Detectives at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad at Adeniji
Adele, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria, have arrested a member of a seven-man
piracy gang, Jude Omashin, 29, who allegedly hijacks and robs oil vessels of
its contents on the high sea.
Adele, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria, have arrested a member of a seven-man
piracy gang, Jude Omashin, 29, who allegedly hijacks and robs oil vessels of
its contents on the high sea.
The suspect, according to the police, was arrested following a
tip off by members of the public who noticed his unusual lifestyle and spending
spree around his residence at Iyana Era area of Ijanikin, Lagos after he
allegedly collected a share of N7 million after their last operation before he
was arrested.
tip off by members of the public who noticed his unusual lifestyle and spending
spree around his residence at Iyana Era area of Ijanikin, Lagos after he
allegedly collected a share of N7 million after their last operation before he
was arrested.
The money was said to have been given to him by their gang
leaders simply identified as Bayo and Stephen after they sold stolen diesel at
a give away price of over N100 million.
leaders simply identified as Bayo and Stephen after they sold stolen diesel at
a give away price of over N100 million.
He was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court on
a four-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery.
a four-count charge of felony to wit, armed robbery.
The police alleged in charge No. E/8/2013 that the accused was
arrested at his residence following information they received that the accused
is suspected to be a member of a seven-man gang who in June 2012 hijacked a
ship conveying diesel to Nigeria from Europe with AK 47 rifles and emptied its
contents into their waiting vessel and escaped to sell it.
arrested at his residence following information they received that the accused
is suspected to be a member of a seven-man gang who in June 2012 hijacked a
ship conveying diesel to Nigeria from Europe with AK 47 rifles and emptied its
contents into their waiting vessel and escaped to sell it.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to
the crime and said he is a member of 7-man sea piracy gang that robbed an oil
vessel on the high sea last year in Badagry area of Lagos.
the crime and said he is a member of 7-man sea piracy gang that robbed an oil
vessel on the high sea last year in Badagry area of Lagos.
In his alleged confessional statement to the police, Jude said,
“I was a boat fisherman at Ilaje Water Ways in Ondo State, Akure before our
leaders, Bayo and Stephen now at large, introduced me into the sea robbery
operation in August 2012. I have only participated in one operation with them
which fetched me the sum of N7 million and as a new comer in the business, I
knew my boss cheated me, because I was told they sold the diesel at a give a
way price of over N100 million.
“I was a boat fisherman at Ilaje Water Ways in Ondo State, Akure before our
leaders, Bayo and Stephen now at large, introduced me into the sea robbery
operation in August 2012. I have only participated in one operation with them
which fetched me the sum of N7 million and as a new comer in the business, I
knew my boss cheated me, because I was told they sold the diesel at a give a
way price of over N100 million.
“My duty is to hold all the crew members hostage inside the
vessel with AK 47 rifle given to us by Bayo and Stephen, while they would order
the sailor to divert the ship to our hideout on the high sea between Badagry
and Cotonou, Republic of Benin, and others would stand guard on top of the ship
for any eventuality.
vessel with AK 47 rifle given to us by Bayo and Stephen, while they would order
the sailor to divert the ship to our hideout on the high sea between Badagry
and Cotonou, Republic of Benin, and others would stand guard on top of the ship
for any eventuality.
“After emptying its contents into our waiting vessel, we would
collect all the communication gadgets from all the crew members and escape.”
collect all the communication gadgets from all the crew members and escape.”
After the operation, he further stated, everybody would destroy
the sim card used during the operation and Bayo would collect all the guns from
us and return to Niger Delta creek.
the sim card used during the operation and Bayo would collect all the guns from
us and return to Niger Delta creek.
The offences, the prosecutor, Supol C.N. Odii said, are
punishable under Section 6 (b) 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (Special
Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
punishable under Section 6 (b) 1 (2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (Special
Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The plea of the accused was not taken as the court lacks the
jurisdiction to try the matter.
jurisdiction to try the matter.
The presiding magistrate, Mr. Adegun ordered that the accused be
remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the Directorate of Public
Prosecution on the matter.
remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the Directorate of Public
Prosecution on the matter.
He adjourned the matter till 14 March, 2013 for mention.
Source:
PMNews
PMNews
