The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Police

  • Police deny owing salaries

    Police deny owing salaries

    …Say no personnel protested

     

    The Nigeria Police Monday debunked reports that some personnel protested at Kaduna over unpaid salaries.

    Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who stated this, urged reporters to always verify their stories before rushing to press.

    According to Moshood, police personnel across ranks throughout the country had always received their salaries when due, except for a few affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), whose cases were being handled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    He said: “It is not correct and misleading that Police Personnel protested anywhere in the country because of non-payment of salary as reported in some media on Monday, October, 9.

    “Few policemen, who went on inquiry to the Mechanized Salary Section (MSS) in Kaduna State Police Command over complaint of Under-payment, Omission of their names on the Salary Payroll as a result of the implementation of the IPPIS handled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, were immediately attended to and addressed by the Officer in Charge of MSS, Kaduna.

    “They were told their problems have   been taken up by the Force Headquarters with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. And they left for their duty posts. No policeman protested and none went on rampage in Kaduna or anywhere else as reported in the media.”

    Continuing, Moshood said challenges such as underpayment, omission of names on payroll, non-payment and over-payment of some personnel experienced in August and September in eight state commands that have been enrolled on IPPIS, have already been tabled before the Office of the Accountant-General and they were being addressed.

    “The public are hereby enjoined not to panic. They should go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension. No policeman protested in Kaduna State or any other state of the country because of non-payment of salary.

    “While the Nigeria Police Force is assuring the media of continuous supports and cooperation, they are implored to always verify facts before publishing in order not to cause panic, tension and misinformation in the minds of the people.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of public peace and breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country.”

  • Police arrest four armed robbers in Enugu

    Police arrest four armed robbers in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested four suspected armed robbers who have been terrorising residents of Oji River axis in the state.

    Mr Ebere Amaraizu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command in the state said this in a statement he issued on Friday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the suspects were arrested on Sept. 28, adding that items recovered from them included a locally made short gun, English made pump action long gun and ammunition.

    “Other items recovered from the bandits include a DVD player and two generating sets, three televisions and home theatre with sound system with a television stand,’’ he said.

    The PPRO also said that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Oji River Zone, acting on a tip-off.

    “Through intelligence information, operatives of SARS, Oji River Zone, promptly nabbed four suspected armed robbery gang which has been a thorn in the flesh of members of the public in Ndeaboh Aninri and Oji River axis of the state.

    “They are notorious armed robbers/cult and burglary kingpins that have caused nightmare to residents of Oji River axis of the state and its general area,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu said that the suspects were helping police operatives in their investigations in relation to their nefarious activities.

    “The command has maintained that its operatives, in partnership with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders in the state will not rest on their oars.

    “Suspected hoodlums are being fished out from their hideouts with huge recoveries as exhibits.’’

  • Osun: Police decorate 90 officers with new ranks

    Osun: Police decorate 90 officers with new ranks

    The Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, on Tuesday advised promoted officers in the command to put in their best to justify their new designation.

    He gave the advice on Tuesday in Osun while decorating the 90 officers with their new ranks.

    “Your promotion is an indication of the recognition of your value. You are being promoted on the basis that you have added value in your various responsibilities.

    “Now that you have been elevated, it is pertinent to know that to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “You are expected to put in your best to project the image of the Nigerian police in accordance to the law,” he said.

    He urged the officers promoted to ASP rank to discharge effective and necessary superintending of officers under them by guarding and mentoring them.

    The police boss also called on the new SPs to be prepared for the task ahead, adding that they would be commanding police divisions and would likely become police division heads.

    The officers are:  eight Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), promoted to Superintendent of Police (SP) and 82 Police Inspectors promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

    He also tasked the officers concerned to justify the trust reposed on them by Inspector-General and the police by refusing do anything that would put the Nigeria police to shame.

    Adeoye, however, admonished the officers to uphold the primary duty and role of the police at all times.

    He said the society looked up to them to provide adequate protection of lives and property in their new position.

    The police boss said that President Muhammodu Buhari was magnanimous to have extended his grace to the officers to be promoted.

    Adeoye thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for recommending the officers to the Police Service Commission for promotion.

  • Nigeria Police, corruption and human rights

    The Nigeria Police Force was established not for the purpose of business but for protecting the lives and properties of the citizens. But with what is obtainable today, it seems that the main aim of its establishment has been either rejected, abandoned or forgotten. Maybe the aim of the Force has been changed in the modern times since it was established in 1930, who knows?

    The abstract belief is that police is the friend of the people. In fact, the motto of the police is: “The police are your friends’’. Wait, whose friend?

    One doubts the authenticity and reliability of this motto with the way and manner the Nigeria Police performs its duty. The notion of an average citizen or almost all Nigerians is that: police is the greatest enemy of the citizens. They have caused more evil than good to people.

    If one is to study corruption in Nigeria, the Nigerian Police Force should be the leading case-study. On the infringement of fundamental human rights, the police are always on top of the list. For convenience, there is need, therefore, to discuss the two highlighted issues one after the other.

    On the issue of corruption, the Nigeria Police Force is not left out. The truth is even that, the synonym of corruption is the Nigerian Police. The whole system seems to be very corrupt. When those meant to fight ‘corruption’ are also very corrupt, what is expected of such body? To deliver the expected goods? What even amazes me the most is that, the process of recruiting candidates into the force is corrupt and that is a more reason why it is having the serious problems today.

    Many of the men who are into the Force are there, not because of the passion they have for the job, but for the extra gain that comes from it. The policemen seem to have metamorphosed the force to a business concern. Their main aim is no more to do their job but to make financial profit into their tattered pockets. They extort vehicle drivers and even threaten their owners. They waste people’s time without any good reason. What they need is just a token of N50 or N100. In fact, our roads have been “nairalised’’. No naira, no thoroughfare – this is just a total sorry case!

    Whether we believe this or not, that is the way they operate. To keep your soul from trouble, one just needs to ‘settle’ these men in black. If not, things funny can happen. There have been series of cases where police that are meant to fight criminal activities in the society are caught involving themselves in the same ridiculous act. It is no more news; it is known to all and sundry. We have heard news of how policemen cut-short the lives of those that have refused to bribe them. Uncountable cases of how the police have being colliding with criminals; all because of money. Many a times, criminals have been operating successfully due to the corruption spirit in the police. Once they are ‘settled’ they forget about the main purpose why they are on duty.

    Our police stations are the home of corruption too. No one visits the police station without dropping something. In fact, to get matter settled in your favour, the only thing to do is to be the highest bidder. Where your bid is lower, even if the case in the real sense is in your favour, the highest bidder will always be favoured. Virtually all the DPOs are aware of these corrupt acts – they all share the profit in their business; and this is the reason why the police can never be trusted by the common man. This indicates the fact that the Nigeria Police Force looks very much like a business concern with the way things are done.

    On the area of human rights, they are the key violators of rights. One of the functions of the police is to serve as the agent of government protecting people’s rights. What is seen in Nigeria is a very different case. The policemen violate the rights of citizens than any other institution. They are just too inhumane. They have killed, injured and dehumanized many without apology and with immunity. Without respecting the provision of the constitution pertaining to fundamental rights, they encroach on people’s rights in public.

    No doubt, the Police have, at least, some responsible officers. There are men and women of transparent honesty and proven integrity, but they are only few. And since the good percentage of the Force are all guilty of the charges levied above, there is need for the overhauling. You know, when palm oil is splashed on a part of a white handkerchief, the handkerchief completely loses its usefulness.

    First, government needs to finance and improve the Force. Mere seeing some policemen, at times, one just need to “settle’’ them because they look so ‘hungry’ and a hungry man is an angry man. Some of them wear tattered uniforms. All these signal the fact that the police force is not really catered for and that is why the government needs to do something – as urgent as possible.

    They need to be given training and orientation on what it takes to be a policeman. This is needed because many of them don’t even know what they are really into. They see the Force as a limited liability company that makes profit. This is not so, and many of them are not aware or pretend to be unaware.

     

    • By Dennis Anombem Ikedikwa Soeze
  • Weapon training: Police in Enugu urge public not to panic

    Weapon training: Police in Enugu urge public not to panic

    Police in Enugu on Tuesday appealed to Enugu residents not to panic or entertain any fear as its shooting and weapon handling training for police recruits commence in September.

    The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu, made the appeal in a statement in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the exercise, which would last for a week, was meant to improve the weapon handling proficiency of the new intakes.

    He noted that the exercise would be carried out at the Superior Police Officers Mess within the ever busy Agbani Road in Enugu.

    “The command wishes to inform the public especially those living in the command’s shooting range located behind Superior Police Officers Mess, Agbani Road, that there will be weapon handling and shooting range exercise for police recruits of Police College, Oji-River.

    “The exercise kicks-off from Sept. 11 and will end on Sept. 16.

    “Members of the public are advised not to panic or entertain fear during the exercise as it is a routine training exercise carried out by the police to enhance professionalism in weapon handling,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu, however, advised the residents to steer-clear the shooting range zone within the period of the exercise.

    “Furthermore, members of the public particularly residents of the area are advised to stay away from the shooting range and its environs within the period of the exercise,’’ he added.

  • Buhari welcome rally shuts down Ado-Ekiti

    Buhari welcome rally shuts down Ado-Ekiti

    …APC, Civil Society groups slam Fayose for “Death Wish”

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was at a standstill for about two hours on Monday as residents under the aegis the Coalition of Civil Society groups staged a solidarity rally to weclome President Muhammadu Buhari back from his medical vacation.

    The coalition which includes the All Progressives Congress (APC), Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), labour leaders, youths, artisans, students, market women, commercial drivers and other interest groups slammed Governor Ayo Fayose for “wishing the President dead and making comments that could set the country on fire.”

    The rally which started at about 9.00 am at Okeyinmi Roundabout proceeded to Ijigbo before terminating at Mobil area in the city. Many of those who participated in the rally carried placards with various inscriptions.

    Some of the placards read: “Welcome Back Buhari, Shame On Fayose,” “On Buhari We Stand, Corruption Must Go,” “The Lion Is Finally Back Home,” “Fayose, You Are A Disappoinment To Ekiti People,” “Fayose Must Commit Suicide Now As Promised,” “Welcome Back, Baba, African Champion of War Against Corruption,” among others.

    The rally which was supervised by officers and men of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) caused a traffic snarl on the major highway in the city.

    Protest leaders who took turns to address the people expressed satisfaction with the Saturday’s return of Buhari to the country saying his return will add bite to the anti-corruption crusade and economic recovery.

    Ekiti APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, said Buhari’s return has exposed what he called “the unending lies of Fayose” who he said never wished the President to come back home alive.

    Awe who accused Fayose of playing God on the health of President advised the governor to emulate his Rivers State counterpart Nyesom Wike whom he said displayed maturity by joining other governors to welcome Buhari despite belonging to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “God has put Fayose to shame on Buhari, God has silenced him for his lies on the President’s health. We appreciate the people of Ekiti State for their good wishes and prayers for our President throughout the time he was away.

    “Anybody wishing Buhari dead will go before him, we rejoice with our President that he arrived safely and this has put an end to all the lies of Fayose.

    “We urge Fayose to honour his promise, let him be man enough to commit suicide if Buhari returns alive as he had earlier promised.

    “Ekiti people are tired of is one-day-one-trouble government and one-day-one-propaganda government and we want to assure our people that Fayose’s day of reckoning is very near.”

    Coordinator of Progressive Youth League (PYL), Adeoye Aribasoye, berated Fayose for “raising false alarm” on the health of President by threatening to release eleven damaging pictures of Buhari on life support.

    Aribasoye: “God is greater than men, Fayose said he has eleven damaging pictures of Buhari. We want the whole world to know that whatever he says does not represent the view of Ekiti people.”

    Labour leader, Kolawole Olaiya, urged Buhari to probe how the proceeds of Paris Club refunds to Ekiti was spent by Fayose regretting that workers are suffering.

    “Olaiya said: “We want President Buhari to revisit the issue of the Paris Club refunds to Ekiti State. Local government workers in Ekiti have not received salaries for about nine months.”

    CNPP Chairman Tunji Ogunlola said: “Nigeria’s collective destiny cannot be aborted by a tiny group of crooks whose survival depend on the looting of our commonwealth.

    “It is on this strength that we believe the President’s return presents a fresh hope for the accomplishment of our collective dream for a great nation as he settles down to work.”

  • Police rescue baby sold for N650, 000 in Imo

    Police rescue baby sold for N650, 000 in Imo

    The Imo State Police Command has arrested members of a notorious child trafficking syndicate that specializes in stealing and sell under aged children.

    A ten-month old boy, Tochukwu Okechukwu Peter, who was stolen and sold for N650, 000 was rescued and handed over to its parents, Mr and Mrs Okechukwu Peter.

    It will be recalled that the Command paraded five women four days ago for stealing a baby at a burial ceremony in the state and selling it for N600, 000 to a buyer in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    Parading the three suspects , Ogechi Chukwuocha, 42 years, Calista Igwe, 38, and Chimezie, 32 shortly before handing over the recovered child to the parents, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, said that the child was stolen from his mother , Udoka Peter, on June 15, 2017 at Ogbaku in the Mbaitoli Council Area of the state.

    Enwerem, disclosed that the prime suspect, one Favor Nwekem, absconded with the baby after the mother left it in her custody to attend to some domestic chores.

    “The mother of the baby handed over the child to the prime suspect to attend to some important chores and before she could come back, she had absconded with the baby to where she sold the baby for N650,000.00.

    “Members of the syndicate have been arrested except the prime suspect who is still at large”.

    According to him. “On June 15, one Udoka Peter, reported the case of the stealing of her ten months old son by one Favor Nwekem. The operatives of the Department of Criminal Investigations and intelligence swung into action and raided their hideout in Orlu and recovered the stolen child.

    “Investigation revealed that one Ogechi Chukwuocha bought the child for N650,000, from Calista Igwe, while Chimezie Okafor was the link person. Unfortunately, the prime suspect ran away, but we are trailing him and will soon nab him”.

    The 42-year-old widow, Ogechi Chukwuocha, who allegedly bought the child for N650,000, said that she has been looking for a male child for a long time to retain the inheritance of her late husband’s property as she only had two female children for her husband before he died.

    She denied that she never knew that the child was stolen, “the woman that brought the child to me,  told me that the mother willingly asked her to give the child to anyone that can take care of the child and she needed money so I gave her the money and took the child”.

     

  • Dangote, Govt, Flour Mills sign MOU on repair of Apapa Wharf Road

    Dangote, Govt, Flour Mills sign MOU on repair of Apapa Wharf Road

    …as FG hands over Apapa Wharf road to Dangote, FMN

    Succor will soon come to users of Apapa Wharf road as Federal government handed over the troubled road to Dangote Industries Limited and Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) for immediate reconstruction with concrete overlay.

    After the nation and port users have lost several billions of Naira on the dilapidated road, thenFederal government at the weekend in Lagos signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the two companies to repair the road. The construction of the road will be handled by AGDangote, a subsidiary of Dangote industries limited.

    Dangote Group and FMN are funding the project valued at N4.3 billion. AGDangote is handling the construction of the road. They have constructed concrete roads in Ibese, Ogun State and currently working on roads in Obajana.

    Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony held at the Conference Hall of Area B Command of the Nigeria Police, Apapa, Honorary Adviser to the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Engineer Joseph Makoju said the Group is moved by the deplorable state of the road which informed the need to look for like-thinking partners to effect repairs and salvage the road.

    According to him, the deplorable state of the road has impacted negatively on businesses, activities and lives of people within the locality. He explained that the state of the road crippled economic activities as people spend whole days in traffic losing precious work hours

    Makoju opined that the two kilometer road to the gate of Apapa is vital to the nation’s economy and described it as the national economy’s artery.

    He commended the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, who he said put in extra efforts to ensure the handing over of the road for reconstruction as the project has been on ground for over a year. The new road, he said will be concrete based in contrast to laterite base and has a life span of between 30 years to 50 years.

    He described the road reconstruction as a higher form of corporate social responsibility as Dangote Group is not asking for tax rebates. According to him, businesses need to engage with host communities through corporate social responsibility projects to ensure sustainability.

    He said, “here at Dangote, we have built houses, new towns, hospitals, schools, roads, markets and awarded scholarships in the communities where we have our operations but this is a higher form of corporate social responsibility. This project is a higher form of intervention on a national level, intervening in provision of critical infrastructure.”

    However, he tasked government to do more in terms of providing a conducive and enabling business environment for businesses to thrive stressing that If the environment is conducive and right, businesses will thrive and do more in terms of interventions in national infrastructure.

    Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola in his remarks at the event said, “We are here to embark on what will be the final solution to a massive inconvenience business and people in Apapa suffered over the years. Apapa is the nation’s first industrial base and was served by a good rail system. Cargo and containers were moved by rail to all parts of the country. The road network was for transport of passengers. The roads were good.

    However, we allowed the rails to collapse and choose road for evacuation of containers and cargo. But we are working to stop all these. The minister of transport is taking steps to revive the rails and evacuation of cargo and containers from the ports.”

    He disclosed that for several years government adopted palliative measures towards the road while waiting for a final solution and especially thanked Dangote Group and Flour Mills for coming take over the road for repairs. He said, “we must thank Dangote Group and Flour mills for coming to our aid via providing the funding for the repairs. The repairs estimated for a duration of one year is valued at N4.3 billion.”

    Explaining why it took government some time before handing over the road for repairs, he said, “The delays in handing over the road for reconstruction was because of the need to put final touches to the road design. Apapa has high water table and any road built here must have proper drainages otherwise it will be experiencing constant flooding.”

    He added, “We have done the survey and prepared the bill of quantity. The two kilometer road which will be based on concrete is estimated at N4.3 billion. A concrete base instead of laterite is chosen. Concrete base has a lifespan of between 30 to 50 years and in many developed countries, concrete base is used presently for roads. AG Dangote, a subsidiary of Dangote Group is chosen as the contractor. The construction and funding will be on corporate social responsibilities bases as they will not be seeking for tax reliefs.”

    Fashola called on all stakeholders to corporate with the constructing company and traffic controllers because there would be distortions and road diversions. All road users should exercise patience because it will get better, he said.

  • EFCC secures 340 convictions in six months

    EFCC secures 340 convictions in six months

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday  said it had secured 340 convictions and recovered billions of dollars  in  stolen funds within  the last six months.

    EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, represented by the commission’s  Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega, said this in Abuja at the launch of   law enforcement and public engagement project   in Nigeria.

    The CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office of the U.S.Embassy in Nigeria initiated  the project.

    Adegboyega,  who dismissed  the claim  that the EFCC  recorded only few convictions,  said  the commission  recorded more convictions than any  anti-graft agency  in the country.

    The secretary also said that the success  recorded by the commission was  hinged on the  outcomes from the courts, adding that  the responsibility of the commission was to investigate and charge suspects to court.

    “We do not have the control over the courts, we cannot tele-guide the courts; what happened  in the courts  is beyond the control of EFCC,” he said.

    While noting that the rate of corruption was on the rise,  he said the commission was committed to the task of tackling the menace.

    Adegboyega, who  said that the EFCC had a robust platform in conjunction with Interpol to track down corrupt persons, gave an assurance  that there would be no  safe haven for unscrupulous persons.

    He, however,  called for synergy among anti-graft agencies,  stressing that only this would guarantee success in the anti-corruption campaign.

    The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Joshak Habilla,  said that  law enforcement agencies  must  be accountable to the public.

    Habilla also urged the security agencies to  engage in activities that would eradicate   corruption in the country.

    He urged members of the  public  to hold police officers liable whenever they err.

    The representative of the  U.S. Embassy,  Aruna Amirthanayagam,  said that the goal of the project was to strengthen relations between criminal justice actors, anti-graft agencies  and citizens through effective communication.

    “This pilot project will focus on supporting the EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force to provide timely and relevant information to the public on their efforts to fight crime and corruption.

    “Over the past year, the U.S. Embassy has been working closely with civil society, Nigeria Police and the EFCC on various initiatives to enhance government transparency, improve security  and investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes.

    “This project supports those efforts by enhancing communication with the public and building trust with law enforcement organisations,” he said.

    The Executive Director of  CLEEN Foundation, Benson Olugbuo,  stressed the need to enhance public confidence in the criminal justice actors such as the police and EFCC.

    He advocated for a system that operates zero tolerance for corruption  while  promoting  open communication in  Nigeria’s law enforcement institutions.

    Olugbuo said this would help  reduce the potentials to partake in acts of  corruption and Nigeria’s socio-economic development would  be significantly improved.

  • Hajj: Ilorin airport maps out strategy to checkmate drug traffickers

    Hajj: Ilorin airport maps out strategy to checkmate drug traffickers

    The management of llorin International Airport on Tuesday said it had mapped out strategy to detect suspected drug traffickers that would travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj.

    Alhaji Ibrahim AbdulAzeez, the Airport Manager, made this known in llorin in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that the management of the airport had put necessary machinery in place to detect and stop any intending pilgrims indulging in drug trafficking or any negative tendencies capable of giving the country bad image.

    AbdulAzeeez said that the airport had inaugurated 2017 Hajj Committee, which would ensure perfect arrangement for the airlifting and return of all the intending pilgrims.

    He however warned intending pilgrims from the llorin zone with criminal intention to do a rethink by not travelling to the holy land through llorin International Airport.

    He said that members of the committee  were drawn from Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigeria Police, Customs, Immigration and Civil Defence.

    Others members are the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Port Health, NAFDAC, and some the airliners.

    It will be recalled that three pilgrims, who traveled through the airport for the 2016 Hajj were arrested in Saudi Arabia over alleged involvement in drug trafficking.