Crime
Woman Kills Septuagenarian With Chemical In Ogun
A man, Emmanuel Agbeli, 70, was found dead after allegedly being killed with chemical by a woman simply identified as Omotayo.
According to reports, Omotayo entered the elderly man’s apartment on Havana Estate in Arepo as he was saying a prayer and threw chemicals on Agbeli’s body.
Agbeli reported Omotayo to Mama Hausa, a neighbor, and Fashola, a security guard, after he reportedly began experiencing strange reactions on his body as a result of the chemicals.
Speaking with our correspondent, a source said Agbeli, who is a Togolese, after reporting Omotayo’s action to his neighbour and Fashola, was said to be returning into his apartment when he suddenly slumped and died on Tuesday, 22nd of November, 2022.
The source said, “As Agbeli was walking towards his house after narrating the incident to mama Hausa, he collapsed and died. He died on the road on Dare Ojo Close. I was about to drive out of my gate when my attention was drawn to Agbeli’s body.
“He wore only boxers and lay on the road; we first took him to the ROA Hospital and then to the Beachland Hospital where he was certified dead on arrival. We later took his corpse to the Sagamu General Hospital. I remembered that at each of the hospitals we visited, the doctors were asking why Agbeli’s body was hot.”
Agbeli’s wife, Abigail, said before her husband’s death, Omotayo had been frustrating her family, adding that she, alongside her daughters left her husband in their apartment when Omotayo’s attitude became unbearable.
She said, “Sometimes ago when I returned from a trip, my husband told me that the woman used to chase her with a stick. At first, we didn’t take it seriously until I discovered that the woman usually does as my husband reported.
“Early this year, I moved out of the house because of the woman’s problem. But my husband said he cannot leave because of the woman. Recently, the woman’s husband claimed to be the owner of my plantain plantation.
“We had an argument about it and I just left them because they are troublesome people. On Tuesday, we met my husband in the middle of the road lying dead.
“The house was flooded with water and I don’t know how the water got there. It was later that one of our neighbours told me that my husband reported that the woman should be held responsible for his death.”
When our correspondent visited the estate to speak with residents who witnessed Agbeli’s last moments, the residents declined to speak on the matter.
The chairman of the estate, who declined to metinon his name, when asked to give a comment on the events that led to Agbeli’s death, redirected our correspondent to the Warewa Police Station.
He said, “If you want to do your investigative journalism, go to the Warewa Police Station to get the whole story to you. The investigation is still ongoing; the autopsy, and everything on it. After they have concluded the investigation, whatever the story is, we will make it public; nobody is trying to hide anything.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said Omotayo had been arrested, adding that investigation into the case was ongoing.
Oyeyemi said, “Yes, the woman has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department and investigation is ongoing. She was alleged to have poured chemicals on her neighbour and he died. At the conclusion of the investigation, the woogunman will be charged to court.”
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
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.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
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.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
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.