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Tag: anti-kidnapping

  • Committee for robbery, anti-kidnapping units reform named

    To boost efficiency of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Acting Lagos State Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal yesterday inaugurated a 10-man panel.

    Headed by a retired Commissioner of Police (CP), Samuel Adegbuyi, the panel has as its vice Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Bolaji Salami. Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Effiong Asuquo, the command’s legal officer is the secretary.

    Other members include Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs)  in- charge of Operations and Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Abiodun Alamutu and Olatunji Disu respectively; Commander Raider, CSP Ojugbele Adebola; Officer-in-Charge of FSARS CSP Sanusi Mohammed and his anti-kidnapping colleague Anthony Okosun; Kehinde Johnson, Stanley Imhanruor and a journalist Odita Sunday.

    According to the police chief, the initiative was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris that all police investigating units should be restructured to discharge their duties in line with international best practices and standards of policing.

    The terms of reference, he said, include findings into allegations of human rights abuses against officers and men of the units with a view to give recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.

    He urged the panel to also profile personnel currently posted to the units and determine their sustainability to continue in the units.

    Members are expected to make recommendations aimed at stopping worrisome issues such as investigation of civil matters, torture, illegal detentions and prolonged and unconstitutional detention.

    They are also to look at issues of safety and custody of exhibits, welfare of suspects/ detainees, sexual abuses and molestation of any form, rights to bail and any other area that they deem reasonable to modify, in order  to sharpen the units’ performances and boost the image of the force.

    Giving the panel a two-week deadline to submit their recommendation, Edgal urged the public to forward memoranda to the panel’s secretary through bolajislm@yahoo.com, effy3uyah@gmail.com or Whatsapp 08033011644, 08033108820 and 08125151772.

    He said: “Lagosians are also expected to submit memoranda to the nearest Area Commander and Divisional Police Officers (DPO in soft and hard copies.

    In his remark, Adegbuyi praised Edgal for the “proactive” initiative,saying the panel would not disappointment residents.

  • Ambode signs Anti-Kidnapping Laws

    Ambode signs Anti-Kidnapping Laws

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday signed the Anti-Kidnapping Law, which prescribes death penalty for kidnappers.

    He also signed the Lagos State Sports Commission and Lagos State Sports Trust Fund into law.

    Speaking shortly after the ceremony at the Lagos House Alausa, Ikeja, Ambode said the prescribed death for kidnappers in whose custody victims died and life jail for those who kidnapped for ransom.

    He said the spate of kidnapping had got to a level that required decisive action from government, hence the need for the law to send serious message to perpetrators of such heinous crime.

    The government, he said, was putting in place measures particularly in schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent kidnapping and other security breaches.

    The governor said: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos.

    “Why we use this law to address the challenge and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures particularly in our schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent security breaches and it is important that we ensure that everything we do in respect of this anti-kidnapping law is in good faith and good spirit to eradicate the issue of kidnapping once and for all in the state.”

    The justice system, Ambode said, would be activated to execute the anti-kidnapping law.

    He explained that the Sport Commission Law would give legal backing to the formulation and implementation of sport policies; the Sport Trust Fund will enable government to raise funds for the development of sporting facilities and activities.

    “This fund will provide a platform where the State Government can enter into partnership with the private sector to finance sports infrastructure, tournaments and programmes which will in turn create employment and generate revenue for the state.”

    According to him, as provided for in the law, a Board of trustees, comprising stakeholders in the sports community will be inaugurated for the Trust Fund. With the law, he said the government was restating its commitment to scale up sports development and make the state the hub of sports in Nigeria.

    House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said Ambode’s endorsement of the bills showed the commitment of the state government to security of citizens and sports development.

    Obasa, represented by the Majority leader Sanai Agunbiade, said the Anti-Kidnapping Law was all-encompassing prescribes punishment for the actors, the  collaborators, the abetters and those who saw the kidnapping being perpetrated and did nothing about it.

    The law, he said, was the government’s response to the spate of kidnapping in the state, adding that its expansive provisions would ensure the eradication of the menace.

  • 10-million man campaign against kidnappers in Rivers landlord

    10-million man campaign against kidnappers in Rivers landlord

    At a point Rivers State was almost synonymous with militancy and kidnapping. Militancy gave way later but kidnapping remains. It has, however, reduced drastically in the last two months.  A 10-million man campaign launched by Police Commissioner Tunde Ogunsakin promises to further spoil business for the ‘bad boys’, writes  PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA 

    Check out the cars of many of the rich and famous in Rivers State and chances are that the cars are bullet-proof. It is not that they just wanted to waste their money; it was a guide against kidnappers and other criminals. But while the rich and famous can afford to protect themselves with armoured cars, the poor and the middle class cannot. So, they fell prey to kidnappers. There were even instances where the kidnappers went after the wives, children or relatives of the rich who hid in armoured cars. At least 20 people were kidnapped monthly before things began to change in February.

    The end seems here for kidnappers. Rivers Police Commissioner Tunde Ogunsakin last Friday launched a one million man anti-kidnapping campaign. Already, prominent indigenes of the state, such as Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, have signed the register, volunteering to give information that will help police nail kidnappers.

    Prominent youth organisations, such as the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), have also signed up to the campaign.

    Speaking at the launching of the campaign, Ogunsakin described the initiative as “the first of its kind in the history of the Southsouth”.

    He said: “This gathering is reminiscent of the January 10, 1920 League of Nations meeting to put a stop to a general enemy of mankind; war at the time. This initiative would not have come at a better time than now seeing that we are hard-pressed to take a definite and collective stand against our common foe; Kidnapping.

    “The relationship between both occasions of history is marked with a determination to achieve sustainable results. For the former, success was recorded when the all powerful United Nations was ultimately formed to forestall any future world war. As it concerns our cause today, victory will be achieved when we bring Kidnappers to their knees and make this State a haven of peace and order. This task seems enormous but dwindles in magnitude when we pool efforts together.

    “ I am sure you all must be wondering why we chose to adopt this strategy of bringing people to discuss and find lasting solutions to the blowing wind of kidnapping. The answer is simple; we need to see the crime from different perspectives so as to obtain a holistic approach to tackling it. It is important to opine at this point that the Rivers State Police Command has identified a need to place more emphasis on prevention of the crime as we continue in our post kidnap response. We also see the pressing need to involve the general public in combating the menace.”

    Ogunsakin said when he resumed as CP in Rivers last February kidnapping was the most worrisome crime he was confronted with. The figures were just alarming. Over 20 cases were reported monthly, with the victims cutting across every age grade, religion, creed and social status. He added that people in government and businesses were not spared by the kidnappers.

    “As Police officers, my men (Anti Kidnapping Unit in particular) and I were deeply concerned and began conscious efforts to reduce the crime. I announce to you today that we have been able to reduce the crime by over 50 per cent with less than 10 cases recorded monthly. Even this doesn’t suffice for us, as a single case is bad enough.

    “Kidnapping as we all know is a big phenomenon affecting every organisation, individual and community. Kidnappers hide under the façade that justice and equitable distribution of natural resources is a farce in our society and as such they are free to grasp as much as they can, while they can. The quest for immediate wealth is also a major cause of the increase in this crime in Rivers State. “

    He referred to a September 14, last year report by The Economist which shows that Nigeria contributes 26 per cent of cases of kidnapping globally and has been recently tagged the second most dangerous place to live in largely because of the spate of crimes, including kidnapping.

    Ogunsakin said: “This has coincided with a drop in the nation’s Foreign Direct Investment by $2.6bn in the last three years. I will make bold to state at this point in my speech that Rivers State, the Southsouth and Nigeria’s development in general are under attack by various forms of criminal activities with terrorism/kidnapping at the top of the list. We cannot surrender to it; neither can we relent in our crusade against it.

    “The “STOP KIDNAPPING campaign” is not a mere campaign. It’s our noble effort in taking policing above the present bar of arresting, investigating and prosecuting, to a point where the community is viewed as one impregnable tool for policing. As earlier pointed out; emphasis on prevention is paramount. The campaign is one of the humble attempts of the Police in Rivers State to create awareness and point to information sharing as a key to successfully ending this scourge. Members of the public are to be vigilant and cooperative at the same time. Every one of you here is a stakeholder in this effort and the time to view the Police as a friend is now.”

    The campaign is to be launched in the Area Commands and Divisions to encourage citizens to file complaints. Part of the plan is to also get the people to march in solidarity through the streets of Rivers State and sign a 10-million man register in support of the campaign.

    The campaign also integrates churches and other religious bodies because “the family and religious bodies still serve as very powerful tools in the socialisation and acculturation of our children and youth”.

  • Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    Army boosts anti-kidnapping war

    The governments of Southeast states have found a formidable ally in the battle against kidnappers. The new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adebayo Olaniyi, boosted the anti-kidnapping onslaught as he toured the region.

    Gen. Olaniyi said said that one of the primary responsibilities of the Army is the defence of the country against any external aggression. However, he added, it would not shirk its responsibility of complementing efforts of other security agencies in their quest to ensure that internal enemies who may want to disrupt societal peace and cause harm to others are checked.

    He expressed his worry over the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers who hold people of the Southeast to ransom.

    He pledged the commitment of officers and men of the 82 Division to ensuring that those who perpetrate evil against the society do not go scot-free.

    Gen. Olaniyi promised that military formations under his division would assist in combating violent crimes and checkmate kidnapping and other vices in the zone.

    On indiscipline among Army personnel, General Olaniyi said it would not be business-as-usual as he warned that acts would no longer be tolerated.

    The general spoke when he visited the 302 Artillery Regiment Onitsha and 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha, as part of his familiarisation tour of military formations under his command.

    Gen. Olaniyi visited 302 Artillery Regiment; 14 Field Engineers Regiment; vehicle repair stand, cantonment barracks building and its ongoing renovation work; Cantonment Mess and new naval out-post station in Ogbaru, among others.

    During the visits, Gen. Olaniyi held discussions with Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment; Lt Col Bayode Adetoro, Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha and Captain Godson Ohaeri, Officer in charge of Military Police at the cantonment.

    Their discussions were based on how to improve the integrity of the Nigerian Army, and increasing security surveillance in Anambra State and the regiments that make up the 82 Division. He was particular about improving security of life and property by preventing kidnapping and violent armed robbery. He also discussed improvement of Army and civilian relations.

    Retired Colonel George Molokwu, the Security Adviser to Governor Peter Obi, represented the governor at the event. Colonel Gambo H. A., Media Relations Officer, 82 Division Enugu anchored the interaction.

    Olaniyi, who was Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers before his new appointment, assured that the Ihejirika administration has concluded plans to resuscitate the moribund water treatment plant in the barracks.

    On the Army Bridge which the Lt.-Col. Adetoro-led group of Army engineers are constructing at Ugbenu for the Anambra State government, Olaniyi said it is part of efforts at enhancing civil and military relationship.

    Noting that the bridge is about 60 per cent completed, he thanked Governor Obi for his support to the military in Onitsha as well as a council chief who promised to renovate the Army Primary School.

    He advised officers and men of his command to maintain high level of discipline.

    He said: “You must not extort money from members of the public.

    “Any one of you caught extorting money from the public as well as engaging in any form of misconduct would be appropriately dealt with.

    “As disciplined men of the Nigerian Army, you must take care of your weapons and I will be very happy if you don’t indulge in any form of undisciplined behaviour.   He commended Governor Obi for donating patrol vehicles to the Army as well as other logistic supports.

    “The governor deserves commendation from the Nigerian Army for his unrelenting support in various ways. We are hopeful that he would fulfill his promises to the effect that he would resuscitate some of the social amenities here,” he said.

    The GOC, however, urged the governor to redeem his pledge of resuscitating the water scheme and re-constructing roads in the cantonment.

    He equally commended Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment and Commanding Officer 14 Field Engineer Regiment Onitsha Col. Taritimiye Gagariga and Lt Col. Bayode Adetoro respectively for their steadfastness in maintaining military standards.

    “I am proud of the officers here. You are steadfast in your operations. You are also meticulous as manifested by the facts on your records.

    Olaniyi also thanked the residents of Anambra State for maintaining cordial relationship with the Army in the discharge of their duties which he said are taxing.

    Responding, Col. Taritimiye Gagariga, assured the GOC that the cantonment would continue to maintain high standard and the tradition of discipline for which the Nigerian Army is known.

    “We would maintain strict professionalism as there would be no room for misconduct. We would continue to maintain the cordial military-civilian relationship for the benefit of our great country and her people,” Gagariga said.z

  • Police’s anti-kidnapping squad for Anambra

    Police’s anti-kidnapping squad for Anambra

    Anambra State Police is to set up a Special Anti-kidnapping Squad to combat kidnapping and other related crimes.

    Commissioner of Police Isa Nasarawa, stated this in Awka yesterday when elders of the Ekwusigo Local Government Area led by the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Information Paulinus Onyeka, visited him.

    The commissioner said the proposal to set up the squad had been sent to Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

    He also announced that the inspector general of police had established a school for the training of intelligence officers in the police, who would be posted to different locations to monitor and report criminal activities.

    Nasarawa said the success recorded in recovering illegal armoury at Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area and Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area were based on information supplied to the police.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to always supply information that could lead to arrest of criminals and forestalling of crime in the state.

    The commissioner said the police is still receiving information and will continue to arrest and prosecute criminals, adding: “we shall do all it takes to rid the state of criminals.”

    He expressed gratitude to the people of Ekwusigo Local Government Area for their decision to support the police in Oraifite and Uli in recovering arms.

    Onyeka commended the police for its efforts in fighting crime in the state.

    He appealed to the police to introduce an intelligence unit in the force to be posted to markets and other areas to monitor and report crimes.

    The lawmaker advised other police commands to emulate the good job done by the Anambra State Police Command.

    In the delegation were the President General of the Oraifite Development Union, Sir Raph Nwike, Chief Linus Obumneme, Chief Duru Uchenna, Hon. Leonard Anigbogu, Acting Secretary of the Ozubulu Development Union, who stood in for Chief Norbert Anigbogu.