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EndSARS: Police arrest hoodlums who looted armoury, recover weapons

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EndSARS, HOODLUMS, KIDNAPPERS

 

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested suspected hoodlums who attacked the Akobo Divisional Police Headquarters in Ibadan, looted the armoury and stole other items before setting the station on fire.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, who said this in a statement on Monday, revealed that two AK-47 riffles were stolen from the station by the hoodlums during the ENDSARS riot in October 2020.

She said one suspect, 28-year-old Ridwan Amoo, was arrested at his hideout in Moniya area of Ibadan with one AK-47 riffle, one locally made single barrel gun and a cutlass.

The statement read, ” On October 22, 2020 at about 1530hrs, some notorious hoodlums who were armed with dangerous weapons invaded the Akobo Divisional Police Headquarters, Ibadan during the infamous protest that led to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Nigeria.

“The rampaging hoodlums who turned out in large numbers dislodged Policemen attached to Akobo Division, looted their armoury and carted away two AK-47 riffles with breech numbers “AB35-0136 and 2627486’’ both loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition and one assault riffle with breech number “07026333’’.

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The hoodlums vandalised and set ablaze the buildings at the station and in the process two police patrol vehicles were completely burnt down.

“On July 20, 2021 at about 1535hrs, one of the hoodlums who masterminded the heinous criminal activities was arrested in his hideout at Moniya area Ibadan following a credible tip off and one AK-47 riffle with “27486’ carted away during the invasion of the Police Division was recovered from the suspect. One locally made single barrel gun and a cutlass which he was armed with during the ENDSARS protest were equally recovered from him. Investigation is at top gear to arrest other syndicate members.”

In a related development, the command also arrested five persons suspected to have kidnapped the wife of the the All Progressives Congress Youth Leaders in the state, Oni-Salawu Aderiyike.

The woman, who closed from her place of work at around 10pm, was going home in a car while her husband was in another car coming at her back. She was whisked away but the husband escaped.

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The CP said the suspects confessed that they collected N3m from the victim’s family before she was eventually freed after eight days in captivity.

The suspected kidnappers are Bolaji Shittu ‘M’ age 43 years; Jamiu Isiaka ‘M’ age 36 years; Shola Ogundele ‘M’ age 44 years; Saheed Adeleke ‘M’ age 36 years Yusuf Akinwale ‘M’ age 46 years.

Three locally made cut to size guns were said to have been recovered from them. One Toyota Camry, 15 life catridges and one bro Radionic female wristwatches.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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