DEFENCE
Human Trafficking: Anambra NAPTIP Launches Manhunt Over Missing 16-year-Old Mother, Baby
The Anambra Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons says it has launched a manhunt for the woman allegedly behind the missing of a 16-year-old mother and her three-month-old baby.
The State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, told newsmen in Awka on Monday that the suspect took the mother and baby to Ghana.
Ibadin said that the suspect engaged one Nzube Nwakamma, 22, to recruit a girl that could work in her restaurant in Ghana for N100,000 monthly pay.
She alleged that the suspect, who is said to be resident in Ghana, had successfully moved her victim from Anambra to Ghana for prostitution.
She said that Nwakamma, who facilitated the illicit travel, had been arrested and was assisting the agency in its investigation.
Ibadin said that the facilitator, in his statement, narrated how he recruited the 16-year-old from Awka Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area.
According to her, Nwakanma confessed that he took the lady, who was his girfriend, to Nnewi, where he handed her and her baby over to the suspect.
“They met in Nnewi where the woman paid Nwakamma N100,000 to recruit a girl who would work in her supposed restaurant in Ghana,” she further said.
The state NAPTIP boss also said that the transaction was done in May but was reported to NAPTIP by the police in August.
She said that the agency was working hard to track down the suspect with the information provided to it by Nwakamma.
She also gave assurance that the agency would leave no stone unturned to locate and rescue the victim and her baby.
She said that the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, had taken special interest in the matter.
“He has consequently ordered an intensive manhurt and immediate arrest of all those involved in the illicit trade,” Ibadin said.
She described the case as a transborder crime, saying that the agency had fully activated all the security apparatuses over the matter.
“We shared all information we have about the woman in Ghana with the relevant agencies for tracking and possible arrest,” she said.
She said that Nwakamma had been granted bail on the condition that he would report daily at the agency’s office.
“We want to assure the Awka Etiti people that if the suspect threatens them or becomes a threat, we shall revoke his bail and put him back in detention with court order,” she said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NDA Alerts Kaduna Communities Ahead of Shooting Practice
The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna has urged residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya and Afaka general areas not to panic over its scheduled shooting exercise.This
This is contained in a statement issued by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Maj. Mohammed Maidawa, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Maidawa, said the exercise is for the Army cadets of 73 and 74 Regular Courses.
The exercises, he said, are scheduled to hold from April 18 to April 20 abd from April 26 to April 27.
“The NDA assures the general public that all necessary safety measures have been put in place for the successful conduct of the exercise.
“However, the general public is advised to avoid trespassing in the general area throughout the period of the exercise,” the army said.
.(NAN)DEFENCE
Police Arrest Enugu Resident with Fake Naira Notes
The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested an Enugu resident, one Mmaduabuchi Okonkwo, 24, suspected to be in possession of, and transacting in, fake Naira notes.
A statement by the Command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said that operatives serving in Abakaliki Road Police Division, with the support of law-abiding citizens, arrested Okonkwo of Mkpologu, Emene, Enugu, at the Old IMT Bus Stop, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, on April 10.
According to him, the suspect’s arrest is sequel to his alleged possession, and transacting in, counterfeited Naira notes.
“A total of ₦40,000 suspected counterfeited one thousand denominated Naira notes were recovered from him.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect boarded a minibus from New Haven Junction to Old IMT Bus Stop, Enugu, and gave the driver one of the counterfeited notes.
“The driver, however, scrutinised and observed that the currency was fake, and quickly raised an alarm that led to the suspect’s arrest.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having paid the sum of ₦25,000 genuine Naira notes to his cohort at large for the counterfeited Naira notes worth ₦50,000,” he said.
Ndukwe said that he further confessed to having spent ₦10,000 out of the fake notes, with the remaining ₦40,000 recovered from him.
“The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded,” he said. (NAN)
DEFENCE
NSCDC Official Calls for Increased Vigilance to Enhance Security
Umar Mohammed, the Kwara Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday in Ibadan called for an increase in vigilance.
He said the appeal was necessary to confront the challenges of insecurity, violence and other social vices in various communities in the state.
The Commandant said the recent rise in security challenges in the state necessitated the upgrading of the police outpost to a fully operational divisional office.
p”This is in order to address insecurity more effectively.
“The establishment of the division will no doubt improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing possible threats to peaceful coexistence,” he said.
The Commandant applauded the people of Ipee community, most especially Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, Deputy Speaker of Kwara House of Assembly, for their unwavering commitment and support for the project.
He assured the community that their efforts would not go in vain.
”I promise utmost security and well-being, and the NSCDC will work tirelessly to address all your security challenges,” Mohammed said.
He urged members of the community to remain vigilant and actively support the Corps by providing credible and timely information that would enhance their operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility and everyone should play their part in keeping their community safe, by working together and sharing information promptly,” the Commandant said.
The Deputy Speaker of State House of Assembly, Mr Olayiwola Oyebode, thanked the Commandant for his cooperation and efforts in ensuring the protection of lives and properties in the community and the state in general.
He urged the Commandant to deploy additional personnel to the new division in order to increase the safety and security of the people in the community.
In his remark, the Onipe of Ipee, Oba Lawal Adebayo, expressed gratitude to the Corps for the steadfast dedication to ensuring safety in the community and urged for sustained efforts.
Oba Adebayo also thanked Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his continuous support in upholding peace and security within the state.(NAN)