metro

Three ex-soldiers, 10 others arraigned for robbery

Published

5 months ago

June 27, 2024

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko

Three ex-soldiers, 10 others arraigned for robbery

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has begun a trial of three soldiers and 10 others over alleged armed robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property.

The suspects were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force on charges of armed robbery, burglary and receipt of stolen property.

The Rivers State Police Command had in a statement by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, on May 27, 2024, said it arrested the 13 suspects, including the soldiers for alleged armed robbery, hijacking of food trucks and diverting them to other locations.

The police said among those also arrested in the criminal act was a member of the syndicate and operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps

Iringe-Koko said the feat followed a thorough investigation after the policemen made an initial arrest for suspected burglary in a private warehouse in Elimgbu community in Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The state police image maker further said following the development, the Nigerian Army dismissed the soldiers.

At the hearing on Wednesday, the prosecuting counsel, a legal officer with the Nigerian Police Force, F. D Sokari, representing the Inspection General of Police presented their first witness, Emmanuel Nwogu, who testified and gave consent for the extrajudicial statement he made to the police to be tendered and admitted as exhibit.

The defence counsel, Monday Stephen-Akpekon, however, objected, noting that the written statement on oath of the complainant, which is a fundamental document, hadn’t been served on them.

READ ALSO:

Following the objections, a motion for adjournment was moved by the prosecution counsel.

The Presiding Judge, Justice G. O Ollor, directed the prosecuting counsel to make the necessary documents available before the court by the next hearing.

Ollor adjourned the matter to July 17, 2024, for the continuation of the hearing.

Speaking to our correspondent outside the courtroom, counsel for the first defendant, Monday Stephen-Akpekon, maintained that his client, West Isaac, was innocent, as he faulted the Nigerian Army for relieving him of his duties without proper investigation.

Stephen-Akpekon said, “He (West Isaac) used to be a soldier and he was sick from the North-East where he was fighting Boko Haram and he was given a pass to go home from treatment.

“He got to Port Harcourt only for them to allege that they were armed robbers, whereas he was not caught with any gun.

“The matter is before the court and he has no arms and the army did not even do a proper investigation. What they did was a media trial.

“After the police arrested them, detained them, maltreated them, returned them to the Amy, which just dismissed them and sent them back without doing proper investigation.”

On his part, the prosecuting counsel, F. D. Sokari, noted that the case involved 13 suspects, but one was struck off on health grounds, even as he expressed optimism that the prosecution is making progress.

“It is a case of armed robbery, burglary and receiving stolen property. We opened our case today by fielding our PW1. PW1 testified and the extrajudicial statement he made to the police was to be rendered and admitted as exhibit A and the court adjourned the case toJuly 17, 2024, October 2 and 16, 2024 for further proceedings in this case, to be precise, cross-examination of PW1.

“There are 12 persons on the charge sheet now. Initially, we charged 13 persons but one of them fell ill to the point of death and his name was struck out to enable him to go and receive treatment.

“So, there are 12 of them standing trial now. We have opened our case and we are making progress.”

Three ex-soldiers, 10 others arraigned for robbery

metro

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Published

11 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

READ ALSO:

Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

metro

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

Published

11 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

READ ALSO:

Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

metro

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Published

12 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

READ ALSO:

The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.