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Tag: extra-judicial killings

  • Adamu vows to prosecute police operatives involved in extra-judicial killings

    The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Adamu on Monday vowed to prosecute operatives involved in extra-judicial killings.

    He spoke during a courtesy visit to  his office at the Lagos House, Alausa.

    He said he came to Lagos State to talk to his men about good behaviour and adherence to the ethics of the profession as well as to address the issue of extra-judicial killings.

    He said the recent two incidents of extra judicial killings in the state involving SARS men were unfortunate and uncalled for.

    Assuring the officers involved have been arrested and are being tried by the police authorities, he stressed they will eventually be charged to court for prosecution.

    “We are to serve the public by protecting lives and property and we are doing this dutifully but the act of few of us is denting the good work the majority is doing,” Adamu stated.

    The Acting IGP thanked Ambode for his support to the police in the state, saying that without his support the police wouldn’t have recorded the level of performance and achievements in the state.

    Welcoming the Acting IGP and his team, Ambode congratulated him over his new appointment and commended him for the successful 2019 general elections under his supervision.

    He said in the past four years of his administration, the police have kept Lagos safe and contributed immensely to the success of one of the tripod of his administration at inception which is security of lives and property.

    Acknowledging that the police was under severe pressure and being overstretched because of inadequate personnel, equipment and resources, Ambode promised that the state will continue to support the police to ensure that have the human face to ensure peace in Nigeria and Lagos State.

    “Policing Nigeria is a huge challenge but the IGP is up to the task. Whatever we have done we will continue to do more to ensure security and peace,” Ambode promised.

  • Jonathan warns against extra-judicial killings

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has charged security agencies in the country to demonstrate their goodwill towards peaceful elections by desisting from extra-judicial killings.

    He made the call on Monday when youth groups in the Niger Delta led by the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Barr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi paid him a courtesy visit at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Ilechukwu Eze, Jonathan said: “Anytime someone dies extra-judicially it reduces the integrity of the country. So, if our security personnel are interested in peace, especially during this electioneering, then they must do everything to suppress extra-judicial killings; because when one person is killed unlawfully, it affects everyone.”

    He also called on youths to be peaceful and eschew violence all through the period of the scheduled general elections.

    According to him: “Without peace there cannot be development in the society. If we want to develop Nigeria as leaders and citizens, then collectively we must work hard and make sacrifices that will bring peace to our country.

    “When we have conflicts, it creates a very negative impression in the society and investors are very mindful of these impressions.”

    Read also: Urhobo youths endorse Buhari

    Speaking earlier on the purpose of the visit, Oweilaemi said their visit was to align themselves with the peace philosophy of the Dr. Jonathan that “nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    According to him: “During your time as President, you emphasised that nobody’s blood is worth your ambition.

    “You didn’t just say it, but you live by it everywhere you go. You have always placed national interest above personal interest.

    “The Niger Delta is very peaceful today because of you and the role you have been playing in peace-building.

    “We watch and follow every of your footstep and we can say we have become peace ambassadors because of your conduct and mentorship on us.

    “We are also aware that in a state, it is very difficult to have a former President, without him and the incumbent governor not having issues.

    “But in Bayelsa, we haven’t heard about you and the Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson having issues. This is a further testament of your peaceful disposition.”

  • Buhari warns Police against torture, extra-judicial killings

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned the police to desist from acts that could pit them against the society.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu,  said unprofessional conducts such as illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, torture and violation of fundamental human rights were unacceptable and must be avoided by the Nigeria Police Force at all times.

    He gave the directive in his address at the convocation and passing out parade of the First Regular Cadet Course at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

    “We must abide by the constitutional code of conduct in policing our people.

    “The Police in its efforts to fight crime must work in partnership with the community. You cannot properly police the people without their consent,” he told the 602 graduating officers.

    President Buhari also used the occasion to remind the police officers to shun corruption and resist all temptations that impede the integrity and professionalism of the Force.

    He said: “It is appropriate to warn you as Police Officers not to see yourselves as being above the Law.  You must be above board and resist all temptations. Be contented with your salaries and allowances.

    “The government recently increased your general emoluments to make you more efficient and effective in the discharge of your duties. With this increase in your salaries, you have less reason to fall into temptations of financial or other inducements.

    “Let me again reiterate that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption is the major reason why the Nigerian economy has not developed at the rate of other comparable countries.

    “If we must develop and reap the fruits of our democratic dispensation we must shun corruption at all levels. It is, therefore, your responsibilities and other anti-corruption agencies to kill corruption before Corruption overtakes Nigeria.”

    Commending the police for the successes it has recorded in the fight against various aspects of crime in the country, the President acknowledged that they had worked closely with the military in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast.

    He said: “I am aware that you have just deployed over 2000 Police Officers including Special Forces to the North East to support the efforts of the military.

    “The success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast cannot be related without mentioning the support you are giving to the military. The group is no longer occupying any Nigerian territory as it used to before the advent of this administration.

    “The recent attacks by the Boko Haram group can be likened to attempts of defeated insurgents to re-organise its ragtag and scattered individuals. This, however, will not be possible as adequate strategic plans have been put in place in conjunction with our neighbouring countries to completely wipe out the group.”

    On next year’s elections, President Buhari reiterated that it is the duty of the police, supported by other security agencies to adequately secure the elections.

    He said: “You must do everything possible to make the election violence free to avoid ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying on sites, attack on electoral officers and other acts which might negatively impact on the elections and their outcome.”

    At the event were Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) as well as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and other senior police officers.

  • Bayelsa stakeholders accuse security firm of extra-judicial killings

    A group of stakeholders in Bayelsa State yesterday yesterday accused the Darlong Security Services (DSS) of masterminding extra-judicial killings in the state.

    The non-governmental organis-ation (NGO),  Kimisese Mass Movement for Good Governance (KMMGG), called for the suspension of all operations of the company in the state pending the conclusions of investigations into the alleged criminal activities against the firm.

    The group also appealed to the the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to save the state from crisis and further bloodshed by withholding the pipeline surveillance contract it awarded to the firm.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the Chairman, KMMGG, Mr. Charles Kuroteizi, showed that the security firm had issues and must submit itself for investigations.

    The security firm, owned by David Lyon, a loyalist of former Governor Timipre Sylva, is handling surveillance contract for NAOC in the state.

    Its activities came under scrutiny following a resolution of the state House of Assembly in a motion sponsored by a member representing Sagbama two, Bernard Kenebai accusing the firm of killings in the creeks.

    The plight of Darlong worsened on Wednesday when members of the House of Representatives unanimously sponsored a motion at the House seeking the suspension of all surveillance contracts in Bayelsa.

    Kuroteizi said from the findings of their organisation, many indigenes were killed in various communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    He said: “We engage you (press) today due to somek critical security issues bedevelling the peace in SILGA and if not urgently handled could metamorphose into serious crisis.

    “As a responsible organisation, we cannot sit down in our comfort zone and watch insecurity deteriorate to the level where youths are allegedly murdered in cold blood on a daily basis by Dalong Security Service under the guise of protecting oil facilities in the communities.

    “From petitions at our disposal, one Erelayefa Ayawei, a native of Korokorosei was allegedly killed while Delight Olando and Justina Samuel sustained gunshot injuries.

    “In Ikeinghbiri community, Mr. Kosene Komoh0Nimitei was allegedly shot dead. At Ondewari community, four persons including Deintei Rufus, Kombowei Godknows, Showboy Imienye and Ebimobowei Alasuo were killed by the same security company while Akpokere Christopher lost his leg to amputation owing to bullet wounds.”

    He added that in Korokorosei community, 12 houses were allegedly burnt down and 25 persons in exile in neighbouring communities for fear of being attacked.

    Kuroteizi asked Governor Seriake Dickson to immediately set up a panel of inquiry and investigate the alleged killings and bring the perpetrators to book within three weeks.

    “But if nothing is done at the expiration of three weeks ultimatum, we will commence a legal action against the governor. Afterall, one of the responsibilities of government is to protect lives and property,” he said.

    In its reaction, the management of Darlong described the allegation as lies, unthinkable and unfortunate, saying it existed only in the imagination of the accusers.

    Its Public Relations Manager and Security Coordinator, Mr. Preye Oseke, said there was nothing illegal and criminal in the activities of the company.

    He described the allegations from the group as “ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically motivated.”

    He said that Darlong as a responsible and law-abiding firm, operates within the limits of the law, adding that its operations created jobs for more than 4,000 youths hitherto engaged in oil theft and sundry crimes in the creeks of Bayelsa.

    Oseke said: “If we killed somebody, what is the name of the bereaved? Who killed him? When, where and how? I am the spokesman for the company and I am telling you that Darlong Security and Guards is never involved in criminalities.

    “If you say somebody is stockpiling arms, which employee of Darlong is stockpiling arm? At where? The state government should go to the place with security agents and get the arms that are being stockpiled.

    “If any government person has any criminal case against any employee of our company, they should write the Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies and let them get the person arrested and be prosecuted,” he said.

     

  • Falana to IGP: Provide information on extra-judicial killings within seven days

    Falana to IGP: Provide information on extra-judicial killings within seven days

    Lawyer-turned rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to provide the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the reports of investigation into the large scale killings of 9,457 persons from 2011 to date within seven days.

    Falana said in a letter dated February 11, 2018 that the request was made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and aimed at ending official impunity and facilitate the trial of suspects involved in the illegal killings.

    The lawyer said he would proceed to the court to institute mandamus proceedings against the IGP if he fails to furnish him with such information as requested.

    “As this request is made under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, you are required to accede to our request within seven days of the receipt of this letter. However, if you fail or refuse to accede to this request, we shall proceed to institute mandamus proceedings, compelling you to furnish us with the needed information,” he stated.

    Falana noted that the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has commenced the prosecution of the terror suspects who were arrested from 2011-2017 by the security forces based on pressures from the human rights community.

    He, however, regretted that while this was ongoing, other armed gangs that had engaged in the mindless killing of thousands of Nigerians including children have not been prosecuted by the respective state governments.

    According to him, this explained why the cold murder of unarmed citizens has continued unabated.

    Falana listed extra-judicial killings that had taken place in the country to include: “ the abduction and killing of 60 security officers in 2013 by a cult group in Nasarawa State; killing of over 2, 000 people in Benue State by herdsmen, militia groups and other armed gangs; killing of 800 people in Mambilia, Taraba State by a militia group in September 2017; killing of 204 people by gunmen in Southern Kaduna in 2016; killing of 347 people by the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015 and killing of 150 pro-Biafra agitators by security forces in the South East region from 2013-2017.”

  • Fed Govt urged to curb extra-judicial killings’

    A Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Dr. Peter Obafemi, has urged the Federal Government to curb “indiscriminate killings” by policemen.

    He was reacting to the alleged killing of a 400-level student of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Seyi Fasere, by policemen in Oye-Ekiti.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Obafemi said the Federal Government “must weed out bad elements in the police”.

    He said: “All lives are sacred and must not be taken without justification. Fasere’s killing exposes a gap that needs to be filled, if Nigeria is to progress.

    “This is one extra-judicial killing in a long list of others that I find painful, regrettable, uncalled for and barbaric. Nigerians must rise to expose the killers. Familiar and common excuses must not be accepted from the police.

    “The boy was said to have been arrested after a gang of robbers raided

    a bank in Oye-Ekiti and was allegedly killed the following day at a police station. This to me is summary execution.

    “The killing of Seyi has brought sorrow to his family. I urge the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to probe his killing.

    “A photograph of Seyi’s body, which was taken at the police station, showed his two hands tied to the back. What can be deduced from this is that he had been earlier arrested. If this is not true, who tied his two hands after he was killed? Or did he engage the police in a shoot out with his two hands tied to the back?

    “His family said he had his school fees, N100,000, on him. Where is the money? We know there are good policemen, but the authorities need to weed out the bad ones.

    “The Commissioner of Police must arrest and prosecute the policeman accused of shooting Seyi.”