The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • We arrested 207 suspected robbers, recovered 108 firearms in 2023 – Oyo Police

    We arrested 207 suspected robbers, recovered 108 firearms in 2023 – Oyo Police

    The Oyo State Police Command on Friday, December 29, said it arrested two hundred and seven armed robbery suspects and recovered fifty stolen vehicles and forty-six motorcycles/tricycles since January till date.

    The police also said one hundred and eight firearms and seven hundred and twenty-one rounds of various calibres of ammunition were also retrieved from the possession of criminals.

    Speaking while parading suspected criminals at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the spokesman of the Command, Adewale Osifeso said the Command adopted a holistic approach in tackling security challenges in the state.

    He noted that the Command’s security architecture was enhanced to accommodate clampdown on criminal elements through the adoption of a strategic 4-Point Action Plan which includes purposeful inter-agency collaborations, enhanced community policing engagements, advanced intelligence-led Policing, and improved organisational competencies of officers through effective training and retraining.

    He said despite gigantic land mass, exponential industrialization pace, and geometric population increase in the state, officers and men of the Command still stamped their feet on the ground to assert professionalism, strength, and courage in the fight against crime across the state.

    Earlier, the Command in a way of raising security awareness ahead of the New Year celebration toured some parts of Ibadan.

    Read Also: Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    The police convoy took off from the state police command in Eleyele and moved through the challenge en route to Lagos Ibadan Toll Gate, then back through Molete, Oke-Ado axis, Aleshinloye via G-Allen and terminated at the state command.

    A chairman of one of the garages visited under Oyo Park Management System (PMS) at Challenge, Mr Mayowa Famuyide, told journalists that the relationship between PMS and the police has been cordial and impressive culminating in the improved security and safety of of commuters in and outside of Ibadan, the state capital.

    Meanwhile, a statement by Osifeso said: “As we gradually bid 2023 farewell, the CP has ordered that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Department/formations and Tactical Commanders deploy adequate personnel and resources throughout the length and breadth of Oyo State, particularly at all critical infrastructures, recreational facilities, Media Houses, Banks, Correctional centres, Public Spaces, Places of Worship and all adjoining highways and routes within and outside Oyo State.”

    “Similarly, the CP has directed that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders should increase layers of supervision around their subordinates particularly men on the field who daily interface with commuters and other civilian populations while the Command’s Monitoring and X-squad units have been tasked to deal decisively with any officer whose actions or inactions bring about embarrassment to the Command and by extension the Police Force through extortion, incivilities, and other professional misconducts.”

    “In furtherance of the above, the Oyo State Police Command is pleased to inform residents that within the past five (5) months, it has recorded significant successes in reducing crime rates across the state. This was attained through a combination of intelligence-led operations, community engagements, and proactive policing.”

    “The Commissioner of Police, however, assured residents to go about their lawful duties and also enjoy the Yuletide season without tolerating any form of fear.”

  • Police bust inter-state child abduction syndicate

    Police bust inter-state child abduction syndicate

    • Arrest nine

    Police have busted inter-state child abduction and trafficking syndicate and arrested nine suspects after months of tracking across seven states.

    The investigation was initiated by the Police Command in Kano State, following reports of missing children.

    Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, told reporters yesterday in Kano that the syndicate had been operating for over 10 years, and allegedly specialised in inter-states trafficking, abduction, buying and selling of minors.

    He said diligent investigation helped to dismantle the syndicate, which has members in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo states.

    Read Also: Crossover night celebration: Police to dominate Yola space Sunday, Monday

    “It was through diligent investigations by our dedicated team of officers that the operations of these criminal networks that have been in existence for more than 10 years were identified,” he added.

    Gumel said seven victims, mostly minors, were rescued from the suspects, adding that some of the children were sold for between

    N300,000 and N600,000.

    “It was found during investigations that a victim, Mohammed Ilya, who was abducted from Bauchi but had his named changed to Chidebere, was sold recently at Nnewi in Anambra State,” the commissioner of police said.

    Gumel said the command was working with the state government to ensure that all the children were safely reunited with their families.

    He urged residents to be security conscious to avert such criminal acts, as the police strive to ensure law and order in the society.

  • Crossover night celebration: Police to dominate Yola space Sunday, Monday

    Crossover night celebration: Police to dominate Yola space Sunday, Monday

    The Adamawa State Police Command has announced a traffic diversion around the Great Interchange and Flyover, Yola, in preparation for an entertainment mega rally scheduled for the place on Sunday, December 31st, 2023 through the early hours of Monday, January 1, 2024,

    The traffic diversion is to secure the New Year entertainment rally.

    The Adamawa State Police Command, in a statement released by the Command spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, advised traffic from Yola International Airport to Yola Town to divert from Fire Service Roundabout through Bekaji and Federal Secretariat, while those going to Numan Road from Dougirei are to follow Ribadu Square through Target Junction upward to Fire Service Roundabout.

    Read Also: Adamawa deputy gov, commissioners clean up Yola

    The Police statement stressed that the ‘Night of Entertainment and Waiting’ starting Sunday night, will take place at the Great Interchange & Flyover by the Police headquarters.

    The Police stated: “To ensure effective policing within the period, the Command wishes to inform members of the public that there will be adequate security deployment around the city and emplacement of traffic diversions at strategic places around the event ground, which includes all sister security agencies.

    “The Command is also advising the public to keep their vehicles away from the event area and not to panic when they see heavy police visibility as would be witnessed at the various traffic control points to aid the free flow of traffic.”

  • Police deny compromising fake WAEC certificate probe

    Police deny compromising fake WAEC certificate probe

    The police in Akwa Ibom State have denied compromising the investigation of Joseph John, who allegedly issued a fake West African School Certificate (WASC) to Miss Joy Samuel.

    She had petitioned the Nigeria Police protesting that it granted bail to the suspect without her consent.

    Police spokesman Odiko MacDon said in a statement that the command was not partisan in the matter.

    He said: “Akwa Ibom State Police Command received a petition of forgery and conspiracy from Miss Joy Samuel, alleging that Mr. Joseph John gave her a fake West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result.

    “On receipt of the petition, the Command’s Monitoring Unit was mandated to carry out a discreet investigation. The suspect was arrested on December 22, 2023 for interrogation.

    Read Also: Nigeria is in good hands, Tinubu assures citizens

     ”However, while investigation was in progress, as the command had written to WAEC to ascertain the true position of the result, Miss Samuel made a video that went viral, alleging that the investigation had been compromised.

    “Her outburst did not deter the police from pursuing the truth. Our investigation showed that Joseph John and Joy Samuel were intimate friends at the time of writing the exam and collection of result.”

  • Police rescue four children abducted by new tenant, six others

    Police rescue four children abducted by new tenant, six others

    Abia State Police Command yesterday announced the rescue of the four children kidnapped in Umuahia, the state capital, by a tenant who packed into a new house.

    Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka said two of the children were rescued on December 22, 2023, while another two were rescued on December 24.

    The Nation had reported that a female tenant, who packed into a house, whose name could not be ascertained, kidnapped two sisters and a cousin, including the child of another tenant.

    Read Also: Abia police rescue four children abducted by new tenant

    The spokesperson said eight suspects, including Ifeoma Abonyi, have been arrested in the course of investigation.

    Abonyi, a 35-year-old woman, was said to have been arrested in Asaba, Delta State.

  • Police rescue four missing children, arrest abductors in Abia

    Police rescue four missing children, arrest abductors in Abia

    The Abia Police Command on Sunday says it has rescued all the four missing children allegedly stolen in Umuahia.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the mothers had earlier reported the alleged abduction by an unidentified tenant to the police on December 16.

    The children belonging to three different parents were identified as Joy Udoma (Female – three years), Ogbonna Udoma(Male – six years), Chioma Kingsley (Female – five years) and Miracle Ikechukwu (Female – five years).

    However, Chinaka stated that two of the children were rescued on  December 22, while another two were rescued on Sunday.

    Read Also: 11 die in Jigawa auto crash, say police

    She said that the police successfully apprehended one Ifeoma Abonyi, a 35-year-old female in Asaba, Delta State, who had been  identified as the hitherto unknown tenant responsible for the abduction of the four children.

    The PPRO revealed that a total of eight suspects, including five females and three males were currently helping with the investigation into the crime.

    According to her, three other persons suspected to be complicit in the crime are still at large.

    “We are intensifying efforts to ensure their arrest soonest.

    “Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing to determine the real status of six other children that were found in the custody of the arrested suspects.

    “This might entail the conduct of DNA tests, as some of the suspects are claiming that the children are their biological offspring,” she stated.

    Chinaka assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made open as soon as possible. (NAN)

  • 11 die in Jigawa auto crash, say police

    11 die in Jigawa auto crash, say police

    No fewer than 11 persons lost their lives at the weekend in an auto crash at Kwanar Gujungu town in Taura Local Government of Jigawa State.

    ASP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), JIigawa Police Command, confirmed this in a statement in Dutse yesterday.

    Shiisu said the accident occurred on Saturday at about 12pm, when two vehicles, a Honda saloon with registration number NSR 469 AE, and a Golf wagon with number plate AUY 292 XA had a head-on-collusion.

    He said the Honda car was conveying five passengers and the driver identified as Abdullahi Muhammad, while the Golf wagon conveyed four passengers and the driver identified as Safiyanu Mamu.

    “On Saturday, at about 1200hrs, the command recorded a fatal motor vehicle accident, which claimed eleven lives at Kwanar Gujungu town, when two vehicles had a head-on-collision, as a result of which all the eleven people in both vehicles answered the supreme call on the spot,” he said.

    Read Also: Emulate Chinese approach in tackling Japa syndrome, US group tells FG

    He said a team of personnel from Taura Divisional Police Headquarters, rushed to the scene and conveyed the victims to the General Hospital, Taura, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead.

    “The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmadu Abdullahi, on behalf of the officers and men of the command, expressed his heartfelt condolence to the immediate deceased’s families, relatives and well-wishers in this trying moment.

    “He prays to Almighty Allah to have mercy on them, forgive their shortcomings and prevent the occurrence of such ugly incidents,” Shiisu.

  • Community to police: we’re ready to die defending our inheritance’ 

    Community to police: we’re ready to die defending our inheritance’ 

    The people of Ezinano community in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State have vowed not to cede their land to anybody or group.

    They said they were ready to stake their lives defending the land, which they noted they inherited from their forefathers.

    The land, they alleged, was being claimed by the people of Enugwu -Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government, in connivance with the police.

    The indigenes, who attempted at the weekend to inspect the land, were, however, stopped by armed police, who insisted they had orders not to let anyone into the disputed land. 

    The policemen stationed on the land opened fire and shot teargas at the indigenes, resulting in pandemonium, as some of the indigenes, including reporters who were to cover the protest, scampered for safety.

    Although no casualty was recorded, no fewer than 14 journalists narrowly escaped death, while four others sustained injuries.

    Addressing reporters after the incident, a prominent member of the community, Chief Kanayo Obidigbo, said police deployment in the area had stalled development of property.

    Obidigbo, who accused the police authority of complexity, said they had demonstrated apparent interest in the land, especially a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    He called on Inspector General of Police Egbetokun Olukayode to investigate the matter and order withdrawal of the operatives from the land.

    He said: “We are here to inspect Agu Nawgu. This is a land our forefathers won in conquest. It is a vast land of about 60 kilometres radius. We grew up to know this land and it has a 1949 survey plan by our fathers, who were illiterate.”

    Read Also: Emulate Chinese approach in tackling Japa syndrome, US group tells FG

    “They gave out the land to Enugwu-Agidi people on rent to be cultivating, but later our forefathers sent them packing when they stopped paying rent.

    “The land belongs to Ezinano community of Awka, which has about 20 villages. Even the estates you see here belong to Awka people.

    “The police presence on our land is unacceptable. The men were sent here by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, whose interest we do not know.

    “They have stalled development in this site. I have a building here, but I can’t continue work because of police presence.

    “You are all witnesses today how police were shooting at us, defenceless  Awka indigenes. Yet they told the IGP they did not post operatives to our land.”

    Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye denied sending police operatives to the land.

    He, however, failed to say who deployed the operatives in the land as alleged by the protesters.

  • We’re ready to die defending our inheritance, Anambra community tells police

    We’re ready to die defending our inheritance, Anambra community tells police

    People of Ezinano community in Awka South local government area of Anambra state have vowed not to cede their land to any body or group.

    They declared they were ready to stake their lives defending the land which they said they inherited from their forefathers.

    The land, according to them, was being claimed by people of Enugwu-Agidi Community in Njikoka Local Government Area in connivance with the Police.

    The indigenes who marched in their scores at the weekend to inspect the land were however stopped by armed police operatives, who insisted they had ordered not to let anyone into the disputed land.

    According to them, the policemen stationed on the land had suddenly opened fire and teargas on the indigenes, resulting to pandemonium, as some of the indigenes, including journalists who were to cover the protest scampered for safety.

    Read Also; Scarcity in abundance: The pain of Nigerian pulp, paper mills

    Although no casualty was recorded, but no fewer than 14 journalists escaped death by whiskers while four others sustained injury during the melee.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the incident, prominent member of the community, Kanayo Obidigbo, said police deployment to the area had stalled development of property on the land.

    Obidigbo, who accused police authorities of complexity, said they had demonstrated apparent interest in the land, especially a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun Olukayode to investigate the matter and order withdrawal of the operatives from the land.

    He said: “We are here to inspect Agu Nawgu. This is a land that our forefathers won in conquest. It is a vast land of about 60 kilometers radius. We grew up to know this land and it has a 1949 survey plan by our fathers who were illiterate.

    “They gave out the land to Enugwu-Agidi people on rent to be cultivating, but later our forefathers sent them packing when they stopped paying rent.

    “The land in question belongs to Ezinano community of Awka, which has about 20 villages. Even the estates you see here belong to Awka people.

    “The police presence on our land is unacceptable. The men were sent here by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, whose interest we do not know.

    “They have stalled development in this site. I have a building here, but I can’t continue with work because of police presence in the area.

    “You are all witnesses today how police were shooting at us, defenceless Awka indigenes. Yet they told the IGP they did not post operatives to our land.”

    When contacted, Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye denied deploying any police operatives to the land.

    He however failed to state who deployed the operatives to the land as alleged by the protesting indigenes.

  • FCT safe, secure, says Commissioner of Police 

    FCT safe, secure, says Commissioner of Police 

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police (CP), Haruna Garba, has called on residents to go about their lawful duties and the celebration of the season.

    Garba assured that FCT is safe and secure. 

    The call is on the heels of a recent publication credited to one Opaluwa Omera ugbe and titled “Abuja not being safe”. 

    The CP said the publication is not only misleading, but also a falsehood and a figment of the imagination of the writer.

    A statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said: “The Command therefore enjoins the residents to enjoy the Yuletide without any fear or apprehension, noting that a robust security arrangement has been emplaced to forestall and confront any untoward situation or threat to public safety. 

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Haruna G. Garba psc, notes that the command is intensifying efforts directed at the Zero-Tolerance to Crimes, and Threats to Public Safety in the FCT. The robust security measure targets crimes such as one-chance, kidnapping, amongst others. 

    “The CP equally warns peddlers of news capable of causing fear and apprehension to desist from such, noting that any attempt to disrupt the peace and serenity already enjoyed by the Populace, would be dealt with accordingly.

    “Residents are however urged to take advantage of the following emergency lines to report suspicious activities as they enjoy their festivities: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.PCB. 090222223527.”