Tag: Police

Three suspects, including two teenagers, have been arrested in Enugu State for alleged armed robbery.

The suspects are David Ogah Bassey (alias “Onye Army”) 31; Akabue Favour 18 and Obayi Chiemezie, 19.

Enugu police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said the suspects specialised in snatching cars and robbing commercial tricyclists, popularly known as keke, of their cash and other valuables in Enugu metropolis and other parts of the state.

Ndukwe said the suspects were arrested May 3 and May 7 in Oji River and Gariki.

According to the police, the teenagers Akabue Favour and Obayi Chiemezie, both males and residents of Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, were arrested after they used two toy pistols to snatch Honda car from its owner at Amaetiti-Akwu in Achi community of Oji-River Local Government Area, on the same date around 5.05 a.m on May 3.

“But they could not escape, as the operatives gave them a hot chase and apprehended them after the car skidded off the road into the bush,” the police said.

The toy guns and a syringe containing a liquid substance suspected to be acid and other exhibits were recovered from them.

Read Also: Police officers fighting on the street dismissed in 2022 – Force PRO

Also, Onye Army was arrested by police detectives at Gariki, Enugu following the receipt of a report from a tricyclist, who alleged that a gang of three armed robbers, on May 6, 2024, around 10 p.m., diverted and robbed him of his cash, phone, and other belongings while conveying them to Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu.

“Upon leading the detectives to the scene of the incident, the suspect sighted them and attempted escaping before he was caught, and the firearm (one locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol ) was recovered from him. The victim was able to identify the suspect as one of the same armed gang members that robbed him the previous night,” Ndukwe said.

He said all the suspects would be arraigned and prosecuted once discreet investigations into the cases were concluded.

Two police officers who were caught fighting in a viral video were dismissed in 2022.

The police public relations officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this on Friday while reacting to the viral circulating on social media.

Adejobi said, after investigation, it was confirmed that the regrettable incident occurred: ” in the year 2020. The behavior displayed by the officers during this altercation, witnessed by members of the public who had to intervene to separate them, is completely unacceptable and unbecoming of officers entrusted with upholding law and order.

“The Nigeria Police Force is aware of a video circulating on social media platforms depicting a street fight involving two police officers. The two officers involved afied as F/NO. 491112 Cpl Ozimaede Aidonojie and F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen, both of whom served at the Ebele Divisional Police Headquarters in Edo State.

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“In response to this serious breach of professional ethics, both Cpl Ozimaede Aidonojie and PC Salubi Stephen have been dismissed from the Force. Their dismissal was officially communicated through a Police wireless signal with reference number CH 6450/EDS/PROV/VOL.3/188, dated April 24, 2020.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to reiterate its condemnation of such act in the strongest terms, while assuring resolute commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity among its personnel.

“Members of the public are encouraged to continue to partner with the Force, as partnership is key to promoting accountability and transparency in the Force, as well as enhancing a safe and secure environment for all”.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline. 

The development, IGP said, is in a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

He said a Police Inspector has been dismissed from service while three (3) others were demoted to their previous ranks following thorough investigations which confirmed their involvement in various acts of indiscipline/crime. 

One Inspector Adabo Mohammed, he said was dismissed for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping, and corrupt practice.

The police boss said the dismissed officer, along with 5 others were members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the robbery of the sum of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT as well as the kidnap of one Ikechukwu Emmanuel Okafor in Tunga Manje and the collection of ransom sum of N4.4m.

He stressed that the mandate of the Police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.

Read Also: Police confirm 15 dead in Kano mosque attack

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Iine with this policy, all cases reported against personnels have been creditably attended to, and justice have been done appropriately. Many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded. 

“The ex-officer has been charged to court accordingly. Similarly, the trio of Inspectors Osagie Efford, Semiu Agbekin, and Francis Ahuen, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), have been demoted to their previous rank of Sergeant for the extortion of some motorists in Abuja.

“The trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz at Gwarinpa, Abuja, and forced the occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4m. The matter when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (@HarrisonBBi18) via the social media platform ‘X’, was taken up and properly investigated. 

“While the monies have been returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to orderly room trial in line with extant laws, and have been demoted. 

“Also, recognizing that accountability must be enforced at all levels, several senior officers have been subjected to the Force Disciplinary Committee hearings. These hearings are part of an exhaustive review process to scrutinize and address allegations of misconduct against higher-ranking officers of the Force. 

“This wave of disciplinary actions is part of a broader initiative to implement comprehensive reforms within the police force. These reforms aim to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms, enhance training programs focused on ethics and community policing, and improve transparency in disciplinary procedures”.

The IGP assured the public that these measures are taken with the utmost seriousness and are integral to restoring and maintaining their trust. 

He re-emphasized that the NPF is dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability and respect within all ranks to ensure that police officers serve with integrity.

The Police Command in Kano State has confirmed the death of 15 persons in a mosque attack in Gadan village in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a man on Wednesday allegedly sprayed the mosque with petrol, locked its doors and setting it on fire, trapping about 40 worshippers.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, told NAN in a telephone interview that so far 15 out of the 24 victims of the incident died.

Initial reports said one worshipper had died from the attack but the death toll later rose after more victims died receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

Read Also: Police grill Ataoja of Osogbo over purported petition by co-monarch 

Gumel said that the incident occurred during a dawn prayer at a mosque in Gadan village, leaving 24 worshippers injured.

He said the injured victims were currently receiving treatment at the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.

NAN reports that the suspect, Shafi’u Abubakar, 38 is currently in police custody.

The motive behind the attack was believed to be a family conflict over the sharing of family inheritance.

The commissioner said that the police are continuing with their investigation into the attack. (NAN)

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Olanipekun Oyetunji was on Thursday grilled by the police over a petition purportedly by a co-monarch in Olorunda local government area.

There was rumpus in Osun State capital on Thursday over the whereabout of Ataoja with members of All Progressives Congress(APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading words over claims that Oba Oyetunji was arrested by the police.

But The Nation learnt that Oba Oyetunji was invited to Abuja by security operatives over a petition by a king under his domain relating to fund.

When contacted the Secretary of the palace, Mr Wasiu Bello confirmed that Oba Oyetunji travelled to Abuja over a petition filed against him.

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National President, Osogbo Progressive Union (O.P.U) dispelled insinuations that Ataoja was arrested by police in Abuja.

He explained in a text:“It’s untrue that His Royal Majesty, Kabiyesi, Ataoja of Osogboland is being held in Abuja by the Police. The truth is that the Ataoja was invited to Abuja to clear himself of some allegations contained in a petition to the Police against him, just like anybody can be invited by the Police on any alleged allegation.

“The Ataoja is now already on his way back to Osogbo from his trip to the Federal capital where he went only yesterday. I can confirm to you that Ataoja is not being detained in Abuja as you are reading on the social media.”