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Tag: Police

  • Attack on Tribunal Secretary: Police caution against statements that may ‘prejudice investigations’

    Attack on Tribunal Secretary: Police caution against statements that may ‘prejudice investigations’

    The Kogi Police Command has cautioned the public against comments that could prejudice its investigation.

    In a statement  on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP WILLIAM OVYE AYA, the police said it is investigating the matter and people should desist from making comments that can undermine the investigations.

    The statement reads: “On Monday 04/12/2023 about 1820hrs, one Mr David Umar Mike ‘m’, Secretary to Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, along with Labode Apreala (f) Confidential Secretary and Hassimu Adamu, Assistant Secretary, came to State Criminal Investigation Department, Kogi State Police Headquarters and reported that on the said date, the three of them left their Hotel rooms in Lokoja about 1300hrs heading to their Office at the High Court Complex driving in his (David’s) Peugeot 406 car.

    “That just before the CBN at about 1320hrs, one SUV vehicle which had earlier overtaken him blocked his car with two other SUVs following behind. All of them surrounded and blocked him as he attempted to reverse.

    Read Also: Court of Appeal relocates Kogi Gov Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja

    “That he saw about seven hooded men all heavily armed and dressed in black attire who shot severally into the air and dragged him and his two other colleagues out of their car, ransacked the car and made away with all the documents including Petitions filed by four (4) Parties namely Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP)/two (2) Record Books/a Bag containing his personal items.

    “He claimed to have also reported to the DSS Office. Hence a thorough and diligent investigation into the incident has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command.

    “The attention of Kogi State Police Command has been drawn to series of distorted information on the incident hence the need to set the records straight.

    “The general public is advised to avoid statements that may prejudice ongoing investigation into the matter.

    “The Command also appeals to anyone with useful information on the alleged incident to provide same to the Command. The public will be updated as investigation progresses.”

  • BREAKING: Police confirm attack on Kogi election panel official, warn against inflammatory statements

    BREAKING: Police confirm attack on Kogi election panel official, warn against inflammatory statements

    The Kogi Police Command on Wednesday confirmed an attack on the Secretary of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Mr. David Mike, on Monday by gunmen.

    A statement issued in Lokoja by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said the secretary was attacked along two other persons on the day.

    Ovye-Aya warned the public from making inflammatory statements on the incident, which he said was under investigation.

    “On Monday, Dec. 4, at about 1820hrs, one Mr David Mike (M) Secretary to Kogi governorship election petition tribunal, along with Labode Apreala (F) Confidential Secretary and Hassimu Adamu Assistant Secretary, came to State Criminal Investigation Department, Kogi State Police Headquarters and reported that they were attacked by gunmen.”

    “On the date (Dec. 4) three of them left their hotel rooms in Lokoja about 1300hrs, heading to their office at the High Court Complex, driving in his (David’s) Peugeot 406 car, but that just before the CBN at about 1320hrs, one SUV vehicle which had earlier overtaken him, blocked his car with two other SUVS following behind.

    “All of them (attackers) surrounded and blocked him as he attempted to reverse.

    “That he (Mike) saw about seven hooded men all heavily armed and dressed in black attire, who shot severally into the air and dragged him and his two other colleagues out of their car, ransacked the car and made away with all the documents, including petitions filed by four parties.

    “The names of the parties are Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).”

    The items also included two  record books and a bag containing his personal items.

    He claimed to have also reported to the DSS Office, ” Ovye-Aya said.

    He  said the Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha, had ordered for a thorough and diligent investigation into the incident.

    He explained that the statement on the attack became imperative following series of distorted information on the incident, hence the need to set the records straight.

    “The command hereby advises the general public to avoid making statements that might prejudice ongoing investigation into the matter.

    “The command also appeal to anyone with useful information on the alleged incident to provide same to the Command, ” Ovye-Aya said.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Police CP, others to host LSSTF 17th AGM

    He, however, pledged to update the public as investigation progressed.

    Nevertheless, APC had earlier said that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) should be investigated over the alleged attack, to save the nation’s democracy.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Director of Media and Publicity, APC Governorship Campaign Council, had made the call in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    But the Kogi SDP, through its Counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), had also raised the alarm over the attack and accused the APC of using hired thugs in Lokoja.

    (NAN)

  • One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    Imo State Police Command said its operatives have killed a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN) and injured others in a gun duel at their hideout at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government. 

    The suspect, who was not named, was said to be second in command to a deadly kingpin, Ebube Virus.

    A statement yesterday by the police spokesman, Henry Okoye, said the neutralised IPOB/ESN commander and fleeing bandits were allegedly involved in the killing of the DPO of Ahiazu Mbaise.

    The statement said the bandits were responsible for most of the dastardly acts committed along the Mbaise axis.

    Okoye said operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, on Monday, stormed the hideout of a deadly IPOB/ESN terrorist syndicate led by Ebube Virus and Ishaka, at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government and dislodged the terrorists.

    Read Also; Makinde, Mbah, Obaseki, Aliyu present Appropriation Bills to Assemblies

    “In the process, the second in command to Ebube Virus, who is famous on the command’s wanted list due to his nefarious activities in Mbaise axis was neutralised in a fierce gunfight that ensued between the terrorists and the combat-ready police operatives.”

     He said others escaped with gunshot injuries, adding that “one AK 47 rifle loaded with 19 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the neutralised terrorist.”

    He said efforts were on to apprehend other fleeing suspects and make them face the full wrath of the law.

     He appealed to owners of hospitals and first-aid outlets to report any person seen treating gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or via 08034773600 or 08098880197.

  • Police, IPOB/ESN clash, one killed, others injured in Imo community

    Police, IPOB/ESN clash, one killed, others injured in Imo community

    Imo state police command said its operatives have killed a commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) and wounded others in a gun duel at their hideout at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh Mbaise local government area of the state.

    The suspect who was not named was said to be second in command to a deadly kingpin Ebube virus.

    In a statement by the police spokesman, Henry Okoye on Tuesday, December 5, the neutralised IPOB/ESN commander and fleeing bandits were allegedly involved in the killing of the DPO of Ahiazu Mbaise.

    He said the bandits were responsible for most of the dastardly acts committed along the Mbaise axis.

    Read Also: Police arrest four suspects, recover gun in Kaduna

    Okoye said the operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping squad led by CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, on Monday, December 4, 2023, stormed the criminal hideout of a deadly IPOB/ESN terrorist syndicate led by Ebube Virus and Ishaka, at Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh-Mbaise LGA of Imo State and dislodged the terrorists.

    He said: “In the process, the second in command to Ebube Virus who is famous on the Command’s wanted list due to his nefarious activities in the Mbaise axis was neutralized in a fierce gunfight that ensued between the terrorists and the combat-ready Police operatives.”

    He said others escaped with gunshot injuries, adding that “one AK 47 riffle loaded with 19 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the neutralized terrorist.”

    He said that an operation was in progress to track down other fleeing suspects and make them face the full wrath of the Law.

     He appealed to owners of hospitals and first-aid outlets to report any person seen treating gunshot injuries to the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600 or 08098880197.

  • Family petitions group over Police withdrawal of criminal charges

    Family petitions group over Police withdrawal of criminal charges

    The family of Adesada Oganjugbe of Epe, Lagos State, has petitioned  the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) over the recent threat to life of some family members and how a magistrate court  granted application for withdrawal of case from court without the consent of the nominal complainant.

    Based on the petition, HURMA said it has resolved to investigate the claims in the petition and ensure justice is achieved in the matter.

    The group has however called on Inspector-General of Police and Lagos State Attorney-General/Commissioner of Justice to look Into the matter.

    The petition to HURMA detailed what transpired at the last sitting of the court. It was titled “Re: charge number R/38/2023, C.O.P. VS SHINA ADEBISI.

     Before His Honour (Mrs). K. K. Awoyinka of Court 18, Igbosere In The Lagos Magistrate District

    “The case in the above charge Number was brought to Court by Zone 2 Command Headquarters on Friday, November 3, 2023 where the suspect was granted bail, remanded at Zone 2 due to congestion of Correctional Centres and the case adjourned to November 20, 2023 for trial.

    “At the resumed adjournment date on Monday, November 20, 2023, the prosecutor pleaded that he was not prepared for trial and asked that the order remanding the defendant at Zone 2 be vacated and transferred to Correctional Centre.

    “The defendant’s lawyer also informed the court that he had not made arrangements with his client on the trial.

    The case was adjourned to December 01, 2023 while the defendant was transferred to Correctional Centre.

    “At the resumed hearing of the charge against the defendant on Friday, December 1, 2023, the O/C Legal of Zone 2 Police Command, moved motion for the withdrawal of the case on the directive of the AIG.

    The Magistrate, K. K. Awoyinka (Mrs.) declined the oral application and directed that a proper application should be brought before the Court. She, therefore, stood down the case.

    Read Also: Police kill two kidnapp suspects in Adamawa

    Thereafter, the O/C Legal brought an application for the withdrawal of the case. The Magistrate consented to the application and struck out the case without recourse to the complainant and his witnesses that were in court despite his continuous observations through raising up of his hands in the court.

    HURMA, while condemning such act and promised to investigate the authenticity of the complainant’s claim also called on Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the charge without complainant’s consent.

    According to the Executive Director of HURMA Global Resource Initiative, Comrade Isiak Olaitan Buna, “the nominal complainant or Victim’s consent must be obtained before the case is withdrawn, because he is the victim who must have been traumatised with the threat to life and malicious damage by the defendant.

    “For the case to be withdrawn, the Victim must be in the witness box and the Magistrate must hear the Victim’s oral application under oath for withdrawal.

    “The nominal complainant had petitioned the Zone 2 Command when noticing a fowl play by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Noforija in Epe where lives and properties of the complainant were being threatened.

    “An alleged land grabber in the community was allegedly destroying properties of the family and selling their lands with full backing of the DPO. However one of the perpetrators was finally arrested, arraigned and remanded at the Correctional Centr, only for the Zone 2 Command to later turn around and this was granted by the Magistrate without the opinion or consent of the nominal complainant, whose live was directly threatened.

    “We pleaded with IGP and the Lagos State Commissioner for Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, to investigate this unwholesome act and ensure that justice is not only seen but must be seen to have been done.”

  • Police to strenghten security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    Police to strenghten security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    The Cross River State Command of the Police has assured the people of effective policing in all parts of the state during the ongoing annual Calabar carnival.

    It gave the assurance in a statement issued in Calabar by Command spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, a Superintendent of Police (SP).

    SP Ugbo stated that officers had been deployed to man recreation centers and critical infrastructure across the state, especially in the capital city.

    According to her, the measure is to ensure effective policing during the festival.

    She added that the Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, had ordered aggressive vehicular and foot patrols within the Calabar metropolis before, during and after the festive season.

    The command warned all “potential” dealers and users of fireworks to desist from the illegitimate venture.

    The statement quoted the commissioner to have appealed to parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from patronising dealers of all kinds of fireworks because of the current security situation nationwide.

    Read Also: Police raid criminal hideout in Adamawa, kill two suspected kidnappers

    It reads: “Residents are warned to be wary of some dastardly criminal elements operating in motorcycles to rob people within Calabar and its environs.

    “The command has launched an onslaught against this dare-devil gangs operating in the state.

    “We are resolute and will not fail to deal decisively with hoodlums, political thugs and all forms of illegal or unapproved processions intended to breach the peace we enjoy in the state.

    “We will also be invoking the extant state and federal laws accordingly.”

    The statement also appealed to residents, community and youth leaders, traditional institutions and clergymen to cooperate with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence and prompt reportage of any suspicious movements in their areas.

  • Police to launch ‘Go Green Initiative’ Jan., says IG

    Police to launch ‘Go Green Initiative’ Jan., says IG

    The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to launch a “Go Green Initiative”  next year, as a climate solution to support Nigeria’s transition to a low carbon economy.

    The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Kayode Egbetokun, made this known yesterday in Dubai at the side event of the ongoing climate change conference known as COP28.

    This, initiative, he explained, was a Nigeria Police’s carbon emissions reduction programme.

    According to him, this sustainable development programme will also boost the Police operations efficiency and capacity to fight crime and maintain law and order in the country.

    Read Also: Police raid criminal hideout in Adamawa, kill two suspected kidnappers

    “There is a growing concern about climate change around the world.

    “What the police are doing is blazing the trail so that other government agencies will follow suit.

    “The initiative plans to encourage a lifestyle change amongst officers by implementing various eco-friendly strategies.

    “These include planting trees around police stations, using solar power to light up police facilities, and rolling out gas and electric vehicles,” said the police chief.

    Egbetokun added that the initiative would also serve as the police’s contribution to Nigeria’s global commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change.

  • Two men in police net for starving their cousin to death

    Two men in police net for starving their cousin to death

    Two men are in police custody in Nasarawa State for allegedly locking up their 35-year-old cousin and starving him to death over allegation of witchcraft.

    Acting Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Mr Shettima Muhammad, confirmed the arrest of the duo yesterday in Lafia.

    He said police received information on November 30 that the deceased, Mohammed Sani had his hands and legs tied and locked away in his room where he was starved to death over allegation of witchcraft.

    Muhammad said the family hurriedly buried the remains of Sani, but further investigation was on-going to arrest others that might have been involved in the murder.

    He added that the two suspects already arrested denied their involvement and claimed that they only participated in the burial after discovering the decomposing body Sani in his room.

    In another development, Muhammad paraded 16 suspects arrested between October and November for various criminal offences across Nasarawa State.

    Read Also: Police beef up security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    He said 10 of the suspects were arrested for armed robbery, five for kidnapping and one for defilement.

    He added that police also recovered seven firearms and 27 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.

    On the case of defilement, Muhammad said the suspect, Habu Yusuf (21), was arrested on Oct. 31, for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl.

    He said the victim’s mother reported the case to the police on the fateful day when she found her daughter walking abnormally.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had also sexually molested two of his elder brother’s children aged eight years and 10 years before nemesis caught up with him,” Muhammad said.

    He commended the collaboration of other security agencies and that of citizens with the police in the fight against crime in Nasarawa State and sued for sustenance of the synergy.

  • Police beef up security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    Police beef up security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    The Police Command in Cross River has assured the people of effective policing in all parts of the state during the annual Calabar carnival, which kicked off on Friday.

    The assurance is contained in a statement issued in Calabar by the command’s Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

    Ugbo stated that officers had been deployed to man recreation centers and critical infrastructure across the state, especially in the capital city.

    According to her, the measure is to ensure effective policing during the festival.

    She added that the Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, had ordered aggressive vehicular and foot patrols within the Calabar metropolis before, during and after the festive season.

    The command warned all “potential” dealers and users of fireworks to desist from the illegitimate venture.

    The statement quoted the commissioner to have appealed to parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from patronising dealers of all kinds of fireworks because of the current security situation nationwide.

    “Residents are warned to be wary of some dastardly criminal elements operating in motorcycles to rob people within Calabar and its environs.

    Read Also: Police confirm attack on INEC REC’s residence in Kogi

    “The command has launched an onslaught against this dare-devil gangs operating in the state.

    “We are resolute and will not fail to deal decisively with hoodlums, political thugs and all forms of illegal or unapproved processions intended to breach the peace we enjoy in the state .

    “We will also be invoking the extant state and federal laws accordingly,” Ugbo stated.

    The statement also appealed to residents, community and youth leaders, traditional institutions and clergymen to cooporate with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence and prompt reportage of any suspicious movements in their areas.

    (NAN)

  • Police raid criminal hideout in Adamawa, kill two suspected kidnappers

    Police raid criminal hideout in Adamawa, kill two suspected kidnappers

    The police in Adamawa state, working with local hunters, have dislodged a criminal hideout and killed two suspected kidnappers.

    The command, in a statement on Monday, December 4, said the operation was carried out earlier on Sunday, December 3.

    In a statement issued by the state police public relations officer, Suleiman Nguroje, the police said the operatives and hunters disconnected the criminal network operating in parts of the states of Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, as well as the Republic of Cameroon.

    The statement read: “The planned operation was carried out by the Command’s operatives attached to Crack Squad in a joint operation with hunters.

    “The outcome of these successes followed up on collaborative strategies designed by the command to checkmate cases bordering on kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, unlawful possession of firearms, amongst others.”

    The statement said the police operatives and collaborating hunters had earlier on November 30 designed a security ring around some identified hideouts.

    Read Also: Rivers police arrest 13 officers for indecent dressing

    He said: “The effort paid off on December 3 when the suspected kidnappers, upon sighting the security operatives, engaged them in a fierce gun duel, as a result of which two of them were neutralized while others escaped with bullet wounds.”

    It added that four AK-47 rifles and 92 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

    The state commissioner of police, Afolabi Babatola, who appreciated his officers and men as well as the hunters for their gallantry, directed them to go after those on the run and ensure their arrest and prosecution.