CRIME
Task Force Arrests Eight Suspects Over Southern Kaduna Killings

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Troops of the Special Task Force saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau State, parts of Bauchi and the Southern part of Kaduna state code named Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested eight suspected bandits believed to have been killers of the people of Southern Kaduna in recent times.
The Commander Sector 7 of the Special Force in Southern Kaduna, Colonel David Nwakonobi briefing newsmen on the successes recorded in the operation on Monday said the success was as a result of credible information received by the Sector.
Accoding to Col. Nwakonobi, “In a bid to curb the recent attacks and isolated killings in Southern Kaduna, troops of Operation ‘Safe Haven’ have continued to intensify efforts aimed at curtailing the menace and ensuring peace in the general area.
” On 5 August 2020, own troops acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 6 suspected militias namely Messrs Abubakar Ali, Ali Amadu, Bawa Idi, Umar Dikko, Garba Damina and Muhammed Ibrahim at Lere LGA of Kaduna State. The suspects were in possession of a locally fabricated Pump Action Gun, 2 locally made pistols, one 9mm ammunition, 4 machetes and 2 Motorcycles.”
The Sector Commander further disclosed that a collaborated operation with Vigilante in the area of operations, two locals were arrested on criminal act at Chawai a border community on the fringes of Laura and Zango Kataf LGA of the State.
“In a related development, own troops in conjunction with members of Vigilante Group of Nigeria apprehended Messrs Adamu Joseph and William Barnabas.
The suspects were apprehended at Chawai, a community which has between the fringes of Kauru and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.”
Nwakonobi said “Items recovered from them include a locally made Pump Action Gun, 3 Cartridges, 2 Mobile Phones and one Dagger.
He said the suspects have been profiled and preliminary investigations have been conducted.
“Please be informed also that one of the militia men that carried out the last attack was killed. His corpse was discovered in Kibori village during the rescue operation by troops. We have also gotten some information on the identity of some of the hoodlums that carried out the last attack. We are on their trail and by the grace of God we will get them,” he disclosed.
The Sector Commander assured the public that the suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation on their activities and prosecution.
“OPSH will continue to work with the various communities and settlements to stop the cycle of attacks and isolated killings as we strive to ensure that peace is restored in Southern Kaduna and environs.
“We also wish to solicit your support and co-operation especially in the provision of timely and credible information on the activities of criminals and bandits cohabiting within the people,” he said.
CRIME
Man Remanded for Allegedly Raping Physically Challenged Teen

An Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 50-year-old man, Linus Anozie, in a correctional center for allegedly engaging in anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged person.
Anozie, whose address was not provided, is standing trial on a one-count charge of sexual assault.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr B.
A. Sonuga did not take the defendant’s plea.He remanded him in a correctional facility and ordered that the file be sent to the office of the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
Sonuga adjourned the case until July 31, pending legal advice.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Aminu Isaac, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 9 at about 11.
00 a.m. at Ogunlana Estate, Akin Ogunlewe Street, in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu.He told the court that the defendant unlawfully had anal intercourse with an 18-year-old physically challenged man (name withheld), without his consent.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravene the provisions of Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)
CRIME
Three Suspects Apprehended in Connection with DPO’s murder; firearms recovered, says police.

The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly involved in the murder of a senior police officer in the state.
Bako Angbashim, former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023, prompting a statewide manhunt for the perpetrators.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.
“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.
“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.
Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.
She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.
She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.
She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.
She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.
According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)
CRIME
Man in Germany Charged with Serial Rape After Drugging Victims

German prosecutors on Tuesday have charged a 43-year-old Chinese national with 22 offences, including attempted murder and aggravated rape after drugging victims, in some cases involving women he knew.
The accused, who was not identified, is suspected of sedating women with sleeping pills and raping them in eight cases.
Prosecutors in Frankfurt said some victims knew the defendant and were unaware of what was happening.
In four cases, the man is suspected of overpowering, anaesthetising and raping the victims during property viewings and of videoing or photographing the acts.
In seven cases, the drug dose was so high it may have endangered victims’ lives, prosecutors said in a statement.
The accused is alleged to have been a member of the Telegram online platform for several years, where he exchanged information about how to sexually assault unconscious women.
He is also believed to have illegally sold sedatives to other chat participants, prosecutors said.
The man from Offenbach, near Frankfurt, is believed to have committed the offences between January 2020 and November 2024, and has been in custody since November 2024, prosecutors said.
The charges follow the high-profile case of Dominique Pelicot in France, convicted in December of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife for almost a decade and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her unconscious body. (Reuters/NAN)