The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IG

  • IG deploys DIG in Anambra

    IG deploys DIG in Anambra

    The Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mr. Philemon Leha, in Anambra State for Saturday’s election.

    This information is contained in a statement by police spokesman Frank Mba, in Abuja yesterday.

    It said the deployment of Leha was to ensure the effective coordination of security operations.

    The statement said this would ensure, among others, that the police maintain a grip on security, covering the over-4,000 polling units and collation centres.

    “All striking units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Bomb Disposal Unit and the Police Air-Wing are to be deployed in strss.

    It warned that officers found breaching their oath of office would be brought to book.

    The statement appealed to the indigenes, especially the candidates, to conduct themselves within the law.

  • IG marries daughter of former FCT minister

    THE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday married Zarha, the daughter of a one-time FCT Minister, Mr. Ibrahim Bunu.

    The wedding “fatiha’’, which took place at the National Mosque, Abuja, was conducted by the Chief Imam of the mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed, who prayed for the success of the marriage.

    Dignitaries at the wedding include Vice-President Namadi Sambo, two former Heads of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the FCT Minister, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and members of the National Assembly.

    The reception, which was held at the ThisDay Dome in the city-centre, was attended by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; the Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, Senators Andy Uba and Paulinus Igwe.

    Others dignitaries at the reception include the former Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola as well as Chief Akin Oshuntokun, a former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Alhaji Adamu Bello, who spoke on behalf of the bride’s family, described the turnout for the marriage as “fantastic’’ and expressed gratitude to Allah for the event.

    Bello urged the couple to live according to Islamic tenets for the success of the marriage.

     

  • IG offers student scholarship

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has granted scholarship to Cynthia Ovia, a graduate of International Relations/Political Science from Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra, to study Psychology/Criminal Law in Britain.

    Chancellor of the university, Prof John Bosco Akam, who revealed this while presenting the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Edward Orji, to the university community announced that the gesture was because Cynthia won a state award during her youth service in Anambra State.

    He informed that aside Cynthia, who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police, three other graduates of the school who won state awards during the NYSC, were Daniel Amadife (International Relations), Joseph Markus Adam (Political Science) and Umenwanne Patricia Chinwendu (Microbiology).

    Presenting the new Vice-Chancellor, Akam said that Orji, a professor of Environmental Biology, Biotechnology and Agro forestry since 2004 takes over from Prof Nduka Uriah whose five-year tenure has ended.

    On his part, Orji thanked God that he emerged after a competitive interview session with 10 other outstanding professors.

    He said during his tenure, skill acquisition and academics would go hand-in-hand for graduates to be entrepreneurs and learn kills and be job creators and not job seekers.

    He added that his administration plans to start a postgraduate school as well as establish more schools, dealing with natural sciences, environmental sciences.

    He promised to hire more qualified professors and lecturers both on part-wtime and adjunctant.

    Prof Orji warned against factionalisation among and students.

     

  • Supreme Court to IG: rescue Justice’s wife

    Supreme Court to IG: rescue Justice’s wife

    Abductors of the wife of a Supreme Court Justice, Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, and two others, are yet to contact the family, a source said yesterday.

    The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Sunday Olorundahunsi, has written Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar to rescue the hostages.

    Abubakar, it was learnt, has issued a signal to Edo State Police Commissioner to track down the abductors in the swamps on the Ore-Okada-Benin axis.

    But it was gathered that the kidnappers have not established contact with the family of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour.

    Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour and her daughter (whose name was not given) were abducted on Friday on their way to Benin for a wedding.

    The driver of the car in which they were travelling wasl also kidnapped. The car has not be recovered.

    A source at the Supreme Court said: “The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Olorundahunsi, has formally written the IGP to rescue the wife, the daughter and the driver of the Supreme Court Justice, who were abducted on Friday.

    “I am aware the IGP has issued a signal to the Edo Police Command and other neighbouring commands, ordering them to comb the swamps on the Ore-Okada-Benin axis. So, the search for the hostages has started.

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The kidnappers have not got in touch with the family of the judge. This is what is making the search for these innocent victims difficult.

    “This has created anxiety for all. If they had got in touch and made their position known, we would have known their motive.”

    Asked about the next step, the source said: “Security agencies are on top of situation. The family is trying to make basic information available on the movement of the suspects.”

    Lagos Lawyer Festus Keyamo in a statement yesterday condemned abduction of the Justice wife, daughter and driver.

    He said: “I received with deep shock and bewilderment the news of the abduction of the wife and daughter of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, a Justice of the Supreme Court. By the nature of their job, Justices of the Supreme Court, and indeed all judges, always live a spartan life, not given to ostentation and primitive acquisition of wealth.

    “Therefore, the kidnappers should know that Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour is the wrong target of this dastardly act. He does not deserve this agony. Again, the Justices of the Supreme Court have not contributed in any way to the destruction of our values that has pushed young men and women into this kind of unholy enterprise. Rather, they have indeed played a constructive role in preserving and sustaining our democracy.

    “ I passionately appeal to the kidnappers, wherever they may be, in the name of the God they serve, to release unharmed the wife and daughter of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour.”

  • IG fumes as Reps condemn killings

    IG fumes as Reps condemn killings

    Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar yesterday gave Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in charge of the North Central zone and the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police the marching orders to arrest the killers of 30 policemen in Nasarawa.

    Abubakar deplored the unprovoked and brutal killing of the policemen who were on legitimate assignment as provocative and unacceptable.

    In a statement by Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Mr. Frank Mba, yesterday, Abubakar vowed to bring the perpetrators to book in a record time, saying “enough is enough”.

    The statement reads: “We consider the attack not just an attack on the Nigeria Police and its officers and men but an attack on the collective will of Nigerians to protect and preserve our dear fatherland. This, we have vowed to put an end to.

    “This disturbing, condemnable and highly distressing incident, coming closely after similar ones in Bayelsa and Borno states, have thrown up new and emerging threat in the delicate task of policing our country.

    “Consequently, the IGP has directed all its field commanders and Special Units, including Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, to harness all resources available within their domain in ensuring that this reign of terror and lawlessness is brought to an end.

    “The Nigeria Police Force, working in conjunction with all positive minded Nigerians, will do everything within its powers to fish out and bring to book all those involved in this and other similar killings of law enforcement agents.

    “We must put an end to this endless circle of impunity. Enough is enough”

    The House of Representatives has condemned taking up of arms against policemen on line duty by aggrieved communities.

    According to the lawmakers, since the primary responsibility of the government is to provide security for the citizens, which it does through security agencies, it would be most criminal to attack the Policemen while trying to restore peace and order in troubled communities.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed a heated debate of a matter of urgent national importance raised by Joseph Kigbu (CPC, Nasarawa) who implored his colleagues to plead and prevail on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar to forgive youths of Ombatse, in Nasarawa State that attacked and killed 30 policemen in the community.

    According to Kigbu, the youths that also lost 10 members, attacked and exchanged fire with the policemen, killing 30 in the process after learning that the policemen were on their way to arrest the Spiritual leader of the community.

    “If the Federal government does not assist Nasarawa State government to maintain security and amicably resolve heir communal differences, this may lead to a further breakdown of peace and order,” he said.

    He spoke on the need to prevail on the police to forgive the community saying, what the nation witnessed in Baga, Odi and other places may reoccur.

    Yakub Balogun (ACN, Lagos) said it was condemnable for the youths to have taken up arms against security agents sent to restore normalcy by the government.

    According to him, the degenerating security situation across the country had made it imperative for the Federal government to find means of mopping up fire arms across the country to forestall people attacking Securty agents that were carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

    Farouk Lawan (PDP. Kano) and Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) also condemned the regrettable trend saying that massive enlightenment is required for Nigerians to know that it is wrong to take up arms against security agents.

    In their resolution, the lawmakers urged the Federal government to adequately compensate the families of the police victims, in addition to joining Nasarawa State in reconciling the different warring groups in the path of peace rather than use of force.

    The National Emergency Mnagement Agency (NEMA) was urged to immediately provide relief materials to victims of communal clashes since January 2013 in Nasarawa State.

  • Oyo ACN urges IG to probe PDP’s allegation

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) allegation that the state’s Joint Security Task Force, called Operation Burst, is being used to witch-hunt perceived political enemies.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN described the allegation as “baseless, puerile and illogical”.

    It said a probe of the allegation would put an end to the “PDP’s long years of tarnishing the image of the opposition for political advantage”.

    ACN said: “While we have always known the PDP to be a nest of liars, we never knew its operatives had no respect for the sacredness of facts and figures. The people of Oyo State know that the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration is modern and cannot stand thugs and violence.

    “They also know that but for Operation Burst, the crime rate in Oyo would have quadrupled. How come the PDP is dishing out this falsehood? The security outfit comprises professional members of all the forces.

    “Until a few weeks ago, when it was deployed in Ibarapa, Operation Burst, was only in Ibadan. This is a fact that can be cross-checked, so how come the PDP is claiming that it was deployed to harass one of our leaders, Chief Michael Koleoso? We urge the IG to investigate these allegations, so that the public would not be deceived by these cheap lies.”

    The party alleged that the Accord and PDP were out to tarnish the image of the state government.

    ACN said: “We learnt that former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala met in London after Ajimobi sacked Ladoja’s men in his administration. Less than a week after the report, Accord and PDP are in cahoots trying to dismantle our greatest achievement in Oyo State, which is peace. The IG should please investigate this because as the African proverb says, we should not dismiss the unholy connection between the witch that cried overnight and the child that died at dawn.”

  • Court orders IG, Adoke to pay N5million

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, to pay N5million into an interest yielding account.

    The N5million was awarded against them by an Edo State High Court for the unlawful arrest and detention of David Ugolor for the killing of the Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Olaitan Oyerinde.

    Justice Helen Ogunwumiju gave the order yesterday at the hearing of the appeal filed by counsel to the Inspector General of Police, Police Force and Attorney General of the Federation, Henry Ihonde, against the high court ruling.

    Ihonde also sought for stay of execution to the decision of the lower court.

    Ugolor’s counsel Olayiwola Afolabi countered the application and described it as “legal virus.”

    Afolabi said the N5milllion ought to have been paid into an interest yielding account pending the appeal court judgment, according to rules of the court.

    Ihonde agreed to pay the money into the account and both parties agreed on stay of execution of the lower court judgment.

    The court ordered the money to be paid into the account within 60 days.

    Ugolor was arrested and detained for 42 days after Maisamari Garuba said Ugolor paid him N200,000 out of an agreed N20million to kill Oyerinde.

     

  • Lawyer writes IG over alleged assassination plot

    Lawyer writes IG over alleged assassination plot

    An Enugu State-based lawyer, Elder Oyibo Chukwu, has written the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, overan alleged plot to assassinate him.

    He said he uncovered a plan to kill him just before or about Easter this year, and it may be carried out unless the police intervene urgently.

    Chukwu, the immediate past Assistant National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said at the expiration of his tenure, there was an alleged bid to illegally extend the tenure of the executive “without passing through the Constitutional crucibles and procedural steps for such an extension.”

    Although he would have benefited from the elongation through questionable amendment of the group’s Constitution, he said he felt it was “irresponsible, immoral, illegal and reprehensible” to do so.

    The lawyer said his opposition to the bid marked the beginning of the plot to eliminate him.

    Meanwhile, he said the Ohanaeze Foundation, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for and on behalf of Ohanaeze, has been used as a conduit to misappropriate the group’s assets.

    Chukwu wrote: “Piqued by these serial acts of illegalities and criminal activities, one Prince Emeka Onyesoh and I had gone to an Enugu High Court in Suit Number E/435/2012 … to challenge the purported tenure extension as it were and to seek the restoration of the Ohanaeze Foundations and her assets.

    “This is how my travails started, and the above is the motive to kill me to silence me.

    “At 10.32am, on 27th February, 2013, I received a telephone call … in which the caller called to ask me to confirm that I was Barrister Oyibo Chukwu and that I live in Enugu.

    “When the caller insisted that I answered his question without disclosing his identity which I had sought, I had retorted ‘The 419 People’ without saying more.

    “But I kept listening into the phone without cutting the call. Then the voice at the other end, which was a male voice, said: ‘He is a dead man’.

    “It then became clear to me that the bizarre caller was seeking to confirm that I was a real person and my location.

    “My worst fears were however confirmed on February 28, 2013 by 12:31pm when another caller who simply identified himself as ‘good Igbo man’ called me…

    “He said: ‘There is a plan to kill you about Easter 2013, any time within two weeks before Easter in March and beginning of April. Take precautions. I am doing this because you are a good and honest man. You are fighting for our people. The people you are fighting are thieves and bad people.’

    “I have also been called on (another) telephone number …on about March 3, 2013 by a male voice who wanted to know whether I would be in Enugu during Easter.

    “He refused to identify himself, in spite of my entreaties to disclose same and only cut the conversation when I refused to answer his question.

    “I have therefore come to the conclusion that my assassination is impending, and that the danger is real, present and continuing.

    “I have come to the honest belief that unless there is immediate police intervention, those planning my assassination will carry it out.

    “I also have a very reasonable belief that the life of Prince Emeka Onyesoh who has been my compatriot and partner in the struggle to save Ohanaeze, may also be in danger.

    “Sir, my very fervent and humble plea, consequently, is that you use your good offices to arrest my assassination, the impurity and lawlessness about to be unleashed.

    “I shall be on hand and available to interact with the police on this matter when invited”.

     

  • IG: heads’ll roll in SARS OU

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has said any officer involved in the November 26 attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters in Abuja would be punished.

    Abubakar spoke in Abuja yesterday during his official visit to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

    He said investigations into the attack were still in progress.

    “We are not resting. We are still investigating and once we conclude, we will take the necessary actions but I can tell you, heads will roll in SARS,” the IG said.

    Abubakar said the police would treat security seriously.

    On his visit, the IG said he wanted to assess the preparedness of the command to ensure safety of lives and property in the territory.

    He assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to address problems associated with police pensions.

    Abubakar said the welfare of the police would be regularly reviewed to enable them to focus on the duties of securing the society.

    The IG, however, warned that the police authorities would punish erring officers and men.

    He said the new police force would not encourage corruption, noting that anyone found wanting would be dismissed.