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Tag: Murtala Mani

  • Police urge politicians to play by the rules

    The Sokoto State Police Command on Friday advised politicians to play by the rules and embrace decorum as electioneering toward the 2019 elections commenced.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Murtala Mani, gave the advice in Sokoto at a peace meeting between heads of security agencies and political stakeholders in the state.

    The meeting was at the instance of the police command.

    According to Mani, the gathering aims at creating a peaceful political atmosphere in preparation for the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “For several reasons, it is expedient for any political party to formally inform the security agencies of any meeting, rally or procession, for enhanced security, and at the same time, prepare to contain any untoward situation.

    Read Also: Four in police net over kidnapping and robbery

    “Members of political parties should avoid making hate speeches, songs and or inciting statements during campaigns, rallies or in electronic media.

    “Also, political parties should adopt a decisive way of making use of their supporters and ensure that they don’t engage in any violent activity.

    “More so, destruction of aspirants’ posters is not allowed and should not, in any way, be encouraged. Politics is all about interest and personal opinion,” he said.

    The police boss reassured of the safety of Sokoto state citizens before, during and beyond the election exercise.

    In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Malam Abubakar Musa, assured the political leaders of free, fair and credible elections in the state.

    He called on them to maintain the culture of creating peace and unity among their supporters.

    “We cannot live without peace and unity, and as such, we should always maintain our stand at ensuring peaceful co-existence among us.

    “This is to enable more growth and development to be achieved.

    “Politicians should always struggle for people’s mandate through their thoughts and not through violence or creating unnecessary tension in the society,” he said.

    Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Malam Abubakar Mabera, commended the police for organizing the gathering, stressing that such would surely enable peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections.

    Mabera called on politicians to play the game with fairness, peace and sincerity of purpose.

    NAN

  • Security in Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara collaborate to tackle crime

    Security agencies in Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states say they are collaborating to tackle criminality in their areas of operation.

    The formations that include; Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) and NDLEA, told the News men that they were conducting joint security operations and sharing intelligence information on criminals to enable them to effectively combat crime.

    The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr Murtala Mani, said his command had effective collaboration with all security agencies in the state.

    Mani said through the command’s Spokesman, Cordelia Nwawe, that although the state was largely peaceful, it was working with other agencies on crime mapping and surveillance.

    “We have working synergy with Army, NSCDC, NDLEA, DSS and vigilance groups on tackling incidences of cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.’’

    He said armed robbery, cattle rustling and kidnappings occurred mostly in Raba, Goronyo, Isa and Illela local government areas of the state.

    He, however, said that the cases were being effectively curtailed with combined efforts of other security agencies and communities.

    Also, Mr Babangida Dutsinma, State Commandant of NSDC in the state, said four security agencies were jointly conducting a special operation code-named ‘Operation Harmony’, in areas with high crime records in the state.

    Dutsinma said the NSCDC enjoyed massive support from the Army, Police, the Prisons Service and Immigration Service, using their facilities and officers for the training of its personnel.

    On its part, the police said a joint operation between security agencies in the state had resulted in dismantling many criminal gangs.

    The Spokesman of  the Police Command in the state, DSP Mohammed Shehu, said all the security agencies in the area were partnering to curtail crime.

    Mr David Abi, Commandant of NSCDC in the state, told the News men that the inter agency cooperation shared in the state was “marvellous,’’ adding that they ran “joint patrols with strong sense of patriotism, understanding, discipline and respect for one another.”

    Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Kaduna State,Mr Orndiir Terzengwe, said collaboration between the various security agencies had helped to tackle incidences of kidnapping and armed robbery along Kaduna – Abuja Express way, Kaduna- Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna-Zaria and Kaduna – Jos Road, and within some urban centres across the state.

    “Continuous joint raids of suspected black spots by NDLEA, NSCDC, Police and others, are gradually reducing consumption of hard drugs among youths, which is believed to be largely responsible for youth indulging in different crimes.

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    “In situations where conventional security operatives are not available, vigilance groups’ effect arrest or assist security agencies with information on the whereabouts of suspected criminals, they render intelligence assistance.

    “The Espirit de Corps is commendable but there is need to improve on what is obtainable,’’ Terzengwe.

    Muhktar Aliyu, spokesman of the state Police Command, identified some security breaches in the state to include kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery, activities of thugs and bandits.

    Aliyu said such crimes were being handled through effective joint patrols and operations.

    In Katsina State, the security agencies said they were holding regular meetings under the chairmanship of the Police Commissioner where they were appraising security issues and adopting strategies to confront them.

    Isah Gambo, spokesman of the state police command in the state, said they were conducting joint security patrols and operations, and sharing intelligence information to safeguard lives and property.

    Gambo disclosed that the command had set up a community policing unit to coordinate and set guidelines for communities engaged in providing security for their localities.

    According to him, a community policing committee has been going round the 34 local governments areas and discussing with community leaders on their security challenges with a view to addressing them.

    Sanusi Muazu, the Comptroller, Nigeria Prisons Service in the state, also said that the service had developed a strong synergy with all the security agencies operating in the state.

    Muazu said that they were working with the military, police and other security agencies, sharing intelligence information to ensure full protection of lives and property.

    NAN

  • CP seeks media support to tame criminals in Sokoto

    CP seeks media support to tame criminals in Sokoto

    The new Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr. Murtala Mani has solicited the support of the media in the task of taming criminal activities in the state.

    Mani said at an interactive session with newsmen on Tuesday in Sokoto that he would work closely with the media in generating public support to policing in the state.

    The commissioner stressed that security in the state is everybody’s business, and said the media should create awareness for residents to be security conscious and support security agencies with vital information to tame criminal activities.

    READ ALSO: Navy arrests 22 vessels in onslaught on maritime criminals

    “This meeting is the beginning of our journey to work together and bring offender to book.

    “The press is well known for its positive contribution to the development of the society, therefore, feel free to access me and raise any issues especially pertaining to security matters.

    “It is the responsibility of every citizen of the state to know that security is something of paramount importance that all hands must be in deck.

    “It is only when we are secured that we can go out to our places, Churches or Mosques, visit the market and attend to our daily activities.”

    NAN

  • Police Inspector allegedly raped 15 year old girl

    Police Inspector allegedly raped 15 year old girl

    The family of one Mary Udo in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has accused a police inspector attached to Mkpat Enin division of forcefully having a canal knowledge of their 15 year old daughter at gunpoint.

    Mary alongside with her family members disclosed this during their visit to The Nation office in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday.

    The minor, who narrated her ordeal in the hands of the police inspector, said she was returning from church, African Church, Ikot Abasi-Akpan, last Thursday when the police team that stood on the road accosted her.

    She explained that the inspector, having seen her, pointed the gun at her, saying if she dared resist him touching her he would shoot her.

    The SS1 pupil said the inspector then led her away from other members of the team to a dark portion of the road.

    According to her, the policeman forcefully ran his fingers through her breasts, lamenting ‘as small you are, you have these types of breasts!’

    She stated that the policeman ordered her to undress as he was still pointing gun at her.

    Her words: “After he had forced me to remove my clothes, he ordered me to lie down and open my legs. And what I noticed was that he brought out his penis and inserted it into my vagina. As he was romping over me, he forbade me crying as he threatened to shoot me if I should open my mouth.

    “But when I could not bear the pains any longer as blood was running out of my private part, he quickly took me into the vehicle and drove to the station, where he detained me from Thursday till Saturday. It was my uncle, Dr. Ime Stephen that came from Abuja and bailed me out with N10,000.”

    Asked of her mother, Udo told our correspondent that her mom left her dad since she was a toddler and does not know how she looks like.

    She said her dad has been paralysed since the day he felt from the palm tree top. She added that she and her dad live on her uncle’s benevolence.

    Stephen, her uncle, said the inspector in question is a prosecutor. He added that he could not believe his eyes when the girl pointed at him as one who raped her from among the policemen who were on duty that time.

    He said even his colleagues at the state Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, said he has been so reckless with women.

    He said: “We need justice if a police inspector could point a gun at a girl of 15 year old girl before raping her, it means he lacks the characters of police officers who are meant to protect lives and property of Nigerians.

    “He is a fraud by also taking the girl into the police custody for three days and collected N10,000 as bail sum from the girl’s guardian.

    “We call for his dismissal from the force so that he can be prosecuted accordingly.”

    An artisan, Mr. Ndifreke Ibuotenang, 28, was also brutalised on Thursday by the same policemen.

    Ibuotenang said he was returning from where he went to drink palm wine after work around 9pm, when the same police team accosted him and beat him to a pulp. Ibuotenang two eyes had been seriously affected.

    He was also said to be released on bail upon payment of N10,000 as the bail sum by the villagers.

    When contacted, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, confirmed the incident.

    Mani did not inform our reporter if the police have commenced investigation into the matter.

    He said: “Yes I am fully aware.”

  • NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    NDV announces presence in Akwa Ibom

    …claims responsibility for attack on NNPC gas Pipelines

    …vows to shut down major oil platforms, flowlines

     

    A new Militant Group, Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, yesterday announced its presence in Akwa Ibom State.

    The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Commander Ekpo Ekpo, claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

    The pipeline was attacked last Thursday but the Akwa Ibom State Government and the State’s Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani claimed it was a leakage.

    NDV said its professionals attacked the pipeline at exactly 11:45am last Thursday to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was due in the country that same day.

    The group said the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise it would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in the state.

    They also vowed to move after some ‘selfish’ Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to ‘siphon’ money meant for community development.

    NDV said it would soon unveil its website, twitter and facebook account.

    The statement from the group reads: “We the Niger Delta Volunteers has condemn the recent claim by Akwa Ibom State government that the attack on NNPC gas line was leakage.

    “The gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, was attacked by our professional at exactly 11:45am on Thursday 16th June, 2016 as a welcome to the Mr. President which was due in the country that Thursday to record our grievances and announce the presence of the Niger Delta Volunteers in Akwa Ibom state to fight injustice, marginalization and oppression for the common people.

    “It is very sad that the Governor we work and deliver can deceive the whole world that the attack was leakage even the community around that axis can testify that it was explosion and not leakage as claim.

    “It is not surprise because the government is full of deceit and we urge the state government and his entire cabinet to deliver dividend of democracy to the people than deceiving them.

    “We are so shock that Akwa Ibom State government crying that there is money to pay salary can pay over seven pages on The Nation newspaper of Monday June 20, 2016 from pages 33 – 39 which worth millions of naira just to deceive the whole country on project not in existence.

    “We demand that the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise we would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in our state.

    “Very soon we will move after some selfish Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to siphon money meant for community development, enough is enough.

    “Soon we will unveil our website, twitter and facebook.”

    Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, had told some newsmen that the rumored bomb attack was not a militant attack.

    But a highly placed source at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the attack on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline.

    The source said: “Yes there was an attack on the pipeline. The pipeline is between Akwa Ibom and Rivers states boundary along Ikot Abasi – Port Harcourt road.

    “Right now engineers from NNPC, Port Harcourt are there working on the pipelines. Our officers and other security agencies are also there too.”

    But the Police boss said what happened was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt, Rivers state were currently working to rectify the leakage of gas from the pipeline.

    CP Mani said that the Akwa Ibom state was safe from the activities of the militant group.

    Also, the Akwa Ibom State Government had debunked rumours of pipeline bombing in Ikot Osute, Oruk Anam local government area, even as it calls for calm among citizens who may have been troubled by the purported development.

    Reacting to the rumours after a visit to the site, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah said: “there is no iota of truth in the claims making rounds in the social media”, stating that what happened was an eruption occasioned by leakage in the old pipeline of the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, which traversed the area.

    “No pipeline has been bombed in Akwa Ibom State those peddling such rumours are ignorant of the true situation in the affected area.

    “As at Thursday morning, when security operatives and officials of the State government visited Ikot Osute, the state Ministry of Environment, NGC personnel and other gas companies operating the area were on site, working round the clock to ensure safety in the area.”

    Mr. Umanah enjoined Akwa Ibom people and indeed Nigerians to remain calm and go about their businesses as government was committed to protecting lives and property of all citizens in the State.

    He assured that security agents have cordoned off the area to forestall against any eventuality

  • Police, Avengers disagree on NNPC pipeline attack

    Despite claims by the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) that it blew up the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) Pipeline in Oruk Anam local government area of Akwa Ibom State, the police on Thursday dismissed the claim, saying what happened was an accident occasioned by leakage of gas pipelines sited in the area.

    The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, said the rumored bomb attack was not a militant attack.

    NDA had said on its twitter handle that it blew up the pipeline.

    But a highly placed source at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the attack on the NNPC pipeline.

    He said: “Yes there was an attack on the pipeline. The pipeline is between Akwa Ibom and Rivers States boundary along Ikot Abasi – Port Harcourt Road.

    “Right now engineers from NNPC, Port Harcourt are there working on the pipelines. Our officers and other security agencies are also there too.”

    But the police commissioner said what happened was a technical problem and some engineers from Port Harcourt are currently working to rectify the leakage of gas from the pipeline.