Photos: Motorcycle rider killed by suspected ritual killers in Lagos, eyes plucked out

A motorcycle rider simply identified as Ibrahim was this morning killed by suspected ritual killers, with h!s eyes plucked out and h!s lifeless body dumped at Alaba Suru along the Badagry expressway Lagos this morning.

See more exclusive photos below

Photo 1    Photo 2     Photo 3

May His Soul Rest In Peace

25 families homeless as fire razes buildings, supermarket in Lagos

NO fewer than 25 families were rendered homeless yesterday, following a fire outbreak that engulfed three buildings in Lagos.The popular Ebano Supermarket in the highbrow Lekki metropolis, some shops and the popular Idumota Market, are among the affected structures.

Two of the affected buildings were located in the densely-populated Ajegunle area of Lagos, one of which was the palace of the Baale (traditional ruler).
However, no life was reportedly lost in any of the incidents. But properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The Ajegunle inferno was said to have been caused by petroleum products stored in one of the buildings by a black market dealer. Some occupants of the affected buildings sustained varying degrees of injuries during the ensuing stampede.
Reports said an explosion occurred at 1, Freedom Street, at about 10.30a.m., while a welder, simply identified as Israel, was constructing an iron cage for the storage of petroleum products.
Efforts to contain the fire failed as it reportedly engulfed the entire building and spread to 171, Orodu Street.

Fuel dealer escapes
The black market dealer, whose identity could not be ascertained, escaped on noticing the wreckage.
When Vanguard arrived the scene, the fire was still raging, with occupants in mourning.
One of them, a pregnant woman, was said to have collapsed.
An eyewitness, who simply gave his name as Saidi, blamed the tragedy on the welder, pointing out that if the jerry cans filled with petroleum products had been moved away from the spot, the spark of light from the welding machine would not have ignited.Residents told Vanguard that fire service officials who arrived the scene to contain the situation, left for more water.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Had the owner of house on 171, Orodu Street been alive, this incident would not have happened because he would have kicked against the sale of petroleum products.
“The woman, who caused all this, has been warned several times to change business, but she did not heed the advice.
“Only last week, a prophet who came to warn that danger was looming and that everyone should beware of fire outbreak. This woman was cautioned again. But she got more products because of the rumoured fuel scarcity.”

We received 4 different
distress calls— Fadipe
Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said when they received the distress calls, fire trucks from Illupeju and Isolo were drafted to the scene.
Also at the scene were policemen from Ajeromi Ifelodun Division.
Fadipe said that distress calls were also received at “Oko-Baba in Ebute Meta area of the state and Ebano Supermarket at Lekki at about 6.05p.m.
“Two fire trucks were deplored to each of the locations. At about 6.20p.m., another call about fire outbreak was received at Oju-Olobun, Idumota, where some shops were affected.”

Building collapses
Meanwhile, two unidentified construction workers narrowly escaped death yesterday, when an uncompleted building, where they were working, close to St. Triumph Primary School at Olagunju Street, Magbon, Badagry, suddenly collapsed.
The incident, as gathered, occurred at about 12.45p.m.
The building was said to have been marked by officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, which ordered that work should stop. But the developer allegedly ignored the directive.
General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said: “LASBCA had marked the building for ongoing construction to stop.
“Two construction workers were injured and treated by LASAMBUS officials at the spot. The primary school beside it was not affected. Investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the collapse.”
Rasaq Fadipe told Vanguard that the Fire Station from Badagry responded to the incident.

Source: VanguardNGR

Customs nab suspected banned poultry products smuggler in Lagos

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a suspected smuggler with 206 cartons of banned poultry products worth N1.2 million.
The command also seized his fibre boat valued at N2.1 million, bringing to N3.3 million the total amount of seizures made from him.
Parading the suspect, Jephiter John, the Comptroller, Yusuf Umar, said he was arrested on Oct. 28 at about 10.30 p.m. around in Badagry waterways.
Umar said the suspect was caught with smuggled 206 cartons of banned frozen products while trying to make away in a fibre boat of 175 horse power engine capacity.
According to the comptroller, the seized products are worth N1.2 million, while the fibre boat is valued N2.1 million, making it a total of N3.3 million worth of seizures made.
Meanwhile, the command had seized a total of 8,216 cartons of frozen products valued N14 million under the service’s “Operation Hawk Descend’’.
The comptroller said the latest seizures made it a total of N17.3 million poultry products the command seized under the operation since July.
He said Operation Hawk Descend was designed to have zero tolerance for smuggling in banned frozen products.
Umar said the special anti-smuggling operation continued beyond its initial period of July to September due to the success it recorded.
The comptroller said the operation had enjoyed support from the Customs Intelligence Unit.
He added that the suspect would be prosecuted according to the law.
The destruction of the seized poultry products was witnessed by operatives of the State Security Service, a police officer and staff of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control.

10 arrested as okada riders, Police clash in Lagos

Ten persons have been arrested in connection with the crisis that erupted Wednesday night between commercial motorcyclists and policemen  in Ajao area of Lagos.
Unconfirmed report had it that two policemen were killed by rampaging hoodlums who hijacked the situation. But the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, stated that the command did not lose any of its men.
A Police Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, stationed at Canoe bridge linking Ajao with Ejigbo was also allegedly  burnt by the commercial motorcyclists, said to be protesting seizure of their bikes by officials of  Lagos State Task Force.

Report had it that officials of the task force were out to enforce the restriction of commercial  motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, around the axis.
However, on reaching Ilamose Estate at Oke-Afa, some okada operators reportedly  made  access into  Ajao Estate difficult.
In the process, the officials were said to have impounded some of the motorbikes. However, some motorcyclists around Canoe who sighted them, concluded they were coming for them as well, an assumption that  sparked off a violent protest yesterday.
When Vanguard arrived the scene, shattered  windscreens littered everywhere, as well as charred remains of the police vehicle.
Some heady motorcyclists who resumed work yesterday morning, had their motorbikes seized by members of the task force.  Some armed policemen and soldiers were sighted at the scene, while others were on vehicular patrol.
An eye witness who simply gave his name as Jola, described  Wednesday night’s incident as theatre of was war.
Chairman of tricycle operators in Ajao Estate, Mr  Ambimbola, said: ‘’This is not the first time we are experiencing such an incident. Such has happened before.

“But yesterday’s incident was  a very bad occurrence . We  believe that these people (Fulani men) are struggling to feed themselves but this does not give them the audacity to fight with  policemen or even burn their vehicle.”
Police attack Vanguard’s reporter
Immediately after the interview, while one of Vanguard’s reporters, Lucky Nwanekwu, was taking shots of the scene, a policeman shoved him aside and battered him, asking why he was  taking shots of the scene. All entreaties on the policeman who claimed to be from Area ‘D‘ Mushin Command, failed as two of his colleagues joined in  beating the reporter.
Thereafter,  they seized his mobile phone and whisked him away in their van, to Mushin. They  attempted to throw him inside the cell, boasting that nobody could stop the move. It, however, took the intervention of a senior police officer who reprimanded them, for Nwanekwu who had blood shot eye and marks of violence on his chest and ribs, to be released.

At time of writing this report, he was being treated at Vanguard’s clinic.
However,  an angry CP Owoseni, apologised on the excesses of his men , assuring that the command would look into the matter, with a view to finding out the circumstances that surrounded the attack on the reporter.

He put a gun to his head, pulled the trigger

A 24-year-old, Lateef Olajumoke, was on Thursday remanded in Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, for allegedly putting a gun to a man’s head and pulling the trigger at Oshodi area of the metropolis.
An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court which did not take the plea of the accused for lack of jurisdiction, said he should be kept behind bars pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a two-count charge of murder and conspiracy.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Matthew Akhaluode, told the court that the offences were committed on Sept. 30 at about 8.30 p.m. at No. 46, Mosaku St., Oshodi.
He said the accused shot Adekunle Mamora on the head and killed him instantly.
Akhaluode noted that the offences contravened Sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The Magistrate, Mrs K.O. Ariyo, adjourned the case to Nov.1.

I killed our rival to avenge my brother’s death —Suspected cultist

A  self-acclaimed member of Eiye confraternity yesterday gave a graphic description  of how he  murdered one of his rivals during a birthday party held in Mushin area of Lagos last week.
Arrested alongside the 22-year-old suspect was his alleged accomplice.

The deceased, a commercial motorcyclist, identified as  Sura Abiola Lateef,  was reportedly attacked along with his friend, when they stepped out to buy sachet water.
While his friend, identified as Rilwan, was said to have managed to escape with a deep cut in the neck,  same could not be said of Lateef, who was  stabbed in different parts of his body and abandoned in the pool of his blood and he bled to death.
Briefing newsmen on activities of cultists in the state, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai  Owoseni, said the command had launched a manhunt for cultists, disclosing that over 20 suspected cultists had been arrested between October 18 and 21, 2015.
Among them were 22-year-old Morufu Liadi and Rilwan Balogun who confessed to have had a hand in the late commercial motorcyclist’s death.

Speaking with Vanguard, Liadi who showed no sign of remorse, said the killing of late Lateef was to avenge the death of his elder  brother.

He said: “I am a vulcanizer. I  was forced to join the  Eiye confraternity last year in order to avenge the death of my brother who was murdered by cultists seven years ago. I waited until last year to join because by then, I was only 15 years old and I was told that I was too young to join a cult.

“ Last Sunday,  I was invited to a birthday bash at  Agbekolade Street, Mushin, where members of Aye were in attendance. While there, my friend (pointing to Balogun who sat by his side) showed me a young man named Lateef, who he said was among those that murdered my elder brother, Azeez, seven years ago. He said Lateef was one of Aye’s hit men.

“Immediately I got up to challenge him (Lateef ) and to my surprise, the person with him brought out a gun. He fired some shots at me but none penetrated. At that moment, they both took to their heels. But  Lateef fell and I used that opportunity to  stab him on any part of the body I could lay my hands on. I did that to avenge the death of my brother .“

On his part, Balogun, a Junior Secondary  School 3  drop out, claimed he was not a cultist. Although he admitted to have pointed the deceased to Liadi, he  said he did not witness the murder.
The suspects, according to the command boss, will be charged to court thereafter.

Source: Vanguard Nigeria

3 men docked over alleged rape of 15-year-old girl

Three men, Qaudri Yekini, 23, Moses Osagie, 23, and Ebuka Anosike, 20, were, yesterday, remanded in prison custody by Magistrate T. Abolarinwa of an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl (names withheld).
The defendants, who reside at Yaya Crescent, Ajegunle, Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful carnal knowledge and sexual assault proferred against them by the police.
Prosecutor, Inspector Tony Idibe, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between September and October 2015, before they were caught on October 11. Idibe told the court that the incident took place at the residence of the defendants at about 11:50pm.
The defendants further said that before they were caught on October 11, they also attempted to rape the victim, by touching her private parts and also holding her without her consent.
The offence, committed according to the prosecutor, is punishable under section 409,and 258(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Magistrate Abolarinwa granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 with one responsible surety each in like sum. The case was further adjourned till November 25, 2015, for mention.

5 killed as cultists unleash mayhem in Lagos

Suspected cultist have reportedly killed five persons in different areas of Igbo-Elerin, Lagos State. The cultist allegedly went on rampage after a rival gang weekend shot their leader, simply identified as Skay, at Aladesanmi Street at 8:00pm last Thursday. Angered by the death of their leader, members of the gang on Friday at about 7am, stormed a house located at Martins street where they dragged a member of a rival cult gang out of his house and slaughtered him in front of his gate. They also killed a suspected cultist at Idowu Street.
we gathered that on Friday night, cultist raided several relaxation centres searching for members of a rival gang. According to a food vendor who resides around Martins street, it was a terrible situation on Friday morning when hoodlums stormed the street and killed a boy. Another resident in Idowu Street who craved anonymity, said: “The incident started at about 8pm on Thursday evening when I closed my shop.
‘’ I noticed that every where had been deserted. It was as if people had ran away. There were no okada or commercial buses plying the road. So on Friday morning, I heard that the leader of a cult gang had been killed. ‘’I had to close on Friday when they were still shooting sporadically, people were running helter skelter for safety.” A landlord in the area lamented the mindless manner the hoodlums were snuffing out lives of people in the area like animals.
‘’We know some of these boys causing trouble in the area, but we can’t give information to the Police because after they are released, they will come after us. ‘’Some of these cultist are children of police officers. The police officers are aware of the cultist activities at Igbo-elerin but you will only see policemen in the area after the cultist had succeeded in killing people,’’ he said.
Since Thursday night, residents have been living in fear of the unknown as the cultist are on rampage. When Vanguard visited the scene of the incident on Friday, shops in the affected areas were under lock. Contacted, spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, DSP Joe Offor, said he would get back to  Vanguard but didn’t do so at press time.

91-year-old woman asks Lagos govt. to return her schools

A 91-year-old lady, Mrs Roseline Ololo, on Thursday drove a dissent to the Lagos State House of Assembly, requesting the arrival of hear schools assumed control by the military administration in 1976.

Ololo, who was on a wheelchair, begged the officials to intercede and encourage the arrival of her schools.

She said that the schools, Metropolitan College and Isolo Secondary School, were assumed control while Commodore Ndubisi Kanu was the Military Administrator of the state.

Ololo said she lost her spouse, Chief Michael Ololo-Ogwu, in the battle to recover responsibility for schools they both set up in 1956 in Surulere zone of the state.


She was joined by some dissenting adolescents who droned tunes and conveyed bulletins with different engravings, for example, "it's our entitlement to claim properties'' and "Hon. Speaker, talk reality. "

A percentage of the publications additionally read "laws are gone for the benefit of subjects,'' " Justice for Mama Ololo,'' "Hon. Speaker, please intercede,'' and "Stop this bad form, " among others.

Ololo told the individuals close by that the arrival of the schools had as of now been endorsed by the organization of Chief Bola Tinubu, a previous legislative head of the state.

" He has given requests that every single tuition based school ought to be come back to their proprietors yet they have not gave back mine after a few endeavors.

"We have been going up and down,‎ my spouse kicked the bucket throughout looking for the arrival of the schools we both attempted to build up, she said.

As indicated by her, the legislature has been calling them for talks yet nothing has been finish

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18-year-old arraigned over murder of school senior

An 18-year-old boy, Benjamin Sunday, has been charged before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja for allegedly stabbing his senior in school, Gbenga Adigun, whose corpse was found on the decking of a building.
The defendant, who lives at No. 4 Haruna Street, Ifako area of Lagos, was alleged to have stabbed Adigun with a broken bottle during a fight, after both of them returned from Africa Shrine.

According to a statement allegedly made by the accused to the police: “The problem started on Friday 31/05/2013 at Africa Shrine. When I was leaving at 5am, I saw Mayowa Akinoye (deceased) who was my senior in school with six girls. They were also at the shrine and about to go as well. So we all left.
“One of Mayowa’s girls started abusing me and I also abused her. Instead of Mayowa to ask the girl to stop abusing me, he shouted at me and I refused to stop as well. The next thing, Mayowa gave me a blow and we started a  fight.”

The teenager (Sunday), who looked unperturbed as he stood in the accused dock, is facing a count charge of murder.
State counsel, Mr Akin George, informed the court that the offence was contrary to Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
After listening to the witness, Justice Ipaye adjourned the case to November 19 for continuation of trial

40 robbers loot Lagos banks, kill mother & baby

No fewer than forty heavily armed robbers, yesterday morning, invaded two second generation banks in 4th Avenue, Festac area of Lagos state and carted away huge sums of money.

Slain mother and child.

During the operation which lasted hours, a two-year-old toddler, Mmesoma Ndirika, and her mother, Jane, who were inside their apartment in an adjoining building, were reportedly hit by stray bullets from the bandits who were shooting sporadically in all directions.
Reports said both mother and child later died as a result of injuries they sustained from the bullet.   A commercial motorcyclist who was also hit by stray bullets reportedly died later in an undisclosed private hospital.
It took the Police more than one and half hours to respond.
Recoveries by the Police
However, police authorities said they were able to recover about N27 million and other rounds of arms and ammunition abandoned by the bandits while fleeing from the scene. They could not  give specific figure of casualties.
How they struck
Reports said the bandits who were dressed in military camouflage uniforms, attacked the banks after alighting from boats at a nearby canal. They reportedly used dynamite to destroy the security entrance gates after which they gained entry into the banks.  Eyewitness account said as soon as the dynamites exploded, the heavily armed bandits started firing bullets in all directions inside the first bank they entered.
Eyewitness
According to the witnesses, while some of them were inside one of the banks, another group broke into another  nearby bank, while others took positions in front of the area, at the same time shooting indiscriminately.

A commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada, who was close-by, was hit by bullets and he was said to have collapsed later after fleeing from the scene.
Another witness who was also inside one of the banks, told Vanguard:  “After the dynamite exploded, the bandits, who were dressed in army camouflage, invaded the banks threatening to kill anybody who attempted to confront them. They broke into all the rooms inside the bank and dragged everybody into the main banking hall.  While doing that, they were at the same time brutalising customers and hitting others with the butts of their guns.  They broke into the bank’s vault easily and carted huge sums of money away. ATMs were not spared as they also looted all the money in the machine. They operated simultaneously in the two banks, after which they escaped  through the same  canal they entered the area. In fact, as they were fleeing from the scene, they forced some butchers in a nearby market to help them load their massive loot into the canoe before escaping.”
How mother and child died
Uju, one of the residents of Block 8, 4th Avenue, where the stray bullet hit mother and child, told Vanguard: “While the shooting was going on, every one laid on the floor in their respective apartments.  I was with Jane in her parlour while her child was inside the room.  Suddenly, the child started crying and the mother stood up to carry her. As she was coming to the sitting room with the baby, a stray bullet perforated the window, hit the baby in the chest and also got the mother on the left side of her shoulder.  Immediately, she took the child back to the room and started shouting for help.   Nobody came to her rescue because people were running helter skelter for dear life.”
However, when the dust settled, a neighbour, identified as Irabor Sunday, reportedly rushed them to Mother and Child Hospital at the First Gate in Festac where they were confirmed dead.  The baby was, thereafter, taken back to the house while her mother was rushed to Lord’s Chosen  Church where a prayer session was organised for her revival. Vanguard  gathered that  at 3pm, her corpse was taken to  Igando General Hospital mortuary where she worked as a nurse.
Conflicting reports
There were conflicting accounts of police response during the operation which created tension in  Festac town.  While some witnesses said policemen who claimed they came from Ikeja, Oshodi, RRS  arrived almost one hour after the bandits had fled from the scene, the police said they confronted the bandits and during a fierce battle that raged for several minutes, the robbers  fled abandoning some of their loots and weapons. Witnesses also insisted that even the policemen that arrived after the incident were openly blaming their colleagues at Festac Division for not informing them about the attack on time.  According to the witnesses, the huge crowd that gathered at the scene also  booed the policemen for coming after the operation.
Police statement
Giving a vivid account of the incident, the Area Commander, Festac and former Force spokesman, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba said: “Today, the 13th of  October, 2015, at about 8:25 am, the command received information of sporadic shootings going on somewhere around 4th Avenue,  Festac town, Lagos.  The joint team of policemen at Area E headquarters, Festac Division, promptly  responded to the crime and on arrival at the scene, the policemen engaged  the gang of robbers numbering well  over 40,  all dressed in military camouflage  and armed to the teeth in a gun battle.
“We engaged them in a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes. Not withstanding the clear numerical disadvantage of the police at the beginning of this operation, the hot exchange of fire between the policemen and the robbers who incidentally, had divided themselves into two and were simultaneously robbing two banks, forced the robbers to immediately end their operations.  They, consequently,  abandoned their operation and also abandoned the sum of N27 million. As they were fleeing, they left a total of 240 AK47 live ammunition, and left the scene with money stolen from the bank. The money was later recovered by the policemen and taken to another branch of the robbed  bank around 2nd Avenue, for deposit.

“The CP and other police stations around Ikeja were immediately informed of the operation but my men were sent earlier to see what was happening already. The CP, Fatai Owoseni, while regretting this incident,  vowed to do everything humanly and operationally possible to make sure that the perpetrators of this crime are rounded up within the shortest possible time and brought to book.
“It should be noted that within the two banks, nobody died.  One person sustained a minor injury in one of the banks and the person is adequately responding to treatment. On our part and that of the law enforcement agency, no injury, no death recorded.  We heard about the two-year-old child and her mother who were hit by stray bullets. We are working on that. We are trying to liaise with the police to currently locate the girl and her mother and make sure that they are taken care of. A massive operation is currently going on and if there are other pieces of information that are not available now, we would make sure that we alert the press too.
“Preliminary information shows that they came in through the waterways and they equally exited through the waterways, because there is a canal very close to the area where the robbery occurred. The Marine Police have been  involved in tackling  the activities of hoodlums in waterways and their operations spread  from Badagry to Epe to Lagos Island, Oshodi to Ikorodu and every water side area.   But, you must equally understand that if the waters  are not deep enough, we would not carry out such operations.”

Copyright: VanguardNGR

Deeper Life crusade revives lives in Ajegunle, others

For some curious observers, Ajegunle, a densely populated area of Lagos, which is widely noted for its high level of crime and violence, among others, has received a divine touch.
AJ City, as it is popularly called because of its notorious nature, has always been held, in some quarters, as a city that would never change its spots, just like the leopard.
But last Tuesday, at the Lagos City-Wide Crusade, organized by the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ajegunle, unfortunately to its critics, took a departure from its old chip.
Shortly after the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, finished his ministration and left, many of the participants at the AJ City crusade besieged the altar, where the man of God was, and poured out their heart desires to the Lord, yearning for righteousness.

Euriel Momah, a civil servant with the Lagos State Government, who obliged a graphic picture of the event, pointed out that it was an unprecedented scene, as many of them did not want to go home, unlike other locations where participants would be in a hurry to leave the venue, depicting Ajegunle’s readiness for positive change.

He remarked that Ajegunle, which many a social commentator has always believed to be a never do well area, was in obvious hunger and expectations, showing an attitude of “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.”
Momah said: “They held on to prayers even after the crusade has closed for the night. They swooped on the altar in earnest prayers of faith.
It was a clear demonstration of their determination not to go back home with their burdens until their problems are solved. God does not overlook such faith.”
Aside Ajegunle, other areas where the crusade had been held equally recorded significant impact – people discovering their God. Some of the participants, who relived their experiences, said it was worthwhile, both in salvation of souls and solution to physical needs.
In Ikorodu, information gathered revealed, over 4,682 people, including chiefs, surrendered their lives to Christ. In Ikeja, over 2,000 converts were recorded, while in Alimosho, many people got themselves reconciled with God.
Also, in Alimosho, a lot of miracles took place. Mary Edy’s four and half year-old daughter, Stella, who could not speak, was miraculously healed after Pastor Kumuyi’s prayer. Before then, Stella had been taken to several private and public hospitals, including LUTH. She was later slated for brain test, which would cost N50,000.
Mrs. Dele Joseph, who had incessant cough and pain on both right and left ribs for over a year, equally received her healing. Prior to her miracle, Dele had gone to Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, where an x-ray revealed that her left chest was blank. Therefore, she was recommended for CT scan, but she could not do it due to faulty machine.
Two weeks ago, another x-ray was carried out on her for TB and bronchopneumonia. Even though the TB test result was negative, Dele kept coughing and could not take deep breath, while the pains persisted. But on Wednesday, after the prayer, the pains in both ribs stopped and now she could take deep breath, which was not possible before.
Uchenna Diei, who had stroke that affected her right side of the body and speech, also related her story. She could not talk and walk. She had sought medical attention and prayers. After Pastor Kumuyi’s prayer, she could talk and walk unhindered.
Ayo Odunukan disclosed that she had an accident on May 9, 2015, which resulted in a fracture on her left leg. According to her, she was slated for operation in the hospital, but when she came for the crusade, she was miraculously healed and had to abandon crushes. Now, she could walk unaided.

Mary Adeniyi Adebori, who was deaf and dumb for seven years, could now speak fairly, while Mr. Bolaji Oloye, who had prostate cancer since 2011 and visited several hospitals without solution, received his healing and now totally freed after the prayer. Fatimo Wahab, who claimed she was spiritually attacked, had her hands physically squeezed as if tied together for 15 years. But after the prayer, the yoke was broken and her hands got loosed.
An analyst, Jones Bagbe, noted that life in Lagos, prior to the crusade, had been full of challenges, even with so many churches and religious houses in the state. He also lamented that the level of immorality, criminality, cultism and waywardness had been alarming, but the crusade had brought a lease of life.
According to him, when considering the fact that those who responded to the altar call were mostly in the youth categories, the crusade would definitely enhance positive socio-moral disposition in the state.
Bagbe said: “I was told that a location recorded over 4,000 converts. If this level of converts is repeated in all the 18 locations in Lagos where the crusade is holding, it will drastically reduce the level of criminality in the society.
“Not only in the criminal aspect of the society, but also in other areas. Something that baffles me when I see those who came out after the miracle prayer to give their testimony is the number of cases of stroke-related cases, and this is also quite alarming among men and women.
“Among them are those who have not been walking on their own for years and with so many other cases like a man from Isolo Crusade location who had travelled to India for an operation to remove a tumour without any success but at the crusade the tumour was taken away by the power in the name of Jesus Christ.
“The impact of this Crusade can never be overemphasized, looking at the participation and the joy that pervade the entire arena where the crusade was held. More so, many people were not sure that the man of God, Pastor Kumuyi, would be or not to be in attendance but it was a great jubilation when the pastor appeared there.

“Then, there was this aspect of the CAN collaboration in the crusade. The experience at Ajegunle location of the crusade is another story. The CAN mass choir thrilled the whole congregation to a wonderful rendition. Even Pastor Kumuyi clapped for them after their rendition. It has been a wonderful time in all the locations visited so far,” he stressed.

A cross section of worshippers

The Chief Executive Officer of Nouvelle Communications , Mr. Steve Obidi, who admitted that his faith in the power of God’s word has been strengthened, noted that the crusade would help to solve some moral problems in Lagos.
Obidi added: “Little drops of water make a mighty ocean. Certainly, the people that are transformed by the gospel message during this programme will begin to brighten the corners where they live and work and affecting other people positively. That is how enduring change happens.
“Seeing sinners – some of them hardened criminals and grossly immoral fellows – turn a new leaf in response to gospel message and gracious work of the Holy Spirit is both exciting and reassuring. And much of such has been witnessed in this crusade series.
“This is apart from the numerous direct divine interventions in the aspect of healing and deliverance being witnessed at the crusades. This kind of thing that positively touches lives brings joy to individuals, families and the city,” he further said.
Felix Orogun, another analyst, did not mince words when he said that the crusade, so far, had transformed lives, reconciled men to God and turned many away from sinful ways, thus bringing moral reawakening in the state.
While urging participating churches to build on the gains of the crusade, Orogun stated: “There is a great revival going on in my life with a renewed hope and confidence in the God that is able to do all things as a result of this programme. I have freedom from all oppression.

Suspect attacks police, escapes on way to court

An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Agege in the Ikeja Magisterial District has remanded Sunday Akpan (23) in prison custody for allegedly escaping police custody with  hand cuffs, property of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the prosecution, the suspect, standing trial in a case of alleged assault, escaped from police custody on Sept 11, 2015 while being taken to  court for arraignment.

The prosecution told the court that the suspect, in hand-cuffs, and accompanied by a female Investigating Police Officer (IPO), pushed the latter out from a taxi inside traffic along Akilo Road, Ogba,   Lagos and took to his heels.
It alleged that efforts by the IPO to catch him proved abortive until September 12, when the suspect’s elder brother, Emmanuel Nathaniel Akpan, came to the police station and demanded that the police produce his brother whom they arrested for assault on September 7.

The source added that, after serious interrogation by the police, the elder brother confessed that the suspect escaped from police custody and was at home. He was then compelled to lead the police to their house in Alapere area of Lagos where both of them were arrested. The prosecution asked the court not to grant bail to the two suspects, stressing that they would disappear, particularly as they had not produced the police hand cuffs.
The court ordered that the main suspect be remanded in prison custody while his elder brother that allegedly aided and abetted him be granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Both matters were adjourned for ruling on bail for the remanded suspect and mention for the second suspect.

Ojuelegba tragedy: Truck owner, driver remanded in prison

The owner of the truck that fell and killed three people at Ojuelegba area of Lagos State, on September 2, Kilani Ojo Adesanya, alongside the driver of the truck,  Wasiu Adeleke, are to spend another 20 days in prison.
The  extension of their remand resulted from the objection raised by their counsel, Mr. W. O. Toriola, who vehemently opposed that their plea  be taken in a consolidated charge against the duo.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, informed the court of an application by the police to substitute the charges against each of the defendants.
But their counsel, Toriola objected, saying that the business of the day was for the court to rule on their bail application.
Toriola also informed the court that the police cannot apply for the substitution of the charges rather such can only be consolidated.
He therefore prayed the court for an adjournment, to enable him file a formal application in objection to the substitution of the charges against his clients.
The Magistrate, Folashade Botoki, at the instance of the counsel, adjourned the matter till October 12, and ordered that the duo be returned to  prison custody.

The  31 year-old truck driver, Wasiu Adeleke, was arraigned before the court on 11-count charge bordering on gross negligence and reckless disregard for human life, reckless and dangerous driving, driving in public highway without valid driver’s licence and a valid MOT Test Certificate.
Similarly, the owner of the truck, Kilani Ojo Adesanya, 50, was arraigned on two-count charge of giving the truck to a driver without driving documents.

How policeman shot my mother to death —9-yr-old narrates

The wailing of 11 months old Elijah Ekpo yesterday, at Jakande Estate Oke-Afa , Isolo Lagos, sprang the curiosity of other commuters at the bus-stop on whether the woman carrying him was his biological mother. The crying baby held unto the blouse of the woman , wanting to force her breast out of it. From all indication it was obvious that he wanted to be breast- fed.
Curious commuters urged the woman to find a place to sit down and breast feed the baby. Rather than heed the advice, the woman burst into tears, an action that attracted this reporter.
Her reason for breaking down was not far fetched as it was discovered that the mother of the 11-month-old baby was lying stone dead at the Igando General Hospital morgue.
Fate played a cruel role in the life of young Elijah Wednesday night at Obalagbe , in Ijegun area of the state, after his mother was added to the list of victims of the recklessness of trigger happy cops.
Her father, Mr Godwin Ekpo , a tricycle operator, was reportedly returning home from Mount of Victory Church , located in Orilowo Ejigbo , with his wife and their four children in his tricycle, popularly known as Keke Marwa ,  when one Police Corporal, Musefun Aremu, attached to Isheri-Oshun division flagged him to stop. It was gathered that Aremu allegedly demanded for N200 from the operator , for plying beyond the stipulated time for tricycle. But Ekpo was said to have explained that he was returning from church and that the time was just 8pm.
At that moment, his wife , Idongesit Comfort , who was with their youngest child , Elijah reportedly came down from the tricycle and showed the policeman her bible, with an explanation that she was not a passenger as assumed by the policeman but the operator’s wife.
But the Aremu was said to have insisted on getting his money. Report said Ekpo angrily gave him N50 which he refused, insisting that it was not complete .
Angry at his defiance, Ekpo attempted to enter the tricycle, with his wife following behind. But to the shock of all , Corporal Aremu who earlier threatened to shoot if Ekpo attempted to move the tricycle from the spot, made do his threat as he released a bullet from his AK 47 riffle.
Unfortunately for the couple, the bullet pierced through the skull of Idongesit , killing her on the spot.
At the sound of the gun shot, Ekpo reported turned , only for the bullet which shut out from his wife’s skull to hit him at the jaw.
Narrating what happened that fateful night, one of the children, Blessing (9), said in tears “My mummy was killed by the policeman. We were all in the  keke marwawhen we heard the gun shot. Immediately , my mummy fell down. She fell on Elijah . She could not move. Blood was all over her . Elijah was crying from where he was trapped under her. My daddy was shouting ‘they have killed me ooo’.

“My elder sister was screaming, calling for help. I was the only one that went and held one of the policemen by the trouser. I was shouting at the top of my voice that ‘you people have killed my mummy. Come and take my mummy to the hospital. People who heard the gun shot rushed to where we were and brought Elijah out of my mummy’s weight. His body was covered with blood”. She burst into tears while trying to talk. But her words were inaudible.
She explained that the killer cop and members of his team immediately left the scene. The body of Mrs Ekpo was reportedly taken to the Isheri-Oshun division by sympathizers, from where it was taken to the hospital where she was certified dead,while her husband was rushed to the Lagos. University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
It was discovered that the incident occurred barely four days after the family moved to Ijegun.
The killing of Idongesit sparked off a protest next day, where the protesters complained about the excesses of policemen attached to that particular division.
It was alleged that three days before tragedy struck, Corporal Aremu had broken a commercial motorcyclist’s skull with the butt of his gun for not giving him N50 . Two weeks earlier, he reportedly sprayed tear-gas canisters on some tricycle operators for refusing to give him an undisclosed amount.
Killer cop, arrested arraigned in court

Aremu

The killer cop and members of his team have since been arrested on the order of the visibly angry Commissioner of Police , with the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Officer queried.
28 year-old Aremu was arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s court yesterday on a two count charge of murder and causing grievous body harm.
The prosecutor Godwin Osuyi, told the court that Aremu allegedly   killed late Comfort (Idongesit) Godwin Ekpo and also wounded her husband, Godwin Sunday Ekpo , with his official rifle, AK 47, at Ijegun area of the state, at about 8pm.Osuyi, said that Aremu unlawfully shot the deceased dead , an offence he said was punishable under sections 221 and 243 of the Criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.
Aremu’s plea was not taken, as the prosecutor applied that he   be remanded in prison custody pending the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.
Consequently, Magistrate Afolashade Botoku ordered that the defendant should be remanded in prison custody for the next 30 days, with the matter adjourned till October 19, 2015.
However, in defence , Aremu stated that he never meant to kill the woman, denying that he also demanded money from his victims.
He said, “We were stationed at Obalagbe when we saw the  keke Marwa  coming at about 12 midnight which was against the stipulated time for them to operate. When we stopped him, he refused. Rather, he hit our vehicle, in an attempt to escape. All I did was to aim at the tyres of the  keke marwa  .  Unfortunately the bullet hit the woman from behind and also hit the man in the jaw. I never meant to kill anybody. It was just a mistake. If he had not run, I would not have fired”, he said.
But  Crime Guard  gathered that the vehicle the policemen stationed at the spot was properly labelled, an outright disregard to the Inspector General of Police directive that policemen should not use any vehicle that is has no inscription of the Police on it . Some of the policemen were also said to have been in mufti.

Vandals kill 9 DSS operatives in Arepo

Nine operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, were on Tuesday night shot dead by vandals at Konu, a border between Arepo in Ogun State and Ikorodu, Lagos State, even as scores of persons have been declared missing as a result of the attack on the area.

At press time, no one could ascertain the command the operatives were from.
The activities of the vandals spilled over to Oke-Oko, Ikorodu area of Lagos State as residents deserted the community, following an attack by the vandals, suspected to be militants.
The incident occurred around 5pm on Tuesday, and left an unidentified number of persons missing. Unconfirmed report said the killing of the DSS operatives occurred less than six hours, after seven other security operatives were allegedly killed at the Ishawo area of Ikorodu by suspected vandals.
Killing DSS operatives, policemen
The killing of the DSS operatives occurred barely three weeks after four policemen were shot dead by vandals at Ikorodu area of Lagos,with their bodies suspected to have been taken away by the vandals still missing.
Vanguard gathered that the over 20 vandals, clad in black shirts and trousers, with red bands tied round their heads, stormed Arepo creeks where they broke a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC .
They reportedly loaded over eight trucks with petroleum product siphoned from the pipelines, while their members drove the trucks through Konu.
There were, however, different accounts on to how the DSS operatives were killed as a version of the account had it that the operatives who acted on a tip off, stormed Konu to effect the arrest of the vandals and the trucks load of petroleum product.
Ambush
The DSS operatives reportedly ran into the ambush laid by the vandals who opened fire on them, killing nine on the spot.
Another account had it that the operatives had gone to Ikorodu to attend the social wake-keep of one of their colleagues but had fire opened on them by the vandals who thought they were in the area to arrest them.
The exact number of operatives that left for the operation could, however, not be ascertained last night but Vanguard gathered that the vehicle they rode in to the area was still at the spot at about 1pm yesterday.

It could also not be ascertained whether the bodies of the slain operatives were taken away by their assailants.
Vanguard was reliably informed that vandals suspected to be militants have taken over Arepo creeks and have dared security operatives to come and dislodge them.
It was also gathered that aside yesterday’s killing, other security operatives have been killed, with their bodies taken to the creeks where they are buried in shallow graves.
Appeal to Ogun govt
At the moment, residents of Konu are appealing to Ogun State government to nip activities of vandals in the bud to prevent the problem from spinning out of control.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Yesterday’s shots was like a theatre of war. Though we are used to gun shots around this area, it has never been like this in recent times.
“There is no night that we don’t see tankers driving in and out through this route. Most times, some of them would drive the trucks, while other will follow behind in different cars.
Sporadic gun shots
“They usually announce their arrival with sporadic gunshots, while others will just hang around making phone calls. But nobody dares to challenge them . If you do, they descend on you and ask if the oil belongs to your father. At times, they will even kill the person. So, we are living in fear.”
Spokesman of Lagos State police command, Joe Offor, could not state exactly who were killed but simply stated that the sounds of gun shots were heard by policemen attached to Owutu.
“We don’t know whether anyone was killed, we do not know whether any DSS operative was also killed. What we know is that there were skirmishes in that area yesterday (Tuesday) night,” he said.
Efforts to reach his Ogun State counterpart, Muyiwa Adejobi, failed as calls were being diverted.
Also efforts to reach spokesman of Lagos State command of DSS, Mr Ade, could not also go through.
Sources at the DSS, however, gave a conflicting figure on the number of those who lost their lives. While some put the number at six, others said they were five. DSS sources, however, stated that those killed were policemen and not their personnel.

Bribe-taking Policemen Shoot At Couple, Kill Wife

Motorcycle drivers on Thursday shut down the Ijegun Road in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, after a woman, Idongesit Ekpo, and her husband, Godwin, were shot by a team of policemen attached to the Isheri Osun Police Division.
While Idongesit died on the spot, Godwin was said to be in a critical condition at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was taken for treatment.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the couple was returning from a church programme on Wednesday in a tricycle belonging to the family.
 Our correspondents were told that Godwin met a police checkpoint at Obalagbe bus stop, where some other tricycle drivers were being reportedly extorted by an eight-man police team.
He was said to have been flagged down by one of the policemen, but as he sped past, one of the officers shattered his windscreen with a baton.
A police corporal, identified as Aremu Musesiu, was said to have opened fire on the tricycle. It was learnt that the bullet pierced through the tricycle back side and hit Idongesit, who was breastfeeding a three-month-old baby.
Her husband, Godwin, who looked back when the shot was fired, was said to have also been hit in the neck. The policemen were said to have hurriedly taken money from the tricycle drivers they had earlier detained, before fleeing the scene.
Tricycle drivers in the community trooped out on Thursday to protest the death and demanded justice for the victims.
The protesters held placards, some of which read, ‘Isheri Police, your generation will suffer,’ ‘Stop killing us,’ among others.
protest train went to the Isheri Osun Police Station, where they met a team of armed policemen in more than six vans. An Armoured Personnel Carrier was also mounted on the road to the station.
The Financial Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Lagos State branch, Chinanzor Ifechiga, was brutalised and her telephone seized by the Divisional Police Officer. Ifechiga, who was accused of filming the protest and taking pictures, was manhandled by eight policemen, who struggled to take the phone from her on the order of the DPO.
The protesters left the station for Ijegun Road, where they ordered other tricycle operators to cease work. Six police vans packed full with policemen from Idimu, Igando, Ikotun, Gowon Estate and Isheri Osun divisions, were observed by our correspondents on the road.
A tricycle driver, Henry Chibuzor, said the couple was shot at around 10pm on Wednesday. He said, “I was going home around 10pm when I saw the eight-man team asking me to stop at a checkpoint. I was there with four other tricycle drivers.

“The man was coming from church with his family. As he got to the junction, he swerved and his tricycle mistakenly brushed their patrol van. “A policeman hit the tricycle’s windscreen with a baton and damaged it. The second policeman fired a bullet which hit the woman in the neck, came out from the other side, and hit her husband too.”
He said the policemen collected N5,000 from him and also extorted money from other tricycle drivers. Another witness, Kabiru Olaoye, said the residents quickly formed a crowd at the scene and prevented the policemen from leaving. He added that the cops called for reinforcement, adding that officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and policemen from surrounding divisions arrived at the scene and rescued the killer-cops. Olaoye said, “The policemen, who perpetrated the havoc, were eight in number and they included Demola and Aremu. Aremu was the one who fired the shot.”
PUNCH Metro learnt that while the woman died immediately, the man was quickly rushed to the Igando General Hospital.
“The man was rejected at the Igando hospital and was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at Ikeja.” A tricycle driver, Oladimeji Ayinde, said the police deposited the remains of the victim in a mortuary.
It was learnt that the family tricycle had been taken to the Area M Police Command, while the children of the victims were with the police.
A member of the tricycle drivers association in the area, Bamidele Olorunshogo, said tricycle drivers in the community were being constantly harassed by the police in the Isheri Osun station. Olorunshogo said, “Their mode of operation is that whenever the police arrest you, you will pay at least N3,000. If you don’t have the money on you, you will be allowed to go home and bring the money.”
Another member of the association, Salman Aboyeji, told PUNCH Metro that the police at the station were fond of unlawful arrest and detention of drivers. He said the protest that greeted the death of Idongesit, led to the release of 13 other tricycle drivers, who had been arrested under controversial circumstances.
Albert Itekena, a 300-level student of Political Science, who also operates a tricycle in the community, called for an end to the intimidation. A member of the CDHR, Ifechiga, who was allegedly brutalised during the Thursday protest called for justice.
Ifechiga said, “The DPO said I was one of them (the police) and I should not join the protesters. Because I refused, he said I should release my phone to him. “He said he would disgrace me before everybody.
“He pointed a gun at me and the crowd dared him to shoot. He then ordered eight policemen to beat me up because I refused to give him my phone. He humiliated me before the protesters. But I am determined to get justice for the couple; and I want my phone back.” The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the incident, said Aremu had been arrested and detained.
He added that the DPO of Isheri Osun had also been issued a query for disobeying the Inspector General of Police’s instruction. He said, “The police are doing all in our capacity to ensure that the deceased’s children are taken care of. The police corporal involved has been taken into custody. When we complete all necessary disciplinary action, he will be charged to court for murder.
“The team leader and the DPO of Isheri Osun division have also been issued queries for disobeying the IG with regards to policemen performing duties out of uniform, and without a properly-labelled police van.”

Ambode’s 100 days: PDP’s assessment laughable — APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State has blasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for scoring  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode low, describing the assessment as laughable.
Speaking through its Publicity Secretary in the state, Joe Igbokwe, APC said PDP could not recognize achievement when it saw one and wondered how a party that wrecked Nigeria in 16 years of disastrous leadership could assess performance of a party that had taken Lagos to new heights as one of the few mega cities of the world.
APC said Lagos PDP lacked sense of reasoning on what performance was.
It stated: “We see the laughable outings of Lagos PDP in the media after its last disastrous electoral woes as tortuous efforts to stave off its certain death.

“We see their laughable efforts to critique the government in Lagos as borne out of the near death struggle to survive its own huge liabilities as a failed party that ran a failed government that prodded Nigeria to the precincts of a failed nation.
“We wonder what else could make a party that failed woefully in 16 years and which suffered a disastrous electoral defeat as a consequence, to be so obsessed with performance in the first one hundred days than trying to stay afloat when it is being washed away by the tides of history.”
“However, we want to educate Lagos PDP on performance in office, should they continue to deliberately believe that Nigerians are fooled by their antics.

NDLEA arrests notorious drug baron with cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday said it had arrested a suspected notorious drug baron, Azubuike Odugwe, over unlawful importation of 1.025kg of cocaine.

The Agency’s Spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said in a statement made available in Abuja that the arrest was made during inward screening of passengers on Emirates airline flight from Dubai.

It said that Odugwe was found with wraps of powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

“ Odugwe, who is currently on bail over several drug charges brought against him by the Agency, was found with wraps of cocaine at the MMIA, Lagos.

“The wraps of cocaine were packed in duty-free polythene inside his luggage.

“This mode of drug concealment in duty-free bags is similar to the last drug charge involving him,’’ it said.

The statement also said that the suspected drug kingpin told investigators during interrogation that he had made a big mistake.

It said that Odugwe had pleaded not guilty to previous charges where drugs were not found on him, alleging that his enemies were behind his trial.

It also said that Ahmadu Garba, an NDLEA commander, described the arrest as a sign of what to expect in the future and promised to make the airport difficult for drug traffickers.

“I am happy with this high profile arrest. It is a good way to start and sign of better days ahead.

“The suspect travelled to Dubai on Sept. 6 and was arrested on Sept. 10 on arrival at the Lagos airport,” Garba said.

Ahmadu Giade, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, was also quoted as saying that the arrest of Odugwe was rewarding for the country’s fight against drugs.

“The game is up for the suspect who has been charged to court for sponsoring several drug couriers.

“This latest arrest is like the icing on the outstanding charges against him. He claimed to be an importer of legitimate goods but his source of income had been exposed.

“We shall diligently prosecute and dispossess him of illegal drug proceeds,’’ he said.

Giade also assured Nigerians that no drug baron shall escape the dragnet of justice.

On May 12, 2010,Odugwe was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Liman at the Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos, on three count charge of conspiracy, aiding and unlawful importation of heroin.

The accused pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge and was remanded in prison custody.

Odugwe was nabbed in a follow-up operation to the arrest of Josephine Olehi who was caught with 3.150kg of heroin at the Lagos airport on Dec. 29, 2009 on arrival from Dubai aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight.

He had also been linked with two other cases involving heroin trafficking. He was arrested for sponsoring one Anagozie John Kennedy to Pakistan on July 26, 2007 to import 1.296 kilogrammes of substances that tested positive for heroin.

Similarly, on March 11, 2009, Odugwe was rearrested after another foiled attempt by him to take delivery of 3kg of heroin from a drug courier, Sodiq Hameed.

The drug was packed in a polythene bag and concealed inside a duty-free polythene bag similar to the mode of concealment adopted by Josephine Olehi.

The statement further said investigation conducted by the Agency then pointed to the accused as the mastermind of several cases involving unlawful importation of narcotics into the country, adding that Odugwe will be charged to court soon.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday said it had arrested a suspected notorious drug baron, Azubuike Odugwe, over unlawful importation of 1.025kg of cocaine.
The Agency’s Spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said in a statement made available in Abuja that the arrest was made during inward screening of passengers on Emirates airline flight from Dubai.
It said that Odugwe was found with wraps of powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
“ Odugwe, who is currently on bail over several drug charges brought against him by the Agency, was found with wraps of cocaine at the MMIA, Lagos.
“The wraps of cocaine were packed in duty-free polythene inside his luggage.
“This mode of drug concealment in duty-free bags is similar to the last drug charge involving him,’’ it said.
The statement also said that the suspected drug kingpin told investigators during interrogation that he had made a big mistake.
It said that Odugwe had pleaded not guilty to previous charges where drugs were not found on him, alleging that his enemies were behind his trial.
It also said that Ahmadu Garba, an NDLEA commander, described the arrest as a sign of what to expect in the future and promised to make the airport difficult for drug traffickers.
“I am happy with this high profile arrest. It is a good way to start and sign of better days ahead.
“The suspect travelled to Dubai on Sept. 6 and was arrested on Sept. 10 on arrival at the Lagos airport,” Garba said.
Ahmadu Giade, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, was also quoted as saying that the arrest of Odugwe was rewarding for the country’s fight against drugs.

“The game is up for the suspect who has been charged to court for sponsoring several drug couriers.
“This latest arrest is like the icing on the outstanding charges against him. He claimed to be an importer of legitimate goods but his source of income had been exposed.
“We shall diligently prosecute and dispossess him of illegal drug proceeds,’’ he said.
Giade also assured Nigerians that no drug baron shall escape the dragnet of justice.
On May 12, 2010,Odugwe was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Liman at the Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos, on three count charge of conspiracy, aiding and unlawful importation of heroin.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge and was remanded in prison custody.
Odugwe was nabbed in a follow-up operation to the arrest of Josephine Olehi who was caught with 3.150kg of heroin at the Lagos airport on Dec. 29, 2009 on arrival from Dubai aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight.
He had also been linked with two other cases involving heroin trafficking. He was arrested for sponsoring one Anagozie John Kennedy to Pakistan on July 26, 2007 to import 1.296 kilogrammes of substances that tested positive for heroin.
Similarly, on March 11, 2009, Odugwe was rearrested after another foiled attempt by him to take delivery of 3kg of heroin from a drug courier, Sodiq Hameed.
The drug was packed in a polythene bag and concealed inside a duty-free polythene bag similar to the mode of concealment adopted by Josephine Olehi.

The statement further said investigation conducted by the Agency then pointed to the accused as the mastermind of several cases involving unlawful importation of narcotics into the country, adding that Odugwe will be charged to court soon.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/ndlea-arrests-notorious-drug-baron-with-cocaine/#sthash.5sbiGSav.dpuf