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  • Gains of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in Abia

    A police offensive against violent crime is helping to dislodge kidnappers and armed robbers in Abia State, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State, has always held an attraction for all shades of criminals. The regular pickpocket, burglar, armed robber, kidnapper, and child trafficker, among others, target the city’s buzzing population and business proceeds. This is what keeps the police and other security agents on their toes, necessitating constant clampdowns.

    On April 5, in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar launched a bold offensive tagged ‘Operation Puff Adder’ meant to smoke out criminals from their dens and keep them out of business.

    On April 24, Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Ene Okon accompanied by senior police officer in the command launched the Puff Adder operation in the state.

    Investigation by our reporter has it that the centrality of the state to other states in the Southeast and Southsouth coupled with the high volume of economic activities in the state, particularly Aba, make the commercial city vulnerable to the activities of hoodlums and other criminally-minded elements.

    “Operation Puff Adder” has helped to dislodge criminal elements from their hideouts.

    Through intelligence gathering, some of the hoodlums were arrested in the act, while others were caught attempting to launch their evil mission.

    According to sources in the state police command, some of the suspects arrested by police operatives are either still being investigated or already standing trial in various courts across the state.

    After the launch of Puff Adder in the state and its successes especially in the urban areas, the State Commissioner of Police in the company of other members of his team returned to Aba to dialogue with stakeholders in security business including traditional rulers of various communities in the state, Civil Liberty Organisations, NGOs, and market union eladers, among others, especially in Aba Area.

    Okon was seeking ways the police can work with security agencies and stakeholders in security business in the state to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes who have relocated to the hinterlands were not only fished out, but to appear before court of competent jurisdiction to face the consequences of their actions.

    In his remarks, the Abia State Police Boss who noted that the hoodlums have relocated to the rural areas where they feel comfortable and more relaxed to continue with their illicit businesses after they were confronted by the police and other security agencies within the metropolis, said that indications have it that kidnappers who operate in the state come and retreat to the villages to keep their victims while negotiating with their families as armed robbers hide their loots and stolen properties in the village.

    Okon who said that the importance of community policing cannot be overemphasized, disclosed that kidnappers and armed robbers’ intention of relocating to the hinterlands, was to keep kidnap victims and stolen properties away from the prying eyes of security agents.

    According to him, the meeting with the stakeholders is to rub minds with them on how best they think that security agencies could tackle crime in the state in partnership with leaders of various markets, business owners, religious organizations and security experts.

    Assuring that the state police command would work cooperatively with the traditional institution in the state, members of various vigilante groups to ensure that the state and the entire local governments were safe for people to live and do business, assured that they will do their best in ensuring that the interest of credible sources were protected.

    Speaking at the occasion, a traditional ruler, Eze Asonye among other speakers commended the police and its sister agencies and demanded that they do more in information sharing and intelligence gathering.

    Chibuike Akwara, Basil Uka and others who spoke as well, called for the protection of informants who may be at risk after volunteering to provide security agencies information about the activities of hoodlums in their areas.

    The state governor Okezie Ikpeazu represented by his former adviser on security matters, Capt. Awa Udensi (Retd) reinstated the commitment of the present administration to make the state safer and conducive for people to carry on with their business and economic activities in Aba and any other parts of the state without any fear of molestation by any group of persons.

  • 39 suspected criminals arrested in Bauchi as Police launches “Operation Puff Adder “

    No fewer than 39 suspected criminals were arrested in Bauchi State on Thursday as the State Police Command  launches  a special operation code named  “Operation Adder”  to tackle crimes affecting the  state.

    The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP. Ali Janga  , said the inauguration of the operation was in compliance with the directive of the  Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar who recently launched the special operation to tackle security challenges such as kidnapping, Armed robbery, and banditry among other crimes along Abuja- Kaduna expressway and other parts of the country.

    Ali Janga made the announcement at the police headquarters , Yandoka road, Bauchi while parading  the 39 suspected criminals arrested in connection with different crimes in the state such as kidnapping, armed robbery and kidnapping.

    Exhibits recovered from the suspects included, 5 Dane guns, 9 cutlasses , 1 sharp knife , 3 motorcycles and 29 blocks of wrapped dry leave suspected to be Indian hemp.

    Others are; two axes, three long sticks, one tiger electricity generator, one ranki and one gario

    The suspects were said to belong to different gang  groups known as Sara Suka, and Babell .

    Read Also: 13 dead, 6 injured in Bauchi auto crash

    Ali explained that the special squad code named “operation Puff Adder” will prevent influx of criminal elements to the state considering the ongoing security operations.

    He said further that the special squad code named “Operation Puff Adder” will be directly under his supervision while all the police units will be involved.

    He mentioned the units as; The Conventional Police , Police Mobile Force (PMF) Counter Terrorist Units ( CTU) Special Protection Unit (SPU) Rapid  Response Squad (RRS) Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID)

    Janja added that the operation is yielding positive results with the total number of suspected criminals arrested so far.

    “So far the operation is yielding positive results as a lot of criminal activities in the state were nipped in the bud while a total of 39 suspects were arrested in connection with different crimes and exhibits recovered during the operation ”  He said.

    He appealed  to the public for support , cooperation and understanding for the continuous success of the operation.

     

     

  • Kidnapping: Police arrest 40 suspects, rescue kidnap victims in Katsina

    The newly launched “operation puff adder,” by the Inspector general of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to rid the North Western states of kidnapping and banditry activities appeared to be yielding quick results as the Katsina State Command Wednesday evening paraded about 40 criminals arrested for various offences ranging from kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, rituals and supplying of logistics to perpetrate criminality in the 8 front line local government areas of the State

    The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba while parading the criminals and some of the rescued victims before newsmen at the State headquarters of the Force said the success recorded was as a result of intelligence lead policing, increased visibility policing, Community based policing approach and the synergy with sister security agencies as exemplified through operation Puff adder

    He said ’’with the help of God and the relentless effort of my officers and men I am happy to present the successes recorded by the Katsina State Police command’’

    ‘’On assumption of duty two months ago, I assured the people of the state of their safety, peace and security. I also warned criminal elements to desist from criminality or leave the state because the command under my watch will have zero tolerance for criminality’’

    Amongst those arrested and paraded alongside their weapons which included AK-47 and other ammunitions, were a 7-man-gang of kidnappers terrorizing Safana, and Basari LGAs.

    They were arrested when they kidnapped Hajia Habiba aged 65 years from Yar-Liyau village in Kurfi local government area, where they demanded the payment of N15m for her release

    According to the CP, other exhibits recovered from the gang included two motorcycles, two machetes, and cash amounting to N218, 000

    The Commissioner also paraded those supplying logistics such as fuel, motorcycles, and repairing the arms used by the kidnappers. One Alhaji Sale Musa, 55 years, of Wagini village in Batsari was arrested with 28 jerry cans of fuel loaded in a Toyota truck trying to cross the notorious Rugu forest bordering Zamfara. On Police interrogation he confessed being supplied fuel by a manager in one of the Filling stations in Batagarawa Local Government area

    The CP who promised to be updating newsmen on the activities of the Operations going in the frontline local Government areas, said investigations are still ongoing on those paraded and that more arrests will be made. He however assured that they will be charged to court at the end of the investigations

  • IGP vows to smoke out bandits and kidnappers

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar arrived Katsina state on Wednesday to rally support for his newly launched “Operation Puff Adder” aimed at wiping out banditry and other insecurity challenges in the eight frontline local government areas of the state bordering Zamfara

    Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by his Deputy, Manir Yakubu, the IGP reiterated the commitment of the Police to reduce banditry in the state to a barest minimum

    He said “the activities of the bandits and kidnappers in the state have become a source of concern to President Muhammadu Buhari who has directed us to clear the bandits through whatever means’’

    “Insecurity challenges in the state could be brought to a low level if we have the required cooperation from the public and the traditional institutions. We shall employ community policing strategy in implementing this presidential directive’’

    “We shall take the war to the camp of the bandits in the forest, to identify, destroy and occupy their camps. Clearing the bandits and prosecuting them is a task that must be done. As we succeeded in arresting those who kidnapped the Governor’s mother in-law recently so shall we arrest and prosecute these bandits’’

    Responding, the governor described the present security challenges in the state as ‘a period of anxiety and apprehension whereby a part of the state is taken over by bandits who strike, kill and maim the citizens at will’’

    Read Also: Buhari committed to ending criminality, banditry – IGP

    The Governor further expressed shock that the kidnappers have taken over the highways in the state and harass citizens even at their homes and places of comforts

    He said “We appreciate the latest directive by the President which will put paid to the end of criminality in the state and the entire North West’’

    “With the synergy of operation in the entire North West, it will be all encompassing and will restrain the bandits in their strides. We have always assisted in funds and logistics and we do same again. We will do whatever it takes to protect live and property because security is the first responsibility of any government’’

    The IGP also visited Basari, one of the strategic camps the squad was deployed to interact with members of the squad as well as the traditional rulers. He also visited the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdumuminu Kabir Usman

     

     

  • Court clears INEC to conclude Bauchi governorship poll

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume collation of the March 9 governorship election results in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

    INEC had declared the election inconclusive on the grounds that the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin of lead between the two top political parties – the ruling APC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The electoral body later announced that it would resume collation because it discovered that the number of cancelled votes was tampered with, a decision Abubakar and his party challenged in court.

    In a judgment yesterday, Justice Inyang Ekwo declined jurisdiction and disagreed with plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), who said the suit related to pre-election matters.

    Justice Ekwo set aside the order for maintenance of the status quo earlier made by the court and ordered INEC to proceed with its activities geared at concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State.

    The judge said, although his court has jurisdiction to determine the questions, relating to the interpretation of the Constitution and Electoral Act raised in the suit, he would prefer to allow election tribunal with an overall jurisdiction over election matters to handle the case.

    He directed that INEC should be allowed to conclude its constitutional responsibilities in relation to the governorship election in Bauchi, following which any aggrieved party could approach an election tribunal.

    Justice Ekwo said: “My view is that this court has jurisdiction to interpret the provision of the Constitution as to the alleged breach of the plaintiff’s fundamental right to fair hearing and interpret the provision of the Electoral Act tabled before the court.

    “And also looking at the provision of Section 60 of Electoral Act, the court or tribunal can determine the issues thereof. It can then be said that there is concurrence of jurisdiction between this court and the Election Petition Tribunal on this issue.

    “The difference in this case is that the alleged infringement occurred in the process of an election and the decision of the defendant in Exhibit B (the press releases issued by INEC on March 15, 2019) also occurred in the process of an election.

    “There is no debate that the issues concerning elections are to be exclusively handled by the election tribunal.”

    Justice Ekwo said if the court decides to look into the issue raised by the plaintiff’s, it could amount to piecemeal approach to adjudication, which could lead to multiplicity of suits.

    He added: “In my view, the election tribunal has the jurisdiction to handle every facet of the claims arising from electoral process.

    “This court will defer to the election tribunal for its holistic jurisdiction on electoral matters, so that the tribunal can exercise same jurisdiction.

    “It is my opinion that, if the defendant (INEC) is allowed to conclude the process, any party desirous of ventilating his grievance can then approach the election tribunal. The tribunal can then determine all the issues of concern to the parties.” “Finally, having declined jurisdiction, the order of status quo made by this court on March 19, 2019 is hereby vacated.

    Read also: Fashola: we can’t cover every road in Nigeria

    “Consequently, I hold that there is no legal impediment preventing the defendant from proceeding with their decision in their press release of March 15, 2019 forthwith. Accordingly, I make an order dismissing this case.”

    The judge adjourned till Thursday, hearing in the suit by the African Action Congress (AAC) and one other, querying the propriety of INEC’s handling of the last governorship and State Assembly elections in Rivers State, particularly as it relates to its announcement of the results.

    The suit has AAC, Biokpomabo Festus Awara and Pastor (Dr.) Ben-Gurion John Peter as plaintiffs, with INEC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The plaintiffs noted that INEC had earlier admitted that the election in Rivers State was marred with substantial violence that compromised the credibility of the entire process, and thereby suspended the election.

    They added that without calling for a fresh election, INEC announced, via a press release, that it was now set to continue with the election from Wednesday March 20, 2019.

    Yesterday, Justice Ekwo said since the defendants have reacted to the suit, and in view of its nature, he will do away with the motion ex-parte and motion for interlocutory injunctions filed by the plaintiffs and proceed to hear and determine the substantive suit.

    He adjourned to March 28 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

    The Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBOLAC) yesterday hailed the court’s decision on the state’s governorship election.

    It called on the INEC to immediately resume the collation of the results in the affected council area.

    Addressing reporters, the group’s convener, Shipi Rabo, said: “The suit of the APC and Governor M.A. that was dismissed moment ago (yesterday) represented a desperate attempt to scuttle the people’s victory on the matter.”

    Another member of the group, Jibrin S. Jibrin, argued that the governor ought to have waited for the conclusion of the collation and declaration process before seeking judicial redress.

  • Bauchi election: PDP’s Bala Mohammed increases lead over APC

    The Bauchi state gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Bala Mohammed, is at a comfortable lead over his close rival, the incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Party, (APC), at the supplementary governorship election held on the 23rd of March in Bauchi state.

    Sen. Bala Mohammed PDP, garnered a total of  6376 against his main opponent, incumbent Governor Mohammed Abubakar who polled 5117 at the rerun, with a vote margin of 1259 between both parties.

    During the March 9 inconclusive election, Mohammed was credited with 469,512 votes and Abubakar 465,453, with a vote margin of 4059 but the election was declared inconclusive after a  Federal High Court in Abuja halted the collation and announcement of result for Tafawa Balewa Local Government.

    Governor Abubakar got a court injunction restraining INEC from continuing with the collation and announcement of election results in the State.

    The total no of registered voters at the rerun was  21759. Accredited voters are 12, 109, Valid votes ,11, 568 while total votes cast are 11, 979 . Rejected votes, 403.

    The rerun election was held in 36 Polling covering 29 registration areas (wards) in the 15 affected local government areas with 22,759 registered voters.

    Read also: Breaking: Tambuwal wins Sokoto governorship election

    Result in the 15 LGAs is as follows:

    1:-
    Itas LGA APC(421)
    PDP((619)
    2:-
    Bogoro LGA APC(101)
    PDP(478)
    3:-
    Dass LGA
    APC(184)
    PDP(358)
    4:-
    Shira LGA
    APC(152)
    PDP(86)
    5:-
    Giade LGA
    APC(639)6:-
    PDP(532)
    6:-
    Ganjuwa LGA
    APC(432)
    PDP(353)
    7:-
    Ningi LGA
    APC(758)
    PDP(791)
    8:-
    GAMAWA LGA
    APC(154)
    PDP(96)
    9:-
    Darazo LGA
    APC(824)
    PDP(749)
    10:-
    Misau LGA
    APC(111)
    PDP(312)
    11:-
    Kirfi LGA
    APC(206)
    PDP(472)
    12:-
    Alkaleri LGA
    APC(264)
    PDP(444)
    13:-
    Toro LGA
    APC(536)
    PDP(828)
    14:-
    Katagum Azare LGA
    APC(261)
    PDP(203)
    15:-
    Jama’are LGA
    APC(74)
    PDP(54)

    The total number APC(5117) PDP(6376)

  • Court schedules judgment for March 25 in Bauchi gov poll

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has slated judgment for March 25 this year in the case filed by the Governor of Bauchi State Mohammed Abubakar and the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume collation exercise in the state’s gubernatorial election.

    INEC had declared the election inconclusive on the grounds that the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin of lead between the two top political parties.

    The electoral body later announced it would resuming collation because it found out that the number of cancelled votes was tampered with, stating instead of 2,533, 25,330 was written, a decision Abubakar and the APC are now challenging in court.

    It is the plaintiffs’ contention that INEC has no power to overrule the pronouncement of the Returning Officer, who had declared the election inconclusive.

    The plaintiffs, represented by Ahmed Raji (SAN), asked the court to determine whether any other person or body, except a court of competent jurisdiction, has the powers to overrule a returning officer whose pronouncement ought to be final in an election process.

    INEC, represented by Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), filed an objection, in which it argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain any case that deals with issues of an election or any of its processes. The commission claims that such cases ought to be heard by the election petitions tribunal.

    READ ALSO: INEC to conduct Bauchi supplementary polls in 15 LGAs – REC

    While arguing his client’s case on Thursday, Raji contended that elections petitions tribunal could only entertain cases where a return has been made by the INEC returning officer, but where no return has been made, as is the case in Bauchi, the election petitions tribunal is powerless.

    He added: “If the court shut us out, by saying it has no jurisdiction, and the election petitions tribunal shut us out because a return has not been made, to whom shall we go? We would be left in the lurch. Do not leave us in the lurch, my Lord.”

    He argued that while INEC consulted with the various political parties before it declared the election inconclusive, the commissioner reversed the decision and unilaterally announced that collation would resume, in violation of his clients’ right to fair hearing.

    Raji urged the court to overrule INEC’s objection to the suit filed by his client’s prayers but to grant them the reliefs they sought.

    On his part, Inuwa said that the Electoral Act did not allow any court to entertain any issue bordering on election or any of its processes, and since what was being argued is the issue of collation of result, which is an election process, the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

    He contended that, INEC,  being an independent body, did not need to consult anyone before taking any decision on an election matter, hence the issue of denying the APC and Abubakar fair hearing does not arise.

    Inuwa added that since the election was not yet completed, Abubakar and the APC ought to have waited for a return to be made.

    He added that it was only after a return is made that the plaintiffs can approach the election petitions tribunal with their complaints, rather than jumping the gun and coming to the federal high court which, according to him, clearly lacks jurisdiction in the matter.

    After listening to arguments from parties, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned to March 25 for judgment.

  • INEC to conduct Bauchi supplementary polls in 15 LGAs – REC

    Supplementary elections in Bauchi State, scheduled for Saturday, will hold in 36 polling units spread across 29 wards in 15 Local Government Areas of the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Bauchi state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) disclosed this while addressing stakeholders in Bauchi on Thursday.

    According to him, a total of 22, 759 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise.

    He gave a  breakdown of the affected local government areas and number of polling units as  Alkaleri, one ward, two polling units (PU) ; Bogoro, one ward, one PU ; Darazo, three wards, four PU; Dass, one ward, one PU and Gamawa, one ward, one PU.

    Ganjuwa has two wards, two PU; Giade, four wards, four PU;  Itas Gadau, one ward, three PU;  Jama’are, two wards, two PU and Katagum, two wards, three PU.

    Others are Kirfi, two wards, two PU; Misau, one Ward, one PU; Ningi, four wards, five PU; Shira, one ward, one PU and Toro, three wards and four PU.

    READ ALSO: Bauchi: INEC to proceed with supplementary elections

    The REC urged the stakeholders and their supporters to be patient and law-abiding.

    He also said the issue of Tafawa Balewa LGA elections was before the court of law and further discussion on that would be subjudice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Returning Officer of the governorship election in Bauchi state, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, had on Monday, 11th March, 2019, declared the governorship election in the state as inconclusive.

    In the results so far released, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sen. Bala Mohammed, is in the lead with 469, 512 votes as against the 465,453 votes scored by incumbent Governor, Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A fact-finding committee from INEC headquarters had directed the continuation of collation of governorship polls results in respect of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area but a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order stopping further collation.

    The state governor, Mohammed Abubakar filed a suit seeking stoppage of the exercise pending the hearing of his complaints on the exercise

  • INEC to Bauchi governor: we won’t join issues with you

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not join issues with the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar over the commission’s decision resume collation of election results.

    The commission said it would rather wait for the judicial process to take its full course.

    INEC had cancelled polls in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area following some disruption of polls by some thugs on the 23rd February governorship and State Assembly poll in the state, forcing the commission to declare the elections inconclusive.

    However, following the commission’s investigation of the issue, it decided to continue the electoral process, which according to the commission will commence on Tuesday.

    Governor Abubakar has approached the court to challenge INEC’s decision to reverse itself.

    But the commission said it was not going to react to the comment of the Governor over the issue since the case is in the court.

    INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education, Festus Okoye said it would be better not to comment on the issue.

    Okoye stressed that the commission would rather allow the judicial process run its full course.

    He said: “Since the matter is already in court, It is better to allow the judicial process run its full course.”

    “I would not want to say anything that would amount to pre-empt the court,” he added.

    He also noted that it would not be the best to discuss the issue on the pages of newspapers.

  • Bauchi gov commends INEC for prompt exercise

    Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has cast his vote at his polling unit in Duremi Jahun, Bauchi Local Government Area, lauding the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, for prompt commencement of voting activities as early as 8:00am.

    The governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, arrived Gindi Durimi polling unit 078, alongside his two wives, Hajiya Adiza Abubakar and Hadiza Aisha Abubakar, by at 9:55 a.m. to cast his ballots.

    Abubakar, who came almost  two hours late, said he was surprised that voting commenced so early,  compared to the last presidential and national assembly elections, where voting was delayed. He added that he was pleased with the large turn-out of voters.

    He further told newsmen that he was ready to accept the outcome of the gubernatorial election, provided it was free and fair.

    The Presiding Officer at the unit, Mukail Salisu, told The Nation correspondent that there were no hitches of card reader failure or shortage of materials as at 10am.

    He said in the three voting points at the polling unit, over 1000 voters turned out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice.