the police began investigations immediately they received the report of the murder.
25-year-old Cynthia Osokogu was strangled to death at Cosmilla Hotel, FESTAC Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012
Edo said that Nwabufo instructed Ezike to purchase the chain with which they tied the deceased after drugging her with Rophynol tablets. He said that Ezike bought the drug from Osita, a pharmacist and the third accused. The police officer said the accused ground the tablets into a powder, put it into a pack of Ribena drink and gave Osokogu to drink.
“After we arrested the first and second accused, we checked their mobile phones and saw the correspondence between them,” he said. “There was a photograph from Ezike confirming that he had purchased the chain.”
The witness said that Nwabufo accused Ezike of strangling Osokogu to death at the Area E Police Command, FESTAC. ”Nwabufo confronted Ezike at the station, saying ‘Why did you bring me to the police to arrest me? Why didn’t you tell them you strangled
the lady to death?’” Edo said.
The cop added that Ezike confessed that after killing Osokogu, he placed her international passport on her chest and took pictures of it with his mobile telephone.
“He (Ezike) told us (police) how he transferred the pictures from his BlackBerry to a laptop, and showed us the pictures which were also on the laptop,” he said.
He said that the police also recovered some items belonging to the deceased at Ezike’s residence. The items, according to him, included an international passport and a driver’s licence issued in the deceased name, a vibrator, jewellery, a pair of shoes and two bags.
The police officer said that the fourth accused (Nonso) was later arrested after he sold one of Osokogu’s Blackberry telephone to a man in Port-Harcourt. The court admitted the recovered items as Exhibits P3 to P13.
Justice Olabisi Akinlade adjourned the case till July 5 for continuation of trial.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
NDLEA ARRESTS FIRST COUSINS OVER COCAINE HIDDEN INSIDE SHOE SOLE
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have apprehended two brothers over alleged smuggling of 430 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. The drug which was craftily hidden inside shoe sole was detected during the outward screening of Etihad passenger flight to India.
The first suspect, Okechukwu Samson Agwueze, 23 was arrested when the drug was found inside the sole of the shoe he wore during screening of passengers on an Etihad Airline flight to India. The cousin brother Ogbonna Onwumere, 38, who sponsored his trip was also arrested and currently being interrogated by narcotic investigators.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar expressed delight over the seizure. “It is gratifying that the cocaine which was concealed inside the sole of a shoe worn by the suspect was promptly detected. The second suspect who procured the travel documents and facilitated the drug deal was equally apprehended” Hamza stated.
Okechukwu Samson who is a casual worker said that his grievance has to do with the fact that his cousin lured him into drug trafficking. In his words, “I work in construction sites as a labourer to earn a living. I had wanted to travel out of the country in search of greener pastures but I was swindled of my hard earned N360,000 naira while trying to get my travel documents. My cousin, Ogbonna Onwumere promised to sponsor me to India so that I can work and further my education. He invited me to Lagos that everything was set for me to travel and gave me the shoe to wear that mine was old. He never told me there was drug in it”.
The cousin, Ogbonna who is an importer of textiles said that he wanted to use Okechukwu in smuggling the drugs to India. “I wanted to use him in smuggling the drugs because I used my money in processing his travel documents. I was doing him a favour but I will have to get my money back. Why must I sponsor him if there is no benefit” he stated. Both suspects are from Enugu State.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade urged members of the public to be wary of relatives and friend who make offers of sponsoring them abroad. “Members of the public must be cautious of the antics of drug barons. They are not philanthropists but criminals in disguise looking for drug mules to use in advancing their sinister activities” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss added that the Agency will investigate the case to a logical conclusion.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have apprehended two brothers over alleged smuggling of 430 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. The drug which was craftily hidden inside shoe sole was detected during the outward screening of Etihad passenger flight to India.
The first suspect, Okechukwu Samson Agwueze, 23 was arrested when the drug was found inside the sole of the shoe he wore during screening of passengers on an Etihad Airline flight to India. The cousin brother Ogbonna Onwumere, 38, who sponsored his trip was also arrested and currently being interrogated by narcotic investigators.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar expressed delight over the seizure. “It is gratifying that the cocaine which was concealed inside the sole of a shoe worn by the suspect was promptly detected. The second suspect who procured the travel documents and facilitated the drug deal was equally apprehended” Hamza stated.
Okechukwu Samson who is a casual worker said that his grievance has to do with the fact that his cousin lured him into drug trafficking. In his words, “I work in construction sites as a labourer to earn a living. I had wanted to travel out of the country in search of greener pastures but I was swindled of my hard earned N360,000 naira while trying to get my travel documents. My cousin, Ogbonna Onwumere promised to sponsor me to India so that I can work and further my education. He invited me to Lagos that everything was set for me to travel and gave me the shoe to wear that mine was old. He never told me there was drug in it”.
The cousin, Ogbonna who is an importer of textiles said that he wanted to use Okechukwu in smuggling the drugs to India. “I wanted to use him in smuggling the drugs because I used my money in processing his travel documents. I was doing him a favour but I will have to get my money back. Why must I sponsor him if there is no benefit” he stated. Both suspects are from Enugu State.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade urged members of the public to be wary of relatives and friend who make offers of sponsoring them abroad. “Members of the public must be cautious of the antics of drug barons. They are not philanthropists but criminals in disguise looking for drug mules to use in advancing their sinister activities” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss added that the Agency will investigate the case to a logical conclusion.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
CULTISTS STAB MAN TO DEATH IN LAGOS.
By Patience Ogbo
Suspected cultists on Sunday allegedly stabbed one Osondu Boobu 25 to death.
The incident happened at the Famous bus stop in the Pedro area of Bariga local government Council in Lagos State.
According to an eye witness who requested anonimitu ,Osondu left his home at 30 Ayinke street where he resides with his parents to take some bottles of beer at the Famous hotel about 7.30p.m and got to Famous hotel at 8pm. He died from stabbed wound around 10p.m.
"When he(Osondu) entered the bar he met some cultists of the Eiye confraternity who asked him for money ,his refusal to give them money infuriated them ,as they accussed him of been an Aiye sponsor. Aiye is a rival cult so they said they have seen him sitting with members of the Aiye at Ladylak area of the state. That's how the Eiye cult members namely ,Bonjeu ,Arinze ,Ahmed and one Feso who once went away with the police handcuff and ayo and akilapa were all in the hotel bar.They stabbed him severally and he ran away from the hotel seeking for help.
At the scene of the stabbing were two police officers and the hotel manager called Yinka who has a bird as the tattoo on his arms..the two policemen are corporal Sanni formerly with the Pedro police station but now attached to SARS and one owolabi attached to Pedro,they were together with the cultists when the incident happened".
The eyewitness added that
immediately Osondu ran outside bleeding a tricycle driver assisted him to the Ladylak hospital where the hospital rejected him and asaid he should be taking to the General hospital at Somolu .o
"On their way coming back the tricycle driver was stopped by corporal Sanni who asked that the bleeding Osondu be brought down from the Keke Napep at the Famous bustop. he now ordered that they go and call the mother to come and carry her son as he denid him of the urgent medicare but before the mother could come to the scene to take him away,Osondu died.
Residents said they are worried about cult killing in the area.
A resident one Mr. Jimoh said "for sometime now Famous hotel like the Arena club at jibowu has been known as the hideout of the eiye cultists as the arena is to aye.the manager is a member and some policemen notably owolabi and pepper have been accused of been members of the eye group and always supporting them.
while the sympathisers were gathered to mourn Osondo's death, policemen came to dislodge them,shooting into the air a boy trying to escape hit his head against a wall and died immediately.
By Patience Ogbo
Suspected cultists on Sunday allegedly stabbed one Osondu Boobu 25 to death.
The incident happened at the Famous bus stop in the Pedro area of Bariga local government Council in Lagos State.
According to an eye witness who requested anonimitu ,Osondu left his home at 30 Ayinke street where he resides with his parents to take some bottles of beer at the Famous hotel about 7.30p.m and got to Famous hotel at 8pm. He died from stabbed wound around 10p.m.
"When he(Osondu) entered the bar he met some cultists of the Eiye confraternity who asked him for money ,his refusal to give them money infuriated them ,as they accussed him of been an Aiye sponsor. Aiye is a rival cult so they said they have seen him sitting with members of the Aiye at Ladylak area of the state. That's how the Eiye cult members namely ,Bonjeu ,Arinze ,Ahmed and one Feso who once went away with the police handcuff and ayo and akilapa were all in the hotel bar.They stabbed him severally and he ran away from the hotel seeking for help.
At the scene of the stabbing were two police officers and the hotel manager called Yinka who has a bird as the tattoo on his arms..the two policemen are corporal Sanni formerly with the Pedro police station but now attached to SARS and one owolabi attached to Pedro,they were together with the cultists when the incident happened".
The eyewitness added that
immediately Osondu ran outside bleeding a tricycle driver assisted him to the Ladylak hospital where the hospital rejected him and asaid he should be taking to the General hospital at Somolu .o
"On their way coming back the tricycle driver was stopped by corporal Sanni who asked that the bleeding Osondu be brought down from the Keke Napep at the Famous bustop. he now ordered that they go and call the mother to come and carry her son as he denid him of the urgent medicare but before the mother could come to the scene to take him away,Osondu died.
Residents said they are worried about cult killing in the area.
A resident one Mr. Jimoh said "for sometime now Famous hotel like the Arena club at jibowu has been known as the hideout of the eiye cultists as the arena is to aye.the manager is a member and some policemen notably owolabi and pepper have been accused of been members of the eye group and always supporting them.
while the sympathisers were gathered to mourn Osondo's death, policemen came to dislodge them,shooting into the air a boy trying to escape hit his head against a wall and died immediately.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
TERRORISM: SECURITY
EXPERTS URGE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP NATIONAL CRIMINAL DATA BANK.
BY PATIENCE OGBO
Security experts have called on the federal government to build
a national criminal data bank as well as check socio-economic imbalance in the country
to address insecurity and terrorism in the country.
These were part of
the recommendations at a one day security workshop organized by the Force Intelligence
Bureau of the Nigeria police Force tagged “The South West Geopolitical zone,
intelligence sensitization and community partnership with the theme :Enhancing National security through
intelligence and community partnership”.
The workshop which took held at the Kakanfo INN in Ibadan on
June 8th was declared opened by the deputy governor of Oyo
State, Mr. Moses Alake Adejumo who represented the governor at the event.
Also, royal fathers ,traditional,
religious, youth and community leaders among business and professional bodies and police officers from the South West Geopolitical
zone were in attendance .
The Deputy Inspector General of police Abudulrahman Akano,
the coordinating DIG, South West Geopolitical Zone represented the IGP at the
Event.
The workshop was chaired by Professor Tekena Tamuno, a former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Four papers were presented on varied aspects of intelligence-led
policing, community-police partnership by security experts.
Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey, the Secretary of the Lagos State Security
Trust Fund spoke on the topic “Intelligence –led policing and internal
security: The imperative of community partnership.
In his view, Mr. Worrey stated that intelligence –led policing
and internal security rest on community participation in the policing process as he hinged
the success of policing to intelligence investigation. The said “The end
purpose of intelligence in a democracy is to prevent crime and to convict those
intelligence has implicated. We will continue to look for solutions to solving security
challenges but this may elude us as the government has failed to develop a national
criminal data bank .It is imperative that the president makes an Executive Order
to allow INEC and the SIM card registrations data to be available to the police
and other security agencies; also where is the National Identity card? These are
veritable data that the police can use to know the citizens and tracking
criminals from one state to the other will become easy for the police”Mr.
Worrey said.
Mr. Worrey added that for the police to succeed in fighting crime
there should be conscious efforts to gain the public trust by shunning acts of discrimination,
corruption and impunity to the public. He also added that police welfare especially
of junior rank should be improved through proper funding.
Dr, Danjibo Natheniel from the Institute of Africa Studies University of Ibadan, delivered a paper on “Role
of Non-State actors in crime management” where he emphasized the role traditional
rulers, community leaders, women, professional, business and youth groups play in collaborating with
security agencies to curb crime and criminality.
On his part, Barrister Bamidele Aturu, a Rights activist,
blamed the political elites for the insecurity in the country. He stated that
government failure to enhance the standard of living of Nigerians is the bane of insecurity. He decried the social-economic
imbalance among Nigerians and called on the government to improve on the
welfare of the people.
“You cannot talk about intelligence led policing and
community partnership when there is so much poverty in the land. The political elites
have succeeded in creating a social – economic imbalance which has resulted to
the insecurity in the country. The political elites should be blamed for
underfunding the police and for not providing the welfare for the citizens.
It is also necessary for the
government to allow Nigerians to carry arms. It is discriminatory and it
deprived Nigerians of their fundamental rights of protecting themselves. To address the issue of welfare, it is
imperative to state that the least take home pay for any worker in Nigeria should
be N50, 000; while the highest paid including the president should be N250, 000.
This way we can address the socio-economic imbalance and enhance the security
of the country.”
Tonnie, Iredia, a former Director
General of the NTA delivered a paper on “Policing and community partnership:
the communication imperative” where he urged the police officers to create a
better image for the police through it public relations department. He also
urged the police to communicate better internally and with the public effectively.
Members of the audience in their contribution
were unanimous in their call to the government to check impunity among low rank
officers in the police force and for police officers welfare to taken
seriously.
In his reaction, DIG Akano assured members
of the public that the police are committed to becoming a better Force that
would serve the public good. He therefore urged the public to continue to
assist the police with vital information to check crime and criminality.
“We will continue to lecture our
men and officers to treat Nigerians with dignity. The corrupt ones are not
spared and we are trying to clean the mess of past failure. We take the blame
for the type of officers we have produced. We are committed to securing lives and
property and we cannot do this without the partnering with the community”.
Assistant Inspector General of Police,
Force Intelligence Bureau, Solomon Arase stated that the police recognized the
vital role the community plays in checking crime and therefore the workshop
will be a continuous one.
He said “The Force Intelligence
Bureau has organized this workshop in other geopolitical zones and this is because
we need the public to trust us and partner with the police. This workshop will
be a continuous one and the commissioners of police and the AIGs have been
charged to duplicate this workshop at
the state and local levels and take the message to the officers and rank and
file in their various command . ”
The workshop ended with the
adoption of a communiqué.