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Tag: IGP

  • IGP angry at police officers’ strike threat

    IGP angry at police officers’ strike threat

    The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has expressed anger over the threat by some officers to embark on strike for unpaid allowances.

    Abba’s annoyance came following a media report with the headline: “Policemen threaten strike over unpaid salaries”.

    A statement yesterday by the Force Spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu, explained that the IGP was miffed that officers did not recourse to approved channels to air their perceived grievances.

    It stated: “It is pertinent to state that the leadership of the Nigeria Police is mindful of its responsibility towards the welfare of the workforce; part of which is promotion and recognition of hard work.

    “As is expected, every promotion attracts some financial benefits, and which have been deeply considered in the course of processing and approving the promotions.”

    The IGP, however, explained that the police was working with relevant government departments and agencies to effect the payment of the promotion arrears, adding that all promoted officers have been enjoying the salary attached to their new ranks since 2015.

    “It needs be stated for the umpteenth time that the Nigeria Police is founded on the bedrock of discipline and loyalty. The police regulation has provided enough windows for aggrieved officers to ventilate their grievances,” the statement added.

    The police chief drew the officers’ attention to the consequences of breaching extant rules and regulations of the force.

    Pledging his commitment to reposition the welfare of the Force, Abba said: “I wish to use this medium to restate my commitment to the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force”.

  • IGP orders in-depth probe of Okrika shooting

    IGP orders in-depth probe of Okrika shooting

    •Okorocha condemns attack •DSS: we’re probing incident

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has ordered a full-scale investigation into Tuesday’s shooting at the rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State.

    The police chief directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Zone 6, Calabar, Johnson Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and bring the perpetrators and sponsors to justice.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by Force spokesman said one policeman was killed and three others injured in the incident.

    Abba directed the police to prosecute suspects arrested for causing violence across the country.

    The police chief regretted that despite serious warnings, advice and interfaces with political actors to avoid  violence, such acts had continued.

    He said the police would ensure an impartial level-playing field for all political parties to sell their manifestos and woo the electorate.

    Suleiman said: “I deeply regret the loss of lives of policemen in the course of providing safety in the electoral process. My heart goes out to the families of the slain colleagues. I wish the injured officers speedy recovery and return to national duty.”

    Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has condemned the explosions and gunshots at the Okrika, Rivers State, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship rally.

    The governor described the incident as primitive and borne out of frustration.

    He regretted that before the Okrika shootings, several explosions had also disrupted APC rallies in the state.

    A statement yesterday by Ngozi Onyeocha quoted the governor as saying that what should concern Nigerians was how to have successful elections and make the nation achieve its lofty goals.

    He added that all Nigerians should work together in harmony to achieve the lofty national goals.

    The Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday said it was investigating the cause of Tuesday’s shooting at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at Okrika, Rivers State.

    The DSS promised to deal with those planning to disrupt the March 28 and April 11 general elections ahead of the polls.

    Its spokesperson, Ms Marilyn Ogar, addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    She said the department had a profile of people with bad records, who would be dealt with.

    There were explosions last Tuesday’s APC rally in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    A policeman was killed, many party supporters and a reporter with Channels Television injured.

    Ms Ogar said: “We are investigating it (the explosion); that is why we are saying. If you have observed that there is a new face, an unexplained movement of person or people you don’t know, sudden business concerns cropping up around you, you need to alert security agencies. So, we are definitely investigating it.

    “…Beyond that, there is the profiling of those whose presence in certain areas cannot be easily and immediately explained. So, may be on the election day, one group will get up and someone supportive has been whisked away. We have profiled people with questionable character…”

  • APC petitions IGP, INEC, DSS on advert against Buhari

    APC petitions IGP, INEC, DSS on advert against Buhari

    THE All progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on the  Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) advert sponsored by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose wishing its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, death.

    The petition by the director general of the campaign organisation and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, condemned the PDP and Fayose for portraying Gen. Buhari as a dead man walking, to scare Nigerians from voting for him in the February 14 election.

    He said the portrayal of Buhari as a man likely to die in office just like past northern leaders like Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, General Sani Abacha and General Murtala Muhammed was “morbid and reckless” and that such irresponsible political advert is not only “in bad taste, but also capable of undermining law and order in the country.”

    The strongly-worded petition was copied to the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS), and the editor-in-chief of the two newspapers that published the advert as well as the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

    The two paged letter reads: “I wish to, on behalf of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, draw your attention to the above named newspaper advertisement that appeared on  January 19, 2015 on the front pages of two national newspapers, namely, The Sun and The Punch.

    “The advertisement signed by Governor of Ekiti State Mr. Ayo Fayose, ostensibly to further the electoral fortune and political advantage of his party man, President Goodluck Jonathan, is in bad taste and capable, if not checked, to undermine law and order in our country before the general elections, which starts on February 14, 2015.

    “In the advertisement captioned “Nigerians be warned”, the sponsor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, went morbid and reckless in his effort to attract support for his favoured candidate in the forthcoming elections.

    “The Ekiti governor depicted the presidential candidate of APC as a man who may likely die in office the way the former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha and former President, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died in office for the simple unscientific reason that the APC presidential candidate was 72 years old.

    “You will agree with me that advertorials of this kind that insinuate the death of a man who is still alive is unbecoming, irresponsible and downright insensitive. It is capable of causing the breach of the peace across the nation and exacerbates the current unsavoury state of national insecurity and thus, put a huge strain on your office.

    “It is also important to point out that the advertisement is a breach of the accord on non-violence signed by the presidential candidates of all political parties taking part in the February 14 election, including the two leading political parties – the PDP and the APC.

    “We further wish to state that the advertorial is not only sinister and inhuman in its intention, it is also un-African and offends the sensibility of all decent men and women in any society.

    “We hereby respectfully demand that you use your exalted and responsible office to investigate the origin of the said advertorial and the motives of the latter with a view to calling the sponsors to order and prevent a repeat in the interest of peace in our country.

    “Please, accept the assurance of my highest regard.”

  • IGP Suleiman must hear this!

    SIR: It is a fact that Nigeria is battling with high level of law-breaking and criminality in various guises, which need the various arms of law enforcement agencies to contain. It is however shocking and maddening to have this enforcement agency deal seriously with ordinary citizens instead.

    How else can one explain away the rough treatment meted out on a Journalist in Taraba State recently and the couple manhandled in Lagos State by men in police uniforms as widely reported in the media?

    Police cruelty, almost akin to the types in Mexico, happens unabated in this country and I wonder if the Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba can ever rise up to the occasion to check this rising tide in callousness.

    On December 5, at about 11pm in one of the streets in Port Harcourt, residents suddenly heard sporadic gun shots, after which all were caught up in a panic frenzy. For those among us gutsy enough to peep in order to ascertain what was going on, we saw a team of policemen cocking guns, shooting and breaking doors to gain entrance into people’s homes.

    These policemen went into a compound at Rumuigbo (opposite MCC gate) where two men were working to fix a sunk soak-away within the premise of the houseand arrested them. Concerned people recounted the cold-bloodedness at Rumuodumaya Police Station the same night and the following day when they went to the station to explain that these were occupants of the house trying to repair their soak-away. A noticeably drunk officer at the gate threatened to shoot them if they moved beyond a point and they needed no second telling to run back home bearing in mind the numerous unresolved extra-judicial killings by the police in the country.

    Another team of concerned people the next day went to the same Rumuodumaya Police station again to try and secure the freedoms of these innocent men. Surprisingly they were asked to provide Izal disinfectant and tissue paper. Why anyone should be compelled to bring such items before seeking bail of two innocent young men and any other beats ones imagination.

    At this point, a call was put through to the elder brother of one of the detainees who arrived without delay and made frantic efforts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO); all efforts proved abortive. He then decided to see the officer that made the arrest. Asked why his brother was arrested, the officer shockingly brought out a nylon bag filled with cannabis sativa a.k.a Indian hemp.

    It is outrageous that police officers can cook up lies to frame up people without conscience and it is vexing especially when these innocent people are law abiding citizens who go out daily trying to eke out a living.

    This officer (name withheld) demanded N20,000 each (a total of N40, 000) to release the two suspects. Efforts to appeal and negotiate the amount greatly infuriated him that he went in and started beating the other detainee.

    They increased their plea until the officer finally accepted N15,000 to release these men.

    Thinking that they were through with police troubles, they got to the counter only to be told by another officer to pay another N4,000 (counter department fee) before they would be released.

    Its high time IGP, Suleiman Abba does something about the rot in the police.

    • Yakubu Ibrahim

    Port Harcourt, Rivers State

  • Tambuwal: Hearing on suit against IGP stalled

    Tambuwal: Hearing on suit against IGP stalled

    Hearing was stalled on Wednesday in the application filed by House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to explain why he should not be jailed for failing to recognize him (Tambuwal) in his official capacity as the Speaker.

    Tambuwal had filed a motion ex-parte in which he argued that Abba’s refusal to recognise him as the Speaker when he appeared before the House of Reps Committee on Police Affairs on November 26 was a violation of the order made by the court on November 7, directing parties in the suit he (Tambuwal) filed to maintain the status quo.

    He sought an order directing Abba to appear “in person and show cause why he should not be committed to prison for contempt of the court order of November 7, 2014 and/or for acting in manners and ways which showed disrespect to the court.”

    In a ruling last Friday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed converted the motion ex-parte to a motion on notice and fixed hearing for Wednesday. He also refused two applications filed by some individuals who sought to be parties in the case filed by Tambuwal over the withdrawal of his security aides and the threat by the Peoples Democratic Party to declare his seat vacant upon his defection from the party.

    However, the scheduled hearing was stalled when lawyers to those who sought to join the suit told the court that they had appealed the court’s ruling and wanted the court to stay proceedings on the matter.

     

  • NASS invasion: IGP snubs Reps’ invitation

    NASS invasion: IGP snubs Reps’ invitation

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abba Suleiman drew the anger of the members of the House of Representatives again on Friday when he failed to appear before the lawmakers to explain the rationale behind Thursday’s invasion of the National Assembly by the police.

    The House Committee on Police ‘invitation was however in defiance of the Senate President, David Mark’s directive that the National Assembly should remain locked until November 25.

    Mark’s pronouncement followed the invasion of the National Assembly complex by policemen and the subsequent prevention of Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, from gaining access to the Chamber.

    Rather than honouring the invitation, the IGP sent a letter to the Committee explaining his absence.

    He also sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), SL Wakama, to represent him.

    Extract of the letter dated 21st November, 2014 with reference number CB:3380/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL 8/806 and addressed to the Chairman of the Committee reads: I am directed to inform you that due to exigencies of duty, the IGP will not be able to appear before the House.

    “Meanwhile, he has directed the DIG Operations to represent him.”

    The letter was signed by a Principal Staff Officer, Austin Iwar.

    DIG Wakama was accompanied by two senior officers.

    The Committee was however resolute in its decision, stating that it was empowered by the Constitution to invite any individual or organization to aid its investigations.

  • ‘Probe kids’ death, teargas shooting’

    ‘Probe kids’ death, teargas shooting’

    The leadership of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) in Bayelsa State has urged the inspector-general of Police (IGP) to set up an independent panel to probe the bloody outing of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, in the state.

    CLO said the death of two kids and the firing of teargas canisters by the police at the event, organised by Mrs Jonathan in Yenagoa, the state capital, should not be swept under the carpet.

    Mrs. Jonathan was leading the distribution of empowerment items to women’s groups last Thursday when the event became chaotic.

    The police were said to have fired teargas canisters that caused the stampede, leading to the death of three and six-month old babies.

    In a statement in Yenagoa, State CLO Chairman Nengi James said the crowd control at the event was poor.

    The activist noted that the crowd was gathered at the football pitch of the Samson Siasia Stadium with only one entrance and one exit.

    He said it was irresponsible and callous for the policemen to have fired teargas canisters at such unbefitting venue.

    James said: “IGP Suleiman Abbah should order a probe into the incident to avoid a recurrence.

    “The action of the police is wicked and should be investigated to avoid another act of manslaughter and murder in the state as the political campaigns draw near.

    “It is sad to note that the police could shoot teargas canisters into the crowd of women instead of being more civil.

    “It is a violation of human rights and it is clear case of murder. Such inhuman treatment will discourage people from attending rallies in the state.”

    The CLO chairman also called for adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.

    He regretted that the kids were crushed to death in a stampede caused by armed security men, including men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield.

  • Adoke, IGP insist Tambuwal ‘no longer Speaker’

    Adoke, IGP insist Tambuwal ‘no longer Speaker’

    The Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, on Friday argued that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, AminuTambuwal, has ceased to be a member of the House by virtue of his defection to another party and is no longer entitled to rights and privileges associated with that position.

    The duo while justifying the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security details, contended that having defected from the party that sponsored him, he has lost his membership of the House and “automatically ceased to be the Speaker.”

    They argued in a joint counter-affidavit filed in response to the originating summons sent to the court by Tambuwal, challenging the withdrawal of his security aides, alleged threat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership to reconvene the House, declare his seat vacate and remove him as Speaker.

    The case is being heard by Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The AGF and IGP, in the -affidavit filed by their lawyer, Ade Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), argued that they cannot be accused of acting in breach of the Constitution by withdrawing the security aides attached to the Speaker because he is no longer the Speaker as at when the security men were withdrawn.

    They argued that Tambuwal, having defected from the PDP that sponsored his election into the House, and having purportedly ceased to be a member of the House and is Speaker, is now “an ordinary citizen of Nigeria, is not exposed to any danger or bodily harm because of the withdrawal of his security details.”

  • Tambuwal: Court summons Mua’zu, Adoke, Ihedioha, IGP, others

    Tambuwal: Court summons Mua’zu, Adoke, Ihedioha, IGP, others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday summoned the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mua’zu, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and four others following a complaint by the House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, that they were plotting to unlawfully reconvene the House before its December 3 adjourned date.

    Also summoned are the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the House of Representatives (who are all listed as respondents in the motion.

    They are to appear before the court on Friday.

    Justice Armed Ramat Mohammed, in a ruling, ordered parties in an ex-parte application filed on Mondayby Tambuwal to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

    The judge also ordered that an enrolled order of the court, accompanied with a copy of the ex-parte motion be served on the defendants for them to appear in court on Friday and show reasons why the reliefs contained in the ex-parte application should not be granted.

    Justice Mohammed gave the ruling after listening to Jibrin Okutepa and Sunday Ameh (both Senior Advocates of Nigeria) arguments on the motion ex-parte.

    “Having listened to applicant’s counsel and read the processes filed in court, I am of the view that the defendants should be given notice. An exhibit attached to the motion ex-parte shows that there is an urgent need for an order to preserve the res,” the judge held.

    Okutepa (SAN) had, while moving the motion, told the court that “the defendants have concluded plans to summon the House for the purpose of removing Tambuwal as Speaker.”

     

  • Tambuwal:’IGP must resign’

    Tambuwal:’IGP must resign’

    A group, Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Ondo State, has decried the withdrawal of the security detail of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, describing it as “a sour foretaste of the danger ahead of the 2015 elections.”

    Besides, it said the action was a threat the police could pose to the nation’s democracy and its continued existence as a united country.

    The group’s coordinator, Bola Ilori, who briefed reporters after a strategy meeting in Akure, the state capital at the weekend, said the security withdrawal was not only a breach of the constitution, but an alleged act of impunity, targeted at the opposition by the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.

    The group added that the police was a creation of the constitution and belonged to the Nigerian people, “irrespective of party’s affiliation, and not part of the PDP”.

    The BCO noted that the police should not behave in a way that shows their partiality and disrespect for democratic virtues.

    It noted with dismay the alleged double standard being adopted by the police in treating similar issues.

    Ilori said: “For example, it is a known fact that the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP this same month without the police stripping her of her security detail.”