Tag: Police

The National Union of the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch has arranged for what it called a mother of all protest to remain at the National Assembly until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signs the Pension Exit Bill.

The Bill to exit the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme and the bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Police Pension Board, as the police retirees are patiently waiting for, and there is the tendency that, the promise may not be fulfilled, as September is winding up. 

This is contained in a press release signed by the chairman of the Police Retirees Kaduna State Chapter, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd and the Vice Chairman ASP Danlami Maigamo Rtd and distributed to journalists in Kaduna.

CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria Rtd lamented that the police retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme are dying immensely due to poverty and hunger.

“The union is also pleading that, as the death toll is on the increase among the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme and the prices of commodity of any type is also on the increase.”

He said: “Federal government should come to the aid of the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme before they all perish, by immediately paying the following allowances to the police retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme.

“Two point five percent differential, the Federal Government Palliative and three consecutive pension increases by the Federal Government as well as the minimum wage increase.

“During the Police Retirees, Kaduna State Branch monthly meeting held last Wednesday at Police Officers Mess Kaduna. Members became shocked and worried, as there is a sign of unfulfillment of a promise that began to manifest itself because it can be recalled that, on 22/09/24.

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“The National Union of the Police Retirees under the contributory Pension Scheme carried out a nationwide peaceful protest to the National Assembly Abuja.

“During the protest, the Chairman of Senate Committee for Police Affairs, Senator Ahmed Abdulkadir Malamadori, addressed some of the retirees in his office, where he promised the retirees that, before September 24, they would be exited from the Contributory Pension Scheme to the Define Benefit Scheme (DBS) that the two Police Bills would be Harmonize.

“Sequel to this, the blood pressure of many concerned police retirees has risen above maximum. Therefore, the Kaduna Branch has unanimously agreed that, if by the end of this September, the Nigeria Police is not exempted from the contributory Pension Scheme,” he said.

The traditional institution, including the family heads (Mogajis), Baales, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and traditional rulers in Ibadanland have commended Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for elevating indigenous Ibadan individuals as Commissioners of Police. 

They particularly praised him for the recent elevation of Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State.

Olawale, from Alaadorin compound, Aremo, Ibadan has assumed duty as the 40th Commissioner of Police at the Lagos Command.

He takes over from CP Adegoke Fayoade, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and redeployed as AIG Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.

A statement by the Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiatives (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade on behalf of the stakeholders, said the development highlighted collaborative efforts between Ibadan’s traditional institutions and the Nigerian Police Force.

According to the statement, aside retired CP Fatai Owoseni who is now the Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Seyi Makinde on security matters, five Ibadan Indigenes have also been elevated to the post of Commissioners of Police to serve in various capacities in the Police Command.

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The statement said the recognition of Ibadan indigenes as Police Commissioners is a positive step towards community development and effective policing. 

The statement stated that the move demonstrates the IGP’s commitment to promoting distinguished talent and expertise in maintaining law and order.

“Ibadan’s traditional system, known for its unique hierarchy and cultural significance, continues to play a vital role in promoting stability and growth in the region. The Mogajis, family heads, and Baales are essential components of this system.

“The elevation of Ibadan indigenes to Police Commissioners is a testament to the community’s growing influence and partnership with government agencies.

“As Ibadan continues to grow and develop, this collaboration will be crucial in shaping the city’s future,” the statement reads.

The statement however congratulated the new CPs, saying Ibadan people will celebrate them soon.

The Rivers Police Command has busted a job racketeering syndicate that allegedly specialises in advertising non-existent employment vacancies to defraud unsuspecting job seekers.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Disu said that operatives from the command successfuly rescued 16 victims held by the gang during a raid of its hideout.

He said that the syndicate was uncovered when officers from the Octopus Strike Force responded to a distress call from concerned residents, who suspected a hostage situation.

“Police operatives acted swiftly and raided a compound in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area, arresting one Chukwudi Okoli, who had been posing as an employee of Ojoseansel International Global Limited.

“During the operation, one Amiye Joseph and 15 other victims, comprising 13 males and two females, were rescued and taken to the station.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the victims had paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company,” Disu said.

He further alleged that the company had “falsely promised the victims jobs in the oil and gas industry, with salaries purportedly paid in US dollars.

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“The fraudsters operated by randomly selecting phone numbers and contacting potential victims, introducing them to fake job opportunities.

“They would then invite the victims to Port Harcourt for bogus interviews.

“Investigators further discovered that after extorting large sums of money, the victims were detained in a facility, where they were closely monitored,” Disu said.

He further disclosed that the company also allegedly subjected its victims to training sessions in its hideouts.

He alleged that the victims were taught how to deceive their friends into believing in fraudulent job offers, with the promise of earning 450 US dollars per week.

He said that items recovered from the gang’s operational base included mobile cellphones, laptops, television sets, generators, industrial fans, and office furniture.

(NAN)

The Police Command in Imo on Sunday foiled an  attack by hoodlums on Njaba Local Government Area Divisional Police headquarters, Umuakah.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, who said this in statement on Monday, said three of the hoodlums were neutralised in the successful defensive operation.

Okoye said the attackers, arriving in three Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), launched a violent assault on the headquarters with sporadic gunfire.

“In response, the ever gallant operatives swiftly took up defensive positions and engaged the assailants, resulting in the neutralisation of three attackers.

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“The remaining assailants, who sustained various gunshot injuries, fled into nearby bushes.

“During the operation, our forces recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, one AK-47 rifle, and three vehicles: a Toyota Lexus 470, a Mercedes GLK, and a Toyota Venza,” the spokesman disclosed.

According to him, an intense operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Mr Aboki Danjuma, is currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure justice was served.

The spokesman, who emphasised Danjuma’s commendation for the bravery of the operatives, assured the  public that the Command remained committed to enhancing internal security in the state.

“The command will continue to take decisive actions against any threats to public peace,” he said. (NAN)

• …CP vows to fish out perpetrators

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Stephen Aniago, chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association (OMATA), Enugu. 

Aniago was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen.

In a statement by the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, it was revealed that the incident occurred on September 14, 2024, at about 8:20 p.m. near Topland, along Amechi Road, Enugu. 

The attackers, who were driving a different Toyota Corolla, intercepted Aniago’s vehicle, shot him, and fled the scene with his blue Toyota Corolla.

Ndukwe said: “He was taken to the hospital by police operatives who hastened to the scene but was confirmed dead by doctors. His corpse was deposited in the mortuary for preservation and further investigative actions.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu has directed the command’s tactical squads to intensify their efforts in tracking down the assailants, utilizing all available intelligence and operational resources.

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He has also instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to carry out a thorough investigation to uncover the details surrounding the incident. 

The commissioner reassured the public that the police are committed to leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible for the heinous crime are swiftly brought to justice.

… Festus Eribo is new CP Akwa Ibom State

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the posting of CP Peter Ukachi Opara as the substantive Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, replacing CP Benneth Igwe.

Igwe has since been promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and posted to Zone 7 Abuja as the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police.

The new FCT Commissioner was the immediate CP Force Secretary’s office and former Deputy Commissioner, Administration and Finance Imo State Command.

He also at a time served as Personal Assistant to former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, IGP Mike Okiro rtd.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani: “Opara was DCP Legal Studies Police Academy. POLAC, Wudil Kano, Area Commander Aba and Uyo; Area Crime Officer Kubwa, and Senior Deputy Defence Adviser Police, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York.

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“He was severally Personnel Assistant to Inspector General of Police; DIG works, DIG Operations and Personnel Assistant to CP Lagos State Command.

“The Commission has also accepted the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police for the replacement of CP Miller Gagere Dantawaye with that of CP Festus Eribo as the new substantive Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command.

“Dantawaye was one of the four Commissioners of Police recommended for posting as substantive Commissioners of Police.

“CP Festus Eribo, a law graduate of the University of Calabar was at a time Liason Officer at the Police Service Commission and later Assistant Commissioner, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters.  He served as Area Commander Area M, Lagos, Area F Lagos and State CID, Lafia Nasarawa state.

“He was Area Commander Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State; Deputy Commissioner, Zonal CID Zone 9 Umuahia and Deputy Commissioner Operations, Kogi State Command. He was also substantive Commissioner of Police, Taraba State.

“The Commission had earlier approved the posting of four Commissioners of Police which included that of Abia, Lagos and Ebonyi states”.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, has dug out the past criminal records of four notorious members of the late Daddy Chukwu’s criminal empire.

Members of the syndicate assassinated the then Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Mgbuoshimini, Chief Ndidi Livingstone on 13th January 2024.

The victim was killed in front of his church, the Peculiar Faith Ministries, Rumueme by four armed men, who stormed the church, dragged him out and murdered him. They shot him four times with AK-47 rifles, in the presence of his wife, son and congregants of the church.

The cold-blooded murder which was carried out in broad daylight was captured in a viral video that sparked outrage.

Tunji, who assumed office newly in the state then, directed a team of Operatives of the FID-Intelligence Response Team and the Rivers State Command on a nationwide manhunt for the killers.

The special team reportedly identified the four men in the video including the mastermind of the assassination, Peter Daddy Chukwu, who was hunted down to a hideout in Ibusa, Delta State on April 5, 2024 and was killed while trying to resist arrest.

Tunji said: “I gave assurances that every member of the gang would be apprehended. The unrelenting manhunt for the perpetrators seen shooting and murdering the deceased in the viral video has now led to the arrest of the three other persons directly responsible for the assassination and six more persons belonging to their criminal network.”

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He named the arrested four notorious members of the gang as NNmadi Emmanuel, Alias BYC, John Lucas, Adebayo Adebayo, Chimezie Adele and Ogolo Promise.

On the first suspect, the police boss said: “Nnamdi Emmanuel alias BYC ‘m’ 35 years from Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State. He spent seven years in Port Harcourt Maximum Prison for burglary and was released in May 2023. Immediately after his release, he ventured into kidnapping in Abia State after which he joined a more sophisticated kidnapping gang operating in Anambra and Rivers State.

“He was assigned the role of hostage keeper for the gang, participating in two separate kidnappings but grew dissatisfied with his role and was cut from the deals. He provoked an argument over ransom sharing with the gang leader and killed him before pushing the dead body into a nearby river.

“He then stole the two AK-47 rifles belonging to the kidnap gang, escaped to Port Harcourt and joined an armed robbery gang led by one Ogolo Promise. Ogolo and his gang carried out armed robbery operations that they termed ‘bank tracing’.

“The operation would have them trail customers who withdrew hard currencies from banks before robbing them. He got about $2000 from the armed robberies they perpetuated. His stock in the underworld grew and he was often contracted to facilitate operations for various criminal groups.

“He crossed paths with and joined Daddy Chukwu from December 2023 to January 2024 to carry out two assassination operations and a hotel bombing. He shot the late Ndidi Livingstone in the foot on the day he was killed. Operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles, 141 rounds of live ammunition and 8 magazines from him.”

On John Lucas, he said: “He is male 34 years from Logoro LGA, Bauchi State claimed to be a dismissed Lance Corporal from the Nigeria Army for desertion in 2014. He had been to prison for drug trafficking and since his release, he has been involved in all sorts of crimes.

“Daddy Chukwu recruited him in December 2023 to be a henchman with BYC and together they unleashed evil on his rivals. Lucas was seen in the viral video taking the final shot that killed Chief Livingstone.

“John Lucas also operated a gang that specialised in recruiting guns for hire for his criminal activities. He was also involved in highway robbery, successfully diverting 56 Skyrun refrigerators in Akwa Ibom State.

“Recovered from him are IEDs, numerous military uniforms, five Skyrun refrigerators and the black Highlander vehicle used on the day Chief Livingstone was murdered.”

He said Adebayo Adebayo, a 48-year-old male from Ado Ekiti LGA, Ekiti State claimed he was dismissed as a Sergeant from the Nigeria Army in 2019.

“John Lucas recruited him to join in the assassination of Chief Livingstone. He was seen in the video wearing a special forces shirt.

“After the Police declared a manhunt for him, he became a journeyman moving from one state to another seeking to evade arrest, but this did not deter the Police as he was traced to every state.

“Thinking that he had escaped the reach of the Police, he eventually settled down in Kwale, Delta State where he got employed as a Chief Security Officer (CSO) of a Waste Management Company. He was apprehended while on duty at his new place of work.”

Speaking on Chiemezie Adiele, the police commissioner said: “He is a male 29 years old from Osisioma LGA, Abia State. He too claimed to be a dismissed Lance Corporal from the Nigerian Army. He was also recruited by John Lucas for the armed robbery operation where 56 Skyrun refrigerators were stolen. His share of the loot was four refrigerators.

A lagos-based real estate developer and Managing Director of Harmony Gardens, Saheed Mosadoluwa, aka Ibile has described the police order for his arrest for land grabbing and kidnapping activities as laughable and a tissue of lies.

In a statement, Mosadoluwa said the order for his arrest was being instigated and circulated online by a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.

He said that the Zone 2 Police Command declared him wanted for kidnapping and land grabbing on Friday, September 6, 2024, without any prior formal invitation.

The statement read in part: “I received several calls. Most of those who called me informed me that a policeman who claimed to be the OC burnt unit in Zone 2, and their DCP Admin organized a press conference to fulfil their business of land grabbing with another property developer, who has been causing division within the Oni-Orisan’s family to hijack my property at Oju Ota, Oko Orisan in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State. I didn’t kidnap anybody, and I don’t even know who they are talking about.

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”The only thing they intend to do is to disparage me and de-market my company. Another property developer has been trying to cause confusion between me and the family for the past two years fighting my corporate existence and business.

Meanwhile, a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, presided over by B.A. Sonuga, has quashed the police declaration of Mosadoluwa as wanted in Suit No MCL488/MISC/2024.

The suit was filed by Mosadoluwa against the Commissioner of Police, AIG Zone 2, IGP, and DPP, Lagos State.

Delivering the ruling, the Magistrate ordered ”An Order of Interim relief sought by the applicant in the Motion of Notice dated 9th of September 2024 are hereby granted in the interim, while all the court processes in this suit, coupled with the order of this court, must be on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents for them to file their respective responses.”

The suit was adjourned to the 15th day of October 2024.

A woman identified as Ifeoma reportedly died shortly after sharing her testimony at the Ministry Church in Ejigbo, Lagos State.

Ifeoma, aged 55, was said to have collapsed on the altar of the church while sharing her testimony at about 8.48 am on Sunday, September 8.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos Police Command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the woman was singing songs of gratitude in front of the church as she prepared to share her testimony.

According to Hundeyin, Ifeoma suddenly collapsed and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead.

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He stated: “The Zonal accountant of the church in Ejigbo came to the station and reported that during testimony hour in the church, while the service was on, Ifeoma came out singing songs to give her testimony when she suddenly slumped.

“She was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital but was referred to the General Hospital in Isolo, where she was confirmed dead.

“Based on the report, detectives were detailed to visit the hospital with the complainant. On getting there, they were told that the husband and family of the deceased had taken the corpse to Anambra State, where she came from for burial.”