The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Deceased killer cop to be dismissed posthumously – Lagos CP

    Deceased killer cop to be dismissed posthumously – Lagos CP

    A police Sergeant, Stephen James who shot himself after killing three men at the weekend in Lagos would be dismissed posthumously.

    This disclosure was made by the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, while condemning the actions of the cop.

    It was gathered that James at about 4pm on Saturday in the Ketu area of the state, ambushed and killed three men, including two siblings for admonishing him to behave appropriately at a drinking spot.

    The deceased twin (only children of their bereft mother),Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle, as well as their their friend identified as Jeje, were said to have admonished the drunken officer, who entered the premises of Paulson Hotel on Anibaba Street, and harassed customers to buy drinks for him.

    James, a Sergeant with force number 217884, attached to MOPOL 22, Oduduwa, GRA, Ikeja, was said to have threatened to shoot anyone who refuses to buy alcohol for him at the hotel bar.

    Aside being drunk, the cop was also said to have been a chronic Indian hemp smoker and was probably high on narcotics that fateful evening.

    An eyewitnesses said the policeman ambushed and killed the three young men, who were in their early 30s, as they stepped outside the hotel premises where they had gone to celebrate Jeje’s birthday.

    It was gathered that when he realized the implications of his action, the policeman allegedly shot himself on the chest.

    The incident threw the entire neighborhood and its environs into confusion with passers-by and residents running for safety, it was learnt.

    An angry mob, The Nation gathered, attempted to raze the hotel as well as burn the corpse of the cop but for the swift intervention of police officers attached to Ketu division.

    The mob was said to have thrown bottles and stones at the hotel, prompting lodgers to flee their rooms with their luggage.

    Reacting to the misfortune, Owoseni said the cop will be tried and dismissed in death, adding that the Sergeant can no longer be a member of the force following his callous behaviour.

    “ We would try him even in death and dismiss him for his actions. We want to use this medium to sympathize with the families of the deceased and we apologize for the irrational actions of the policeman who also took his life,” said Owoseni.

  • Police smash notorious kidnap gang in Imo

    Police smash notorious kidnap gang in Imo

    • Exhume remains of 63-yr-old

    Imo State Police Command yesterday exhumed the remains of a 63-year-old kidnap victim, Madam Ogo Omereji, who was kidnapped, murdered and buried in a shallow grave by her abductors that were incidentally her nephews.

    The family of the victim, who was abducted in her farm on September 26 by a three man kidnap gang, was said to have paid N500, 000 to the kidnappers who eventually killed the victim who may have recognised them.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the decomposed body was exhumed from the grave in the thick forest, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, said that following the report of the kidnap, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Police Command arrested the three suspects, who confessed to have abducted the woman who they subsequently murdered and buried in the forest at Awara in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of the state.

    He added, “You will recall that the Imo Police Command recently launched Operation Nkpochapu also known as Operation Wipe out criminals in the state. The initiative is already yielding results.

    “Again in our resolve to get close to the public, the Command launched a telephone directory which has been distributed to the people through traditional rulers.”

    The names of the suspects were as Gift Emeka (26), Sunday Uchenna (28) and Emeka Chinedu (27).

    Meanwhile, the leader of the community, Chief Obieze O Obieze said that the parents of the suspects have been banished from the community, which has been thrown into turmoil following the news of the victim’s death.

     

  • Breaking: Police sergeant kills three, self in Ketu

    Breaking: Police sergeant kills three, self in Ketu

    A police sergeant Saturday killed three persons including himself in Ketu area of Lagos.

    Details shortly…

  • Man held for raping seven children in Ebonyi

    Man held for raping seven children in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested a middle aged man, Chinedu Nwoja, for allegedly defiling seven female children at Onueke in Ezza South local government area of the state.

    The state police spokesman, Mr. George Okafor, stated this in Abakaliki Thursday.

    The Command took up the matter following a petition by the Family Law Centre, Abakaliki.

    Narrating their ordeal, some of the victims aged between six and 10 alleged that the man who was a father of three had on several occasions lured them to his vehicle and other isolated places where he repeatedly carried out the act.

    Some of the parents of the children, Mrs. Elizabeth Nweke and Mr. Monday Obaji said they became aware of the development when their children started complaining of pains in their private parts, pointing out that the accused admitted to the offence when confronted by the community members.

    The Chairman of Family Law Centre, Mrs. Elizabeth Nwali, explained that the Centre petitioned the State Criminal Investigation Department following complaints that the accused who was handed over to police at Onueke was discharged same day without proper questioning.

    But the police spokesman said the matter was under investigation, but claimed that the affected families were yet to bring the victims for medical test.

     

  • Adamawa gets new Commissioner of Police

    Adamawa gets new Commissioner of Police

    Mr. Ghazzali Mohammed has assumed duty as the new Adamawa Commissioner of Police, a statement from the Command has said.

    The statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, Mohammed assumed office on Wednesday.

    A copy of the statement made available to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola said Mohammed replaced Mr. Gabriel Adaji.

    Mohammed, until his appointment, was in charge of election planning and monitoring at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    “The new Commissioner solicits the cooperation of the general public and calls on them to be law abiding and confident in the security apparatus of the state in the course of his administration.

    “He also wishes members of the public a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance,” the statement said.

  • Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    As Nigerians begin Christmas and New Year celebrations, security agencies have mapped out measures to protect lives and property nationwide.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed their personnel to provide security to citizens at worship centres, motor parks, recreation centres, the Creeks, waterways and Shopping Malls, among others, during the period.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate security for travelers, picnickers, among others, across the country, before, during and after the celebrations.

    According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, the IGP also directed Command Commissioners of Police to “personally’’ ensure that worship centres, recreation centres, motor parks and shopping malls, among others, were adequately and effectively protected.

    It said Arase warned all citizens to be vigilant while receiving gifts from unknown persons that may pose as friends during the season, to avoid explosive-laden hampers as gifts.

    The Nigerian Navy, too, said in Port Harcourt that it had ordered deployment of troops to strategic locations in the creeks and waterways to enable people travel freely.

    Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, told NAN that the deployment was to ensure safety of travelers before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    “We have ordered our Commanders of the naval bases and Commanding Officers of Forward Operating Bases to deploy patrol boats in the creeks and waterways.

    “We have also deployed ships at mouth of the channel to ensure more presence on sea at waterways.

    “The navy is also partnering with communities to get information on potential suspects or those who are intending to perpetrate criminality in their area.

    “All these activities are to ensure that our people enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations without fear of being molested by hoodlums,” he said.

    Abdulkadir also said that the Navy was currently collaborating with the Operation Pulo Shield and the police to ensure a hitch-free festive season.

    The flag officer called on people to corporate with naval personnel while traveling on creeks and waterways.

    In Cross River also, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said he had deployed his men to strategic areas in the state to provide security.

    According to Mohammed, the joint task force in the state has witnessed a tremendous achievement with the presence of Army personnel.

    “We are in Christmas period and it is our responsibility to provide security for the people of Cross River and tourists.

    “Giving the hospitable nature of Calabar people, the number of tourists keeps increasing because of the carnival, so we are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful celebration.

    “We will continue to carry out security functions at all time and to ensure that the state is peaceful,’’ he said.

    Similarly, the Police Commissioner in Cross River, Mr. Henry Fadairo, said that the state Police Command had launched an offensive against cultism and other criminal activities in the state.

    Fadairo said that the campaign was launched with a view to ensure a hitch- free Christmas celebration in the state.
    According to him, the operation will last up to and even after the New Year celebrations.

    “We have enough security men that would ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “Cross River is a peaceful state and I can tell you that there is low rate of criminal activities here.

    “We will continue to discharge our professional duties to ensure that anyone who engages in any criminal activities is caught and dealt with,’’ he said.

    Fadairo also said that the command had deployed police personnel to festive areas in the state such as the Calabar Carnival, Christmas Village, Calabar Municipality ground, the museum and others.

    In the same vein, the Cross River Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said it had deployed its intelligence and uniform personnel to strategic locations in the state to provide adequate security during the yuletide.

    Mr Solomon Eremi, NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state, told NAN that officers and men of the Corps were up and doing to ensure that the Christmas and New Year celebrations were hitch-free.

    “The Command has deployed intelligence and uniform officers to different locations of the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “One of the objectives of the corps is to protect lives and property of the civil populace.

    “I want to assure the peace-loving people of Cross River and tourists that the state Command of the NSCDC is on alert to respond to all security challenges within this carnival period and beyond,’’ Eremi said.

    He advised the people of the state and tourists to be law abiding, adding that the corps was a friendly force.

    Similarly, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar,Mr Baba Bolanta, has warned trouble makers to steer clear of the buffer zone on the border between Cross River and Ebonyi.

    The buffer zone was created by the Federal Government at Adadama in Cross River and Amagu Ikwo in Ebonyi against intrusion on the border between the two States.

    It was also meant to forestall hostilities in the lingering bloody clashes over farmland by the two neighbouring communities.

    Bolanta said that police helicopters had been deployed around the buffer zone for security surveillance.

    He said that the police was increasingly collaborating with other security agencies for effective crime control within the zone which comprises Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers.

    “Another strategy we have put in place is to increase our collaboration with other security agencies like the military, Department of Security Service (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), among others.

    “We are doing intelligence policing where communities are brought into partner with us.

    “Traditional institutions, Church leaders, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and all other allied unions are involved,” he said.

    Bolanta also said that the ban on fireworks and unpermitted/unlawful procession during the yuletide was in force.

    He said that police personnel were also on ground to thwart any untoward occurrence before, during and after the Calabar carnival.

    And in Akwa Ibom, the state Command Police Command has also assured of adequate security of all visitors, residents and holiday makers during the yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, told NAN in Uyo that the police would be on surveillance and patrol for 24 hours at strategic places to nib all criminality in the bud.

    She urged residents of the state and visitors to make use of the emergency phone numbers as advertised in the police official leaflets to give useful information for prompt action.

    “We understand that ember months are usually very troublesome period.

    This yuletide, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, has alerted all officers and men that they must be on a 24-hour alert and put the security of the state on top priority,” Nwawe said.

    Nwawe said that during the festive period, the police would be at all strategic places in the state to secure lives and property.

    She said that the command had done enough awareness campaign through radio, television, flyers and leaflets on personal security by members of the public.

    The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, said his men would be on patrol in all the 31 local government areas of the state to ensure adequate protection of lives and property.

    He advised people to maintain peace among themselves, adding that without peace there would be no development.

    He said that undercover officers and men of the command would be at areas like motor parks, relaxation centres and shopping complex to ensure smooth and peaceful celebration.

    “What we are doing now is just to make sure that we go to areas like parks and relaxation centres where people gather in order to protect them.

    And in Kano State, the Police in the area have intensified patrol within and outside Kano metropolis to ensure security of lives and property during the Yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Magaji Majiya, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Katsina, had directed that the patrol should also cover all the highways in the state.

    Majiya said the commissioner also directed that the exercise be a continuous one.

    “The State Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammad Katsina, has directed that patrol within the metropolis and on our highways should continue on daily basis.

    “This is necessary in order to ensure that vehicles plying the roads or coming in and going out of the state do so without any fear,” he said.

    The Police Spokesman said the command would also deploy security personnel to all strategic places such as Mosques, Churches and recreational centres to provide security during the festive period.

    “We have made arrangements to deploy plain cloth security operatives at all the strategic places with a view to ensuring effective surveillance at the places,” he said.

    In the same vein, the Katsina State Police Command has set-up a quick response squad (QRS) in order to deal with any breach of the peace during the festive season.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Aminu Sadiq, who disclosed this, called on the people of the state to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious movement to the nearest Police Station.

    Also in Anambra, the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Hosea Karma, has reassured the people of the state that the command would mount security checks in all “flash points’’ in the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Karma also urged the people to be vigilant before, during and after the festivities and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station

  • Police arrest 980 suspects

    Police arrest 980 suspects

    The police in Ogun State arrested 980 suspects, including 116 for robbery, 205 cultists, 38 for rape and seven kidnappers, in the last six months.

    Forty-five pieces of arms, 125 rounds of ammunition, 69 vehicles and 297 sacks of Indian hemp loaded in a truck, were recovered.

    Commissioner of Police Abdulmajid Ali said the value of the property recovered was N6,020,000.

    He said seven robbery suspects were killed during gun battles with the police in various locations.

    Ali paraded 35 other persons, including robbery suspects, cultists, three kidnappers and a fake soldier, Abiodun Emmanuel, who were arrested this month.

    The commissioner warned residents to be on their guard during the Yuletide because “there has been alert in the security circle of huge attacks in unspecified parts of the country”.

    Ali advised residents to watch closely for veiled teenage girls, saying such people “could be used by insurgents to detonate bombs”.

    He noted that dozens of Hausa-Fulani teenage girls, who were “arrested” in Mowe -Ibafo Motor Park on their way to Lagos State by their traffickers, were sent back to Kano State.

    The police boss reiterated that the law banning use or sale of explosives and fireworks was still in force.

     

  • Police clear man of rape

    Police clear man of rape

    The Police yesterday cleared a 24-year-old man, Kunle Martins, of the allegation of raping Gbemisola Afolabi, 19.

    Gbemisola had accused Martins of blackmailing her after raping her.

    She said he threatened to release her nude photos if she refused to give him money.

    Gbemisola claimed that she met his demand twice, following which he allegedly demanded another N10, 000.

    She said she refused, alleging that the suspect then posted her nude photos on the Internet, including her phone number.

    The victim was said to have been called by some of her friends and family members who saw the pictures.

    The incident happened in Agiliti Estate in Ketu, Lagos.

    Martins denied the allegation, telling the police that he was in a relationship with Gbemisola.

    The nude photos, he said, were not circulated by him, adding Gbemisola originally sent the photos to him during their conversation on Whatsapp.

    He said: “We met a few weeks ago and we started chatting on Whatsapp. I asked her to send me some of her pictures when she travelled to Ondo, and she said, ‘Is it my breasts?’, and I said yes.

    “After that, I asked for the pictures of her private parts, and she sent them to me. I did a picsmix of the photos and jokingly sent it to her. I have since deleted the photos from my phone. The only regret I have is that I showed them to my friends.

    “The first time she visited me, we didn’t do anything. It was the second time she came that we made love. I have all our chats as evidence that she sent those pictures to me.

    “She came with her relatives to my house and damaged my laptop which I bought for over N90,000 and now, they are going to the press. I know my rights and if this is the way they want it, no problem.”

    Police spokesman Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said investigation revealed that the parties were adults, adding:

    “It further reveals that the duo have been in an intimate relationship and had sexual intercourse a couple of times before the very incident under investigation. Both parties agreed that the intercourse of that date was consensual and as such could not have amounted to rape.

    “Meanwhile, other aspects of the allegation are still under investigation. Once more, members of the public are by this release advised not to panic as detectives will soon crack the case. The police still remain your friend and helper.”

    The case, Offor said, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba.

     

  • Police step up crackdown on criminals

    Police step up crackdown on criminals

    Abuja residents are not unfamiliar with activities of criminals who usually hide at strategic locations from where they rob their victims.  When any year draws to a close, there is always the feeling of fear on the part of the residents because of increase in crime rate.

    During the “ember months”, especially December, residents become more vigilant. During this period, cars, money, phones, laptops, Ipad, properties, motorbikes are stolen and petty thieves also wait for home owners to leave their homes before they break in and cart away whatever they feel can fetch them money.

    Worried by this development, the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, Wilson Inalegwu said the command has intensified action on the activities of the criminals, which has led to several arrests of the criminals in their different hideouts.

    With this development, residents can now heave a sigh of relief because of efforts made by the police to make Abuja crime-free.

    The suspects who were arrested for different crimes are expected to be arraigned in court soon since investigation has been concluded.

    The recent cases are familiar ones but the suspected criminals who admitted to carrying out the act blamed the devil for it.

    One of the suspected criminals, ThankGod Okhiria specializes in telecommunication fraud. He sends messages to unsuspecting members of the public notifying them that they have won certain amount of money and that they should follow certain requirement to claim their prizes.

    The police chief said: “Following a report on Berekete Family Radio that a lady was defrauded by a syndicate in March this after she was contacted via phone that she had won the sum of N700, 000 from an ongoing promo, the Commissioner of Police ordered immediate investigation into the case. As a result of discreet investigation, the suspect was traced and arrested at Edo where he carries out his nefarious activities.

    “The victim paid the sum of N10, 000 to the suspect’s bank account. She sent him 750 MTN recharge card which he said are the condition she must fulfill to claim the prize.”

    Explaining why he committed the crime, Okhiria said: “I am 19 years old and I am from Irua. I could not further my education because of lack of money. When I dropped out from school, I decided to acquire a skill and in the process I was unable to pay my house rent. I approached my friends to assist me in paying my house rent; the money was N18, 000.

    “When I met them, they discouraged me from acquiring a skill; that I should instead join them in the game they play.

    “They said the only help they could render me was allowing me to join their game of sending fake messages to people. They put my phone on the message and they sent it to random numbers. Some calls came in and some of them insulted me, cursed me and told me that I should go and look for good job. This discouraged me from continuing.

    “So I met my friends and told them that there is so much insults and curses on the business and that I am no longer interested and that they should remove my line. Later on, a girl called my line and she said her name was Bimbo and she said she would like to claim her prize. I told her to send N750 recharge card to me and transfer N10, 000 into my friend’s account.  It was when my friend was going to the bank to withdraw the money that he got arrested.

    “In our group, we have those who act as bankers, old man in order to authenticate the business and make it believable. The business we do is called NNPC. I lied to the victim that got me arrested that I am an old man with three children. In order to convince the victims, I say things like: “Hello, Bimbo make sure you pay this money because if you don’t, you won’t be able to claim your prize. I raise my voice whenever I talk in order to avoid suspicion.

    “I didn’t know anything about this business. My friends; Godwin and Timothy introduced me into it. Godwin has travelled out to Italy with the proceeds he got from the business and Timothy died as a result of accident.”

    He, however, pleaded for forgiveness, promising never to commit any crime again.

    Continuing, he said: “I am urging others who do this kind of business to stop. They should repent of their sins. I am begging that the police should forgive me.”

    Also paraded were Awuzie Okechukwu, 30 and Simon Ejinalu, 47.

    Speaking on how they were arrested, the CP said: “We will continue to stress the need for continuous clampdown and impounding of motorcycles operating in the Federal Capital Territory which have been discovered to be used to perpetuate crime by criminally-minded persons.

    “On December 4, a two-man robbery gang which specialises in hibernating around banking areas to monitor and single out their victims who are mostly bank customers who withdrew large sums of money, was intercepted and arrested by the police.

    “The suspects monitored and followed up their victim after he emerged from the banking hall of one of the banks in Maitama to his car. They smartly placed a nail which gradually deflated the tyre while he was on motion. This forced him to stop and check the tyre. The suspect then took advantage of the situation to pull off the bag containing the cash from the car and sped off on their bike.

    Admitting to the crime, Okechukwu said: “I am from Imo State and I am new in Abuja. I came to Abuja because I don’t have anybody to help me and my family. I decided to come and steal because it seems to be the fastest way to make money. I was able to do this because the money was in our victim’s car. He stopped and then we grabbed the money (N1, 000,000).

    “I am sorry about the mistake I made. I am begging for forgiveness. I don’t have anybody to help me and my five children and that is why I am into this.”

    Also speaking, Ejinalu said: “We came to Abuja to steal. Some of our brothers reside in Abuja. We called them and they told us that Abuja is good and that there is money but when we came, we did not see them and that is why we dressed and entered town.

    “We saw the victim and stole his money. We saw the nylon bag containing the money in his car and we decided to steal it. We used our bike to do it.

    “I regret doing this but it is because I have family and no money to take care of them.”

    Other robbery suspects that were paraded by the FCT Command were Tunbosun Owolabi Onipede, 33; Fidelis Ajia, 35; Lucky Obi, 32; Cletus Sule, 27; Emmanuel Jacob, 24; Kingsley Opara, 28 and Endurance Odiawa.

  • Govt, police join forces against sexual violence

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) is partnering the Police on the best strategies to adopt in handling crime.

    The DSVRT presented copies of sexual offences related laws, such as the Child’s Right law, 2007; Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007; and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 to the Police.

    The presentation took place at the Lagos State Police Headquarters in Ikeja. It was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, some of his deputies other top level officers and DSVRT members.

    A statement by DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the provision of the books was one of the initiatives adopted to improve the capacity of the police in responding to reports of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, maltreatment and neglect.

    Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi said the laws would serve as a most resourceful tool for investigation and prosecution.

    “The team informed the Commissioner of police that it would not relent in its campaign of ensuring that coordinated approach is adopted in handling sexual and gender-based violence crimes in the state,” she said.

    The training of police officers, which began last year would be done on a larger scale to ensure that the police are well equipped to engage the victims, especially when they are still in trauma.

    She said it was important for the police to devise means of improving the method of gathering and preserving evidence.

    Owoseni reaffirmed the police’s commitment towards eradicating sexual and gender-based violence and crimes.