Metro

Police Detain DJ Over Friend’s Offence, Family Kicks

Published

3 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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.