Crime
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area command, has seized $6 million fake United States dollars amongst other prohibited items.
The Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, made this known to journalists during a briefing in Seme, on Thursday in Lagos.
He also said that four suspected members of cross border criminal syndicate were arrested.
Nnadi said that the command had recorded milestones in the last 13 days in its anti-smuggling operations.
“Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks by the command include the seizure of fake $6m equivalent of N2.763 billion and the arrest of two suspects conveying the fake currency from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
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“Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and are currently in our custody pending prosecution.
“The arrest was made at Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme corridor on Jan.31, 2023.
“Also, on the same day, at a about 05:30 a.m., our men on patrol along Gbethrome base intercepted six Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names,” he said.
He added that Senegalese, Togolese, Republic of Benin and Niger International Passports were also recovered alongside 1O international driving licence of various countries from two male suspects currently in custody for further investigation.
Nnadi said that the command also seized 1,300 by 30 litres Jerry can of petroleum equivalent to 39,000 litres with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N9,366,350.
According to the controller, the products were seized along the creeks.
“Other items seized include 55 sacks containing 550 pieces of donkey skin with DPV of N11,371,511 only.
“The significant of the seizure is that it shows how much our endanger speices are being eroded by unpatriotic elements.
“These achievements so far, were not made on a platter of gold, it took the painstaking efforts of the officers who spend hours on patrol and surveillance to record the seizures,” he said.
He, however, said that the major source of revenue of the command which is import and export had not been enhanced since the opening of the land borders as directed by the Federal Government.
Nnadi said that some traders were still bracing with the challenges of having been out of business for over two years.
He said the command would continue to engage and sensitise the public on socio-economic implication of smuggling as well as performing statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies.
The controller commended the collaborative efforts of other sister agencies in the fight against smuggling and appealed for sustained support.
Customs seize $6m fake US dollars, arrest 4 along Seme border
Crime
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three men, Azeez Sadiq, 35, Taiwo Olayinka, 30, and Monsuru Saheed, 21, were brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday, facing charges of kidnapping and theft. The suspects, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, were charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and stealing.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Christian Okonofua, the incident occurred on August 20 at around 12 p.m. near a Mobile petrol station behind F One Bar in Ikorodu, Lagos. The defendants, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly kidnapped two individuals from Ogun State and stole N13,000 from one of the victims.
Local residents apprehended the defendants and reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest. The charges brought against them contravene Sections 411, 172, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
During the court hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Magistrate O.A. Ogbe granted each defendant bail of N1 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must own landed property and provide proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate also ordered that the second charge be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice. The case was adjourned until October 3 for mention.
Crime
29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership
29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership
A 29-year-old man, Tobiloba Ogunbo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for being a member of a secret cult, following a ruling by the Ogun Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta.
Ogunbo, who had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, involvement in an unlawful society, and causing a public disturbance, was found guilty by Magistrate O.L. Oke. The court ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove Ogunbo’s involvement, leading to the conviction.
The court also noted that the convict will serve his sentence without the option of a fine.
Prosecutor Inspector Olaide Rawlings told the court that Ogunbo and several associates had injured a man, identified as Mr. Anu, during a confrontation in the Sabo area of Abeokuta on January 19, 2024. Following an investigation, Ogunbo was arrested, and he confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
The charges against Ogunbo violated Sections 45(b), 34, 36, and 37 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun 2016.
Crime
Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos
Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers involved in a ransom operation after collecting N3 million from the family of their victim.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. According to Hundeyin, the Isashi Police Division received a distress call around noon on Tuesday, reporting the abduction of an individual by unknown assailants in the Oke Moro area of Isashi.
Responding swiftly, police officers arrived at the scene, where they rescued a 24-year-old male victim and apprehended the three suspects.
“Initial investigations revealed the suspects had beaten the victim and demanded a ransom of N2 million, which the victim’s mother paid into two separate bank accounts,” Hundeyin said. He further explained that the suspects also forced the victim to transfer N1 million from his bank account and took his three Nigerian international passports, among other valuables.
The police are continuing their investigation and are working to apprehend others involved who managed to flee the scene.
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