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Tag: Commissioner of Police

  • Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has dismissed two of its officers over alleged aiding and abetting of cultism in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, in Uyo on Tuesday.

    Ogunjemilusi disclosed that the dismissed officers would be prosecuted with other arrested suspected cultists.

    He called on the State House of Assembly to impose stiffer penalties on cultism in Akwa Ibom, by reviewing the relevant laws.

    He also appealed to the lawmakers to support the police in ending criminal activities, under the guise of cultism.

    “We have caught two police officers, we have dismissed them and we are prosecuting them.

    “The Akwa Ibom Police command under my leadership is resolute to dismantle cultism and contain its spread in the state.

    “We are determined to confront violent crimes headlong, put an end to senseless killings amongst our youths and stamp out criminality in all forms.

    “I would like to call on this honourable house to review the state law against cultism, imposed stiffer penalties and create special programmes to reform the youths,’’ he said.

    He said the command would soon begin a clamp down on vehicles without number plates.

    He requested for the provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment to aid police investigations.

    He said, “I am particularly concerned with the level of development of our youths with negative impact on peace and security.

    “The youths represent the future and this great assembly cannot afford to stand aloof and watch the youths waste away.

    “You can stand with the Nigeria Police, to bring an end to criminal activities under the guise of cultism.

    “Non use of number plates or covering of number plates are unlawful. They facilitate crimes and hinder investigations.

    “I therefore plead for the cooperation of all honourable members and government officials to ensure that their number plates are in place.

    “The command will start to impound all vehicles without number plates.”

    In his response, the Speaker commended the Police Commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing in the state.

    He condemned the rise of cultism in the state and said anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

    “We are here to work for the peace, security, and lives of the Akwa Ibom people.

    “We can achieve that through good governance, and our responsibility here is to legislate for the peace, order and security of  lives and properties.

    “We will not act in any way that will hinder you from achieving that core mandate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act.

    “We share with you the concern on the rise of cultism in the state. We condemn it in its totality,’’ Luke said.

    NAN

     

  • Ortom advises motorcyclists against jungle justice in Benue

    Ortom advises motorcyclists against jungle justice in Benue

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has admonished members of Benue Motorcycle Association ( BEMOA ) against taking laws into their hands during crisis describing it as `unlawful’.

    Ortom gave the advice on Tuesday in Makurdi when BEMOA members led by its President, Mr Patrick Tachin paid him a visit.

    The governor urged them to always alert security agencies in case of security breach instead of carrying out jungle justice which was unconstitutional.

    “Tackling security challenge is the sole responsibility of security agencies and not for anyone to take laws into his or her hands, no matter the circumstances.

    “I urge you to partner with the state government to fight insecurity in the state, as security is the responsibility of all and sundry.

    “The security agencies need the support of the public to succeed,’’ he said.

    Read Also:Benue’ll not succumb to any move to repeal law  – Ortom

    In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni encouraged the association to strive to register its members as another means of checking insecurity.

    Owoseni urged them to refrain from spreading fake information, adding that the command under his watch would not tolerate impunity.

    Responding, the BEMOA President, Mr Tachin pledged on behalf of his members that they would comply with the governors directive and work together to address security challenges in the state.

    Tachin appealed to the governor to provide reflective jackets for them to distinguish them from other motorcycle riders who were not registered.

     NAN

  • CP seeks media support to tame criminals in Sokoto

    CP seeks media support to tame criminals in Sokoto

    The new Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr. Murtala Mani has solicited the support of the media in the task of taming criminal activities in the state.

    Mani said at an interactive session with newsmen on Tuesday in Sokoto that he would work closely with the media in generating public support to policing in the state.

    The commissioner stressed that security in the state is everybody’s business, and said the media should create awareness for residents to be security conscious and support security agencies with vital information to tame criminal activities.

    READ ALSO: Navy arrests 22 vessels in onslaught on maritime criminals

    “This meeting is the beginning of our journey to work together and bring offender to book.

    “The press is well known for its positive contribution to the development of the society, therefore, feel free to access me and raise any issues especially pertaining to security matters.

    “It is the responsibility of every citizen of the state to know that security is something of paramount importance that all hands must be in deck.

    “It is only when we are secured that we can go out to our places, Churches or Mosques, visit the market and attend to our daily activities.”

    NAN

  • 40 kidnappers arrested in Cross River

    40 kidnappers arrested in Cross River

    The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, said 40 kidnappers were arrested between last February and December.

    Addressing reporters, Inuwa said 528 suspects were arrested for various offences, and 234 firearms recovered.

    He said this month, 51 suspects have been arrested for various offences, and weapons recovered from them.

    “The year 2018 has come with another success story as a landmark in the command’s effort to maintain peace and order, protect lives and property and prevention of crime.

    “I want to state categorically clear that the command is determined more than ever to surmount all forms of criminalities, bust criminal hideouts and expose all criminal elements operating within the state.

    “Through communications has made the world a global village, hence the general public are enjoined to cooperate with the police through useful information dissemination and partnership in community policing for effective, reliable and quality service delivery,” he said.

     

  • Police rescue 3 kidnap victims in Ondo

    Police rescue 3 kidnap victims in Ondo

    The Police in Ondo State have rescued three victims who were recently kidnapped on Benin-Ore expressway.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Adeyanju, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Akure.

    Adeyanju gave the names of the victims as: Timilehin Akomolafe, 18, Michael Popoola, 42 and Herry Usifo, 42.

    He said that the victims were rescued alive with the assistance of local hunters at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday in a forest along Ore expressway.

    “On November 24 at about 3:45 p.m., one Mr Akomolafe was traveling from Akure to Lagos to drop his son, Timilehin at the University of Lagos.

    “Unfortunately his jeep was intercepted by kidnappers and in the process, he was killed and his son was kidnapped.

    “The jeep right behind his vehicle was equally shot and the mobile policeman lost his life but the driver was fast enough to escape to safety when policemen came to the scene firing and the kidnappers ran away.

    “They took Timilehin and two other travelers, Popoola and Usifo, who were coming from Port Harcourt to Lagos in a commercial vehicle, and this happened almost simultaneously,” he said.

    Read also: Police arrest kidnappers, rescue victim in Ebonyi

    The commissioner said the kidnappers escaped with gunshot wounds after gun battle with policemen.

    According to him, the three victims were rescued alive, hale and hearty, adding that no ransom was paid.

    He said the rescued victims were giving police vital information to aid the arrest of the kidnappers.

    He disclosed that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had given the command five motorcycles to curb crime rate in Ore area.

    “The governor in his magnanimity gave us five motorcycles which we have distributed among the three commands and the result is what we are seeing now.

    “And this was archived with the help of hunters who aided us and told us the inner workings of the forest, the motorcycles and the zeal shown by the hunters in Ore town,” he said.

    NAN

  • ‘Arrests of kidnappers, Otasowie’s murderers Justify Obaseki’s insistence on new CP’

    ‘Arrests of kidnappers, Otasowie’s murderers Justify Obaseki’s insistence on new CP’

    The Edo State Government has said that the recent arrests by the State Police Command of seven persons in connection with the murder of Prof. Paul Otasowie, a lecturer with the University of Benin, killers of three police officers who also kidnapped Andy Ehanire, the Chief Executive of Ogba Zoological Garden, justify Obaseki’s insistence on a new commissioner of police for the state.

    While commending the new Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, the state government, through the Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy to the Edo State Governor, Crusoe Osagie, stated that the security challenges in Edo required a highly experienced operational police officer at the helms of affairs and that it is quite gratifying that CP Kokuma has since hit the ground running, “a result of which is the large hurl of arrests in barely 48 hours of his assumption of duty in Edo State”.

    Otasowie, a senior lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, was on October 4 killed by gunmen in Ekehuan area, in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

    The deceased, who was the Director of the institution’s Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme, was said to have been shot in front of his residence.

    The police explained that seven out of those principally responsible for the killing have been arrested and each has given useful statement to the police. The police further stated that four suspects in the murder of three police officers and the kidnap of Ehanire of have been arrested.

    The police, through Moses Mkombe, the force public relations officers, said that the command is still on a manhunt for the rest other members of the group.

    “Each of them has spoken on the role he played in the crime and we have been able to extract useful information from them. We are currently on a manhunt for the other members of the gang,” Mkombe said.

  • Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    After the outcry by Edo State indigenes and residents recently, the force headquarters, Abuja, Wednesday yielded to reason and  transferred the embattled Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Haliru Gwandu Abukar, who despite initial transfer by the Police Service Commission, PSC, refused deployment to his new station.

     

    Abukar’s posting order, issued on Tuesday October 17, 2017, by the Secretary, Office of the Inspector General of Police, has the reference: TH. 5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/V.2/532, with the title: Posting Senior Officers.

     

    The order which was obtained by this reporter, directed him to move to his new duty post with immediate effect.

     

    Other police commissioners affected by the posting order are Moses Ambakina Jitoboh and Johnson Babatunde Kokumo. 

     

    In July, Abukar, along with other CPs like Fatai Owoseni, formerly of Lagos State, Garba Umar formerly of Bayelsa, were all redeployed. Owoseni, initially, was belligerent and wouldn’t give way for Egdal Omohinmi, his successor, claiming that there hasn’t been signal from the IGP.

     

    The matter was however smoothened later. While Owoseni and Umar have since moved to their new stations, Abukar adamantly refused to budge, allegedly citing directives from the IGP to stay put.

     

    The breakdown in the relationship between the Police and Edo people was amplified by members of the public, who alleged many infractions against the state police command.

     

    Crime rate, especially, kidnapping and robbery, spiked in Edo and the state police command appeared helpless in the matter. There was the brazen kidnap of Andy Ehenire, a brother of Minister of state for Health, Osagie Ehanire, after three policemen were cold bloodedly killed by abductors. Andy has since been released by his abductors, though, but his captors are yet to be apprehended.

     

    Till date, the whereabouts of Osayomore Joseph, a popular musician from Benin, is unknown after being plucked from public view almost a month ago. The police are still clueless on the matter. Till date, too, the brutal killing of Paul Otasowie, a UNIBEN professor, is yet to be unravelled.

     

    The public also accuse the Edo police Command under Abukar of being selective in the protection of citizens and residents in Edo State. They cited the incessant harassment by herdsmen in Edo State as example. Rather than protect vulnerable communities, the police deploy, instead to protect herdsmen on routine grazing of their cattle. The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, had taken up the insecurity matter with the presidency after which he visited the office of the National Security Adviser.

  • Insecurity: Pressure on Edo CP to leave Edo

    In July, the Police Service Commission (PSC) announced the redeployment of Commissioner of Police, Armament, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, to Edo State. Kokumo, who was among four Police Commissioners redeployed that day, was to replace Haliru Gwandu as Commissioner of Police in Edo State.

    The PSC, according to the statement signed by its Head of Press, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said the redeployment of the four Commissioners of Police was to aid effective and efficient policing in line with its commitment to re-engineer the police force for optimal results.

    Others redeployed were CP David A. Akinremi, CP and Deputy Force Secretary was moved to head the Taraba State Command; Ag CP Garba Baba Umar was redeployed from Bayelsa State Command to Anambra State Command while CP Lawan Ado, CP General Investigation (FCIID), was posted to head the Kwara State Command. They have since resumed duty at their new posting.

    But in Edo State, the story is different. Kokumo is yet to assume duties for unexplained reasons. News of Gwandu’s removal as Edo police boss was celebrated by some members of the Civil Society Organisation, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ambrose Alli University chapter, some police officers at the state command and some state government officials.

    It was gathered that Governor Godwin Obaseki who was not happy with the modus operandi of Gwandu had made several efforts to make the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, effect the July 5th redeployment  of Gwandu met brick wall.

    Obaseki gave a hint about his displeasure with Gwandu’s security architecture after the abduction of Ehanire when he said he would meet President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen the security apparatus in the state. The visit to Mr. President is perhaps yet to yield any result.

    A government source said: “Since July till date, nothing has happened. And we are beginning to suspect that something is amiss. For the CP to remain at his post even after the Police Service Commission has posted him out of the command, it only means he has the backing of the IGP, who has also not done anything to get the CP to heed the directive.

    “Recently, Governor Obaseki embarked on a trip to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, with the aim of persuading him to prevail on the IG to honour the posting carried out by the PSC, which is yet to yield any fruits. By these turn of events, Edo People and the state’s operating environment are now at the mercy of these criminals.”

    Concerned Citizens of Edo State staged a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding the removal of Gwandu.

    The protesters demanded an apology from the IGP for not doing enough to address the worsening security situation in the state and stated that the continued stay of Gwandu has given criminals freedom to cause mayhem in the state.

    Leader of the protesters, Mr. Henry Okpamen, informed the IGP that recent resurgence of kidnappings and armed robbery was an indication that the police commissioner was incapable of protecting life and property in the state.

    Okpamen said recent abduction of Dr. Andy Ehanire, the Chief Executive Officer of Ogba Zoo and Nature Park, killing of three policemen in the abduction process, kidnapping of Osayomore Joseph and killing of Professor Paul Otasowie of the University  were signs of bad policing in the state.

    In a letter addressed to leaders of the National Assembly and the Presidency signed by its coordinator, Hon. Henry Okpamen, the group said, “We, the concerned citizens of Edo State, are gathered here today to share our pains with Mr President, the President of Senate and the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and all their members on the worsening security situation in our State.  While Mr Governor and his Cabinet, with cooperation from the revered Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, are working round the clock to encourage investments into Edo State, the Inspector General of Police has refused to support the government of Edo State in this effort.

    “The incompetence of Mr Gwandu came to the fore in March 2017, when a former Council Chairman of Etsako East, Hon. Suleiman Malik Afegbua and some other persons were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen along the Benin-Ehor road.  Hon. Afegbua was later killed by the kidnappers.

    “Strangely, while the family was still negotiating the release of the other persons that were kidnapped along with him, Mr Haliru Gwandu announced gleefully to the whole world that the kidnappers had been arrested by his men, which was not true. This breach of trust demonstrates that Mr Gwandu was out of touch with reality and incapable of relying on security reports to manage delicate situations in the State.

    “Even after this well-publicised incident involving Hon. Suleiman Afegbua, herdsmen continued to operate freely in that area and this led to the kidnapping and killing of innocent, vulnerable farmers especially women in Ewu, Uromi, Ubiaja and Ebigbere communities of the state. “

    Edo police spokesman DSP Moses Nkombe said there was no letter posting Gwandu out of Edo State. He said the police would not join issues with the protesters.

  • ‘Why Enugu is safest state’

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam has revealed that proactive and cooperative policing approach made Enugu the safest state in the country.

    Danmallam disclosed this in Enugu while addressing student participants from the National Defence College (NDC), Course 26 on a study tour in the state on a courtesy call to the state police command headquarters.

    He noted that since he took over the command in February this year, he had motivated and led various operations, units and squads on the field to ensure that “officers and men were on top of their game as they see their commissioner with them.”

    “So, we have been highly pro-active, while my commanders and team leaders had been up and doing; that is why we have reduced crime and incidents of criminality in the state to zero level.

    “For, the issue of car snatching it had since been reported last over a month ago; kidnapping had disappeared while we have battled cultism and gangsterism as well.

    “The command also received tremendous co-operation from other security agencies especially the Nigerian Army, Air Force, NSCDC, NDLEA, Prison Service and neighbourhood vigilante groups in various communities in the state.

    “We have conduct joint internal security patrols, joint show of force sessions, seminars and monthly meetings to ensure that collectively we are ahead of criminals and other emerging security threats,’’ he said.

    According to him, the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been highly supportive and given the command all necessary encouragement needed for continuous success.

    On youth employment in the state, Danmallam said that the governor had done a lot to see to the engagement of youths through various senatorial skill empowerment programmes.

    “The governor has ensured that workers get their salaries on or before 25th of each month; he also inaugurated neighbourhood watch in every community in the state and engage youths in the watch groups.

    “Just of recent, he engaged over 200 youths in the state traffic control unit as well as various sporting activities and competitions, where youths are gainful engaged by the sports clubs and association,” he said.

    According to him, youths in the state had been highly engaged resulting that during the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashes with security agencies in the zone; Enugu State had never been a ground for IPOB rallies since February.

    The Team Leader of the NDC, Commodore Olumuyiwa Olotu, thanked the commissioner for keeping Enugu very safe and peaceful; adding: “We can see that peace and calm even from the ordinary people we have interacted with so far’’.

    “We have seen and met with a very happy, approachable and hospitable people in the state since our stay. This is a laudable testimony to the peaceful atmosphere that exist here,” Olotu said.

    He noted that the students of participants of National Defence College (NDC), Course 26 on a study tour on the topic: “Youth Empowerment’’.

    “Sir, we urge you to give us all necessary co-operation as well as answers to questions which would assist us carry our assignment in the state,” he appealed.

     

  • FCT gets new Commissioner of Police 

    FCT gets new Commissioner of Police 

    Commissioner of Police, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello has resumed duty at the FCT Police Command Headquarters as the new police chief.

    Bello took over from CP Musa Kimo who has been redeployed.

    CP Bello who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Bayero University Kano (BUK) was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force in 1988 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

    Prior to his recent posting to the FCT Police Command, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello was the immediate past Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State Police Command.

    Details of some of his achievement are contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

    “He is a seasoned Police officer who has served the Nigeria Police Force in different capacities. He is an alumni of the renowned Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping Centre, Accra Ghana. His Foreign Mission experience include: International Police Task Force, Bosnia and Africa Mission in Sudan (Darfur).

    “In the course of his policing career, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello has attended many foreign and local courses, some of which include: Junior Command Course (JCC), Intermediate Command Course (ICC), Senior Command Course (SCC), Advance Detective Course (ADC), Intelligence Course and numerous others.

    Some of his postings include: “Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department Kwara State Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, General Investigation Force CID Abuja; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Deputy Commissioner of Police, second in Command Edo State Police Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Finance and Administration FCT Police Command; and Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Police Command.”

    CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello while assuring FCT residents of his willingness to partner with spirited individuals, groups and all security agencies, enjoined resident of FCT to support the Command with information.

    He also noted that the Command under his stewardship will evolve novel strategies that will build on the gains of his predecessor and make the Federal Capital Territory safe and secure for all.