A man identified as Benjamin Ezeukwe, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for masterminding and fleecing hundreds of innocent Nigerians in an elaborate cement-price-slash scam.

The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin noted in a statement that Benjamin was arrested on October 19, 2023 in Rumuolumeni area of Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State following weeks of intensive investigation by officers of Area A Command of the State Command.

According to the statement items found in his possession were one Tecno phone, one IPhone, three SIM cards including that of 08039691980 which he used for the scam and a Toyota Avalon, which investigation revealed to be a proceed of his crime.

The suspect had in September, 2023 created a bogus but convincing online advert purportedly by Dangote Cement, claiming a massive price slash. Numerous unsuspecting customers fell prey to the scam, losing millions of Naira to the suspect.

Investigation has so far revealed that the suspect had perpetrated several other similar scams.

Suspect has since been arraigned.

CP Aderemi Adeoye, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police has warned residents against carrying out jungle justice.

He stated that the Command would no longer tolerate any form of lynching on crime suspects.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Office, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Friday, stating that  perpetrators of such act would be charged with murder according to the commissioner.

He described the act of lynching as bestial.

The PPRO said two suspects had been arrested for involvement in a recent mob lynching that resulted in the death of suspected criminals.

“Someone steals a phone, and a mob kills him. The sentence for stealing a phone is three years imprisonment.

“Those who lynch commit murder which carries the death penalty because the Courts have not delegated anyone outside the Judiciary to try, convict, and execute suspects,” he said.

Adeoye commended Anambra residents for their eternal vigilance and cooperation for peace and security in the state but urged them to report every criminal matter to the Police.

According to him, “If they do not get justice, they should contact my office directly.

“I assure the people of Anambra that the Command will always be alive to its responsibility in maintaining law and order.

“Recourse to self-help is not necessary and it will not be tolerated.”

File Photo: Fire Incident [Google image just for illustration]

Two primary school pupils have been apprehended by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly setting their school located in  Isheri-Olofin area of Ifo Local Government Area on fire.

Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State command’s spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday.

According to Odutola, the minors gained unauthorized access to the school premises and proceeded to set fire to some books left behind by the teachers, resulting in damage to the school’s property.

The two pupils, aged six and nine, residents of the Isheri Olofin community, were taken into custody by the Anti-Crime and Detectives Unit after the incident was reported by a community chief.

“Two pupils of Community Primary school, Isheri Olofin, aged six years and nine years, both residents of the Isheri Olofin community, have been apprehended for setting fire to their school and properties of the school on October 29, 2023.

“The incident was reported to the police by a chief in the community. According to the report, the minors gained access to one of the unlocked classrooms at Community Primary School Isheri Olofin. They then proceeded to gather books left behind by the teachers and pupils and set them on fire. The value of the damaged books is currently unknown.

“Upon receiving the report, the Anti-Crime and Detectives Unit visited the scene and brought the alleged children to the police station for interrogation,” the police spokesperson said.

Odutola disclosed further that the parents of the minor would be invited for questioning on the circumstances that surrounded the actions of their children.

“The police have started making inquiries on how to contact their parents as this is a very serious crime for these children to get themselves involved with.
“The police will unravel and update members of the public in due course if there are other persons who may have instigated the youngsters,” Odutola.