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Fake soldier, serving police officer to die by hanging for armed robbery
Fake soldier, serving police officer to die by hanging for armed robbery
The Akure Division of the Ondo State High Court has sentenced a serving police officer, David Friday, and a self-acclaimed soldier, Innocent Victor, to death by hanging for multiple armed robbery offences in Idanre.
The duo faced a four-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, and impersonating security personnel.
Prosecution witnesses testified that on January 15, 2021, the men—one in a black police T-shirt and the other in military camouflage—used jack knives to rob victims at different locations in Idanre, seizing cash, a phone, and fuel.
They also assaulted victims and threatened them with a pistol.
Akinleye said both were armed with jack knives and were flashing the headlight of their TVS motorcycle at him.
He noted that men ransacked his vehicle, took N6, 000 from him, and instructed him to fuel their motorcycle with 30 litres of petrol, which he did.
He later discovered that his Itel phone, valued at N8,500, was also missing.
Another prosecution witness, Mr. Lanre Olowogbadegun said he was on night duty at Yaba Junction in Idanre that same night when he saw two men on a black TVS motorcycle one in a police T-shirt and the other in army camouflage.
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Olowogbadegun, a security guard, added that the two men ordered him to drop his gun, but he refused.
“Shortly after, the men stopped an 18-seater bus, ordered the driver out, made him sit on the floor, and took all his money,” he told the court.
Olowogbadegun said the men beat the driver with jack knives and their fists, taking N5,000 from him. They offered him (Olowogbadegun) N2, 000, but he declined.
“Around 4 a.m., the driver returned to ask if I knew the two men, and I confirmed that I did. Together, we went to the police station to report,” he added.
When invited by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the driver identified the man who had robbed him while wearing the police uniform.
The third prosecution witness, Adeyeye Sesan, a transporter, testified that he was returning home when he encountered the two men—one in military camouflage and the other dressed like a policeman.
He said the man in camouflage demanded N10, 000, and when he refused, the man slapped him, dragged him out of his bus, and began to beat him.
The other man, in police uniform, joined in, using a pistol and sticks to assault him, according to Adeyeye.
He said they forcibly took N125, 000 from his pocket and the proceeds of his work for the day. After robbing him, they dragged him back to his bus and injured his leg with a dagger, threatening to kill him with the pistol.
Police prosecutor, Ilesanmi Samuel told the court that investigations revealed Friday was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Olofin Police Division, Idanre, while Victor’s claim of being a soldier was false, as confirmed by the Owena Cantonment in Akure.
According to Samuel, both men confessed to the crimes.
In his verdict, Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge sentenced the defendants to death by hanging.
Fake soldier, serving police officer to die by hanging for armed robbery
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Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
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Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
The Nigerian Army has temporarily frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for certain officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The decision aims to bolster manpower as the country faces a surge in kidnappings and worsening insecurity.
The move comes after more than 600 abduction cases were reported in November 2025, including the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
An internal circular dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff cited provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, allowing service extensions “in the interest of the service.” The memo explains that officers usually retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion/conversion boards, but these rules can be overridden during national emergencies.
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The suspension affects officers who have:
- Failed promotion examinations three times
- Been passed over repeatedly at promotion boards
- Reached rank age limits
- Failed conversion boards thrice
- Completed 35 years of service
Officers granted extensions will remain in service but will not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments. Those unwilling to continue can still proceed with standard exit procedures.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the directive and manage morale across units, with the policy to be reviewed once national security conditions improve.
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism
Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism
Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”
In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”
He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”
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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.
“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.
Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.
Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism
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