Police Rescue Former INEC Staff From Kidnappers, Arrest 4 Suspects

*Fourth Suspect Arrested While Hiding In Girlfriend’s Ceiling The Police Command in Cross River State has rescued a former staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shortly after her abduction at her residence in Calabar on Saturday. The command’s spokesperson, Irene Ugbo who gave the confirmation on Sunday, said the commissioner commended the gallantry of the officers involved in the operation. She stated that four suspects were arrested during the operation while two vehicles were recovered in the process. She said that the command’s Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS), led by SP Chukwuma Ogini, had swung into action following a distress call on her abduction at Mathias Oje Avenue in Calabar Municipality. Ugbo commended the bravery of Njangachang youths in the locality, who assisted in the apprehension of the suspects. The suspects had arms, ammunition and charms during the operation. She reiterated the Commissioner, Gyogon Grimah’s resolve to rid the state of crimes and criminalities. “We still want to state that no Kidnapper or criminal will find the state a safe haven for crimes and criminalities again. This is the resolve of the commissioner as directed by the Inspector General of Police,” she stated. Meanwhile, the fourth suspect was hiding in the ceiling of his girlfriend’s house in Calabar when he was arrested. According to the Police, he has confessed that the victim’s tenant initiated the abduction. Police spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the arrest of the fourth suspect in the abduction of Mrs Caroline Bassey, who the police rescued hours after the abduction. “The suspect was unsuspicious that officers of the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad were on his trail until he was apprehended at about 5 a.m. “He has confessed to being the mastermind of Mrs Bassey’s kidnap. He identified Bassey’s tenant as the person who contracted him and his gang to kidnap the victim,’’ Ugbo said. 

Man Gets Life Jail For Defiling 4-Year-Old Girl Inside Lagos Church

In a significant verdict, Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has sentenced Ifeanyi Ndieze to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl within the premises of a Lagos church. During the trial held on Tuesday, the judge determined that the prosecution had successfully substantiated the charge of sexual assault by penetration, in accordance with Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The court heard that the child positively identified the defendant as the individual who had carried her during a church event and subsequently assaulted her by inserting his finger into her private parts. This disturbing incident led to the child’s severe bleeding, which was discovered by her mother during bath time. Medical professionals confirmed that the child had been forcibly penetrated, and her underwear, soaked with blood, was submitted as evidence. The defendant’s denial of the offense was described as an act of pathological dishonesty by Justice Soladoye. In light of these findings, Ifeanyi Ndieze was declared guilty of sexually assaulting the four-year-old child and sentenced to life imprisonment. Furthermore, his name will be added to the Lagos State Sexual Offences Register as part of the judgment. Justice Soladoye took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of parental responsibility and cautioned against leaving young children in the care of their siblings. The prosecution was led by Lagos State counsel, Mrs. Olufunke Adegoke, who presented four witnesses and four exhibits to support the case. The offense, which took place on October 29, 2020, on Salau Street in Lagos, was prosecuted by the Lagos State Government.

NSCDC Arrests 3 Cable Thieves in Bauchi 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Command, Bauchi, has arrested three suspected vandals and transformer cable thieves in Jama’are local government area (LGA) of the state. This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, DCP Ibrahim Gabdo, and made available to newsmen at the weekend in Bauchi.  He said the three suspected transformer cable thieves and vandals were arrested in different locations in Jama’are local government area sometimes in August. According to him, the suspects were arrested by the NSCDC Command patrol team following intelligence reports that some criminals were vandalizing transformer cables and carting them away. “The arrested suspects are Abdulwahab Yakubu, 18, of Unguwar Abuja, Jama’are LGA, Ya’u Abdullahi, 18, of Unguwar Tsamiya, Jama’are LGA, and Musa Haruna, 19, of Jama’are LGA.  He said the Commandant, Mr Oyejide Ilelaboye, paraded the suspected vandals at the NSCDC State Command Bauchi. He warned other criminal elements in the state to turn a new life before the law catches up with them.” The Spokesman said the three suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court Bauchi on Friday, for conspiracy and vandalism.

Kidnapping: Police arrest 32 suspects in Adamawa

The Police Command in Adamawa, in synergy with some professional hunters, had arrested 32 suspects in connection with kidnapping activities in the state. SP Suleiman Nguroje, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Yola on Monday. Nguroje said that the command recorded the success with the support received from the Adamawa Government and the people in the state including media practitioners. He said exhibits recovered from the suspects included N1.6 million, four vehicles, 13 AK-47 rifles, five locally made pistols, 59 live ammunition, four ATM cards, two permanent voter cards, 10 dane guns, seven fabricated guns and charms. The police spokesman also said that the command equally succeeded in dislodging four identified hideouts where the kidnappers normally operate from. Nguroje said the suspects had all been charged to Courts and were awaiting trial, adding that investigations were still ongoing. He added that the command would redouble its efforts aimed at ensuring that residents in the state sleep with their two eyes closed. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Afolabi Babatola, had commended the officers and the hunters for their gallantry. 

Police arrest 94-year-old man for defiling minor in Adamawa

The Police Command in Adamawa has apprehended 94-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl in Tappare ward, Ganye Local Government Area. SP Suleiman Nguroje, the command spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Yola on Wednesday. He said the suspect, who is a herbalist, was believed to be in the habit of deceiving young girls to defile them. “It happens that on August 12, while the victim was passing by the suspect’s house, he called her into the house and took advantage of her by having an unlawful carnal knowledge of her. “Investigation, so far reveals that the suspect while committing the act rubbed some concoction in the form of perfume on the victim which made the victim ill after the incident. “It was as a result of the illness when questioned by her mother, she opened up to her about what happened,” he said. Nguroye said that the victim’s mother reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ganye. He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Afolabi Babatola directed the officer-in-charge of Family Support Unit of the command to investigate and ensure diligent prosecution of the suspect. The commissioner called on members of the public particularly parents to monitor their wards against criminally minded elements. He also urged residents to report cases on Gender Based Violence.