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Tag: Fatai Owoseni

  • Former Lagos CP, Owoseni, 9 others pull out from police

    Former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, and nine other senior police officers, were pulled out from the Force on Saturday after 35 years in service.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owoseni was police commissioner in Lagos from July 1, 2015 to September 1, 2017.

    NAN reports that the retiring officers were pulled out at a colourful ceremony in Lagos amidst cheers by family members, colleagues and other dignitaries.

    Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence Investigation Department (FCIID), Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, who represented I-G Ibrahim Idris, commended the retiring officers for their service to the nation.

    “Congratulations to all the retiring senior officers and to their families, we say a big thank you for the support.

    “As you bow out today, the I-G, the entire police and the nation say a big thank you. You have served well and God will reward you abundantly,” she said.

    A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Alapini, who represented Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Musiliu Smith, also advised the retiring officers to be wary of the environment they were retiring to.
    “You are retiring into a new world, the world of the police is different from the world of retirement. A lot of people are waiting for you thinking you have money to invest, you have to be wary and careful.
    “Please, be faithful to your family,” he said.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Oba  Saheed Ademola Elegushi of Elegushi Ikate, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.
    “I know how passionate you are about the country. How you work to keep the country safe.

    “We Nigerians often forget where we come from. Nigeria’s problem has been there for a while and it will take more than four years to solve.
    “It is just for our government to the right thing,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, commended the retiring police officers for their service to the nation.

    “I understand what the police stand for as they have made Nigeria more secure, they are the greatest law enforcement agents,” the monarch said.

    Among the retiring officers were AIG Abdul Bube, AIG Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, CP Agyole Abeh, CP Joseph Agaji and CP Gbemisola Akinpelu.

    Others were CP Bello Ahmed, CP Abdullahi Ibrahim, CP Bello Yahaya, CP Adekinte Ademoju, CP Wakili Maye, CP Fave Semili and CP Ahmed Magaji.

    NAN further reports that 55 police officers of the ranks of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Commissioner of Police (CP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) retired from the force across the country.(NAN)

  • Police gun down two robbers

    Benue State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni  said his men have shot and killed two  armed robbers during exchange of gunfire  in Katsina Ala – Zakibiam axis in state.

    He also revealed that a total of four (4) riffles , made up of 3 Ak 47 and 1 G, including sixteen (16) round of live ammunition and three (3) AK 47 magazines has been recovered from criminals .

    Briefing news men ahead Eid-fitr-celebration which mark the end of Ramadan fasting, the commissioner of Police stated that his command has recorded tremendous success in the fight against crime within two weeks with three (3) Toyota cars used for robbery activities recovered.

    Read Also: Police arraign man for maltreating wife

    On news trending on social media that there was plan attacked on Benue valley by suspects herdsmen after the end of Ramadan, the Police boss assured a Joint Task Force ( JTF) comprising the police, Army, DSS,Civil Defence and other security agencies have been deployed to the state for the safety of lives property and urged the people to go about their business without fear .

    He assured that effort are  in top gear return all the  Internally Displaced Persons  (IDPs)  back to their ancestral home just as he said most of them have started returing to their homes .

    According to him, 44 persons have so far been arrested by the police in connection with the bloody civil strife between Mbamar and Ugambe community in Konshisha local government area in Benue state .

  • Four herdsmen arrested over Okpokwu killings

    Four herdsmen arrested over Okpokwu killings

    Benue state commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni,  said on Wednesday that four persons have been arrested in connection with the killings in Okpokwu Local Government Area; Benue state.

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen had on Monday attacked and killed twenty four (24) persons in Omusu community, Edumoga district in Okpokwu Local Government area.

    Briefing newsmen at the Police headquarters in Makurdi, Owoseni said the four suspects are undergoing thorough investigation and would soon be charged to court.

    Owoseni confirmed that 24 people have been killed while one Fulani herdsman is dead and another missing.

    He said police was alerted to a crisis situation in Okpokwu where youths in the area attacked some herdsmen and their cattle scattered.

    The Police boss said immediately the chairman of the local government converged a peace meeting with the leader of the Fulani the area who his two sons affected was in attendance.

    According to Owoseni, while the peace meeting was going, the attackers swooped on the village and carried out the mayhem.

    Meanwhile normalcy has returned to Omusu community with the deployment of more security men.

    Arrangements are also going on to give those killed mass burial.

    Read  Also: Three herdsmen jailed for open grazing in Benue

  • 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

  • Benue killings: Police DPO under interrogation – CP

    Benue killings: Police DPO under interrogation – CP

    The Benue State Police Command is currently interrogating the Divisional Police Officer in- charge of Gboko A Division over the Wednesday killing of seven persons in the area.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, told journalists on Friday in Makurdi that some people had already been arrested in connection with the mayhem.

    The seven victims – all travelers – were killed and burnt by a mob at the Gboko Motor Park in Gboko local government area of the state.

    Owoseni said the DPO was being questioned on whether he acted professionally upon getting a distress call on the day of the incident.

    He said: “We have arrested some suspects and of course the (Nigeria) Police has its accountability process.

    “At the moment we are trying to find out exactly what happened on that day. We are also looking at what the response time was taking into consideration when the distress call was made and when the response came in.

    “It is on the basis of this, the Divisional Officer of A Division Gboko is being questioned. We want to know what time he got the distress call and what was his immediate action.

    “We are also trying to find out from him if he responded professionally because as a police officer our allegiance and loyalty is to the constitution of this country not to any other person.”

    Owoseni said those killed in the incident had been buried.

    The DPO has been moved to Force Headquarters, Abuja, for further questioning.

    NAN

  • Criminals plan to hijack 2face protest, says Police chief

    Criminals plan to hijack 2face protest, says Police chief

    The Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni yesterday said it would not allow the planned protest against the Federal Government slated for February 5 to hold in the state.

    Popular musician, 2face Idibia who joined the call for protest over the state of the nation, had used his social media platforms to appeal to his supporters to join the movement.

    But Owoseni, who had earlier stated that there was no official request from the protesters notifying security agencies of their plan, said intelligence report indicates that criminals might hijack the process.

    According to the police chief, the command wasn’t ready for that kind of demonstration and as such would not allow it to hold.

    He said no matter how good an intention is, hoodlums would always find a way to harass, rob and attack innocent members of the public, who may wish to go about their Lawful duty.

    Owoseni said: “Information reaching us revealed that some hoodlums are planning to hijack the peaceful protest. And as such we won’t allow it to hold in Lagos. We know that 2face do not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand.”

    Idibia yesterday vowed to proceed with the protest.

    According to him, the protest will go on as planned since it is meant to tell Nigerian leaders the need to ‘connect with the people’.

    He said: “I will not keep quiet. I’m just a musician with a point of view and the ear of my fans. It is just a peaceful protest aimed at demanding answers from the government over different issues in the country.”

  • Owoseni takes over as Benue police commissioner

    Owoseni takes over as Benue police commissioner

    Mr. Fatai Owoseni has been appointed the new Commissioner of Police in Benue State.

    Owoseni’s appointment came few months after he was removed as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

    He will replace Bashir Makama as the Commissioner of Police in Benue State.

     

  • Police training school graduates 120

    Police training school graduates 120

    The Commandant, Police Training School (PTS), Ikeja, Kayode Egbetokun, has charged newly certified 120 Supernumerary Police Officers (Spy) to be good ambassadors of the institution, respect the laws or face arrest.

    Egbetokun, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) stated this at the graduation ceremony of the officers, who underwent six weeks of intensive drills designed and approved for the Supernumerary Police Officers by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), under Section 18(a) of the Police Act.

    Egbetokun reminded the trainees that their uniform was a symbol of authority, adding “the warrant card you are carrying confers powers, privileges and immunities of a police officer on you.

    “These powers, privileges and immunities are to be protected and must not be abused. The warrant card is not a licence to drive against traffic; it is a charge to protect the law. You are expected to reflect the discipline you have imbibed in this training both in and out of uniform.”

    Reiterating that Spy Police Officers were not to bear arms, the Commandant said the graduands were not given arms drill, musketry or weapon handling trainings.

    He said: “By law, the Spy Police Officers are recruited and trained for private organisations and public institutions who desire their services. They are by law, members of the Police Force but are not regular police officers.

    “The training curriculum is rich in content and adequate to equip the trainees with the knowledge and skills needed to function effectively as Supernumerary Police in their respective organisations.

    “A typical training day starts at 6am with physical exercise followed by unarmed combat or foot drill, after which trainees are moved to the classrooms for academic work before returning to the field. They usually have only 30 minutes break until 6pm when the training closes.

    “They were taken through courses in professional police, legal, liberal and field studies. At the end of the trainings, an examination, drill test was set followed by the commandant’s interview.

    “None of them was found wanting by the board of interviewers. They have been found worthy both in character and learning and have satisfied all requirements for appointment as Supernumerary Police Officers.”

    On the achievements of the school since he assumed duty in 2015, Egbetokun said his team has been to raise the bar of professionalism, adding that his leadership has zero tolerance for corruption.

    He said the school had organised refresher courses for at least 3,000 officers from Assistant Superintendent of Police to Constable ranks, who he said, had keyed into the Inspector-General of Police’ (IGP) “policing with integrity” vision.

    “We have improved on infrastructure. We have improved oj standard and quality of training. We are turning put top quality products. We have inspired confidence and we rely on our integrity.

    “The former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni engaged us in giving policemen in the command a special training in ethics and professional conducts with the objective of effecting a change in their attitudes and giving them a positive orientation in line with the vision of the IGP, Ibrahim Idris.

    “We have handled this reorientation course with utmost commitment, passion and have recorded huge successes. Over 3,000 of them have been trained with emphasis on values of honesty and transparency, benevolence, expertise and effectiveness.

    “The positive feedback we are getting on those that have attended this reorientation courses has been encouraging.”

  • Police deny arresting Good Samaritan, warn against falsehood

    Police deny arresting Good Samaritan, warn against falsehood

    Police on Wednesday denied that a Good Samaritan, Happiness, who picked up a missing four-year-old girl, has been arrested.

    Reports had said the woman was arrested by policemen attached to the Ifako Police Division.

    However, the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has denied the claims, warning Lagos residents to stop acts that could pit the people against security forces.

    A story written by one Anuoluwapo Eso and shared on Facebook by a banker, Akinmade Boluwaji, had accused the police of unjust arrest of Sister Happiness, a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God  (RCCG), Glory Worship Centre, who found a child near the Ifako canal on July 20 and took her to the church.

    In the report titled: “Police is not our friend,” the writer alleged that the church headed by Pastor Tope Akimbola took the missing child to Alakara Police Station, which has children and a juvenile centre.

    Owoseni, who invited all parties after the matter was brought to his attention, expressed dissatisfaction at the extent some people go to gain public sympathy.

    He said the woman was arrested because she didn’t take the child to the church directly as alleged.

    Owoseni said the woman works in the neighbourhood and heard for over six days that a child had gone missing and never told anyone, not even her employer that she saw a missing girl and took her to Alakara Police Station.

    He added that the Divisional Officer in charge of Ifako smelt a rat when the woman eventually came forward because the victim’s guardians allegedly received an anonymous message demanding ransom for her freedom.

    He added: “I am amazed at the things some people do to gain public sympathy. Why should anyone go to that extent just to paint the police bad? When I invited them, all the parties, including the Baale of the community came to my office and it was discovered that the issue was not the way the writer painted it.

    “Even the pastor they came with was begging on his behalf because we could have arrested him for peddling falsehood. What actually happened was that the woman works in that neighbourhood and she saw the little girl one morning.

    “Instead of asking around to find out where she came from, she took the child to her house and left her there from that morning till about 9:00 p.m. when she returned from work. By that time, they have started looking for the child.

    “She then took her to the church and from there to Alakara Police Station. She never stopped going to work and so, it is expected that she would have heard people talking about the missing girl. She never told anyone, not even her employer that she found a little girl and took her to Alakara Police Station.

    “The Baale and community people were looking for the girl and they reported to the police. Then, after about six days, the woman told someone that she found a little girl and she was taken to Alakara Police Station.

    “By the time she was saying it, the child’s guardians have received an anonymous message demanding money for her release. So, was the DPO wrong to suspect foul play?

    “Okay, the woman was arrested and the writer contacted an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), as he claimed, who spoke with the DPO and she was granted bail. She was handed over to a surety who would produce her whenever she was required because the matter was to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti for investigation.”

    Contacted, Eso declined comments on the matter, telling our reporter that “the matter has been settled and the woman released.”

  • Police arrest 33 for jungle justice in Lagos

    Police arrest 33 for jungle justice in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command said on Monday 33 suspects have been arrested in connection with jungle justice.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, stated this while briefing journalists on the activities of the command in the last three weeks.

    Warning residents against mob justice, Owoseni said security forces would not hesitate to arrest, prosecute anyone who wants to turn the state into Banana Republic.

    According to him, there was no justification for residents to mete out any form of punishment on any suspect without recourse to the rule of law.

    He said: “On August 8, a distress call was received at Ijaiye Ojokoro Police Station that some people suspected to be ritualists/kidnappers were seen hiding in a canal at Obadeyi Bus Stop, along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

    “The DPO led a team of policemen to the spot and on getting there, they met a large violent crowd trying to lynch the so called suspects. As the policemen were trying to rescue the alleged suspects, the crowd descended on them, beating and throwing stones at them. In the process, properties were vandalised and 33 suspects were picked up at the scene.

    “Police would see to complaints on non responsiveness of emergency numbers. We would not fold our arms and watch Lagos turn to a lawless state. Every one arrested for jungle justice would be charged to court.”

    He said the command also arrested 24 armed robbery suspects and 15 cultists within the period under review, adding that 15 arms, 10 ammunition and 16 stolen vehicles were recovered.

    Owoseni said six policemen were arrested for extortion, attempted murder and defilement, adding that they would be prosecuted.

    Those arrested for extortion and armed robbery are – Sergeants Benjamin Oboh, Onyenedu Kennedy and Monday Ekhigato.

    One Sergeant Sylvanus Emeche was nabbed for attempted murder after shooting a woman, Mrs. Oluchi Okafor and her children on July 24, at Ajao Estate.