Late Wednesday night, the Police detectives raided and searched the Sharada residence of Mr Lawan Musa Kwankwaso, the younger brother to the immediate Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The detectives said to be from Special squad dispatched from the Force headquarters in Abuja, ransacked all the rooms within the residence occupied by Kwankwaso’s younger brother and his wife.
It was learnt that the special squad carried out the search for over three hours.
According to our reliable source, the heavily armed squad sneaked into the ancient of Kano and reported their presence at Sharada Police station to ensure a hitch-free operation.
However, It was not clear of the mission of the operation, but inside sources, disclosed that ” it must be linked do with business deal involving Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, where his younger brother served as a front.”
Kwankwaso’s younger brother who was caught unawares by the security agents however offered “total cooperation to the visitors”.
At the end of the search, it was not clear what was recovered from the residence, but inside sources however claimed that “it was a successful operation”
Contacted, Kano Police Command spokesman, DSP Magaji Musa Majia, said “our Command was not involved in the operation and cannot comment on it.”
“We should be left out of this because Kano Command has nothing to do with the operation”.
However, the Media Aide to Senator Kwankwaso, Hajiya Binta Spikin confirmed that the police raided the residence of the former governor’s brother and conducted searches, but declined to give further details.
Efforts to contact Lawan to comment on the said raid was unsuccessful, as at time of filling this report.
Tag: Police
-
Police raid Kwankwaso’s younger brother’s residence
-
Two killed as Cross River communities resume hostilities
Two persons are feared dead in a fresh outbreak of hostilities between the Netim and Qua Communities of Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State.
Both communities that have lived together for years have been quarreling over land, often leading to conflicts that result in loss of lives and property over the years.
At the moment there is heightened tension in the area and a detachment of security operatives have been detailed to the area to forestall further crisis.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who confirmed the incident said that the Police is working to restore peace in the area.
-
Police stalls arraignment of men who forged land documents
The arraignment of 12 persons alleged to have forged the title documents of a vast expense of land belonging to the Registered Trustees of the Estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu was Tuesday stalled at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja as the police failed to produce the defendants in courtroom.
The defendants include Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar, Kunle Olajide and Chief Edward Ajayi.
Others are; Adejumo Tajudeen, Abeden Akinoki, Lukeman Bakari, Junaid Akeem, Ogundele Olatunji and Alawe Adeniyi.
When the matter came up before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye yesterday, the prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, told the court that the defendants were in police custody in Abuja.
“This matter is for arraignment today, this is the first time that I’m appearing in this matter, we have made efforts to produce the defendants in court to no avail.
“I was personally in Alagbon to talk to the police and the police said that their administrative bail will be revoked and that the defendants will be produced in court.
“The Commissioner of Police had ordered that all the defendants be taken to Abuja and that on the next adjourned date, the defendants will be produced.
“We will like to request for a further date for another adjournment,” he said.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye ordered that the police produce the defendants on the next court date.
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 prosecutor, the defendants unlawfully interfered with and forged the title documents of vast expense 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 case was adjourned until June 8 for arraignment.
-
Police arrest suspected militants, vandals
SIX more persons have been arrested in connection with the April 9 killing of 12 persons including four policemen and a soldier, at Ishawo, Ikorodu.
Tochukwu Ohanezim, 38, Fatai Karounwi alias Kokoro, 32, Akeju Adeniyi alias Tablet, 38, OyebanjiAgboola alias Fish, 45 and Innocent Ikechukwu, 42, were arrested at Ogijo by Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) operatives, it was learnt yesterday. Their arrest followed information received by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II Abdulmajid Ali that the militants were noticed in the axis.
The team recovered two pump action rifles, four live cartridges, two pumping machines, one Army bullet proof, an army cap and a Toyota Corolla car from the suspect.
Yesterday, the police apprehended four suspected vandals with 150 kegs of petroleum products.
According to the zonal spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), MumbaiuAfolabi, 29, Musa Akanbi, 32, Yusuf Ajiboye, 26, and Ojo Ige, 28. -
FCT police command warn IPOB against planned protest in Abuja
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr Musa Kimo has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against its planned protest in Abuja.
Kimo gave the warning in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, ASP Usen Omorodion in Abuja on Sunday.
He said as a professional organisation, the command would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements hide under the guise of such protest to cause breakdown of law and order.
Kimo advised residents to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation.
In a related development, the FCT spokesman the command arrested a member of an armed robbery syndicate at Robochi, Abuja on April 26.
He said Usman Alhaji Mai-moto, 24, a principal suspect was arrested with a stolen motorcycle by police operatives on routine patrol.
The spokesman said the suspect confessed to have participated in the snatching of several motorcycles at gunpoint.
Omorodion said the suspect had given the police useful information that led to the arrest of one of his cohorts, Wisdom Peter, 18, who was arrested while trying to sell a stolen motorcycle.
He said the two stolen motorcycles had been recovered from the suspects.
“Frantic effort is being made to arrest their cohort said to be in possession of the firearm used by the syndicate for its robbery operations.’’
Omorodion said the command had also arrested three suspects who specialised in house breaking.
The suspects are : Mansur Aminu, 24, Emmanuel Aboki and Dauda Isa.
Items recovered from them include, two clippers, 11 SIM cards and one generating set.
He said the suspects would be transferred to the Command Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
-
Police warns IPOB against planned protest
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned Indegenous People of Barra (IPOB) not to embark on it’s planned protest.
The Police said the warning is imperative because the protest could result in breakdown of law and order.
This warning is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Command Spokesperson, ASP Usen Omorodion.
The statement reads: “Intelligence report at the disposal of police revealed that a certain group identified as the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened to take over the street of FCT in the name of registering their protest.
“The commissioner of police hereby warns individual and groups against indulging in acts of protest that will result to breakdown of law and order in the federal capital territory.
“To this end, the commissioner of police hereby warns those behind the proposed action to desist forthwith in their own interest as the said protest would be tantamount to the peace of the federal capital territory FCT.
The statement further reads: “As a professional organization saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties, the FCT command would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements hide under the guise of such protest to cause breakdown of law and order.”
The Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo however advised FCT residents to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation adding that the command is well prepared and possesses the necessary wherewithal to confront any threat to the serene peace of the FCT.
Meanwhile, the Police also disclosed that it has increased it’s patrol team on major roads, entry and exit route around the FCT as part of measures to ensure smooth workers day celebration.
The CP also said he has directed his men to man recreational parks and other places of public interest.
-
ASUU demands N2bn damages from Edo CP
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU) chapter has asked the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, to pay it the sum of N2bn as damages for allegedly making what it termed malicious and false statement against its members.
It also demanded a public apology from Gwandu within seven days or face legal action.
In a Demand Notice through its lawyer, Chief A. B. Thomas, ASUU-AAU said the public apology must be published in at least five national newspapers, and aired in three major television stations in the state.
The demand notice said a press briefing by the CP was meant to ridicule and denigrate the entire ‘world class credentials of our clients’ in a malicious manner.”
It would be recalled that Gwandu had in a press briefing denied that men of his anti-cult unit beat and harass Prof. Sunday Edeko, the Dean, Faculty of Law in AAU.
Gwandu who displayed a letter of apology tendered by Prof. Edeko vowed to arrest and prosecute lecturers in the university found to be sponsoring cult activities in the university.
He also paraded arms and ammunition recovered from a lecturer in the university and said headless bodies were recovered from a site in Ekpoma after a cult war.
-
Police arrest six suspects over assassination attempt on Sen. Melaye
The police on Saturday said they had arrested six suspects in connection with an assassination attempt on Sen. Dino Melaye in his home in Kogi on April 15.
The Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, told newsmen in Abuja that the arrested suspects included a Kogi local government sole administrator and his orderly.
Moshood said that items recovered included one Hyundai Ambulance bus allegedly used in conveying the attackers, five AK 47 rifles, One Beretta pistol and two locally made single barrel shot guns.
Others were 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended shells of 9mm ammunition and 12 expended shells of gauge cartridge.
Moshood said that the firearms had been sent for ballistic expert examination, test and analysis at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in Lagos.
He said that following the attack on Melaye, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris swiftly deployed Police Special Tactical Squad (STS) team to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to the police spokesman, the suspects used the telephone of the Sole Administrator’s orderly in planning the failed assassination on Melaye.
Moshood said one of the suspects had confessed to the crime and admitted to have been sent by the sole administrator.
“He was arrested with a serious criminal link to other active members of the gang,’’ said the Force spokesman.
He said efforts were being intensified to arrest other suspects at large, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.
-
Where are the police?
Where are the police dogs used at trouble spots? Are they dead? What happened to the canisters of tear gas? Where are the riot policemen? Crowd violence at match venues is frightening. Newspapers report bloodied faces of match referees and broken structures at match venues. Soccer crazy Nigerians must now wear canvas shoes to match venues. They need them to run as fast as they can. The flipside is that such a scenario wouldn’t encourage people to watch games with their families, just as it is at sporting venues globally.
Are the police waiting for carnage before acting? Are league venues not an open invitation to chaos without adequate policing?
The Inspector General of Police should spare the thought for the league centres. Police presence at such venues should be intimidating to create the atmosphere for the referees to professionally interpret the laws of the game. Referees pelted with stones in the course of matches will freely favour the home team to save their lives. Then the away team returns home to tell their fans what they experienced with plenty of embellishments. A war scene is created even before the second round game is played. This setting will be experienced when the second round of matches begin.
Violent fans are known by soccer faithful, but many people don’t like reporting them because they are protected by prominent citizens. These criminals flaunt their lawlessness. Whoever challenges them is doomed. These roughnecks invade the pitches to beat up the referees and maim others.
Must the police wait for the League Management Company (LMC’s) invitation before doing their job? The police are trained to identify criminals. The hoodlum is a criminal and his antics are familiar to everyone, but only the police are legally armed to accost them. It may interest the police to know that their English counterparts, for instance, have a special police squad trained to handle crowd violence. Where is ours? Who will save our league from urchins? Who will arrest the hooligans? How do we expect any company to remain in this chaotic system to beam matches live? No way. Violence at match venues put such companies’ equipment at the risk of being destroyed.
It hurts to know that South Africa television station has pulled out of the league coverage stating among other reasons breach of contract with the LMC. Without sounding like alarmist, it won’t be wise for anyone to take his family to match venues. Those who watch those games at home on match days will be idle. Yet, we expect fans to throng the venues. Not possible. It is one of the reasons Nigerians prefer watching the European leagues.
Indeed, footages of troublesome scenes at match venues have been highlighted on Supersports as they happened. It was easy to apportion blame since pictures don’t lie. It was easy for Spersports to repeatedly stream these games because they were doing the job as a business aside the fact that the company’s reputation of was at stake, should it compromise. Besides, irate fans would be fooling themselves if they decide to destroy Supersports equipment at the stadium because the master dub was in the company’s office and other online platforms as they happened.
Supersport towered over other broadcast units on this aspect of not tampering with such sen sitive documents. And it is this cutting edge that I want us to sustain lest the beasts who pummel the referees, players, officials and fans, resulting in wanton destruction of properties and lives, would be back.
Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM) Football Club of Lagos’ player Olatunbosun’s rocket shot against Enugu Rangers FC inside the Agege Stadium in the “Centre of Excellence” couldn’t have been adjudged the best goal of the week globally, if Supersport didn’t transmit the game live on television. It was the streaming of the goal online that attracted the attention of the Goal of the Week panel on CNN to list it among others. Soccer faithful shouted Eureka since it helped to signpost the fact that the domestic league was growing. MFM’s Stephen Odey and a few others’ exemplary displays during matches have reverberated in the media, forcing the Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr to watch their games. Both players are likely to join the Eagles in their training camp in France. This is one of the biggest advantages of showing a game on television. It doesn’t matter if Odey and Olatunbosun play for Nigeria against Bafana Bafana. What counts is that they would have gained a few tips from training with the big boys. They would have cultivated new friends. They can now dream big – playing in Europe. Besides, others in the domestic league will know that they too can be invited to the camp.
I’m not looking at the propriety or otherwise of the decision to stop beaming our matches live by Supersport. Nor do I want to blame the LMC. I feel strongly that both bodies should sit in a meeting with government officials to find out how the flaws established by the two parties are resolved, lest we turn our league venues to theatres of violence.
We are experts in constituting panels to find out what happened after any misfortune, in spite of the glaring need for such acts to be nipped in the bud. We will save lives today if the government can intervene in this Supersport impasse rather than look the other way to say we can get another television broadcast right company. Not in this recession. But we can scale down the bundle sold to Supersport to cut cost or restrict the deal to the telecast of live coverage or get all the parties to respect the tenets of the contract before government officials.
We should not allow any lacuna that will be exploited by the criminals at league venues. No life is worth being lost on the altar of parties holding on to their grounds. After all the deal was struck because of lovers of the beautiful game who throng the stadium weekly to watch games. It is instructive to state here that in spite of Supersport’s coverage, many referees have suffered untold pains. Leaving the venues without checks, such as the SuperSport coverage, would be an invitation to death for those how dare raise the alarm about any discrepancies noticed, except such a person is armed. In fact, referees will freely allow home teams to win, if that is what will guarantee them a peaceful exit from the stadium.
It would be foolhardy to expect our local broadcast outfits to replace Supersport seamlessly, given the high-tech equipment Supersport uses at match venues. When our local stations handled the league coverage, we had laughable tales like power outage, thugs preventing the television gadgets being set for broadcast and tapes doctored to suit interest groups. Of course, thugs stop the away teams from filming matches as required by the laws governing the game. They destroy recorded materials, and manhandle anyone recording games at the stands. Most times they restate their experiences in other centres to justify their action.
This seeming double-standard in the way the matches are supervised raises the question about the rules of the game and how offenders of the law are dealt with. Who are the referees assigned to cover matches? What is the level of neutrality of the match officials to ensure fairness? How regularly do the LMC and NFF evaluate matters arising from league coverage? How many of the beasts caught beating match officials have been prosecuted?
What plans do the LMC have to effectively police matches in the absence of television coverage? Is it not time the LMC sat with the Inspector General of Police to find a way of policing match venues? Shouldn’t there be a regulation to make it mandatory for the hosts to employ trained security operatives who will man the inner perimeter of the playing areas? These are the people who should arrest intruders and hand them over to the police like we witness in other climes?
How was it possible for a particular club to win all its home games last year, with many of the goals coming from second half penalty kicks? Accusing fingers have been pointed at many officials of participating clubs who hold strategic position in the league’s organisation, which they exploited to their home teams’ advantage. For how long will this impunity continue?
-
Police and Ikorodu killings
SIR: Recently, Ikorodu area of Lagos was thrown into confusion as suspected militants struck at Woodland Estate area, Ishawo in Ikorodu. At the end of it all, two soldiers and five policemen were reportedly killed by the supposed militants. According to reports, the gallant security operatives were killed after effectively rescuing kidnapped victims kept in the creeks of Ikorodu by the militants.
While commiserating with families of the fallen officers, the Lagos State government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, reassured members of the public that every effort would be made to ensure their killers are nabbed and made to face the full wrath of the law. Barely a few days after, the Nigerian Police revealed that the mastermind of the Ikorodu killings, Endurance Ominisan, aka Mighty had been killed in a gun battle with the police. Ominisan was said to have met his waterloo after he purportedly came out from his hideout in the Ikorodu creeks to hang out with his girlfriend.
In-spite of the commendable exploit of getting rid of ‘Mighty’ Ominisan, it is gratifying to note that the police and other security operatives aren’t in any way resting on their oars. In a bid to ensure that the entire creeks around Ikorodu and its environs are completely free of the likes of Ominisan, officers and men of the Lagos State Police command, led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, recently invaded and utterly destroyed criminal hideouts across Ikorodu creeks. In the process, some criminals were apprehended and investigations are ongoing to see discover their level of involvements in criminal activities in the area.
It should be stressed that the multi-dimensional approach of security operatives to tackling the nuisance of criminals across creeks in Lagos and its environs is undoubtedly yielding creditable results. It will be recalled that the Operation Awatse (Awatse is an Hausa word for scatter), a joint Task Force deployed to take care of the activities of militants and vandals around the creek of Lagos and Ogun states, have been working tirelessly to eliminate criminals and prevent criminal activities across the creeks of the two states . On several occasions, in 2016, officers and men of the joint Task Force struck and destroyed quite a number of notorious camps and apprehended many criminals.
The Ikorodu killings call attention to the urgent need to empower youths across the country. Hence, faith based organisations, key social-cultural bodies, related government agencies and other youth based stakeholders should continue invest in the development of the youth. This is the best way to safeguard the future of our beloved country.
All the partners of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund must not relent in their efforts towards continuously equipping and empowering the Lagos State Police Command in the onerous task of checkmating criminals in the state. It is only a common frontal response that could effectively forestall future occurrence of such dastardly act as the one recently experienced in Ikorodu. Public security cannot be obtained without the active involvement, participation and support of everyone in the society.
Despite the magnitude of the Lagos State government investment in public security, there are still herculean challenges that government’s resources alone cannot tackle. In as much as everyone in a state pursues varied interests, the pursuit of public security should, nevertheless, be the common goal of all. The involvement and participation of individuals and non-governmental actors in the issues of public security is, therefore, a necessity for the actualization of a secured society.
- Tayo Ogunbiyi,
Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.