Police kill two members of gang who shot five Benue residents

The Benue State Police Command said its operatives on Thursday engaged in a gun duel with members of a gang that killed five residents of the state in an attack on Tuesday.
An 85-year-old woman was also shot dead during the attack in Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Three of the victims of the Tuesday attack were shot dead when the gang stormed a bar around 9pm on motorcycles while the two other victims including the elderly woman were killed in their homes.
Spokesperson for the command, Mr. Moses Yamu, said investigation so far had not revealed whether the victims were targets or random victims of a ploy to create mayhem in the state by a notorious leader of the gang, Terwase Akwaza, AKA Ghana.
Yamu, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police suspected the attack was a response

NAFDAC raids Aba market, seizes expired drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has conducted a raid on shops in Aba, Abia State, and seized cartons of expired amino acid drugs whose expiry dates had been re-validated by the dealers.
A statement by NAFDAC’s spokesperson, Mr. Anslem Okonkwor, said the raid was coordinated by the Abia State office of the agency as part of a nationwide enforcement operation to rid markets of fake and counterfeit regulated products.
Chief Regulatory Officer of the agency in the state, Mr. Olisa Okeke, who led the operation, said the red coloured drug named “Amino-fit”, containing 10 tablets in each sachet and with batch number B00313D, was manufactured in April 2013 with March 2016 as its expiry date.
He noted that the dealers decided to clean the original expiry date and write a new date on the pack after the drug had expired so that they could continue selling it.

Police arrest 3 suspects for defiling 12-year-old

The Abia State Police Command has arrested and paraded three suspects, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Arochukwu Local Council Area of the state.
The suspects, who are 35-year-old Chima Ochiabuto, Immaculate Ogbonnaya (25), and Uche Nwaokoro (20) allegedly, defiled the minor at different occasions.
It was learnt that the incident was reported to the police after the girl got missing for two days and later returned to her guardian identified only as Oluchi.
The victim was said to be looking pale when she was returned to Oluchi.
According Oluchi, “I sent my younger sibling on an errand, but she absconded only to resurface after two days. When I asked her of her whereabouts, she didn’t say anything reasonable.
So, I alerted the youths in the community and in the process of questioning her, she told us that she was with some men who raped her and also said the other two had raped her in the past.”

N4.7bn probe: Obanikoro to remain in EFCC custody

The former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, is to remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission throughout the weekend, according to report.
Obanikoro is being detained by the anti-graft agency in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged disbursement of N4.7bn.
A top operative of the commission said in Abuja, on Friday, that operatives handling Obanikoro’s case had yet to conclude their interrogation, which was why he would remain in the custody for the continuation of the probe on Monday.
According to the source, the EFCC is looking into details of the case involving the former minister and other key actors of the immediate past administration.
It was further learnt that the commission could be probing other transactions involving the

N22.8bn fraud: Ex-Air Force chief, others’ trial resumes Monday

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till Monday the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), and 10 others, who are being prosecuted for an alleged fraud of N22.8bn.
Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case on Friday to enable the first prosecution witness, Mojeed Olatunji, to produce his passport as requested by the defence counsel during cross-examination.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Amosu on June 29, 2016 alongside two other officers of the Nigerian Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga.
The trio were arraigned alongside eight companies, namely: Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Limited.
The 26 counts pressed against the accused by the EFCC border on conspiracy, stealing and

FG set for trial of S’Court Justices, 7 others

The Federal Government is set for the prosecution of two Supreme Court Justices and seven other judges in spite of the memos written by three of them to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.
The charges against the judges were ready at press time, following the conclusion of investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started probing the accounts of six judges of the Federal High Court who are undergoing interrogation.
The anti-graft commission has allegedly discovered payment of bribe sums/financial assistance into the accounts of two of the six judges.
Investigation revealed that the DSS has gathered tons of evidence against the judges.
Those under investigation are two Supreme Court judges namely Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro; the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice

Suspected kidnappers kill businessman after N500, 000 ransom

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have allegedly murdered an Owerri-based businessman, Amaechi Ahanonu, after collecting N500, 000 as ransom from his family.
The suspected kidnappers had on Monday morning, stormed the Ahanonu’s house in Amato Orogwe in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State and whisked him away.
It was learnt that the gunmen, who were armed, arrived the residence of the businessman and abducted him after shooting sporadically into the air.
It was learnt that the kidnap victim was relaxing with his family members as of the time he was taken away.

Ebonyi: NDLEA arrests 98 drug suspects, as court convicts 37

No fewer than 98 persons have been arrested by the National Drug law Enforcement Agency in Ebonyi State for their alleged involvement in illicit drugs consumption and trafficking between January 2016 and now.
The NDLEA said 37 of the suspects had also been prosecuted and jailed by competent courts, while others were still under investigation.
The state commander of the agency, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, during a press briefing in Ntezi, Ishielu

Police parade 18 for armed robbery in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has said it is fulfilling its promise to keep the state safe by arresting 18 armed robbery suspects in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, stated this while parading the suspects at the command headquarters recently. He said the arrests were made between October 8 and 12, 2016, while they were carrying out their operations.
He said the police had identified all the notorious black spots in the state and that his officers and men were being posted to the areas on a 24-hour operation.
He said, “You would recall that on my assumption of duty as the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, I pledged that my ultimate vision would be to ensure that Adamawa State is safe and secured. It is on this premise that the command re-strategised its operations by

Police arrest 14 kidnap suspects in Bauchi forests

A joint security operation in some forests in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has led to the arrest of 14 armed men, suspected to be kidnappers.
The joint security operation, which comprised the police, in collaboration with Danga Security and a vigilance group, were said to have raided criminals’ hideouts in the forests.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Mahmoud Mohammed, said in a statement on Friday that all the suspects were arrested and weapons were also recovered.
Mohammed said two persons taken hostage by the hoodlums were also rescued alive.
“Police detectives attached to Anti-kidnapping unit/Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Command in collaboration with Danga Security and a vigilance group stormed criminals’ hideouts inhabited

Nigerian Navy arrests 75 suspected criminals in Warri

Determined to flush out criminal elements in its base, the Nigeria Navy (NNS Delta), yesterday arrested 75 persons suspected to be involved in illegal oil bunkering, militancy, kidnapping and impersonation of naval officers in Delta State.
In the same operation, the Navy also impounded three vessels and 80 Cotonou boats loaded fully with stolen crude oil.
While the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, yesterday said the navy had reduced incessant attacks on merchant ships by pirates on the nation’s territorial waters, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Speaking while parading the suspects and the impounded vessels and boats at the NNS base in Warri yesterday, the Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Odjunve, said the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state.

Recession: Falana urges EFCC to investigate, prosecute ex-CBN govs

Human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe some former governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Speaking at a dinner organised by the executives of the Senior Staff Club of the University of Ibadan in Oyo State in honour of members recently appointed by the Federal Government, Falana disclosed that he would apply for an order of Mandamus to compel the anti-graft agency to probe and prosecute the Deposit Money Banks over loans allegedly granted them by some former governors of the CBN.

Suspected assassins kill police inspector in Imo

A Police Inspector attached to a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo, Chief Marcellinus Nlemigbo, was shot dead on Sunday by gunmen suspected to be assassins.
The incident occurred at Umudagu, Mberi, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.
The Inspector, whose name was given as Mr Ogbe, was at Chief Nlemigbo’s compound at Umudagu when the gunmen arrived at about 8 p.m.
Sources close to Chief Nlemigbo told newsmen in Owerri that there was exchange of gunfire

Police arraign man over laptop theft in Ogun

A 23-year-old man, Ukanwa Justice, who allegedly stole a laptop valued N82,000, was on Tuesday charged before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.
Justice, whose address is unknown, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 23 at 12.00 p.m. at Living Faith Church, Canaan Land, Ota.
He said that the accused stole a laptop valued N82,000 belonging to one Oluyori Dele.

Police dismisses SARS officer for killing undergraduate in Lagos

The Police in Lagos State has finally dismissed Sergeant Collins Idom, who allegedly shot and killed a 20-year-old undergraduate of a polytechnic in Edo State, identified as Joseph Eidonojie-Ugbeni.
The police officer, who has served for 14 years in the Police Force before his dismissal on Monday, had before now been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for murder along with three suspected cult members.
Idom, an officer of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, allegedly shot and killed an undergraduate of a polytechnic in Edo State, Joseph Eidonojie-Ugbeni while chasing a notorious suspected Internet fraudster, identified as Badoo at the Ogoja Market, LASU-Igando Road, Lagos State.
Eidonojie-Ugbeni was said to have gone out with his cousin, who he came to visit, to buy canned drinks when he was killed.

57 victims of human trafficking rescued by NAPTIP in Katsina

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, Kano Zonal Command, said it had rescued 57 victims of human trafficking in Katsina State.
The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mr Shehu Umar said, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday, that the latest arrest raise the number of victims rescued to 263 this year.
He said the 57 victims were intercepted on Saturday, Oct. 8.
“The victims were intercepted in two separate groups by the Nigeria Immigration Service in Katsina state along Kongolom border in Mai’adua Local Area on their way to Libya.”

Businessman, ex-banker deny N10m fraud allegation

A businessman, Anthony Okpala, and an ex-bank manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Ikechukwu Aghanenu, have denied defrauding one Rabiu Lawal of N10m.
The duo, who spoke through their lawyer, Obiorah Umeh, said the sum was an investment made by United Kingdom-based Lawal in Mashuchun International Limited, a company reportedly owned by Okpala, adding that there was a written agreement to that effect.
Okpala and Aghanenu had been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on five counts bordering on fraud and forgery.
They were, however, granted bail in the sum of N3m with two sureties each in like sum.
The police had alleged that the defendants colluded to divert N4.014m from the bank account –

Police confirm release of former Minister, husband

The Police Command in Kaduna State on Wednesday confirmed the release of the immediate past Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Malam, and her husband, Pius.
They were abducted along Bwari/Jere axis on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday evening.
The Command’s spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna that the two regained their freedom on Wednesday evening.
“They were rescued at Jare through the effort of the security operatives,’’ he said.
Usman said no one had been arrested in connection with the incident but added: ‘’we are doing everything possible to arrest the suspects so that they can face the law.
“The ex-minister and her husband have united with their family.’’

Court orders remand of 26-year-old murder suspect

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded one Afeez Alabi in prison custody, over alleged robbery and murder.
Alabi, 26, was brought to the court by the police for allegedly shooting to death a security guard in Osogbo.
The prosecutor, Mireti Wilson told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 27, at about 2:00am on Television Street in Awosuru area of Osogbo.

Ex-Minister Laurencia Mallam, husband kidnapped in Kaduna

A former Minister of the Environment, Laurencia Laraba Mallam, and her husband, Pius, have been kidnapped.
The former Minister and her husband, according to the credible online news platform, were

I kidnapped my friend’s daughter to raise money for cosmetics – Suspect

A Ghanian, and her Edo State indigene friend, have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a -nine-year-old girl.
Detectives at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), of the Lagos state Police Command, are interrogating the suspects, Miss Believe and Agatha.
A mother of three, who claimed she had lived in Nigeria for 17 years, said she organised the abduction of the little girl to be able to raise money to shop for some of the most sophisticated cosmetics and make-ups.
“I am a Ghanaian and I am married with three children. I used to work as a nanny in an embassy

Ogun police nab man with two human skulls

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Oluwatosin Akorede who was alleged to be in possession of two human skulls.
The suspect was arrested in the Isale Oko area of Sagamu on Sunday, at about 7pm.c
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the suspect was arrested by a police patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer, Moses Aduroja.
Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the suspect, who is said to be working in a cemetery along Ayepe Road, Sagamu, “is currently undergoing interrogation with a view to

Police seeks international co-operation to fight cyber crime

The Police have said international cyber crime experts must collaborate to develop new skills and technologies to make the cyberspace safer.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, who spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Interpol Cybercrime Training for Practitioner Investigators from African Countries, stressed the need to boost the capacities of investigators in related fields.
Idris said having set up and deployed a hi-tech and cybercrime unit within the Interpol National Central Bureau in Nigeria, efforts were being pursued to equip the unit with tools and techniques to boost its capacities in various fields.
The IGP, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Hyacinth Dagala, said the leadership of the force had made provision for capacity initiatives, with the vision of getting experienced members of the unit deployed in state police commands where cybercrime offences are prevalent.
The three-day training session organised by the Singapore-owned Interpol Global Complex for

About 100 INEC officials to be tried over 2015 poll slush cash

About 100 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who allegedly collected over N23.29b bribe to influence the 2015 general election will soon face trial.
There are indications that the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, have met to perfect the modalities of the trial.
The EFCC, which has been investigating the bribe, allegedly facilitated by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, implicated two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), 16 INEC Directors and 82 others.

EFCC denies clearance for FAAN MD in alleged N3bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday denied that it has cleared the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, of alleged N3 billion fraud and other corrupt allegations.
It said there was no iota of truth in the allegations that the MD was given clearance after paying bribe to some of its officials and those of the Ministry of Transport.
The anti-graft agency however asked those with evidence of such bribery to come forward with evidence.
The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.
The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has been drawn to a report entitled, ‘N3b Found In FAAN MD’s Bank Accounts Sparks Discontent Over His Clearance By EFCC And Shabby Running Of The Agency’, which appeared in an online news portal, with claims that the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria