Crime
Troops apprehend 10 suspected kidnappers linked to terrorists in Taraba
By Francesca Hangeior.
Troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke of the Nigerian Army have apprehended 10 suspected kidnappers in different operations across the three senatorial districts of Taraba State.
The Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Oni Olubodunde, disclosed in a statement Tuesday that the suspects are also linked to terrorist leaders.
He also noted that an AK-47 rifle and 33 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
According to him, “the operations, which were conducted with precision and professionalism, took place in the early hours of 22 July 2024 at Galeri and Kwondo Villages of Ardo-Kola and Bali Local Government Areas after a tip-off from a credible source.
“The swift and coordinated response of the 6 Brigade troops led to the successful arrest of two suspects, named Ali Ibrahim, aka Yellow, and Wetti Alhaji Ibrahim. Items recovered from the suspects include an AK-47 rifle and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“The suspects confessed to having worked with a known terrorist leader named Kadogo Fun, who operates around Bangalala and Kampani Zurak in Plateau State.
“Additionally, it was gathered that the kidnappers also act as mercenaries to other terrorist groups operating in Plateau, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
“In another operation, following incessant attacks and kidnapping activities within Southern Taraba State by terrorist groups dressed in military camouflage, the Brigade conducted weeks of covert intelligence-led operations to track down the gang, leading to the apprehension of eight suspects.
“They are Emmanuel Michael, aka Assay, Gabriel Samuel, aka Badoo, Fidelis Lumu Utuna, Edward Ochan, John Orhenbaga, Desmond Agbo, Thomas Ikyar, and Shafiu Shaibu, aka Odogwu.
“During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the gang leader was part of Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana’s gang.
“Items recovered include 10 military camouflage uniforms, the sum of Sixty Thousand Naira (₦60,000), and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition after a search was conducted at one of the arrested suspects’ houses.
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigations and possible prosecution.”
Crime
Man snuffs life out of newlywed wife, set home ablaze
A 30-year-old man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, has reportedly stabbed his newlywed wife, Olajumoke, to death at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The incident was said to have occurred on Friday after a heated argument between the couple.
The Lagos State Police Command, while confirming the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday stated that Motunrayo stabbed the 25-year-old wife multiple times during the altercation, locked her in the room, and set it on fire.
He added that the suspect also inflicted wounds on himself after committing the act.
A team of policemen who arrived at the scene were however said to have extinguished the fire and after that discovered Olajumoke’s lifeless body with abdominal wounds.
The statement read in part, “A distress call was received on October 4 at Ikorodu Division that a newly wedded couple, one Motunrayo Olaniyi, aged 30, and his wife Olajumoke, aged 25 years, allegedly engaged in a domestic scuffle in their room at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe, Ikorodu.
“In the process, the husband reportedly stabbed the wife to death, locked her in the room, and set it ablaze, while he inflicted wounds on himself.
“Police from the Ikorodu Division responded to a distress call and put out the fire. They found Olajumoke’s lifeless body with abdominal wounds.”
The police spokesperson further stated that Olaniyi was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where he was treated and discharged before being taken into police custody.
According to him, a preliminary investigation later revealed that the suspect stabbed his wife during the altercation and inflicted minor wounds on himself.
“The corpse has been deposited at Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Investigation is in progress”, he concluded.
Crime
Court convict 18-year-old boy for arson, theft in Kwara
By Francesca Hangeior.
A Kwara State Magistrate Court has sentenced a teenage boy to one year imprisonment for arson and theft.
It will be recalled that the teenage boy, Olawumi Ayomide, set a building on fire in Ilorin after stealing items belonging to the occupants.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, arraigned Ayomide on Monday, September 30.
According to a press release made available to journalists on Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASC1 Ayoola Michael Shola, the court presided over by Magistrate M.A. Yahaya, found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to one year in Mandala Correctional Centre without the option of a fine.
“On Wednesday, 25th September 2024, at 1200hrs, the suspect broke into a three-bedroom bungalow belonging to one Mrs. Bolatito Adebayo at No. 50, Afenifere Community, Onireke, Upper Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin South LGA,” the statement read.
“During the invasion, he reportedly stole items such as foodstuffs, groceries, and clothing, and subsequently set the residential building ablaze.
“Upon being apprehended at the scene, the suspect attempted to evade capture by igniting the fire as a diversion. Despite his efforts, he was ultimately captured and handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and prosecution.
“The NSCDC Kwara State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, reiterated the Corps’ relentless onslaught against criminal activities in the state and vowed to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.”
Crime
SAD: Fleeing terrorists kill five in Plateau community
By Francesca Hangeior.
Barely two weeks after eight persons were killed in two separate attacks carried out by gunmen in Congo and Zarap communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, gunmen have again killed five persons in the council area.
It was gathered that the latest attack occurred in the Mbar community on Sunday night.
Residents confirmed that the victims who were mainly youths were attacked on their way from Mbar town to Koh village along a bypass encircling Yelwa Nono village between 7. pm and 7.30 pm by fleeing terrorists on motorcycles after they were initially repelled by the military from the surrounding mountains.
The Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council Vanguard, Farmasun Fuddang, confirmed the fresh killings in a statement, on Monday.
The statement which was jointly signed by the association’s Secretary, Duwam Bosco, partly read, “We wish to condemn in the strongest terms the tragic killing of five innocent young men in the Mbar community on September 15 (Saturday), despite prior intelligence reports of suspected terrorists’ influx into the area.
“By the time the security forces were informed about the attack and arrived at the scene several minutes later, the terrorists had completed their mission and fled without apprehension.
“This incident adds to a series of armed attacks in our villages, including the recent murder of 11 youths in Tarangol, Daffo, and Bargesh villages on September 3.”
He alleged that the unprovoked attacks were “a calculated attempt at evicting our people from their ancestral homes and taking over the land.
“We request to be involved in the handling of the threats in our land, working in synergy with security forces as is the case with the civilian joint task force in the North-East and North-West regions.
“This is not to undermine or underrate the efforts of the military. However, we understand the logistical and manpower shortages faced by the military, requiring the active participation of local community members who by the way know the terrain and can better assist with intelligence to identify and expose criminal elements in communities.’
He also advised the communities to eschew late movements as advised by security authorities to minimise risks.
The socio-cultural organisation also sympathised with the families of the victims and called on their people to be vigilant.
“We will not stand idly by while our people, a small minority in Nigeria, are eliminated from the face of the earth”, the statement further stated.
The spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was not readily available when contacted on the incident as his phone indicated that it was switched off.
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