The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Man dies during deliverance service in Edo

    A 45-year old man identified as Osayande Ekhator has been mysteriously killed during a deliverance service at a Pentecostal church at Uselu Quarters in Egor Local Government, Edo state.

    The victim’s family had taken him to the Holy Ghost Deliverance Centre popularly called Hope Ministry for spiritual cleansing when the sad incident occurred.

    Some family members alleged that the victim was beaten to death and that they saw his lifeless body with bloodstains.

    Father of the deceased, Pa Ekhator, told newsmen that he suspected that the deliverance session had gone wrong when his late son was thrown to the ground, with his hands and legs tied.

    He said, “They forced‎ him and tied him as usual and threw him down. From there, they carried a bucket full of water and poured it on his body.

    “The mother asked why. They said that is what they usually do‎, that after struggling, they wanted him to have rest and cool down. After about five minutes she came crying that Osayande is dead.”

    Sister of the victim, alleged that the victim was “beaten to death” by his deliverers, who also planned to deposit his remains at a mortuary.

    She said, “‎They beat him to death. They removed the clothed he came with, bathe him and wear another clothe on him.

    “They said that they wanted to take him to a mortuary. But we refused.”

    A resident in the area who pleaded anonymity said ‎there were blood stains on his head.

    “I think he must have hit his head somewhere. I saw blood on his head‎ when his body was placed in a vehicle,” the resident said.

    Resident Pastor of the church, Mrs. Isoken Ekundaye, denied the allegations and said several insane persons have been healed in the church.

    “We don’t kill here. We don’t beat here. If they bring insane people, we heal,” Ekundaye said‎.

    Some youths however invaded the church after the incident and destroyed many properties.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwochei, said that the said pastor had been arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.

  • Presidency: no hand in Ekweremadu’s invitation by police

    Presidency: no hand in Ekweremadu’s invitation by police

    THE Presidency has denied involvement in the invitation of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by the police for alleged forgery of the Senate rules.

    Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, who said this yesterday on Kakaaki, a breakfast programme on Africa Independent Television (AIT), affirmed that Buhari would not subvert the rules of the National Assembly.

    He said: “You do not know this president. This president will not orchestrate anything. Nothing that will be unconstitutional and nothing that will amount to underhand deal.

    “Straightforward, plain and decent. Maybe that was what he expected everybody to do. He didn’t think anybody was going to subvert the process. That is why the National Assembly is where it is. But no orchestration.

    “This is not a president that will subvert the rules in any form and he thought everybody was going to play that way. But unfortunately, it did not happen that way and we have what we have now.”

    Adesina explained that Buhari would take his time to build strong institutions that would endure.

    But National Assembly Clerk Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa yesterday declined comment on the controversy about his invitation by the police for alleged alteration of the Senate Standing Rules.

    Maikasuwa, who led National Assembly directors on a visit to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, refused entreaties by reporters to speak on the invitation.

    Besides Maikasuwa, some principal officers of the Seventh Senate, including former Senate President David Mark, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Chairman, Senate Committee on Business and Rule Ita Enang and the secretary of the committee were invited by the police.

    The allegation of unauthorised alteration of the Senate Standing Rules was contained in a petition by a group of senators under the aegis of Senate Unity Forum, who asked the police to investigate the issue.

    Approached by a horde of reporters after the visit to comment on the police invitation, Maikasuwa also kept mum.

    Prodded further, the clerk smiled and walked quietly away from the anxious reporters.

    He moved over to where the Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, was standing for a brief discussion with him.

    After his discussion with Ndume, Maikasuwa managed to say: “I have said all I need to say in my opening remarks. I have nothing else to say.”

    He walked away smiling.

    Maikasuwa told the Senate President that they came to assure him of the commitment of the workforce to the National Assembly.

    The clerk said the National Assembly workforce was fully prepared to partner with him for the smooth running and success of the National Assembly.

    Saraki sought the cooperation of the clerk and the directors, saying his success depends largely on them.

  • MMA Police arrest man with fake Euro notes

    The Murtala Moham-med International Airport (MMIA) Police Command has arrested a 45-year old man, Lawrence Agbe, for allegedly being in possession of 1.25 million (N274 million) Euros suspected to be fake.

    Commissioner of Police Airport Command, Mr Fredrick Lakanu Lakanu yesterday said Agbe was arrested while boarding a Lagos enroute Abuja flight.

    The suspect, who lives at Itogbe Street, Orile-Agege, Lagos, he said, was arrested on June 25.

    “In the course of investigation, a search warrant was executed by a team of police detective from Domestic Airport Division at the suspect’s printing press in Agege, Lagos, where over 2,000 police statement forms were recovered.

    “On further interrogation, the suspect mentioned one Steve residing in Abuja now at large, as the owner of the said Euro,’’ Lakanu said.

    He said that the suspect had since been charged to court.

    Lakanu also disclosed that more than 30 motorcycles were recently impounded, while 35 airport touts were arrested and charged to court for unlawful entry and touting.

    The commissioner said these were evidence that the airports had been secured to guarantee the safety of passengers, airport community and airline operators.

    Lakanu appealed to members of the public for their cooperation to enable the police check activities of undesirable elements at the airports.

    Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Livinus Chukwuma, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) solicited the cooperation of the media towards freeing airports of touts and commercial motorcycle operators.

    The media, he said, is germane in tackling the menace of touts, Okada riders and other illegal activities at the airports.

     

     

  • Police search for fraud suspect

    Police search for fraud suspect

    The police in Ogun State are searching for a man, Adewale Alatise, who allegedly scammed the public using the name of the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson.

    Alatise, founder of Pinnacle Global Education, is accused of circulating leaflets calling for training, recruitment, online registration and free visa advice in conjunction with Alaba Group of Schools owned by Mrs. Lawson.

    It was gathered that the suspect allegedly opened a website, e-mail and an account with a new generation bank, where unsuspecting applicants are to deposit N24,500 per person.

    The report by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, showed that  the suspect secretly opened an e-mail: alabalawsoncollege@gmail.
    com.

    The report reads: “An in-depth investigation showed that the suspect, Fatai Adewale Alatishe, impersonated Mrs. Iyalode Alaba Lawson.

    “The suspect’s actions thus exposed him as a criminally-minded individual, who deliberately chose to forge the school documents.

    “The suspect’s action impinged on the image of the school and character of the proprietress.

    “In view of the foregoing, it is clear that the suspect has committed an offence and he will be prosecuted.”

    Mrs.Lawson said:”I have a name, and I don’t want anybody to tarnish my good name and character. My schools do not have any alliance with anybody or group.”

  • Police compensate commercial bus driver

    The Ilupeju Divisional Police Station has compensated commercial driver, Fatai Olatunji, for the damaging of  his bus by three officers attached to the station.

    Olatunji was paid N36,000, last weekend, to repair the wheel hub and side mirror of his bus, which were damaged by shot fired by the policemen.

    The compensation followed an earlier report by The Nation last Tuesday, which prompted the Ilupeju Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Yinka Egbeyemi, to invite Olatunji for compensation for the damage made to his bus by the officers.

    The errant policemen fired at the passenger-laden bus with number-plate KRD 516 XF after Olatunji was accused of driving on one-way. The policemen chased the bus from the main road into the streets, causing panic among residents and passersby.

    When Olatunji eventually stopped in front of a church on Adegboyega Street, the officers descended on him and the bus conductor, beating them with butts of their riffles. The bus wheel hub and a side mirror were damaged.

    Lagos Command spokesman Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said disciplinary action is being taken against the officers by the command, following their detention.

    Nwosu advised commercial drivers to obey Lagos traffic regulations, while also charging officers to be civilised in their conducts.

  • Senate: Police, NASS Clerk, meet over petition

    Senate: Police, NASS Clerk, meet over petition

    The Police have met with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and some principal officers over a petition that the Senate standing rules was substituted.

    The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Abayomi Shogunle, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the meeting took place in the office of the clerk on Monday.

    Shogunle said that a senator had petitioned that the standing rule was substituted without the authorisation of the Senate.

    He said that the meeting followed a request by the police to the clerk.

    He also confirmed that the petitioner (senator) had made a statement to the police over the allegation.

    Asked whether the petition was specifically targeted at the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy force spokesman said it was not but “against procedure’’.

    Shogunle said contrary to reports, the deputy senate president was not invited by the police and declined further comments, adding that the matter was under investigation.

  • Police arrest man with fake Euros

    Police arrest man with fake Euros

    The Airport Police Command has arrested a 45 year old Mr. Lawrence Agbe for allegedly being in possession of Euros 1,250,000 about (N274 million) suspected to be fake.

    The Commissioner of Police Airport Police Command, Mr Fredrick Lakanu, who   disclosed this Monday, explained that Agbe was arrested while boarding a flight at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos enroute Abuja.

    Lakanu further explained that in the course of Police investigation, a search warrant was executed by a team of detective from the Domestic Airport Division to search the suspect’s printing press in Agege, Lagos, where over 2,000 Police statement forms were recovered.

    The CP added that on further interrogation, the suspect mentioned one Steve residing in Abuja now at large as the owner of the said 1,250,000 Euro.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner also disclosed that the Command has impounded over 30 motorcycles popularly known as Okada and about 35 airport touts at various parts of the airport.

    He stated that those arrested had been charged to court for unlawful entry, touting and other similar offences.

    Lakanu appealed to members of the public for cooperation to checkmate the activities of undesirable elements at airports across the country.

    Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police, Livinus Chukwuma, solicited the cooperation of the media towards ridding airports of touts and commercial motorcycle operators also known as Okada from the airport.

    The media, he stated has very important role to play in tackling the menace of touts, Okada riders and other illegal activities airports.

  • Police arrest four suspected Ikorodu bank robbery

    Police arrest four suspected Ikorodu bank robbery

    The Police have made a breakthrough in their investigation of the June 24 Ikorodu bank robbery. They have arrested four of the perpetrators.

    The arrest of one of them in Ondo was said to have led to the arrest of others in Ikorodu on Saturday.

    The suspects are Promise, who was arrested in Ondo, Baba Ibeji, Bright and Monday.

    Soldiers were said to have arrested Promise, who sources described as  “prime suspect”, while on his way to his okitipupa home town in Ondo State, during a stop-and-search.

    The soldiers reportedly found bundles of new N1000 notes with bank seals in his bag.

    The soldiers transferred him to the Lagos Command following the request of former state Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti.

    Initially, the lone suspect denied knowledge of the robbery, but he later confessed.

     He told the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) how they carried out the operation.

    His confession led to the arrest of his accomplices by a crack team of SARS operatives.

    Former officer-in-charge (O-I-C) of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who has been transferred to Abuja, is coordinating the investigation. He is being assisted by James Okeke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who until his transfer to Area F Division, was a SARS operative.

    Okeke led the team, which arrested the three other suspects in Ikorodu.

    The suspects have confessed, saying they spent their loot on exotic cars and landed properties. The three vehicles-two Lexus SUV and a Nissan SUV have since been recovered by the police.

    The command spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said details of the arrest would soon be made public.ax

  • PDP kicks as IGP invites Ekweremadu

    PDP kicks as IGP invites Ekweremadu

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised an alarm over the reported invitation extended to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase.

    According to the party, Ekweremadu has been asked to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Monday to answer questions on a petition said to have been filed against him by a group of senators detailing how he unilaterally tinkered with certain provisions of the Senate Standing Rules relating to the election of the President of the Senate and that of the Deputy.

    The petitioners were said to have alleged that Ekweremadu had taken undue advantage of the slated rules to become the Deputy Senate President in the June 9 election of principal officers of the National Assembly.

    But speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh said the said amendment to the rule was effected by the bureaucracy of the National Assembly headed by the Clerk, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.

    Metuh said the invitation from the IGP was a build up to phantom charges with a view to arresting and incarcerating Ekweremadu, and thereby creating a vacuum in the Senate and pave the way for the imposition of a preferred APC senator to take his position.

    The party accused curtain unnamed All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders of instigating the police action against Ekweremadu, adding that the party had uncovered threats to the life of the Deputy Senate President and other key leaders of the PDP.

  • Rivers CP resumes, withdraws police security

    Rivers CP resumes, withdraws police security

    The new Rivers state Commissioner of Police, Chris.Ezike has challenged officers and men of the state command to justify their salaries and allowances.

    Ezike gave the charge during his formal maiden meeting with senior officers, Area Commanders DPOs and other sectional commanders in Port Harcourt the state capital weekend.

    The CP who assumed office in the state last Monday took over from Dan. Bature who was transferred from the after nine months of service.

    The new state Police chief identified kidnapping and armed robbery triggered by cultism and its related activities as serious problem in the state but vowed to bring their activities in the state to standstill.

    He directed for the immediate withdrawal of police officers deployed to persons who did not have the approval of the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Solomon Arase, describing such posting, deployments as wastage to the Police Force.

    “We shall with immediate effect review our personnel deployment profile and recover wastage and unauthorized deployments; accordingly, all squadron Commanders are directed to withdraw PMF personnel deployed to persons not entitled and without approval from the Inspector-General of Police.

    “Similarly all Area Commanders, Head of department and DPOs are directed to also withdraw their personnel so deployed. A monitoring task force shall soon commence action to ensure compliance.” he said.