-Military investigates
A Ukrainian plane loaded with weapons was, on Tuesday night, impounded by Air Force intelligence at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
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Four people; two pilots and two other foreign nationals, who were on board, were arrested, while some Nigerians who attempted to clear the weapons were also arrested.
A competent airport source, who confirmed the arrests, told journalists that the Air Force men, who impounded the plane, were on duty at the airport.
The plane, painted red and marked UR-CAK, according to sources, was impounded on the arrival terminal at the airport, based on intelligence report.
The impounded plane was seen parked at the airport, when the Nigerian Tribune visited the place, with security operatives mounting surveillance while sources said that investigations were on to know the mission and why such weapons were brought into Nigeria.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that security chiefs at the airport were meeting to ensure that the pilot gave details of their mission in Nigeria.
Sources at the airport revealed that the plane was going to Malabo, Equitorial Guinea and that it only stopped in Kano to refuel.
Those who spoke on the appearance of the plane and its crew gave kudos to the officers at the airport, adding that the flying in of the weapons was a big security threat to Nigeria.
The airport workers, while commenting on the development, said that the apprehension of the Ukrainian cargo plane was a job well done by the Nigerian security men.
All efforts to speak with the airport commandant of the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful. A top officer said he could not speak on the issue at that moment. “You pressmen have to wait till tomorrow or preferably when the investigation might have been completed,” he said.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed the story and informed that the military was investigating the circumstances and the owners of the arms on the plane.
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A policeman in uniform and wielding an AK47 rifle was caught in the web of ’sakawa’ last Wednesday, when he and two civilians were arrested for allegedly defrauding a Namibian of $7,900.The policeman and his civilian accomplices were in the process of collecting another $29,000 from the victim to be used to pay taxes on a so-called $30-million facility which they claimed he could access after the payment of the “taxes”, when the police arrested them.The three suspects managed to lure their victim to Ghana with the intention of defrauding him in a ’sakawa’ scam that has become notorious in the country.The victim possessed documents, including letterheads bearing the Ghana Coat of Arms, indicating correspondence between him and the suspects through the Internet.After the victim had arrived in the country, the suspects collected his passport from him but he declined a hotel accommodation offered by his hosts and arranged for an alternative accommodation.Later at a meeting with the Namibian, the suspects succeeded in collecting $7,900 from him as part of the tax obligation needed to redeem the $30-million facility.Subsequently, they attempted to relocate the victim to another hotel, while trying to collect another $29,000 from him, but he became worried when they refused to give his passport back to him.The Namibian then discussed the issue with the hotel manager who, smelling something fraudulent, asked the victim to feign interest, while they contacted the police.Following the discussion with the hotel manager the Namibian informed his hosts that he needed his passport to enable him to check out of the hotel.So on Wednesday, while the suspects had gone to the hotel to evacuate their guest, police officers in plain clothes swooped on them and effected their arrest.At the time of their arrest, the policeman involved was waiting in a vehicle they had brought to convey the victim and according to sources, there was a struggle between the plain clothed policemen and the police suspect as he attempted to resist arrest.Sources at the Criminal Investigation Department of the police have confirmed the arrest of the three suspects but would not give further details, particularly their identities.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on April 20, 2009 at 11:43am
Two corps members serving in Lagos are now guests of the police after they were caught having sex in the open at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Secretariat in Surulere on Thursday.
While their colleagues were busy struggling to get posted to areas where they would do their primary assignment, the two suspects preferred to engage in sexual exercise at a corner around the secretariat in the afternoon from where they attracted the attention of the NYSC authorities.
Saturday Independent learnt on Friday night that the police were immediately invited to pick them up after the male Corps member, who hails form Benue State, studied Psychology and graduated from the Kogi State University in Ayimgba, told the NYSC authorities that he had the right to have sex anywhere with his female lover.
Sources said he told the NYSC authorities that there was no law in the country that indicated where lovers should have sexual intercourse.
Although the female Corps member, a former student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, who hails from Imo State, was said to have appeared remorseful, this newspaper learnt that her boyfriend told the NYSC Camp Commandant that he could not hold the sexual urge after not seeing his partner in a long while.
Although our correspondent could not confirm how long they have been in the relationship and whether they have got a place for their primary assignment, sources said the NYSC authorities in Lagos are poised to set example with them, hence the police invitation.
Contacted on Friday, the police promised to get back to our reporter, which they were yet to do till press time.
Meanwhile, a Magistrate's Court in Osogbo on Friday sentenced 13 persons comprising 11 women and two men to a two-year jail term each for prostitution.
They are Ebony Osale (29), Sandra Monchi (32), Bola Oni (21), Mercy Obiriki (29), Titilayo Olalere (24) and Blessing Ayo (21).
Others are Joy Saji (24), Opeyemi Abioye (25), Linder Akpan (29), Happy Osaji (29) and Peace Uba (25).
The males among them are Olaoluwa Gbuyibo (27) and Oseni Jelili (24).
Police Prosecutor, Taiwo Adegoke, had earlier told the court that on April 11 the convicts paraded themselves for immoral purposes at Morak Hotel, Osogbo.
They all pleaded guilty to the charge and Magistrate Adebayo Ajala gave them an option of N500 fine each.
He, however, rejected their plea that the economic meltdown pushed them into prostitution and advised them to engage themselves in profitable businesses.
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