Security File with Enani Benson
IGP ORDER PROBE INTO THREAT TO LIFE IN IKORODU
The Inspector–General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has ordered investigation into a case of alleged threat to life, harassment, intimidation, unlawful possession of arms and ammunition reported against a group of people in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The IGP gave the order following a petition received in his office dated August 28, 2014.
The petition emanated from ZITA Agorunobi Chambers and signed by Barrister Tunji Busari on behalf of Mosenne Chieftaincy Family of Ikorodu, alleging that a group of people attacked Mr. Taofiq Olomo Mosenne and some members of his family on May 12, 2004 while conducting routine check on the family land.
The petition read: “They were surprised when they were waylaid by these unknown men carrying offensive and assorted rifles and cudgels, cutlasses among other unknown arms and local charms. Our clients took to their heels and fled for dear lives and those hooligans could live up to their threat.”
Detectives from the Monitoring Unit of the office of the IGP Abuja last week reportedly detained four suspects in connection with the incident, while investigation has continued into the matter.
Meanwhile, the Mosenne Chieftaincy family members have filed a suit at the Lagos High Court, Ikorodu Division, seeking among other reliefs a declaratory order granting the statutory rights of occupancy in respect of the entire large expanse of land situated at Oju-Ogbe along Beach Road, Ikorodu Lagos State, covered by the composite plan No. LA/1496/85, and an order granting beneficial owner of the land to the family.
Named as claimants in Suit IKD/84/2014 are Chief Adebayo Olomo (Olootu), Mr. Olukayode Olomo, Mr. Biodun Orikemi Lambo, Chief Wasiu .O. Sekoni, Chief (Mrs.) Raliat Shogbamu, Otunba Tajudeen Adelaja, Mrs. Sunkanmi Arepo vs the Sholebo family.
They also asked for an order setting aside any sale agreement or any land instrument issued by any authority whatsoever in respect of the land and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants in the case from selling, leasing or carrying out any construction on the vast track of land.
Robbery Suspects: We Rob for God
A gang of armed robbery suspects is at present singing like canary birds on their various atrocities at the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of Lagos State Police Command.
The suspects in their confessional statement claimed to be fighting for God with their illicit activities.
Their operational base, according to them, was in the heart of Lagos mega city. The robbery kingpins, which included the following; Mutalubi Abdullah, Ismailia Moruff, Opeyemi Akinyemi and Sarah Emmanuel, have been fingered behind several robbery operations in major areas of Lagos such as Ketu, Alapere, Agege, Mile 2, Oshodi, Sango, Yaba and others.
The suspects were arrested last month at Iyana Iyesi, Sango area of Ogun State by crack detectives that have been tailing them for quite some time. According to information, the suspects, until their arrest, specialized in robbing in traffic and hold ups within their targeted area of operations.
In his confession, Mutalubi Abdullahi who was a key player in the gang said he was carrying out his own operation, using a motorcycle as getaway.
“We were realising about N25,000 at least in each operation. My major areas of operation were Oshodi and Alapere areas where I usually operate on weekly basis. In the process of my own robbery, I used the gun in my possession to frighten people in order to make away with their pocessions,” he said.
Speaking over his reason for venturing into robbery, the Igbeti, Oyo State born-kingpin claimed that the earnings from his commercial motorcycle were low and this propelled him to engage in the act.
He further said: ”Though we don’t use charms as we don’t have any herbalist to help us with the job; but what we do before any operation was serious prayers to God. During such a prayer session, we usually asked God to protect us and ensure that the only people we rob are sinners. In addition, we would routinely tell God that we don’t want to rob innocent people, but people who have offended God because our robbery operations were like a fight for God to punish the offended against God,” Abdullahi said.
Another suspect, Opeyemi Akinyemi, 30, who is a father of two and resident at Abule Ijesha area of Lagos, while giving his accounts said he was a commercial motorcycle rider in the state before he was lured into armed robbery.
Akinyemi said: “During my own robbery operation in traffic jam, I usually observed carefulness as a watchword. I am so careful to the extent that only a few people in the same traffic will know I was operating. And in each of the operations, I made between N25,000 to N35,000”.
He said none of his family members knew if he was a robber. He also claimed to be a good Christian who never joked with prayers, especially before any robbery operation.
Meanwhile, Ismaila Moruff, 30, another member of the gang, while fielding questions from our correspondent confessed to the robbery crime.
The former automobile mechanical engineer who hails from Epe area of Lagos State said he was arrested at Iyana Iyesi area of Ogun State after which the police must have investigated him through one of his gang members who brought them to his residence.
Giving explanation over his own involvement in armed robbery, Moruff said his major area of operation was at Mile 2 where he had on various occasions disposed people of their belongings, especially mobile phones.
But Sarah Emmanuel, the only female and Cherubim and Seraphim member among the gang, said her major role in the various operations was to help keep arms and ammunition.
