Metro

Police Detain DJ Over Friend’s Offence, Family Kicks

Published

2 years ago

December 29, 2022

The family of a disc jockey, Olashile Balogun, have accused men of the New Oko Oba Police Station, Lagos State, of detaining their son for his friend’s crime.

The police also allegedly tortured the victim for the three days he was in detention.

It was gathered that policemen from the station stormed Olashile’s house on Olisa Street, New Oko Oba, Lagos, on December 19 around 10.52pm.

His pregnant wife was said to have called his brother, Francis, who went to the police station.

Francis said, “On getting there, I was told to come back the following morning. I reached there that morning and met the IPO and she told me that my brother’s friend, Sunday, burgled the room of a lady, who is a tenant in the compound, and carted away valuables. I was told that they saw him give my brother a bag. When the police couldn’t see Sunday, they came to pick up my brother that night.

“I visited the scene of the incident to confirm that the room was burgled and also went back to the police station to tell them that my brother could not be held responsible for a crime committed by his friend, an action that is against the police code of conduct. They refused to hear me out, so I went to meet the lady at home and told her that she must visit the station with me. She wasn’t forthcoming but I stood my ground and she later followed me to the station.

“The police told her to go home and leave me alone but I said she wasn’t going anywhere until we got to the root of the matter. I said if they wanted to charge my brother to court they should do that and if they allowed her to leave for her house I would still go to her house and disturb her because my brother was innocent.

“Then the DCO told the IPO to arrest me, saying I was threatening the lady. I was placed at the counter. I called my lawyer and he came and told them that they had no case against me and after much persuasion, I was released.

“The lady said my brother was not a party to the crime and even wrote a statement to that effect that the police should release him. But after she left, the police did not release my brother and started demanding money for his release.”

Francis said he begged them for his brother’s release but the police refused.

He said he returned to the station on the third day of his brother’s detention.

“I give them the money before he was released to me. I also bought drinks for them. Olashile was harassed. He has been traumatised since he came out of the station, refusing to eat, bathe or talk because of what happened to him,” he added.

Olashile confirmed that Sunday was his friend.

The father of two, however, denied collecting any bag from him on the day of the incident.

The PUNCH could not speak further with Olashile as he was traumatised by the incident.

The lady, identified only as Ifeoluwa, confirmed the incident but directed our correspondent to the police for further inquiries.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Olashile was released after nothing incriminating was found in his house.

He said, “He was alleged to have received a black bag which was stolen from the room of one Ifeoluwa by one Sunday, now at large. He was arrested and detained but was later released on bail after a search warrant was executed in his house and premises and nothing incriminating was found.”

Section 36 of the Police Act prohibits the arrest of any person in place of a suspect.

Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 also states that a person shall not be arrested in place of a suspect.

A lawyer, Festus Ogun, said the action of the police officers was unconstitutional, adding that the victim should file a fundamental rights suit against the police.

Metro

NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Arrests 39 Suspects In Edo

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed two cannabis farms, arrested 39 suspected drug traffickers, and seized over 1.3 tonnes of illicit drugs in May.

Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the State Commander of the agency, disclosed this on Monday in Benin while presenting his first monthly operational scorecard.

Ofoyeju said those arrested included 18 males and 21 females.

He said that the two cannabis farms, measuring a combined 0.783 hectares, were located in Uzebba and Ohosu forests across Owan West and Ovia South West Local Government Areas, respectively.

He said that the Uzebba farm covered 0.266 hectares while the Ohosu farm spanned 0.517 hectares.

Ofoyeju noted that the major highlight of the operation was the interception of 74 and a half bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,115 kilograms at Oke community in Ohunwude Local Government Area, following an intelligence report.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the seizure are a 33-year-old Isaac Israel from Abak Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom, and a 19-year-old Precious Zion from Ogba Local Government Area in Rivers.

“In a separate raid at the Oluku area of Benin City, an 18-year-old Nigerien, Mohammed Isah, was also arrested for an unlawful possession of various drugs.

“The drugs are four grams of methamphetamine, 54 grams of cannabis sativa, six grams of tramadol tablets (100 milligrams), and 28 grams of Exol-5 tablets,” he said.

The NDLEA commander linked drug trafficking to rising violent crimes in the state.

He said the activity undermined public safety, investment opportunities, and placed heavy burdens on the law enforcement and the healthcare system.

“Drug control is germane to Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s fight against kidnapping and cultism in the state.

“The Edo Command of the agency will continue to work assiduously in ensuring a safe and secure society for all,” Ofoyeju said.

He reaffirmed the mandate given to him by the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired), to dismantle cannabis cultivation syndicates and expand the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

Ofoyeju called for immediate and coordinated efforts to combat the risks associated with drug trafficking and abuse.

He also advocated proactive strategies and improved resource allocation to address drug and drug-related problems.

Metro

Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

The police command in Enugu State has rescued an armed robbery suspect from irate mob and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

The command Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, said that the suspect (names withheld) was rescued from the mob on June 8, at about 8p.m. within the Independence Layout, Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was achieved through credible intelligence by a combined team of police operatives from the Independence Layout Division, Anti-Cultism Squad, working in collaboration with members of the Neighbourhood Watch.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him, while his cohorts reportedly fled the scene.

“The suspect, who sustained severe injuries inflicted by the irate mob, is currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (allegedly) confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity, while discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the swift and collaborative efforts of the police operatives and community members that led to the arrest and recovery.

He said that the commissioner, however, strongly cautioned against mob actions and jungle justice, adding that such acts undermined proper investigation and the delivery of justice in criminal cases.

Metro

Retired Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Editor

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

According to Vanguard, the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost, a concession that couldn’t be met by the family.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million naira.

A source in the community said that the Ajayi family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.

“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”

The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state are already yielding positive interest.