Crime

Residents worried over activities of kidnappers

Published

6 months ago

June 8, 2023

Less than a week after the convoy of the Kogi State Governor ,Yahaya Bello was attacked by gunmen, no fewer than four persons were allegedly kidnapped a few metres from Banda community of the state.

The kidnapped persons among them a female trader were returning home from an engagement when they were accosted by their abductors.

It would be recalled that Governor Bello and his convoy ran into the gunmen few kilometres from the Naval base in the state, during which some of his aides were allegedly injured and later rushed to hospital for treatment.

It was gathered that the abductees, were driving in a commercial car, when the kidnappers, shot at the rear tyres of the car almost the same spot where the State Governor was attacked forcing the vehicle to a halt after ramming into a big tree along the road.

The victims, sources revealed, were hurriedly driven to a nearby forest by the kidnappers, while another passenger Mr Adedoyin Lijoka, who was in the same car with them, escaped into the bush, before the kidnappers got to where their vehicle was forced to halt.

Residents of the community and its environs have for long, been worried over the activities of men of shady deals in the area. As a press time, the abductors were yet to contact the families of their victims on whether or not, they would need to pay ransom before the victims could be released.

While narrating their ordeal to journalists in Lokoja, Mr Lijoka said he first noticed that a white Camry car was trailing them from behind, stressing “I kept mute, thinking of how I would escape, if the unexpected finally happened”

“When I heard gun shots, it dawned on me that we were in for a big trouble and the next thing that came to my mind was how to escape and immediately our car stopped after ramming into a tree, I quickly jumped out of the car and ran, for safety,” he said.

“As I speak with you, I know my life is not save, because I overheard one of the kidnappers, from the bush, where I took refuge, say, “I noticed that one of them escaped before we reached where their car stopped and the man’s face is familiar,” Mr Lijoka added.

He explained that his neighbours said they have been seeing strange faces in the community he lives and suspected that they could be people sent by the kidnappers, to get him.

“I now move from one destination to another with my family, for fear of being attacked, by this heartless gang whose activities have been giving residents, sleepless nights,” he said with bewilderment.

Crime

Navy acquires 12 UAVs to improve fight against maritime crime

Published

17 hours ago

December 9, 2023

NewsDirect

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, on Friday, said that the Nigerian Navy had acquired 12 Comstrac System Ovation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to improve the fight against maritime crime.

Ogalla made this known at the commissioning ceremony of the UAVs and the adoption of the revised Local Operating Procedure and Local Training Order, held at the Naval Air Base, Ojo, Lagos.

The CNS was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Adm. Zakariyyah Muhammed.

Ogalla said that the surveillance UAVs would complement the already existing air assets of the Nigerian Navy, while supporting the surface ships and maritime domain awareness platforms.

“In an era where the nature of warfare is evolving rapidly, embracing cutting-edge technologies becomes imperative for enhancing our national security.

“These UAVs, with their advanced capabilities and versatility, will undoubtedly enhance our naval surveillance for furtherance of strategic capabilities.

“I have no doubt that this will rejig the Nigerian Navy towards better service delivery in the maritime domain of our dear country,” he said.

The CNS added that the Navy was expecting five more helicopters within the forst quarter of 2024 which would enhance its maritime capabilities.

“This will make safer waters for both local and international maritime trade,” he said.

Ogalla commended the Western Naval Command for innovative and dogged efforts toward maintaining credible maritime presence and curtailing criminalities in its area of operations.

Crime

Gov. Radda suspends school principal for alledged sexual scandal

Published

17 hours ago

December 9, 2023

NewsDirect

Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has directed for immediate suspension of a staff of Ministry of Education in the state for alleged sexual harassment of a female student.

The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Katsina.

The statement said, “Gov Dikko Radda has received a report of alleged sexual harassment against one Lawal Ibrahim, now a staff of the Ministry of Education.

It said Ibrahim was the then Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dantankari, Dandume Local Government area.

“In consequence therefore, the governor directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education to immediately suspend Lawal Ibrahim and investigate the allegation with dispatch.

“Take appropriate action and report back to the governor.”

The statement further directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate the allegation.

“The Commissioner of Police should investigate the allegation, and to also investigate the Divisional Police Officer, Dandume, for compromise on the matter, and report back to the governor,” the statement said.

Crime

Ogun Govt. places N50m bounty on killers of Oyekanmi, Finance Director

Published

2 days ago

December 8, 2023

NewsDirect

The Ogun Government has announced a reward of N50 million for any information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) attached to Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi .

Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the reward in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday.

According to the statement, Information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

” Such information can be sent to the underlisted telephone numbers:
08037441955
08033074371
08081775020
08034062773
08032136765. ”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that suspected armed robbers on Nov. 29 shot dead Oyekanmi, and carted away government funds.

Oyekanmi had cashed an undisclosed amount of money from a branch of Fidelity bank in Abeokuta, and was heading back to the office when he was waylaid by the gunmen.

According to source, the gunmen, about five of them, shot the accountant dead at Kuto bridge in Abeokuta and went away with the government’s money.

It was gathered that Oyekanmi and other aides who sustained gunshot injuries during the attacks, were rushed to the State General Hospital, Ijaye, where the accountant later died.