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  • Lagos gets eighth CP in seven years

    Lagos gets eighth CP in seven years

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday approved the appointment of Olohundare Moshood Jimoh as the Commissioner of Police (CP) for the Lagos State Command.

    With the appointment, Jimoh becomes the eighth commissioner to occupy the seat within seven years.

    He would be taking over from Olarenwaju Ishola, who was appointed last September following the elevation of his predecessor, Adegoke Fayoade, to the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

    Jimoh, a former Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), has served in key positions, including CP Communications Operations, Force Headquarters, CP Eastern Port, Rivers State, Deputy Commissioner, Airport Command; Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Kwara State and Deputy Commissioner General Investigations, FCID, Alagbon.

    His appointment followed an interview yesterday in Abuja by the Chairman and Commissioners of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd.).

    Jimoh would be bringing to bear his vast experiences in combat operations, counter-terrorism, social construction and management, maritime rescue operations, and anti-hijacking techniques and tactics.

    Confirming Jimoh’s deployment, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the IGP expected him to utilise his extensive background in communications, administration and public relations, combined with his operational expertise, which uniquely qualified him to head the Lagos State Police Command.

    Read Also: BREAKING: PSC appoints Moshood as Lagos CP

    Adejobi said Jimoh’s appointment was expected to strengthen coordination among units, enhance community engagement, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in Lagos State.

    “The Inspector-General of Police has charged CP Jimoh Moshood to uphold the rule of law and maintain operational excellence as he assumes his new role and to lead with unwavering integrity, enforce discipline, and implement proactive strategies to safeguard lives and property,” Adejobi said.

    With just five months in the saddle as the Lagos Police Commissioner Ishola, who was due for retirement in October, was replaced by the PSC and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to bolster internal security and enhance operational effectiveness.

    Eight commissioners in seven years

    In the last seven years, the Lagos State Police Command has witnessed a rapid succession of leadership, with eight different commissioners taking charge. Some served less than a year.

    Below are the names of the commissioners and the duration of their tour of duty in the command:

     Iwohimi Edgal resumed duty on August 31, 2O17 and held sway till February 6, 2019, shortly before the postponed general elections, when he handed over to Zubairu Muazu.

    Muazu stayed in office until his promotion to Assistant Inspector General (AIG) on November 14, 2019. He handed over to Hakeem Odumosu, who held the position until January 24, 2022, when he was deployed as a result of his promotion to the rank of AIG.

     Abiodun Alabi was in charge from January 24, 2022 till his elevation to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and handed over to Idowu Owohunwa on February 14, following his promotion to AIG.

    Similarly, Owohunwa led the command for eight months (February 14 to December 14 2023) and was redeployed as a result of his promotion to the rank of AIG.

     Adegoke Fayoade succeeded Owohunwa. He held the position until September 17, when he too was moved up to AIG and posted to Zone Two.

     Olanrewaju Ishola got the baton from Fayoade. Ishola held the position for five months before his replacement with Olohundare Moshood Jimoh.

    Security experts have called for the establishment of fixed tenures for commissioners of police in strategic states to enhance public safety and security.

    They proposed that except in cases of death, incapacitation, gross misconduct, or abuse of office, every police commissioner should serve a minimum of two years in a command.

    This stability could help maintain continuity in crime-fighting strategies and build trust within the community.

  • PDP calls for redeployment of REC, CP

    Ahead of the November 16 Kogi governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party has called for the transfer of the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Busari, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. James Apam.

    This was contained in the resolution of the Lokoja LGA PDP, at the end of its enlarged stakeholders meeting.

    According to the party, their removal will guarantee fairness, equity and justice in the election.

    The PDP in a communiqué signed by Alhaji Abubakar Idris, the Lokoja LG party chairman, warned against the deployment of Dr. Amina Zakari, INEC National Commissioner, to oversee the governorship poll in the state. It said on no condition should she be allowed to be part of the exercise.

    The party called for the deployment of the officers, saying their actions were no longer in the interest of credible election.

    The party, however, passed a vote of confidence in the Nigeria Army (Records) Command and the DSS in Lokoja, saying that it has lived up to its billings during elections.

    It restated its commitment to ensuring victory for the party and its candidate, Musa Wada, urging members not to rest on their oars, but work hard to seal victory for the party.

  • We’ll fish out perpetrators of Enugu killings, CP vows

    THE new Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mr. Suleiman Balarabe, has assured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that his command is “doing everything possible to fish out the perpetrators” behind the killing of a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Clement Ugwu and the Secretary to the UzoUwani Local Government Area, Dr. Nnamdi Ogueche. CP Balarabe, who gave the assurance when he paid the governor a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu, said that one of the reasons for the visit was to condole with him on the incidents, saying: “My command deeply and sadly condole His Excellency on these unfortunate deaths.”

    This came as the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement made available to the press, disclosed that the perpetrators of the heinous acts were yet-to-be identified contrary to reports in some sections of the media. The police spokesperson stated that “investigation is still ongoing to unmask those behind the dastardly acts as well as their motives”, adding that “the command views the report as improper, malicious and inciting as the ongoing police investigation has not revealed those responsible for the unfortunate incidents including their background.”

    According to him:“The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, working in partnership with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders is committed towards sustaining peace and security in the state.”  On his part, the police chief told Ugwuanyi that the visit was also to formally introduce himself as “the new Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command” and to congratulate him on his reelection. Responding, the governor, who welcomed and congratulated the new CP on his “posting to this very important and strategic office”, stated that “following our meeting with security agencies in the state, we are also confident that the command will as usual, do everything necessary to apprehend the hoodlums”, praying that similar incidents do not recur.

    Ugwuanyi noted that his administration in its resolve to ensure security of lives and property of the people as well as the maintenance of peace in every corner of the state, has “always maintained an excellent partnership with the Enugu State Police Command and other security agencies in the state.” The governor added that “this relationship has largely been responsible for the current status of the state as one of the safest, most peaceful and most secure states in the country.” While expressing gratitude to the command “for its vital contributions towards the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general election in the state”, Ugwuanyi reassured the new CP of “the continued support and cooperation of the state government to ensure an even more laudable performance of the command under your watch.”

  • Benue PDP petitions CP over alleged soldiers’ brutality, electoral violence

    LEADERS of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Apa Ward, Ado Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State have appealed to the state Police Commissioner over the alleged assault and intimidation of their members during the March 9 governorship election by soldiers on the orders of Agbese Philip.

    They alleged that Nelson Ogbu, Comrade James Oche, Emmanuel Aboh, Ogbu Ogaba, Innocent Egegwu, Susan Onmonya, Kingsley Onmonya, Otse Unazi, Udah Okibe and the entire PDP Ward executives in the ward were harassed, intimidated by the soldiers led by one Corporal Echo Omerigwe (a.k.a. Tension).

    According to the petition signed by their lawyer, M.S. Agaku, the soldiers also intimidated innocent voters, who were sympathetic to the PDP.

    The petition added that Agbese, who brought them, bragged publicly that they were assigned to him by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “Agbese Philip also boasted that as a consultant to the Nigerian Army, he has the capacity and the authority to commit any crime,” it stated.

    The petitioners alleged that Agbese led suspected thugs identified as Attah Adadu, Mike Omerigwe and a corps member serving in Bayelsa State, Otse Unazi, among others to New Site Polling Unit, where notable members of the PDP were beaten up.

    Those beaten up, according to the petition, include the Senior Special Assistant to Benue State Governor on Media, Nelson Ogbu and Senior Special Assistant to the former Senate President James Oche.

    They added that those assaulted were forced to abandon their polling unit for their safety.

    “These assaults, threats, intimidation continued in other polling units in Azegbilede, RCM Primary School, Austine Chemist, Apa Ugbozu, Methodist Primary School ll, Uwezekoka and many others, wherein the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State Joseph Ogezi and his fellow voters were brutalised.

    “Ballot boxes and other electoral materials were forcefully snatched, later thump-printed and returned back to INEC office leading to the cancellation of election in 10 affected Polling Units.

    “Agbese Philip, the soldiers and thugs publicly embarked on more terrible acts, including but not limited to burning of electoral materials in areas, where the APC performed abysmally. These acts affected the outcome of the election in the ward where results of 10 polling units were cancelled,” the petition stated.

    According to the lawyer, the PDP was concerned that in the scheduled rerun, Agbese might exhibit similar attacks, alleging that he was already bragging about the assignment of more soldiers and thugs to him.

    Calling on the police to investigate those involved with a view to bringing them to justice, the lawyer said actions should also be taken to safeguard life and property in the scheduled rerun.

     

  • APC calls for cancellation of elections in Abia Central, sack of INEC REC, CP

    Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the immediate sack of the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Joseph Iloh. This is even as they also called for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, in the state, Mr. EtimOkon.

    Addressing journalists in Aba, APC State Publicity Secretary; Comrade Benedict Godson also called for the cancellation of the Abia Central Senatorial District poll.

    Godson said they no longer have the confidence that the REC would conduct free, fair and credible election after Iloh was said to have allegedly held a private meeting with the immediate past governor and Abia Central Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Senator T. A. Orji that lasted for 30 minutes in Umuahia.

    He said the party does not want anyone to truncate the will and wishes of Abia electorate who have made their choices and wondered why a former governor and a candidate in an election would pay visit to the INEC REC at this time.

    In his reaction, the former Governor T. Orji while expressing worries on why his moves are always misinterpreted said “By the time I went there, voting has not started and nobody knows the person that will win. How can my visit affect the outcome of results? I went there to complain that materials have not come to my unit. INEC is a public office that any person can go to. Have they ever complained about the visitation of other candidates of various elective positions to the INEC office? Whenever I go there (INEC Office), it becomes an issue. Because of what you people say and write, I won’t move out; is that what you are saying?

    Read Also: Fayemi votes, says APC won’t buy vote to win

    “In my own unit, as at 1:30pm, election materials haven’t come. I was worried and people were worrying me. Who will I go to complain to if not the Resident Electoral Commissioner? That was what I went to do. Ask the REC and I told him that I am going to write a petition and that we have lost up to 4-5hrs into the election. I told him that I want to recover the lost hours in the election; that they have to extend the time, not knowing that INEC will later extend it. That is what I went there to do.

    “Why is it that my movement is always misinterpreted? When the Resident Electoral Commissioner came to this state, every politician went to pay him a courtesy call. The day I went, it was everywhere in the news that I went there to share money. Since then, I have not been there. Are you not aware that electoral materials arrived late to different polling units?

    “People came out, but in my local government; Umuahia North, people were disappointed not only that election didn’t start at the appropriate time, materials were not there. INEC adhocstaff were equally not there. We campaigned and sensitized people and they came out to vote. Somebody will leave his house by 7 O’ clock and by 1 ‘O Clock, the person is yet to vote because there were no material and election officers.

  • Lagos is peaceful; come out and vote, CP tells residents 

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu has again appealed to residents to come out today and exercise their franchise, assuring that nothing would disrupt the peace and security in the state.

    Muazu gave the assurance after a meeting with all heads of security agencies in the state held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

    According to the police chief, security had been adequately deployed across the state to ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise, security of lives and properties.

    A statement released by the spokesman for the command, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), appealed to residents to contact emergency numbers- Control 1: 08127155132 and 07035068242; Control 2: 08127155150 and 08065154338

    Control 3: 08127155071 and 08063299264- in case of any distress.

    Oti said: “The CP restates that the command, as part of its commitment to a peaceful conduct of the polls, has adequately deployed men and officers to different parts of the state.

    “He assures Lagosians that the command in collaboration with other sister agencies has put in place all the necessary security measures to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.

    “The CP says eligible voters have no cause to entertain fear or feel intimidated in performing their civic duty, urging them to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner.

    “He warns violence-minded people to steer clear from engaging in acts capable of truncating the election, noting that whoever is caught will face the full weight of the law.”

  • Lamorde, Inalegwu, 16 others promoted AIGs

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde and 17 others have been promoted from the rank of Commissioners of Police (CPS) to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

    The Police Service Commission also promoted 33 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to the rank of Commissioners of Police.

    The Commission, in a statement in Abuja, on Thursday by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said the promotion was one of the decisions of the 4th Plenary meeting of the Commission held in Abuja on the 28th and 29th of January, 2019.

    The new AIGs are: Maurice A. Yusuf; Ibrahim A. Lamorde, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC); Murtala Usman Mani, Wilson A. Inalegwu, a former CP, FCT; Dibal Paul Yakadi, Haruna Huzi, Mshelia, Mohammad A. Mustafa, Hyelashinda Kimo Musa, former CP, FCT, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom Commands, Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, a former Oyo State Command CP;

    Others are Olusola Kamar Subair, Basen Dapiya Gwana, David Oyebanji Folawiyo, Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, Nkpa N. Inakwu, Chris Okey Ezike until now CP, Abia State; Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, D.M Obembe and Wilson O. Akhiwu.

    Read Also: Police kill suspected robber in Enugu

    The new CPs are: Uche J. Anozie, Nwamhi Felix Yame, Mohammed Abdulmumini Gimba, Musa Adze, Philip Sule Maku, Umaru Haruna Miringa, Usman Sule Gomna, Adamu Usman, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ahmed Mohammed Azare, Adamu Saleh Jajeri, Maigana Alahi Sani, Audu Adamu Madaki and Dajuma Mohammed Lawal.

    Others are: Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, John Ogbonnaya Amadi, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, Mohammed Bagega, Bello Makwashi, Buba Sanusi, Suleiman Balarabe, Rabiu Ladodo, Ndatsu Aliyu Mohammed, Yunusa Edwin Ogwuche, Cyril I. Okoro, Awosola Awotunde, Ayodele Andrew Olatunji, Garuba Danjuma, Bello Sani Dalijan, Imaikop Asuquo Okpongkpong and Sahabo Abubakar Yahaya.

    Others are: Jerome E. Bentem, Idris Nagoyo, Ibrahim A. Gora and Edna Obiageri Ugbebor.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, while charging the newly promoted officers said the nation was looking up to them to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the numerous security problems facing the country as we approach the 2019 polls.

    He also said they should reciprocate government’s good intentions by rededicating themselves to the service of the country.

     

     

  • CP: slain sergeant was a cultist

    Edo State Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosun has said the police sergeant that was killed last Saturday night in Benin City was a cultist.

    The deceased, identified as Oisa Monday Ehigie, was killed at Nomayo junction, along Upper Sokponba Road.

    He was an orderly to the Chairman of Ikpoba-okha Local Government, Dr. Eric Osayande.

    Cult-related killings in Benin City and its environs have increased since last month.

    Several persons have been killed, including a doctor at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

    Odumosun said two other suspected cultists were killed in the shootout.

    He said he was surprised that a police officer was fighting on the side of a rival cult.

    The Edo Police boss said several persons had been arrested, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered in connection to the killings.

    He said: “The information we have is that the sergeant was fighting on the side of one of the rival cults. Cult war is either inter or intra. They are either fighting themselves or fighting another cult.

    “I was surprised. He was not in uniform. Two members of the other cult were killed.”

  • Police still investigating drowned man’s case, says CP

    Abia State Police Commissioner Mr. Chris Ezike has said the command is still investigating the case of the drowned man at a swimming pool.

    He added that the friends of the deceased were taken back into custody to continue with investigation and rule out foul-play.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a 20-year-old man drowned at the swimming pool of a hotel on Margret Avenue in GRA, Aba on November 29.

    The man was said to have gone to swim at the hotel’s pool during their colleague’s birthday party, but drowned.

    Sixteen other friends of the deceased at the party were arrested by the police for investigation and released on November 30.

    A police source told NAN that their release came after preliminary investigations involving CCTV footage preview at the Central Police Station, Aba failed to link them with their colleague’s death.

    However, NAN findings showed that State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday re-arrested and moved the boys to the police headquarters in Umuahia.

    Ezike said the police were not in for a witch-hunt, but wanted to rule out the possibility of foul play in the death of the young man.

    “You talked about CCTV footage. The footage did not show when the boy entered the pool. It only showed his body in the pool.

    “We are looking at negligent act; we are looking at wilful act. Wilful acts are different from negligent acts, but all or part can form the ingredients of a crime.”

     

     

     

  • CP to FSARS: respect rights

     The Lagos State Police Command has trained 140 officers in human rights protection, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.

    After one-month intensive training, 140 officers have graduated   in “Advanced Human Rights and Community Policing Standards”.

    The event took place at the event hall of the Police Officers’ Mess in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Participants are made up of 90 personnel of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and 50 other police officers attached to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, majorly from the administrationun it of the 109 Divisions under the command.

    The training, facilitated by the Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) and the Lagos State Command, followed a barrage of complaints against FSARS operatives by members of the public.

    Lawyers from the human right groups participated in the training as resource persons.

    They delivered papers on  Advanced Human Rights, Torture Prevention, Extra-Judicial Killing, Code of Conduct at Elections, Police Disciplinary Procedure and Administration of Criminal Act 2015.

    It followed a similar one the non governmental organisation (NGO) organised for Anambra State Command.

    A total of  145 SARS operatives attached to the command were trained on different aspects human rights and how the police could avoid  abuse of suspects related.

    The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, challenged the graduating officers and men to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force by promoting human rights in all their activities.

    Imohimi who was represented by his Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration, Elkanah Ayuba, challenged the officers to put into practice the knowledge they have acquired from the human rights training.

    He told the FSARS officers in particular that the Inspector General of Police was not happy with the human rights abuses by some of them.

    He said  there was an urgent need for them to change their ways, adding , “whenever any officer abused the rights of other people, curses would go with the officer just as those who promoted peace and positive attitude in their operations would be  divinely blessed”.

    He emphasised that they should be mindful of their conduct particularly during the forthcoming general elections.

    The police boss enjoined them to shun gratification of any kind from politicians, warning that policing was a profession they have chosen as a career and should not allow anybody to destroy it.

    ”Always remember that you are family breed winners, so if anything wrong happens to you, your dependants would suffer”, he admonished them.

    In an opening remarks, founder and Executive Director, CRIVIFON, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji disclosed that the training was necessitated by the need to reform officers and men of SARS in line with global best practices that thrive on human rights.

    According to her, even though officers and men were part of the programme, emphasis was placed more on reform of the FSARS.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in-charge of training, Victor Okono-Toyo  admonished the officers  to be tolerant of  criticisms by the public.He advised them to reflect on such negative criticisms and think of what they can do to change such negative perceptions.

    He also counseled them to review their procedure of collecting money from the public saying that since such money was not willingly given and does not have the divine blessing, nothing good will come out of it.

    The ‘ClThe ‘Class Governor’, Godfrey Soriwei, a Superintendent of Police, said they have always had the impression that application of human right is difficult adding that with the knowledge impacted on them by the facilitators, they have come to realize that it would pose no problem to them.

    Soriwei said they have also realized that the application of human rights is something they cannot do without in the course of performance of their duties. He advised that such training should be extended to the lower cadres described as their foot soldiers.

    ”We give instructions to them from the top on what they must do, but they also need to be trained because they are the first point of contact with the public. How they respond to complaints will influence the perception of the Police by the public”, he suggested.