The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Police

  • Senate seeks use of biometric identification for criminal records

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Tuesday said that the Crime and Criminal Tracking System Bill, which seeks to provide for the design, development, installation and management of a robust crime and criminal tracking system for the Nigeria Police would enhance national security.

    Senator Ibrahim said that criminal tracking system would work through automation of criminal records with biometric identification information for background security checks, crime investigation and prosecution and counter – terrorism and for related matters.

    The Katsina South lawmaker spoke at a public hearing on Crime and Criminal Tracking System Bill and the Traffic Warden Bill which seeks to Repeal section 59-69 of the Police Act Cap 359 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 1990 and to re-enact the Traffic Warden Service which shall be responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of traffic Wardens, issuance of certificate of appointment and discharge and for other related matters.

    These bills, he said, couldn’t have come at any other better time other than now considering the increasing threats to security in the country.

    He said, ‘The Senate especially this Committee is committed toward the provision of adequate legal framework for effective policing and crime control in our society.

    “The bills when passed will certainly help in enhancing in-depth investigation of crime and control in the country.”

    He noted that the public hearing will afford all the invited stakeholders and members of the public a very good opportunity to make their contributions on bills to enable the Senate pass the bills into Law.

  • Brussels Bombing: Nigeria Police caution airport users

    Brussels Bombing: Nigeria Police caution airport users

    The Lagos Airport Police Command on Thursday advised passengers and other airport users to be more vigilant following the recent terrorist attack on the Brussels Airport in Belgium.

    The command’s spokesman, ASP Joseph Alabi, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 30 people were killed and many others injured when the departure hall of the airport was bombed by suspected terrorists.

    Alabi told NAN that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had ordered for the beefing up of security across all airports in Nigeria as a result of the incident.

    He, however, said that passengers and other airport users had a duty to promptly notify the police about anything unusual, particularly within the airport environment.

    “Our men are always on ground. The officer in charge of operations is on duty 24 hours.

    “The Divisional Police Officers are always in their offices at the airport and they can report any incident to them and prompt action will be taken,’’ Alabi said.

    According to him, two sniffer dogs and additional police officers have been deployed to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to ensure the safety and security of the place.

    Alabi said this was in addition to the screening of passengers outside the terminal which was being done by the Police Anti-Bomb Squad in collaboration with other security agencies.

    He said: “The Commissioner of Police, MMIA, Mrs Victory Menta, has deployed more of our men to every nook and cranny of the airport and they are on 24-hour surveillance.

    “I believe that by God’s grace, there will be no evil occurrence here because our men are fully on ground to monitor the situation of things.

    “My advice to all travelers is that they should not be afraid of any evil occurrence at the airport. The airport police command will not allow any untoward event and so they should remain calm’’.

     

  • Traffic Violation: Courts convict 500 persons in Edo

    Traffic Violation: Courts convict 500 persons in Edo

    Over 500 persons were arraigned and convicted for various traffic offences during the joint road check exercise also known as Operation Velvet carried out by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) in conjunction with other security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRCS), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    This was made known by the Executive Director, Tax Compliance, EIRS, Prince Felix Isuku during an interview with newsmen in his office Wednesday.
    He said that over 500 persons were arraigned before the mobile traffic courts set up in ten locations across the state for the exercise and were likewise convicted for various traffic offences ranging from cases of fake drivers licence, expired motorcycle and vehicle particulars, over loading, expired and non-possession of fire extinguishers, tinted and covered number plates.

    He noted that the road check exercise exposed some vehicle owners for possession of expired vehicle particulars spanning over three to five years. In addition, he said that most drivers were in possession of fake drivers licence a situation he described as worrisome but was assured that the road check exercise was meant to control it.
    The tax compliance director said the exercise is a continuous one which will come in phases but that the regular checks by other traffic and security agencies will continue.

    Describing the exercise as successful, Isuku remarked that most motorists complied with the exercise by visiting the one-stop-shop for vehicle registration and designated driver licence data capturing centres across the state to revalidate their vehicle particulars and also to obtain the genuine drivers licence.

    Isuku informed that currently, there exists four drivers licence data capturing/registration centres in Edo State- Auchi, Ekpoma, while two others are in the Benin City metropolis with two more expected within the year.

    He advised motorists to visit any of the designated places for drivers licence registration which is not done neither by proxy nor the use of passport photographs and cost no more than six thousand three hundred and fifty naira.

    Expressing her view of the exercise, an applicant Susan Osaghae who acquired the temporary drivers licence said the exercise is a right step in the right direction and that she followed the application processes all by herself and paid the official fee of N6, 350. She equally advised those still in possession of the fake drivers licence to do the right thing by visiting the approved centres for genuine data capturing.

    The executive director, tax compliance, affirmed that presentation of tax clearance certificate (TCC) as a condition for the registration of motor vehicle is still in force as it is enshrined in Section 85 (4) (b) of the Personal Income Tax Act (2004) as amended.

  • 30 suspected cultists arrested in Delta

    30 suspected cultists arrested in Delta

    Suspected cultists were Tuesday arrested by men of the Nigeria Police, Irri, Isoko South Police Division, Delta State following their alleged involvement in cult activities and related vices.

    It was gathered that the suspects who were members of different cult groups in the community were arrested at about 3.30 am in an attempt to attack one of their members who had recently renounced his membership in the community.

    A source who spoke on the ground of anonymity said, “He was in police custody and because he renounced membership of his cult group, his cult members were going after him, so he has to raise an alarm.

    He identified over 30 of his cult members that were arrested,

    The Chairman of the Irri Community Development Committee, Mr. Goddey Igorigo who addressed newsmen at Irri community, condemned cultism in the area and said the community was putting in place other measures to stop the excesses and the menace of cultism in the community.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the arrests and said they were already on the issue.

  • Good example

    Good example

    • A judge’s rape verdict against the police should serve as corrective to a sadly soaring crime

    There has been an incredible increase in reported rape cases in recent years. What is not known is whether there has been an increase in rapists or merely the reportage. Regardless of the argument, the statistics on rape from all corners of the country show a potential epidemic. And our society needs to urgently tackle the scourge.

    Worse is that pedophile rapists have unleashed their venomous libido on infants and children, and the grim reaper is in deaths and the physiological and psychological traumas of the surviving victims and their loved ones.

    To sooth a hurting victim, a federal high court has awarded exemplary damages in the sum of N10 million to a two-year old infant, who was raped by a police corporal. In an action brought pursuant to the fundamental human rights of the victim, the court awarded the exemplary damages against the police corporal and his employers, the Nigeria Police Force. We commend the judge, and the counsel to the victim, for this innovative way of bringing a rapist and the institution that he serves to account. We also urge the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that the police are not allowed to frustrate the execution of the judgment.

    While the corporal is entitled to appeal the judgment, we hope that the police will not waste public funds in pursuit of an appeal. What the institution needs more than an appeal is to apprehend their employee rapist and diligently pursue criminal prosecution with the support of the office of public prosecution, to ensure that the corporal gets his fair due under the criminal justice system. For, while we applaud the civil action that gave the victim a deserving financial benefit, we have not lost sight of the crime against the society, which deserves no less an exemplary punishment upon conviction.

    What the police as an institution should further do, is to engage its staff in remedial workshops and training for them to be equipped to deal with this scourge. The officers and men must appreciate that investigating and prosecuting rape cases as we have seen from the court trials, require delicate handling. So, there is need for specialised training. As we have also advocated on many occasions, there is the urgent need for modernisation of the laws on rape and other sexual offences. Under our criminal and penal code, the excruciating procedure for the proof of rape is anachronistic and dehumanising for the victims, and so should be amended.

    We have also advocated for the provision of lesser sexual offences that require lesser rigorous technicalities to prove. The Lagos State government has shown direction in this regard. We also in one of our interventions advocated for an increase in the jail term for rape to 25 years, but not the death sentence. So, we restate the need for comprehensive amendments of the state criminal laws across the country and also the criminal and penal code, to stem this descent to perfidy by a significant proportion of our society.

    We urge other victims to take the example of this case. While the society should pursue vigorously the rapists in a criminal trial, the victims should be assisted by their relations and the civil society to institute civil actions. We appreciate that the trauma of a rape cannot be paid for monetarily, but most times, the victims require medical attention and other forms of treatment to assuage their losses; the court should come down hard on the rapists whenever the action merits it.

  • Nigeria Police: Pulling down an institution

    Nigeria Police: Pulling down an institution

    It is now obvious that the most important ‘crime-fighting’ assignment confronting the Nigerian Police is frustrating everything associated with the so-called ‘New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).’ Running a close second is hounding opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration.

    The force has devoted itself to these tasks with uncommon efficiency. They have perfect intelligence about where heady G-7 governors would pop up next, and would storm the venue in Armoured Personnel Carriers ready to crush those ‘heating up the polity.’

    When they are not chasing rebellious PDP governors through the states our fearless police tear-gas elements of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to prevent them from taking to the streets.

    Being true defenders of the people’s right to express themselves, the police gladly look the other way when a rival group of protesters denouncing ASUU walks down the same street.

    In the latest display of their commitment to enforce orderliness, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has banned all gatherings, receptions and carnivals at airports nationwide. This, of course, is the force’s response to the dramatic four-kilometer march to Port Harcourt airport by Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his supporters. The facility had earlier been shut to prevent them from gathering to receive the national leadership of the All Peoples Congress (APC) during the week.

    Frankly, if the police could deploy their new-found zeal for cracking down on government’s political foes to tackling armed robbers and kidnappers the crime rate would crash to near zero.

    Recently, the opposition Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) described them as “the armed wing of the PDP.” You may dismiss this as the vituperations of partisans, but it also succinctly describes what the force is turning into.

    Over the years different administrations have abused the police – using them as tools for pushing their petty agendas. But the manipulation of this national institution by the current administration is lowering the force to a despicable new low.

    Mouthing clichés about “global best practices” in the use of airports doesn’t hide the fact that the police have chosen to insert themselves deeper into the mud-fight between the political elite – hiding under law enforcement.

    The remit announced by Abubakar is broad enough for any mischief-maker to abuse. Will a group of associates coming together to receive a VIP qualify for the mandatory volley of tear gas? You would have expected the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to take the lead in giving this sort of directive. But no the overzealous police have to lunge in with all the elegance of an elephant.

    It was not too long ago that dance troops and flag-waving supporters were swarming all over Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to welcome First Lady, Patience Jonathan, from her overseas medical trip. On numerous occasions tumultuous crowds have received our victorious football teams at airports. Those raucous receptions were not hazardous to national security back then.

    But in today’s Nigeria any gathering of the “wrong set of persons” – whether at airports or in the recesses of governors’ lodges – becomes a conspiracy.

    Those in command positions who have made themselves agents for shrinking our freedoms should remember that come the day of accounting the argument that they were merely obeying orders wouldn’t hold water. Their unconstitutional actions will be their legacy as they have nothing significant to report on the crime-fighting front.

    In their desperation to please the current occupants of Aso Villa, they forget that their real loyalty should be to the constitution – not to individuals who can vacate those powerful positions tomorrow.

    Being pliant tools in the hands of those controlling the levers of state might seem like the way things are done around here, but people should note that what they are actually doing is destroying an institution that should serve all – whether you are in power and or opposition.

    This deliberate act of attrition by those who ought to build up the organisation is a crime. It is one of the reasons the growth of our democracy will remain stunted. With the force reeking of the sordid smell of partisanship, it is difficult to see how political parties other than the one in power will accept the police as impartial arbiters as we draw closer to the 2015 electoral battles.

    But more than anything, the sorry state of our police speaks to the pedestrian quality of our political leadership. It comes down to whether you are a civilian with despotic traits or a visionary statesman.

    Those who are not small-minded understand that the police should be used to uphold freedoms and the constitution. The parochial would see the force as another tool for entrenching themselves in power and brutalising those who disagree with their ambitions.

    That is what separates the likes of Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, John Kuffour from the Robert Mugabes and Paul Biyas of this content. A country’s police force cannot be more elevated than those who control it. The way we’re abusing ours shows the leadership column into which our current masters fall.

    Lastly, the never-ending misuse of the force by successive rulers is the best argument for its reform. The only way to salvage anything from this ruin of an institution is to decentralise it and bury the Frankenstein monster that the national police have become.

  • Policemen for forensic training

    As part of efforts to reposition the Nigeria police, Inspector-General, Mr Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar has approved the training of personnel in forensic analysis.

    Abubakar is aware that public confidence in law enforcement agents has waned and has been working hard to change the perception.

    The IGP is looking forward to the inauguration of a new forensic laboratory at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos next year.

    To aid the running of the lab, the first batch of operatives is set to leave for a training exercise in forensic analysis in the United Kingdom, a source at the force headquarters has disclosed.

    It was learnt that these operatives who would also be grilled in gathering forensic  evidence at crime scenes, would be trained by specialists at the City of London Police forensic centre.

    Sources at the force headquarters told our correspondent that the course would be sponsored by some donor agencies which have partnered with the SFU and the Nigerian police.

    It was also gathered that the IGP has made all arrangements to equip the new forensic laboratory which is currently under construction at the SFU to compete with any forensic laboratory in the world.

    The IGP  has also said that the era of attacking police stations by terrorists is over.

    He said 16,000 policemen out of the 50,000 will go for intelligence training, while 10,000 will go for detective training, adding that the newly promoted Assistant Inspector Generals of Police have already undergone a two-week management course in Lagos.

    He has also ordered for 300 patrol vehicles to be deployed in all the major roads in the country for effective policing and safety of the people on highways.

    Sources said the IGP is impressed with the performance of the Commissioner of Police in charge of the SFU, Tunde Ogunsakin and his officers and men and has taken a special interest in the department.

    Besides, the IGP promised at the inception of his administration to train and re-train officers and men in all police department to ensure effective performance in the discharge of their duties.

    It was learnt that of all the departments under the ‘D’ Department (Force Criminal Investigations Department) the successes of SFU in its specified functions of investigating and reporting cases relating to Advanced Fee Fraud (419), Bank and Financial Fraud, Government Ministry Department, Agencies and Parastatals and cases emanating from the Diplomatic Community cannot be quantified.

    Sources said when Ogunsakin assumed duty on March 16, 2012, he made assessment of the two hundred and nine (209) men/women working in combating fraud and related financial crimes.

    It was gathered that Immediately, the 23 teams on ground were broken into 14 effective teams with a Team Manager for each of the teams that reports to the CP through the Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    The Unit identified training as a core element for development in fighting financial crimes.

    Ogunsakin with the support of IGP Abubakar  ensured that on the job training and re-training programme were organised on weekly basis for officers/men of the Unit to improve their efficiency and code of conduct.

    The Unit held its first ever Training/ Workshop on “The Dynamics Of Cashless Economy And Emerging Methods Of Financial Crimes” in November 2012 to update the know-how of the officers and men in the emerging cyber-crime, identity fraud and other related economic crimes. It followed up with another training/workshop in July this year with the theme: ”Corporate Fraud: Insider Abuse In Financial Institutions And The Implication On Developing Economy”.

    In this year’s edition,  resource persons from the City of London Police and Special Agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, United States of America were on ground to grill officers and men of the police anti-fraud department.

    Participants from the banking and financial sector, legal departments and other police section were also trained.

    Apart from training, the IGP has also ensured that operatives in all police department are properly quartered in conducive offices. Therefore, due to the increasing activities and work at the SFU, he laid the foundation  of Ibrahim Coomassie Building which is still under-construction.

    The Nation gathered that when completed, the building will house the modern forensic investigation laboratory which will ensure the much needed scientific analyses especially now that the Federal Government is implementing the 100% cashless transaction policy.

    The project will also usher in a modern structure that will accommodate facilities for Internal Personnel Training, Archive, Clinic, Modern Interrogation Room as well as additional office accommodation for detectives.

    It was gathered that the project is being carried out with informed participation and collaboration of the Stakeholders.

    The SFU also boasts of modern electronics appliances and modern investigation rooms which were donated by MultiChoice.

    Sources say the facility has the capacity to record audio and picture suspects with conferencing input while investigation is going on.

    This enables detectives to record all interrogation of suspects and also avail the CP the opportunity to monitor the interrogation from his office.  It is to serve as a proof that interrogation was not coerced, biased or compromised.

    The Unit has a well-equipped Computer Room with 12 Computers and two Printers, all connected with a Broadband Internet.

    It was gathered that the Computer Room has a Foster Freeman machine that can detect counterfeit within short time of its insertion.

    A Website with the address is www.specialfraudunit.org.ng has also been created for the unit to enable even complainants outside within and outside the country submit their petitions without the stress of travelling down to Lagos or Nigeria.

    Sources at the force headquarters told The Nation that the much celebrated case of Austrian woman who was caught in the scam of pong love was reported through the Website.  Also, that of the Greek woman who was conned by Nigerian fraudster to pay with her sets of musical instruments and other items through the internet.

    Abubarkar since his assumption as the police IG has concentrated more on the welfare of officers and men.

    He has advocated a N50, 000 minimum wage for a constable in the Force , saying such will go a long way to boost morale and promote efficiency.

    The IG said he had already made proposal to the Federal Government and making a “serious representation” for the actualisation of the new salary structure for the police. He said apart from salary, other welfare packages like housing, training, mortgage policy and efficient cooperative society are being restructured to ensure that every policeman benefits from the scheme. ‘We have started with the 500 housing unit in Abuja.’

    The commissioning of the Goodluck Jonathan police housing estate in Idimu, Lagos is an atestation to the fact that housing officers is paramount on the agenda of this administration. Other state governments have donated lands for a replicate of such projects in their states.

    The renovation of the Falomo police clinic, Ikoyi to an international standard and some other police clinics in the country is a pointer to the fact that the well-being of officers and men will propel the force to a greater highest.

    Abubakar has also  renovation of the Ikeja Police college, Lagos, the upgrading of the police academy Kano and massive renovation of other police colleges around the country   to create a conducive learning environment and training ground for operatives who will pilot the affairs of the force in the future.

    He also commissioned of the new Area 10 ‘D’ department office to ensure that officers and men have better offices to work in.

    It is also on record that the Anti-terrorist department has been beefed up with new robots that pick up explosives from crime scenes. This will help reduce the loss of human lives during such operation.

     

  • Court orders police to reinstate dismissed officer

     

    The National Industrial Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Nigeria Police Force to reinstate a dismissed officer, ASP Kelvin Nwagbu, immediately.

    The judge, Justice Oluseun Shogbola, gave the order while delivering judgment in a case of unlawful dismissal filed against the police by Nwagbu.

    Shogbola held that the dismissal of the claimant via wireless signal by the police was unconstitutional, adding that the Police Service Commission (PSC) was the only body with powers to dismiss an officer.

    She held that since the commission, which was responsible for recruitment, discipline and dismissal of police officers, had denied knowledge of the dismissal, the action of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was illegal.

    The judge therefore set aside the dismissal and ordered that the claimant be reinstated with all his salaries and allowances paid him in full.

    “Since the commission has denied knowledge of the letter of dismissal via wireless signal, the said dismissal is hereby set aside and ASP Kelvin Nwagbu should be reinstated without loss of any salary and allowances,” she declared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the police and the IGP, who were co-respondents in the suit, did not make any legal representation in the case.

    The claimant’s counsel, Mr. Isaac Tochukwu, urged the court to grant the prayers of his client since his claims were not controverted by the defendants.

     

  • Police probes Rivers Assembly fracas

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday wade into the crisis engulfing the Rivers State House of Assembly by sending a team of investigators led by a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations to the state.
    The Rivers State House of Assembly was turned to a battlefield on Tuesday as lawmakers fight thugs that stormed the assembly while police officers in uniform were also not left out in the free-for-all fight.
    Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja yesterday at the end of a closed door meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo and Minister of Police Affairs, Captain Caleb Olubolade (Rtd), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Abubakar Mohammed said that any police officer found wanting in the crisis would be punished.
    He said: “I am not aware. You see, the police have a responsibility to protect the citizen of this country but remember, we saw the video clip and you saw those who went to the Assembly. I think you should be asking who were those who went to the Assembly and why they went to the assembly? We are investigating that matter and whoever is found wanting will be sanctioned.”
    On whether satisfied with the conduct of the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and his team, he said: “What conduct? I am not in Port Harcourt and I am investigating. I have sent a DIG in charge of operations, he is in Port Harcourt and he will brief me the happenings and the action taken by police in Rivers state and necessary action will be taken against anybody who has anything to defend.”
    “You are free to make allegation but the allegation must be substantiated that yes, he has done something stupid. I have not gotten any written documentation that accused the commissioner of police of one particular offence till today.”
    Denying any knowledge of policemen tear-gassing government house yesterday, he said: “That is not true, no reasonable commissioner of police will go and tear gas government house, it is not true.”
    The Minister of Police Affairs, Captain Caleb Olubolade (Rtd), while speaking on the issue said: “The police is an institution, the police have a duty to perform and they will always play their role. If certain things happened there and there, there must be a reason.”
    “If somebody has erred in his duty, he will be held responsible. That I can assure you but the police can be on this side and they can be on the other side. They still have a duty to perform.
    “So when you look at issues of what happened in that assembly, don’t take it as you see the photograph because somebody has a duty to perform whichever side because both sides have security men attached to them. We must be careful in jumping into conclusion. Let us see how it plays out.” He stated

  • Nigeria Police move detained Jalla to Lagos

    Players’ Union outcast Harrison Jalla, who has been in detention in Abuja since Friday, 28th December, 2012 has finally been moved to Lagos by the Nigerian Police for further interrogation and investigation.

    Jalla, who illegally continues to claim to be the Chairman of a so-called National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF), was arrested at a Federal High Court, Abuja on 28th December and has been in custody of the Nigerian Police since then.

    On Friday, 4th January, 2013, the Police moved the fellow from the Federal Capital, Abuja to Lagos as he countenanced tougher days ahead in custody.

    It would be recalled that Jalla’s NANF was officially expelled from the world players’ union, FIFPro in November 2008, during the latter’s Annual Congress in Chile. This fact was confirmed to the Nigerian Football Federation via a letter signed by Stephane Burchkailer, General Secretary of the Division Africa of FIFPro, on 20th February, 2009.

    Jalla had been declared wanted by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi-Lagos last year, and with the authority of the Inspector-General of Police. A warrant of arrest was duly obtained from Magistrate Court in Lagos State.

    A principal stakeholder in Nigerian football, who did not want his name in print, said on Friday: “It is good that Jalla has been arrested. He has constituted himself into a nuisance despite having no base or legitimacy, and has projected himself for many years as an enemy of peace. He should be severely dealt with.”