CRIME NEWS

   THE EMERGENCE OF THE AWAWA BOYS IN LAGOS STATE-

THE INSOMNIA OF THE “AREA” G COMMAND  

In Agege  Area of Lagos state where the Area G Police Command is rooted, a menace has emerged which is causing sleepless nights for the Head of Divisions and their officers. The Police Divisions take turns to keep vigil over their neighbourhood every night to keep these unscrupulous elements at bar. This notorious nuisance is a loathsome group which was first noticed early in 2014 and identified as -The Awawa Boys. They are nothing more than a gang of some wayward youths who have chosen rascality as a way of life, the embodiment of parental negligence in all respects. But some shamefaced mothers and fathers always appear at the Police Stations when they are arrested and claim to be parents.

The Awawa boy cannot be recognized when standing alone, a sweet teenager especially with the absence of a funny hair style; he cuts across the ages of 13 to 15 yrs, looking as innocent as can be. This supposed to be a child still battling with his secondary education or preparing for JAMB or whatever but the Awawa boy has decided to be a shame and disgrace to his parents by becoming a terror and the little devil in his neighbourhood.

This group of filthy and callous boys goes about in the middle of the nights numbering about 40 to 50, just to snatch handbags, steal handsets, Cars’ radio and cause other havoc to anyone who fall their prey. Though it has been established that there is no night life in Lagos anymore, but some Lagosians still return home late from work because of the heavy traffic situation in the State. However the residents of Agege need to have a rethink before deciding to go back home late in the night.

Be that as it may, the Area “G” Command has pledged to deal with this mayhem before it escalates to other parts of the state. So it is decreed that the hideout of the Awawa Boys will constantly be raided until every one of them is caught and brought to book.

Parents in Agege are advised to check the activities of the wards and children to be sure they are not members of the mindless and disgusting Awawa group as the Police are in the lookout for them and anything that looks like them or bears their tag.  “Any child, who lacks home training and decided to let his deficiency known to the public, has it coming. They will be stamped out; in a matter of frog-jump, they will denounce the group. They are not the first neither will they be the last, that’s what our society has come to be”, -said a DPO in one of the Divisions in Area “G” Command who preferred to remain anonymous.      

23-yr-old bread seller raped, murdered In Benin

By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—UNKNOWN assailants reportedly kidnapped, raped and murdered a 23-year-old-woman, simply identified as Joy Okoh in Benin, Edo State, and left her body in the boot of an SUV at Upper Mission Extension in the state capital.

It was learned that the deceased, who was said to be a bread seller at Lucky Way Junction by Ramat Park was alleged to have closed for the day’s business at 7.30p.m., when she was kidnapped.

The car was said to have been snatched by the gunmen, used for the act and abandoned.
When contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Stephen Onwuchei who confirmed the story, said the police have commenced investigation into the incident.

Edo police arraign 98 suspected cultists

Court holds at command’s premises

By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—NINTY-eight persons arrested by the Special Squad deployed to Edo State by Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for alleged cultism, were, yesterday, arraigned before a Special Magistrate’s Court in Benin.

The court, it was learned, was set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, due to the ongoing strike by judicial workers in the state.

Besides, 129 of the suspects were earlier arraigned last week, bringing to 227 the number of suspects standing trial over cult-related offences.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adegbuyi,said cult-related activities in the state became worrisome so he sought the assistance of the IG.

He said on completion of investigations, 129 were arraigned on June 2 and 3, while today (yesterday) “98 suspects were equally arraigned in connection with the offences mentioned.”

Recovered

IGP-Solomon-Arase

He added that the command recovered several dangerous weapons and other items bearing the marks of some of the cult members.

Two locally-made pistols, four cut-to-size guns, four double-barrelled guns, eight single-barrelled guns, four AK-47 rifles, three pump action guns, 146 live cartridges, eight cutlasses, two battle axes, one tear gas canister, one short sword with cult symbol, plague, two neo-black movement regalia and one baton were recovered from the suspects.

The proceedings of the court, presided over by Magistrate Adiaken, were shifted to the premises of the state Police Command, while journalists were barred from the proceedings held amidst tight security.

The court was relocated to the state Police Command due to the four-month-old industrial action embarked upon by judicial workers in the state.

The suspects were said to have variously participated in the activities of rival secret cult groups that unleashed terror in the state, leading to the death of over 20 persons.

Charge

Part of the charge preferred against the accused read: “Between February 1 and May 12 in Benin in the Oredo Magisterial District, being public officers and professionals in the Edo State Civil Service system, did conspire amongst yourselves and others now at large to engage in Black Axe, Marphites, Eiye, Aiye, Jurist, Vickins, Norsemen secret cults initiations and illicit cult activities in Edo State and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 4 (b) of the Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition) Law, 2000.”

The suspects were remanded in prison, while the magistrate ordered that their case files be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice following an application by counsel to the defendants/accused, Mr Anthony Orunkoya.

The case was adjourned to September 9 for hearing.

Man killed by lover’s son

By Gabriel Enogholase

A middle-aged man, whose name was given as Osayande Edoigiawerie, was allegedly stabbed to death by his lover’s son at Zabayor Street, Benin, Monday night.

Edoigiawerie was said to have gone to his lover’s to have his dinner when the son of the woman, who is now on the run, attacked him with a dagger.

The mother of the assailant was said to have raised alarm, which attracted the people in the area to the scene. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was confirmed dead.

Contacted, State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Stephen Onwuchei said he was yet to be informed of the incident.

Valentine day robber to spend 21 years in jail

By Bartholomew Madukwe

LAGOS—A bus conductor, Sunday Olalekan, was, yesterday, sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, after being found guilty of robbing one Nkong Remi on February 14, 2013 (Valentine Day).

The convict, 22, who lives at Papa Unity Road, Imedu-Ibafo area of Ogun State, was arraigned by Lagos State Government on a one-count charge of robbery, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Olalekan was alleged to have, on the said date at Gani Fawehinmi Garden, Ojota, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, robbed the victim (Remi) of her handbag, phones and other valuables.

According to the prosecutor, Mr. Akin George, the offence was contrary to Section 294 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

During trial, Remi had told the court that she was driving an ash-coloured SUV on February 14, on her way to drop her sister at the park around 6:15a.m., when the robbery took place.

She said the assailants also robbed her sister, rough handled and fondled her before she could drive off.

She said: “I returned to the park around 7a.m., and was told some boys were caught and taken to Alausa Police Station.

“At the station, they asked me if I can recognise the boys and I said I can recognise the one with a swollen eye. They took me in and I recognised him (convict).”

However, the convict, who testified in Yoruba language, denied all the allegation.

He said he went to 7-Up at Ojota to wait for his boss (Tunde), but did not see him.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye held that the testimony of Remi was unshaken during cross-examination and she was able to identify the assailant (Olalekan).

“I, hereby, find you, Sunday Olalekan, guilty of the offence of robbery and sentence you to 21 years imprisonment as stated by law,” the judge ruled.

Gunmen ambush, kill policeman, soldier in Benue

By Peter Duru

MAKURDI— A police officer and an Army Lance Corporal were, yesterday, ambushed and killed by gunmen near Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard learned that they were members of Benue State Special Anti-Robbery Squad code-named Operation Zenda, who were on routine assignment in the area.

According to sources, the deceased were killed while on their way to a crime scene after receiving a distress call, but were ambushed by a gang of armed men, who opened fire on their vehicle.

Confirming their deaths, Police Public Relations Officer, Austine Ezeani, said: “The police Sergeant was attached to 13 Mopol Unit, Makurdi, while the soldier was from the 72 Special Battalion, Makurdi.

“They were killed around 6a.m. at Alibiam village in Ukum council in an ambush by suspected robbers, while on routine duty.

“They were part of the team that responded to a distress call by robbery victims in the area.”

Ezeani said Police were already on the trail of the armed men, assuring that the masterminds of the killing would be apprehended.

Confusion as robbers storm Ikorodu jetty, kill one

By Bose Adelaja

Tears laced with curses flowed freely as sympathizers thronged the Bayeku/Oke-Ira Jetty in Ikorodu, an outskirt of Lagos.

The tears were precipitated by the gruesome killing of a commercial boat operator in the area. The victim who was simply identified as “Oyibo or Yellow” was shot at close range by personssuspected to be armed robbers who had robbed a bank and were escaping with their loot through the waterways.Sympathizers

The throng also heaped praised on the courageous boat operator who, despite the hot pursuit of the robbers, ensured that the boat berthed safely and all the 22 passengers on board, escaped unhurt. But for his bravery, the passengers would have met their waterloo.

Oyibo who is said to an indigene of Ilaje in Ondo State was returning to Ikorodu when he ran into the robbers who were trying to escape with another hijacked boat.

On sensing danger, Oyibo whose wife allegedly put two bed barely two months ago, decided to berth the boat in a nearby jetty.

This wise decision paid off, as his assistant and all the passengers on board, escaped unhurt. The assistant boat operator was said to have also removed and hidden the hose of the boat before taking to his heels.

Vanguard Metro, VM learnt that trouble started that fateful Monday morning when some unknown armed men who wore charms, stormed the jetty with an old boat.

Sources told VM that the men who arrived in a 22-seat boat around 9am, forcibly took over the jetty.

Some boat operators who were not on duty, were mending their boats when the fierce-looking men arrived the jetty. They were said to be carrying cans of fuel and other luggage in their own boat.

VM further learnt that immediately they berthed, the robbers disembarked and went straight to inspect the boats which were parked. Their mission was to exchange the rickety boat they came with, with a better one.

As soon as they sighted one, they quickly transferred their luggage into it but to their chagrin, the boat had no fuel.

This development must have upset them and they (robbers) had no alternative than to pick any boat available and make for their escape.

It was at this point that the boat operators raised an alarm which attracted residents and commuters to the jetty.

Eye witnesses told VM that as the robbers were trying to escape with the boat they snatched when they sighted an oncoming boat which was incidentally driven by Oyibo.

Sensing that it was better than the boat they had already snatched, the dare-devil robbers gave him a hot chase, prompting Yellow to berth in a nearby jetty.

But instead of escaping with other passengers, Oyibo who was apparently unaware that his assistant had demobilised the boat, struggled with the assailants for its (boat’s) possession. It was in the process that he was shot at close range and died on the spot.

When the Police failed to show up on time, residents of the area sent distress calls to ‘Onyabo,’ a local vigilante group in Ikorodu. Although they swiftly responded to the call, they were unable to apprehend Oyibo’s killers apparently because they were ill-equipped.

When sympathisers searched the boat which was left behind by the robbers, they found a bag filled with bullets and charms. These items were later taken to the Police station in the area.

The incident grounded activities in the area, forcing intending boat passengers to look for alternative means of travelling.. Distraught residents of the area told VM that the thieves were on their way from Ijede, Ikorodu where they robbed a new generation bank.

They allegedly escaped with an old boat, hence they diverted their journey to Bayeku in a bid to secure a better boat.

Reacting to the ugly incident, the Chairman of Ifelodun Ferry Transport Association, Bayeku, Alhaji Lukman Ganiyu enjoined the government to provide adequate security in the area. Similarly, the Baale( traditional ruler) of Bayeku, Chief Saudi Aleje called on the government to empower the local vigilante group to complement the effort of Nigeria Police Force.

PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE: Killers of Ebonyi man walk about free, flaunt political connections

■ Family accuses police of complicity in the impunity

BY PATIENCE EGWUWA

The inauguration of a new government in Ebonyi State has re-opened the floodgate of tears in the Onu family of Uburu community in Ohaozara Loca Government Area of the state, whose 35-year-old son, Ifeanyi Onu was gruesomely murdered in the run-up to the governorship election.

Ifeanyi’s death brought so much grief not just for his immediate family, but for the whole Uburu community which just produced the new governor of the state. How­ever, months after his brutal killing, disturbing reports have it that his al­leged killers are strolling freely in the community without any fear of being apprehended.

Their boldness has driven the family and their sympathizers in the community to accuse the police of complicity in the show of impunity.

As Sunday Sun gathered, the deceased belonged to a cult group, which before the governorship election became polarized into two groups, with each group supporting the two major political parties in the state.

A member of the community, Mr. Nicholas Onu, the administrator of UburuAmaka, a social media plat­form spoke with Sunday Sun about the incident. He expressed concern that such impunity if not checked could launch the community into more grievous security threats.

“Ifeanyi was a calm young man, though he belonged to the cult group that shot him on March 4, 2015. What led to the unfortunate death can be attributed to many factors, which can only be confirmed or collaborat­ed by a witness to the crime but for the attitude of the men of the Nige­rian police, no arrest of the key sus­pects has been made since March till date. Ifeanyi was shot as a result of politically induced supremacy battle between boys of Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The incident started with the po­larization of a particular cult group along party lines (LP and PDP). If­eanyi belonged to the group support­ing LP and was a revenue collector for the government, which openly supported the Labour Party. The council gave him the job of revenue collection as a sort of political com­pensation. This fueled envy from the other group. Other financial benefits that his group was receiving further contributed to more rivalry over who should head the entire cult group,” Onu explained.

One fateful day, Ifeanyi had an al­tercation with the leader of the other group, whose name was given as In­nocent Igwe. The deceased later left the place after they were separated and went to a beer parlour.

“Innocent Igwe and a member of his group, one Igwe Nnanna lat­er came to the beer parlour that be­longed to one Obed of Umunaga Enuegu to abduct him. The group, which was sympathetic to PDP, beat him to an inch of his life. When If­eanyi’s group got the news, they initiated talks for truce. They made arrangements to meet at different locations but could not meet due to lack of trust. They eventually met at Ivuokwe in Amata Uburu.

“That was where they had the gun battle. Ifeanyi was already uncon­scious from the beatings and was sub­sequently shot during the exchange. Others sustained gunshot wounds also. The boys ran away immediate­ly they discovered that Ifeanyi was dead. Some youths from Umunaga went on protest, which turned vio­lent, resulting in the burning of shops and residences of parents of the boys involved. The police made no prime arrests as the main suspects ran away.

“The unfortunate thing that hap­pened was that the police did not make any meaningful effort to ar­rest these boys as some of them were seen in Abakaliki and later all returned home to participate in the elections. They have since started living a normal life in the community without the police or the community elders making any move to actually know the truth of what happened.

“Within the circle of the boys, Innocent Igwe is being alleged as the prime suspect in the killing of Ifeanyi. He was alleged to have shot somebody on December 31, 2013 and nothing was done. He was also alleged to have stabbed a policeman who later died. He has led campaign of destruction in the community and nothing happened. Our elders and stakeholders did nothing to show cause for justice in these other mat­ters. We are in a dangerous situation in the community as issues like this if not checked can set precedents for more destruction of lives and prop­erty. Many of our youths have been calling for justice, but nothing seems to be working yet.”

Meanwhile, speaking with Sun­day Sun, the elder brother to the de­ceased, Pastor Onyekaozuru said he has exhausted his meagre earnings on the matter, without any reasonable outcome for his family.

“Honestly, the police are not seri­ous with the investigation. Anytime I get information about the where­abouts of the suspects, I normally run to the police. And each time, they will tell me that they will go there, but they will not go. At the end of it all, they will not do anything. I have been spending my money on them and still nothing is working. The last time I went there, I told them that the boys were still hanging around the community. One of the policemen told me that the suspects were not all that free; that they want them to come home and relax and when they feel that they are free, they would be arrested. They asked me to do the au­topsy, which I have done.

“They are not serious about it. The way they are going, it seems to me that they are even working with those boys. I don’t know that for sure, but the way things are going, I don’t just understand. I decided to do the autopsy as directed by the police so that the case file of the death of my brother will remain open. The autop­sy confirmed that he was killed with a gun. It was after beating him that they shot him dead. I have spent so much. Sometimes, when they come around, I give them money, I buy them food, drinks, etc. I was doing all that just to help them do their duty, but still noth­ing,” the man said, sounding almost helpless.

While hoping that the police would get serious with then inves­tigation, the family is going ahead with preparations to bury the de­ceased on June 26, 2015, to atleast give the dead an honourable dis­patch.

Sunday Sun further sought to know from the community head, Eze Godwin Akpandu Okoro, what has been done so far on the incident and he said: “So far, what we have done is to forestall the occurrence of such in the future. Immediately the incident happened, we summoned the community and all of us gath­ered and discussed the way forward. At that meeting, we resolved to con­sult the ofo that our ancestors handed over to us. Everybody respects that ofo once it comes out. We consulted the ofo and made our prayers be­fore it. The prayer was to the intent that whosoever that would lift an object that can kill against a fellow Ubururian again the gods of our land should strike that person dead.

“But as for police investigations and justice, nothing has been done. Those who killed him, which every­body knows are still having their free movement in the community. I don’t know whether the law enforcement agents are still working with us or if they are just there receiving their salaries.

“As it stands, I am concerned about it. But we have this saying that the owner of the corpse will lift it by the head and then helpers will then assist by lifting the legs of the corpse. The family in question has to come up with any action, before the community can lend its support. We are still waiting for them,” the mon­arch said.

However, he expressed the view that the death of the young man was not politically motivated. He said: “But one thing I want to assure you is that it wasn’t politically motivat­ed. It was the issue of gangsters who wanted to assume the leadership of their gang. It was not related to the election at all. Their kingpin was arrested for a crime he committed. The police found him with a gun and he was arrested. According to the report, they have it as a rule that that their lord will not stay out of command for more than 24 hours. Once the time had elapsed, they were to elect another lord. It was in the course of electing a new lord that they had issues among themselves and shot themselves. Eventually that one died.”

When Sunday Sun contacted the Ebonyi State Police Public Re­lations Officer, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, he was unable to shed light on the state of investigations in the matter.

He chose to speak generally on how impossible it was for mur­der suspects to be moving freely without being arrested. “Nobody can say that a murder suspect was released. If someone is arrested for murder and is investigated, at the end of the day, if he is not found culpable, you cannot keep him per­petually in prison. You know that murder is not bailable, at least from our level. No police officer will re­lease a murder suspect. You know, sometimes, people will not tell you the truth. How can someone who killed another person be allowed to walk the street freely?”

Even when our reporter offered to allow him time to respond, his response was almost immediate and rather rash for an image maker: “My dear, if you want any informa­tion from me, it is better you come today. I have so many things to do. I don’t have time to be typing some­thing and sending emails. If you want to receive any information, you have to come in person. I don’t like talking to people unanimously. I deal with correspondents that I know. I know the guy who works for The Sun here. How am I sure you are the person you are claiming you are?”

[SunNews

South Africa apologises over xenophobic attacks

Nairobi – South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Monday in Nairobi tendered apology to Kenyans, condemning the recent brutal xenophobic attacks that claimed some lives.Xenophobia
Ramaphosa, who was in Kenya to meet Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta over South Sudan crisis, apologised for the loss of lives.
He addressed thousands of Kenyans during celebrations to mark 52 years of internal self-rule in Nairobi.
Deputy President said his country want to demonstrate unity as Africans for the continent to prosper.
“I apologise to Kenyans and the rest of Africa for the unfortunate events that recently took place in South Africa.
We are all one united in the love of our continent,” he said.
One Kenyan was killed in South Africa’s xenophobic rampage in April.
Hassan Stima, a former casual labourer, was said to have been attacked in his house on April 17 in Johannesburg.
A wave of xenophobic attacks against foreign African nationals hit the cities of Durban and Johannesburg in April.
Foreign nationals were accused of taking away jobs and businesses from natives.
Several African governments whose citizens were victims of xenophobic attacks had also threatened to shut down South African owned business operating in those countries.
Ramaphosa said South Africa would still continue hosting immigrants from foreign countries.
“We are part of Africa, and we will continue to welcome you to South Africa.
“We want to embrace you and work with you.
“I welcome Kenyans and the rest of Africa to South Africa, we are sorry for the recent Xenophobia attacks in our country,’’ he said.
Ramaphosa, who has held talks with President Kenyatta and also attended celebrations in Nairobi, was expected to travel later to Juba in South Sudan to help solidify a political deal there.
Ramaphosa’s Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the deputy president is the Special Envoy of South African President Jacob Zuma to South Sudan and would be joined by Abdurahman Kinana, the Secretary General of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, as a co-guarantor of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Reunification Agreement.
The Reunification Agreement was signed in Arusha, Tanzania, earlier this year by various factions of the SPLM

Landlord assaults couple while sleeping

Lagos – A 43-year-old landlord, Dayo Ajayi, appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, charged with assault on a couple while they were sleeping.
The accused, who resides at No.14, Kelani St., Surulere, Lagos state, is facing a two-count charge of burglary and assault.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Gbenga Salami, told the court that the accused committed the offences at 11.20 a.m., on March 13 at his residence.
He said that the accused forcefully broke the door and entered into the couple’s apartment because they owed him house rent.
The prosecutor added that, “After breaking into the apartment, the accused hit the couple’ back and fingers with broken bottles when they were sleeping and ordered them to pack out of his house that night.
“Neighbours begged the accused but he refused ; and an eyewitness had to alert the police who then came and arrested him.’’
Salami said the offences contravened Sections 171 and 404 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 171 provides that anyone who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does harm to him, is guilty of felony and is liable to three years’ imprisonment.
However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Olajuwon, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government and must be residents of Lagos and have genuine means of livelihood.
She adjourned the case till June 24 for trial. (NAN)

Housekeeper bolts with employer’s N4.6m jewellery

Lagos – For allegedly stealing her employer’s jewellery valued at N4.6 million, a 23-year-old housekeeper, Idowu Adeyeye, was on Monday brought before an Abule-Egba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused, who lives with her employer at Ijaiye Medium Housing Estate, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and causing a breach of peace.
The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams told the court that the offences were committed on May 28 at his employer’s residence.
According to her, the accused with others still at large stole jewellery valued at N4.6 million, property of the complainant, Mrs Titilayo Ogundipe.
“The complainant got home from work to discover that the door to her room was opened and all her gold jewellery were missing.
“The housekeeper disappeared after the incident, but was later arrested following a tip-off,’’ Williams said.
The offence, she noted, contravened Sections 166 (d), 278 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded innocence of the offences.
The Magistrate, Mrs Adenike Shonubi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2.5 million with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case to June 15 for trial.(NAN)

The Kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of The Young Shall Grow Group ...In one operation, we made N90m: I built a house and bought one SUV before leaving for Japan

By The Nigerian Voice

Barely two years after prominent transporter, Chief Vincent Obianodo, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of The Young Shall Grow Motors narrowly escaped death, when his convoy was attacked by some gunmen in Festac Town, the police in Lagos State, recently arrested some suspects who revealed the real motive behind the attack.

The suspects also exposed not just the identity of the leader of the gang that carried out the operation but also made startling revelations about the kingpin who is regarded in police circles as the most notorious kidnapping expert in the country.

Three suspects allegedly linked to the attack that occurred on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, which also left four persons dead including two of the gunmen, a police officer and Chief Obianodo’s driver, while he sustained bullet wounds, are currently being interrogated at the Special Anti-Robbery Sqaud, SARS, Ikeja.

REAL MOTIVE FOR ATTACK ON YOUNG SHALL GROW
They disclosed that the attack on Chief Obianodo which many speculated to be an assassination attempt, was actually an attempted kidnap which was foiled by his police guards. It was gathered that the kidnappers weren’t expecting any form of resistance from his guards as they accosted his convoy on 22 Road Festac Town.

“They had expected the policemen guarding the chief to run for cover when they accosted them and opened fire on his convoy. But surprisingly, a policeman guarding the Chief put up a fight and engaged the kidnappers in a shoot-out, killing two at the spot while one other died before they fled,” police sources explained.

INVESTIGATIONS STALLED
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident commenced immediately after the attack. Policemen at the Area E, Command, Festac, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred made little progress in unearthing the true motive behind the attack. Thereafter, the case was hurriedly transferred to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, amid allegations of interference and cover-ups.

HOW THEY SHIFTED BASE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

Crime Guard gathered that reasonable progress was made at the FEDARS in taking out the gang behind the kidnapping but they also went ahead to coordinate more other high profile kidnappings in Lagos and other parts of the country where they got hundreds of millions as ransom. It was learnt that the gang was headed by one Evans, a notorious kidnapper terrorizing Anambra State but who relocated to Ghana when Anambra, his home state became too hot for him to operate in.

Government and the Police in Anambra State were said to have launched a manhunt for him and one of his colleagues, known as Hutch –Man, when their activities became highly unbearable. Their buildings were destroyed and their relatives were ostracised in the society. While in Ghana, Evans and Hutch-Man formed a new gang in Lagos with three others. Their modus was to enter into the country quietly, carry out some kidnappings and disappear into thin air. Chief Obianodo’s attack was one of their operations but unfortunately, Hutch-Man and two others met their doom in that operation, while Evans escaped.

ESCAPADES OF EVANS, LEADER OF THE GANG
Sources at the Lagos State Police Command disclosed to Crime Guard that Evans, after the death of Hutch-Man, succeeded in forming a new but highly sophisticated gang, which has successfully coordinated several high profile kidnappings in Lagos and other parts of the country, collecting ransoms in hundreds of millions of naira. Most of his victims are said to be prominent citizens and business executives based in Lagos. They are usually threatened not to report the case to the police upon their release. That was why most of the cases were not reported to the police for fear of reprisal by Evans and his deadly gang.

EVANS, THE SUPPER RICH KIDNAPPER AND HIS STRATEGY
Police sources described Evans as the most notorious kidnapper operating in Lagos at the moment, stating that he has over 20 boys working for him in Lagos alone. The source added that Evans could easily pick out his targets as he is very rich with properties in choice areas in Lagos. “He displays lots of wealth. He has properties in Lekki and Ajah and he drives expensive cars around town making it possible for him to blend easily with the rich in the society. When he picks out a victim, he sends a team to monitor the movement of that victim.

When he thinks it’s ripe for him to strike, he would deploy another team to attack and kidnap his victim. After carrying out their operation, they usually blindfold their victims after which they are taken to unknown destinations within the state where they are detained and ransoms are demanded before their release. After their freedom, the victims are warned never to alert the police or members of their families would be attacked.

At the moment, no one knows Evans whereabouts because he has plenty of cash and can easily move in and out of the country,” police sources hinted.

CONFESSIONS GALORE BY SUSPECTS
The suspects identified as Victor Anamalechi, Nnamdi John and Chukwuma Kingsley are currently helping the operatives in their investigation. One of them,Chukwuma Kingsley,34, a native of Isele-Ukwu in Delta State, who was arrested recently, in connection with the kidnap of two oil moguls in Lagos state, Chief Idowu Coker, the Director of Dapsey Oil, who paid N20 million ransom and Alhaji Fashola Hammed, who was rescued from the kidnappers den without ‘paying ransom, confessed to Crime Guard how he became a criminal.

According to him “I ventured into crime in 2012 after I lost my job at the company where I worked as a security man. I am married with four children. I travelled to Indonesia with the little money I saved from my salary. When I got there, I fell ill and I returned back to the country. Things became very difficult for me and my family. While I was searching for help, I met one Ike, who was an old friend and I asked for assistance. He told me that he was into car vandalism and I could join him if I had the gut. For the fact that I could barely fend for my wife and four children, I decided to join him. We did a couple of jobs together.

ATTACK ON FILLING STATIONS
Later, some of his friends who specialised in petrol station burglary invited me to join them. I followed them to raid a number of fillings stations on high ways and we stole a lot of money. When we attack a filling station at night, we will break into it, ransack the place and collect all the money and valuables we could lay our hands on. After a while, some filling stations started engaging the services of armed security men and this made our job difficult. Ike, Alhaji and Victor, who are the leaders of the gang provided the arms we used while Nnamdi John, brought two Ak 47 rifles and some police uniforms to us.

‘’We would disguise as policemen on duty and when we get to a filling station with armed guard, we will arrest the security, tire him up and rob the place. The money we were making from that operation became too small for us. Victor then suggested that we should start robbing ATM and fast food joints. Our first ATM and fast food robbery was in Ogun State . We realised N400,000 from the operation.

The second operation was at a bank in Okene in Kogi State, but while we were trying to open the vault of the ATM, our burner got spoilt and we stopped working and returned back to Lagos. Before we attack any bank, a member of our gang will survey the place to make sure that there are no armed policemen on guard at the bank. If the place is clear, we will strike.

Our most lucrative operation then was in a bank in Ogun state where we found over N 15 million from the ATM vault and later we robbed a filling station and collected N3.5million, which was their sales for the weekend. I bought a car with my share of the loot, but days after that operation, we had a problem. We attempted to rob an ATM in Ogun State, but there were lots of vigilante men around the area, then we decided to abort the operation and returned to Lagos.

POLICE AMBUSH AT IGANDO AND DISBANDMENT
‘’We drove in through Abeokuta Road and when we got to Ibah on LASU-Igando Road, some policemen accosted us and we ran in different directions for safety but I abandoned my car. After that incident, we disbanded the group for fear of being arrested. Ike travelled out of the country, Victor who had a shop in Alaba International Market went back to his business, while I became a taxi driver.

Nnamdi lives in Ikotun and also has a shop at Alaba International Market. We were still hanging out regularly. We normally meet in hotels and local bars. A day after the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors was attacked, I tried reaching Nnamdi through his cell phone but his line was not connecting. I didn’t know that he took part in that operation but I was only calling him so that we would hang out. I tried for four days, his line didn’t connect but on the fifth day, he called and asked that we should meet in one of the hotels around our area.

STORY OF ESCAPE FROM YOUNG SHALL GROW OPERATION
When we met, he told me that he was lucky to be alive. I asked him what happened. He told me that he was part of the gang that attacked the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors. I was surprised because we were not into kidnapping and he also didn’t discourse such plan with me. He then explained that one of his friends called Sudo, who is based in Ghana, linked him to the gang and they wanted to use his AK 47 rifles for the operation.

He said he met the gang which includes; Hutch-Man, Evans, Acko and one other he did not know his name in Igando and they planned how to carry out the attack. He later explained that Evans didn’t tell him that there would be an exchange of gunfire and he was not prepared. He said they accosted the man with their black Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, and they shot at the vehicle carrying the man but some policemen following him shot back at them and killed Hutch-Man and Acko at the spot.

According to him, they also shot at their SUV as they made to escape and the bullet hit the unidentified man in their vehicle. He told me that he drove the vehicle and the body of the dead man to the hotel where they planned the operation in Igando and left the dead body for Evans to take care of.

UNMASKING THE KINGPIN, EVANS
There and then, I advised him to be careful while dealing with Evans because Evans is a dangerous criminal. We once lived in the same building 14 years ago and he was a notorious drug baron. At a time, we forced our landlord to evict him from our building because we were scared he could get us into trouble. After that discussion, he told me that he was going to leave the country to avoid being arrested by the police. But few months later, I learnt he was arrested for truck diversion and was taken to prison.

THEN EVANS CALLED…..
‘’I was still doing my taxi job and making little money from it. Then, suddenly, I received a call from Evans. I was surprised he had my phone number and he asked if I had a car, I told him I didn’t and he asked if I could get someone I trusted who could do a job for him, I said yes. Ike was in the country then and he was driving a Toyota Sienna space bus. I took him to Evans and we met at Festac Town.

He told us to trail a car for him and he would pay us N3 million. We agreed and he said we should wait for his call. Two weeks later, he called and said we should drive down to Trade Fair Complex, wait under the bridge and look out for a car. He gave us the registration number and colour of the car. He also gave our numbers to somebody who would call and tell us when our target will leave his shop.”

FORMATION OF NEW GANG AND ALIMOSHSO RAID
Ike got angry because that wasn’t the agreement. He told me that Evans collected N15million as ransom. Ike started calling him and he stopped picking his calls and changed his number. Ike went back to Ghana and I went back to my business. One month later, Ike called me and said he has concluded plans to form his own kidnap gang. He said he has found someone who has contacts of rich people we could kidnap within Alimoshun area.

We met at Igando and he told me that he has also rented an apartment which we will use as our den. Our first victim was Dabsy. I did the surveillance while Ike and two other boys carried out the operation. The man was kept in our den and we demanded a ransom of N30million. He paid N20milliom. We collected the ransom at Governors Road, Ikotun and I got N3million as my share.

I bought a Toyota Camry with my share and used the remaining to take care of myself. Few weeks later, the guy who gave us the information of our first victim brought another job. The victim this time is called Alhaji Fashola. I waited for him at Isheri roundabout and when I sighted him, I contacted Ike and doubled crossed him in traffic and broke his wind screen with the butt of my gun and abducted him. We took him to our den but days later, SARS operatives stormed the house, rescued him and arrested me. Ike managed to escape,” he narrated.

ANOTHER SUSPECT OPENS UP
The third suspect,Nnamdi John, 35,a native of Abia State in his confessions said he got his two Ak47 rifles from his friend who was killed in Kano State during a robbery operation. “I came to Lagos in 2006 from Okene, Kogi State. I was brought in by a man who was selling used television sets in Okene. I came to Lagos with N90,000 and I was selling used phones at Alaba International market. After a while, I ventured into musical instruments with the money I made from selling used phones.

I rented a shop and things were moving fine for me. In 2011, I met one guy known as Okute at a drinking spot in Ojo and he was spending so much money. We became friends and he gave me his car to keep for him. He would call me some time to bring the car when ever he needed it and when he is through with the car, he will return it to me and dash me N50,000. I didn’t know what he was doing with the car until one day when the car had a flat tire and I went to fix it. He saw me and was very upset. I was surprised why he was so upset with me over a minor issue.

CAR AS AMOURY
Then he told me that he has guns inside the car and nobody must know about it. One month after that incident, he called and said that he wanted to travel to Kano State. That was the last time I heard from him. Later, news came in that members of his gang went for an operation in Kano and he was gunned down. One of his friends who knew that the guns were in the car contacted me and said I could make money with the guns.

He brought a job at Alakija where we got N90 million. My share from that operation was N59 million. I built a house and bought a Sports Utility Vehicle with part of the money. I then invested the remaining into my business and travelled to Japan and started importing musical instruments. People were surprised by my sudden wealth but they didn’t know how I made it. The first set of importations I did went well but the last one didn’t go well.

There were lots of debts so,I stopped importing. Later on, my business folded up and I went back into robbery. I joined Kingsley and his gang and we raided banks, filling Stations and ATM. Subsequently, I met Evans and we attempted to kidnap the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors. That operation was so bloody and I decided never to venture into kidnapping again,”he stated.

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Nigerian prostitutes congratulate Buhari, declare nationwide free sex

• Posted by News Updates on April 2, 2015 at 10:14am in Nigeria Crime News

 

 

 

The National Association of Nigeria Prostitutes, NANP, has congratulated the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the just concluded presidential election.

The group while describing Buhari’s emergence as the president-elect as victory for all Nigerians, equally saluted the outgoing leader, President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat without pushing further.

Restating its earlier promise, the group said it is declaring three days of free sex nationwide to celebrate Buhari’s victory.

The group had in a statement issued in January promised declare a-three day free sex across the country if president Jonathan eventually loses the seat to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of APC.

NANP in a text message forwarded to DAILY POST Wednesday morning urged its members nationwide to comply with the directive.

The terse statement sent by its National Secretary, Jessica Elvis called on Buhari to legalise commercial sex work as well as improve their welfare.

“Hi Ameh, please kindly extend NANP’s felicitation to Gen. Buhari for winning the presidential election. On behalf of every member of NANP, we heartily congratulate the People’s General for winning the poll.

As part of our earlier promise, we will be declaring a three-day free sex nationwide. We want all our members to honour this directive.

We want to use this privilege to beg the President-elect to look into the welfare of this  

25 die, others injured celebrating Buhari’s victory

By By Henry Umoru, Wole Mosadomi, Abdulsalam Muhammad & Peter Duru

KANO—No fewer than 25 persons died in Abuja, Kano, Makurdi and Kontagora yesterday, while celebrating the victory of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

While 17 of the victims died in Kano, four died in Abuja, three in Kontagora, Niger State and one in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, while several others sustained injuries.

However, police authorities in Kano claimed only seven bodies of unknown person were discovered by their men after the celebration, Tuesday night.

An eyewitness, Ali Sufi of Naibawa quarters said three people were crushed to death at Naibawa U-turn, when a man in a Toyota Camry car lost control and rammed into those celebrating.

Sufi, further disclosed that one Sabo Ali, an ad hoc staff of communications giant, Etisalat, lost his life alongside his friend when a reckless driver knocked them down at Ungwa Uku end of Zaria Road within Kano metropolis.

Late Ali’s guardian, Mallam Idi Naibawa, confirmed that Sabo died yesterday morning at Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital from injuries he sustained in the accident.

Idi Naibawa explained that “a good Samaritan, who identified Sabo’s motorcycle reported the accident, and our fear was confirmed at Yarakwa police station that rescued and took him to the hospital.

“We have accepted his death as a fulfilment of destiny and barring any hitch, Sabo would be buried before 5p.m. local time today (yesterday).”

Another resident of Naibawa quarters, Ibrahim Dogo, said that two teenagers were crushed to death along Zaria Road by a crazy driver.

Dogo said: “We received two dead bodies this morning at the Tiga Naibawa quarters and we are set to bury them.”

Reports from Hotoro also confirmed the death of six youngsters during the crazy celebration that engulfed the commercial city.

According to a resident, Masaud Badamasi, “we lost six boys to the crazy celebration last night and we are getting ready to give then a heroic burial.”

Vanguard further learned that two persons lost their lives at Bachirawa/Kurna axis of the city, while report from Gwarzo local government indicated that two people were crushed to death by a motorist.

Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majia, said: “We discovered seven dead bodies of unknown persons on the streets after the celebration and investigations has commenced on how and why it happened.”

He said the development had forced the command to sponsore radio jingles to sensitize the city dwellers on how to go about the victory dance.

The police spokesman revealed that Divisional Police Officers had been mandated to monitor the celebrants to minimize casualty, while victory dance lasts.

Acrobatics in Makurdi

In Makurdi, Vanguard learned that the victims were among youths in Wadata and North Bank area, who since the announcement of the election results, had been engaged in dangerous acrobatic displays with their motorbikes around the town.

According to a source, the unidentified youth met his death at North Bank, when he fell off his motorbike in one of his displays and gave up the ghost before he could get medical attention.

The source said: “Since the announcement of the presidential results, most of the youths took over the streets, many of them that have motorbikes removed the mufflers of their bikes in other to generate much noise as they rode dangerously in the streets.

“Unfortunately, one of them fell off his bike, broke his neck and eventually died before he could get medical attention.

“The other two sustained injuries in similar circumstance, but were lucky to have survived the crash and are presently receiving treatment in a private hospital in the area.”

At press time, youths were still in the streets at Wadata and North Bank areas, celebrating the victory with many of them still displaying dangerously with their motorbikes.

Eyewitness account said the four who died in Abuja lost their lives while trying to climb the Lugbe Pedestrian bridge by Julius Berger junction with their motorcycles and fell.
Several others sustained injuries.

In Kontagora, Niger State, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olusola Amore, confirmed that three supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, were crushed by a motorist, while jubilating on the highway.

Fire destroys Lagos airport facility

By LOUIS IBA

A fire that started inside one of the offices belonging to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Murtala Muhammed In­ternational Airport, La­gos yesterday destroyed the air-side of the air­port, forcing hundreds of inbound passengers to scamper to safety.

The fire outbreak created a breach of immigration pro­cess, as immigration officers stationed to profile, stamp and admit inbound passengers into the country abandoned their duty post for safety.

Sources at the airport also said many passengers who arrived the country aboard an Emirate Airline flight crossed over the immigration counter and ran into the country to avoid being chocked inside the terminal.

Electricity supply to a sec­tion of the airport was also in­terrupted.

The incident, however, did not disrupt flight operations at the terminal. Firefighters at the airport successfully brought the fire under control after an hour.

Spokesperson for Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati said the incident started with a smoke traced to some offices at the E Wing of the terminal

“There was a minor smoke incident at the ‘E’ arrival wing of the International terminal of the Murtala Mu­hammed International Air­port, Lagos at about 1.13pm Wednesday, April 1, 2015,” Dati told journalists.

“The smoke was quickly traced to some offices at the E wing on the ground floor of the terminal by a combined team of FAAN’s electrical engineers and fire officers.

Investigations have com­menced to ascertain the cause of the fire,” he said.

Robbery is shamefull, I won’t go back to crime –Suspect

By CHRISTOHER OJI

An armed robbery suspect, Johnson Nna, has vowed not to go back to the crime.
Nna and two others were arrested along Lagos/Shagamu Road by Lagos State police Command’s the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja for alleged series of banditry on the expressway.

Nna told Crime Watch Today: “I really belong to a six-man armed robbery gang. We used to terrorize motorists and passengers on the road. We would barricade the road and start dispossessing passengers of their belongings.

“All those things are now behind me. I will never go back to crime but I will turn a new leaf and face the reality of life.

“I said I will face the reality of life because the lure of a fantasy world pushes one to commit crime. But it’s a false life. Before I soiled my hands in crime, I had started imagining how my life would be if I had big money.

“I was a motor mechanic. I am also an electrician, but these two jobs didn’t give me the kind of money that would make me great. I was hoping to hit it big and quit armed robbery, but here I am today, swimming in disgrace. If I had known, I would not have engaged in such a shameful business,’ Nna said.

A police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the suspects and others now on the run, have been terrorizing motorists and passengers. “They robbed many people who use that road,” he noted.

He said the suspects were arrested when a passenger sent a distress call that armed robbers were attacking their vehicle on the Ibafo long bridge.

“We raced to the scene and on sighting the police, the hoodlums took to their heels, but we were able to arrest three of them, while others escaped,” he said.

He said the police have stepped up manhunt for other fleeing robbers.

 

Election 2015: Muma Gee Escapes Assassination In Rivers State

Story by Maryjane Ezeh/Nigeriafilms.com

Actress singer and performer turned politician Muma Gee Eke who had earlier dumped PDP to Labour party reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on her life at the heat of the elections.

Reports have it that Muma Gee who under the umbrella of Labour party is contesting for the Abua/Odua and Ahoada East federal constituency, had escaped assassination attempt during her campaign to the home town of the incumbent and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party Hon. Betty Okaga-Apiafi.

It was also alleged that Hon. Okaga Apiafi had set up a militant camp in Okobo, Mrs. Eke's country home to chase out any opposition party that comes to campaign.

In a press conference held in Portharcourt, Rivers state capital, Muma Gee told newsmen that Hon. Betty of the P.D.P was behind the assassination attempt on her life because of the massive support she enjoy from the people especially Betty’s kinsmen who had vowed to vote Betty okaga-apiafi out.

The mother of twin, further accused Betty of buying a brand new blue highlander and payment of a huge sum of money amounting to two million naira to militants to take her life, but God saved her.

The Labour party candidate also commended the security agencies who came to her rescue.
Muma Gee also appealed to all her supporters and followers to remain calm and peaceful as she had made an official report to security agencies on the matter.

78-yr-old narrates ordeal in kidnappers’ den, as police arrest 7 suspects

 

The house where the suspected kidnappers were caught in Ibadan

 By Ola Ajayi

IBADAN—Officers of Oyo State Police Command, yesterday, stormed a kidnappers’ den and rescued a 78-year-old man, Chief Adebowale Omotoso, who is the National Life Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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The septuagenarian was kidnapped a week ago, when the suspected kidnappers stormed his residence at Awe in Afijio Local Government and whisked him away in the presence of his friends.

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

Those alleged to have kidnapped the old man include a 32-year-old woman, who identified herself as Bisi Babatunde; Oladipupo Abayomi, 23; Alabi Olufemi; Isiaka Kazeem, Ayobami Musa, 23; Ajayi Olaniyi, 40; and Shittu Olaide, 28.

Two suspects were said to have escaped with bullet wounds, among them the alleged mastermind of the crime, Lucky.

‘My story’

The rescue operation, led by the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Muhammed Katsina, led to the discovery of the den, a disused mud house in the jungle, which had some shrines.

The victim, looking distressed, narrated his experience with the kidnappers, saying “I was having a chat with my friends at home in Awe around 7.30pm, Wednesday, March 4, when some people entered into my house and started demanding dollars.

“They pointed a gun at me and threatened to kill us all if we did not cooperate.

“I just returned from the US where I had gone for treatment. They took all they wanted and just when we thought it was all over, they asked me to come with them. I was blindfolded and bundled into a waiting car.

‘’I was taken to an abandoned village house and I stayed there for four days before I was transferred to this place.

‘’They told me that they were taking me to Edo State and because I was blindfolded on the way, I sincerely believed we were in Edo until this morning (Monday) when I was rescued by the police and they told me we were in Ibadan.”

Female suspect confesses

To the amazement of people at the scene, one of the suspects, a woman who was thought to be a victim, opened up and narrated how she had been involved in criminal activities. She was later discovered to be the informant.

She said: “I have been involved in fraudulent activities by posing to be a herbalist in Port Harcourt. I bought a car from the proceeds.

“I was involved in kidnapping in Port Harcourt, but I was not fully involved in this one. We have offices in Port Harcourt, Lagos among others. After returning home to Awe, I went to a brother called Laide and asked him to do juju for me.

“He told me that he knew Baba (Omotoso) and that I should call Lucky to come and kidnap him because he had refused to settle his family for the death of his brother that died in Omotoso’s swimming pool.

“I was given N750,000 from the operation. Lucky said N5.5 million was collected from the victim’s family. Everything was at Awo (cult) level.”

Rescue

Describing how the rescue was hatched, police boss, Katsina, said: “It was the result of a week operation, coming barely one week after my transfer here. It was a disturbing phenomenon.

“We launched operation Hell Wind on the night that the matter was reported with help from the newly constituted Ambush Squad.

“We succeeded in locating the hideout and engaged the kidnappers in a shootout that lasted from midnight till the early hours when they were overpowered.”

He called on hospitals, traditional clinics in the state to be vigilant and report anyone with bullet wounds that might come to them for treatment.

 POLICE ARREST BUS LOAD OF BALLOT BOXES IN DELTA STATE

By Festus Ahon

ASABA—The police in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, apprehended a bus loaded with ballot boxes.

The ballot boxes numbering over 30, Vanguard gathered, were dropped off by a luxury bus heading to the East from the North at Onicha-Ugbo Junction.

According to a dependable source, the luxury bus had zoomed off before the people in the area could draw attention of the police to the incident, adding that a smaller bus with number plate Edo USL 832 XL, that came to pick the boxes at the junction was arrested with the driver by the police.

The source, who did not want his name in the print, said the boxes had the picture of one of the major political parties’ presidential candidate and his running mate on them.

Effort made to reach the Divisional Police Officer for comments on the issue proved abortive at press time.

However, a senior police officer attached to the division confirmed the arrest, and added that investigation was on to ascertain the source of the boxes.

Noting that the boxes were similar to the ones used in the days of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, he said the driver confessed that they were being used to raise funds for the said presidential candidate at the grassroots.

The police source said the ballot boxes were sent through a waybill from the Kano central office of the party.

The driver and the bus loaded with the ballot boxes were still being detained at the police station at press time.

Contacted, the state secretary of the party (names withheld) said he was not aware of the incident.

Another source in the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I am not aware of anything like that. If at all it is true, it must be the handwork of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because there is nothing they cannot do. PDP can stage-manage anything.”

Also contacted, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Deinghan Ray-Macaulay, said: “PDP could not involve itself in anything like that when we are sure of victory at the elections, particularly in Delta State.

“We are getting upper hand so we cannot do a thing like that. It is only those who are not sure of victory that can do such a thing and forment trouble.

“I strongly appeal to the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter’

Herdsmen killsix in fresh Barkin Ladi  attack

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos— Gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, have killed six people at Takowok and Rahol Gasa villages of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that two men, including a member of Plateau State-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, were attacked and killed at a farm at Takowok village on Tuesday.

Four persons were also said to have been killed at Rahol Gasa on the same night.
A member of the community who gave his name as Titus Samuel, said the victims were Habila Fom and Joseph Dung.

Another villager, Badung Davou, said his daughter in-law, Felicia Badung and eight-year-old grandson, Amos Badung, were killed at Rahol Gasa.

He said gunmen attacked the community at about 9:04pm, when some villagers were already in bed.

A community leader, Boyi Deme, said a woman, named Evelyn, and her two years old son, Chuwang, were also killed in the attack.

Trouble had been brewing in the local government since last week when seven members of a family at Sabon Layi community of the council, were killed Sunday night.

The Special Task Force Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, denied knowledge of the incident.

He said: “Nothing like that happened. There was trouble in parts of Barkin Ladi and our men are patrolling the area.

“I do not know about such incident, but I will confirm from our men on ground there.”

By Jimitota Onoyume

Four persons were shot dead, yesterday night, at a drinking spot close to Amadi-Ama roundabout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, while two others were also killed on Gada street in Ogbunabali community, Port Harcourt on Thursday night in related circumstance.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said they were aware of only the four that died at the drinking spot on yesterday, adding that the incident on Gada Street had not been reported to the police.

According to eye witnesses, those shot dead were there drinking when some gunmen alighted from their vehicle and opening fire at them.

In the Gada area incident, the two killed were reportedly in a makeshift restaurant eating at about 10pm that Thursday night when unknown gunmen stormed the place killing them on the spot.

Police said the shooting at the drinking spot had the trapping of cult related incident.
Meanwhile, Professor Otonti Nduka has condemned political killings in Port Harcourt, saying politicians should help achieve violent free elections in the state.

The professor emeritus, who is the Chairman, Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education, a non- governmental organisation, said the violence associated with politics in the state was disturbing.

Man kills friend over N100 debt in Enugu

 BY CHRIS NNADI, NSUKKA

Tragedy struck on Thursday at Orba, Udenu Local Govern­ment Area of Enugu State, when a middle-aged vulcaniser, Stephen Eze, al­legedly hacked his friend and business neighbour, Mr. Ikenna Anayo Omeje, to death over N100 debt.

A source told Saturday Sun that the suspect, Mr. Eze who hails from Edem Ani in Nsuk­ka Local Government Area and the deceased, Mr Omeje from Umuafia Orba in Udenu council, had been the best of friends for close to three years before the ugly incident.

According to the source, trouble started, when the de­ceased was said to have decid­ed to build his own shop few metres away from his friend’s workshop.

The suspect was said to have warned him several times that he had become arrogant because he had made money to build his own shop and buy a new motorbike.

However, on that Thursday morning, Mr. Omeje took his motorbike to the suspect’s shop to change its back tube, and was charged N300. He paid N200 and promised to pay the balance of N100 in the evening.

It was gathered that when the suspect left for Nsukka to buy some materials, Omeje went to his workshop and col­lected the repaired motorbike.

The source further said that, when the suspect returned and couldn’t see the motorbike, he sent his apprecntice to the de­ceased’s shop to bring back the motorbike or collect the bal­ance of the money.

The apprentice went and de­livered his master’s message. However, Omeje told him that he had resolved to pay his mas­ter in the evening. This didn’t go down well with the boy, as he decided to roll back the mo­torbike to their workshop.

The deceased then followed him, and when they got to his workshop, he was said to have asked Eze the reason he asked his boy to collect the motor­bike.

It was then a quarrel ensued and the suspect allegedly hit him on the head with a rod and he fell and became uncon­scious.

According to the source, when the suspect discovered that the deceased had lost much blood, he locked his door and fled. Omeje was im­mediately rushed to Nwaossai Foundation Hospital, Orba, where he died yesterday.

However, some youths in the community who were in­furiated by the circumstance surrounding the death of Mr Omeje launched a manhunt for the suspect, and was appre­hended when he came to col­lect his two children at Central Primary School, Orba.

The youths descended and beat him to coma, and wanted to set him ablaze, but for the timely arrival of policemen from Orba Police Post.

Saturday Sun investigation revealed that Omeje until his gruesome death was the only surviving male child of his family as his elder brothers had also died tragically some years ago.

The officer in charge of the post confirmed the inci­dent, and explained that they rescued the suspect from the youths, who were hellbent on burning him alive. He however stated that the case has been transferred to the Divisional Police Headquar­ters Obollo-Afor for further investigation.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka.