The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Police ‘arrest’ two trailers, occupants in Onitsha

    Two trailers loaded with human beings were yesterday intercepted in Onitsha, Anambra State, by the police.

    They were impounded at Upper Iweka.

    Police Area Commander, Onitsha, Mr. Benjamin Wordu debunked speculations that the occupants of the trailers were Boko-Haram members.

    He said: “There are so many speculations going on now, but my men have started investigating the matter. We are suspecting that they are destitute. We suspect they were brought into the state ahead of the Christmas celebration, but there is no cause for alarm. We are on top of the situation.”

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, Governor Peter Obi thanked the public for notifying him when the trailers stopped at Upper Iweka.

    Obi urged the people to remain alert at all times and report suspicious movements to the authorities.

    He said the trailers and their occupants would remain in the custody of security agents until their identities and destination are uncovered.

    The governor reiterated his determination to improve security in the state.

  • Police set to release Cynthia’s body

    Police set to release Cynthia’s body

    Nine days after the
    burial rites of late
    Cynthia Osokugo were performed in her Bebe, Ovia Agbor hometown in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State,without her corpse, the police in Lagos say her family can now  come and collect  her remains for burial.
    The Area Commander in charge of Area ‘E’, FESTAC Town, Mr Dan Okoro, said last night that Cynyhia’s corpse has been transferred to the mortuary from pathologist theatre following the completion of the autopsy on it.
    Okoro,an assistant commissioner of police, said Cynthia’s family was being contacted to  go to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital mortuary to collect her remains.
    Okoro had said on Wednesday that the family would  not be able to collect the corpse until the police were in possession of the autopsy report.
    He did not however say yesterday if the police had received the autopsy report. He only said the pathologist was through with  the corpse.
    A casket suspected to be Cynthia’s was seen at Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Mortuary.
    Cynthia, daughter of Major-Gen Frank  Osokogu(rtd),  was murdered in Cosmilla Hotel. Lake View Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos on July 22 allegedly by her Facebook friends, Okomu Nwabufor and Eike Odera.
    The suspects and two others have already been charged to court in connection with her murder.

  • Imo police disown text message

    The Police in Imo State have debunked a text message circulating in Owerri, the Imo State capital, that the state has been invaded by kidnappers.

    The message, which was alleged to have emanated from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, reads: “Owerri is on red flag as regards the deplorable security situation. Present CP said citizens should totally avoid lonely places, driving exotic/flashy cars, especially Jeeps. A group of 16 kidnappers is in the state. The police are battling to track them down, but no success yet”.

    In a statement, Police spokesman Vitalis Onugu urged the public to disregard the text message.
    He said: “The text message is the handiwork of hoodlums and people, who are poised to destabilise the state and blackmail the police, but we have begun investigation into the matter.

    “We urge residents to go about their legitimate duties without fear, as the police are poised to ensure crime-free ember months.”

  • Police arrest robbery suspects

    The Police in Idimu, a Lagos suburb, have arrested a suspected robber, Tajudeen Sarafadin, and recovered a locally made pistol from him.

    Sarafadin is alleged to be a member of a four-man gang that stormed Gowon Estate roundabout in a Toyota Siena car around 10:30am on Sunday.
    A Senior Police Officer told The Nation that a distress call was received at the station about 10:30am on Sunday, that robbers were terrorising people around the Gowon Estate roundabout.

    He said a patrol team was immediately dispatched by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mike Imeke, a Superintendent, to stop the hoodlums.

    The effort, according to sources, paid-off as the suspect was intercepted at Ilepo Alhaji Bus Stop on the Ikotun-Idimu Road, with a locally made pistol while others fled. The DPO said those still at large would soon be arrested following Sarafadin’s confessions.

    He said Sarafadin had been handed over to the Gowon Estate Police Station because the crime was committed in that area.

    Imeke said: “We could not get them all because it was not a vantage position. If we had attempted shooting while they escaped, we might have shot innocent people and that would compound the situation. But since we got one of them alive, I am sure our interrogation will pay off and lead us to the others.”

    In a related development, two robbery suspects were arrested by the Isheri-Osun Police Division after allegedly carrying out separate operations. Agunbiade Ahmed, 23, of 5, Idimu Road, and Ikechukwu Peter, of no fixed address were arrested at different locations.

    Ahmed, who is said to have been arrested and charged to court on several occasions, allegedly broke into the house of Onifade Ifeoluwa on September 3 and carted away an undisclosed sum of money; Peter allegedly stole clothes.

    It was alleged that Ahmed usually terrorised residents of the neighbourhood, telling them that he was only interested in cash.

    “After collecting their money under threats, he will leave. He has been doing this continuously until that fateful day when he was caught,” a police source said.

    When asked why he chose to engage in crime, Ahmed told The Nation that he does not know why he keeps going back to steal each time he was released.
    He said: “I always see myself doing it and I don’t know if I can ever stop it.”

    Peter said he stole the clothes in order to sell them at Iyana-Iba market.
    The Divisional Police Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, William Akinlade confirmed the arrest and told The Nation that the suspects will be handed over to the anti-robbery squad.

  • Police erred in declaring me wanted

    ALagos-based lawyer, Mr Emeka Ozoani, has said it was wrong for the police to have declared him wanted.
    Ozoani described the declaration as a disregard for the rule of law as a court had, set aside a warrant of arrest for him four days before he was declared wanted.
    In a statement issued by his firm, the lawyer argued that based on the court’s ruling, nobody can declare him wanted with the said warrant.
    According to a court ruling attached to the statement, an Imo State Magistrate Court, sitting in Owerri presided by Chief Magistrate M.U. Onyewotu, had set aside the warrant of arrest dated June 23, 2011 on August 30, 2012.
    “The motion seeking an order of court to set aside, rescind and nullify the warrant of arrest dated 23/6/11 issued against Emeka Ozoani is hereby granted,” the ruling stated.
    Chief Magistrate Onyewotu set aside the warrant of arrest after reading the Motion on Notice brought pursuaant to Section 6(6)(a) and (b) of the 1999 constitution as amended and the 20 paragraphs affidavit deposed by Ozoani and filed on July 18, 2012.
    Chief Magistrate Onyewotu had granted the prayers of the applicant, Ozoani after being satisfied that the Commissioner of Police, who is the respondent in the suit, was served but did not enter appearance nor file any counter affidavit.
    The lawyer described the said manhunt by the police which listed him as a “Series A” wanted person as a gimmick to stop him from doing his duty as a legal practitioner, especially when the said matter is related to a case that is before a law court.
    Ozoani claimed he had always gone to court for his cases, but stressed that the rule of law should be followed by all concerned.
    Pointing out that a counsel cannot be held liable for a witness’ statement on oath, Ozoani asked the police to follow the due process of the law by obeying the ruling of the Imo State Chief Magistrate Court, Owerri.

  • Police / sss quarrel over probe of Oyerinde’s murder

    The recent controversy between the Nigeria Police and the SSS in the investigation of the murder of Mr Oyerinde, the former principal private secretary of the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole, is unfortunate and uncalled for and has given rise to this write up.
    The two sister organisations are creation of statutes whose duties and/or functions are clearly stated in the enabling laws establishing them. By way of historical recapitulation, before 1976 internal security in Nigeria was the sole responsibility of the “E” Department of the Nigeria Police Force. The “E” Department was also known as the Special Branch of the Nigeria Police Force.
    But on the 24th day of March, 1976 the then Federal Military Government under General Olusegun Obasanjo promulgated Decree No.16 of 1976 establishing the Nigerian Security Organisation – the N.S.O – with responsibility for all aspects of security in Nigeria – within and without. With the advent of that decree the Nigeria Police Force was divested of all responsibility concerning internal security.
    Then in 1986, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida promulgated the National Security Agencies Decree No.19 of 1986. That decree scrapped or disbanded the former Nigerian Security Organisation- the NSO – and in its place created three separate security agencies each charged with responsibility for specific aspect of security. That decree is now known as the National Security Agencies Act Chapter N74 Laws of the Federation 2004.
    Under this Act, there are three bodies or agencies charged with responsibility for various aspects of national security. They are as follows:-
    • The Defence Intelligence Agency
    • The National Intelligence Agency and
    • The State Security Service (SSS)
    See Section 1 of the Act.
    Their functions are as follows:-
    The Defence Intelligence Agency
    a. The prevention and detection of crime of a military nature against the security of Nigeria.
    b. The protection and preservation of all military classified matters concerning the security of Nigeria both within and outside Nigeria.
    c. Such other responsibilities affecting defence intelligence of a military nature both within and outside Nigeria, as the President or the Chief of Defence Staff, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2 (1) of the Act.

    The National Intelligence Agency
    a. The general maintenance of security of Nigeria outside Nigeria, concerning matters that are not related to military issues, and
    b. Such other responsibilities affecting national intelligence outside Nigeria as the National Defence Council or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2(2) of the Act.

    The State Security Service
    a. The prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.
    b. The protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria and
    c. Such other responsibilities affecting internal security within Nigeria as the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2(3) of the Act.
    Of particular significance also is the provision of Sub-section (4) of Section 2 of the Act which states as follows:-
    “(4)-The provisions of sub-section (1), (2) and (3) of this section shall have effect notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, or any matter therein mentioned”
    From the above Section 2(3) of the Act it is crystal clear that the main function of the SSS is the Internal Security of the country by intelligence gathering.
    Although the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 did not define the phrase “Internal Security”; the Blacks Law Dictionary 5th Edition at page 732 defined “Internal Security” as follows:
    “Internal Security. That branch of law and government (e.g. CIA, FBI) dealing with measures to protect the country from subversive activities.”
    The question that arises from the above definition of the phrase “Internal Security” is whether the offence of “murder” being investigated by both the SSS and the Police qualifies as “Subversive Activity.”
    It is submitted with respect that going by the definition of the phrase “Subversive Activities” the common crime of the offence of “murder” does not qualify as one. See the definition of the term by the Blacks Law Dictionary 5th edition at page 1282 as follows:-
    “Subversive Activities- acts directed toward the overthrow of the government including treason, sedition and sabotage”.
    From the foregoing provisions of the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 and from the Black Laws Dictionary definition of “Internal Security”, it is very clear that the functions of the SSS is solely targeted at internal security of Nigeria and not the investigation of common crime like murder, no matter how heinous the common crime may be. Under the Nigerian laws that function belongs to another statutory body – the Nigeria Police Force – as will be seenanon.
    Section 214 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides as follows:-
    “214(2) (b) – the members of the Nigeria Police Force shall have such powers and duties as may be conferred upon them by law”
    Alsoby virtue of Section 4 of the Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation 2004 the general duties of the Police can be stated as follows:-
    “Section (4) – The Police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by, or under the authority of, this or any other Act.”
    It is submitted, with respect, that reading and construing Section 2(3) of the National Securities Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 which stipulates the functions of the SSS and Section 214(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 4 of the Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation 2004 which stated in eloquent terms the duties of the Nigeria Police Force, it is hugely doubtful whether such ordinary crime as “murder” or even “assassination” can be said to fall within the purview of the functions of the SSS.
    It is submitted with respect and without fear of contradiction that the murder of Mr. OlaitanOyerinde the former principal private secretary (PPS) to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole cannot by any stretch of the imagination be said to amount to an act bordering on internal security. It is purely a simple case of “murder” which should be handled by the Nigeria Police Force on the authority of Section 4 of the Police Act which assigns to the police the duty of prevention and detection of crime. The SSS could be described in this matter as a meddlesome interloper!!
    In the days of yore the SSS never struggled for recognition nor sought public attention neither were the officers seen parading suspects before klieg lights.
    Secret agents worldwide, like officers and men of the SSS, are known to operate covertly and discretely shunning publicity, but operating incognito.
    Under Section 2(3) of the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 it is the responsibility of the SSS to feed the police and other sister services with the result of their covet operation for necessary action.
    The SSS should allow the IGP and the Police to do their job andconcentrate on issues like the Boko Haram and other internal security challenges and not engage in murder investigation.
    What Nigeriansexpect from the SSS and the Nigeria Police Force is absolute co-operation in the discharge of their duties, not unnecessary and unhealthy rivalry.
    Each agency should confine itself to the duties assigned to it by the constitution andthe enabling laws.
    God bless Nigeria!!
    Dated the 7th day of September, 2012

    The recent controversy be
    tween the Nigeria Police and
    the SSS in the investigation of the murder of Mr Oyerinde, the former principal private secretary of the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomole, is unfortunate and uncalled for and has given rise to this write up.
    The two sister organisations are creation of statutes whose duties and/or functions are clearly stated in the enabling laws establishing them. By way of historical recapitulation, before 1976 internal security in Nigeria was the sole responsibility of the “E” Department of the Nigeria Police Force. The “E” Department was also known as the Special Branch of the Nigeria Police Force.
    But on the 24th day of March, 1976 the then Federal Military Government under General Olusegun Obasanjo promulgated Decree No.16 of 1976 establishing the Nigerian Security Organisation – the N.S.O – with responsibility for all aspects of security in Nigeria – within and without. With the advent of that decree the Nigeria Police Force was divested of all responsibility concerning internal security.
    Then in 1986, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida promulgated the National Security Agencies Decree No.19 of 1986. That decree scrapped or disbanded the former Nigerian Security Organisation- the NSO – and in its place created three separate security agencies each charged with responsibility for specific aspect of security. That decree is now known as the National Security Agencies Act Chapter N74 Laws of the Federation 2004.
    Under this Act, there are three bodies or agencies charged with responsibility for various aspects of national security. They are as follows:-
    • The Defence Intelligence Agency
    • The National Intelligence Agency and
    • The State Security Service (SSS)
    See Section 1 of the Act.
    Their functions are as follows:-
    The Defence Intelligence Agency
    a. The prevention and detection of crime of a military nature against the security of Nigeria.
    b. The protection and preservation of all military classified matters concerning the security of Nigeria both within and outside Nigeria.
    c. Such other responsibilities affecting defence intelligence of a military nature both within and outside Nigeria, as the President or the Chief of Defence Staff, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2 (1) of the Act.

    The National Intelligence Agency
    a. The general maintenance of security of Nigeria outside Nigeria, concerning matters that are not related to military issues, and
    b. Such other responsibilities affecting national intelligence outside Nigeria as the National Defence Council or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2(2) of the Act.

    The State Security Service
    a. The prevention and detection within Nigeria of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria.
    b. The protection and preservation of all non-military classified matters concerning the internal security of Nigeria and
    c. Such other responsibilities affecting internal security within Nigeria as the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, may deem necessary. See Section 2(3) of the Act.
    Of particular significance also is the provision of Sub-section (4) of Section 2 of the Act which states as follows:-
    “(4)-The provisions of sub-section (1), (2) and (3) of this section shall have effect notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, or any matter therein mentioned”
    From the above Section 2(3) of the Act it is crystal clear that the main function of the SSS is the Internal Security of the country by intelligence gathering.
    Although the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 did not define the phrase “Internal Security”; the Blacks Law Dictionary 5th Edition at page 732 defined “Internal Security” as follows:
    “Internal Security. That branch of law and government (e.g. CIA, FBI) dealing with measures to protect the country from subversive activities.”
    The question that arises from the above definition of the phrase “Internal Security” is whether the offence of “murder” being investigated by both the SSS and the Police qualifies as “Subversive Activity.”
    It is submitted with respect that going by the definition of the phrase “Subversive Activities” the common crime of the offence of “murder” does not qualify as one. See the definition of the term by the Blacks Law Dictionary 5th edition at page 1282 as follows:-
    “Subversive Activities- acts directed toward the overthrow of the government including treason, sedition and sabotage”.
    From the foregoing provisions of the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 and from the Black Laws Dictionary definition of “Internal Security”, it is very clear that the functions of the SSS is solely targeted at internal security of Nigeria and not the investigation of common crime like murder, no matter how heinous the common crime may be. Under the Nigerian laws that function belongs to another statutory body – the Nigeria Police Force – as will be seenanon.
    Section 214 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides as follows:-
    “214(2) (b) – the members of the Nigeria Police Force shall have such powers and duties as may be conferred upon them by law”
    Alsoby virtue of Section 4 of the Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation 2004 the general duties of the Police can be stated as follows:-
    “Section (4) – The Police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them by, or under the authority of, this or any other Act.”
    It is submitted, with respect, that reading and construing Section 2(3) of the National Securities Agencies Act Cap N74 Laws of the Federation 2004 which stipulates the functions of the SSS and Section 214(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 4 of the Police Act Cap P19 Laws of the Federation 2004 which stated in eloquent terms the duties of the Nigeria Police Force, it is hugely doubtful whether such ordinary crime as “murder” or even “assassination” can be said to fall within the purview of the functions of the SSS.
    It is submitted with respect and without fear of contradiction that the murder of Mr. OlaitanOyerinde the former principal private secretary (PPS) to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole cannot by any stretch of the imagination be said to amount to an act bordering on internal security. It is purely a simple case of “murder” which should be handled by the Nigeria Police Force on the authority of Section 4 of the Police Act which assigns to the police the duty of prevention and detection of crime. The SSS could be described in this matter as a meddlesome interloper!!
    In the days of yore the SSS never struggled for recognition nor sought public attention neither were the officers seen parading suspects before klieg lights.
    Secret agents worldwide, like officers and men of the SSS, are known to operate covertly and discretely shunning publicity, but operating incognito.
    Under Section 2(3) of the National Security Agencies Act Cap N74 it is the responsibility of the SSS to feed the police and other sister services with the result of their covet operation for necessary action.
    The SSS should allow the IGP and the Police to do their job andconcentrate on issues like the Boko Haram and other internal security challenges and not engage in murder investigation.
    What Nigeriansexpect from the SSS and the Nigeria Police Force is absolute co-operation in the discharge of their duties, not unnecessary and unhealthy rivalry.
    Each agency should confine itself to the duties assigned to it by the constitution andthe enabling laws.
    God bless Nigeria!!
    Dated the 7th day of September, 2012