CRIME
‘How Soldiers Shot at Us’, Police Tell Court at Wadume Trial
By Gowon Emakpe, Abuja
A prosecution witness, Felix Adolije Monday, narrated his ordeal at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on how soldiers attached to mount roadblocks along Ibi town in Taraba State, shot at their operational vehicle on their way back to Abuja.
Adolije, who mounted the witness box in the ongoing criminal trial of kidnap kingpin, Bala Hamisu, A.
The police witness testified before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who is hearing the case.
It would be recalled that the Wadume case was taken over by a team of lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office penultimate week to enhance speedy trial.
Meanwhile, at the resumed trial, Counsel to all the parties said they were ready to continue with the trial.
In the same vein, Counsel to some of the defendants at the trial also argued their clients bail applications respectively.
While testifying on the incident, Adolije, a serving Assistant Superintendent of police attached to the IGP response team narrated that he alongside one Sergeant Emmanuel escaped death by the whiskers.
In his narration, Adolije said, “Sometimes in August, there was a case of kidnapping and collection of ransom in Taraba, which was reported through a petition to the Inspector General of Police. The IGP then ordered that it be taken to our department for further investigation.
“After going through the petition, we discovered that the kidnappers were demanding million naira ransoms using four telephone numbers.
According to the witness, his team later traced one of the users of the number to Ibi town in Taraba and swung into action.
He continued, “When we got to Jalingo on the 5th August, we reported to the State Commissioner of Police in Taraba and told him our mission. He then endorsed our letter and further introduced us via another letter to the Wukari Area Commander.
“When we set out on the journey to Wukari from Jalingo, a journey of about 207 kilometer, a Sergeant who knew the terrain was attached to us and we wore our operational vest and face-cap all through.
“On our way, we met three road blocks mounted by police, mobile police force and the last one by soldiers. We stopped at each roadblock to explain our mission on request.”
However, Adolije lamented that after effecting the arrest of the suspect in Ibi town and on their way back to Jalingo, they had problems at the roadblock mounted by soldiers who they had earlier encountered.
He said, “One of the soldiers accused us that the person we arrested was an influential man in town. At that point, I told him we just passed here not long and wondered how he knew the suspect in our tainted vehicle.
“After further explanations, they allowed us proceed on the journey.
“As soon as we left the scene, not long after, we noticed a Sharon bus with full-light trailing us behind. At first, we did not anticipate anything dangerous until another Hilux with a machine gun overtook our vehicle and started firing at us. The last thing I heard was ‘Oh Jesus Oh Jesus’ by our driver and the vehicle somersaulted.
“At that point, everyone started scampering to safety and it was already 7 .00 PM or thereabout. I later saw Sergeant Emma, where I was hidden and we were both trying to escape in the bush having left my pistol and AK-47 behind in the vehicle.
“Mobile police vehicle later came to carry us and took us to Wukari General Hospital, after rescuing us from some locals who tried to kill us having mistaken us for kidnappers.,” he told the Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako has fixed Wednesday July 1, for continuation of trial, cross-examination of witness and ruling on bail applications made on behalf of the defendants.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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