The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Ex-lawmaker lauds police over arrest of Boko Haram suspect

    A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, from Oshodi-Isolo Constituency and who is also an indigene of Ondo State, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, has lauded the Nigerian Police for intercepting some suspected Boko Haram members in the state recently.

    In a telephone interview with our Correspondent, Hon. Olatunji-Edet said the development is a plus for the Nigerian police force because the action will help boost the security of the state. She said: “Our security agencies must be encouraged and supported to assist them in performing their duty optimally. People must be at alert at all times. They must also be ready to give genuine information to security agencies within their community in order to save lives and properties.“

    He enjoined the people of Ondo State not to panic and that they should cooperate with security personnel to assist them in doing their work.

    He assured that the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, will do everything possible to rid the country of the menace of terrorists.

  • LUTH keeps mum on ‘fake’ doctor’s arrest

    LUTH keeps mum on ‘fake’ doctor’s arrest

    The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Wednesday maintained silence on the arrest of an alleged impostor by the police.

    Operatives of the Alakara Police Station nabbed one Adesina Opeyemi, 43, who was said to be a fake doctor.

    The suspect, who has allegedly practiced for three years, was nabbed with seven fake documents, the police said.

    Opeyemi, a resident of 1, Alowolodu Street, Alapere, Ketu, was said to have claimed to be a consultant Gynaecologist.

    Although it was authoritatively gathered that his arrest was sequel to a petition to the police by LUTH management, the hospital spokesman, Kelechi Otuneme declined confirming or refuting same.

    Rather, he told The Nation on telephone that he has been directed to visit Alakara Police station for further details.

    “I have been directed to go to Alakara Police Station tomorrow (today) to get more information.

    “I am not going to say anything about whether LUTH petitioned the police. I am being careful with my words and can only give you accurate information after visiting the police station,” he said.

    But the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, an SP, had confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect will be charged to court for impersonation.

  • Illegal duty: Police demote three officers

    Illegal duty: Police demote three officers

    Three police officers attached to the Lagos Command have been demoted for alleged illegal duty.

    The officers identified as Inspector Columbus Anizor, Sergent Bayo  and Corporal Bawa  were demoted to Sergent, Corporal and Constable, respectively.

    It was gathered that the officers were arrested on December 5, last year and taken to Abuja following a petition against them by a suspected drug baron.

    The officers were said to have arrested the drug trafficking kingpin and confiscated cocaine worth about N15million from him, without the consent of their superiors.

    As if that was not enough, they were alleged to have released the man, sold the drugs and shared the money among themselves.

    The suspect, it was gathered, petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase, two weeks after his release, intimating him of the actions of the officers.

    “The officers were arrested and flown to Abuja and they confessed during investigation. They could not provide the drugs nor the money and so, the IGP ordered that they should be tried.

    “At the end of the trial, the three of them were demoted by a rank each,” said a police source in Abuja.
    It was further gathered that the drug baron was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The Police spokesperson in Abuja, Bisi Kolawole could not be reached for official statement at the time of filing this report.

  • Police arrest ‘fake’ army major, ‘land grabber’

    Police arrest ‘fake’ army major, ‘land grabber’

    DETECTIVES from Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos have arrested a ‘land grabber’ and a suspected fake army major for allegedly defying court orders and sacking a community.

    ‘Major’ Dapo Adeoye and the ‘land grabber’ simply identified as Owoeye were arrested for allegedly illegally sacking the Isiwu community in Ikorodu in defiance of court orders.

    According to detectives from the Zonal X-Squad, a suspect, simply identified as Mr. Somebody was arrested with a general purpose pump action gun with over eight rounds of ammunition.

    Upon interrogation, Mr. Somebody said he and others at large were sent to unleash mayhem on Isiwu community to forcefully sack the inhabitants and take over the land said to belong to the Onofonyin family.

    The police arrested Owoeye following Mr Somebody’s statement. Owoeye led the police to arrest Adeoye, who the police later found to be a ‘fake’ army major.

    Although the police claimed he is a fake soldier, they said they have written to the army to ascertain his identity.

    Adeoye is alleged to have unleashed mayhem on Isiwu community under the guise of being a major.

    Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Bala Hassan said his men would unravel the source of the weapon and restore peace to Isiwu.

    “We have written to the army authorities to ascertain the true identity of this Dapo Adeoye and we want Owoeye to tell us how he got the gun and the several rounds of ammunition. He has to produce all the others now at large. We want to ensure that court orders are obeyed. Peace would soon return to Isiwu as we are working to right all the wrongs in line with all the court judgments,” Hassan said.

    Secretary of Onofonyin Family Prince Olatunde Awolusi-Kulaton said he narrowly escaped being killed by a thug, who brandished an axe to chop off his head.

    “I managed to escape by the grace of God”, he told detectives in Zone 2, lamenting the wanton destruction of his property and household equipment.

  • Police to try 26 pro-Biafra protesters

    Police to try 26 pro-Biafra protesters

    •Abia Govt: we were not involved 

    Twenty-six members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) who were arrested during Monday’s protest in Aba, Abia State, will soon be charged to court.

    Abia State police spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu told reporters that the protesters were arrested between 5.30pm and 6pm Monday evening. Of the 26 suspects, 23 are males.

    According to Udeviotu, the suspects did not deny their membership of the groups. He said items recovered from the protesters were three bicycles, caps and other group insignias.

    Udeviotu said investigation is ongoing and the suspects would soon be arraigned in court.

    Meanwhile, normalcy has since returned to Aba and its environs as markets were open with customers purchasing goods. Some residents were seen in clusters discussing the event.

    The Abia State government has denied ordering soldiers to shoot at the pro-Biafra protesters. It said reports that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu ordered the shootings were not only false, but aimed at destabilising the state.

    Unconfirmed reports said 30 persons sustained injuries and about five died in Monday’s protest by members of the Movement for the Actualisaiton of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) against the continued detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    A statement by Governor Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Godwin Adindu said: “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious report on the internet, ostensibly inspired by the opposition, that Governor Ikpeazu ordered troops of the Nigerian Army to shoot at the pro-Biafra protesters on Monday.

    “Since the protests started, governor Ikpeazu has continued to sue for peace and has personally praised both the IPOB leaders and the security agencies on their mutual understanding in handling the protest, which has ensured that the matches never resulted in open violence.

    “As the Chief Security Officer of the state, Ikpeazu is responsible for law and order and for protecting the lives and property of every resident.

    “It must be noted that Governor Ikpeazu does not have the powers to order the Armed Forces to shoot at any group. The Army takes its orders directly from the military high command and the Federal Government.

    “The Army exists to protect the territorial integrity of the country and wade off any external aggression. It intervenes when there is a high level of threat to peace and breakdown of law and order.

    “While the governor regrets any confrontation between the protesters and security agencies, which may have resulted in violence, he is appealing to the people to give peace a chance and desist from actions that could lead to further violence.”

    Another statement by the Senior Special Assistant on public communications, Sam Hart said: “Governor Ikpeazu has condemned Monday’s protest in Aba which degenerated into public disturbance. He wondered why the same protest, going on peacefully in other states have been hijacked by opposition political elements.

    “He, therefore, directs law enforcement agencies to ensure vigilance and not allow any group under any guise to disturb the peace in Abia, while reminding all that the ban on public processions remains in force.”

  • Fake doctor arrested in LUTH

    Fake doctor arrested in LUTH

    The police in Lagos Tuesday arrested a fake medical doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

    43-year-old Adesina Opeyemi, was said to have been practicing for three years with forged medical certificates.

    The suspect, a resident of 1, Alowolodu Street, Alapere, Ketu, was said to have claimed to be a consultant Gynaecologist.

    His arrest, The Nation gathered was sequel to a petition sent to the police by the management of the hospital, as a result of suspicions.

    It was gathered that at the completion of investigation, Alakara Police Station under the supervision of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Adebisi Lateef moved in and arrested the suspect.

    Confirming the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, Oladapo Badmos, an SP, said seven forged documents were recovered from the suspect, adding that he would be charged to court for impersonation.

  • Police rescue suspected rice, noodles thief from mob

    Police rescue suspected rice, noodles thief from mob

    But for the intervention of policemen in Ogombo, angry residents of Ikota, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area of Lagos, would have lynched a suspected thief.

    The suspect, Stephen Effiong, was stripped naked and beaten to a pulp, after he was allegedly caught stealing rice and other food items from people’s homes.

    A police source yesterday confirmed to The Nation that the incident occurred at the Ikota Second Gate, on the Lekki – Epe Expressway, last Wednesday.

    According to him, Effiong has been severally warned by residents to stop stealing their food stuffs and money.

    He said the suspect at about 5am that fateful day, was caught removing items such as rice, noodles and vegetable oil from different homes.

    Effiong was said to have cut the mosquito net on the doors of the homes he invaded to enter their stores while the owners were asleep.

    The suspect was allegedly caught by one Uche, who observed a movement at the back of his house and decided to follow the suspect to the place he stored his loot.

    Uche, it was learnt, raised the alarm and attracted other victims, who forced the suspect to return the stolen items to their homes.

    According to a resident simply identified as Festus, the suspect had been warned on several occasions to stop, wondering what he does with the foodstuff.

    “He has been doing this thing for some time. Most times people will catch him and warn him to stop but he doesn’t listen. The mob would have lynched him if the police had not arrived on time.

    “They dragged him to the road, removed his clothes and beat him thoroughly. People were passing and cursing him. Fortunately, policemen were passing by and stopped on the scene. That was how he was saved from jungle justice,” he said.

    A senior police officer told The Nation that the suspect has been charged to court.

  • Crime fighting: LG boss commends Festac police

    The Executive Secretary, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mrs Modupe Ajibola-Ojodu has lauded the Area E Commander, ACP Chris Owolabi and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Festac, CSP Monday Agbonika for introducing innovative policing in the area.

    Mrs. Ajibola-Ojodu gave the commendation during the innaugural Community Safety Partnership (CSP) meeting held at the Rockview Hotel in Festac.

    She noted that since the arrival of the duo in the LG, the once incessant vandalism of vehicles in the local government has been abated, adding that he has been able to carry residents along in his quest for effective crime prevention and control.

    “Security is not an end in itself, but a critical means to the realization of National, State and Local Government interests and aspirations.

    “In recent times the role of the Nigeria Police in combating crime in our community is highly commendable, especially with the arrival of the New Area E Commander and the DPO of Festac Town.

    “These gentlemen have brought finesse to policing and therefore should be encouraged by all and sundry,” She said.

    While commending the idea of community policing initiated by Agbonika and the Justice For All (J4A) organisation, Ajibola-Ojodu said it has become inevitable as a result of the spate of highly sophisticated crimes in the country and the inability of the federal police alone to contain the challenges.

    She described the partnership as delivering local solution to local problems, adding that people have been fully put in charge of ensuring their own safety by sharing information through the channels that will be created.

    “It is my strong belief that this lofty idea by the DPO of Festac Police Station would address the concerns of the people residing in the Local government, particularly the most vulnerable, on matters of safety, and other quality of life issues.

    “Finally, a new Amuwo Odofin Local Government is possible, only if we continue our quest to re-write and Change the wrong in the polity,” She said.

    She restated the commitment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government to rebrand, re-equip and re-energize the security architecture in order to motivate security personnel, using the recent donation of sophisticated gadgets by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the Lagos State Police Command as an example.

    “We on our part at the Local Government level are also doing the needful. This is why we donated a Hilux van and repaired some of the Nigeria Police operational vehicles to assist them in securing our environment.

    “We also regularly maintain operational vehicles of security agencies and support them morally and financially.

    “There is no gain saying the fact that our improved relationship with the Nigeria police has led to more harmonious synergy in combating crimes.”

  • Police arrest 11 ‘one million-boys’ gang members

    Eleven suspected members of One Million-Boys cult group arrested for terrorising Badagry residents in Lagos are being interrogated before being charged to court, the police said yesterday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the suspects were apprehended while trying to rob residents of Toga area of Badagry.

    Residents of Ajara, Ibereko, Lopo and Aradagun areas of Badagry in Lagos have been living in fear because of the gang’s activities.

    Last Wednesday, The Nation reported that 40 hoodlums armed with guns and machetes always laid siege to Badagry.

    Shola Odunade, a victim, told NAN that the gang came under the pretence of seeking assistance before hitting its target.

    The hoodlums, he said, usually attacked their victims with machetes.

    He said: “I was in my house when I heard some people shouting for help and I opened my door so that I could render help. That was when they descended on me.

    “They stole my money, cellphone and laptop and they still inflicted injuries on me after they had robbed me of my valuables. There is need to beef up security around here because we are living in fear and this is not good at all.”

    Segun said he was beaten into a pulp when the hoodlums searched him and found nothing on him.

    Segun said: “I was returning from an outing when I was accosted by the gang and they demanded that I must give them everything I had on me. When they realised I did not have anything on me, they began to beat me but I just managed to escape.”

    The 11 suspects, who claimed to be students, were arrested by vigilante youths on Friday and the timely arrival of the police prevented them from being lynched by a mob.

    The police took them to the Badagry Police Station.

    A police source told NAN that the suspects would be interrogated and those found culpable would be charged to court.

    “These suspects are claiming to be students, not robbers, so we are going to interrogate them properly to get to the bottom of the matter.

    “Those of them we find culpable would be charged; we would make sure that we rid this area of hoodlums because Badagry is known to be a peaceful place and we intend to maintain that.

    “People must learn not to take laws into their hands, but always report suspected cases to the police,” the source said.

  • Fish out Mushin gang war sponsors, Alado tells police

    Fish out Mushin gang war sponsors, Alado tells police

    • I don’t breed hoodlums  

    • My children are abroad

    A Lagos socialite, Alhaji Taoheed Faronbi, popularly known as Alado, has urged the police to fish out those behind last Wednesday’s gang war in Mushin.

    Six persons injured and many vehicles were burnt in the fracas.

    In a radio interview monitored by The Nation yesterday, Faronbi said the mayhem would cease once the sponsors are arrested.

    He said: “Any time some of these hoodlums were arrested, within three months, you will see them back on the streets. Who are the people bailing them? Why do the police not charged them to court to get conviction? Why do their godfathers or sponsors not arrested? Nobody should mention my name whenever there is crisis in Mushin because I have always called on police to get the hoodlums arrested.”

    Faronbi, the Babaloja of Isolo Market said none of his children was involved in the crisis.

    “My children are in United Kingdom, United States, South Africa among others. Whoever says my children are involved in the mayhem is lying. They should check their record well,” he said.

    According to him, those who usually create chaos in Mushin are not from the area, saying that they come from far places to torment the people and run back.

    “I was born and raised in Mushin; I will allow anybody to create unnecessary tension here (Mushin). Whenever those hoodlums came attacking the people, I called the police immediately,” he said.

    Faronbi said the last fracas was not about National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leadership fighting for park as reported, rather hoodlums coming to unleash mayhem on the people.

    The Akeem ‘No Case’ and Ilesanmi boys were said to be fighting over the control of Isolo bus stop last Wednesday.

    Both groups have always claimed to be the ‘landlords’, of the area, at the expense of commercial motorists.

    Dangerous weapons were freely used in the fight that lasted almost an hour, with motorists scampering for safety.

    Some road users took to social media to warn others about the fight, calling on the police to act immediately.

    Residents and traders urged police to come to their aid.

    They also urged the police to prosecute four members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Rasheed Adeshina (a.k.a Action), Salami Rauf, Waheed Oseni and Azeez Gbadamosi, who were allegedly arrested with the service rifle of a dead policeman, and their sponsors.

    The suspects were arrested during the raid of a bakery that they used as their armoury.

    According to a resident, the police were aware of the hoodlums’sponsors.

    He urged the police to go after the “big fish”, who provide the hoodlums with guns and weapons.

    “These boys have given the police the names of the boys and the police know them very well.

    “One of the persons, whom they said bought the AK-47 rifle and the Pump Action gun for them, is walking freely in Mushin and I wonder why he has not been arrested to explain how a police rifle was found in possession of his boys.