CRIME
Banditry: 15,000 Persons Displaced in Niger East

From Dan Amasingha, Minna.
The senator representing Niger East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Musa Sani has declared that not less than 15,000 have been displaced from over 15 communities in Niger East, as gunmen continue to run amok on innocent citizens.
Senator Sani who is popularly known as Sani 313, decried the unabated bloodletting going in his senatorial district said the last one week could be described as hell on earth for the people of Niger East who, he said could no longer sleep both in the day and night for fear of the unknown.
“They have been rendered helpless even as they continue to starve due to the destruction of their property and inability to engage in what they know how best to do
“My heart, therefore, goes out to the victims of the numerous attacks and by extension the entire people of Niger East.
May Allah comfort those who have lost their loved ones, and grant the souls of the departed Aljana Firdaus” he stated.
He lamented the security situation in Niger State, and indeed the north as a whole, adding that a lasting solution must be proffered, and those who were tasked with the responsibility of protecting the lives of the people must rise to the occasion.
“With the mass abduction of children in Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina State and the numerous attacks, kidnapping and massacres suffered by the people of Niger East and elsewhere, there is no doubt that there is no better time to act than now.
“Enough of the bloodletting and carnage. The lives of innocent citizens cannot continue to be sacrificed on the altar of blood-thirsty vampires who are bent on destroying the peace of our land” he stressed.
The Senator urged President Muhammadu Buhari to put the security operatives on their toes to ensure they lived up to their responsibilities of protecting the lives of the citizens.
“If the security agencies in our country, cannot guarantee the protection of lives and property of the citizens, then Nigeria may be on the precipice of anarchy” he said.
“I once again lend my voice to the voices of my distinguished colleagues in the Senate and Honourable members of the House of Representatives as well as other meaningful Nigerians to call for the revamp of the security architecture in the country.
“Mr President should not hesitate to ensure that is done, and indeed now”, he advised.
According to him, the gallantry efforts of men and officers of the Force deserved commendation for their zeal towards rooting out those bad elements that have infiltrated the communities.
“I urge them to continue to do their best in this trying period,” he appealed.
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)