Crime

Prime Suspect Denies Involvement in Murder of Rivers DPO; Claims Misunderstanding

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2023

Gift Okpara, popularly known as General 2-Baba, the prime suspect in the murder case involving Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Bako Angbashin of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, has broken his silence from his undisclosed location. In a voice note aired on a prominent radio station (92.3 Nigeria Info, Port Harcourt) on Monday morning, Okpara vehemently denied any involvement in the crime, presenting his side of the story.

The notorious cultist, also leader of the Iceland cult gang, affirmed that he spoke with the late DPO just hours before the tragic incident and shed light on his gang’s decision to return to criminal activities after a period of amnesty. Okpara clarified that he was not present at the location where the DPO was killed, expressing shock upon learning about the incident.

“I want to tell the Rivers State Government that I am not involved in anything concerning the death of DPO. I didn’t want to say anything all this while. But I decided to speak out because of the way people were talking about it,” Okpara stated.

According to him, his group had initially submitted all their weapons during an amnesty period, but a rival gang failed to comply, leading to the killing of his members, including his younger brother. Frustrated by the lack of government action against the rival gang, Okpara claimed his gang regretted surrendering their weapons and felt compelled to return to criminal activities.

The suspect, now portraying himself as a freedom fighter for Ekpeye youths, categorically denied involvement in various criminal activities such as kidnapping and illegal bunkering. He insisted that he focused on his dredging business and refuted claims of being sponsored by a traditional ruler.

General 2-Baba was declared wanted by the police after the murder of SP Angbashin on September 8, 2023, in Odiemude community in Ahoada East LGA of the state. Despite numerous police raids in the Ahoada area, Okpara has remained elusive, and efforts to recover the decapitated body of the late SP Angbashin have so far been unsuccessful. Over 50 individuals, including a monarch and a former LG Chairman, are standing trial in connection with the officer’s death.

Crime

Court Freezes $222,729 in Digital Assets Linked to Fraud

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Abaire Olanlesi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order on digital assets worth $222,729.86, allegedly linked to fraudulent activities involving Chinese and Filipino nationals.

Justice Alexander Owoeye granted the order on Monday following an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Zeenat Atiku.

The motion was brought under Section 44(2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act No. 14, 2016.

The court directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving any interested parties 14 days to contest the forfeiture before the assets are permanently seized by the Federal Government.

According to an affidavit by EFCC investigator Owolabi Taiwo, the assets were suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.

Intelligence reports led to a sting operation in Lagos, resulting in the arrest of 792 suspected cybercriminals and the seizure of approximately 1,000 routers, SIM cards, computers, and mobile phones.

Abuja Reports

Security Operatives Recover Items Worth N1b from Abuja Vandals

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Patrick Idowu

A joint task force consisting of the FCT Police Command, the Military, NSCDC, and NDLEA has apprehended 31 individuals suspected of vandalizing public infrastructure across Abuja.

The suspects were found with stolen items, including cables and electrical components, valued at over one billion naira.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the stolen materials had caused significant disruptions, particularly affecting areas like Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu, which have experienced prolonged blackouts. He added that officials from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that the recovered items were taken from multiple electricity stations.

Other items recovered include 115 stolen manhole covers, five motorcycles, transformer parts, industrial scaffoldings, bundles of cables, and solar batteries.

Security forces also targeted scavenger colonies and scrap yards, known as “Pantakers,” where stolen public assets were dismantled for resale.

Recent raids conducted on 24th and 26th January in Zuba and Diko led to the recovery of stolen vehicle documents, industrial batteries, and cables.

A subsequent raid on 28th January in Dape Village resulted in the demolition of illegal structures to reclaim public assets.

Sixteen of the arrested suspects have been charged for criminal conspiracy and mischief.

Disu emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat vandalism and protect critical infrastructure in the FCT and neighboring areas, warning that security forces will continue their crackdown on criminal activities targeting public utilities.

Crime

Bago Warns Against Rising Explosives, Firearms Use among Miners

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has warned of escalating security risks in Niger State due to the rising use of firearms and explosives among artisanal miners.

This follows a deadly dynamite explosion in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu Local Government Area, that killed three and injured several others.

Bago, visiting the site of the explosion, described it as tragic and preventable.

He highlighted the state’s rich gold and lithium deposits as attracting illegal miners who store explosives and weapons, exacerbating security threats.

The governor urged locals to surrender dangerous materials to a designated security committee for safe storage.

He also announced a N174 million relief package for the victims.

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, condemned the incident as avoidable and called for intensified awareness campaigns.

The explosion affected 69 people, destroying houses and vehicles.

In response, the Mashegu LGA has imposed a temporary mining ban, with calls for neighboring Magama LGA to follow suit.