The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

Police arrest reporter over protest story in IDPs camps

The Benue Police Command has arrested Mr Emmanuel Atswen, a reporter of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), over a report on the protest by IDPs at the International Market camp in Makurdi.

NAN reports that the IDPs, on Sept. 12, protested against alleged diversion of relief materials, and blocked the main entrance into the camp to stop vehicles loaded with the assorted relief materials, from driving out.

Some of the protesters, who spoke with NAN, said that they were prompted to protest because such diversion had become more persistent, insisting that it was not the first time camp officials were loading materials from the camp”s warehouse.

Atswen, who was at the camp when the protest took place, not only filed the story, but took still and video pictures of the protesters.

He also spoke with the Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Mr Joseph Utsev, who promised to investigate the protest.

The state government had earlier removed the camp manager over alleged “irregularities”.

Miffed by the protests, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Boniface Ortese, recently closed down all the camps hosting victims of the Benue floods, after claiming that they had been taken over by hoodlums.

Atswen, who was arrested on Friday in Makurdi, is being accused of “defamation of character and falsehood”.

One Mr Offor, the police officer investigating the case, turned down pleas by journalists and lawyers to release Atswen on bail, and ignored arguments that the offences he was being charged with were bailable.

NAN reports that prior to Atswen’s arrest, the SEMA boss had petitioned NAN over the same story, demanding N3 billion as damages, even though neither his name nor his agency were mentioned in the report.

The NAN management, in a press statement on Saturday in Abuja, however, said that it was standing by its protest story, and reiterated its commitment to reporting the truth always.

The NAN management declared that the said story did not violate the tenets of the journalism profession. (NAN)

September 22, 2017
No arrest of IPOB members, Police declare in Anambra

…IPOB raises alarm over alleged plot to kill members by FG

The Anambra State Police Command Friday declared that no arrest of members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been made in the state.

The State Police Public Relation’s Officer (PPRO), Princess Nkeiruka Nwode, told The Nation Friday in Awka that the command had no problem with IPOB members since after the proscription.

She said Friday members of the group had been peaceful and going about their normal businesses including the residents in the state.

Meanwhile, members of the group had been hiding since the proscription in the state, while the sales of IPOB insignia, flags among others are no longer being displayed at public places.

However, the group yesterday raised the alarm that the federal government was planning another round of massacre against the members.

This was contained in a statement yesterday in Awka which was sent to reporters by Emma Powerful, Media and Publicity Secretary for IPOB.

According to the statement, “We the family of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to urgently draw the attention of the civilized world to the dastardly plot being perfected by Nigeria against peaceful unarmed members of IPOB residing in Biafra land in the next few weeks”

“IPOB Intelligence Unit has uncovered elaborate plans by the government to incriminate IPOB members in order to justify their controversial and unpopular proscription of IPOB with the attending laughable tag of terrorist organization against a world recognized peaceful movement”

“The government has resolved to commence another round of their periodic genocide of innocent civilians across South East and South-South, within the next few weeks under the cover that IPOB is a terrorist organization”

“They have concluded plans to kill as many people as possible. They want to spread terror, intimidation and instill fear in the minds of those that will survive this massacre and cause our people to renounce or abandon their legitimate quest for freedom”

“The plan is to bring the people of old Eastern Region to submission before 2019 presidential elections’

“In the meeting where they concluded this devilish line of action, they boasted that they have succeeded in bringing some South East and South-South politicians, especially South East governors under their control, what was left for them was to complete the conquest and subjugation of entire Biafraland and the youths”

“It is presently clear that a special squad has been trained to spearhead and carry this plot to the letter. The plan is to trigger an ethno-religious crisis of immense proportion as a prelude to unleashing what they termed the final solution to the Igbo question in Nigeria” IPOB said.

Meanwhile, one of the Igbo leaders and the Founder of Ogilisi Foundation, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has called on governors of South East states to take a more holistic approach towards ending the spate of agitation for Biafra.

He told reporters Friday in Oba, Idemili South council of Anambra that the decision of the governors to proscribe IPOB was hasty and may not lead to the end of activities of Biafra agitators.

He attributed the perennial call for actualization of Biafra to the yearnings of the souls who died during war for proper burial.

The spiritual leader, who lauded the unity among the governors, urged them to unanimously decide on how the souls of those who lost their lives during the civil war between 1967-1970 and related struggle would be reburied and appeased.

Ezeonwuka said only such a befitting burial and memorial would appease the Biafran Spirit, which had taken over minds of most youths across the South East and South South regions.

He said it was a popular practice among countries in the world to remember the souls that were lost during wars and natural disasters.

“But the governors have not done enough research in it before their decision to proscribe the IPOB, there is a spiritual aspect of what is going on, the souls that died during the war are still hovering because they have not been recognized and buried”

“As a spiritual person, I can tell you that those souls that were lost are still alive, they have possessed our youths that is why they are calling for Biafra even at the risk of their lives”

September 22, 2017
Septuagenarian arrested for repeatedly raping minor in Ebonyi

The Police in Ebonyi State have arrested a 70 year old man in Akpoha, Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state, Simon Alobu popularly known as papa Eke for allegedly hypnotizing and repeatedly raping a 7 year old orphan, simply named Favour.

The suspect, The Nation gathered was handed over to the police by the Family law centre, where the case was first reported by the victim’s relatives.

It was also learnt that little Favour moved to her maternal house where her aunt Martha Enya lives after the death of her parents.

The suspect lives in the same compound with the girl and her Aunt and was reported to the centre by the victim’s aunt who alleged that the man also raped her when she was a little girl.

The suspect who narrated her ordeal to journalists in Abakaliki said the man first raped her after she prepared food for him.

“The man said I should come and prepare food for him. After preparing the food, my brother who leaves with me said he was not eating and left immediately”.

“When my brother left and I was still eating, the man locked the door and carried me to his bed and raped me,” she said.

The suspect, it was also learnt, first raped the little girl in 2014 and since then has repeatedly raped her.

Last year, Enya started suspecting that she was being raped when she complained of severe pains in her private.

But all efforts to make Favour name the culprit were not successful until recently when she opened up.

According to the woman, she took the girl to Afikpo where the rape was confirmed but efforts to make her reveal the identity of the rapist failed as he continued the act till this year.

“Favour confessed by herself and we went to the man and he agreed that he is the one raping Favour and that he has raped her five times,” she said.

She alleged that the suspect mutilated Favour’s bottom with razor blade where he presumably applied some charms to prevent the girl from revealing his identity.

The suspect when quizzed confessed that he had carnal knowledge of the girl adding that that he committed the act under the influence of alcohol.

Police spokesman in the state, ASP Loveth Odah said the suspect is in police custody and will soon be arraigned in court.

September 22, 2017
Police organise conference on crime prevention

The Nigeria Police in Enugu say the Force School of Public Relations will involve professionals in delivering lectures during the police Inter Agency Public Relations Conference on Oct. 5 in Enugu.

Enugu State Public Relations Officer Ebere Amaraizu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in that involving professionals would curb the rate of crimes.

He said the provost of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu and other chartered public relations professionals would participate in the conference entitled: “Inter-Agency Relationship: A Panacea for Effective Crime Prevention and Control’’.

He also said the Nigeria Police in Enugu would host the conference aimed at consolidating cordial working relationship among security agencies in the state.

“They will through lectures and practical sessions to x-ray how public relations could be used as veritable tool for sustenance of cooperation among sister security agencies,’’ he said.

September 22, 2017
Nine policemen arrested for extortion in Lagos

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, said on Thursday that nine policemen, one traffic warden and two others have been arrested for extorting money from motorists.

Edgal told journalists the arrest was a follow up to his warning to officers and men of the state police command to guide against corruption and unprofessional conducts.

He said the X-Squad unit had intensified its activities to ensure zero tolerance to corruption and unruly practices by police officers and men of the command.

Edgal said: “In the light of this, operatives of the X-Squad have been out day and night to ensure that this renewed determination is achieved.

“To this effect, nine policemen and a senior traffic warden alongside two of their accomplices popularly known as ‘Camp Boys’ or ‘Antelopes’ were arrested between September 1 and 18, 2017.

“One of the Camp boys identified as Taofik Ismaila was arrested along Ikotun road on September 8, along with some unscrupulous policemen, who were caught extorting money from innocent motorists.

“Similarly, the unit also arrested one Stephen Nwafor along Igando road with some policemen caught collecting money from some unsuspecting motorists.

“The policemen are currently undergoing departmental orderly room trial to ensure a total purging of the command of its bad eggs, while their civilian accomplices are being charged to court for related offences.”

The police commissioner has also directed that the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Divisional Traffic officers of the affected areas be issued queries for lack of supervision and disobedience to lawful orders.

He urged all executives and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to warn their members from being used by unscrupulous policemen as tools and agents of extortion against members of the public.

“The activities of this unit are still on and will not relax until the command gets rid of all the bad elements,” he added.

NAN

September 21, 2017
Police parades 14 for kidnapping, armed robbery
The Police on Thursday paraded 14 suspected kidnap and armed robbery gangs who specialize in kidnapping travellers along Abuja-Kaduna highway.

The suspects who belong to two gangs were arrested in their hideouts and camps by personnel of the Intelligence Response Team and Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Force.

The arrest and parade is part of Operation Absolute Sanity that is intended to make the Abuja-Kaduna highway safe for road users.

Since the Operation Absolute Sanity commenced few months ago, over 80 kidnappers and other criminals have been arrested.

Suspects paraded at Jere Police Station in Kaduna State are; Umar Mohammed Babuga 27, Umaru Kiri 26, Abdullahi Tambaya 25, Abdulkarim Musa 27, Isah Musa 30 and Sani Musa 27.

The other gang members are; Nura Usman 37, Bashiru Yusuf 25, Abdulrahman Abdul 20, Abdullahi Bali 40 yrs, Abdulrahman Hassan Nagoma, Usman Babuga 25 and Yeti Muhammad 32.

Items recovered from them include two AK47 rifles, 16 locally made guns, locally made Ak47 with ammunitions, cutlasses, sticks and charms of different sizes and colours.

Briefing journalists on the operation of the suspects and how they were arrested, the Force Spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood said: “Consequent on the reinforcement of Operation Absolute Sanity on Abuja- Kaduna Highway with additional two units of Special Police Forces by the Inspector-General of Police to tackle the gangs of Kidnappers that escaped arrest on Abuja – Kaduna Highway and relocated to some roads around Jere to Abuja axis, the suspects were arrested in their hideouts and camps where some of their victims were rescued.

“In the operation that is still ongoing, two different vicious and notorious Kidnap for ransom gangs were dislodged and busted in their hideouts and camps between Jere – Kaduna and Jere – Abuja axis.

“A total number of 14 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the operation. They confessed to the offence and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.”

The police also said most of the suspects were identified by the victims for being responsible for their kidnap.

Moshood also said investigation is being intensified to arrest the other suspects at large adding that the suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of Investigation.

Meanwhile, the IG has also directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zones and commands to replicate same on the highways and major roads across the country.

The Senior Police officers are to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and ensure massive deployment of Armed Police Personnel, Patrol Teams and undercover operatives to flash points and other vulnerable criminal spots to curb all forms of crimes and criminality nationwide.
September 21, 2017
Police parades 14 for kidnapping, armed robbery

The Police on Thursday paraded 14 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers who operated along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

The suspects, who belong to two separate gangs, were arrested at their hideouts and camps by personnel of the Intelligence Response Team and Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

The arrest of the suspects was part of Operation Absolute Sanity designed to make the Abuja-Kaduna highway safe for road users.

Since the operation commenced few months ago, over 80 kidnappers and other criminals have been arrested.

Suspects paraded at Jere Police Station in Kaduna State were – Umar Mohammed Babuga (27), Umaru Kiri (26), Abdullahi Tambaya (25), Abdulkarim Musa (27), Isah Musa (30) and Sani Musa (27).

Others were – Nura Usman (37), Bashiru Yusuf (25), Abdulrahman Abdul (20), Abdullahi Bali (40), Abdulrahman Hassan Nagoma, Usman Babuga (25) and Yeti Muhammad (32).

Items recovered from them included two AK47 rifles, 16 locally made guns, locally made AK47 rifle with ammunitions, cutlasses, sticks and charms of different sizes and colours.

Briefing journalists on the operation, the Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said: “Consequent on the reinforcement of Operation Absolute Sanity on Abuja- Kaduna Highway with additional two units of Special Police Forces by the Inspector-General of Police to tackle the gangs of Kidnappers that escaped arrest on Abuja – Kaduna Highway and relocated to some roads around Jere to Abuja axis, the suspects were arrested in their hideouts and camps where some of their victims were rescued.

“In the operation that is still ongoing, two different vicious and notorious kidnap for ransom gangs were dislodged and busted in their hideouts and camps between Jere – Kaduna and Jere – Abuja axis.

“A total number of 14 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the operation. They confessed to the offence and admitted to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of the crime.”

The police also said most of the suspects were identified by the victims for being responsible for their kidnap.

September 21, 2017
Police demolish three shrines in Lagos, rescue couple

Policemen have demolished three shrines located in Agbowa area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

They also arrested the owner of one of the shrines in whose premises a couple were rescued on Tuesday night.

The Acting Police Commissioner in the state, Imohimi Edgal, who led broadcast journalists to the shrines on Wednesday, said their (shrines) demolition was part of efforts to ensure complete clampdown on ritualists and fraudsters, who establish such places for criminal purposes.

According to Edgal, the police received intelligence report of illegality at the demolished shrines, adding that they had the backing of all the traditional rulers in the district to pull down individually owned shrines.

Edgal said from findings, the police discovered that most of the people who had been declared missing or fallen victim to operators of “one-chance” buses usually ended up at shrines in that axis, where they are fleeced or murdered.

He said: “We had the backing of all the traditional rulers in Ikorodu to demolish individually owned shrines that are used to perpetrate crime. Some of those shrines are used for ritual purposes. Others were established by fraudsters with the intent to commit crime.

“So, these three we have demolished were identified through police and community partnership. We received information from members of the community and we carried out our own findings too.

“I can tell you that as of Tuesday night, when we were still surveying the places, a husband and wife were rescued in one of the shrines. They fell victim to these criminals and they had been told they would be killed. They were very grateful when the police came to their aid.

“We have arrested an owner. I use this opportunity to appeal to the public to have confidence in the police. They should provide us with valuable information that would lead to the rounding up of all those criminals.

“I want to still assure them that under my watch, their confidentiality is guaranteed. No one would know information came from them. Just as we have gotten these ones, we will get all others and rid Lagos of such criminals.”

September 20, 2017
Quit Notice: IG places policemen on red alert

As part of efforts to ensure that the quit notice threat and counter threats issued by some groups are not actualized, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) ), Ibrahim Idris has placed policemen on red alert.

The police also said security would be beefed up across the country to ensure that lives and property are protected.

The police also urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses adding that there was no cause for alarm.

Reacting to the recent pronouncement that the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) were terrorist organisation, the Police said whoever acts under the group would be arrested and charged to court.

Speaking with The Nation in Abuja yesterday, the Force Spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood said: “The Inspector General of Police has before now directed that Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands and AIGs in charge of zones be ready to ensure that the threat and the counter threats are not actualized.

“The IG has placed all police personnel on red alert across the country. This means that they cannot travel and they have to be within their station so that at the beckon of the Commanding officer, they can be deployed to attend to any situation that may come up.

We are well prepared, October 1st or whatever date given, the police would beef up security across the country to ensure that both indigene and nonindigenes go about their lawful businesses because nobody has the right to tell anybody to quit or relocate.

“So, there is no cause for alarm and we have increased deployment across the country.”, he said.

Moshood also hinted that Police Mobile Force who are directly responsible for quelling riot and other crimes have been deployed to Southeast and Southsouth.

On the proscribtion of IPOB, the Force Spokesman said: “We are doing our best to ensure that any organization or group under any name are not allowed to unleash mayhem on the society.

“Our police station in Ariara market was attacked and about seven suspects have been arrested, we are still arresting more and the suspects are being charged to court”.

He further said: “Having declared IPOB a terrorist group, anybody that is a member of a proscribed organization would be arrested by the police if they come out to do things that are against law and order that can endanger lives of people.

“We are still looking for those who were responsible for burnng our Police station, some have been arrested and we would still arrest more.

“They don’t have right to operate under IPOB because the state government in that region has proscribed them and called them unlawful organisations. When you belong to such organisations and you are performing unlawful act, it would give us the power under the law to get you arrested and prosecuted.”

September 19, 2017
Anambra to prosecute arrested IPOB members

The police in Anambra State yesterday warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) not to dare them.

Commissioner of Police Garba BabaUmar told reporters that the police would no longer allow miscreants take over the society.

Umar said: “Following the proscription of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Federal Government, the Anambra State Police Command has taken steps to enforce the ban on all IPOB activities in the State.

“Any person/persons involved in the activities of this proscribed group will be arrested and charged to court. Let me give a concise definition of terrorism as ‘the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate, coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment in order to seriously destabilise or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of a country.

“The Terrorism (prevention) Act 2013, as amended, provides minimum punishment of 20 years and maximum of death sentence, depending on the offence.

“Meanwhile, Section 37 sub section (1) Criminal Code Act, Cap 77 provides that ‘any person who wages war against the State, in order to intimidate or coerce the President or state governor, is guilty of treason and is liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.

“Therefore, I enjoin the general public to know that participating in the activities of this group is illegal and would amount to treasonable felony.

“I want to warn the general populace to desist from aiding and abetting members of this group. They should provide useful information to the police to help us arrest fleeing members of this outlawed organisation.

“The Command also wishes to reiterate that any act of Terrorism is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation. The Command urges the good people of Anambra to come together to sustain the existing peace in the state.”

“On our part, as a law enforcement agency, we shall continue to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens in the state, in line with the vision of IGP Ibrahim K. Idris.”

“The Command is indeed most grateful to the Anambra State Government, Ndi-Anambra for their support”

“I want to appeal to parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to steer away from this group. Together we can make Anambra remain the safest state in the Country,” Umar said.

September 19, 2017