Crime
Ogun housewife sells baby for N600,000 to pay bank loan
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old woman, Olaide Adekunle, for allegedly selling her 18-month-old baby girl, Moridiat Rasaq, for N600,000 to an unknown buyer in Lagos.
The suspect was apprehended following a complaint made by her husband, Nureni Rasaq, at the Sango Divisional Headquarters.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP, Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Oyeyemi said that the husband reported that his wife left home with their daughter on March 15, 2023, but returned without the child, and was unable to account for the baby’s whereabouts.
The PPRO added that the DPO of the Sango Division, CSP Dahiru Saleh, ordered detectives to track down the missing child, and go after the said woman, and she was promptly arrested.
He said, “Upon the report, the DPO Sango division, CSP Dahiru Saleh, detailed his detectives to go after the said woman, and she was promptly arrested.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed that she has sold the baby to someone in Lagos at the rate of N600,000.
“When asked the reason for her action, she stated that she borrowed money from a microfinance bank, and when she was unable to pay back the money, the bank agents started dragging her and threatening to deal decisively with her.
“It was consequence upon this that she ran to Lagos and started hawking sachet water.
“It was while hawking that she met a man who introduced her to the woman that eventually bought the child in Lagos.”
The PPRO however, said the acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Babakura Muhammed, has directed that the suspect be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and possible recovery of the baby.
In a tragic and alarming series of events, the family of Francis Ebhuoma has been living in constant fear following the death of his father in a motor accident. Ebhuoma’s father was a member of the Ogboni fraternity, and as the first son, Francis is expected to take his father’s place in the secret society. However, as a devout Christian, Francis and his wife have decided against his joining the fraternity.
The situation escalated on June 22, 2023, when members of the Ogboni fraternity arrived at the Ebhuoma residence to kidnap Mr Francis, They succeeded in taking Mr Francis away to an unknown destination. Fortunately, their eldest son was not at home, having gone to pick up his younger brother from school. The fraternity members repeatedly threatened to return, putting the entire family on edge.
Despite reporting the incident to the Itele Police Station on the day it occurred, no substantial action has been taken by the authorities. The police have promised to investigate, but the family has seen no progress. Appeals to Francis’ relatives have also gone unanswered, leaving the family feeling isolated and vulnerable.
The threats have forced the family to move frequently in search of safety. They initially sought refuge with a friend, but soon received information that the fraternity members were still pursuing them.
They moved again to the home of Mrs. Adefunke Adeyemi, a family friend, but this led to a tragic outcome. The Ogboni members allegedly questioned and tortured Mrs. Adefunke Adeyemi, who died as a result of the ordeal on the 28th July, 2023.
The Ebhuoma family remains in hiding, hoping for intervention and justice as they navigate this terrifying ordeal. Their plight underscores the urgent need for effective law enforcement and community support in the face of threats from powerful secret societies.
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday neutralised six terrorists, recovering a substantial cache of arms in a counter-terrorism operation at Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.
A statement by the army posted on its official X Handle said the operation targeted identified terrorists hideouts in the Birnin Gwari general area.
“It is part of a special clearance mission aimed at restoring peace and security in the state.
“The troops conducted thorough clearance across Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages.
“The troops made initial contact with the terrorists in Saulawa, where two terrorists were immediately neutralised with recovery of a Baofeng Radio and a motorbike.
“The mission continued with further combat engagements in Farin Ruwa, where the troops neutralised additional four terrorists.
“The gallant troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 51 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and another motorbike.
“The successful clearance operation underscores the army’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring safety and security of citizens in Kaduna State and other troubled spots,” it said.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) said it has seized 26,950 litres of petroleum products worth N19 million being smuggled out of the country into Republic of Benin.
The National Coordinator, Operation Whirlwind of the NSC, Mr Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference held at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
He said that the petroleum products which consisted of 978 kegs of 25 litres totaling 26,950 litres was impounded in Zone A of the NCS consisting of Lagos and Ogun.
Ejibunu said the special squad was set up few weeks ago by the Controller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, to complement efforts aimed at cracking down on criminals smuggling petroleum products outside the country.
The customs officer added that the activities of the smugglers usually aid the artificial scarcity of petroleum products in the country forcing the prices to go up for as much as N900 per litre.
He said: “In just about two weeks of operation, Operation Whirlwind team, Zone A axis, intercepted 26,950 litres of premium motor spirit worth N19 million.
“121 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 3,025 litres was intercepted at Oyinkansola Global Concept along Badagry/Seme road in Lagos State on May 31.
“77 drums of PMS (616 kegs of 25 litres) equivalent to 15, 400 litres was seized on June 7 at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko/Obada road in Ogun state.
“The means of conveyance is a truck with the registration number 95D4244D,” he said.
Ejibunu stated further that another 100 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 2,500 litres was impounded on June 8 along Owode/Atan road in Ogun.
“While an equivalent of 6,025 litres consisting of 141 kegs of 25 litres was seized at Julankoly Oil and Gas along Owode-Ilaro Road,’’ he said.
Ejibunu said that the petrol stations involved in the criminal activities had been sealed while their owners would be prosecuted.
He said the menace posed by the unpatriotic act of smugglers on the Nigerian economy could not be overemphasised, hence the need for synergy with other relevant agencies to win the fight against the saboteurs.
He warned all those who were into criminal acts of sabotaging the country’s economy to either have a change of heart or get dealt with according to the laws.
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