Unrest In Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku: Community Accuses Police Officer Of Aiding Criminal Activities

Published

4 months ago

September 26, 2024

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Unrest In Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku: Community Accuses Police Officer Of Aiding Criminal Activities—-The Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku community in Delta State has raised serious allegations against a police officer, ASP Dan Musa, accusing him of abuse of office, aiding criminals, and contributing to a deteriorating security situation in the area.

The community claims that ASP Musa, attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit, has been actively collaborating with a wanted fugitive, Mr. Francis Oduwanor, to carry out unlawful activities, including attacks on local residents.

In a petition addressed to the Nigerian Police Service Commission which our reporter reviewed, the community detailed a recent incident in which ASP Musa led an armed invasion of Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku, accompanied by Oduwanor and a group of suspected cultists.

The group reportedly targeted the home of the community’s traditional chief, Mr. Anthony Enurah, a respected elder who was forcibly arrested and held for several days.

The community alleged that while Enurah was detained, Oduwanor and his associates looted his home, subjected his wife to a brutal assault, and have continued to terrorize the area.

Eyewitnesses claim that when local police from Ogwashi-Uku responded to calls for help, they were attacked by Oduwanor’s gang, despite the presence of the officers.

Some of the thugs were arrested and taken to the police headquarters in Asaba, but were reportedly released shortly afterward on the orders of ASP Musa, further escalating fears of a breakdown in law and order.

“Our community has been living in fear since this incident,” a resident stated.

“People are being forced out of their homes, their belongings taken at gunpoint, and we feel completely abandoned by the authorities who are supposed to protect us.”

The community has also revealed that Mr. Oduwanor, who has been declared wanted by the Inspector General of Police, continues to evade justice despite multiple arrest warrants issued against him for crimes including firearms offenses, attempted murder, murder, and armed robbery.

The Delta State Security Council had previously ordered his arrest, yet he remains free, allegedly under the protection of ASP Musa.

In a further alarming development, reports have surfaced that ASP Musa has requested the transfer of all police files relating to ongoing criminal cases involving Oduwanor’s associates.

These cases are currently being prosecuted at the Delta State High Court.

The Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku community fears that transferring these case files to ASP Musa could cripple the legal process and obstruct justice, further entrenching lawlessness in the region.

Community leaders are now calling for urgent intervention from the Nigerian Police Service Commission, the National Security Adviser and Inspector General of Police to prevent the situation from escalating into full-scale violence.

They have expressed deep concern that unless swift action is taken, the current unrest could spiral out of control, with potentially deadly consequences.

“We are pleading for justice,” another resident said.

“If this continues, we fear bloodshed. We need the authorities to step in and stop this lawlessness before it is too late.”

The Nigerian Police Service Commission is yet to respond to the petition or provide an update on any investigations into the allegations against ASP Musa. The community, however, remains resolute in its demand for accountability and the restoration of peace and security in Otulu-Ogwashi-Uku.

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Kebbi State Police Reportedly Reject ₦1.6 Million Bribe From Lakurawa

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2025

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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.

The bribe was offered to the Command’s lead investigator, at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, in Birnin-Kebbi.

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.

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JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat And Ooni Ex-Queen Charged With Murder Of 35 Children By Oyo State

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

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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.

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