Crime Facts

2023: We either go forward or continue in darkness — Abaribe

The Senator representing Abia South constituency, Mr Enyinnaya Abaribe, has declared that it is either Abians remain in darkness or move forward, come 2023. Recall that Vanguard had reported that Abaribe had announced his intention to run for the highest office in Abia in 2023. Addressing a crowd of loyalists who had thronged at Apugo’s house, Abaribe said he was in the race to rescue and re-invent Abia. ” It’s either we go forward or we continue in darkness. ” We need to rescue Igbo land, and Abia must be at the forefront of Igbo emancipation.” A member representing Umuahia East State constituency at the Abia House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwudi Apugo has declared that he does not believe in zoning but competence. The lawmaker made the declaration while fielding questions from newsmen after receiving the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who came to visit him in his Ibeku country home. According to him, Abia should focus on competence and not zoning in determining Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023. His words: ” I don’t believe in zoning. I believe in competence. ” We should jettison zoning and focus on competence. Competence and capacity to deliver should be paramount. ” We want anybody that will take over from Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023 to have the competence to take Abia to the next level.” Asked whether he had endorsed the candidature of his guest who penultimate week declared his ambition to succeed Ikpeazu in 2023, Apugo said it was too early to endorse any aspirant. ” If Abaribe is the best candidate I will support him irrespective of his zone but if there is a better candidate I will support the person. ” As a stakeholder in Abia politics, my house is open to other aspirants for consultations. I will support the most competent person”.

Corpse Of Another Female Ritual Victim Is Found In Jos

A resident of Congo Russia, in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been found dead. The corpse of the victim identified as Plangnan Solomon was dumped around the popular Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTV), in Rayfield area of Jos south LGA of the State. She was found dead in the said area with her eyes and other parts of her body removed. Victor Kwara, a community leader at Congo Russia, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Friday, adding that she had been buried. The incident happened a day after the Plateau State Police Command through its spokesman, ASP Ubah Geberiel, confirmed the murder of a woman in Domus Pacis Guest house, along Zaria Road of Jos North LGA of the State. The killing of the two women had thrown many residents of Jos North and Jos South into confusion with some alleging that ritualits have trooped into the state. The community leader however called on residents of the state especially women to be watchful and be careful of those they associate with.

Jealous lady sets lover ablaze for dumping her in Abia

Two lovebirds have died in Aba, the commercial centre of Abia State after the lady set the man ablaze. The incident occured at the popular Lagos Street in Aba South Local Government Area. The male victim, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, was a worker at bread bakery on Obohia Road. The female victim, simply identified as Oluchi, owned a boutique The duo died shortly after they were admitted in different private hospitals as a result of the severe burns they suffered. Advertisement – A resident of the area told The Nation that the male victim who had dated the female boutique owner left her to marry another female worker in the bakery that he was said to have impregnated. “The lady that owns the boutique didn’t know that the guy was dating another girl in their bakery. “It got to the level that the guy impregnated the female colleague without the other girlfriend knowledge. “Funnily, the guy told the lady boutique owner that he needed N200,000 for something which the lady gave him without hesitation. “She didn’t know that the guy was using it to go and pay for the bride price of the girl that he impregnated in their bakery. “When the news of the guy’s marriage came to the lady, she did as if she didn’t know about the traditional marriage. “After the marriage, the lady invited her boyfriend to her house and the guy came without knowing that the lady has something in mind. “Shortly after the guy came, the lady locked her door as she used to do and after a while, she emerged with a bucket containing fuel which she pouted on the guy and set him ablaze. “As the guy was burning, she headed for her door to escape, but the guy grabbed her and both of them began to burn. “It was in the heat of the incident that she raised alarm that attracted neighbour’s who broke into the lady’s house to quench the fire. “They were taken to different hospitals, but were rejected because of the severe bodily injuries. “They eventually died a day apart even while they were later admitted elsewhere.” A police source at the Aba Area Command Headquarters confirmed the incident, but added there was no official report on it.

Herdsmen kill two in Enugu community

The latest attack came just five days after three members of the state Neighbourhood Watch were allegedly killed while chasing herdsmen. They were trying to rescue the wife and 11-year-old daughter of Dr Eugene Edeoga, younger brother of the Enugu State Commissioner for the Environment, Chijioke Edeoga, who were abducted on January 1. – Commissioner of police, Abubakar Lawal, led heads of other security agencies for on-the-spot assessment tour of Ogbete-Mgbuji village in Eha-Amufu community. He confirmed the death of two persons who are yet to be identified. According to him, the assailants “are alleged to have intruded and attacked traders at Orie Market in Ogbete-Mgbuji village on 6/1/2022, and also previously perpetrated acts of kidnapping and murder in other parts of Eha-Amufu community”. The CP added that the assailants set ablaze a mini bus, motorcycles, shops and the destruction of goods at the market. He described the casualties and damages caused by the assailants as callous and unwarranted. The police boss ordered the a thorough investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the attacks and a manhunt of the assailants. He urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and support the police and other security operatives deployed in the area. Other heads of security agencies in the assessment tour included Commander of 82 Division Garrison Command of the Nigerian Army Enugu, Brig. Gen. Chris Ataki and the State Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Enugu State, Mr. Habu Daluwa. They were joined in the tour by the Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Jacob Abonyi, and the President General of Mgbuji Community Development Union, Chukwuma Ede, as well as other leaders and local security personnel of the community.

Nnamdi Kanu: Political solution still being pursued, says Ekweremadu

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said a political solution is still being pursued concerning the case of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB leader, who is facing charges bordering on terrorism and treason, is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services. Some Igbo leaders had last year visited the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the State House in Abuja to seek Kanu’s release. This is amidst calls for a political solution to Kanu’s case. During the visit, Buhari told them that an unconditional release of the IPOB leader runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary. This is as he stated in a recent interview with Channels Television that Kanu should defend himself in court for peddling false information about his regime while he was overseas. Reacting, Ekweremadu, in an interview with Dream FM, Enugu, said he doesn’t think Buhari ruled out a political solution to Kanu’s case. The Senator said, “Political solution in the Nnamdi Kanu’s matter is still very feasible. I also watched the Channels Television interview and I don’t think Mr. President ruled out a political solution. In fact, I would have been surprised if he said he would just release Nnamdi Kanu because there is independence of every arm of government, including the judiciary. There are procedures. “I recall that it was exactly Mr President’s response when I led a delegation of the South-East Caucus of the Senate to see him on the Nnamdi Kanu issue in November 2016. But ultimately we kept reaching out and dialoguing until we had a political solution, which resulted in the judiciary granting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a bail because ultimately, everything will come to the judiciary because every arm of government is independent. “So, we will keep working on a political solution, nevertheless. We will keep engaging the government, just as we will continue to appeal to our youth and people to ensure the stability and prosperity of our region.” He said a feedback is being expected from government concerning the political solution being pursued. “In line with the political solution, which the South East Caucus of the National Assembly is quitely pursuing, I led a delegation of some Igbo leaders like the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Secretary-General, Amb. Okey Emuchay; and Bishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and Co-Chair Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha. “As usual, I deliberately didn’t want to make it public because it is a quiet service we are rendering to Ndigbo and the nation. But the DSS eventually made it public in one of their statements. So, to answer your question, yes, I did lead a delegation to interface with the Kanu and the authorities. We had useful conversations. We have equally made some requests and we are waiting for a feedback from the government to make progress,” he said.

Buhari should return cooking gas price to how he met it in 2015 –HURIWA

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, has asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to return the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas popularly called cooking gas to how he met it in May 2015 when he assumed office. National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, made this known in a chat with The PUNCH on Saturday. According to Onwubiko, Nigerians have nothing to jubilate or rejoice over about the recent marginal drop in the cost of cooking gas. According to PUNCH findings, the price of 12.5kg LPG has dropped from N8,800 to between N8400 and N8200. In some outlets, the price of the commodity dropped to between N7,800 and N8,000 as of Thursday. The product had increased by 240 per cent for 12.5kg, moving up from N3,000 to N10,200 within the first 10 months of 2021. The development forced some LPG users to shift to charcoal or firewood, as consumers of the commodity raised the alarm over the persistent hike in its price. The Programme Manager, National LPG Expansion Implementation Plan, Office of the Vice President, Dayo Adeshina, had said the Federal Government was putting measures in place to ensure further reduction in the cost of cooking gas. However, in a chat with our correspondent on Saturday, the HURIWA coordinator said the marginal reduction (less than N1,000) in the price of cooking gas is not substantial. Onwubiko said, “The failure of the relevant governmental bodies to regulate the pricing of gas assets in Nigeria is a recipe for encouraging the ballooning poverty situations that we have witnessed since 2015 that President Muhammadu Buhari has operated economic policy frameworks devoid of progressive mechanisms. “Government lacks the requisite political will, sincerity of purpose and commitments to do the needful to ensure that millions of homes in Nigeria are not subjected to economic ordeals just so they can get gas to power the preparations of their foods and other essential services domestically and otherwise. “High costs of gas has led to the closure of many restaurants and small businesses thereby increasing unemployment rates in Nigeria. The high cost of gas has affected the green environment and this shows that this government is hypocritical when it mouths her readiness to take remedial steps to halt the consequences of climate change. “All those international trips costing the taxpayers billions of naira by the President and retinue of ministers to attend climate change-related global summits without taking local steps to check unaffordable costs of gas resources in Nigeria is cosmetic and hypocritical.” When asked whether it would be better for Buhari to return the price of cooking gas to what it was in 2015, Onwubiko said, “Yes, but this government is unrepentantly incompetent.” “The government derives satisfaction in imposing outrageous and satanic economic policies on Nigerians. This is even why the government has decided to tax us more for drinking soft drinks even when wives of politically exposed officials buy champagnes and expensive wines at public costs for their own enjoyment in their cocoons,” he added.

Late Sylvester Oromoni: No evidence of torture, bullying, poisoning — Police

Commissioner of Police , Lagos State Police Command, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday, advised those who are not satisfied with the autopsy and Toxicology reports on the late Sylvester Oromoni ,to visit the Coroner Inquest which will begin today in Lagos, to register their grievances or seek redress in the court. He warned that the Police would not fold their hand and allow any act of of omission that could threaten the peace in Lagos State. He warned that the Police would not fold their hand and allow any act of of omission that could threaten the peace in Lagos State . Besides, Odumosu, maintained that the command on its part, had concluded investigation into the death of the 12 -year old Junior Secondary School 2 student and found the three House masters and five students earlier arrested in connection with his death, not culpable of allegation of murder. Briefing journalists on the update of the command’s investigation, yesterday, at the conference room of the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Odumosu, disclosed that the Command’s findings and the second autopsy revealed “ marked pallour of organs, pneumonia(infection of the lungs), infection of the liver and kidney as well as the heart. These infections emanated from the ankle infection described earlier in the report. “Microscopic section also confirmed these findings: death was caused by Septicemia, following infections of the lungs and kidneys arising from the ankle wound. Death was caused by Septicemia, following infections of the lungs,and kidney, arising from the ankle wound. “No evidence of blunt false trauma in his body . The findings in the Oesophagus and stomach are not compatible with chemical intoxication. Death in this case is natural. Despite these and the following legal proceedings, the case file was duplicated and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution,for legal advice. Legal advice however indicated that there is no prima facie case of murder, involuntary manslaughter and/or malicious administering of poison with intent of harm against the students and house masters. Hence they can not be prosecuted. They were all released on bail”, he stated. Giving a detailed account of how the investigation started, he recalled that a formal complaint was received on December 2,2021, via a petition by V. O Grant & Co, and signed by A.E Afole et Al, and dated December 1,2021,. He explained that ‘ The DPO Maroko was immediately directed to carry out preliminary investigation into the incident , notwithstanding that the incident was not reported at any police station. Same day the petition was received, DPO Maroko commenced preliminary investigation by visiting Dowen College on a fact finding mission. However, due to the seriousness of the incident and the dire need to carry out diligent investigations , the State Criminal Investigation Department ,SCID, was directed by me to take over investigation of the case with immediate effect. In compliance with this directive, the SCID Panti, took over the case on December 10,2021 and continued investigation in earnest. “ In the course of investigation, eight suspects were arrested. They included three house masters of the college and five students who were said to have been mentioned by the deceased before his death. The suspects were : Ansel Temile,14; Michael Kashamu, 15; Kenneth Inyang , 15; Favour Benjamin,16 and Edward Begue,16, while the house masters were: Valentine Igbokwe, 45; Ahmed Bariyu,52 and Adesaya Olusegun,42. A remand warrant dated December 7,2021, was obtained at the Yaba Magistrate Court to enable the police detain the suspects for 21 days , in the first instance while investigation continued “On December 9,2021, all the parties , including the deceased family, the school management and witnesses , were interviewed by me at the Command headquarters, Ikeja. During the open interview, it was unanimously agreed that another autopsy should be carried out where pathologists from all parties will be present. Investigation was extended to Delta State and Abuja. I will like to state here that investigation revealed that same case was reported at the Area Command, Warri, Delta State, on December 1,2021. It has also been established that a postmortem examination was initially carried out on December 2,2022, by a consultant pathologist, Dr Clement Vhriterhire, of the Central Hospital, Warri ,Delta. The result of the first autopsy dated December 10,2022, attributed cause of death to acute lungs injury, due to chemical intoxication in a background of blunt force trauma. However, Toxicology screening was recommended and also carried out . While waiting for the result of Toxicology, another autopsy was ordered by the Corona Magistrate in Lagos because of the status of jurisdiction. The corpse was therefore moved with armed police escort from Delta State to Lagos State by TOS funeral and the autopsy conducted at the expense of the Lagos State Government. The second autopsy was carried out at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on December 14,2021, in the presence of representatives of all the parties involved in the case. The autopsy was carried out by Dr. S.S Soyemi, the Consultant Pathologist and Chief Examiner , Department of Pathology and Forensic Sciences, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. The autopsy was witnessed by the following persons: Dr. Uwon Eze, Consultant Pathologist , from UCH, who represented Timiles family; Dr. Badmus Kabiru, Consultant Pathologist from LUTH ,represented Dowen College; Dr. Nigwe Chikodili Isabila, Consultant Pathologist from Military Hospital , Yaba, represented Edward Brown, a student of Dowen College; Dr Clement Vhriterhire, Consultant Pathologist who performed the first autopsy, represented family of the deceased; Dr. Musa Stephen Itopa, Consultant Pathologist, from UBTH, represented Kashamu Michael, a student of Dowen College; Dr. F. E Emiogun, Consultant Pathologist in LASUTH; Dr. O.O Kilauvie- Emegbo, Consultant Pathologist, LASUTh; Dr O.O Onayemi, Senior Registra in LASUTH; Dr N. Salisu, Senior Registra in autopsy posting in LASUTECH, Dr. AC China, Registra from ABU, from autopsy posting in LASUTH; Dr. F. Emetomah,Registra, CSP Rasaq Oseni, from the Homicide section, represented the Nigeria Police Force , Lagos State Command; DSP Olusegun Bamidele, also from the Homicide section, represented the Nigeria

New Year celebrations unjust, undemocratic to Muslims, says MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern has stated that the New Year celebrations according to the Gregorian calendar are “unfair, unjust and undemocratic” to Muslims in Nigeria. In a statement signed by MURIC Director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, the group urged the Federal Government to declare the 1st of Muharram Hijrah, which is the first day in the Islamic calendar, as a public holiday to favour Muslims. Akintola stated that the regime of the President, Major Gen, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), supported “the Christianisation of Nigeria” by giving more regard to the Christian celebration while casting the Islamic one aside. The statement read in part, “As usual, the Federal Government (FG) declared 1st January 2022, a public holiday in recognition of the first day of the Christian Gregorian calendar. “But because the day fell on a Saturday, FG created an alternative by declaring the following Monday a public holiday. “This was an aberration and a gross injustice because Nigerian Muslims have been demanding the declaration of the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday for more than 20 years to no avail. “It simply means that FG under President Muhammadu Buhari is also supporting the Christianisation of Nigeria. It considers the first day of the Christian calendar as sacred while the first day of the Islamic calendar is regarded as unimportant. “MURIC frowns at this lopsided arrangement. It is unfair, unjust and undemocratic. We demand an immediate review of FG’s holiday policy. “We demand the declaration of the first day of the Islamic calendar as a holiday to justify the 1st January holiday that is declared annually by FG.” MURIC stated that if the Federal Government fails to properly recognise the first day of the Muslim calendar as it has recognised the Christian calendar, it should stop declaring New Year holidays. According to Akitonla, the government’s failure to declare the Hijrah holiday is modern-day slavery which Muslims have been suffering since the colonial era. “1st January holiday is a Christian colonial creation designed to dignify and rubber-cushion the pomp and pageantry of Christmas. In the interest of peace, FG should review this Christian colonial heritage. “Nigeria became independent 62 years ago for crying out loud. 62 years is long enough to right wrongs perpetrated by the British slavemasters. “Democracy is fraudulent without equal participation, equal rights and justice. We demand parity now and only the recognition of the first day of the Islamic new year can balance the equilibrium and ensure parity, justice and fair play. “Holidays are part of the dividends of democracy. However, the dividends must not be dished out in a selective manner. “What explanation does FG have for giving Christians holiday on the first day of their calendar while Muslims are denied same? What right has FG to allow one faith to enjoy a holiday on the first day of its calendar while the other creed is forced to go to work on its own first day? It is modern-day slavery, no more, no less. “To strike a balance, we demand the declaration of 1st Muharram as a holiday for the Muslim Hijrah calendar. In the alternative or if the government thinks this demand is unreasonable, FG should stop declaring 1st January as a holiday. That is when we will know who has been benefitting from it and who has been losing and hurting,” Akintola stated.

Imo lawmaker throws away kola nut, scatters table after constituents rejected his another term ambition

A former Speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, Mr Chiji Collins representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency has angrily thrown away a plate of kola nut after a member of his constituent queried him (Chiji) on his alleged lack of performance. In a video seen by Crimefacts.News on Friday, the lawmaker was seen very upset. Trouble started when one of the constituents at the occasion with the Speaker, summoned the courage and started pointing out the alleged failures of the lawmaker and now asked the former speaker to give reasons why he was asking for another support when the support been given to him for the past years yielded no political dividends. That statement caused a commotion in the gathering as the speaker was forced to stand up and demanded the young man to sit down. However, the young man refused and continued to ask questions. It got to a point the speaker had to tumble the table that has the plate of kola nut and other items for refreshment. However, Crimefacts gathered that the Speaker’s action brought to an end the gathering as the chaos frightened people in the vicinity and some persons took cover to avoid an ugly story. Chiji was elected in 2019 under the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, he became Speaker of the State Assembly after he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the administration of former governor Emeka Ihedioha. In 2020, he defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, when Hope Uzodimma, was pronounced winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election by the Supreme Court. He continued as the Speaker, and later he was impeached.

FG’s Declaration Of Bandits As Terrorists Will Help Flush Out Criminals – Matawalle

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has applauded the Federal Government’s declaration of armed bandits as terrorists by Federal Government adding that it will help in flushing out criminals. Governor Matawalle said before the declaration, the military were earlier constrained to use certain equipment like Super Tucano on the bandits but with the declaration, they can use any possible weapon to sweep out all the terrorists. The governor said this after inspecting the screening of new army recruits from all the 14 Local Government Areas in the state. “We have all been waiting for this declaration, and I am personally happy with this declaration because before our military were not able to use some equipment to fight these bandits but with this declaration, now they can be able to use any possible weapons to sweep out these criminals. “We have started discussing with the higher authority on the best way the Tucano will be deployed to Zamfara State so that all the grey areas are going to be cleared Insha Allah,” Matawalle said. On the recent attacks on communities in Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas where many villagers were killed and several others rendered homeless, the state Governor said he has met with the heads of security agencies in the state and they are strategizing while results of their efforts will be out for every citizen to see. “Yesterday, we had a meeting up to 12:00am, Commissioner for Security, Army commandant, the director of DSS and others, we have already strategised and you are going to hear the results very soon maybe by Monday you will hear what we have done,” the governor assured.