The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NIGERIAN POLICE

  • Romance of Nigerian Police and corruption

    Romance of Nigerian Police and corruption

    Sir: The confluence of corruption and the Nigerian Police Force traces its origins to the colonial era, during which the colonial administration, in its bid to maintain control, often utilized the police as a tool of coercion. This not only sowed the seeds of suspicion between law enforcement and the populace but also precipitated a climate conducive to the cultivation of corruption. The nascent mistrust between the police and citizens fostered a fertile ground upon which corruption germinated and flourished to become such an impediment in the country.

    The nefarious nexus between the Police and corruption has spawned a plethora of manifestations, ranging from the quotidian to the profoundly systemic.

    The more pernicious forms of police corruption exist as demands for bribes during routine stops, extortion from citizens in their quotidian activities and abuse of power for personal gain. There are numerous reports of officers involved in embezzlement, drug trafficking, human rights violations, and collaborating with criminal elements. The far-reaching consequences arising from the intricate interplay of corruption and the Nigerian Police have cast a profoundly detrimental impact on society. The erosion of public trust in the law enforcement apparatus has resulted in a significant hindrance to cooperative efforts, thereby impeding the effective identification, apprehension, and subsequent prosecution of criminals. Consequently, the frequency and severity of criminal activities have surged, thus contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of insecurity and societal instability.

    Moreover, the compromised reputation of the police force extends beyond national borders, acting as a deterrent to potential foreign investments and thereby exerting a stifling effect on the nation’s overall economic growth.

    Read Also: Still on the trouble with Nigerian Police

    Reports detailing instances of police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the blatant abuse of power serve as stark and unsettling reminders of the pressing need for comprehensive reform. These grave transgressions underscore the urgent necessity to sever the symbiotic bond that ties corruption to law enforcement, thereby establishing a framework that can safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens and effectively reinstate the rule of law.

    A multitude of underlying factors have perpetuated and intricate relationship between corruption and the Nigerian Police. The meagre compensation and substandard working conditions endured by officers have propelled them towards engaging in unethical conduct as a means of survival. Simultaneously, the lack of effective mechanisms to hold errant officers accountable contributed to a pervasive culture of impunity within the police force. Additionally, the absence of robust training programs focused on ethics and professionalism has further exacerbated this quandary, leaving officers vulnerable to ethical ambiguity and moral dilemmas. This multifaceted predicament underscores the necessity for comprehensive and systemic reform efforts that address these deeply-rooted catalysts of corruption.

    The imperative to disentangle the Nigerian Police from the grip of corruption necessitates a multifaceted approach. First and foremost, there’s an urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the police structure, including far-reaching reforms in recruitment, training, and compensation. By implementing rigorous oversight mechanisms and establishing independent bodies to investigate police misconduct, it becomes possible to restore public confidence and ensure accountability.

    To achieve this, a revamp of the recruitment process is essential. Introducing stringent background checks, psychological evaluations, and aptitude tests can help filter out potentially corrupt individuals during recruitment. This can be complemented with adequate payment of the officers and comprehensive trainings that focus not only on law enforcement skills but also on ethics, human rights, and community engagement. 

    Furthermore, the adoption of technology-driven solutions can significantly enhance transparency within the Nigerian Police. Equipping officers with body cameras during their duties can provide an unbiased record of interactions, preventing abuse of power and discouraging corrupt behaviour. Digital records and databases can help streamline administrative processes and reduce opportunities for manipulation.

    Collaborative endeavours that bring together government determination, civil society initiatives, and international collaboration are pivotal in constructing a united anti-corruption framework that aligns with Nigeria’s distinctive requirements. Civil society organizations can play a crucial role in advocating for police reform and ensuring that the government remains accountable in its efforts. International partnerships can provide expertise, resources, and benchmarks from successful police reforms in other nations.

    Equally, strengthening the judiciary and legal systems can ensure that cases of police misconduct are promptly and fairly addressed. Likewise, Whistle-blower protection programmes can encourage officers to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

    • Hisham Saleh Gidado, hishamsalehgidado@gmail.com

  • POISONED CHALICE (2)

    One week after we published a report on how internet fraudsters have infiltrated and polluted the music industry, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) clamped down on some artistes, including Naira Marley, who we reported used his social media handle to ask Nigerians to pray for Yahoo boys. In this follow –up to the report, the EFCC and the Nigerian Police have read the riot acts to artistes and celebrities who use their songs and clouts to promote internet fraud and fraudsters. Will this mark the end of brazen promotion of the internet fraud and fraudsters by Nigerian artistes? INNOCENT DURU asks.

    The hip hop genre of music from the later part of year 2, 000 witnessed some strange lyrical compositions when some of the artistes with impunity began to record and promote songs that tacitly supported internet fraud, popularly known as yahoo yahoo.

    From that moment, the number of artistes promoting the ugly practice began to increase in leaps and bounds, to the chagrin of many industry watchers who wondered if the society still had any values left  at all.

    But a ray of hope that the society has not lost it all  emerged last week when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  arrested two fast-rising artistes, Afeez Fashola (aka Naira Marley) and Temidayo Omoniyi (aka Zlatan) and three others whose names were given as Tiamiu Abdulrahman, Adewunmi Adeyanju and Musa Abubakar.

    According to the EFCC, the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in internet fraud. Although, all the suspects, except Naira Marley, were released before press time.

    Findings showed that some  artistes who had at one point or the other recorded  songs promoting internet fraud had been jittery since the arrest of their colleagues last week.

    “There is certainly a level of fear among our guys who have done such songs. There are some of them who have gone into hiding since last week because they feel that the EFCC would also come for them. We sincerely don’t know where this would lead us to in the industry, especially

    as these guys (yahoo boys) are the one filling the financial gap when the need arises,” a fast rising artiste, who did not want his name in print, said.

    The level of destructive influence that artistes promoting unholy songs have on  their fans became evident during the week when some of them began to attack everyone who spoke ill of their embattled music idols.

    Veteran rapper, Micheal Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman,  who had severely condemned the Naira Marley’s post supporting Yahoo boys received series of death threats for daring to criticise the dreadlock-wearing artiste.

    Ruggedy Baba, as he is also fondly called by his admirers, was forced to issue an apology after receiving series of threat from the fans. Ruggedman was alleged by the fans to have masterminded the artistes’ arrest.

    One of the fans, Michael_tom_j, in his post said: “You think sending them to jail

    will make them learn their lessons?  Trust me, you just started something you can’t finish. Watch where you enter . Me and my guys see you for Abuja or Accra.  You go believe. If you doubt, announce your coming.

    Another fan, who posted using the name swapplife, said: “The day we see you in London or East Africa, you will understand what Naira Marley means to the stress!!! Snitch!!!,  … you go get, yours soon”.

    Stunch_23, a fan of the artiste, said: “Please, can you mind your business? Thought  you were cool but now you are just a snitch. Why don’t you talk about the corrupt  leaders milking  the country dry? But you came after Naira. Are they the problem of  of Nigeria? I regret ever loving your song… you  don’t make no sense, free  zanku boys”.

    In his post, a fan, Dr.young_geo, posted: “Bro, the street hates you for real.”

    Issuing a threat to Ruggedman, Vincent 4347, posted: “Hand  go meet you very soon. Your cup go soon full.”

     

    Ruggedman eats humble pie, apologises

    Apparently rattled by the death threat,

    Ruggedman took to his Instagram and posted:  “Why would I want an artist arrested? What will be my gain?I have read and heard all sorts of comments pertaining to the @nairamarley case and seen the misinformation making the rounds, which are quite unfortunate,  to say the least.

    “I note that saying I was ‘happy in a way’ about his arrest has evidently frayed some nerves and for that, I apologise. It was in hope that it would serve as a deterrent for persons who might consider the said ills or need to make a U-turn. It by no means was intended to wish for his downfall. It perhaps was not a good choice of word in hindsight. I do not look forward to anyone’s downfall but rather hope we all learn from the situation.

    “I do not know Naira Marley personally”, the artistes further said, adding: “The same way I do not know the over 300 Nigerians I have gotten justice for against police brutality. I do it because it is who I am. All I did was caution a young artist, who has influence, against making utterances about an issue that by the global standard is considered a crime. I believe correcting this was the way to go as an elder, but got insulted for this even by those being misled.

    “I never responded to Naira Marley’s invectives nor those of his fans, same way I have not responded to any of the negative comments from social media.

    “I hereby state categorically that I had nothing to do with his arrest. We all must recall that he glorified fraud on a public platform where security agencies like the Police, NDLEA and EFCC are also on. I am sure they saw his posts and captions the same way we all did. I, however, was the one that cautioned him. I guess this was what led all the darts and arrows my way as literal mortal retribution to my person.

    “Despite the disrespect to my person, I got nothing against him and only longed for him to be discerning and utilise his position of influence appropriately.May God bless you all and yes that includes those wishing me evil and threatening me. Nothing will change who I am and I will keep you all in my prayers. God bless us all.”

     

    EFCC, Police read riot acts to artistes, celebrities

    The EFCC Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade, in chat  with The Nation said the commission is not limiting its operations  to the two artistes .” It is an on-going thing.  If you have been following our activities, you will find out that we have been up against these internet fraudsters for quite some time.  It is a continuation of that exercise that this last weekend’s operation was carried out.  We are not relenting on our efforts. Everything that needs to be done will be done. Whoever is associated with internet fraudsters, yahoo yahoo boys in terms of

    aiding and abetting them, it is going to be a total clampdown.

    “It is not limited to Naira Marley or the five. We are already out against anything relating to internet fraud.  Naira Marley is a musician. His relationship with these boys  is what has led him to where is he is right now.  We believe that people will learn their lessons and begin to retrace their steps by doing the right thing.  They should shun what is evil.  Whatever it is that is within the mandate of the commission,  we would not relent to carry it out.”

    For musicians, who had used their songs to promote internet fraud and fraudsters in the past,  Orilade said: “If you have done the song in the past, and for instance, you are invited to perform,  and your fans are asking you to give them this song or that song,  and you say, I have made a mistake in terms of singing such,  I have repented  from that which I used to do before.  It is normal that we would also see  such a repentance as genuine.

    “But a situation where you had done it before and we didn’t ask you to come and answer questions and you go out last weekend or next weekend  and  you are singing and dancing  and they are celebrating you, we would still call you to answer questions.  That you have done it in the past is not enough. It is that you are still upholding to it that is the issue.”

    He added that the commission has always had collaborations  with stakeholders  with the aim of checking fraudulent activities.  He said: “The fight against corruption, economic and financial crime is not  a fight for few persons, the acting chairman, Ibrahim Mustapha  Magu or for management and staff of  the commission.  It is for everybody. We are in schools, in public institutions and in markets. We are calling for partnership from the media and everybody.  We are saying, come and partner with us”.

    Commending the first part of our report, Orilade said: “ What you(The Nation) did was novel.  You were able to expose the evil through another dimension- through music. And today,  even you, I am sure you are happy seeing the result of the efforts you  have put up.  From your introductory remark, I know that you are happy.  The point I am making is that we need the partnership of everybody.  We cannot do it alone”.

    Explaining the effect  of songs promoting yahoo songs  on the citizens,  Orilade said: “There is something about hearing. Even the Bible says ‘Faith comes by hearing and hearing  the word of God’. It is whatever you hear that defines your future.  What we are saying is that there should be re-orientation.  There are better things to be done for livelihood.  Corruption, yahoo yahoo, internet fraud  is not a way of life.  Today, more than 200 of the boys have been convicted  in the last four months.  Today, they are ex-convicts.  No matter how they look at it, their future has been given a dent.  For the next 10 years, they have no voice in the political affairs of this country.  If you look at the laws, they cannot vie for any political office.

    “These hitherto  are guys that would come out of school and ordinarily would have loved to vie for local government chairmanship , councillorship , and other positions but that opportunity has been lost because of greed.   Most of these boys are even in school. I don’t expect somebody who is in school to pursue a four-year course  to want to ride a G- wagon,  build a house in Victoria Island and Banana Island  just because they are into yahoo yahoo and we are saying no to it because it is giving the country a very bad image. We would arraign Naira Marley when our investigation is completed.”

    The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba, in a separate chat with our correspondent, said the Force is certainly doing something about the ugly development.  “Sure. The only thing I can tell you now, because I am not going to tell you all we are doing, is that we are monitoring their activities and we are monitoring the cyber space.

    “Crime, for me, is anything that you do to aid and abet, it is a crime on its own.  Nigerians should be made to understand, in both our private and public life, we should not do things that will encourage anything that could aid the commission of crime.

    “Let me summarise my point again. We are monitoring the activities of these people you mentioned; we are monitoring their activities and the cyber space specifically for the activities of fraudulent people and the activities of those that aid and abet the activities of fraudulent people.”

    Leaving his final words for members of the public, Mba said: “The message I am leaving for Nigerians is that if you are a musician or you are considered a celebrity by any definition, you should be a role model and a positive role model for that matter.  Therefore, if you are a celebrity, we expect you to use your influence either your one-on-one relationship, or your social media influence  to impact positively on the society.  If you decide to do otherwise and begin to use your influence to aid and abet the commission of crime, we would come after you.

    “We have not arrested any artiste for promoting internet fraud.  But  the current IG  has a very strong  Interpol  background and as I speak to you,  he is almost perfecting  plans to establish a strong cyber crime laboratory for the Nigerian Police Force and I can bet you,  when that comes in full force, ah! Nigeria will be too hot for Yahoo and other forms of cybercrimes.”

     

    I wholly support security agencies -PMAN President Pretty Okafor

    The Chairman of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria ( PMAN), Pretty Okafor, in a chat with The Nation, hailed the

    plan by the security agencies to  put a stop to the promotion of fraud by artistes.

    Recalling his remark when the first part of the report was published, Okafor said: “Remember that I condemned the practice when you did the first part of the report without knowing it is going to come to this level. When I was called that Naira Marley and others  were arrested,  I did’t make any statement.  Now, they wanted me to be calling the police an the EFCC, but I said no. We are all adults and once you are 15 years old, you know what is right and what is wrong. The situation of the country right now does not allow us to encourage those kinds of illicit songs or lyrics.

    “Musicians are like prophets. Whatever they sing about is what people take. Songs and lyrics mould the mind and if it moulds the mind wrongly, it would mould them to confuse them.  That is what this brand of music does. If it influences 60 percent of the youth, it would be disastrous in the country.  I saw the reaction of Naira Marley when Ruggedman talked down on  that kind of lyrics. You can’t come out openly and be making a boast that you are a yahoo boy. I saw the reaction of the younger ones who were saying that Naira Marley should be left alone because he is living his life and that he is being envied.

    “How can you be envying somebody that is doing the wrong thing? We have said you guys can’t  be doing this. We have a reputation to maintain in the industry. We  need to bring back the reputation of the country. We cannot go far with what we want to brand,” Okafor said.

    He expressed satisfaction that the government, through the security agencies, is  already addressing the menace. “It is good that the government is looking at it from this angle because we don’t have regulation system. When you are trying to put things up, some are trying to bring it down.

    “If this kind of position had been maintained two to three years ago,  this kind of songs wouldn’t have seen the light of the day because there is no way it would pass through the channel to even come out on the radio for the society to listen to it.

    “It is a beautiful  idea  that the EFCC has swung into action. I am giving them kudos for that. No matter what the younger ones think, to be yahoo boy  or kidnapper to survive…? That is what they are promoting . Are you telling us that we should all be carrying guns because you want to drive Mercedes Benz? Or is it that the weed they are taking is disturbing their thinking faculty? We are not empowered to enforce that kind of rule where people are arrested, but since the security system is now waking up to its responsibility, I give them my 300 support.”

  • Police nab 93 kidnap suspects

    The Police on Thursday said they had arrested 93 suspected kidnappers in different parts of North Central, North East and North West Zones of the country.

    Force spokesman and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frank MBA, said in a statement in Abuja that the suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Operation Puff Adder.

    According to Mba, one rocket launcher, 35 AK47 rifles,10 locally-made AK47 rifles and 500 live ammunition, eight locally-made revolver pistols, 10 pairs of military camouflage uniform, two operational vehicles and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.

    He said that the operations leading to the arrest of the suspects was carried out by joint team of police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, North-Central sector.

    “The team consists of detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Force Intelligence Unit, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS).

    Read also: Police parade 33 serial rapists in Kano

    “Other operatives in the Joint Mission include personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF) the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and the Special Forces., ” he said.

    He said that police investigators had commenced comprehensive investigation of all the suspects.

    The spokesman said that the investigations among other things, were aimed at tracking, uncovering and disrupting the sources of arms supply to the criminal groups.

    He said that it was also to identify their collaborators and bring all involved in these heinous crimes to justice.

    Mba said that the achievements recorded by the police within the last few days were in line with the objectives and core mandates of Operation Puff Adder.

    “The achievements are also indicative of the fact that the security agents are now winning the war against the criminal elements,”he said.

    He said that the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, had reiterated the commitment of the police to restoring sanity on the country’s highways and cities.

    The IGP, while commending operatives for their sacrifice and resilience, also expressed gratitude to the general public for providing credible intelligence that had helped the police in achieving the successes recorded so far. ​( NAN)

  • Police warns officers against misuse of weapons

    Oyo state Police Command on Tuesday gave a stern warning against any misuse of firearms or weapons by any member of the state police Command, as stiffer penalty awaits any police officer found to have misused such weapons on the citizens they were hired to protect.

    While being reminded of their responsibility to protect lives and property, the Command gave a marching order to the officers to flush out criminally minded individuals, but doing so professionally.

    The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Shina Olukolu gave the warming Tuesday at the launch of Operation Puff Adder held at the Eleyele, Ibadan Police Headquarters, in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu .

    According to the state Police Commissioner, the IG’s directive is that every state replicate the launch of the Operation code named (Puff Adder) to ensure that criminal elements are flushed out of the society and Oyo state must follow suit.

    He said the warning became imperative because Nigeria society has continually looked on to the police to effectively deal with crime in the land, adding that the ideas about how should go about it varies; notwithstanding, the police men must discharge their responsibility with utmost care and professionalism.

    “Therefore, the police force as a professional body must continually restrategise and ensure more result oriented tactics employed or emplaced to combat crime. Today, there appears to be unwelcome high profile crimes such as kidnapping, assassination, armed robbery, farmer and herder’s clash, cattle rustling, and other related crimes. These crimes are giving the police high command a great concern.

    “However, in these trying times coupled with insufficient logistics, the force is resilient in curbing these crimes restoring peace and providing adequate protections for lives and properties of the good people of Oyo state in particular and Nigeria in general,” he said.

    After the launch of the Operation Puff Adder, the decorated a total number of 155 police officers who were recently promoted to the next rank.

    The exited officers who filed out one after the other to get decorated with their new ranks were also counseled to exhibit professionalism in the course of the duties  by the Commissioner of Police , who reminded them that to whom much was given , much is also expected.

  • NAF, Police, DSS plan joint action against bandits, kidnappers in Northwest

    The Nigerian Air Force, The Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security (DSS) have resolved to work together to dislodge bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts in the northwest of the country.

    According to the spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the interagency collaboration followed the visit of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed A Adamu and the Director General of DSS, Yusuf Bichi to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar at NAF headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Air Commodore Daramola explained in a statement that besides sharing intelligence on ways to dislodge bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts, the NAF would also make available air assets in support of the other agencies to secure the affected States in the zone.

    The statement reads: “As part of inter-agency cooperation to address security challenges in the country,  especially the issue of kidnapping and armed banditry along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari axis, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to support the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies with real time ‪geospatial and imagery intelligence whilst making available its air assets for the conduct of tactical air support missions and ‪increasing the frequency of air reconnaissance in the affected areas.

    ” The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, disclosed this today, 3 April 2019, while playing host to the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and the Director-General DSS (DG DSS), Yusuf Bichi, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja.

    ” The IGP and DG DSS on arrival at HQ NAF immediately went into a closed-door meeting with the CAS before undertaking a guided tour of facilities at the newly established, state-of-the-art Geospatial-Intelligence Data Centre (GIDC) and Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC).

    “The GIDC, which is equipped with high-tech computer hardware and software, was established to enhance‪ the acquisition, analysis,  interpretation and exploitation of imagery and geospatial information to provide actionable intelligence for the Armed Forces and other security   agencies, while the equally well-equipped SAOC is expected to greatly enhance the coordination of air operations in support of internal security operations across the Country.

    Read also: El-Rufai’s convoy foils kidnapping along Kaduna-Abuja road

    “While inspecting the facilities, the Acting IGP expressed delight and satisfaction with the cutting edge technologies and sophisticated computer software at the Centres.

    “He said the essence of the visit to the CAS was to explore possibilities of using NAF air assets and the products of the GIDC to improve the effectiveness of operations to deal with issue of kidnapping and armed banditry, especially along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and other parts of the country including Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kogi States.

    “According to him, as a result of the onslaught by security agencies against the armed bandits in Zamfara State, the criminals had moved towards the Abuja axis to carry out their nefarious activities.

    “I felt that as a security agency, we need to synergize with other security outfits. We don’t have the air capability but the NAF has them. With this we can have a joint operation to deal with this security issue”, he said.

    ” The IGP appreciated the CAS for making NAF air assets available for the operation and also availing the NPF and DSS of the capabilities of the GIDC and SAOC.

    “He also congratulated him for emplacing such facilities and making them available to other security agencies to enhance internal security operations for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

     

  • Security experts counsel on violence-free polls

    For obvious reasons, the issue of security in today’s elections has provoked serious discourse across the land, especially after President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to security agencies to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers. His argument is that he did not want a situation where the elections would be disrupted by political thugs while he would be the one to blame for it.

    Understandably, the opposition parties have sought to make a political capital of the President’s instruction, describing it as an invitation to jungle justice while there are punishments the constitution stipulates for electoral offences, including ballot box snatching.

    Interestingly, many of the security experts whose opinions were sought on the matter tend to sympathise with the President’s position. They see the issue of ballot snatching and other electoral crimes as desperate problems requiring desperate solutions. They also expressed their expectations from the elections in terms of security.

    The Pioneer Commandant of the Nigerian War College and two term Minister of Science and Technology, Gen. Sam Momah (rtd), believes that there may not be need for security agencies to bare their fangs in today’s elections because he expects it to be free of violence.

    “I think the President’s directive about ballot-box snatching was misinterpreted by people because the law, as it is, adequately takes care of the punishment for anyone who takes part in snatching of ballot boxes,” he said.

    He noted that although the one-week postponement had put the nation at crossroads and further raised the tension in the polity, the electoral process will henceforth be faultless on account of tight security. He called on the government to henceforth be careful of the actions it takes in respect to today’s polls.

    He said the onus right now rests on the government to ensure that the elections are free, fair and devoid of violence all over the country.

    “The mistakes that were made in the past whereby a frosty relationship existed between the executive and the legislature will be corrected,” he said. “The government should also lessen the tension in the polity in today’s elections. INEC must ensure that all forms of tension are defused by making sure that there is no more election postponement. INEC should do things professionally so that the organisation can regain its credibility.”

    An ex-army officer and CEO of August Security Limited, Ambassador Roy Oamien Okhidievbie, was relieved that “the brouhaha of the election postponement from last Saturday has simmered down. The blame throwing, name calling, hate speeches and wanton display of democratic gymnastics have  taken their toll.

    “Behind and under all of these, grave security pluses and minuses came to fore and active actors in our political and security spaces could rightly tell where the pendulum would have swung to.

    “INEC, the international observers, the political parties and the party candidates must have gone through what is statutory, what was prepared for and what would have gone amiss.

    “Politicians were shocked to discover that their teams were either not prepared or compromised, and certain trusted persons were exposed by this postponement.

    “The security agencies must have been plagued and bombarded with intelligence reports, providing and proving that a lacuna existed in what they thought was a water tight security architecture.

    “I saw videos and footages of planned but foiled infractions like fake electoral materials, abducted electoral materials and stranded materials arriving at wrong destinations.

    “I saw NYSC youths stranded and saddled with the responsibility of their own welfare and security. I saw security officers without any care or concerns about their motivations nor payments for their agreed daily stipend.

    “My recommendation would be that international observers must separate junk media from reality and plan adequately to position themselves for first-hand information.

    “The political parties must understand that no one can be trusted with sustaining the integrity of their party. They should immediately conform to the rules of engagement for this election.

    “The candidates must speak to themselves rather than anyone else. They must embrace the sad reality that any infractions on this electoral process traced to them would incur international wrath and may attract visa restrictions to them and families, medical travel bans, confiscation of assets abroad, and so on.

    “Personnel of security agencies must adhere to the rules of engagement and international best practices in the discharge of their roles, while Nigerians as a whole, at this point, should simply be of utmost conformity. It is my prayer that we have  peaceful, free and fair elections today as stated in the postponed register.”

    On his part, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), believes that electoral violence has historically been a common occurrence in Nigeria’s political history. “However,” he said, “a lot of concerted efforts have been geared towards voter education and reinforcement of civil society capacity to mitigate the causes of it. The security sector has equally been reforming itself in line with global best practices.”

    “The President is right with the order to checkmate the issue of thuggery and ballot box snatching in this 2019 election with the use of the military,” says Retired Army Captain Ali A. Mohammed. “If anyone was planning to disrupt the election in anyway or planning to snatch a ballot box, at least the President’s order gave the immediate guideline of what will happen to such a person. The presidential order involves both the law enforcement officers and the military and the President did not say that people should be shot at but implied that such people who snatch ballot boxes, would be ruthlessly dealt with. But even if the President said that snatchers of ballot boxes should be shot at, it is still in accordance with the law. You know doing things unlawfully or taking things by force is the literal meaning of thuggery. If you compare that interpretation with what an armed robber does, is it not the same thing? If an armed robber is caught, what happens to him or what are you expected to do? Are you going to wait for the armed robber to kill you? Those thugs who go out to carry ballot boxes go armed! And they disrupt the peace of the public and sometimes even kill people in the process of snatching the boxes and getting away.”

  • Police arrest lawmaker’s brother, two others, for unlawful possession of arms

    The police in Delta state says it has arrested three, including a younger brother to the lawmaker representing Udu constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, for alleged possession of arms.

    The suspects, Akpevwe Uviejitobor, David Ukiri and Alfred Joseph, were according to a statement by the police, apprehended by officers deployed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to secure electoral materials.

    The statement which was signed by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Orisewejie Chuks, revealed that the trio claimed to be  vigilante members, detailed by their “chairman” to escort electoral materials.

    Expressing shock over the level at which voluntary organizations are meddling into security matters, especially as it concerns the 2019 elections, the police reiterated that it is no business of theirs to provide security during the polls.

    Recall that the police had banned vigilante groups from engaging in matters of elections only few days back.

    The statement added that only the Nigerian Police, Army, Navy, Civil Defence, Federal Road Safety, Immigration, Air Force and DSS are tasked with security responsibility in the course of the voting exercise.

    It further cautioned stakeholders who have or plan to use the services of private security agents, volunteers, vigilante guards for the purpose of securing or escorting electioneering materials to halt such plans, adding that, “any such armed private security personnel in whatever form or guise will be approximately dealt with”.

    The suspects, The Nation gathered, have been moved to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, for further interrogations.

    Reacting to the development, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), House of Assembly Candidate in the area, Mr. Benjamin Sharta, said the arrest confirmed their “claims,” that some persons intend to hijack the electoral process.

    Commending the police for being proactive, Sharta stated that the arrests will help secure the people’s mandate and ensure peace in the area.

    Calling on Udu people to come out en masse to vote, he said, “I want to thank the Police Force because at first, we were thinking that nobody will come out on the voting day to cast their votes. Every normal Nigerian must exercise his civic duty. This alone will make Udu people come out en masse to vote for their various choices.

    “What other persons have been thinking is how to disrupt votes with their arms which they bought but by the help and intelligence of the Police Force, God has vindicated our claims. Because when we were telling some persons, they were thinking that we were just trying to play tricks.

    “We are very, very happy to have the people of Udu relieved. Those hoodlums who want to disrupt them from casting their votes have been apprehended. Also, know that some are still running with one or two arms in their possessions, but with the position of the Police, we believe those persons will be apprehended and brought to book,” the lawmaker hopeful stressed.

  • Gay leader, teenager held for alleged sodomy

    ….As police lunch manhunt for cleric, business moguls

    The police in Lagos have arrested a 16-year-old boy and an alleged kingpin Prince Chinecherem, 32, for engaging in homosexuality.

    Chinecherem, the police claimed, was a ringleader of a gay gang who engaged in their illegal acts in Lekki.

    According to Lagos state Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, Chinecherem was using the teenager as commercial sex worker, explaining that aside sleeping with him, he also gave him to other men requiring his service.

    Their case, Edgal said was worst because both men were tested and found to be Human Immune Virus (HIV) positive which means their customers might have contracted same through them.

    Already, the police have declared two prominent pastors and some business executives wanted for allegedly having canal knowledge of the minor and belonging to the illegal group.

    It was gathered that Chinecherem during interrogation, gave the identities of other members of the group including the prominent persons being hunted.

    Narrating how they were apprehended, Edgal told reporters that on January 22, at Ejigbo, a teenager was seen sneaking out of Chinecherem’s house in a suspicious manner.

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    He said curious neighbours accosted him and asked what he had gone to the house to do but he could not answer satisfactorily.

    He was thereafter asked to open a plastic bag he was carrying and the neighbours saw used condoms with semen inside.

    “At this point, the boy revealed that Prince Chinecherem was his lover. The matter was immediately reported to the Police at Ejigbo and the said Prince Chinecherem was arrested for interrogation. After preliminary investigation, the matter was called for further enquiry by the Gender Section of the Command.

    “Both the suspects and the survivor were taken for medical examination and the result revealed that the survivor has long been introduced to homosexual act. The worst is that both of them are infected with HIV virus which causes AIDS,” he said.

    Edgal further disclosed that the suspects would be charged to Sexual and Special Offences Court in Ikeja and that the boy had been sent to health counselors for health talk on how to manage the situation.

  • Police kill suspected robber in Enugu

    The anti-robbery operatives of Enugu State Police Command have in an overnight operation dislodged a gang of suspected armed robbers, killing one while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    The command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who made the disclosure on Thursday said the gang were in the habit of blocking 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Awka Road with big stones and woods while robbing motorists.

    According to Amaraizu, the operatives confronted the armed robbers on the road at 3 a.m. at Agungwu, Ugwuoba in Oji River axis of the major road.

    He said that the feat was achieved by the operatives of the Oji River Division of the command.

    “It was, however, gathered that the suspected armed robbers had already formed the said roadblock when through intelligence information, the police operatives swooped on them.

    “In the ensuing gun encounter between the police operatives and the armed robbers, one of the armed robbery kingpins (names withheld) from Ebonyi was hit by police bullet which left him fatally injured and was later confirmed dead on arrival at a nearby hospital by a doctor.

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    “Other members of his gang believed to also have been touched by police operatives’ bullets escaped into the bush,’’ the spokesman said in a statement.

    Amaraizu said that a manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang had been intensified, while a full scale investigation had commenced into the incident.

    “The command advises members of the public, especially hospital owners and doctors to watch out and report anyone that will approach their medical facilities with a wound suspected to be that of bullet wound for necessary action.

    “Police operatives are now conducting search for the fleeing members of the gang everywhere within Oji River and its environs,’’ the spokesman added.

  • Two ex-convicts nabbed for robbery

    The Zone II Police Command said it has arrested two robbery suspects through its Zonal Intervention Squad operatives.

    Oseni Usman, 34 and Taiwo Orogbemi, 46 – both ex-convicts were on Monday arrested around 9:30am.

    A statement by its spokespersons Dolapo Badmos, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said the command operatives while on Visibility Policing around Ogere Remo within Ogun State intercepted a Toyota Sienna Bus, brown in colour with two occupants.

    “On flagging down the vehicle the suspects attempted to escape but the policemen were able to nab them due to their alertness. On searching the vehicle, a locally made cut to size gun with three live cartridges were recovered,” Badmos said.

    Read Also: Police arrest two robbery suspects, recover gun in Lagos

    The suspects, she said, were moved to police base for investigation.

    “Upon interrogation, the two suspects confessed to have robbed residents of Akobo Area of Ibadan in Oyo State where they stole goods worth N2 million. They stated further that part of their loots like phones, laptops and other gadgets have been sold to some receivers in Oyo State while the sienna bus was been taken to Lagos for a ready buyer,” she said.

    According to her, the suspects confessed to have formed a gang while serving their jail term in Agodi Prison, Ibadan, revealing that their operational base is at Ibadan.

    The operational strategy the command put in place for the Yuletide season actually paid off, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Lawal Shehu has directed the operatives to fish out other perpetrators involved in the crime to ensure due prosecution,” she said.