The Lagos state police Rapid Response Squad, RRS, have arrested five alleged in-traffic robbers who specialized in snatching handsets and bags from unsuspecting members of public in traffic. The suspects identified as Ajala Lateef 16, Salami Sodiq, 15, Raji Kazeem, 19, Bashiru Adeyemi, 19, and Ikechukwu Ukueje, 15. They were arrested on Wednesday October 28 after they had successfully robbed their victim of her belongings.
Confirming the arrest, the commander of the RRS, Assistant Commissioner of Police , ACP Olatunji Disu, said that the policemen arrested the suspects during a special raid.
“The Police would not leave any stone unturned in fighting crime in the state. We will continue to work round the clock to make Lagos a haven for those with legitimate businesses. The commander said that the police has been charged by the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni, to rid the state of all forms of crime”.
He implored Lagosians to assist the police by supplying information that would help them to curb crime and track down criminals. One of the suspects who confessed to the crime, Ajala Lateef, a secondary school dropout from Isale-Eko, said their ring leader, Taiye, still at large, pretended as a passenger and snatched Mrs. Okechukwu’s bag and mobile phone while she was boarding a bus.
“I know Taiye very well, he sleeps in Oko-Mola at Oshodi Under Bridge. I have seen him in different occasions dispossessing passers-by in Oshodi of their bags, phones and other belongings. Most times, we pretended as passengers to rob people,” he said
During the raid operation of black spots, no fewer than 37 social miscreants were amongst the suspects arrested.
Source: LIB
NO TO SECRET TRIAL OF DASUKI OR ANY NIGERIAN FOR THAT MATTER!
IT IS A SLIDE TO TYRANNY!
Our attention has been drawn to the trending news that Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser, now undergoing expanded charge of to include money laundering is to be tried in camera. Secret trial under any guise is totally unacceptable. We condemn it in strongest term and unequivocally any attempt to try Col. Dasuki or any other Nigerian for that matter in camera – secrecy. What is the APC regime of President Buhari trying to hide from the members of the public?
It is regrettable that that general insecurity, insurgency in the North East, holding hostage of Chibok girls, welfare of Nigerian people, job creation, houses for the people, real wage for workers, health care, education, good roads, reduction in the price of petrol, unemployment benefits for jobless youths, feeding of school children, water, economic woes, suffering of the masses, due process, accountability, end to impunity, fight against corruption and the promises of change agenda have been abandoned and the government clearly has no direction.
For the records, when Nelson Mandela was arrested, detained for arms struggle and even classified as a terrorist, vicious as the then apartheid regime in South Africa, Mandela was no tried in camera. The trial of Saddam Hussein over allegation of crime against humanity was open. We were all privileged to watch the trials as long as it lasted in our bedrooms/sitting rooms here in Nigeria from far away Baghdad, Iraq. Even the trial of and conviction of Bin Laden’s former driver Hal dam for terrorism was open not secret. The trial of the former President of Liberia Charles Taylor, at Hague’s was open. Examples of open trials of activists, politicians as perceived ‘terrorists’ are countless. The famous first ever treason trial in Nigeria, in the first republic against the then opposition leader, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was open and not shrouded in secrecy in spite of deep rooted animosities and political differences.
In addition, in the recent years leaders of ethnic groups with charges of treason or treasonable felony were never tried secretly, were granted bail, or discharged and acquitted in the final analysis. Examples include Fredrick Fasehun, Gani Adams (OPC) ,MujahidDokuboAsari (NDVF), Ralph Uwazuruike of MASSOB etc. Where is the precedent of President Buhari’s change mantra? Why the double standard? Are we a different human species with bundle of contradictions, vendetta and acrimonies?
Failure to conduct open trial whatever the charge is an indication that the Buhari regime has an hidden agenda and is about to set a very dangerous precedence.
APPEAL TO ALL
We hereby call on activists, journalists, human rights activists, students, trade unions, etc. to see this as a collective battle and responsibility. Secret trials under any guise is dangerous. It is the beginning of tyranny and a sure avenue for Buhari’s regime to convict anybody at his government the whims and caprices without evidence. It is the worst omen.
Even under the dreaded Obnoxious Decree 2 (now repealed) under Abacha Military Junta, activists, journalists and politicians alike were tried openly in the law courts. We also remember that under the dreaded late Sani Abacha, Military dictatorship, Obasanjo, Diya and co were never tried in camera.
Why must Nigerians return to the dark ages under Buhari? Dasuki’s conviction would be a fate accomplice once the trial is secret. It would be the beginning of tyranny in our land once again and could be any body’s turn. We must therefore protect our hard earned freedom and future or else we would have voluntarily giveaway our hard earned democratic values of freedom and equity.
On a last note we want to predict that in no time journalists and activists will be the next set of victims of this dangerous and despotic tendency, unless we all rise to fight it and nipped it in the bud. Secret trial is an ominous sign in this 22nd century Nigeria as Nigeria is not a banana republic. Say no to secret trial in Unisom!
Ayodele Akele
National General Secretary
NATIONAL CONSCIENCE PARTY, NCP
08023276709
Email:lhahrdev@yahoo.com