Gunshots were fired on Wednesday night as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in an attempt to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The EFCC had declared Bello wanted for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion. The commission’s move followed a 19-count charge filed against him.

The attempted arrest was, however, met with resistance from security operatives at the lodge, leading to a standoff. Normalcy was later restored, with movements restricted around the area.

Sources indicate that Bello subsequently left the lodge in Ododo’s company, amidst uncertainty over his current whereabouts.

READ ALSO: finally, Ex-gov Yahaya Bello Honours EFCC Invitation

Bello’s media office, in a statement by Director, Ohiare Michael, condemned the attempted arrest as needless and ‘Gestapo-like,’ arguing that Bello had cooperated with the commission by reporting voluntarily.

Michael’s statement emphasized that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to Bello.

The statement reads, “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.

“(They) are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Confusion Surrounds Yahaya Bello’s Status As EFCC Denies Arrest

“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to the EFCC Office voluntarily earlier today, but the Commission told him to leave and come at a later date, only to mount a Gestapo-like attack on the Kogi State Government facility in Asokoro.

“Tonight’s (Wednesday night) attack was needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their office for interrogation. The EFCC had no questions to ask Alh. Yahaya Bello in the morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.

READ ALSO: ikJUST IN: Court Orders EFCC To Serve Yahaya Bello N80bn Fraud Charges Through His Lawyer

“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very reason many Nigerians believe they were fighting political battles instead of the mandate to fight corruption. This action reflects much more than the fight against corruption.

“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything untoward happens to him.”

Recall that earlier, Bello had voluntarily reported to the EFCC headquarters, accompanied by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo. However, he was asked to leave and return later.

The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report.

VANGUARD

The Lagos State Government has raised the alarm over an imminent building collapse at Mopol 20 Barracks, Onigbongbo in the Ikeja area of the state.

This is as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency is set to begin an emergency evacuation at the old block 3 section of the barracks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said its response team had assessed some parts of the structure and found them to be in a precarious condition.

Oke-Osanyintolu stated the building and adjacent structures would also be evacuated immediately to prevent any loss of life or property.

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“The Agency dispatched a response team to the location and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect. We are conducting a response plan which comprises an assessment, safe and orderly evacuation and controlled demolition

“Under the watchful eye of the Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu administration, we will be carrying out this preemptive demolition action due to the precarious conditions of the building and possible secondary incidents that could occur if left unmanaged,” the statement partly read.

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He, however, urged members of the public within the vicinity to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation on social media.

He also assured that the situation was being closely monitored and managed.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in July, disclosed that the police were carrying out a comprehensive renovation of some police barracks in the state.

He noted that the renovation would be carried out in partnership with the state government.

The Delta State Police Command led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has arrested several kidnappers, armed robbers, and car snatchers and recovered over 1,000 ammunition in a coordinated attack.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe.

According to him, “On 05/09/24 at 1330hrs Anti-crime patrol team of Aboh division, while on stop and search duty in Aboh town intercepted one motorcycle conveying two occupants carrying a bag, the occupants were subjected to a routine search, while the search was going on, one of them took to his heels and escaped.

“Nine Hundred and Thirty Rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered in the bag. The other suspect Anthony Godday was immediately arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

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“On 12/09/2024 at about 0130hrs Crack Squad attached to Area Command Ughelli acting on a tip off, stormed a brothel cum criminal hideout in Ewu town Ughelli South LGA and arrested five suspects namely; Dominic Uweru “m” Alias Ovwolo 48YRS, Isaac Oghenerukevwe ‘m’ Alias Plug 34yrs, Oviri Godstime “m” 25yrs, Junior Sunday ‘m’ and Efedeki Adjovo ‘m’, one single barrel gun, three locally made cut-to-size gun, cash sum of Four hundred and fifty thousand naira (#450,000.00) ransom one Moniepoint POS machine, one OPAY POS machine, wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

“They confessed to various armed robbery/kidnapping operations in Ughelli and environs, including the kidnap of a 70-year-old woman (name withheld) who they kidnapped on 08/09/2024 and collected the sum of Seven million, Nine hundred thousand naira ransom (#7,900,000) on 10/9/2024 before her release. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing.

“Acting on credible information, operatives of Agbarho police station stormed the house of one Ovoke Enaike m’ age 43yrs an indigene of Ovierie Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State but resides in Ehwerhe Village Agbarho, during the search of his daylong motorcycle with Reg. NO: DTS XLEH 13 WL, a nylon bag containing the following one Locally Fabricated Gun, one live cartridge, and thirty-eight rounds of AK 47 Rifle Ammunition hidden under the motorcycle seat was recovered.

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“Suspect in Agbarho Police Custody, efforts are on top gear to arrest the remaining gang members and recover more arms case will be transferred to State Headquarters Asaba, a preliminary investigation is in progress, and further development will be communicated.

“On 09/09/2024 at about 1745hrs on credible intelligence, the commander CP Monitoring SP Inyere Elias Chinedu unit led operatives to KM 9 Asaba/Benin Express Way where two male suspects namely, Olisa Emenoha ‘m’ aged 26yrs of Ifete Awka, Iteke Uchenna Wilson ‘m’ aged 26yrs of road 21 Ngozika Estate Awka both from Anambra State were arrested in possession of Toyota Corolla with REG NO: AWK 597 ND Toyota Camry with REG NO: GDD 149 MA suspected to be stolen and they were about to dispose of the vehicles.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they are serial car snatchers and one of the vehicles was snatched at a gunpoint in Akwa Ibom State.”
VANGUARD