The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police parade 19 suspects over Zaki Biam massacre

    Police parade 19 suspects over Zaki Biam massacre

    •Declare gang leader wanted

    The police yesterday paraded 19 suspects in connection with the massacre at Zaki Biam and another community in Benue State that left 67  people dead.

    Gunmen stormed  Zaki Biam on Thursday, murdered 17 persons, after killing about 50 others at different communities and destroying properties worth millions.

    The suspects, including two women,  Mbadon Mbati and Tame Buumbu, were paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police  (CSP).

    Others are Tordue Kaaor, Hiikenter Orbunde, Vincent Asemave, David Terhembe, Dalhatu Abdullahi, Lortember Orkuma, Manasseh Ikyar, Nengene Ikyar, Joshua Ioraonya, Joseph John, Akowakwahve, Terwase Sabastine, Sunday Utza, Umsughaondo Gbaga, Swem Utiu, Terwase John and Godwin Iorhundu.

    According to Moshood, their arrest was sequel to a special tactical force and investigation team deployed to Benue State by the Inspector General of Police ( IGP) Ibrahim Idris.

    Moshood said the police recovered a G3, three AK47 and three FN rifles, as well as a LMG, one SMG, a Double-Barrel, four Single-Barrels, a Mark 4 rifle and nine locally made Revolver pistols.

    Also recovered from Akwaza’s hideout inside a forest were 36 high grenades, two short gun local magasines, 141 AK47 magasines, 20 FN magasines, 18 6x G3, three Mark 4 magasines, one spear ammunition, 536 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 466 rounds of 7.62mm, 464 rounds of Special and 29 rounds of 9mm ball.

    Others include 119 rounds of 5.56mm 118, a round of 12.7mm, 633 cartridges for Double-Barrel guns, 12 teargas cannisters and 50 rounds of air-rifle ammunition, two bottles of perfume, a knife, plier, SMG magasine, six Beretta magasine.

    He said: “Preliminary investigation and the operations embarked upon by the joint police team revealed that one Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana, a leader of a vicious and notorious serial killer syndicate was responsible for the senseless killings of 17 innocent persons at Zaki Biam and for killing in cold blood of about 50 people in other locations in Benue State.

    “He is also responsible for so many kidnappings, armed robberies and cult clashes leading to loss of lives and properties in other parts of Benue State.

    “Further investigation revealed that he is also responsible for killing of Mr. Deneen Igbana, the Special Adviser on Security to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom.

    “Consequently, the Inspector General of Police ordered the special police teams already on ground in Benue State to immediately embark on manhunt for Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana and his gang members and bring them to justice.

    “This joint operations comprising the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Military and the Department of State Service for the arrest of Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana and his vicious criminal gang is currently ongoing in Benue State.

    “In the dogged pursuit of the operations 19 suspects were arrested for conspiracy and other various criminal roles they played in the killings of innocent persons and other violent crimes carried out by Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana in Benue State.

    “They are currently in police custody. During interrogation, they admitted to be cohorts of the wanted suspect, Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana, and facilitated the commission of some of the offences linked to him at different times in Benue and other neighbouring states. They will be charged to court on completion of investigation accordingly.”

    Continuing, Moshood said the police have declared Akwaza wanted for the crimes and several others, adding that a warrant for his arrest has been obtained from the court.

    “He is dark in complexion, tall, stout in built and has no tribal mark on his face. Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana is a dangerous suspect and an indigene of Gbise in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. He speaks Tiv, Idoma and Pigin English fluently.

    “If seen, please report to the nearest police station or call 08033040358, 08035925554, 08036363531, 08033129778 or SMS 08057000003.

    “A handsome reward awaits any person(s) with information that leads to his arrest. The Benue State Government has placed¦ 10 million reward for anyone with useful information that can lead to his arrest.”

  • Ajimobi charges police to tame killer-herdsmen, kidnapers

    Ajimobi charges police to tame killer-herdsmen, kidnapers

    Oyo State governor, Senator AbiolaAjimobi, has appealed to the police authority to clamp down on the murderous herdsmen and kidnappers disturbing the peace of the country with the same intensity it crushed the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The governor made the appeal through his Deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, who received the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Southwest, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, at the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, on Thursday.

    Ajimobi restated the need for the police to continue to collaborate with other security and intelligence agencies across the country to overcome the menace of kidnappers and herdsmen ravaging the country.

    Emphasising the need for unity and peaceful co-existence among citizens, he said it was only in an atmosphere of peace that businesses could thrive and investors attracted.

    Ajimobi said:  “Our first priority on assumption of office in 2011 was to foster peaceful atmosphere in the state. We are happy today that Oyo State is one of the most secured in the country.

    “We want to appeal to the police authority to replicate the collaborative efforts employed in overcoming the Boko Haram menace in battling herdsmen crisis as well as the recent spate of kidnapping in the country”.

  • Police parade 19 over Zaki Biam massacre

    The police on Friday paraded 19 suspects in connection with the massacre at Zaki Biam and another community in Benue State that left 67 people dead.

    Gunmen stormed the Zaki Biam on Thursday, murdered 17 persons, after killing about 50 others at different communities and destroying properties worth millions of Naira.

    The suspects, including two women, Mbadon Mbati and Tame Buumbu, were paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja by police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    Others are – Tordue Kaaor, Hiikenter Orbunde, Vincent Asemave, David Terhembe, Dalhatu Abdullahi, Lortember Orkuma, Manasseh Ikyar, Nengene Ikyar, Joshua Ioraonya, Joseph John, Akowakwahve, Terwase Sabastine, Sunday Utza, Umsughaondo Gbaga, Swem Utiu, Terwase John and Godwin Iorhundu.

    According to Moshood, their arrest was sequel to a special tactical force and investigation team deployed to Benue State by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

    Moshood said the police recovered a G3, three AK47 and three FN rifles, as well as a LMG, one SMG, a Double-Barrel Gun, four Single-Barrel Guns, a Mark 4 rifle and nine locally made Revolver pistols.

    Also recovered from Akwaza’ hideout inside a forest were 36 high grenades, two short gun local magasines, 141 AK47 magasines, 20 FN magasines, 18 6x G3, three Mark 4 magasines, one spear ammunition, 536 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 466 rounds of 7.62mm, 464 rounds of Special and 29 rounds of 9mm ball.

    Others included 119 rounds of 5.56mm 118, a round of 12.7mm, 633 cartridges for Double-Barrel guns, 12 teargas cannisters and 50 rounds of Air-rifle ammunition, two bottles of perfume, a knife, plier, SMG magazine and six Beretta magazine.

    He said: “Preliminary investigation and the operations embarked upon by the joint police team revealed that one Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana, a leader of a vicious and notorious serial killer syndicate was responsible for the senseless killings of 17 innocent persons at Zaki Biam and for killing in cold blood of about 50 people in other locations in Benue State.

    “He was also responsible for so many kidnappings, armed robberies and cult clashes leading to loss of lives and properties in other parts of Benue State.

    “Further investigation revealed that he was also responsible for killing of Mr. Deneen Igbana, the Special Adviser on Security to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom.

    “Consequently, the Inspector General of Police ordered the special police teams already on ground in Benue State to immediately embark on manhunt for Terwase Akwaza aka Ghana and his gang members and bring them to justice.”

     

  • Olubadan deplores ‘plans to cause mayhem’ in Ibadan

    Olubadan deplores ‘plans to cause mayhem’ in Ibadan

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the Aje Ogungunniso I, has alerted the police high command to alleged moves by some residents of the city to cause mayhem.

    Oba Adetunji spoke yesterday at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace while hosting Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Foluso Adebanjo.

    He alluded to the case of Oloode village in Oluyole Local Government Area, where Lukman Alao was deposed as Baale and replaced on January 9 with Dauda Odeyemi Ejo.

    The first-class monarch said Alao had allegedly become a law unto himself, using the machinery he procured outside the state to molest and arrest law-abiding residents.

    Oba Adetunji said: “Part of his mode of operation is continuous use of number plate of Baale Oloode long after his removal from office. His co-traveller is the Onido of Ido, Chief Tajudeen Akinola Agura, who, although is not molesting anybody but is using the number plate of Onido of Ido.

    “If a chief is removed in accordance with our tradition for allegations of a wrongdoing, he could either take it or go to the law court in search of justice. We believe in the rule of law. This is why we have not joined issues with the deposed Baale. But as the prescribed authority over all the 11 local government areas in Ibadan land, I will not fold my arms and allow anybody to use the machinery to molest my people.”

    The Olubadan, who was flanked by the Otun Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Femi Olaifa and Ekaarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade, described the acts of the two deposed chiefs as an abomination.

    He hailed the police for their professionalism in maintaining law and order and ensuring peace and security.

    Oba Adetunji prayed for the success of the new DIG and his men, including the AIG Zone XI, Oyo State police commissioner and others.

    Adebanjo said the Olubadan’s request would be promptly examined.

    He said officers and men of the force would continue to collaborate with traditional institutions to ensure law and order.

  • Police arrest fleeing Boko Haram militant in Bauchi

    The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested one Mohammed Nafiu, a Boko Haram militant already declared wanted by the military.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar, announced the arrest of the suspected terrorist alongside other criminals in Bauchi on Thursday.

    Umar said Nafiu, 25, was arrested on April 12 at Tama Village in Toro local government area of Bauchi State.

    He added that the suspect being 176th on the wanted list of Nigerian Army was arrested following intelligence report.

    The police commissioner said the suspect had fled from Sambisa Forest following the flushing out of the terrorists by the military.

    “The suspect has confessed to have killed over 150 people in Baga local government area of Borno,” Umar said.

    “Case is under investigation after which the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate authority for discreet investigation.”

    NAN

  • Yobe Gov condemns military, police clashes

    Yobe Gov condemns military, police clashes

    • Gaidam calls for better synergy among security agencies against Boko Haram

    Yobe state Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has called for better synergy and collaboration between security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    The governor who was speaking at a two-day National Sensitization Workshop on the implementation of National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) for Adamawa, Taraba and Yobe states at Government House, Damaturu felt sad over the recent clashes between troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and men of Mobile Police Force (MPF) that claimed the lives of several policemen and a soldier in Damaturu, the state capital on April 12, 2017.

    According to the governor, both military troops and the police are a key component in the security architecture in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and therefore should not be at each other’s throat but work in harmony to defeat Boko Haram.

    “At this point, I would like to appreciate the important role played and sacrifices being made by the security agencies and the Vigilante groups who subject their persons to risk in order to protect the honour of other law abiding citizens of the wider community.However, I should also stress that in order to carry out their duties with commitment, all the security agencies cannot succeed without working very closely and in harmony with each other. In this respect, I wish to once again condemn the recent unfortunate clash between some men of the Nigeria Army and the Police Mobile force which occurred on Wednesday, 12th April 2017. Let me express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the officers who lost their loved ones,

    However, I should also stress that in order to carry out their duties with commitment, all the security agencies cannot succeed without working very closely and in harmony with each other. In this respect, I wish to once again condemn the recent unfortunate clash between some men of the Nigeria Army and the Police Mobile force which occurred on Wednesday, 12th April 2017.

    Let me express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the officers who lost their loved ones, sympathise with those who sustained injuries and express the hope that proactive steps will be taken by the Command Headquarters of the Army and the Police to forestall a recurrence,” Gov. Gaidam said.

    As a way of nipping any security challenge from the bud, Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam called on the Commissioner of Police, Sumonu Abdulmaliki to set machinery for the re-introduction of orientation programme for members of Vigilante group on the rudiments of arrest and treatment of
    suspected criminals.

    “The commissioner of police could direct Divisional Police Officers and other officials to give full recognition and encouragement to all registered Vigilante groups to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the state,” urged Gaidam.

    He called on the general public to be waery of stangers in their midst and continue to give information on the movement of suspicious individuals and groups to the security agencies for necessary action; while assuring the confidentiality of the sources of such information.

    he equally charged traditional rulers to also reactivate the old tradition of monitoring the presence of strangers and suspicious faces in their communities, while directing the council chairmen to give maximum support to vigilante groups in their respective council areas.

    Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam also made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government through the Office of National Security Adviser to intensify efforts in mopping up of Boko Haram remnants in the nooks and crannies of Northeast.

    “The mopping up exercises is to be carried out in conjunction with the Vigilante groups, and with the aid of organized community policing and surveillance training,” he said.

  • Police to recruit 155,000 personnel

    The police authorities have sent a proposal to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval to shore up the Force manpower by recruiting 155,000 personnel in five years as part of measures to meet the United Nations standard of effective policing.

    The Force is also considering the introduction of whistleblowing to curtail criminality by mopping up illegal arms in different parts of the country.

    The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Training and Development, Mr. Emmanuel Inyang, disclosed the measures on Thursday at the headquarters of the Bayelsa State Police command.

    Inyang, who visited the state command as part of ongoing tours of police formations in the South-South, insisted that recruitments were underway to secure the personnel required to fight crimes.

    He said the plan was to recruit 31,000 policemen every year in the next five years, adding that apart from equipment, the number of personnel was necessary to fight criminals.

    He said: ”More recruitments are in the pipeline. We have discovered that the United Nations standard of policing says one policeman to 400 citizens. But from our calculation and statistics, we found out that we now have one policeman to 600, that is where the stress of policing is coming from.

    ”So, we have written to the President to give us the power to recruit 31,000 police officers every year for the next five years. This is how we can achieve that standard but at least, even if we cannot make the 31,000 personnel, at least, 10,000 or 15,000. We hope to get that and with that, very soon we can meet the UN standards.”

     

     

  • Corruption: Blow whistle on Police – IG urges Nigerians

    Corruption: Blow whistle on Police – IG urges Nigerians

    The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has asked Nigerians to expose any trace of corruption and misconduct amongst officers and men of the Force.

    The Police Chief also assured that any police officer found wanting would be punished, adding that public assessment of the Personnel of the Force was necessary.

    Members of the public are expected to report any police officer by using the various social media platforms set up for the purpose.

    Idris said this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the partnership project between the police and Akin Fadeyi Foundation on an anti-corruption initiative titled, “Corruption, Not in my Country.”

    The IG who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, said he had instituted various  programmes to make the police more accountable, responsible and reliable.

    He said: “Nigerians should blow the whistle on police corruption through the various platforms we have set up on WhatsApp, Instagram, email and GSM telephone numbers.

    “Please do the whistle-blowing and see what action the police would take, we will do the right thing and ensure justice.”

    As part of moves to totally rid the Force of corruption, he also disclosed that his administration has so far promoted over 33,000 personnel from various ranks.

    He said the promotion has boosted the morale of those affected adding that it has made them discharge their duties professionally.

    According to him: “Since the inception of this administration, 4,410 senior officers and 28,627 Inspectors and Rank and File have been promoted. In all, 33,037 have been elevated to their next ranks.”

    He added that additional list of those yet to be promoted will be considered soon.

    Also speaking, the Director of the foundation, Akin Fadeyi said he was motivated to initiate the anti-corruption advocacy to engender an efficient police force that is public friendly, reliable and responsible.

    “The police have had tainted image as an institution  for such a long time and we feel it’s time to change the narrative”.

    Fadeyi also called for a change of attitude among policemen and Nigerians.

  • Police arrest 13 suspects, demolish ‘criminal’ hideouts in Lagos

    The police in Lagos on Wednesday arrested at least 13 suspected militants in connection with the killings of security operatives at Ishawo.

    This came just as the police commenced demolition of illegal structures around the Ishawo creek, suspecting to be owned by militants.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, who spoke to journalists while supervising the demolition, said the suspects were assisting the command to track down their cohorts.

    According to Owoseni, the demolition of illegal structures at waterfronts was part of measures to flush out militants and other criminal elements in the state.

    The police, he said, deployed operatives of the Marine, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Police Mobile Force (PMF), anti-kidnapping units and local vigilantes for the operation.

    Owoseni said the joint operation ordered by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode following the death of security operatives was yielding results, adding that the perpetrators would be hunted.

    He said: “Following the attack that occurred at Ishawo where we lost four of our policemen and an army captain, we have deployed operatives in the water. What you have seen now is for us to appraise what we have been doing for the past one week.

    “Quality arrests have been made and we are talking to them. We believe that we got some evidential value from the arrests made. So, they are talking to us, at least that had made us to know who we are looking for so that we would not speculate.”

    Owoseni, who was accompanied to Ishawo by Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the visit was to appraise the work done so far and the next line of action.

  • Aba Police arrest armed robbery suspect, recover stolen cars, arms

    Aba Police arrest armed robbery suspect, recover stolen cars, arms

    A member of the dare-devil gang that on Easter Monday terrorised the city of Aba, Abia State has been arrested by a combined team of the police and the military.

    The Nation gathered on Tuesday that the police has also arrested a man described as being notorious for receiving stolen items.

    The gang was later engaged by a combined team of the police and the military had terrorised Aba for over one hour on Monday evening, culminating in the abduction of an unidentified man.

    In a telephone chat, the Abia command police public relations officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna said the arrested gang member who had gunshot wounds was apprehended within the Good Morning Market area when the hoodlums engaged the combined team of security personnel in a gun battle as they tried to escape.

    Ogbonna further informed that other members of the gang escaped into the nearby bush with gunshot wounds, adding that the hoodlums’ victim was rescued.

    He said that items recovered from the men of the underworld include Toyota Siena Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Lexus SUV, AK 47 raffle and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

    Meanwhile, Abia police command said it has arrested a “notorious criminal receiver” of goods in Aba it gave his name as Ifeanyi Urakpa.

    According to a release by the command’s spokesperson, Ogbonna, the arrest followed a tip-off and that when detectives from Ndiegoro Division visited the suspect’s home, they recovered one Toyota Lexus RX 330 SUV with registration number Abuja BWR 566 HH and a Toyota Corolla car with registration number Enugu BLF 425 AA which it said were suspected to have been snatched from their owners.

    The release stated that investigation into the matter was ongoing.