Kebbi State Police Reportedly Reject ₦1.6 Million Bribe From Lakurawa—-Thecloudngr reports that the Kebbi State Police Command has rejected a ₦1.6 million bribe offered by bandit group, Lukarawa, to compromise its prosecution of suspected members of the group.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, assured the commitment of the Kebbi Police to investigate and prosecute the suspects.

It read, “On January 13, 2025, at about 1800hrs, one Umaru Garba ‘m’ aged 53yrs of Dangandu village, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji Mamman ‘m’ aged 51yrs of Maimaichi village, all of Arewa LGA, and Usman Muhammadu ‘m’ aged 50yrs of Bakaramba village in Argungu LGA, conspired and offered the sum of One Million and Sixty Thousand Naira ( ₦1, 060, 000) bribe to the Command’s lead Investigator, at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters, Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi.

“The bribe is with a view to compromise the Investigation and prosecution of a case of banditry allegedly perpetrated by suspected Lakurawa terrorists operating in the northern part of the State.

The suspects were instantly arrested, and the investigation is still ongoing, after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.”

The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Bello Sani, further commended the commitment and professionalism displayed by the detectives and urged other Police Officers to emulate them.

Sani reiterated the Command’s determination in the ongoing fight against banditry and other serious crimes to allow socio-economic activities to thrive in Kebbi State.

JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat And Ooni Ex-Queen Charged With Murder Of 35 Children By Oyo State—-The Oyo State Government has filed eight counts, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, over the December 18, 2024 funfair stampede, during which 35 children died.

The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat abd and Babatunde were named as defendants.

In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offence to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”

The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

In the charge sheet obtained by The PUNCH, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died in the incident.

They include Musiliu Sofiat, female, eight years; Lekan Salami, male, seven years; Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years; Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years; Laeef Muisi, male, eight years; Opeyemi Ayomide, female, four years; Adebayo-Fatimah, female, four years; Adebayo-Abibat, female, five years; Adeyanju Taiwo, female, eight years; Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor; Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.

The state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.”

It alleged that the defendants’ “negligent omission resulted in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

Fasasi faces trial on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

Last week, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde vowed that the state would prosecute the defendants.

The defendants have been in prison custody since December 24, following their arrest by the police.