The Bauchi State Police Command has disassociated itself from a purportedly mischievous video clip in circulation in the social media, alleging that the police in Dambam local government was the mastermind of a robbery attack that occurred along Kano- Maiduguri road, where some motorists were robbed of their belongings.
The video, according to the police, showed a police patrol vehicle belonging to the Danbam police division of the command, carrying victims of armed robbery attack, mainly women and children.
While urging members of the public to disregard the video as it is unfounded, the statement said that the Police Commissioner, CP Philip Macu has directed a discreet investigation into the armed robbery incident and the purported video clip as findings will be available to the public.
According to a press release issued by the acting State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Umar Magaji on behalf of the command and made available to newsmen in Bauchi, the allegation is not only false but misleading and a calculated attempt by mischief makers to incite the public against the police.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, on the 18th February 2020, at about 0300hrs, a report was received by the Dambam police division that a group of armed robbers numbering about nine, blocked Kano-Maiduguri highway at a location near Bam village, Dambam local government, robbing innocent motorists of their belongings.”
“On receiving the report, the police patrol team was promptly mobilised the area, however on sighting the police, the robbers took to their heels to the bush, leaving some robbers passengers on board of a Sharon motor Vehicle with registration number XA300 ABS Kano, driven by one Umar Mohammed from Ambursa in Kebbi State, heading to Maiduguri, Borno State” The statement read.
The police aid that consequently, when the team came back to the scene of the attack, they met some angry drivers who accused them of being responsible for the robbery, adding that the victims could not refute the allegation as they were traumatised as clearly shown in the video.
Men of the State Police Command addressing the Press
“On reaching the village head house, the victims who now felt safe informed the gathering that it was not the police that robbed them. They said the police came to their rescue and chased the robbers into the bush. This statements by the victims doused the tension and put the situation under control, only for the command to see the viral video on the social media” The statement added.
A 50-years old man, Edo Omusi, has been declared wanted by the police in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, for disappearing after being ‘caught’ in a same s*x act in Ogiso community.
A source close to the police in the state, told our correspondent that the suspect, and one of his male friends, whose name was not given, were sighted at an undisclosed location by some youths as they were comitting the act.
Under Nigerian Laws, any person caught in the gay act is liable to 14 years in prison and if found by the community could be killed.
The duo were said to have been deeply engrossed in the act when they were found but before the person who saw them in the , “sinful and abominable act”, went for back up, they had escaped the location.
The incident which occurred on 25/4/23 at Ogiso area of the town almost threw the community into a turmoil as irate youths welding sticks and cudgels rampaged the community in search of the duo to lynch them.
It was also learnt that worried by the trend the youths in the community had to set up a surveillance team to monitor his movements. It was on one of the surveillance trips that he was reportedly caught on the fateful day, with the unidentified male partner.
It was gathered since the community reported the incident to the police, the whereabouts of the suspect, Edo Omusi has since remained unknown by all and sundry.
Speaking on the development, a top Police official confirmed the matter and explained that the Crime Investigation Department of the command is working round the clock to arrest the suspect, having declared him a wanted person.
Adefioye ordered that the defendant should be remanded in Awhajigoh Correctional Centre, Badagry.
He adjourned the case until April 14 for facts and sentencing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP. Clément Okuoimose, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on April 6 at 2.30 p.m. at Badagry Roundabout shopping complex, Badagry, Lagos.
Okuoimose said Lemo without lawful excuse pressed the breast of the complainant, Zainab Babalola.
Olalekan Jacob Ponle, known as Mr Woodberry, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
He also agreed to forfeit $8 million in proceeds of wire fraud as well as luxury cars and watches to the foreign government.
Woodberry, a known associate of the now-imprisoned internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, recently in a plea declaration submitted at the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division on April 6, pleaded guilty to count one of the indictments, the Peoples Gazette reports.
According to his plea agreement, he is required to pay back the sum of $8 million he fraudulently received from the seven companies that he scammed.
“Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he will subject to forfeiture to the United States all right, title, and interest that he has in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence,”stated the document containing Mr Ponle’s signed plea declaration.
Woodberry was also asked to waive his rights to the luxury cars, and designer watches he had stashed in Dubai.
The high-end automobiles include Rolls Royce Cullinan with vehicle no J9153, Lamborghini Urus (N4973) and Mercedes-Benz G-class (G68816).
Other items seized are four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, three Audemars Piguet watches, three gold and diamond-studded earrings, and six gold neck chains.
Last year, he forfeited 151.8 Bitcoin to the American government.
On June 10, 2020, Woodberry was arrested in Dubai alongside Ramon Hushpuppi Abbas, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence for a similar fraud charge.
Prior to his arrest, Woodberry was known for rocking and flaunting expensive designer wear and showing off his illicit wealth to his massive Instagram followers, the majority of whom had no idea his luxury lifestyle was funded by cybercrime.