Metro

Abuja Policemen Invade Lagos House, Rob Bizman, Brother

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2022

A businessman, Fatai Sowunmi, has accused men of the Force Intelligence Bureau Special Tactical Squad, Abuja, of stealing $5,000 from him.

His brother, Ibrahim, also claimed that the policemen stole his Automated Teller Machine card and withdrew N1.3m from his bank account.

Fatai, who spoke to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, said the policemen broke into his house last Friday on Oseyintola Street, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege, Lagos State.

He said he was at home with his wife and younger brother, who was on a visit, when the cops ransacked the house while accusing him of being a kidnapper.

The 30-year-old said, “Last week Friday, around 8am, some policemen broke into my house and accused me of having guns and being a kidnapper. They took my phone, beat me up and ransacked my house. They took $5,000 from my wardrobe.

“I asked them for a warrant of arrest and they started beating me again; they said who gave me the temerity to talk to them.

“My younger brother, Ibrahim, was beaten up as well. They handcuffed us and took us to the Command Road Police Station; but they did not take us inside. I am a motor spare parts dealer. It was my business money they took.

“At Command Road, they took my brother’s ATM card and withdrew N1.3m from his account; they threatened us that if we ever reported the matter, they would kill us.”

Ibrahim said the policemen operated in a Gestapo style.

He said, “I was sleeping when the door to my brother’s apartment was forcefully broken and armed policemen came in. They ransacked his house and took his money.

“They took his SUV, handcuffed us and took us to the Command Road Police Station but they did not take us inside the station. They took my ATM card, asked for my PIN and withdrew N1.3m from my account.

“They were beating us inside the car; they took my brother’s Lexus SUV, and put me in the Sienna they brought. They threatened us that if we reported the matter to any police station, they would kill us.”

The family’s lawyer, Todimu Ige, said he had sent a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.

The petition, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, stated that one Friday Enobaghare, aka Curtis Black General, led six others officers in the operation.

The petition said the policemen wore jackets inscribed with the word — FIB-STS.

“They collected the phone and went through his bank transactions and when they saw the account balance of N1, 700,000, they began to withdraw money from his account, using PoS operators after forcefully collecting his ATM card and PIN,” the petition stated.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the petition had not reached his table.

He said, “The petition about this case has not been brought to our desk but rest assured that if a case like this reaches us, justice will be served.”

The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Alabi, said the matter was under investigation.

He said, “This is not a matter that is discussed on phone; it’s under investigation.”

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

13 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.