The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police nab three for ‘adulterating fertiliser’

    The police in Kano State have arrested three persons, including a woman, in Gwagwarwa, Kano, for allegedly adulterating Golden Penny fertiliser.

    Spokesman Magaji Majiya confirmed the arrest in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano at the weekend.

    He said the suspects were apprehended while repackaging the adulterated fertiliser in the bags of Golden Penny fertiliser last Wednesday.

    Majiya said the suspects were nabbed, following a tip-off.

    “The suspects include two men and a woman, but the woman, who was said to be the owner of the fertiliser, was granted bail due to ill health,” he said.

    Majiya said the case had been transferred from Gwagwarwa Police Station to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

    He urged people to cooperate with security agencies by reporting illegal activities in their neighbourhoods to the police.

    “This is the second time in two weeks that fraudsters are arrested by the police through the assistance of the public,” the spokesman said.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigations were concluded.

  • Gunmen kill middle-age woman in Osogbo 

    Gunmen kill middle-age woman in Osogbo 

    Unknown gunmen on Saturday shot dead a yet-to-be identified middle-age woman in Osogbo, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports

    The incident occurred at about 9.00 am at Old Garage area of Osogbo.

    An eyewitness said the deceased was a labourer who was on her way to Old Garage, where labourers usually assemble for daily engagements, before she met her untimely death.

    The source said that the deceased was hit by stray bullets from a gun fired into the air by some men on a motorcycle before they sped off from the scene.

    The police spokesperson in the state, Mrs Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident to journalists, saying four suspects had been arrested.

    Odoro also gave an assurance that others connected with the incident would be apprehended and prosecuted.

  • We spent N15bn to beef up security in 2016- Ambode

    We spent N15bn to beef up security in 2016- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday evening said the State Government spent over N15billion last year to beef up security and ensure the safety of lives and property.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at a dinner held at the Lagos House in Ikeja, in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, who was on a two-day working visit to the State, said security, being one of the tripods upon which he administration is built, has improved drastically since he assumed office.

    He attributed the development to the sustainability of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), a template, he said has helped to champion funding of security agencies to carry out effective policing across the State.

    “Like the IGP said yesterday, the template of which we are using to run the Security Trust Fund is worthy of emulation and he has also averred that they would like to replicate it in other parts of the country and also for men of the Nigeria Police Force,” the Governor said.

    Recommending the LSSTF model to other States, Governor Ambode said the initiative has gotten serious buy-in by the public, revealing that out of the N15billion spent on security last year, the private sector contributed over N5billion.

    The Governor particularly commended the efforts of former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith, who is the Chairman of the LSSTF, saying that the model he midwifed in 2007 has changed the face of security in the State.

    “That same template that he (Smith) brought to Lagos that we have continued to use in the last 14 years and it’s been working and in different forums, he has shared how he started it and how we have also improved on it.

    “For us to be having the private sector, just to give you a very clear example, as at last year, we have spent as a government close to the region of N10billion, but the private sector has actually contributed more than N5billion of their own money into the Security Trust Fund.

    “There is no way the private sector would do that if they don’t believe in the cause of our Security Trust Fund. So I want to recommend it also to others, it is something that could work in other States. Like you said, funding is a major issue for security in this country and then we can have partnerships with the private and public sector to also help in securing the country,” Governor Ambode said.

    Stressing that security remains fundamental to the development of the nation’s economy, the Governor assured that the State Government would continue to support the Police and other security agencies.

    Besides, Governor Ambode also commended the IGP for his commitment to ensure effective policing across the country and especially in Lagos, however urging him to continue to do more in that regard.

    “What we are doing tonight is in honour of the IGP as a testimony of our affection and acceptance to the quality of service he has continued to render to this country and most especially Lagos State.

    “I would like to say a big thank you for having that deep interest in Lagos and that you should never set your eyes off all the activities of Lagos.

    “We believe strongly that if Lagos is peaceful, here would be life in other parts of the country. I believe the task ahead is greater than the things that you have achieved in just a few months that you have been there and I believe you would make your own mark just like your predecessors,” the Governor said.

    Earlier, IGP Ibrahim Idris said that despite the cosmopolitan nature of the State that makes policing difficult, officers posted to Lagos were enjoying the very best in terms of equipment and welfare.

    He said the visit afforded him the opportunity to learn more strategies adopted by the State Government in the business of securing lives and property.

    “Like I said, Lagos has been a sort of pace setting State for us, it has given some areas that we are tapping from.

    “What I want to say is that possibly by the time we want to implement the Security Trust Fund, we are still going to tap from one of the Lagosians here, a retired Inspector General, for us to gain from his wisdom in that area,” he said.

    The IGP said he was highly honoured by the reception given to him since he arrived, saying that the hospitality of Lagosians was second to none.

    “I have been overwhelmed since I came to this State. I doubt if there is any other State that has this kind of hospitality that we have seen since yesterday (Thursday). Honestly, I am overwhelmed and I appreciate all the attention that we have received both from the royal fathers and from your office.

    “Virtually everybody in Lagos is very enterprising, you can feel the friendliness in the atmosphere, I want to thank all of you for the support you have given our police force and obviously for the support you are giving our officers on the ground,” the IGP said.

  • Police confirm killing of 3 suicide bombers in Maiduguri

    Police confirm killing of 3 suicide bombers in Maiduguri

    The Borno Police Command on Saturday said three suicide bombers were killed on Friday at Simari area of Maiduguri.

    Mr Victor Isuzu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the killing in a statement in Maiduguri on Saturday.

    Isuzu said that the incident occurred at about 21.49 p.m., when three suicide bombers, a male and two females attempted to penetrate Usmanti Community in Mafa LGA.

    “The suicide bombers were chased by security personnel in the ensuing stampede and in an attempt to escape arrest, the suicide bombers hurriedly detonated the IEDs strapped on their bodies killing themselves.

    “However, two members of the security personnel sustained injuries and were rushed to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

    “Police and EOD personnel visited the scene to secure and render the area safe,” he said.

    A witness, Amin Audu, said the insurgents took advantage of the night to gain access into Maiduguri.

    “The powerful blast also made the explosives strapped to the other ladies to detonate and blew them into pieces,” he said.

    Maiduguri and other liberated areas have witnessed upsurge of suicide bomb attacks in which many lives and property were lost in the past two months.

    The insurgents had recently attacked a team of prospecting oil workers on exploration at Lake Chad Basin.

    The insurgents also attacked Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri and Dikwa Local Government Area of the state.

    Also, 14 women including police personnel were abducted by the insurgents.

  • …says Nigeria not ripe for state police

    …says Nigeria not ripe for state police

    Several prominent  Nigerians warned yesterday that the  country was not ripe for state police, arguing  it would compound the present security challenges.

    This was the consensus at a public lecture organised by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris on “Providing strategic solutions to emergent security challenges: The essentials of synergy amongst security agencies and civil populace,” held in Lagos.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Interior Minister Abdulraman Dambazau, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, former IGPs, Musiliu Smith, Sunday Ehindero, heads of military and para-military establishments among others, said that Nigeria should concern itself more with ensuring adequate funding for the police.

    They recalled the consequences of a move , in the 1980s and 1990s, when  officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) and below were posted  to their local governments of origin.

    They said most of the officers so deployed  were caught between performing their constitutional roles and aiding their kinsmen who were involved in crimes.

    Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule said :”Although the issue of state police has not gained the desired consensus, I believe strongly that it is the panacea for effective policing that is community based. Given the complexity of security challenges, the imperative for a safe and secured environment for investment, we established the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

    “The unfortunate tragedies and trauma caused by the “Badoo” crime incidents in Ikorodu area is a challenge that government has responded to with the community playing a major role in support of security agencies. The same can also be said about the menace of kidnapping, which is becoming a malignant security issue.

    “We have recorded appreciable progress in dealing with these social vices and we would not relent until these criminal phenomena and the likes are uprooted wherever they exist within the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “We should utilise the opportunities afforded by this platform to thoroughly examine the peculiarities  of security challenges in Nigeria and proffer suggestions that would lead to the development of strategies that would help in curbing crime and other social vices especially in the metropolitan areas with high population convergence.”

    Earlier, the IGP noted that proliferation of security agencies was creating unhealthy rivalry in the system, and asked  government to  adequately fund exiting ones to perform  their constitutional  duties.

    He said that the police’ crime prevention and detection strategies have worked since his assumption of office citing the arrests and/or death of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers.

    The guest lecturer, Prof. Etannibi Alemika blamed the government for causing rivalry among the security agencies.

    Alemika, a professor of criminology at the University of Jos, recommended that there should be specific roles for each agency, adding that proliferation of security outfits should stop.

    He also blamed the Police Service Commission (PSC) for shortfalls in manpower and training of cops, noting that for six years, there was no training for policemen.

    Alemika also advised the government to invest in manufacturing and other sectors that would create jobs in order to reduce crime.

    He said: “Security agencies should be given specific duties. For example, the NSCDC should be left with protection of infrastructures and policemen should not be at hotels. Security agencies especially the police should be well funded. It is when government is funding one security agency at the expense of another that it leads to rivalry.

  • Blood, pandemonium as soldiers attack traders in Ogun

    Blood, pandemonium as soldiers attack traders in Ogun

    Panic and confusion enveloped Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State, on Friday evening two soldiers suspected to have come from Sappers Barrack, Ilese – Ijebu, attacked some traders at the Idobi market  over an  alleged ill treatment of their friend by a trader.

    The two soldiers were said to have beaten thoroughly, those they caught and gravely stabbed two persons in the process while others sustained injuries in an ensuing stampede and commotion.

    A witness told The Nation that the fight sent panic reactions in the market and other places like Folagbade road, Oba Adetona arch way which leads to the Idobi market as well as Oyingbo and Italapo areas as traders hurriedly closed their shops and fled.

    The Witness said further that a friend of the soldiers had an issue with electronics dealers in the market and when the matter could not be resolved amicably, he called his soldier – friends who stormed the market with arms and began to assault people.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed to The Nation that there was a “pandemonium in Ijebu – Ode” and that two persons were stabbed by soldiers during a fight.

    Abimbola added that injured persons have been taken to hospital for treatment while a man suspected to have called  the soldiers’ help has also been arrested.

    “There was pandemonium and the Police Area Commander and a Senior army officer have gone to scene to ascertain the true situation of things.

    “A man had gone to the market to buy a Plasma TV but on getting home, the TV did not work when he tested. He was said to have returned it to the seller but the man refused to accept it.

    “It was said that the man had to call his soldier – friends who came to scene and there was a fight. In the process, the soldiers stabbed two persons and that caused commotion in the place. The soldiers fled but the Police have arrested the man who invited the soldiers. Also calm has returned while the injured have been taken to the hospital,” Abimbola said.

     

  • Niger gets new police spokesperson

    Niger gets new police spokesperson

    A new spokesperson has resumed duties at the Niger State Police Command.

    She is Comfort Olawumi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

    The former PPRO, Bala Elkana, who handed over to the new spokesperson at a brief ceremony in Minna, urged the media to support the woman in her new task.

    Olawunmi is the second female PPRO in Niger State.

    Elkana, who has been posted to the Akwa-Ibom State Police Command, said Olawumi had served in various capacities in the Nigeria Police Force, adding that until her redeployment to Niger, she was the Divisional Crime Officer ‘A’ Division, Suleja.

    The new PPRO promised to continue the good works of her predecessor and solicited the support of the media in her new task.

     

  • Police nab sex worker for stabbing client to death

    Police nab sex worker for stabbing client to death

    The Police in Delta have arrested a commercial sex worker who allegedly stabbed her client to death during an argument at Destar Hotel, Asaba, Delta, on July 18 .

    The Spokesman of the Police Command in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba that the police responded to a distress call from the hotel after the incident.

    “The suspect is currently in police custody.

    “A day after the incident, the “C Division’’ in Asaba carried out preliminary investigation on the case and transferred it to Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

    “As I speak to you, homicide detectives have commenced full investigation into the case with a view to unraveling what actually transpired between the suspect and the victim to establish culpability.”

    The hotel has now been deserted, and attempt to speak with its manager was unsuccessful as he was said to have traveled out of Asaba.

    However, a bar attendant, who preferred anonymity, said the incident had thrown “the stakeholders” into a mourning mood.

    “The sad incident started like a normal argument inside the hotel room, and before we realised it, a man was down with a fatal stab.

    “The incident happened at about 10.45 p.m., so nobody could actually say what led to the fracas.

    One of the few sex workers in the hotel who also spoke anonymously, described the incident as horrible and unfortunate, saying it had brought “our business to a standstill’’.

    “However, I will like to use this opportunity to advise our clients to always respect themselves when they come here.

    “Many of the clients do invite trouble to themselves. I rest my case,” she said.

    The victim was a married man with four children.

  • Man beats younger brother to death

    Man beats younger brother to death

    A 23-year-old man, David Orji, has allegedly beaten his younger brother, Onu, to death for being disobedient to their mother.

    The incident, it was learnt, took place at Ubia Amaetiti in Amoso Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    According to a source who is a relative of the family, their mother, Mary, had sent the deceased on errand but he refused.

    The source who pleaded anonymity, said the mother reported Onu to his elder brother David who then beat him up and inflicted him with bodily harm in the process which led to his untimely death.

    “Last Friday being 28th July, a boy called Onu was sent on an errand by his mother but he refused to go. Eventually his elder brother, David, returned from a travel on that day. So his mother reported him to his elder brother”, the source narrated.

    “His brother now started beating Onu and kicked him to the ground. Eventually, the boy remained on the ground. He was rushed to the hospital. The first hospital declined to handle him. They then rushed to another hospital in where he was admitted.

    “The following day being Saturday, the boy died. The family reported the matter to the police station but the police directed them to deposit him in the morgue.

    “Strangely again, the mortuary department of the General Hospital in Owutu Edda rejected the corpse, saying that they don’t have chemicals for preserving corpse. They then took him home for burial but the police refused. They later took the body to another mortuary,” added the source.

    When contacted, Police spokesman in the state, Jude Madu, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

    Mr Madu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, (DSP) promised to get in touch with the Divisional Police Officer of the area and get back to our reporter as soon as he was briefed on the matter.

    He was yet to do so at press time.

     

  • Police warn Ikorodu chiefs

    Police warn Ikorodu chiefs

    •Women protest

    Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni yesterday warned traditional rulers and chiefs in Ikorodu to stop incessant ritual killings in the area.

    He gave the warning at the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi while reading a riot act to monarchs and chiefs in the district.

    According to Owoseni, all hands must be on deck to stop the menace of the ritual gang, Badoo.

    He warned against impunity and jungle justice, vowing to prosecute anyone who took laws into their hands.

    To contain the menace of Badoo, Owoseni tasked the chiefs to know their subjects and compel landlords in their domain to be documented.

    The police chief’s warning came at the heels of protests by Ikorodu residents, who went berserk after they were stopped from destroying a man’s properties.

    Similarly, protesting Ikorodu women besieged the palaces of the Onibeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya and Oba Shotobi, demanding an end to the killings.

    Led by a community leader’s wife, Mrs Nike Adelakun, the women who commenced a peaceful march around 7am, lamented the desertion of their communities, accusing traditional rulers and the government of nonchalance.

    She said: ‘’This is not the first protest in this land but our Oba is silent over the issue, also, we have been to the government house but the governor did not hearken to our plight.

    “There is mass relocation of people from Ibeshe and our traditional ruler showed little or no concern. That is why we decided to embark on a peaceful protest.’’