The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police arrest 118 suspects in one month

    Police arrest 118 suspects in one month

    Edo State Police Command yesterday said it arrested 118 suspects robbery, murder, cultism, human trafficking  and kidnapping between August 10 and 13 September.

    It said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state.

    Commissioner of Police Haliru Gwandu, who stated this at a press briefing, said 27 guns, 61 live catridges, 16 kidnappers and four vehicles were recovered from the suspects.

    Gwandu said 44 of the suspects were charged to court.

    He attributed the success recorded by his command to information from the public.

    The commissioner said the police would make the state  conducive for business activities to thrive.

    The police boss, however, cautioned criminal elements to repent or relocate, as the command will make the state uncomfortable for them.

    He said other suspects would be charged to court after completion of investigations.

  • FCT gets new Commissioner of Police 

    FCT gets new Commissioner of Police 

    Commissioner of Police, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello has resumed duty at the FCT Police Command Headquarters as the new police chief.

    Bello took over from CP Musa Kimo who has been redeployed.

    CP Bello who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Bayero University Kano (BUK) was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force in 1988 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

    Prior to his recent posting to the FCT Police Command, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello was the immediate past Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State Police Command.

    Details of some of his achievement are contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

    “He is a seasoned Police officer who has served the Nigeria Police Force in different capacities. He is an alumni of the renowned Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping Centre, Accra Ghana. His Foreign Mission experience include: International Police Task Force, Bosnia and Africa Mission in Sudan (Darfur).

    “In the course of his policing career, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello has attended many foreign and local courses, some of which include: Junior Command Course (JCC), Intermediate Command Course (ICC), Senior Command Course (SCC), Advance Detective Course (ADC), Intelligence Course and numerous others.

    Some of his postings include: “Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department Kwara State Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, General Investigation Force CID Abuja; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Deputy Commissioner of Police, second in Command Edo State Police Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Finance and Administration FCT Police Command; and Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Police Command.”

    CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello while assuring FCT residents of his willingness to partner with spirited individuals, groups and all security agencies, enjoined resident of FCT to support the Command with information.

    He also noted that the Command under his stewardship will evolve novel strategies that will build on the gains of his predecessor and make the Federal Capital Territory safe and secure for all.

  • Nasarawa: Police arrest nine for buying stolen property

    Nasarawa: Police arrest nine for buying stolen property

    The Police in  Nasarawa State have  arrested nine persons for allegedly buying stolen property from suspected vandals.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Kennedy Idirisu, told newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia that the arrest followed complaint from the State Government on the increasing rate of vandalism on  public installations.

    Idirisu said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello,  had given a marching order due to the incessant cases of street light vandalism in the state capital, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

    He said some of the suspects were apprehended with the stolen components of the streetlights and were already giving useful information to the police.

    The PPRO said investigation was ongoing  to ascertain the level of involvement of each of the  suspects, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted accordingly.

    He said items recovered from the suspects include: Nine solar powered batteries, a solar power panel and cable.

    Idirisu urged the public to  report suspicious movement of persons in their neighbourhood to the security agencies for prompt action.

    He assured members of the public that the Police Command in the state would not relent in its  fight against criminal elements.

  • Police, others rescue baby from mentally-deranged mum

    A combined team of police, social workers and security agents have rescued a week-old baby girl from its mentally-deranged mother in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government of Ondo State.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it took the team over five hours before it could rescue the baby from the woman, whose name or relatives were unknown.

    Mrs. Bukola Odusola, head of social workers, told NAN yesterday that the baby was taken to Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, for medical tests.

    She said reports showed that the baby was in good condition.

    Mrs. Morenike Alaka, chairperson of Okitipupa, who visited the baby in hospital, hailed the team for the rescue, saying: “Every child has a right to live.”

    She warned people to stop impregnating mentally-deranged women, saying such actions put pressure on the government.

    The council boss, presenting gifts to the baby, said the Ministry of Women Affairs was contacted to monitor the baby and take the mother to a psychiatric home.

    The Iyaloja-General of the local government, Mrs. Bernice Akinnagbe, praised the team for a good job.

    She said anybody caught sleeping with mentally-deranged women should be prosecuted.

  • Man arrested with human head in Ibadan

    Man arrested with human head in Ibadan

    A suspected ritualist, Taju Olalekan, has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for being in possession of a fresh human head.

    In a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adekunle Ajisebutu, the 32-year old suspect was arrested at Modina area, Idi-Aro, Ibadan, at about 6.30 a.m. on Sunday.

    According to the statement, the arrest of the suspect followed information by members of the public who were curious about his strange and suspicious movement and raised the alarm.

    “Consequently, policemen attached to the Idi-Aro Police Division mobilized and promptly raced to the scene where the suspect was eventually arrested with the exhibit.

    “During interrogation, the suspect disclosed that the exhibit was given to him by an accomplice younger brother, Saheed Olalekan, who is currently on the run. Investigation also revealed that the suspect and his cohort have been dealing in human parts.

    “Previously, two human skulls were sold to undisclosed clients. The latest recovered part was meant for a yet- to- be- identified pastor in Ibadan.

    “The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, has directed the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID), Iyaganku, to take over the case with a view to carrying out diligent investigation and prosecution,” the statement said.

  • Police foil robbery in Yola, arrest two

    Police foil robbery in Yola, arrest two

    The Police Command in Adamawa on Tuesday said it had foiled an armed robbery at the old GRA, Jimeta, Yola, and in the process killed one suspect and arrested two others.

    The Command’s Spokesman, SP Othman Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola that the command received a distress call at 1 a.m. from one Alhaji Bakari that armed robbers had invaded his house.

    “When we received the call, we immediately deployed our Anti Robbery Squad to cordon off the area.

    “On sighting our men, the suspects opened fire on them and in the exchange of gunfire one of the suspect was killed and two others arrested,” Abubakar said.

    He said that the command would not relent “until the people are able to sleep with their two eyes closed”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer called on the people to always report any suspicious movement to the nearest security post for immediate response.

  • Police investigate alleged explosion in Enugu

    Police investigate alleged explosion in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State has commenced investigation into an alleged explosion that rocked a former New Artisan Market on the outskirts of Enugu.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the explosion took place at the former New Artisan Market along Enugu-Port Harcourt Road on Monday at about 8 p.m.

    He said that the police command had dispatched its crack team of investigators, mainly from its Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), to the scene of the incident.

    The spokesman said that the EOD team was currently combing the entire area and its environs in order to ensure that it was safe and secure for all.

    Amaraizu, however, said that no life was lost in the incident.

    “The command through its operatives has commenced full scale investigation into the alleged incident of explosion at the scrap site of the former New Artisan Market in Enugu.

    “The cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained and no life was lost.

    “However, the incident is alleged to have caused minor destruction in a nearby food shop, including two vehicles parked near the said shop,’’ he said.

    He advised residents of the state and travelers along the road not to panic as “the command is on ground and on top of the situation to unravel the causes of the incident’’.

    “The command is advising the good people of the state, particularly residents of that axis not to entertain fear or panic, but to go about their normal lawful businesses.

    “All hands are on deck, the command is working in partnership with relevant sister security agencies and stakeholders to ensure a safe and secure Enugu and its environs,’’he said.

  • Kaduna: Abducted director released – Police

    Kaduna: Abducted director released – Police

    The Kaduna State Police Command said on Sunday that a director with the Kaduna State Ministry of Education who was abducted by suspected kidnappers has regained his freedom.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Muktar Aliyu stated this in Kaduna.

    The victim, John Gorah, was abducted at midnight on September 3 at his residence in Mararaban Rido, Kaduna.

    The kidnappers had called the family and demanded N40 million ransom.

    The PPRO said the director, who was released in the early hours of Sunday, has returned to his family.

    He also said a nursing mother that was abducted along with the director in the neighborhood has also regained her freedom.

    He, however, did not confirm whether ransom was paid or not.

    “The command remained committed to fight crime and criminality to standstill where every citizen can move freely, “he said.

  • Senate to consider direct funding for police

    The Senate will consider a Bill to push for direct funding for the police when it resumes, it was learnt yesterday.

    The police special forces deployed to tame armed robbery and kidnapping on Kaduna-Abuja highway have been advised  to take the fight to the criminals’ camps in the forests.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs Senator Abu Ibrahim spoke yesterday during an assessment tour of Police deployment on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

    The senator, who was guided on the tour by Commissioner of Police Agyole Abeh, lamented what he described as low funding of police operations.

    He, therefore, vowed that his committee will push for the adoption of a bill that will ensure that at least one per cent of the federal allocation is set aside for security operations of the police.

    Ibrahim said a situation where police use funds meant for purchasing of equipment and welfare of its personnel for special operations is unacceptable.

    Addressing officers and men of the force at the Katari Divisional Police Headquarters, which is being used as the operational base of Operation Absolute Sanity, the senator said welfare of officers and men of the force will become a paramount issue to be discussed in the upper chamber when it resumes.

    He added that his committee will soon take a tour of six states of Nassarawa, Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, Zamfara and Katsina to solicit the states commitment to the security operations around their state, by providing funds to assist the operations.

    Abeh said the officers and men of the special forces are the best brains in the Police Force because of the series of trainings they have undergone.

    He, therefore, assured that with proper equipment and welfare, they will comb the forests and rid Kaduna-Abuja highway of kidnappers.

  • Police arrest seven suspected cultists for invading station 

    The police in Bayelsa State nabbed suspected members of cult groups, who invaded Peremabiri Divisional Headquarters to release one of their members, Prince Ayibalaifa, from detention.

    The suspects reportedly injured a policeman, Corporal Elijah Osara, during the attack  in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Commissioner of Police Mr. Asuquo Amba named the suspects as Douye Koufe, 23; Wisdom Reuben, 23; Solomon Jackson, 18; Samuel Odozi, 20; Thomas Canan, 23; Andy Daves, 24; and Junior Japhter, 23.

    He said they admitted to being members of the Greenlanders’ cult, except Douye Koufe, who claimed to belong to Icelanders.

    Amba said investigation was on, adding that the suspects will be prosecuted.

    He lamented the attack and said the police, with the assistance of the government was able to bring back civil authority in the area.

    Amba said:  ’’We still have this problem of cult activities within our environment. Of late, we tried to nip this problem in the bud, but we still see that we have not completely succeeded. The arrest is continuous.

    ‘’Peremabiri Divisional Headquarters is one of the new facilities we are trying to bring up because the place was ransacked by militants, then we want to bring back civil authority to the area.

    ‘’With the assistance of the government, we have been able to bring back civil authority but we still find out that there are some cultists that are still disturbing.

    ‘’About seven cultists from Greenlanders and Icelanders were apprehended. They invaded the police station to rescue Prince Ayibalaifa, who was detained for indecent assault. They actually rescued the person and escaped, but they were re-arrested.’’