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Police told me to avoid some Lagos bus-stops – Robbery victim

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A resident of Lagos State, Mistura Olowu-Oyebayo, has narrated how some officers of the Lagos State Police Command allegedly warned her against alighting or stopping at some bus-stops in the state when she visited the Alapere Divisional Headquarters to report how she was brutalised and robbed at around Tipper bus-stop, Ketu.

Bewildered Olowu-Oyebayo wondered why those expected to secure the lives and property of citizens would tell her to avoid some bus-stops – Ketu Tipper bus-stop, Church bus-stop, Toll Gate, Ogudu bus-stop, Glass House, including Kosofe area – adding that she was not in doubt that the police knew how deadly those bus-stops were and had done nothing to rid them of criminals.

Narrating her ordeal to our correspondent, Olowu-Oyebayo said she was returning from her office on the Island on Friday, November 25, and owing to the traffic on her way, the staff bus she boarded got to Tipper bus-stop, Ketu, at around 8:00pm.

“It was around five minutes to eight (7:55pm) that I alighted at the bus-stop and I waited for other people to join me as I usually do so that we could move together. I saw two guys at the front and somehow I became suspicious. I asked those we were walking down together if they weren’t suspicious of the two men at our front, but they dismissed my fears and we continued walking.

“Before we knew it, some men started walking towards us from the back and the ones at our front suddenly stopped. Seeing that I was already panicking, those we were walking together started flagging down oncoming cars to see if any would stop to pick us from the place.

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“The guys behind us and those ahead now rushed closer to us and one of them started saying ‘Collect her bag, collect her bag.’ On hearing that, I held tight to my bag. Two of them descended on me and began to drag my handbag with me while others were hitting me.

“By this time, those men we were walking together had fled from the scene, perhaps to see if they could get help.

“People were passing by and vehicles were driving by, but no one cared to help me. Instead, people close to the area moved away to a safe distance.

“I held on to my handbag and with my laptop back on my back, I fell to the ground so that the criminals would not be able to take my laptop bag.

“They dragged me on the ground, pulled my hair, beat and injured me until I could no longer hold on to my handbag.

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“By the time the men who were walking with me earlier would return with some other people, the criminals had taken my handbag and fled,” she narrated.

Olowu-Oyebayo said the criminals also went away with her mobile phones and bank (ATM) cards.

She expressed surprise that some traders around there told her that she should not have alighted around there at that time of the night, adding that the traders said it was a regular occurrence in the area by “Flower boys.”

She said on getting home later that night, she tried to use her husband’s phone to block her bank accounts but she realised that the money in one of the accounts had been cleared by the criminals.

Having been advised to report the incident at a police station, especially because she lost her ID card and office access card, Olowu-Oyebayo said she visited the Alapare police station as directed by a team of policemen on patrol on the day after the incident.

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According to her, the police patrol team had seen and picked up her ID card at the scene of the incident, and they handed it over to her before directing her to go to Alapere police station for an official report.

She said, “On getting to the police station at Alapere with my husband, the officers on duty, after taking my statement, affirmed that they were aware of the criminal activities around Tipper bus-stop.

“To my shock, one of them advised me against stopping at Ketu Tipper bus-stop, Church bus-stop, Toll Gate, Ogudu bus-stop, Glass House, including Kosofe area whenever I’m coming from the office in the evening.

“I was shocked because I couldn’t imagine the fact that the police were aware of these criminal activities and nothing was being done about them. It was also shocking that those who are supposed to protect us are telling us to run away from bus-stops instead of ridding those bus-stops of criminals and making Lagos safe for all.”

She added, “One of the officers said those boys seemed to rub oil or okra on their bodies whenever they went for such operations. The officer, a female, said she had once caught one of the criminals but he slipped from her hands because of what he rubbed on his body.

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“Another officer said sometimes the boys would be operating behind them while on patrol and there was no way they could cover everywhere at the same time.

“I wonder who to trust for our security in this state and nation if our police are talking this way. Obviously, there is more to these crimes than meet the eye.”

Our correspondent reached out to the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, regarding the incident and the PPRO said he was hearing such complaint for the first time and promised to take it up.

“This is new to me and I’m hearing it for the first time. We are going to investigate the matter.

“If truly police officers said that, then it’s an indictment on the profession and it’s highly unprofessional, because rather than curb the crimes in those area, citizens are being told to avoid the areas.

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“But as I said, we will look into it,” SP Hundeyin said.

“Again, I will like to advise the victim to bring this to the notice of the Divisional Police Officer, because he is responsible for the security in that area. This is why, since I came on board, I’ve continued to publish the phone numbers of all divisional police officers on my social handles and my WhatsApp profile. That’s because I want every citizen to have access to the DPOs.

“And being senior officers, your information is safer with them.

“At my own end, I will ensure that those areas are no longer known for such crimes,” Hundeyin added.

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Crime

Anambra Police Debunk Involvement In Death Of Suspect

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By Okey Maduforo Awka

Anambra Police Command has debunked the allegation that it’s officers and men had hand in the mysterious death of one Mr Paul Onwualu at Npkor in Idemili North local government area.

The Police which confirmed the arrest of the suspect however explained that preliminary investigations has so far shown that there complications in the health status of the deceased leading to his demise .

SP Tochukwu Ikenga ,who is the Public Relations Officer of the Command stated in a release that ;

“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of the late Mr Paul Onwualu in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State”

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“Preliminary information available to the Command reveals that the officers allegedly involved in the arrest before the sudden complication of the deceased’s health, which later led to his death, have been identified, but are not operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command”

“The Command assures Ndi Anambra and members of the public that the matter is being handled with the seriousness it deserves to ascertain the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD, urges residents to remain calm and allow the ongoing investigation to run its course, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the protection of lives and property.” he said.

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Crime

Woman Beats Stepdaughter to Death in Enugu 

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Police detectives in Enugu have arrested a stepmother, Mrs. Ogechi John, for allegedly beating her stepdaughter to death.
Mrs. John, who hails from Oderiko in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State, was arrested by the police on Monday morning for allegedly beating her stepdaughter, Miss Ogechi Amanda John, aged 9, to death at their Nchatancha residence in the Emene area of Enugu metropolis.

Neighbours reported that the event allegedly occurred around 3pm on Sunday, noting that the late Miss Amanda had been a victim of constant and ruthless maltreatment at the hands of her stepmother.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has expressed the state government’s anger over the incident, saying it would not relent until justice is done.

“It is on record that the Governor Peter Mbah Administration has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, let alone child homicide. So, we swung into action on learning about this tragedy to ensure that the suspect was arrested.

“But it doesn’t end there. We will be pressing for thorough and expedited investigation to ensure that justice is not just done, but done really fast.

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“Nobody should take another’s life and certainly not the life of any child in Enugu State. We condemn it in totality,” she stated.

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Crime

Fake Pastors Arrested in Anambra as Soludo Begins Crackdown

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By Okey Maduforo, Awka
As suspected fake native doctors continue to face the long arm of the law in Anambra State, the government has now commenced a crackdown on alleged fake pastors who preach salvation without the gospel.
Already, scores of suspected fake pastors are reportedly in custody, with some said to have confessed to deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Governor Charles Soludo disclosed this during this year’s All Knights Day celebration held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, the governor said:
“The Governor also revealed an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching a gospel of ‘salvation without the cross,’ confirming that several are already in custody and confessing.”
He emphasized that a “New Anambra” is emerging and must be rid of deception and criminality, while reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work remains the pathway to success.
The statement further read:
“In a firm demonstration of fiscal discipline, Governor Soludo granted a request from the Knights to support their charity visits to orphanages but declined a request for public funds to sew uniforms, stating he would not deploy state resources for private institutional regalia.”
The governor also urged the Knights to remain “the light of the world and the salt of the earth” by living according to principles rather than titles.
The event featured a Pontifical Mass celebrated by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor, while the homily was delivered by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho.
In his sermon, Iheanacho reflected on the work of the Holy Spirit, describing knighthood as a process of “sober reflection, stock-taking, and reckoning” guided by strict tenets and discipline.
He reminded the Knights that true love for Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, discipline, humility, and courage.
The cleric also cautioned against elitist isolation, urging the Knights to remain connected with the people and preserve their human face and prophetic voice within the community.

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Crime

Anambra Police Burst Gunmen Armoury in Orumba

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By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The Violent Crime Response Unit of the Anambra State Police Command has uncovered and destroyed an armoury belonging to suspected separatist gunmen at Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area.
The operation, led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Orebe Chidubem Matthew, followed intelligence obtained from a member of the gang currently in police custody.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police disclosed that the camp had previously been dislodged by a Joint Task Force on security operations. However, some members of the gang who escaped during the earlier raid reportedly regrouped and attempted to resume operations.
According to the statement, items recovered from the armoury include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally-made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally-made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder, and one black Ecolac box.
“Recall that the camp was earlier destroyed by a Joint Security Team. Before the confession by the suspect in custody, intelligence had been received over time on how some escaped gang members were attempting to regroup. However, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit resisted and dismantled the camp following a gun duel with the unrepentant members,” the statement read.
The police further stated that some of the armed suspects fled the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries sustained during the exchange of gunfire.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect in custody confessed to involvement in several violent attacks across Anambra State, including attacks on police facilities, the killing of security personnel comprising police, military, and civil defence officers, attacks on government facilities, and the murder of security operatives on stop-and-search duties on various roads in the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that with the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, operatives of the command are now better positioned and more motivated to sustain offensive operations against criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the state.

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Crime

Enugu Assembly Orders Salary Suspension Over Alleged Land Fraud

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The Enugu State House of Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the salary of Dr. Kate Okolo, a staff member of the Enugu State College of Education, over her alleged involvement in a controversial land deal.
The directive was issued on Tuesday in Enugu by the Chairman of the House Special Committee on Land Conflicts, Mr. Okey Mbah, as part of an ongoing investigation into a decade-long land fraud.
Mbah emphasized that the suspension is not a witch-hunt but a clear signal that the era of impunity in land administration in the state is over.
The committee, currently probing petitions from staff of the institution and members of the public, accused key figures in the Women in College of Education Organisation (WICE) of engaging in land racketeering and fraudulent sales.
According to petitioners, the scheme—introduced between 2009 and 2011 under the leadership of the late Mrs. Ugoma Ndubisi and Dr. Okolo—encouraged individuals to market plots of land known as “WICE Land” to colleagues, friends, and family members.
One victim, who pleaded anonymity, told lawmakers they invested in the scheme because it was presented as a credible internal arrangement.
“We paid in full and have receipts, but for over 13 years, we have not been allocated any land,” the petitioner said.
Testimonies further revealed that the situation worsened following the death of Mrs. Ndubisi, with allegations that Dr. Okolo altered the original terms of the transactions.
“She changed the name from Ukano to Ukano Bold, increased the prices, reduced plot sizes, and claimed that many of us did not pay.
“We are now being asked to pay again for land we already purchased.
“All we want is either our land or our money back,” another petitioner stated.
In response, Mbah assured the petitioners that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring justice.
“We have listened to your grievances, and this committee will see this matter through to a logical conclusion.
“No one found culpable will be shielded,” he said.

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