The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Edo: Man steals baby at Oba market

    Edo: Man steals baby at Oba market

    A man whose identity is yet to be ascertain has been arrested by the police in Edo State for stealing a baby at the Oba Market.

    The man stole the baby while disguising as a woman and pretending to be deaf and dumb.

    Sources said the man stole the baby simply identified as Godwin while the mother, Mrs. Edith Elawure who deals on used clothes was attending to customers at the market.

    He was caught with the baby strapped on his back at a bus terminal in by traders who were on a search team.

    The weavon the suspect wore fell off which exposed him to be a man.

    An eye witness said the suspect lured the little boy with biscuit when the mother was attending to customers.

    The suspect was taken to the Oba market (Central) Police division where the suspect was detained but the mob that gathered insisted on immediate capital punishment on the suspect.

    Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Osifo, said the suspect pretended to be a deaf and dumb person.

    He said investigation has commenced into the incident.

  • Sacked VCs: Police tear gas NANS protesting students

    Sacked VCs: Police tear gas NANS protesting students

    Protesting members of the National Association of Nigerian Students were on Thursday dispersed by a team of Policemen around the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

    The protesting students had gathered at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Education to protest the recent sack of Vice-chancellors of 13 Federal Universities appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The body argued that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, erred in the appointment of new vice-chancellors, adding that the action of the minister was interference on the duties of universities governing councils.

    The students carried placards with inscriptions such as: “ASUU break the silence against this injustice.” “Sack of VCs, an attempt to cripple our citadels.” Say no to injustice,” among others.

    They said: “On February 12, 2016, the Federal Government, without due recourse to the governing councils of 12 Federal Universities and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), removed their vice-chancellors without any clear statement as to what their offences might have been.

    Shehu said: “What is the reason for the sacking of the four vice-chancellors of Federal Universities and that of NOUN before the expiration of their tenures?

    “We request that the Federal Government, should in the interest of due process, reverse its decision and reinstate the illegally sacked vice-chancellors.”

    He said that the association notified all relevant agencies including the minister of its planned protest. They wondered why the minister could not come to address them.

    The NANS president accused the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of complicity in the sack of the VCs because of as its silent on the issue.

    However, trouble started when the students smashed the windscreen of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) with registration number FG 23 A31, belonging the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as it drove by.

    The students chanted angrily, threatening to force their way into the ministry if the minister did not come out to address them.

    All efforts by the policemen to ensure that the protesting students retreated were resisted. A situation which resulted in the firing of tear gas at them by the police.

    Journalists, bystanders and the protesting students scampered for safety while the policemen made arrests.

    The NANS President, Mr. Tijani Shehu, and no fewer than five other students, were arrested.

    The Policemen also manhandled a camera man working with the African Independent Television (AIT) and smashed his camera.

    However, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Anjuguri Manza, (ASP) when contacted on the development said that he was yet to be briefed on the issue.

     

  • Police warn IPOB members against unlawful arms possession

    Police warn IPOB members against unlawful arms possession

    The Nigeria Police Force has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against bearing arms in self defence.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Spokesperson, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawale, in Abuja on Thursday.

    The statement said the warning became necessary because of a publication credited to the group telling its members to carry arms in self defence.

    “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a publication credited to the Indigenous People of Biafra ‘to carry guns in self defence’.

    “The Inspector-General of Police has sternly warned members of the IPOB to reconsider their stand or face the wrath of the extant laws on bearing of firearms,“ it said.

    It warned that anybody who dared security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities would face dare consequences of his actions.

    The statement cautioned IPOB members to follow appropriate avenues in ventilating their grievances.

    It reminded the group that it was an offence punishable under the criminal Law of the Federation of Nigeria for a person to have in his possession or under his control any prohibited firearms without license or permit.

    “ The IPOB are advised to be guided in respect of the above as the Police Force is poised to uphold the existing restriction over the use of firearms,“ it said.

    Meanwhile, all Zonal AIGs and State Commands CPs have been directed to strictly enforce the laws against the use of illegal firearms across the country.

    Arase has assured that the Police, complemented by other security agencies in the country, would tirelessly and assiduously work toward eliminating any threat to internal security and social disorder.

    He reassured Nigerians of his commitment to their safety and security.

  • Police: no foul play in ACP’s death

    There is nothing suspicious in the death of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Osung Ekpo in a hotel swimming pool last Sunday – Valentine’s Day -, the Lagos State Command said yesterday.

    The police denied that the hotel had been sealed off and some persons arrested over the incident.

    The command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said there were plans to give the late officer a befitting burial.

    She said: “We don’t have any reason to seal off the hotel nor arrest its staff because we did not suspect any foul play. The officer visits the pool often because he lives close to the place so everyone in that place knows him very well.

    “The burial of the officer is not a Lagos police command burial alone, he is a very senior officer, an ACP.

    “The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters is involved in the plans. Already, a condolence register has been opened in his honour at the Area K Command Headquarters.”

    Ekpo was the Area Commander, Area K Police Command, Morogbo, Badagry.

  • Police parade suspects for different crimes

    Police parade suspects for different crimes

    •‘We were framed’

    At least 15 persons have been paraded by the police in Anambra State for crimes bothering on armed robbery and cultism.

    One of the suspects, 22-year-old Chigozie Ugwu was paraded for allegedly being in possession of about 52 women under garments. Others included four women who were accused of being cultists.

    Commissioner of Police Hosea Karma said the suspects had been terrorising parts of Nkpor, Obosi and Onitsha while the armed robbers operated from neighbouring states.

    Items recovered from them included locally-made pistols, live cartridges, bags of Indian hemp, cutlasses, axe, pieces of women under garments, a Keke NAPEP, two motorcycles, mobile phones, and some cash.

    The police said the suspected cultists were arrested during their initiation ceremony.

    But it was gathered that majority of the suspects were arrested last week when policemen raided innocent citizens, especially on valentine’s day, and that some of the items displayed were those being displayed in the last four years.

    Meanwhile, Ugwus denied the allegations against him, describing it as a frame-up. One of the female suspects, Miss. Ngozi Nwachukwu also denied the allegation. She said she was arrested in a restaurant on Valentine’s Day.

  • Police arrest gang leaders, others in Ogun

    Police arrest gang leaders, others in Ogun

    •‘They’ve killed nine persons’

    The police in Ogun State have arrested two suspected leaders of a notorious robbery gang who had terrorised residents of Ijoko-Sango Ota in Ado-Odo -Ota Local Government Area for the past seven years.

    Rasak Ogundairo(25) and Idowu Tijani(45) were arrested when operatives of the Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) raided their hideout. Also arrested was their accomplice, Raimi Ogunkunle(25).

    The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, who paraded the suspects yesterday at the command’s Eleweran headquarters, said Ogundairo and Tijani are members of Eye cult confraternity.

    Ali said the duo have confessed to killing at least nine persons in Ijoko. He added that five shot guns were recovered from them.

    Also paraded were four suspects who allegedly attacked two mobile policemen and snatched their rifles at Agric in Ikorodu, Lagos State, three years ago.

    Sulaiman Lekuti aka Epe Sule; Semiu Alaka aka Ese Sobo;  Azeez Gbolahan alias Eniba and Teslim Adetunji alias Tessy were arrested by SARS.

    The stolen arms – AK47 rifle with serial number 348417 and nine rounds of live ammunition, Type 06 rifle with serial number 07010583 and one Automatic Pump Action gun with serial number 42716 were retrieved from them.

    Ali said: “In October 2013, some hoodlums at Agric in Ikorodu, Lagos, attacked two mobile policemen and collected their arms. The suspects were arrested with the rifles. The case is still under investigation.”

    Also arrested were 20-year-old Muhammed Ibrahim, Ogunjirin David, Muda Yaya, and Adebayo Segun for allegedly snatching a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number DBG 652 UZ from the owner at gunpoint on the Ode-Remo Road.

    Oludayo Adekunle was paraded for alleged car theft and burglary in Ewu Oluwo, Sagamu.

    The police said Adekunle, a resident of Sagamu, broke into the house of Saka Opeoluwa to steal a Toyota Carina E car with registration number LNB 961 BU and N130,000.

    The police said the suspect was arrested when he attempted to sell off the car in Akoko, Ondo State.

     

  • Kaduna: Police intercept 33 bags of Indian hemp 

    Kaduna: Police intercept 33 bags of Indian hemp 

    Kaduna State Police Command Monday intercepted 33 bags of Indian hemp and 34 baskets of hard drugs in Kaduna metropolis.

    This was also as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Kaduna State office, arrested one Mr. Emeka Mbonu in Kaduna for production and sale of unregistered drug product.

    The fake pharmacist was arrested while trying to purchase pharma bottles used by pharmaceutical companies and realizing that he was not a pharmacist or owns a pharmaceutical outlet; NAFDAC was alerted by his would be seller.

    Briefing Journalists, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe urged the general public to partner with the Agency in the reduction of unwholesome products from the state.

    Azikiwe said, they can do this by alerting the Agency of counterfeiter in their domain so that the health of the populace can be safeguarded.

    He added that on further interrogation, it was discovered that Mr. Mbonu has been on the run from the Agency, Kaduna State for the past six months on suspicion of the production and sale of unregistered Mist Potassium Citrate B.P.C in Kaduna Central Market where he used to have a shop.

    He said it was also discovered that the suspect  was still involved in the illegal manufacturing which led the NAFDAC officers to his residence in Mararaba Rido; outskirt of the state.

    “At his residence, he was found to be using one of his rooms for production and producing under unhygienic conditions. He informed the officers that he only produces on order and distributes to the rural areas because he was being haunted in the city by NAFDAC and people were not patronizing him.

    “The Mist Potassium Citrate B.P.C found in his residence had fake NAFDAC registration number, manufacturing and expiry dates including batch number. The manufacturing address reads Renge Production (Nig.) Ltd. 107 Ibrahim Shakaru Street, Tudun Wada, Kano State which is fake.

    “Mist Potassium Citrate B.P.C is used in the treatment of urinary tract infection and with the use antibiotics change the alkaline/acidity of the urine”. NAFDAC Officer said.

    He said that the culprit will be prosecuted in the law court to deter others from engaging in such activity.

    In a related development, Kaduna State Police Command intercepted 33 bags of Indian hemp and 34 baskets of hard drugs in Kaduna metropolis.

    The Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu who displayed the drugs said the Police arrested over 150 suspects who are presently being prosecuted in courts.

    The Police Commissioner added that, the Police also recovered 10 bags of Indian hemp in ‘Bacco Bags’, 10 cartoons of hard drugs and 17 jerrycans of liquid toxicant acid.

    The Commissioner of Police thanked Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai for steering the campaign against illicit drugs in the State.

    “As you can see we recorded this achievement in Kaduna town where we intercepted these drugs. We will continue to do our best in containing this menace in view of the negative consequences of drugs in the society.

    “Hard drugs are a strong motivation to crime, rape and other vices and we will continue to do our best without a break.

    “As you know, the government of Kaduna state under the leadership of Governor El-Rufai has been supportive and we are grateful.”

    He said that the Command will hand over the intercepted drugs to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

     

  • Police confirm kidnap of Wike’s commissioner’s mum

    Police confirm kidnap of Wike’s commissioner’s mum

    The Rivers police yesterday confirmed the kidnap of the mother of Commissioner for Information Dr Austin Tam-George.

    Police spokesman Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said at 6:16 pm. yesterday: “Emerging facts indicated that the abducted woman in Okrika is the mother of the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George.”

    But the command and Tam-George initially disagreed on his mother’s kidnap.

    Ahmad earlier said: “There was a reported kidnap case of a woman at Okrika, but she is not the mother of Austin Tam-George. Efforts are on to safely rescue the victim.”

    The commissioner said his mother was kidnapped around 8.55 p.m. on Saturday, on her way from church at Giogioma-Okrika.

    Tam-George said: “I am pleading with the abductors to release my mother unhurt. My mother is a harmless woman. My mother, Patience, is 85-year-old. My mother cannot hurt anyone. She went to church, as she had done for years, to pray and worship God.”

    Investigation showed that the kidnappers contacted the family of the victim and demanded ransom, but the exact amount could not be ascertained.

  • Bayelsa, Police disagree on allegation of baby selling

    Bayelsa, Police disagree on allegation of baby selling

    The Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Saturday, said it was not true that a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Sawyer Wisdom, sold a baby girl delivered in the Survival Hospital located at Igbogene, Yenagoa, at N200,000.

    The ministry and FIDA said contrary to the claims of the police that the baby was nowhere to be found, the newborn was being catered for at the Gloryland Children Home, a motherless babies’ facility owned by the state government.

    The police earlier said they arrested a doctor and a nurse at Survival Hospital, over an alleged plot to sell a newborn baby to a willing buyer at N200,000.

    Speaking in a press conference in Yenagoa, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ayibatonye Owei, said it became important for all the stakeholders in the baby-selling saga to clarify the issues to avoid dragging the ministry in the mud.

    Owei said there was no arrangement ab initio between the mother of the baby, Nwachukwu Nnenna and Sawyer, who is the owner of the hospital, to sell the baby.

    He explained that Nwachukwu came to the hospital demanding to terminate her seven-month-old pregnancy citing financial constraints.

    He said Sawyer discouraged her from carrying out the abortion, but opted to cater for and manage her condition until March 2 when she was delivered of a life baby girl.

    Owei explained that upon delivery, the mother and her baby were fed by the hospital and was later handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development because Nwachukwu said she could not take care of her.

    He said all the documentation for the transfer of the baby was properly done with the consent of the woman and that the newborn was later sent by the ministry to the government-owned motherless babies’ home.

    He said the police and other stakeholders went to the child care home to see the baby adding that the reports in the public domain about the matter were not correct.

    “It is disheartening that the police created an impression that the baby was missing. It is also wrong to say that a doctor, who is a permanent secretary in our ministry connived to sell the baby.

    “The baby is not missing. The baby is in the motherless baby home and there was no attempt whatsoever from the beginning to sell her,” he said.

    Also absolving himself of wrongdoing, Sawyer, said before he contacted the ministry to take the baby, the woman signed an undertaking to that effect.

    “The patient signed an undertaking to transfer the baby to the government since she could not care for the baby,” he said.

    Speaking on the matter, the Chairman of FIDA, Dise Ogbise-Erhisere and the Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs, Mrs. Ebiere Igodoh-Adeh corroborated the position of the ministry and Sawyer.

    They said the baby was not sold but was being properly cared for by the government at the motherless babies’ home.

    FIDA boss thanked the ministries of health and women affairs for opting to care for the helpless child.

  • Cult clash claims six lives in Rivers Community

    Cult clash claims six lives in Rivers Community

    Rivers Police command has confirmed the death of six persons following a clash between two rival cult groups in Omoku, headquarter of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area, on Friday night.

    DSP Ahmad Muhammad, Public Relations Officer of the command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Saturday that anti-riot police units had been deployed to the area.

    He also said the situation had been brought under control following police intervention.

    “The incident is reasonably believed to be a battle of supremacy between rival cult groups in the town.

    “ As it is now, the situation has been brought under control, with more anti-riot policemen drafted to reinforce the existing security in the town.

    “ As for casualties, six deaths of the suspected cultists were recorded,” he said.

    A resident of Omoku town, who did not want his name mentioned, told NAN that among those killed were husband and wife, two brothers of same parents.