The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police partner telecoms firms to curb kidnapping

    The police and telecommunication companies have agreed to establish a nationwide surveillance system to reduce cases of kidnapping and other

    The system is expected to be connected to the existing Global System of Mobile (GSM) cell sites across the country.

    According to the police, all the telecommunication companies will provide cameras that will be installed on their masts.

    Acting Inspector-General (IG) Mohammed Adamu spoke on the development at the Force headquarters in Abuja yesterday. It was at a meeting with stakeholders in the telecommunication sector.

    The IG, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in charge of Information and Communication Technology, Godwin Nwobodo, said the interventions will help curb the rate of kidnapping which, he said has reached an alarming and embarrassing level.

    He said: “The advent of Global System of Mobile (GSM), communication in Nigeria brought about a lot of positive innovations including integrating the country into the globalized world.

    “These positive trends came with attendant negatives such as increase in crimes including increase in armed robbery, transnational crimes, insurgency and kidnapping among others.

    “It is common knowledge that GSM communications enhances planning and coordination of these criminal activities.

    “These crimes especially kidnapping has become so prevalent all over the country and has reached an alarming embarrassing level, necessitating urgent and drastic interventions.”

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    On how the partnership will work, the IG said: “The intervention from the NPF and sister security agencies will necessitate partnering with telecommunications companies in deploying a nationwide surveillance system via the existing GSM cell site.

    “This will entail the provision of two surveillance Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras each by the telecoms companies on all telecom masts across the country. The camera is cost effective and has a great outdoor performance and is currently used in China and Dubai. The cameras with their Internet Protocol (IP) address will in turn be remotely connected to the nearest Divisional Police Stations, Area Commands, Command and Control centre or server room at the police headquarters, Abuja.

    “The telecoms operators are mandated to provide at least 200 sim card per state to be used by the police body cam and vehicular system with unlimited data plan to support the project as part of their corporate social responsibility.”

    He also urged the telecommunication providers to give it access to short code or emergency number ‘199’ or ‘999’.

    The IG said: “Before now, the defunct NITEL provided short code emergency number 199 that is routed to all police control rooms nationwide but when NITEL stopped functioning, this service became unavailable to the Force.

    “I wish to urge all stakeholders in the telecommunication service providers to help the Force in providing access to short code or emergency number 199 or 999 that will be designated to the Force to be routed to all our control rooms nationwide. This will help us in serving you better and discharge our statutory function to the nation.”

    The Force also urged the stakeholders to assist it in establishment of an ICT Centre and e-library that will enhance its capability.

    Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, who pledged the support of the stakeholders, urged the IG to direct his men to protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism.

    He also sought the support of the police to arrest and persecute anyone that attempts to vandalise or close down its infrastructure.

    Other requests made by Adebayo include:

    • The IG should direct all police commands to kindly and strictly enforce taxation demands pursuant to court orders only as it were done before and enforce security of telecoms infrastructure in volatile areas.
    • Telecoms infrastructure in police formations across the country should be free of charge as they also constitute and declare as security infrastructure.

  • Police tighten noose on bandits as NLC calls for action

    The police commands in northcentral states of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Kogi have been recording success in the fight against armed banditry and other violent crimes. Augustine Okezie, Katsina and Precious Igbonwelundu report.

    Why govt should tackle insecurity, by NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) National President Ayuba Wabba has urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity headlong.

    In his address at the states’ delegates conference of the Benue State chapter of the umbrella union in Makurdi, the state capital, he said Nigerians were being abducted and killed daily.

    He said government must fight violent crimes to attract investment into the country.

    On the N30,000 national minimum wage signed into law by Mr. President, the NLC president advised governors to cut down their running cost and corruption to enable them pay.

    He said Labour would not accept anything less than N30,000.

    Wabba also urged the Federal Government to discountenance the advice by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria should remove fuel subsidy.

    The NLC president stressed that Labour would resist any increase in the price of petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol.

    “We will resist any attempt to transfer incompetence of government to poor workers through an increase in pump price,” he said.

    Wabba expressed dismay over the decay in infrastructure in public institutions, such as schools and hospitals.

    The union leader called for total rehabilitation and reconstruction of public utilities for the benefit of those who cannot afford medical vacation abroad.

    The Comrade Godwin Anya-led Benue NLC Exco was returned unposed for another term in office.

     

    Kidnapping: Masari commiserates with communites

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari yesterday visited Yar Santa and Tsamiyar Jino villages in Kankara Local Government Area to condole and commiserate with the residents over recent bandit attacks.

    Some residents were killed in the attack while property estimated at  millions of naira were destroyed.

    A statement yesterday by the governor’s Special Assistant (SA) on Media, Alhaji Abdul Labaran, said Masari condemned the activities of the bandits.

    It said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed security chiefs to, within the shortest time possible, route out the bandits terrorising parts of Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna stateswith abduction for ransom, arson, murder and other forms of banditry.

    The governor assured the residents that his administration would address the security situation without sparing anybody found culpable, regardless of their positions or status in the society.

    He said: “We will not hesitate to deal appropriately with anyone found to be connected or in any way involved in the activities of the bandits.

    “Peace and normalcy must return to the area, as securing the lives and property of citizens is the sole raison d’etre for government, and failure to do that is tantamount to shirking the responsibility of the oath of office.

    “Rest assured that the government will not abandon you in your hour of need because we will take the fight to the bandits wherever they may be.”

    Masari expressed confidence that with the renewed determination of the government and the commitment of the security agencies, it was only a matter of time before the activities of the bandits are successfully contained, the same way the Boko Haram insurgency has been contained.

    The governor maintained that security had been tightened in the affected areas with the deployment of additional personnel, including over 100 policemen, the launching of special military and police operations on ground and air, as well as provision of additional formal and informal logistics.

    He added that security is the business of everybody, more so that there is no sufficient security personnel to be posted to every part of the country.

    Masari said: “Security and the maintenance of law and order are beyond the capacity of the men and officers of the security agencies. Therefore, there is a need for everyone, especially leaders in the society, to contribute towards ensuring the safety and security of their respective environment.

    “It’s the duty of parents, religious and other opinion leaders to educate the youth and monitor their activities to ensure that such are not in conflict with the interest of the larger society.”

    The Nation recalls that the state has been hijacked by incessant kidnapping and other cases of criminality, particularly in the eight frontline local government areas bordering Zamfara.

    The recent launch of Operation Puff Arder by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in conjunction with the state government, appears to be yielding good result.

     

    Banditry: Police arrest more criminals in Katsina

    The Katsina State Police Command yesterday announced the arrest of more suspected criminals and syndicates terrorising the state, especially suspected kidnappers, cattle rustlers and bandits.

    Police spokesman Gambo Isah, a Superintendent (SP), told reporters in Katsina that the arrests were part of the clampdown on all forms of crime and criminality across the state.

    He said the command under Police Commissioner Sanusi Buba had been recording successes against suspected criminals.

    Gambo said the arrests included a notorious member of cattle rustling/ armed robbery/kidnapping syndicates, which led to the recovery of one locally-made pistol and an axe from the suspect, following a tip-off.

    Those arrested include Jafaru Yahaya, 40, from Mallamawa village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara Dtate, for alleged robbery, kidnapping and terrorising residents  of Zamfara Sate and Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    Gambo said the suspects were  apprehended while allegedly attempting to invade the home of Alhaji Garba Gajere in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    The police spokesman said Yahaya confessed that he was paid N300,000 to kidnap or kill Gajere but declined doing so because of the cordial relations he had with him.

    He said Yahaya asked his victim to refund the N300,000.

    Also, security agents arrested suspected members of a robbery and kidnapping syndicate.

    The police said a partrol team attached to Kankara Division recovered one fabricated rifle from the suspected while responding to a distress call at Yan-Geme village.

    According to him, six suspects allegedly trespassed into the house of Alhaji Salmanu Abdullahi of Yan-Geme village and whisked away his wife to an unknown destination.

    Also, an armed robbery syndicate that specialised in strangling commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called Okada and robbing them of their motorcycles, was smashed.

    The police said they arrested Harisu Audu,  23 and Tanimu Abdu, 18, both  of Kubulen Gada village of Niger Republic, were arrested.

    They said the suspects hired an  Okada rider, Mustapha Alto, of Sharifawa village, Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State to Dan-Nakola village, Daura.

    On the way, the suspects  allegdly used a cable wire and strangled the victim until he lost consciousness.

    They allegedly stole his motorcycle, a  Daylong brand, which was unregistered and valued at N193,000.

    The suspects were apprehended and the stolen motorcycle recovered at Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State.

    The suspects were said to have confessed to the crime.

    Gambo assured that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

     

     18 notorious ‘kidnappers’ held as police recover 22 AK47 rifles, others

    The police yesterday said they have arrested 18 suspected kidnappers and robbers in the Northcentral.

    The arrests, it was learnt, followed earlier arrest of Mallam Salisu Abubakar, said to be a ‘Spiritual Father’ to kidnappers and armed bandits in the North by detectives attached to Operation Puff Adder.

    Those arrested include Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Dan Habu), 37, said to be a native of Kabam in Igabi Local Government Area of  Kaduna State.

    He was said to be responsible for the kidnap and murder of Kajuru monarch, King Agom Adara, and several other heinous crimes.

    Others include Johnson Okafor, 44; Shaibu Iliyasu (aka Smally), 20; Ishaik Dabo (aka Keke) 38; Mohammed Nasiru, 25; Aminu Haruna, 25 and  Shafiu Alhaji Gudau, 25.

    Others include Auwalu Hamisu, 24;  Ado Ya’u, 35; Ibrahim Yusuf, 30;  Ibrahim Audu, 22; Salisu Ajah, 50; Nasiru Umaru, 25; Magaji Abubakar, 27; Salisu Ali, 18; Lawal Shadari, 22; Junaidu Lawal, 18 and Usman Musa, 43.

    According to police spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the suspects were arrested in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Kogi states.

    He said 22 AK47 rifles, five locally-made pistols and a cache of ammunition were recovered from them.

    Mba said a combined team of police detectives used actionable intelligence obtained from the spiritual godfather and other sources to tactically smoke out the kidnappers and armed bandits from their hideouts in Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Katari, Mai Daro and Buruku Forests in Kaduna State before they were eventually arrested at different locations and times in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Kogi states.

    “Meanwhile, police investigations have positively linked the arrested suspects to some of the most heinous crimes committed in Kaduna State and its environs in recent times.

    “Specifically, Abubakar Ibrahim (aka Dan Habu, 37, a native of Kabam in Igabi Local Government Area  of Kaduna State, who was arrested on April 15 at Rigachikun, confessed to the kidnapping and gruesome murder of HRH King Agom Adara of Kajuru Local Government Area and many other kidnappings and murders.

    “Similarly, the arrested gang members were also indicted by investigations for the kidnap and murder of Mallam Yakubu Usman, 40, of Jere Local Government Area, Kaduna State among others,” Mba said.

    He said all the suspects are currently aiding police investigation, adding that they belong to different, fairly independent vicious gangs whose operations were centrally coordinated by the spiritual godfather.

    “Efforts are currently being intensified to arrest other gang members still at large, and recover all weapons in the gangs’ armoury.

    “The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) re-assures the nation that Nigeria Police,, working in concert with other security agencies will not rest on its laurels until kidnapping and other violent crimes are subdued and sanity restored to the land,” Mba said.

  • Police arrest suspected monarch’s killer

    The police have arrested the suspected killer of the monarch of Adara chiefdom in Kaduna State, Maiwada Galadima.

    He was killed last October while on his way to his palace after he accompanied Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Kasuwan Magani where he went to commiserate with the community members, following the violence that claimed lives.

    The police said the suspect, Abubakar Ibrahim, alias Dan Habu, 37 years, an indigene of Kabam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, confessed to kidnapping and killing the traditional ruler.

    A statement in Abuja yesterday by the Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said the operatives also nabbed 17 other suspected kidnappers, who belonged to gangs and recovered from them, 22 AK 47 rifles, five locally- fabricated pistols and a cache of live ammunition.

    He attributed the success to the arrest of the ‘spiritual father’ of the kidnappers and armed bandits operating in the North, Mallam Salisu Abubakar.

    Mba said the police attached to ‘Operation Puff Adder’, through a series of detailed, intensive and sustained investigative operations, arrested 18 more kidnappers and robbers at different times and places across the country.

    On how the arrest was made, he said: “The combined team of crack detectives from IRT, TIU and other operatives, using actionable intelligence obtained from the spiritual father of the kidnappers and other multiple sources, tactically ‘smoked out’ the kidnappers and armed bandits from their hideout at Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Katari, Mai Daro and Buruku forests in Kaduna State before they were arrested at locations in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Kogi states.”

    Mba said investigations have linked the suspects to some of the most heinous crimes committed in Kaduna States and its environs in recent times.

    “For example, Abubakar Ibrahim, alias Dan Habu, aged 37, an indigene of Kabam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was arrested on April 15 at Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government, confessed to the kidnapping and murder of HRH King Agom Adara of Kajuru Local Government Area and many other kidnappings and murders.

    “The arrested gang members were also indicted by investigations in the kidnap and murder of Mallam Yakubu Usman, 40, of Jere Local Government Area of Kaduna State and many other crimes.”

    He said the 18 male suspects are in police custody and assisting in the ongoing investigations. The suspects are: Johnson Okafor, 44, from Anambra State and a resident of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State; Shaibu Iliyasu, alias Smally, 20, an indigene of Rijiana, Abuja; Ishaik Dabo, alias Keke, 38 years, an indigene of Maraban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Mohammed Nasiru, 25, an indigene of Manunfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State; Aminu Haruna, 25, an indigene of Galadimawa village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Shafiu Alhaji Gudau, 25, an indigene of Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State; Auwalu  Hamisu, 24, an indigene of Tashan Fulani village in Manunfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State and Ado Ya’u, 35, an indigene of Rigoji village in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    Others are: Ibrahim Yusuf, 30, an indigene of Kujama village, Kaduna State; Ibrahim Audu, 22, an indigene of Kujama village, Kaduna State; Salisu Ajah, 50, an indigene of Galadimawa village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Nasiru Umaru, 25, an indigene of Manumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State; Magaji Abubakar, 27, an indigene of Kujama village, Kaduna State; Salisu Ali, 18, an indigene of Kujama village, Kaduna State; Lawal Shadari, 22, an indigene of Rijiana village, Kaduna State; Junaidu Lawal, 18, an indigene of Rijiana village, Kaduna State and Usman Musa, 43, an indigene of Rijiana village, Kaduna State.

    Mba said the suspects belonged to different gangs, adding that their operations were coordinated by the spiritual father, Mallam Abubakar.

    He noted that efforts were being intensified to arrest other gang members at large and recover their weapons.

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, hailing his men for the feat, said the Force was working with other security agencies to rid the country of crimes and restore sanity.

  • Police rearrest suspected killer of Super Eagles star’s father

    Suspected murderer of father of former Super Eagles player, Chikelu Iloanyusi, was at the weekend arrested in Anaku, Anyamelum local government area of Anambra State. Police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect, Ikechukwu Emilie, was arrested at his hideout at Anaku following intelligence report.

    He said the 30-year old suspect, who kidnapped and murdered the 85-year old man, Pa Iloanyusi in 2014, had been at large until his arrest. The statement read, “It would be recalled that sometime in 2014, one Pa Iloanyusi aged 85 years and father of Ex-Super Eagles player Chikelu Iloanyusi was kidnapped and murdered by one Ikechukwu Emilie, a notorious kidnapper terrorizing Anaku and Otuocha axis in Anambra State.

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    “Suspect was rounded up at Phix motel Abagana where he jumped down from a three storey building with handcuff and escaped in 2014. “Since then he became elusive and all efforts to get him rearrested was futile. However, on the 27/4/2019, at about 1:30pm, following credible intelligence, Police detectives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) arrested the suspect IKECHUKWU EMILIE ‘m’ aged 30 years in his hideout at Anaku in Anyamelum LGA of Anambra State.”

    Mohammed added that the case was being investigated, while efforts were intensified to apprehend other accomplices.

  • OUTBURSTS: Nigerians voice out against the police over extra-judicial killings

    The Nigeria Police appear to be fast losing the confidence and support of the citizens following the involvement of its men and officers in extra-judicial killings of innocent people they are paid to protect.

    The  barrage of uncomplimentary remarks during the week by many Nigerians  against the police on the force’s tweeter handle reveal the extent the people are disenchanted with the security body.

    The bashing of the police came after by a tweet by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, about how policemen going to arrest a suspect in Ogoja area of Cross River State were attacked with machete and inflicted with deep wounds after the suspect raised the alarm.

    Instead of naturally attracting sympathy for the affected officers, Mba’s tweet provided an opportunity for many people to pour invectives on the police force.

    Mba in the tweet said: “The IGP has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of all persons involved in the unpro

    voked and gruesome attack on police officers who were on a legitimate mission to arrest some suspected armed robbers and receivers of a stolen vehicle in a community in Cross River State.

    “Four police officers attached to IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit were seriously and grievously wounded, with deep machete cuts on their heads and other parts of their bodies.

    “The detectives (the victims of the savage attack) are investigating a case of a stolen Toyota Sienna Bus earlier reported by the Master Chapel Church, a pentecostal church based in Lagos. The detectives had, after a painstaking investigation, arrested four male suspects – Peter, Ben, Ebuka and Johnson. The suspects, who were positively implicated in the crime by police investigation, confessed to indeed stealing the vehicle.

    “They stated further that they had sold the vehicle to another criminal in Benue State. Hence, detectives moved to Benue State with one of the suspects.”

    He further said: “On arrest of the suspect in Benue State, he stated that he had sold the vehicle to another notorious receiver of

    stolen goods based in Ogoja for a sum of #250, 000.With this discovery, the detectives proceeded straight to Cross River State, where the notorious receiver Ikenga was apprehended and the stolen vehicle recovered.

    “However, in a bizarre twist, shortly after his arrest, the suspect raised an alarm in his native language, which attracted his gang members. Subsequently, the policemen came under serious physical attack from weapon- wielding hoodlums.

    “The officers were savagely butchered by these armed gangs. Consequently, Ikenga, the notorious crook, escaped from the venue. The IGP, while condemning the attack in very strong terms, warned that the Police under his watch will not tolerate criminal attacks and assault on its personnel or facilities.

    “The IGP has therefore ordered for the immediate manhunt and arrest of Mr IKenga and other members of his gang.He also urged members of the public to avail the police with credible and useful informa

    tion that will lead to the apprehension of all persons involved in these unwholesome and illegal acts.”

    Pathetic  as Mba’s tweet was, it never perturbed a good number of Nigerians who reacted to the message.

    Responding to Mba’s tweet, a  tweeter user, Khurla admonished the police against actions that could make citizens rejoice when their officers are attacked. “Again, I appeal to the police authorities to stop the senseless assault on members of the public.  This has turned the people against the police; it is terrible when the citizens rejoice when harm comes to the police. Sadly, we know some innocent people  will be picked up and charged.”

    While stating that he is not an advocate of violence in any form, Vincent Chiedozie, in his post, said: “But I wish  the IGP reacted in this manner to the  senseless police brutality on the citizens they are meant to protect. Nigerians used to run to the police  for help; now  we run from them and dread them. Rebuild the integrity of the force sir.”

    Using the tweeter handle @PerezTaiwo, a tweeter user, who goes by the name Ta9japikin, lamented the growing hatred for the Nigerian police in the country. “The truth is, there is no sympathy for members of @PoliceNG. The hatred towards policemen is extremely high in the land and things are getting worse by the day. Let’s just hope that self-justice won’t be the order of the day in the nearest future.”

    For Samuel Okpolagha-Abel, the attack on

    the policemen  “is an indication of the failure of our policing system. In as much as I condemn the attacks on the police, there seems to be too much missing information on the arrest procedure; rethink how to build trust among citizens and they would support u”.

     

     

    Recent extra-judicial killings  in the country

    Within a space of four weeks, the lives of  four  promising Nigerians, 18- year-old girl, Hadiyat Sikiru; Ademola Moshood whose age was not known;  36-year-old Kolade Johnson and 20- year-old Ada Ifeayi,  were cut short by armed policemen at, Ikorodu, Surulere,  Onipetesi and Ajegunle areas of Lagos State respectively.

    18- year-old girl, Hadiyat Sikiru, was reportedly shot dead by some policemen at Adamo community in  Ikorodu area of Lagos. The incident occurred  on Monday, March 18, 2019.

    It was learnt that policemen from Imota Police Division had stormed the community that fateful day to raid suspected criminal hideouts in the course of which they began to shoot sporadically.

    The death of the teenager sparked protest by angry residents; they  chased after the policemen  who escaped but abandoned their patrol vehicle.

    Ten days after Hadiyat’s murder, precisely, March 28, 2019, some trigger happy policemen attached to Soloki Police Station, Surulere, Lagos, shot a commercial motorcyclist, identified as Ademola Moshood, at close range on his head   for allegedly refusing to give them N200 bribe.

    Three policemen, simply identified as AK, Patrick and an unknown officer, allegedly involved in the act, were on patrol when they sighted Moshood at Kilo Bus Stop, Surulere. They  stopped him and allegedly started demanding for money.  But when he refused to give them because he claimed to have closed for the day and was only heading home, one of the policemen went to his side, placed his gun to his head and allegedly shot him.

    While Nigerians were yet to overcome the sad killings of Hadiyat and Moshood, another set of armed policemen wreaked another havoc when they shot and killed another innocent citizen and football fan Kolade.

    Kolade’s death occurred on March 31, three days after Moshood was murdered at Surulere. The late football fan was murdered where he was watching an English Premiership League match. About13 days after came the murder of Ada, by another set of blood-thirsty officers working at Ajegunle.  According to  police authorities, Ada was allegedly killed  while returning from a club with her 32- year-old boyfriend, Emmanuel Akomafuwa, who sustained serious injuries after he was also shot by the same set of policemen who allegedlymurdered Ada.

    The list of Nigerians extra-judicially murdered did not begin or end there. Last year, July 3, 2018, the expectation of the late   Linda Igwetu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), deployed in Abuja to complete her service to her fatherland the next day, was cut short after she was allegedly shot dead by a policeman.

    The incident reportedly happened while the victim was on her way home with some friends around 3am.

    The corps member had served in the Mabushi area of Abuja and was to finish the NYSC programme the next day, July 4.

    Before the unfortunate incident, a young lady, Anita Akapson, was reportedly shot dead by a policeman at Katampe Extension on October 13, 2018, by a police officer.

    The then Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the then Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, ordered an investigation into the killing.

    The policemen involved in the incident were said to have been arrested and detained.

     

    Frustrations behind citizen’s fury – Security experts

    Security experts say the fury of the citizens with the police institution is borne out of frustration.

    Retired Lagos State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubarkar Tsav, described  extra-judicial killings as very very  embarrassing “not only for those of us who have retired from service but  also to the government and the police itself.  It is not good.”

    The police, he said, are trained to protect the citizens and not to kill them.  “In the past, we were not using arms on patrol or use arms to effect arrests but this time, when the police are going on patrol, they are armed; when they are going for arrest, they are armed and when they are at check points, they are armed.

    “The situation is very embarrassing and that is why people have lost confidence in the police.  This is why in some states of the federation, policemen don’t wear uniform when going to work because they fear they could be attacked.

    “If the police are attacked anywhere, it is because the people are frustrated with the police.”

    Tsav advised   that the IGP should do something to reverse the trend. “It is getting out of hand.  People are armed everywhere in this county and policemen are members of the society. if a policeman is careless, he can be shot too.

    “The rule about the use of firearms is that you don’t use it anyhow . When you go to the scene of a disturbance, the commander of the unit will indicate people who should be shot and he will indicate that they should be shot at the knee and not above it.  But when a policeman decides to shoot somebody that is running at the back or at close range on the chest, that is not acceptable at all.”

    He further said that the police should try to gain the confidence of the people by assuring them that officers who engage in extra-judicial killings will be dealt with in accordance with the law so that people’s hostility against the police will change. “Policemen who are involved in this kind of act should be tried, publicised and punished. Police should also come out to apologise to members of the public.   Not only that, members of the public should see physical change in the attitude of the police.

    “When a policeman s going out on a mission, there  should be control.  They should check the number of ammunition they would go out with and the number they return at the end of the exercise. If they have used any, you have to find out who ordered them to use any. If the ammunition is not justifiably used, the  officer should be tried.

    “SARS  people are too reckless and behave as if they are above the law. The IGP should check them. Some of them who carry arms get themselves involved in drunkenness. Some are frustrated because they are not paid allowances and have no money to feed. This can lead them into anything. The police authorities must check all these. “

    A security expert, Honourble  Dipo Okeyomi, expressed disappointment over the unpleasant  comments  of some tweeter users about Mba’s tweet concerning the attacked officers.

    “It is very bad for anybody to be happy that policemen were attacked.  The police are out to protect lives and property and I can tell you that 90 per cent of them are doing just that. It is 10 per cent who constitute the bad eggs that are the problem.  They have to be flushed out.”

    Speaking on the waning confidence of the citizens in the police force, Okeyomi said: “The citizens are losing confidence in the police. They(police) caused this for themselves. They stay on the road asking people for documents and instead of checking the documents, they would be asking for money and you want people to be happy with them?

    “If you give information to the police, they would go and leak it to criminals.  They would even reveal the identity of the person that gave the information to the criminals who would come and attack the person.

    “There are some police officers who are not well trained. This set of officers cause a lot of problems for the police hierarchy.  A lot of policemen are drunkards. Before  they go for assignments, they would have gone to take alcohol by the roadside. They arrest people for taking marijuana   but some of them also take it; they need training and retraining”.

    He said it behooves the government to redeem the image of the police by providing them with the basic things that would enhance their work. “The government has a lot to do in restoring the image of the police. They can do this by providing the necessary materials they need to work well. The era of policemen buying uniform, boots etc.should end. Besides, their salaries and allowances should be enhanced. If we put these basic things in order, we would then wait and see if they would not fare better”.

  • Police trace Otedola bridge fire suspect to Kano

    Lagos State Ministry of Justice said yesterday that the police had traced to Kano, the owner of a petrol tanker that exploded last June 27 on the Otedola bridge in Lagos, killing 12 people.

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) said there was, however, uncertainty as to whether the truck driver died in the fire.

    Kazeem, who spoke in Ikeja, Lagos, at a parley with reporters, said the government had yet to fulfil its promise to prosecute the perpetrators of the disaster because the police had not availed it of the report of its investigation.

    The Otedola bridge fire incident occurred at about 5pm on the Otedola bridge at the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol, fell, leaked and exploded, killing 12 people.

    The inferno that ensued destroyed over 50 vehicles and caused gridlock for hours.

    Kazeem said: “We said we were going to prosecute the persons that caused that disaster. One of the challenges then was how to identify the perpetrators of that crime. We had said the driver and the owner needed to be identified.

    Read also: Otedola bridge fire: Fuel tanker, 17 other vehicles not insured

    “There were all kinds of stories out there, including whether the driver had died in the fire or not. The owners, as we understand, were traced by the police to Kano.

    “The whole idea was that at the end of the day, they would conclude their investigation and get us the file here in the ministry. Unfortunately, we can’t do the investigation ourselves, so that we can begin prosecution.

    “Unfortunately that process has not yet been concluded, or is not conclusive yet. Until we get that file, we cannot proceed with prosecution.”

     

  • Police to migrate from use of lethal weapons

    The Nigeria Police has begun the process of migrating from total dependence on lethal weapons as first line of operations, to the use of less lethal weapons such as Taser or Stun guns.

    The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, made the disclosure at the inauguration of Zonal Security Stakeholders’ Forum, held yesterday at the Zone 11 Command headquarters, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Logistics at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, the IGP said he had started addressing the root factors that engendered conflict and distrust between the citizens and the police.

    Adamu, who said police authorities were concerned about issues of misuse of firearms and sundry abuses of power, added that under the new policy, personnel on low risk policing duties such as routine patrols, arrest duties and civil disorder management would be armed with Taser or Stun guns as a strategic approach to reduce incidence of fatality associated with misapplication of lethal weapons by the police when faced with low-level threats.

    Read also: Police trace Otedola bridge fire suspect to Kano

    The IGP ordered that shift duty structure of the police at 12-hour two shifts system be reverted to the traditional eight-hour duty, e shifts standard.

    He said: “The import of this order is that henceforth no police personnel should be made to perform any duty exceeding eight hours within a space of 24 hours, unless there is a local or national emergency. To further strengthen this, the Force Medical Service of the Nigeria Police has been directed to introduce emotional intelligence, stress management and cognitive therapy towards the enhancement of psychological and emotional stability of police personnel while on duty.

    “These initiatives are directed to close the trust gap between the police and the citizens, create a conducive condition for partnership between the police and the citizens and enhance our potential for the attainment of our internal security mandate within the context of the principles of community policing.”

    Governor Gboyega Oyetola, represented at the event by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prince Wole Oyebamiji, pledged continued support for the police.

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 11 comprising Osun, Oyo and Ondo police commands, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, said the idea of security stakeholders’ forum was muted “out of burning desire and uncommon willingness to provide robust security for the residents of the zonal command.”

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, called for adequate funding of the police to enable them perform to the expectations of Nigerians.

    He advocated a legislation that will ensure traditional rulers are financed to attend to local issues at the grassroots.

    In attendance were the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II; the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Kunle Oyeyemi and the three police commissioners for Osun, Oyo and Ondo states.

     

  • Police warn officers against misuse of weapons in Oyo

    •155 officers decorated with new ranks •’Operation Puff Adder’ inaugurated

    OYO State Police Command yesterday gave a stern warning against the misuse of firearms or weapons by its men and officers.

    It said stiffer penalty awaits any police officer found to have misused such weapons on the citizens they were hired to protect.

    The command also gave a marching order to the officers to flush out criminally-minded individuals professionally.

    Police Commissioner Shina Olukolu gave the warming yesterday at the inauguration of “Operation Puff Adder” at the Eleyele, Ibadan Police Headquarters, in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

    The Police Commissioner said the IG had directed that every state replicate the inauguration of “Operation Puff Adder”  to ensure that criminal elements are flushed out of the society.

    Olukolu said Nigerians were looking on to the police to effectively deal with crimes, adding that the ideas about how they should go about it varies.

    Notwithstanding, the Police Commissioner said officers must discharge their responsibility with utmost care and professionalism.

    “Therefore, the police force as a professional body must continually restrategise and ensure more result-oriented tactics employed or emplaced to combat crime. Today, there appear to be unwelcome high profile crimes such as kidnapping, assassination, armed robbery, farmer and herder’s clash, cattle rustling and other related crimes. These crimes are giving the Police High Command a great concern.

    “However, in these trying times coupled with insufficient logistics, the Force is resilient in curbing these crimes, restoring peace and providing adequate protection for the lives and properties of the good people of Oyo State and Nigeria,” he said.

    After the inauguration of the operation, he decorated 155 police officers, who were promoted to the next rank.

    The exited officers, who filed out one after the other to get decorated with their new ranks, were also counselled to exhibit professionalism in the course of their duties.

    The Police Commissioner reminded them that to whom much was given, much was expected.

     

     

  • Police arrest man over theft of his child

    A man who claimed that his five-day-old baby was stolen at gunpoint in his  home in Ijagbe,  Mopa-Muro Local Government Area, Kogi, is being held by the police as a suspect in the matter.

    The man, Mr Tosin Ojuola, claimed that the baby was stolen 10 days earlier.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the incident occurred about 8 p.m. on April 11 when the gunmen invaded the home of the Ojuolas and forced the wife at gunpoint to surrender the child to them.

    At Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Lokoja on Sunday, Ojuola told NAN that he left home barely 10 minutes when the gunmen invaded his apartment, beat up his wife and took away the child.

    “I left home and was on my way to church for vigil on that fateful night when I suddenly heard my wife’s voice crying and shouting for help.

    ”I quickly ran back to my apartment and my wife told me that two armed men had forcibly taken our baby away and run into the nearby bush.

    ”I shouted for help and some youths immediately joined me to go after the gunmen to rescue my baby but all our efforts yielded no result as we were not able to get them.

    ”We searched all the nearby bushes to some kilometres away but because it was night, we could not go very deep into the bush,” he said.

    Ojuola said he reported the matter immediately at the Divisional Police Station in Mopa, where the police promised to investigate and search for the baby.

    Ojuola said that the following morning, more villagers were mobilised to search for the baby far into the bush, including farms and Fulani settlements, but that all efforts were abortive.

    He explained that the police came to his house the following day to arrest his landlord and a Fulani man, who was a tenant in the house.

    Ojuola said that the matter took a twist on April 14 when the police invited him for questioning and later detained him.

    “The police told me that the community leaders demanded for my arrest, claiming that the village oracle (Ifa) revealed that I have a hand in the stealing of my own baby.

    ”Meanwhile, before my arrest, three of the community leaders came to my house on the third day and said that they were going to make sacrifice to their gods to expose the perpetrators and recover my baby.

    ”They asked me to provide axe, cutlass, hoe, palm kernel oil and fresh yam, which I did, and they asked me to take them to the spot where I buried the placenta of my baby.

    Read Also: Police arrest six traffic robbers

    ”I took them there and they did some incantations and poured the oil on the spot and assured me that my baby would be found.

    ”To my greatest surprise and shock, it was the same people that asked the police to arrest and detain me for allegedly stealing my own baby,” he said.

    Ojuola stated that the case was later transferred to the  Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Police Headquarters, Lokoja, on Wednesday.

    ”I have since been in police cell for seven days without food and without any hope of finding my stolen baby. My image has been tarnished.

    ”Why would I do such evil against my own baby? I am a farmer, and a staff of Mopamuro Local Government Council, I have five children.

    “The stolen baby was my sixth child. I am still owing N4,000 at the clinic where I took the baby to after he was delivered at home.

    ”I have spent over 11 years in the community, my aged parents are in the same community; I have never been involved in any crime in my life.

    ”I am innocent; I am a devoted and committed Christian. How would I steal my own baby, to do what and for what?” he asked.

    ”I am appealing to the police to conduct a thorough investigation and fish out the perpetrators and help me to rescue my baby because I am helpless,” Ojuola pleaded.

    Shade Ojuola, his wife, in tears, expressed sadness over the incident.

    She told NAN by telephone that she had bathed the baby, laid him in bed and was receiving fresh air outside with the landlord’s wife when the gunmen emerged.

    “They flashed their torch light and commanded us to hands up.

    ”I started shouting when they brought out guns and ordered me to shut my mouth; they forced the door open and carried my baby away.

    ”My husband had just left the house for church not up to 10 minutes when the kidnappers came,” she explained.

    Shade, who corroborated her husband’s earlier statements, called for immediate release of her husband to enable the family to continue the search for their baby.

    ”I am begging the police to please free my husband from cell in Lokoja because he is innocent; he can never do such a thing; he is a hardworking man and he fears God.

    ”We have been married for 11 years with five children and he loves me and all our children; I don’t want to lose him,” she said.

    The aged father of Tosin, Mr John Ojuola, 74, told NAN by telephone that some people in the community were conniving with the police to implicate his son.

    ”The police should concentrate their effort on finding the real perpetrators of the heinous act against my innocent grandson and bring them to justice,” he said.

    The traditional ruler of Ijagbe, Chief Amushin Adeleye, who also spoke to NAN by telephone, confirmed the incident.

    He, however, denied any involvement in the arrest and detention of Tosin.

    He said that Tosin had never engaged in any form of criminality, violence or social vice in the community.

    The monarch further confirmed that the two people the community suspected after findings and consultations were Ojuola’s landlord, Samson Johnson, and a Fulani  man, Umoru Isah.

    He said that the community later reported Johnson and Isah to the police.

    The traditional ruler appealed to the police to release the baby’s father and ensure that justice was done.

    When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hakeem Busari, said that he was aware of the matter.

    When told that the complainant in the case, Mr Tosin Ojuola, had been in detention at the CID Section, Busari expressed shock and asked for time to enable him to find out the real situation from the Officer in charge of the CID.

    However, more than two hours after, the police Commissioner did not call back to tell NAN his findings.

    Several attempts to re-establish link with him failed because he had switched off his mobile phone.

    NAN

  • Police arrest six traffic robbers

    The police in Lagos have arrested six suspected traffic robbers along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Alafia and Costain areas of the state.

    Three of the suspects Daniel Ani, 19, Akinbode Muiz, 17, and Oluwasegun Emmanuel, 24 were arrested at about 10pm under Daleko Bridge, Iyana Isolo while robbing motorists in traffic; two others Olalekan Taoreed, and Adeniyi Okunloye, 25, were apprehended at Alafia along Badagry Expressway on Friday night while Godwin Okafor, 31, was picked at Costain.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) in a statement on Sunday said those arrested at Daleko confessed to be responsible for traffic robbery in Mushin and environs.

    “They confessed to have stolen numerous phones and bags from different victims as well as a bag containing the sum of N25,000 belonging to one  Oyebanji Ibukun of 14, Waheed Ologunju Street, Oke-Afa Isolo, before they were apprehended by the police.

    “Two knives and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing, suspects will soon be charged to court.

    “Patrol team attached to Orile Police Station at about 8pm on Friday received a distress call that some traffic robbers are operating at Alafia along Badagry Expressway.

    “Anti-robbery teams were quickly deployed to the scene. Two suspects Olalekan Taoreed, 20, of 20, Sunday Street, Ijora Badia and Adeniyi Okunloye, 25, Alaba Road, Suru  Alaba were arrested.

    “One Samsung Duos handset stolen from one of the victims was recovered from them. One big sharp cutlass which was used in inflicting injuries on their victims was recovered from them. The suspects confessed to be responsible for traffic robberies along Orile and environs. Investigation is ongoing and suspects will be charged to court.

    “CP Zubairu Muazu warns that tough times await traffic robbers with the deployment of surveillance teams across the state. The command will continue to make Lagos State difficult for cr

    Read Also: Alleged sex scandal rocks Police unit

    Meanwhile Okafor, who was arrested by policemen attached to the Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation, was said to be a notorious pickpocket who allegedly made between N80,000 to N100,000 daily.

    The Taskforce said the suspect was the ringleader of a four-man gang that operated at different areas of the state in a commercial bus, robbing victims of valuables.

    “The suspect was nabbed after he and three others now at large, jumped down from a commercial bus on top of Costain Bridge immediately they suspected that a patrol team of the agency was chasing them from Ojuelegba,” said Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in a statement by his spokesman Taofiq Adebayo.

    He said the Taskforce acted on series of complaints by commuters about the activities of criminals who used commercial bus to rob them.

    A resident of 127, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Okafor, Adebayo said, co feared to have started off as a bus conductor 15 years ago before graduating to pickpocketing.

    He said the suspect confessed further that his gang operated at different parts of the state including Oshodi- Mile 2, Obalende, Pen-cinema, Agege, Ojota and Ikorodu Road, adding that any passenger who refused to corporate was beaten and thrown off the moving bus.

    “We have been in this robbery and pick-pocket business for long as we dispossessed our passengers of their valuables such as wallets, jewelries including phones which we sold as fairly used to the public,” Adebayo quoted the suspect.