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Tag: Jimoh Moshood

  • Buhari halts Adeleke’s invitation by IGP

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to stop the invitation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship aspirant in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

    The police force was inviting him to the force headquarters to answer questions on alleged Examination Malpractice, Criminal Conspiracy, Impersonation, Breach of Duty, Aiding and Abetting.

    But a Presidency source who pleaded for anonymity, confirmed the latest development to newsmen on Wednesday.

    Read Also: Exam Malpractice: Police invite Adeleke

    According to him, Buhari ordered that Adeleke should not be invited until after Saturday’s election.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood, had in a statement invited Adeleke and four others namely; Mr. Sikiru Adeleke, Alhaji Aregbesola Mufutau (Principal of Ojo-Aro Community Grammar School, Egbedore LGA, Osun State), Mr. Gbadamosi Thomas Ojo (School Staff responsible for the registration of candidates for NECO), Mr. Dare Olutope (School Teacher who facilitated the commission of the crime) to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja immediately for arraignment in court.

  • IG dissolves Special Tactical Squad

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has ordered the immediate dissolution of the IGP Special Tactical Squad (IGP-STS).

    The IG also ordered the re-deployment of all the personnel of the squad to other departments and formations of the Force.

    The disbandment may not be unconnected with the unauthorized raid of Chief Edwin Clark’s residence by some personnel in the unit.

    The Squad was headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kolo Yusuf before the directive of the dissolution.

    Read Also: Police vow to arrest killers of ASP, others in Taraba

    A statement in Abuja on Friday night by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood stated that senior officers attached to the erstwhile STS who were linked with complicity or played conspiracy roles in the unauthorized, illegal and unprofessional misconduct in the search of Clark’s residence in Asokoro are presently undergoing strict disciplinary procedures.

    Moshood also stated that the tactical operations and statutory core Police duties that the dissolved STS were charged with are now collapsed and will be carried out by other operational, investigative and response units of the Force.

  • Sallah: IG places CPs, personnel in Northeast on alert

    As part of security arrangements for Sallah celebration, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris  has placed Commissioners of Police and personnel in the North East and other troubled states on red alert.

    The IG also ordered massive deployment of Police personnel across the country.

    Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood disclosed the directive in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    The statement reads: “To ensure a hitch free celebration, the IGP has directed the implementation of robust and elaborate security arrangement throughout the country by the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in zonal and State Commands Nationwide.

    “They are to be on ground to beef up security, carryout massive deployment of Police personnel on Police visibility patrols, crowd controls, and adequate protection and safety at all Eid praying grounds and other venues of celebration in their areas of responsibilities.

    “The deployment of additional personnel and crime prevention and detection equipments will be carried out to cover identified and perceived criminal black spots, flash points, abandoned and uncompleted projects sites being used as hideouts by criminal elements to commit crime.”

    Read also: Tambuwal loses 252 aides to APC

    The Police also said the ongoing raids operations and removal of suspected criminals will continue throughout the Sallah period and beyond.

    The deployment will also cover recreation centres, public places and critical infrastructure and public utilities.

    Units deployed to include; Federal Highway patrol Teams, the Safer Highway patrol Units, and Anti-Crime patrols.

    The Force said they have been deployed along Highways and major roads throughout the country for the protection and safety of travellers, commuters and other road users during the period and beyond.

    “They are under strict instructions to be civil, polite, compassionate and firm in carrying out their duties.

    “Intense surveillance/Intelligence gathering will be maintained, special deployment and stop and search duties will be emplaced at all flash/vulnerable points in every state of the Country”.

    The Police also urged members of the public, most especially travellers and other roads users to cooperate with Police personnel deployed on the highways and other duty posts.

  • Police insists Saraki has case to answer

    The Nigeria Police Force have insisted that the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki has a case to answer.

    Contrary to a report by an online media that the Senate President was cleared by the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Force said the Senate President was not exonerated adding that the Police  was only asked to do further investigation.

    Saraki was indicted by the statements made by five principal suspects in connection to Offa robbery.

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

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publication on Premium Times Online Media publication credited to one Samuel Ogundipe, that “there was no evidence that linked Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Kwara State Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed to the Armed Robbery attack that left 31 persons dead in Offa, Kwara State, in April, Premium Times can now confirm”.

    “It is incumbent on the Force to educate the writer of the story that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation in the legal advice did not restrain or restrict the Force from investigating further, the indictments against the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfattah Ahmed by the principal suspects arrested in connection with the Offa bank robbery of 5th April, 2018.

    Read Also: Police denies besieging Saraki’s residence

    “The DPP advice did not exonerate the Senate President, it only called for further investigations into the matter”, the Police stated.

    The statement further reads: “It is in the course of further investigations into the case that a letter of invitation dated 23rd July, 2018 was sent to the Senate President to appear on 24th July, 2018 at 8.00am before the Investigation Team at Intelligence Response Team office, Guzape Junction, Abuja.

    “Consequently, the Force is hereby re-affirming that the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki has case to answer by virtue of the facts that the statements submitted by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki earlier to the Investigation Team was not explicit and detailed enough, and was discovered to require further clarifications and interrogation, and coupled with the fact the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki in his statement, claimed that the full text of the statement of the suspects who indicted him in their confessional statements to the Police was not shown to him.

    “It is therefore, imperative for the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki to report to the Police to make further statement after sighting the full text of the statement of the suspects.

    “Furthermore, the Force wishes to inform the media and the public that investigation is still ongoing on the Offa bank robbery and the indictment against the Senate President from the confessions of some the arrested principal suspects, and that, there is no  political influence or consideration in the matter.

    The Police urged the media not to allow the pages of their esteemed publications be used to misinform the public adding that they are veritable partners in crime prevention, protection of lives and property, and absolute compliance with the rule of law.

  • Saraki’s refusal to honour Police invitation disrespectful – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force has described the Senate President’s refusal to honour its invitation as disrespectful.

    The Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood stated this during a morning show on Channels Television monitored by The Nation.

    “We are treating it as a disrespect to the law and we are going to take appropriate action to ensure that he complies with the rule of law because nobody is above the law.

    “The position of the law is that anybody that was alleged of an offence must make himself present.

    “He has sent a written statement to the investigation team and it was not satisfactory. There are lots of grey areas that needs to be cleared and that is why he is being invited.

    “The investigators have been directed to take all actions within the ambit of the law to ensure that there is compliance with the law because the bottom line is that we have a case that can stand the test of trial against the Senate President and we don’t want people to politicize criminality. He was indicted based on the confession of five principal suspects in Offa robbery,”Moshood stated.

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris wrote a letter of invitation to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki for him to clarify his involvement with five principal suspects in connection to Offa robbery.

    The confessional statements made by the suspects allegedly indicted Saraki.

    The Senate President was expected to report to the head of Intelligence Response Team at Guzape in Abuja on Tuesday by 8am but he didn’t show up.

    Instead of honoring the invitation, the Senate President’s house was besieged by some personnel of the Force but the Police Authority said it had no hand in the blockade.

    The Police also said it was investigating the matter adding that a statement has been collected from the Aide-de-camp (ADC) to the Senate President in order to ascertain what transpired.

    The Police also said the blockade was a calculated attempt for it to be embarrassed adding that it was done to whip up sentiment.

    The Police also said its investigation has nothing to do with defection of lawmakers at the National Assembly.

    On why Saraki is being invited, Moshood said: “On the 23rd of July, an invitation was sent to him whom he acknowledged because we have reliable information that he got it. We were expecting him by 8am on Tuesday for further investigation into the Offa bank robbery where 33 people were killed.

    Read Also: Saraki explains failure to honour police invitation personally

    On the alleged blockade of his residence, he said: “If we were expecting him, why would we go and block him? We had no hand in the blockade and two press releases were sent from my office on Tuesday on the directive of the IGP for the public to know what actually transpired.

    “We have over 170 Police Mobile Force personnel attached to National Assembly and about 40 are attached directly to the Senate President.

    “Outside that, we have the Special Protection Unit that are equally attached to him, we have the ADC, the CSO. We have a lot of other Police personnel including those who are riders and drivers. So what happened on Tuesday was not a blockade by our personnel, we didn’t block the residence.

    He continued: “Those seen in the picture and video were personnel that were attached to him because we don’t even use Mercedes Benz for patrol.

    “We don’t have any Mercedes Benz in our fleet for patrol and in that picture, there was Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Those are the personnel attached to the convoy of the Senate President and those attached to his residence for his protection.

    “We have the obligation to also protect his family. The wife has policemen attached to her, also his guest house and other houses are equally protected.

    “So those seen were those attached to the Senate President but the IG concerned with public interest and the need to let Nigerians know what transpired has directed an investigation into the matter.

    “The ADC was invited because he is supposed to know the whereabouts of his principal but if the ADC is in isolation, we would want to know who called for whatsoever additional Police Personnel seen there because there was no authorised deployment from FHQ or any other Formation to block his residence.

    “You don’t go and block an empty house. What do we stand to gain by doing that? We have other means for which if we want the Senate President to comply with the dictates of the law, he would and he was invited and we were waiting for him.”

    He added: “Whoever is the officer that used that discretion to order a blockade is attached to the Senate President and that is what we want everybody to know.

    “It was circulated for the media to embarrass us. Apt to from the pictures and videos,  radio stations were also running commentary that they don’t know the whereabouts of the Senate President as at then.

    “They were also saying the house of the Deputy Senate President was also blocked. They are the heads of the legislative arm of government and we have an obligation to protect them. A thorough investigation has been ordered to know who gave that directive but we strongly believe that they are among the convoy of the Senate President.

    “If the whereabouts of the Senate President is not known, then the ADC has a right to exercise a discretion and if the discretion was exercised wrongly, then the Force has responsibility to discipline him and that is why he has made statement and he is being investigated.

    “It is important for Nigerians to know that we don’t have hand in it. If we blocked him, he wouldn’t have appeared in the Senate but he presided over activities in the Senate.”

    On whether they are working on suspicion that the Senate President arranged the blockade, Moshood said: “In the first instance, these were stage managed for the purpose of whipping up sentiment in his favour. If we were expecting him, why would we block him?”

    On whether the Force is being used as an instrument to execute a political plot against the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President, Moshood said: “The NPF is not a political party.  We are Nigeria Police Force and it is enshrined in the constitution. We are not instruments in the hand of anybody and the public must know that in total, the Senate President has far more than 100 personnels attached to his house and family.”

    The Police also assured that the rule of rule would prevail at the end of its investigation into the matter.

    “We want him to also know that in democracy, the rule of law prevails and the supremacy of law must be adhered to.”

  • Sallah: IG orders massive deployment of cops nationwide

    To ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitri celebration, the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris on Wednesday ordered massive deployment of cops across the country.

    This was contained in a statement issued by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP).

    According to Moshood, zonal Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police in charge of states have been asked to beef up security as well as ensure massive deployment of personnel to all Eid prayer grounds, other celebration venues.

    Moshood said the directive was to prevent crime, adding that the deployment covers recreation centers, public places, critical infrastructure and public utilities.

    He said: “Federal Highway teams and Anti-Crime patrols have been deployed along major roads, highways across the country to ensure safety of travellers, commuters and other road users.

    Read Also: Senate proceeds on Sallah break

    “They are under strict instruction to be civil, polite and firm in carrying out their duties.

    “Police visibility patrols and surveillance will be maintained, raiding of criminal hideouts, black spots currently ongoing throughout the country will be sustained through the period of the Eld-el-Fitr celebration and beyond. Special Police deployments will be made to flash/vulnerable points.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is hereby imploring members of the public to cooperate with personnel deployed in their localities.

    “The Inspector General of Police once wishes the Muslim faithful and all Nigerians happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration. He enjoins them to be security conscious, vigilant and report any untoward incident or happening observed in their locality to the nearest police station.”

  • Saraki has questions to answer, Police insist

    The Nigeria Police Force said it had not withdrawn its invitation to President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki to report to its office over alleged criminal indictment by five suspected gang leaders involved in the recent Offa bank robbery.

    The newsmen reports that the police on Sunday, June  3, invited Saraki for questioning over alleged criminal indictment by five suspected gang leaders alleging to be his political thugs.

    Saraki had twitted on his Twitter handle that the police had withdrawn the invitation for him to report to the Force Intelligence Response Team office in Guzape, Abuja.

    He also said that the police had asked him to respond to the questions in writing.

    The Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the update on the alleged indictment of Saraki on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “The Senate president is still under investigation in connection to the Offa bank robbery and the police will do everything possible to ensure that justice is done in this case,” he said.

    The spokesman said that there was no deadline for Saraki to report to the police. Moshood was also evasive from the possible action the police would take if Saraki failed to report to the police.

    He said that the force would not be cowed or succumb to intimidation from any quarter in carrying out discreet investigation on the matter.

    Moshood said that two out of the three more suspected thugs working for Saraki, mentioned by the overall gang leader of the Offa bank robbery have been arrested.

    The suspects are: Alhaji Kehinde Gobiri, 47, a.k.a. Captain and Oba Shuaib Olododo, 57, a.k.a Jawando, from Ilorin East and South Local Government Areas respectively.

    Read Also: Two more Offa robbery suspects implicated Saraki – Police

    He said that the suspects, who have admitted to the various crimes they have committed, are currently in police custody in Ilorin, Kwara.

    “They are currently under investigation and will be charged to court on completion of investigation,” he said.

    Moshood said that the arrest of the two suspects followed further confessions of the five gang leaders earlier arrested by the police.

    The five suspects are: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibukunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran. Moshood said that the two suspects were also arrested with firearms in the custody of the police in Ilorin, Kwara.

    The newsmen reports that Saraki recently alleged a plot by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, to implicate him in a criminal case.

    NAN

  • Offa robbery: I’m to respond in writing to the allegations within 48 hours – Saraki

    As a follow up to the allegation leveled against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, concerning his alleged involvement with the criminals who wrought mayhem on the people of Offa, Kwara state, the Nigerian Police Force in a letter to Saraki said he is no longer required to appear at any station, but to respond to the sundry allegations in writing within 48 hours.

    It can be recalled that the Police through its spokesman – Jimoh Moshood, yesterday said that Saraki was to report to the Force Intelligence Response Team office in Guzape, Abuja, to clear the air on the allegations against him.

    However, in a recent development, Saraki has informed the Nigerian public that he is no longer required to appear in person at the police station, but to respond to the allegations in writing within 48 hours.

    He made this known via his twitter handle a few hours ago:

    Following my earlier tweet, I have received the letter from @PoliceNG. They are no longer asking me to appear at any station, but to respond in writing to the allegations within 48 hours — which I plan to do.

    Whether his response will vindicate him and clear the air or become part of the undulating saga, is one that Nigerians, especially the people of Kwara state earnestly anticipate.

  • Invitation: IGP should not hold on to straw, says Senate

    ‘He is afraid of his shadows’

    The Senate on Thursday said that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotum Idris should stop holding on to the straw on his refusal to comply with the invitation of the upper chamber to brief members about what the Police are doing to curb the spate of killings across the country.

    A statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the crux of the matter that informed the invitation of the IGP was the ceaseless spate of killings across the country.

    Abdullahi said that matter concerning the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye has been overtaken by events.

     The statement said, “We noted the response issued by one Jimoh Moshood on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris following yesterday’s resolution of the legislative chamber on the continued refusal of the IGP to honour the invitation for him to come and explain what the police are doing to halt the spate of killings across the country.

    “Let it be known that the IGP by trying to reduce the reason for his invitation by the Senate to the arrest of Sen. Dino Melaye is simply holding on to straw.

    ‘The issue of Sen. Melaye’s arrest has been overtaken by events. The courts are already handling the related cases. Our main concern is the security crisis across the country where people are being killed in scores on daily basis.

    “The primary responsibility of the Police is maintenance of law and order as well as protection of lives and property. If there is a breach along the line of this responsibility, we do not see why the IGP should feel he cannot be invited to offer explanation to the arm of government which is constitutionally empowered to ask questions and investigate the breach.

    “No responsible body of representatives of the people will ignore sad reports given by members on the floor of the Senate. For instance, on April 24, 2 Catholic priests and and 17 members of their congregation were murdered as reported by Senator George Akume. 

    ‘Also, Senators Kabir Marafa and Tijani Kaura had earlier intimated the Senate of the killing of 35 people in Maradun LGA, over 100 people killed in Anka and 36 people killed in Birani Village in Zurmi LGA, all in Zamfara State.

    “Even as at now, reports reaching us showed that recent killings have occurred in Kaduna, Taraba and Benue States. These were just few instances of daily occurrences of gruesome murder of our constituents as raised by Senators.

     “The IGP definitely should not have any problem with an invitation for him to tell the Senate what he and his men are doing to stop the killings as well as their challenges and needs in doing this.

     “Mr. Idris should not seek to confuse issues or play on the intelligence of members of the public with his diversionary statement or claims.

    “The resolution of the Senate leading to his invitation is clear and we invite our people to check. It is for the purpose of having a transparent and open hearing that we fixed his appearance for Wednesday when our plenary sitting enjoys live coverage on national television.

    “In one instance in the past, Mr. Idris had gone to court in order to evade honouring the invitation of the Senate and the court headed by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed of the FCT High Court on April 10, 2018, told him in clear terms that his suit lacked merit as Sections 88 and 89 of the constitution empower the lawmakers to carry out investigations on issues of public interest.

     “Any public officer who plans to place himself above an arm of government obviously is not fit to remain in office.

    “Mr. Idris is only afraid of his shadows by alleging witch-hunt when he is called to account on the performance of the duties of his organization,” Abdullahi stated. 

  • Police Salary Slash: We are working on it

    …Personnel to get pay on or before May 7th

     

    The Nigeria Police have said they are working with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to resolve issues of payment shortage.

    The police also attributed the payment shortage to system error.

    The Police said the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has assured that affected personnel will get balance of their salary on or before 7th May, 2018.

    A statement in Abuja on Friday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood reads: “The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has assured the Nigeria Police Force that Salary short payment for Police Personnel for the month of April, 2018 was due to system error and is being promptly resolved.

    “All other issues relating to payment of salary to Police personnel are being addressed. The affected personnel will according to OAGF get the salary differential paid on or before Monday, May 7th, 2018.”

    The Force also disclosed that senior Police Officers have been charged to educate their personnel who have complaint adding that they should not panic.

    “Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of State and Zonal Commands, and Heads of other formations and detachment in the Force have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to lecture and educate their personnel who have any complaint from payment of February, March and April 2018 Salary that their complaints are being rectified.

    “Affected Police Personnel are enjoined not to panic as the Force is doing everything in conjunction with Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure that all the identified problems in the payment of salary of Police personnel across the country are permanently resolved.”