Tag: Police

• Police commissioner to demolish shanties

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 85 suspects in Abuja following coordinated raids of black spots in Durumi and Dei-Dei areas between March 31 and April 4.

The suspects were arrested for offences ranging from erecting illegal structures and shanties, to hard drugs peddling snd the manufacturing of counterfeit currencies.

A statement yesterday by the police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said exhibits like counterfeit currencies, foreign and local, light weapons, eight motorcycles, seven generators, gadgets, and several ATM cards were recovered from the shanties.

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Adeh added that the suspects will be screened, and those found culpable will be profiled and arraigned in court.

She said: “While investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, reassures residents of his commitment to flush out criminals from FCT and ensure the safety of all.

“He also urges residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.

The Rivers Police Command has warned those who  may want to capitalise on the ongoing political crisis in the state to foment trouble.

The command in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, said they would not allow anybody to disturb the peace of the state under any guise.

The police said they were fully aware of the numerous political statements and sentiments that had been circulating within the state. 

The statement said: “The Nigeria Police Force is the statutory and constitutional authority entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing laws and orders, as well as protecting lives and properties, among others.

“The Rivers State Police Command, as an integral part of the Nigeria Police Force, is firmly committed to upholding and enforcing all laws and orders within the state.

“The command will not stand idle and allow any individual or group to disrupt the existing peace in the state under any guise or pretext.

“The Rivers State Police Command will not hesitate to take decisive action against any person or group of persons found to be in violation of the laws and orders of the state”.

The police implored members of the public to maintain peace and abide by the laws of the land.

The command appealed to those involved in the ongoing political unrest to seek peaceful and lawful means to address their grievances.

The statement said: “Be rest assured that the command remains neutral and apolitical in all matters pertaining to the current political situation”.

To further curb kidnapping, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command have arrested 85 criminal suspects in Abuja.

The arrests were carried out in a streak of coordinated raid exercise between March 31 to April 4, 2024 when the police stormed some identified black spots and criminal hideouts in Durumi and Dei-Dei axis of Abuja, serving as places of hibernation for hoodlums,

The suspects, the police, said were arrested for various offenses, ranging from erecting illegal structures and shanties to the peddling of hard drugs and the manufacturing of counterfeit currencies.

According to a statement on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, a search warrant was executed in some of the structures and several exhibits ranging from paper and coins counterfeit currencies both in local and foreign, light weapons, eight motorcycles, seven generators, gadgets, and several ATM cards suspected to have been stolen from their victims were recovered.

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Adeh said all the arrested suspects will be screened, while those found culpable will be profiled and arraigned in court, as the illegal wooden structures erected by the hoodlums were dismantled and set ablaze to deter criminals from turning these places to a brewing ground of menaces.

She said: “While investigation is still ongoing, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, wishes to reassure residents of his commitment to flush out criminals from FCT and ensure the safety of all.

“He also urges residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192”.

The Police in Lagos State have arrested a 27-year-old man, Abubakar Haruna, for allegedly stealing cables from a transformer in the Onikan area of the state.

Police spokesperson in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a post he shared on his X handle @benHundeyin on Saturday.

Hundeyin said that police operatives stormed the scene of the crime after receiving a distress call and apprehended the suspect.

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“Following a distress call, officers of Onikan Division arrested the suspect after he jumped into a compound, and cut off cables from the transformer within the premises.

“He was arrested with a machete, two saws and pliers,” the image maker said.

The spokesperson said that investigations into the case was ongoing.

(NAN)

The police in Bayelsa State have arrested a 17-year-old boy, Lucky Okubo, over the suspected murder of his 14-year-old girlfriend, Shallon Ebitare, a resident of Akaibiri community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command Musa Mohammed in a statement on Friday said that the Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, had ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the teenage girl in a hotel in Yenagoa.

He said that the suspect who was apprehended by police operatives attached to Ekeki Divisional Police Headquarters, confessed upon interrogation that he took the deceased to a hotel, where he intended to have carnal knowledge of her.

Mohammed said: “The suspect claimed that the deceased went to the bathroom to take her bath but fell and she sustained injuries. Sequel to this, he invited the Hotel Manager who assisted him in taking the deceased to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.

“The suspect is in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yenagoa while investigation continues with a view to ascertaining the cause of death.

“The CP has urged the general public to remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or call the Command’s control emergency numbers.”

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Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command has assured the well-meaning people of Bayelsa State of its commitment to ensure social harmony and security stability during tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) council election in the eight LGAs and wards of the state.

The statement by spokesman Musa Mohammed said CP Alonyenu Francis Idu had strategically deployed adequate police personnel and security assets across the nooks and crannies of the state to prevent any form of electoral violence before, during and after the election.

The spokesman said: “The CP urges all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates and voters to conduct themselves peacefully and abide by the laws governing the process. The State Command will be collaborating closely with other security agencies, electoral officials and relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth and credible election.

“The CP calls on all residents of Bayelsa State to exercise their civic duty by participating in the election peacefully and responsibly.”

The Rivers State Police Command have arrested Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Usman, Sule Abubakar, and Abdullahi Adamu, for allegedly kidnapping four employees, who were on inspection of some property in Okocha community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The police also arrested one Godfrey Odum for reportedly kidnapping a student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic identified as Precious Chukwu.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement, said the fear underscored the unwavering commitment of the police to combat the menace of kidnapping in the state.

The statement said the investigation that led to the arrest of the kidnappers was initiated following a report made by the management of Lujo Heights Homes on January 19, 2024.

The police said: “The report detailed the disappearance of four staff members during a routine property inspection in Okocha community, Igbo-Etche, Etche Local Government Area. Despite repeated attempts to establish contact, there was no response from the missing individuals.

“Through meticulous intelligence-gathering efforts, the police apprehended four suspects believed to be connected to the incident. During questioning, these suspects confessed to their involvement in the abduction of the victims, as well as the subsequent destruction of the Toyota Sequoia SUV they were travelling in.

“The victims, who endured a harrowing ordeal in the forests of Etche, recalled being subjected to inhuman treatment and constant threats of death unless a ransom of NGN 300,000,000 was paid for their release.

“Investigations revealed that these individuals are part of a criminal network predominantly comprised of Fulani individuals operating under the guise of cattle rearers. They have engaged in series of kidnapping across Rivers, Delta and Edo states.

“In Port Harcourt, they had taken up residence in Valley Decision Estate, where they deceitfully convinced the community to grant them access to the land, purportedly for protection against land grabbers.”

Profiling the suspects, the police said Aliyu Usman, aged 33 from Kebbi State, emerged as a central figure in the criminal operations, adding that he had been working as a security guard in Valley Decision Estate, Rumukwurushi, facilitating the infiltration of criminals.

The statement said: “Sule Abubakar, aged 25, was brought into the gang by Aliyu with the aim of strengthening their criminal activities in Port Harcourt.

“During interrogation, Sule confessed to his participation in his first kidnapping assignment in Edo State alongside his elder brother who is currently at large.

“Abdullahi Adamu, aged 20 from Taraba State, had recently arrived in Port Harcourt and was undergoing training in criminal operations under the guidance of Aliyu.

“Furthermore, Mallam Yahaya, who had been supplying food to the captors, was also apprehended. He admitted receiving the sum of NGN 470,000 as his share of the ransom”.

The statement said during the operations, the police recovered two locally-made pistols, two smart phones and a black Toyota Sequia belonging to the gang.

It said investigations were underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network who were still at large.

On the incident at the polytechnic, the statement said: “The Anti-Cultism Unit successfully arrested a notorious cultist and kidnapper known as Godfrey Odum. Godfrey was implicated in the abduction of Precious Chukwu, a student of Elechi Amadi Polytechnic.

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 “The victim was eventually released after being robbed of her belongings. Godfrey has confessed to the crime and has provided crucial information regarding the identities of other gang members involved.

 “The Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, expressed his commendation for the outstanding efforts of the officers of Rivers State Police Command in combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents.

 “He advised residents to be careful when hiring security personnel and reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements.

“The Commissioner urged all residents to remain law-abiding citizens and to cooperate with the police in their efforts to maintain peace and security within the state.

 “The Rivers State Police Command continues to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and protection of all residents.

“The public is urged to provide any relevant information that may assist in ongoing investigations.”

The  Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Police Command in Lagos, said it had  impounded 85 motorcycles in continuation of  its clamp down on motorcycles  plying prohibited routes in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a post he shared on his X handle, @benHundeyin, on Friday.

He said that RRS, in collaboration with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), seized 85 motorcycles in different areas of the state on Thursday.

“RRS supported by their counterparts from LAMATA Enforcement Team carried out the operation yesterday.

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“The areas visited by the team include: Ojodu Berger, Aguda (Ikeja), Iju Road, Agege, Iyana Ipaja Bridge, Abule Egba and Ogba.

“The operation was led by RRS Commander, CSP. Olayinka Egbeyemi.

“In a similar operation two weeks ago, the team led by Egbeyemi impounded 257 motorcycles, ” he  said.

According to him, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, said the command would continue to deal with individuals who flout traffic laws in the state.

“Fayoade has assured that the exercise will be sustained until there is compliance with Lagos State.

“He said that the command will not fold its arms and allow recalcitrant individuals to flout state’s traffic law without consequences, ” he said.

(NAN)

• Constable recruits posted to 20 centres

The Police Recruitment Board set up by the Police Service Commission (PSC) to midwife the ongoing recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed 20 centres for the medical screening of successful and shortlisted applicants.

The development followed the just-concluded computer-based tests (CBTs) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Over 400,000 Nigerians had applied for the recruitment but 30,000 applicants will be admitted.

The medical screening is one of the several processes the board put in place to evaluate the applicants’ suitability for the job.

The applicants had been subjected to physical and credential screening and later the CBTs.

They will, on April 16, undergo the last part of the screenings with the medical examination.

The medical screening, according to a statement yesterday in Abuja by PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, will last two weeks.

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The 20 centres selected for the exercise are: Zone 1, Kano: Police Cottage Hospital, Bompai, Kano; Zone 2, Lagos: Police College, Ikeja; Zone 3, Yola: Police Clinic, Yola; Zone 4, Makurdi: Police Clinic, Makurdi; Zone 5, Benin: Police Cottage Hospital, Benin; and Zone 6, Calabar: Police Hospital, Calabar.

Other centres are: Zone 7, Abuja: MD Abubakar Police Hospital, Dei Dei, Abuja; Zone 8, Lokoja: Police Clinic, Lokoja; Zone 9, Umuahia: Police Hospital, Umuahia; Zone 10, Sokoto: PTS Clinic, Sokoto; Zone 11, Osogbo, Police Hospital,  Osogbo; Zone 12, Bauchi: PTS Clinic, Bauchi; Zone 13, Ukpo: Police Hospital, Awka; Zone 14, Katsina: Ibrahim Coomassie Cottage Hospital,  Katsina; Zone 15, Maiduguri: Police College, Maiduguri; and Zone 16, Yenagoa: Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa.

The statement added: “The other four centres are: Zone 17, Akure: Police Hospital, Akure; Zone 18, Yobe: Utral Modern Police Hospital, Gashua Road, Damaturu; Zone 19, Kaduna: Police College Clinic, Kaduna; and Zone 20, Gusau:  Police Secondary School Clinic, Zaria Road, Gusau.”

The candidates for the medical screening, the PSC said, had been contacted on the dates and time for their screening.

PSC Chairman Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), prayed for a successful conclusion of the recruitment exercise.

The chairman urged the applicants to keep to the dates and times allocated to them, stressing that medical professionals have been selected to examine their health status, which is one of the requirements for the recruitment.

Arase said successful applicants will report at designated Police Colleges for the mandatory training.

The statement added: “The Police Recruitment Board has Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Commissioner of the Police Service Commission, as Chairman, and assisted by DIG Frank Mbah, DIG Training.

“Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Bode Akinbamilowo is the Secretary of the Board and Assisted by Sanusi Yusuf, an Assistant Director with the Police Service Commission.

“Membership of the board are drawn from the PSC, the NPF, the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Police Trust Fund, and police colleges.”

A police escort attached to the Abuja-Kaduna train died inside the train on Thursday during a trip from Rigasa(Kaduna) to Abuja.

The cause of his death and his identity is yet to be revealed by the management of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).

An official of the AKTS however confirmed the police personnel’s death to The Nation.

The AKTS official, who pleaded anonymity, said: “They just shared the report of his death with me but I am yet to receive the comprehensive report.

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“The information about his death was shared on one of our official platforms and when I made inquiry about it, I was asked to await comprehensive report to ascertain what actually happened.

“I learnt that they left Rigasa and while approaching Abuja, he slumped and died. I think he is a Mobile Police personnel.”

Another source, who confirmed the death, said: “I was informed about his death but we are waiting for the office and the medical team to submit a report so as to know what happened.”

He added that the deceased has been taken to a mortuary.

Operatives of the Ezinze Division of the Enugu Police Command have rescued victims allegedly kidnapped by suspected gunmen along Eke-Ebe Road in Udi Local Government Area.

Enugu Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe confirmed this in a statement in Enugu. 

According to the statement, the victims, who were kidnapped around 4:45 p.m. on March 31, 2024, were rescued around 6:15 p.m. the same day by the police with the neighbourhood watch group after a fierce gun duel with the criminals, who abandoned the victims and fled.

“Enugu State Police Command’s operatives serving in Ezinze Police Division, complemented by the Neighbourhood Watch Group, on March 31, 2024, at about 6:15 p.m., rescued victims alleged to have earlier been kidnapped on the same date, at about 4:55 p.m., along Eke/Ebe Road in Udi Local Government Area, after a fierce gun battle with the abductors, who abandoned the victims and fled,” it reads

The command said its rescue operation was in swift response to information it received about the attack on the victims, who were plying the road in two Mercedes Benz 4Matic jeeps, and were later abducted into the forest, adding that “further operations to hunt down the abductors are ongoing.”

The police spokesperson, however, said Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, “condemned the viral video, alleging that another police team that further responded to the incident, but without clear knowledge of the location of the first responding team, refused to go into the forest to rescue the same victims. 

“This is even when the operatives had only arrived at the scene and were awaiting necessary intelligence guidance before proceeding into the forest to avoid any form of collateral damage.”

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Describing the allegations in the viral video as an act of mischief aimed at maligning and detracting the police from purging the state of criminals and their activities, the commissioner reiterated the command’s resolve to rid the state of unrepentant criminals and their activities despite the mischievous detraction.