Crime

Police Bust ‘yahoo school’, Rescue 12-Year-old Trainee

By Web News 75

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training facility, known as a “Yahoo School,” in the Iju area of the state.

The Command’s Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that four principal suspects were arrested alongside six trainees.

According to him, among the trainees was an underaged boy identified as Minachi Udochukwu.

Hundeyin noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects recruited the trainees from Anambra State, engaged them in internet fraud, and confiscated their earnings.

The statement read in part, “During the successful operations, the police detectives arrested four Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25.

“The other six suspects are their criminal trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud: Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes.
“The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.”

While the command warned the owner of the facility to turn himself in at the State Criminal Investigation Department, it assured all that all suspects would be charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.

The statement further revealed that Ugochukwu had been provided with medical care after healing marks of injury believed to have been sustained during the training was found on his body

“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him,” Hundeyin stated.

The command also warned parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into falling into criminal activities.

It, however, called on members of the public who have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of the criminal syndicate to come forward to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.

“The CP Jimoh assures all Lagosians that the Command remains resolute and committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime tagged ‘yahoo,’ etc.

“He urges residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the police in their localities for prompt action,” the statement added.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Newly Employed Househelp Stabs Boss

By Web News 757

Tragedy struck in the Gbagada area of Lagos after a yet-to-be-identified woman was stabbed to death by her house help, in her apartment on 29, Kiniun-Ifa Street, Sawmill.

It was not clear when the fleeing house help, identified simply as Peter, allegedly committed the murder.

But the lifeless body of the woman, according to information gathered, was discovered on March 9, 2024, by her son, who came to visit.

When this reporter visited the building yesterday, it was under lock and key. The deceased was said to be the only occupant in the building. There are three shops in front of the building.

A resident in the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “The woman’s son, upon arriving at the compound, went straight to his mother’s apartment only to find her lifeless body on the staircase, with blood all over.

“A long piece of wood suspected to be the murder weapon was also found. By then, the body has started swelling, suggesting that the woman might have been killed days before.”

Vanguard also gathered that the fleeing househelp resumed work a week before the tragedy occurred.

It was further gathered that a relative of the agent that brought the fleeing househelp had been arrested as the unidentified agent was nowhere to be found.

Efforts to speak with the deceased son failed as he was too devastated to speak.

Policemen at the Ifako Police Division were said to have visited the scene and evacuated the corpse.

When this reporter visited the division, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Owolabi Sefunmi, referred him to the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman.

However, when the Lagos State Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin was contacted, he stated that the househelp had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCIID, Panti, for investigation.

Vanguard / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Obituary

Lady Dies after Drinking Insecticide

By Web News 401

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 39-year-old woman, Lilian Nwarache, who drank an insecticide on Friday in the Iwaya area of Lagos State. She was said to have been frustrated with having an illness.

Nwarache was reported to have been suffering from a protracted illness and had been seeking a cure in a church in Iwaya, but became frustrated by the condition and drank a full bottle of insecticide on November 3, 2023.

She was alleged to have tried to jump into a canal after drinking the insecticide, but was prevented by passers-by and was rushed to a hospital where a doctor confirmed her dead.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said three passports belonging to the deceased were found in her bag, alongside her Samsung phone.

He said, “It was reported on Friday, around 2 pm, at the Sabo police station, that a woman, 39-year-old, with an unknown address, committed suicide.

“She had been having a protracted illness and visited a church for prayers.

“But while in the frustrating condition, she drank a full bottle of a popular brand of insecticide and was making frantic efforts to jump into the canal.

“She was prevented and rushed to the health centre, Iwaya where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.”

“Detectives were immediately sent to the scene. Photographs were taken, the insecticide plastic containing little content, her three passports and one Samsung phone were recovered in her small bag.”

Hundeyin disclosed that efforts were in progress to contact her family members, while her corpse had been deposited at the Lagos Mainland Hospital Mortuary for an autopsy.

“Her corpse has been removed and deposited at the Lagos Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“Efforts are in progress to contact her family members and preliminary investigation is also in progress,” he added.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Police Investigate Murder of Senator’s Aide

By Web News 468

Adeniyi Sanni, a senior aide to a serving Federal lawmaker representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, has been found dead with gunshot wound.

Sanni’s remains were found in Lagos State over the weekend , said a spokesman for the Senator, Kayode Odunaro.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the development in a telephone chat with Newsroom.

Hundeyin said no arrest has been made but investigation has commenced into the killing of the lawmaker’s aide.

“Information available to the bereaved Senator in Abuja indicates that Mr. Sanni was stopped at a checking point around Berger Area of Lagos on his way to his home at Isheri by security agents,” Odunaro said in a statement.

“He was asked to provide the documents of the car he was driving, which he did through his wife who sent all the documents to his phone WhatsApp. It was gathered that the wife called a while later and the late Mr. Sanni told her they are still checking the vehicle’s paper.

“His apprehensive wife later called on Mr. Sanni’s associates to say he could no longer reach her husband on phone necessitating the mobilization of a search party.

“She was later called by passersby through the Next of Kin phone number on her husband’s driver’s license that the body of Mr. Sanni was dumped around Toyota Bus Stop in Oshodi with gunshot wound.”

Odunaro said the Senator was “shocked beyond words and devastated by the news of this sad incident, as Mr. Sanni was his close aide for over two decades”.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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News

Two Shot Dead in Lagos Community

By Web News 490

The family of a 15-year-old boy, Pelumi Sulaimon, have been thrown into mourning after soldiers attached to Operation MESA allegedly shot him dead around Makoko, in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

According to residents in the area, the soldiers were hired by political thugs to carry out a reprisal on their opponents in the community on Sunday, February 26.

it was gathered that when the soldiers got to the community, they started shooting indiscriminately and in the process, a stray bullet hit Pelumi who was on his way to buy drinks for his friends to celebrate his birthday.

The soldiers, who were led by a political thug identified simply as Nuru, were also said to have gunned down a tricycle operator, identified simply as Aloma, whom they mistook for one of their targets.

According to Pelumi’s relative, Musbau Ayinde, the events that led to the death of the Junior Secondary School Three pupil was a result of a clash caused by political rivalry in the community.

He said, “There was a clash between members of two political parties at a base close to Makoko roundabout on Thursday night. The fight was later settled after the intervention of some residents in the area.

“After that, there was another confrontation between them during the election held on Saturday but that did not lead to a fight and we all thought it had ended there not until Sunday when a thug belonging to one of the political parties brought soldiers and stormed the base where the clash occurred the last time.

“When they got there, they did not meet their targets, so the soldiers who were attached to the OP MESA started to shoot indiscriminately and that was how one of the bullets hit Pelumi in his ribs. A tricycle rider known as Aloma was also shot dead.

“He was about to get passengers at the park when he heard the gunshots and fled. But they thought he was one of their targets and that was how they aimed at him and shot him. Even after he fell down, they came down from their van, moved close to him and shot him again in the head.”

Pelumi’s elder brother, Afeez, said he was with his friends when a resident told him that his brother had been shot by the soldiers.

He said, “I was with my friends when the soldiers arrived in the area in a van which had the inscription of OP MESA on it with a covered number plate. That was around 3pm. They came in through the Sabo area with four soldiers hanging at the back of the van.

“Shortly after, someone came to tell me that our last born had been shot. I rushed down to the place and saw my immediate younger sister at the spot trying to lift him (Pelumi) up from the ground. That was when some residents joined to carry him to a hospital at Oko Agbon.

“When we got there, they referred us to another hospital on Harvey Road. That was where he passed away. The hospital asked us to get a police report before releasing the corpse. So, it was policemen from Adekunle that took the corpse from the hospital and deposited it in the mortuary.”

Afeez said Pelumi just turned 15 years old on the day he was shot, adding that he stepped out to buy drinks to celebrate with his friends when the incident happened.

“The people we met at the spot where he was shot said a political thug known as Nuru was sighted in the van of the military officers. And they left the community through Iwaya Road after carrying out the operation,” he added.

The deceased were said to have been buried on Wednesday.

 The State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

“The case is at the State Criminal Investigation Department. No suspect has been arrested yet and investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

The Deputy Director, Public Relations, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Olabisi Ayeni, could not be reached for comment.

He had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile number as of the time this report was filed.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Economy

Breaking: New Notes Scarcity causes Unrest in Lagos

By Web News 619

Fighting erupted in some areas on the popular Lagos-Ikorodu expressway in Lagos State over the scarcity of the new naira notes and the hardship the policy has thrown Nigerians.

On Friday morning, it was gathered that some suspected louts in Mile 12, Ketu and Ojota areas on the expressway, took to the road attacking commuters and creating chaos.

A driver, attached to one of the cab-hailing firms operating in the state who does not want his name in print over fears of harassment, said he had to turn into one of the streets due to the chaos.

Social media users who shared details of the ongoing fighting in the area, alleged they could hear sounds of gunshots.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has confirmed the unrest happening in the Mile 12 area of Lagos State.

He made this known via his Twitter handle on Friday.

Responding to a tweet asking the PPRO to confirm the rumour, Hundeyin replied, “ It is true. Our men are there. Reinforcement units have been deployed. Stay safe out there as we closely monitor and manage the situation.”

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Security

The Nigeria Police: Friend Or Threat To Life?

By Web News 530

The Nigeria Police Force is mandated to protect peoples’ lives and property. But why are lives of people being threatened under its watch?

Tune in to Premier FM 93.5 by 9am, Wednesday (today,) December 4 and listen to Mid-week Cruise where this burning issue shall be discussed.

You can also watch live on Facebook @premier fm93.5 or call 08180000935 to make your contributions.

Guest on the program is the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin.

You can’t afford to miss this!!!

Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

Lifestyle

Ex-Lagos Gov’s Son Killed by Hit-And-Run Driver

By Web News 1191

First son of Gbolahan Mudasiru, A former military governor of Lagos State, Olaolu Mudasiru, has reportedly died after being hit by yet-to-be-identified driver.

 Mudasiru was killed on Sunday morning in a hit-and-run accident while cycling with two other persons on the Bourdilion road in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident, however, said nobody has been arrested in connection to the accident.

The father, Gbolahan Mudasiru died in 2003.

Culled /Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Entertainment

Ifeanyi’s Death: Police Arrest Davido’s Domestic Workers

By Web News 1037

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said eight domestic workers were brought in for questioning in connection with the death of Davido’s son, Ifeanyi Adeleke.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the development to newsmen, said the domestic workers’ narrations would assist the command in ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the death of the three-year-old boy.

Hundeyin, however, said anyone not found culpable would be released immediately, adding the ones found culpable of negligence would be held back to assist the command in the ongoing investigation.

Hundeyin said, “His death is confirmed. His (Davido’s) domestic workers have been brought in for questioning and anybody found not culpable will be allowed to go immediately.

“About eight of them were brought in to narrate their version of what happened to assist us in getting what really happened.

“At the end of their narrations, whoever is found not guilty of negligence or not culpable in any way will be allowed to go.

“Anybody found culpable will stay back to assist us in further investigation.

Domestic workers are about eight that were brought in.

According to the report, Ifeanyi reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at his father’s residence in the Banana Island area of Lagos State.

In a bid to revive him, the three-year-old victim, after being pulled out of the swimming pool, was reportedly rushed to a hospital in the Lekki area of the state, where he was confirmed dead by one of the doctors on duty.

The victim’s family had yet to react to the tragic development as of the time this report was filed.

However, since the news of Ifeanyi’s rumoured death became public knowledge, Nigerians, particularly entertainment lovers, had been outraged and traumatized by the development.

A number of celebrities have posted cryptic messages that appear to confirm the death of Ifeanyi. Some of these are comedians Ayo Makun and Lasisi Elenu, and Radio personality Daddy Freeze among others.

Makun, in an Instagram post early Tuesday, wrote, “The death of a child is unnatural, unfair, and tragic, this hit me so bad.”

Daddy Freeze, who went live on Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning said, “When the person you love is someone involved it becomes a heavy emotional burden. I am not confirming anything but bear with me I will not be live tonight.”

Lasisi Elenu also posted, “Father heal your children’s hearts from this pain, strengthen them in such a dark and hurtful time oh Lord.”

Nollywood Actress, Rosemary Afuwape, said on her Instagram story, “My heart can’t take this. This is so painfully unbearable. Chioma and Davido please accept my condolences. No amount of words can comfort your heart. I am truly sorry for your loss.”

As of 1.28am, news of Ifeanyi’s rumoured death was the most trending topic on Twitter.

The rumoured death, however, emanated from a now-deleted post from actress, Eniola Badmus, late Monday.

While reacting to Badmus’ post,  Nigerians criticized her for leaking such sensitive information to the public.

Punch/Taiwo Akinola

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Crime

Man Rapes Neighbour’s Teenage Daughter, Commits Suicide

By Web News 703

A man, identified only as Kayode, has committed suicide after his neighbour’s daughter accused him of raping her twice at their house in the Oja-Amukoko area of Lagos State.

It was was gathered that the victim’s mother, who had a stroke, was taken to the Ikorodu area for treatment.

The suspect, who was put in care of the 16-year-old at home, was said to have taken advantage of her.

Her father said she accused Kayode of raping her twice, adding that he also seized her phone to prevent her from informing her family members.

He said, “My daughter stays with her mother, as both of us are no longer together. My ex-wife had been suffering from a stroke and from what we gathered, she had a neighbour, Kayode, who had been assisting to take care of her.”

“But when my ex-wife’s sickness worsened, she was taken to Ikorodu for treatment and her daughter also followed her. As time went on, the neighbour had to go there to bring my daughter back to her mother’s house around Campus, Amukoko, so she could continue schooling.”

“But she suddenly left her mother’s place and came to my place on Ojo Road. She said she wanted to continue staying with me till her mother recovered. About 20 minutes after she came, Kayode also came to my place and started saying he knew my daughter’s behaviour better than I did.

“He said if she was no longer staying at her mother’s house, he would have to return her to her mother in Ikorodu since he was the one who brought her home. He also said she came to stay at my place because she wanted freedom to go out and that he never had any agreement with her mother that she would be staying with me.”

After speaking with his ex-wife, the victim’s father said Kayode took his daughter back home but a few days later, he received a call from his ex-wife’s younger brother, who told him to go home to rescue his daughter.”

He said, “I quickly rushed there, but I didn’t meet her at home. I called my ex-wife’s younger brother and he said he would soon join me at the place.”

“After a few minutes, I saw my daughter and she informed me that Kayode raped her. She said she could not sleep alone in her mother’s apartment and that when she slept at Kayode’s apartment, he raped her twice and seized her phone.”

“It was when she told Kayode that she wanted to contact her mum that he released his phone to her and instead of calling her mum, she used that opportunity to text her mum’s younger brother.”

“So, we went to a police station and she explained to the policemen who said they could not hear only our side of the story. We went to pick up Kayode, but didn’t meet him at home. The policemen then directed us to do a medical test at Orege General Hospital. We were also asked to return the next day as they searched for him.”

“The next day, I received a call that Kayode drank insecticide and died. They found him in the backyard of their house and rushed him to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Kayode’s brother reported to the command that he committed suicide.

He said, “The father of the girl, 16, reported that his wife’s co-tenant, Kayode, 41, defiled his daughter. After the report was made, policemen were detailed to arrest the suspect, but he was not seen.”

“The investigation was ongoing when the suspect’s brother came to the station to report that Kayode committed suicide by drinking a substance suspected to be insecticide. The corpse was recovered but later released to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.” the PPRO said.

The Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

Crime

Court Charges Lebanese for Manslaughter

By Web News 440

The Lagos State Police Command says it will amend the charges against the Lebanese driver, John Greg, who crushed a lady, Omotola Akinsanya, while driving against traffic on Sanusi Fafunwa Street, in the Victoria Island area of the state.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the amended charges will reflect the new reality now that the lady has died.

“The case is already in court and now that the lady has died, we are going to amend the charges to reflect the new reality. We may charge him with manslaughter,” Hundeyin said.

Newsmen gathered that the deceased’s brother, identified as @wellzpapi, announced the death of the 31-year-old on Twitter.

He also attached an obituary notice to the post.

Report has it that Omotola was battling for her life after being crushed by a Toyota 4Runner driven by Greg, who reportedly drove his vehicle at top speed against traffic.

After ramming into the victim, it was learnt that Greg reversed his car and zoomed off from the incident scene in a bid to escape.

A good Samaritan, who witnessed the accident, boarded a motorcycle and chased Greg, who was apprehended and handed over to the police.

Punch/ Titilayo Kupoliyi

Environment

Developer of collapsed Lagos Island building won’t go unpunished – Lagos Govt vows

By Web News 514

The Lagos State Government has vowed to prosecute the missing developer, identified as Fumble, who was said to be in charge of the three-storey building that collapsed and killed four labourers on Alayaki Lane, Freeman Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State.

It was gathered that the developer went into hiding after the building caved in and also injured five labourers whom emergency responders rescued alive from the rubble on Saturday.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the developer would be prosecuted for his actions, adding that the collapsed building was not approved.

He said, “The law on building is very clear; you cannot build without approval. That building was not approved, they asked the builders to stop building but they refused to stop and started building at night and weekends.”

“It is high time we took responsibility for our actions; and for people who waste other people’s lives like this, the law is very clear, the state government will take over the building and the builder will be prosecuted.”

“I can assure you that all of the people responsible for this will face the law. The long arm of the law will catch up with this guy (developer). He cannot commit a terrible crime and run away. The government will find him and he will face the consequences of his action.”

Report says labourers were working on the building when it suddenly collapsed and trapped them beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency; Lagos State Emergency Management Agency; Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services; men of the Nigerian Police Force, officials of the Nigeria Red Cross, among others, stormed the scene to commence rescue operation.

In his reaction, the Coordinator, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said four persons were recovered dead.

He said, “Four (persons) recovered dead and five rescued alive. The collapsed building under construction was located within a compound and it was a frame structure as at the time of the unfortunate collapse.

“The third suspended slab concrete was already in place with an ongoing internal partition. The building crumbled during a downpour around 1.45pm.”

Our correspondent learnt that the compound where the collapsed building was situated was owned by a yet-to-be-identified man in the state.

After the man died, structures on the compound were reportedly divided among his wives.

A member of the family, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said after the structures were divided, the developer was contacted to develop the building.

The source said, “The developer is not among the victims; his workers were the ones working on the building when it collapsed. He was not there. I am also aware that the state government has issued a stop work order on the building.”

The building was said to be a bungalow that the developer converted to a three-storey building.

“But LABSCA issued a stop work order and sealed the place. The seal was still there yesterday and instead of the developer abiding by the seal, he mobilised laborers to start moving equipment and other materials through Freeman Street to continue the construction,” another source said.

In a follow-up reaction, Farinloye said, “The building was bequeathed to the family members and some awarded it to a developer who was converting the bungalow building into a three-storey building before it collapsed. It was revealed by the family members that LABSCA had sealed the site earlier.”

The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, also confirmed the incident, said, “However, you will discover that that disaster is a man-made disaster, it is a disaster that is avoidable because the government has done the needful. Undesirable developers decided to work against the good people of the state by doing construction at the time that it is not properly monitored.”

“The developer was doing the development of the building at night and weekends. The LASBCA has marked, issued a stop work order and subjected the building for integrity tests. But the developer flouted the order.“

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the command has no suspect in custody yet but that they are investigating the incident.

PUNCH/Maxwell Oyekunle