The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Commissioner of Police

  • Police refutes alleged pipeline attack in A/Ibom

    The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Mr Murtala Mani, on Thursday refuted an alleged explosion of pipelines at Ikot Osutek, Oruk-Anam Local Government Area of the state by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    Mani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that the alleged vandalism was an accident caused by a leakage in the gas pipelines.

    He said that it was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt were working to rectify the leakage.
    Mani said that the state was safe from the activities of the militant group.

    NAN reports that the gas pipelines are owned by Nigerian Gas Company Ltd (NGC).

    Ikot Osutek community, the location of the gas pipelines, is along Ikot Abasi-Ogoni-Port Harcourt axis of the East-West Road in Akwa Ibom.

    NAN further reports that many residents of the state were disturbed by the alleged attack, due to the revelation that the militant group had vandalised 23 gas pipelines since Feb. 14 when it started attacks.

  • We are no longer safe in Bayelsa, Igbo traders tell police

    We are no longer safe in Bayelsa, Igbo traders tell police

    Igbo traders in Bayelsa State, yesterday, marched the streets of Yenagoa, the state capital, in protest of the continual murder of Igbo businessmen in the state capital by unknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers and hired assassins.

     

    They were particularly angry over the gruesome murder of Agodo Martins by gunmen at his Yenagoa residence early hours of Monday.

     

    The hoodlums were said to have broken into the house of Martins, who owns a popular boutique called Omars Fashion Plaza at the Ompadec area of the Yenagoa-Mbiama Road.

     

    It was gathered that the gunmen who stormed the house of Martins located at the Punch Road area demanded money from their victim.

     

    The deceased reportedly told his assailants that there was no cash at home because shops in the capital city were shut down for about four days in honour of the late Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was buried on Saturday.

     

    After ransacking his house, the gunmen were said to have shot and killed Martin in cold blood in the presence of his new wife.

     

    The traders led by the President, Ohaneze Youth Council (OYC), Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, also lamented that Martin was killed a few days after gunmen suspected to be assassins murdered another successful Igbo businessman, Ugochukwu,  popularly called Ugo Best.

     

    It was gathered that Ugochukwu was killed along the Azikoro village on his way home after business of that day.

     

    A source who spoke in confidence said: “He was close to his house in company with his wife when gunmen operating in commercial tricycles blocked his car. They dragged him out of the car and forced into the tricycle.

     

    “His corpse was discovered the next day at the Azikoro cemetery with his hands and legs tied up. He was a successful businessman who built a big house at the Azikoro village. We are scared”.

     

    The traders also related how another businessman was gruesomely murdered at the Tombia area adding that others were being harassed and injured by arm-bearing youths.

     

    The traders assembled at the front of Omars boutique, forced shops to close down and marched with anger to the state command of the police.

     

    They were received by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Ogunyawo, and other senior police officers.

     

    Presenting their grievances, Arthur-Ugwa said: “The Igbos are no longer safe in Bayelsa. We are being killed by gunmen. One was killed at Azikoro, the other one was killed at Tombia and today another one who just got married was killed in cold blood.

     

    “We are not happy and we have closed down our business to come and tell you at the headquarters that we are not safe. If you cannot guarantee our safety, we will relocate our business and families out of the state. We are pleading for your assistance”.

     

    Ogunyawo in his response, told the grieving traders that crimes exist everywhere and were not targeted at the Igbos.

     

    He said death is one debt everybody must pay and that nobody knows how it will be paid.

     

    He said the command was doing everything possible to check the crime wave in the state and asked the traders to furnish the police with information to enable them become effective.

     

    “We can’t be effective if you don’t partner with us. Once you have feelings of any crime, let us know. You don’t need to run to anywhere because crimes exist everywhere”, he said.

  • Two killed in Edo communal clash over mango

    Two persons have been killed and 40 houses burnt in a clash between two communities in Akoko-Edo local government.

    The two communities, Uneme-Ekpedo and Bekuma-Okpameri, had the fracas on Wednesday after some members quarreled over mango.

    It was gathered that four persons from Uneme-Ekpedo community went to a bush to pluck mangoes but one of them was killed by youths from Bekuma-Okpameri community who claimed the mango tree belonged to them.

    Peeved by the killing, youths from Uneme-Ekpedo were said to have mobilized and attacked Bekuma-Okpameri attacking residents and set houses ablaze.

    The palace of the traditional ruler of Bekuma-Okpameri, HRH Moses Alabi, was set ablaze.

    Persons injured in the attacked are now receiving treatment at an emergency camp at Lampese, a neighboring community.

    A source said, “As I am talking to you, there is nobody in Bekuma-Okpameri. It was unbelievable. The youths have completely sacked the community and residents are now camped in Lampese.”

    Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, confirmed the incident and said a fact finding police team has been sent to the community to arrest the perpetrators.

    Ezike added that the police held talks with the two traditional rulers.

  • Police arrest eight persons over Abuja clash

    Police arrest eight persons over Abuja clash

    The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the clash in Gwagwalada on Saturday.

    Inalegwu told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that investigation on the incident in which houses, shops and vehicles were destroyed, had reached advanced stage to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the fracas.

    “All those found wanting will soon be taken to court for prompt prosecution,’’ he said.

    He said that no stone would be left unturned in applying the law fully in order to serve as deterrent to anyone who may want to follow the same barbaric path.

    He disclosed that normalcy had returned to the area and assured residents of the FCT that security agencies are on top of the situation.

    NAN recalls that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, had while reacting to the incident, directed the security agencies in the territory to arrest those involved in the clash.

    The minister also directed the agencies to ensure that all those involved in the fracas faced the full wrath of the law, saying that nobody was above the law.

     

  • Building Collapse: Lagos halts Lekki Gardens’ construction

    …Asks directors to report to Police within 24hours

    The Lagos State Government has halted construction on Lekki Gardens’ site, following the death of 25 construction site workers who lost their lives on Tuesday as a result of the collapse of a five-storey building under construction.

    The State Government has consequently directed the suspension of work at the site and ordered the State Police Command to cordon it off as it is now a crime scene.

    In a press release issued on Wednesday and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the Lagos State Government also announced that based on preliminary reports and investigation, it was discovered that the collapsed building was served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors and thereafter sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

    It added that it has also been discovered that in a brazen act of defiance and impunity, the owners of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, criminally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the unfortunate incident of Tuesday which has led to loss of lives.

    The statement added that arising from the Lagos State Executive Council meeting decision on Wednesday, the State Government will no longer tolerate the action of unscrupulous owners and builders who challenge its supervisory control thereby endangering the lives of Lagosians.

    The government also directed further integrity tests be carried out on every other construction project which has or is currently being handled by Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited in the interest of public safety.

    Furthermore, the release quoted the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as saying that all directors of Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited are strongly advised to submit themselves to the State Commissioner of Police within the next twenty four hours in their own interest or face immediate arrest.

    The statement also commended the timely response and remarkable intervention by the combined men of the Lagos State Emergency Authority (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Red Cross, National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

    The State Government also warned that it will no longer be business as usual stating that any developer either on existing or new building projects who fails to comply with building and construction regulations or attempts to subvert the law will henceforth face criminal prosecution.

    The State Government however expresses its condolences on the death of the victims.

     

     

  • Mile 12 Clash: Lagos meets market, community leaders

    Mile 12 Clash: Lagos meets market, community leaders

    The Lagos State Government Friday met with all the stakeholders from Mile 12 market, Agiliti community, Maidan and its environs aimed at finding a lasting solution to the violence that led to the closure of the Mile 12 market with a promise that a harmonious and effective solution would be put in place in the next few days.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, who presided over the meeting held at the State Secretariat, Alausa, said that all the leaders agreed on the need to cohabit in peace irrespective of their religion, culture or tribes.

    Bello urged the leaders to go back and assure their people to maintain the peace, stating that the State Government would consider the inputs of all those present in arriving at a decision.

    Addressing the leaders which included those of the various sections of the Mile 12 market, traditional rulers from Agiliti, Maidan, leaders of the transport unions, commercial motorcyclists, community development associations and leaders from the communities, Bello said leaders also agreed to go back to their communities and assure their people of government’s desire to ensure that lasting peace reigns in that community.

    The SSG who said the issue of disagreement is not new in the area said what is uppermost is that everybody should see the next person as his brother, hence everyone at the meeting must leave with an open mind of cohabiting peacefully with their neighbours and avoid bloodletting.

    He reiterated the directive of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode that the market remains closed and all trading activities be suspended to aid security agencies restore calm to the affected areas.

    He gave an assurance to the market leaders from Mile 12 that the State Government is studying the situation and would address all the issues that have arisen decisively with a view to ensuring that it does not recur again.

    Speaking at the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr I.O Edgal who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni said the Police High Command has secured the Agiliti area and its environs and peace has now returned to the community.

    He said the clash and resultant loss of lives was very unfortunate and that going by the level of destruction on ground, it was not commensurate with what was reported to have precipitated the clash.

    Other participants at the meeting including the Iyaloja of Mile 12 market, Alhaja Iyabo Ahmed, Baale of Maidan, Chief Baale Ogunjobi, Baale of Agiliti, Chief Jimoh Onikosi, Serikin Nupe, Alhaji Jibril Magaji, Chairman, Shukura yam, Alhaji Mohammed Damdana, Chairman of CDA Central, Elder M.A Showande, were all resolute in appealing to the State Government to ensure that the issue is resolved on time so that they can go ahead with their various businesses.

    Other Government functionaries in attendance include the Special Advisers to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Hon Kehinde Joseph, Community Development and Communication, Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan and Permanent Secretaries from Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi and Cabinet Office, Mr Olushola Odupitan.

  • Tragedy as Area Commander drowns in hotel pool

    Tragedy as Area Commander drowns in hotel pool

    The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police on Sunday recorded a painful loss of a senior officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Osung Ekpo.

    Ekpo who was the Area K Commander, Morogbo drowned on Sunday night in a swimming pool located inside La Avalon Hotel in Lekki.

    He was said to have gone there with some of his friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day but died in mysterious circumstance.

    Renowned for his doggedness in tackling criminals, particularly the alleged One Million Boys who had unleashed mayhem on communities under his command, he was said to have been rushed to a nearby hospital in Ajah, where he was confirmed dead.

    Although the exact time he drowned could not be ascertained, it was learnt that the Area J police command received the signal at about 8pm and rushed to the hotel.

    After he was confirmed dead, The Nation gathered that his body was deposited at a military hospital in the Island.

    It was further learnt that Ekpo had visited another senior colleague of his about three hours before his death.

    The news of his death however left many police officers in sad mood especially the Divisional Police Officers who worked under him.

    One of the DPOs who does not want his name mentioned told The Nation that Ekpo was a friendly and humble man, who had strong passion for his job.

    He stated that the deceased ACP has hardly rested since the rumour of activities of the One Million Boys started.

    “He went to celebrate Valentine and to also rest because he has been working very hard. He was a very jovial man and a good police officer too. This is a terrible loss. It is the worst valentine gift the police can get,” he said.

    However, the state command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, an SP, who confirmed his death, said Ekpo went to the hotel for a swimming exercise.

    She said: “The Lagos State Police Command regrets to announce the death of Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Osung Ekpo, who until his death was the Area Commander, Area ‘K’ Morogbo.

    “The death occurred on Sunday, February 14, while having his routine swimming exercise in a Pool. ACP Osung Ekpo was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in the year 1990, and worked in various formations of the Force.

    “He assumed his last duty post as Area Commander, Area ‘K’ Morogbo on November 14, 2013, a position he held until his untimely death.

    “The Command will miss him for his gallantry performance while he held forth as the Area Commander. Lagos State Police Command sympathizes with his family and prays that Almighty God give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. “

    A gallant officer, Ekpo had served at various units and Divisions of the police.

    He was DPO of several police stations in Lagos.

    He also served at the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos before he was promoted to the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of police and posted to the North.

    He was however transferred to Lagos and made the Area K Commander.

    His posting to that command was triggered by the growing rate of smuggling activities.

    He was said to have dared the smugglers and decimated them during the period he spent there.

  • NSCDC inaugurates gunboats in Bayelsa to tackle vandalism

    NSCDC inaugurates gunboats in Bayelsa to tackle vandalism

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Tuesday, inaugurated gunboats in Bayelsa State to tackle cases of pipeline vandalism and other maritime criminalities in the state.

    The gunboats were sent to the state command of NSCDC by the Federal Government a few days after suspected vandals attacked pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Brass, Brass Local Government Area of the state.

    The corps’ Commandant-General, Abdullahi Muhammadu, was said to be desirous of equipping the commands in the Niger Delta region to forestall further attacks on oil installations and other national assets.

    The gunboats were inaugurated at the Government Jetty, Yenagoa, by the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, in a brief ceremony that was attended by the deputy Governor, John Jonah; Chief of Staff, Talford Ongolo and all the security commanders in the state.

    Security commanders, who attended the event, were the Commissioner of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo; state Commandant, NSCDC, Desmond Agu and the Commander, Joint Force (JF), Operation Pulo Shield, among others.

    Muhammadu commended Dickson for his efforts on security adding that the governor “does not joke with security”.

    Muhammadu, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant-General, Operation, Mr. Nnamdi Nwiyi, said the presence of all the security heads at the event underscored the synergy existing among them.

    “This is the only state I have visited where all the service chiefs are represented in an event of this nature. It shows synergy and I really appreciate what we have seen,” he said.

    In his remarks, Dickson said all the security agencies and the government had developed the habit of working together as a team.

    He said his government was committed in protection of lives and properties as well as safeguarding national assets.

    He asked the commandant-general to send more maritime assets to the state insisting that Bayelsa is more riverine than every other state in the country.

    He thanked the officers and operatives of the state command of NSCDC and praised the dedication of the state commandant to his duties.

    Dickson, however, told the commandant-general that his command in the state needed more support to enable it protect critical public installations.

    He said: “Our government has a high priority for security. In our second term in office, we will consolidate on security.”

    The governor called on all the misguided youths who had taken to crime to quit or face the wrath of his government and security agencies.

    He said the government in partnership with security outfits would flush out “disgruntled and misguided youths out of the state.”

    Dickson who later inaugurated the new headquarters of NSCDC emphasised the need for cooperation among the security agencies.

    He also promised that his government would soon provide more gunboats to security agencies.

    Earlier in his speech, Agu commended Dickson for all his support for the command including building the new headquarters.

  • Adamawa gets new Commissioner of Police

    Adamawa gets new Commissioner of Police

    Mr. Ghazzali Mohammed has assumed duty as the new Adamawa Commissioner of Police, a statement from the Command has said.

    The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, Mohammed assumed office on Wednesday.

    A copy of the statement made available to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola said Mohammed replaced Mr. Gabriel Adaji.

    Mohammed, until his appointment, was in charge of election planning and monitoring at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    “The new Commissioner solicits the cooperation of the general public and calls on them to be law abiding and confident in the security apparatus of the state in the course of his administration.

    “He also wishes members of the public a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance,” the statement said.

  • Lagos Police boss in Oshodi, restores order

    Lagos Police boss in Oshodi, restores order


    The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Ajani Oweseni, on Tuesday visited Oshodi area of the state on a familiarisation tour. The Commissioner, who took over the command recently, was seen around 9:00am on Tuesday commanding his personnel around and ensuring that law and orderliness returned to Oshodi.