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Tag: Police

  • Soldier, policeman, others paraded for tanker hijacking, robbery

    Soldier, policeman, others paraded for tanker hijacking, robbery

    The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded a serving soldier and a police inspector for allegedly hijacking   fuel-laden trucks on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 38 other  suspects were also paraded for offences ranging  from armed robbery, kidnapping and  stealing to  cultism.

    Addressing  newsmen at the police headquarters in  Eleyele, Ibadan, Mr Abiodun Odude, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police,  said  the suspected hijackers often wore camouflage and police uniforms to carry out their operations.

    “The alleged hijackers of fuel-laden trucks usually wore military camouflage and police uniform in their operations.

    “They were nabbed by the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad of Oyo State during one of their operations on April 15 at about 8.am after they waylaid a fuel-laden DAF tanker with registration number  APC 937 XB on a bad portion at Shasha, near Ojoo, on Ibadan-Oyo Road.

    “The suspected policeman would be recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police for professional misconduct,’’ he said.

    Odude said both the soldier and the policeman confessed that they actually participated in the crime.

    In another incident,  a suspect  allegedly conspired with others to abduct his  own father.

    Odude said that the kidnapping of the suspect’s  father took place at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area on May 17 at about 6pm.

    “ The suspect said he got a share of less than N1 million in the ransom collected although he confessed that his father never offended him,’’ he said.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was completed.

    Similarly, six suspects said to be  involved in the kidnapping of  popular Ibadan-based oil magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Bovas Oil and Gas Limited were also paraded.

    Items recovered from the suspects included  firearms,  nine  vehicles, one motorcycle,  N1.2 million,  musical instruments, knife and phones.

     

  • Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy returns to Calabar after Police, Navy clash

    Normalcy has returned to Calabar after a gun duel between the Police and the Nigerian Navy in a part of the city on Tuesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a police officer was shot and killed by naval personnel, while the police also shot and injured a naval officer on his shoulder during the clash on Tuesday night.

    Also, a section of the Akim Police barracks located along IBB Road was destroyed by the naval men and some cars were equally burnt too.

    Gov. Ben Ayade who addressed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses as normalcy has returned to the affected area.

    According to Ayade, the unfortunate incident was as a result of a misunderstanding between some officers of the police and the Nigerian Navy.

    “I want to assure the citizenry, and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident that arouse from the misunderstanding between the police and the navy.

    “The senior officers were quite proactive by intervening fast to arrest the situation yesterday. We are proud to announce to you that Calabar, and indeed Cross River is totally calm.

    “The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a traffic light spot, at the stadium, off IBB road.

    “A Police officer was trying to control traffic and that led to the misunderstanding between him and a team of young naval officers”, he explained.

    The governor urged officers and men operating in the state to see themselves as partners in progress at all times.

    Commodore Salihu Jubril, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, said: “We are saddened by yesterday’s incident. However, I am very delighted to tell you that normalcy has returned.

    “The incident only affected a portion of IBB road and not the entire metropolis and we are fully on ground to prevent possible escalation.

    “Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” he added.

    Also speaking, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of Police, said that the clash would not affect the existing relationship between the police and the navy in the state.

    “We are glad to announce to the public that Calabar and the entire state is calm and our status as the safest state remains without a doubt.

    “All the service commanders in the state are one and active partners in progress; particularly on issues of security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry”, he said.

     

  • NSCDC suspends operative for shooting at doctor’s car

    NSCDC suspends operative for shooting at doctor’s car

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has concluded investigations into an allegation that two of its operatives harassed a medical doctor, Bekewari Sampou and shot at his car in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The incident, which happened on April 28, involving two civil defenders, Akpoghomhe Jude and Ogodo Richman, generated concerns among members of the public.

    The corps set up a seven-man committee headed by NSCDC’s Head of Intelligence and Investigation Department, Deputy Commandant Anyanwu G.C  with the mandate to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    The state Commandant, Mr. Desmond Agu, said following the report of the committee, Jude Akpogho, was indicted and was subsequently suspended from the corps.

    Agu spoke at the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa when a Pan-African group, Initiative for Positive Influence on African Youth (IPIAY) bestowed him with a distinguished leadership merit award.

    He said the corps would never condone indiscipline especially the misuse of firearms by officers and men of NSCDC.

    He said following the meeting between the executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association and the NSCDC, the corps resolved to compensate the victim.

    Agu warned officers and men of the corps to desist from any act that could tarnish the image of NSCDC.

    Receiving the award before the senior officers of the command, the commandant said it was an honour to be remembered for an award by IPIAY, whose membership cut across most African countries.

    He asked members of the group to feel free and enjoy their stay insisting that the state and the country were highly secured.

    “The NSCDC has helped immensely to keep the country safe. We are proactive in our approach to security matters and we will continue to contribute our quota to ensure that peace reigns in the country”, he said.

    Referring to the corps as a peacemaker, he assured the visitors that the award would boost the morale of NSCDC to do more in the state in realising its mandate.

    Earlier in his speech, the Head of Mission, Mr. David Christophe, described Agu as a rare gem, administrative icon, a man of outstanding understanding and a true son of Africa.

    Christophe, who hails from Togo led other delegates, Kwase Kudjoe (Ghana), Esther Okeke (Cameroon), Gabriel Kamoya (Kenya), Semira Ikhina (Benin Republic) and Paul Mathew (Nigeria) to give the award to the commandant.

    Christophe said the group was founded to identify selfless leaders, whose styles were in line with Pan-Africanism, and encourage them.

    He said Agu had demonstrated sterling leadership qualities in his career through his contributions to the growth and development of the NSCDC.

    Addressing Agu, he said: “Without fear of contradictions, you were found worthy to receive the youth Africa distinguished merit award as the most outstanding commandant in recognition to your immense contributions to nation-building and effective service delivery to NSCDC”.

     

  • Police hunt for perpetrators of violence at Oshodi LG primaries

    Police hunt for perpetrators of violence at Oshodi LG primaries

    The Police say they are on the hunt for perpetrators of the violence at Shogunle during the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) primaries for councillors in Oshodi, Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the fracas which occurred on May 29 led to the death of the Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Union in Lagos State, Mr Rasak Bello popularly known as Hamburger.

    Police spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said normalcy had since returned to the place and that investigation was on to arrest the perpetrators.

    “Normalcy has returned to the place, no more violence, the place is now calm. We are working with those that have useful information on what led to the violence.

    “Definitely, there will be eye witnesses, it is just that most of them don’t want to come out as they belong to same party.

    “The police have commenced investigation to hunt down the perpetrators of the violence as the command will continue to maintain law and order in the state.

    “One life was however lost while another person was injured”, Famous – Cole said.

    NAN learnt that Hamburger had gone to observe the primaries at the venue for Ladipo Sogunle ward when he was attacked.

    After the winner was declared, some hoodlums invaded the venue in a bus filled with guns and broken bottles.

    They shot sporadically and went straight to where Hamburger and his friends were staying and shot into their midst..

    NAN learnt that many other persons were injured following the violence which marred primaries at Ilupeju, Mushin, and Ogudu among other places.

     

  • Police avert crisis in community

    In a bid to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the ancient town of Igboye land in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, the police have stopped the annual sacrifice to the ancestors of the primordial town till further notice.

    Last Thursday, some persons (names withheld) suspected to be sympathetic to the embattled traditional ruler of the town, Michael Onakoya, had attempted to offer sacrifices to the ancestors (Osi Ilu) of the town at the shrine, claiming to be acting on divination by an oracle.

    It was gathered that these persons cleared the bush surrounding the shrine and hired tents, chairs and bought a goat with which to make the sacrifice.

    The attempt to make the sacrifice came days after the monarch returned to the community following reprieve granted him by the Lagos State government last month.

    The monarch, who came back to the community as “an ordinary citizen”, it was learnt, has since kept a low profile as part of the conditions laid down by the government for his return, pending final determination of various cases in court.

    The Lagos State government, had earlier on May 17, last year, banished Oba Onakoya from Igboye, following two judgments by Justice Habib Abiru in October, 2008 and Justice Iyabo Kasali in April last year deposing Onakoya as the Orijeru of Igboye land.

    The deposition letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sanuth J.A.B., ordered the monarch to stop parading himself “as the Orijeru of Igboye with immediate effect until another judgment setting the two aside is obtained.

    “I am to also advise you to stay away from the community in order to prevent any breakdown of law and order until the situation is reversed.”

    However, before the sacrifice could commence, youths of the community, in retaliation, were said to have swooped on the shrine, stopped the ceremony and chased away the people they met there.

    It was gathered that they insisted that no sacrifice would be allowed to take place at the shrine until there is a substantive king on the throne, more so that the community has not selected and installed a new Olisa after the death of Chief Fatai Mustapha.

    Investigation, however, revealed that those sympathetic to the monarch had earlier in March, this year, prevented some members of the community from celebrating Kilajolu Festival spear-headed by one of the ruling houses and during which they normally make offerings to their ancestors.

    It was learnt that a breakdown of law and order was prevented in the community following the intervention of Alara of Ilara, Oba A.A. Adesanya and the police.

    As a result of the new development, one Alhaji Rasaki Azeez and the youths’ leader (Olori Odo), Mr Toyin Sangosanya, leading some of the youth of the community, lodged a formal complaint at the office of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Divisional Police Station at Oke Oyinbo, Epe.

    During an eventual meeting with the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Mrs Akinbo, the monarch reportedly insisted on having nothing to do with the attempt to offer sacrifices in the community.

    The DCO, thereafter, ordered that no sacrifice, under any guise, should hold in the community unless it has the support and approval of all the four ruling houses and until after the Muslim fasting season.

    Oba Onakoya did not pick his phone when contacted on his GSM line for comment on the matter.

    Head of the ruling houses (Olori Ebi Gbogbogbo) and also Head of Osikadewa Ruling House, Chief Safiriyu Bakare, who also confirmed the development, insisted that there is a reigning king in the town.

    Chief Bakare said the monarch left the town a year ago to allow peace to reign.

    He insisted that the monarch has nothing to do with the attempt to offer sacrifice to their ancestors at the shrine but that a new date would be fixed after the Ramadan for the conduct of the sacrifice.

    Acting Head of the Ewade Ruling House and Baba Adinni of Igboye and Odoyangusen, Alhaji Mikhail Kadiri confirmed the events in the town. He alleged that those sympathetic to the embattled monarch breached agreement reached at the police station in March that no family should make any sacrifice until there is a king on the throne.

    “If at all it must hold in the future, it must be subject to the agreement of the four ruling houses on equal terms”, he said, adding “any meeting to which Ewade Ruling House, for instance, is not validly invited on equal terms cannot be in the interest of Igboye land and would not be acceptable”.

    When contacted for comment on the matter, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Ajimuda Olatunji also said   the issue in Igboye land is being handled at the level of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.

     

  • Akeredolu enjoins Police to checkmate kidnapping

    Akeredolu enjoins Police to checkmate kidnapping

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Tuesday enjoined the Police to provide adequate security to keep the menace of kidnapping out of the state.

    Akeredolu made the appeal when he received the new Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 11, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover, in Akure.

    He said the menace of kidnapping was a source of concern to the people and government of the state.

    “These miscreants are trying to infiltrate into our state and it is only the Police that can guarantee our security,” the governor said.

    He said the police had been doing well, but asked for more patrols to be able to keep such crime at bay.

    “All we need is a pro-active force, which is what we already have,” he said.

    The governor, who welcomed the AIG, said the state had enjoyed tremendous cooperation of the police, and would continue to give the needed support.

    Earlier, Oshodi-Glover assured the governor of the readiness of his men to ensure adequate security in the state.

    “I am here to talk to my men, ginger up their spirit, and intimate them on instructions from the Force Headquarters.

    “I started in Osun State and I’m now in Ondo State. I have been with them, giving them lectures; they are in high spirit and are ever ready to work and give their best for the security of the state and the nation,’’ he said.

  • Police disperse IPOB meeting in Rivers

    Police disperse IPOB meeting in Rivers

    The police in Rivers State yesterday dispersed a meeting of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Rumuolumeni community, Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State.

    A source alleged that some of them were arrested in the process.

    It was gathered that the group mounted its flags all over the venue before it was invaded by security agents. When quizzed over the reason for the gathering, an argument ensued and the policemen dispersed the gathering with teargas. They also shot into the air.

    An IPOB member, King Okocha-Okparali, accused the police of molestation, harassment and illegal arrest of their members.

    He accused the paramount ruler of Rumuolumeni, Eze Ndubueze Olumini, of inviting the police to arrest and destroy their property.

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said there was an order directing Commissioners of Police not to allow such gatherings to hold, and based on that order, officers would not wait for further directives to disperse such meetings.

  • Police to deploy U.S trained anti-bomb experts

    The police will deploy the 60 Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) operatives trained by the United States on new techniques in mines and IED detection.

    The operatives, on Friday, concluded the four-week training at the EOD Command on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The training was facilitated by the U.S Mission, Nigeria, through the Anti-Terrorism Assistant (ATA) programme in conjunction with the Nigeria Police.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations, Joshak Habila, said the officers will go back and train their colleagues and subordinates.

    He said: “The training was designed to expose participants to current trends in rendering safe/disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Unexploded Ordinance (UXOs), through the application of EOD standard practice and technique.

    “Participants were trained on an overview of recent threats, particularly in Nigeria, bomb threat assessment/tactical operations, IED electronic review and post-blast investigation overview.

    “They were also trained in chemical biological radiological nuclear awareness, team organisation, radiation concepts/decontamination; remote operations review and rope knotting, and bomb squad response equipment and maintenance.”

    The beneficiaries are expected to impart the knowledge acquired to other bomb technicians to enhance EOD service delivery.

    Idris thanked the U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, the Region Security Officer (RSO) and the facilitators for the training.

    In his remark, US Embassy’s RSO Scottie Blancett said he was optimistic the effects of the training would translate to safety for the people.

    One of the facilitators, JonDe Martino advised

  • Man kills brother, self in Osun

    Man kills brother, self in Osun

    The police in Osun say they have discovered the body of a  35-year-old man, Joseph Abifarin,  after he allegedly killed his elder brother with a heavy stick in Iresi.

    The Police Public Relation Officer in the state, Mrs Folashade Odoro, announced this in a statement on Sunday.

    Odoro said the incident happened on Tuesday at about 10.00 a.m.

    “One Abifarin Opeyemi reported that her father, one Ayo Abifarin, 40,  of  Aros Compound, was murdered by his younger brother.

    “The younger brother used a heavy stick to hit him on his head.

    “When the incident happened, people tried to save Abifarin by rushing him to the hospital but he died on the way.

    “When the police went to arrest the culprit, he was, however, found dead in the pool of his own blood in his compound.

    “The dead bodies of the siblings had been moved by the police and deposited at the State General Hospital for an autopsy,’’ Odoro stated.

    She also said that the case was under investigation.

  • Police rescue three months old stolen baby

    Police rescue three months old stolen baby

    The Abia State Police Command said detectives attached to the state anti-kidnapping section has recovered a stolen three months old baby girl who was stolen from her mother even as they are still searching for a second baby also stolen.

    Speaking in Umuahia while parading the suspected child traffickers, the state Commissioner of Police, (CP) LeyeOyebade, said the public has imbibed the recent call by his command to give information to the police which has led to the successes they have recorded.

    He said some good citizens gave information on suspected child traffickers which led to the arrest of the EzinneObiah, 17 years and Abigail Udofia, 18 years, both of Obingwa and Bende Council areas respectively.

    He said that during interrogation, “Both confessed to have sold their babies to one Esther Asuquo and her colleagues in Port Harcourt. We later recovered one of the babies, a three months old girl.”

    Udofia, who is a class three student of one of the secondary schools in Aba, said she was directed to Esther Asuquo’s house where she stayed and delivered her baby boy. “Asuquo after delivery gave me the sum of N250,000 while my baby was sold for N800,000.”

    The AbiaCp said the command also recovered a three year old baby following a report made at Ogbor hill Police Station by Rose Ndukwu that her three year old daughter, Testimony Ndukwu, has been stolen by unknown persons.

    Oyebade said that following the information about the stolen baby, “My men swung into action and all the escape routes were blocked which led to the arrest of Chinemerem Isaiah, 20 years and Chioma Mark, 14 years, with the baby.

    He said that they are after the intended buyers and their accomplices; stressing that child trafficking is a crime against humanity which the command is fighting with all they have to bring to a stop.

    The Abia police boss also paraded some suspected armed robbers as men of the NdiegoroPolice Division arrested one ChisomAjaero who has been on the wanted list of the command, being the leader of a syndicate that have been terrorizing Aba.