The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police arrest robbery suspects

    Police operatives have arrested four suspected armed robbers in separate locations in the Lagos metropolis. They were arrested by policemen attached to Aguda and Surulere Police stations.

    Confirming it yesterday, police command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said: “On Tuesday at about 1am, policemen attached to Aguda Division were assisted by a security guard at Kilo Bus Stop Surulere to arrest three armed robbers.”

    She gave the names of the suspects as: Opeyemi Awelewa of 3A, Karomi Street, off Adedeji Street, Itire; Ogunsani Abeeb of 31, Owoseni Street, off Kilo Aguda and Gbenga Ikujorimi of 1, Odunsi Street, Lawanson in Surulere.

    They were arrested for allegedly robbing Jude Adewo, who resides at 49, Adetola Street, Aguda, Surulere of N6,000, one dollar and two handsets at Kilo Bus Stop, Surulere.

    Braide said efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang, adding that the case was under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

    She akso said that “a robbery suspect, Rasheed Adeshina of 13, Taiwo Street Idi-Araba, was arrested on Itire Road, Surulere, with a knife by neighbours and handed over to the police.

    “The suspect with three others at large, armed themselves with guns and knives allegedly robbed residents of 21, Itire Road in Surulere of their money and phones. The case is under investigation at the Surulere Division”.

  • Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    The Police Assistance Committee (PAC) has welcome on board the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, assuring him of its total support in the huge tasks ahead of him.

    In a statement issued in Lagos and signed  by its Director-General, Dr Martins J. Oni, the PAC expressed confidence that the Acting IGP as a tested officer, who had served in various capacities in the Police Force, will use his wealth of experience to build on the achievements of his predecessor, improve the fortune of the Nigeria Police Force and inject new ideas in confronting the current security challenges facing the country.

    The committee called on the IGP Suleiman Abba to be a good team player by ensuring that all stakeholders on security matters are carried along in the scheme of things in the performance of his duties, while praying that his tenure will usher in lasting solutions to security problems plaguing the country.

  • Kwara police arrest man with placenta in Ilorin

    The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man in Ilorin, the state capital, for allegedly being in possession of a body part suspected to be placenta.

    The man, simply identified as Alfa Gani, is said to be a notorious herbalist.

    Residents of Ajibesin at Ogidi in Ilorin South sent a distress call to the ‘E’ Division, when they allegedly found the placenta of a two-day-old baby at Gani’s home about 7am on Wednesday.

    It was gathered that the suspect, who claimed to be an Islamic cleric, allegedly removed the baby’s placenta on Monday where it was buried.

    Sources said the baby’s parents, simply identified as Mr. and Mrs. Sadudeen, shared fence with the suspect at Ogidi.

    It was gathered that unknown to the suspect, some residents sighted him as he dug out the spot where the father of the baby buried the placenta.

    Angered by the incident, it was gathered youths in the area burnt suspect’s property.

    In the confusion, the baby’s mother was said to have rushed to where the placenta was buried only to discover it was no longer there.

    Police spokeman Ajayi Okasanmi) confirmed the incident, describing the suspect as a ‘notorious herbalist.’

    Mr. Okasanmi urged residents to always provide the police with information that could assist in the arrest of criminal elements in the society.

  • ‘Police must reinstate me before I die’

    ‘Police must reinstate me before I die’

    Mr. Martin Kayode is not a happy man. For years, he served the police in Delta State. He was supposed to have retired from the Nigerian Police Force in February  but he was dismissed before then and not even a 2005 Federal High Court judgement ordering his reinstatement worked in his favour.

    Nine years after the court judgment, Martin, who was a Sergeant as at the time he was dismissed, is battling to be reinstated. The Police Service Commission, in a letter by its Secretary,  E Gonda and dated June 7th 2010, asked Martin to report to the Inspector General of Police for deployment.

    The letter reads,:“In line with the policy of the Commission to obey all court Judgments and in compliance with the Order of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/B/CS/112/2003 issued on the 12th day of April 2005, the Commission hereby reinstates you into the Nigeria Police Force with effect from 04/04/2001, the day you were dismissed.”

    In another letter to the IG, the PSC requested that Martin be made to undergo refresher course with a view to updating him.

    Martin, in an interview,  said he was not told what his crimes were after he was arrested while serving as a member of a Federal Tax Force of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and was in charge of posting policemen on duty to guard pipelines in Warri.

    According to him, “I joined the police in 1979 as a Constable and I was dismissed from the police through a signal with Ref No. DT03112 on May 2001. I joined to serve my country. I served in Federal Tax Force in Delta State and other places. My problems started when I posted some policemen to Oregha River beat.

    “I ordered the arrest and detention of four out of the five police that went out for duty that night for not arresting pipeline vandals that came to vandalise pipelines at their beat. I was later arrested and was asked to resume duty after an orderly room trial.”

    Sgt. Thomas said the police officer who reviewed the case dismissed him and others from the Nigerian Police for conspiracy and economic sabotage.

    He said he filed a writ of summons at the Federal High Court in Benin and court gave judgment in his favor in 2005.

    He said, “After waiting for reinstatement, I filed contempt against them. The PSC went to court with my reinstatement letter, the letter was sent to the IG, till today, the IG has refused to obey the PSC or the court.”

    “I don’t want to die like this. The police must reinstate me and pay me my full benefits as a DSP.”

  • Police arrest four for ‘kidnapping’ senator’s mum

    Police arrest four for ‘kidnapping’ senator’s mum

    The police in Bayelsa State have arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of Madam Fiorentina, the 90-year-old mother of Senator Emmanuel  Paulker.

    It was learnt that some of the suspects  confessed to the crime and were helping security agencies to rescue the woman.

    Government yesterday hailed the security agencies, especially the police, for their  response to the incident.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, confirmed the arrest and assured that the nonagenarian would soon be released.

    The victim was on Wednesday morning kidnapped by suspected gunmen at her home in Opolo-Epie, Yenagoa, for the second time in four years.

    The State Security Adviser, Lt.-Col. Benard Kenebai (retd), in a statement in Yenagoa confirmed that the urgent response of the security agencies led to the arrest of the four suspects.

    Kenebai on behalf of the government assured security agencies of support in their efforts to free the woman and arrest other suspects.

    “One of the prime suspects was arrested within minutes of the distress call and three others were arrested less than six hours later. They have made useful statements to the police and efforts are on to ensure the prompt and successful release of the victim,” he said.

    Kenebai assured the indigenes that the investments made by the government on security assets and the commitment of the security agencies would help to stop crimes.

    He said such arrangement would help to apprehend and prosecute suspected criminals who insist on committing offences despite the tight security network.

    “The Bayelsa State government is also appealing to all peace-loving people to have confidence in the state’s security systems and continue to co-operate and collaborate with security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality.

    “Government restates its commitment to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of criminals in the state through its continued support to the security agencies in bringing perpetrators of the crime to book.

    “Criminal elements are by this statement warned to stay away from Bayelsa State, because they will be apprehended for any act,” Kenebai said.

  • Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Barring a last minute change, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Suleiman Abba will take over today as the 17th Inspector General of Police.

    If approved by President Goodluck Jonathan the AIG Zone 7, will take over from Muhammed Abubakar, who bows out today after serving the mandatory 35 years in service.

    Abubakar was appointed on January 16 , 2012.

    Abba, who hails from Jigawa State in the Northwest geo-political zone like Abubakar (who hail from Zamfara), was strongly recommended for the top job by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    If Abba is appointed, some of the Deputy Inspectors Generals (DIGs) will retire. The fate of the other was unknown last night.

    Abba is a former Aide-de-Camp to a former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha.

    A member of the Nigeria  Police Council, who spoke in confidence last night: “Abba has been “strongly” recommended to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces as the next IGP, based on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission.

    “The Police Council met and ratified the recommendation. The President is expected to make an official announcement upon the expiration of the outgoing IGP’s tenure today.

    Abba was Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Chairman of Police Cooperative before he became AIG Zone 7.

    Another source at the Police Service Commission, said: “We looked at the security challenges facing the nation and how to address these. The service records of Abba showed that he can lead the police to tackle terrorism headlong.

    “Some have raised issues on his being ADC during Abacha era, but his evaluation confirmed that he was never wanting.

    “He has good antecedents for the job. And security reports indicated that he would excel.”

    On why a North-West candidate is succeeding the outgoing IGP from the same geopolitical zone, the source added: “We are after merit.”

  • Police arrest fraud suspects

    Police arrest fraud suspects

    •Allegedly forge government documents, bank cheques 

    Three suspected fraudsters who specialise in forging bank cheques to defraud account owners have been arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS).

    The suspects allegedly act as travel agents operating with forged letters of introduction from government departments in Ekiti State to obtain visa for their victims.

    The suspects, Kola Ademola (33), Kola Osho (57) and Adesola Oyedepo, are now telling detectives their levels of involvement in the alleged crime.

    They allegedly stole cheques from unsuspecting persons and used same to withdraw money from their accounts.

    They were arrested after a tip-off by detectives on July 24 following a directive to the Officer in Charge of SARS Abba Kiyari, a Superintendent (SP) by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko.

    Ademola was arrested with two dud cheques, while Osho was caught with forged documents bearing Ekiti State House of Assembly and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

    The confession of Ademola who was arrested in the pipeline area of Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, led to the arrest of Osho at his makeshift office on Allen Avenue, Ikeja.

    The suspects told operatives that their connection with some insiders in the banks where they operated facilitated their withdrawals.

    Ademola, who hails from Ikire, Osun State, said he is an Education Consultant who is married with two children. He added that he holds a degree in Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from where he graduated in 2006 and served his compulsory one-year National Youth Service in Otupo Benue State in 2007.

    Confessing, he said: “I am an Educational Consultant. I enroll students for final examination and extra-mural classes. I also do tutorials. I met one Samson who helps me to get the dude cheques. That his job. These bank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys. They are original cheques and we deliver them to insiders who now work on them and deliver cash. But because of the present cashless policy, we can withdraw less than N100,000 which would not require the confirmation or presence of signatories. This is the third cheque I would be bringing to Osho, but he said he had no insider in that particular bank. The first cheque I gave him, he said the account did not contain any money. The second one too was not successful so we have not made any money on this thing”.

    Osho, who hails from Ado-Ekiti, said: “I wanted to use the documents found on me to apply for United Kingdom visa. I believe that if I used the letter-head, the embassy would speed up my application…I knew I was cheating when I got those documents, but I had no option”.

    However, Oyedepo, an Ibadan, Oyo State indigene, said: “I am an accounting graduate from a Polytechnic in Oyo State. I graduated in 2007 with a Higher National Diploma (HND). I don’t know what the police are talking about. I had come to Osho to transact business and they arrested me. I do not deal in dud cheques; I am innocent.”

  • Lagos police launch counter-terrorism campaign

    Lagos police launch counter-terrorism campaign

    The police in Lagos have launched a counter–terrorism campaign.

    Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a deputy superintendent (DSP) at a news conference yesterday, urged citizens to be vigilant.

    She said: “You must strive to know not only the person living in your house but in the surrounding environment. Find out their means of livelihood. Observe what your neighbour normally brings home at night and what he normally leaves with in the morning.

    ‘’Landlords should conduct background checks on all their prospective tenant. They should meet with their tenants from time to time. Community leaders, working in conjunction with the local police, are encouraged to form neighbourhood associations to appraise the security situation in their areas. Do not keep any object that will aid criminals to have easy access to your premises, like ladder beside the wall. Owners of uncompleted buildings must clear them of undesirable persons or request the assistance of security agencies to do so where necessary.

    “Park owners, garage operators and operators of shopping malls must ensure that they thoroughly scan, search and take stock of all vehicles parked within and around the premises of such public places.

    “Hotels and hospitality industries should always screen their guests and lodgers properly and ensure that they obtain accurate details of all guests. Corporate citizens high0end commercial and residential establishments, institutions mega churches/ mosques and individuals with valuable assets, including hotel an park owners are encouraged to install Closes Circuit Television (CCTV) and other surveillance systems strategically on their promises to help in monitoring and capturing criminal activities.

    “Draw the attention of the police or other security agencies to vehicles parked or abandoned by unknown persons. Empty containers, gas cylinders, dustbins and other receptacles not in use must be properly disposed of or kept away from the reach of unauthorised persons.

    “Do not allow unknown persons to drop or abandon bags, boxes, fruit barrows or trolleys, articles of trade, cartons or any wrapped or sealed containers around your premises. Legitimate sellers of chemicals such as fertilizer, ammonium products, acid, etc should be wary of persons they sell such products to. All suspicious orders should be immediately reported to the security agencies.

    “Always check your surroundings for suspicious, unexplained and dangerous objects and immediately inform the police where any such object is found. Never accept to take possession of or watch over any bag or object kept by unknown person or persons. Be vigilant at public places as objects such as bombs can be kept by unscrupulous person in unattended bags, packages, containers, cars. In the unforeseen circumstances of a bomb blast, stay away from the blast scene.

    “Avoid the temptation of rushing to the scene (except your work with any of the Security or Emergency Management Agencies). Remember, terrorist often detonate secondary explosives in order to harm innocent by standers and on-lookers. Always report suspicious person or movement with your neighbourhood to the police  or other security agencies through available means of communication”.

  • Police arrest 12 for alleged visa fraud

    The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) has arrested 12 Nigerians at the United States of America (USA) Embassy for their alleged involvement in visa fraud.

    The suspects are: Oloni Olufemi Olawale, Olugbenga Akinlade, Motunrayo Adeniyi, Samuel Ojo, Ogundipe Temidayo Emmanuel, Babatunde Oluropo Abiola, Babatunde Alexandra Adenike, Oyewole Emmanuel Tunde, Abelese Eunice Olayinka, Christiana Oweyu Omagu, Donald Omagu and Idrisu Tella Martins.

    PSFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said they were arrested between July 9 and 17.

    She said a petition from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos alleged that a person, simply identified as Esther, with December 31, 1988 as date of birth, appeared at the embassy for Non-Immigrant Visa Interview with forged Canadian Visa, Turkish Visa, and Angola Visa, with entry and exit stamps, claiming to have visited the said countries.

    Investigation revealed that the said visas were purportedly forged by her boyfriend, Olawale, to fraudulently obtain the U.S. visa after paying him N100,000 for all the fake visas.

    The US embassy also alleged that Olugbenga with Passport No. A0573775 appeared before it for an immigrant visa interview with fake name, Awoleye Oluwamuyiwa Tope with January 1, 1982 as date of birth.

    It was also gathered that Adewole Tanwa Fatimah ‘F’ whose real name is Adeniyi Motunrayo appeared at the U.S. Embassy with Adewole Adeyemi Oluwaseun for a diversity visa interview.

    Isintume-Agu said: “Also, one Omoyemi Bamikole Olaiya, born on January 22, 1984, whose real name is Samuel Ojo, appeared for a diversity visa lottery.  He knowingly and fraudulently appeared at the embassy to steal the identity of the real winner. The U.S. Consulate alleged that Ibenne Emmanuel Nkem on July 15, came for U.S. Immigrant Visa with Nigerian e-passport No. A05593775.  The suspect’s real name is Ogundipe Temidayo Emmanuel.  The suspect’s intention was to defraud the real winner of the DV Lottery.

    “Babatunde Oluropo Abiola and Babatunde Alexandra Adenike presented forged bio-data, wedding pictures, marriage certificate and fake result to the embassy.  Their real names are Oguntimehin Olanike and Aderoju Olayinka Eunice.

    Also one Aderoju Adebayo Qasim and Aderoju Olayinka Eunice presented forged bio-data and fake document to the embassy for immigrant visa.  Their real names are Oyewole Emmanuel Tunde and Abelese Eunice Olayinka. Both suspects fraudulently appeared at the embassy to steal the identity of the real winner of the Diversity Visa Lottery.

    She said all the suspects will be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others after conclusion of investigations.

  • Pirates, police battle in Bayelsa

    •Hoodlums feared killed

    Some pirates were ‘killed’ yesterday morning in a gun battle with the police in Bayelsa State.

    Five pirates were said to have attacked the policemen attached to an oil rig in Gbarain, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    Some of the policemen were said to have sustained minor injuries. The hoodlums lost some of their members; others fled with injuries.

    It was gathered that the pirates stormed the rig operated by Lone Star Drilling Company at 2am.

    A security source, who pleaded for anonymity, said immediately they got to the  area, the pirates opened fire.

    He said the pirates erroneously thought that the policemen on duty were sleeping.

    “Their main target was to remove the weapons attached to a gunboat used to protect the rig. They wanted to steal the guns in the boat.”

    The source said the policemen repelled the attack.

    “All l can tell you is that some of the pirates must have been hit by the police bullets.

    “They fell in the river and it is believed that those who were hit must have fallen into the river. It is expected that their bodies would float after two days.

    “The pirates came to remove the weapons, very sophisticated ones, on the gunboat.

    “They came with a generator and electric filer which they intended to use to remove the weapons. Unfortunately, they were repelled by the policemen guarding the rig.

    “In fact, I was proud of the way the police were able to repel them. I think that will send a signal to others that it is no longer business as usual.”

    But it was learnt that despite the reported killing of some of the bandits, the hoodlums reinforced and came back at 6am.

    The policemen, who were said to have remained vigilant, engaged them in another round of gun duel and forced them out of the area.

    Police Commissioner Hilary Opara said the pirates attacked the rig at Gbarain with the intention of cutting the chain used to secure the gunboat to the rig.

    He said if they had succeeded, they would have stolen the gunboat and eventually removed the police guns.

    The commissioner said the suspected pirates, who came on a speedboat, opened fire first on his men.

    Opara, however, could not confirm if any of the pirates died.

    He said: “If such happened, in no distant time, their bodies would surely float on the water.

    “The pirates came with electric filer and a generator. Their aim was to use the electric filer to severe the chain used for securing the gunboat to the rig.

    “Unfortunately, the policemen attached to the rig were there. After serious exchange of fire, the pirates abandoned the rig.

    “The pirates again came back around 6 am, probably thinking our men had gone. When they sighted our men, they ran back and some swam in the river to escape.”