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Tag: AIG

  • Controversy trails AIG’s suspension

    Controversy trails AIG’s suspension

    The suspension of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Abduyari Lafia has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian Police Force, with many questioning the motivations behind the decision.

    Lafia, who headed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), was suspended on January 9, despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a police investigation report.

    The controversy centres around a case involving the theft of N36 billion from a company, Woobs Resources Limited, which built a Mammy Market for the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

    Lafia’s team recovered N1 billion and obtained a promise to refund N18 billion. However, a lawyer, Victor Ukut, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and Minister of Police Affairs, accusing Lafia of abuse of office and other offences.

    Read Also: Ex-AIG Odumosu’s wife rescued, abductors killed, says FHQ

    A police investigation report, dated December 16, last year, exonerated Lafia and his team, finding no evidence of robbery, forgery, or abuse of office. Instead, the report recommended that some individuals connected to Woobs Resources Limited be tried.

    Despite the report, the Police Service Commission (PSC) suspended Lafia, sparking concerns about the independence and impartiality of the Police Force. Many are questioning why the PSC ignored the investigation report and suspended Lafia, fueling speculation about potential ulterior motives.

    Lafia’s suspension has also raised questions about his previous clashes with a former IG over fraud investigations. Some are wondering if the suspension is a retaliation or an attempt to silence Lafia.

    In a response to the development, the spokesperson of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said: “I can tell you for sure that the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force complement each other. The Commission must have received a recommendation from the Police to suspend the officer so that they can carry out detailed investigation on the matter.’’

  • Agege traditional rulers petition Sanwo-Olu, Obasa, AIG, over land dispute

    Agege traditional rulers petition Sanwo-Olu, Obasa, AIG, over land dispute

    Traditional rulers and religious leaders in the Agege community of Lagos State have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the AIG Zone 2 Command, the State Commissioner of Police Olanrewaju Ishola, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to intervene in a contentious land dispute in the community.

    The land dispute at 47 old Ogba road,  involves the Agege local government and a former deputy speaker of the Ogun state House of Assembly, Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, and his wife.

    In separate petitions jointly signed by community leaders, including the Olu of Agege, Oba Kamila Isiba; the Ologba of Ogba, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi; the first Executive Chairman of Agege LGA, Chief Owolabi Dada; and the Chief Imam of Agege Central Mosque, among others, the leaders urged authorities to investigate the couple’s claim to the disputed land and ensure justice prevails.

    The petition, dated December 3, 2024, claimed that the land in question is part of the council’s survey plan, which extends beyond the demolished MKO Abiola Market in Agege. 

    Recall that Ayo-Odugbesan had previously has asked an Ikeja High Court to restrain Agege local government, others from interfering with or disturbing their peaceable possession of their property situated at No. 47, old Ogba road, near M.K.O Abiola Market, Agege, Lagos.

    He also asked the court to restrain the respondents from further demolishing their property.

    While acknowledging the couple’s right to seek legal redress over the land, the leaders strongly condemned the alleged use of harassment, blackmail, and intimidation tactics against council officials.

    They warned that such actions could provoke unrest in Agege.

    The Agege leaders, however, urged law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies and other security agencies to avoid being used to harass council officials who are performing their duties. 

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to hand over 250 patrol vehicles to Police

    The petition partly reads:

    “We are aware that the couple has dragged the council to court on the matter. While we welcome that, the harassment of council officials, particularly the Chairman of Agege local government, Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, by security agents is unwarranted and capable of escalating into full-scale trouble, violence, and destruction of lives and property.

    “The false intelligence being spread about the council chairman, his wife, and their children is equally troubling. We humbly request a thorough investigation of the title documents presented by both parties to ascertain the rightful owner of the disputed land. We also urge the relevant authorities to caution security officers to stop harassment of council officials.”

    In a separate petition to the General Overseer of the RCCG, the leaders urged the General Overseer of Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adeboye and the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intervene in the matter. 

  • AIG seeks farmers’ collaboration

    AIG seeks farmers’ collaboration

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, Ayodeji Ogundele, has urged members of farmers’ communities to collaborate with the police and other security agents to ensure effective community policing in the Southwest, to boost food production.

    Ogundele made the call during a visit by a farmers’ security society group, Agbekoya Society of Nigeria.

    The AIG stressed that members of the farmers’ community (Agbekoya) must have confidence and trust in the police and play their roles in entrenching good governance in their various localities.

    The AIG also stated that the police had established effective accountability networks for any member of the farmers’ community who is aggrieved by any police action to receive instant redress.

    According to Ogundele, the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) can be reached online within seconds, while Provost Offices, SERVICOM, X-Squad, and Police Public Relations officers are available in all police formations.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints new management team for NDPHC

    President General of Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, Aare Kamorudeen Okikiola, explained that the purpose of the visit was to welcome the new AIG to the Southwest and to work together to find solutions and resolve the problem of insecurity in the Southwest, especially in farm settlements.

    He stated that the visit aimed to promote partnership between the police and citizens, as well as to represent the voices of farmers’ communities affected by insecurity; and advocate for justice for the poor farmers and most vulnerable.

    Aare Okikiola emphased that the synergy with the police would encourage community intelligence watch and community intelligence gathering to facilitate police service delivery in the Southwest.

    Aare Agbekoya was accompanied by some members of his cabinet: the National Secretary, Dr. Adegbenro Ogunlana, the National Treasurer, Ajibola Salawu, and the Director of Media and Publicity, Wahab Akinlade, alongside security expert Adekunle Oba during the visit.

  • How AIG’s $2b investment is driving Nigeria’s socio-economic growth

    How AIG’s $2b investment is driving Nigeria’s socio-economic growth

    • Alake, Uzok-Anite laud firm’s commitment to mineral explorations

    When the backers of the African Industries Group (AIG) set their foot on Nigeria’s soil eons ago, it was indeed a leap of faith: the desire was to set up shop, nurture it and make good in a manner of speaking!

    Exactly 52 years down the line, looking back now the business has not just blossomed but has made inroads into major commanding heights of the economy.

    One man who has institutional memory of AIG’s trajectory in Nigeria these years is the Chairman, Mr. Raj Gupta.

    Speaking in an interview, Gupta said, “From the onset, we decided to run an inclusive and sustainable business model that not only benefits stakeholders but also positively impacts the environment and society.”

    The last five decades has seen the business evolve into a driving force in various sectors in Nigeria, with interests in mining, metals, power, decoratives, logistics, farming, chemicals, consumer durables, engineering products, research and development, and packaging.

    Also, within this same period, AIG a diversified global conglomerate has been at the frontline, promoting Nigeria’s quest for excellence and sustainable growth, contributing to the country’s socio-economic and industrial growth along the line, with footprints across all sections of the country, evident by traces of viable investments in Maiduguri, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja in the North, to Owerri, Asaba and the country’s economic hubs of Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states in the South.

    In their 52 years of operations in Nigeria, AIG has established around 35 manufacturing units, built 11 business verticals that have employed more than 10,000 employees, with investment portfolio within the region of $2 billion thus far.

    The Group’s Chairman hinted that the strategy of continual investment in Nigeria which they employed over the last few decades have integrated the group deeply into the domestic economy, and have positioned them to contribute to the overall industrial development of Nigeria. This has evidently paid off according to him.

    “We currently have the largest non-oil FDI investment in mining and processing, and are the largest iron and steel manufacturer, as well as the largest manufacturer of high purity refined lead in Nigeria.

    “We are also the market leader and most trusted brand for aluminum products, exclusive distributor of world-renowned brands of engineering tools and pioneer in flat sheet glass manufacturing in the country as well,” Gupta disclosed.

    In the past two decades, AIG has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy evolution, focusing in recent times on renewable energy.

    From generation, transmission to distribution, AIG has been providing total energy solutions to numerous customers. So far, they have 145 megawatts of installed thermal power plant capacity and have completed around 20 megawatts of solar plants for different customers across West Africa.

    According to Gupta, AIG has been supplying power to Nigeria’s National Grid since 2016. It is also on record that it was AIG that commissioned the first solar power project supplying power to industry in Nigeria.

    “We are at the forefront of supporting the energy needs of Nigeria and at the same time supporting its sustainability future. We are leading Nigeria’s sustainability future and have reduced 9,655MT CO2 equivalent emission/ annum which is also equivalent to planting 44,000 trees,” he said.

    AIG has been identified as a key contributor to current efforts being put into the development of Nigeria’s mining sector.

    From exploration, mining, beneficiation to trade, Gupta said AIG has made a commitment to continue to offer social and economic benefits to all stakeholders in the Mining Value Chain (MVC).

    The Group has set up a fully integrated iron ore mining and steel processing plant in Kaduna state, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

    The Group has invested over US$600million in iron ore mining and steel processing, making it one of Nigeria’s largest non-oil foreign direct investments.

    Read Also: Obaseki draws battleline with Oba of Benin, insists on ban of youth leaders

    The firm currently has over five million tonnes per annum iron ore mining capacity, with also over 60,000 meters drilled on multiple solid minerals across multiple states in Nigeria.

    “We are committed to driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development, leading employment generation in rural areas.”

    “In specific terms, our Iron ore mining and processing plant will reduce steel scrap usage and reduce the import of steel thus helping to reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange needs,” Gupta said.

    According to him, the usage of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) produced by the firm will improve productivity and efficiency of steel plants in Nigeria, adding also that it will position Nigeria as one of the prominent crude steel producers in the world.

    AIG’s efforts in the development of the mining sector have been hailed by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake.

    Mr. Alake who gave the commendation during a visit to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd (ANRML), an iron ore mining and processing company in the African Industries Group located at Gujeni, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, along with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, expressed happiness over the company’s compliance to the call for those seeking to mine in Nigeria to acquire proper licensing.

    “This is a company that is worthy of emulation, and I commend the firm for this remarkable achievement,” Alake said.

    The firm also got a similar rating from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, who commended the group and the company for making an effort to galvanise the nation’s steel sector.

    AIG has one of the largest production capacities for steel, aluminum, and lead products in Nigeria. The Group has the capacity to produce over 26,000 metric tonnes of refined lead every year.

    “We are not only one of the largest manufacturers of various metal products but also the most quality conscious and sustainable in its processes,” Mr. Gupta said.

    He also pointed out that AIG runs the most environmentally friendly operations, saying, “We are continuously working on waste reduction and emission controls as per environmental, health, and safety guidelines of International Finance Corporation and World Bank.

    “We also undertake scrap recycling as per European standards, supporting the environment. Our aluminum roofing sheets are environmentally friendly containing a large percentage of recycled matter. They are also recyclable, making them a rare waste in landfills,” he said.

    In chemicals, AIG has earned the reputation of being a leading supplier and manufacturer of quality chemical products and Industrial gas in the West African region. The group has one of the largest combined production capacities in Nigeria for various types of chemicals. It has state-of-the-art production facilities and a varied product portfolio catering to diverse industries.

    Giving details on this, the group’s Chairman said, “Our state-of-the-art Double Conversion and Double Absorption (DCDA) process is used to produce Sulphuric Acid.

    “Our Sulphuric acid is used mainly by battery companies, fertilizers, steel industry, refineries, power plant, oil & gas sectors and industrial catalyst to facilitate chemical reactions. “Liquid and solid sodium silicate produced at AIG is used by soaps and detergents manufacturers, tiles, mining, and steel industries.

    “We have a premium quality caustic soda that is used across industries like glass, paints, cosmetics, ceramics, paper, pulp, and cellulose production. Just to also mention that ALUM manufactured by AIG is the most efficient and effective purification agent for treatment of wastewater. It is used in various waterworks across Nigeria. It is also used in the paper industry for purification and paper sizing,” he added.

    While speaking on the core values that drive AIG’s innovations and quality pursuit, AIG’s Director, Legal Services, Ms. Chiamaka Okeke said, “The POWER of AIG are the principles and priorities that guide our actions.”

    Using the POWER acronym, Okeke said, the group is driven by being passionate for quality, operational excellence, undiluted work ethics and integrity, enhanced customer value and respect for the individual.

    AIG has instituted a number of social impact projects, as a way of giving back to the society, which according to Okeke are centered on community development, health and hygiene as well as women empowerment.

  • AIG tasks Rivers command on crime reduction

    AIG tasks Rivers command on crime reduction

    The Assistant Inspector of General of (AIG) Police in charge of Zone 16 Bayelsa, Paul Ojeka Odama, has charged officers and men of the Rivers state command with more efforts in crime fighting.

    Odama spoke when he visited the state command on a familiarisation tour of the commands under him – Rivers and Bayelsa.

    Addressing the personnel, the visitor acknowledged the role the cosmopolitan nature of Port Harcourt is playing in the increasing crime wave of the state.

    He however expressed hope in the ability of the officers to reduce the menace irrespective of the rate of upsurge.

    He said: “The purpose of my visit today is to know you and you know me. We have been working together, and have been receiving signals from me. There is a need for us to meet one on one.

    “Rivers Command is one of the biggest commands in the country in ranks of Lagos and Kano states Command because of the metropolitan nature of the state, crime sometimes is high. We have people coming in from all parts of the country to Rivers.

    “Policing Rivers is not easy. I thank the Rivers Commissioner of Police for his job so far. I know Rivers’ command is accumulating achievements. Rivers Command is also performing very well in the area of crime fighting.

    “I want you to do more. Crime cannot be eradicated but bring it to the barest minimum.”

    Responding to the issues raised by the state commissioner of Police (CP), Olatunji Disu, the AIG pledged to discuss it with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), for possible attention.

    “On the challenges facing the Command as earlier listed by the CP, I will take it to the Inspector General, I am sure he will listen.”

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, Disu listed some critical challenges of the command and appealed to the AIG to look into them.

    Read Also: AIG Maritime Police warns field officers against bribery, corruption

    He described as more disturbing the killing of SP Bako Angbashim, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Police Division by cultists in the state, and disclosed that one of his mandates in Rivers State is to ensure his killers are fished out.

    He said: “Some of the challenges facing the command include shortage of arms and ammunition, dearth of armoured personnel vehicles, shortage of barrack accommodation, shortage of marine equipment among others.”

    The CP lauded the timely visit of the AIG and that the visit of the AIG is coming at the right time for officers of the command to perform their duty optimally.

    He disclosed that the Rivers Police Command has 70 Police Divisions and 10 Area commands.

  • Assist us with information, AIG tells Nigerians

    ASSISTANT Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11 Leye Oyebade has appealed to people to support efforts in curtailing crimes by giving information to policemen.

    The police chief, who is coordinating Oyo, Osun and Ondo, said the police had crime-mapped the entire zone to know the various crime peculiarities of the three states in the zone and how to combat them.

    Oyebade, however, said making prior information available to security operatives would go a long way in helping them achieve proactive community policing effort.

    The AIG spoke at the weekend while addressing the people after a 10-kilometre fitness walk organised by a private radio station, Inspiration FM 100.5, Ibadan.

    The police boss led the walk and accompanied by leaders and men of the other security agencies as well as close to a thousand people.

    According to Oyebade, the zonal command is already concluding arrangement to inaugurate the first security stakeholders’ forum, where the people will regularly advise the police on how to upgrade their systems and operations to address heinous crimes in the society.

    He added that the platform would also give room for constructive criticism of the police to enable them become better in their effort of guaranteeing security of lives and property.

    He hailed the radio station management for the fitness walk to help prepare the body to fight sicknesses.

    “Members of the public must partner with the police. In doing that, there will be a lot of advantages in problem-solving, there will be a lot of advantages in organisational transformation of the society, there will be a lot of partnership that will assist us in getting a lot of information from the members of the public, and at the end of the day, we will be able to have a relatively crime-free society.

    “We have crime-mapped the zone to know which crime is prevalent and where and in that wise, we have been able to draw up a technical platform to be able to address heinous crimes.

    “So, what we are appealing from the members of the public is to reach us on time. We have circulated our dedicated numbers and we have the control room numbers, where people can also reach us when they are in distress and we are trying to improve on our response to these distress calls from members of the public.

    “Members of the public should work into a police station and give the information to the DPO. Get his name and if he refuses to act or divulge the source of information, then you can reach out to somebody senior to him. But don’t just go and give information to somebody who you cannot recall his name or his identity, just because you saw him or her in a police uniform on the street. By this way, we have been able to get a lot of information and I want to appreciate even the media because they have been very helpful in this wise.”

    Oyo State Commissioner of Youth and Sport Mr. Abayomi Oke noted that the government decided to support and participate in the initiative because it falls in line with its program.

    He called on other private organisations to key into the various opportunities for development available in the state.

    General Manager, IFM, Ibadan Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olasogba said the station decided on the initiative as a way of helping people with busy schedules, who couldn’t make out time to exercise their bodies to and also to encourage many people to do same at the same time.

    She added that the radio station was worried by the rate at which people suddenly die, especially educated and well-informed people, as a result of too busy schedules that wouldn’t make them have time to take care of themselves.

  • Jubril’s death: AIG detains police team

    The Police yesterday detained four operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS), Obada, Abeokuta, Ogun State, following the death of a 20-year-old guard, Jubril Mohammed, in their custody.

    Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, Mr. Lawal Shehu, detained the men, following complaints by Mohammed’s family.

    Jubril’s family alleged that the ZIS tortured their son to death following his arrest on December 14 in a case of alleged theft of a company’s goods worth about N10million.

    Jubril, a guard at Barka Nigeria Ltd, Km 12, Magboro, Ibafo, Ogun State, was one of the eight suspects transferred from the Ibafo Police Station on December 20, to the ZIS.

    The family alleged that the ZIS administered beatings and electric shock as part of its torture technique to obtain a confessional statement from their son.

    Jubril collapsed afterwards and the police tried but failed to revive him by compelling his co-detainee to feed him with a tin of milk.

    When he could not ingest it, they rushed him to an undisclosed clinic last Monday, where he died.

    The family also alleged that it learnt that some of the suspects were hurriedly released following their son’s death.

    Last Wednesday, the police claimed Jubril died of “possible stomach or kidney ailment” and that he was never tortured.

    But yesterday, Zone 2 Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Dolapo Badmus, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said AIG Shehu had ordered a “full scale investigation”.

    She said the command’s Zonal Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department had identified the four-member ZIS team involved in the case and they had been taken into custody.

    Badmus said: “The AIG has ordered the detention of the four officers, team members, involved in the investigation.

    “They are already detained. He has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter from our Zonal Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.

    “It will investigate the death of Jubril. The AIG directed that no stone should be left unturned in unravelling what happened.

    “The command has also taken charge and will do an autopsy.”

    She said the body would be released after the autopsy.

    Badmus added: “The AIG has assured the public that anyone culpable will not be spared and that the command, in its usual style, will not cover up bad behaviour by any policeman.

    “The AIG is inviting anyone with useful information on the matter to reach out to the command, because a full scale investigation has been directed. So, there is no hold back whatsoever.  They can reach out to the command with any useful information that can assist the investigation.

    “As I’m talking to you now, the four policemen are already detained, pending the outcome of the investigation.”

    She declined to name the detained officers, but The Nation learnt that the ZIS team was led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and three lower ranked men.

    The spokesperson also declined comment on whether the four included the Investigative Police Officer (IPO), Mr. Ojekunle Oladapo, aka Pastor, identified by Jubril’s family.

    She said: “We can’t reveal their identities right now because we are trying to be fair to both sides.

    “We are not saying they killed anyone, we are only following due process to ensure necessary things are done. That’s why the AIG said they have to be detained and an investigation must be carried out.

    “If they are found culpable, we will make their names public. But for now, let’s just keep it under wraps.”

    The late Jubril started work at the company owned by a Lebanese, Jamal Mahmoud, in January on a monthly salary of N30, 000.

    Last Thursday, the victim’s cousin, Saidi Isa, told The Nation that one of Jubril’s cellmates, who was released after his death, narrated how the torture occurred.

    Isa said: “We spoke to one of the suspects who was arrested with Jubril. His name is Mohammed and he told us what happened.

    “He said the suspects were tortured one after the other by the police and that they applied electric shock on Jubril to make him confess.

    “Each suspect was taken from the cell, tortured and returned. On Monday, the policemen brought the suspects out and took their photographs. They said they were taking them to court that morning. After taking the photographs, Jubril collapsed. He was in pains and could not walk. He collapsed and the policemen brought a tin of milk.

    “They gave Mohammed the milk and asked him to feed Jubril with it. Mohammed put it in Jubril’s mouth, but Jubril could not ingest it. When it failed to revive him, the police rushed him to a clinic.”

    Meanwhile, Jubril’s family last Friday began an online campaign for justice with the hash tag #justiceforjubril.

    The Nation learnt that the family, through the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, will today submit a petition on the matter to the Zone 2 Command.

  • Police deploy DIG, AIG, eight CPs, 40 armoured vehicles

    Ahead of Saturday’s governorship elections in Osun State, the police has deployed 30 Armoured Personnel Vehicles  (APV), 10 AP carriers, two helicopters and sniffer dogs to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    The police also said the security delegation for the election would be headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) with the support of an Assistant Inspector-General  (AIG) and eight Police Commissioners (CP).

    Each of the eight Police Area Commands in the state will be manned by a CP, said Force Headquarters’ spokesman Jimoh Moshood, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

    Moshood said the police would arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in vote buying, selling before or during the election.

    Listing the security arrangement for the election, he said: “The DIG will lead, implement and coordinate the security operations, and also supervise the deployment of all personnel of other security agencies under the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for the election throughout the 3,764 polling units/voting points in the 332 wards and the 30 LGAs of the state.

    “To ensure adequate security and safety of life and property before, during and after the election, the IG has graciously approved the deployment of adequate police personnel to Osun State. The personnel that were already trained and oriented on election security and electoral act on the responsibilities and functions expected of them, comprises the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Units, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti Bomb Squad (EOD), Conventional Policemen, the Armament Unit, personnel of FCIID, IGP Monitoring, IGP IRT teams, the sniffer dogs section and the Mounted Troop.

    “Four unarmed policemen and two others from other security agencies will be on duty at each voting point throughout the state. The PMF headed by a very senior officer will provide security at the RAC, Super RAC and Collation centres.

    “Two police patrol surveillance helicopters, 30 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 10 Armoured Personnel Vehicles and 300 police patrol vehicles are already deployed to cover the entire state including difficult terrains.

    “Other security and safety agencies who are members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in the State have also been posted to complement the Nigeria Police Force during the election.

    “As part of additional measures to guarantee a peaceful and credible election, the IGP will on September 17, attend a stakeholders and peace accord meeting with INEC Chairman and the 48 political parties participating in the election and their flag bearers, INEC officials, election observers and other accredited stakeholders will also be in attendance in Osogbo, Osun State.

    “Furthermore, police officers and personnel of other security and safety agencies deployed for the elections are under strict instructions to be polite and civil but firm in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities.

    “They are to provide adequate security for the electorates, INEC officials, movement of election materials, the accredited election observers/Monitors and other individuals and bodies that have statutory roles in the conduct of the election at the polling units, collation centres and INEC offices throughout the state.

    “The Nigeria Police Force will not tolerate, condone, or allow vote buying and selling anywhere in Osun State before and during the election. The Force hereby warn all political parties and their flag bearers to prevail on their agents, members and supporters not to engage in buying and selling of votes which is in violation of the Electoral Act.

    “The following phone numbers can be used by any member of the public who noticed any act of vote buying and selling anywhere in the state before and during the election: 08037025670, 08037160989, 08033415589, 08032451594.

    “Security agents have been trained and briefed not to abdicate their duty, hesitate or contemplate the immediate arrest, detention and handover to the Police joint team specially setup by the IGP to deal decisively in accordance with the law, anybody or group, agents of political parties or their sponsor(s) who engages or attempt vote buying and selling during the election, inclusive the buyers and the sellers will not be spared.”

  • Lawyer petitions AIG over land grabbers’ threat

    A Lagos lawyer, Mr Ige Asemudara, has petitioned the Assistant Inspect-General of Police, Zone 2  Command, over the activities of suspected land grabbers in Ito-Agan, a riverine community in Satellite Town, Lagos.

    He said the land grabbers invaded the community  with  men believed to be from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The lawyer said his clients, especially the community leaders, have been unable to access their homes, adding that some of their houses have been demolished by the land grabbers.

    Asemudara had earlier petitioned the AIG on March 29 alleging threat to the life of the community’s leader, Chief Lot Ikuesan, and other residents.

    He said instead of the police to investigate Ikuesan’s allegation that there was a plot to kidnap him, the community leader and 20 others were arrested by policemen from Ilado and Alakija divisions, as well as those from SARS Ikeja.

    Asemudara said while Chief Ikuesan was released on August 9, others were charged before a Magistrate’s Court and were still in custody.

    According to him, while Chief Ikuesan and others were in detention, the alleged land grabbers, accompanied by armed thugs, invaded the community and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, forcefully ejecting residents.

    Asemudara said his clients could not return to their various homes for fear of being killed.

    He alleged that his clients have continuously being unlawfully arrested and hounded into detention since August 5.

    He said it was all in a bid by the land grabbers and their powerful backers to take over the community’s land.

    The lawyer urged the AIG to use his good offices to investigate the allegations, restore peace in the community, and to bring the policemen involved to book.

    It was learnt that the AIG has received the petition and referred it to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Edgal Imohimni for further action.

     

  • AIG confirms arrest of Lapai bank robbery suspects

    An Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Fredrick Lakanu, yesterday said the police have arrested the brains behind the attack of two banks in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State in March.

    The police chief said the suspects would not be paraded yet for security and strategic reasons.

    Lakanu broke the news in Minna, the state capital, while addressing officers of the state police command.

    He said: “Like the Offa, Kwara State, bank robbery, we have also made similar breakthrough in the Lapai bank robberies. Some of the suspects have been arrested.

    “For security reasons, sometimes, especially if some of them are still out there, we would not need to reveal our strategies. But I can assure you that we are working assiduously to pick everybody involved in that heinous crime.”

    Speaking on the recent jail break at the Minna Medium Security Prison, the AIG said more than half of the escapees have been arrested adding that information have been given on the whereabouts of the escapees who started still on the run.

    He then applauded the state Police Command for carrying out its duty towards ensuring peace and tranquility in the state stating that provisional approval has been given to the state command to open new divisional police stations across the state.