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Hypertensive man dies as bribe-chasing LASTMAmen seize vehicle

Published

4 years ago

July 25, 2022

The family of a Bureau De Change operator, Modibo Usman, has been thrown into mourning after he died from shock following an encounter with two officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority in the Surulere area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Modibo, who was hypertensive, was being conveyed by his son, Mustapha, to the Foremost Radiology Consultant Hospital on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, to obtain a test result for his daughter, Ummu, when he had the encounter with the officers.

Mustapha, while speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, said his father also had an appointment with his doctor at the Living Heart Hospital in the Lekki area of the state on the same day.

He said when the two officers stopped him for allegedly disobeying traffic light, his father pleaded that he was on his way for a medical emergency but the officers ignored him.

He alleged that the officers demanded a N50,000 bribe to release the vehicle.

Mustapha said, “My father and I kept pleading with them but the officers refused. My father was even crying and telling them that he had a medical emergency but they said that is what people usually say.

“The two officers ordered us to go to the back seat and they sat at the front and started driving us to the Foremost Radiology Consultant Hospital. My father continued crying that he was in an emergency; they then demanded N50,000 to release us.

“But when we got to the hospital, we quickly rushed to get the test result to show them so we could continue our journey to see his doctor at Lekki but the officers and the vehicle were nowhere to be found when we returned.

“Instantly, my dad suffered a shock and collapsed. I quickly alerted the nurses where we picked my sister’s result and they rushed to attend to him and confirmed him dead.

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“When I rushed to the LASTMA office to inform the officers that what they did had caused my father’s death, they started saying I could take the vehicle but I left it there and called our relative, Mrs Yosi Yaduma, to inform her about what happened.”

Yaduma said she reported the case at the Area C Command in Surulere, adding that the two officers were arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

Lamenting that the bereaved family had been clamouring for justice, Yaduma said Modibo, who was the breadwinner of his family, was survived by two wives and 11 children.

She said, “The incident happened on Friday. Alhaji Modibo was a Bureau De Change operator who was hypertensive. He told the officers that he was going to a hospital, even if he had broken the rule, in cases of emergency, rules can be broken.

“He even pleaded with them that he wanted to get the results of his daughter suffering from Down Syndrome, and from there, he would be going to the Living Heart Hospital in Lekki to see his doctor but the officers demanded a bribe of N50,000.

“The shock of the whole incident made Alhaji Modibo suffer an attack that made him collapse at the front of the hospital. That was how he died.

“After Mustapha informed me, I told one of the nurses to assist us with an ambulance and they conveyed his corpse to the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, where he was also confirmed dead and his body deposited in a mortuary.

“Yesterday, the police called to inform me that the two LASTMA officers had been apprehended. Alhaji Madibo has been buried in accordance with Islamic rites but we want justice.”

An official of the facility where Modibo collapsed and died, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “His death was as a result of cardiac arrest. He was vomiting and his condition changed. We called a consultant to resuscitate him but all was to no avail and the patient was pronounced dead. A lot of people witnessed the incident. They only came to pick up a result at our diagnostic centre.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.

The spokesperson for LASTMA, Olumide Filade, said the victim was not in an emergency at the time of the traffic light violation.

He said, “We are not aware of any case of bribery; it was not an emergency. The driver of the vehicle who happened to be Baba’s (Madibo) son violated the traffic light and the vehicle was impounded.

“We are in possession of a video of the violation and where Baba agreed that the officers should drop them at the Foremost Diagnostics. After dropping Baba and his son, the officers told him to instruct his son to follow them so he could know where the vehicle was, but Baba said his son did not know anywhere in Lagos.

“He said they would come later. But while they were at the Foremost Diagnostics, maybe Baba had a crisis and he passed on. Thereafter, the case was reported at Area C, from where it was transferred to the SCID, Yaba.”

LASTMA has been in the eye of the storm over alleged extortion of motorists through traffic lights.

A recent investigation by PUNCH Metro showed some men of the agency worked in connivance with the police.

The agency had promised to probe officers deployed in the Berger-Isheri area, who were implicated in the investigation by our correspondent.

Three weeks after, the outcome of the probe had yet to be revealed.

Related Topics:Hypertensive man LASTMA Vehicle

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Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Arrested dismissed police officer, Inspector Danjuma Yusuf

Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a dismissed police officer, Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, over alleged involvement in a high-profile arms trafficking network operating across state lines in Plateau State.

The arrest was carried out on Sunday at the Makera axis of Riyom Local Government Area during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 6 in collaboration with the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace.

According to a military statement obtained by Politics Nigeria, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence on the movement of illicit arms within Plateau State and neighbouring regions.

“Acting swiftly, troops of Sector 6, in collaboration with Headquarters Operation Enduring Peace, executed a coordinated intelligence-led operation on Sunday, 14 June 2026,” the statement said.

The suspect was reportedly intercepted while travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards the Makera axis. He was placed under surveillance before being stopped at a military checkpoint.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray, and a jack knife.

Other items recovered from the suspect included two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs showing him in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and ₦73,300 in cash.

Preliminary findings identified the suspect as a former officer of the Nigeria Police Force Base 7, Abuja, who had been officially dismissed from service.

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“Further intelligence indicates that the suspect is a key figure in an interstate arms trafficking syndicate, allegedly supplying weapons to criminal elements involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes,” the statement added.

Military authorities said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation aimed at uncovering members of his network, including possible collaborators, financiers, and supply routes.

The operation, according to the Army, represents a significant disruption of illegal arms trafficking activities and demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-driven security operations in the region.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated efforts with other security agencies to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and combat violent crimes across the country.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-crime operations and enhance security nationwide.

Further updates are expected as investigations continue.

Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau

metro

Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Ali Umar-Fage

Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road

The Katsina State Police Command says its operatives have foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine passengers during a coordinated operation along the Katsina–Kankara Road in Katsina State.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the incident occurred on June 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., when suspected armed bandits blocked the highway at Tashar Kanya village in Kankara Local Government Area.

According to him, the attackers intercepted a red commercial Volkswagen Golf III Saloon with registration number KMC 400 MK, driven by a 40-year-old man identified as Aliyu, popularly known as “Maitakabari.”

The vehicle was reportedly conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina when the armed men stopped it and abducted all occupants.

Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara mobilised a tactical team, including operatives of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.

“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to the team’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, the hoodlums were forced to flee the scene,” the statement said.

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During a sweep of the area after the encounter, police operatives rescued nine victims unhurt.

The rescued persons were identified as Abubakar Ibrahim (28), Rakkiya Ya’u (30), Shamsiya Ahmad Mahamud (18), Jumai Majarazu (20), Salamatu Adamu (30), Yusuf Halliru (17), Harira Hamisu (25), Umma Kabir (17), and Nusaiba Maharazu (3).

However, two persons — the driver, Aliyu “Maitakabari,” and a passenger, Buhari Kabir — were still unaccounted for at the time of the report. Authorities said a search-and-rescue operation was ongoing to locate them and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Aliyu Umar Fage, commended the operatives for their swift response and bravery during the operation.

He also reassured residents that the command remains committed to intensifying security operations aimed at clearing criminal elements from highways and rural communities across the state.

Katsina State has continued to experience recurring cases of banditry and highway kidnappings, prompting increased patrols and tactical deployments along major travel routes.

Authorities say further updates will be provided as search operations continue.

Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road

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Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo

Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the kidnapping incident that occurred on Sunday at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, describing it as unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.

In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Patrick Ebojele, the governor directed the Edo State Police Command to immediately launch a swift and coordinated investigation into the incident, with orders to secure the rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible.

The governor also warned that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public safety or disrupting peace in the state.

“I strongly condemn this act of kidnapping and I call on the Commissioner of Police to immediately open investigation into the matter,” Okpebholo said.

“As a government, we will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state.”

He urged residents of Benin City and across Edo State to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies, stressing that timely information remains critical to ongoing operations.

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Okpebholo further assured that the state government would not relent until those behind the attack are tracked down, arrested, and prosecuted.

According to reports, the incident occurred when a woman was abducted while shopping at one of the stores within the busy Vegetable Market. A viral video circulating on social media showed the moment the victim was forcibly taken away, sparking panic among traders and residents.

Security sources say preliminary investigations have begun, with operatives working to track the kidnappers and review intelligence from the scene to aid rescue efforts.

Kidnapping incidents have continued to raise concern in parts of Edo State, prompting renewed calls for stronger security presence around markets, highways, and public spaces in Benin City.

Authorities say further updates will be provided as investigations progress.