Flowerbud News

Category: Security and Crimes

  • Breaking: “Attempted coup” suppressed by defense forces in Kinshasa, says DRC army

    Breaking: “Attempted coup” suppressed by defense forces in Kinshasa, says DRC army

     

    KINSHASA, (Xinhua) /Flowerbudnews:  – An “attempted coup” was suppressed on Sunday by defense and security forces in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said Brigadier General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the Congolese army.

    “The army reassures that the situation is under control and asks Kinshasa residents to freely go about their business,” the spokesperson said in a brief message broadcast on public television, specifying that several perpetrators of the act were arrested.

    At least three deaths were reported in incursions early Sunday by a group of attackers in neighborhoods where politicians and diplomatic missions reside in Kinshasa, according to local media.

    According to witnesses, “violent gunshots” were heard around 4:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Sunday near the residence of Vital Kamerhe, a federal legislator and a candidate for speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of the country’s bicameral parliament.

    Three people, including two police officers, were killed during the clashes, according to local media citing security sources.

    The attackers also entered the Palais de la Nation, the symbolic headquarters of the DRC Presidency in Kinshasa, and said via a livestream on Facebook that they were “fighting for the country.”

    DRC President Felix Tshisekedi primarily works at the Cite de l’Union Africaine (City of the African Union), a governmental complex situated in the Ngaliema commune of Kinshasa. The army spokesperson did not provide details on the situation of the president or Kamerhe

  • Troops foil kidnap attempt, neutralise 2 criminals in Imo

    Troops foil kidnap attempt, neutralise 2 criminals in Imo

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    Troops of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA have foiled an attempted kidnap of another law-abiding South-East illustrious personality (names withheld) at Umuaka community in Njaba LGA of Imo.

    The Spokesman of Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said in a statement on Saturday in Enugu that the kidnap was foiled by troops on routine patrol on Friday, May 17, 2024.

    According to Unuakhalu, the troops while on routine patrol at Umuaka, along Orlu-Owerri Road, were alerted of the kidnap incident and the escape route of the kidnappers..

    He said: “The troops swiftly pursued the kidnappers and made contact with them.

    “In the fire fight that ensued, the troops professionally neutralised one of the kidnappers and injured two others despite their attempts to use passer-by as human shield.

    “The troops recovered one AK 47 rifle with two loaded magazines and a motorcycle.”

    The spokesman said that similarly, troops in conjunction with personnel of Naval Base, Oguta, neutralised a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) terrorist group at Amagberedere village in Oguta LGA of Imo.

    He noted that during the raid operation conducted to the suspected hideout of the dissidents, the irredentists opened fire on sighting the troops.

     

    “But the soldiers responded appropriately and in the process neutralised one of the terrorists and recovered one pump action shotgun and two cartridges.

    “We commend the good people of Umuaka and Oguta communities for providing timely intelligence.

     

    “We continue to encourage the general public to provide timely information that will lead to the arrest of these criminal elements terrorising the law-abiding and peace-loving South-East people.

     

    “The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, beseech the support of all for restoration of peace in Imo State and the South-East in general,” he said.

    Unuakhalu also urged residents of the South-East to pass any information of security value to the military by using a mobile phone (cell-phone) and dialing 193 and Press Number 2 for quick intervention.

  • Kidnapped Kogi Students: IG Deploys Police Helicopter Component to Kogi to Battle Abductors

    Kidnapped Kogi Students: IG Deploys Police Helicopter Component to Kogi to Battle Abductors

     

    As Police Rescues 7 more of the kidnapped students

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Lokoja (Flowerbudnews):  The ongoing police operations to rescue remaining kidnapped students of CUSTECH has received a major boost with the IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun deploying police helicopter component to Kogi State to further battle the kidnappers.

    The Air Component of Police Security Apparatus is made up of Helicopter Crew specially trained for Aerial Surveillance, a Monitoring Team as well as Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) to sustain the onslaught against the kidnappers.

    The latest seven students rescued by the Police has brought to 21, the number of the kidnapped students so far saved from the kidnapper, a statement by SP William Ovye Aya, the Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command disclosed.

    The Kogi Police Command said that the reinforcement is in response to IGP’s unwavering passion about protecting lives and property of all Nigerians especially the safety of our Children in various Schools in the Country.

    ”The diligence and indomitable spirit of all the combined Team led to the rescue of additional seven (7) victims, bringing the total to Twenty-one (21),” Oveye Aya stated in the statement.

    ”Be it noted that “it is not over until it is over” so we should not rest on our Oars, instead all hands must be on deck to ensure all are safely rescued and perpetrators brought to deserved justice,’: the Police authorities stressed.

    It assured that the ”Kogi State Government as well as the University Community are satisfied with the Rescue Operations so far and commended the indubitable, unassailable level of cooperation, collaboration and synergy amongst the Security Agencies Local Vigilantes and Hunters in the State.”

    The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, CP Onuoha Bethrand expressed appreciation to Inspector-General of Police for the deployment of the Air Component, the Security Personnel to aid the current rescue efforts.

    CP Bethrand also thanked the Vigilantes/Hunters ”for their show of unprecedented and undiluted patriotism and altruism,” and also expressed appreciation to the people of Kogi State and the Press, for their show of concern and empathy.

    The Police Boss solicited the cooperation, collaboration and solidarity of the good people of Confluence State with the Police and other Security Agencies, saying,’: together, we shall ensure adequate Security of life and property of law-abiding citizens in the state.” Flowerbudnews)

  • Alleged $6bn Fraud: Agunloye Loses Bid to Stop Prosecution

    Alleged $6bn Fraud: Agunloye Loses Bid to Stop Prosecution

     

     By Biola Lawal 

    Flowerbudnews:  Justice Jude Onwueguzie of the Federal Capital Territory High, FCT, has  dismissed a preliminary objection by ex-minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye challenging Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC power to prosecute him.

    Agunloye is facing prosecution by the EFCC on seven-count charges bordering on suspected fraudulent Mambilla Power Project contract award to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars), Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman disclosed in a statement.

    On February 8, 2024, Agunloye had through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN) filed a motion challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him as well as that of the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

    In response, prosecution counsel Abba Muhammed filed a counter affidavit, dated February 22, 2024, where he dismissed Agunloye’s motion as incompetent and offensive to the provisions of Section 115(2) of the Evidence Act.

    Delivering ruling on Wednesday, Justice Onwuegbuzie struck out Agunloye’s motion for lack of merit and held that Section 6 and 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 gave the Commission investigative and prosecutorial powers to cause investigation into any act of economic and financial crimes.

    “On issues of whether the EFCC has the statutory power to investigate and prosecute before a court of  competent jurisdiction,  I have considered the application of the defence and the respondent, and I hold that the EFCC is charged with the investigation and prosecution of all economic and financial crimes including, contract scams, money laundering, advance fee fraud etc,   including the investigation and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws, also cause investigation to weather an individual or company, or anybody is likely to commit any crime.

    ”Since the instant charges brought against the defendant are economic and financial crimes in nature, the motion brought by the defendant lacks merit and is  hereby dismissed,” the judge ruled.

    Regarding the legitimacy of the prosecution fiat the Commission obtained from the Office of the Auditor-General rather than that of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF),   the judge held that any other state, authority or person was eligible to institute criminal prosecution in the absence of the AGF.

    “Even if the charge has no seal of the Attorney-General of the Federation,  that does not stop the potency of the charge, as the Attorney-General may decide on any member of his department he wishes to delegate his powers  to carry out his duties by law,” he said.

    He adjourned the matter till May 30, 2024 for continuation of trial. (Flowerbudnews)

     

     

  • NAF @ 60: 1,502 residents of Enugu benefit from NAF comprehensive, free medicare

    NAF @ 60: 1,502 residents of Enugu benefit from NAF comprehensive, free medicare

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    No fewer than 1,502 residents of Ogbowa-Abakpa community within Enugu metropolis have benefited from the Comprehensive Medical Outreach of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    The medical outreach covered: free health education, free consultation/medication, free insecticide treated nets, free dental and eye check, free laboratory tests and deworming of children.

    Flagging off the medical outreach on Wednesday, AVM Usman Abdullahi, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Ground Training Command of NAF, Enugu, said that the comprehensive medicare was part of programmes meant for the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of NAF.

    Abdullahi, represented by the Chief of Staff, Ground Training Command, Air Commodore Jerry Ekwuribe, noted that it was designed to meet the medical needs of the community that is one of the host communities of NAF.

    According to him, I am delighted to be in your midst today to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, established in 1964 by an Act of the Nigerian Parliament to preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity through the employment and projection of air power.

    “I am proud to say that the Airforce has in the years since its establishment proved its mettle both locally and internationally. I congratulate the Chief of the Air Staff and the entire Air Force family on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “Today’s medical outreach, which is part of the activities lined up for the NAF at 60 celebrations throughout the country, is aimed at ameliorating the hardship currently being experienced by the people in accessing healthcare.

    “The medical outreach, which is an initiative of the Chief of the Air Staff is an annual event that is conducted to deepen the existing civil military relations between the Nigerian Air Force and the host communities.

    “It is to further foster good working relationship between the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force and the residents of Ugbowa community in Abakpa Nike of Enugu State and its environ,” he said.

    The AOC said that the medicare would also cover distribution of insecticide treated nets for pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly for the prevention of malaria, adding: “Laboratory tests will be carried out for selected beneficiaries following doctors’ assessment.”

    “All complicated medical or surgical cases will be referred appropriately after the outreach. I, therefore, will enjoin you to make yourselves and families available to benefit maximally from this medical outreach,” he said.

    On the medical outreach, Squadron Leader Nelson Akinlose, Command Medical Officer, said that the turnout had been impressive and overwhelming even as the Command came with a full complement of medical professionals dutifully attending to the residents.

    Akinlose, who is also Commanding Officer 553 Base Services Group Medical Centre, Enugu, said: “The prevalent ailment diagnosed among the residents included upper respiratory tract infection, hypertension, high-blood sugar, fever suspected to be malaria and skin rashes in children.

    “On health education and awareness, we have advised that the residents keep their homes and environment clean; eat healthy foods with lots of fruits and vegetables; have at least six hours sleep daily and engage in physical exercise daily.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Roseline Nwosu, appreciated NAF for the free insecticide treated net and malaria drugs given to her and her daughter.

    “We will continue to pray for the success and preservation of all NAF officers and men for them to keep doing their good job,” Nwosu said.

    Another beneficiary, Pa Chimezie Nweke, said that NAF had given him large quantities of hypertension and blood sugar control drugs, adding: “I am grateful to NAF for taking care of my health burden, which runs into thousands of naira monthly.”

  • 4 suspected kidnappers of UNIABUJA lecturers, children docked, remanded in DSS custody

    4 suspected kidnappers of UNIABUJA lecturers, children docked, remanded in DSS custody

     

     

    Flowerbudnews

    Four suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping of University of Abuja (UniAbuja) lecturers and their children in 2021 was, on Monday, arraigned at a Federal High Court Abuja.

    They were arraigned by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) before Justice Donatus Okorowo on a two-count terrorism charge.

    Those arraigned are Adamu Abubakar; Nura Muhammed Ahmadu; Ismailia Abubakar and Abdulrahman Ado, also known as Yellow, as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.

    Prior to their arraignment, the four defendants signalled to the judge with intention to speak in the open court.

    Justice Okorowo, though initially held that since their lawyer was in court, they can speak through their counsel, the judge however gave them the leave to express themselves following their insistence.

    The suspects then told the court that since their arrest over two years ago, their families did not know their whereabouts.

    They complained that they were subjected to inhuman treatment without food and proper care.

    After they pleaded not guilty to the charge, AGF’s lawyer, David Kaswe, prayed the court to order their remand and sought a trial date.

    However, their counsel, C.S. Nwaogu, urged the court to order that the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre based on their complaints.

    He said this would allow their family members to have access to them.

    But Kaswe disagreed with Nwaogu.

    The government lawyer argued that due to the nature of the charge, the defendants should be remanded in the Department of State Service (DSS) custody.

    Justice Okorowo, who ordered the defendants to be remanded in the DSS facility, adjourned the matter until July 24 for trial.

    It would be recalled that gunmen had, on Nov. 2, 2021, invaded the UniAbuja Staff Quarters in Gwagwalada and abducted six persons, including Professor Joseph Adavani, Dr Ferguson Tobins, among others.

    The abductors, who contacted the families of the victims a day after their kidnap, demanded a ransom of N300 million.

    But the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, DSP Josephine Adeh, on Nov. 5, 2021, confirmed their release.

    According to her, the development followed the efforts of the command in a joint operation with other security agencies.

    She also stated that some suspects linked to the crime had been nabbed by security operatives.

    The Federal Government, through the Office of AGF, however, filed a two-count criminal charge against the four suspects.

    The charge, dated July 5, 2023, was filed July 11, 2023 by Kaswe, the Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    The Federal Government said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 15 and 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention)(Amendment) Act 2013.

  • Oyo State Govt. Cracks down on illegal miners in Oke Ogun

    Oyo State Govt. Cracks down on illegal miners in Oke Ogun

      

    Oyo State Govt. Cracks down on illegal miners in Oke Ogun

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The Oyo State Government has cracked down on activities of illegal miners in Sooro community in Kishi area of Oke Ogun, in the State

     

    The government also warned indegene and residents of Kishi and its environs who aid the miners, to desist from such acts capable of disrupting the security of lives and properties in the area and the state at large.

     

    Executive Assistant to Gov. Seyi Makinde on Security, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, gave the warning after a meeting of security stakeholders and traditional leaders with Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal.

     

    Illegal miners and some hoodlums in Sooro community of Kishi in Oke Ogun, over the weekend attacked security operatives who raided the illegal lithium mining market.

     

    Odukoya said it was the position of Oyo State government that everyone stood up to their responsibility in stopping activities of illegal mining, and ensuring adequate peace in the area.

     

     

    “We just had an intensive meeting with the deputy governor of the state over this illegal mining happening in Oke Ogun, especially in Soro.

     

    “The government has taken its position, which is that everybody has to stand up to their responsibility, to ensure adequate peace in our region.

     

    “The Kabiyesi has made a promise that he will make sure that the criminality that is happening within his area definitely comes to an end.

     

    “The government is still standing to ensure that the area remained peaceful, and the market at Soro remained closed until further directive is given by His Excellency,” Odukoya said.

    Also speaking, Director-General, Operation Burst, retired Colonel Oladipo Ajibola, said collaborative efforts of traditional leaders and joint security taskforce enabled instant restoration of peace and order in Sooro community.

     

     

    He added that thirty-two illegal miners including two Chinese migrants, were arrested and are under investigations.

     

     

    “Over the weekend there was an issue of insecurity as a result of illegal mining, security agencies were there to ensure that issues were resolved.

     

    “Some of the vehicles they were using to collect the product were stopped by some of the hoodlums, as a result of that it degenerated.

     

    “And the community leaders including our royal father, the Kabiyesi of Kishi had to intervene and other prominent leaders in Kishi.

     

    “With that effort of the security agencies, all the vehicles and the criminals were arrested,” he stated.

     

    Similarly, the Kishi traditional leader, represented by President of Kishi Indigene Union, Pharmacists Abdulrahman Bioku, assured the government of their support in the fight against illegal mining activities.

     

     

    “We as the community leaders, we know that it is the interest of the community that they have in heart, because without security there won’t be any development.

     

    “We are going back home with the advice given to us to ensure that security prevails in the community,” Bioku said. (NAN)

  • Breaking: Police Arrests Father for Abuse, Exploitation of 4-year old Daughter, Posting Video Online

    Breaking: Police Arrests Father for Abuse, Exploitation of 4-year old Daughter, Posting Video Online

     

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Police has apprehended a young father Auchi, Edo State for subjecting his 4-year old daughter to abuse and exploitation by posting online, the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents.

    Nigeria Police Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Monday that the Police Force had acknowledged the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving the 4-year-old child with the Instagram handle @officialsarah_ig, circulating on social media.

    Adejobi noted that the content portrayed the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents.

    ”The Force expresses profound shock and grave concern over the apparent exploitation of this vulnerable child and unequivocally condemns such actions in the strongest terms possible,” he said.

    The Police Spokesman disclosed that ”Prima facie investigations indicate the involvement of the child’s father, who has been apprehended by the Police at the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters, Edo State Police Command.”

    He assured that ”every necessary measure is being implemented to ensure that justice is swiftly served. As the investigation unfolds,” adding that ” it is imperative to establish proactive measures to guide and counsel parents, preventing the proliferation of such anomalies in our society.”

    ACP Adejobi stressed the importance of implementing support systems for parents and guardians to protect the safety and well-being of their children.

    ”It is crucial for caregivers to also prioritize the security of minors and seek assistance or guidance when required,” the Force Spokesman emphasise.

    ”The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding children and upholding the law,” Adejobi assured. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Unknown gunmen kills a middled-aged man, Khalid Bichi in Maitama, Abuja

    Unknown gunmen kills a middled-aged man, Khalid Bichi in Maitama, Abuja

     

    Flowerbudnews

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Unknown gunmen have reportedly killed a middled-aged man, Khalid Bichi in Maitama, Abuja

    Khalid Bichi, a Staff of FIRS with social media X handle @Khalid_Bichi, was trailed by his killers and shots many times after he went to get food around Maitama at about 9pm.

    He was rushed to Maitama General Hospital where he eventually died.

    Mr Bichi, is said to be a friend to influential politicians.

    He has since been buried  after  funeral prayer at the Abuja National Mosque.