Fatai Owoseni

Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni, yesterday condemned the killing of a truck driver at Apapa, disowning the sergeant.The sergeant attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23, had shot dead a driver, who allegedly stabbed him for insisting that his truck be removed from the bank’s entrance.

Irked by the driver’s death, his colleagues had gone on rampage, setting two banks ablaze and vandalising properties in the area.Owoseni, who visited the scene Wednesday afternoon, told reporters yesterday that the sergeant acted “on his own” and has been taken into custody. He said despite that the policeman was stabbed, the gun given to him was not to be used at will.

“It was an unfortunate incident. Like we said before, the policeman in question has been taken into custody and currently being guarded in the hospital because he was stabbed. As of this morning, he was taken to the theatre for surgery.

That notwithstanding, the provisions of extant regulations of the police would be applied in dealing with the situation.“Without justifying their actions, I think the reaction from the drivers was as a result of bottled up anger. Some of them left their families to load at the port with expectation to return within two days, only to spend one week there.

“But that does not mean they should take laws into their hands. What they did was brazen lawlessness. We appeal to the public that when things happen like that, the rule of law should be allowed to take its course.”

On the extent of damage done to the banks, Owoseni said it would be hasty to give statistics, since the banks were still taking stocks. The police chief said persons arrested were being screened so that those innocent would not be punished unjustly.

Meanwhile, as the Lagos State Local Council elections hold tomorrow, the Commissioner of Police has urged security agencies in the state not to allow themselves be used to truncate the process.

Owoseni, who gave the warning at one day training for all the security agencies that would participate in the electoral process held at the POWA secretariat, GRA, Ikeja, reminded them that everyone was looking up to them to see what they were going to do and how they were going to act on that day.

“The uniform that we are wearing is far above whatever political office that they want to go and hold. It is on this note that I want to urge us to please, let us discharge our responsibilities before, during and after the election within the extant rules and regulations that established each and every one our institutions so that at the end of the day, we can be seen to be above board and they won’t come to say it is any of the uniform service that truncated the process.

The suspect, Baale of Shangisha, Chief Yusuf Ogundare (right), with his brother, Mohammed Adams (left) when paraded last week.

The Baale will remain in prison alongside his wife, Abolanle and one Mohammed Opeyemi Babatunde, pending when they perfect their bail conditions.They were arraigned before Magistrate (Mrs.) T. Akanni on a three-count charge, their offence bordering on breach of public peace and fake kidnapping.

They pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them. In the first count, Ogundare was alleged to have on July 5, 2017 “put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing breach of public peace” contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State.

Second count stated that Mohammed and Abolanle on the same day allegedly “did aid, counsel, abet and procure Mutiu Michael Yusuf Ogundare to fake his kidnap” contrary to section Section 7(1) and (2) of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State, while the three defendants were in the third count, alleged to have take part in the offence of fake kidnap contrary to Section 16(1)(a-d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, CH. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

The defendants’ counsel, Mr. Glory Odimayo, prayed the court for their bail, submitting that the defendants are prominent members of the Shangisha community and would not jump bail.

According to him, the third defendant, before this incident, was the reigning Baale while the second defendant is his wife and as such would not jump bail. Odimayo further told the court that they would not use their positions to tamper with evidence already before the court.

The prosecutor, Mr. Peter Okerinmodun, opposed the application, stating that the defendants are popular members of the community and could use such relationship to tamper with evidence.

He told the court that, if granted bail, their presence in the community might cause a breakdown of law and order and that they would use their position to influence witnesses.

The magistrate while ruling on the application held that Section 155 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State 2011, agreed with the defence. She granted bail to each of the defendants, in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in the like sum.

She further ruled that the sureties must include a traditional ruler, person with registered property in Lagos, must be a tax payer and a grade level 17 officer in the state public service. He adjourned the matter till August 23 for hearing.

During the training, members of the Nigeria Police, Prison Services and Ministries of justice engaged in a brainstorming session to improve justice system in the country.

Magistrate Court 3 sitting at Modern Market, Makurdi and presided over by Mrs. A. Igyamu has remanded four (4) persons in Shangev-ya district of Kwande local government area in prison for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

The remanded criminals are Bem Terzungwe, Terwase Aloho, Asom Ityongi and Terdoo Dura.

The four accused according to police, had on the 14th of June, 2017, conspired to adopt and heinously kill one Michael Mbaamo Iorchir, abandoning his body in a bush.

The prosecutor, Imo Edward told the court that the incidence was reported by the younger brother of the deceased, Aondohemba Iorchir at the zonal command, Gboko on the 17th of June, 2017 and the four persons were arrested in connection with the killing.

Counsels to the defendant, Solomon Torruam and Godwin Aondoasee Ayangekaa did not oppose the request of the prosecution.

Igyamu fixed the case for 25th of August, 2017 and ordered the accused be remanded at the prison in Makurdi.

Two persons, Luka Samuel, 30 and Emmanuel Owobi, 33, have been remanded in Federal Prisons, Konton-Karfe, Lokoja by a Chief Magistrate Court for defrauding nine persons of N3 million with forged employment letters.

They were said to have exploited the unemployment situation to dupe nine job seekers of N3 million and issued them with forged National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) appointment letters between 2016 and 2017.

The Prosecuting counsel, E.S. Onu in his submission, told the court that the accused, in the company of other accomplices including one Grace Owobi, now at large, fraudulently collected money over a period of time totaling over N3 million from the nine job seekers.

Onu gave the names of the victims as Musa Nasiru, Isah Rabiu, Musah Abdulmalik, Zekeri Aishetu, Samuel Atabo, Yahaya Paul Idakwo, Zekeri Husain, Yahaya Husain and Ladi Nicholas Amedu. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, forgery, wrongful gain and fraud contrary to and punishable under section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The offences according to the prosecuting counsel also run contrary to sections 13, 97, 364 and 175 of the Penal Code Law.

Onu asked for Custodian Order for the accused to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe pending the resumption of the Federal High Court, Lokoja that had the jurisdiction to try the case in the first place.

No fewer than 500 policemen are on standby for the Local Council elections to forestall any break down of law and order. The officers on standby had arrived the command at about 6.30 am on Saturday.

The officer in tactical command, Imohinmi Edgal, a Deputy Commissioner of Police is heading the operation while the Lagos police boss, Fatai Owoseni would be patrolling the state later in the day to supervise operations.

No incident has been recorded so far as voters have started to arrive at polling stations.

Chairmanship elections will be holding in 20 local governments and 37 local development councils in the state. Hundreds of councillors will be also standing for the elections.

Analysts say the elections are a popularity test for the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state and how well the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has performed.

Having lost a few members in the State's house of assembly to the APC through defection, the leading opposition party the People's Democratic Party is looking to make gains at the polls. But with Lagos being a stronghold of the APC's, how much gains the PDP will record today is left to be seen.

LASEMA, however, said a five-year-old girl was rescued alive and was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Ikeja, by the State Ambulance Service.

A woman and her daughter died on Saturday in a collapsed building at Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

LASEMA, however, said a five-year-old girl was rescued alive and was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Ikeja, by the State Ambulance Service.

The agency’s spokesman, Mr Adebayo Kehinde, said a distress call via the Emergency toll-free number 767 or 112 was received at 11.48 a.m. following a collapsed building at No. 7 Saidu Okeleji St., off Alaro Street, Meiran in Abule-Egba on Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway.

“Investigation conducted by the agency at the scene of the incident revealed that a bungalow under construction with sands and concrete blocks seen on the deck, suddenly caved in with three people trapped in the rubble.

“The prompt response by emergency responders led to the rescue of five years old girl, who was immediately moved to the General Hospital, Ikeja, by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

“Two persons — a 30-year-old mother identified as Basirat and her daughter identified as Bisoye were brought dead and were moved to the mortuary by the State Environmental Monitoring Health Monitoring Unit, ” Kehinde said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He commended the efforts of the State Fire Services, Nigerian Police, LASAMBUS, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Red Cross for their prompt response and collaboration with LASEMA.

The spokesman said an investigation would be launched into the incident and advised owners and developers of buildings in the state to adhere to building codes and physical planning laws to advert disasters.

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Rescue workers retrieve five-year-old girl, Moyin, trapped in a collapsed building at No. 7 Seidu Okeliji Street, Meiran, Lagos...yesterday Photo: Ayodele Adeniran

Two people lost their lives after a building collapsed in Meiran area of Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Government Area, following heavy rainfall in Lagos, yesterday.

High Tension Cable Snapped On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Two people lost their lives after a building collapsed in Meiran area of Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Government Area, following heavy rainfall in Lagos, yesterday.

The uncompleted building, housing some residents, it was learnt caved in, midway during the heavy downpour. It was gathered that those who survived were seriously wounded.

The sad incident happened around 11:48am at No 7 Saidu Okeliji Street, Alaro Street Meiran. 
The state's Emergency Response said it got a call which it responded to promptly, resulting in the rescue of a five-year old girl, Moyin, who was immediately moved to the General Hospital, Ikeja by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

Also, high-tension cables reportedly snapped and fell on some portion of the Lagos Ibadan expressway, resulting in a diversion after Macpherson University along the expressway. Motorists are advised to drive carefully.

The late Chigozie, The Guardian learnt was frustrated after leaving secondary school many years ago, without securing a job.

As Traders Discover Decomposing Body In Onitsha

A 25-year-old, Chigozie Igwe, a native of Umuofor, Umumumo, in Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State, has hung himself, due to what he attributed to his joblessness.

The deceased, who was found in one of the rooms in their family house, according to the note he dropped before committing suicide, accused the world of being wicked to him through hardship and joblessness. The suicide not read: “Die, die, die. Let nobody weep for me because, I am tired of this wicked world.’’

The late Chigozie, The Guardian learnt was frustrated after leaving secondary school many years ago, without securing a job. People in their area said the deceased had complained painfully few days before the ugly incident that the suffering was too much and unbearable.

Family members, friends and relations of the deceased were gathered as at the time journalists visited the scene, crying profusely.

The deceased’s mother, Mrs. Anthonia Igwe, who was angered by the act, said: ‘’Chigozie, is this the way you chose to leave this world? Remember that you have committed an abomination and you will go to the worst part of the hell.”

Police operatives at the council, confirmed the incident. They said preliminary investigations had commenced. In Onitsha, Anambra State, panic ensued at the International Electronics Market, when traders discovered a decomposing body swept to the area by flood.

Sources said the traders began to perceive offensive odour in the market and began to search the vicinity, resulting in the discovery of the decomposing body.

The Financial Secretary of the market, Onyeka Azubike, who spoke to Journalists said, “the flood dumped the corpse because the drainage system that passes through the market was blocked at the entrance gate behind a company adjacent to the market.”

Osofisan, others mourn

A veteran actor, broadcaster and poet, Chief Adebayo Faleti, is dead. He died yesterday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, aged 86 years. Adebayo was one of the pioneer members of staff of the first television station in Africa, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), as a broadcaster in Yoruba language.

He translated Nigeria’s National Anthem from English to Yoruba and published a dictionary containing the formal or official use of Yoruba names. His son, Adeniyi, who confirmed Faleti’s death, said that his remains had been taken to anatomy section of the UCH.

He said: “After the morning devotion, I helped him to the bathroom as I normally do. He said he wanted God to send someone else to come and complete his work because he had done all he could do. He also said that he wanted to go home. Suddenly, I noticed that he was not breathing again. We took him to the UCH, Ibadan, where he was confirmed dead. We shall miss him greatly.”

His first son, Ayoola, said he spoke with his father three days ago and that he was on his way home when he was told that Faleti had passed on.Besides, one of the deceased wives, Moteniola, who said she married him in the 50s, described him as a loving husband who was always concerned about the welfare of the family.

Another wife, Olubunmi, could not speak to pressmen as she continued sobbing uncontrollably.But another son of the actor, Gbemi, said that the family would remain grateful to God for granting their father a good life.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s culture community has mourned the passing away of Faleti since the news broke yesterday.

Deputy Director, University Media Centre, University of Ibadan, Mr. Ropo Ewenla, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday from Faleti’s residence in Ibadan, noted that the mood at his residence was “one of acceptance of the ultimate will of God. A few tears here and there, but the mood is not one of utter sadness. He was prepared for his passing. At the last event we did in his honour, he could not attend, but he had a live video streaming from his house where he announced that it would be his last outing. He was well prepared for his exit.”

Also, professor of Theatre Arts, Femi Osofisan, described Faleti’s passing away as ‘the loss of a huge treasure’ and lamented that it would be difficult to find his replacement.

In a telephone conversation, he said: “It’s a sad loss of a big treasure of Yoruba culture. He lived a long and fulfilled life. Sadly, we don’t know who is going to replace him.”

A journalist and performance of Yoruba oral poetry, who Faleti inspired, Akeem Lasisi, noted: “It’s a huge loss to culture and entertainment industry in Nigeria. I believe that he represented the best, the deepest in cultural performance. He was one of those we can call natural actors in terms of the way he interpreted roles and added value in some of the plays and films he participated.”

An award-winning poet and lawyer, Tade Ipadeola, also noted: “Alagba Adébáyò Fálétí was a major poet and a lord of the Yorùbá language. Through his many interventions on the page, on stage and on the screen, he has left many landmarks.”and benchmarks that show that Yorùbá is a language of beauty as well as a veritable vehicle of thought.“He had a mastery of the English language, but one could always tell that his thinking was done in his mother tongue.”

The accident scene, yesterday

No fewer than 14 people including women and children  died yesterday in a  ghastly road accident in Ile-Ife, Osun State.The victims were burnt beyond recognition as the 18-passenger bus conveying them from Ore, in Ondo State to Ibadan ran into a fuel laden tanker and exploded immediately.

The Guardian learnt that the bus carried some engine blocks, which contributed to the trapping of the passengers when it hit the truck.The accident, said to have occurred at about 12 noon in front of a fuel station, some metres from the main gate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile –Ife attracted sympathisers who made futile effort to rescue the victims.

Eyewitness account said the truck was trying to enter a nearby filling station to empty its content but the driver of the bus suddenly lost control and rammed into the truck , which caused a spark and an explosion.

An eyewitness, Mutiu Oladele Mutiu, attributed the fault to the driver of the bus with Lagos Registration Number: MUS702 XH.Oladele said the passengers were trapped and people around on rescue mission became helpless while the situation had already gotten out of hand before men of the fire fighters  and Federal Road Service  Corps (FRSC) arrived the scene.

However, three passengers were said to have been rescued and taken alive to the Seventh-Day Adventist  Hospital, Ile Ife  but one of them
reportedly died on arrival.

The charred bodies of the victims were taken to the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Osun State, Anthony Oko, confirmed the incident.

LAWMA

Officials of the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) attached to Abaranje road, Custom bus stop, in Ikotun, locked homes of residents in the area for non-payment of their waste collection rates, denying them rights of entry and exit for almost 24 hours.

Decrying the action of the LAWMA officials, a landlord, who spoke on behalf of other affected houses and who pleaded for anonymity, queried the rationale behind the collection of the rates when residents hardly see the waste collectors come regularly to collect refuse.

The landlord said: “Nobody in this area is opposed to collection of rates by the government, but there should be justification for this. They don’t come regularly even when they are expected twice weekly.

“This year alone, my house has paid N18,000, yet they brought another N36,000 bill without reflecting the previous payment. It is not the money that matters, but accountability and satisfaction for services rendered.

“I don’t think this is how the government said they should carry out their duties. Something is wrong somewhere and this is overzealousness on the part of the officials. They are giving the government a bad image. That we live in Ikotun does not make us here inferior, because I don’t think they can just lock out residents of Ikoyi, Banana Island or Magodo for non-payment of rates,” he queried.

Another affected resident, Victor Obi, said: “There is need for government to curtail this inhuman treatment. Why would anybody lock out residents for any reason? We have not committed any crime and as such we don’t deserve this.”

He called on the Commissioner of Enviroment, Babatunde Adejare, to check activities of LAWMA in the area and make them operate with a human face, lamenting that many of the affected residents officials between N2,000 and N5,000 as penalty before their premises were unlocked.

When the agency was contacted, an officer who pleaded for anonymity said it was not true that their officials carried out the act as alleged. The officer, however, apologised to residents for the irregular services experienced, which is said is due to some reorganization in the waste management sector in the state.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Ajimoh, who emerged the Alale of Akungba Akoko, was announced as the Oba by the past administration of Olusegun Mimiko, despite a pending litigation in court. 

However, the present administration, in a letter dated July 19, 2017 and signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adeyemi Adeyemo, botched the coronation, which was to take place in five days time.

The letter that was delivered to the monarch noted that the coronation slated for July 29, would lead to breach of the prevailing peace in Akungba, the host community to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA).

The state government directed all security agencies to enforce the suspension of the coronation and curtail any activity that might degenerate into chaos in the entire Akoko South West local council.

Meanwhile, the Alale stool has been in contention at the High and Appeal courts since 2007, leading to serious litigation by the various royal houses on who should rightfully ascend to the throne.

In December 20, 2013, a judgment was delivered at the State High Court, Ikare in favour of Prince Oseni Isiaka Adu, from the Ole Ruling House, as the Alale-elect of Akungba Akoko. The Ajimoh family, who were not satisfied with the judgment, appealed the ruling and the case is still pending.

Mimiko, however, towards the end of his administration, ignored the court judgment and installed Oba Ajimoh as the Alale, who was allegedly reported not to be a party to the suit.

While reacting to the government order, the embattled Alale, Ajimoh, described the suspension as politically motivated, adding that he would appropriately challenge the suspension of his coronation.He said the decision was unfortunate and blamed his opponent for writing frivolous petitions against him to creating undue tension over the obaship tussle in the town.

Lagos Abeokuta expressway

In fact, many residents have given the state a new moniker, the ‘Lagoon State.’ Other states like Ogun, Rivers and Enugu, were visited with severe rainfall and attendant deluge in equal measure like Lagos.

About 70 buildings, including churches, vehicles, and household items were among properties swept away by a two-day downpour in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. The rain started around 8:30a.m. on Saturday and was still pouring as at 4p.m. yesterday when this story was filed.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office complex along Aba Road in Port Harcourt and several other parts of the city were submerged. Some residents, especially those living within Mkpolu, Rumuolumeni, Rumodumanya in Obio/Akpor Local Council and those in D/Line in Port Harcourt City Council of the state have begun relocating to other areas, as houses were being seriously affected by the flood. Though no life was lost, valuables worth millions of naira were destroyed.
 
Some churches could not hold Sunday service as flood took over worship centres while other churches recorded low turnout due to the rain.Grieved by the development, residents have blamed the incident on the poor drainage system in the state, noting that the state government was warned about the flood but regretted that no serious step was taken to address it.

One of the residents who lives at Mkpolu, Mr. Emma Ibe, said: “The state government concentrated so much on road construction without putting into consideration other factors like flood prevention. The contractors didn’t help matters as they failed to put in place standard drainage systems, which could absorb water.”
 
Efforts to get government’s response to the development was futile as the Special Assistant to Governor Nyesom Wike on electronic media, Simeon Nwakaudu, failed to respond to several calls from The Guardian. It would be recalled that the governor recently dissolved his cabinet.

For residents of Meniru, Igwe Goddy Ekoh, One day Road, Agbede and adjoining streets in Awkunanaw, Enugu South local council, Enugu State, Saturday will remain one of the dates they may not forget in a hurry. It was the day an over three hours rainfall wrecked havoc, which many of the residents are yet to come in terms with.
 
A three-storey building undergoing roofing, several household items, perimeter walls, cars, economic trees and other valuables were either destroyed or drowned by the massive flooding that came with the rains.

The Guardian, which visited the area yesterday discovered that about 10 cars parked inside the compounds were heavily shattered by the walls, which were pulled from their foundation by the flood.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who last week undertook a tour of public places that included markets in the state, had lamented the level of distortion in Enugu’s master plan by indiscriminate setting up of structures. He directed the state Ministry of Environment to begin demolition of structures that are illegally built.

This is the same measure the Lagos State government is adopting as it yesterday ordered owners of properties erected on drainage channels impeding the free-flow of water to immediately vacate or risk being removed.

The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, expressed dismay that the lawless activities of some people was constantly putting the lives and property of residents at risk.

He listed some of the areas where properties were erected on drainage channels to include Ilubirin, Dolphin Estate, Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Osapa London, Ikota, Ogombo, Lekki, among others, noting that the massive investment of public fund into drainage clearing and de-silting had been compromised by structures hindering the free-flow of water.

Boperatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Task Force has arrested three persons for phone theft at Oshodi and impersonation of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Mr. Adamu Ibrahim, over the release of a forfeited unregistered Bajaj motorcycle. 
   
SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, chairman of the agency disclosed that the notorious criminal who specialises in dispossessing members of the public of their valuable items snatched a ‘Gionee P5’ phone from a lady who dropped from a commercial bus on Oshodi bridge.
   
According to the chairman, the agency’s enforcement team, who were alerted immediately after the incident, chased the criminal, recovered the phone and got him arrested.
   
Egbeyemi also revealed that an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle was impounded and subsequently charged to court for plying Mushin-Oshodi Expressway, which is one of the 475 restricted routes to motorcycles as contained in the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
   
He stated that Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi forfeited the motorcycle to government while the rider, Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, was sentenced to a six-hour ‘Community Service’ after pleading ‘guilty’ to the one count charge levied against him.
   
Egbeyemi said it was after the rider completed the six hours ‘Community Service’ and was subsequently released by court officials that he went and engaged one Mr. Sadiku Alaraman, who claimed to know Mr. Adamu Ibrahim, to assist him and get his forfeited motorcycle released from government. 
   
After an unsuccessful attempt to convince the Coordinator, Lagos State Mobile Court, Mr. Oluwafemi Alabi, through a phone call from someone who impersonated himself as the A.I.G Zone 2 from both Mohammed Aliyu and Sadiku Alaraman, they went to ‘Lagos State Motorcycle Dump Site’ at Ojota.
   
“Inspector Gambo Aich who is the officer in charge of the Lagos State Motorcycles Dump Site was also deceived by both Mohammed Aliyu and Sadiku Alaraman to have spoken on phone with same person who impersonated himself as the A.I.G Zone 2 and ordered him to release the forfeited motorcycle immediately but he insisted that they must get a clearance from the government”Inspector Gambo Aich, however, reported the matter and both men were arrested and taken before the A.I.G, who denied knowing them.
 

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

Nze Okafor, who presented documents, including land certificate of the freehold issued by Lagos State government and Deed of Register to show the firm’s ownership of the property, maintained that the property occupying about 322 Square metres was built over 30 years ago and the his company’s name was still in the registry as the owner of the land before the invasion by LASURA officials on June 8, 2017, who demolished the structure and erected a signboard claiming that the property belongs to the Lagos State Government.

General Manager of LASURA, Mr. Lateef Solebo, however told The Guardian that the property in question belongs to the state government and evidence to that effect resides with them. He urged the claimant to take the government to court to prove its ownership.

Mrs. Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Ondo State Command, has vowed to expose officers who belong to different cult groups and those who connive with criminals to perpetrate evil.

The Commissioner for Police, Mrs. HIlda Ibifuro-Harrison, disclosed this at a security summit organised by Akoko youths in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko South East local council of the state.

Ibifuro-Harrison, who was represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, said the police alone cannot fight crime without the support from members of the public.

She disclosed that investigations have commenced into the alleged involvement of some officers in cultism, promising that any officer found wanting would be punished accordingly.

Akokoland, which is made up of four local councils, has witnessed high profile kidnapping in recent times, including that of a traditional ruler in April.

Meanwhile, the National President of Akoko Youths, Mr. Babatunde Momoh, urged police authorities to establish police area command in Akoko division.

This, according to him, becomes imperative because of the increasing cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the area. Momoh blamed the increasing rate of kidnapping in the area and state at large on poor road network and called for effective community policing to check the ugly trend.

The president, however, lauded the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua, an Indigene of Arigidi Akoko, for donating patrol vans to the police for effective policing of Akoko division.

Similarly, the Caretaker Chairman of Akoko South West Local Council, Mr. Oloruntogbe Augustine, implored young people in the area to take the lead in exposing those behind high profile kidnappings in the area.

PHOTO: HuffingtonPost

Six inmates of Okaka Prisons in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have been apprehended for attempting to escape from the prison.

It was gathered that the mastermind of the attempted jailbreak, Mr. Victor Tekekuma, blew the prison cell with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The bang of the explosion drew the attention of the security operatives comprising the army, police, State Security Services (SSS) and prison warders, who mobilised to the scene, leading to the arrest of six of the inmates who wanted to escape.

The incident, which took place around 9p.m. on Sunday, saw the suspects bombing one of the cells in the prison with an IED, but it took the prompt arrival of the combined security operatives to thwart their escape.

It was learnt that the security operatives rounded up the fleeing suspects and arrested six of them after they had passed through the hole created by the explosive device.

A prison source, who craved anonymity, said the mastermind of the attempted prison break, Mr. Victor Tekekuma, is an inmate awaiting trial for murder and kidnapping since 2013.

The source said Tekekuma allegedly used the IED to drill a hole by the toilet section, where the six arrested inmates took in order to escape from detention.

A security source said the IED was allegedly brought to Tekekuma by one John Koko, said to be his brother-in-law from Sangana in Brass area of Bayelsa.

‘’Investigation into the dastardly act revealed that the mastermind of the attempted escape got IED through one of his visitors. The IED was concealed in a ‘blue band margarine’ butter pack. They put the device inside a cellophane and covered it with margarine to make it look as if it was butter.’’

The Controller, Nigerian Prisons Service, Bayelsa State, Mr. Victor Chiabua, who confirmed the development, said the prompt response by the police, the NSCDC, the DSS and the military ‘’actually aborted what could have been a jailbreak.

‘’The response was immediate as prison armed squad with other security officers on duty advanced to the scene of explosion and the-about-to-flee inmates were arrested and kept in separate cells. They are six.”

The Okaka Medium Prison facility was built to accommodate 300 prisoners but are currently housing nearly 500 prisoners with 488 males and eight females.

On the possible cases of congestion as cause of the attempted jailbreak, the controller noted that though the issue of congestion in the prison‎ was caused by the slow pace of justice dispensation in the state, “we are only custodians, we don’t reject prisoners as long as they have proper documentation. And it is not in our place to release prisoners or those on awaiting trial list.”

The protesters

Kaduna State residents yesterday trekked long distances to their various places of work as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) protested against what it described as harassment and extortion of its members by officials of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA).

A bus driver, Salihu Usman, who ply Kawo to Sabo area, said: “The cheating and harassment is too much that we can no longer bear it. That is why we are out in large numbers to tell the world that we are not happy with the way we are been treated by this government agency.”

When asked if the leader of the NURTW is aware of the protest, he said: “We are been sold out by our leaders. They are only representing their interest, not ours.”

The state chairman of NURTW, Alh. Alhassan Haruna, described those who flooded the streets in the name of protesting over extortion as thugs who want to seize any available opportunity to cause chaos in the state, dismissing them as not bonafide members of the union.

“The union is not part of any protest, because I was in KASTLEA office earlier to meet the Director General on the way out over the new policy of tax collection from motorists, but surprisingly, information reached me that some hoodlums have taken over the streets in the name of NURTW to disturb the peace of Kaduna, by forcing citizens out of buses and stopping drivers from carrying passengers.”

In his reaction, the D.G. of KASTLEA, while addressing pressmen in his office, said: “In six to seven months since the agency has been existing, there has not been protest by motorists, why now?”

He described their action as a strategy by the opposition to undermine the government of the day, thereby making the state ungovernable. “We need to find out who this guys are and where they are coming from, because from all indications, it shows they were imported into Kaduna to forment trouble and cause disorderliness.”

Snake. PHOTO: Alexandre TEYNIE / AFP

The much talked about cargo airport in Makurdi, the Benue State capital may have more hurdles to cross as the host community, Nyiev, has threatened to send snakes on government workers, as well as contractors planning to shortchange them by evading compensation to the community.

KM 28, Makurdi-Lafia Road has been earmarked for the construction of the cargo airport, in which Governor Samuel Ortom had last year performed the ground-breaking ceremony amidst criticisms from members of the opposition, who described it as a white elephant project.

Making the revelation to journalists yesterday in his office, Commissioner for Works, Transport and Energy, Mr. Emmanuel Manger, said the issue of compensation is still been sorted out between government and the community, as valuation are been compiled by both parties.

He, however, explained that the community’s threat to send snakes on anyone who attempts to shortchange them was to avoid a repeat of what happened to them when the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, was to be established some years ago.

“The people said they are not taking anything to chance. They have vowed to send snakes to anyone who tries to shortchange them again,” Manger stated.

In another development, the commissioner disclosed that the state executive council has approved the privatization of Benue Links limited to enhance its efficiency.

“There is going to be a bid and those interested will come forward. It is going to be 51-49 ratio,” he concluded.

Dismissed officers (standing right) during their trial

• Three others dismissed for extorting N200,000
For allowing two robbery suspects who removed the roof of the police station cell where they were kept in custody to escape, three policemen attached to Isheri Oshun police station on duty may be sacked.

Their fate would depend on the outcome of the ongoing police orderly room trial against them. The policemen attached to the Lagos State Command, were on duty that Sunday night when the suspects removed the roof of the cell and escaped.

It was gathered that three Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) of the ranks of sergeants and constable, were handed over the suspects by the officers who had effected their arrest.

The suspects were arrested for stealing and were locked up in the cell pending the outcome of investigation that would lead to their being charged to court.

However, despite police presence in the station, the duo removed the roof of the cell and escaped at night. When the officers on duty woke up the next morning and went to check up on the suspects, they met an empty cell with the roof damaged and removed.

When the information of their escape filtered out, residents were angry, given that they were the ones that helped the police to arrest the suspects.

Blaming the police for gross incompetence and putting the community in grave danger, the residents, it was gathered, were initially spoiling for war until top hierarchy of the division waded in.

To douse the tension, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Camelius Emodi, quickly rallied his men and went in pursuit of the suspects and with the help of intelligence were able to allegedly re-arrest them.

The team was said to have arrested one Bashiru Rabiu, who was allegedly involved in the cell break and he has been charged to the Isolo Magistrate court for willful damage and escape from lawful custody under the criminal code.

However, the suspect has since denied involvement in the crime, alleging that he was randomly picked up by the police team who were on the trail of suspects who actually escaped from the cell.

Already, an orderly room trial for the three policemen has been constituted at the Area M Command led by the Area Commander, Austin Akika, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, however clarified that the suspects were arrested for stealing and not armed robbery.

Meanwhile, three policemen attached to Ijede Division in Ikorodu, have been dismissed from the police for allegedly arresting and extorting their victims of N200,000.

Inspector Okelue Nkemeonye (136005), Sergeant Braimoh Sunday (355897) and Sergeant Yusuf Olukoga (359928) were sacked from the police yesterday after an Orderly Room Trial held at the Zone II Headquarters in Onikan found them guilty of the allegations against them.

According to the Police Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), the dismissed Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) were found guilty of corrupt practices and discreditable conducts under the First Schedule of the Police Act, Cap P19, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Officer in charge of PCRRU, Abayomi Shogunle, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in a statement yesterday, said the officers committed the offence on June 21.

He said a complainant had contacted the unit and reported that the policemen picked him up at a bank he went to deposit money. Since the network was down, the victim, whose name was not given, said he paid the money into his own account in the hope that he would transfer it to the company it was meant for later on.

Upon leaving the bank, he was accosted by armed policemen wearing Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) vests and they told him to enter their car while pointing their gun at him.

The victim said his mobile phone was collected from him, the policemen asked what he does for a living and he told them he just completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He said he told the policemen he was living with his brother and that he was the one who sent him to the bank. He also showed them his brother’s shop while they were driving by so they could stop and make enquiries but they refused. He was not allowed to take his calls nor make phone calls.

The victim said he received an alert on his phone, which was the money he deposited in his account, adding that the policemen started accusing him of being a fraudster and demanding N1 million bribe from him.

“One of them slapped me. They drove us around places in Ikorodu, Ijede, Gberigbe, Ibeshe, Igbe, Ipakodo, Itaelewa, Agric and First Gate, harassing people, moving them in the car and collecting huge amount from them.

“They collected N50,000 from me. I noticed that at each junction that we reached people were hailing their leader by his nickname (OJ. Ojewunmi). And one by name Austin slapped me.

“They picked me up around 9a.m. and dropped me 6p.m. after collecting money from me. They even used my account to collect money from the guys that I met in the car and used my ATM to withdraw them,” the complainant alleged.

Upon receipt of the complaint, Shogunle said an investigation team was dispatched to Ikorodu and it was discovered that the policemen were not attached to FSARS. He said the dismissed policemen and one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bayo Obadia, with force number 98199, who led the rogue team, were arrested.

“PCRRU preliminary investigation revealed that all the allegations contained in the WhatsApp message actually happened. Also the four police officers, who were armed on the day of the incident falsely paraded themselves as operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) despite not being posted to SARS by police authorities.

“Investigation also showed that the officers extorted a total sum of N200,000 from the young men who they tagged “Yahoo Boys.” The money was forced from them (victims) via N90,000 ATM withdrawal and N110,000 mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen. All the extorted N200,000 was recovered by the PCRRU investigators.”