A Makurdi Magistrate’s court on Friday remanded five persons in Makurdi Correctional centre for alleged Criminal conspiracy, Armed robbery, Kidnapping and Act of Terrorism.

The defendants Terhile Iorkaana, Lanshima Orkunde, Msendoo Faasema, Nancy Shima and Mngusuun Hilega were arrested following a tip off.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Eunice Ndayaryo, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She ordered that they should be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional centre pending the outcome of further investigations.

The Police prosecutor, ASP Stella Ngbede, told the court that the defendants were arrested by men of Operation Zenda tactical team led by Insp Amile Joseph.

He said the arrest followed a credible intelligence within Mbachegh council ward, Katsina-Ala axis, Benue.

The defendants, who are notorious members of a vicious armed bandit kingpin AKA Konyo, had on April 12, blocked the Ayati- Zaki Biam road and robbed motorists of their valuables.

They later demanded for the sum of N10 million through phone number 09154338395.

“Operation Zenda on getting the information of their hideout, stormed the area and arrested the bandits while five handsets and one 5.5.6x39mm live ammunition of type 06 rifle were recovered from them, ” she said.

According to her, the defendants during police investigation confessed to committing the crime while others are still at large.

The prosecutor said that investigation into the matter were still in progress and prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date for mention.

She said the offence contravened section 6(b) and 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the robbery and firearms special provisions Act 2004, Section 3(2) , 4(2) of the abduction

Others are, hostage taking, kidnapping, Secret cult and Similar prohibition law of Benue State 2017.

A Makurdi Magistrate’s court on Friday remanded five persons in Makurdi Correctional centre for alleged Criminal conspiracy, Armed robbery, Kidnapping and Act of Terrorism.
The defendants Terhile Iorkaana, Lanshima Orkunde, Msendoo Faasema, Nancy Shima and Mngusuun Hilega were arrested following a tip off.
The Magistrate, Mrs. Eunice Ndayaryo, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.
She ordered that they should be remanded at the Makurdi Correctional centre pending the outcome of further investigations.
The Police prosecutor, ASP Stella Ngbede, told the court that the defendants were arrested by men of Operation Zenda tactical team led by Insp Amile Joseph.
He said the arrest followed a credible intelligence within Mbachegh council ward, Katsina-Ala axis, Benue.
The defendants, who are notorious members of a vicious armed bandit kingpin AKA Konyo, had on April 12, blocked the Ayati- Zaki Biam road and robbed motorists of their valuables.
They later demanded for the sum of N10 million through phone number 09154338395.
“Operation Zenda on getting the information of their hideout, stormed the area and arrested the bandits while five handsets and one 5.5.6x39mm live ammunition of type 06 rifle were recovered from them, ” she said.
According to her, the defendants during police investigation confessed to committing the crime while others are still at large.
The prosecutor said that investigation into the matter were still in progress and prayed the court to adjourn the matter to another date for mention.
She said the offence contravened section 6(b) and 1(1)(2)(a)(b) of the robbery and firearms special provisions Act 2004, Section 3(2) , 4(2) of the abduction
Others are, hostage taking, kidnapping, Secret cult and Similar prohibition law of Benue State 2017.

The Nigerian Army (NA) has apprehended a soldier in possession of illegal ammunition and explosives during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team in Maiduguri, Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. OnyemaNwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the soldier, Lance Cpl. Mubarak Yakubu was found in possession of 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed in a small bag of rice.

Nwachukwu said the routine search and arrest was in line with the commitment of the Nigerian army to upholding the highest standard of conduct and ethics in its personnel.

According to him, it also underscores the army’s zero-tolerance of any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by personnel.

He explained that the soldier was de-inducted from active theatre operations in March and undergoing de-induction training at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

Nwachukwu added that the soldier was on a welfare pass from April 30 to May 13, when he was arrested.

He assured the public that the army would continue to act decisively in maintaining discipline within its ranks and ensuring the security of all Nigerians.

“The soldier in question is currently in custody and a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this incident and to apply appropriate disciplinary measures.

“This proactive measure by the Military Police K9 Team reflects Nigerian Army’s relentless vigilance and its proactive approach to enforcing compliance with military laws and regulations.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to its role as a professional military organisation dedicated to the service of our nation and the protection of its citizenry,” he said.

By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Customs Command Comptroller James Ojo has achieved  success in intercepting contraband worth N380,370,911 within 23 days of assuming office.

This was made during the maiden press briefing held at Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Comptroller  James Ojo highlighted the Command’s anti-smuggling exploits and other notable achievements.

Assuming office on April 16, 2024, Comptroller Ojo wasted no time in hitting the ground running, swiftly initiating measures to combat illicit trade activities across the state.

Through intensive intelligence strategies and collaborative efforts with agencies such as the Customs Intelligence Unit and the Department of State Services (DSS), the Command was able to intercept a total of 103 items at various locations within Ogun State.

The seized items included 90 sacks and 1,309 parcels of cannabis sativa, 1,596 pieces of foreign-used pneumatic tyres, 2,922 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, 32 bales of used clothes, 1,603 cartons of frozen poultry products, and 22,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, among others.

The cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these intercepted items revealed the magnitude of the Command’s success in curbing illegal trade activities within the state.

During the briefing, Comptroller Ojo emphasised the adverse effects of the seized items on societal well-being, particularly highlighting the dangers of cannabis sativa and foreign-used pneumatic tyres.

He reiterated the government’s policy on the prohibition of rice importation through land borders, emphasizing the need to promote local production and self-sufficiency to foster economic growth and development.

The Command also generated revenue amounting to N14,628,661 through baggage assessment and auction sales of petroleum products.

Comptroller Ojo assured compliant traders of the Command’s maximum cooperation while issuing a stern warning to economic saboteurs to desist from.