The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Gunmen shoot Policeman at Lagos airport

    Two gunmen riding on a motor bike Thursday shot a policeman putting on plain clothes “Mufti “, along the Murtala Muahmmed International Airport access toll plaza, Lagos.

    The gunmen men, who were on a power bike drove speedily toward the Ikeja axis of the airport leaving the policeman attached to Hajj Camp Police Station in the pool of his blood.

    As at the time of the shooting, it could not be ascertain what led to the action of the gunmen.

    An eye-witness, Dr. Alex-Okoh who was at the scene of the shooting said the policeman was walking toward the access gate at about 3:00pm when two men on a power bike accosted and shot him before speeding  towards Ikeja, axis of the metropolis .
    Dr. Okoh, a Port Health Public Health Service, a Department of Federal Ministry of Health said that she was inside an Ambulance  vehicle when she saw people running helter skelter as a result of the shooting.

    She said; “I was inside an Ambulance when I saw people running helter skelter. When I came down from the Ambulance I saw a man lying in his pool of blood.”

    Dr. Okoh said immediately the she saw the policeman in the pool of his blood, she ordered the driver of the Ambulance to take him to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for treatment.
    According to her, “I immediately ordered the driver of the Ambulance to take the shot Policeman to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for treatment”.

    She however denied knowledge of what led to the shooting.

    Some policemen on duty who declined to give their names confirmed the incident and said they were waiting for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) as he is the only one that is permitted to speak on the incident.

    They said the DPO would report the incident of the shooting to the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command.

    Meanwhile Police Public Relations Officer at the airport, Mr. Dennis Ifijeh said that he was not aware of the shooting. He said he will investigate.

    In a related development, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), it was learnt is collaborating with the police to investigate the circumstances leading to the shooting of a policeman around the airport.

    According to a source, investigations are on going to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident.

    Though details of the incident are not yet clear, the policeman, the source said is receiving treatment from gunshot wounds at an undisclosed hospital around the airport.

    The source said:” We are still investigating the incident; the police is on top of the situation.
    We can categorically state that the incident did not happen around any operational area around the airport.

    “The incident did not disrupt any activity around the airport. The situation is under control. The police are doing their best. Motor bikes have been banned around the airport. Arising from these incident security agencies, it was learnt will now zero in on the activities of motor bike riders and operators around the airport.”

  • Osun Election: Police warn politicians against breach of peace

    Osun Election: Police warn politicians against breach of peace

    The Police command in Osun on Tuesday warned politicians against engaging in acts capable of undermining peace in the Aug. 9 governorship election in the state.

    Mr Ibrahim Maishanu, Osun Commissioner of Police, gave the warning while responding to questions from journalists on the just concluded Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR) and other security matters in Osogbo.

    Maishanu said that if politicians could play the game by the rules, there would be no problem.

    “But some of them will want to cut corners to achieve their own plans

    “Some politicians know the right thing to do but they do the wrong thing and start putting the blame on other people,” he said.

    The commissioner urged politicians to always report whatever complaints they had to the police.

    “Osun people are enlightened and I believe they know the right thing to do.

    “We will also do our best as far as security is concerned and ensure a level play ground for all stakeholders in the political terrain,” he said.

    On why thugs invaded some polling units during the last registration exercise in Ile-Ife despite the presence of the police, Maishanu said the occurrence was negligible.

    “About 90 per cent of the areas where registration took place were problem-free and one would not expect 100 per cent hitch-free situation,” he said.

  • Court orders Police to pay MASSOB N2m damages

    An Ebonyi State High Court sitting in Abaklaiki, Monday ordered the police in the state to pay compensation and damages of N2 million to the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), for illegally raiding the movement’s office in the state.

    A member of MASSOB had last year dragged the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, the DPO of the Central Police Station (CPS) and DCO to the court for raiding and carting away items at the Abakaliki regional office of the group.

    The case was brought before the court by a member of MASSOB and Ebonyi Central Regional Director of the movement, Mr. John Nwifuru who accused the Police of infringing on the fundamental rights to personal liberties and right to peaceful assembly and association of the movement.

    The presiding Judge, Justice F.C Inya-Agha in her judgment said that the police infringed on the rights of the MASSOB.

    Justice Inya-Agha said incessant threats of arrest, harassments, intimidation of MASSOB members and confiscation of the properties of the group was unlawful and a violation of the members fundamental rights as guaranteed by sections 34, 35 (1), 40 and 44 of the constitution.

    The Judge also ordered police to release the items taken away from MASSOB office along No. 9 Hatchery road by the police on October 25, 2013. These include: 2, 700 identity cards worth N1, 000 each, ten plastic chairs, five handsets, flag pole and sign board, N170, 000 cash, five MASSOB uniforms, six pairs of boot and belt.

    He directed the DPO of Central Police Station (CPS), Abakaliki to tender an unreserved public apology to be published in two national dailies.

    The Court also ordered the Police command to pay a damage of N2 million for all the various acts of incessant threats of arrest, harassments, intimidations, illegal seizure as suffered by applicant.

    The counsel to MASSOB, Barr Jerry Ezenyi while reacting to the judgment of the court said that justice has prevailed and commended the court for taking the bull by the horn by delivering the judgment in favour of MASSOB with clear evidence against the police

  • CP denies attack on UniMaid

    The Police Command in Borno on Friday denied reports of suspected Boko Haram insurgents attack on the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) campus.

    The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Lawal Tanko, made the denial in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    “The story indicating that the university had been attack is not true.

    “What happened was that the insurgents passed through a river channel behind the university to launch the attack on the barracks,’’ he said.

    Tanko said that the university campus was safe as both students and lecturers had been adequately protected.

    He, however, confirmed an attempted attack on the Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, by suspected members of the sect.

    “It is true that there is an ongoing exchange of fire between security agents and some suspected insurgents, but the incident is limited to the barracks area alone,’’ he said.

    Also, Malam Ahmed Mohammed, the Chief Information Officer of the university, who spoke to NAN, corroborated the claim of the commissioner.

    “The university camp was not attacked; the attackers only used a narrow river side near the campus to carry out their nefarious act.

    “Many people assumed that the university was affected because the hostilities took place near the campus,’’ Mohammed said

  • Police promote 1296 in Zone 12

    Police promote 1296 in Zone 12

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar yesterday promoted 1296 Police officers at the Police Zone 12 headquarters, Bauchi.

    Abubakar warned them to steer clear of corruption.

    He said the promotion was in appreciation of their dedication to duty, hard work and enjoined the newly promoted officers and men to remain loyal and committed to the Force.

    Represented by the Zone 12 Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIGP) Mohammed Jiya Gana, at the decoration ceremony held at Bauchi Police Command Officers’ Mess, Jos Road, Bauchi, the IGP also asked the policemen to consider their promotion as a new challenge for them to do more for their fatherland.

    The Police Zone 12 with headquarters in Bauchi is made up of Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states of the Northeast.

    A breakdown of the promotion shows that, 902 Constables have been promoted to Corporals, 77 were promoted to Sergeants, 46 promoted to Inspectors, three to Senior Inspector and 224 to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

    Others are ASP to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to 20, DSP to

    Superintendent of Police (SP) 11, SP to Chief Superintendent (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) 1.

    According to AIG Gana, Bauchi Police Command has 382 constables promoted to corporals,8 promoted to sergeants.7 sergeants moved to inspectors.83 Inspectors moved up to ASPs,5 ASPs to Sps 2 SPs to CSPs and CSP to ACP bringing to 207.

    Borno State had 382 constables promoted to corporals, 34 corporals to sergeants, 28 sergeants to Inspectors,3 Inspectors to ispectors, 89inspectors ASPs, 4 DSPs to3 DSPs to Sps and $ SPs to CSPs. total 547.

    While Yobe topped with 407 constables to corporals, 34 CPLS to 8 sergeants 50 Inspectors to ASPs,8 ASPs to DSPs,3 DSPs to Sps and 5 SPs to CSps to add up to 515.

    Zone 12 headquarters was not left out as 17 constables were promoted, a corporal moved to sergeant, 3 sergeants to inspector rank. 2 Inspectors also moved to ASP, 3 ASPs promoted to DSP and one DSP moved up to sp.

    Addressing his officers and men shortly after the ceremony, Bauchi State Police Commissioner Ladan Mohammed warned his men not to engage in illegal duties, remain disciplined and dedicated as their efforts will be rewarded.

  • Imo Police spokesperson, others decorated

    Imo Police spokesperson, others decorated

    Some officers of the Imo State Police Command have been decorated with their new ranks by the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali. They include the Police Public Relations Officer, Joy Elemoko and 16 others

    Speaking during the ceremony at the Command Headquarters in Owerri, the state capital, Ali charged the promoted officers to work harder to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the Police Service Commission.

    According to Ali, the promotion was in line with the vision of the IG to ensure that officers are promoted as and when due to encourage and motivate them to put in their best in the service.

    He charged them to work harder to combat crime, adding that, “let me congratulate you on behalf of the IG for your new ranks. I charge you to go back to your various duty posts and motivate the men under you to do more because you will be held responsible for any lapses in your respective areas of command”.

    Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, the Command spokesman, who was promoted to the rank of a Superintendent of Police (SP), assured the Police authority that the promotion will spur the officers to do more, “we are grateful to the IGP and the PSC for the confidence reposed in us. To me it is a call for higher dedication to duty. I dedicate the rank to the IGP, my colleagues for their cooperation and team spirit and to my family for their ceaseless prayers”.

    In his remarks, the Commander of the 18 Squadron of the Police Mobile Force, who was also decorated with a new rank, Samuel Jephtah, assured that the promoted officers will put in their best to get further promotions, “the only way to say thank you for the promotion is to work harder. What we got today is an appreciation for our diligent service and we will work even harder to justify it”.

  • Court orders Edo CP to arrest DCP

    An Edo High Court sitting in Benin City has ordered Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fuluso Adebanjo to arrest the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr. Joshua Ibine for failing to produce seven accused persons before the court.

    The court said Mr. Joshua released the accused persons on bail while the motion for their bail was still pending before the court.

    In the suit with charge number B/CD/340/2013, the accused persons, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit felony to demolish buildings of the traditional ruler of Evboewedo (Enogie Osarenogowu Onaghise) and other houses through rioting on 19th November, 2012.

    They are facing an 18 count charge of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to/punishable under section 516 A of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 of the Laws of the Federation 2004 as applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding Judge,Justice J. Oyomire gave the arrest order at a resumed hearing of the case yesterday.

    He ruled, “In view of the refusal, failure and/or neglect of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin- City who released the accused persons on bail while their bail pending trial filed by the learned defense counsel – J. O. Emiator is still pending and yet to be argued in this court to produce the accused persons in court as ordered on 7/2/2014, it is ordered and I hereby order the Commissioner of Police, Edo State to arrest the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Investigation Department.”

    The Judge further stated, “Upon arrest, the Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be brought before this court to explain to his satisfaction why contempt proceedings shall not lie against him. He is to explain where he derived the authority to release the accused persons whose case was still pending before this court without any consent/authorization of this court and for his failure to produce the accused persons in court as ordered.”

  • NPF promotes 387 officers in Jigawa

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Jigawa, Mr Theophilus Kayode, on Wednesday, said 387 officers have been promoted in the command.

    He made the disclosure while decorating the officers at the Police Headquarters in Dutse.

    Kayode said that one senior police officer was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), six were promoted from the rank of Deputy Superintendent to Senior Superintendents of Police, while four Assistant Superintendents of Police became Deputy Superintendents of Police.

    Others were 42 Inspectors of Police promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendents, 12 Inspectors promoted to Senior Inspectors, 18 sergeants to Inspectors of Police, 20 Corporals to the rank of Sergeants and 284 Police Constables to the rank of Corporal.

    He said the officers were promoted based on their performances, dedication and hard work.

  • Police nab 6 suspected kidnappers in Bayelsa

    The Police in Bayelsa on Tuesday said arrested six suspected kidnappers, who allegedly abducted a woman in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Hilary Opara, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa that three AK 47 rifles and other ammunitions were recovered from the hoodlums.

    The police boss said that the abducted woman was freed by the police who intercepted the bandits in the Southern Ijaw creeks.

    He explained that the suspects had robbed a home at Diabu Community in Southern Ijaw LGA and escaped with some valuables, abducting a woman.

    “However, luck ran out on them when some marine policemen intercepted them along the Southern Ijaw waterways and arrested them.

    “They are currently being detained and interrogated by the command.”

    The commissioner said that the command was tackling criminality, especially kidnapping in the state.

    Opara said the police recently arrested over 12 kidnappers in connection with two incidents that occurred in the state.

    He advised kidnappers to relocate from the state or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.

    “We are working very hard. We are not sleeping. This state cannot accommodate kidnappers and other criminals.

    “We will get and deal with them according to the law.”

    He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing information that would lead to the arrest of criminals in the state.

  • Why rape cases are increasing—Police

    Mrs. Sybil Akinfenwa, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sango, Ibadan, on Tuesday said rape cases had been on the increase because victims’ families fail to report the incidents to law enforcement agents.

    Akinfenwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Force was   ready to deal with any case of rape reported.

    “It is so sad that cases of rape and child defilement have continued to be on the increase because relations of victims do not report such incidents to the police,’’ she said.

    Akinfenwa said that in some instances when such cases were reported to the police, relations of victims would not want the law enforcement agents to continue with the trial of suspects.

    “The relations of rape victims will come to the police and say they are discontinuing with the case because they are feeling shy or afraid of public ridicule,’’ she said.

    Akinfenwa said the police authorities were ready to apply the relevant laws of the land in dealing with rape suspects and urged members of the public to report any culprit.

    She also called on parents to deploy moral measures to address the problems of rape and child defilement.

    Akinfenwa further urged parents not to send female children to the streets to hawk, saying that this could expose them to danger.