The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

Rotary club of Ikoyi partners Police to improve medical facilities

The Rotary Club of Ikoyi, District 9110, has completed the refurbishment of the Nigeria Police Hospital, Falomo in Lagos, as a support to the Police to help them continue to deliver their best to Nigerians.

This, according to the Club in a statement, is in a bid to improve the quality of healthcare in Nigeria, especially among men and women of the Nigeria Police Force.

The club President, Rotarian Isichei Osamgbi while speaking at the official commissioning of the project held at the premises of the Police Hospital Falomo in Lagos noted that this gesture was in line with the values of Rotary which he said is to serve humanity.

According to him, “It gives us great joy to be able to embark on such a project at a time like this. We at Rotary club of Ikoyi are determined to make immediate impact around us and this is just a start of many of such impactful projects we will be embarking on this year.

He thanked the management of the Hospital led by the Commissioner of Police, Medical, CP Emeka Nwakor-Osaji, who represented the Force Medical Officer, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Medical- AIG Ahmadu Kaunmi for their partnership and excellent professionalism in the hospital.

He noted that the conducive medical environment maintained by the Hospital and its management was a big attraction to the club to provide the needed support.

Also speaking while commissioning the project, the District 9110 Governor, Rotarian Dr. Wale Ogunbadejo expressed his delight with the club’s decision to refurbish the hospital.

Ogunbadejo, who oversees all Rotary clubs in Lagos and Ogun States, noted that “Rotary club of Ikoyi was one to emulate, with a long standing history of delivering meaningful and impactful projects to the community which is what Rotary stands for.”

According to the District Governor, the impact of the refurbishment will be felt even by patients who use the facility as the atmosphere would enhance a very quick recovery.

Expressing the gratitude of the management, the Commissioner of Police, Medial, Nigeria Police Hospital, Falomo, Nwakor-Osaji expressed his profound gratitude to the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and Rotary International at large. CP Nwakor stated that the good works of Rotary towards humanity should be emulated by members of the community. He went on to thank the club for the job well done while promising that the facilities upgraded would be judiciously used to ensure longevity.

The refurbishment included repainting, remodelling, and donation of mattresses, beddings and and medical equipments.

July 19, 2017
Police, Air Force in shootout

The peaceful atmosphere in Jeddo, Okpe Delta State was shattered Monday evening when policemen and Air Force officials engaged in a shootout.

Several persons, including personnel of both agencies and some residents , sustained injuries. Properties, such as vehicles, were destroyed.

The fight was said to have been caused by an assault on a lady whose father has links with the Air Force.

The incident scared most residents out of their homes

Police spokesman DSP Andrew Aniamaka said he was driving when reached, but a senior police source confirmed the incident.

July 19, 2017
Police arrest kidnap suspects in Minna

The police in Niger State have arrested two persons allegedly responsible for the kidnap of students of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna.

Police spokesman Bala Elkana said the suspects were responsible for the kidnap of three FUT Minna students. He added that the police is on the trail of two others who are on the run.

It was learnt the suspects – Abraham Jatto, (30) from Edo State, and Idowu Mafe, (29) from Ogun State, have been on the police’ wanted list.

The duo was arrested at their hideout in Sauka Kahuta area, Minna, by the command’s Special Anti-kidnapping Squad.

Mafe, who claimed to be a graduate of the University of Ilorin, regretted his action, saying it was the quest to make money that led him into it.

He said: “When the issue of getting a Dubai job came up, my parents could not afford the N750,000 demanded from us, and Abraham raised the issue of kidnapping which led us to this predicament.

“I have dragged my family’s name in mud. I am well-brought up but I can’t factor what led me to this act. I pray my parents will forgive me.”

Jatto confessed that they rented a two-bedroom apartment behind the trade fair complex to keep their victims.

Elkana said a Honda Accord (ABJ 583 AE) was recovered from the suspects.

“We are getting closer to arresting the two who are on the run, they can run away but we will get them and bring them to book,” he added.

July 19, 2017
Delta: Many injured as Police, Air Force personnel engage in shootout

The peaceful atmosphere in Jeddo, Okpe council area of Delta, on the outskirts of Warri metropolis, was shattered Monday evening as operatives of two sisters security agencies; police and the Nigerian Air Force, engaged each other in a fierce shootout.

Although there was no death record from the engagement, the Nation gathered that several persons, including personnel of both agencies and some residents of the area, sustained various degrees of injuries even as properties including vehicles and makeshift homes were destroyed.

The Nation gathered that trouble started when personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the police got engaged in a hot argument with a lady, which resulted in a physical assault as the police personnel reportedly slapped the lady, who happens to be an air force personnel’s daughter.

The lady went back home to relate her experience to her father, who reportedly mobilised his men to storm the spot where his daughter had been assaulted. The police official also called his colleagues in when he sensed that the situation was about to go out of hands.

Security sources disclosed that the Airforce, on arriving the scene, opened fire which was replied by the Police special squad with people scampering for safety.

Alhough no life was lost in the incident, several people, including the personnel of the two agencies, sustained injuries while several vehicles were vandalised and make shift properties of traders destroyed. The incident has scared most residents out of their homes, fearing there might be further faceoff between personnel of both bodies.

Although efforts to get an official reaction from the police was not immediately successful as the police spokesman at the Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said he was driving when reached, a senior police source confirmed the incident, but was unable to talk much.

It was also gathered that the Area Commander of the Police in charge of Warri, Mohammed Shaba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) met with the new Commanding Officer of NAF for several hours to find a lasting solution to the clash.

“I am in a meeting over the clash. I can’t talk on it. It is the Commander of the Nigerian Airforce that call talk on it”, he said on phone.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, said he was not aware of the incident but promised to investigate.

July 18, 2017
Many injured as police, air force personnel clash

The peaceful atmosphere in Jeddo, Okpe council area of Delta, on the outskirts of Warri metropolis, was shattered Monday evening as operatives of two sister security agencies; police and the Nigerian Air Force, engaged each other in a fierce shootout.

Although there was no death record from the engagement, the Nation gathered that several persons, including personnel of both agencies and some residents of the area, sustained various degrees of injuries even as properties including vehicles and makeshift homes, were destroyed.

The Nation gathered that trouble started when a personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the police got engaged in a hot argument with a lady, which resulted in a physical assault as the police personnel reportedly slapped the lady, who happens to be an air force personnel’s daughter.

The lady went back home to relate her experience to her father, who reportedly mobilised his men to storm the spot where his daughter had been assaulted. The police official also called his colleagues in when he sensed that the situation was about to go out of hands.

Security sources disclosed that the Airforce, on arriving the scene, opened fire which was replied by the Police special squad with people scampering for safety.

Alhough no life was lost in the incident, several people, including the personnel of the two agencies, sustained injuries while several vehicles were vandalised and make shift properties of traders destroyed. The incident has scared most residents out of their homes, fearing there might be further faceoff between personnel of both bodies.

Although efforts to get an official reaction from the police was not immediately successful as the police spokesman at the Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said he was driving when reached, a senior police source confirmed the incident, but was unable to talk much.

It was also gathered that the Area Commander of the Police in charge of Warri, Mohammed Shaba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) met with the new Commanding Officer of NAF for several hours to find a lasting solution to the clash.

“I am in a meeting over the clash. I cant talk on it. It is the Commander of the Nigerian Airforce that call talk on it”, he said on phone.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Zanna Ibrahim, said he was not aware of the incident but promised to investigate.

July 18, 2017
Three policemen arrested for ‘maltreating’ suspect

Three policemen attached to Bariga Division in Lagos have been arrested for allegedly chaining a man to a generator.

The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said the cops are currently facing orderly room trial at the command headquarters in Ikeja and would get appropriate sanctions.

He said the errant cops arrested the victim on July 16.

Rather than treat him in accordance with the rules, they chained him to a power generating set at the station.

Fortunately, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who was on a routine inspection at the station, discovered the dehumanising act and ordered the three officers arrested.

Owoseni, who frowned at unprofessional conducts by some policemen, assured the public that the directives of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on international best practices for policing, would be respected.

He said: “In view of the desire by the IGP to sanitize the force, the three policemen involved in the act are being tried and adequate disciplinary actions would be taken against them at the end of the trial. The Policemen had arrested a man for committing an offence along Bariga road. They took him to the station where he was handcuffed to a generator.

“The command frowns at any case of misconduct against any of its men. Policemen are advised to operate within the ambit of their guidelines. Anyone found wanting in the discharge of his duty would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“People who feel their rights have been trampled on should approach the various platforms for compliant and desist from self- help.”

July 18, 2017
Man to IG: Police infringing on my rights

A businessman, Celestine Ufoegbuna, has urged Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to restrain his men from infringing on his rights over a financial dispute between him and his estranged business partner.

Ufoegbuna said he had been arrested, detained and tortured by some officers of the general investigation department of the Force Headquarters Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, despite his petition of last May 19, to the IG.

In another petition of last June 22 written by Festus Keyamo Chamber, Ufoegbuna said the police also “unlawfully detained” his sister.

According to him, the Ezendi Igbo, Eze Cyril Umeh Akuka, as well as an unnamed friend, who tried to mediate in the dispute, were also detained.

He said the petition of May 10, “was approved by a signal dated May 19, 2017 and was assigned to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos State to transfer the case to Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for harmonisation and investigation.”

Ufoegbuna noted that in disregard of the FIB’s intervention, the officers from the general investigation “arrested detained and tortured” him over the matter.

Keyamo, who wrote a similar petition last June 23 on Ufoegbuna’s behalf to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), Abuja, said Ufoegbuna’s sister is still in detention.

He observed that the IG, according to a letter of last June 23, referred the petition to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, FCIID, for onward transfer to the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos “to consolidate investigation and treat.”

He said: “Our client was arrested alongside Eze Cyril Umeh Akuka (Ezendi Igbo) who wanted to settle the matter between our client and the business partner since it is as result of a financial transaction.

“One Mr. Marshal, a friend of our client and our client’s sister are all in detention over the same issue.

“It is worrisome to note that the men and officers of general investigation have allowed themselves to be used to carry out this despicable act of intimidation and abuse of human right.”

Keyamo added: “We must mention the fact that this dispute between our client and his partner arose out of a financial/trade transaction. They were business partners before the issues that led to our petition dated the 10th May, 2017.

“We urge you sir to use your good offices to wade into this matter and direct the general investigation to hands off since the case file is still with the Federal Intelligence Bureau or as your most experienced office may direct.”

July 18, 2017
Police arraign egungun followers for alleged killing

•Olubadan sympathises with victims

Barely 24 hours after violence erupted among Ege masquerade followers in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, the police have arraigned 23-year-old Sadiq Olalere and his friend, Wasiu Oni, 38, before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court 4 in Ibadan for allegedly killing Mrs. Sakirat Olaegbe, during the current egungun festival in the city.

The deceased was said to have been axed and shot by the accused.

The accused were arraigned on five charges of conspiracy, murder, unlawful possession of arms and charms as well as other weapons in public.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Sunday Ojeleye, told the court the accused, with others on the run, on July 16 at 2.45 p.m at SW3/336 Popoyemoja Area, Idi-Arere in Ibadan allegedly committed the crime.

Ojeleye said the accused as well as their fleeing accomplices on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned area allegedly killed Mrs. Olaegbe with a gun in the front of her shop.

He said the display of the dangerous weapons and charms by the accused also caused terror and fear among the public who were going about their lawful duties on the said and location of the crime.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 324, 316 and 319, 517, 213(b) and 80 Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

The magistrate, Mrs. Modinat Akani, adjourned the matter till August 28 for legal advice from the Director of public prosecution (DPP).

Also, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has expressed displeasure over the violence that attended the Ege masquerade in Ibadan yesterday.

Unconfirmed sources claims some lives were lost, while properties were also destroyed when street urchins hijacked the celebration of Ibadan customs and tradition and turned it into mayhem.

In a statement issued by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, Olubadan wondered why despite several meetings and warning with the stakeholders before the egungun festival, some people still went around disobeying the law by inflicting violence on innocent citizens.

Oba Adetunji, who sympathised with the incident victims and their families promised that the perpetrators would not escape the full weight of the law.

Commenting on why he refused Ege masquerade from entering into the palace, Oba Adetunji in the statement stated that the palace officials were not informed that the masquerade was coming at the said date and time.

He added that the masquerade, secondly, does not belong to the category of masquerades that visit the palace of Olubadan and high chief’s homes.

He however said while the palace of Olubadan is open to all and sundry, including egungun, the rule is that the Olubadan and his chiefs must be informed in advance for adequate preparations to be put in place to receive them.

Furthermore, the statement said that the Oloolu masquerade that is slated to visit the Olubadan on Tuesday (today) had been advised to keep away for fear of reprisal attack.

Ege masquerade that is expected to come out once in three years is known for his large, uncontrollable crowd and attendant violence.

“We were adequately informed that his supporters were believed to have unleashed violence even before reaching the palace at Idi Arere, so it is not true that the violence occurred because he was not allowed entry into the palace as being speculated in some quarters,” the statement added.

July 18, 2017
Court orders police to produce suspects on Oct. 23

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court has ordered Lagos State Commissioner of Police to produce those who allegedly forged the documents of a land belonging to the Registered Trustees of the Estate of the late Madam Efunroye Tinubu for arraignment on October 23.

Justice Ipaye made the order following the absence of the defendants in court for their arraignment. The prosecutor was also absent.

The police have, on three occasions, failed to produce the defendants in court.

The defendants are Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar, Kunle Olajide, Chief Edward Ajayi, Adejumo Tajudeen, Abeden Akinoki, Lukeman Bakari, Junaid Akeem, Ogundele Olatunji and Alawe Adeniyi.

The defendants are to face a three–count charge of unlawful interference of property, forcible entry and forcible possession of land belonging to the estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu.

According to the charge, the defendants also unlawfully interfered with and forged the title documents of vast expance of land belonging to the Registered Trustees of the Estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu located at the the Alaka area of Lagos.

The alleged offences, according to the prosecution, were contrary to Sections 52, 53 and 338 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

The investigating police officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Paul Ajayi, who was present during the proceedings, told the court that the case was filed last November 7, and that the defendants were granted administrative bail.

Ajayi said, “My Lord, when the case was set to be prosecuted, I received a directive to transfer the original case file to Abuja and that is why the file is not before the court.

“The file was transferred to the office of the DIG since November, 2016 and has not been returned”, he said.

However, the judge, who queried Ajayi over the manner in which the prosecution team was handling the matter, said: “You are the ones interested in this matter and this is not the best way to carry out such duties.

“You should communicate this information to whoever is in charge because if the file was transferred to Abuja, what then brings you before this court?

“I’ll give you one more opportunity on the October 23 for arraignment after which the matter would be struck out”, Justice Ipaye added.

July 18, 2017
Heavy police presence at NHIS office

Staff of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) resumed work Monday morning to heavy police presence at the Abuja headquarter office of the scheme.

The heavy presence of the police personnel may not be unconnected with the weekend vow of the suspended Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf to resume work.

Yusuf had last week rejected his suspension saying that it was only the president that can remove him from office.

He also promised to report for work Monday. He however failed to turn up.

Workers were seen in groups discussing in low tone, not sure of what could happen.

Many were of the school of thought that the Executive Director could just coming back as he said, while others doubted the possibility saying that he was just trying to test the waters with his memo to the minister.

The police according to investigation were deployed to the Jabi office before workers resumed work as early as 7am to forestall breakdown of law and order.

They took over the security of the scheme, even at the gate as they checked staff coming and also cars parked in and around the office premises.

They were polite in their approach and they checked staff and visitors alike before allowing them to go in.
The scheme’s private security were reduced to only manning the register at the gate.

When our reporter put a call through to NHIS spokesperson, Mr. Odo Onuh on the development, he replied that there was nothing new about the heavy police presence.

Onuh said that the scheme is a public institution that should also enjoy police protection.

He parried the question when asked if the heavy police presence was unconnected to the expected presence of suspended Executive Secretary.

Onuh argued that the large number of the police presence has been part of the security at the scheme for time now.

“Police is a federal agency to protect the property of government. If you go to NNPC and other parastals of government you will see police even mounting roadblock there. The police has always been in the scheme. Police have always been around the scheme.

When asked if it’s a new development, he said, “police has always been in the scheme and it is not a new thing.”

The Acting President had written to the Minister of Health to act on the two petitions forwarded to the presidency which bothered on fraud and abuse of office.

The Minister in accordance to the public service rule place Yusuf on three months suspension to allow for administrative investigation of the allegations against him.

But Executive Secretary seems to be poised for war with the Minister as he said it was only the president that remove him from office.

In an immediate reaction the ministry reminded the NHIS boss that as a public officer, he is bound to obey the directive.

According to the statement signed by the health ministry’s spokesperson, Boade Akinola, Mr. Yusuf, being a public officer, is bound by the regulations governing the Public Service.

It reads in part: “The Ministry hereby states that Prof. Yusuf, being a public officer, is bound by the regulations governing the Public Service. The NHIS is an agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health.

“The NHIS is an agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Administrative Panel of Inquiry raised by the Ministry to investigate activities of the agency has commenced its assignment with specific terms of reference,” the spokesperson said.

July 17, 2017