Pix: NSCDC CG, Dr Ahmed Audi
Two suspected criminals are presently being quizzed by the Osun State Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) for allegedly being in possession of a live AK-47 ammunition, fraud and possession of narcotic substances.
The suspects, Oyeyemi Lukman and Tajudeen Idris who admitted to having committed the offences, were also involved in other inhumane acts.
While parading the suspects on Wednesday in Osogbo, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Akintayo Adaralewa said that Oyeyemi, an herbalist, was arrested in Ilobu, Irepodun local government area of the state.
Adaralewa said the offence committed by the suspect contravened section 3, sub-section 1 of the Robbery and Firearms (special provisions) Act.
He hinted that, the suspect was in possession of a live AK-47 ammunition and that he had confessed to the crime saying, he would be charged to court after the expiration of the investigation to serve as a deterrent to others.
Speaking on the other suspect, Tajudeen, Adaralewa said that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 27 in Ilobu in the same local government.
He said, “The suspect specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public of their hard-earned money.”
Adaralewa said that the suspects usually pick phone numbers randomly and told his victim that he is a friend and will tell his victim that he just bought a new car and would like him or her to pray for him.
“After the victim might have prayed for him, he will tell his victim that he is willing to offer some money in appreciation for the prayers,” he said.
Adaralewa said that the suspect would thereafter ask his victim to visit a point of sales (POS) operator so he could send the money.
According to him, “if the victim insisted that he has a bank account where the money could be paid, the suspect would give an excuse that he had exhausted his daily limit.
“Once the victim locates a POS operator, he or she will call the suspect and the suspect will thereafter ask the victim to hand over the phone to the POS operator.
“The suspect will surreptitiously change the narrative by telling the POS operator that the person that the victim is having challenges transferring money to him.
“He will dictate his account number and the unsuspecting POS operator will send the money he requested to him.
“After the money is being sent, the suspect will block the victim’s phone numbers and the victim had numerous sim cards and several bank accounts that proved nearly impossible to trace.”
While affirming that, the offence is prohibited by section 1 of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offence Act, 2096, the commander hinted further that, a large parcel of cannabis sativa was also found in possession of the suspect.
He said the arrest of the suspect was made possible due to several complaints received from members of the public.
However, in an interview, Oyeyemi explained that the live ammunition belonged to a military officer who asked him to make “traditional bulletproof” for him.
According to him, the military officer, after collecting the ones he prepared for him, never came back to collect the remaining ones.
He said the live ammunition was given to him 8 years ago by the military officer, but that he kept it in the corner of his house pending when he would come for it.
The suspect, who claimed to be an herbalist said he used to do different types of charms for his customers.
He was paraded along with some of his charms and the live ammunition.
Also, Tajudeen Idris who was accused of fraudulent practices and be in possession of narcotic substances, remarked that he was a bricklayer before he ventured into the crime.
He said he impersonated the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of an unknown person to open the account he was using to operate the fraudulent act.