Category: Crime

Pandemonium broke out in Owode, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State when some men suspected to be soldiers of the Nigerian Army shot and killed two siblings for allegedly smuggling foreign rice.

The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the incident, which happened on Sunday, angered the youth of the area who blocked the Sango-Idiroko international road in protest.

The mob reportedly attacked an officer of the Nigerian Air Force and killed him in retaliation.

It was gathered that trouble started when the men accosted the elder brother in an attempt to seize his vehicle which carried bags of foreign parboiled rice.

According to a source, in the course of the altercation between the man and the suspected soldiers, some people called his younger brother, popularly known as Saheed Elegusi.

“Saheed rushed to the scene and the two of them were shot dead by the soldiers. We don’t know when soldiers became customs officers,” the source said.

It was gathered that the suspected soldiers immediately fled the scene after shooting the siblings.

The mob had set bonfires on the Sango-Idiroko road, affecting vehicular movements for hours.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta on Monday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the slain Air Force officer was in uniform when he unknowingly ran into the mob who lynched him.

“Yes, the incident happened yesterday. I think it was caused by an argument between them (the two brothers) and men of the Nigerian Army. We are still investigating.

“But do you know that the people killed an Air Force officer who was just passing on his own?

“He was just going on his own, he had nothing to do with the crisis. They just mobbed him and killed him because he was in uniform.

“Anyway, investigation is ongoing,” he said.

Oyeyemi explained that the Commissioner of Police had directed the Homicide section to take over the matter.

“The situation has been brought under control. The area is calm now. The Divisional Police Officer of Owode and some other policemen were able to move into the scene quickly,” he said.

NAN

Two passengers, weekend, lost their lives and three others were kidnapped after a team of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked the Magamar Jibia border axis in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness, yesterday, revealed that the bandits attacked the border community Saturday at about 9:15 pm.

He narrated that before a joint police and military personnel repelled them, the hoodlums already stopped two vehicles along the major road, killed two passengers, and kidnapped three others.

“Before the police and soldiers fought them off, they stopped two vehicles, killed two passengers and kidnapped three. This is the picture of one of the victims,” the source said.

Although the police authorities are yet to confirm the incident, it was gathered that despite the reduction rate of bandits’ activities in the state, the Jibia axis is still vulnerable amidst dozens of security checkpoints mounted on the road to check both the movements of persons, particularly the smuggled items.

Last week, several bandits leaders were reported to have laid down their arms, reaching out to the Katsina State Government, seeking a robust peace agreement that is committed to both sides.

Special Adviser to the state governor on security matters, Ibrahim Katsina disclosed this in an exclusive interview.

He said the bandit’s leaders have realised what the future beholds for them vis-a-vis the state government’s approach to consolidate a realisable future and a framework for growth and development.

The Department of State Services has asked Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant following the security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Abuja that there could be possible terrorist attack in the city this week.

The DSS in a statement by its Spokesman Dr. Peter Afunanya advised Nigerians to be cautious, the Service however assured that it would work with other security agencies to maintain the peace.The DSS asked Nigerians to the agency with information relating to tjreats and suspicious criminal acts.

The statement said, “The Department of State Services  has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22. The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.

“While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them.

“Meanwhile, the Service calls for calm as it works with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to maintain peace and order in and beyond Abuja,” Afunanya said in the statement released around 11:20pm on Sunday.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, says the insecurity in the country is a result of the government’s failure.

Danjuma said this on Saturday in Wukari, Taraba state, during the installation of a monarch.

The retired general said the mission of the bandits is to re-colonise Nigeria.

Danjuma had, in 2018, accused the army and other security agencies of colluding with killers to attack Nigerians.

The former defence minister, who insisted on self-defence to drive out country’s common “enemy”, said Nigeria will be finished if this is not done.

The octogenarian spoke on Saturday when he delivered a goodwill message in Wukari, Taraba State, where Governor Darius Ishaku presented staff of office to His Majesty Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, the 25th Aku Uka.

He knocked the military for living in denial over Nigeria’s aggravating security challenges, saying the “evidence” of what he said four years ago is now obvious for all eyes to see.

Danjuma had in March 2018 urged Nigerians to defend themselves against their killers but his call for self-defence attracted stark criticisms.

Four years later, the former defence chief on Saturday said, “Our country is under siege by armed bandits, all over the country when some few years ago, I warned that the Armed Forces are either not capable or unwilling to protect us and that we must defend ourselves.

“The first denial of what I said came from the Ministry of Defence they said I was lying and they set up a kangaroo Board of Inquiry to investigate the truth or otherwise of what I said and they invited me to come and testify, I did not go.

“They wrote their report which said which said that I was only speculating, that there was no evidence. And now there is evidence; the whole country now is being run and overrun.”

Danjuma, who said armed bandits are trying to recolonise Nigerians and take over autochthonous lands, noted that the people must fight to resist invaders.

He further urged the new traditional ruler to reunite his subjects for the defence of the country against marauders, saying the best form of defence is attack.

“Right now, we are all sitting ducks, these people are armed to the teeth with all weapons of mass destruction and we don’t have them but we have the numbers and the land belongs to us. They are trying to recolonise us and take over or land. Can I allow you to defend yourselves?” he asked the crowd who chanted a loud ‘Yes’.

The ex-COAS said, “They said I told them to defend themselves, I didn’t give them arms. I will not give you arms, find out how these people got it. Use the same means to defend yourselves.

“This beautiful land called Nigeria, the biggest country for black men in the whole world is being brought to ruin by absolutely useless criminals. But how did they get here? Of course, some of them are foreigners and there are collaborators.

“So, my prayer is that God Almighty that has given us this land will give us the courage to face our enemy and locate where he is and drive him out of the country. This we must do otherwise Nigeria is finished.”

With unending attacks by bandits and terrorists all over the country, some governors have also called for self-defence. They include Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

The Divisional Police Officer of Auchi Division, Edo State, CSP Ayodele Suleiman, has been removed by the state Commissioner of Police, AIG Abutu Yaro, following the death of the suspect allegedly involved in the attack of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman’s convoy.

A statement by the Command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Jennifer Iwegbu, said the DPO’s withdrawal was part of the measures to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the gang that attacked the convoy and that he is to report at the state police command for debriefing.

The statement read, “The outgoing CP now AIG Abutu Yaro has ordered the withdrawal of CSP Ayodele Suleiman, DPO Auchi for debriefing at the State Headquarters with immediate effect.

“We urged members of the public to remain calm and patient, assuring that no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

One of the suspected attackers of the Apostle Suleiman was arrested by vigilantes present in the community and handed over to the police.

Reacting to the alleged death of the suspect, Apostle Suleman took to his Twitter account accusing the police of trying to erase all evidence that could lead to the arrest of his attackers.

It was gathered that the cleric returned from a foreign trip and was heading for a destination in the state when the gunmen attacked his convoy.

Suleman’s lawyer, Samuel Amune, who confirmed the attack said the cleric just returned from a programme in Tanzania, adding that he escaped death by a whisker.

He said, “He was returning from a journey when some assassins attacked him. Three of his police orderlies, among others, died. He was returning to Auchi when the gunmen attacked him along Sabongida down to the Warake axis and Auchi shares a boundary with Warake. He had passed Warake and was entering the boundaries of Auchi when the attack happened.”

Reacting to the incident in a video posted on his Twitter handle on Friday, Suleman said that he escaped an assassination attempt on his life, noting that seven lives were lost to the attack.

He said, “My car was attacked; they opened fire on my car and kept spraying bullets, my wife and kids were in the escort car in the front. They killed the police; they killed the other people on the other escort car and the buses with us. Seven people moving in the convoy were killed.

“People who did this are expecting me to come out and mention their names so they can come out and deny, I won’t do that. The truth of the matter is, you can’t kill me, my life is in the hand of God, I’m a man of God.’’

Commenting on the incident, a security expert, Dickson Osajie, condemned the lack of security in the state, especially as the attack happened in broad daylight.

He said, “They attacked him (Suleman); seven people were killed. The country is not safe. How can people move around with guns on the expressway and they are not detected? It is a disturbing situation.”

Contacted for his reaction on the matter, the state police spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the attack.

He said six persons, including policemen and Suleman’s drivers, were killed, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate the whereabouts of the cleric’s domestic worker.

Nwabuzor stated, “The attack is confirmed. It was done around 5pm in Auchi. They travelled from Benin and were already at Auchi when they were given a hot chase and surprisingly they (hoodlums) shot at their vehicles. Three policemen were murdered; two of his drivers were killed; one domestic female worker killed and they are still searching for the other domestic female worker. As we speak, Apostle Johnson Suleman is safe. One of the hoodlums was gunned down and one of the vehicles was recovered.’’

The death toll in Wednesday’s herdsmen attack on the Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state has risen to 36, even as the lawmaker representing Benue North East Senatorial District, and former governor of the state Senator Gabriel Suswam said the killing of his innocent farming constituents was an indication that the Federal Government was sleeping on its responsibilities.

It would be recalled that armed herdsmen attacked Gbeji in the early hours of Wednesday killing a police man and 22 others while 12 others were critically injured.

Senator Suswam who fought back emotion when he visited the besieged community weekend to commiserate with the victims noted that the Federal Government was exposing its nakedness by allowing the killings to continue.

The lawmaker insisted that the killings were also exposing the ineptitude and lackadaisical attitude of the President in the protection of the lives and property of the people he swore to protect.

He noted that “only one week ago I visited Mchia which is within the same radius as Gbeji where 22 persons were murdered and several others injured.”

According to him, “these incessant killings are highly unacceptable and unfortunate, it smacks of neglect by the Federal Government on the people.”  The former Governor said time was ripe for the people “to rise up and defend themselves from the killer herders because the Federal Government has failed in its responsibilities.

“The Federal Government has gone to sleep and doesn’t  care about the security of the people. These are peasant farmers whose property have been destroyed and their lives decapitated.

“I commend the bravery and gallantry of our security agencies but they are overstretched under the circumstance.

“Honestly, I cannot sleep in Abuja while our people and mothers who farm food that we eat are killed in this way.”

A survivor of the attack, who identified himself as Ataa told newsmen that after the recovery of the initial 23 corpses, “another 13 corpses have been recovered from the bush and we are still searching for more people because some persons are still missing.”

Vanguard

SEVEN persons made up of three policemen and four domestic staff of fiery pastor, Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Fire Ministries were killed late Friday near Auchi at the Water Tank Junction along the Warake -Auchi Road on his way to Auchi returning from a foreign mission.

The incident reportedly happened at about 5 pm when an unidentified group of gunmen who eyewitnesses said had been in a Toyota Avalon Car and a ash coloured Sienna vehicle without number plates opened fire at the homecoming convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman.

In what looked like an assassination attempt, eyewitnesses said the two vehicles blocked all other vehicles and maneouvered their way to meet Suleman’s convoy and opened fire on him.

His children who were said to normally travel in a separate vehicle on Friday joined their father in his car with his wife and the vehicle was targeted after Suleman’s vehicle which was leading the convoy escaped the suspected assassins.

The legal adviser to the Ministry, Sam Amune while confirming the incident said “I think it is a case of assassination attempt because the assailants who were in an Avalon and Sienna vehicles stopped other vehicles to reach Apostle Suleman’s convoy and they did not take anybody, the people just stopped and watched the drama unfolded.

‘He just finished a programme in Tanzania the day before yesterday and flew to Lagos and then to Benin where his family joined him. His children normally drive in a separate vehicle but this time they drove with their father while other domestic staff drove in their vehicle. He barely escaped death but the others were not lucky, three orderlies who normally drive directly behind him and then the next vehicle were not lucky.

“It is very unfortunate to lose those lives” Amune said.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of Edo State Command, Chidi Nwabuzor said “The attack on Johnson Suleman was actually true, confirmed.

“He was attacked by hoodlums yet unknown at about 5 pm (1700 hours ). He was attacked at home.

“As we speak, two of his drivers were murdered, three policemen murdered, one female househelp murdered, one missing.

“Upon alarm raised, police moved to the scene, gunned down one of hoodlums and recovered one of the vehicles used.

“Currently, Appostle Suleiman is safe and sound”, Nwabuzor said last night.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has revealed that some of the gunmen who participated in an assassination attempt on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been arrested.

Soludo revealed this on Friday when he visited Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, the same community where the attack happened about a month ago.

Ubah had lost four security aides and two personal assistants during the attack, but he was able to escape in his bullet proof car.

But during the burial of Pa Boniface Nwankwo, father of Hon. Dozie Nwankwo who represents Dunukofia, Njikoka, Anaocha federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Soludo announced that the culprits have been arrested, and that security operatives were on the trail of the other members of the gang who were at large.

Soludo said: “Three weeks ago, it was in this same community that some elements choose to attack Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. I want to tell you that we have arrested a number of those involved in that attack. We are still on the trail of the remaining people.

“We will not let people like that define who we are. This is Anambra State, and we are peaceful people. We must embrace peace, even in the coming election. Anambra is peaceful, Anambra is safe.

“We have chased away bad elements in the state. The pockets of crime you hear of are just a small number of the bad elements left. They will not disappear in one night, even in civilised places, they are still few bad elements.”

Soludo who joked with one of the sons of the deceased, Hon Dozie Nwankwo who is a senatorial candidate said: “Dozie, all the people you are running for Senate against are here, so who will leave the contest for the other? We are Anambra people, and violence doesn’t define us. Irrespective of party, we will remain brothers and sisters, and we always come together like this to support one another.”

The governor eulogized the deceased, saying he lived a good life, a long and impactful one too, having died at the ripe age of 83.

Dozie Nwankwo in a speech thanked all who graced the burial, confirming that despite political differences, political players in the state are peaceful and see each other as their brothers.

Other guests who joined the bereaved family to eulogize the deceased included wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari who participated virtually during the burial mass; former Rivers State governor, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi; senators Victor Umeh, Uche Ekwunife, and many other dignitaries.