Connect with us

Crime

NSCDC Smashes Same-Sex Wedding Ring In Gombe State

Published

on

NSCDC’s Vigilance Curbed Oil Bunkering in Rivers – Samson Wabulari

A same-sex wedding ‘gang’, in Gombe State has been busted by operatives of the State’s Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with 76 apprehended in the process.

Public Relations Officer, NSCDC, Gombe State, Buhari Sa’ad, made the disclosure when he paraded the suspects before media men at the command’s headquarters in Gombe on behalf of the state Commandant, Mohammed Muazu.

According to Sa’ad, of the 76 suspects, 59 are males out of which 21 confessed to being homosexuals.

He added that that 17 females were also arrested at the scene.

He said, “They were arrested at Duwa Plaza along Bauchi-Gombe Expressway while holding a homosexual birthday and they had plans to hold a same-sex wedding before our men raided the scene.

“Fifty-nine males were arrested, 21 wilfully confessed to being homosexuals and 17 females present at the scene were also picked.

“They will be charged to court to answer for their crime which is on social vice; a crime in Gombe State.”

In another development, the command also arrested no fewer than three persons involved in illegal mining activities in the Akko Local Government Area of the state.

According to the NSCDC, the suspects were arrested at a site in the Gamawa community while operating in violation of the mining clearance that was allegedly approved by the Federal Government.

The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Muazu, on Sunday, described the arrest as a significant milestone.

“My team stormed the site following a tip-off from some concerned citizens. While they were excavating with their excavating machine, we stormed the place and ironically, they claimed to be the owners of the site and that they had a licence, but when we checked their documents we discovered that the approval they had was for Laterite sand which they abandoned for mining coal,” Muazu said.

He disclosed that having reported to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the state Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the command has ordered the temporary suspension of activity at the site until proper clearance is obtained from the necessary authorities.

In the same vein, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Gombe State, Sanusi Pindiga, announced the suspension of all mining activities across the state and urged all miners in the state to appear before the ministry for screening and clearance.

According to him, the decision followed the discovery of the illegal mining site by the NSCDC, and that it was made to ensure that miners operating in the state are properly screened and cleared by the ministry.

“A genuine miner should report to the appropriate authority before going to the field.

“We don’t want a situation where miners will be mining without considering the dangers and effect of the activities on the lives of our people, their farmlands, and communities,” Pindiga said.

Crime

Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia

Published

on

A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.

The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.

READ MORE: FG Allocates N112bn To Enhance Child Safety, Education In Three Years

This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.

However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.

The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.

Continue Reading

Crime

Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured

Published

on

A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.

Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.

The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.

 

READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises

An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.

“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”

The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.

Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.

However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.

“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.

Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.

 

 

Continue Reading

Crime

IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam

Published

on

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.

The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.

READ ALSO: Osun Shooting: Adeleke Sues For Peace As IGP Orders Immediate Arrest Of Moses Lohor

According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.

“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.

The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.

The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.

During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.

“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.

“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”

The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.

This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.