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Tag: Mohammed Adamu

  • Police, Shiites in war of words over ‘killings’ during procession

    IN a clear defiance of Inspector General IG Mohammed Adamu’s order, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on Tuesday trooped to the streets in Abuja and some parts of the North, for the Ashura procession.

    They had insisted on the procession when the IG warned that any member of the group caught participating in the procession would be treated as a terrorist because the IMN under whose banner they were organising the protest is an outlaw.

    Members of the sect took to the streets in Abuja and in major cities to mark the Ashura Day.

    They held procession in Abuja, Kaduna, Katsina, Jalingo, Potiskum, among other places.

    They clashed with security operatives.

    The IMN leadership claimed that 15 of their members died during clashes with security operatives, with many others arrested. There was no independent confirmation because the police did not confirm deaths..

    A spokesman of the group in Katsina, Dr Abdulkarim Usman, Abdulmumin told The Nation on telephone that the procession started at about 7.30 am and ended abruptly by 8.30am when police fired teargas and shot indiscriminately into the air to disperse IMN followers.

    Abdulmumin said scores sustained injured and many arrested.

    He said: “We divided ourselves into groups and peacefully, we were marching through the street around Kofar Marusa area of Katsina when the police intercepted our procession and many of our members were either arrested or injured in the ensuing fracas.”

    Leader of the movement in the state, Malam Yakubu Yahaya, told reporters that Nigerians should understand IMN and its orientation

    He said: “We are almajiris under Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky; he was born in Katsina; our organisation is for the progress and growth of the religion worldwide, this procession is a yearly activity’’

    “The organisation is not an association but an ideological movement for the common people, but the government does not want to understand us.”

    Katsina police spokesman Gambo Isah, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the group remained banned.

    The IMN members clashed also with the police in Bakin Ruwa area of the Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway, bypass of Kaduna State capital.

    The Nation learnt that the Shiites planned to hit the streets as early as 6:00am to beat the security agents.

    They were outsmarted by the police who relied on intelligence report and arrived early enough to disperse the gathering.

    The IMN members claimed that three of their members were killed in the process and that 12 others were killed in similar circumstances in Gombe, Bauchi and Sokoto states.

    A statement by IMN spokesman Ibrahim Musa said: “In Bauchi, reports also have it that three people were killed during the Ashura procession when the police attacked the mourners. Likewise three other people were killed by the police in Azare, also in Bauchi state.

    “Three other people were killed by the police in Gombe, Gombe State. One person was reportedly killed by the police in Illela during the Ashura procession there, and another person was killed in Goronyo all in Sokoto state.

    “In Malumfashi, Katsina State, another person was killed. In Katsina town, however, several people sustained bullet wounds when the police opened fire on the mourners, not only during the mourning procession, but afterwards as the well-armed policemen attempted to forcibly make their way into the Islamic Centre of the Movement.

    “These casualty figures may however rise due to the fatal gunshot wounds sustained by some of the peaceful mourners.

    “This year’s Ashura procession was held in all the state capitals of the North and Abuja. It ended peacefully in Abuja, Jos, Kebbi, Minna, Lafia, Yola, Gusau, Zaria, Kano, Jalingo, Damaturu, Hadejia and Potiskum.

    “That the mourning procession ended peacefully in places not attacked by the police is sufficient evidence as to who the instigators of violence are whenever we are carrying out our legitimate religious duties.”

    The Kaduna State Police Command said allegation of killing was false and mischievous.

    The Command’s spokesman, Yakubu Sabo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the protesters were dispersed professionally, and that no one was killed.

    Sabo said: “We had warned the IMN protesters proactively against their planned protest; one, for the fact that they have been proscribed, and second, Kaduna State government has placed a ban on all forms of procession, not only on the IMN. So, we warned them not to come out, but they defied that warning.

    “So, this morning, we received information, and our men had to go and disperse them. But, they dispersed them professionally. Police did not shoot anybody.

    “But, maybe in furtherance of their plan, they decided to make this claim, which has been their tradition; anytime they came out, they always make claims of casualties. So, we are not surprised that, they are making such claim again.”

    In Kano, the sect members stayed indoors contrary to their earlier pledge to embark on street in the state capital.

    Sources said that a few of their members were seen at Kurna Asabe Quarters, but when they sighted policemen they ran away.

    The Kurna Asabe quarters in Dala Local Government Area of the state, is reputed as one of the strongholds of the IMN. But it was all quiet there yesterday due to the presence of security personnel.

    “We came out as early as 6am and finished out activities within few minutes to avoid casualties”, a member of the IMN told the The Nation.

    The commissioner of Police in Kano, Mr. Ahmed Ilyasu told said there was no procession by Shiite members in Kano.

    According to him, both the soldier and policeman were deployed to strategic positions in the state to wade off any attempt by the Shiite to stage a procession.as such no procession also took place in the 44 Local Government Areas in the state.

    There was confusion in Abuja over whether IMN members held their much-talked procession in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Some said that members of the group were not sighted on the streets of Abuja; others said the mourning procession took place early in the morning.

    Musa said the procession started in Wuse Market by 8am and ended around Berger at 8:30am, saying that the procession was peaceful and well-organised.

    Unlike some other states, Abuja was calm, with people going about their normal businesses without fear.

    Security operatives, especially the police were also sighted in major areas in FCT.

    They were heavily armed and apparently ready to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    Initially, residents of Abuja were afraid that the procession could result into violence, but they were surprised that no such thing occurred.

    The police were more on ground around the Federal Secretariat.

    No fewer than 28 IMN members were allegedly arrested in Bauchi.

    In a video obtained by The Nation, several Shiites members were seen around the central market in Bauchi, near the Emir of Bauchi Palace, chanting as they carry on with their procession defying police orders.

    Read Also: Govt, El-Zakzaky, Shiites and the law

    The procession was said to have occurred about 10am on Tuesday at the Central Market Roundabout and Tashan Babiye area of Bauchi, the state capital.

    Police spokesman Abubakar  Datti Kamal, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed the arrest of the 28 Shiite members.

    According to Abubakar, the IMN members embarked on a procession despite warnings from the police command not to do so.

    He said that traditional rulers in the state were engaged as intermediary to prevail on sect members to stop the planned procession but to no avail.

    There was a peaceful procession in Potiskum, Yobe State.

    Apart from Kaduna, Potiskum is another Shiite stronghold in the North.

    The Potiskum procession was led by Malam Ibrahim Lawan. It started at Misau Road, Yaro Damboa junction,  through other streets in Potiskum and terminated at Ari-Kime junction.

    A huge crowd of followers including women and children were sighted during the procession which was carried out without any breach of law and order.

    The sect’s spokesman in Potiskum, Ibraheem El-Tafseer, said the Ashura procession was successful in the state.

    Yobe police spokesman Abdulmalik Abdulhafiz an (ASP) said all the Police Area Commands ensured peace in the state.

    In Taraba, members of the banned pro-Iranian Shia Muslim group said the Federal Government has no constitutional rights to proscribe their organisation.

    Their spokesman Nasiru Husseini spoke during the Asurah procession in Jalingo, the state capital.

    The demonstrators, made up of men, women and little children and numbering more than 500, were decked in all-black regalia, waving red flags.

    A police van was seen parked near the demonstrators, but it left shortly afterwards. And no other security personnel accompanied them.

    The protesters marched through the popular Hammaruwa Street to the Palace Way, down to Jalingo Market, asking the government to free their 66-year-old leader (El-Zakzaky).

    “Free Zakzaky; he has done no wrong,” they chanted as they marched through the streets.

  • Shiites dare police on planned procession

    THE Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and the Police are flexing muscles over a planned religious procession today by the group.

    The IMN also known as Shiites, said they will defy Inspector-General (IG) Mohammed Adamu’s order to put off the Ashura procession in Abuja and some other cities around the country.

    IG Adamu, who warned on Monday that anybody who joins any procession would be treated as a terrorist, reaffirmed that the IMN is outlawed.

    According to a statement by Force spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the IG  directed all Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to put measures in place to stop the procession across the country.

    The statement reads: “It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) intend to embark on a nationwide procession, ostensibly to cause disruption of public peace, order and security in the country.

    “The Force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019 of 26th July, 2019, the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been proscribed. Consequently, all gathering or procession by the group remains ultimately illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.

    “To this end, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to put in place concrete measures to avert any planned procession and/or disruption of public peace by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, anywhere in the country.”

    The IG also urged members of the public to avail the Force with useful information as regards the activities of the proscribed IMN.

    He urged parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to be persuaded into embarking on illegal and ill-motivated activities by anyone or group of persons, under any guise whatsoever.

    The police’s statement is a reaffirmation of the order made in July that no group should hold protest or procession on major streets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, except at the Unity Fountain.

    But IMN spokesman Ibrahim Musa said the group would embark on today’s Ashura procession in Abuja and in other cities despite the IG’s warning.

    He said: “The government should not contemplate attacking us. It wants to act illegally on our matter. So, I think it is wrong to think that we are supposed to withdraw our plan to hold the procession.

    “What right has the government to attack a peaceful procession? Constitutionally and legally, the government has no right to stop us. We should not be stopped by government from carrying out our religious activities.”

    The IMN claimed on Monday that 60 of its members (including minors with life-threatening injuries), who were arrested since July 22, were yet to be freed.

    On the claim by IMN, Mba said: “I don’t have information on that, but I will check and revert.”

    In a petition to the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and the European Union (EU), it was alleged that the police planned to disrupt and attack it members during the Ashura procession.

    The petition made available by Musa reads: “We write to inform people of conscience, religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), international community and the rest of the public of the Nigeria Police’s dastardly plot to attack the forthcoming Ashura procession scheduled for tomorrow (today), Tuesday, 10th September, 2019.

    Read Also: Govt, Shiites clash over El-Zakzaky

    “It is pertinent to remind the Police that detaining more than 60 Free-Zakzaky protesters among whom there are young ladies and minors with life-threatening injuries, denying them proper medication ever since 22nd July, 2019 is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights.

    “A reliable piece of information reaching us disclosed that the Police are all set to assail the upcoming processional march across the country. Preparatory to this, the source also confirmed, Police will employ extrajudicial approach to assault, arrest or kill whoever participates in the religious event.

    “The word ‘Ashura’ is derived from an Arabic word, Ashara, meaning 10, and in history, it refers to the 10th day of the 1st month of the Islamic calendar. It is a day for mournful commemoration of the brutal killing of Imam Hussain bn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S). Imam Hussain was assassinated by Yazid bn Muawiyyah at Karbala in 61 A.H.

    “To this pertinence, Ashura is a universal event which non-Muslims do participate, thus the mourning is global. For the past 40 years, Muslims have been conducting Ashura mournful processions in this part of the world. Last year, September, 2018, the procession was conducted in Abuja and many other cities across Nigeria, including FCT, which ended peacefully without any hitch from the police.

    “Unfortunately, however, the Police are prepared this time around to launch an unprovoked attack on the same mourners from whom they chose to look the other way last year.

    “It is worthy of note that we are Muslims and Ashura procession in mourning is one of our religious rights. We cannot afford to allow politicians, pseudo-politicians as well as the police to deprive us of our rights to freedom of thought and religion.”

  • President approves special promotion for outstanding police officers

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved special promotion for outstanding police officers to reward excellence, hard work and competence in the course of duty.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, stated this on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The IGP said the President also promised to renovate and build new barracks for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to bring out the best in them.

    At a media briefing after addressing top police officers of the state command at Eleyele, Ibadan, the IGP said the President was aware of the efforts of the command and was ready to reward excellence.  He said: “We met with the Southwest governors and traditional rulers on Monday and we discussed security situation within the Southwest. We came out with a number of resolutions that will be implemented.

    “In implementing these resolutions, it is through you, the officers and men of the command, with the support of our special forces, that the resolutions from that summit can be implemented. For you to do that, we must empower you.

    “We are all appreciative of the fact that you have been hardworking, you have been doing a lot to keep this region safe for business to thrive. We know there are some isolated challenges here and there, but without your presence, without your input, without your dedication in fighting crime, the situation would have been worse. Your efforts will not go unnoticed.

    Read Also: Five facts you may not know about IGP Mohammed Adamu

    “The Federal Government is aware of the efforts you have been making, not only officers within this geo-political zone but also other officers and men all over the country.

    “In view of the fact that most of you are hardworking, you do it because we ask you to do it. The President has instructed me that any police officer, especially within the cadre of junior ones, who excels must be promoted for that performance that he or she has done, for those of you who are working and excelling in performing your duties. So, I will encourage you to put in more efforts to benefit from this special promotion.”

    On the deplorable state of many police barracks in the country, Adamu said: “It is for that reason the Federal Government has honest concern, especially President Buhari has honest concern on the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force. Whenever we have the opportunity to meet, he asks: ‘Are you taking care of your officers and men?’ And we only say we are doing our best.

    “And he has agreed to make sure that our barracks are brought back to a position they used to be to accommodate our officers and men, instead of our officers and men going about looking for accommodation here and there to the extent that they suffer.

    “The government is already in the process of renovating the barracks and constructing new ones for all the officers and men of the force.”

     

  • Special Forces to combat insecurity in Southwest

    RESOLUTIONS

    • Deployment of special forces to be commanded by a Commissioner of Police
    •Provision of serviceable and fast moving patrol vehicles in support of fight against crime
    •Traditional rulers to work with the police
    •OPC to join crime fighting
    •Use of cutting edge technology, such as CCTV
    •Area surveillance of flashpoints
    •Recruitment of Community Policing Officers (CPO) to perform low risk security functions
    •Committee of police, other security agencies, OPC, Miyetti Allah to be set up

     

    SPECIAL Forces will be deployed in the Southwest to battle the escalated insecurity in the region, the police announced on Monday.

    The forces, to be commanded by a commissioner of police, will be supported with technology, better equipment and Community Police Officers (CPOs).

    The CPOs will complement the police, by performing low-risk and non-sensitive functions.

    Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu unveiled the plans in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a Security Summit attended by governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the region.

    It was the first leg of the six-state tour of the region by the police chief to organise his men and restrategise to secure the region.

    The IG’s plan also include setting up a committee of officers, other security agencies, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Miyetti Allah, and citizens in each state to further discuss how to reduce criminality.

    IG Adamu said: “Within this perspective and in relation to the Southwest geo-political Zone, we shall soon relaunch the ‘Safer Highway’ Motorised Patrol Scheme as well as the ‘Safer City’ Scheme. We have since purchased new fleet of patrol vans to be deployed across our highways and cities. This will also involve the deployment of cutting-edge CCTV technology for surveillance across the highways and vulnerable locations in our communities in the zone and other parts of the country.

    “In addition, a special operation is underway across the Southwest geo-political zone. The operation will specifically address the threat of kidnapping and armed robbery on the highways and other locations. While for operational reasons, I would not offer the details into the operation, I am in this summit with the Commissioner of Police who will command the special operation to complement the efforts of the Police Commissioners in the states within the zone.

    “Furthermore, in order to give full effect to our Community Policing Vision as a pathway towards bridging security gaps, we shall soon commence the implementation of the strategy in the Southwest and other parts of the country. Hopefully, the breakdown of the Community Policing deployment plan will cover the recruitment of a total of forty thousand (40,000) Community Police Officers (CPOs) across the country.

    “The CPOs will be recruited from within the communities where the prospective applicants reside and an average of fifty (50) CPOs are to be engaged in each of the 774 Local Government Areas. In addition, one thousand (1,300) CPOs will be drawn from professional bodies like the academics, road transport unions, artisans, traders associations, religious bodies, women unions, and youth organisations among others in order to ensure diverse representation.”

    Read Also: Special Forces kill Boko Haram terrorists, retake Baga

    The IGP explained that the success of police anti-crime efforts in the northern part of the country has definitely made them relocate to other areas, including the Southwest.

    Speaking on why security in the region nose-dived, the IG said: “Generally-speaking, the security situation across the country has been stabilized. However, there are isolated cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the Southwest, particularly, along Benin-Ore-Lagos Highway and across Ondo State.

    “The reality is that the current concerted operations of the police and other security agencies across the country, particularly, along the Niger-Kogi-FCT-Kaduna-Katsina and Zamfara areas, have engendered a dispersal and re-location of some of the criminals to new localities including the Southwest.

    He said the first summit was held in Kastina for the Northwest region, pointing out that strategies jointly developed from it have since helped improve successes against criminal activities in the region.

    Aside voluntary surrender of many criminals and foiling of planned attacks, Adamu pointed out that “a more significant outcome of the initiative is the enhanced trust between the communities and the police and a renewed determination to embrace the police as ‘their police’ who are committed to serving them. In consequence, there has been a remarkable increase in the volume and quality of pieces of criminal information shared by the citizens across the Northwest geo-political zone with the local police and these are being optimally utilised to take the anti-crime war to the door steps of the criminals with resounding success.”

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde pledged his administration’s support for the plans, including the promotion of 100 vehicles to strengthen security efforts, deployment of technology, and synergy with traditional rulers.

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola urged the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, to consider the states’ peculiarities in the recruitment of new policemen and officers.

    Describing the summit as significant in view of the security challenges confronting the country particularly the Southwest, Oyetola said the recommendations from the summit would further help the governors in their bid to strengthening security in the region.

    He added: “On our part, we have been doing our best to champion the core fundamental objectives of government which is the security of lives and property of the citizens.

    “We are providing logistics to our security agencies. We have maintained the available security vehicles- 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers. We are planning to buy more. We are also planning to build a helipad to boost security surveillance in the state and ensure effective performance.

    “We have approached the security chiefs to stamp out those criminals that are parading themselves as miners. It is in view of this that I commend my colleagues in the Southwest for the synergy that exists between us regardless of politics to keep our region safe”.

    Traditional rulers at the meeting endorsed the IG’s plan. They include:

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Owa Obokun of Ijesland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba Frederick Akinruntan; Alake of Egba land Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams, also lent the OPC’s support to the new plans, stressing that the cooperation between police and OPC is commendable. He said it would be fantastic to have a platform for the two organizations to work together for the safety and security of the people of the region.

    Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states  were represented by their deputies –  Obafemi Hamzat (Lagos), Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele (Ogun), Agboola Ajayi (Ondo) and Bisi Egbeyemi (Ekiti).

     

  • Insecurity: IG relocates to southwest

    Giving a bite to his order on security in the Southwest, Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu, will spend this week in the Southwest geo-political zone.

    He will fine tune his plans to secure the region which has also been grappling with kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

    On Thursday, the IG ordered that police helicopters be deployed in the region and the Northwest to comb the forests and conduct aerial surveillance.

    The helicopters are to patrol major highways and forests in the zones where killings, kidnapping for ransom and armed banditry have instilled fears in the minds of residents.

    During his tour of the six states in the Southwest, the IG is expected to unveil a new security architecture for the region.

    The Nation learnt last night that Adamu will arrive in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, today ahead of the security stakeholders meeting billed to hold at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    It was gathered that the IG will explain how the police plan to contain insecurity in Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti states before the governors and other stakeholders.

    The police plan to use their Helipad in Ondo and the Police Air Wing in Lagos to launch the air patrol in the region, it was learnt.

    The region’s governors at a summit in June proposed the establishment of a regional security outfit codenamed Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) .

    The outfit, which would have its members drawn from local hunters, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and vigilance group, will work with traditional rulers for effective community security.

    Also, the police chief, it was gathered, will inspect facilities, address personnel in Oyo state before proceeding to Osun State for a visit to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The IG will be in Ekiti and Ondo states on Thursday while Ogun and Lagos will host him on Friday.

    It was gathered that Adamu will also hold talks with traditional rulers.

    Read Also: IGP orders CP to fish out killers

    He will also assess the implementation of the directive on the deployment of helicopters for aerial surveillance he gave last week.

    The Lagos Police Command has commenced the deployment of two helicopters daily to survey the riverine (creeks) and hinterlands especially border communities like Epe, Isawo and Warewa to ward off militants/kidnappers.

    According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations (DCP) Mohammed Ali, the command started the practice long before the directive of the IG.

    Ali said: “The command has been engaging in aerial surveillance long before the directive and so, what we are doing now with the instruction is to ensure we sustain it. We deploy two helicopters each day for aerial patrol and they cover the length and breadth of the state.

    “One goes as far as Badagry. They pay more emphasis on areas that are not easily accessible like the creeks so that information is passed across should any grouping of militants or kidnappers, is sighted.

    “The state government is providing the fuel for the patrol and so, I cannot say we really have challenges in that regard.”

    The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie said his Command was ready for the kick-off of the aerial security surveillance as ordered by the IG.

    Spokesman Femi Joseph a Superintendent of Police (SP) said: “As a command, we are appreciative of this gesture, and most especially for granting Ondo State, the base for the security surveillance in the Southwest”.

    In Ekiti and Ogun states, measures have been taken to provide security.

    The aerial surveillance of the state with helicopters by the operatives of the Air Police began about a month ago, it was learnt.

    “A week hardly passed without the chopper being sighted flying across communities in the state, scanning around from the air for any suspicious gathering, movement and objects and relaying the intelligence to the Police Command”, a villager told The Nation.

    An Ogun resident and trader at the Lafenwa Market, Abeokuta, Mrs. Noimot  Ajasa, told our correspondent that she saw a chopper hovering over the market area last week.

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in one of his security briefings acknowledged the deployment of the aerial surveillance chopper by the police and identified it as having played key roles in the rescue of five persons, including a deaconess with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Confirming the operation of aerial surveillance, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, said the new development has been helping the command to monitor forests used as criminals’ hideout with the capabilities of recording and transmitting report to the base.

    He said: “I believe with this aerial surveillance we would be able to track, preempt and prevent the over-bearing influence of bandits, kidnappers and killer in the state.

    “There are thick forests in the state and that is the advantage some of the criminals are using because some of the places cannot be easily penetrated.

    “It is working with our capability. The whole essence of the whole thing is to take crime fighting to the criminals instead of waiting for them to strike.

    “So, with this development the days of criminal elements in the state are numbered. It will be advisable for to them engage in better job rather than criminalities because nobody we escape the wrath of law.

    “And I can assure you that with the plan the western states are making to launch their own security architecture and aerial surveillance both will complement each other to stamp out kidnapping, banditry and killing in the region.”

    But no aerial patrol has been seen in Osun State. The police in the state declined to speak when contacted.

  • Tiv/Jukun crisis: Who killed Catholic priest Tanko?

    THE Tiv/Jukun crisis in Southern Taraba State has assumed different dimensions. It has spilled to the Federal University, Wukari campus, consuming two students and a non-academic staff.

    Consequently, the university authorities has shutdown the campus.

    In the latest hostility, a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. David Tanko, was gunned down and set ablaze with his white Toyota Corolla car. He burnt beyond recognition, according to eyewitnesses.

    Police spokesman, David Misal, confirmed Tanko’s gruesome murder to The Nation, saying the police are probing the incident.

    The episode is a puzzle to the Taraba State Police commissioner, Alkassam Sanusi, who has been given marching orders by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to fish out Tanko’s killers.

    It was gathered that Tanko left his church in Amadu, in the early hours of Wednesday, to see his fellow clergymen in Takum.

    The deceased was reportedly in charge of St. Peter’s Catholic Parish in Amadu, a Tiv settlement in Takum local government area of Taraba state.

    The late Tanko, a Jukun from Wukari, had fearlessly carried out his religious work in the Tiv area, in spite of the raging war between Tiv and his ethnic group. He allegedly organised several prayers and peace talks, seeking truce between warring parties since fresh crisis erupted in Kente village in Wukari about five months ago.

    The recent crisis is an offshoot of a lingering feud based on a claim by the Jukun that the Tiv are “settlers,” in Taraba State, and therefore, have no ownership right to the land they occupy and should leave.

    Describing the sad episode that led to his death, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa told reporters that, “He left Takum at about 3pm. On his way back to Amadu, between Kasuwan Haske and TorTser, he was killed,” the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa told reporters.

    Hammawa, in a telephone chat, condemned the killing of Rev. Tanko, describing it as “brutal and shocking.”

    He said: “We received the news of his death with shock and great sadness. The diocese is mourning. We have been preaching peace and making efforts to bring both parties in the crisis to a round table discussion.

    “For a priest who has been preaching peace to be killed in this most gruesome manner is pathetic, to say the least. A priest belongs to all. For now, we are not pointing accusing finger on any group for being responsible.

    “The Police authority in the state have promised me that they are investigating the case. We pray that the perpetrators are brought to book. Our basic concern now is to give him a befitting burial. We don’t want any group to go for reprisals. Going on a reprisal attack will only worsen the situation,” he said.

    Rev. Fr Cyrachus Kamai, a parish priest in Jalingo, appealed to the warring factions to spare clergymen, who he said, are praying for an end to the crisis.

    He condemned the killing of Tanko, stressing that he knew the “efforts he was making to end this needless violence between Tiv and Jukun through prayers and meditations.

    “In times of war, you don’t kill pastors and Imams, because if you kill them, who will pray for you and for peace to return?” There is no gainsaying that the murder of the young cleric is causing anxiety in the state, as there are many versions to the incident.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill Catholic priest in Taraba state

    There is also a blame-game playing out. The local government council chairman of Takum, Shiban Tikari who is Jukun, has accused a Tiv militia group for killing Tanko. He also blamed several other attacks that had claimed lives and properties in southern Taraba on Tiv militants.

    But the President of the Taraba Tiv Youth Progressive Forum (TYPF), Kelvin Katyo, said Tanko was killed by a Jukun militia group, who were attacking Tortser village for the third time, “cutting down mango trees and razing Tiv homes.”

    He said: “If we don’t love and trust Tanko, we wouldn’t have allowed him to be preaching gospel in our area, amidst the crisis. He has been with us, eating Tiv food for over three years.

    The man of God left Amadu yesterday (Wednesday) morning for Takum to hold a meeting with his colleagues. “He left Takum around 3:00pm back to Amadu when he ran into the Jukun militia while they were attacking Tortser —a Tiv village. He was shot and burnt with his car by the Jukun militia. Our investigation reveals that the Jukun militia were accusing the man of God of serving as a spy for Tiv militants.”

    Katyo stressed that the incident took place between Kasuwan Haske and Tortser, “an area that has been long deserted by Tiv people, having been chased away by the Jukun. No single Tiv person now goes to that vicinity, so, it is possible that the Jukun youths who have mounted a road block there might have mistaken Tanko for Rev. Fr. Iorbee who is Tiv from Takum, who has the same type of car that Tanko has.

    “We condemn this barbaric act, because the Jukun/Tiv crisis is not a religous war. So, why can’t they spare churches and clergies?” Jukuns have blamed Tanko’s murder on Tiv, on the premise that the deceased is Jukun.

    The Tiv have, however, denied the allegation, stating that, they cannot kill their priest; in response, they blame the Jukun for the crime.

    The social space is aflame with accusations and counteraccusations. The police said they have no firm leads about the identity of the perpetrators yet.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has directed the DIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to provide additional forensic and other investigative assets to the Taraba State Police Command to aid investigations into the incident.

     

  • Insecurity: Police launch aerial battle

    The security situation in the country was again on the front burner on Thursday as the Police commenced deployment of surveillance helicopters in the Southwest and the Northwest.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, whose state has been under relentless attacks by bandits, on Thursday opened dialogue with them.

    In Abuja, four people were arrested for possession of explosives.

    Police spokesman Frank Mba, in a statement, said Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu ordered the deployment of aerial surveillance helicopters in major cities in the South-West and North-West as part of efforts by the police to effectively curtail crimes in the country.

    He said the Police Air-Wing Operational Base in Abuja would cater for Abuja–Kaduna highways and the adjoining states in the North-West and North-Central.

    The new base in Ondo State would cater for the adjoining states and highways straddling the South-West.

    He enjoined Nigerians not to panic and go about their lawful businesses, adding that the aerial surveillance was to improve the security of lives and property in the affected areas.

    Confirming the recovery of explosives, Federal capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said the four suspects arrested were caught with unauthorized movement of explosive materials.

    The suspects were arrested by a joint team of police operatives from the Command Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit and Nyanya Police Division at the Baba Nagode Motor Park in Nyanya area of Abuja.

    Read Also: Police arrest, detain rape suspect in Kano

    The suspects are Hamisu Abah, Suleiman Hammeed, Onuh Sunday and Agwan Bulus.

    Command Spokesman Anjuguri Manzah, a DSP, said the suspects had been transferred to the Command Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari  on Thursday engaged representatives of the bandits terrorizing the state in a dialogue to find a permanent solution to incessant attacks and kidnappings in the state

    The meeting, which was held at the State Secretariat, was attended by Deputy Governor Manir Yakubu, heads of security agencies , traditional rulers and districts heads led by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin kabir Usman, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, Transition Committee Chairmen of the affected eight local Government areas, representatives of Myyeti Allah and the Fulani herdsmen

    It was gathered that the attendance of the representatives of the bandits was made possible by the recent amnesty declared for the bandits by the Northwest governors at a recent meeting

    Masari, who spoke in Hausa, warned that the insecurity rocking the affected areas in the state had become embarrassing to both the state government and President Buhari who hails from the state.

    He further restated the commitment of his government to deploy whatever is necessary to deal decisively with banditry and Kidnapping in the state.

    He said: ’’We are ready to dialogue with the bandits and are ready to go anywhere they invited us, because we are not afraid to meet anybody to end this problem

    ‘’As a leader, I must find the solution to the problem so that if today I die, I  know how to defend myself before God I will not allow this to continue, enough is enough’’

    ‘’ I have directed the security operatives to take all necessary measures to change the narrative on insecurity in the state, by any means necessary’’

  • Police deploy helicopters to Southwest, Northwest to curb crime

    As part of efforts aimed at curbing crimes in the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has ordered the deployment of Police aerial surveillance helicopters to major cities in the South-West and North-West of the country.

    The Police Air-Wing operational base in Abuja is expected to cover Abuja – Kaduna highways as well as the neighbouring States in the North-West and North-Central.

    Read Also: Wike seeks creation of state police

    According to a statement in Abuja on Thursday night by the Force Spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, the new base in Ondo State will cater to the neighbouring states and highways in South-West.

    The Force however urged citizens not to panic as the aerial surveillance is geared towards improving the security of lives and property in the affected areas.

     

     

  • Arms proliferation fuels insecurity, says IGP

    THE Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has attributed the insecurity in the country to the proliferation of small arms caused by poor border management.

    The IGP said the arms enter the country through the borders. He urged the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to identify the actors and stop their activities.

    Adamu also expressed worry that the signing of the African Free Trade Agreement within the ECOWAS framework could present new sets of security threats in the sub-region.

    The IGP spoke on Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of Interpol Week.

    He said: “Much as the Interpol framework has been helpful in strengthening partnerships among national law enforcement agencies towards addressing the global security question, the issue of border security and management remains a constant threat.

    “On proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the security situation in the country is being fuelled by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which are mostly brought into the country through our borders.

    Read Also: Five facts you may not know about IGP Mohammed Adamu

    “I urge Interpol to come up with a threat assessment of proliferation of light weapons as it affects Nigeria: to identify the root where these arms are coming into Nigeria, the actors involved, and proffer solutions to help us in fighting this scourge in this country.”

    On how Interpol had assisted law enforcement agencies to combat crimes, the police chief said: “In Nigeria, Interpol has been supporting the law enforcement community in diverse ways, particularly in relation to criminal information processing and sharing, and global monitoring and apprehension of criminal elements.

    “The Nigeria Interpol NCB maintains criminal databases in this regard. These include the I24/7 database which is currently being expanded under the Project Gemni with support of the American Government and West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Criminal Data Base, which is being supported by the European Union.

    “These projects are supporting our efforts towards combating cybercrimes, drugs and human trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, armed robbery, car-jacking, fraud, environmental crimes, kidnapping for ransom, violent extremism, and terrorism.”

    Police Affairs Minister Mohammed Dingyadi described the current security situation in the country as complex and dynamic.

    The minister said countries must collaborate to defeat those bent on destabilising the national and global security order.

    He said: “Crime is a dynamic and increasingly complex phenomenon which transcends national boundaries. It is imperative that countries build and continually strengthen partnerships towards presenting a united front to defeat common enemies that are bent on destabilising the national and global security order.”

     

     

  • Organisers adamant as IGP declares ‘revolution march’ treason, terrorism

    THE Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), organisers of the proposed ‘revolution’ march, vowed on Saturday to forge ahead with the plan regardless of the arrest of the arrowhead of the march, Omoyele Sowore.

    Sowore was arrested at his Lagos residence early on Saturday by suspected personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The organization has not owned up to the arrest.

    But Police Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu said   yesterday that the march, scheduled for tomorrow, has ‘treasonable felony and acts of terrorism’ written all over it.

    He warned the organizers to shelve their plan.

    But the group insisted on going ahead.

    It condemned Sowore’s arrest and called for his immediate release.

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Amnesty International (AI) were joined by other groups in deploring the arrest.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the NIM, Olusegun Obe, said in a statement yesterday that the project remained on course.

    He said: “Third Force Movement of Nigeria under the umbrella of the Nigeria Intervention Movement, wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the planned nationwide mass protests against bad political system and malgovernance (sic) in Nigeria tagged “#Revolution Now!” starting on Monday, August 5, 2019.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this historic nationwide revolutionary action initiated by Nigerian masses and youths is purely aimed at overthrowing the corrupt and warped political system being operated by the country as well as changing the oppressive ruling class in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, we have directed all our members, allies and supporters in the Third Force Movement, especially of the Nigeria Intervention Movement, Alliance for Defence of Democracy and some revolutionary political parties to join and support the historic mass action for a new Nigeria as already endorsed by icons like Prof Wole Soyinka, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili among others

    “It is for this reason that we condemn in unequivocal stance the subversive arrest and detention of one of the key facilitators of #Revolution Now!, Sowore Omoyele; the Leader of the Take-It-Back Movement, who was forcefully abducted in his home around 1.25 a.m. today, Saturday (yesterday) and whisked away to an unknown destination

    “We hereby demand from the Nigerian Presidency and its witch-hunting Department of State Security apparatus, the immediate release of Omoyele Sowore, as his continued incarceration will not deter our forces and cadres from embarking on the planned mass action against the oppressors of Nigerians on Monday as earlier scheduled.”

    IGP: Planned march is treasonable felony

    Police Inspector General Mohammed Adamu  said the attention of the police had been drawn “to a video circulating on the social media by the ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria and others’, inciting Nigerians, home and abroad, to join a planned ‘revolution’ march against the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday, 5th August, 2019 with the sole aim of forcing a regime change in the country.”

    Adamu said “the   call amounts to treasonable felony and acts of terrorism and will therefore not stand idly-by and watch any individual or group in the society cause anarchy in the land.”

    He added: “While acknowledging the rights of Nigerians to embark on protest, the Force wishes to note that such rights should not translate to a violent and forceful change of government which clearly is the meaning of ‘revolution’.

    “Needless to state that Nigeria is a democratic republic and has well-defined processes for change of government, exercised periodically during various cycle of elections.

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    “The Force therefore warns the organizers, sponsors, allies, supporters, associates and sympathisers of the group ‘Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’ to, in their own interest, steer clear of any such planned protest, demonstration, acts of incitement and proposed ‘revolution’, as the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on any individual or group engaged or found participating in the above planned criminal act.

    “Parents and guardians are therefore enjoined to impress on their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used in whatever form by any person or group of persons to cause breach of law and order in the country.

    “The Police will work with other Law Enforcement Agencies and positive minded Nigerians to protect, defend and secure our public peace and space.”

    DSS keeps mum over Sowore’s arrest

    The Department of State Services (DSS) which is believed to have arrested Sowore  kept sealed lips over the matter yesterday.

    The arrest in Lagos followed that of Abubakar Dadiyata also by the DSS in Kaduna on Friday.

    Calls and text messages to the DSS spokesman, Mr. Peter Afunanya, on the issue elicited no response at press time.

    Atiku, AI, others kick

    Former Vice President and the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar   condemned the arrest of Omoyele Sowere on his Twitter handle, saying: ‘Freedom of speech is not only constitutionally guaranteed, it is the substructure of our democracy. These kidnappings in the guise of arrests stands condemned. -AA’

    Amnesty International’s initial reaction also came via its Twitter handle.

    It said it “is concerned about the arrest of Omoyele Sowore  @YeleSowore by DSS operatives. We urge the authorities to respect his rights and follow due process. If not charged for any offence, he should be released immediately.”

    Sowore’s fellow activists including Kadaria Ahmed, Chidi Odinkalu, Hajia Aisha Yesufu and Shehu Sani also condemned the arrest.

    Sani said: “Our democracy is a block of ice floating on warm waters. The sponsored protest and attacks on the @AmnestyNigeria  stand  condemned. The arrest & detention of @YeleSowore is needless; I join the call for his release.”

    Sowore himself broke the news of his arrest when he tweeted “DSS invades Sowore’s” at 1.25am on Saturday.

    He was said to have been driven to the Lagos head office of the DSS, Magodo.

    SaharaReporters, Sowore’s online outfit, said his phone was forcefully seized before the arrest.

    “An eyewitness confirming that his phone was forcefully taken from him,” it said in a report.

    Shortly before his arrest, Sowore had tweeted: “All that is needed for a #Revolution is for the oppressed to choose a date they desire for liberty, not subjected to the approval of the oppressor.”

     ‘He was arrested at the gym’ – Sowore’s driver

    Someone claiming to be Sowore’s driver said the Sahara Reporters publisher was arrested by armed men who “knocked on the door.”

    The driver who did not give his name said on social media that “I noticed immediately that these knocks were strange. And didn’t open. I looked and I saw men armed to the teeth.

    “They started forcing their way in like armed robbers. But I knew they were DSS men, knowing fully well the attention RevolutionNow has garnered. Sowore wanted to open at first but I immediately told him who they are. He retreated and like magic, he was not in the room when they forced their way in- 8 of them.

    “That was when he managed to tweet. By this time, I had been beaten and handcuffed. Phones were snatched from me. An order to block all exits came from the leader when Sowore was not found inside. He was later arrested at the gym in a gestapo manner and dragged after a bit altercation.

    “I followed them immediately till we got to CMD road around Ketu when one of them came down from the Sienna and corked his gun, threatening to shoot me. I had to escape at that point.”