Crime
Policemen who killed six traders in Lagos released… DCP, Falana fume
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four policemen and a developer, Abiodun Ariori, who were accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, in the Kosofe area of the state.
The suspects were freed after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice indicating that the cops acted in self-defence.
In the legal advice, signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, and obtained exclusively by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the DPP blamed investigators for not providing evidence that could sustain charges of manslaughter.
The victims were shot dead by the policemen, identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba.
The cops were brought from Nasarawa by Ariori to enforce an alleged court order which gave the rights to the land occupied by the traders to a Lagos family.
Ariori was said to be the family’s agent.
In the course of the enforcement, chaos broke out, and the six traders were shot dead.
The victims were identified as Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen and Adeoye Akeem.
The policemen and the Ariori were then arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lagos State.
However, the matter was transferred to Abuja.
The cops were freed and Ariori granted bail.
It was learnt that after the protests, charges were filed against the suspects.
However, the DPP, in its legal advice dated Tuesday, March 3, said there was no prima facie evidence to justify their prosecution.
According to the Director, Martins, the four police officers were attacked by a mob with weapons during the incident.
Martins noted that one of the officers was injured and dispossessed of his rifle.
He further stated that Ariori was not present at the scene when the incident occurred.
On possible manslaughter charges, the DPP said the police failed to provide forensic evidence necessary to establish the cause of death and link any of the suspects to the killings.
He said there was no autopsy report on the deceased, no ballistic analysis of bullets recovered, and no examination report on the rifles issued to the officers.
“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the death of the deceased persons.
“Therefore, this office shall not prosecute Inspr Musa Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and Abiodun Akeem Ariori for the offences of felony and involuntary manslaughter contrary to sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and any charge against them is hereby withdrawn,” Martins stated.
But the police said there was enough evidence to prosecute the suspects.
A letter, dated March 5, 2026, from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, and addressed to the DPP, stated that the police attached relevant evidence to the case file.
The letter was signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.
According to Akinbisehin, autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic examination findings from the Force Criminal Investigation Department indicated that the suspects were responsible for the death of the traders.
According to the letter, the findings showed that “all the suspects are culpable” and the state had a strong case capable of standing trial.
The deputy police commissioner urged the DPP to review the legal advice and allow the prosecution of the suspects.
“It is evidently clear from the findings in the painstaking investigation carried out by the police that all the suspects, namely: Inspr Manu Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and one Abiodun Akeem Ariori, are all culpable and that the state has a good case that can stand the test of trial against them.
“However, the earlier report from the DPP has been taken cognisance of, but the emerging reality from the evidence from the autopsy report and ballistic examination report attached are strong enough for the DPP to take a second look at the advice and allow all the suspects to be prosecuted so that they can indeed have their days in court.
“This will go a long way in entrenching sanctity of the law in the overall interest of justice, public safety, public order and protection of lives and property for which the Nigeria Police is constitutionally charged alongside other enabling laws of the country,” he said.
Reacting to the matter, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, insisted that the case was far from concluded.
Falana, a human rights activist and lawyer to the traders, said his legal team would furnish the required information to the DPP to ensure a full and fair assessment of the case.
He added that a civil suit would also be filed to seek compensation for the families of the deceased.
“I have just been informed that they were freed on the legal advice of the Lagos State Director of Public due to the fact that certain information was not provided. We are going to avail the DPP of the required information.
“The matter of the illegal killing of the six unarmed traders will be pursued to a logical conclusion in the interest of justice. In addition, we are going to file a civil case for adequate compensation on behalf of the families of the deceased,” Falana said.
A 25-year-old amateur boxer, Kehinde Asimiyu, popularly known as KBlaq, has been stabbed to death following a disagreement over transport fare involving a commercial motorcyclist in Oyo State.
The incident occurred at Olodo Garage in Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the killing, announcing the arrest of two suspects in connection with the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement that the command received a report of the incident on November 1, 2026.
According to the police, the deceased was allegedly stabbed with a broken bottle by a suspect identified as Taiwo Babarinde during the disagreement.
“Following receipt of the report, police operatives, accompanied by a patrol team, immediately mobilised to the scene, while the victim was rushed to Academy Hospital, Texaco, Iwo Road, Ibadan, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement said.
The police added that the deceased’s remains were subsequently deposited at Adejare Embalming Centre for preservation, while photographs were taken as part of the preliminary investigation.
Two suspects, identified as Taiwo Babarinde, who allegedly inflicted the fatal injury, and Ishola Semiu, who is suspected of involvement in the incident, have been arrested.
“Both suspects are currently in police custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, for comprehensive investigation,” Ayanlade stated.
The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has released four men arrested over suspected links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and awarded them a total of N20 million in compensation after investigations cleared them of the allegations.
The four men described their release as the happiest day of their lives after spending about four years in DSS custody.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, reportedly ordered their release and the payment of N5 million to each of them following their clearance.
The beneficiaries are Emele Uduma Ibe, Berefgagha Appah, Ondokeyilemi Aggry and Oyeinmokebebeton Aggry. They were arrested in May 2022 in Sampou and Akeddei communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State.
According to Vanguard, a source familiar with the development disclosed that investigations established that the men had been misled into believing they would receive a monthly payment of N100,000 under the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme.
They were allegedly lured by individuals linked to IPOB, who are currently facing trial.
Speaking on behalf of the four men, Emele Uduma Ibe expressed gratitude to the DSS leadership, describing the day of their release as the happiest moment of his life.
He said the experience had taught him valuable lessons which he intended to share with others, while offering prayers for the DSS Director-General and the management of the Service.
Meanwhile, their lawyer, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, commended the DSS for its efforts towards national security and respect for human rights.
The law firm particularly praised Ajayi’s approach to human rights issues, describing the level of hygiene and professionalism within the Service as exceptional.
The development is part of a broader review of inherited terrorism-related cases initiated by Ajayi after assuming office in 2024.
The DSS reportedly reviewed more than 300 cases, with the exercise leading to a reduction in the number of detainees at its facilities to about 100 following investigations. The agency has also reportedly paid over N1 billion in compensation to individuals cleared of allegations or affected by operational mistakes.
Other beneficiaries include a Jos-based businessman who received N20 million after being mistakenly shot by DSS operatives in Plateau State, Chineze Ozoadibe, who was paid N10 million following her wrongful arrest, and Sunday Ifedi, who also received N10 million after investigations cleared him of links to IPOB.
Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor was similarly awarded N5 million after investigations absolved him of IPOB-related allegations.
A source disclosed that the four newly released men would also receive psychological and medical support, in addition to assistance with their reintegration into society.
In a recent media interview, Ajayi acknowledged that the DSS, like every human institution, could make mistakes, stressing that such errors must be addressed.
He reportedly maintained that whenever the Service acknowledges wrongdoing, it has a responsibility to provide remedies, including compensation, while improving its operations in line with the rule of law.
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he engaged with claimed they could not abandon their violent activities because they feared being killed if they surrendered or gave up their weapons.
Gumi said the armed men described the persistent attacks as a cycle of revenge, alleging that military operations and killings in their communities had fuelled their resolve to continue attacking.
According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that the bloodshed had become excessive but insisted they felt compelled to sustain the violence in retaliation for attacks against their communities.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said.
He added, “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”
Gumi made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, with excerpts from the conversation circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.
Explaining the grievances of the armed groups, the cleric said they accused security forces and local vigilantes of killing women and children during operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling.
He said the bandits questioned the killing of civilians in their communities and viewed such incidents as justification for retaliatory attacks.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted the bandits as asking.
Gumi said the armed men believed the situation had degenerated into a cycle of violence characterised by revenge, attacks and counterattacks.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
The cleric called for negotiations to end the killings, arguing that religious leaders should help create an avenue for dialogue between the parties.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
Asked why the bandits could not abandon their activities, Gumi attributed their reluctance to fears that they would be killed if they surrendered.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said.
The cleric also alleged that financial sponsorship and rivalry among armed groups were contributing to the proliferation of sophisticated weapons.
Asked whether individuals were financing the bandits, Gumi said such a possibility could not be ruled out.
“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now,” he said.
He explained that rival groups were acquiring more powerful weapons to outmatch and intimidate one another, creating what he described as an arms race.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups.
“There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” he said.
On the source of the firearms, Gumi claimed that the armed groups obtained weapons through illegal markets, where buyers could access them if they had the money.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
Gumi further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies were involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he said.
Asked whether foreign countries could be supplying weapons to Nigerian bandits and terrorists, the cleric said it was possible, suggesting that countries with strategic interests in Nigeria could be involved.
“It’s possible,” he replied.
…Ondo State Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Three Bags of Fake Dollar Notes
Men of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a suspected counterfeit United States dollar printing factory in Kiniso Village, via Ajue, Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake dollar notes.
The operation followed a complaint by a businessman, Yusuf Nasiru, from Sabo, Okitipupa, who allegedly lost $6,000, equivalent to about N8.6 million, to two men in a fraudulent foreign exchange transaction.
The suspects reportedly approached Nasiru for a currency exchange transaction but allegedly returned counterfeit dollar notes to him.
According to Nasiru, the incident occurred on October 25, 2026, when two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, visited his shop and requested to exchange United States dollars for their naira equivalent.
He said he handed over $6,000 to the men but they later returned the money, claiming they did not have enough funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
Nasiru said he subsequently discovered that the dollar notes returned to him were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police on October 28.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the arrest and discovery of the suspected printing factory, said detectives immediately commenced an investigation following the complaint.
Jimoh said operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters launched an investigation, while intelligence gathering and technical tracking led them to Kiniso Village, where one of the suspects was traced.
He disclosed that police operatives raided the suspected hideout on October 29 following intelligence provided by members of the community.
However, some occupants reportedly escaped through the perimeter fence during the operation.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes and a small wooden box believed to be connected to the alleged illegal printing operation.
The arrested suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, reportedly provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
The police spokesman said the command had ordered an intensified investigation to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal network and establish the full extent of its operations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to bringing all those found culpable to justice and warned members of the public against engaging in suspicious foreign exchange transactions with unverified individuals.
Jimoh also advised residents to authenticate foreign currencies before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while attempting to collect a ₦200,000 ransom from a female resident of Nasarawa State.
The suspect, identified as Mukaila Iliyasu, was apprehended at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area of the state during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives.
The arrest followed intelligence reports that the suspect had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid him ₦200,000.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement.
According to the statement, DSS operatives alerted the military to the threat on October 29, prompting the deployment of security personnel to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction.
In a coordinated operation, a soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom.
The suspect was subsequently arrested while collecting the money, with operatives recovering the sum of ₦200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim.
The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-driven intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping and demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in tackling criminal activities.
Following his arrest, Iliyasu was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective coordination.
Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to combat kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.
He also emphasised the importance of continued cooperation among security agencies in protecting lives, securing communities and maintaining peace in the region.
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