The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police Job: PSC to commence screening soon

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it will soon commence the screening exercise of candidates who applied into the Nigeria Police Force as Constables.

    10,000 slot was advertised for the job but at the close of the recruitment portal in January this year, the Commission received 315,032 applications.

    The final analysis of the applications received by the Commission showed that 271,068 males applied, 43,785 female applications were received, 24 applicants did not indicate their gender while 155 applications were inconclusive.

    A statement in Abuja on Monday by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani stated that a date will be fixed soon for the screening.

    Ani said the explanation was necessary following the huge turnout of candidates to the various Police Commands across the country for the screening without invitation by the Commission.

    Read Also: Police recover gun, phones from two robbery suspects

    The statement reads: “The Police Service Commission wishes to state that it is yet to commence the screening exercise for candidates who applied for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force. The commission has also not invited any candidate for screening.

    “The Commission is surprised to note that some Nigerians besieged the State Commands of the Nigeria Police throughout the country for a screening exercise not scheduled by the Commission and for which no applicant was invited.

    “Applicants are hereby advised to ignore any statement on this as it did not originate from the commission. The commission will soon notify shortlisted candidates of a date for the commencement of the exercise.”

  • Police arrest suspected robbers in Bayelsa

    The police in Bayelsa State have arrested suspected robbers, who specialised in robbing residents of Yenagoa, using a commercial tricycle.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said some of the robbers were shot during a gun battle with policemen.

    He identified one of the four-man gang as Precious John, male, 19 years, saying he was shot in the leg and a locally-made pistol was recovered from him.

    Butswat said while the tricycle driver, Abubakar Iliyasu, male, 26, was arrested, others escaped with bullets wounds.

    He said: “Following reported complaints of cultism in Yenagoa metropolis, the commissioner of police directed the tactical teams to embark on stop and search operations and patrols in the metropolis.

    “On March 17, about 1150 hours, four armed men operating in a tricycle with a locally made pistol robbed Kelly Effiong, female, on Ebis Road, Biogbolo of one Techno phone valued at N45,000 and an ITEL phone valued at N4.500.

    “On sighting a patrol team, the armed robbers engaged the policemen in a gun battle. The policemen fired back at the robbers and arrested Precious John, male, 19 years, who was shot in the leg and recover a locally made pistol from him.

    “The tricycle driver, Abubakar Iliyasu, male, 26 years, was also arrested. The other suspects escaped with bullets wounds. The command has intensified efforts to nab the fleeing suspects.”

  • Rivers poll: results from 17 LGAs in our custody, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that results from 17 Local Government areas out of 23 in Rivers governorship election are available and in the commission’s custody.

    INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday night by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye.

    Okoye said that the commission made the declaration after its meeting on Friday where it considered the report of the Fact-Finding Committee set up to assess the situation in Rivers where election process was suspended.

    The Commission had on March 10, suspended all electoral processes in Rivers having determined that there was widespread disruption of collation of results of the elections conducted in the state on March 9.

    Subsequently, the Commission set up a Fact-Finding Committee to assess the situation and report back within 48 hours.

    Okoye said that the Commission met on Friday and considered the report of the Committee and established that the Governorship and state House of Assembly elections took place in most of the polling units and results were announced.

    “That the results from 17 Local Governments out of 23 are available and are in the Commission’s custody.

    “That the Declaration and Returns for 21 State Constituencies out of 32 were made prior to the suspension.

    “That collation centres were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation process,” he said.

    Okoye said that consequently upon the foregoing, the Commission was committed to expeditious completion of the collation process where results of the elections had been announced.

    The national commissioner said that INEC would issue detailed timelines and activities for the completion of the election on Wednesday, March 20.

    He added that the commission expressed its displeasure with the role played by some soldiers and armed gangs in the state, disrupting the collation process and attempting to subvert the will of the people.

    Okoye said the commission also resolve that it “will engage the security agencies at national level and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee at the state level to demand neutrality and professionalism of security personnel in order to secure a peaceful environment for the completion of the elections.

    “The commission will also engage with key stakeholders in Rivers State with a view to ensuring a smooth and peaceful completion of the process.”

  • Bandits abduct renowned Islamic cleric, 5 others in Katsina — Police

    Popular  Kano-based Quranic reciter, Sheikh Ahmad Sulaiman and five other persons have been kidnapped in Katsina State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isa, told reporters yesterday in  Katsina that the police were already on the trail of the kidnappers with a view to rescuing the victims.

    Isa urged the general public to continue to provide police with information on criminals and their activities with a view to safeguard peoples’ lives and property.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said  the victims were kidnapped on Thursday night on Sheme-Kankara road on their way back to Kano State after attending an Islamic event in Kebbi State.

    The State police command also confirmed yesterday, the the release of the mother-in-law to Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf by kidnappers.

    Hajiya Hauwa, the mother to one of the governor’s wives, Hajiya Binta, was abducted a week ago at her residence in Katsina metropolis.

    Gambo, in confirming the release said: “I am very happy to inform you that the old woman has been released by her abductors in the early hours of the day (Friday).

    ‘’She is hale and hearty, and has already been reunited with her family after necessary medical checkup.’’

    Meanwhile, the police have arrested an alleged  notorious member of a kidnap syndicate in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

    Isa said that the suspect attacked the house of one Mustapha Sani and attempted to kidnap his two wives.

    According to him, the combined team of police and vigilance group  members promptly pursued the suspect and succeeded in rescuing the two women.

    ‘’The command will continue to solicit for the cooperation and support of the public in the fight against kidnappers and banditry,’’ he said.

  • Police nab robbery suspect, recover arms in Delta

    The Delta State Police Command has arrested a member of a robbery syndicate terrorising three local government areas.

    The acting police spokesman, Chuks Orisewezie, in a statement yesterday, said the suspect, Emmanuel Patrick, was arrested on March 6 by the anti-robbery squad led by Masoyi Dadi.

    Upon interrogation, the 32-year-old confessed to the crime and also gave the names of members of The statement reads: “The suspect admitted partaking in three operations at Uvwie, Ughelli and Udu councils.

    “He has also led the police to the gang’s armoury where two pump action guns, four double barrel guns, one single barrel gun, one Air gun, 274 cartridges, two bullet proofs and four bullet holders were recovered.

    “The gang’s armourer, who identified himself as Udenmba Ben, has also been arrested and he confessed to the crime. He admitted being in charge of servicing the arms and supplying them with ammunition.

    “Ben said he does not manufacture guns, but repairs, buys and sells arms and ammunition.”

    Orisewezie said the police was intensifying effort towards nabbing fleeing gang members.

    The police commissioner, Adeyinka Adeleke, has warned criminals that there would be no safe haven for them under his watch.

    Adeleke, who assuring the people of the police’ commitment to their security, vowed to employ every available security apparatus to rid the state of criminals.

     

  • Police arrest Oyo Chief Whip over Olatoye’s assassination

    Oyo  State Police have arrested the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly,  Wasiu Olafisoye Akinmoyede, in connection with the murder of a senatorial candidate, Hon. Temitope Olatoye a.k.a. Sugar.

    Akinmoyede’s arrest brought the number of those held to two.

    Olatoye was representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Akinmoyede is representing Lagelu state constituency.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said he was not aware of the development.

    The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, confirmed the arrest. He said the House was notified through a letter.

    Ojo said: “I am not aware that he has been taken to Abuja. I am only aware that he is under investigations but I am not aware whether he has been taken to Abuja or not.”

  • Police parade 52 for alleged ballot box snatching

    The Kogi State Police Command yesterday paraded 52 suspected political thugs and others.

    Commissioner Mr. Akeem Busari, while parading the suspects with arms, ammunition and other weapons recovered from them, said they were responsible for the electoral crimes committed during the general election.

    He said in line with the directive of the Inspector- General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, to ensure violence free elections and clamp down on thugs, the command adopted a comprehensive crime prevention and directed strategies and operational measures, including the beginning of raids of identified criminals’ hideouts, black spots and flashpoints across the state.

    Busari said operatives, working on actionable intelligence and in compliance with IG’s directives to clamp down on thugs determined to disrupt the elections, arrested the gangs responsible for electoral violence, as well as kidnapping of residents.

    He said the suspects were nabbed in their hideouts and locations across the state, adding that some of them confessed to their criminal roles.

    “They admitted to have participated in thuggery during the just concluded elections, kidnapping, robberies and attacks on travellers on highways across the state.

    “These achievements were due to the proactive strategies rooted in intelligence led policing, and robust interaction with the various strata of our communities, particularly in the area of information gathering; since it has become obvious that security is an all stakeholders’ affairs.”

    The command recovered 22 guns, including AK 47 rifles, locally made pistols, single barrel guns, locally made double barrel guns, Dane guns, pump action guns, locally made revolvers, cut to size double barrel pistols and a number of AK 47 live ammunition.

    Also recovered were cutlasses, expended cartridges, a green Vento saloon car and phones.

  • Police to prosecute 18 suspects for ballot box snatching in Oyo

    The Oyo state Police Command on Wednesday said over 18 suspects have been arrested for various electoral offences during the Saturday’s governorship/state House of Assembly elections in the state.

    The police command said all the 18 suspects would face criminal prosecution after conclusion of investigation.

    Their offences ranged from ballot box snatching, violence and other related electoral fraud committed in different parts of the state during the Saturday poll.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO) , Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) explained that the suspects who were been held at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) were arrested at various polling units during the Saturday poll.

    He said the names of suspects were still being withheld by the police not to tamper with the ongoing investigation.

    Read Also: Police arrest 9 suspected political thugs in Bauchi

    According to the state police boss, seven guns, 30 live cartridges, and some other miscellaneous items were recovered from the suspects.

    He further disclosed that the suspects who are currently held at the SCIID would soon be transferred to Abuja for further investigation in line with the directives from the Inspector General of Police (IG) before prosecution.

    ” I can confidently tell you that 18 suspects were arrested in connection with electoral offences during the last governorship/state House of Assembly poll in different parts of the state. And seven guns, 30 live cartridges and some miscellaneous items were recovered from them.

    “The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) is handling the investigation and the suspects will later be transferred to Abuja for further investigation before prosecution,” he stated.

  • Police vow to fish out Rep Olatoye’s killers

    •Ajimobi expresses sadness over violence

    THE Oyo State Police Command yesterday vowed to ensure that the killers of Temitope Olatoye during the Saturday’s polls are arrested and made to face the law.

    To effect, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CID) to personally lead the team of investigators to unravel the killers.

    Olatoye (a.k.a. Sugar), before his demise, was a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Lagelu / Akinyele Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning. He was 47 years.

    Olatoye was an active member of the Action Democratic Party (ADP). He was allegedly shot by political thugs on Saturday during the governorship election.

    The police command reported in a statement made available to The Nation that Olatoye was shot in the head by yet to be identified assailants.

    The state police commissioner assured the Oyo people that the miscreants, who committed the crime, would be arrested and duly prosecuted.

    The statement reads: “The Commissioner of Police wishes to inform members of the public of an unfortunate incident that led to the death of Temitope Olatoye on Saturday March 9, 2019.

    “The Commissioner of Police and the heads of other sisters’ security agencies in Oyo State while monitoring the governorship and State House of Assembly elections in Oyo State received a report of an ambush and shooting incident from the Divisional Police Officer, lyana Offa at Lalupon in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State. In the report, he stated that one Temitope Olajide Olatoye (a.k.a ‘Sugar’) aged about 47 years was attacked by unknown assailants, who allegedly shot him on the head.

    “He was immediately evacuated to University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan for medical attention, but unfortunately, he died later at the Intensive Care Unit, (ICU) while receiving treatment. The Police immediately commenced investigation and obtained firsthand information as to the identity of the suspected killers. The scene of incident was immediately cordoned off while the Commissioner of Police directed the Deputy missioner of Police, CID, lyaganku Ibadan to personally lead the team of investigators.

    “Meanwhile, in compliance with the marching orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu to ensure the most immediate arrest of the fleeing culprits, concerted efforts are ongoing to unravel and arrest the suspected killers of the deceased. The Commissioner of Police, however, wishes to seize this opportunity to seek the understanding of the family members who are bereaved and citizenry to assist the police with credible and useful information that would lead to the arrest of the fleeing culprits.”

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has, however, condemned the pockets of violence that characterised Saturday’s election, which led to Olatoye’s death.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Bolaji Tunji yesterday, the governor said he was saddened by the turn of events, which he said was antithetical to the pervading peace in the state.

    He said the desperation and do-or-die disposition that attended the election was uncalled for since the candidates in the governorship and Assembly election were in the race to serve the people and not themselves.

    Commiserating with the families of Olatoye and others who reportedly lost their lives in the election, the governor assured the citizens that the perpetrators would be brought to justice irrespective of their political affiliation and status.

    The governor warned that the state government would not allow any individual or group to truncate the had-fought peace and security that the state had enjoyed in the last eight years.

    Ajimobi said: “I’m greatly saddened by the pockets of violence that attended yesterday’s (Saturday) election; although the circumstances surrounding the violence and loss of lives are still hazy. It is heartrending that Olatoye and others had to die because of election.

    “Nobody’s ambition should be worth the blood or life of any citizen. I’m, therefore, appalled that some unscrupulous politicians and their followers have turned this contest into a do-or-die affair, which is alien to democratic norms in saner climes.

    “We struggled hard for this democracy, and for it to be entrenched we must eschew every act of bitterness, desperation and foul play during elections. In life, you win some contests and you lose some. If we imbibe this philosophy, we will take every victory and defeat with equal measure of equanimity.

    “I have been in regular touch with all the security agencies since yesterday and they have assured me that the situation had been brought under control. May I use this opportunity to implore them to redouble their efforts and ensure the safety of lives and property going forward.”

    The governor condoled with the families of Olatoye and others that lost their lives to Saturday’s skirmishes and prayed for the repose of their soul.

     

  • Police arrest two suspected cultists for ‘chopping-off man’s wrist’

    The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists at Emene community, an Enugu suburb.

    Spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement that the suspects were arrested at night.

    He said the command’s operatives recovered a chopped-off wrist, two axes and a black cap from the suspects.

    Amaraizu said the victim, whose left wrist was chopped off, was identified as Chijioke Chiaha.

    “It was gathered that some suspected cultists, on March 5 in the night at Eke Obinagu junction axis of Emene, allegedly fought over a yet to be established issue, which resulted in injuries,” he said

    The spokesman said two of the suspected cultists belonging to Junior Aieyes confraternity had been arrested.

    He said one of the suspects told the police that he got a call from someone (name withheld), believed to be a cult leader in charge of Eke Emene branch for a certain peace talk with other cultists at Eke Obinagu Emene junction.

    “On his way to the place, he was nabbed by the command’s operatives, who had intervened promptly, based on the distress call received.

    “The victim, who confessed that he used to be a member of a cult, said he waited to board a tricycle to his house when suddenly three persons on a motorcycle approached him from behind, chopped of his hand and drove away,’’ Amaraizu alleged.

    He said the suspect identified his caller as one of those behind the chopping-off of his wrist.

    The spokesman said investigation had begun.