The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • We didn’t stop Makarfi’s faction from meeting – Police

    The Police on Monday described as false a report claiming that it barred the Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its meeting.

    The police said it got intelligence that both factions planned to hold meeting at the same venue, adding that its personnel stepped in to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    The Spokesman of the FCT Police Command, ASP Anjuguri Manzah, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

    The statement read: “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an online report posted by Breaking Times subscribing that police barred Makarfi faction of PDP from using International Conference Centre (ICC) for meeting.

    “The report was misleading, malicious and capable of misinforming members of the public on the statutory roles of the Nigeria Police Force to restore law and order, and guarantee the protection of lives and property throughout the country.

    “The story is absolutely a shadowy imagination of the writer and should be disregarded.

    “Credible Intelligence at the disposal of the FCT Police Command indicated that the two factions i.e. the Ahmed Makarfi Group and the Ali Modu Sheriff Group scheduled to hold their meetings at the International Conference Centre (ICC) today and this can lead to serious clash and breach of public peace.

    “The Command did not close down the International conference Centre nor barred the Makarfi faction of PDP from using the ICC for meeting as alleged in the report but intervened to prevent breakdown of law and order by advising the Management of the ICC not allow any of the group to use the place for any meeting. However, the Command provided visible security for the Ahmed Makarfi Group when they relocated to Ekiti State Government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, despite not being informed.

    “To this end, the FCT Police Command wishes to assure the media of its support and cooperation to ensure law and order, crime free society and credible reportage.”

  • Southern Kaduna: Gunmen kill 21 in fresh attacks

    Southern Kaduna: Gunmen kill 21 in fresh attacks

    No fewer than 21 persons have been reported killed in fresh attacks on villages of Kaura and Jema’a Local Government Area, in the southern part of Kaduna State.

    The state government on Monday confirmed the renewed attacks, as it said  that the Garrison Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the state’s Commissioner of Police have relocated to the troubled areas.

    The Nation gathered that, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, despite presence of security agents deployed by the federal government to end the incessant killings in the area launched attacks on four communities, killing 21 people.

    Many houses were also reportedly set ablaze during the Sunday and Monday attacks on Ashim, Nissi and Zilan in Atakad District, Kaura local government and Bakin Kogi in Goska District of Jama’a local government.

    The attacks in Ashim, Nisi and Zilan according to eye witnesses occurred on Monday at about 6:00pm, claiming 15 lives with over 50 houses burnt, while that of Bakin Kogi occurred on Sunday at about 5:00pm, claiming seven lives and many houses set ablaze.

    According to the President of Atakad Community Development Association, Mr. Enock Andong who confirmed the attack on the three villages in his area, the herdsmen were heavily armed and that in spite of the security presence, they were able to launch the attack.

  • Cultists behead man in renewed Edo cult war

    Cultists behead man in renewed Edo cult war

    Suspected cultists have beheaded a yet to be identified man in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

     

    Severed body of the victim was dumped at First Junction along Sakpoba road in Benin City.

     

    The victim appeared to have been dragged along the road after being beheaded as there were bruises on his body.

     

    Residents in the area who gathered to catch a glimpse of the body said they did not know the victim.

     

    They described the incident as barbaric.

     

    Several persons have been killed in the past two weeks in renewed rival cult war in Benin City.

     

    Over 22 suspected cultists including one Emmanuel Ogbemudia who was allegedly involved in several cult killings were arrested in the last one month.

     

    Policemen from Adesuwa Police Division came to remove the severed body but declined comments

  • We did not bar Markarfi’s faction – Police

    We did not bar Markarfi’s faction – Police

    The Police have described as false an online report claiming that it barred Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of PDP from holding its meeting.

    Contrary to the report, the police said they got intelligence that both faction plan to hold it’s meeting at the same venue adding that they stepped in to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Command’s Spokesman, ASP Anjuguri Manzah.

    The statement read: “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an online report posted by Breaking Times subscribing that Police bars Makarfi faction of PDP from using International Conference Centre (ICC) for the meeting.

    “The report was misleading, malicious and capable of misinforming members of the public on the statutory roles of the Nigeria Police Force to restore law and order, and guarantee the protection of lives and property throughout the country.

    “The story is absolutely a shadowy imagination of the writer and should be disregarded.

    The statements further read: “Credible Intelligence at the disposal of the FCT Police Command indicated that the two factions i.e. the Ahmed Makarfi Group and the Ali Modu Sheriff Group scheduled to hold their meetings at the International Conference Centre (ICC) today and this can lead to serious clash and breach of Public peace.

    “The Command did not close down the International conference Centre nor barred the Makarfi faction of PDP from using the ICC for meeting as alleged in the report but intervened to prevent a breakdown of law and order by advising the Management of the ICC not allow any of the group to use the place for any meeting.

    However, the Command provided visible security for the Ahmed Makarfi Group when they relocated to Ekiti State Government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja despite not been informed.

    “To this end, the FCT Police Command wishes to assure the media of its support and cooperation to ensure law and order, crime free society and credible reportage.”

  • Court slams N20m damage against police for assaulting lawyer

    In Owerri High Court has awarded N20 million as damage against the police for assaulting an Owerri lawyer, Chukwuemeka Amaghiro, last year.

    In his judgment, Justice K.A. Orjiako said the respondents were found guilty of gross violation of the applicant’s right.

    Amaghiro in 2016 filed a suit of violation of his right against the Police Service Commission, Nigeria Police, Commissioner of Police in Imo State and the OC D8 SARS Investigative Police Officer, Bassey Ikpa, for assaulting him.

    Orjiako held that evidence before him proved the lawyer’s right was violated.

    He said he awarded the damage considering the reputation of the person assaulted and the provision of the law on human right violation.

    Orjiako advised the police to respect human right while discharging their duties.

    Amaghiro and Emeka Iwuchukwu were allegedly assaulted by police officers when they visited their client, Keziah Nwoha, who was in police detention in 2016.

    Iwuchukwu was awarded N10 million as damage on December 6, 2016 in an Owerri High Court presided over by Justice E.F. Njemanze.

    Counsel to the applicant, Mr. Soronnadi Njoku, told NAN his clients approached the court due to how they were manhandled by police officers on the instigation of the OC SARS D10, Mr. Emenike.

    He said the two lawyers visited the police to find out why their client was arrested and detained, as her case was still pending in court.

    “When the lawyers got to the police, the Investigating Police Officer, Mr. Bassey Ikpa, became hostile.

    “The lawyers became helpless and approached his superior, who directed the officers to deal with them,” he said.

    He said he would enforce the two judgments simultaneously to ensure the damage awarded to the applicants was paid.

    The respondents and their lawyers were absent during the judgment.

  • Rivers police chief Odesanya buried in Lagos

    Rivers police chief Odesanya buried in Lagos

    Tears flowed as the remains of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya, were buried at Ikoyi Cemetery at the weekend.

    Odesanya died on January 31. He was 56.

    Speaking at a service at St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos,  Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ntom Chukwu, who represented the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, described Odesanya as “a fine and fantastic officer; God-fearing, hardworking and intelligent”.

    He said Odesanya left legacies of dedication, loyalty and commitment.

    Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Commander Akin Fakorede said Odesanya was a gentleman, professional, good leader and a patriotic Nigerian who represented the best the Force had to offer.

    Rivers State police spokesman Omoni Nnandi said the deceased was his mentor, teacher and team leader; a rare police officer, professional and focused.

    A relative, Mrs Abiodun Abimbola, said he would be missed. She described him as “a nice brother, who was always there for the family”.

    Another relative, Tunji Adeyemi, said the late Odesanya was generous and God fearing.

    The priest, Rev Stephen Ogbe, said the deceased made a positive impact in the life of others.

    He said Odesanya loved prayers and had faith, confidence and trust in God.

    “He touched lives in the church and in the country; he had good attitude and character.”

    Ogbe urged the congregation to live right, saying no one knows when he or she would die.

  • Police arraign man for ‘shop breaking’

    The police have arraigned Linus Igwe, 50, at an Enugu Magistrates’ Court for alleged shop breaking and stealing of N400, 000.

    Igwe, who pleaded not guilty to the two- count charge, told the court he met the shop open and decided to lock it up for Chinwe Obi.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Emmanuel Ajogwu, said the matter was reported at the Central Police Station, Enugu on July 20, 2016.

    He said the offence contravened Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol II Law of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004.

    Obi told the court her shop was locked up before she left for home in the evening.

    “I’m very sure I locked up my shop because I left that evening with my bunch of keys, which I used in opening and locking my shop.

    “How could I have left my shop open and left for my home without my bunch of keys?”

    She disagreed with the accused, who stated in his report he saw the shop open and helped to lock it up.

    The Magistrate, Mr. Emma Nwaro, said the court would give the case accelerated hearing because it was an old matter.

    He adjourned the matter till March 6 for continuation of hearing.

  • Police arrest woman for ‘killing’ her baby

    Police arrest woman for ‘killing’ her baby

    The police in Ogun have arrested a 40-year-old woman, Foluke Owolewa, who allegedly killed her day-old baby.

    The incident occurred at 17, Ilupeju Street, Anishere Unity Estate, Sango Ota Wednesday morning.

    Owolewa, a mother of three, was said to have suffocated the baby she had yesterday morning, citing hardship as her reason.

    It was gathered that her neighbours who rushed into the room after knowing she had been delivered of the baby, planned to take the child from her for fear she would kill it.

    They were said to have suspected her because she had previously thrown one of her daughters into a pit to die but the child was rescued.

    According to sources, the woman has been complaining that she barely had money to cater for the children she has, describing the new addition to her family as addition burden.

    A source said: “The woman gave birth Wednesday morning. Before people could rally round to ensure she doesn’t do anything evil, she suffocated the child. It is not the first time the woman had attempted to kill her children.

    “When she had her other daughter, she threw the baby into a pit toilet and abandoned her there to die. But neighbours rallied round and rescued the child. That was why she was a suspect and people kept close eye on her.

    “One wonders why she would allow her husband to get her pregnant and then, carry the pregnancy only to kill her children after putting to birth.”

    According to the spokesman for Ogun command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) the incident was reported to Sango Division by the Community Development Association (CDA) chairman.

    He said: “The suspect delivered the baby this morning (Wednesday) but before anybody knew what happened, she killed the baby girl. Immediately the case was reported, the DPO Sango Ota Division, SP Akinsola Ogunwale led detectives to the scene where the woman was promptly arrested.

    “On interrogation, the suspect claimed that her two other children are not being taken care of by her husband, hence, her reason for killing the baby which she believed would be additional burden on her. The corpse of the baby was recovered and released to her husband. The woman is not mentally unstable. She sounded very sane.

    “The Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu has directed that the suspect be transferred to homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).”

     

  • Victim help Aba Police arrest armed robbers

    Victim help Aba Police arrest armed robbers

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Osisioma Ngwa Division Aba, have arrested a suspected robber, Onuoha Agbai, for allegedly conspiring with others now at large to rob Uche Kalu and Uzoechie Nweke.

    After robbing the victims, Agbai and his gang shot each of them on the leg without knowing that the victims recognised him and later reported to the Police.

    It was gathered that the suspect who lives at Onyembi Street, Aba, is a notorious criminal who had been on the wanted list of the State Police Command.

  • Police arrest man for killing his twin children

    The Cross River Police Command has arrested one Anyanime Festus, 33, for killing his twin children, Emediong Festus and Mfoniso Festus, both 11 years old for allegedly being witches.

    Presenting the suspects to newsmen in Calabar on Tuesday, the Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, alleged that the suspect killed his twins for confessing to being witches.

    Inuwa said that the incident happened on Jan. 11, 2017 in Uyanga community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the matter was reported to the police by one David Innocent and Joseph Orok from the same area.

    “The incident happened on Jan. 11, 2017 in Uyanga community in Akamkpa Local Government Area following a report to the police by one David Innocent and Joseph Orok.

    “They reported that the two female identical twins were found lying along Uyanga bush track in Akamkpa.

    “According to them, one of the twins was found dead while the other was lying down and was unable to speak.

    “Much later, the other twin that was lying down was able to speak and she gave her name as Emediong Festus and that of her twin sister as Mfoniso Festus, both 11 years.

    “That on Jan. 10, 2017, their father told them he was taking them to their mother, and on getting to a bush track, he gave them malt drink suspected to be mixed with poisonous substances.

    “Shortly after they drank the malt, her sister died and their father abandoned them there,’’ he said.

    The commissioner further said that the other twin later died in the hospital, adding that both corpses were now deposited at the General Hospital, Akamkpa, for autopsy.

    The suspect, who is a taxi driver, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that since the incident happened, he had “not been himself”.

    Festus, who said he regretted his action, blamed the incident on the devil.

    “I poisoned them through the malt I gave them to drink. I did it because they confessed to being witches,” he said. (NAN)