Metro

Navy Arrests Suspected Pipeline Vandal, Crude Oil Thieves In N’Delta Creeks

Published

1 year ago

March 10, 2023

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy in Delta State have arrested a suspected pipeline vandal together with five suspected crude oil thieves in the creeks of Niger Delta region.

The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, Rear Admiral Abdulahmid Baba-Inna, paraded the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Warri on Friday shortly before handing them over for prosecution, to the Area Commander of the Nigeria
Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mrs. Philomena Anigbogu.

Baba-inna, represented by the Base Operation Officer, Navy Commander Samuel Musa, noted that the suspected pipeline vandal, Saturday Orogun, was arrested at about 7:30pm on March 4, 2023, by the naval FOB operatives at Escravos.
The PUNCH gathered that the suspect was nabbed in a speedboat around Otumara Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area, “on suspicion of pipeline vandalism.”

During interrogation, however, the suspect who hails from Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State but resides in Arunton claimed to be a boat driver who transits people and goods from Arunton to Shell Beach, Madangho and Tebeijoh area.

He told the naval operatives that he was given a contact by one Mr Peter to convey one Mr. Ekulis to a creek at Otumara when he was unfortunately accosted by pipeline surveillance contractors, who arrested him when he could not explain his reason for being around the area by that time.

Also, the Navy disclosed that on March 5, 2023 at about 11.30 am, the FOB Escravos operatives arrested five suspected crude oil thieves, at Mina Oilfield Offshore Escravos along with a wooden boat conveying10 GEEPEE Tanks cumulatively laden with about 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

The Navy listed the suspects as Taiwo Nelson, Adeyemi Joseph, Iseyemi Olaniran, Edomi Oworiode and Omoniyi Oladun.

According to the Navy, the suspects alongside the boat and the product were “towed to a safe place where the boat was handled appropriately while the suspects were taken to FOB Escravos and were subsequently handed over to NNS Delta.”

The NSCDC Area Commander, Mrs. Philomena Anigbogu, while taking over the suspects appreciated the Navy for the good work they had been doing, especially on the Niger Delta creeks.

Metro

22-year-old Man Arrested With Arms, POS Machine In Edo

Published

15 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man, Francis Okoye Obinna, for possession of arms and ammunition.

Spokesperson of the command, Chidi Nwabuzor, who made this known in a statement on Monday, April 15, 2024, said the suspect was arrested along the Benin-Lagos expressway during a stop and search operation.

According to the PPRO, a POS machine, a Brownie Pistol, and 9 rounds of 6mm ammunition were found in his possession.

“This young man Francis Okoye Obinna ‘m’ age 22 years old, boarded a bus from Lagos heading to Anambra State was intercepted by operatives of the Edo State Command while on purposeful stop and search along Benin-Lagos expressway on 07/04/2024,” the statement read.

“During the search, the following exhibits were found in his possession; a Brownie Pistol with breach No. PZ1833, 9 rounds of 6mm ammunition and a POS Machine

“In his confessional statement, he said it was one man called Emma in Lagos that gave him the gun to use it to threaten one Mr. Paul Okoye who he alleged to have killed his father with a charm I Anambra State

“Furtherance to their investigation, the operatives of the Command embarked on investigation activities to Lago to ascertain the truth about his statement. On getting to Lagos, it was discovered that the suspect was telling lies about his confessional statement

“Investigation continues to know how he came about the gun and the POS, what he used it for,” the statement reads.

Metro

Man Jailed 27 Years For Stealing N2.3m In Ekiti

Published

18 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Editor

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division has sentenced a 22-year-old man, Dipo Femi, to 27 years imprisonment for conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

The sentences which will run concurrently from the day of arrest included seven years each for three charges (21 years) and three years each for two charges (six years).

Femi was arraigned on July 19, 2022, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary and other offences, contrary to Sections 421, 324 and 302 of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

According to the charge, Femi and others, now at large, on March 14, 2022, at 5:30 a.m., at Oke Ureje, Polytechnic Road, Ado Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did conspire and break into the shops of Victor Mark, Clement Moses and Samuel Lucky and stole various items.

Items stolen during the burglary, according to the charge, included “men’s and ladies’ wears, jewellery, footwear, cash sum of N200,000, perfumes, body spray, fez caps among others valued at N2.150m”.

The prosecutor, Kunle-Shina Adeyemo, called four witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statements, and bond to produce as exhibits while the defendant spoke in his defence through his counsel, Chris Omokhafe, and he called no witnesses.

In the judgment, Justice Blessing Ajileye said, “I will not hesitate to hold that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt the basic elements of stealing against the defendant and I so hold.

“In counts 1, 2 and 4, (conspiracy and burglary) the defendant is convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment each and in counts 3 and 5, the defendant is sentenced to three years imprisonment each, time of the imprisonment are to run concurrently from the date of arrest,” the judge pronounced.

Metro

Imo Police Nab Notorious Kidnap Kingpin, Recover Snatched Vehicle

Published

21 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Imo State Police Command Anti Kidnapping Unit led have apprehended a notorious kidnap kingpin, 40-year-old Aralu Chukwudi Charis of Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State.

A statement released by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, says the arrest was made following credible intelligence and a well-coordinated operation that led the operatives to the criminal hideout of the suspect at Mgbidi in Oru East LGA of Imo State on April 13 where he was ambushed and eventually arrested.

He stated that the suspect masterminded several kidnapping and armed robbery operations in Imo State.

“On searching his hideout, one Ash Coloured Toyota Camry, 2005 model, with reg no; MUS 509 DS Lagos, reportedly snatched was recovered. In the course of investigation, he confessed that he is the gang leader of a deadly criminal syndicate terrorizing the people of Imo State and provided crucial information that will assist the determined operatives in the arrest of his syndicate at large.’‘ the statement reads in part

The police added that the suspect will be arraigned in court upon completion of a comprehensive investigation.

The statement added that the state Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, therefore reiterated the Command’s commitment to continually clamp down on unrepentant criminal syndicate perpetrating insecurity in the State.

He noted that CP advised the residents of Imo State, particularly the youths to eschew crime, warning that perpetrators will always be exposed and in most cases, end up in tragedy.