Crime
Why Senator’s aide was shot dead – Suspects
The arrested suspects include 43-year-old Lagosian, Fred Okuno; 33-year-old Lucky Michael from Delta State, and 26-year-old Adedigba Segun from Ibadan, Oyo State.
Confirming the arrests of the suspects while parading them before journalists on Monday at the Command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, said their arrest was made possible through a diligent investigation that was carried out by the police.
Owohunwa said, “Through painstaking intelligence and investigative activities which brought out the best in the capacity of Lagos Police Command, we have succeeded in arresting the syndicate of the robbery and murder. The three suspects directly involved in the robbery and murder were arrested with three firearms, including the killer weapon, recovered.”
The command recovered one brand new pistol with three rounds of live ammunition, one Beretta pistol with three rounds of live ammunition, one locally made cut-to-size pistol with six live cartridges, six expended cartridges, military gear comprising a military camouflage vest, jungle hat, a jungle boot and a red Honda CRV from the suspects.
Speaking during the parade, the suspects, who confessed to the killing of the aide, said the act was mistakenly done.
One of the suspects, Lucky, who is an ex-inmate, said the slain aide was not their target, but he was stopped because he was driving a “Tokunbo” (imported fairly used car).
“I stopped the car because it had no number plate. I shot at him twice because he was shouting. I didn’t plan to shoot the man, the gun fired by itself,” Lucky said.
Another suspect, Okuno, who narrated what transpired, also said their gang tried to make the bleeding senator’s aide get help but it was too late.
Okuno said, “On August 5, 2023, when the incident happened, it was around midnight, in the Ojodu Berger area. One of us, who was ahead of us, gave a signal that a car was coming with no number plate. It was a black Toyota Camry, a 2017 model. Lucky was putting on a (military) camouflage uniform, and holding a torch.
“He (senator’s aide) said the document was right inside the car. Then the man said, ‘What else do you guys want again? I’ve given you guys everything you wanted.’ He started shouting for help, he pulled out and was screaming ‘Thief’. He wanted to raise the alarm.
“So, I shot at him, and before I knew it, Lucky also fired shots, it hit the man and he fell. My partner; Segun, and I decided to put him in the back of the seat and we drove off. He was still breathing, but he was still shouting.
“My partner then stabbed him and I asked him why. We then dropped him by the side of the road and drove down to Abeokuta, Ogun State. It was from there we moved to Iseyin, en route to Benin Republic.”
The wife of the deceased was said to have been contacted later by passersby through the next-of-kin phone number on her husband’s driver’s licence that his body was dumped around the Toyota Bus-stop in Oshodi, Lagos with gunshot wounds.
Recall that Senator Adeola had in August claimed that suspected soldiers killed his aide.
He said he was of the belief that based on available facts at the disposal of the police, his aide “was killed by a syndicate of soldiers operating under the newly deployed Commander of 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment of the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General A.M Adetuyi, through the mounting of checkpoints and robbing of lone occupants of cars.”
“Top police sources familiar with the investigation informed me that a similar brutal killing and armed robbery occurred around the same Ojodu-Berger late Thursday night of August 17, 2023, resulting in the killing of another Nigerian whose body was discovered around Iyana-Ipaja after he was taken away by soldiers from the checkpoint,” he said through his media aide, Kayode Odunaro.
Odunaro said shortly after, the wife called his associates to say she could no longer reach her husband on the phone, necessitating the mobilisation of a search party.
During the press briefing, the state command also set up a 13-man special investigation team to probe the death of Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Addressing the media while constituting the committee, Owohunwa, flanked by Mohbad’s family members, acknowledged that the death of the music maker sparked controversies, and called on the general public to volunteer information to assist the police in unravelling the circumstances leading to the death of the 27-year-old singer.
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDO KA and through ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, have uncovered and exhumed the remains of late Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community in Imo.
Anyadu was allegedly murdered by suspected members of a criminal gang recently apprehended in connection with violent crimes in South-East.
This is contained in a statement issued by Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army in Enugu on Monday.
Ayeni said that the development followed recent intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest of suspects responsible for the killing of a Nigerian Army soldier and the recovery of stolen service weapons.
According to him, during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to involvement in the murder of Anyadu and volunteered to lead troops to the burial site.
“On Aug. 2, the suspects guided troops to a shallow grave within Umudike Forest, one of the criminals’ known camps, where the remains of the late community leader was successfully exhumed.
“The exhumation was conducted in the presence of the deceased’s family members, vigilante personnel from Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, and representatives of Aggah and Umudike communities.
“The family provided a coffin and ambulance to ensure a dignified burial in accordance with their customs and traditions,” he said.
The Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Maj.- Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, extended his condolences to the family of the late
Anyadu and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Fadairo, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, assured the family and the people of Aggah Community that justice would be served, as the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the laws
“Headquarters Operation UDO KA, as part of ongoing peace-building efforts in the South-East, remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
“The public is encouraged to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, which remains vital to the success of ongoing operations,” he said.
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested four suspects for armed robbery and cultism, recovering firearm and other exhibits in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman of the Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ndukwe noted that the operational successes led to the arrest of two armed robbery suspects and two suspected cultists in separate operations.
“On July 27 at 6:20a.m., operatives of Anti-Cultism Sub-Unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on confessional statement of a suspected member of the Black Axe Confraternity, and recovered one pick-handle axe.
“The suspect had earlier been arrested at a hotel in Independence Layout, Enugu, on July 26 with a knife recovered from him, while another accomplice escaped.
“The duo allegedly robbed a victim of a Samsung A12 mobile phone at the hotel from a male victim, while another victim sustained an injury to a finger on his right hand during the robbery.
“The robbed phone, knife, and pick-handle axe were all recovered,” he said.
Ndukwe also noted that at 12 noon on July 26, following credible information and collaboration with law-abiding residents, operatives attached to the command’s Igbo-Etiti Police Division arrested two male suspected cultists in Ukehe community.
The spokesman said that the suspects were found in possession of one locally-made pistol and one expended cartridge, which were recovered from them.
According to him, they also confessed to being members of the Aye Confraternity.
He said that Investigations are currently ongoing to arrest other accomplices still at large and recover additional exhibits.
Ndukwe said that all detained suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The state’s Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the vigilance and cooperation of members of the public, particularly the law-abiding residents of Ukehe Community.
The commissioner urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police to enhance the fight against crime and criminality across in the state.
Crime
Troops dismantle criminal syndicate operating in S/East, S/South, recover cache of stolen weapons
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDOKA through ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, have arrested key members of a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for ambush of troops on May 4, 2026.
This is contained in a statement issued by the acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, on Saturday in Enugu.
Ayeni said that unfortunately, the ambush claimed the life of one soldier and left another wounded.
He said that following the attack, troops launched a series of intelligence-led raids aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering weapons stolen during the incident.
According to him, these sustained operations resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
He noted that acting on actionable intelligence, in the early hours of July 31, 2026 troops in collaboration with 181 Battalion operating under 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a coordinated raid at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta.
The army spokesman said that the raid led to the arrest of the suspects popularly known as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had fled to Oleh in Delta State after the dastardly ambush on troops.
He said that the suspects guided troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen weapons and other arms used in committing their nefarious acts were concealed.
“During the operation, troops recovered the stolen service weapons comprising one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines.
“Additionally, troops recovered three more AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with their magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
“Military clothing and protective gear, including camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, and a fragment protection jacket, were also recovered.
“Other items included one empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be linked to the syndicate’s criminal activities,” he said.
Ayeni said that the suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
He said that the Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, had commended the professionalism, resilience, and inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by the troops throughout the operation.
“This success underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to safeguarding lives and dismantling criminal networks in order to sustain the peace-building processes ongoing across the region,” he added.
The Enugu State Police Command has rescued one of three persons abducted by armed men at Inoyi, Affa Community, in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, within the precinct of a church in the community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement that joint security operatives comprising police personnel, forest guards and members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group had intensified operations to apprehend the suspects and rescue the remaining two victims.
According to him, the operatives, while closing in on the fleeing assailants, forced them to abandon one of the victims, who was rescued unhurt.
He said the attackers, however, escaped with the other two victims.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has directed the Area Commander, Oji-River, and the Head of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to intensify the operation and deploy all available resources to secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
The CP also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department to generate actionable intelligence to support the rescue operation.
He further ordered the activation of the surveillance and technical capabilities of the Enugu State Command-and-Control Centre to bolster efforts to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Police Commissioner urged residents of Affa Community to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist the security agencies in rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the suspects to justice.
Residents can report information through 08032003702, 08086671202, 112, 09134666668 or 09134448093, or via email at pproenugu@npf.gov.ng.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a suspected notorious fraudster involved in obtaining money by false pretence and other related fraudulent activities in Enugu metropolis.
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Enugu, the State Commandant, NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, disclosed that the suspect, Raheem Abiodun, a male from Kwara, had been under surveillance by the Command.
Willie said that the suspect surveillance followed several reports linking him to fraudulent financial transactions.
The commandant explained that one of the suspect’s recent fraudulent activities occurred on July 6, when the suspect allegedly deceived a victim during a foreign exchange transaction involving $5,000 US Dollars.
According to him, the suspect was expected to transfer the naira equivalent of the foreign currency to the victim but instead transmitted a fake payment alert, thereby obtaining the money by false pretence.
He noted that acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the NSCDC Enugu State Command arrested the suspect on Tuesday, July 28, at the Enugu State Ministry of Finance, where he was apprehended without incident.
“The NSCDC operatives also recovered: four ATM cards from different banks, deposit slips bearing the name Abiodun, two complimentary cards bearing the name Engineer Abiodun, one ID card holder, designer bag, polythene bag and one iPhone 17 Pro-Max.
“One Samsung mobile phone, one internet pocket Wi-Fi device, one designer wristwatch, one file containing vehicle particulars, one gold bangle, one pair of designer trainers, one Nokia mobile phone and banking security tokens belonging to two banks,” he said.
Following the NSCDC preliminary investigation and press briefing, the commandant handed over the suspect, along with all recovered exhibits, to the Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The state NSCDC boss said that the handing over was in line with the EFCC’s statutory mandate over economic and financial crimes.
The commandant reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC in collaborating with sister security and law enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes and safeguarding the economic interests of citizens.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution in financial transactions, particularly foreign exchange dealings, and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.
Willie also assured residents of the command’s continue deployment of intelligence-driven operations to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
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