Crime
Osun: Motorcyclist celebrating union election shot dead
A commercial motorcyclist, Toromade Adebowale, has been shot dead at Moro Junction, Edunabon, Osun State, by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
The victim was said to be celebrating the election of new executives for the union of motorcyclists in the town when the incident happened.
Apart from Adebowale, who was hit by a bullet around the stomach region, a yet-to-be-identified motorcyclist was also injured during the incident.
The latter was said to be responding to treatment at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife.
An eyewitness, who was one of the newly elected executives but spoke on condition of anonymity, said in the midst of their celebration, gunshots were heard, which left Adebowale and one other person injured.
He, however, said Adebowale did not reach a hospital before he gave up the ghost, while the other person injured was rushed to OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, for treatment.
He said, “His name is Toromade Adebowale. He hailed from Olukolo Compound in Edunabon. After the swearing-in of new executives, we escorted our Ife zonal chairman to Moro Junction. We were celebrating the successful election of the new executives when we heard gunshots.
“The immediate past leadership was not ready to relinquish power. But till now, we don’t know those that fired the shots. Toromade (Adebowale) went for his introduction/wedding ceremony at his in-law’s house in Ede. His wife is even pregnant. We are preparing him for burial now.”
A spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said investigations had commenced to unravel those behind the shootings.
She said, “Two people were hit by bullets fired by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen. One of them is currently responding to treatment at the OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, but the second person died before reaching a hospital.”
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested three suspected criminals and recovered firearms, ammunition and 15 motor batteries within Enugu metropolis.
The command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Enugu.
Ndukwe said that police operatives serving in Emene Division, in concert with law-abiding citizens, recovered a Beretta pistol with 36 rounds of 0.9mm calibre ammunition on June 16, around 7 p.m.
Ndukwe said that the firearms and ammunition were recovered from a small bush where they had been abandoned around Airport Corner, by Old Abakaliki Road, Emene in Enugu.
“The exhibits were suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements on the hot trail of the police operatives for allegations of armed robberies,” he said.
The spokesman said that in another operation, three suspects were arrested by police operatives serving in the Awkunanaw Division in Enugu on June 7, around 2 p.m.
He said that their arrest followed the conduct of a covert operation by the operatives upon the receipt of complaints about the theft of several motor vehicle batteries at a construction site in Awkunanaw axis of Enugu.
Ndukwe said that the suspects, who were initially arrested during the act, had confessed, upon interrogation, to having stolen many batteries and sold them to another suspect who was later arrested.
“15 batteries, including those of articulated and other motor vehicles and tricycles, were recovered from them,” he said.
Ndukwe said that the suspects would be arraigned and prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.
The Police Command in Anambra says it has arrested 48-year-old Felix Owaya, in possession of 375 live cartridges.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Onitsha on Monday.
Ikenga stated that the suspect hailed from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta.
He also stated that the police operatives attached to Fegge Division made the arrest, while on patrol along Niger Street, Onitsha on Saturday.
He added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was sent by one Mr Charles Ogboma to a yet-to-be-identified man to collect the ammunition.
He explained that investigation on the matter was still ongoing.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnaghe Itam, commended the operatives for their vigilance and tenacity of purpose.
Itam was quoted to have directed all the personnel in the command to sustain the tempo of crime prevention and detection in service of the people and state.
A special task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), has arrested six suspected bandits and recovered weapons and 47 rustled cows in Manguna, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.
Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, disclosed this at the Eid-el-Kabir luncheon, organised for troops of the operation on Monday in Jos.
Abubakar, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said that the feat followed intensified operations by personnel of the operation.
”As part of our resolve to completely eradicate banditry and criminal elements and ensure a successful farming season and security of lives and property, our intensified operations continue to yield results.
“This has led to recovery of different calibers of arms and ammunition in different parts of Plateau.
”Specifically on June 10, OPSH Tactical Team raided a suspected criminal hideout at Manguna village in Bokkos local government area and during the operation, troops recovered one G3 rifle, two revolver rifles and one magazine with rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
”We also recovered a quiver with 20 arrows and 47 herds of cattle, while a total of six bandits and cattle rustlers were captured with the rifles and ammunition,” he said.
The commander further stated that his troops also raided the Pandam forest in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of the state and recovered various weapons and ammunition.
”Similarly on June 12, troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted clearance operations at suspected bandits’ hideouts at Pandam forest in Qua’an.
”During the operation, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special.
”Troops are currently sustaining operations in the area to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists,” he added.
Abubakar said that the troops also arrested 29 suspected members of a cult group known as Sara-suka, with fabricated rifles, pistols and other assorted dangerous weapons recovered in Jos.
The commander, who thanked the personnel for their efforts, assured residents of the state of the operation’s readiness to secure their lives and property.
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