Four police officers from Cape Town, South Africa, faced corruption charges in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 4, following their alleged involvement in an R20 million (about N1,873,507,786.80 when converted to the Nigerian currency on Saturday) jewellery heist that took place last month.

According to South Africa’s Independent Online, popularly known as IOL, the officers are believed to be part of a larger group of eight who reportedly used their official South African Police Services (SAPS) uniforms and vehicles to carry out home robberies in an affluent neighbourhood.

Four of the eight officers involved in the scheme have now been apprehended.

According to reports, the officers visited the residence of a wealthy Nigerian under the pretense of searching for a wanted individual. Instead, they stole jewellery worth R20 million. In their haste, the robbers left fingerprints scattered throughout the house while pilfering items such as Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory pieces.

The suspects were dressed in full police uniforms and used official vehicles during the robbery, albeit with fake license plates. Their downfall came when SAPS’s tracking system pinpointed them at the crime scene.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were being investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

He noted, “On September 14 at about 1:35 am, a house robbery occurred at the premises of a foreign national in Sunset Avenue, Llandudno, allegedly involving several police officers. This case was reported at Hout Bay police and transferred to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation.”

He further elaborated that investigations by experienced detectives led to the arrests over time.

He said,“A 44-year-old sergeant was arrested on the same day at 35 Squadron in Belhar, and later a 28-year-old constable was apprehended at Gugulethu SAPS. Both appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on September 17, with the case then postponed to October 3 for a bail application.”

Van Wyk indicated that further investigations resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old sergeant in Bellville two days later, and a 38-year-old sergeant at Philippi SAPS on October 2, linked to the crime scene via fingerprints.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile commended the investigation team for their work, emphasizing the responsibility of police officers to uphold the law and protect the public. “Let this serve as a warning to those who think they can abuse the resources of the state for their disgraceful purposes,” he stated.

The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Forum (CPF) Board condemned the officers’ actions. Spokesperson Justin Kumlehn remarked, “This shameful betrayal of trust not only violates the oath these officers took to serve and protect but also undermines the crucial relationship between the police and the communities they are sworn to safeguard. Corruption among law enforcement officials breaks the bond of trust between the police and the community.”

Kiki Loubser, Chairperson of the Llandudno Special Ratings Area, confirmed awareness of the incident, stating, “We are cooperating with Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch Community Crime Prevention Unit and SAPS and have faith that the situation will be dealt with appropriately.”

A total number of 42 persons have died while 150 were rescued alive from the boat mishap that occurred in the Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.

This is according to an update from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday night.

Following the information received from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) on the unfortunate incident, NEMA Minna operations office SAR Team with key stakeholders including NSEMA and the Federal Fire Service visited the scene for an on the spot assessment. 

“About 300 passengers were onboard the boat from Gbajibo community in Mokwa LGA of Niger State to Gbajibo community in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State,” NEMA wrote in a post it shared on its official X account. 

“The passengers were returning from Maulud celebration when the boat capsized due to overloading at about 8:30 pm on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

“Local divers and community volunteers in addition to critical stakeholders carried out search and rescue operation.

“150 persons were rescued alive, 42 corpses comprising two females, 39 males and one child have been recovered so far.”

According to NEMA, the dead have been buried according to Islamic rites while the search and recovery operation continues.

On Wednesday, armed assailants abducted and murdered Bako Bala, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress for Suru Local Government Area in Kebbi State.

A post from the official Facebook page of the Kebbi State governor’s Special Adviser on Television and Radio, Zaidu Bala, indicated that the gunmen seized him in his hometown, shooting him in the process and leaving him in a pool of blood.

Bala further stated that the APC chair from Suru Local Government was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi, but tragically succumbed to his injuries from the shooting on Wednesday.

In another incident, it was reported that bandits raided Matseri village in the Bunza Local Government Area of the state and abducted one individual.

An individual from the village told PUNCH Online that a young man, currently undergoing treatment at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

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At the same time, attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Nafiu Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he did not answer his phone or reply to a text message sent prior to the submission of this report.

Kebbi State, located in the North West region of the country, is presently grappling with security challenges, particularly those related to banditry.

The PUNCH

Residents of some communities in Edo State have started relocating over the risks of a potential flood disaster.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed this in a post it shared on its official X account on Friday morning.

“Residents of Obadudu, Ukpeko Uzanu and the surrounding communities in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State are relocating due to rising water levels and increased rainfall,” NEMA wrote.

“This move follows recent assessments by officials from NEMA Edo, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Etsako East Local Government on the potential flood risks in the region.”

Security forces in Rivers State thwarted an attempt on Friday by individuals clad in police uniforms to seize control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s office.

The event is said to have taken place at approximately 1 a.m. on Friday.

Sources indicate that the criminals tried to breach the gates and secure room of the commission to steal important electoral materials intended for the local government election scheduled for Saturday in the state.

A source who witnessed the incident but was not authorised to speak on the matter said, “The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the development.”

The source indicated that the governor headed a group comprising government officials, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, prominent political figures, and other leaders to the location.

While addressing reporters outside the RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara denounced the incident and praised the security personnel for their vigilance.

Another Government House source said, “The governor said local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised those trying to truncate the process and cause anarchy in the state to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”

At the same time, our reporter has learned that several government officials, stakeholders, and supporters are currently maintaining a watch at the facility.

Attempts to contact the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, were unsuccessful, as her phone could not be reached.

As of Friday morning when this report was filed, she had not responded to a text message sent by our reporter.

The PUNCH

The Federal High Court has made an order restraining the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly known as VIO, from impounding, confiscating, or imposing fines on any motorist.

The Federal High Court, while delivering judgement in a suit filed by human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal, through Justice N.E. Maha, agreed with the Applicant that there is no law empowering the Respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.

While delivering judgment in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, Marshal Abubakar vs the Directorate of Road Traffic Services & 4 others, the court in its judgement delivered on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, made a declaration that the 1st (Directorate of Road Traffic Services) to 4th Respondents under the control of the 5th Respondent (Minister of the Federal Capital Territory) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists, and/or impose fines on motorists.

The court made an order restraining the 1st to 4th Respondents, either through their agents, servants, and/or assigns, from impounding, confiscating the vehicles of motorists, and/or imposing fines on any motorist, as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

The court also made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies, or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st Respondent, from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and the right to own property without lawful justification.