Crime

Suspected cultist jumps into river to evade police arrest, dies

Published

3 years ago

May 29, 2021

Sunrise Nigeria

Photo Source : within Nigeria

A suspected member of a cult group died on Friday after jumping into a river in the Surulere area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Police gave the name of the deceased as Musbau Saheed. He was said to be arrested at Baboko area of the town early in the day by a police team raiding a hideout.

The death of the suspect resulted in a protest as angry youths confronted policemen posted to secure government facilities and control traffic in various parts of Ilorin metropolis.

The protesters marched from the Surulere Police Station to the police headquarters in GRA, chasing away any uniform men in sight.

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, said men of the anti-cultism unit of the command had attempted to thwart a planned reprisal by a cult group in an uncompleted building in Baboko.

He said, “Some hoodlums in the Baboko area of Ilorin blocked the road this morning (Friday), preventing free flow of traffic in protest of the incident of the arrested suspected cultist, who in an attempt to escape from the police, took a dive into the river close to the scene of the arrest. The hoodlums took to the streets and blocked the road.

“The arrest came on the heels of intelligence available to the command, indicating that some suspected cultists were assembled at an uncompleted building in Baboko in readiness for an attack. A team of detectives were detailed to the scene. Two of the suspects were arrested.

“While taking them to the station, one of the suspects by name Musbau Saheed jumped into a nearby river close to the scene. An attempt by the police and fire service officers to rescue him was delayed by hoodlums who made the rescue attempt difficult. Eventually, he was rescued and taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead.”

Okasanmi said that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Bagega, visited the scene and directed a discreet investigation into the matter.

The CP also advised members of the public to go about their lawful business without any fear, adding that the police were on the ground to ensure security of all citizens.

“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to assure the good people of Kwara State of their safety at all times as adequate security arrangements have been put in place in all parts of the state,” Okasanmi added.

(Punch)

Crime

20 Medical Students Kidnapped In Benue Rescued – Security Sources

Published

1 month ago

August 24, 2024

Sunrise Nigeria

Security sources say 20 medical students who were kidnapped in Benue State have just been rescued.

The operation was coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser.

Security agencies – the police, DSS and military personnel and equipment were involved in the operation, with the support of the Benue State government.

Though the student have regained their freedom according to security sources, details of the rescue operation are still sketchy at the moment.

News of the abduction of the students hit the media space last Friday, attracting reactions from Nigerians who condemned the rising rate of kidnapping in the country.

The victims were said to be on their way to Enugu State, passing through the Otukpo Local Government area in Benue before they encountered bandits.

They were en route to Enugu for a programme when they ran into the kidnappers around Otukpo.

The students were said to be travelling in a convoy of two buses and were coming from the northern part of the country when they ran into the ambush on Thursday evening at about 5:30 pm.

A few days after their abduction, their captors had established contact with the victims’ families, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million to secure the release of their hostages.

IGP orders rescue

Responding to calls for the rescue of the students, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately ordered the rescue of the victims.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, the IGP condemned the kidnapping of students.

Egbetokun described their abduction as “truly appalling, callous, and unacceptable”.

He said, “In a display of unwavering commitment to the rescue, safety, and well-being of the young Nigerians, the IGP has ordered the prompt deployment of a substantial number of human and technical resources to augment the manpower of the Benue State Command and ensure the swift rescue of our beloved students. This initiative encompasses the mobilization of additional tactical units from the FID-STS and FID-IRT, the deployment of advanced helicopters and drones, as well as the use of specialized tactical vehicles to facilitate the search and secure the safe return of the victims.

“The Nigeria Police Force stands with the victims and their loved ones during this challenging time, and we are committed to ensuring the safe return of the students.

“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates the zeal of the force to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of the perpetrators and others alike, as the Nigeria Police Force is determined to sustain the fight against crimes and criminality, most especially kidnapping of Nigerians.

“The IGP equally appeals to the general public to provide useful information and actionable intelligence that may aid the ongoing investigation and the rescue operation. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station the state’s command control number or the FHQ via Pressforabuja@police.gov.ng and other helplines.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, and it will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace, stability, and the rule of law throughout the country.”

Kidnapping In Benue

In the past six years, the federal highway from Otukpo through Ugbokolo in the Okpokwu Local Government Area down to Odoba and Otukpa in Ogbadibu Local Government Area has become one of Nigeria’s dangerous roads to travel due to the notorious kidnap syndicate controlling the thick forests and vast ungoverned spaces.

Some weeks ago, the management team of the Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo, led by the Rector was kidnapped on that axis.

This was aside from several other victims including Catholic priests and many other kidnapping cases of motorists with little or no effort to tame the menace.

Crime

62-yr-old man Arraigned for Allegedly Stealing Four Bottles of Red Wine

Published

1 month ago

August 22, 2024

Sunrise Nigeria

A Magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday has arraigned a 62 year old man Sunday Adesoye for allegedly stealing four bottles of cousins red wine worth ₦27,000.

According to people’s gazette, the Police charged Adesoye whose address was not provided with theft, though he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Inspector Olasunkanmi Bamikole, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Aug.12 at 8 a.m in Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that the defendant stole the wine bottles belonging to the complainant, Apro Pharmacy and Supermarket Ltd, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 302(1) (a) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and call his witnesses.

The Defence Counsel, Adunni Olanipekun, prayed the court to grant his client bail, promising that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Saka Afunso, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of ₦20,000 with one surety in like sum.

Mr Afunso adjourned the case until September 23 for mention.

Crime

Present Yourself for Trial, Appeal Court Orders Yahaya Bello

Published

2 months ago

August 20, 2024

Sunrise Nigeria

By Elizabeth Okwe

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, overturned the decision of a Kogi State High Court, which restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from prosecuting former Kogi State governor Mr. Yahaya Bello on an N80 billion money laundering charge.

The three-man panel of the appellate court, in a unanimous decision read by Justice I. Amadi, held that the decision of the judge of the lower court, Justice Isah Jamil, which set Bello free despite seeing the charge filed by the EFCC, was a scandal.

The Justices, Justice H. Barka, Justice S. Bola and Justice I. Amadi ordered Bello to obey the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, and present himself for arraignment.

The court allowed the appeal filed by Chief J. Okutepa, SAN, on behalf of the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Jamil in a fundamental right case filed by Bello in February 2024.

Bello is scheduled for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite on nine counts of money laundering involving over N80 billion, which he allegedly diverted from the Kogi State government’s treasury.

However, since filing the charges, the EFCC has not been able to bring him to court.

Bello went into hiding and snubbed five court sessions scheduled for his arraignment on April 18, 23, May 10, June 13, and 27, by mostly filing several applications challenging, among others, the EFCC and the court’s power to arraign him.

He also filed appeals challenging the court’s orders, insisting on his arraignment, but the justices held among others that Bello’s preliminary objection to the charge was not sustainable.

During the proceedings, the court adopted the two issues raised by the respondent.

It held that the learned trial judge had the charge in FRN vs. Alh. Bello & Anor, FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022 in his hand, but still set the respondent free, “under the guise of enforcing his fundamental rights. This is very scandalous.”

Justice Amadi added that it was very clear that the purpose of the case instituted at the trial court was “to shield the respondent, Yahaya Bello from his criminal trial.”

The court relied on its earlier decision per Oyewole JCA in EFCC vs. Alh. Yahaya Bello, CA/ABJ/CV/413/2024 to reiterate that “no vourt has the power to preclude a law enforcement agency from performing its statutory functions”

In effect, the court agreed with the submissions of the appellant.

On the whole, the court held that “the appeal is meritorious and is therefore allowed.”

It further held, “In view of the provision of Section 396(2) of ACJA, the respondent in this appeal; Alh Yahaya Bello is hereby ordered to appear for his arraignment in charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, FRN VS Ali Bello & Anor, before taking any other step in this matter.”

The second appeal was similarly decided with the court deciding in the EFCC’s favour, the appeal against the ruling of the lower court that no application of the appellant would be entertained until he presented himself for arraignment.

On the preliminary objection, the court was of the view that grounds 5 and 6 of the notice of appeal contained issues of law hence, no leave was required.

The preliminary objection was thus discountenanced.

The court in addressing the main appeal, held that in view of section 396(2) of ACJA, “no objection to the validity of the charge shall be entertained until arraignment of the defendant.”

The appeal was consequently dismissed.