LADY DISAPPEARS WITH PARTNER'S N7M

Operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad have arrested one Gladys Assah-Asor for allegedly defrauding her business partner, Nkiruka Okon, of N7 million.

The 35 year old graduate, a single mother from Cross-River State, lives at 33b Silifatu Abioye Street, Ogba, Oke-Ira. She works as a network marketer for a popular product based in Ikeja.

The suspect confessed to the crime during an interrogation by the RRS Decoy Team after her friend and business partner, Nkiruka Okon, made a report of fraud against the suspect before her arrest.

Gladys in her words said, 'I met Okon in Port-Harcourt in 2008 where she works as a banker with a commercial bank. We were just friends as at then... But later in 2015, I marketed a product to her called Healthy Halogen Oven, a product imported into Nigeria by a networking marketing company called Avenues to Wealth."

"As a network marketer and a partner to the company, my duty is to bring potential customers and partners into the business for a win-win profit making both for the customer and myself... I told Okon about the Healthy Oven which was one of the products of Avenues to Wealth sold for N12,000 at company price.... We agreed to partner in buying large quantity of the product, myself and Okon would put together the financial capital while I do the marketing and transportation of the product to the customers," she added.

Nkiruka in her words said “ I got interested in the healthy oven marketing business and decided to go into partnership with Gladys, whom I have known since when I was residing in Port-Harcourt.... We agreed to buy about 410 units of the oven from the company where one sells for N12,000n and agreed to sell at the rate of N20,000.... I made a deposit of N4,500,000 to Gladys account on the agreement that after sales I would be collecting back N7.5m plus the profit  but she refused to stick to the plans as agreed in our memorandum of understanding."

"After I contacted her for my money, she refused to pick my calls and absconded for over one year. Then, I realised I have been duped by the person I thought was my business partner.... All effort I made to persuade Gladys to pay my money proved abortive as she continued to give me one excuse or the other.... During one of our confrontations in 2016, Gladys issued me a dud cheque  of N3m, N2m and another N2m making N7m in total but the bank told me the cheques were not payable," Okon stated.

Meanwhile, it was discovered in the course of investigations that Gladys also duped another lady who investigators declined to reveal her identity. She confessed to have duped the lady to the tune of N1.8m in a car purchase deal she brokered.

Gladys in her words confessed to have linked the lady to an auto dealer from whom her sister wanted to purchase a Toyota 4 wheel drive worth N3m. She had convinced the lady to pay for the vehicle in installment.

She confessed to have collected the first tranche of N1.8m on behalf of the auto dealer. The bubble burst  when the lady demanded for a refund and that she was no longer interested in the deal upon realising that Gladys was up to some games.

She disclosed to investigators to have used proceeds from the second fraud to open a catering shop business, bought car, travelled out on vacations and got a suitable apartment for her family.

Confirming the development, the Police PRO, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole stated that the case has been trabsferred to the SCID, Panti for further  investigations and prosecution.

RRS Nab Notorious 20 Year-Old Armed Robbery Suspect

A 20-year-old notorious armed robbery suspect, Ahmed Lateef, who has been on the wanted list of the Lagos State Police Command, was on Saturday morning arrested in Oshodi by men of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad, RRS, while returning from an all-night robbery operation in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Ahmed Lateef, a.k.a ‘Ajona’ who has been on the Police wanted list since April, 2017, for a robbery operation in Ejigbo area of Lagos, where two motorcycles and other personal effects were stolen by him and his gang, confessed to have participated in countless robbery operations in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States. The suspect who is from Oshogbo, Osun State also added that he participates in two robbery operations twice a week in company of Enu-Ose, his other gang member.

Lateef, who is also an ex-convict disclosed that they went to Kuto area of Abeokuta, Ogun state to burgle a computer and phone retail outlet. He was arrested with a motorbike carrying the registration number of OGUN: MEK 339 WM, which he also confessed to have been stolen in Kuto, Abeokuta.

Lateef revealed that Enu-Ose, a member of his gang who is an indigene of Abeokuta, provided information to the gang about the computer dealing outlet and he also led three other suspects to the Ejigbo robbery, where they carted away two tricycles and two motorcycles amongst other personal effects.

When further quizzed, the 20-year-old suspect stated that for every stolen item such as jewelries, phones, motorcycles and latptos; there is always a ready buyer and that his robbery gangs usually hire metal cutters in Mushin for N10,000 per operation.

While pleading for mercy, he listed other gang members as Noah, Segun, Lekan, Ishan-Idi, Rilwan, Shile, Ege and Jandor while two of his gang members, Seyi Adebayo (26) and Saheed Funsho (23) alongside two receivers of stolen items have been moved to Lagos State Taskforce for prosecution.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, stated that the Command would not relent on its efforts to ensure that Lagos is not a safe haven for criminals.

Lagos CP Warn Lagosians Against Jungle Justice

PRESS RELEASE 11/08/2017

In the past few days, the Lagos State Police Command has recorded some incidents of jungle justice across the State.

2.            Recent cases are:

·         The incident of 8th August, 2017 at Ajala Bus-Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro where two (2) persons suspected to be Kidnapers/Ritualists were completely burnt, while some buildings were vandalized.

·         The incident of 10th August, 2017 at Ile-Zik Bus Stop, along Old Abeokuta Road, where mob attempted to carry out jungle justice on some destitute, suspected to be Ritualists/Kidnappers. This was prevented by quick intervention of the Police and Sister Security Agencies.

·         The incident of 11th August, 2017, where a destitute who appeared to be mentally deranged was set ablaze by mob on the allegation that he possessed a telephone.

3.            It is necessary to mention that in the course of the disdainful acts, vital evidence are destroyed. In addition, in the course of discharging its Constitutional responsibilities and prevent the barbaric act, Police officers were fatally wounded, while stones were hurled at them as well as Police Patrol Vans. However, a number of arrests were made in this regard.

4.            The foregoing has made it imperative that the general public be reminded of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended which states thus:

·         “It shall be the duty of every citizen to respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood”

·         “No person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment”

5.            There is no justification for jungle justice on suspected persons. It is barbaric and uncivilized. It is a manifestation of the erosion of our moral values and a disregard to sanctity of human lives. It violates the rule of law and dents the image of the State. Above all, it is a violation of the law, and all those arrested in connection with the aforementioned cases will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

6.            The General public is advised to report any suspicious happening in their areas to the Police and other Security Agencies. The public is assured of the renewed commitment of the Police and other Security Agencies to prompt response to such reports. The public is also assured of renewed synergy amongst the institutions saddled with criminal justice administration towards ensuring quick dispensation of justice.

7.            The general public is therefore, strongly advised to desist from this unlawful and barbaric act. No effort will be spared in ensuring that lawful means are used to bring to justice, anyone who violates the law, please.

CP FATAI A. OWOSENI,

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,

LAGOS STATE COMMAND,

IKEJA.

RRS Recovers AK-47 Nabs Robber

The operatives of Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command yesterday recovered an AK-47 assault rifle from three young men in Apapa Area of Lagos State just as it arrested a 23-year old bag snatcher on Friday in Alagbado during a botch operation.

The operatives, who were on routine patrol of Apapa sighted three young men carrying a bag at around 11:00 p.m on Friday.

The officers accosted the men but the suspects on sighting officers dropped the bag and fled the scene. A check on the content of the bag revealed an AK-47. No ammunition was found in the bag.

Meanwhile, the suspected okada robber, Ayobami Adedeji, was chased by the operatives on routine patrol of Kola Bus Stop, in Alagbado Area of Lagos, after snatching a hand bag around 10:00 p.m.

Adedeji, in company of an accomplice, who he referred to as Aboki, had on Monday night, operating with a motorcycle, snatched the hand bag of one Kudirat Oyebade at Kola Bus Stop.

The operatives who were close to the scene of the incident chased the motorcycle into the inner streets. One of the suspects was however arrested while the rider escaped abandoning his motor cycle.

Adedeji, who snatched the bag stated “I was a bus conductor. I went to Kotangoa market on Monday to meet Aboki about how to raise money for ourselves…. We have been together for a long time. At around 2:00 p.m. on Monday, we perfected the plan to operate together on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, but our focus were Adura and Council bus stops around Agbado areas of Lagos State. Our priorities were handbags and purses.”

“We had snatched two bags and my colleague was keeping the money before our last botched operation. This was our first time…. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t know RRS operatives were monitoring us. I snatched the bag and they chased us into the streets. My colleague escaped after abandoning his okada and I was arrested,” he continued.

He added, “I dropped out in SS1 after losing my mother. My father was just a ceremonial father. He never cared about me since the death of my mother. He never assisted me but I had to fend for myself after the death of my mother.”

The rifle has been deposited at the RRS Headquarters for further investigation while Adedeji has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti for further investigations.

RRS Recover

RRS Arrest Two Ex-Convict After Robbing Truck Driver

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspected robbers who specialise in attacking and robbing motorists and commuters in Mile 2 area of Lagos State.

The suspects, Sunday Chukwunweike (26) and Emmanuel Friday (28), were arrested after mid-night on Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos after robbing a truck driver, Yinusa Salami. The duo robbed Yinusa, alongside two other accomplices, Silas and Sule, both still at large, of a sum of N45,000 and his mobile phone.

In his confession, one of the suspects, Emmanuel, a secondary school dropout who later became a bus conductor in the area said, “I was in the company of my friends when we saw the driver. He was coming from Apapa. He stopped on the bridge to pick somebody.

“It was the elderly ones among us that robbed him. I thought they were going to drop some money for us to eat when we approached him. It was Silas and Sule that dipped their hands in his pockets and brought out some money… They took the money and the phone and we went our way. They later told us that it was N40,000:00 they took in his pocket. Because they are stronger than us, they gave my colleague and I N10,000:00 to share…. We were hungry, that was what made us follow them. I took to the street after dropping out of school to fend for myself. Although, I have participated in so many crimes such as inter-group fight, hemp smoking, pick pocketing and the rest, I have never been involved in robbery or threatening people with gun or dangerous objects.”

 

Emmanuel added, “I have been to the prison twice. One in 2013 where I spent 7 months and also in 2016 where I bagged 3 months after engaging in street fighting…. Silas and Sule forcefully collected a sum of N45,000 from the truck driver and gave both me and Chukwunweike N10,000 as share from the loot. We went back to our usual joint before the truck driver led men of the Rapid Response Squad to arrest us.”

On his part, Chukwunweike, an ex-convict, confessed to the crime but blamed his wrong doing on the hard life which he had expose himself to on the street. “I came back from prison after spending 3 months but here I am again in another mess,” he said.

The truck driver, Yinusa Salami, stated that he stopped at the bridge to pick up his brother who was waiting for him there. “I was coming from Apapa and heading to Osun. I wanted to assist my brother who was equally going to Osun State. I got to the bridge and I alighted from the truck; that was when I saw four of them…. I was about giving them some money when they seized my arms, before dragging me to the ground and forcefully collected all the money in my pocket totalling N45,000 claiming they control the area and nothing can happen afterwards.

I approached men of RRS stationed at the other side of the bridge to report the incident. They followed me to track the boys. That was when we saw the two of them trying to split their own share of the money. They were arrested there but the other two guys escaped.”

The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations and prosecution.

Badoo: Police Arrest 87 Suspects, Declare 20 Wanted

In continuation of its clamp down on suspected Badoo members, Lagos State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies and local security volunteers have arrested 87 suspected Badoo members while declaring 20 other people wanted in connection with activities of the group in Ikorodu.

The 87 suspected Badoo members were arrested in an all-night operation on their hideouts in Owutu and Odongunyan in Ikorodu.

Those declared wanted for cult related killings include: Moshood (a.k.a. Mosho); Alfa (a.k.a. King of Boys); Papa; Fela; Alakoto and Chukwudi.

The police also declared 14 others wanted for kidnapping in Ikorodu. They include: Agbara; O/C; Femi (a.k.a FM); Pencil, Odidan; Jaru; Allen; Bush; Happiness; Fagbo; Junior; Nuru and Jamiu.

The police called on the suspects to come out of their hideouts and report themselves to the nearest police station.

The Command equally advised members of the public with useful information on the suspects who are all residents of Ikorodu to assist the police.  

The raid was an extensive operation on the two areas - Odongunyan and Owutu. The operation was necessitated by more intelligence on the membership of the dreaded cult group and their mode of operations.

Before the operations, the police in conjunction with members of the Department of State Security Service, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps and Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) met with herbalists and Babalawos in Ikorodu and its suburbs on the need to collaborate with the police to wipe out the cult group in Ikorodu.

Representing the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Fatai Owoseni at the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Imohimi Edgal, warned the herbalists and Babalawo and local vigilantes to eschew jungle justice, stressing that the Command would not tolerate further excesses from the security stakeholders.

Edgal solicited for more information that would help the police to speedily end the activities of the group in the area.

The Police Commissioners later met with Obas and traditional rulers in Ikorodu.

Also involved in the exercise were the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Olatunji Disu; Acting Area Commander, Ikorodu and all DPOs in Ikorodu among other senior police officers.

Cable Theft: RRS Nabs Two

Operatives of Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command in separate incidences yesterday arrested two suspects over the vandalisation of cable and transformer.

The suspects, Oladele Elegbede, 54 and Andrew Onoriode 25, were arrested early in the morning by the operatives in Dopemu and Alausa area of the State with vandalised cable and transformer earth.

One of the suspects, a grandfather of three, Oladele Elegbede, who is a trained electrician, was arrested early Saturday morning by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad in Dopemu for vandalising transformer cables around 4:37 a.m. yesterday. He is from Ilaro, Ogun State.

Elegbede had a week before the incident stolen cables around the transformer, throwing the entire community into darkness.

 

Some of the residents of the area, who followed Elegbede to RRS Headquarters in Alausa, alleged that he was the one responsible for the vandalisation of the transformer cable on Monday.

Elegbede, who was caught with a cutting plier, confessed that he vandalised cables whenever he was broke. He added that he had sold vandalised cables in Railway Crossing more than seven times.

In his confession, he said “I was arrested around to 5:00 a.m. I went to that transformer to operate. I was there last week. I cut cable whenever I am broke. I have three grandchildren. My wife is dead…. The last cable I sold weighed one kilo. I was paid N1,500:00. I sold it at Oju Irin Pen Cinema. The one I just cut can fetch me N1,300:00.”

 

According to a scrap metal dealer who the suspect fingered as his buyer, Abdulsamod Yau, “I have bought cable from him (pointing to Elegbede) like seven times.”

The second cable thief, Andrew Onoriode, 25, who claimed to be a casual staff of Nigerian Bottling Company, Agidingbi plant in Ikeja was arrested behind Shoprite Ikeja with a freshly cut armoured cable believed to belong to the Lagos State Ministry of Works.

According to investigators, the cable was cut from the network supplying powers to some of the buildings around the Secretariat.

The two suspects have been transferred to the Lagos State Taskforce for prosecution.