Crime
43 Apprehended In Abuja For ‘One Chance’ Robbery, Others
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended 43 individuals connected to crimes such as “one chance” robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, and involvement in cult activities, among others.
During Tuesday’s briefing, FCT Commissioner of Police Haruna Garba revealed that out of the 43 arrested suspects, 11 were linked to “one chance” robbery, seven to alleged kidnapping, and the remainder to assorted criminal offenses.
Garba also noted the recovery of three stolen vehicles, five firearms, 30 ammunition rounds, and various other dangerous weapons from these individuals.
The CP mentioned that based on a report by Faith James, operatives from the Tradmore Division of the Command apprehended a suspect on October 24.
Ms. James reported boarding a green Peugeot with Reg. No. CK 202 GWA from ACO estate junction towards Trademore and being robbed of her belongings, including N110,000 cash.
The CP stated that the victim fell victim to the commercial vehicle driver and accomplices who posed as legitimate passengers.
Garba said “On receipt of the report, Police Operatives from the division swung into action, trailed and arrested a suspect with the same vehicle in the process of committing the same act on another innocent passenger.
“The suspect has confessed to his involvement in the crime and is assisting the Police to apprehend his other gang members at large.”
The CP additionally mentioned that operatives from the Asokoro Division, during a routine patrol along DSS Quarters on October 30, noticed a Vento Volkswagen car with Reg No. APP 307 GS behaving suspiciously.
The CP noted that the operatives intercepted the vehicle’s driver near Niger barracks and subsequently apprehended three males and two females in the car.
During the investigation, the suspects confessed to operating as a “one chance” syndicate, specifically targeting and picking up victims, transporting them to isolated areas, robbing them of their valuables, and leaving them at secluded locations.
During the vehicle search, police operatives found four bundles of paper cut to money size, four car keys, and various other valuables.
Additionally, the CP mentioned that, with the Nigerian Army Intelligence Unit’s assistance, Asokoro operatives apprehended five more “one chance” robbery suspects on November 11.
This arrest stemmed from a report by Bright Ezekiel, stating that he and his friend, Rose Augustine, boarded a vehicle from Mogadishu Cantonment to Kubwa but were taken to an undisclosed location.
The suspects robbed the victims of N482,000 and N387,500, respectively, through bank account transfers.
“On receipt of the report, operatives from Asokoro Division swung into action and with the help of the Nigeria Army Intelligence Unit, five suspects were arrested.
“Their operational vehicle, the Volkswagen taxi with Reg. No. AA 958 RYM was recovered,” he said.
The CP mentioned that the suspects had admitted to the crime and would face court proceedings once the investigation is concluded.
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and two others, have been slated for arraignment today (thursday) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They face charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.
The proceedings are set to unfold before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The charges, based on court documents, accuse Sirika of granting undue advantage to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023.
The anti-graft agency has accused Sirika of misusing his authority by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
This alleged action is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a separate charge, the EFCC alleges that on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika utilized on or about August 18, 2022 ia, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”
The anti-graft agency asserted that Sirika’s actions amounted to a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.
In count three, the EFCC accused Sirika of criminal breach of trust “while serving as the Minister of Aviation and in his capacity as a public officer” on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
In late April, the former aviation minister was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency and interrogated for several days.
Zamfara State is in the grip of fear and mourning following a series of vicious attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and the abduction of a branch manager of Taj Bank in Mandir Laura.
In a daring raid, approximately fifteen armed bandits stormed the manager’s residence in Rijiyar Gabas, seizing him and vanishing into the night.
Meanwhile, Faru Town in Maradun local government area witnessed a bloodbath as bandits struck, leaving eight residents dead.
Eyewitnesses recount the terror as the attackers besieged the town, instilling fear and chaos before retreating with captives into the surrounding forests.
The incidents have prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to stem the tide of violence plaguing Zamfara State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reached an out-of-court settlement with renowned barman, Pascal Okechukwu, famously known as Cubana Chief Priest, regarding charges of naira abuse.
This development surfaced during the latest court proceedings presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
Cubana Chief Priest has been facing a three-count-charge related to the misuse of the national currency at a social gathering, a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Details later.. . ..
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