Operatives of the Rivers state police command have arrested members of a gang allegedly specialised in kidnapping and raping young women in the state.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in the state, told reporters in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the gang kidnapped and molested one Ogechi, 28, in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area on 1 July, 2023.

How they were arrested
She said the police had been tracking the gang, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old resident of Igoni Street, Abuloma, linked to the crime.

“Investigations revealed that Louise Brutolu engaged his victims through phone chats, inviting them to meet him at Pacific Suite Hotel in Abuloma, Rivers.

“After booking a room, the suspect drugs his victims, rendering them unconscious before disposing them of their valuables.

“In Ogechi’s case, the suspect took her iPhone, N28,000 and ATM card,” she explained.

Ms Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, stated that the police anti-kidnapping unit swung into action to capture Brutolu after the incident was reported.

“Operatives recovered the substances used by the suspect to incapacitate his victims before disposing them of their valuables.

“During interrogation, Brutolu identified the gang leader, who was subsequently arrested after several months of persistent investigation.

“Various items belonging to different victims, such as 21 mobile phones, three female handbags, and receipt booklets, were found in possession of the gang leader,” she added.

Ms Iringe-Koko, who declined to disclose the gang leader’s identity, mentioned that the suspects had previously faced charges for similar offences in 2021.

Another arrest
Similarly, the police spokesperson announced the arrest of one Jemifor Timi, 28, for his alleged involvement in several rape cases of young women in the state.

“Timi specialises in enticing women and Bolt and Uber drivers through social media platforms like Instagram, Tinder, and Badoo.

“After selecting victims who flaunt expensive phones on social media, the suspect invites them to his hotel rooms and offers them drinks.

“Following the consumption of drinks spiked with tramadol, Timi proceeds to rape and rob them of their belongings,” Ms Iringe-Koko disclosed.

The police spokesperson emphasised that the suspect had been engaged in these crimes for three years and had been previously arrested and charged twice.

She urged residents, particularly young women, to be cautious of kidnappers and rapists who exploit popular messaging platforms to lure victims.

“Personal safety should be a priority, with individuals insisting on meeting strangers in public places and informing family and friends about their whereabouts,” she advised.

The Lagos State Police Command, on Tuesday, said its operatives arrested three suspected deadly armed robbers with guns recovered from them.

Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman of the Command in a tweet on X thanked Lagosians for given the police information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Hundeyin gave the names of the suspected armed robbers as Chinonso Bright, 34; Efanyi Chukwu, 23 and Alexander Chiemarie, 28.

He said Chinonso was arrested in Iba area of Lagos, while Chukwu and Chiemarie were arrested at Jakande-Lekki area.

Hundeyin stated that three locally made semi-automatic pistols, one locally made revolver, four rounds of live cartriged and 129 rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the robbers.

He wrote: “Thank you, Lagosians, for giving us useful information. Your information led to the arrest of suspected cultist/armed robber Chinonso Bright aged 34 in Iba area of Lagos State.

“Investigation then led to the further arrest of Efanyi Chukwu aged 23 and Alexander Chiemarie aged 28 in Jakande-Lekki area.

“Recovered from them are three locally made semi-automatic pistols, one locally made revolver, four rounds of live cartridges and 129 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Suspects are to be arraigned at the conclusion of ongoing investigation.

“Thank you again, Lagosians. With your help, three dangerous persons and four dangerous weapons are off the streets. Policing is everyone’s business. See something, say something!”

Three persons have died as gas explosion rocked Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday afternoon.

A 50kg Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cylinder was said to have exploded at the frontage of a row of shops at Abule Pan, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ibeju Lekki.

The gas explosion occurred around 3:34pm on Tuesday.

Loud bang was heard in the area with balls of fire enveloping the atmosphere, leading to pandemonium in the area when the gas explosion occurred.

The Director/CEO, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Margaret Adeseye in a statement said the explosion involved LNG (industrial gas) cylinder of about 50kg assembled at the frontage of a row of shops.

Adeseye said the Lekki Phase II Fire Station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services complemented by Health Environment officials, military officials, Federal Road Safety Corps officials and Ibeju Lekki Local Government joined hands to combat the inferno.

She said the cause of the explosion might be mishandling of the gas cylinder, confirming that three bodies were recovered with another person injured.