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Tag: Dasuki Galadanchi

  • Imo: Nwosu, Uzodinma, others sign peace pact

    …as Police, Army read riot act to politicians

     

    Security agencies in Imo State on Wednesday warned politicians ahead of the general elections to desist from acts that are capable of jeopardizing public peace and security in the State.

    The warning was coming at the heels of a peace Parley organised for politicians by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

    The Security Chiefs warned that any politician caught inciting violence in the state during and after the elections will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.

    Meanwhile the governorship candidates of the Action Alliance (AA), Uche Nwosu, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Emeka Ihedioha, Change Advocacy Party (CAP), Ikenna Emmanuel, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Linus Okorie and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Araraume, among others signed agreement to be of peaceful conduct during the election.

    Addressing the candidates shortly before the signing of the Agreement which was witnessed by Security Chiefs, Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), religious leaders and journalists, the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, urged the politicians to play by the rules and jettison all forms of violence.

    According to him, the State has witnessed relative peace when compared to other states in the Federation, as a result of the “cooperation and support of the people of the state”.

    He said, “you will agree with me that this hard-earned peace and tranquillity we enjoy and experience in Imo State should be guarded jealously, thus, we have no other option than to ensure this endures before, during and after the elections”.

    In his brief speech, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Pro. Francis Ezeonu, assured that INEC is prepared to conduct credible election that will meet the aspirations of all the parties

    He restated his commitment to provide level playing ground for all the political parties participating in the election, while pleading with the candidates to abide by rules and regulations guiding the election.

    Meanwhile, fake soldiers escorting and unnamed politician were paraded at the event, which held at the State Police Headquarters.

    Read Also: Buhari, Atiku, others sign second 2019 National Peace Accord

    Parading the suspects, who were fully dressed in Military fatigue, during a Peace Parley for candidates, the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brigadier General H. I Bature, disclosed that fake soldiers have infiltrated the state to cause chaos during the general elections.

    He stated that desperate politicians have equipped hoodlums with Army Uniforms and weapons to perpetrate violence in the state, warning that all those involved in the ignoble act will be fished out and dealt with.

    According to him, “two of these fake soldiers were arrested escorting a politician. You will marvel at the kind of ammunition that was in their possession. But no matter how much they disguise, we have a way of finding out the fake soldiers.

  • Anxiety as police protest poor accommodation in Imo

    Policemen in Imo State sent out of their homes demonstrate against non-provision of alternative accommodation. There is concern that the development may undermine security during the festive season, OKODILI NDIDI reports

    The stench of excreta mixed with sweat and endless streams of smoke coming from charcoal burners and cigarettes hung thickly in the air. From a narrow pathway connecting some makeshift houses a handful of underfed children came running in every direction.

    Not too far from a dingy restaurant built with disused zinc, no fewer than 10 men of varying ages sat round a gigantic table carrying bottles of various shapes and contents while a thickset lady in her early 50s served them.

    They chatted at the top of their voices, each trying to outshout the other in their argument, quite oblivious of their surroundings. Once in a while, a shrill cry of a baby pierced through the cacophony of noises.

    At another end, shoe cobblers and food vendors jostled for space as they meandered from one narrow path to the other, dodging soak-away pits partially covered with equally rotten planks.

    At the entrance, one is greeted by the sight of washed clothes hanging precariously on every available space, including low-hanging electric cables.

    Welcome to a typical police barracks in Imo State. Apart from the poor condition of the barracks, the accommodation is not enough for the Police officers serving in the state, prompting some of them to look for alternative housing outside the barracks.

    Piqued by the development, operatives from the counter terrorism unit of the Imo State Police Command took to the streets to protest the anomaly.

    For two days, the hooded police officers barricaded the Owerri/Orlu road in Owerri, the Imo State capital resulting in heavy gridlock and panic in the area.

    Shooting sporadically into the air, the demonstrators who hid their identities also set bonfires on the highway.

    Narrating their ordeal to newsmen, one of the protesting officers said, “We have been pushed out of our quarters on Orlu Road by the management of Federal Medical Centre Owerri. To make things worse, our commander supported the act and no alternative place has been provided for us.

    “We moved into this place in 2015 after our quarters in Nekede were marked for renovation. But this base 7 of CTU of Nigeria Police Force started operation in this state in 2011. We have done more than enough to ensure safety and security in this state. This is not the best way to treat us considering the kind of work we are doing in this state”.

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    Speaking further, the officer said, “As we demonstrate, our families are stranded. Bulldozers are destroying the quarters. Our property, documents, credentials and other personal belonging are outside.

    “We demand better treatment. We are human beings working for the betterment of this country. We should be treated like human beings not like animals”

    When contacted, the State Command Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikokwu, told our correspondent that alternative quarters have been provided for the protesting policemen.

    The command spokesperson said that the state commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi had instructed the CTU commander to ensure that his subordinates settled in the new quarters as quickly as possible.

    Ikokwu said that the protesting cops failed to understand that the quarters where they were ejected from were not supposed to be their permanent quarters.

    He said that the protest would not deter the command from fighting crimes and making the yuletide period a crime-free one.

    Police welfare is a constant issue of discourse, with concerns that the law enforcement agents cannot give their best in face of glaring welfare deficits. They are poorly kitted, and are also said to be outgunned by some felons they are expected to go after. Remuneration is equally a concern.

    In July policemen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, took to the streets shooting into the air and chanting war songs in protest of what they called six months unpaid allowances. Some of the protesters wore hoods to mask their faces. Some did not bother to conceal their identities. The protest was filmed and widely circulated especially on social media.

    However, police authorities in Abuja denied that the protest took place, saying the policemen seen on the streets went to the command headquarters to find out why their allowances were being delayed.

  • Yuletide crime: police battle-ready in Imo

    The yuletide is here again with its attendant social and security challenges. From markets to motor parks, open streets to the neighbourhoods, there is apprehension and uncertainty as the yuletide beckons. Crime rate has scaled up considerably. Criminals of all kinds are up, from the regular conmen to the notorious kidnappers and daredevil robbers, have all crawled out of their dens in the mad rush for whatever they can grab and flee before the year runs out.

    On a daily basis there are reports of criminal activities, especially minor offences ranging from bag snatching to shoplifting and pocket-picking. This is largely responsible for the atmosphere of fear that is hanging thickly over the sky like the harmattan haze.

    But not to worry, the Imo State police command is already taking proactive measures to check these men of the underworld and ensure a peaceful yuletide.

    So far, from across the state, 38 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms as well as child trafficking have been arrested thereby depleting the population of the hoodlums that would made the yuletide season a nightmare.

    Among the suspects were under-aged boys and girls.

    Parading the suspects and the recovered exhibits, the state commissioner of police, Dasuki Galadanchi stated that as the yuletide and electioneering period approach, the police and other security agencies need to re-strategise for effective policing.

    Addressing journalists, Galadanchi said, “It is my pleasure to address you once again as we parade some of the modest achievements in crime management and control in Imo State. Our strategic offensive against criminals through collaborative efforts with members of the community, credible intelligence and forensic digital analysis has once again yielded tremendous result.

    “I am glad to inform you that the police command under my watch has continued to sustain the momentum in the arrest and prosecution of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, child stealing/traffickers and other criminal elements disturbing the peace of the State. We shall continue to sustain our efforts in community policing through high visibility policing, convoy patrols, community engagement, constant raid and prompt dispensation of justice as proactive measures in modern policing.

    “It is important to mention that as we gradually move closer to the Yuletide as well as approach serious political activities in the electoral process, the need for the police and other security agencies to re-strategise becomes most imperative”.

    Speaking further, he said, “In our philosophy of community policing strategy in the state, we urge members of the public to always partner and empower us by giving us useful and timely information that will help in the fight against crime and criminality in the state. I therefore implore you to See Something, Say Something”.

    Among the suspects paraded were Anthony Etuk Matthew from Esit Eket in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State, who allegedly kidnapped a 52-year-old Mrs Atigoku Beatrice from Achara Umuaka Njaba LGA of Imo State.

    The suspect was arrested by the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Command in his hideout at Esit Eket in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

    Another suspect was a 34-year-old lady, Chidimma Odoemena from Amato Amuzi in Aboh Mbaise Council Area of the state, who specializes in luring her female victims to where they will be abducted. Items recovered from her include two locally made pistols, 16 live cartridges and one ash coloured Siena Car Reg. No. SMK 202 DH.

    Odoemena is the leader of a notorious kidnap syndicate who specialise in terrorising residents of Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA and its environs.

    Their latest victim and wife of Anglican Priest, Chimma Uchegbu, was rescued unhurt in an isolated building at Amato Amauzi, Aboh Mbaise Council Area.

    The Commissioner of Police stated that “the suspects led operatives to a grave where the aforementioned arms and ammunition were recovered.

    The suspects have made useful statements to the police confessing to the crime and the whereabouts of other fleeing members of the gang.”

    Also apprehended in the clampdown on criminal activities ahead of the yuletide were members of child trafficking gang, who invaded a primary school and abducted one of the pupils, Nwaigwe Victor Chidera before they were apprehended.

    The Police also paraded six suspects in connection with the kidnap of six National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    The Youth Corps members who were travelling from Ibadan Oyo State to their orientation camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State respectively, were waylaid and robbed and taken into the nearby forest, where their abductors opened negotiation with the families and demanded a ransom of five million naira.

    Galadanchi said, “On receipt of the information, operatives of anti-kidnapping unit in synergy with police operatives attached to Counter Terrorist Unit of the Command swung into action, combed the Nkaragha forest and rescued the Corps members unhurt and some of their properties recovered”.

    He gave a breakdown of the arrests as “kidnapping (14), armed robbery (19), unlawful possession of firearm (5), child stealing/trafficking (2). Rescued kidnap victims (16), stolen babies recovered (2).

    Firearms and ammunition recovered include one (1) AK 47 rifle one (1) Pump Action gun, fourteen (14) locally made guns three (3) live ammunition twenty-three (23) live cartridges, three (3) unexpended live cartridges”.

     

  • Community policing pays off in Imo

    Proponents of the community policing as a better strategy for fighting crime have something to cheer.

    The Imo State police command has recording some astounding success in crime-fighting largely because it embraced the people-based strategy.

    Armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state no longer have any safe havens; they are no more shielded from security men by their kindred. Now security has become everybody’s business.

    Before the adoption of community policing in the state, criminals operated like ghosts, leaving no trace or clues after carrying out heinous attacks. They simply disappeared into thin air and melted into the communities, where they enjoyed complete cover by the same people, who should assist the security operatives to bring them to justice.

    Often, villagers look the other way or sometimes act as informers to kidnappers who use their homes as dens to keep their victims until ransoms are paid.

    In some communities, it is regarded as a serious offence to volunteer information to police that may assist in tracking down criminals and people who engage in such act of assisting security operatives, are marked as saboteurs and victimized or killed in severe cases.

    This indifferent attitude had seriously impeded the fight against criminality, as the police will always adduce and correctly too that they are not magicians but will rely on credible information from the public to successfully check crime.

    Crime rate in the state has been largely attributed to this connivance of the people, which has made them accomplice by hoarding otherwise useful information from the police.

    Although most of them, stake away from giving out information to the Police, for fear that it will not be treated with utmost confidentiality. And true to their fears, most people have been dealt

    with by criminal elements for giving them out to the Police.

    But it is no more so today in Imo state, thanks to community policing, which has taken root in the state. Criminals, especially kidnappers are easily rounded up by the Police, with full assistance from the communities who report their movements to security operatives.

    Now in Imo State, especially the villages, strange movements are promptly reported to the Police, which also respond with equal promptness. This has helped in no little means in busting criminal syndicates that had been holding sway in the state.

    The people have totally bought into the community policing module, such that they flood the police emergency hotlines with actionable information daily, resulting in major breakthroughs recorded by the Police in recent times.

    The criminals are no more invincible, they are gradually realising that the game is up, they can no longer hide under the covering of the people they are haunting, the society has rejected them.

    Commending the module, the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, said that it has helped proactive policing in the state.

    He said that the Police and the people are now in the same page in the war against criminality.

    Galadanchi, stated further that the concept of community policing was created by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to carry the people along in crime fighting and prevention as major stakeholders.

    According to Galadanchi, the Police have been able with the help of the community policing to burst crimes at the planning stage before they are committed, adding that, “it is better to prevent crime than to fight crime. If you arrest criminals after they have struck and killed their victim, you have not done much. Or if after one is kidnapped, you move in and rescue the victim, the trauma can last for a life time, so it is far better to prevent crime”.

    In the last few months, over 5000 criminal elements including suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, rapists, cultists and ‘baby factory’ operators have been rounded up by Police based on credible information.

    Speaking recently, during the parade of the leader of  a notorious kidnap syndicate, Uchenna Ugwueze, the Commissioner of Police, stated that, “I will like to tell you that the policy of the Federal Government that says If you see something say something and slogan of change begins with me is working in Imo state.

    “It is good that you know that through our community policing method our men were given a tip off on the kidnap of one Mrs. Evans Ajaps, and they moved into action and they were able to rescue her”.

    He continued that, “the Imo state Police Command in our renewed onslaught against crime and criminality in the state has fully activated the community policing and it has paid off with major

    arrests recorded in the state recently. The benefits of the community policing are overwhelming, now everybody is a partner in the fight against criminality”.

  • Imo APC Primary: ‘I was not directed to deliver any aspirant’

    …caution against breach of public peace

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Imo State Ali Janga, has dismissed as laughable, speculations that he was directed to deliver a particular aspirant by the leadership of the party.

    Janga who is also the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, also explained that he was only in the state for the primary election, adding that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi is still in charge of the Command.

    According to him, he was deployed to the State by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and will return to his Command immediately he concludes his official duty.

    He said, “It is normal routine in the Police Force to deploy officers and men for special duties. I am in Imo State specifically for the election to ensure transparency in line with the directive of the IG. The state Commissioner of Police is still in charge of the Command, he has not been removed I am only here for the election duty”.

    Janga, who was the CP in charge of the just concluded Osun State governorship election, assured all aspirants of adequate Police protection, “the Police is ready for task of providing adequate security for the primary election”.

    He however cautioned politicians and their supporters against any act that could breach public peace, warning that anyone found compromising the process, will be thoroughly dealt with.

    Read Also: APC Primary: Buhari scores 697,532 votes in Imo

    Speaking earlier, before handing over their the Duty Order to the visiting Commissioner of Police, Galadanchi (Imo CP), said that he was only stepping for the election duty, adding that he still in charge of the Command as the CP.

    Those running for the governorship primary include Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Eze Madumere, Chucks Ololo, George Etche, Jude Ejiogu, Chris Nlemoha, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Peter Gbujie and China Anozie.

    The visiting Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga and the Imo State CP, Dasuki Galadanchi.

  • Imo Police rescue stolen corpse

    …arrest killers of Imo Catholic priest

    Imo State Police Command on Thursday paraded two suspected criminals who stole a female corpse and demanded N5 million ransom from the owner of the morgue.

    The suspects, Chukwudi Chukwu and Bethel Ibe both from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, were reported to have burgle into the Jesus Hospital Mortuary also in Ikeduru and carted away the corpse whose identity was concealed from journalists.

    They thereafter contacted the owner of the morgue, Prince Bright Njoku and demanded for ransom.

    But the Police busted their hideout, arrested them and rescued the corpse before the ransom could be paid.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, paraded the suspects and the corpse at the Police Headquarters in Owerri.

    Meanwhile operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo police command have arrested the suspected killers of Rev Fr. Jude Egbom of St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, Amucha in Njaba Council Area of the state.

    The Reverend Father was shot dead on Monday night along Nkwerre- Anara road and his vehicle stolen .

    Parading the suspects, Chigozie Uzoukwu,33 and Peter Ochokwu, 21, the Commissioner of Police, said the suspects were arrested in hideout in Nkwerre.

    Galadanchi who decried the killing of the cleric, said that “no murderer goes unpunished”.

    He disclosed that he activated the Tactical Units of the Command to nab the fleeing criminals immediately after they committed the heinous crime.

    According to him, “the efforts of the Command paid off with the arrest of the two suspects,recovery of the Priest’s vehicle and traveling bag”.

    He revealed further that one of the suspects, Ochokwu, was an ex convict who had spent one year in Owerri prison for alleged involvement in an armed robbery case.

    Read Also:Court slams death penalty on armed robber in Ondo

    The CP said “on September 11 at Owerri Nkwoji in Nkwerre LGA, Imo state ,F-SARS operatives led by CSP Godfrey Victor on a tip off arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Rev Fr Jude Egbom. ”

    “The suspects are one Peter Ochokwu, 21, of Umuibu in Owerre Nkworji Nkwerre LGA and Chigozie Uzoukwu ,33,of same address.

    “A black Toyota Corolla with registration No FKJ 984 EV suspected to belong to the hoodlums who robbed and murdered the Cleric was recovered.

    “Interestingly, one leg shoe was found in the abandoned car of the Rev. Fr.the second leg of the shoe was found in the Toyota corolla of the suspects. Some of the property belonging to the victim was found in the house of one of the suspects”.

  • Army, Police caution IPOB over sit-at-home order

    The Army, Police and other security Agencies in Imo state, Monday warned members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against disrupting public peace over the September 14 sit-at-home order.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General H.I Bature, and other Heads of Security Agencies, said they were ready to confront IPOB and other separatist groups.

    Read Also:Ohanaeze, Youth Group reacts to IPOB’s sit-at-home order

    Describing the secessionists as “miscreants”, the CP said that the proposed sit-at-home order was not in tandem with the laws of the land.

    He therefore advised the members of the public to ignore the call for the sit-at-home and go about their lawful businesses without fear of any attack.

    Galadanchi, informed that the security Agencies would from Tuesday begin what he called “operation show of force” across the state to sensitize the people on the need to ignore the IPOB order.

    He said, “The Heads of all the security in Imo state are working together. We are here to tell the world that we are saying no to the proposed sit-at-home order on September 14 by IPOP.

    “We want to tell members of the public that anyone who has any genuine business on that day should go about his or her business. We have resolved among ourselves to protect the citizens”.

    The CP continued that, “IPOB members should remember that where one person’s right ends, the other person’s own Begins. Imo state must be great in our time. The sit-at-home order by IPOB is at variance with the law.

    “Anybody who tries to threaten law abiding citizens in the name of sit-at-home will have the security Agencies to contend with”.

    The CP said that during the joint operation show of force, all the security Agencies would exchange ideas, share intelligence in order to prevent IPOB members from fermenting troubles.

    The brigade Commander said that the security Agencies “have the capacity and ability to contend with the IPOP members.”

    The army chief urged the pro-Biafra group to explore lawful channels in pressing home their demands instead of threatening public peace.

  • Police parade man for impersonating Kogi Governor

    The Imo State Police Command on Tuesday paraded an internet fraudster who defrauded unsuspecting members of the public of millions of naira, posing as Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

    The suspect Nwafor Kenneth Obinna, 23, an indigene of Umuebo Ezumoha in Isiala Mbano Council Area of Imo State, was nabbed after a petition was filed from the office of the Kogi state governor that a fraudster was posing as the governor to scam Kogi indigenes using the ongoing SMEs Loan Scheme.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi, who paraded the suspected scammer alongside other suspected criminals, stated that, “following a petition from the office of the Kogi State Government of an internet fraudster impersonating Kogi State Governor His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello on fake SMEs loan on 09/03/2018, operatives of the FSARS quickly swung into action”.

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    He continued that, “through diligent investigation, the suspect named above was arrested on 14/3/2018. Suspect has confessed to the crime stating that he designed a website of Kogi State Governor and used it to dupe unsuspecting members of Kogi State”.

    Also paraded were 24 suspected armed robbers, 12 kidnap suspects, eight suspected cultists, one suspected child trafficker, as well as 11 held for illegal possession of firearms.

    Galadanchi who was holding his maiden press briefing, revealed further that “five kidnap victims were rescued, six stolen vehicles were recovered, among other valuables.