CRIME
Anambra: Security Operatives Rescue Kidnapped Catholic Priest, 3 Others, Recover Guns, Vehicles

The Police Command in Anambra has rescued a kidnapped Catholic priest and three other hostages unhurt through the efforts of its special squad team.
DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, made the disclosure in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Awka on Saturday.
Ikenga said the rescue was activated by its team, Forward Operating Base (FOB), comprising military and paramilitary services based in Aguata and supported by Police Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu.
He said in a well coordinated operation, the team stormed insurgents’ camp at Ogbunka in Orumba South Local Government Area and rescued the victims.
The statement stated that three suspects were arrested during the operation, nine vehicles and three Pump Action guns, stolen camouflage uniforms and Biafra flag were recovered.
Ikenga said that several phones, flash drives and Sim cards, which could aid comprehensive investigation and prosecution of the offenders were also found.
He said that the gang had been responsible for spate of abductions in Orumba North and South as well as parts of Aguata council area in recent times.
He said the abducted victims were all kidnapped in October, stating that the raid on the insurgents’ camp followed months of diligent, painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation which led to uncovering the criminals’ hideout.
The PPRO noted further that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Aderemi Adeoye, ordered and coordinated the operation, praised all the service personnel and vigilante men involved for their professionalism which ensured no life was lost.
The statement noted the commendation of the operatives by Prof. Charles Soludo, Anambra Governor and his assurance to continue to support all services involved in joint security operations across the state. (NAN)
CRIME
Police Evacuates Remains of Bolt Driver Shot Dead in Yenagoa

Police operatives from the Bayelsa command have evacuated the remains of a bolt driver, who was shot dead on Friday morning at Samphino Road Junction , Yenagoa.
The lifeless body of the middle-aged yet-to-be-identified driver was discovered early Friday morning inside his vehicle at the Samphino Road Junction in the Kpansia suburb of Yenagoa.
Residents, who discovered the scene raised the alarm which prompted a swift response from police operatives, who quickly cordoned off the area.
The body of the commercial driver has been deposited at the mortuary for possible autopsy.
The residents, who got to the scene early suggested that the victim might have been shot at close range by suspected armed robbers.
Reacting to the incident, a senior police officer, who spoke on anonymity at the crime scene, said that a full-scale investigation was underway.
“We are working to gather all necessary intelligence.
“Forensic teams have been deployed to the scene and we are also liaising with the bolt company to retrieve trip data that may help in tracking down the culprits,” he said.
The Police Spokesman in Bayelsa, ASP Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident to NAN and said that investigation was already in progress. (NAN)
CRIME
Court Remands 18-year-Old Student for Alleged Murder

A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the remand of an 18-year old student, Joseph Chive, at a Makurdi Correctional Centre for allegedly killing a 14-year-old girl.
Chive, who lives at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi, was charged with illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Kevin Mbanongun, did not take the plea of the defendant for want of jurisdiction.
He remanded the defendant and adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for mention.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Godwin Ato, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 25, at Veterinary Layout, Northbank, Makurdi.
He said the case was reported at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Northbank, Makurdi, by the deceased’s father, Mr Victor Ayom.
According to him, the defendant had an altercation with the victim, a 14-year-old girl, Mimidoo Victor.
“While the altercation was going on, the defendant rushed into his room, brought a loaded dane gun and shot the girl on the head.
“The defendant was arrested during police investigation and he confessed to the crime.
“The dane gun was recovered from him,” Ato said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004 and Section 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue, 2004. (NAN)
CRIME
Man Jailed 14 years for Attempted Sexual Assault on Minor

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Friday sentenced a man, Damilare Adewale to 14 years imprisonment for attempted sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl, (name withheld).
Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and sentenced Adewale to 14 years imprisonment, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended one-count charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.
The convicted was arraigned on the charge of defilement in which he had pleaded not guilty to on Nov.
29, 2021.The prosecution, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, adduced evidence through two witnesses, the survivor and her guardian, both of whom were subjected to extensive cross- examination by defence.
The survivor, in her testimony, had told the court she was on her way to a barbing shop when the convict, who lived in her neighbourhood, accosted and dragged her to his room.
The survivor had further told the court that the convict had expressed his desire to take her to his house but when she refused, he forcibly dragged her to his residence, where he pushed her onto his bed, removed her undergarments and defiled her.
The survivor had also testified that she was crying and shouting during the ordeal and observed blood resulting from the convict’s actions.
She had confirmed to the court that she was 14 years of age and that it was her first encounter with the convict.
The prosecution, had, however informed the court on May 27 and said that the convict had opted for plea bargain, which necessitated the amended charge.
Oshodi, while delivering the judgment, said that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter an informed plea and made the guilty plea without oppression.
He said: “Damilare Adewale, you have pleaded guilty to the offence of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration contrary and I have accepted your plea and convicted you accordingly.
“I must emphasise that you were initially charged with the more serious offence of defilement, which carries the prescribed punishment of life imprisonment under the Criminal Law.
“However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempt to commit sexual assault by penetration under section 262, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.
“I have carefully considered your plea for mercy, you told this court that you gained admission to the Open University and learned other useful trades in the Kirikiri Mximum Security Custodial Centre.”
The court thereafter convicted him him on the amended charge.
“After serving your sentence, I believe what you have learned will assist your reintegration into society.
“Having considered all the circumstances of this case, including the seriousness of the offence, the impact upon the victim, your guilty plea, and the terms of the plea agreement, I endorse the agreed sentence of 14 years.
“I hereby sentence you to 14 years’ imprisonment, commencing on 13 August 2020, the date of your remand in custody,” Oshodi said.
The judge also ordered that the convict’s name be registered as a sexual offender under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State, 2021. (NAN)