Delta police rescue kidnap victims, arrest deadly cultists

Policemen attached to the Delta State police command has rescued passengers attacked by suspected kidnappers.

It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer of  Orerokpe Division, acted on information  that a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number  BWR 301 SU  was under attacked by hoodlums armed with AK 47 rifles at Okutolo Warri-Sapele road,  they shot and injured the driver and a woman  other passengers were dragged into the bush.

DSP Edafe Bright acting spokesperson for the Delta State police command said " The  DPO SP Ojo Oluwole swiftly mobilized patrol teams, assisted by military patrol team to the scene and they went after the kidnappers  into the forest.The men did not relent as they gave the kidnappers a hot chase, the hoodlums who could no longer withstand the pressure quickly abandon the kidnapped victims and fled, The patrol teams successfully  rescued  the six (6) kidnapped passengers which includes  Edoma Rita ,  Evelyn Chinwekwe ,Believe Omoruyi, Linus Kojo,  Idolo Christina  and Ojemudia Esther ". 

He added that an injured passenger was rushed to the hospital but was later confirmed dead on admission and  her corpse and that of the driver were deposited in a mortuary. Expended shells of 7.62, 39mm ammunition were recovered from the scene  manhunt for the arrested  the  hoodlums is ongoing while the commissioner of police is appealing to members of the public to withi any useful information that will help to arrest these hoodlums.

 In a related development, it was gathered that the DPO ‘A’ Division Ughelli got information from one Chief Voke Oshasha that he suspected a highlander jeep trailing him along Oniemo street. The Divisional police officer, CSP Benjamin Igometi swiftly led patrol teams to that area, the hoodlums on sighting the police patrol vehicle approaching them  quickly abandoned  their mission to assassinate him and fled into the bush, however the victim sustained bullet wound but not life threatening  the DPO  quickly took  him to hospital where he is responding to treatment and he is completely out of danger. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

 It was also gathered that the police acting on credible information and  police  surveillance team of Orogun Division assisted by anti-cult group raided a notorious cult hideout at small market junction Orogun   three (3) suspected members of arrow Barger confraternity, Aworo Efe 25yrs old  Ogene Oghenedoro Obiobor 28 and one  Great  popularly known as  community  30 were arrested.DSP Bright said " The teams were attacked by the cultists but  for the resilience of the surveillance team, the cultist were over powered, they are currently been interrogated and have given information to the police that will lead to the arrest of other gang members. Parent and guardian are therefore advised to look after their wards and do all they can to discourage them from participating in cultism as this is the mother of virtually all crimes in the country today. 

The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Ari Muhammed Ali FCIA, psc+ remains committed in the fight against criminals and will continue to do so with the support of all Deltans to make Delta state a safe place for all"

 

IMO ATTACK - IGP DEPLOYS SECURITY REINFORCEMENT SQUADS, SETS UP SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM (SIT)

Directs CP Imo and the Special Investigation Team to Fish-Out and Bring Perpetrators to Book

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP  has ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security in the State and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State. The IGP gave the directives following the attack on security operatives and formations including the Imo State Police Command Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) in Owerri in the early hours of today, Monday, 5th April, 2021. 

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN). The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury. The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder. 

Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations. 

In a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer CP Frank Mba said the IGP, who condemned the attack on the security outfits, has further directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the region), to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. The CP is to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the door-steps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs. 

The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality. The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals. He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians.

 GSTC wins 4th Gregory Imafidon Foundation Gold Cup

----As parents , Teachers , Community leaders hail founder.  

The much revered  Gregory Imafidon Foundation GIF  secondary school football championship in Nigeria has come to an end on April 1st with the Government Science of Technology College (GSTC), former Benin Technical College Benin City, clinching  the the gold cup. 

The 4th edition of  Gregory Imafidon Foundation Gold cup for secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State saw 22 schools competed for the gold cup and other prizes and cash. 

The highly rated secondary school tournament tagged “ Catch them young, kick against Crime “  according to the founder Mr. Gregory Imafidon is aimed at reducing the rate of crime in Edo state especially cultism . GSTC defeated Osemwende Secondary School also of Benin 2 - 0 in a tension soaked match. The match which was witnessed by a capacity crowd including some ex-international footballers saw the GSTC leaving with a Gold Cup, gold medals and a cash sum of N150K. GSTC also won the highest goal scorer award of N10K. Osemwende secondary school came up as the runner up after a hard fight and left with silver medals and a cash prize of N100k. The golden ball award and a cash prize of N10k went to the tournament’s most valuable and best player from Osemwende secondary school.

Also  the Most Valuable player got N10k courtesy of Festus Ekhator 1, From Hamburg, Germany. A man that is known for his highest number of goals during his youth days. The Best Midfielder got N10k courtesy of Orobosa Aguebor  AKA Emperor Zamani, Italy. In addition to best player award, golden ball to the best and most valuable player.  Best defender got N10k courtesy of Nosa Odiase from Sweden. Add that Nosa Odiase was one of the sponsorship donor in 2019/2020. Highest goal scorer N10k courtesy of Festus Ekhator 2 (AKA Tikpi) from Frankfurt, Germany.

Special thanks to Emperor Zamani for his contribution of N50k naira to assist in this tournament.

 One new ball went to the best coach

Special thanks for Festus Ekhator AKA Fesdolly for contributing N50k towards the success of this tournament. Your yearly support is appreciated sir.

Best goal keeper N10k with a new football boot courtesy of Isaac Uzamere AKA Otata 1 of Denmark

Winner went home with N150k,  2nd place winers got  100k , 3rd place N50k and 4th N25k.it  was a fun filled game and  principals and parents were present to support their wards.

Meanwhile, parents, teachers , school administrators and other well meaning Nigerians have expressed their gratitude to Mr. Imafidon who though residing in United State of America, deemed it fit to sponsor a tournament for the youth in his home State .They stated that the championship has given hope to the youth to shun crime like cultism and build a better future for themselves. 

Mr. Imafidon expressed his appreciation to supporters who gave cash, gifts  and the ex International footballers  who came to watch the game. 

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EASTER: MINISTER OF DEFENCE URGES  CHRISTIANS TO PRAY FOR TROOPS.

Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd) has implored Christians to take advantage of the  easter celebrations for spiritual rejuvenation  and to pray for an end to insecurity in the Country.

    General Magashi said this in a statement signed by Mr. Mohammad Abdulkadri Special Assistant to the Minister, Media and Publicity to felicitate with the Christians on the occasion of easter celebrations.

   He stated that Easter period provides auspicious time to seek God's intervention and manifestation in finding lasting solutions to the nation's security challenges. 

 The Minister of Defence said Easter in Christendom  calls for  " Show of piety and pity for the less privileged.

It is also a time for genuine sober reflection on how to promote good  neighbourliness, christ -  like good deeds, adherence to law and order of the land,nationalistic ethos and ethics as well as indivisibility of one Nigeria in diversity based on love and peace among cooperating entities in the country. 

  While felicitating with Christians, the Minister  enjoined religious leaders and followers of Christ to pray for  the troop's victory over the adversaries and for total peace and sanity to return to the dark spots of insecurity in parts of the Country. 

  He tasked the fighting forces defending the Nation's territorial integrity to sustain high tempo of superior firing power and charged them to remain rugged and dogged in taking the fight to the camps and corridors of the enemies of the Nigerian state perpetrating and profiting from national insecurity. 

   He assured the gallant troops that their all year round sacrifices without enjoying festivities will not be in vain even as they are not opportuned to celebrate easter with their families and the loved ones". 

  While wishing Christian brethren a peaceful, prosperous and hitch free easter celebrations, he assured Nigerians that the Military and other security agencies are determined never to compromise the nation's  sovereignty and integrity in the campaigns to end terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the Country.

 

 LASTMA OFFICERS  APPREHEND ONE-CHANCE ROBBERS AT LEKKI-AJAH AXIS

The officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) today, Thursday, apprehended unnumbered, wine coloured Toyota Camry Sedan vehicle at Ikate, Lekki-Ajah axis of the State. The car that was been driven suspiciously against traffic popularly known as one-way driving was accosted by the LASTMA officers.

It was revealed that while the driver was being interviewed by the officers, a lady came raising the alarm that she boarded the vehicle unknowingly that it was a one-chance vehicle, she further narrated that all her valuables were forcefully taken away from her and they include her phone, ATM debit card and some other items.

Filade Olumide

Assistant Director Public Affairs LASTMA spokesperson for the LASTMA in a press statement said  "Two one-chance robbers and the victim were subsequently taken and handed over to the police division at Maroko by the LASTMA officers for thorough investigation and prosecution by the police.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olajide Oduyoye in his comment praised the LASTMA officers who carried out this feat and said that LASTMA does not only manage traffic on Lagos roads but also render humanitarian services on our roads. He recalled the assistance rendered by some LASTMA officers to a pregnant lady and her child at Fagba area of Iju-Ishaga axis of the State, who had an accident on a commercial motorcycle that plied one-way about a week and a half back now.

Oduyoye enjoined Lagos residents to always be vigilant when embarking on commercial vehicles, insist on drivers obeying the Lagos State Traffic Law as promulgated by the Lagos State House of Assembly and generally encourage our traffic officers while on their duty posts so that they can do more"

Fight against cultism gets a boost with launch of POCACOV

 

The fight against cultism and other vices in Lagos State has been given a boost with the launch on Thursday of  the Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Social Vices ( POCACOV)  at the Parade Ground, Police College, Ikeja.

POCACOV which was launched   in partnership with the Lagos State government is coming barely two weeks after the state government signed a 21 year imprisonment for cult and cult related crime in the state.

The event with the theme : Cultism and other vices: Growing menace and destructive elements to socio- economic development in Nigeria   was chaired by His Excellency, Ambassador Aminu Wisdom had Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu ,the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties.

Others dignitaries at the event include the Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Mobolaji Gaji, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashir Obasa, represented by Hon Setonji David, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan-Lagos, AIG Ahmed Iliyasu, religious leaders, the youths, students, heads of the armed forces and other security agencies in Lagos State, senior police officers and the chairman Police Community Relations Committee, Lagos State, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo and other dignitaries  present.

The National Coordinator, POCACOV, CSP Ebere Amarizu while giving a speech  on the establishment, duties and achievements of the unit at the event  encouraged the youths and all the stakeholders to support the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, on the fight against cultism and other social vices across the country. He also promised that the campaign will be launched in all  the states of the federation.

While delivering the event  lecture, former Commissioner of police CP Emmanuel Ojukwu praised the Lagos state government for signing a sentence of twenty one years for cultism and other vices. He said " cultism is a national problem we all  need to solve. A cultist is someone that has been radicalised and he has a sense of invisibility. He or she has a cruel mentality. Method of solving cultism is not by arrest and prosecution alone. We need to talk with them ,need to disorient them and deradicalise them and we cannot overemphasis the need for good parenting". 

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu,  in his speech appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, the Lagos State Police Command and the organisers of the event for initiating such a laudable campaign structure against cultism and social vices at a time like this. He therefore assured the police of adequate support towards maintenance of law and order; and combating crimes and criminality in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, while commending the Inspector-General of Police for the establish of the unit, also commended the government and good people of Lagos State for providing the wherewithal and legal framework to the police to fight cultism in the state as the new Lagos State Anti Cultism Law, 2021, has been fully implemented. He confirmed that sixty (60) suspected cultists were charged to the Chief Magistrate court, Yaba, on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021 and many cultists will still be apprehended and prosecuted with the same law.

At the event, the stakeholders such as the Oniru of Iru-Land, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, represented by Retired CSP Fisayo Ishola, Chief Imam of Lagos State and the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, appreciated the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force on their efforts toward combating crimes and criminality in all ramifications in the state and beyond. They however promised to contribute their quota in  the fight against the societal menaces of cultism, rape, gangsterism and  hooliganism. 

 NDLEA nabs Chadian Boko Haram drug supplier in Taraba, trans-border trafficker in Yobe

. Recovers 477grammes of cocaine, heroin in Kaduna

Barely a week after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arrested a 70-year-old Nigerien who supplies Boko Haram and bandits illicit drugs; a 35-year-old Chadian who sells narcotics to the insurgents has been intercepted in Taraba state with assorted drugs.

The suspect, Adama Uomar Issa, was arrested on Wednesday, 31st March, 2021 in Jalingo, Taraba State with 21.70Kg of Tramadol 225mg and 250mg. Also seized from him were 15.7Kg of Exol.5; 100,050 France CAF and N61, 000.

According to the Commander, Taraba state Command of the NDLEA, Suleiman Jadi, the suspect speaks only French and Arabic and claims he was taking the illicit substances to Chad Republic before he was intercepted in Jalingo.

Investigations have however shown that he is a major supplier of illicit drugs to Boko Haram insurgents. At the point of interdiction, the drugs, which he bought from Onitsha in Anambra state, were concealed inside new ladies’ handbags and shoes. In a related development, operatives of the anti-drug law enforcement agency have raided drug joints in Warri Street, Kaduna, where 29.5 grammes of cocaine and heroin were recovered along with 456 grammes of rophynol tablets. Two peddlers: Suleiman Yusuf and Abubakar Abdullahi were arrested during the sting operation.

This is even as 181kg of cannabis sativa was seized in Gaidam, Yobe state and a suspect arrested in connection with the seizure. Apeh Reuben, the Yobe state Commander of the Agency disclosed that the consignment was transported from Lagos to Yobe and was moving from Yobe to Niger republic, but was intercepted at the border post in Gaidam, while attempting to cross to Niger.

While commending the Taraba, Kaduna and Yobe states Commands for their vigilance and resilience in the on-going offensive action against illicit drugs and traffickers, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged the officers and men involved in the operations and across other commands not to relax until the last drug cartel is dismantled in the country.

“We have made a commitment that the criminal elements will always have us to contend with in their illicit trade and that’s why we must not rest on our oars, we must continue to raise the bar in our drug supply reduction activities and drug demand reduction efforts”