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Tag: Force Spokesman

  • Force spokesman: no policeman fled in Northeast operations

    THE police said yesterday that allegations that 167 of the 2,000 policemen deployed for combat operations against Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast fled are unfounded.

    Force spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, while reacting to the report that the cops fled with their rifles from Police Training School in Yobe, said the claim was investigated and found to be false.

    Moshood said it was clear the writer had not visited the venue of training nor witnessed the deployment of personnel.

    He added that the writer relied ignorantly on hearsay from misguided individuals being used to work against national interest and security.

    The Force spokesman said: “The force wishes to categorically state that the story is untrue, absolute falsehood and a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the efforts of the Police in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    “The insinuation in some quarters and as reported in the story that 167 out of the 2000 additional police officers recently deployed by the IG absconded is not correct and should be disregarded by members of the public.

    “These 2000 police personnel are to complement the efforts of the military, to add new impetus to the fight against the decimated Boko Haram insurgency.

    “This story was investigated and it was found out not to be correct. There is no reason whatsoever that police personnel deployed for the operations in the Northeast would abscond.

    “The Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel have been engaged actively in the front line along with the military in the fight against Boko Haram since the inception of the insurgency.

    “These 2000 police officers recently deployed are in addition to several thousands of police personnel already engaged in the fight against insurgency with the military in the Northeast. The list of 167 names attached to the story is fake as the officers mentioned are on ground in the Northeast.

    “The 2000 police personnel deployed are in high morale and high spirit in the operation. The force sees the story as a deliberate attempt to promote insurgency and dapple the morale of officers and men of the police and other services who on daily basis lay down their lives to protect our dear nation, Nigeria and ensure security of all citizenry.”

  • Police to deploy eight CPs for Osun governorship election

    Contrary to reports that 30 Commissioners of Police would be deployed to Osun State for the governorship election, the Police said only eight Commissioners of Police (CPs) would be deployed.

    According to the Police, the senior Police officers who are expected to supervise security arrangements in the state would man the eight Area Commands and not each local government as reported.

    Read Also:INEC to arrest, prosecute vote buyers in Osun election

    The election is slated for 22nd September, 2018.

    The clarification is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.

    It reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in some sections of the media reporting that 30 Commissioners of Police will be deployed to supervise security arrangements for the Osun State Gubernatorial Elections coming up on 22nd September, 2018.

    “The Force wishes to categorically state that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris during a one day  Seminar on imperativeness of Police collaboration with essential stakeholders towards secured, free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, held in Oshogbo, Osun State on 30th August, 2018,  mentioned that there are Eight Area Commands in Osun State and a Commissioner of Police will be deployed to man each Area Command to supervise Security Arrangements for the Osun State Gubernatorial Election and not a Commissioner of Police to a Local Government in the State  as reported.

    “Consequently, critical stakeholders and the general public are enjoined to discountenance and disregard the report.

    “Only eight Commissioners of Police; one to each Police Area command will be deployed to Osun State to supervise Security Arrangements in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election in Osun State.”

  • Killing of Policemen: N5million bounty for information about attackers

    The Nigeria Police Force has placed a N5million bounty for anyone with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of some policemen.

    The Police also assured that identity of informants would be protected.

    So far, eleven policemen have been killed. Seven policemen were killed few weeks ago in Galadimawa area of Abuja while four were killed and burnt in their patrol vehicle at Sabongidda Ora in Edo State.

    The Police said five suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing in Abuja.

    Read Also:Breaking: Robbers kill, set four policemen ablaze in Edo

    The Force also said investigation so far conducted showed no link between both attacks.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Monday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.

    On the latest killings, the Force said: “The IGP has directed a thorough and discreet investigation into the recent ambush and killing of four Policemen at Sabongidda, Ora in Edo State on the 14th July, 2018 by armed robbers while on patrol.

    “As a result of the ambush, the police patrol vehicle burst into flame after the attack and the four Policemen died in the process.

    “The investigation conducted so far has not established any link between the two attacks, but public spirited individuals and other good Nigerians have been giving useful information to the Police in the progressive investigation into the two unfortunate incidents.”

    On the bounty, the statement reads: “In order to arrest the other suspects still at large in the first incident, the Force is desirous of more credible information from the public, and hereby pledges a reward of N5million to any member of the public that provides useful information that leads to the arrest of the remaining perpetrators of the ambush attack and killing of seven policemen in the FCT, Abuja on the 2nd July, 2018 or the recent ambush and killing of four Policemen on patrol at Sabongidda, Ora in Edo State on the 14th July, 2018.

    “The Force wishes to assure that the informant will be protected and his/her identity secured.”

    Giving details of efforts made to arrest the killers, Moshood said: “IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly on the 3rd July, 2018 set-up a team of Specialized Crack Investigation Detectives, Police Scene of Crime Experts and Technical Intelligence Unit of the Force to investigate the ambush attack and killing of seven Policemen while on duty on 2nd July, 2018 by armed robbers/bandits at Galadimawa roundabout, Abuja.

    “The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police to beef-up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and embark on massive raids of criminal hideouts and flashpoints across the country to forestall any further attack anywhere in the Country.

    “He further placed the Commissioners of Police and Police Personnel nationwide on red-alert and directs 24 hours crime prevention and police visibility patrol of flash and vulnerable points in their jurisdictions.

    “The Commissioners of Police were also mandated to re-gird their crime prevention and control strategies and work with community/religious leaders, other stakeholders and public spirited individuals to nip in the bud crimes and criminalities in their AOR.”

    The Police urged members of the public with useful information to call the following phone numbers; 08033027731, 08036783388, 08037080740, 08033129778, 08060970807, 08126660696, and 08038025705.

    The IGP while sympathizing with the families of the slain Policemen, also directed prompt processing and payment of their entitlements and a befitting burial for them.

    The Force said it will not relent in ensuring that crimes and criminalities are brought to the barest in the country despite attacks on its personnel.

     

  • Police Protest: Officers were on enquiry mission – Force Headquarters

    The Police authority has said no policeman in Borno State protested.

    Contrary to reports that some personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) deployed to Maiduguri on special duty protested over nonpayment of their salaries, the Force said the personnel only went on enquiry mission.

    The Police also explained that the personnel returned to their duty posts immediately after they made the enquiry.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.

    Read Also:We are pacifying protesting policemen- Borno CP

    Moshood also said the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to explain to the personnel that their salaries would be paid without further delay since the budget has been approved.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF has also been asked to proceed to the north east to lecture the personnel on why there was delay.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance.

    “The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018.

    “Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media.”

    The Statement further reads: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.

    “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.

    “The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.”

    The police urged members of the Public not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the country”, it stated.

  • Police parade 13 suspected pipeline vandals

    The Police Friday paraded 13 suspected pipeline vandals in Dei-die area of Abuja.

    The suspects who belong to three gangs were arrested in Niger, Kaduna and Delta State.

    Some of the suspects according to the Police confessed to have siphoned 11,400 litres of crude oil and sold it for N580, 000.

    Exhibits collectively recovered from them include; One Mercedes Benz Actross 3335 Tanker Truck with registration No. KJA 373 XN bearing Forte Oil Plc, one Peugeot 407 Saloon car with Reg. No. ABJ 37 BK, One Yamaha 40 horse power speed boat, 26 Jerry-cans of 25 litres containing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) product suspected to be from WRPC/PPMC, welding machine, drilling Machine, valves, vandalism tools, electric drilling machine, and four drilling kits.

    Other items recovered; Tiger electric generator, 21 pieces of welding electrodes,  shifting Spanner,  one flat spanner, two puncturing rod, one half-length hose, two Saw blades, electric wires, and one loading arm.

    Read Also:Extortion: Police arrest SARS operative in Lagos

    The suspects are;  Isa Ibrahim (gang leader), Sani Usman, Hosea Danjuma, Aminu Salisu, Umar Abubakar, Aminu Muhammed, Ismaila Jimoh, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Usman, Lucky David, Shagari Abiakeshi, Lucky Ajanasi and  Destiny Amakeri.

    Briefing newsmen on the efforts made to curb pipeline vandalism and other crimes across the country, the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood said: “The constant vandalism of Pipelines, destruction of oil and gas facilities and illegal oil bunkering in the country is of great concern to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.

    “These serious criminal acts are worrisome because of the consequences of economic hardship, damage to public infrastructures, and loss of Government, Private and Public huge investments in the oil sector.

    “In order to halt this trend of wanton destruction of lives and properties in a critical sector of the economy, the IGP reorganized and empowered the Task Force on illegal petroleum bunkering to decisively tackle these criminals, their collaborators and sponsors.”

    On the various roles played by the suspects, Moshood said: “Isa Ibrahim, Sani Usman, Hosea Danjuma, Aminu Salisu, were arrested after an intensed trail by the operatives of the Special Task Force on Petroleum Illegal Bunkering (STFPIB) on 1st May, 2018 in their hideout in Kaduna State.

    “The suspects confessed to have vandalized crude oil pipeline near Kakau Village in Kaduna State on 26/04/2018 and in the process siphoned 11400 Litres of crude oil which they in turn sold at N580,000 to their sponsors.”

    On the second gang, Moshood said the gang were caught while trying to break the NNPC pipeline in Niger State.

    He said: “On the 27th April, 2018 at about 0230hrs, the STFPIB surveillance patrol team acting on a tip-off intercepted and arrested Umar Abubakar, Aminu Muhammed, Ismaila Jimoh, Oni Ajibade, Musa Mohammed, Abubakar Usman while in the process of breaking the NNPC pipeline around Bonu village in Guarara LGA of Niger State.

    “The vandalized NNPC pipeline runs through Izon NNPC pump station to Minna NNPC Depot.”

    The Police said the third gang were intercepted on the high sea while conveying products already vandalised to Warri south.

    The Spokesman said: “The third gang members were arrested on 26 April, 2018 at about 1800hrs by operatives of the IGP-STFPIB while on waterway patrol along Benneth community riverine area of Warri South, Delta State.

    “They were arrested on the high sea while conveying the vandalized product to Warri south in Delta State.”

    Moshood said all the suspects admitted and confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.

    He also said investigation was in progress to arrest other suspects still at large adding that all the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

    One of the suspects, Lucky David said he only got 26 Jerry-cans of 25 litres fuel out of the 50 Jerry-cans he took to the site.

    “I know what I did is illegal but I didn’t fill all the Jerry-cans I went with. I went with 50 Jerry-cans of 25 litres but I was only able to fill 26 of those Jerry cans with crude oil.

  • We didn’t give Aisha Buhari car, says Police

    We didn’t give Aisha Buhari car, says Police

    The Nigeria Police Force has denied buying two Prado Jeeps for President Buhari’s wife, Aisha Buhari.

    Senator Isah Misau when he appeared before the Senate Adhoc Committee alleged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) gave Aisha Buhari the vehicles.

    The police while making clarifications on the allegation noted that the car was only given to the Aide to Buhari’s Wife after a request was made.

    The police also said the car was given to the convoy for security purposes.

    On the claim that the IGP Manipulated his retirement age, the Police explained that the difference in the date was just 12 days adding that it was insignificant.

    Reacting to the allegation in Abuja Thursday, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood said: “It is pertinent to state that at no time did the Wife of the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Aishat Buhari requested directly or indirectly for vehicles for her use from the Inspector General of Police and no vehicle whether Jeep or SUV has ever been given for her personal use.

    “To set the record straight and disabuse the minds of the public most especially those who must have read the story, that the Inspector General of Police is empowered by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the Police Act and Regulations, precisely Section 215 (1)(a&b) and (2) “The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector General Police“ and the Deployment and Control of the entire Operations of the Force including allocation of Police vehicles for operational use throughout the country shall be under the purview of the IGP.

    “It is within the powers of the Inspector General of Police as stated above that when on the 17th January, 2017, SP Sani M Baba –Inna, the ADC “Wife of the President” Federal Republic of Nigeria requested for two vehicles for Police Personnel in the convoy of Wife of the President for convoy movement and security purposes.

    Two Police Vehicles  (i) A Toyota Sienna Bus with Reg. No. NPF 2406D (ii) A Toyota Hiace Bus with Reg. No. NPF 3363D were approved by the Inspector General of Police to the ADC “Wife of the President” SP Sani M Baba –Inna for the purposes requested and not to the person of the Wife of the President or for her personal use as alleged by Misau.

    “The Nigeria Police Force categorically wishes to state that all the allegations made by Misau against the Inspector General of Police and the Wife of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria of buying two (2) Jeeps for the Wife of the Presidents as reported in some media are baseless, untrue and done in bad faith to misinform and mislead the Public.”

    On IGP’s retirement age, Moshood described the allegation as Ill-motive.

    Moshood while displaying the copy of the letter to Journalists said: “For avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Force Secretary Office wrote the Chairman, Police Service Commission on the 18th of January, 2017 drawing the attention of the Commission to the observation on the current Staff List of Senior Police Officers whereby the date of birth of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Idris, was incorrectly stated as 3/01/1959 instead of the actual date 15/01/1959.

    “All documents and records of the IGP has 15/01/1959 as his date of birth except the staff list Senior Police Officers and this is the reason why the approval of the Honourable Chairman, Police Service Commission for correction of the error was sought in this regard.

    “The difference of dates between 3/01/1959 and 15/01/1959 is just 12 days which is very insignificant in 35 years that a public servant can be in service”, he said

    The police also noted that the Senator refused to answer to the allegation levelled against the IGP.

    Moshhod said: “The Public will note that Issa Hamma Misau deliberately refused to prove the allegations he previously levelled against the Inspector General of Police on the floor of the Senate for which he was invited by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee but instead brought up other falsehoods to distract the Committee and the members of the Public.

    Moshood added that the IGP will not be distracted or deterred by mischievous people from carrying out his statutory responsibilities for the benefit of the entire Police Personnel and all Nigerians.

  • IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has set up a special Investigation Panel to investigate complaints and allegations credited to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Hamma Misau.

    The Senator had alleged that Police Officers pay bribe for special promotion.

    The Panel has upon the directive of the IG invited Senator Misau to provide more details that would assist them to conduct a very discreet investigation into his complaints and allegations, and those of other aggrieved Police officers.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Friday by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood.

    The terms of reference of the Panel which has two weeks to submit its findings include: “To investigate other complaints, petitions and grievances from Police Officers within the Force and from other members of the public on allegations of giving money for promotion, either special or otherwise.

    “To determine the substance of the complaints, petitions and grievances from aggrieved Police Officers and members of the public on allegations of giving money for special promotion.

    “To determine those who were involved, to recommend appropriate judicial action and other punishments as it is Amaechi sacks Station Manager, Ticket Seller, others for ticket racketeering  in line with the provisions of Public Service Rules Section 030401 (j) (k) and other statutory enabling laws/Acts”.

     

  • Police parade 32 for kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    Police parade 32 for kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna highway

    The Police Monday paraded 32 suspected kidnappers for their involvement in kidnap of motorists and travelers along Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    The police attributed the arrest of the suspects to the launch of ‘Operation Absolute Sanity’ by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    The IG had last week launched the Operation to end the spate of kidnapping on the highway.

    The Police said they have not recorded a single case of kidnapping or armed robbery since the launch of the operation.

    Over ten serviceable AK47 riffles were recovered from the suspects who belong to four different kidnap gang.

    This was disclosed by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood during the parade of the suspects at Police Divisional Headquarters in Katari, Kaduna State.

    He said: “The IGP, concerned about the issue of kidnapping along Abuja-Kaduna highway deployed a special team to rout out kidnappers that have been terrorizing the highway.

    “We have made significant progress in ensuring that Abuja-Kaduna highway is safe for passengers, travelers and other road users including communities that live along the highway because they are not spared too.

    “Despite the kidnap of travelers, the kidnappers still go into villages to kidnap and terrorise unsuspecting members of the public.

    “32 of the suspects have been arrested by the team and we recovered several serviceable AK47 from them. It is the weapons that they use in terrorising and kidnapping people for ransom.

    On the roles and successes recorded by the team, Moshood said: “The special team deployed is to ensure the arrest of all kidnap elements from their hideout and make the highway safe again for all road users.

    “We have not recorded a single case of kidnapping or armed robbery since the operation commenced and it is a pointer that the operation is working.”

    Moshood said the suspects have made confessional statement admitting to the various criminal roles they played in committing the crime.

    “The suspects have confessed to various roles they played and they belong to about four kidnapping gang. Some are in charge of kidnapping while some others are responsible for negotiation and collection of ransom from families of the victims”, he said.

    The IG also commended members of the communities for providing vital information that led to the arrest of some of the kidnappers.

    The IG while assuring residents of Jere, Katari and Rijanah and others that the operation would be sustained added that the operation would be replicated on other highways across the country.

    “We will continue to build on this success to ensure that the last kidnapper is routed out of the highway.”

    District Head of Bishini Community, Giwa Gambo, while commending the deployment of the operation urged the Police to sustain it.

    He said: “We urge you people to come and help us. We are helpless because these people are armed and we cannot confront them. Our prayers are being answered because the government and Police have listened to us and deployed people to rid our area of kidnappers.

    “Before the deployment, we find it difficult to go to farm because if we go, it is either we are attacked, captured for ransom, killed or they rape our wives. This has been on for long and we thank God for this deployment.”

     

  • Police search Ekweremadu’s Abuja guest house

    Police search Ekweremadu’s Abuja guest house

    The police on Friday conducted a search on the official guest house of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. The guest house is located in the highbrow Maitama District, Abuja.

    Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser, Mr. Uche Anichukwu who confirmed the search on the guest house, said police did not inform the senator or any of his aides before the search was conducted.

    Anichukwu further said that only the senator’s steward was present when the police team arrived at the property, adding that nothing incriminating was found in the premises.

    According to him, the policemen were said to have told the steward that they were detailed by the Force Headquarters to carry out the search.

    When our correspondent called the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood for comments, his mobile telephone indicated that his line was switched off.

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate had, a few weeks ago, raised the alarm, saying that security report at its disposal indicated that the security agencies were planning to invade Ekweremadu’s residence either in Abuja or Enugu.

    According to the spokesman of the caucus, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe who addressed journalists on the matter, the raid was to be carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Abaribe said the plot was to plant incriminating items; either a huge amount in foreign currencies or guns in Ekweremadu’s targeted residence and then arrest him for money laundry or gun running.

    The caucus stated that the motive behind the alleged plot was to put the Deputy President of the Senate out of circulation by arresting and detaining him on trumped up charges.

  • We may arrest Senator Goje – Police

    We may arrest Senator Goje – Police

    The Police Thursday said they may arrest Senator Danjuma Goje if he refuses to appear before the Police Investigative team.

    The police also said invitation has been made to him by the panel but the Senator has remained reluctant about it.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood when he appeared on a Channels television during the morning show.

    The Senator had said in the floor of the senate that the work of the Senate might be impeded following removal of documents relating to 2017 budget from his house during a search by operatives of the Force.

    The police however maintained that it did not remove any document relating to the budget.

    According to Moshood: “He must appear before the investigation team to explain circumstances surrounding how he got some of the documents with us.

    “The Senator promised to come last week Friday but he did not.

    “So, I am using this opportunity to call on him to appear before the investigation Panel because investigation is still ongoing on the recovery that were made in his house.”

    On whether he will be arrested if he refuses to honour invitation by the police, he said: “Yes he will be arrested because no one is above arrest and we will definitely do so and it is important for him to know that on time and appear before the team.”

    On the search warrant executed, the Force Spokesman said: “The search was not aimed at 2017 budget and I must add that no budget document was sighted or removed.

    “No single document relate to the 2017 budget and mind you, the budget has been with them  for months now, so it will be wrong for anybody to come up and say because police conducted a search, the passage of the budget will be affected.

    On whether the laptop recovered from Goje’s house contains documents relating to the 2017 budget, Moshood was quick to say: “The laptop we took also has some incriminating item which we are investigating because all we removed were removed for investigation.

    “No, when President Buhari went to lay down the budget before the National Assembly,  it was not laid with a laptop. It is a public document that everybody saw. The laptop does not contain any of such document, I make bold to say that.”

    Moshood also promised to make the video clips of the search public.

    “We will make it public for people to know how the search was conducted in the presence of three of the Senator’s relatives and that it was transparent.

    The video will be made public as soon as possible but the Senator has to appear before the Panel because he is going to be asked questions relating to the search warrant executed and those things that were recovered from his house.

    “We cannot put the video out before he appears but he has been reluctant in coming despite calls by the investigation Panel.

    “Nobody can cow the police because the law is there and nobody is above the law”, he said.