May 2024 – Page 38 – Crime Facts

Post Date : May 12, 2024

Report: 3 FIRS officers, policeman killed in fresh Enugu attack on Saturday

Gunmen attacked police and FRSC checkpoints along the Enugu-Makurdi expressway in Enugu State on Saturday, killing three police officers and one FRSC official. In a report by TheSun, the attacks occurred at Premier Junction Eha-Alumona in Nsukka Local Government and Orba town in Udenu Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses reported that the attacks, which lasted more than two hours, began around 4 pm. Two Hilux vans belonging to the police and FRSC teams were set ablaze by the attackers. The gunmen also targeted Igwe Patrick Eze, also known as Igwe Waziri, at Orba in Udenu Local Government Area. Waziri is the traditional ruler of Egali Amalla community. A police officer and an FRSC personnel were killed in the attack, while Igwe Waziri escaped unharmed. This incident follows the killing of two police officers on Friday within Enugu metropolis by gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has placed a N10 million bounty on the perpetrators of that attack. The Enugu State Police Command’s spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls for confirmation of the latest attack

Post Date : May 12, 2024

Four feared killed in Benue community

Suspected gunmen reportedly killed four persons in Mbachon and Mbagbe communities in Turan, Yaav Council Ward, Kwande local government area in Benue state on Friday, May 10. Kwande is located in Benue North East Senatorial Zone and the two affected communities are also to the Taraba state border with Benue. The incident happened at about 5 pm when people were about to settle down to their various compounds. “They stormed the two communities at about 5pm and opened fire on people, when the dust was down four persons were shot and killed, according to Lawrence Akerigba, a member of the community. Lawrence Akerigba told The Nation that one corpse was evacuated for burial, while three were missing and another person was taken away. Kwande Local Government area shares a boundary with Taraba state and has been under herdsmen attacks for 15 years He said: “In Moon district, Kwande Local Government area, the people have had no access to their land for 16 years as it has been completely overrun by herdsmen who have turned it into grazing for their animals. Lawrence Akerigba said further: “The killings are happening now that farming activities have resumed, saying if nothing was done, it will disrupt farming activities now that rains have set in and appealed to security agencies to protect harmless farmers to return to their farm business so that hunger will not kill them.” When contacted Benue police command said they are yet to get the report of the killings.

Post Date : May 12, 2024

NDLEA nabs 75-year-old grandpa in Ekiti, 70-year-old grandma in Benue for drug dealing

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA said on Sunday that following its war against illicit drug abuse, its operatives at the weekend intercepted three trailer loads of opioids comprising three million four hundred and fifty thousand (3,450,000) pills and three hundred and forty-four thousand (344,000) bottles of codeine syrup in Lagos state. Spokesman of the agency Femi Babafemi said the large consignment was intercepted at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos state where three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure. He said, “The multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-ft container trucks and another 20-ft truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex before heading to a large warehouse at Abule-Ado where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments on Thursday 9th May 2024. “Those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks while the third driver jumped off to escape arrest. “In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 7th May arrested a suspect, Nwankwo Ejike in the Coker area of Lagos where 100 litres of codeine syrup were recovered from him while 60 litres of the same substance were seized from Clinton Akinye in the same area the same day. “Not less than 37.5kg of cannabis sativa loaded in a Toyota camry car was recovered from another suspect, Adegbola Segun, 47, when the car was intercepted at Mile 12 area of Lagos on Monday 6th May. “Another consignment of opioids consisting of 59,106 pills of tramadol and different quantities of codeine syrup and Rohypnol being taken across the border to Garua, Cameroon was intercepted by NDLEA officers on Monday 6th May along Mubi-Yola road, Adamawa state. “Two suspects linked to the drugs: Abubakar Auwal, 39, and Adamu Abubakar, 25, (a.k.a Bamanga), a trans-border trafficker who was to take the consignment from Mubi across to Cameroon were promptly arrested. “In Edo state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 11th May raided the Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA, where a total of 11, 636.185kg cannabis was destroyed on three farms measuring 4.654474 hectares, while additional 188kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered and a suspect, Itah Nyong was arrested during the overnight operation. “A 75-year-old grandpa, Jibril Audu was on Friday 10th May arrested with 7.5 kilograms of cannabis at Oke-asa village, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti state during a raid operation, while a 70-year-old grandma, Tikwase Nytor was nabbed with 15.6kg of same substance on Thursday 9th May during a raid operation at Achusa and International Market road, Makurdi, Benue state. “The NDLEA Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture to: Muslim faithful at Sultan Bello Jummat Mosque, Kaduna; students of Oduduwa University and Oduduwa Polytechnic, Ipetumodu, Osun; students of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (Boys Section), Kano; students of Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa. Others are students of Father Tansi International College, Okpuno Awka, Anambra; WADA advocacy visit to Delta state First Lady Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori and similar advocacy visit to the Founder City of God cathedral, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku who was joined by Ojodu LCDA Chairman, Hon. Segun Odunmbaku in Ojodu area of Lagos state. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the efforts of the Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Benue and Adamawa Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week. He assured that officers and men of the Agency will continue to work with local and international partners to ensure that the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is brought to the barest minimum in Nigeria.

Post Date : May 12, 2024

U.S. man who received first-ever modified pig kidney transplant dies

The world’s first patient with a transplanted pig kidney has died, almost two months after the operation. In March, Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted the genetically-edited pig kidney into Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease. The operation was a milestone in xenotransplantation – the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another – as a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, the hospital said at the time. Slayman’s death was not linked to the transplant, the hospital reported. “Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” his family said on Sunday. Slayman’s family paid tribute to the medical team that cared for him. “Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts.” The pig kidney came from a pig that was genetically-edited to remove harmful pig genes and add certain human genes to improve its compatibility with humans. Scientists also inactivated porcine endogenous retroviruses in the pig donor to eliminate any risk of infection in humans. The hospital said it was “deeply saddened” by Slayman’s death. “We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant,” “Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,”it said.

Post Date : May 12, 2024

50 illegal refineries uncovered in Bayelsa

The Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Delta Safe has uncovered over 50 illegal crude oil refining sites in the Biseni area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. JTF Commander, John Okeke, who led the operation on Sunday, said illegal refining of stolen crude oil was taking place in each of the sites. Okeke said he had earlier warned oil thieves in the area to desist from illegal refining of crude oil or relocate to other areas. No arrests were made but he urged public-spirited persons in the area to volunteer useful information that would help in stemming the tide of the illegal business as the JTF cannot do it alone. He assured that the JTF would not relent but would continue to chase after the oil thieves to do what he described as clearance action warning the JTF may come up with more drastic measures. Also uncovered in the area was a large open pit the oil thieves dug that could accommodate over 10 trucks of Alternative Gas Oil. It is believed that the open pit is used to store stolen crude oil from where it is distributed to their refining sites. Okeke recalled that on May 9, 2024, the JTF team was at Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State bordering Rivers State at a contiguous forest shared by both states along the Imo River. He said, “Today, as I said, we are not going to relent and it is a work in progress. We will not get tired, we will continue. We are in Biseni in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa. “We transverse from Ahoada West LGA of Rivers to reach this point; the most surprising thing is that this place we are now is housing over 50 cooking sites with unique arrangements.” According to him, the thieves operating in the area connected what is called a theft line made of a two-inch pipe, a galvanized pipe, directly to the supply oil line on the road, from a distance of about a kilometre. Continuing, he said, “Then they have a lot of funny connections where they have various arrangements of D connection, multiple connections, where each of the thieves gets his supply from a large dug-out open pit that can accommodate more than 10 trucks of AGO, holding crude oil, from where they distribute to their cooking sites”. On the site of the illegal refineries, Okeke stated, “Look at the thick forest we are in now. You can never imagine that such a serious crime is going on here. If not for the good-spirited individual who volunteered information, we wouldn’t have known.” Okeke further added, “It appears that they felt that we are playing romance with kid gloves, but I can assure you that it is getting out of hand if we continue to curb this illicit activity. “I will begin to advocate for more serious measures to address this challenge because the country is bleeding from, you know, these illicit oil activities. “When you allow such activities to continuously be perpetuated the legitimate people that engage (in the business) will not be able to sell their products because these criminals will be selling at far lower prices. “The government needs to gain revenue for developmental purposes, that is why we have taken it as a force to continue fighting this battle and we will not

Post Date : May 12, 2024

14 abducted Kogi varsity students rescued – Police

The Kogi State Police Command has disclosed that 14 of the abducted students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene, have been rescued. Some bandits abducted the students who were reading for their upcoming examination on Thursday night. The bandits reportedly came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls, and began to shoot into the air to scare the students. However, when contacted via a telephone call by our correspondent on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya said, “So far, 14 of them have been rescued, Our men are in the bush trying to find the rest.” Meanwhile, the state government, through a statement issued earlier on Sunday by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said some of the abducted students had been rescued. While the number of rescued students wasn’t stated, the government attributed the rescue operation to the dominant show of firepower by security operatives and local vigilante men over the kidnappers. The statement read, “This is to inform the general public that some of the students abducted by gunmen at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, have been rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents. “Local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds, leaving the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange. “Many of the students kidnapped and even other people in captivity have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention, while many others were also rescued in the early hours of today.” The commissioner noted that “in the sporadic gun battle to rescue our dear students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries and they are currently receiving medical attention.” “The success recorded so far is a clear testament to the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State. We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents,” Fanwo added. However, in a statement on Friday, Ododo had assured the safe return of the abducted students, adding that the government had “activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.” The statement also noted that “nine students” were reported missing as security operatives and local hunters were working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students. On his visit to the school campus, Ododo alleged there was an insider collaboration in the abduction of the nine students. He said, “We installed CCTV cameras in all the classrooms and the entire perimeter of the university campus yet on the day of the attack, our investigation so far revealed that all the cameras were switched off and this can only be attributed to sabotage by internal collaborators.”

Post Date : May 12, 2024

SERAP, BudgIT, others sue CBN over cybersecurity levy

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project; a not-for-profit organisation, BudgIT, and 136 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria “over its failure” to withdraw the cybersecurity levy. In what was described as an “unlawful circular,” the plaintiffs in the suit number FHC/L/CS/822/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos State, asked the court to determine “whether the CBN circular dated 6th May 2024, directing financial institutions to deduct from customers’ accounts a cybersecurity levy is unlawful and therefore ultra vires the CBN.” This is contained in a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday. Last Monday, through a circular, the apex bank ordered all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, among others. operating in the country to start charging a cybersecurity levy on transactions. The CBN noted that, in compliance with the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 and under the provision of Section 44 (2)(a) of the Act, a levy of 0.5 per cent (0.005) equivalent to a half per cent of all electronic transactions value by the business specified in the Second Schedule of the Act, is to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser. “The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration, ‘Cybersecurity Levy.” the circular stated. Although, PUNCH Online had reported that President Bola Tinubu had asked the CBN to suspend the implementation of the controversial cybersecurity levy policy and ordered a review, the plaintiffs asked the court to determine whether the apex bank’s directive “are not in breach of sections 14(2), 44(1) and 162(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and therefore unconstitutional, null, and void They also demanded that the “CBN, its office, agents, privies, assigns, or any other persons acting on its instructions from enforcing the circular dated 6th May 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit,” be restrained. The suit filed on behalf of the plaintiffs by their lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, read in part, “The CBN circular is unlawful and an outright violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international obligations. “Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the CBN will enforce its circular directing banks to deduct from customers’ accounts a cybersecurity levy. Millions of Nigerians with active bank accounts would suffer irreparable damage from the unlawful deduction of cybersecurity levies from their accounts. “The provisions of the Cybercrimes Act on payment of cybersecurity levy strictly apply only to businesses listed in the Second Schedule to the Act. These provisions make no reference to bank customers, contrary to the CBN circular to all banks and other financial institutions.” The statement noted that while the CBN’s circular “a blatant violation of Nigerians’ human rights including the right to property guaranteed under section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution and article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” the Federal Government “has a legal responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of the people, as provided for under section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.” The plaintiffs, therefore, urged the court to “grant the reliefs sought in the public interest and the interest of justice as well as to prevent arbitrariness and ensure the rule of law in the country.” The cybersecurity levy, as ordered by the apex bank, is to be be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser. While disagreeing with this, the plaintiffs noted that according to Section 162 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution, the payment of “revenues collected by or on behalf of the Government of the Federation are mandatorily required to be paid into the Federation Account save the revenue excepted by the provisions of the section.” “The National Cybersecurity Fund established by section 44(1) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 [as amended] into which it is required to be paid the levy of 0.5% chargeable on all electronic transactions instead of the Federation Account is unconstitutional, null, and void. “As of 30 April 2024, commercial banks in Nigeria already charge exorbitant fees for electronic transactions, including electronic transfer charges at N53.75 on any amount above N10,000; stamp duty of N50 on every transaction and account maintenance charge deducted per month,” the statement partly read. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Post Date : May 12, 2024

Fact Check: Claim that viral video of Chinese man beating black men happened in Nigeria, unproven

By Pascal Ibe Claim Many WhatsApp users claimed that video of Chinese man beating black men occurred in Nigeria. Verdict: This claim is unproven. A journalist named Dom Lucre , who posted this viral video first on X on 2nd May 2024, didn’t disclose the exact country the incident happened. Full Text Many Nigeria WhatsApp users have continued to circulate a video where a said to be Chinese man is seen beating, whipping two black men. Shared in many WhatsApp groups, the 26 second video was captioned, “😳😱 This Is Happening Right Inside Our Great Independent Nigeria & Our Citizens Are Brutally Turned In Dehumanised Slaves By Chinese Employers/Companies🙊🤔Pls Let This Video-Clip Go Viral Until It Gets To The Appropriate Authorities To Take Appropriate Actions To Teach Them Bitter Lesson Urgently. This Must Not Be Tolerated In This Country💪💪💪“ 🔥🚨BREAKING NEWS: This disturbing footage of a Chinese employer in Africa treating his employees like Trans Atlantic slaves is going viral across the internet. Viewers have begun discussing on how it appears the Chinese are ‘fare more racist than the White man’ in Africa. pic.twitter.com/4zTnliEQea — Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) May 2, 2024 Verification However when crimefacts.news first traced the video on Google, we found out that many foreign news organizations reported this particular Incident . More than fifty news organizations quoted a journalist, Dom Lucre as first to post the video on X on May 2nd 2024. When crimefacts.news checked the incident on Dom Lucre profile on X, we discovered that the video posted since May 2nd , has gained over 18 million views. Dom Lucre posted the video on X and wrote, “🔥🚨BREAKING NEWS: This disturbing footage of a Chinese employer in Africa treating his employees like Trans Atlantic slaves is going viral across the internet. Viewers have begun discussing on how it appears the Chinese are ‘fare more racist than the White man’ in Africa.“ The video also attracted over 43k reposts,102k likes and over 6k quotes. Dom Lucre didn’t mention exactly where the incident happened. Also the news organizations that reported the same particular Incident failed to state the location or country it occurred. Similar incident In 2020, a Chinese was arrested in Kenya for beating his restaurant employee. Conclusion Our findings showed that there no prove that the viral video of alleged Chinese man beating black men happened in Nigeria as claimed by WhatsApp users.

Post Date : May 12, 2024

DAILIES TOP STORIES: Tinubu asks CBN to suspend implementation of cybersecurity levy

Sunday 12 May 2024 Mixed feelings, anxiety as workers expect new minimum wage Why US, Nigeria, others crack down on crypto currency kings Secondus tackles Wike, accuses ex-gov of working against Rivers FG to receive $2.25bn World Bank loan June 13 ‘Monster floods’ tensions in 31 states spark food crisis concerns – Obaseki Okuama-Ewu: ‘Over 100 natives killed’ Confessions of A Mass Murderer: Why we killed 40 in Enugu massacre Wale Edun visits JET plant, says CNG buses will slash transportation costs We’ll get you, Mbah lashes killers of 2 policemen, places N10m bounty on culprits EFCC arrests 26 suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt XeJet Airlines plane skids off Lagos airport runway Excitement as Plateau reintroduces Tin City metro urban transport All CCTV cameras on campus switched off during abduction of university students, says Kogi gov Naira Defies CBN’s Interventions, Regresses To 1,510/$ Gunmen Kill FIRS Official In Abuja Concerns Over Clumsy Record Keeping In Nigerian Universities Our Tax Reforms Will Benefit Nigerians Says Shettima Kano Community Where Girls Don’t Go Beyond Secondary School Live In Peace Or Leave Kaduna, Gov Sani Tells Conflict Merchants Army Spits Fire As Soldiers Detained Over Protest Break Guard Room Wike to Fubara: Midnight injunction cannot sack Rivers lawmakers Philanthropist Emeka Offor boosts education in Africa with $30 Million book donation Stop Supporting Suspected Fraudsters, EFCC Cautions Bank Officials Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Post Date : May 12, 2024

In Fresh Raid, Bandits Kill 49 In Zamfara

No fewer than 49 persons have been reported killed by bandits during a five-day-long operation in Zamfara State. The deceased, according to residents, were killed in five affected villages in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State from Tuesday to Saturday. According to the locals, 18 persons were killed in Farar-Kasa village; 22 in Dangulbi, two in Duhuwa, four in Tsatsomawa and three others in Yar Sabaya villages respectively. A resident of Anka town, Malam Idris Anka (not real name) said the bandits have been attacking communities in the local government since the beginning of this week. He said, “Banditry has become a daily affair in this part of Zamfara state. To be honest with you, we are tired of this menace. The bandits are operating as if we do not have a government in this country. These people are almost everything in our communities; they are the police, the traditional rulers and the community leaders. “They can attack any community at will, place levy on any community they so wish and abduct anybody in any community and nobody has the right to say no whatever directives they give.” Another resident, who doesn’t want to be named, said he narrowly escaped the bandits along Anka-Bagega road today (Saturday), saying “two bandits in military uniform erected an illegal check-point along the road today (yesterday) robbing road users. Mallam Bello Muhammad, a commercial driver, appealed to both the federal and state governments to come to their aid by providing enough security personnel to the area, as according to him non-presence of security is aiding banditry in the local government. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zamfara State Command, ASP Yazid Abubakar promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Anka Division for details; however, he neither called back this reporter nor answered several calls put to him. Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government has rejected an alleged move by the federal government for a peace pact with bandits in the state.