The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police to Bayelsa politicians: Play by rules

    The police on Monday warned politicians and political parties in Bayelsa State to obey the rules guiding the electoral process before, during and after the December 5 governorship poll in the state.

    The state police Commissioner, Mr. Nasiru Oki, said all the parties to the election are aware of the rules of engagement and must strive to operate within the ambit of the law.

    He said on the day of the election, people are expected to go to their polling units, cast their votes quietly and return to their homes.

    He said nobody would be allowed to carry dangerous instruments such as guns, knives and cudgels to voting centres.

    Besides, Oki asked parties wishing to engage in campaigns to obtain police permit before going ahead with such political events.

    He said: “People should know the rules guiding election and they should play by the rules. Nobody is allowed to do things that are unethical and against the electoral laws. Everybody should try and understand electoral laws and obey them.

    “When you want to vote go to the voting place, vote quietly and return to your houses. You are not allowed to carry dangerous instruments like guns, knives and cutlasses to the voting centers.  You will be committing an offence if you do that one.

    “Go and ask for police for permissions before you go ahead with your campaigning.  If you don’t do that you are committing an offence and we will not allow you.  So anybody who is desirous to campaign in Bayelsa State should make sure that the police are adequately informed.”

     

  • State police: Back on the front burner

    The agitation for state police, one of the components of true federalism, has resurfaced in the national discourse.  MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the issues that have been militating against its establishment and how it can become a reality. 

    There has been growing calls for the establishment of state police over the years, to complement the efforts of the federal police in combating crime and criminality in the country. The idea has always been shut down each time it surfaces.

    Nevertheless, it is one issue that continues to generate interest. During the 2014 National Conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan, delegates canvassed different positions. It was also a campaign issue during the last general elections.

    It resonated once again during the screening of ministerial nominees by the National Assembly. Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola brought it back into national discourse when he was screened by the Senate. He said it is grossly inadequate for Nigeria to have only 500,000 police personnel for the over 170 million Nigerians.

    Fashola said it has become imperative to for the states to establish their own police, in line with the federal structure of the country. According to the former governor, state police could be saddled with cases of domestic violence and rape issues, while the federal police should be engaged in other matters related to crime prevention.

    He further explained that the creation of state police would provide job opportunities for graduates roaming the streets. The police, he noted, have much to gain from the reservoir of knowledge laying fallow across.

    Graduates of criminology and strategic thoughts abound across the country, but have not been offered the opportunity to serve in the force because of the limited slots only available under the federal police.

    Those arguing for the creation of state police believe that since the state government have their own executive, judiciary and legislature, it would be wrong to prevent them from establishing their police.

    One of the major duties of the police is to investigate criminal activities, based on the finding of the police; those seeking justice would have the benefit to get it.

    Analysts say if the states are made of executive, judiciary and legislature, it would be wrong not to have state police. They contend that the establishment of state police would speed up criminal investigation in the state, which is often bugged down by federal bureaucracy.

    Speaking on the lopsided federal structure of Nigeria, Sen. Olubunmi Adetunbi said the country has the unique opportunity to address some of the historical imbalances in Nigeria’s federalism.

    He said: “I am not surprised that in recent times, there has been a lot of debate for and against state police. The fact that Nigerians are debating it is a healthy development. The federal police in other places like United States of America (USA) have full authority to enforce federal laws at all level. The states in the US have state-wide police organisation that provide law enforcement duties in the states.’’

    Adetunbi explained that even in Britain, Nigeria’s colonial master has its territorial police which perform duties in defined jurisdiction. He cited India, Pakistan, Argentina and Ethiopia as countries with less sophisticated political structures, adhering to the principle of federalism.

    He said: “In Argentina, the job of policing the country is done not only by the federal police, but also by 23 provincial police forces.

    “In Nigeria, the state governments have the power to set up the executive, operate independent judiciary that has relationship with the federal government justice system. They have parliament, but they have no authority over law enforcement. It is an imbalance composition of a modern state. There should be a consensus on how states can police their territories.’’

    Those against state creation argue that the structure could be used for witch-hunting. They believe that many governors have the tendency to use power excessively. During the last general elections, the raw use of power was prevalent.

    They also argue that the creation of state police will lead to armed proliferation. This, according to the traditional ruler of Ossomala Kingdom, Anambra State, Chief Victor Awogu, the country is presently having security challenges because of too many arms circulating the landscape.

    He said if the 36 states are allowed constitutionally independent police, its means more arms would have to be put into circulation.

    Political analysts say the debate over the establishment of state police has been politicised. They argue that the division between the North and South over the matter could be gleaned from the fact that the bulk of those calling for its establishment are from the South.

    For instance, Senator Godswill Akpabio said state police is the only solution to resolving most of the intra- conflicts in the country. He said: “In most developed democracies, policing is not a federal thing alone. Policing 160 million Nigerians by the federal police alone is not possible. You must allow the local council to have its say in the policing. The state should have its say and the federal government should equally have its say.’’

    Sharing the same position on the creation local police, former Presidential candidate of the United Peoples Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said state police is the reform needed to check criminal activities and reduce corruption.

    He added that the country is too big geographically for the central police to oversee. Okorie added: “There are some states in the country that have far more number of Commissioners of Police that even the entire geo-political zones.

    “Let the revenue be adjusted to give to give the states more money to handle their police and it they decide to make everybody Commissioner of Police, it is their headache so that the normal growth and reward will be noticed.’’

    Former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa underscored the division between the North and the South over the issue of state police when he said state police is a weapon of oppression.

    He explained that their experience on the use of state police in the North was a bitter tale. According to him, it was state police that were used in rigging election and scaring voters from performing their civic responsibilities.

    Musa added: “I still hold to my position that state police is weapon against human rights. The police in the North was used against the people during election. In this dispensation, they will not be any different from the way they were used in the past.’’

    Defending the North’s opposition to the creation of state police, he said those who supported its creation in the North and used it to campaign during the elections have realised that state police is anti-people.

    He said: “That is why they have changed their position and no longer interested in supporting the creation of state police. They now understand that state police will work against the people and it is not a popular idea.’’

    Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida said in spite of the divergent views by different interest groups on the matter that there is need to forge ahead with the establishment of state police.

    He added: “There is the need for us to go forward; I don’t think thing there is anything wrong with state police. I believe that state police will work. In 1959, the local police were used to beat and harass people during election, but the situation is different today.

    “I don’t believe the fear of what happened in the 1950s should continue to haunt us; we should try to move on. We have gone beyond that level in this country. Honestly, I don’t think any governor today can use state police to intimidate and harass anybody.”

    Though the agitation for state police is weighty, it has not been able to scale through because of divergent proposition. For instance, during the last National Conference, it was expected that creation of state police would fly.

    “The idea suffered some setbacks when it was rejected. The Presidential Committee on Police Reforms opposed the creation of state police. According to the chairman of the reform committee, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parry Osayande (rtd), the country would break up if introduced.

    “According to Osayande, if the Police Council functions properly, with the President as the chairman, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission being a member, the Inspector General of Police a member, then the police would function well. We don’t need state police. The country will break up.’’

    Human rights lawyer Femi Falana said the issue of state police is not about how prepared the country is for it. He noted that in a federal system of government state police is necessary.

    “The issue of establishing state police is not really about whether the country is ready for it or not. It is necessary in a federation. What has been militating against the re-establishment of state police has been the fear that the state executives, just like the Federal Government, can use it to harass political opponents.’’

    Tracing the history of state police in Nigeria, Edo State-based political analyst, Mr. Neville Obakhedo, said when the British established the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in 1961, it had 30-member consular guard in the Lagos Colony.

    He said in 1894 the Niger Coast Constabulary was put in place under the Royal Niger Company, Lokoja. But, with collapse of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, the police was merged and its headquarters was in Lagos.

    Obakhedo added: “It is this merger that had grown to become the centralised police system in Nigeria. This is at variance with the federal system of government currently operated in Nigeria.’’

    Political analysts equally believe that the call for state police was borne out of genuine and patriotic zeal. Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) Director of Strategy, Linus Okoroji, said Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was one of the few patriots who identified the need to save Nigeria from incessant security failure.

    He said: “With regards to issue of state police, it was Tinubu who saw the need for it in his first term as governor of Lagos State. He saw that the security of state was porous, giving room for criminality.

    “There is the need for state police to effectively combat the ugly trend in Lagos State. If states have their police, they would battle crime to a standstill because they understand and know people who live within the locality.’’

  • POLICE LAUNCH PROBE INTO TENNIS STAR BEAUTY McCLEOD’S KILLING

    POLICE LAUNCH PROBE INTO TENNIS STAR BEAUTY McCLEOD’S KILLING

    The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder of one of Nigeria’s celebrated tennis stars, Beauty Mc-Cleod, on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Mc-Cleod was allegedly shot and killed by a policeman on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The late tennis star was based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was reportedly killed by the policeman during an altercation between her and the police on Balarabe Musa Street, Victoria Island.

    The deceased had come home with her daughter and lodged in a hotel in the area.

    The policeman was said to have been enraged because Mc-Cleod argued with him on point of law.

    Informed sources said the policeman consequently shot her in the leg.

    She was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but was rejected because of the gunshot wound.

    Mc-Cleod later died at Saint Nicholas Hospital, Lagos where she was finally admitted.

    Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Joe Offor, said the trigger happy policeman has been detained while investigation has commenced into the incident.

    Offor disclosed that the policeman is attached to Mountain Troop Police.

    “The policeman shot a woman and she died. The policeman has been detained at Moroko Police Station.”

    Asked for details of how a policeman ended up shooting Mc-Cleod, who was unarmed, Offor said: “We only have the policeman’s version, but the woman is dead. We can’t get to hear her side of the story. But investigation is ongoing and we have started talking to eye witnesses.

    “The story we have, however, is that the policeman and the woman lived in the same compound on Victoria Island. They had been having issues. They had another quarrel and the woman attempted to dispossess him of his gun. During the struggle, the gun exploded. The woman was hit. She later died,” he said.

  • Ambode tasks police to review strategy on crime prevention

    Ambode tasks police to review strategy on crime prevention

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has urged the State Police Command to step up its surveillance in the state and come up with new strategies to tackle the wave of criminal activities in the state.

    Speaking at the closing session of the four-day leadership retreat for the State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries as well as some heads of parastatals, the governor further urged the Police to improve on its mode of operations to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state.

    The governor, who spoke shortly after the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, addressed participants at the retreat, also pledged the support of the state government towards effective policing of the state.

    While noting that the resources ploughed into securing the state must reflect in the reduction of criminal activities, the governor added, “We are not yet where we want to be; we have only 33, 000 policemen in Lagos for a population of over 20million. Again, we don’t have control over these police officers.

    “We need to let the Commissioner of police leave this retreat believing that the Police need to own their own business just the way we have told ourselves that we want to own the business of governance. We need to see some things change. There has to be some form of paradigm shift; we want to see our police officers patrol in convoy between 12 midnight and 4am.

    “That is why we on our own part, we have gone out of our budget limits, using our resources from the Security Trust Fund, to say that, yes, it might not be within our budget, but we would spend money to support the police, because if the state is safe, the economy will thrive.”

    The governor also charged his team to take the lessons learnt from the retreat and make a commitment to implementing them in their various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) so as to better the lot of the people of the state.

    On his part, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, who read the resolutions reached at the retreat, said the participants agreed that the police in conjunction with the state government will come up with a holistic and joint approach to tackle traffic robberies, cultism, street trading and menace of area boys in the state.

    He said: “Participants agreed to proffer immediate, short and long term solutions towards unlocking traffic gridlock on major roads, highways and streets in Lagos. They also agreed on the need to deploy appropriate cutting edge technologies to improve revenue generation.”

  • Police, soldiers comb creeks for Sylva’s runningmate’s 105-yr-old kidnapped mother

    The police and troops of the Operation Pulo Shield (OPS) are combing the creeks of the Niger Delta region for the whereabouts of 105-year-old Madam Ebifeghe Dikoro, who was abducted on Thursday by unknown gunmen.

    Dikoro, the mother of the running mate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wilberforce Igiri, was abducted from her home in Foropa community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Her kidnap came about a week after the governorship candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, formally presented Igiri as his running mate in the December 5 governorship election in the state.

    The kidnappers were said to have broken into her house at about 1am and whisked her away to an unknown place.

    The gunmen invaded the community on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean in two speedboats and shot sporadically into the air before fleeing with their target.

    According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Butswat Asinim, men of the police anti-kidnapping squad were combing the creeks to rescue the victim.

    Asinim, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said intelligence was also being deployed to track down the kidnappers and their victim.

    He confirmed that the troops of the OPS formally called the Joint Task Force (JTF) had joined in the search to free the centenarian.

    “We are searching for her and the hoodlums. Even as we speak, men of our anti-kidnapping unit are working round the clock.

    “But we are gathering intelligence also, that is very important, and the Joint Task Force (JTF) is collaborating with the police  to rescue the victim and apprehend the culprits,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in a related development, unknown gunmen on Friday abducted a medical doctor in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The kidnap of the doctor, identified simply as Ekwueme, has further heightened tension in the state ahead of the December 5 governorship election in the state.

    Ahead of the elections, the activities of criminals have increased in the state, especially kidnappers who reportedly carry out their operations unhindered on daily basis.

    Many traditional rulers and women were said to have been kidnapped with the two main political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trading blames.

    It was learnt that Ekwuem,e who works in a clinic in Korokorosei, the community of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, was abducted in the community.

    He was reportedly kidnapped from his home at about 3am by unidentified gunmen who operated in speedboats.

  • Police warn abandoned vehicle owners

    The Lagos State Police Command and its Ogun State counterpart have warned owners of recovered or abandoned vehicles parked at the following divisions to claim them within two weeks or forfeit them.

    ISHERI DIVISION(Lagos)

    Saab Scarina(registration number DW 301 LSR)

    Town car Lincon(FN 501 KJA)

    Nissan Micra saloon car(AM 21 TTD)

    Mazda car( EE 199 LSD)

    OBALENDE DIVISION (Ijebu Ode)

    Orvan Bus(XS 56 JJ)

    Hnda Accord(U 787 KJA)

    MOTORCYCLES

    JINCHENG(QV 83 BDG)

    JINCHENG(2201)

    JINCHENG(QC 335 DGB)

    JINCHENG(QZ 925 FKJ)

    JINCHENG(QL 639 APP)

    JINCHENG(OG 4113 S)

    BAJAJ(QP  742 MUS)

    BAJAJ(LAGOS)

    Six unregistered JINCHENG; one unregistered BAJAJ; Scrab GSK-R Power and TVS APAK Powerbike.

  • Philanthropist renovates police station

    A philanthropist, Deacon Festus Idjokoý, has renovated the Ivbiotor Police Station in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The renovation work included re-grassing of the parade ground, landscaping, replacement of window louvres with aluminium profiles, ceiling boards with PVC, floor tiles, provision of air-conditioners in the charge room and other offices, gasoline generator, Plasma TV and payment of satellite subscription for one year.

    Deacon Idjoko said the gesture was part of his firm’s corporate social responsibilities for last yearý.

    Idjoko stated that his firm would undertake the cost of routine maintenance of the facilities at the station for one year before the police authorities would take over subsequently.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the police station, former Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, revealed that lack of adequate budgetary provision may force the Police Service Commission to defer the recruitment of 10, 000 men into the Nigerian Police Force till 2016.

    Sir Okiro noted that ýthe rehabilitation of police barracks and stations across the country maybe done before the recruitment exercise.

    “We have not started yet. Police stations have been desolate for five years and before we recruit, we need to make provisions for training the officers and men of the force and pay their salaries and allowances. This was not captured in this year’s budget; hopefully by next year, we will begin the process,” he said.

    “Deacon Festus Idjokoý has done what people should do. He calls it corporate social responsibility but I call it National responsibility. We cannot sit down and shout, condemn and vilify the police by doing nothing to assist them to do better.

    “He did not only see the environment in which the police work, he felt he could make it better for the police to work better. Other companies and individuals should emulate this gesture,” he said.

  • Police arraign three teenagers over alleged gang rape

    Police arraign three teenagers over alleged gang rape

    Three teenagers, Elijah Adebowale, Suleiman Balogun and Shefiu Adam, were on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.

    Adebowale (15), Balogun (16) and Adam (14), who all resides at the Iju area of Lagos, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momah, told the court that the teenagers and three others, now at large, committed the offences on Oct. 5, in an uncompleted building at Olopade St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

    Momah said that the accused all conspired to lure the 13-year-old to the building, where the six of them took turns with her.

    She explained that the accused persons spotted the 13-year-old coming out of a church and sent her to get drinks for them.

    According to Momah, the accused offered the 13-year-old a bottle of assorted drink that was already spiked and each of them all had carnal knowledge of her.

    The prosecution submitted that the offences contravened Sections 409 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of child rape.

    The judge, Mr F.A Adeeyo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Dec. 7, for continuation of hearing.

  • Boko Haram: Police operate under trees in Yobe

    Boko Haram: Police operate under trees in Yobe

    The burning down of police formations, offices and structures in Yobe State by the Boko Haram insurgents has compelled men of the force to be operating some offices under trees in the state, Yobe State Police Commissioner Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim has said.

    The Yobe Police boss who played host to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 12, AIG Tunde Ogunsakin who was on a working tour of the command however observed that the visit of the AIG to the command will boost the morale of the police in their operation.

    “Apart from one or two structures that are standing, may be the CPs House and B division no other structure is standing in this command. All others have been destroyed. Both the OC CID and MOPOL operate under tree with extreme difficulties.  Most of the officers lived in rented houses, make shift offices, and under trees,” he said.

    CP Zanna regretted that the personale of the command has been seriously depleted through transfers and training without replacements. “By the time I took over in September this year, a substantial number of personnel have been transferred without replacement, this has added to the manpower constraint in this command despite our peculiarities,” he said.

    He requested for the deployment of professional manpower for the command, saying, “Presently we don’t have a single Lawyer in the legal department and ICT experts are also needed”

    Earlier at an interactive session with AIG Ogunsakin assured men of the Yobe State command of their welfare.

    AIG Ogunsakin also described the men and officers of the command as special and strategic in the fight against the insurgency in the region, while charging them to remain professional and civil in the course of their police.

    He also promised to take the myriad of problems of the command to the Inspector General of Police for necessary action.

    In another vein, Yobe State Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam has asked the Federal Government to motivate the police force in the state.

    According to the governor, the motivation of the men and women of the force in the state and the entire region would make them to be more proactive in their duties.

    Gaidam disclosed this on Wednesday in Damaturu when Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 12, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin at his office in Damaturu also observed that a well-motivated force will enhance adequate patrol and, better intelligence gathering and efficient community policing.

  • Police arrest Nwosu’s wife ‘fake’ kidnapper

    Police arrest Nwosu’s wife ‘fake’ kidnapper

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 200 level Economics student of Kogi State University, Sebastine Odo, who allegedly posed as one of the kidnappers of Mrs Toyin Nwosu, wife of The Sun Deputy Managing Director, Steve Nwosu.

    Odo was among the 30 suspects paraded by Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni at the Police Command, Ikeja yesterday.

    Explaining his role in the kidnap saga, Odo said: “I was not the real kidnapper; I just wanted to see if I could make quick money out of the situation.

    “I actually had a problem. I needed the sum of N100, 000 to solve the problem. When I heard about the kidnap of Nwosu’s wife, it occurred to me that it was an opportunity to get the money I needed.  I got Nwosu’s number from the back of The Sun newspaper. I told him that I would help him rescue his wife. I told him to give me N100, 000 to do the job for him.

    “Surprisingly, Nwosu told me that he had N2.5 million as ransom. I was shocked because I have not seen such money before. He was supposed to pay it into my account which I had forwarded to him but he did not. So, in the morning of the following day when I called Nwosu to know why he had not paid the money into my account, he told me that he had already paid the N2.5 million into the account of the main kidnappers.”

    On how he was arrested on September 22, Odo said he was tracked down through his phone by the police.