Tag: Police

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali Dabigi, has directed the homicide section of the Criminal Investigation Department, Kaduna State Police Command to conduct a thorough and high-powered investigation into the suspected murder of a 15-year-old student of Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna, Felix Blaise.

The police public relations officer of the Command, ASP Mansir Hassan disclosed this while speaking to journalists on Thursday, July 4.

According to him, the development was a result of the formal handing over of the case to the Command by the Air Force Police who conducted a preliminary investigation into the death of Felix Blaise, who until his unfortunate death was the Assistant Head of School.

Read Also: Kano police arrest 149 criminal suspects

The PPRO added that the CP assures the case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging all well-meaning members of the public and all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

ASP Hassan added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Dabigi upon formal handing over instantly directed a crack team of detectives from the Homicide Section of the Criminal Investigation Department to commence an investigation and ensure culprits are brought to justice.

The Kaduna State Police Command appreciates the cooperation and support of the public and hereby reassures that timely updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Reacting to this, the uncle of the late Felix Blaise, Paul Wazimtu expressed delight over the assurance given by the police saying it is not about his nephew but justice served as a deterrent to other students not only in the school but across the country to think twice before taking any dangerous steps.

He commended the Commandant and Management of the Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna for handling the matter professionally and assured the police of maximum support during the investigation.

It would be recalled that the family of the late Felix Blaise, has called for justice, saying the best the Management of the school and the Nigerian Airforce can do to honour the late Assistant Head boy is to intensify efforts and unravel what led to his death.

Officers from the Ikorodu Area Command successfully prevented a 19-year-old woman from committing suicide.

The young woman had tried to ingest a harmful chemical known as Sniper, but swift intervention from law enforcement averted the tragedy.

The police were alerted by a concerned citizen about the woman’s dire circumstances.

Acting promptly on the tip-off, officers located her and intervened before she could harm herself.

The woman, whose identity remains confidential, shared that intense emotional distress had led her to attempt suicide.

She disclosed that she was pregnant by a man who refused to accept responsibility for the pregnancy.

She was said to have been scammed of her earnings from her Point of Sale (POS) business by a fraudster, exacerbating her emotional and financial woes.

Read Also: Police contractors seek Tinubu’s intervention over N20bn unpaid benefits

The rescued woman is now receiving psychological support.

The police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for her distress.

The Lagos state command underscored the importance of mental health awareness and encouraged those facing similar challenges to seek help promptly.

The police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, emphasised the need for community vigilance and support for mental health issues.

…recover 500kg of cannabis, arms, ammunition

The Imo state police command has arrested over 125 suspects, including a couple dealing in hard drugs, and recovered 500kg of cannabis, and arms, ammunition.

The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, said on Wednesday, July 3, the command’s Anti-Narcotics Squad raided a suspected criminal hideout in Ofuzor Afor Egbu, Owerri North LGA, and arrested Stanley Joseph Onyebuchi, 45, and Ngozi Joseph, 35, for dealing in hard drugs.

 Recovered from them were 9 bags of cannabis weighing over 500kg, crystal meth, and a Toyota Sienna.

Other arrests include suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, and child traffickers, with recoveries made of firearms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles.

Read Also: Ex-Imo governor Okorocha’s house collapses in Abuja

He disclosed that the suspects had confessed to the crimes

CP Aboki, warned that the command is determined to sanitize Imo State of criminal elements and urged citizens to support the police in reporting criminal activities.

“We will not condone any criminal elements distorting the existing peace and stability in the state. We need your partnership to apprehend criminal elements and ensure our roads are safe.”

He urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or call the Police Emergency Control Room numbers: 08034773600 or 08098880197.

The Nigerian Police Force has arraigned Ishola Mubarak Babatunde, 31, and his father, Ishola Rasheed Bayo, 55, for allegedly stealing N75 million from their employer, Lotgrand Limited.

The arraignment took place on June 27 at Court 4, Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, where the defendants faced two counts of stealing and diversion of funds.

Presiding Magistrate Mojisola Salau granted bail for the accused, set at N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The case has been adjourned until September 3, 2024, for further hearing.

The duo, currently held at Kirikiri Correctional Center, are awaiting the fulfillment of their bail conditions.

They are accused of transferring funds from the company’s account into their personal accounts as well as the accounts of their accomplices, who are still at large. The defendants are from Omu-Aran in Kwara State.

According to the charge sheet signed by Police Prosecutor Mike Enejere, the first defendant, Babatunde, was employed as an account officer for Lotgrand Limited, a registered lottery company in Lagos.

The alleged fraudulent activities occurred between 2020 and 2023.

The prosecutor detailed the charges: “That you, Ishola Mubarak Babatunde, Ishola Rasheed Bayo, and others now at large, between the years 2020 to 2023, at Lotgrand Ltd, a registered lottery company in Lagos, within the magisterial district of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit; Stealing. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

Read Also: Police commissioner orders trial of officers after assault on colleagues

On the second count, Enejere stated: “That you, Ishola Mubarak Babatunde, and others now at large, on the same date, place, and within the magisterial district aforementioned, did steal the sum of Seventy-Five Million Naira (N75,000,000) property of Lotgrand Ltd, Lagos, while you served as the Account Officer, as you dishonestly and fraudulently diverted the said sum belonging to Lotgrand Ltd, a registered lottery company, to your personal account and that of your cohorts. You hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 (8) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.”

The case continues to unfold as authorities seek to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the alleged fraud.

In a swift response to a viral video showing police officers assaulting a suspect, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has mandated the immediate commencement of an orderly room trial for the involved officers.

The officers were seen using unprofessional, unethical, and uncouth methods during an arrest operation on Makinde Odewale Street, Oregun area of Lagos state.

The incident unfolded after the Alausa Division of the Lagos state police command received numerous complaints about the rampant abuse of hard drugs in the area.

Acting on these complaints, a team of officers was dispatched to apprehend the drug users and dealers.

However, the officers encountered fierce resistance, resulting in serious injuries to an Inspector of Police, who was stabbed in the head with a broken bottle, and an assault on the Olu of Alausa and the CDA Chairman.

The injured Inspector is currently hospitalised.

Following the initial confrontation, a reinforcement team managed to arrest several suspects with substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

Unfortunately, in their effort to capture the mastermind behind the attack on their colleague, the reinforcement team resorted to unacceptable methods, which were caught on video and subsequently went viral.

Read Also: Police arrest Rivers vigilant group’s commander with human parts

CP Fayoade has unequivocally condemned the actions of the police officers, stating that their behaviour is not aligned with the values and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police.

He also criticized the youths involved in the attack on the police officers, warning that anyone found guilty of such actions would face legal consequences.

The police public relations officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, stated: “The Lagos State Police Command will not relent in its mandate to maintain law and order, prevent and detect crime, and ensure the apprehension and prosecution of criminals.”

He further assured the public of police commitment to upholding justice and professionalism while delivering on its duties.

The Rivers state police command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating within the state.

A statement signed by the police public relations officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the decision was following complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in different parts of the state, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), as well as clashes with other security agencies by the vigilante group.

She said the development had led to the arrest of the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, with humans parts.

On how Nwaobata was arrested, the statement said: “On May 9th, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. 

“He proceeded to report the matter to the Police. Consequently, the Police invited the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations. 

“Instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an attack on the Police Division in Omoku but the attack was thwarted as the Police repelled them.

“Following this development, Tactical Units of the Command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp at Omoku and arrested Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others.

“The ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his hideout in Omoku on June 17th, 2023, where two human skulls and human bones were found in his possession”.

The statement said Nwaobakata was also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins Ugorji (32) and Newman Ugorji (39), of the Idu Community in ONELGA. 

“The brothers were killed on May 1st, 2024, by the OSPAC on the allegation that they were kidnappers. Their motorcycles were confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC Secretariat in Omoku and received by Felix Nwaobakata after residents lamented their criminal actions. The bodies of the brothers were not seen, and the investigation is ongoing”

The police said on May 31st, 2024, the Youths of Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest to Lubrik Construction Company (LCC) at Egbeda, and after being addressed by the police, they dispersed but were ambushed by a group of OSPAC members led by the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, who shot and killed the Youth Leader, Innocent Didia.

The statement said: “The Rivers State Police Command has made further arrests and will continue to investigate these cases and other related ones, which will then be charged to a Court of competent Jurisdiction.

“The Rivers state commissioner of police, Olatunji Disu has advised that any resident who has complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention should make a report at the nearest police station.

“The Rivers state command is committed to carrying out its duty of protecting lives and property. It will not tolerate any act of illegality, excessive use of force, torture, fraudulent conversion of properties, and other varying forms of criminality by the OSPAC or any other vigilante outfit.

Read Also: Police nab car snatching gang

“While recognizing the relevance and importance of these vigilante groups in the Community Policing System, with regards to information gathering and visibility, among others, the command will keep engaging and synergizing with these groups on what is expected of them and their limitations. The rights of all as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended must be respected.

“The Rivers State Command wants to reassure the public and all key stakeholders that it will continue to work within the ambit of the law and issue a stern warning to any individual or group who chooses to operate outside the scope of the law.”