Friday 26 June 2020

CLEEN Foundation partners UN against trafficking of girls and women


-----launches ‘Preventing Forced Migration and Trafficking of Women and Girls’ Project in Nigeria with Support from the United Nations and the Italian Government

The CLEEN Foundation with support from the United Nations Women (UNWomen) and the Italian Government has launched a novel project titled: “Preventing forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria: Build resilience, promote sustainable development”. The project specifically aims at enabling a gender sensitive policy environment that addresses forced migration and trafficking and increasing gender sensitive information and awareness raising in source migration trafficking sites. The project also broadly seeks to support and strengthen the gender-responsiveness of interventions by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant government agencies. 

CLEEN Foundation, under the above-mentioned project will be responsible for implementing key activities in Edo and Lagos States that contributes to the following major outcomes:

          An enabling gender sensitive policy environment that addresses forced migration and trafficking is in place, whose design and implementation is influenced by women and girl’s rights organizations in source migration trafficking sites.
          Increased gender-sensitive information and awareness-raising in source migration-trafficking sites contribute to the prevention of women’s irregular migration and trafficking.

To this end, the Foundation has embarked on active collaborative engagement with various government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including NAPTIP and law enforcement institutions such as the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Immigration Service; civil society and community representatives in both project states. The intervention will involve the conduct of gender audit of protection services within existing shelters and safe homes and other services by front-line service providers. This will form the basis for the development of specialized tools and trainings to enhance gender-responsive service delivery for security, health and justice sector agencies and training for community-based women’s organizations to enhance their advocacy and communication capacities in the two project states.

During the inception meeting which took place online on Wednesday 25th June 2020, the CLEEN Foundation commended the activities of government agencies charged with the mandates towards the prevention of forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria, prosecution of enablers and traffickers and enforcement of extant relevant laws. The organization also appreciated the collective measures taken by international development organisations and national agencies in the fight against endemic issues of forced migration and human trafficking in Nigeria. Different stakeholders welcomed the project and committed to supporting the CLEEN Foundation and UNWomen to achieve the objectives of the project.

The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, which has become the subject of global discourse also comes with implications for human trafficking and forced migration as Nigeria continues to contribute the largest share of persons trafficked and or forcefully immigrated. The country remains a source, transit and destination point on human trafficking. The latest Global Slavery Index (2018) Report ranks Nigeria as 32/167 of the countries with the highest number of slaves – 1,386,000. Accordingly, we call on all critical stakeholders working to curb the rate of forced migration and human trafficking, to remember the plight of women and girls subjected to trafficking, as they remain a substantial number of victims of human trafficking and forced migration.

While we commend the government for a number of interventions undertaken to address these concerns so far, we urge the Federal and state governments to show greater commitment in formulating more gender sensitive policies and establishing gender sensitive protection services for trafficked women and girls. CLEEN will continue to work collaboratively with key stakeholders in ensuring that the project outcomes are achieved.

In light of concerns raised, we make the following recommendations:

1.       The Federal and State Governments should:
a)  Domesticate the VAPP Act, 2015 and the Child Right’s Act 2003 for greater protection of women and girls in Nigeria.    
b)  Improve coordination among law enforcement actors, including NAPTIP, the Nigerian Immigration Service, Police, and others.
c)  Embark on vigorous investigation and prosecution, and convict traffickers and impose stringent sentences to serve as deterrent.
d)  Support NAPTIP to achieve its mandate particularly in providing adequate victim care and expanding of protection shelters.

3.       Law Enforcement Agencies:
a)       Should be professional, gender sensitive and proactive in enforcing the relevant protective laws.
b) Should work with endemic communities to engender communal trust, awareness creation and partnership aimed at preventing further trafficking of women and girls and forced migration.
c)    Oversight bodies of the law enforcement agencies should monitor the conduct of security personnel and commit to applying accountability measures in the event of any rights violations of trafficked women and girls by state security actors.
d)   Equip Gender Desk offices across the state commands and strengthen Anti-trafficking units.
e)   Increased female representation across the law enforcement institutions.


4.       The Media
a)       Should ensure adequate, accurate and balanced reporting of the efforts of the government and citizens in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration of women and girls in Nigeria.
b)      Be professional in their conduct and comply with their codes of conduct for transparent media coverage and avoid fake news, misinformation and disinformation

         
5.       Nigerian citizens:
a)    Are encouraged to observe and report perpetrators and enablers of human trafficking and forced migration of women and girls in their communities.
b)   Avoid spreading fake news, disinformation or misinformation on human trafficking.
c)   Shun the social and cultural norms that promote forced migration and human trafficking of persons especially women and girls.


The CLEEN Foundation (formerly known as Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria) was established in 1998 as a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) to promote public safety, security, justice, research, and advocacy in Nigeria. CLEEN Foundation has Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights based in Banjul, The Gambia and was awarded the 2019 Human Rights Award by the National Human Rights Commission. CLEEN is currently the CSO representative on the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee at the national level. We are grateful to the UNWomen and the Italian Government for supporting this project.


May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Benson Olugbuo, Ph.D
Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation

Suspected Ritualists rape 7 babies in Nassarawa



The Nasarawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, has arrested a 27-year-old suspect, Ahmadu Yaro, who allegedly raped a 3-month-old baby in Adogi village of Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that in the space of one month, no fewer than six infants have reportedly been raped in the Adogi area of Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

Recall that the defiling of the 3-month-old baby, Rukayya Aliyu, on Wednesday, May 27, had drawn the attention of several security agencies.

Our correspondent, who visited the community after the incident, learned that there was also an attempt on a two-month-old baby a day after the latest incident.

It was gathered that the babies, mostly between 3 to 6-months-old, are found defiled and dumped at night within the premises of ‘pilot primary school’, a few meters outside the community.

Findings further revealed that many suspected kidnappers and armed robbers reside in the community, while suspected ritualists that play host to clients from different parts of the state and beyond also live there.

More checks revealed that the ritualists have organized a syndicate of locals that specializes in hunting for babies for sexual exploitation in the community.

Confirming the suspect’s arrest on Wednesday, the NSCDC state commandant, Gidado Fari, said the suspect would be arraigned before the court after concluding investigations.

The commandant added that the suspect had already confessed to the crime as well as raping five other victims in the village.

According to the commandant, two years ago the suspect was apprehended by the community for the same offence but was, however, discharged before involving security agencies.

“Ahmadu Yaro, the prime suspect, was arrested on 20062020 about 0328 hours and still under custody for further investigation.

“The suspect is believed to be a one-man gang claiming partial mental disorder which is not yet confirmed or established,” Mr Fari stated.

Although no arrest had been made, sources told our correspondent that some parents are often paid some money for their babies to be defiled by the ritualists.

Some of the locals who volunteer to offer information told DAILY NIGERIAN that the practice had been on for a long time, lamenting that oftentimes some personalities in the community hinder a proper investigation into the matter, even after an arrest of some criminals in the area.

The youth leader in the area, Isah Musa, told our correspondent that parents never wanted to report the incident to any security agencies but, rather, rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The wife of the Lafia Local Government Area chairman, Zainab Aminu-Maifatu, who confirmed the raping of six other new babies before the latest incident, promised that a full investigation would be launched to arrest the culprits.

“Angwan Yashi and Angwan Waje are worst hit. In fact, in some families two or more infant babies were defiled yet nothing happened,” the local told DAILY NIGERIAN in confidence

GOVERNMENT AND DIVISIONAL ADVISORY COMMUNITY POLICING COMMITTEES SET UP




*AREA ‘A’* Command of the Lagos state Police Command led the way and set the pace by inaugurating the Local Government and Divisional Advisory Committee of the Police Public Relations Committee today Thursday 25th June, 2020

The *Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni* ably represented by the *Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge Zone 2, AIG Ahmed Iliyasu, psc+* was supported by *Commissioner of Police in-charge Lagos state Police Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc* and *Deputy Commissioners of Police* from Zone 2 Headquarters and Lagos State Command inaugurated the Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee and Divisional Community Policing Advisory Committee of the *AREA ‘A’* Command on Thursday 25th June, 2020.

The *Committees* are saddled with the responsibilities of driving the community policing policies and strategies approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria and championed by the Nigeria Police under the leadership of the *Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni.*


*DSP Hauwa Idris-Adamu* *Zonal Police Public Relations* *Officer*
*Zone 2 Command HQ*
*Onikan Lagos*

Wednesday 24 June 2020

How I was detained for twó days for accusing Dbanj of rape

PRESS STATEMENT BY MS. SEYITAN BABATAYO

Yesterday, Monday the 22nd of June 2020, I, Ms Seyitan Babatayo formally made a criminal complaint of rape by Mr Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D'banj at the Gender Desk of the Nigeria Police Force Lagos Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja Lagos. This comes after trying unsuccessfully in the past to give a detailed account of my experience at Bar Beach
Police Station, Victoria Island on the 6th June 2020. That attempt was thwarted by an officer of the law at the said Police barracks.
Unfortunately, my experience is not an exception, but rather the norm where survivors of rape and sexual violence or their families who attempt to report such incidents are often met with frustrating processes and also sometimes threatened by the alleged perpetrator with sufficient backing from the Police and a good number of members of the society. Sometimes, even their
own family members.
Luckily for me, I have the enormous and unwavering support of my family, especially my mother. Her strength and support is one of the few things that has kept me going.
However, I must admit that it has been an exasperating couple of weeks for me. From 3rd June 2020 when I first came forward to tell my story and speak my truth, on Twitter, I cannot say I was surprised by the public backlash and media trial that ensued, but I can certainly say, the lack of surprise did not lessen the subsequent pain or hurt that I felt.
My story is one I have carried around for almost two years but in the words of Timi Dakolo, "when you finally decide, it will amaze you where the needed strength will come from."
On 16th June 2020, almost two weeks after going public with my story, I was arrested by four (4) armed Police officers, who, under the pretence as delivery agent, gained entry into my home. I was then taken to IGP IRT office in Harold Shodipo, Ikeja and detained in a cell like a criminal.
My mum was not arrested, contrary to widespread speculations. My mum remained supportive and engaged all her efforts like any good mother, alongside various other interventions to secure my release.
In that cell, I had the right to remain silent, limited access to a lawyer, yet still oblivious to the crime I was being detained for. I spent almost 48 hours at the Police station, without being charged for a single crime. When I requested to know the reason for the detention, the Police refused to answer, but they continued to treat me like a criminal.
My stance from the beginning was never for financial gain. I was violated by D'banj, that unwarranted and violent experience has never left me, it has stayed with me for a very long time, I demanded an apology then, and still demand it now! I finally gathered the strength to demand for it in a louder tone! On 7th June 2020, I approached a law firm in Abuja who agreed to represent me. With the loving support of my family, we began on the road to justice.
Strength! Strength is a funny feeling, here today, gone tomorrow. The first day I voiced out my story, I understood the true meaning of community. In the midst of the media trial I endured, many survivors like myself showed up for me. A handful of friends, some of whom I met online were my source of strength on some days, and on other days, like the night of 16th June, I would feel a paralysing feeling of loneliness. I was locked up in a cell with criminals who had broken the law. I had never stolen or commited a crime in my life, yet there I was with others who had broken the law. What was my offence? f My own offence was daring to speak up.
Again, none of this is unique to me. I am not the only woman who has ended up in a Police cell for telling her story. If there is anything unique about my case, it is that the events played out in the public domain, and in real-time. Much of which I had no knowledge of as I was cut off from any form of communication with the outside world.
Due to the distortion of facts in the media, I would like to clarify the timeline of events for the record: 
30th December 2018: D'banj gained access into my hotel room at past midnight while I was asleep. He violated and raped me.
3rd June 2020: Following an online post by D'banj about saying no to rape, I called him out on his hypocrisy, by giving a detailed account of how he raped me in 2018.
5" June 2020: I publicly shared a document from my Lawyer regarding the situation.
6th June 2020: I visited the Police Station to make a formal report, but was not attended to.
15th June 2020: D'banj through his legal representative published a document in response to my
Lawyer's document, demanding N100m in damages.
16th June 2020: Four (4) armed Policemen stormed my apartment, and arrested me without a warrant. They seized my phones, other personal effects and detained me in the Police cell
overnight at IGP - IRT Office at Harold Shodipo, Ikeja.
16th June 2020: A friend reached out to a journalist who had been in contact with me earlier to raise the alarm that neither they nor my lawyers could reach me. My mum was also contacted
to inform her of the ongoing situation.
17th June 2020: With various efforts, I was released from custody after being made to sign a gag order by the Police and D'banj's team, and could only post on social media what had been approved by D'banj's team. I spent the night in a location of Dbanj's team's choosing, which
was not made known to the public.
18th June 2020: I was isolated from my family, coerced, pressured and intimidated in person by Dbanj and his team to retract all statements and to announce that my testimony was a publicity stunt. Thanks to my friend, thanks to the Executive Director of Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER), and other activists who swung into action, and tracked me to the location where I was being held by D'banj and his team, using satellite mapping. I was immediately removed from
the environment and taken to a safe place where I was provided with immediate support.
Since 18th June 2020, D'banj through his team has continued to harass me with increscent calls and boasting that he (D'banj) can buy off anyone within the justice system in Lagos.
I would like to thank well-meaning Nigerians who raised alarm on social media of my illegal detention and spoke out strongly against the blatant abuse of power.
I understand that internet users, coordinated by the Wine and Whine team also raised about 1.6m Naira to contribute to my legal defense and support my ongoing needs. These funds have so far been handed over to Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER), who have and still continue to provide therapy and mental healthcare for me, whilst also ensuring my physical safety to ensure neither D'banj, nor the Police can continue to harass or intimidate me.
Again, I cannot thank everyone enough. May God continue to stand for you.
I want to thank Mrs Akeredolu (SAN), former Attorney General of Ogun State, who has put her full weight behind me and will be providing legal support on the matter.
I am grateful to the Attorney General of Lagos state who wrote to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and the Inspector General of Police for instructing that the matter be investigated immediately. 
Sirs, permit me to take this opportunity to assure you of my full cooperation, should I be required during the investigation. I would like to urge every well-meaning individual and organization to please join voices with me to plead that the Attorney General of Lagos State takes over this case which is firmly within
his office and to pursue this case to the full extent of the law. I have confidence that his office will not be influenced by D'banj's many friends.
What I experienced should not happen to any girl or woman in Nigeria. No one should be raped. And no one should have to be subjected to the violent abuse which happened to me in a hotel room that the door was locked, and most importantly, nobody should have the right to use their name or status to intimidate survivors who speak out or to tamper with justice. I am still dealing with the effects of the rape, the trauma of recounting that multiple times this week, and the indignity of being held against my will for two days. I am still yet to come to terms with the fact that my fundamental human rights were stolen from me. I therefore ask that you respectfully grant me a few days of personal time to continue to access counseling and therapy sessions, while my team and I explore our next steps.
Kindly continue to direct all enquiries to Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER) via contactus@standtoendrape.org

Monday 22 June 2020

Police arrest man and his wife for allegedly inserting bottle in estranged girlfriend

 Stripped her and took pictures to upload online 


A couple one Osas Onyeokweni and his wife Tomisin Onyeokwenu have been arrested by men of Ogun State police command for molesting and indecently assaulting a 20yr old girl {name withheld}.
The couples were arrested following a complaint by the victim who reported at Agbara divisional headquarters that her former boyfriend Osas Onyeokweni who is now married to her friend  Tomisin Onyeokwenu  called her on phone to meet him somewhere around Lusada area for an important discussion. She further stated that on getting to the agreed place, she met Osas and his wife and they both lured her into an uncompleted apartment where Osas wife who was armed with scissors used the scissors to tear her dress and naked her. After she has been naked, Osas held her down while his wife inserted an empty bottle of alomo bitters into her private part. They also snapped her naked picture and threatened to upload it on internet if she dares report to anyone.
 Upon the report, the DPO Agbara division SP Dahiru Saleh dispatched his detectives to go after the couple and they were eventually arrested.
On interrogation, the couple admitted committing the crime but pleaded that they regretted their action.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson has directed that the suspects be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded. He equally vowed never to allow any violence against women to go uninvestigated.

VULCANIZER ARRESTED FOR STEALING WOMAN'S PANTS FOR RITUAL




A 22yr old vulcanizer Dele Ope had been arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for stealing a pant of her client.
The suspect was arrested following a report by a woman (name withheld) who reported at Warewa division that she discovered that her car tire has been deflated when she wanted to go out which is the reason why she invited the suspect who is a vulcanizer to come and fix the tire for her.
After fixing the tire and left, she discovered that her pant that was spread on a rope within the compound has been missing.
Since the vulcanizer was the only person who came to the compound, she went round in search of him but he is no where to be found.
Upon the report, the DPO Warewa division SP Folake Afeniforo detailed detectives to the area where the suspect was traced and arrested. His house was quickly searched and the woman's pant was recovered there in.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed stolen the pant with the intention of taking it to an herberlist for money making ritual.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police CP Kenneth Ebrimson has ordered that the suspect be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

DSP ABIMBOLA OYEYEMI PPRO OGUN STATE POLICE COMMAND.

Man allegedly kills mother of his two children, commits suicide


On 21/06/2020 at about 1600hrs, Ilasan Police Station received an information that, a couple identified as, Olamide Alli 'f' 25 years old and Chris Ndukwe 'm' 39 years old were found dead in the man's residence at road 5, House 16a, Victory Point Estate, Ilasan. A team of homicide detectives was deployed to the scene and the crime scene was preserved for forensic analysis. The woman was found laying in the pool of her blood with deep cuts on her head. The man's mouth was foaming with whitish substance. It is alleged that the man stabbed the woman to death with kitchen knife and thereafter drank some poisonous substances suspected to be snipper insecticides. Two blood stained kitchen knives, two empty bottles of the poisonous substances, three empty cans of red bull energy drink and a plier were recovered from the scene. The two corpses were removed and deposited in a public mortuary for autopsy. Information gathered form some family members revealed that the couples were in relationship for over seven years, though not married, have two boys, ages 7 and 3 years. The relationship is described as complicated, as the couples were on and off over the years. While the man lives in Victory Point Estate Ilasan, the woman lives in Ogba. The woman is said to have visited the man alongside her 22 years old sister, a night before the incident, on his invitation. Her sister was the first to have noticed that the couples were dead and raised alarm. In her statement, she was woken up by a loud music from the room where the corpses were found, as herself and the kids slept in a different room. It is not yet clear what might her triggered the murder. The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP  Hakeem Odumosu psc has ordered a thorough investigation into the case. Investigation is ongoing. 

Wednesday 17 June 2020

IGP bars policemen from social media comments

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has restricted operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, on the usage of the social media with a ban on police personnel from using pictures of themselves while dressed in police uniforms on their FaceBook, Twitter handles, WhatsApp or Instagram pages.

The Police chief also banned police personnel from making, sharing or commenting on any post that ridicules, maligns or disrespects any race, gender, ethnicity, tribe, religion or nationality as well as making controversial discussions bordering on politics and religion.



The IGP in a statement dated June 9th, 2020 warned that he is giving all police personnel in the country a grace of 30 days from June 10th for all operatives in the force to comply with the new Social Media Policy, SMP of the NPF by removing their pictures, videos in police uniforms, logos and insignias from their personal social media handles.

The statement which was personally signed by the IGP as sighted by Vanguard was also addressed to all Deputy Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and head of all respective police units in the country

According to the statement, the policy is in appreciation of the need to safeguard the cooperate image of the force and uphold ethical standards to regulate the activities of all officers and men of the force in relation to the engagement of social media platforms.

Some sections of the policy according to the statement, states that all police personnel except the IGP, Zonal Command AIGs, State Command CPs, the force PPRO, Zonal and State Command PPROs, PPROs of police units and the officer in charge of the Complaint Response Unit, CRU, are prohibited from identifying themselves as police officers on their social media accounts.

The statement reads in part: “No police personnel shall use the social media or online platform to mobilize members of the force/police against the leadership, or policies of the force.

“Uploading of one’s official photographs on personal WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all other social media handles, as display pictures or status is prohibited. Usage of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups, etc for professional and educational purposes is permitted to build necessary capacity and network for the force personnel.”

The statement further warned that any violation of the policy by any police personnel would attract appropriate disciplinary action.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's, they do not reflect the views of Opera News. Please report any fake news or defamatory statements to feedback-newshub@operanewshub.com

Tuesday 16 June 2020

NURTW National President, Condoles With Amaechi Over Brothers Death



By Patience Ogbo

President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa, and its entire members, condoles with the honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, over the recent passing away of his elder brother, Dede Amaechi.

In a condolence message made available to newsmen in Abuja, Baruwa said, the death of Dede is surely a great loss not only to the Amaechi family but to the good people of Rivers state and the whole of the country in general.

Baruwa said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the Amaechi family. I pray to Almighty Allah to give the people of Rivers state the fortitude to bear the loss.

He urged the Minister of Transportation to find solace in the notable legacies of his late brother and to serve as a pillar of comfort for the rest of the family.

Sunday 14 June 2020

EX CONVICT ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY.


An ex convict Kehinde Shoboyede had been arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for alleged  robbery related offences within Agbado area of the state.
The suspect who was arrested on the 9th of June 2020 had been arrested, charged to court and convicted for similar offence before, and not quite long after he was released from prison custody, the people of the area started noticing series of robbery incidents.
On noticing this, the DPO Agbado division SP Kuranga Yero embarked on intelligence based investigation through which the detectives got clue leading to the suspect's arrest.
On interogation, he allegedly  confessed been the person carrying out series of robbery operation in Agbado and it's environs in collaboration with one man who he simply identified as Rafiu presently at large.
Recovered from him are: one cut to size locally made pistol, four live cartridges and one sharp knife.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police CP Kenneth Ebrimson has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the special anti robbery squads SARS for discreet investigation. He equally directed that his partner in crime must be hunted for and brought to Justice.
DSP ABIMBOLA OYEYEMI, PPRO, OGUN STATE POLICE COMMAND.

COVID -19 INDUCED HUNGER FORCED US INTO ROBBERY – Entertainers




Two entertainers, a musician and a pianist, both robbery suspects arrested by the Rapid Response Squad unit of the Lagos Police Command have confessed that they were forced into robbery by the need to survive the COVID – 19 lockdown hunger.

The suspects: Chinonso Michael, 25 years, an Afro hip - hop singer and Chimelu Victory, 22 years, a pianist, were arrested last week Wednesday in company of 5 other suspects at their residence at 4, Modupe Young Thomas Estate, Ajah, Lagos by the Decoy Team of RRS.

The duo had on 10th April, 2020 ordered pay on delivery, an iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at N450,000:00 in an online platform, Jiji.com from their service charge apartment in Ajah. 

On receipt of the consignment from a delivery man, one Anifowoshe Itunu, Chimelu, the buyer generated a fake alert to the rider first and later, with the connivance of Chinonso escaped from the apartment after they had tied down the despatch rider with a bottle of beer.

The suspects then sold the iPhone 11 Pro Max to a buyer in Ogba, Ikeja Lagos for a sum of N350,000:00 transferred into Chinoso’s bank account.


The suspects, who jumped off from the first floor to the ground naked at their apartment into the streets on sighting the police, confessed that the crime was the third time they sold iPhone 11 Pro Max during the COVID – 19 lockdown, adding that two of the phones were carted online with stolen credit cards.

According to sources, Chinonso fractured his arm and bruised him chin immediately he landed on the ground floor. He then instantly took to the streets naked before he was arrested and taken to the hospital.

In their confessions, Chinonso and Chimelo, who are regular performers in some Lagos night clubs separately attributed their actions to COVID 19 lockdown stressing that “during the lock down there was nothing going and we didn’t have anything to eat for like two – weeks.

We were already owing all the store owners in the neighbourhood. Nobody was ready to give us credit anymore. We had to device a means to survive the lock down”, they stated.

Chinonso, who just changed his stage name from Authority to Happy - Boy noted that he joined Chimelu at his Ajah residence in March, 2020 noted that he was his music teacher in Aba, Abia state before he moved to Lagos.

Chimelu, who is popularly called Apostle Swag recently resigned as a Lekki church keyboardist to pursuit a career in music, stated that he used to have regular shows in Lagos clubs before the lockdown.

He added that ‘the plan of a service charge apartment was to create the impression that they live there in the mind of the despatch rider.

The suspects confessed that apart from their musical careers, they also engage in internet fraud.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: one iPhone 11Pro Max, three laptops, two flash drives, two WiFi connection modems, two memory cards, four SIM cards, one Samsung phone and one iPhone.

The suspects have been transferred to SARS for further investigations and  prosecution.

Commenting on  the development, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu maintained that the internet is a fertile ground for opportunities but the State Command would not allow criminals use it as avenue to exploit legitimate business owners.

Saturday 13 June 2020

Man to die by hanging for raping 2 year old girl to death.

Justice MK Dabo of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Zaria,on Friday convicted one Usman Bashir of raping a 2-year baby girl until she died. 
Justice Dabo  sentenced the accused  to DEATH BY HANGING.

Following the judgment,  Justice Dabo has been receiving accolades from Nigerians especially advocates for children rights. 
One of his students said Bulama Quadri said"  He was my lecturer at the Nigerian Law School.

I later joined him as a colleague at A. A. Umar & Co, before he went on became a High Court judge. He’s always been a diligent lecturer, lawyer, and now judge. I call on Governor El-Rufa’i to sign the execution warrant as soon as the convict’s Right of Appeal is exhausted.

I urge other judges to follow the example of Justice MK Dabo. Rapists do not deserve to live in communities where there are women and children. And these kinds of sentencing should be widely publicized especially in local media stations so it may serve as deterrence to others"

Friday 12 June 2020

3 years old girl identifies man who raped her

23 YR O

A 23yr old man Badmus Qaudri was on the 11th of June 2020 arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for defiling a 3yr old girl (name withheld).
The suspect was arrested following a complain by the mother of the victim who reported at Owode Egbado police station that she noticed blood at the private part of her 3 yr old daughter when she came back from market, and when she interogated her daughter, she revealed that it was Quadri who took her into his room and had carnal knowledge of her.
Upon the report, the DPO Owode Egbado division SP Olabisi Elebutte led her detectives to the area where the suspect who is a neighbor to the parents of the victim was promptly arrested after the victim identified him.
The victim was quickly taken to the general hospital at idiroko where it was confirmed that she has been defiled.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police CP Kenneth Ebrimson has ordered the transfer of the case to anti human trafficking and child labour unit of state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and prosecution.
The CP also reteirate the readiness of the command to deal decisively with anybody who involved himself in act of violence against women in accordance with the law of the land.

Suspected herdsmen kill Seven villagers in Benue



Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have allegedly killed seven persons in villages in Benue State.
The gunmen it was learnt went on a killing spree in Igede village where they allegedly shot dead six persons and one other man was murdered in Ologba Agatu community.
Friends mourning one of the deceased identified him as Samuel Peter was said to be on his way from Ologba Agatu village when he was killed. Another deceased identified as Akpa a commercial motorcycle rider was among the six killed in Igede village when  the Otukpo local government council chairmanship election also took place two weeks ago. 
A source Adeyi George said " Akpa was a very jovial person. He was killed  alongside  five other Igedes by Fulani herdsmen living in that village. We learnt he drove a passenger to Igede village that fateful day. He has since been buried in Otobi village ". 
When contacted, the Benue State police spokesperson SP Catherine Anene said two persons were murdered. " The villagers told us it was herdsmen that did the killings. It was two persons that were killed . We are still investigating the murders" 

Suspected herdsmen kill seven villagers in Benue



Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have allegedly killed seven persons in villages in Benue State.
The gunmen it was learnt went on a killing spree in Igede village where they allegedly shot dead six persons and one other man was murdered in Ologba Agatu community.
Friends mourning one of the deceased identified him as Samuel Peter was said to be on his way from Ologba Agatu village when he was killed. Another deceased identified as Akpa a commercial motorcycle rider was among the six killed in Igede village when  the Otukpo local government council chairmanship election also took place two weeks ago. 
A source Adeyi George said " Akpa was a very jovial person. He was killed  alongside  five other Igedes by Fulani herdsmen living in that village. We learnt he drove a passenger to Igede village that fateful day. He has since been buried in Otobi village ". 
When contacted, the Benue State police spokesperson SP Catherine Anene said two persons were murdered. " The villagers told us it was herdsmen that did the killings. It was two persons that were killed . We are still investigating the murders" 

Wednesday 10 June 2020

80 years old man allegedly rapes 18months old baby, 3, 6 year old girls


 .

A blind old man Pa Ebenezer Oyewole alleged   to be diabetic, is alleged to have raped more than three girls  in his compound where he is the Landlord. 

It was gathered that a 9  years old survivor he allegedly sexually abused kept telling her mother  that Baba was inserting his fingers into her vagina but all the mother would do and say was that she should not go near Baba again.
 Baba according to the girl allegedly raped her 6 years old younger sister, their neighbours 3 years old and  another 1 1/2 years old daughter despite knowing full well  he is HIV positive o. 
However when confronted,  Baba was using Jesus to swear he did no wrong.

It was gathered that the father of the survivor got to hear yesterday at the police station for the first time that Baba had raped his second daughter with his a source said "He also got to know that Baba is HIV positive too and now he is angry , he wants us to help him get justice but his fear is that because Baba is very diabolical, he would prefer to move away from Baba's compound to be able to protect his two children who would become the star witnesses in this case and to which we have agreed to assist in that area"
"The children were taken to Mirabel  Centre for medical examination. Preliminary report shows that the children are HIV negative. I guess a repeat test would be needed to confirm the status after 3 months"

COURT RELEASES GIRL ACCUSED OF KILLING FATHER`S FRIEND WHO WANTED TO RAPE HER



The Lagos magistrates` court, sitting in Yaba this morning freed a 15 years old teenager (name withheld) accused of killing her father`s friend, Babatunde Ishola (M)  aged 51 while attempting to rape her based on legal advice of the of the of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution that the case lacked ingredients of murder.

Delivering judgement in the case, the presiding magistrate, Mr. Philip Adebowale Ojo said the case file after due consideration of facts, it was duly decided that there were insufficient facts to establish a prima facie case of Murder against the suspect contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law, Cap. C17, Vol.3 Laws of Lagos State.

 The court therefore, ruled that ingredients required to prove the offence of Murder against the suspect were not all present from the facts of this case,  also clearly  intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm to the deceased cannot be established. He said that it is settled law that in a case of Murder, defences raised by evidence, whether specifically put up by the suspect or not, must be properly considered. And further notes that no matter how weak or stupid a defence raised by a suspect may appear, it must be properly considered. Consequently, Mr. Philip Ojo discharged and acquited the suspect of murder charge.   A statement by Mamud Hassan Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Public Defender read

It will be recalled that the  teenager who was represented by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) since inception of the matter, period of detention and investigation at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) and arraignment before Yaba Magistrate Court on a one-count charge of killing Babatund Ishola on March 7,2020 at Nwadolu Street, Aboru in Alimosho local government area of the state, by stabbing him to death with a knife, thereby committing an offence punishable under the Criminal law of Lagos State, Nigeria,2015. She was thereafter remanded at the Correctional Home for Girls, Idi-Araba and case adjourned for legal advice of the Lagos State  Director of Public Prosecutions.
Speaking on the matter, the Director, Lagos Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Dr. Babajide Martins expressed  satisfaction with the decision of the court to released  the girl of murder charge.  Martins while appreciating the professionalism, diligence and timely advice of the Director of Public Prosecution on the matter which made it possible for girl to be released because no prima facie case was established against her. He assured other indigent people being represented in various cases that OPD has been re-organised and re-engineered to deliver first class free legal services in line with the current administration philosophy of better security and governance to all residents irrespective of gender and religion.

The Director therefore appealed to those that have suffered any form of rights denial, abuse and violence to visit any of the office of OPD nearest to them for free legal service. Martins  assured members of the public that the office is still attending to the public during the lockdown within the governor`s directive.

In their comment, the parents of the girl,  Ojo Taiwo And Funke expressed  deep appreciation to the Lagos state government and Office of the Public Defender ( OPD) for coming to their rescue with free legal services. According to them, without such institution established by the Lagos state  for indigents, they would have lost hope of getting access to justice considering their low income status in a case of this nature.



Take heart:CRAN Reporters to CP Smith

Crime Reporters Mourn Late CP Abubakar Tsav


The executives and members of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), a body of all journalists covering the security beat nationwide, hereby mourn the death of the former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Late CP Abubakar Tsav (Rtd).

Late Tsav was a cop per excellence whose tenure at the Lagos Command yielded tangible successes. He was also a human rights advocate, who passionately fought for justice. 

The former police commissioner would be remembered for his dogged fight to unravel the intrigues surrounding the gruesome murder of the late founding Editor in Chief of Newswatch magazine and Chief Executive Officer of the Newswatch Communications Limited, Mr. Dele Giwa, who was assassinated via a parcel bomb in 1986 during the military regime of former President Ibrahim Babangida.

Known for his boldness in the face for fear, late Tsav was a determined police officer who stood on the path of truth, no matter whose ox was gored. 

To all who knew him, he was also very  pragmatic and hated injustice to the core. 

Given the nature of our job as crime reporters, we had cause to interface with him and he was very receptive and operated an open door policy.

 After his retirement, he was not tired as he continued the struggle against injustice in his hometown in Markurdi and also in the police force where he had previously served for 35 years.

He also rigorously contributed to the service of the nation and his state at large.


 
Although his death came as a rude shock to all, we take solace in the fact that death is a debt we all owe. 

Late CP Abubakar Tsav would be sorely missed by CRAN members and we pray for comfort for the family he left behind. 

In biding him farewell, we tow the path of the Hebrew Proverb Memorial Prayer, “Say not in grief that they are gone, but give thanks that they were yours”.
            



Monday 8 June 2020

Police Sergeant machete Inspector to death in Lagos

A police Inspector has lost his life during  a scuffle in Lagos
Report at Oke-Odo Police Station that one Sergeant Okema Azuquo a tenant in the same house returned home and engaged other tenants in a fight. That he inflicted matchet cuts on one Inspector Adekunle Ilesanmi who is also a tenant in the house and trying to stop the Sergeant from harming other civilian tenants. Ayodele Eyitayo, a tenant in the house sustained minor injury on his face. A team of Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer was promptly deployed to the scene. The injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment while the Sergeant was arrested. While Ayodele Eyitayo was treated and discharged, the Inspector was admitted due to the severity of the injuries he sustained. The Inspector however, died on 07/06/2020 while on admission. 
Lagos State police spokesperson DSP Bala Elkana said "Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti has taken over the investigation. The suspect will be charged to Court as soon as investigation and disciplinary  proceedings are concluded'".

Friday 5 June 2020

Nigerian - Indian Bilateral Defence Co-operation gets a boost

The Nigerian - Indian Bilateral Defence Co-operation is entering  a new phase of mutually beneficial arrangements and agreement at the Ministerial levels.

The Indications to this emerged at the Ministry's Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja when the Minister of  Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) hosted the Indian High Commissioner  to NIgeria, Abhay Thankur on a courtesy  call in his Office. 
A statement  signed by the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity  to the Minister  of Defence  Mohammed Abdulkadri indicates that the issue of bilateral interest which  necessitated the interface between the representatives of the two Countries were discussed  behind closed doors and were not made available  to the media.
Furthermore, the statement  put on record  that the highly classified and restricted matters that are strategic to common interest of the two Countries were witnessed by Senior Military  Officers and some Principal  Personnel of the Ministry as we as the Indian  Defence Adviser Colonel Cachin Dube

Lagos State University student arrested for kissing a minor and posting it on social media.




Policemen attached to the Lagos State police command have arrested a man who claimed to be a 400level student of Lagos State University for kissing a minor.
A press statement by the command read
Attention of Lagos State Police Command was drawn to a viral video showing one Adeyeye Oluwatosin Babatunde ‘m' of Kajola Street, Shagamu, Ogun State, a Botany student of Lagos State University, kissing his three years old step sister (name withheld). The incident happened on 02/6/2020 in their residence at Shagamu.
 The Commissioner of Police Lagos  State, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc tasked detectives from the Gender Unit to analyse the video and apprehend the suspect. The team got the suspect on 5/6/2020 at about 1100 hours. He is handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for diligent prosecution in Court.
The Commissioner of Police expressed his gratitude to Nigerians who helped in bringing the incident to the notice of the Police and urged everyone to continue to speak out against sexual and gender based violence. Together we can stop rape, stop child abuse and crime against our women and children.
For complaints on rape, child abuse or domestic violence call any of the following numbers 08175899289, 09062887858, 09062887856, 09062887849, 09062887841, 09062887870, 08023532283, 09062887864, 09062887861 and 09062887860.
DSP Bala Elkana
Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State.

Thursday 4 June 2020

POLICE ARREST 3 BROTHERS FOR THE KIDNAP AND MURDER OF A MOTHER OF 5 IN ABUJA



- Exhume remains of the deceased for forensic examination

Police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested three (3) suspects namely; Johnson Emmanuel - 38yrs, Gideon Emmanuel - 31yrs and Success Emmanuel - 27yrs for the kidnap and gruesome murder of one Mrs Janet Nnenna Ogbonnaya on 14th May, 2020. The suspects, born by same parents, all male and native of Isiekenesi, Ideato LGA of Imo State were arrested by the Police in their home town where they had taken refuge after committing the crime in Abuja, in order to evade police arrest.

Investigations that led to the arrest of the suspects is sequel to complaints received from one Chinedu Ogbonnaya who alleged that his mother, Mrs Janet Nnenna Ogbonnaya, 55yrs, native of Ozuitem in Bende LGA of Abia State had been kidnapped and a 5-Million naira ransom demanded before she could be released. A comprehensive and painstaking investigation by the police operatives resulted in the arrest of the three (3) suspects, whom, in the course of interrogation, revealed that the victim had long been murdered and buried. Further findings revealed that the victim, a widow, who had been a Facebook friend of the principal suspect – Johnson Emmanuel, was lured from her home in Gwagwalada to visit the suspect. The suspect thereafter took advantage of the visit, served her yoghurt laced with drugs and subsequently had her murdered. The suspect having killed the victim and buried her remains in a septic tank, went ahead to reach out to the family of the victim using her phone and demanded 5-Million naira ransom as pre-condition for her release.   ​

Meanwhile, today 4th June, 2020, the suspects led a team of investigators alongside pathologists to a residence at Wumba District, Lokogoma, Abuja where the victim’s decomposing body was exhumed from a septic tank. The exhumed body has been taken to the University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja for forensic examination.

A Toyota Highlander Jeep belonging to the deceased has also been recovered by Police operatives at a mechanic workshop in Apo where it had been repainted into a different colour, vehicle documents fraudulently changed and ownership of the stolen vehicle criminally transferred to one of the masterminds of the crime – Johnson Emmanuel.

Investigations also revealed that the house where the deceased was killed and buried originally belonged to one of the suspects but was hurriedly sold-off to a third party apparently to obliterate evidence. 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni, while commending the operatives for a job well done, reassures that perpetrators of any form of crimes in the country will not go undetected and unpunished. He however enjoins citizens to be more security conscious and report any suspicious activities within their neighbourhood to the nearest police station. 



Tuesday 2 June 2020

Men brag about raping ladies on Facebook, dare police.


A young man identified as G Love Udenso has been bragging on Facebook that he will rape women and nothing can happen to him.
He also advised women  how  they should make it easy for him and other men to rape them. His post written in pidgin English language read "I go they rape go Nothing go happen Ladies make unable help us small No dey wear pant come wear tight on top E dey waste person time abeg Thank you" 
The post translated in English Language means" I will be raping. Nothing will happen. Ladies make assist us a bit. Do not wear panties and go on to wear tight short. It wastes our time . Thank you".
Some comments on  his post however reprimanded him and condemned his words  one Deaconex Olives Ify Opla comment read "G Love Udenso, do you know the implication of this comment?"
Another comment by one Ogonne Mbonu read " G Love Udenso, you are sick, wait until you land into problem.Rubbish" 
Men bragging about domestic violence against women and rape on social media especially on Facebook has been on the increase.
 Last month, a man  Sulaiman Maiyegun alias Afobaje after battering his wife , posted her wounded face on his Facebook page and dared police to arrest him. He has since been arrested and is facing prosecution.
Also a post by one Ofe Noni read " I cant wait to  give birth to a beautiful baby girl so I can bang (rape) her when my wife is not around" 

Another post supporting rape of women by one Wisdom Chidozie read "My advice to girls is that if one person decides to rape you, give him sex. Don't allow him force and wound you. If they are more than one, pardon with them so they can wait one after one. If they disagree,promise them changing styles"
Another post by one Okodugha Festus read " Most women are rape because of indecent dressing. Asking if that justify the crime ,is not but is a catalyst to someone who is a rapist.Just take this illustration,a man went to bank to withdraw 1 million naira, and decided to be showing the money to everybody. If armed robber attack the man, can we say because the man did not take precautionary measure justify the crime, we will also say no it does not but is better we protect ourselves before rapist who dont like seeing anytime in skirt start behaving funny". 
Social media post by men saw them justifying rape and murder.
The men were reacting to the rape and murder of a University of Benin Undergraduate one Miss Vera Iwela who was raped and murder when she went to a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Benin City Edo State to read.
A tweet by one bm- tweezy read " If she didn't struggle much she would be alive though. It is just basic intercourse not a death sentence "

Another post on Facebook by one Richard Idasenibo read "Another question is, which book she go read inside church. Has Uneven resume? Which exam she wan write inside Covid19?"
One Livinus Elem wrote " Good for her. Why dating two roommates at thesame time"

How Pastor raped my daughter for four years, survivor was 14 when he started raping her- mother

Policemen attached to the Zone  2 police command Onikan Lagos have detained a clergyman for alleged rape of Girl for 4 years .
The clergyman alleged to be the Pastor  at Peculiar Generation Assembly at 17/19 Mutiatu Kayode Street Mafolukun Lagos was detained  over allegation he sexually abused the daughter of one of the members of his church for four years.
According to the parents of the girl, the suspected pastor allegedly started raping the girl when she was 14 years old.
The pastor identified as Chris McDouglas Omosokpea allegedly ignored police invitation for more than a month  after he was reported to the police and instead of honouring police invitation at  police station where the survivor's parents reported the case at Makinde  Police Station Oshodi went to Zone 2 police command to allege the family of the girl of blackmail.

A mandated reporter  disclosed how the police  a D8 ZCIID Zone 2 police command Onikan Lagos  led to his arrest. 
"The Almighty pastor Douglas was physically present with his lawyers and some of his hypocrite Church members.

After all said and done the survivor statement was obtained and her mother. The OC D8 and his team performed excellently well, they said it the way it is.

Surprisingly the pastor Douglas wife alleged the survivors mother to be aware of the illicit affairs of her husband and the survivor"

Both parties were now taken to the Dcp D8 after listening to both parties  the DCp had a private discussion with the Survivor ,there after the D8 DCP ordered that the Almighty Pastor Douglas to be detained while further investigation continues"


Continuing, the mandated reporter said "Another meeting has been fixed this week Friday 5th-6-2020 while the Almighty pastor Douglas remain in custody.
To crown it all the Almighty Pastor Douglas  confessed he actually had canal knowledge of the survivor for four  years.Anyway today's  meeting simply showed that nobody is above the Law , Parents watch your wards closeness with utmost interest trust nobody"

How randy pastor raped my daughter for four years

The mother of the survivor narrated how the pastor allegedly raped her daughter.
She said "My family attended this church for twelve years , we so much trusted his counsel to be true, unknowingly to us Pastor Douglas has been secretly sexually abusing my daughter pretending to be a mentor for good 4years before we found out this year April 2020, we observed my daughter was always keeping to herself, withdrawn, she became very aggressive at every opportunity. The bubble now burst when she eventually threatened to commit suicide"

I couldn't withstand the pain my family felt, so I reported to Makinde police station Mafoluku Oshodi , Pastor Douglas was invited by Makinde police station. For more than a Month  he has been running from pillar to post, my daughter was issued a police medical paper  to Mirabel Centre inside LASUTH Ikeja where she was well attended to and counseled very well .

All this while Makinde police station invited him he's been putting up one excuse on the other until just few days ago I and my daughter received 
an invitation letter from the Zonal Investigation Intelligence Department Zone 2.You can see what this devilish man who claimed to be a man of God wants to turn the case against my family.

I was told that whenever a case of this nature is taken to zone 2 the intention is to subdued complainant and we are not ready for such because my family have been badly traumatized with this development.

I hereby call on you and your great team the mouth piece of the Voiceless and Vulnerable persons to please rise for my daughter to get justice"
It was gathered that members of the Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network ACVPN a non profit organisation led by their manager Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile and  Iya Gani Fawehimi Barrister Abiodun Of African Women Lawyers Association AWLA  ,  Our Criminal Justice Officer Mrs. Asala, ensured the police detained the suspect.
 Mr. Omejalile said "Pastor Douglas  refused to honour Police station of jurisdiction and hope to subdued survivor and mother.Useless idiot. Animals in Human form that claims God called them but it was hungry and  greed that called them not God".