Nation
Police Arrest Four Robbery, Cult Suspects, Reject N500,000 Bribe In Lagos
The Police in Lagos State, said they have arrested four suspected armed robbers and cultists, rejecting a N500,000 bribe offered by the suspects to secure their freedom.
The police spokesman in Lagos, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the arrest yesterday in a statement.
Ajisebutu said that an Anti-crime patrol team from Area ‘J’ Command, Elemoro, carried out the arrest during a routine stop and search operation on September 4, at about 12.30 a.m.
He said that one of the suspects simply identified as Timothy, 23 years old, a resident of No. 9, Baale street, Majek, Ajah, was arrested at General Paint Garden area, Lekki in Lagos.
Ajisebutu said one locally-made double barrel gun and two live cartridges, including an expended cartridge concealed in a bag were recovered from the suspect.
The spokesman said another suspect, who claimed to be a cultist with the Aye Confraternity, simply identified as Toheed, 22 years old, was arrested with a live cartridge at the General Paint ghetto area, Ajah at about 12.45 a.m. on September 4.
The image maker further said that two more suspects were arrested for allegedly offering N500,000 bribe to the police to secure the release of the two suspects earlier arrested.
“While one 34-year-old Sunday, resident of 66, Henry Smith Close, Abidjan GRA, Ajah, offered N400,000 cash to secure the release of the first suspect (Timothy), one Akeem, 43 years old, offered the sum of N100, 000 cash to secure the second suspect (Toheed).
“Determined to ensure justice through thorough investigation, the uncompromising police officers in charge of the case rejected the bribe,” he said.
Ajisebutu said the Commissioner of police in Lagos, CP Hakeem Odumosu commended the professionalism and uncompromising act of the police officers, admonishing other officers to emulate the incorruptible ones.
“The CP has, however, directed that the case be transferred to the command’s Tactical Team for further investigations and prosecution,” he said.
The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has granted bail to 91 inmates.
He also completely discharged four others during the first-quarter jail delivery exercise for 2025 at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Katsina.
Speaking at the event yesterday, Justice Danladi explained that the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres carefully assessed the cases before recommending the inmates for release.
Factors considered included age, length of time spent in custody, and medical conditions.
He further announced that going forward, the personal details and photographs of released inmates would be officially recorded to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
Addressing the freed individuals, he urged them to stay on the right side of the law, emphasising that another chance at clemency might not be available if they reoffend.
The Katsina State Controller of Corrections, CC Umar Baba, praised the initiative, stating that such interventions ease congestion, improve prison conditions, and support rehabilitation efforts.
He also called on judges and magistrates to consider alternative sentencing options to prevent unnecessary detentions and allow correctional facilities to focus on reforming and reintegrating offenders into society.
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out murder charges against Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The Tide’s source recalls that the trio have been facing murder charges following the December 2024 children’s event stampede that led to the death of 35 children.
Justice B. K. Olawoyin delivering judgment yesterday, ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian activities.
The court dismissed the four count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
The Nigerian Military high command has stated that it is unaware of any community in the Northwest negotiating or entering peace agreements with bandits and terrorists for protection.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed reports suggesting such peace deals.
He questioned why any community would resort to negotiations, given the sustained military offensives against terrorist groups.
“The military is carrying out its operations in line with established protocols for internal security. If any community claims to be seeking peace with bandits, the military does not support that,” Kangye asserted.
He further emphasised that joint military operations, in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, have remained relentless in tackling terrorism and organised crime.
Throughout the past week, troops conducted a series of combat patrols, raids, ambushes, clearance operations, and search-and-rescue missions, resulting in significant successes.
According to Kangye, several terrorists were neutralised, their collaborators were captured, and kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
