Robbery suspect arrested on church retreat ground with gun …three men held over sex with minors

Juliana Francis

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday disclosed that it has arrested a 19-year-old Wasiu Kamarudeen for allegedly attempting to rob Catholic Church members during a retreat programme at the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.

The command also disclosed that during the weekend, it arrested three men for allegedly sexually defiling three under aged girls in the state.  The defilement occurred in different parts of the metropolis.

The downfall of Kamarudeen started after policemen from Ilemba Hausa Police Station received a distress call that three suspicious looking on a motorcycle entered the retreat premises.

This was on August 31, at about 6:20am. Policemen got to the ground on time to arrest Kamarudeen, but two of his gang members escaped. Police said that it recovered a gun from him.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, while confirming the arrest of Kamarudeen, explained: “On August, 31, at about 6:20am, Ilemba Hausa Police Station received a distress call from St. Patrick Catholic Renewal Church, Jakande Opened Field, that a motorcycle was sighted conveying three passengers into the camp ground in a suspicious manner.

The passengers mingled with the worshipers, who were attending three days retreat with intent to dispossess them of their valuables such as handsets, cash among other items. On the strength of the information, patrol teams were deployed to the scene. The ring leader, Wasiu Kamarudeen, was arrested. One locally made short gun with one live cartridge was recovered from him.

“The gang’s operational motorcycle with registration number OGUN AKM 749 WP was recovered. The Command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has launched a manhunt for the remaining two suspects. Investigation is ongoing and the case will be charged to Court as soon as investigation is completed.”

In another development, the police have arrested 28-year-old Fatai Nafiu for allegedly sexually defiling a 15-year-old girl at the Bariga area of the state.

The incident happened on Saturday, at about 8:15pm and was reported at Bariga Police Station. Police stated that Nafiu forcibly had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old. A team of detectives from the Family Support Unit arrested the suspect. The suspect has allegedly confessed to the commission of the crime.

“The victim/survivor was taken to hospital for medical treatment and forensic examination. The suspect will be charged to Court,” said Elkana.

Similarly, Taiwo Sheuases, 34, has been held for allegedly defiling another 15-year-old, also at Bariga area. The suspect was said to have carried out the deed at the Bariga Market Square.

This case, however, occurred on Tuesday at about 7:20pm.

Elkana said: “The suspect was arrested by detectives from the Family Support Unit and he confessed to the Commission of the Crime. The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment and forensic examination. The suspect will be charged to Court. Also on Friday, at about 10am, Ajao Estate Police Station received a complaint that Isaac Ubogu, 50, defiled a three year old girl. The suspect was arrested by detectives from the Family Support Unit. He also confessed to the commission of the crime. The survivor was taken to hospital for medical treatment and forensic examination.”

While people are still seething in anger at Bariga and Ajao Estate of the metropolis over defilement of minors, residents of Ikorodu, on Friday at about 11pm, discovered that 37-year-old Seyi Onayemi has committed suicide by drinking a poisonous substance suspected to be Sniper, an insecticide. Homicide detectives from Shagamu Road Police Station have launched investigation into the circumstances that led to Onayemi taking his life.

Elkana said: “On August 30, at about 11pm, Shagamu Road Police Station received a distress call that Seyi Onayemi allegedly drank a poisonous substance suspected to be Sniper insecticide and died in his room at 7th Avenue, Rofo Estate, Odogunyan, Shagamu road, Ikorodu. The scene was visited by homicide detectives and the corpse was evacuated to mortuary for autopsy. The empty bottle of the poisonous substance and a suicide note were recovered from the scene.”