Metro

Family Of Slain Policeman Seeks Justice, As Delta DPP Exonerates Main Suspect

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2024

The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Anthony Orhorhoro, has reacted to the concerns raised by the family of one late Inspector Itobi Green, who was brutally murdered by an armed robbery gang in the state.

Inspector Green, along with his colleague, Inspector Bienowu Richard, were reportedly attacked and robbed of multiple AK-47 rifles on July 16, 2018.

Report says despite compelling evidence, including witness statements and the recovery of firearms from his residence, Chief Hyacinth Okolie was released following the Delta State Ministry of Justice’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi, thereby discontinuing the prosecution against him.

Okolie, a prominent figure in the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, was initially arrested in connection with the crime.

On inquiry while the case was discontinued, the Director of DPP stated that there was no prima facie case against Okolie that warranted prosecution.

He added that those alleging that Okolie was guilty of wrongdoing should reinvestigate their facts.

However, when he was reminded him on the phone that charges had already been filed against Okolie under suite No. A/71/2018, indicating that a prima facie case had indeed been established, Mr. Orhorhoro ceased communication and directed the reporter to the Commissioner for Justice.

Attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls placed to his line.

Our correspondent has been unable to get a clear response as

Reasons why the Delta State Ministry of Justice terminated the prosecution of the suspect were unclear as at when filing this report, but two weeks ago, the Green family presented their grievances to federal authorities during a meeting in Abuja.

They accused the Delta State Ministry of Justice of prematurely releasing Okolie, who was arrested alongside other members of the gang.

The family maintained that Chief Okolie was identified as the mastermind and leader of the gang, with substantial evidence, including witness testimonies and the recovery of firearms from his home during a police raid.

According to a police investigation report (Reference AB: 4099/DTS/X/D13/VOL 3 dated 30th July 2018) prepared by then-Deputy Commissioner of Police (now AIG) Wale Abass, a nine-man armed robbery gang attacked and robbed Sgt. Ayo Fidelis and Cpl. Daniel Gana of two AK-47 rifles (breach numbers 09981 and 19874) containing fifty-nine rounds of live ammunition on 13th July 2018 and 16th July 2018. The gang also robbed Sgt. Godwin John of an assault rifle (breach number 07015337) with twenty-four rounds of live ammunition at Rain Oil Petroleum along the Benin-Asaba road.

Furthermore, Inspector Green, Sgt. Yakubu Mallam, and Inspector Bienowu Richard were attacked and robbed of two AK-47 rifles, one with breach number 0887722 and another without a breach number.

Tragically, Inspector Green was fatally stabbed multiple times by the assailants.

The investigation, conducted by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crimes Squad (SAKCCS), the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS), and the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), resulted in the arrest of several suspects.

The family of Inspector Green remains deeply troubled by the nolle prosequi decision. They allege foul play and are calling for a thorough investigation by the Federal Government.

Elder Solomon Green, representing the family, has vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, condemning the release of Chief Okolie despite clear evidence and confessions implicating him as the gang leader.

Elder Solomon emphasized that a nolle prosequi does not equate to an acquittal, and he urged that the charges be reinstated.

Metro

Five Die As Dangote Truck Crashes Into Tricycle In Ogun

Published

1 hour ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

A Dangote Cement truck has crushed five people to death at the Alapoka axis of the Papalanto–Ilaro Road, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was learnt on Saturday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

The TRACE spokesperson noted that the truck had lost its brakes and rammed into a tricycle conveying the five victims.

He identified the vehicles involved as an unregistered tricycle and a Dangote truck with the number plate GRZ 767 XA.

Akinbiyi said, “A fatal road traffic accident occurred at Alapoka Village, Papalanto–Ilaro Road, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday at 8:25 p.m.

“The accident involved an unregistered tricycle and a Dangote truck with the number plate GRZ 767 XA. The tricycle was conveying five people. The five people died on the spot.

“According to an eyewitness, the truck lost its brakes and rammed into the tricycle, but unfortunately the driver was not observant that he had collided with the tricycle until its tyre crushed the tricycle and the passengers.”

He noted that upon receipt of the incident, the Acting TRACE Head, Adedayo Omonayajo, and the Ilaro Divisional TRACE Commander, Salako Idowu, led a rescue team to the scene.

He added that residents of the community had attempted to attack the rescue team, but the intervention of sister security agencies brought the situation under control.

“The Acting TRACE Head and the Ilaro Commander led a rescue team to the scene and were almost attacked by angry residents, but the intervention of the Amotekun Corps doused the tension.

“The presumed dead were taken to the morgue by Federal Road Safety Corps officials,” Akinbiyi added.

This is not the first incident involving a Dangote truck in fatal crashes.

Recently, Big Brother Naija reality TV star, Phyna, was at loggerheads with the Dangote group after one of the latter’s trucks crushed Phyna’s sister, an accident which eventually claimed her life.

In a November 2024 multiple-crash incident in Lagos and Ogun, a Dangote truck experienced brake failure, causing loss of control. Four people died and seven were injured.

Similarly, in June 2021, a Dangote truck in Ogun State crushed a commercial motorbike rider and passenger, prompting a mob to set the truck ablaze.

Metro

Four Escape Death As Trucks Collide In Anambra

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

No fewer than four persons escaped death on Friday morning following a collision between a tipper truck and a tanker near Igbariam Junction along the Onitsha–Awka–Enugu Expressway in Anambra State.

The tanker, which was loaded with diesel, fell into a roadside drainage, spilling part of its content.

It was gathered from a traffic update on Friday by the Sector Public Education Officer of the Anambra State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Margaret Onabe, that the crash occurred at about 9:50 a.m.

Onabe, who spoke on behalf of the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, confirmed that the incident involved a wine-coloured Mack tipper truck and a red HOWO tanker with registration number KWR 133 YQ.

She attributed the cause of the crash to loss of control by the driver of the Mack tipper.

According to her, four individuals were involved in the crash, with one male adult sustaining bruises and being taken to Chira Hospital in Awkuzu for treatment. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded.

She said, “A serious road traffic crash occurred on October 3, 2025, at approximately 9:50 a.m. near Igbariam Junction on the Awka–Onitsha road.

“The incident involved two vehicles: a wine-coloured Mack tipper truck and a red HOWO tanker with registration number KWR 133 YQ. Four persons were involved, with one sustaining injuries. He has been taken to hospital, and no deaths were recorded. The crash was caused by loss of control by the tipper driver.”

Metro

Why DSS Questioned Me Over Viral Threat Video — Lagos NURTW Boss

Published

15 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mustapha Olanrewaju, popularly known as Sego, has explained why he was grilled by the Department of State Services following a viral video in which he was accused of making threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

In the clip, Sego was heard speaking in Yoruba, saying: “Anyone who makes any mistake in 2027 will be dealt with. Let it be known: the APC is your party. Those who don’t comply will face us.”

The video sparked outrage online, with critics accusing him of incitement and political intimidation.

Speaking after his session with the DSS, Sego said, “Good afternoon everyone. My name is Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Olanrewaju. I have been with the DSS since morning. I just left them around after 7. They just released me on bail.”

He insisted the claims against him were false. “I heard they invited me because of a propaganda that I insulted some people or something like that. So that is a fake rumour. What I was talking about was national union (NURTW),” he said.

Sego argued that rival groups within the union were behind the controversy. “We all know that every profession has its rival. As politicians have rivals, mechanics have rivals too. So it is the NURTW rivals that don’t want my work in Lagos to be successful. So they are looking for means to scatter it and cause trouble. They are the ones I was talking to and letting the world and the DSS and the Police know that NURTW is a peaceful union.”

He described the allegations as propaganda. “It is the naysayers that want to be peddling false rumours. So what the DSS have been grilling me about is not what it seems. It is just propaganda. I concentrate on my work. You can be part of any association. We all know the party we want to associate with.”

Sego added that the invitation was aimed at distracting him from his duties. “Since morning, I am supposed to be in my office but I have been with the DSS. This is an attempt to destabilise me and the NURTW in Lagos,” he said.

The NURTW have been accused in past elections of being used to intimidate opponents or sway voters, allegations the union has consistently denied.

During the 2019 and 2023 polls, clashes linked to transport union factions raised concerns about the use of motor park leaders in political disputes.