News

Police Arrest Four Soldiers, Others Over Truck Hijacking, Stealing In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2024

The Police Command in Rivers has arrested a 13-member criminal gang that specialises in hijacking articulated vehicles carrying goods.

The suspects include four Nigerian Army personnel, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and eight civilians.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the suspects had been implicated in several armed robbery attacks in the state.

She said that the command first received reports of the gang’s activities on March 4.

“The command received a distress call around 11 p.m. regarding burglars attempting to vandalise warehouses in Elimbgu community, Rivers.

“Upon receiving the call, the command promptly mobilised to the scene and arrested five suspects who had been severely beaten by a mob.

“The injured suspects were immediately taken to the police hospital, and thereafter, investigation began,” she said.

Iringe-Koko mentioned that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that one of the suspects, West Isaac (08NA/61/2653), was a Corporal in the Nigerian Army serving in Delta.

She said that another suspect named Jabila Kammangar, with the nickname Kaka, was also identified as an NSCDC officer serving in Kabba, Kogi.

“Both the soldier and NSCDC officer confessed to abandoning their posts to partake in criminal activities in Rivers,” she added.

The police officer further said that West, a 36-year-old father of four, joined the army in 2008 and was assigned to the 3 Battalion, Warri.

She said that investigation revealed that West sought and was granted sick leave but overstayed it about one month before his arrest.

“West told investigators that he met Kammangar while serving in the army’s anti-bunkering unit and that they have been engaging in various unlawful acts.

“He mentioned that he travelled to Port Harcourt at Kammangar’s request for the warehouse raid that led to their apprehension.

“Further probing revealed that West and Kammangar were part of a larger criminal network specialising in armed robbery, hijacking, and diversion of goods,” she said.

Iringe-Koko alleged that West confessed to police officers that the criminal syndicate included other army personnel.

According to her, the gang also collaborates with a network of informants who supply them with details about the schedules of truck-bearing goods.

She said that the suspects, who always dressed in full military gear during operations, used intelligence from their informants to locate the movement of target trucks.

“They will intercept the truck with their Toyota Hilux van, beat, and intimidate the drivers before diverting the trucks to already waiting receivers,” she said.

Iringe-Koko said that three other army personnel, Abdul Musa (13 NA/70/10545), Mgbe Jeoffrey (16 NA/75/6896), and Innocent Okwoli (12 NA/68/6552), were apprehended following West’s revelations.

She said that the four soldiers had been dismissed by the Nigerian Army and handed over to the police for further inquiry and legal action.

The police spokesperson further said that eight civilian collaborators of the gang were arrested in the process.

She said that a man identified as Okwoli, stationed at Intel Logistics, Onne, Rivers, was identified as the gang’s key coordinator.

The police image maker said that Okwoli and his associates successfully hijacked a trailer carrying fertilisers valued at N25 million, belonging to Alhaji Sadiq Adams, on Feb. 17.

“In February 2024, the group intercepted and diverted a 40-foot container loaded with imported clothing from China, while on March 4, they attempted to burgle warehouses belonging to Emmanuel Nwagwu and Ndifreke Ekanem.

“In February, the gang commandeered a truck transporting POP cement, but the police was able to recover the goods.

“We are also making efforts to retrieve a trailer load of fertiliser from their accomplices. The white Toyota Hilux used in their operations has been recovered from the NSCDC officer,” she disclosed.

She said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, commended the military for their cooperation and affirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring effective prosecution.

(NAN)

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
‎
‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎