The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police Officers

  • Fracas as Police on VP convoy engage customs officials in Katsina

    There was a mild drama along Katsina -Jibia road as Police officers attached to the convoy of the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo attacked and beat up three customs officials on border checking point at Daddara village, Katsina state.

    The incident occurred at the village, when the vice president who was in the area on behalf of President Buhari to condole with victims of recent flood disaster in the area was returning to Katsina after the visit.

    Read Also:Police foil attack on Zamfara community

    Trouble started when the customs officials had apprehended a vehicle with which a group of youths had allegedly smuggled contraband goods from neighboring Niger Republic.

    It was while the customs officials were struggling to impound the vehicle belonging to the suspected smugglers that the vice president’s convoy passed by the village while on its way to the metropolitan area.

    An eyewitness said the customs officials were threateningly brandishing their rifles to ward off several youths who stormed to the scene in show of sympathy to the smugglers.

    According to him, the police in the convoy of the vice president, on seeing what the customs officials were doing with their weapons, perceived it as a security threat.

    He said “Several policemen immediately came down from their vehicles and descended on the customs officials. One of them even fired a shot into the air’’.

    “I saw one of the policemen struggling to collect a rifle from one of the customs officials, but when he couldn’t, he continued to slap the customs official,” he added.

    He said that the suspected smugglers however used the opportunity of the commotion to tow their vehicle away.

    “Some of the youths that had gathered threw stones at the customs officials’ vehicle and continued to boo them till they left the area.”

  • Police officers lament deduction under new salary platform

    •It was due to system error, says spokesman

    SOME police officers are protesting perceived  errors in computation of their salary.

    They attribute this to the  movement from the old Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) payment model under Treasury Single Account (TSA), to the Integrated Payroll and Payment Information System (IPPIS).

    Some officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their salaries had not been accurate since February after the move from GIFMIS TSA to IPPIS.

    “I have been noticing deductions in my salary since February. When you call the payroller, they don’t even give you a satisfactorily answer. It is as bad as that. I don’t even understand what is going on. I don’t know why the government is not keen on addressing it. I am a sergeant, my salary is N52,000, and I keep getting N47,000,” a police officer said.

    “We have made the complaints known to the authorities at the force headquarters. We were given a form to fill and articulate our complaints, then get to the bank get our financial statement and submit to the accountant-general. Today, being Monday, we will go with other credentials to the force headquarters and know the steps they will take on this development,” he said.

    Another policeman confirmed that salaries were stable until February when the irregular payments started.

    “We have heard from some internal sources that our payments are not being processed in line with the government regulations,” he said.

    Another officer said: “The government should revert to the previous arrangement, which we never had any problem with. We are police officers and we should be treated better. We don’t know what is happening, but we are sure some people may be profiting from this without the knowledge of the government.”

    Other officers said the old platform was better, as they never experienced any miscomputation.

    They said they were sure the Presidency was unaware of the development.

    Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood said in a statement that the difference would be paid before May 7.

    “The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has assured the Nigeria Police that salary short payment for police personnel for  April was due to system error and was being resolved.

    “Other issues relating to payment of salary to police personnel are being addressed. The affected personnel will, according to OAGF, get the salary differential paid on or before May 7,” he said.

  • 118 police officers, DSS men for by-elections, says LASIEC

    No fewer than 188 police officers and officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) will be on ground for tomorrow’s by-elections in two wards in Oshodi-Isolo and Agege Local Governments, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) said yesterday.

    The by-elections will be held in Ward ‘B’, Ogunoloko in Oshodi-Isolo and Ward ‘B’, Dopemu in Agege.

    LASIEC Chairman Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd) at a briefing yesterday at the commission’s office in Yaba, Lagos, said 18,339 registered voters will vote in 28 polling units in Agege while 17,279 will do same in 31 polling units in Oshodi.

    She said the commission will not allow electorate with Temporary Voters Card (TVC) to vote, urging them to stay away from the centres.

    “We have told the participating political parties that only people with Permanent Voters Card (PVC) will be allowed to vote,” she said.

    She said election materials will be distributed on Saturday morning.

    Phillips said three political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party would vie for the by-election in Agege; only APC and PDP will slug it out in Oshodi-Isolo.

    According to her, there would not be restriction of movement during the elections, since they are taking place in two wards.

    She warned that any person or persons who attempt to scuttle the poll with have only themselves to blame.

    LASIEC, she said, is working with relevant security agencies and other stakeholders, including traditional rulers in the affected areas to ensure security of lives and properties before, during and after the elections.

    “We have received assurance of security personnel for the elections. So eligible voters in the two wards should feel confident and entertain no fear of molestation from anybody,” she said.

    The LASIEC chief said a  “Situation Room” will be set up at the headquarters for effective communication between the commission and its officials on the field.

  • Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Police officers dismissed in Akwa Ibom for cultism

    Two officers serving with Akwa Ibom Police Command have

    been dismissed for aiding and abetting cultism, Commissioner Mr. Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi has said.

    He told House of Assembly Speaker Mr. Onofiok Luke yesterday in Uyo that the act led to insecurity.

    Although the CP did not mention the names of the officers, he said the command intends to prosecute them with the suspected cultists.

    He urged the assembly to review the anti-cultism law, to make provision for stiffer penalties for those engaging in cultism.

    Ogunjemilusi said the command would not condone cultism, no matter who was involved.

    He enjoined the legislature to assist the police in tackling crimes.

    The police boss warned those using vehicles without number plates or those covering them to desist, “as we will clamp down on them.”

    He appealed to lawmakers and government officials to cooperate with the police.

    Ogunjemilusi demanded the building of three newly-approved area command

    headquarters in Eket, Etim Ekpo and Itu/Ibiono Ibom local governments

    and provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment.

    Onofiok hailed the police commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing.

    He condemned rise in cultism, saying anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

  • Foundation trains 17,000 police officers on human rights

    Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) has trained 17,000 police officers on human rights.

    Its Executive Director, Mrs Gloria Egbuji, disclosed this in her address at the 25th graduation  of Police  Human Rights Officers held at the Police College, Ikeja.

    Mrs Egbuji said her foundation decided to focus on the Police to re-orientate them and improve the image of the force.

    She commended the Lagos State government for its support in the training of the Police officers on human rights.

    The foundation, particularly, praised the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for its support in training the rank and file of the state Police Command on how to write and file charges and on investigation of crimes to prevent situations where innocent persons would be charged to court unknowingly.

    For her zeal and passion for justice reforms in the DPP, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey invested with the  Star Award of Appreciation in appreciation of her support in training of Police Officers in Human Rights issues.

    In her response, the DPP thanked the foundation for the award and promised to assist it in any capacity to move the state forward and improve on her human right index.

    CRIVIFON was established in 2006, to further educate the Police on the rules and their roles in fighting crimes in the society.

  • PSC approves promotion of 250 Police officers

    PSC approves promotion of 250 Police officers

    The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion and confirmation of acting appointments of 250 senior Police officers.

    The Commission approved the promotion of CP Etop John James and CP Rasheed Olatunde Akintunde to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG.

    The Police chief in charge of Lagos State Command, Edgal Imohimi whose appointment as CP was in acting capacity was also confirmed.

    The Commission also confirmed the acting appointments of the former Force Spokesman and who is presently in Police Academy, Wudil Kano; Donald Awunah.

    Others affected by the promotion are; CP Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa,  Cross Rivers  State Command; CP Garba Umar, Anambra State Command; CP Bello Ahmed; and CP Ali Janga,  Kogi State Command.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Thursday by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani.

    The statement reads: “The Commission approved the promotion of 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioner of Police.

    “They include Omololu Shamsiden Bishi, presently at the Nigerian Defence College, Abuja, He was  former DCA Ogun State Command, former DC, CID, Iyaganku, Ibadan and Area Commander, Mushin, Lagos State; Isaac Olutayo Akimoyede also at the Defence College and former DC, Benue State; Aminu Pai Saleh; Makama Hamisu Usman; Mobolaji Olaniyi Fafowora; Igbodo David; Dajuma Mohammed Ibahim; Okon Etim Ene; Abang B. John; Aminu Koji Kwambe; Felix Gochuk Gani; Ibrahim Sabo Umar; Joseph Gobum Mukan; Wakil Mohammed and Abdullahi Yerima Ibrahim”.

    According to the Commission: “The Deputy Commissioners of Police were subjected to an interactive session with Members of the Commission where they were drilled on what was expected of them as Commissioners of Police.

    Ag Deputy Commissioner of Police Habu Sani Ahmadu’s appointment was confirmed while 54 Assistant Commissioners of Police were promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioners.

    The new Deputy Commissioners include: “Fausat Oduwole Azeez; Presley Onitsha Dode; Adepoju Ayinde Ilori, Area Commander Ughelli, Delta State Command;  Oladimeji Yomi Olanrewaju, Area Commander Metro, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Command and Ambrose Sunny Onah of Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters, Abuja”.

    The Commission also approved the promotion of 164 Chief Superintendents of Police to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and 8 Deputy Superintendents of Police to the rank of Superintendent.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro, congratulated the newly promoted Officers and charged them to continue to discharge their duties with respect to the rule of law and fear of God.

    He also said that the Commission will continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force are regular and guided by merit, seniority and availability of vacancies.

    Okiro also said that the promotions have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for implementation in a letter signed by  the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Musa Istifanus.

  • IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    IGP set up panel to probe payment for promotion

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has set up a special Investigation Panel to investigate complaints and allegations credited to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Hamma Misau.

    The Senator had alleged that Police Officers pay bribe for special promotion.

    The Panel has upon the directive of the IG invited Senator Misau to provide more details that would assist them to conduct a very discreet investigation into his complaints and allegations, and those of other aggrieved Police officers.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Friday by the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood.

    The terms of reference of the Panel which has two weeks to submit its findings include: “To investigate other complaints, petitions and grievances from Police Officers within the Force and from other members of the public on allegations of giving money for promotion, either special or otherwise.

    “To determine the substance of the complaints, petitions and grievances from aggrieved Police Officers and members of the public on allegations of giving money for special promotion.

    “To determine those who were involved, to recommend appropriate judicial action and other punishments as it is Amaechi sacks Station Manager, Ticket Seller, others for ticket racketeering  in line with the provisions of Public Service Rules Section 030401 (j) (k) and other statutory enabling laws/Acts”.

     

  • Adeleke: Coroner threatens police officers

    Adeleke: Coroner threatens police officers

    The coroner’s inquest by the Osun State government to investigate the cause of Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s death yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the police officer in charge of homicide and a divisional police officer, if they fail to appear before it today.

    The Chief Magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, who made the threat during proceeding at the state High Court, Osogbo, summoned the police commissioner and the pathologist who carried out a post-mortem on the deceased.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, on Monday testified that the pathologist, Dr. Solaja, who carried out the post-mortem, was the only one to give details of the result.

    Lasisi said the O/C Homicide and DPO Dugbe Police Station were inside the mortuary with the pathologist when the sample for the post-mortem was taken.

    He said overdose of the drugs administered on the late senator might have been responsible for his death.

    Lasisi said when Adeleke’s body was brought to the hospital, his medical history showed one person that was neither a doctor nor a nurse injected him when he complained of leg pain before he died.

    He said the injection included five per cent of dextrose, intravenous fluid glory set, scalp vein needle, two ampoules of analgin, four ampoules of 10ml of diazepam, one ampoule of pentasozine, one ampoule of getamacine and valium.

    The CMD said the drugs were given in excess dosage and could cause reflex collapse and blockage of respiratory system.

    Said he: “As a doctor of 27 years experience, I have never given 40ml of diazepam to any patient. Analgin is an outlawed drug. I wonder where the so-called person got that from.”

    At yesterday’s proceeding, Police Commissioner Adeoye Fimihan was represented by the Officer in Charge of Legal, Abass Haruna, who said he could not give evidence on behalf of his boss.

    He assured the panel that the CP would appear before it today.

    Ayilara told the O/C Legal that the panel directed the summons to the CP so that he could be represented.

    His words: “If the O/C Homicide and the DPO Dugbe Police Station are not here, I will issue a warrant against them.”

  • Police officers’ pay ‘delayed’ after Somalia’s tour of duty 

    Police officers’ pay ‘delayed’ after Somalia’s tour of duty 

    NIGERIAN police officers, who served as part of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) in Somalia, are still expecting payment of their salaries and allowances after ending their one year duty tour in the country.
    The officers, who were engaged by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), were scheduled to be paid by the European Union (EU).
    The salaries and allowances of the officers, who were instrumental to the recruiting and training of the newly formed Somalia Police Force, “are now delayed”.
    No fewer than 136 members of the FPU participated in the medal parade to mark the end of their duty tour in the troubled country.
    The inability of the officers to get their pay resulted in many of them begging to buy basic needs.
    But the situation never demoralised them.
    “Things were tough, we were not paid any money. But we ensured it did not affect our work. We were voted the best FPU here in Somalia and you could see the impact of our officers in this country, especially in the formation of the Somalia Police Force,” one of the officers told The Nation.
    Other countries like Burundi and Uganda affected by the non-payment of salaries have already indicated to AMISOM of their  intention to withdraw their personnel  from the war-torn country.
    At the Passing Out Parade, the Nigerian officers were awarded medals at the  ceremony presided over by the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) in Somalia Lydia Wanyoto and Police Commissioner of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Anand Pillay.
    Somali Police Commissioner Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud attended the event with a delegation of Somali officials.
    Wanyoto thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the peace process in Somalia by deploying members of its police.
    She thanked Somali security forces at the ceremony for recognising the contribution of the Nigerian police unit.
    “I want to thank you for the services you have provided. Thank you for being here in Somalia, for volunteering to assist the people in Somalia,” AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay said.
    The Somali Police Commissioner thanked the Nigerian police contingent for their contribution to the restoration of law and order in the country.
    “You have been good ambassadors. Somalia will not forget Nigeria standing side-by-side with Somali people and the Federal Government,” Gen. Hamud said.
    The police contingent was the fifth Formed Police Unit from Nigeria to serve in Somalia under AMISOM.

  • Glo shares N10m cash, prizes to police officers

    The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Cooperative, through its Globacom-powered Closed User Group (CUG) Account, has rewarded 270 of its officers and members of the CUG, with diverse prizes including the star prize of N500,000 each, won by 20 officers.

    Of the 20, seven won N500,000 each. They received  at Force Headquarters, Abuja, to pick up their cheques.

    They were  Rabiu Hussaini, Olasunbo Tokunboh-Ajayi, Sunday Edoka,  John Otame, Abiodun Mudasiru, Sikiru Opakunle and Thankgod Esechie.

    Immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase,  handed over the winning cheques to  two of the winners, John Otame and Abiodun Mudashiru, in his office ahead of his pullout from the Force on Tuesday.

    Others who won the N500,000  star prize and were expected to proceed to Globacom’s Abuja office to pick their cheques are  Umar Bala, Kenneth Enumaje, Dickson Solomon, Ikechukwu james Nwogu, Rasheed  Aliu, Toba Ajayi, Alli Bello, Roseline Iriemivbor, Emmanuel Gabriel, Saheed Ganiyu, Rasheed Sanni, Calunun Kemuel and Thomas  Saleh.