The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • One dies, many injured in Kwara communal clash

    Bloody disagreements during a masquerade festival between Odo-Owa and Kajola communities of Oke-Ero local government of Kwara state have claimed one life.

    Scores of other were said to have been injured during the clash.

    It was gathered that the two-week long annual masquerade festival began on March 31.

    It was gathered that there violence eruption between the two communities on Sunday as a result of minor scuffle during the commencement of this year’s masquerade festival.

    Spokesperson of the state police command Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident.

    He added that the command had arrested seven suspects in connection with the clash.

    He said that the situation had been put under control with the dispatch of anti-riot policemen from Offa and Omu-Aran to the affected communities.

    Okasanmi said that investigation to unravel the remote cause of the crisis had already commenced.

    He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun had directed that anybody found culpable in the crisis should be arrested and prosecuted.

    Commenting on the clash, Olota of Odo-Owa, Oba Joshua Adimula, described the development as barbaric and unwarranted.

    “The Olota-in-Council immediately swung into action to ensure that the situation did not escalate.

    “I personally made contacts with both the local and state governments. We are very grateful to them, especially the governor, for the timely response,” he said.

    The traditional ruler is worried that palpable tension still envelops the area.

    “I am urging the government to include the military to support the police,” he said.

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    Adimula advised the people of the affected communities, especially the youth to embrace peace and shun acts capable of causing crisis.

    “No development can take place in an atmosphere of acrimony and no investor will invest in a crisis-ridden environment.

    “I am pleading with the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords and give due respect to our forefathers who laid the foundation upon which we are enjoying today,” he said.

    Combined team of anti-riot policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen patrolling the communities.

  • Police apprehend suspected killers of Kolade Johnson

    The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday said it has apprehended suspected killers of Kolade Johnson.

    Johnson was shot dead by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad at Mangoro area of Lagos State.

    The police via Twitter identified the suspects as Inspector Olalekan Ogunyemi and Sergeant Godwin Orji both attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad.

    The statement reads “The men suspected to have carried out the shooting of Kolade Johnson have been apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary procedures. The CP has revealed their names as (1) Insp Ogunyemi Olalekan and (2) Sgt Godwin Orji attached to Anti Cultism Squad.”

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, on Tuesday, also paid a condolence visit to the family of late Kolade Johnson.

    Photos of his visit were posted on the verified Twitter handle of the Nigeria police, @PoliceNG.

  • Breaking: Man murdered while separating couple’s brawl in Anambra

    A 29-year old man has met his untimely death while separating a brawl between a couple in Umueze village, Isuaniocha, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

    The incident which occurred at the wee hours of the Tuesday, threw the people of the area into mourning.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased, Bonaventure Mkpume, the only son of his parent, had been happily married for about four years, though without children.

    Narrating her ordeal in tears, the deceased wife, Mrs Chinenye Mkpume, demanded for justice on the killers.

    She said they had already gone to bed when she got an invitation by a female friend to assist in settling marital scores.

    She said, “We were at home when one of our family friends called me on phone that the husband was beating her.

    “I had wanted to go alone but my husband insisted on going with me not knowing it would be his last day on earth.”

    According to her, the distressed friend, unknown to her, had also invited some boys to their apartment for reasons best known to her.

    “We were still making peace between the couple when some boys, numbering five, with familiar faces stormed the scene with axe and machetes.

    “They pounced on my husband standing in front of the gate and cut off one of his arms and neck,” she said soberly.

    Mkpume however revealed that the woman that invited her quickly dashed inside the house with her husband and locked the gate, leaving two of them to the mercy of the assailants.

    She said the deceased ran into the bush with one hand and several machete cuts, adding that all alarm raised were futile as nobody came to their rescue.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased later gave up in the hospital where he was taken to.

    Mother to the deceased, Mrs Grace Mkpume who could not hold back her tears, also called for justice to be done to those involved in the only son’s death.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Mohammed, when contacted, said he was yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer in the area on the development.

  • Police arrest 142 suspected criminals in Kano

    The Kano state police Command has arrested 142 suspected criminals involved in various crimes ranging from robbery, drug peddling and other nefarious activities.

    Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, while parading the suspects, the spokesperson of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna said that the criminals were apprehended at various flashpoints within the municipality.

    According to him, the suspects were said to have been terrorizing inhabitants of the city before they were rounded up during an intensive raid carried out by the police.

    He stated that “in continuation of the Command’s earlier pledge to rid the state of all forms of crimes, raids of criminal hideouts and blackspots were carried out between 29 March to April 1, 2019 across the state.

    “This was meant to arrest the remnants of criminals moving about in the communities posing security challenges and threats among the good members of the public.

    “During the raids, about 142 suspected criminals were arrested, while some quantity of Indian Hemp, Suck-and-die, intoxicating drugs, knives and cutlasses were also recovered.

    “All the suspects are found to be wanton either for dealing in hard drugs or possession of dangerous weapons in which they have all confessed to the offence.

    “Raids of such hideouts will continue throughout the state until all criminally minded persons either repent or are arrested and brought before the law.

    “This suspects will all be charged to various courts of law for prosecution. Members of the public are enjoined to continue cooperating with the Command and report any person suspected to be member of any criminal gang for arrest, investigation and prosecution.”

  • Dog eats dog

    The gory tale of how Ogah Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was allegedly murdered by two policemen is chilling. Ada, the wife of the deceased, said the husband was beaten and dragged on the ground for alleged traffic offence, and he died from the injuries. In her words: “They (traffic wardens) dragged my husband on the ground to their station. If you see his body in the mortuary, you will notice that his fingernails were chopped off and he bled to death.”

    We condemn the bestiality of the police officers and demand for justice for the deceased. If the incident as reported is correct, then the police officers might as well be psychopaths, instead of law enforcement agents. While disobedience of traffic regulation is condemnable, the punishment can never be wilful murder by those entrusted with keeping public order. As the enforcer of civic discipline, a police officer should be the epitome of discipline and decorum. But what do we get from the police?

    According to the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index, a global rating coordinated by International Police Science Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Nigerian Police is rated worst globally. Even by what amounts to internal public rating, an arm of the police, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, became so notorious that many Nigerians marched on the streets last year asking that it should be scrapped.

    On a regular basis, the Nigerian police exhibit terrible tendencies. Either they are mounting illegal checkpoints or they are engaged in unlawful duties. Most police stations are like market places (apology to Fela) where the officials trade in liberty of citizens. On the highway, rogue policemen mount illegal checkpoints extorting money from motorists. Indeed, specialized police agencies earmarked for serious crimes, turn their station to debt recovery agencies. Driven by personal gains they torture parties to enter into undertakings.

    The attack on Mr Jumbo is even more appalling considering that he is part of the national security apparatus. While his colleagues in NSCDC have also occasionally misbehaved in dealing with the public, the fact that he is a security personnel should have availed him some better treatment. The tragedy that befell Mr Jumbo should be a pointer to security personnel that the resort to molestation of civilians is bad. Security uniforms must never be a licence to abuse privileges.

    For the police service commission and the Inspector General of Police, there is urgency for training and retraining of service personnel. They must ingrain in their members the need to respect basic human rights, as operational standard. No personnel who engages in any form of abuse should be allowed a minute more in the organisation. What we say of the police is also applicable to other law enforcement agencies in the country. Many of them misbehave once they are in uniform and bearing arms.

    We note that the police have already interdicted the officers. They should face disciplinary action, if applicable orderly room trial for their reprehensible conduct. After the administrative process, the duo should be tried for homicide. The police must not do anything to cover up the alleged crime, and the NSCDC should diligently pursue the matter. While the incident should not lead to a brawl between the service personnel of the sister organisations, there should be no compromise in seeking justice for Mr Jumbo.

    Perhaps it is time for the federal government to establish an interagency organ to deal with relationships between security agencies of government. Such an agency could operate from the office of the Ministry of Defence.

  • Police team arrested over killing of youth in Lagos

    A police team under the Lagos State Police Command had been arrested over the alleged killing of a youth, Kolade Johnson on Sunday.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had reported on Sunday that some residents of Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos went on a rampage blocking the Oshodi/Abeokuta expressway in protest against the killing of a youth in the area.

    The angry residents blocked the major roads with tyres and woods after a youth was allegedly shot dead by policemen from Anti-Cultism Unit of Lagos State Command.

    NAN learnt that an unmarked commercial bus occupied by the policemen had visited the community on Sunday afternoon in search of youths dressed wildly and wore dreadlocks.

    It further gathered that one of the police operatives allegedly shot dead the youth from behind in an attempt to disperse a crowd which had gathered during the raid.

    According to Elkana, on March 31, at about 5.05p.m., the Command received a distress call that Lagos- Abeokuta Express Way has been blocked by some angry youths who were protesting the shooting of one Kolade Johnson of No.1 Beco street, Onipetesi, Mangoro Bus Stop.

    He said the shooting was done by a team of policemen from Anti Cultism unit, stressing that a team of policemen from the Rapid Response Squads and Metro Patrol were promptly drafted to the scene.
    Elkana said the account of eye witnesses helped in identifying the team which fled the scene immediately after the incident.

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    “Members of the team suspected to be involved in the shooting have since been arrested and are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

    “They will be subjected to internal disciplinary procedures, and may be prosecuted in conventional court if implicated by ongoing investigation.

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu calls for calm, assuring that justice will prevail in this case.

    “The CP also condoles with the family, friends and well wishers of Kolade Johnson,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the CP has promised to initiate far reaching reforms to help in repositioning the Anti Cultism Squad for effective service delivery, particularly in areas of respect for Human Rights and proficiency in the use of firearms.

    “Members of the public who have complaints on the activities of Anti Cultism Squad or any of our Police teams should call the following numbers 08063299264, 08065154338 and 08060357795,” he added

  • Oyo police arrest 21 robbery suspects terrorising Ibadan

    Nemesis has caught up with suspected dare devil criminals terrorising the residents of the city of Ibadan and environs as the state Police Command said it has arrested 21 suspected armed robbers between January and March this year.

    The 21 suspects, according to the police would soon be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigation is concluded.

    Items recovered from the suspects included exotic vehicles, mobile phones, motorcycles, tricycles, locally made pistols, live cartridges , cutlasses, criminal charms , axes, ATM card, driver’s license and the sum of twelve thousand five hundred and fifty naira cash .

    Speaking with newsmen at the Eleyele , Ibadan police headquarters on Monday during the parade of the suspects , the Oyo state Police Commissioner , Mr Shina Olukolu said the command was poised to nip in the bud activities of criminal elements , adding the arrest of the 21 armed robbery suspects was part of the efforts to stamp out crimes and criminality in the state.

    Among the achievements of the command in the attempt to flush out criminal elements , was the recovery of hijacked truck loaded with 22 brands of new tricycles intercepted at gun point from the driver , one Mohammed (m) and two motor boys around Akinyele trailer park , Ibadan , along Ibadan/Oyo Expressway by unknown gun men.

    “Sequel to this, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives led by CSP Olusola Aremu swung into action and this led to the recovery of the truck with 18 out of the 22 tricycles at Sagamu in Ogun state,” the Commissioner of Police said.

    Read Also: Five suspected IPOB members nabbed for burning Anambra police station

    Some of the 21 armed robbery suspects arrested by the police included a prime suspect, Gabriel Olatunji (m), and four criminal receivers , Lekan Ajayi (m), Ismail Ogunsola (m) , Akin Alonso (m), and Tope Ezekiel (m) .

    Items recovered from them are five exotic cars including a Honda Accord car with registration number MUS 481, Toyota Camry car with registration number LSR 514 EH , Toyota Camry car with registration number FE 379 LND , Toyota Camry car with registration number KJA 747 BH , and Honda Bull Dog car with registration number KEY 827 ET.

    According to the Commissioner of Police, on March 17, 2019, around 9.30 pm , one Saidi Eniola was attacked and dispossessed of his Toyota Camry car at Iyana Church area of Ibadan by some unknown hoodlums armed with guns and some other dangerous weapons , and consequent upon this, a distress call with put across to the police who later arrested the prime suspect and four criminal receivers .

    Speaking further on the arrest of two prime suspects, Adeleke Fatai (m), and Opoola Muritala (m), and others at Oyo town, the state Police Commissioner narrated how some notorious hoodlums who specialises in attacking motorcyclists and dispossessing them of their motorcycles in different part of Oyo state were arrested by his men.

    “Sequel to a distress call, a team of SARS operatives led by CSP Sola Aremu swung into action and in the process, two of the hoodlums who later identified themselves as Adeleke Fatai and Opoola Garuba were arrested in their hideout.

    “Upon interrogation, they confessed to have masterminded series of such criminal activities in various parts of Oyo state. The confessional statement later led to the arrest of four of their criminal receivers. Meanwhile, five Bajaj motorcycles which they confessed to have snatched from their owners were recovered from the hoodlums and the criminal receivers,” he said.

  • Five suspected IPOB members nabbed for burning Anambra police station

    Five persons suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have been arrested for allegedly burning a police station and injuring an officer in Ajali, Orumba North local government area of Anambra state.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mustapha Dandaura, made the disclosure on Monday while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Amawbia.

    He said the suspects were apprehended following an aggressive manhunt by the Command’s Special Anti Robbery Squad.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Abuchi Nwogwu (21) Okwudili Nwanne (42) Maduabuchi Obia (22) Chukwuedozie Orah (30) and Ekechi Chukwuemeka (30), all of Ndikelionwu in Orumba North local government area of the state.

    Dandaura recalled how the suspects, on February 15, at about 2am, attacked the division, burning down the station, three police patrol vehicles and other exhibits.

    He said the suspects also carted away 3 AK 47 rifles from the Division armoury and injured the DCO who was on visit to the area.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspects took operatives to their criminal hideout and one of the AK 47 rifle with breech number KO 358792 carted away was recovered,” he said.

    Also paraded was a 25-year man, Chimaobi Amauwa, arrested for allegedly terrorizing Onitsha and environs.

    The commissioner said the suspect, of Ihechiowa in Abia State, was arrested at Upper Iweka area of the commercial city of the state.

    He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that suspect belonged to a one chance robbery syndicate terrorizing Onitsha and environs using a commercial bus in order to deceive their victims.

    “Exhibits recovered from the suspect include one recovered one locally made pistol and the operational vehicle L300 bus with REG. No. DRK 85 XA.”

    The commissioner assured that effort were on to apprehend other accomplices.

    “The suspects would be charged to Court after investigations were concluded,” he added.

  • Updated: Anambra police arrest most wanted murder suspect

    The Anambra State police command has arrested one of the alleged most dreaded murder suspects identified as Ikechukwu Udensi, otherwise known as IKANDA in the state.

    The notorious suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of late Ndubuisi Nwokolo on 29-6-2018 in 21 Otumoye , Odoakpu, Onitsha, Anambra state.

    Parading the suspect on Monday at the state police headquarters Amawbia, the police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, said the suspect was declared wanted but had been on the run since then.

    He said ‘Ikanda’ and his accomplices used offensive weapons such as machetes and cutlasses on the victim.

    According to him, “following the incident, the Command launched aggressive manhunt for the fleeing perpetrators and declared the ring leader one Ikechukwu Udensi alias IKANDA male aged 27 years of Azia town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State wanted”

    ” Consequently, on the 31/3/2019 at about 12:50 pm, following painstaking intelligence and strategic planning, Police operatives attached to the Command Operation Udoka and Special Anti-robbery Squad SARS raided a Criminal hideout at Menax near down flyover in Onitsha and arrested the notorious Suspect Ikechukwu Udensi AKA IKANDA ”

    Dandaura, said Suspect was assisting the Police with useful information that could help in arresting his accomplices in order to bring them to Justice.

    Meanwhile, the suspect while speaking with The Nation on Monday, said he was not a murderer as being alleged, rather that he worked for the state government.

    He said he did not kill or send anybody to kill the victim.

    However, Anambra state government, while reacting on the issue, through the state Commissioner for information and public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said working for government does not give anyone licence to commit crimes.

    He said the suspect could be an agent working for government through a contractor, adding that even at that, if he committed crime, he would face the full weight of the law.

    Adinuba, said the Chief Willie Obiano administration detested such because Anambra had become the most crime-free state in the country.

    He said, “anybody that commits any form of crime, using the name of the state government must face the consequences “the Commissioner said

  • Police confirm 13 dead, six injured in Bauchi road crash

    THE Police in Bauchi State have confirmed that 13  persons died in a ghastly auto crash, which occurred at about 2:00pm yesterday on Bauchi-Gombe road.

    The fatal motor accident  involved two vehicles, a Sharon bus loaded with 13 passengers and a Toyota Camry loaded with six passengers.

    The incident claimed the lives of 13 persons  and six others sustained injuries.

    It was gathered that the accident occurred when the two vehicles coming from  opposite direction had a head-on collision with 13 passengers losing their lives before reaching the hospital.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bauchi State Command, Kamal Abubabakar,  a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, said the six who sustained injuries are on admission at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

    Abubabakar said: “The accident occurred when the two vehicles were coming towards opposite direction and on reaching a point on the road, they had a head-on collision. As a result, all the 19 passengers from the two vehicles were injured.

    “The victims were then immediately moved from the scene by security agents with assistance of good Samaritans to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

    “Unfortunately, on reaching the hospital, 13 passengers were confirmed dead by the medical doctor and six are still on admission.

    “Up till the time of this release, names and address of some of the victims are still unknown.

    “The command calls on the members of the public, whose family member(s) travelled along that road and are still unable to reach them to check at the ATBU Teaching Hospital.”

    The Nation gathered that among the casualties were a couple, their two children and the man’s younger sister.

    The deceased were said to be descendants of a historic family of a traditional title holder known as ‘Yarin Bauchi.’