Crime
Delta Police Apprehend Suspected Cultist, Kidnapper
An alleged member of an infamous kidnapping ring and suspected cultist was arrested by Delta State Police Command agents.
According to reports, the arrest was related to the inquiry into the death of Regina Ogana, who was abducted on August 2, 2023, together with her husband and other family members.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed in a signed statement made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday that the Command received another distress call from the husband of the deceased that one of his brothers, Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje, aged 28, made a suspicious call to him that he was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of N500,000, and money was transferred into the said Eseoghene’s account as his ransom.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, gave a marching order to the Divisional Police Officer, Oreropke Division, to embark on an intelligence-led investigation and ensure that the perpetrators were arrested.
The PPRO stated that following the CP’s order, on August 11, 2023, at about 1145hrs acting on technically generated information, operatives of the Divisional Anti-Crime Patrol team led by the DPO CSP Paul E. Oboware stormed Odovie community, Ughelli North LGA and arrested the said Eseoghene Ezekiel Obeje at the same spot where the sum of N1,300,000.00 was earlier paid as ransom for the release of his elder brother and husband of the deceased.
According to the police spokesman, the investigation revealed that the said Eseoghene is a member of Eiye Confraternity, that he faked his own kidnapping, and that he is also suspected to have masterminded the kidnapping of his brother and other family members, which led to the death of Regina Ogana.
It was gathered that the suspect is presently in custody while the investigation is ongoing.
In another development, on August 10, 2023, at about 2130hrs, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, acting on a complaint received via petition, stormed Issele-Azagba community in Aniocha North Local Government Area and arrested one Igwe Uche (29), Victor Agogozia (30) and Afam Okoro Victor (30), all residents of Issele-Azagba.
Upon a thorough search of the suspects, one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one single-barrel gun, and one live cartridge were recovered.
The PPRO stated that the suspects and exhibits are in custody, and efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of their gang.
Also, on August 13, 2023, at about 2130hrs, acting on credible intelligence received about some hoodlums who were on their way to attack the unsuspecting person(s) along Umusadege quarters, the DPO Kwale Division, CSP Edwin Igoche in a proactive manner, swiftly mobilised crack team of the division to Mid-western Road.
One cut-to-size gun and six cartridges were found on the two suspects, Ugo Uzoka, 31, of Umusadege Quarters, and Ebinum Snu, 33, who were also arrested during the process.
While the investigation is still ongoing, suspects are in custody.
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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