Crime
Army Deploys Equipment Against Bandits, Terrorists
The Nigerian Army has deployed cutting-edge equipment for operations around the nation in an effort to combat instability, according to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff.
The purpose of deploying sophisticated equipment, the Army said, was to strengthen the fight against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal forces that fomenting instability in Nigeria.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, represented by the Garrison Officer Commander 8 Division, Maj Gen Godwin Mutkut, assured at a media chat organised by the Nigerian Army civil-military cooperation, in Sokoto on Wednesday, that the Nigerian Army would continue to implement robust strategies that span relevant measures across kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations.
He said, “I am glad to state that the Nigerian Army has taken delivery of some modern equipment and other combat enablers while the provisions of more have been finalised.
“The new additions to our operational capacity have been deployed and their effects are been witnessed across various theatres of operations.
“In consonance with my command philosophy, measures have been emplaced to ensure that our troops are well trained and motivated to adequately discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
“The culmination of these efforts is increasing tempo in all our operations and some remarkable success across the theatres.”
The COAS also emphasised that the desire to ensure the quick resolution of the security challenges necessitated the deployment of Nigerian Army troops across various theatres in all geopolitical zones in the country.
He said the deployment was carefully done to deal with the multiplicity of security challenges in the respective regions.
“It is important to state that the activities of non-state actors that seek to undermine the security, well-being and collective prosperity of our country would be highly degraded and almost non-existent without the collaboration of some unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons in the society.”
He, however, called on the media not to unconsciously provide non-state actors the oxygen to thrive by propagating their nefarious activities.
“This is because terrorists, insurgents, and other deviants seek attention and thrive on propaganda and rain of fear on well-meaning citizens.
“It is our collective efforts that would guarantee the effective decimation of insecurity and restoration of peace in our society.”
He, however, explained that the essence and desire for peace and security also require the proper harnessing of the collective strength of all well-meaning individuals and organisations.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja further explained that the best strategy to deal with contemporary security challenges in the country encompasses the collective strength of all individuals, organisation synergising in a whole-of-nation approach to defeat the common enemy of the nation.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his continuous strategic guidance and unwavering support to the Nigerian Army since his assumption of office.
Also speaking, the Chief of civil-military affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, said the objectives of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat include providing the means to propagate military activities to the general public as well as engaging with the media to strengthen and foster mutually beneficial ideas.
“As an aspect of the Nigerian army’s non-kinetic line of operation, the Military-Media relation is considered crucial and must be kept agile through frequent engagements.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat is one of the several ways of promoting collaboration between the Army and media towards nation development. It is envisaged that this gathering will provide the opportunity for the Nigerian Army and media executives and experts gathered here to interact on mutually beneficial issues.”
Crime
Man Arrested After Attempting To Divert Mexico Flight To U.S
Authorities in Mexico arrested a 31-year-old man on Sunday after he attempted to redirect a domestic flight to the United States, forcing an emergency landing in Guadalajara.
The Volaris Airbus A320 had departed from León, Guanajuato, at 7:17 a.m. local time and was bound for Tijuana.
However, about 45 minutes into the journey, the flight was diverted after the man tried to gain access to the cockpit.
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According to the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the man “assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to enter the cockpit to divert the flight to the United States.”
The crew, who managed to subdue the suspect, issued an alert to make an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport.
The man, reportedly traveling with family, was taken into custody upon landing.
In a statement, Volaris said the suspect claimed to have been acting under duress.
“The aggressor told them a close relative had been kidnapped and, upon taking off from León, was threatened to be killed if he went to Tijuana,” the airline said.
Authorities have not disclosed how many passengers were on board.
The flight resumed its journey to Tijuana after the incident, arriving without further complications.
Crime
Police Nab Dismissed Soldier, 7 Others In Multi-State Robbery Operation
The Enugu State Police Command has dismantled a notorious interstate criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and financial fraud.
The operation, described as a major breakthrough, led to the arrest of eight suspects, including a dismissed soldier, and the recovery of weapons, cash, and stolen items.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday.
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He noted that the joint operation, involving the Emene Division, Crack and Octopus Tactical Squads, and the Neighbourhood Watch Group, was initiated following a distress call on November 12, 2024.
“This was achieved through coordinated operations involving the Emene Division, Crack, and Octopus Tactical Squads, alongside the Neighbourhood Watch Group, which led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, cash, and other stolen items,” DSP Ndukwe said.
The police operation began in the early hours of November 12, 2024, after officers responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery at an estate in Emene, Enugu.
During the operation, one suspect, 23-year-old Ismaila Isah, was apprehended with a locally made pistol, ₦300,450 in cash, and stolen items.
Following Isah’s arrest, further investigations led to the capture of additional members of the syndicate.
“Ismaila was later transferred to the Crack Tactical Squad for further investigation. His confessional statements and subsequent discreet investigations led to the arrest of Sadik Ahmed, Abbas Usman, Mubarak Garba, Abubakar Haruna, and Abubakar Sani at their hideouts in New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu,” the statement revealed.
In a related development, two other suspects, Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru, were arrested in Owerri, Imo State.
“Operatives from the Octopus Tactical Squad utilised an intelligence report and arrested Obiri Chukwuebuka and Bright Omeniru in Owerri, Imo State.
During interrogation, they admitted to using phones stolen by the syndicate to fraudulently withdraw funds from victims’ bank accounts,” Ndukwe added.
The operation also yielded a large cache of stolen items. Among the recovered items were:.Two locally made pistols (one with a live cartridge and another with an expended cartridge), ₦300,450 in cash, 10 laptops, 10 mobile phones, land documents, jewellery, watches, an MP3 player, headphones, four power banks, two SIM cards, bags, and footwear.
The suspects have confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and using stolen SIM cards to conduct fraudulent bank transactions.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to committing multiple armed robberies within the Enugu metropolis and exploited victims’ SIM cards to commit fraud,” said Ndukwe.
The dismissed soldier, Sadik Ahmed, allegedly used his military training to evade police checkpoints and transport stolen goods across state borders.
“Sadik Ahmed, the dismissed soldier, admitted to using his security background to bypass police checkpoints while trafficking stolen items across the state,” the statement read.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. DSP Ndukwe expressed the police command’s commitment to tackling crime in the state, highlighting the importance of community collaboration.
“The operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling crime in the state, and we commend the efforts of our officers and the Neighbourhood Watch Group in ensuring the success of this operation,” Ndukwe concluded.
Crime
Crypto Trader Convicted Of Murdering Mother For $1m Insurance Payout
A Perth man has been convicted of murdering his mother to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts, funding his lavish lifestyle and covering substantial debts.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, 28, a crypto trader, was found guilty of killing his 58-year-old mother, Colleen Rebelo, in May 2020.
Her body was discovered in her bathroom by her youngest son, with initial investigations failing to suspect foul play.
An autopsy could not determine the cause of death, and the case was initially treated as natural.
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However, a subsequent investigation uncovered that just a week before her death, Rebelo had taken out three separate life insurance policies totaling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000), naming himself as the sole beneficiary.
At the time, Rebelo and his then-partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo, were showcasing a luxurious lifestyle on social media, boasting about holidays, expensive cars, and lavish experiences.
Behind the scenes, however, they were facing financial ruin, burdened with over $120,000 AUD in debts.
After Colleen’s death, Rebelo moved quickly to claim the insurance payouts, submitting falsified documents, including forged medical records and a fake coroner’s report.
He even used AI technology to impersonate his mother’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.
Suspicious of the claims, an insurance company employee flagged the case, leading to a police investigation.
In 2022, Rebelo was arrested and charged with his mother’s murder.