Crime

Nigerian Army arrests nine impostors posing as soldiers in Lagos

Published

2 months ago

March 15, 2024

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Nigerian Army’s Headquarters 81 Division has successfully apprehended nine individuals posing as soldiers and engaging in criminal activities that disrupt peace and security in Lagos State and its surroundings.

Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the arrests in a statement.

According to the statement, the impostors who were paraded to the media on 13 March 2024 at Headquarters 81 Division NA, Victoria Island Lagos were identified as, Abua Jacob, Solomon Abraham, Mohammed Jemilu, Michael Omieh, Dauda Samuel, MBida Musa, Miss Esther Audu, and Miss Vivian Titus.

It said the suspects were arrested for various offences, including illegal duties, providing illegal security, and illegal escort services while donning military uniforms, adding that their actions have not only compromised the safety of civilians but also tarnished the esteemed image of the Nigerian Army.

“Mr Abua Jacob, a dismissed soldier, was apprehended on February 7, 2024, at Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos, for impersonation. Mr Solomon Abraham, Mr Michael Omieh, Mr Mohammed Jemilu and Mr Dauda Samuel, all dismissed soldiers, were also arrested in separate incidents for similar offences.”

According to the statement, Miss Esther Audu and Miss Vivian Titus were arrested for impersonation during operations along various routes in Lagos.

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman, urged law-abiding citizens in Lagos and Ogun States to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

He assured the public that concerted efforts, in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue to ensure that such criminal elements are denied a comfort zone within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.

According to the statement, the suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of citizens within its jurisdiction and will continue to take decisive action against individuals impersonating service personnel and other criminal elements.

Crime

Buying pre-registered SIM cards criminal, NCC warns

Published

21 mins ago

May 17, 2024

Anita Anyanwu

The Nigerian Communications Commission has warned Nigerians against buying pre-registered SIM cards, citing the illegal nature of the practice, and could attract severe consequences.

In an advisory note sighted on its X platform on Friday, the telecom regulator emphasized that the use of pre-registered SIM cards compromises the accuracy of consumer information.

“Buying pre-registered SIM cards is criminal and may lead to imprisonment, implication in identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping and armed robbery,” part of the advisory noted.

The NCC explained that using a pre-registered SIM card undermined the reliability of data collected on consumers, making it challenging for authorities to identify and apprehend the actual perpetrators of crimes.

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The warning aims to educate the public on the risks associated with pre-registered SIM cards and encourage compliance with legal guidelines to enhance national security.

The commission urged to follow the proper procedures for registering SIM cards to avoid any legal consequence.

The NCC made the linkage compulsory, directing all telecommunications operators to enforce complete network barring on all phone lines for which subscribers fail to link their SIM cards to their NINs.

There have been two phases of barring SIM cards not linked to NIN by the telcos – the first occurred on February 28 and the second one occurred on March 29.

The regulator, however, has extended the deadline for linking SIM cards to NIN (last phase) to July 31, 2024, from April 15. This extension applies to subscribers with more than four SIMs.

Crime

Man sentenced to 16 years in prison for raping minor in Port Harcourt

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

A Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced a man, Charles Ogagbe to 16 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old girl.

Ogagbe, originally from Delta State was convicted of the crime, which occurred in 2022 in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Chief Magistrate Rita Oguguo, in her judgment, cited the Child Rights Act, stating that the prosecution successfully proved the case of defilement against Ogagbe.

Chief Magistrate Oguguo sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Crime

Evans, co-defendant opt for plea bargain in murder, kidnapping case

Published

7 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, have chosen to pursue a plea bargain in their ongoing trial for murder and attempted kidnapping.

This development was revealed on Thursday when the case came up for re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court.

The state lead counsel, Yusuf Sule, informed the court that the defendants had applied for a plea bargain, and the terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Lawal Pedro.

The defendants were initially scheduled to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping, and attempt to murder.