The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police arrest Vampire’s herbalist

    Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested an herbalist who allegedly produced charms for armed robbers and kidnappers.

    The suspect, Gad Iweajuo, 55, a native of Asoeme town in Abia State was arrested around 5:00 a.m. on Sunday.

    IRT operatives led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), last Thursday invaded the gang’s hideout in Rivers State, killed Vampire ( Henry Chibueze) and arrested some of his members.

    The Nation gathered that a member of slain notorious armed robber’s gang led the police to the herbalist.

    According to a police source, the herbalist confessed to have prepared a ritual that enabled the gang rescue him from a High Court in Owerri, Imo State.

  • 12 naira hawkers held in CBN, police raid

    12 naira hawkers held in CBN, police raid

    Twelve persons have been arrested in a raid on naira hawkers by the police and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials.

    Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department  (SCIID) in Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland led the CBN officials on the onslaught .

    The hawkers were alleged to be involved in the sale of mint naira notes, contrary to Section 21 of the CBN Act, 2007.

    Among the suspects are Fausat Jimoh, Bisoye Oyegbile, Balikis Ajadi, Bisola Amoru, Abidemi Oladejo and Ajoke Suraj, who were said to have sold mint notes at social events.

    Parading the suspects, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of SCIID, said six others were apprehended penultimate weekend.

    He said: “We are clamping down on those abusing our currency. It is an offence to sell Naira notes at weddings or any gathering. It contravenes the CBN Act. We arrested six suspects the previous weekend and last Friday, we arrested six others.

    “We recovered N35,500 from these suspects but N465,000 was recovered from those arrested last week. They would be charged to court as soon as possible.

    “Investigation would reveal how these suspects come about these new currencies. We are going to get to the root of it because the offence is punishable with N50,000 fine, or six months imprisonment or both.

    “No good country would allow her currency to be abused in anyway. That’s what we are guarding against. The CBN is out to enforce the law and we would give them the necessary backing.”

    CBN official, who refused to be named, said it is believed that some CBN workers and Deposit Money Banks (DMB) were behind the illegal trade.

    Besides, he said the CBN would clampdown on celebrators in whose parties, the hawkers are found.

    He said: “We know that these are not the real targets because if they don’t get the mint notes, they won’t be able to sell them. So, our main targets are commercial banks and even our staff who release the money to these vendors. Once these suspects confess and mention their names, we would go after them.

    “We are also going to start arresting people who organise events and allow those selling naira notes in their venues. Already, we have started arresting people who spray money at social events. Sanity must return to our system and our currency must be respected.”

    Ajadi said low patronage of her hair dressing business pushed her into the trade.

    She said she made N200 on each bundle of mint notes.

    Oyegbile said N37,500 was seized from her.

    She claimed that some of their money were usually stolen whenever they are raided.

    Asked how she got the notes, she named one Abdulahi as her supplier, adding that some of her colleagues get from banks.

  • Police kill suspected armed robber in Ekiti

    Police kill suspected armed robber in Ekiti

    The men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Ekiti State Police Command have killed a suspected armed robber during a gun duel along Ikere-Ise RoadThe Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Alberto Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday explained that SARS operatives intercepted the seven-man gang at about 10.00 pm and engaged them in a gun battle.
    Adeyemi said one of the robbers named Barnabas was killed in the crossfire while another gang member whose name was given as Jelili Wale sustained bullet wounds.Wale is presently receiving treatment while the SARS team recovered two (2) cut-to-size guns, cartridges and motorcycles from the suspects.
    The police spokesperson disclosed that the police is on the trail of other suspects that escaped with bullet wounds urging members of the public to always volunteer information that could lead to the arrests of criminals among them.

    Meanwhile, members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in the Southwest have declared war on cross-border terrorism and other crimes in the geopolitical zone.

    Rising from a meeting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday, the security outfit said proactive measures would be adopted to make the zone free of armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killing and other violent crimes.
    Ondo State Commandant of VGN, Gideon Akinwumi, expressed dismay at the increasing wave of armed robbery and other crimes in the region expressing the group’s readiness to curb the menace.
    VGN Commandant in Osun State, Fatai Akinola, said VGN in all the six states in the Southwest will form a synergy to combat crime and make the zone a no-go area for criminals and terrorists.
    His Ekiti State counterpart, Bola Aliu, called for cooperation of all state governments in the zone to assist the security agency with patrol vehicles, arms, ammunition and other logistics to tackle crime in the grassroots.

  • Falana condemns arrest, parade of Peace Corps Commandant

    Falana condemns arrest, parade of Peace Corps Commandant

    Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has condemned the recent arrest and parading of Mr Dickson Akor, the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, by the Nigerian Police.

    Falana spoke with newsmen on Saturday in Abuja after securing the release of Akor from police custody.

    The police in a combined operation with the Depart of State Services and the Nigerian Army on Feb. 28, raided the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria in Abuja.
    During the operation, they arrested Akor and 48 other members of the corps.
    A statement issued by the Police Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said intelligence reports showed that the Peace Corps and other similar groups were acquiring weapons and conducting covert trainings in different locations across the country.
    In the statement, Moshood said such action violated a 2013 gazette of the Federal Government that banned such groups.
    Falana, who described police invasion of the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria as illegal and unconstitutional, said that the organisation was not operating illegally.
    He said, “generally, the parade of criminal suspects in the country by the Police is illegal.
    “In this case, apart from the registration of its trustees under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, there are two judgments of the Federal High Court restraining the police from harassing and intimidating members of the organization.’’
    The human rights lawyer said that he was also negotiating for the re-opening of the office of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.
    “They must be allowed to operate under the law and we will get to that state where the police will appreciate that Nigeria is under-policed.
    “We need volunteers, young men and women who should be organised by the state to handle those duties that will not require the intervention of the Police,’’ he said.
    The human rights lawyer emphasised that crime like terrorism, herdsmen attack, armed robbery and kidnapping thrive in the country because the country is under-policed.
    “As at 2011, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to engage the services of 380,000 police personnel, between then and now, only 10, 000 are being employed.
    “There is no way you can police about 180 million people with barely 380, 000 police personnel out of which about 120, 000 are guiding the elite and corporate bodies in the country.
    “I thought the police should have embraced a body like the Peace Corps of Nigeria to make their job easier because the Nigerian Police operates under very difficult situations.
    “Most communities are not policed, so herdsmen move into farms and kill people.
    “Nigerians have not developed a litigation culture of challenging the killing of every citizen either directly or indirectly for which the government can be blamed,’’ Falana said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Assembly on Nov. 24, 2016 passed a bill, which gives approval for the establishment of the Nigerian Peace Corps as an agency under the Ministry of Interior.
    The Nigerian Peace Corps Bill seeks to empower, develop and provide gainful employment for the youths. (NAN)

  • Ex-President Obasanjo flays police for keeping him waiting

    Ex-President Obasanjo flays police for keeping him waiting

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday criticised the police for keeping him waiting.

    Obasanjo, who was the special guest of honour at the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II maiden special training and capacity development, advised them to be ready when next they invite him.

    The former President was at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island venue of the training for about 90 minutes before the event started.

    Billed for 10:30a.m, the event didn’t begin until 11:52a.m, with the former President informing the gathering he had to return to Ogun State for an event he left midway to attend the police training.

    “Next time, before you call me, please be ready,” Obasanjo said as he stormed out of the hall.

    It was gathered AIG Kayode Aderanti, the host of the training, had sent a police helicopter to convey Obasanjo to the venue.

    There was, however, a communication breach between operatives that went to bring Obasanjo and the team expecting the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

    Speaking on the initiative, Obasanjo said there was no substitute for training, urging security operatives to be in tune with practices of their contemporaries in other parts of the globe.

    According to him, human institutions need constant appraisal, regeneration, introspection and training.

    He said: “Police must be aware and in touch with new developments in other parts of the globe. I can see my former IGP Musiliu Smith.

    “Smith is completely out of date to give lecture on police duty. He has experience to share with you, but not on modern way of doing things.”

    Idris, who got to the venue at 12:19pm – about 10 minutes after Obasanjo left – apologised for being late.

    He said: “I was told former President Olusegun Obasanjo was here and I would have loved to meet him. He’s a committed Nigerian, who has given so much to this country. I sincerely appreciate his coming, which shows the level of his commitment to our quest for democratic policing.”

    Idris hoped such trainings would improve the level of professionalism of policemen, adding that soon, the police would be celebrated at home and abroad.

    At the event were Smith; Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Training, Emmanuel Nyang; AIG Tunji Alape (rtd); Commissioner of Police (CP) Olayinka Balogun (rtd), Lagos CP Fatai Owoseni, Ogun CP Ahmed Iliyasu and former Director General, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Dr. Ndi Okereke, among others.

    Muslim advocated heavy investment on security, lauding the IGP for placing high premium on training.

    Aderanti hoped the training would enhance capacity of the participants.

    The guest lecturer, Dr. Charles Omole, said changing security landscape in the past decade had placed increasing and new demands on the police globally.

    He said the realisation created the need for revised and regular training for law enforcement personnel at all levels of government.

    According to him, the police must practise situational awareness consistently throughout the day.

  • New worship centre for Imo police

    It has been inaugurated and blessed by no less a personality than His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese. But the new St Michael the Archangel Catholic Police Chaplaincy, Shell Camp Police Barracks, Owerri Imo State has not always been this graceful. It was once a little better than a makeshift structure sitting on a temporary site. The state Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu has changed all that.

    Lakanu, the 31st Commissioner of Police of the state, who is a devout Catholic, ensured the chaplaincy was completed and at its permanent site.

    He rallied his friends who pooled resources together. In eight months of vigorous efforts, the CP and his friends completed the about 1000-capacity edifice which was inaugurated on February 25.

    The CP who believes in the efficacy of prayers, said he did not only come to Imo State to salvage the security situation but also for the spiritual revival of the personnel of the command.

    The wife of the state governor, Mrs Nneoma Okorocha attended the inauguration. Chairman, Imo State Council of traditional rulers, HRH Eze Sam A. Ohiri, the Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Hon. Chief Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, heads of security agencies in the state and a host of other distinguished personalities also graced the occasion.

  • Police kill suspected kidnap kingpin Vampire in gun battle

    Police kill suspected kidnap kingpin Vampire in gun battle

    The end came yesterday for dreaded kidnap kingpin, Henry Chibueze, also known as Vampire.

    He was killed by the police in Omu Awa forest, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State after a gun duel.

    This came about five weeks after his commando-like escape from the Owerri High Court.

    Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said Chibueze was killed by the Police Special Forces, led by the IG’s Intelligence Response Team, at 1 am yesterday.

    He said five suspected members of the gang were  arrested.

    They are Obinna Elah from Orlu Local Government of Imo State,  Arinze Abecheta from Okohia in Isiala Mbano Local Government of Imo State,  Chukwuebuka Ikeazota a native of Okohia in Isiala Mbano Local Government,  Samuel Ugochukwu, a native of  Arochukwu in Abia State and Clifford Aheana from Omu Awa in Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State.

    Items recovered from them include five AK47 rifles, 300 rounds of ammunition and charms.

    The Force spokesman said the gang was responsible for many kidnappings and robberies in Imo, Abia, Rivers, Delta and other states in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    The police spokesperson said: “The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, concerned by the spate of kidnapping in the Southsouth, deployed the Special Forces led by the Intelligence Response Team in conjunction with the Imo State Police Command, to track down criminals in this state and other neighbouring states.

    ”I want to make bold to tell you today that the principal suspect, Henry Chibueze, aka Vampire, has been a terror in these states around this period.

    “The IG  deployed the Special Forces to track him down and to ensure that all kidnappers are prosecuted.

    “You will recall that Vampire was rescued by his colleagues from the Imo State High Court on  January 27, when he was brought in for judgment.

    “The Special Forces tracked him down to a village in a forest at Ikwere Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “On sighting the police, they opened fire on the Special Forces first and the Forces replied and in the process  Vampire was shot.

    “He died on his way  to the hospital.

    “Vampire was the head of the gang that killed a member of the Imo State House of Assembly in 2015.

    “He was responsible for the killing of a traditional ruler and his wife in Mbaise Local Government of Imo State in 2015.

    “Their corpses are yet to be discovered. The killing of a man from Malaysia around World Bank area was also traced to him.

    “He killed three family members, including a woman, after collecting ransom from the family.

    “He was responsible for the killing of the family of his girlfriend, who he accused of stealing his money in Lagos.

    “His other crimes are still being investigated and other members of the gang will be charged to court soon.

    “The IG sent me here to reassure Imo people of adequate security. The terror, fear and anxiety caused by Vampire’s escape is now a thing of the past. People should go about their businesses.”

    After the parade at the police headquarters, excited policemen carried the body through all major streets in Owerri, stopping intermittently to acknowledge cheers from the ecstatic crowd.

    Chibueze was arrested in 2015 and had been in prison custody , following the kidnap of the wife of a government official.

    He was brought to court but escaped when gunmen in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)  opened fire after he disembarked from the prison van.

    The kidnapper was taken away by the gunmen.

  • Robbers attack bank customer, abandon vehicle 

    Robbers attack bank customer, abandon vehicle 

    …As RRS foils theft of streetlight cables

     

    Two suspected armed robbers Thursday attacked a bank customer, fleecing her of a huge amount of money.

    The incident occurred at Annex Bus Stop, Apapa, after the woman, said to be a trader had withdrawn the money from the bank.

    It was gathered that the robbers after fleecing the victim, fled towards Koffo Abayomi Street in Apapa.

    They however abandoned their operational vehicle and snatched a motorcycle when they discovered that there was gridlock.

    An eyewitness, Ifeanyi Ikechukwu, who hinted on the incident, said the robbers drove a grey Toyota Camry car.

    He said: “They drove grey Camry ‘big for nothing’ and robbed a woman selling snacks and recharge card near Mobil fuel station at Annex Bus stop.

    “She was said to have gone to the bank to withdraw money to purchase her market, especially recharge cards.

    “The robbers drove through Kofo Abayomi and on meeting traffic; they used their vehicle to hit a commercial motorcycle. They immediately disembarked and snatched the bike from the owner and drove off on it.

    “Although other commercial motorcyclists chased them, they were not able to catch up with them.”

    According to a source, policemen from Apapa Division visited the scene and removed the vehicle.

    The source said they would investigate to ascertain the owner of the vehicle.

    He said: “Per chance the vehicle belongs to the robbers, the vehicle particulars will make it easier for us to arrest them.

    “But if it doesn’t, we will still go to the vehicle licensing organisation to get the details of the owner and ensure they are informed.”

    Meanwhile, Operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Thursday foiled the theft of over 30-meters Light-Up Lagos Project long cable in Ogudu.

    It was gathered that two persons vandalising the cable jumped into a nearby bush upon sighting RRS patrol van.

    The vandals were said to have drawn the concealed cables from the connecting point at the base of a lamp post, before they saw the operatives.

    According to the police, the patrol team leader contacted officials of Lagos State Electricity Board in charge of the area to take over before they continued their routine patrol.

  • Cult clash kills 2 in Rivers-Police

    The Rivers police command on Thursday confirmed the death of two persons during a clash between two rival cult groups at Ikokwu motor spare parts market in Port Harcourt.

    The command`s spokesman, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident took place on Wednesday.

    Omoni said during the shoot-out, some persons were wounded and had been taken to hospital for treatment.

    “ We have made some arrests and the tactical unit of the command is on top of the situation. The police have restored normalcy in the area.

    “ Investigation on the incident is on. The state police command  is working hard to get the perpetrators of the act.

    “ We also appeal to the public to give us useful information that will assist us fight crime,” he said

  • Police: why we arrested Peace Corps leader, 49 others

    Police: why we arrested Peace Corps leader, 49 others

    THE Police have explained why  Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) National Commandant Dickson Akoh and 49 others were arrested.

    Members of the Corps were arrested in Abuja on Tuesday at their head office by personnel of the police, military and Department of State Services (DSS).

    According to the police, those arrested are operating an illegal security outfit.

    The police said the arrest was an attempt to halt and rid the country of illegal and unlawful security outfits constituting threat to national security.

    Flag of the Corp, the police added, “is in semblance with the flag of Gambia”, adding that its beret was for officers on United Nations (UN) Missions.

    Recruitment forms were part of documents confiscated during the operation.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja yesterday at a joint news conference and parade of arrested PCN members, the Force Spokesperson,  CSP Jimoh Moshood, said intelligence report showed that the corps has started acquiring weapons and conducting convert military training in different locations across the country.

    Moshood said: “It is evident that in 2013, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dissolved and proscribed illegal security outfits such as Nigerian Maritime Security Agency (NMSA), Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Petroleum Security and Safety, Peace Corps of Nigeria and other quasi-illegal security outfits”

    The police said it observed that some of the outfits were still operating outside their mandates and purposes, which they were registered by the CAC.

    He added: “The PCN under the leadership of Akoh was registered as an NGO. But with brazen impunity and total disregard to the laws of Nigeria, it opened illegal training camps in some states of the country, where thousands of youths and other persons without proper background checks and screening are receiving converts military training.

    “It is consequent upon veracity of intelligence reports from reliable sources, indicating that subversive groups and terrorists affiliates have infiltrated the Peace Corp secretly to ruin and destroy the existing peace being enjoyed in the country that the PCN secret training camps were closed down in Abuja. Kwara and Niger states.”

    He added that investigation revealed that personnel of the Corp “are extorting money from unwary youths”.

    “Under the guise of recruitment, amounts ranging from N50,000 to hundreds of thousands are being paid by innocent Nigerians to the Corp. Once you pay the money, you are automatically recruited,” Moshood alleged.

    The police asked those who paid money under any pretence to the Corp to report their case at the nearest police station across the country.

    “The corps has unlawfully turned itself into a security outfit without authorisation and establishment by the Federal Government. As such, it has deviated from the purposes for which it was registered as an NGO by the CAC.

    “The Corp has no legal right to wear uniform, parade itself as security outfit, post their personnel on guard duties, and use ranks, insignia, badges of rank, which are semblance of that of the police, military and other paramilitary organisations without the approval of the Federal Government,” he added.

    The police revealed that halting of illegal security outfits would be carry out across the country.

    The police, however, urged parents to prevail on their wards to return home from illegal military camps opened in some states.

    On whether the police was not questioning the authority of the National Assembly, he said: “We are not in contrast with any authority. What we know is that security outfits are established and approved by the Federal Government and in this case, that has not being done.”

    But Akoh explained that the money collected was for the kits for the Corp members.

    He said: “It is shameful that we have teething security challenges and you are showing our uniform as exhibit. The constitution of the Corp approved by CAC was properly vetted by the security before we were registered in 1998.

    “There is national youth development policy that spells out youth organisation to operate and we have over 47 uniform youth organisations.

    “We have been operating within our scope and we are out to re-orientate the youth. No matter the character of youths, when they are taught national ethics and discipline, they change. The youths need a platform to change and that is what we do.

    “The money paid is for their uniform, kits and accommodation because we pay for the venue. It is voluntary and not compulsory. We have ICPC’s clearance for that money. EFCC is investigating this matter and they discovered that we never forced anybody.”

    He accused the police of instigating youths against the corps.

    According to a source, six officers of the PCN were injured, with three unconscious at the National Hospital, Abuja, after operatives of the police and DSS agents  raided the corps’ National Headquarters.

    The headquarters, which was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, was still cordoned off by security operatives as at last night.