Tag: Police

The Delta police said it has arrested a 400-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance, Delta State University, Abrak, Ethiopia West LGA, for faking his kidnap.

The student identified as Nelson Eserada feigned his kidnap and ordered his father to pay a ransom of N5,200,000 into the Bitcoin account of his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.

The police said Jerry Lawrence, an accomplice in the crime, has been arrested.

Delta police commissioner, Abaniwonda Olufemi, in a signed statement by SP Edafe Bright, said the fraud victim was directed to pay the ransom through a Bitcoin account of his accomplice, Jerry Lawrence.

According to Abaniwonda, Nelson had earlier sent a video of himself tied and being tortured by his kidnappers.

He said the distressed father complained of the kidnap before the police in Abraka.

Read Also: Police confirm killing of Plateau Station Manager in Bayelsa

The police boss said the Abraka Divisional Police Station, headed by SP Fabian Ayameh led the investigations which led to the arrest of Jerry Lawrence whose Bitcoin account the first tranche of ransom was paid.

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi urged parents to be more committed to the upbringing of their children noting that such children become a problem to the parents and society.

He urged youths to stay away from get-rich-quick syndrome, noting that crime does not pay.

The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa state command, Alonyenu Francis Idu, has confirmed the death of the manager of Plateau Drivers bus station in Yenagoa.

The deceased identified as Alhaji Auwalu Aliyu was shot and killed by suspected armed robbers.

It was earlier learnt that the robbery incident occurred on Tuesday at about 9:00 p.m. near the Bayelsa State House of Assembly complex at the Imgbi Road axis of the state capital.

Reports also indicated that the late station manager was heading home after closing on the day to meet his wife in the vicinity when he was shot and killed

The suspected robbers also made away with his daily income.

Addressing newsmen in his office at State Police Headquarters in Yenagoa, CP Alonyenu said that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.

He promised the family of the deceased that they would get justice very soon.

Read Also: Police bust cartel dealing in stolen jewellery

He said: “The manner the station manager was killed is alien to Bayelsa State. We have the suspicion that the deceased was stalked from Plateau to Bayelsa and killed or his death is related to the group of criminal elements currently assembling at the Ogbia local government area.

“So the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased are two-dimensional. Our drone was able to capture the signatures of the vehicle that was used to carry out the operation. The last time the vehicle was sighted was when it was heading towards Ogbia.

“As I am speaking to you, the location of the vehicle is yet to be known but we are sure we will get it soon because we have every detail of the car. So we sympathize with the family of the deceased but we are sure they will get justice and that will happen very soon.”

…arrest 26 suspects 

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismantled a cartel dealing in jewellery worth billions of Naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and its environs.

The police said on April 28, 2024, an armed robbery incident occurred at the residence of a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

During the incident, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away. 

The police said the CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, which has been helpful in the forensic investigations in the case so far.

A statement issued on Wednesday, June 12, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said subsequent investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal. 

Adejobi said despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.

Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewelleries. 

He said the group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT.

Adejobi said the 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations, contrary to the news making rounds.

He said: “It is pertinent to note that the above are the facts of this matter which have been deliberately distorted by the Sahara Reporters either at the instance of some of the suspects who are currently fleeing from the law, or those suspects who are lawfully detained or out of mischief, where they alleged that the said robbery occurred at the residence of the Inspector General of Police. 

“We wish to place it on record that the robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence nor in any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force. 

“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place in the residence of the IG obviously do not know how the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police. 

“Assuming, in the most unlikely event such robbery, burglary, or theft occurred at the residence of the IGP, we should be talking about the number of policemen in detention and not this ring of armed robbers. For emphasis, the entire neighbourhood of IG residence is fortified, safe, and secure against such security breaches and criminal occurrences. 

“The Nigeria Police Force remains firmly committed to ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law. All suspects are being treated according to due process. The general public is hereby urged to disregard the falsehood being peddled by the publisher and its agents, whose duty is to constantly to attack and malign the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.”

A non government organisation, the National Democratic Front (NDF) has advocated for the speedy passage of the Nigeria Police Force amendment Bill to improve the efficiency of police officers in the country. 

The group commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and the Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Makki Yalleman the for considering the amendment which has scaled second reading in the House. 

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, Secretary General of the group, Dr Abdulkadir Musa described the legislation as timely in the quest for a more robust, responsive, and people-friendly policing system.

Among other things, the amendment seeks to review the service years of police personnel to improve the experience and expertise of the police workforce, retain experienced personnel, reduce the cost of training and recruiting new officers, improve morale performance and job satisfaction, and address the shortage of experienced police personnel.

He said the amendment will not only improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Nigerian Police,  but will also lead to enhanced overall performance of personnel.

“We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation and commendation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Yalleman for their landmark consideration of the Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020,” Musa said.

“This amendment bill, which seeks to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Nigerian Police Force, is a significant milestone in the quest for a more robust, responsive, and people-friendly policing system in Nigeria.

“The bill’s provisions, which include the extension of police officers’ retirement age and service years, will undoubtedly lead to improved morale, retention of experienced personnel, and enhanced overall performance of the Force.

“We commend the Speaker and Yalleman for their demonstrated commitment to security sector reform and their responsiveness to the yearnings of Nigerians for a more effective and accountable police force.

“This is a testament to their dedication to entrenching a culture of excellence, professionalism, and service delivery in our security agencies.

“We urge the Senate to concur with the House and for President Bola Tinubu to assent to it without delay. We believe that this amendment will significantly contribute to the improvement of security and safety in Nigeria.

“Once again, we express our profound gratitude to the Speaker, members of the House, and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly for this bill. We look forward to its speedy concurrence and assent.”

…to hand him over to the state for prosecution

Abia state police command on Wednesday, June 12, announced the official dismissal of Corporal Obagi Njok from service.

Corporal Njok, until his dismissal served under World Bank Police Division in Abayi, Osisioma local government area of the state.

He was dismissed following the conclusion of the investigation and orderly room trial by the command headquarters.

The Nation gathered that Corporal Njok would be handed over to the attorney general of the state and commissioner of justice to try him in a general court after the orderly trial found him guilty of killing Emmanuel Okocha, an Aba businessman in April.

Recall that the governor of the state, Alex Otti had promised the Abiriba community in Aba, the state, and across the globe that the killing of their son would not be swept under the carpet following the protest by Abiriba community in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka who confirmed the dismissal of Corporal Njok after the team that conducted the orderly room trial submitted their report to the state command, said: “Disciplinary actions have been concluded by the Abia state police command. Relevant stakeholders including the family of the deceased were carried along at every step of the process

Read Also: NSA, Akpabio, Makinde, other stakeholders harp on citizens’ oversight on police

“Police Corporal Obagi Njok (as he then was) was found guilty of discreditable conduct to with misuse of a firearm and has therefore been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.

“Investigation into the criminal aspects of his conduct has also been concluded and the matter has therefore been handed over to the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Abia state on 24/05/2024 for prosecution in court.

“The Abia State Police Command remains steadfast in upholding professionalism and the rule of law.

“We unequivocally condemn any act of misconduct, unprofessionalism, and indiscipline among our officers.”

…deploy Special Tactical Squad

The Imo police command has launched a manhunt for the killers of two police officers and a civilian in Akabor, Ikeduru local government area of the state.

The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 11, when armed hoodlums attacked the operatives, firing sporadically.

Despite their gallant efforts, two personnel and a civilian were fatally hit.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma attributed the attack to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Read Also: Gunmen kill two police officers, civilian in Imo ambush

“The operatives were attacked by members of IPOB and ESN, who fired sporadically,” the police boss stated.

According to him, the Command has deployed a Special Tactical Squad to apprehend the perpetrators, assuring that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the culprits are brought to book.

He said: “We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the culprits are brought to book. We appeal to anyone with useful information to come forward and assist us in this investigation. The lives of our officers and the civilians lost will not be in vain; we will ensure that justice is served.”

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Police Command in Lagos State have rescued an American citizen from committing suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge.

Disclosing this in a post on its official X handle, @rrsLagos767, on Monday, RRS said that the American was brought to the bridge by his yet-to-be-identified baby mama.

It stated that the American citizen, name withheld was at 1.23 p.m. on Monday,  restrained from committing suicide on the bridge.

The post reads: “The American, who is in his early 30s was driven to the Third Mainland Bridge by his Baby Mama in company of his daughter.

Read Also: Man mistakenly falls into Lagos lagoon – LASEMA

“He directed the lady who was unaware of his motive to park somewhere while he walked to a spot for a leap into the Lagoon.

“A passerby who observed his movement quickly alerted patrolling RRS operatives who persuaded him from jumping, reunited him with his wife before taking them to RRS Headquarters in Alausa.”

It stated that the RRS Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, gave the man some advice.

“Egbeyemi, after advising the man and his family, directed that the case be transferred to Gender Department, Lagos police command for further counselling and necessary actions,” he stated.

The Police Command in Katsina State has confirmed the killing of no fewer than 20 people, four police officers and two operatives of the state-owned Community Watch Corps by some suspected bandits.

ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement in Katsina on Monday.

According to him, the attack occurred on Sunday, at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, all in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “Yesterday, June 9, 2024, bandits in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, attacked the villages, shot and killed 20 people, injured two, and ambushed our Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) patrol team.

“The team was responding to the distress call, killing four police officers and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC).

“The fact of the case is that on the same date, a distress call was received at the Kankara Divisional Headquarters.

”That bandits in their numbers, riding on motorcycles, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked Gidan Baki village, Kankara LGA, killing unsuspecting villagers.

Read Also: JUST IN: Troops kill two bandits in Kaduna

“Immediately, the nearest APC patrol team was dispatched to the scene. While en route to the village, the team discovered that the attack was actually on Gidan Boka village via Yar Goje village, all in Kankara.

“The team quickly redirected towards the scene. Upon reaching Kurmeji village via Yar goje, the team fell into an ambush, where a firefight ensued between the team and the bandits,”  Sadiq-Aliyu  said.

According to him, upon receipt of the information on the attack of the responding team, swiftly the DPO mobilised and led a team of operatives to the scene and restored normalcy.

He explained that during preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the bandits attacked Gidan Boka village, killing 15 people and injuring two others.

“They also ambushed our patrol team and killed four police officers, three Inspectors and one Corporal and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC).

“Also, the bandits, while escaping through Dan Nakwabo village, shot and killed five persons. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation proceeds,” according to Sadiq-Aliyu.

He revealed that the command has deployed additional operational assets to the area to work with all the relevant stakeholders towards preventing the recurrence of the attacks and ensuring the arrest of the perpetrators.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, while expressing his utter dismay over the tragic incident, extended his condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the incident,”  Sadiq-Aliyu  said. (NAN)