The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police arrests four suspected armed robbery/ kidnap suspects in Edo

    The Edo Command of the Nigerian Police says it has arrested four armed robbery and kidnap suspects in the state.

    The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said in a statement that the suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence through the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    He said that the office of the IGP had alerted that the suspects were planning coordinated attacks against police formations in the state.

    He said that based on this, Edo Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed DanMallam, directed the tactical team of the command to go after the suspects.

    He further said that a robust raiding, coding and search was conducted within Auchi axis of the state which led to the arrest of the suspects on Friday.

    He said some items recovered from the suspects included a vehicle, one Pump Action, two locally made guns, 20 live cartridges, charms, two face masks and a pair of police mobile force uniform.

    He appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and always be at alert about suspicious movement and report same to the police.

     

  • Jigawa Imam killed, robbed of N400,000 – Police

    Dutse- Suspected hoodlums yesterday killed the Chief Imam of Kwara Village, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Spokesman for the state  police command, Abdu Jinjiri, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Jinjiri said the deceased cleric, Alsheik Idris Musa, 65, was attacked by hoodlums at his residence after he sold his farmland for N400, 000 to a construction company in the state.

    He explained that the suspects allegedly hit the deceased several times with sticks, which led to his death. The spokesman added that the suspects allegedly took away the sum of N400, 000 belonging to the deceased. According to him, the suspects also beat up the wives and children of the deceased.

    “It is suspected that the transaction took place in the presence of the suspected, but unidentified hoodlums who later trailed him to his residence. The village where the incident took place is a remote area. The distance to our station is two hours’ drive. “So the DPO in charge of the area got the information at about 1:30 a.m. and proceeded to the scene immediately, but he got there after 3 a.m. When he got there, the victim was already dead, but he was able to rescue the family members beaten by the hoodlums. They were taken to hospital for medical attention,” the spokesman said.

    Jinjiri said remains of the deceased had been released to his family for burial. He added that the police had commenced investigations into the matter, and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects. Suspected motorcycle snatchers had also on Friday, in Dutse, allegedly killed a 33-year-old motorcyclist and made away with his motorcycle. Suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Thursday shot dead one person and injured several others in Garin Maidawa Village, Dutse Local Government Area of the state.

     

  • Police to retrain officers, men on arms handling

    In a bid to stem tide of police brutalities against the civil population, the police authorities have concluded plan to return all officers and men to the range from retraining on arms handling and proficiency.

    The Assistant-Inspector General of Police for Zone 11, Adeleye Oyebade, who made the disclosure at the inauguration of the “Operation Puff Adder” at the Zonal Headquarters along Gbongan-Ibadan road in Osogbo, Osun State capital, said the police could not allow the little mistakes and errors continue to affect the achievements of the Force.

    The Police Commissioners for Osun, Oyo and Ondo States comprising the Zone 11 Police Command, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, Mr. Sina Olukolu and Mr. Undie Adie, were present at the inauguration.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Mohammed Adamu, in compliance with President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive,  has rejigged the security architecture by launching a new operational outfit code named Operation Puff Adder.

    According to him, the new outfit, since its inauguration, has begun to yield positive results, adding that the IGP has directed that the outfit be replicated in all the zonal and state commands to complement existing security structures.

    Oyebade, who said the  police has the resources to prosecute the operation, assured that the Force has upgraded its technical platform to fight crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism among others.

    He said the new face of the Nigeria Police is proactive and will not allow crimes to overwhelm its officers and men.

  • Police foil kidnap attempt in Delta

    Operatives of Delta State Police Command Asaba, on Friday foiled a suspected kidnap attempt on a teenage girl.

    The Nation learnt that the girl was coming from Ogbegonogo market where she had gone to purchase food items.

    The victim, it was gathered boarded a commercial tricycle, along Nnebisi road headed to Summit road.

    It was learnt that the girl was joined in the tricycle by two boys around Konwea Plaza and they sandwiched the girl in the middle.

    The Nation gathered that the victim on getting to Jesus Saves Junction signaled the Keke operator to stop, but was ignored forcing her to raise the alarm which attracted mobile police on patrol and sympathisers who gave the tricycle operator a hot chase.

    Read also: Alleged sex scandal rocks Police unit

    It was gathered that the suspected yahoo boys hypnotized (charmed) their victim after she raised the alarm.

    The police later intercepted and apprehended the suspected kidnappers cum yahoo boys.

    An eyewitness, Mr Chukwueze Okonji said one of the suspects in a desperate bid to disappear swallowed a ring, but the charm allegedly failed to make him disappear.

    Irate youths who gathered at the scene attempted to lynch the three suspects, but were prevented by the police.

    It was learnt that one of the boys was identified to be  the owner of a posh Sports Utility vehicle.

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Chuks Orisewezie, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.

     

  • Command adopts crime prevention strategies 

    Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu said on Thursday that the command had evolved new strategies in preventing and combating crimes.

    He assured residents of a hitch-free Easter celebration.

    Muazu, who briefed reporters in Ikeja on the achievement the command had recorded in the past seven days,

    said the strategies were aimed at reassuring the people of their safety.

    He said deployments were targeted at combating traffic robbery, traffic decongestion and intelligence driven policing.

    Said he: “Our deployments are targeted towards combating traffic robbery and easing the free flow of traffic across the state. Our tactical units are repositioned for intelligence driven approach to tackle the menace of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and gangsterism.

    “Our Rapid Response Squad (RRS), equipped with state of the art facilities, is more than ever ready to promptly and effectively respond to distress calls/emergencies in any part of the state.”

    The police chief said provisions had been made to secure worship and recreational centres and assured residents of their safety.

    “My vision is to present to Lagossians a state where everyone is safe to carry out his or her legitimate duties at all times. A state where no one is harassed or intimidated by anyone. This cannot be achieved without a more humane, professional, courageous and people friendly police officers.

    “To achieve this, we have initiated training programmes for police officers on respect and protection of human rights. We are calling on Lagosians to report any erring police officer through the GSM number 09090003792. We will take action immediately,” Muazu said.

     

  • Police arraign wardens for alleged death of Civil Defence official

    The Nigeria Police said two traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, have been arraigned for alleged complicity in the death of an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogah Jumbo

    Their arraignment followed investigation by the

    police, which indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.

    A statement by Force spokesman Frank Mba in Abuja yesterday said the wardens have also been dismissed.

    He said a forensic analysis by a pathologist as seen in the autopsy report traced the cause of death to injuries inflicted on the deceased during his encounter with the wardens.

    Details of the update into the cause of the death of Ogar read: “In keeping with the assurances by Ag. Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to ensure a transparent, accountable, comprehensive and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ogar Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police has today arraigned in court, the traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, for complicity in the unfortunate death of the NSCDC officer.

    “The arraignment of the former wardens is sequel to the outcome of investigation into the case of alleged discreditable conduct and unlawful exercise of authority reported against them on March 20.

    “The former traffic wardens had been subjected to the internal disciplinary procedures of the Force – tried in an Orderly Room and dismissed before the arraignment.

    “Police investigations indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.”

    On the outcome of the autopsy, Mba said: “For avoidance of doubt, the autopsy report states in part that the death was due to blunt force injury to the head, multiple skin and soft tissue injuries on the forehead and face, and that there was no natural disease in the body to sufficiently explain the sudden death.”

    He also said the two traffic wardens have been remanded in Kuje Prisons pending the next adjournment of the case.

    The IGP urged the public not to lose faith in the Force, saying under his watch, no form of impunity or man’s inhumanity to man will go unpunished.

    He warned that like the indicted traffic wardens, any police officer found wanting for unlawful use of force and other sundry offences would be publicly named, shamed and brought to book to deter others.

  • Police arrest kidnap kingpin in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested one of the most notorious kidnap kingpins in the state, Edidiong Uduak Bill, aka ‘Barrister’.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the state police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the Commissioner of Police, Zaki Muhammed Ahmed, said the suspect is linked to many high profile kidnaps.

    Ahmed said Bill was apprehended following intelligence, which prompted the anti-kidnaping squad to storm a hideout at Afaha Efiat village in Etinan Local Government.

    He said the suspect, who is also the leader of a secret cult, ‘Vikings confraternity’ in Etinan Local Government, has been involved in other heinous crimes such as armed robbery.

    The CP specifically mentioned that Bill operates within Etinan and Uyo axis and was involved in the abduction of a woman in 2017 from who he collected a huge ransom.

    “The suspect also confessed that sometime in 2017, he masterminded the kidnap of a woman at Akpan Essien Street, Uyo and kept her in an uncompleted building at Obio Etoi in Uyo Local Government and collected a ransom of four million, five hundred thousand Naira (N4.5M) before she regained her freedom”.

    The police boss said the command had also arrested a man and a woman in Oron Local Government for allegedly killing their son over the suspicion that he was a wizard.

  • Kidnapping: Police arrest 40 suspects, rescue kidnap victims in Katsina

    The newly launched “operation puff adder,” by the Inspector general of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to rid the North Western states of kidnapping and banditry activities appeared to be yielding quick results as the Katsina State Command Wednesday evening paraded about 40 criminals arrested for various offences ranging from kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, rituals and supplying of logistics to perpetrate criminality in the 8 front line local government areas of the State

    The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba while parading the criminals and some of the rescued victims before newsmen at the State headquarters of the Force said the success recorded was as a result of intelligence lead policing, increased visibility policing, Community based policing approach and the synergy with sister security agencies as exemplified through operation Puff adder

    He said ’’with the help of God and the relentless effort of my officers and men I am happy to present the successes recorded by the Katsina State Police command’’

    ‘’On assumption of duty two months ago, I assured the people of the state of their safety, peace and security. I also warned criminal elements to desist from criminality or leave the state because the command under my watch will have zero tolerance for criminality’’

    Amongst those arrested and paraded alongside their weapons which included AK-47 and other ammunitions, were a 7-man-gang of kidnappers terrorizing Safana, and Basari LGAs.

    They were arrested when they kidnapped Hajia Habiba aged 65 years from Yar-Liyau village in Kurfi local government area, where they demanded the payment of N15m for her release

    According to the CP, other exhibits recovered from the gang included two motorcycles, two machetes, and cash amounting to N218, 000

    The Commissioner also paraded those supplying logistics such as fuel, motorcycles, and repairing the arms used by the kidnappers. One Alhaji Sale Musa, 55 years, of Wagini village in Batsari was arrested with 28 jerry cans of fuel loaded in a Toyota truck trying to cross the notorious Rugu forest bordering Zamfara. On Police interrogation he confessed being supplied fuel by a manager in one of the Filling stations in Batagarawa Local Government area

    The CP who promised to be updating newsmen on the activities of the Operations going in the frontline local Government areas, said investigations are still ongoing on those paraded and that more arrests will be made. He however assured that they will be charged to court at the end of the investigations

  • Police nab 151 suspected cultists in Anambra 

    •Illegal tax collectors kill Keke operator

    The police in Anambra State said they have arrested 151 suspected cultists in parts of the state.

    Command spokesman Haruna Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said the arrests were made during raids on criminals’ hideout and blackspots.

    He said 16 of them were nabbed at Okija, 12 at Nanka, 11 at Nkwelle, nine at Ogidi, eight in Awka, while 14 were arrested at Ajali/Oko.

    “Eighteen were arrested at Enugwu Uku/Nimo/Nise ,12 at Fegge/Awada, 13 at Inland town Onitsha, seven at  Achalla, four at Urum,  three at Ogbunike, 15 at Amawbia and nine at Ukwulu /Ukpo,” Mohammed added.

    He said three machetes, four axes, two berrets and quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered during the raids.

    “Of the 151 suspects, 40 have confessed and charged to court, 62 were screened and released, 20 are underage and placed under supervision, while 29 are undergoing investigation,” Mohammed said.

    A tricycle operator, popularly called Keke driver, has been allegedly stabbed to death at Saniz Street, Onitsha.

    The deceased was reportedly killed by illegal revenue agents operating in the area, following his delay in paying levies demanded from him.

    An eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Obadiah, said trouble started when the deceased, who had paid almost N2,000 to the agents, was asked to pay extra fees.

    “Even after parting with almost N2,000, they still demanded another N1,700. He appealed to them that he would pay later,” he said.

    The witness said the pleas fell on deaf ears, as the agents stabbed him with a broken bottle and abandoned him to bleed to death.

    The Nation learnt that the deceased was taken to hospital by his colleagues where he was confirmed dead.

    Police spokesperson Mohammed said he needed to confirm the report from the DPO of the area.

     

  • Police allegedly kill IPOB member

    There was pandemonium yesterday in Asaba, Delta State, after the police allegedly shot dead a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    The Nation gathered that IPOB members, who were on a peaceful demonstration on Nnebisi Road, were accosted by policemen near the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

    Although details of the clash were sketchy last night, an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the victim was shot by the police, who were detailed to disperse the IPOB members.

    REad also: Our members never burnt police station in Anambra – IPOB

    Police spokesman Chuks Orisewezie denied that a protester was killed.

    He said the police, however, arrested four IPOB members, adding that one protester was seriously injured.

    Orisewezie said: “The IPOB members this morning protested and attacked our men at ‘A’ Division, Asaba. They were arrested. They assembled on the Lagos-Asaba Expressway and marched to Nnebisi Road to attack the police station.”

    He said items recovered from the IPOB members included pump action, four jack knives, charms, a Biafran flag and cans of fuel.