Metro

Court Remands 16-yr-old Robbery Suspects Nicknamed ‘Oyenusi’

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

An Akure Magistrate Court, in Ondo state, has ordered the remand of a 16-year-old armed robbery suspect, Sunday Ojo, nicknamed after Nigeria’s notorious armed robber, Oyenusi.

Ojo confessed that he has been involved in no fewer than 40 operations.

He was brought to court by men of the Ondo State Security Outfit, codenamed ‘Amotekun, over alleged housebreaking, stealing and illegal possession of a firearm

The defendant is facing a seven-count bordering on conspiracy, housebreaking, stealing and illegal possession of firearms.

According to the State Counsel, O.F Akeredolu, the defendant and others at large committed the offences between April 2022 and August 2023 at different places in Ilara-Mokin and Ijare, Ondo State.

Akeredolu alleged that the defendant with his armed gang had been involved in various house breaking and theft in the two communities.

He said that “On August 17, 2023, Sunday at about 3pm, broke into and looted a shop at Ilara, belonging to one Esther Olaseni and stole one 3kg gas cooker, 11 spaghetti, a pack of magic detergent, packs of big toothpaste, 15 rubbers of rice, nine pieces of golden terra, two bottles of air cream and 145 cubes of chocolate.

“Also on April 9, 2022, Sunday and others at large broke and entered into a shop belonging to one Mrs Esho Olanireti, at Hospital junction in Ilara-Mokin and looted all the goods there.

“On April 10, 2022, the defendant and his group at about 9am broke into a house and stole an itel phone valued at N9,500, belonging to one Mrs Grace Falaye, among others ,” Akeredolu alleged.

The defendant was also said to have firearms in his possession when apprehended

According to the Prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 413, 383, 516 and 414 of the Criminal Laws of Ondo State, 2006 and Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Though the charges were read to him in Yoruba language, his plea was not taken.

Akeredolu prayed the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The trial Magistrate Damilola Sekoni therefore adjourned the case till September 15, for ruling on the remand application.

Recall that Ojo was arrested by the Ondo state security outfit, codenamed Amotekun, alongside two others nicknamed after notorious armed robbers three years ago.

They include Timileyin Femi, aka Anini, 13 years and Matti Lowe, aka Osunbo,16 years.

Sunday who was sent to juvenile home, when arrested last year by the state Amotekun, said that he has been involved in over 40 operations.

In an interview after he was re- arrested by the Amotekun corps, and paraded in Akure, the state capital, Sunday said that” l have lost count of the robbery operations I have been involved in. But they can’t be fewer than 40.

He claimed to be overwhelmed by evil spirit that motivates him to steal.

The state Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said that Sunday was a second-time armed robbery suspect.

Adeleye added that the suspect who was arrested for illegal possession of firearms when he was 13 years old and was sent to juvenile home, was again arrested for burglary and stealing.

“We’ve arrested a juvenile robber, who adopted the name of notorious Nigerian armed robber, “Oyenusi” for stealing in the state.

“We rearrested a young boy we arrested three years ago and took to juvenile for illegal possession of firearms and robbery.

“At that time, he was 13 years. The best we could do was to hand him over to juvenile and see if he could be rehabilitated.”

Adeleye said that ” right now, he’s 16, this time around, he broke into a number of shops and removed items. Between then and now, he confessed that he had engaged in over 40 housebreaking activities”
VANGUARD

Metro

Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

A deadly confrontation occurred on Wednesday in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island, leaving one person dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, through CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer, clarified in a statement made available to The PUNCH that there was no tribal clash or ethnic conflict at Balogun Market, where the incident took place.

According to the police, “The Lagos State Police Command hereby wish to inform the general public that there was no tribal clash or disturbance between any ethnic groups and others inside Balogun Market today.

“There was an incident of a free-for-all fight between some hoodlums and miscreants in the Balogun Market in the early hours of today at around 11 am.

“During the fight, one Ebuka Adindu from Abia State stabbed one Sodiq Ibrahim from Kogi State to death, and the said Ebuka Adindu in turn stabbed himself on the shoulder and became unconscious. He is currently under arrest in the hospital, where he is being treated.

“Investigation into the matter will be concluded, and he will be prosecuted after he has been discharged from the hospital. There was no loss of innocent lives or injury to any person or damage to the goods and properties of marketers inside Balogun Market.”

The police emphasised that no innocent lives were lost beyond the victim, no other injuries were reported, and there was no damage to goods or property at the market.

Normalcy has been restored, and residents and traders have been urged to continue their activities without fear.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, called on residents to remain law-abiding and cooperate with the police to sustain peace in the state, stressing that Lagos remains generally peaceful.

Eyewitnesses said the conflict began as a disagreement between the two men over the division of money from a recent job. The argument escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

Bystanders reportedly restrained the attacker before handing him over to authorities. Tensions briefly flared again when friends of the deceased protested, but order was quickly restored.

Metro

Police Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims Along Benin-Lagos Road

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has rescued 16 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations along the Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.

Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the operations followed separate incidents on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers blocked sections of the highways and abducted several travellers.

According to the statement, distress calls prompted the swift mobilisation of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. The teams embarked on intensive bush-combing operations to track the abductors and free the victims.

It was noted in the statement that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the operation along the Benin–Akure axis, deploying drones and other technical support to enhance precision.

“Six victims were rescued along the Benin–Akure Road, including one with a gunshot injury who is now receiving treatment. Three more victims were freed on the Benin–Lagos Road, while an additional seven regained their freedom on August 25,” the statement read.

Agbonika commended the operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters for their collaboration, stressing that the partnership between security agencies and communities remains vital in tackling violent crime.

He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the command would continue to deploy human and technological resources to secure Edo highways.

Metro

Suspected Cultists Invade Rivers Compound, Rob Students, Residents

Published

3 hours ago

August 27, 2025

Editor

Suspected cultists on Wednesday attacked a residential compound at Ekwulobia Street in the Mile 3 area of Diobu, Port Harcourt, breaking into tenants’ rooms and stealing valuables.

Two of the victims were female university students in the state.

Stolen items included laptops, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.

It was gathered that the gang, reportedly led by a man named Graham, gained access to the compound by breaking a back window and removing the iron protector.

One of the victims, David Eze, who lives on the second floor, narrated the ordeal to newsmen, saying he and other tenants are now living in fear.

He said, “I live upstairs on the second floor. Around 4 a.m., I woke up and found that my two phones and laptop were missing. I didn’t hear anything during the night, so I suspect they came in quietly.

“When I stepped out to raise the alarm, I discovered that other tenants had also been robbed.

“My door had been pierced with a knife, and someone had manipulated the lock to gain entry. They took my laptop and phones. By the time I came downstairs, security personnel and my co-tenants were already outside, reporting the incident.”

Similarly, a female resident who identified herself as Chidinma recounted a terrifying encounter

“Last night (Tuesday), I woke up to a noise and saw a young man standing beside my bed with a knife. He told me not to shout, threatening to stab me if I did. I was very scared.

“He took my phone and my brother’s two phones before leaving. It felt unreal, like a dream,” she said.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums broke into four rooms in total, making away with five mobile phones, one laptop, and an unspecified amount of cash.

Two kitchen knives were left behind when the criminals fled after being chased by members of a local vigilante group who arrived at the scene.

Residents confirmed that the incident had been reported to the Azikiwe Police Division, Illabouchi, in Mile 2, Diobu.

When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe Koko, said she would follow up with the Divisional Police Officer and provide feedback.

As of Wednesday evening, no update had been received.