Tag: Police

The police say farmers were injured in a clash between farmers and cattle herders in Hayin Kogi forest in Birninkudu Local Government Area of  Jigawa.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Lawan Shiisu on Monday.

“Report at the command’s disposal revealed that at 1700HRS, farmers at the Hayin Kogi Forest were attacked by herders resident of Waza Fulani sttelemements of Birninkudu LGA while clearing bushes in preparation for wet season farming.

“As a result, some of the farmers escaped and abandoned their tricycles, phones and farm implements,” he said.

The PPRO added that upon receipt of the report, police from neigbouring Police Division, surrounding the forest was immediately mobilised to the scene.

He said that a 42-year-old man and four others who sustained injuries, have been taken to the Dutse General Hospital where they received treatment and have sine been discharged.

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“The belongings of the farmers were recovered and handed over to them,” Shiisu said.

He explained that efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects, while the case is being investigated.

”Normalcy has since been restored in the area. The Commissioner of Police (CP),  Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, organised a stakeholders’ meeting and ordered the arrest of the culprits.

”The CP has directed the Area Commander in charge of Birninku and Divisional Police Officers in charge of Birninkudu and Kiyawa to hold a stakeholders’ meeting with a view to dousing tension and to avert a breach of peace in the area,,” he said.

(NAN) 

The Nigeria Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested four suspected kidnappers dressed in military uniform and rescued their victims.

Its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, in a statement yesterday in Uyo, said the command received a distress call on May 24 on about a kidnap incident at Utang Street, near Gibbs Street in Uyo metropolis.

“Our anti-robbery squad swung into action and mobilised to the scene where the four suspects were arrested,” she said.

John said the suspects were arrested while attempting to kidnap a man identified as Richie, a friend of their earlier victim.

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She said preliminary investigations confessed that the suspects had earlier carried out similar operations at Ring Road three in Uyo metropolis.

“They had demanded a ransom of N5 million from their earlier victim but he could not pay. This prompted them to attempt to kidnap his friend,” she said.

John said one red Honda Accord car with registration number BJ 615 ABC, a handcuff and dagger were recovered from the suspects.

The spokesperson said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.

The PPRO said the state Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, had zero tolerance for kidnapping and other criminalities.

“The command is resolved and prepared to rid the state of criminal activities,” he said.

… As CP detains officer for accidental discharge

Police operatives on patrol at Kubwa, on Wednesday night, allegedly shot and killed a father of one, Onybuchi Anele, at close range with teargas after a minor incident involving a motorcyclist.

The incident happened close to Haj Estate, where the deceased lived with his young wife and one daughter in the evening of Wednesday.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that: “The deceased, while on his way home, hit an okada man and his passenger and after stopping and making sure the accident victims were okay, decided to head home in the Haj Estate when the police arrived at the scene”.

The witness further explained that trouble started when the policemen, who arrived the scene, decided that the deceased must follow them to the station even after the okada man and his passenger had left the scene, which triggered a quarrel and led to the police shooting a teargas canister into the eye of the witnesses.

Read Also: Police interrogate 1,190 suspects over banditry, kidnapping, others – Minister

He explained that the church members of the deceased and his estate neighbours came out and took the deceased to Kubwa General Hospital, after which he was referred to National Hospital Abuja, where he eventually died around 8am on Thursday.

Friends of the deceased who were at the hospital with him until his death, said the issue had affected his wife’s mental state.

“The woman started behaving as if she wanted to get mad. In a short time, she would sit, a little more time she would move with force and start running. She had to be smuggled into a vehicle and hurriedly whisked away. We had to deceive her that her husband was still alive whereas the corpse had been deposited in the mortuary,” one of his friends, Mr Ndubuisi Nwaneri said.

However, when the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, was contacted, she said the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has detained one of its officers over an accidental discharge that led to the death of one Onyebuchi Anene in Abuja.

…briefs on achievements of the police Affairs ministry in one year

The minister of police affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam on Friday, May 24, said 1,190 suspects arrested by the police are currently undergoing screening and interrogation over issues of kidnapping, and banditry amongst others.

Gaidam disclosed this while giving an account of his stewardship since assumption of office in August 2023 at the Ministerial sectoral update held at the Radio House, Abuja.  

Speaking on his achievements, Gaidam said in the past year the administration has acquired surveillance systems, drones, and communication technologies to bolster the Force’s capacity for real-time data collection and response.

He said the integration of forensic technology has played a pivotal role in criminal investigations and perpetrator identification.

On the enhanced highways and train safety measures, the minister said strategic tactical deployments have bolstered security along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and train service route, adding that the Nigeria Police Force has recently apprehended and paraded 63 suspects linked to violent crimes along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Kaduna State.

The ministry of police affairs, the minister explained, has facilitated the promotion of 3,071 education officers within the police education system, ranging from salary grade levels 17 down to Level 07, who were owed arrears for over five years.

He said the Police Pension Bill is currently under review to enhance the welfare of police officers and also the establishment of the Nigeria Police Veterans Foundation to support retired police officers.

The police, he said, has also formed a joint task force to target transnational criminal syndicates and enhance collaboration with neighboring nations to tackle cross-border criminal activities.

Read Also: Police rescue three kidnapped victims in Kaduna

The minister said: “To combat kidnapping, banditry, and violent crimes in the Federal Capital Territory, the Police have bolstered the deployment of specialized units with expertise in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and intelligence analysis. These tactical squads have proven effective in addressing the complex challenges posed by criminal activities in the FCT.

“Notable among these units are the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Crack Squad, and the Anti-Violent Crime Unit within the FCT Command, along with the newly established Special Intervention Squad (SIS). These tactical deployments have resulted in the apprehension of 1,190 suspects who are currently undergoing screening and interrogation.

“In the past year, we have made significant strides in the following areas: Establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC) for the Nigeria Police Force: This center serves as a platform for collaboration among various Law Enforcement Agencies to consolidate criminal data, conduct analysis, and share key intelligence products to bolster internal security operations. Additionally, it facilitates intelligence sharing with Security Agencies in Nigeria and the broader International Security Community.

“Strengthening of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS): The legal framework supporting WAPIS has been reinforced, and key security institutions are now equipped with WAPIS terminals, enabling access to crucial information that has greatly enhanced collaborative efforts to combat criminal activities.

“Launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS): On January 17, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force introduced the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in the Federal Capital Territory to address the rise in violent crimes within the nation’s capital. Since its inception, the squad has achieved notable successes, including the arrest of twenty-three suspects for offenses such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms. Additionally, the squad has recovered multiple arms, ammunition, and over twenty (20) stolen vehicles”.

On nonpayment of pensions to police retirees, the minister said the federal government has set up a committee to investigate the case and that: “the IGP has presented the issue to government and everything has been done to make sure that the backlog pensions are paid and it will become regular thereafter”.

On the recent arrest of journalists which has become frequent, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Adeolu Egbetokun, said the law must take its cause.

He said those who were arrested did not honor the police invitation.

Egbetokun said: “The police have a lawful duty to apprehend any offender in Nigeria. If you commit an offence no matter who you are, it is the responsibility of the police to bring you to justice. Meanwhile, I want you people to note that the strength of the police force today is over Three Hundred Thousand. We have a deadline, there is a general rule for the conduct of policemen in Nigeria. We do not expect that all the over 300 thousand policemen in Nigeria will behave the same way. Sometimes you have some of our officers behaving outside the general rule. That should not be taken that, it is the behavior of policemen in Nigeria.

“In the particular case that you raised, I was told by the Commissioner of Police in Enugu that the journalist was invited to come and answer questions with respect to an allegation made against him and he refused to honor the invitation of the police. The police therefore had no option but to arrange for his arrest. He was arrested in Abuja and taken to Enugu to answer questions. And I’m sure he is on the ball now.”

The Police Command in Kaduna State, said Its operatives have rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested a notorious kidnapper in the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan confirmed the rescue and arrest in a statement on Friday in Kaduna.

Hassan said,  “On May 21, at about 14:50hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kidandan Division received a distress call reporting that unknown  bandits had blocked the Kidandan-Dogon Dawa Road and kidnapped an unspecified number of individuals.”

He said in  response, the DPO swiftly mobilized personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), who were attached to Operation Whirl Punch in Galadimawa, and proceeded to the scene in an Armored Personnel Vehicle (APV).

Hassan said, “Upon arrival, the police team engaged the bandits in a serious gun battle.

” Although the bandits managed to deflate two tires of the APV, the police team successfully rescued three kidnapped individuals.”

Read Also: Police detain officer over accidental discharge in Abuja

He identified the rescued victims as Ashiru Abubakar, male, 35 years old, from Batagarawa LGA, Katsina State, Ahmed Ibrahim, male, from Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State and Shehu Kabiru, male, 30 years old, from Kidandan.

According to him , on same Tuesday, at about 1900 hours, the Operation Yaki operatives, acting on technical intelligence provided by the Technical Intelligence Unit FHQ Abuja, successfully arrested one Muhammadu Bello, a 30-year-old resident of Yan Bokolo area, Malalin Gabas, Igabi LGA, Kaduna state.

 He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is an accomplice to Dogo Haliru, a notorious kidnapper known for terrorizing Zamfara, Katsina state, and the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi  applauded the officers for their gallantry and good use of intelligence.

He   ordered for intensified confidence building patrols to ensure the safety and security in the state.(NAN)