The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police Mobile Force (PMF)

  • Election: PMF to protect INEC officials, observers

    As part of efforts to ensure hitch free election, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has disclosed that the Police Mobile Force (PMF), will be in charge of the protection of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, local and international observers, and other sensitive materials.

    The Police boss also said they will be deployed to strategic locations across the country so as to quickly respond to any security threat.

    He assured Nigerians and the international community that the Officers that would be deployed on election security operations have been adequately exposed to tailor-made professional trainings towards ensuring that they undertake their duties in the most civil manner.

    Adamu made this known in Abuja during a meeting with the Squadron Commanders of the 68 PMF squadrons across the country.

    Read Also: 2019: INEC accredits 144 observer groups

    Giving details of the roles to be carried out by the Commanders and the entire unit during the election, Adamu said: “The mandate of the Police Mobile Force as prescribed in Section 25 of the Police Act Cap 359, Laws of the Federation 1990 is to act as a strike Force that can rapidly be deployed as a cohesive specialized Police component to complement the conventional Police detachments in performing critical internal security assignments. They could also be deployed to support the Military in national security operations. It is within this context, that the Police Mobile Force are currently actively involved in the counter terrorism campaign in the North East and other special operations along with the military in other parts of the country.

    “In line with its mandate, and in relation to the election security plans, the Police Mobile Force will be deployed to provide robust protection for local and international election observers, INEC Officials and sensitive electoral materials as well as critical national infrastructures.

    “They shall also be engaged in supporting the other arms of the Force in undertaking intelligence-led operations in areas identified as high risk in the threat analysis report.

    He continued: “The Police Mobile Units shall be located at strategic places across the country to respond swiftly to any security threat, while also undertaking street patrols to deter criminal acts in the course of the elections. Details of this deployment shall form part of our discussion during this conference.”

    Adamu also called on politicians and the electorate to place national security interest above their personal interests and be guided by the overriding obligation to situate all their actions within extant rules.

    “The Police under my watch are firmly committed to ensuring a robust election security management that will guarantee a conducive environment for citizens to freely exercise their electoral franchise. Nonetheless, we are fully prepared to deploy our uniquely potent assets to deal decisively with any individual or group that may attempt to threaten our internal security interests before, during or after the general elections.”

  • 34 suspected IPOB members arrested

    The Police Command in Anambra has arrested 34 suspected members  of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in connection with the killing of a police Inspector in Nnewi.

    SP Haruna Mohammed , spokesman of the command made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

    Haruna said that some personnel and a Divisional Police Officer ( DPO ) were  also wounded while  a police patrol van was set ablaze.

    The spokesman said that anti-riot Police Mobile Force ( PMF ),Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), EOD and Special Anti-Cult Unit Personnel and conventional police have been deployed to Nnewi and environs.

    Haruna said that on Nov. 23 at about 11: 55 am, there was intelligence report that  members of IPOB were gathering  near  the Teaching Hospital, Owerri Road, Nnewi with intent to cause a breach of public peace.

    He said  following the report, the police patrol  teams led by the Area Commander, Nnewi, ACP Nnanna Ama, mobilized to the scene to disperse and prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.

    The spokesman explained that as soon as the team arrived, the IPOB members descended on them, set ablaze one patrol vehicle and attacked them with machetes and stones.

    Read Also: Two feared dead as IPOB, Police clash in Anambra

    “They  marched towards the Agbaedo Market shouting “No Elections without referendum.

    “The injured personnel were rushed to the hospital for medical attention; where the Inspector was certified dead by a medical doctor while the DPO and the ASP are presently receiving treatment,”he said.

    He said that the police joint team have commenced search operations for the recovery of two AK47 rifles and one Beretta Pistol with ammunition snatched from the slain Police Inspector and police officers.

    Haruna said that efforts were on to arrest other fleeing members of the group and bring them to justice.

    The police spokesman  urged  members of the public to go about their lawful businesses and reminded them that IPOB remains a proscribed organisation and its’ activities  illegal.

    NAN

  • Police Protest: Officers were on enquiry mission – Force Headquarters

    The Police authority has said no policeman in Borno State protested.

    Contrary to reports that some personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) deployed to Maiduguri on special duty protested over nonpayment of their salaries, the Force said the personnel only went on enquiry mission.

    The Police also explained that the personnel returned to their duty posts immediately after they made the enquiry.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.

    Read Also:We are pacifying protesting policemen- Borno CP

    Moshood also said the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to explain to the personnel that their salaries would be paid without further delay since the budget has been approved.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of PMF has also been asked to proceed to the north east to lecture the personnel on why there was delay.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance.

    “The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018.

    “Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media.”

    The Statement further reads: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.

    “Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.

    “The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.”

    The police urged members of the Public not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the country”, it stated.

  • IGP to Policemen: Distance yourself from IPOB

    IGP to Policemen: Distance yourself from IPOB

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has warned policemen to distant themselves from the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He also warned them to guide against being infiltrated by those who don’t mean well for the country.

    He said this in Abuja on Thursday evening when he met with Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

    He said: “I am directing you to keep away from people that do not mean well for this country to avoid putting yourselves in trouble.

    “Every police officer must remain loyal to his service, government and citizens of this country.  Especially those serving in the Southeast. As much as possible, keep a distance from IPOB and other illegal organisations.

    “Don’t allow any of them to penetrate you to work against this country in any way at all.

    “I know that in the past, some Police officers were seen taking pictures with him. I believe it is not in the interest of this country to associate yourselves with somebody that came openly to say he wants the country divided.

    “These are very serious issues and I want the men to keep a distance from them because they don’t mean well”.

    On the essence of the meeting, the police chief said: “I decided to arrange this meeting because I believe that in the coming months, the PMF is going to be tasked with the responsibility to ensure that law and order is maintained all over the country.

    “We are now in December and from January next year, it would be a period with highest forms of legal and illegal activities and I believe it is crucial that I summon all of you to ensure that your mind is prepared to provide security for this country.

    “There are issues that are bothering this country right now, there are beehives of political activities and this calls for professionalism from all police officers serving in this country.

    “With the political activities, people would try to infiltrate you to get your support by indulging yourself in unwholesome activities”.

  • 250 policemen deployed to curb kidnapping, armed robbery on Jere-Abuja road

    250 policemen deployed to curb kidnapping, armed robbery on Jere-Abuja road

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has deployed 250 policemen to Jere-Abuja road.

    The men were deployed to curb cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other crimes on the road.

    The deployment of the operation was launched Thursday by the Deputy Inspector General of Police  (DIG), Habila Joshak at Gami Community, one of the flash points used by the kidnappers and other criminals to perpetrate their acts.

    The Unit deployed comprises; Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF), and Police Federal Intelligence Bureau.

    The Police said kidnappers and other criminal elements take advantage of the speed limit and rocky areas on the road to attack their victims.

    The operation would be headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olufemi Haruna and would be assisted by CSP Faruk Umaru and SP Olu Arowoshegbe.

    Highlighting why the deployment was done, Joshak said: “I’m here under the directive of the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the kind of operation that is going on on Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria road is replicated.

    “We are here to check the excesses of criminality by marauding firearm bearers who stand at intervals to forcefully  stop motorists, kidnap them into bushes and also rob some of their belongings.

    “We came here not because of Sallah patrol but to check crime and we would remain here until this road is safe for members of the public to pass unhindered”

    On the number of men deployed, Joshak said: “The total number of men for this operation is 250 personnel. An Assistant Commissioner of Police Olufemi Haruna and others would be here to supervise the men and ensure that their activities would not lead to extortion or activities that does not conform with our standard procedure.

    “The men would be in ten black spots where crime is incessant because Kidnappers, car snatchers, armed robbers and others take advantage of rocky areas and speed limits on the road to carry out criminal acts”.

    The Police chief while assuring the men of their safety and welfare also warned them not use the deployment as an opportunity to extort money from road users.

    “We have about six tents on this road and more would be installed. We have helmet, bullet proof jacket, rain coat, boat and others that would ensure minimum comfort for you to operate and be warned not to extort road users, if you do, you would be shown the way out.”

  • Apapa crisis: Police disown ‘killer’ cop

    Apapa crisis: Police disown ‘killer’ cop

    Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni Thursday condemned the killing of a truck driver at Apapa, disowning the Sergeant.

    The Sergeant attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23, had shot dead a driver, who allegedly stabbed him for insisting that his truck be removed from the bank’s entrance.

    Irked by the driver’s death, his colleagues had gone on rampage, setting two banks ablaze and vandalising properties.

    Owoseni, who visited the scene Wednesday afternoon, told reporters Thursday that the Sergeant acted “on his own” and has been taken into custody.

    He said despite that the policeman was stabbed; the gun given to him was not to be used at will.
    Owoseni said: “It was an unfortunate incident. Like we said before, the policeman in question has been taken into custody and currently being guarded in the hospital because he was stabbed. As of this morning, he was taken to the theatre for surgery.

    “That notwithstanding, the provisions of extant regulations of the police would be applied in dealing with the situation.

    “Without justifying their actions, I think the reaction from the drivers was as a result of bottled up anger. Some of them left their families to load at the port with expectation to return within two days, only to spend one week there.

    “But that does not mean they should take laws into their hands. What they did was brazen lawlessness. We appeal to the public that when things happen like that, the rule of law should be allowed to take its course.

    “The police are at the forefront of cleansing institutional rot and we would continue to do that. No policeman is given a gun to shoot at will. That officer is not one of us. He acted on his capacity as an individual not for the police.

    “The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been very clear on this. He abhors lawlessness and has zero tolerance for cops who do not keep to the tenets of standard policing.

    “I apologise to the public for the act of misconduct exhibited by that policeman. We would continue to ensure training and retraining of our personnel so that they discharge their responsibilities within the ambit of the law.”

    On the extent of damage done to the banks, Owoseni said it would be hasty to give statistics, since the banks were still taking stocks.

    “The banks are in the position to say what the lost. But from my assessment when I visited the place, no staff of the banks was hurt. They quickly evacuated.

    “I can tell you that three vehicles were vandalised, and the banks were partially burnt,” said Owoseni.

    The police chief said persons arrested were being screened so that those innocent would not be punished unjustly.

    He said: “There were some people with legitimate businesses there. Some of them are truck or motor boys that sleep in the park. But there are those who had no business there and only came to take advantage of the situation.

    “They are hoodlums who came to infiltrate the area and get engaged in violence or looting. Those ones would be dealt with. We are still taking stocks and so, we cannot tell you right now, those who have been screened.

    “In mob actions like that, there is every possibility that innocent people would be arrested. We do not want a situation were innocent people would be punished unjustifiably.”