4 police officers arrested for ‘extorting N70k from 16-yr-old student’

 The Lagos state police command says it has arrested four officers who allegedly harassed and extorted N70,000 from a 16-year-old student.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesman of the command, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

The incident was said to have occurred on Wednesday, at Isheri area of Lagos.

According to the statement, Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos commissioner of police, said pictures of the alleged extortion attracted the complaint response unit of the force, which led to the tracking of the officers involved.

“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four (4) police Inspectors that allegedly harassed and extorted 70,000 (seventy thousand naira only) from one 16-year-old student, Segun, on 18th January, 2021, at NGAB Junction, Isheri Area of Lagos State, in a Toyota Corolla car,” the statement reads.

“The picture of the policemen that were caught in the act of unprofessionalism and extortion, had gone viral on the social media which attracted the Complaint Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Force Headquarters Abuja, to track the policemen for necessary police action.

“The matter was subsequently referred to the Lagos State Police Command for further action.”

The officers arrested were identified as “1. 223329 Inspr Emmanuel Michael, m, 40; 2. 146504 Inspr Subday Odubiyi, m, 40 3. 256496 Inspr Lawrence Amedu, m, 39, and 4. 255043 Inspr Aroye Dickson, m, 40.”

They were said to have confessed to the crime “after due interrogation”, and refunded the N70,000 to the student.

Odumosu, who condemned the action of the officers, described it as “detrimental to the image of the Police Force and counterproductive to the ongoing reform agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni”.

The statement also noted that the police commissioner has directed an orderly room trial of the officers “to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded police personnel in the command and beyond”.

Odumosu also warned officers “against such criminal, unprofessional and disgusting act amongst police personnel”, and assured the general public that justice would be served.

- THECABLE

‘Presidency doesn’t know meaning of reserved forests’ — Gani Adams hits Garba Shehu over response to Akeredolu

 

Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, says the presidency is oblivious of the definition of reserved forests.

He was reacting to the response given by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, on the directive of the Ondo state government concerning herders .

On Monday, Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, gave herders a seven-day ultimatum to leave forests in the state over rising criminality.

But in a swift response, Shehu said the governor cannot order herders out of Ondo, adding that the action could set off a chain of events “which the makers of our constitution foresaw and tried to guard against”.

In a statement issued by Kehinde Aderemi, his media aide, Adams said the presidency refused to live up to its duty to secure lives, but is interested in foiling plans by the state government to protect its people.

He described Shehu’s response as “unfortunate”, adding that Akeredolu’s decision is in the right direction and in the best interest of the state.

“Garba Shehu/Presidency apparently doesn’t know the meaning of reserved forests. It’s not accessible except to authorised personnel/loggers. Apart from the place being a place for valued cash trees, it’s also meant as a haven of safety for protected animals,” the statement reads.

“Herdsmen living in the forest are not only unauthorised, they would likely fell trees to make fire, and also kill animals for food.

“A reserved forest is not a place of residence for anyone, not even Ondo indigenes or farmers. It is most unfortunate that such a statement is coming directly from the presidency, which, according to the constitution, has the prerogative to protect the lives and property of citizens. But it is a pity the presidency now looks for ways to foil the good plans and intentions of the state to rid bad elements masquerading as herders and pastoralists.

“I am from Akoko North West in Ondo State; all our reserved forests have been taken over by these illegal residents. So, the governor’s decision is in the right direction and in the state’s interest. I call on all Yoruba sons and daughters to support governors in the Southwest in their fight against insurgency across the region.”

- THECABLE

Taxi driver reportedly kidnaps, rapes passenger in Ogun

 

A taxi driver, one Tunde Bello, is currently cooling off his heels in the police cell for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 29-year-old lady in Ogun State, DAILY POST reports.

The 32-year-old Bello was arrested on January 16, 2021 for a crime he reportedly committed on September 17, 2020 by operatives at Mowe Police Station.

The victim had told the police that while she was going to her office, she boarded a Hyundai car around 5am from Ogunrun road, Mowe to Lagos.

However, the driver, getting to Mowe junction, made a detour to Ibadan road and drove her into a bush along the Lagos-Ibadan highway.

The victim told the police that she was beaten mercilessly by the suspect before being raped.

Confirming the incident to DAILY POST on Friday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, “after raping her, he held her hostage and asked her to call her relations to send the sum of N140,000 to him as ransom before he will let her go.”

It was reported that the victim called her brother, whom she said transferred N140,000 to her account for onward transfer to an account given to her by her abductor.

With the report, the DPO of Mowe division, CSP Marvis Jayeola, swung into action as he detailed his detectives to go after the suspect and he was arrested after about four months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

“On interrogation, he confessed to the commission of the crime,” Oyeyemi told our correspondent.

The suspect will be investigated at the Anti kidnapping unit of the State CIID, the Ogun Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun has ordered.

- DAILY POST

Sunday Igboho is a hero for daring Fulani herdsmen – Fani-Kayode

Critic, Femi Fani-Kayode has described Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho and some others as heroes that have emerged from the Southwest to stop invasion of the zone by Fulani herdsmen.

Igboho singlehandedly issued seven-day ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa, Oyo State to leave the area.

At the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday, he went to Ibarapa to address thousands of supporters and insisted that Fulani herdsmen must leave.

Fani-Kayode has described such boldness and bravery from Igboho as the making of a champion.

He said with the likes of Igboho and Olayomi Koiki, new leaders were rising up in the Southwest.

According to him, Igboho and others are strong, fearless, radical and young, saying that the zone has finally gotten a new set of champions.

“New leaders are rising up in the SW. They are strong, fearless, radical & young. Names like Sunday Igboho, Olayomi Koiki and others come to mind.

“The SW has finally got a new set of champions & heroes.They believe in Oduduwa Republic. None can stand against them. I commend them,” he tweeted. 

Igboho is the chairman of Adeson International Business Concept Ltd and the Akoni Oodua of Yoruba.

He gained social media tractions in January 2021 when he gave a week ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa to vacate the land after the killing of Dr. Aborode.

He became famous after the part he played in the Modakeke/Ife war between 1997 and 1998, where he was a defendant of Modakeke people.

- PM NEWS

Akeredolu orders massive recruitment into Amotekun as quit notice to herders draws nearer

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, has ordered massive recruitment into the state chapter of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun.

Adetunji Adeleye, commander of the corps in the state, confirmed this in an interview with TheCable on Friday.

“The governor has ordered massive recruitment to the corps. The recruitment is free. You can download the form on our website,” Adeleye said.

Donald Ojogo, commissioner for information, also confirmed reports of the recruitment in a text message to TheCable.

“We have not repudiated the story,” he said.

On Monday, Akeredolu had ordered herders to vacate the forest reserves over rising insecurity in the state

He had said “bad elements” have turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.

The governor’s directive had sparked different reactions, with Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, saying the governor could not unilaterally oust thousands of herders “who have lived all their lives in the state”.

But Afenifere, Yoruba sociopolitical group, said Shehu’s response showed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government prioritise Fulani interests above those of other ethnic groups.

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) had asked herders to disregard the governor’s directive.

- THECABLE

We came from Sokoto – Suspected kidnappers arrested in Ekiti

 

The Ekiti State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) has arrested four suspected kidnappers.

The gang disclosed that they arrived from Sokoto a few days ago.

Ekiti Commander of the Corps, retired Brig. General Joe Komolafe, briefed reporters on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the quartet were arrested Friday morning at Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

The suspects are Abubakar Sule, Sheu Usman, Abubakar Babangida and Sheu Mamuda.

Amotekun operatives intercepted them as they rode on motorcycles.

Items found on them include a long rope. Komolafe said they confessed using it to tie their victims.

“They told us they were coming from Ilorin, Kwara, after they arrived from Sokoto in a truck a few days ago. Upon questioning, they said they were heading to Akungba Akoko in Ondo but with no clear mission here.

“What we found on them clearly gave them away as suspected kidnappers and also their confession. One of them clearly wrote on his motorcycle in Hausa language, ‘Duniya Ba Hutu’ which means, ‘No Peace in this world’.”

Komolafe said none of the motorcycles had a number plate or documents to show ownership.

The suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation.

- DAILY POST

Anger in Yorubaland over Fulani herdsmen menace

 

Killings, kidnappings linked with herdsmen in Yoruba heartland are triggering a cauldron of emotions that may lead to inter-ethnic strife if not nipped in the bud.

In Ondo state, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has issued a seven day notice to herdsmen to leave the forest reserves, where they should not have occupied in the first place.

In Oyo state, especially in Ibarapa LGA, a social mobiliser, Sunday Igboho, real name Chief Sunday Adeyemo has also given herdsmen an ultimatum to leave the area, following several killings and kidnappings.

He was in Ibarapa today to address the people about the ultimatum and in viral videos he restated that the herdsmen are no longer welcome in Yorubaland.

He told the crowd that gave him a heroic welcome: “I’m assuring you that no one will henceforth kidnap or unleash terror on you. This is your fatherland. We are not fighting anyone who doesn’t disturb our peace. We are law-abiding provided you don’t trample on our own rights to live peacefully in our land.”

“It’s not only Ibarapa we will liberate; we will visit other Yoruba states where the visitors are terrorizing them. We say no to kidnapping, rape and killing of our people.”

He seemed to have the people’s support, despite Governor Seyi Makinde’s broadcast assuring the herdsmen that they are free to stay in the state

On Friday, Makinde urged the new police boss in the state to arrest Igboho.

One commenter warned about what the development signposts for Nigeria: “There’s Sunday Igboho from Igboho, Oyo State today, if something is not quickly done about this herdsmen menace, there will be Sunday Ilesha, Sunday Akure, Sunday Iworoko, Sunday Abeokuta, Sunday Bariga who will rise up to protect their people from these criminal elements”.

The menace of herdsmen became a major issue in the South West on the 21st of September, 2015, following the kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae, a former presidential candidate and secretary of the Federal Government on his farm, just outside Akure.

The kidnappers demanded N100 million Naira as a ransom for his release.

He was ultimately released on the 24 September, after the payment of N5 million ransom and returned to his home in Akure.

The daring action by the herdsmen shocked many in the South West. Two years after, seven herdsmen said to be responsible for the kidnapping were sentenced to life imprisonment by an Akure High Court.

Four years after Falae was kidnapped, herdsmen were also fingered in the fatal shooting of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. This was on 13th July, 2019.

Mrs Olakunrin was returning to Lagos when her vehicle was riddled with bullets on the Ondo-Ore Road. She did not survive the attack.

Last April, the police announced the arrest of four suspects, in connection with the killing. However, the ring leader of the dastardly act remains at large.

In December, a prominent farmer and owner of Kunfayakun Green Treasures Limited, Dr Fatai Aborode, was killed by herdsmen near his farm, along Apodun village in Oyo State.

The attack happened in broad day.

This January in Oyo state, a kidnapped farmer, Wole Agboola was killed by the herdsmen, even after collecting N2m ransom from the family.

Like Falae, Agboola was kidnapped on his farm by armed herdsmen dressed in military camouflage.

He was kidnapped on 28 December on his piggery/fish farm located at Nagbede village via Aba-odo in Oyo.

His decomposing remains were recovered from the bush in Aba-Odo on January 11, by the police a few miles from where he was abducted.

The list of victims is endless.

Ondo state has also had many killings, kidnappings traced to armed herdsmen.

In November last year, Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon was killed in an ambush said to have been staged by the herdsmen.

Also Dr. Amos Arijesuyo, deputy registrar of Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, was killed on Ilesha-Akure by bandits in the day time on 16 January, 2021.

On Wednesday, prominent Yoruba leader, Professor Banji Akintoye in an interview with PUNCH, urged Yoruba people to prepare to defend themselves against the herdsmen.

Akintoye, who is Worldwide Leader of the Yoruba global movement, Ilana Omo Oodua, accused the Presidency of supporting criminality by faulting Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s order asking herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state.

He accused Fulani herdsmen of engaging in full-scale criminality since President Muhammadu Buhari became Nigeria’s president.

The Yoruba elder wondered why the Federal Government had refused to prosecute many Fulani herdsmen engaging in criminal activities.

“The Presidency is now initiating a very dangerous doctrine of governance in Nigeria. The presidency is now saying that the state’s authority no longer includes the security of the people of the state.

“That is not only bad but dangerous to the existence of Nigeria. It is an assessment of the quality of governance in Nigeria by the rest of the world.

“All Nigerians who are being assaulted, raped, and killed by the Fulani must defend themselves; not only Yorubas or those living in Ondo. If we continue to wait for the Federal Government, these herdsmen will kill all of us. We must rise to defend ourselves.

“The Nigerian government has shown again that it is working for the Fulani. I don’t think anybody should be afraid to say that because it is the truth. The Fulani has been committing crimes on a massive scale since 2015 in Nigeria.

“The government has never owned up that they are committing the crime. They have been going around kidnapping, killing people, and destroying farms, properties, and villages on a persistent scale and those things are crimes under the laws of Nigeria. In some parts of the country, it looks as if the army is colluding with them (herdsmen).”

- PM NEWS