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Enugu rights group accuses police of shooting five detainees

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Enugu rights group accuses police of shooting five detainees

The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network has submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, seeking redress for five individuals who were allegedly subjected to torture and shot in the legs by police officers in Enugu State.

The petition, signed by CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo, Esq., and dated September 16, requested the IG to take immediate action to address the situation.

The five individuals, who are members of the Neighbourhood Watch in Akpawfu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, are – Sunday Nwobodo (also known as Divine Spoon), Onyeka Nnaji, Nnamdi Gabriel, Nweze Igweshi and Nwabunkeonye Nnamani.

The petition demanded the IG to also ensure their immediate release or arraignment in a court of law, should they be suspected of committing an offence.

It also demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged torture and shooting of the individuals.

The petition partly read: “The family members of the above-named detainees informed us that they were randomly arrested between August 3, 2024, and August, 12, 2024, from the community.

“We were further informed that one Mr. Nnaji was reported to have been killed some time in July 2024, by unknown persons in the community. The community thereafter arrested one Mr. Ogodo and two others who they suspected had a land dispute with the deceased and handed them over to the police in the area, but the police later released the suspects and invited some members of the community’s Neighbourhood Watch to report to the Octopus Base.

“The aforementioned Neighbourhood Watch members reported to the Police and they have since been in detention.

“We were further informed that the police have refused access to the detainees by their families and lawyers. They further stated that when some members of the community were allowed to see the detainees two weeks ago, they were all limping as they had been tortured and shot on their legs by the police while in detention.”

The group claimed it made efforts to see the detainees and know their wellbeing but a member of its office, Desmond Kakaan, was refused access to them when he visited the Octopus Police Base, Enugu, on Friday.

It said it was “unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and a grave rights violation” for the police to incapacitate detainees in their custody by shooting them on their legs to make them confess to a crime.

“No matter the gravity of the offence they committed, the proper thing for the police to do is to charge the detainees before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“We condemn in an unequivocal term this act of torture in custody and we demand that the officers involved be made to face the full wrath of the law as penalised under Section 8, Anti-Torture Act 2017 which provides punishment of 25 years imprisonment for a person who commits torture.

“Section 6, of the Anti Torture Act 2017” provides that a person arrested, detained or under custodial investigation has the right to demand a physical and psychological Examination by an independent and competent doctor of his choice after interrogation. Pursuant to this section, we hereby, on behalf of the detainees, demand that they be allowed access to a competent doctor of their choice to examine them in respect of the alleged severe torture of shooting them on their legs during investigation in police custody.”

The petition highlights concerns regarding police brutality and the need for accountability and justice.

Ogun landlord defiles tenant’s 14-year-old daughter

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Ogun landlord defiles tenant’s 14-year-old daughter

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a landlord identified as Bola Tobiloba for allegedly defiling his tenant’s 14-year-old daughter.

According to Metro reported that the incident took place last Friday in the Arinlese area of Abeokuta.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday.

She stated that the incident left other tenants and the entire community in shock when the survivor was found drenched in blood from her private parts, noting that the suspect would face the full force of the law.

She said, “The survivor’s father reported the incident to the Adatan Police Division at approximately 2:15 p.m. on September 13, 2024. The landlord is accused of assaulting his 14-year-old daughter.

“The girl suffered a tear in her private area, resulting in the bleeding. When our officers arrived at the scene, they found blood on the floor, believed to be from the survivor.

“Blood was also found on the clothing she was wearing. She was promptly taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody.”

A report by According to Metro on September 3, 2024, detailed an incident in which a 55-year-old man, Hassan Wasiu, allegedly defiled his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter at his apartment on Falowo Street, Makun, in the Sagamu area of the state.

The survivor’s grandfather, Bimbo Ojo, who reported the incident to the Sagamu Police Division, had found that his granddaughter was bleeding through her vagina shortly after the perpetrator had committed the crime.

The suspect had allegedly lured the survivor into going into his room to defile her.

Kaduna auto crash death toll rises to 40

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Kaduna auto crash death toll rises to 40

The death toll from the Kaduna Eid-El-Maulud auto crash has risen to 40, with most victims being children.

The incident occurred on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying children to celebrate Eid-el-Maulud lost control due to overspeeding and overloading, colliding with an articulated vehicle along Saminaka Road in Lere Local Government Area.

Initially, the Federal Road Safety Corps reported 25 fatalities, with 48 others injured. However, more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the total death toll to 40.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, expressed shock and deep sorrow, offering condolences to the victims’ families.

“This is a tragic loss of young lives, and we will do everything possible to support the affected families,” he said.

He directed the state Commissioner for Health to ensure that the surviving children receive urgent and comprehensive medical care.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Sani also plans to reach out to the families of the deceased, demonstrating his commitment to supporting those affected by this devastating incident.

The Punch reports that the accident occurred around 1:00 pm on Sunday when the J5 bus, carrying 63 children, collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle.

The Kaduna Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed the incident, stating,

“The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to overspeeding, leading to the fatal crash. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”
Nadabo further explained that 10 more victims later died due to the severity of their injuries, and subsequently, more victims passed away in hospital, bringing the death toll to 40.

Nadabo stressed the importance of road safety, urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.

“This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to be cautious and follow speed limits to avoid similar incidents.”

Due to the severity of the injuries, some victims were transferred to ABU Teaching Hospital in Shika, the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for proper medical attention.

The FRSC has launched an investigation into the crash.

“This accident is a wake-up call for all drivers to prioritise road safety. We will continue to educate drivers on the importance of safe driving practices.

“We must learn from this tragedy and work towards preventing such incidents in the future,” Nadabo emphasised.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” he added.

Navy rescues 20 passengers in Rivers’ pirates attack

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Navy rescues 20 passengers in Rivers’ pirates attack

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base in Bonny, Rivers State said they had rescued 20 passengers including women and children on the Port Harcourt-Bonny sea route.

The Commander of the NNFOB in Bonny, Maksum Mohammed, who disclosed this to newsmen, on Monday, said the Navy also uncovered a new strategy adopted by pirates to abduct travellers.

Mohammed said intelligence suggested that some boat operators might be working with the pirates to launch attacks.

According to him, the boat operators would load fully, get to the entrance of a river midway on the high sea, fake engine problem, and while pretending to be fixing the problem, the pirates would swoon on them and whisk the passengers into the creeks and demand ransoms.

He said the latest incident showed a boat loaded with 20 passengers including infants, which he said almost turned fatal.

He said: “This is a clear case of wilful endangerment of passenger safety. Why would any mariner in his right senses sail with passengers on board a boat whose engines were outright faulty and unable to sustain an hour’s journey?

“And then, we’re also dealing with recent cases of attacks on the river; what if these criminals had seen and approached them and taken them captive?

“What leverage would they have had to escape their assailants? It’s quite unfortunate that hapless passengers could be exposed to avoidable risks and for the exorbitant amounts they pay?”

Mohammed further said the case appeared to be a simulation, saying the places they saw the boat twice were exactly dangerous places for attacks.

He said, “This is just in case, maybe, there were some plans because nearly all the kidnap incidents occurred where there was an engine failure or a simulation in front of a river mouth, which now resulted in the kidnap as they come out and then pick their victims and carry on.

“We encountered the same boat again simulating another engine failure in front of another river entrance. Simulating another engine failure – as far as I’m concerned, I’ll use simulation – in a place that is also known for kidnap activities.

“It was at that point that we decided to evacuate the passengers onto our boats and continued with the movement.”

Mohammed advised the coastal state governments and local government areas to urgently consider deploying ferries on the waterways, especially, the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route as a safer, sustainable, and subsidised means of transport.

Our correspomdent reports that there had been related cases of pirate attacks and abduction of passengers on the waterway.

Last week, 10 passengers who were abducted by pirates on their way to Port Harcourt from Bonny were freed after four days in captivity.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria led by the Chairman, Port Harcourt Commercial District, Israel Pepple, led a protest to the Government House, to register their complaints on the frequent attacks of water travellers by pirates and solicited the intervention of the government for more security to protect them and their passengers.

25 killed in Kaduna auto crash

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25 killed in Kaduna auto crash

The death toll from the auto crash that occurred along Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday has risen to 25.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kaduna State, Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed the increase in fatalities to According to Metro on Monday.

“Ten more victims died due to injuries sustained in the crash, bringing the total number of deceased to 25 out of the 63 people involved,” Nadabo said.

According to Metro reports that the tragic incident occurred around 1:00 pm on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying 63 children, mostly youngsters traveling to celebrate Eld El Maulud, collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, in Kaduna State, Nadabo, had said, “The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to over speeding, resulting in the fatal crash. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

However, Nadabo added that due to the nature of the injuries sustained during the crash, 10 more victims died bringing the toll number of fatalities to 25.

“Sadly, at about 18:45 hrs today(16/9/2024), the command received an update that 10 more victims had died due to injuries sustained. This is truly sad and tragic. The total amount of the deceased has risen to 25 people out of the 63 people involved.

“I want to express the Corps’ profound condolences to the families of all those who have lost their dear ones in this fatal accident. I also want to reiterate the FRSC stance and position on overloading of humans or goods and excess speeding. In this case, both contributed to the fatal calamities witnessed.

“These are avoidable, hence our resolve to continuously engage motorists on safety ethics and general Road behaviour. The FRSC Kaduna is poised to ensure the overall safety of motorists in Kaduna and beyond,” the Sector Commander added.

Nadabo emphasised the importance of road safety measures, urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.

“This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.”

An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, saying, “I saw the bus swerve out of control and collide with the articulated vehicle.”

“It was a horrific sight, and my heart goes out to the families of the victims,” he added.

Nadabo said due to the nature of the accident and the injuries sustained, some of the victims were moved to the ABU Teaching Hospital at Shika, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital respectively for proper and comprehensive medical attention.

He also said the FRSC had launched an investigation into the incident.

“This accident is a wake-up call for all drivers to prioritise road safety,” Nadabo said.

 “We will continue to educate drivers on the importance of safe driving practices.”

As the families of the victims mourn their loved ones, the nation is reminded of the need for vigilance on the roads.

“We must learn from this tragedy and work towards preventing such incidents in the future,” Nadabo emphasised.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” Nadabo said.

54-year-old man dies by suicide in Lagos

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54-year-old man dies by suicide in Lagos

A 54-year-old man identified simply as Olatunji has died by suicide in the Agege area of Lagos State.

The incident was said to have occurred on Sunday, at about 8 pm.

The deceased’s elder sister who reported the incident at the Elere police station located in the community, said that he committed the act in a store attached to the apartment where they live.

The scene of the incident was visited by a team of policemen who took the deceased to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to According to Metro on Monday.

He said, “A complainant reported at the Elere Division stating that at about 8 pm of the same date, her younger brother, one Olatunji, a male, aged 54 years, committed suicide by hanging himself to death in the store of their house.

“Officers of the division immediately visited the scene and the deceased was lowered and taken to the Orile Agege General Hospital, where he was certified dead.”

Hundeyin said preliminary investigations revealed no signs of violence on the deceased’s body.

He added that the corpse had been transferred to the Mainland Hospital Mortuary in Yaba for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

According to Metro on July 12 reported that a yet-to-be-identified tricyclist died by suicide after efforts to retrieve his seized tricycle from some government agents proved abortive in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The tricyclist was heading to a destination in the state when the officials intercepted him for an offence.

Following the interception, the officers reportedly seized the tricycle and took it to their office located close to the Jubilee Estate, along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.

Efforts by the tricycle operator to retrieve his tricycle from the officials were said to have been futile.

Our correspondent learnt that perplexed by the development, the tricyclist, in an apparent effort to protest the seizure of his tricycle, went to a tree at the front of the fence of the compound where the offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, and Vehicle Inspection Officers are situated, close to the Jubilee Estate, along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway, and hanged himself.

Abia man, 64, in NSCDC net over alleged child trafficking

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Abia man, 64, in NSCDC net over alleged child trafficking

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abia State Command, has arrested a 64-year-old man, Mr. Nnanna Michael, a native of Obinkita Arochukwu, in connection with the operation of illegal baby factories and child trafficking in the Aba area of the state.

During the operation which took place on Saturday at Abanafo Street, Ariaria, two women, identified as Miss Doris Nelson (23 years) from Gombe State and Miss Ugochukwu Winner (21 years) from Isinweke, lhitte Uboma in Imo State, were rescued from Michael’s residence following credible intelligence provided to the command.

Investigation revealed that Miss Nelson, who gave birth on Monday, September 9, 2024, sold her baby the following day to yet-to-be-identified buyers, while Miss Winner is currently seven months pregnant and was being held under similar circumstances.

According to the state Commandant, Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, while briefing and parading the suspect before newsmen, “In his confessional statement, Michael, a father of four and a former worker at a motherless home, admitted to harbouring pregnant women, taking care of them until delivery, and then selling their babies. Michael revealed that Doris Nelson was introduced to him by a contact from Abuja named Miracle, who brought her to his residence in Aba. After giving birth to a baby girl, Michael sold the baby for N1.1 million, promising Doris N5O0,000 of which she had already received N100,000.

“Further investigations revealed that Miss Winner was introduced to Michael by Evangelist First Samuel, who resides in Aba but is now at large. The agreement was for Michael to purchase the baby after delivery and sell it to his potential buyers.

“Preliminary investigations further reveal that Michael has been in this illicit business for a long time, where he has been leveraging his contacts from his previous work experience at a motherless home to find both buyers and sellers. Michael admitted to selling one baby last year and two babies this year before his arrest.”

Upon the conclusion of our investigation,  Al-Fadarai said the case would be transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons which is statutorily empowered to prosecute the offences adding that the court would determine further course of action. According to him. Michael is living in a rented apartment but the landlord claimed ignorant of what he was doing and even cooperated with the agency in the exercise.

“On this note, we would like to make it very clear that the NSCDC Abia State Command is committed to uncovering all individuals involved in this syndicated operation and we will continue to pursue Michael’s accomplices as we remain resolute in bringing all the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice and ensuring we put an end to such practices”, he said.

He called on parents to take responsibility for the proper upbringing of their children, as this case showcased the failure of some families in safeguarding their children from such criminal elements.

“We equally urge members of the general public to be vigilant and provide us with credible intelligence of any suspicious activities within their surroundings”, he noted.

Dislodged plank market residents illegal occupants – LASG

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Dislodged plank market residents illegal occupants – LASG

The Lagos State Government on Monday said that the dislodged residents and traders in the Oko Baba plank market, located in the Ebute Metta area of the state, were illegal occupants who had refused to relocate to the new location allocated to them by the government.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with According to Metro on Monday.

According to Metro reported on Monday that the traders and residents had accused the government of being responsible for the fire incident that destroyed their goods worth millions of naira.

The traders had claimed that the government deliberately set fire to the market to dislodge them.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident on Sunday, had observed that the market, which covered a large expanse of land and extended to the waterside under the Third Mainland Bridge, was razed by fire.

It was also observed that officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency were setting fire to the wooden structures.

While admitting that the state was responsible for the fire, Omotoso disclosed that the government had provided a new location for the traders in the Agbowa area of Ikorodu to relocate.

He emphasised that those who remained at the Oko Baba plank market were the ones who refused to relocate to the new market location.

The commissioner noted that, as part of efforts to make the new location attractive to the traders, the government had constructed a road that connected the new market to the major road in the Ikorodu area and provided the traders with accommodation.

He said, “The operation was carried out by LASBCA. We have relocated them to a new market in Agbowa, but some of them refused to move there. They complained that the road linking the market was not good, and the government constructed an alternative road for them. They were also provided with accommodation.

“Those who were left at Ebute Metta were those who refused to move. They were illegal occupants in the market before, as there is no document allocating the place to them. The government had only been magnanimous by providing a new place for them.”

Omotoso added that the activities of the traders in the shanties posed a threat to the environment and the aesthetics of the state.

He continued by stressing that the recurring fire incidents in the market also posed a threat to the Third Mainland Bridge, necessitating the government’s action.

He added, “If you observe, the place has become an eyesore, and their activities are beginning to constitute environmental hazards. The impact on the environment is not good.

“They have also extended under the Third Mainland Bridge, which puts the bridge at risk because of the frequent fire incidents that often occur in the market. If these fires are allowed to affect the integrity of the bridge, it puts the lives of thousands of people who use the bridge at risk, and we won’t allow such to happen.”

He concluded by assuring the public that the government would always protect the interests of every resident of the state.

Police hunt killers of two cops in Anambra station attack

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Police hunt killers of two cops in Anambra station attack

The Anambra Police Command said it had launched a manhunt on the gunmen who executed the Monday attack on the Umunze Police Station in the Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.

Some yet-to-be-identified assailants attacked the police facility in the early hours of Monday, using explosives and firearms to set the facility on fire and also killing two policemen on duty.

The state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who reacted in a statement, blamed the attack on armed secessionists, who emerged from their hideouts to perpetrate the dastardly act.

Some sources and residents in the area, who spoke to our correspondent, on the condition of anonymity, said the assailants stormed the police facility, shooting several times into the air before forcefully gaining entry into the premises.

According to the sources, during the attack, some police officers were shot dead in an exchange of fire as the assailants caught them unawares while some parts of the premises were also set ablaze using improvised explosive devices.

One of the eyewitnesses said, “The masked hoodlums shot several times into the air as they marched towards the gate of the police station premises. It happened early this morning (Monday) and it was the gunshots that woke the neighbourhood and sent panic into the area.

“They shot and injured some police officers. Some officers were killed in a hot exchange of gunfire as they tried to resist the hoodlums from gaining entry. The incident happened within a short space of time, the hoodlums were about to cause further mayhem before they were overpowered by the officers on duty, after which they escaped to their hideouts.

“We learnt the hoodlums were trying to force a release of one of their members who is being detained at the facility. It is unfortunate what happened to the slain officers, there  is a need for the security operatives to step up their operations through the use of technology and intelligence gathering.”

The latest attack is coming less than a month after some gunmen similarly attacked the Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and Oba Civic  Centre, in Idemili South LGA of the state, during which a police corporal was killed and several others injured. The facility was also set ablaze.

Speaking further, Ikenga said a manhunt had been launched on the fleeing assailants and a clearance operation on the identified camp of the criminal was ongoing in the area.

Ikenga said, “The Joint Security Forces comprising of the Police, Army, Navy, civil defence and other security agencies recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on the trail of the arsonists and armed secessionist group members, who in the early hours of today (Monday) 16/9/2024  attacked the Umunze Police Station.

“The suspected proscribed armed group invaded the police facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the station.

“Unfortunately, two of the police operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnaghe Itam, had visited the scene, for an on-the-spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment.

“The CP calls on anyone who has any information that will aid the investigation to come forward. He also assures the public of utmost confidentiality to any such information in this regard, please,” Ikenga added.

Three killed, two injured in separate Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crashes

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Three killed, two injured in separate Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crashes

Three persons have lost their lives while two others were seriously injured in two separate accidents at the end of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, on Sunday night and Monday morning, respectively.

An eyewitness, who told According to Metro that the victims were one male and two females, said they all died on the spot.

Investigations further revealed that a Toyota Sienna bus XLE model with number plate JJJ 515 HZ ran over three pedestrians at a bus stop near the Academy area in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mayowa Odeowo, apart from confirming the accidents, said, “Aside from the pedestrians who lost their lives, none of the passengers of the ill-fated bus was injured.

“Another accident was recorded on the same Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at about 10:15 am on Monday. Two passengers were critically injured but no death was recorded.”

The crash involved a white commercial Mitsubishi Mazda vehicle with number plate NKD 06 XG and an ash-coloured private Ford vehicle with registration number AAA 241 FY.

Odeowo said, “Fifteen individuals were involved in the accident, including six females and nine males. Two people, one male and one female, sustained serious injuries and were promptly taken to LAD Medical Hospital for treatment.

“Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded,” he confirmed.

The FRSC spokesperson, therefore, attributed the accident to loss of control and speeding, which caused the vehicles to collide on the dry, paved road in bright weather conditions.

The command warned that over-speeding remained a significant threat on Nigeria’s roads, and urged drivers to maintain focus and adhere to speed limits.

The police have taken custody of the damaged vehicles.

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