The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • Tenants allege illegal eviction, Police harassment in Lagos

    Tenants allege illegal eviction, Police harassment in Lagos

    Some tenants in Lagos have alleged eviction by the new owners of the property (Vivastar Nigeria Limited), represented by Mrs. Funmilayo of Adeola Adeola Chambers

    More than six tenants, including families and businesses, who have occupied the property at No. 5 Association Avenue, Ilupeju, for over a decade, were affected.

    According to the tenants, the new owners allegedly served them a seven-day quit notice on May 13, without following due legal process, aading that they brought in law enforcement to enforce eviction.

    Read Also: NASS to initiate Bill to swear-in President-elect in Legislative Chamber

    One of the affected tenants, Mr. Vincent Uba, who has lived at the premises for 10 years, described the events as an abuse of power:

    Uba,  who is the National Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group, said: “Has Nigeria turned to such a country where the rule of law is thrown into the dustbin just because someone is close to power or wealthy? They brought truckloads of sand to block our gates, locking in our cars and cutting off access. The police were involved—not to protect us, but to pressure and intimidate us.”

    Worse still, he added, the Police at Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, were used to intimidate them. Two tenants, including Uba,calimed they were summoned, detained and released only after bail was paid — as though they were criminals for allegedly writing a petition submitted by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice and buyer’s lawyer, seeking ‘vacant possession’ — a civil matter.

  • Police and the protection of human rights

    Police and the protection of human rights

    Sir: There exists, inevitably, a latent temptation for the police to act beyond their statutory authority. As Don Campbell aptly observed in his book Police: The Exercise of Power, “There will always be an apparent conflict of interest between those who must investigate crimes and those who wish to limit the power of the state over a citizen’s life. On one hand, a conscientious investigator may resent limitations that hinder effectiveness; on the other, any extension of police power risks the erosion of individual freedoms.”

    The Nigerian Police Force (NPF), despite its structural challenges and systemic lapses, has made commendable contributions to national security. Many officers serve with integrity and dedication. Yet, these individual efforts cannot obscure the institutional deficiencies and abuses that undermine public trust. The pervasive reports of brutality, unlawful detentions, extortion, and torture, often shared on social media, demand urgent and sincere reform.

    Arbitrary arrests and detentions for the purpose of extortion have become alarmingly routine. Despite the clear constitutional provision that makes bail free, what has been obtained in reality is different. A report by Human Rights Watch documented testimonies from individuals across Lagos, Anambra, and Kaduna who were compelled to pay bribes to secure the release of detainees, most of whom were neither charged nor informed of any offense.

    This impunity flagrantly violates Section 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to personal liberty and stipulates that no one shall be deprived of such liberty except in accordance with due process.

    Read Also: Nigeria will continue to protect ocean resources, says Oyetola

    The Police Act (Section 4) outlines the statutory functions of the police, which include crime prevention, the apprehension of offenders, and the preservation of law and order. Yet, these constitutional and statutory responsibilities are routinely betrayed. The ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act), particularly Section 30(1), mandates that persons arrested without warrant for non-capital offenses be charged within 24 hours or released on bail. This legal safeguard is regularly flouted.

    In The Federalist Papers, John Jay reminds us: “Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government; and it is equally undeniable that, whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights in order to vest it with requisite powers.” The Nigerian people have ceded such powers in good faith. The government must now reciprocate with duty, by investing in police reform, enforcing accountability, and upholding human rights as non-negotiable.

    The answer lies not in mere rhetoric as it seems to be the case. An independent oversight mechanism must be put in place, there has to be vigilance by civil society organizations  and unflinching political will on the part of the government is needed to transform the Nigerian Police from a force feared by the people into one respected by them.

    •David Bassey Antia, Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State.

  • Police recover pistol from suspected cultists in Enugu

    Police recover pistol from suspected cultists in Enugu

     The Police Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad in Enugu state have recovered a locally fabricated double-barreled pistol from suspected cultists in Enugu.

    A statement from the Enugu Police Command Spokesman on Tuesday, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said that the firearm was recovered on June 9.

    Ndukwe said that the suspects, Uchenna Onwudi, 29, and Eze Chiadikobi, 31, were earlier detained for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and cultism.

    Read Also: Police probe Law School student’s death

    “They led the operatives to the recovery in an uncompleted building located in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.

    “Both suspects had confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.

    “They, along with other accomplices, will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.”

    Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, has reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating all forms of crime in the state, and urged citizens to remain law-abiding and supportive of the police.

    (NAN)

  • Police arraign artisan for alleged defamation, cheating 

    Police arraign artisan for alleged defamation, cheating 

    A 36-year-old artisan, Emmanuel Temitope, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defaming and cheating his employer.

    The defendant, whose house address was not provided, is facing a two -count charge bordering on defamation and cheating.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye told the court that the defendant in April did threaten to defame the complainant, Kolawole  Shoore via a WhatsApp voice note.

    Akinloye alleged that the defamation of the complainant by the defendant, resulted in his sack from his job and withdrawal of his entitlement.

    Read Also: Police kill seven suspected kidnappers

    He alleged that the defendant in March did obtain N1.8 million from the complainant for the demolition and renovation of a building at Liberty Road , Ibadan, but failed to complete the job.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Section 373 and 421 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Olabisi Ogunkanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦750,000, with two sureties in like amount.

    She further ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant, and thereafter, adjourned the matter until Sept. 4, for hearing.

    (NAN)

  • 27 suspects held in Kaduna over death of Naval Officer

    27 suspects held in Kaduna over death of Naval Officer

    The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 27 suspected criminals and recovered dangerous weapons and hard drugs in the Kawo area, where a senior naval officer, Lieutenant Commander M. Buba, was stabbed to death by suspected phone snatchers at the weekend.

    The raid, which took place on Sunday night, was part of a joint operation involving the military, Department of State Security (DSS), Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) and local vigilantes, following renewed security concerns in the area.

    According to Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, the operation was aimed at flushing out miscreants and dismantling criminal hideouts in Kawo and surrounding neighborhoods.

    Recovered items include knives, axes, cutlasses, and large quantities of suspected Indian hemp and other hard drugs.

    The raid was coming less than 48 hours after the Naval Officer and student of Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, was stabbed to death near the Kawo flyover while attempting to fix a flat tyre.

    Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad, however, assured residents that the command would continue to clamp down on criminal elements and would not allow anyone to destabilize the peace in the state.

    Read Also: First Lady distributes 10,000 professional kits to midwives, nurses in Southeast

    Buba, it was learnt, was returning to base when the incident occurred around 4:30am on Saturday according to military and eyewitness sources.

    Witnesses said the officer had stopped by the roadside to fix the deflated tyre when an unidentified assailant approached and demanded his mobile phone. When he resisted, the attacker stabbed him in the chest with a sharp object believed to be a locally made knife.

    The officer was rushed to Manaal Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains were later deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mortuary.

    According to the police, “The body of late Buba has been deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mortuary. The deceased was in his black Toyota vehicle marked APP-745HT, when the incident happened “

    In a twist, a local vigilante, Suleiman Dahiru, who attempted to intervene during the altercation, was also stabbed in the hand. However, passersby reportedly overpowered the assailant and lynched him on the spot.

  • Police kill seven suspected kidnappers

    Police kill seven suspected kidnappers

    • Five armed roobers arrested, two AK- 47 rifles, five stolen vehicles recovered

    The Nigerian Police Force (NPF), has neutralized and apprehended multiple suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, recovered stolen vehicles and significantly disrupted criminal activities in Delta and Kaduna States.

    In a statement issued yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi; the police said it has achieved significant milestones through proactive intelligence-led operations and a solid show of dedication to duty.

    The statement reads in part: “On June 4th, operatives of the Delta State Police Command alongside local vigilantes and anti-cult volunteers, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers along the Abraka Railway axis engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, which led to the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers and the recovery of One AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition.

    Read Also: Alleged N32b fraud: ‘Why I withdrew charge against Fidelity Bank’s MD/CEO Onyeali-Ikpe – AGF Fagbemi

    “Similarly operatives of the Delta State Command CP-Special Assignment Team, while conducting an operation along Ughelli – Patani Road, flagged down an approaching shuttle bus by Ewhereni Junction. Upon sighting the operatives, the occupants of the said vehicle opened fire in a bid to escape, leading to a gun duel. As a result, three of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized. One AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them. Preliminary investigation further revealed the gang was one of the known kidnapping syndicates terrorizing the state.

    “In another development, Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have successfully apprehended five individuals belonging to a syndicate of armed robbers, who have been terrorising communities in the state for an extended period. Their capture stems from the recovery of a Toyota Hilux stolen on May 28 from the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The suspect, Mohammed Kabir, from Samaru Gusau, Zamfara State, was apprehended following a high-speed pursuit near Zaria town.

    “This arrest also led to the recovery of a Toyota Camry which was found abandoned near the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. A Honda CR-V was also recovered following the arrest of one Emmanuel Oliseh, who had stolen the vehicle from Abuja, and a Toyota Camry (1998 model) was intercepted with three suspects, Ibrahim Bala, Abdulsalam Abdullahi, and Abdulraman Muktar, who later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Nasarawa State.

  • Human skull, ritual items recovered in Enugu church

    Human skull, ritual items recovered in Enugu church

    A team of security operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area in Enugu State, raided an ongoing church building and recovered a human skull in the process.

    The structure, named Synagogue, belongs to one Prophet Chinedu Solomon Ezedike, who is allegedly linked to the heartbreaking murder of four little siblings.

    It could be recalled that the four children were weeks back gruesomely murdered in the council area, attracting outrage from Enugu people and beyond.

    Following the incident, the structure where the incident occurred was immediately demolished by the government.

    Read Also: Alleged N32b fraud: ‘Why I withdrew charge against Fidelity Bank’s MD/CEO Onyeali-Ikpe – AGF Fagbemi

    But to further probe the pastor’s activities, the government widened its scope to his other properties, leading to the latest discovery.

    This was confirmed by the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Ferdinand Ukwueze, in a post on his Facebook page, Monday.

    He said: “Two days ago, yet in the course of combing locations reasonably suspected to be solitary sites and camps of diverse shades of criminal activities, acting on intelligence, I visited a site at Abile Hill, Isi-Agu, Ibagwa-Aka, in the company of the Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Eze South, and other security operatives.

    “The location, currently being used for the construction of Prophet Ezedike’s so-called Synagogue, was discovered to be a suspected site for ritual activities.

  • French tourist found dead in Benue hotel

    French tourist found dead in Benue hotel

    A 67-year-old French tourist, Pietier Gilles, has been found dead in a hotel room in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state.

    Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that Gilles was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gboko, where he had lodged on Friday.

    Udeme Edet, Benue police spokesperson, confirmed the incident.

    Read Also: First Lady distributes 10,000 professional kits to midwives, nurses in Southeast

    Edet said Emmanuel Laha, the hotel manager, reported the incident to the local police on Sunday.

    According to Laha’s report, the tourist took ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital.

    Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him, but he was already dead.

    “On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” Zagazola quoted some police sources as saying.

  • Police kill seven suspected kidnappers, arrest five armed robbers

    Police kill seven suspected kidnappers, arrest five armed robbers

    The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has neutralised multiple suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, recovered stolen vehicles and significantly disrupted criminal activities in Delta and Kaduna States.

    A statement on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained :”In its ongoing efforts to combat crimes and criminality, the Nigeria Police Force has achieved a series of significant milestones through proactive intelligence-led operations and a solid show of dedication to duty.

    “On the 4th of June 2025, operatives of the Delta state police command alongside local vigilantes and anti-cult volunteers, acting on credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers along the Abraka Railway axis engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, which led to the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers and the recovery of One AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition.

    “Similarly operatives of the Delta State Command CP-Special Assignment Team, while conducting an operation along Ughelli – Patani Road, flagged down an approaching shuttle bus by Ewhereni Junction. Upon sighting the operatives, the occupants of the said vehicle opened fire in a bid to escape, leading to a gun duel. As a result, three (3) of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized. One AK-47 rifle loaded with eighteen (18) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them. Preliminary investigation further revealed the gang were one of the known kidnapping syndicates terrorizing the state.

    Read Also: Police arrest 27 suspects in Kaduna community where Naval Officer was stabbed to death

    “In another development, Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have successfully apprehended five individuals belonging to a syndicate of armed robbers, who have been terrorising communities in the State for an extended period. Their capture stems from the recovery of a Toyota Hilux stolen on the 28th of May 2025 from the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The suspect, Mohammed Kabir, a male from Samaru Gusau, Zamfara State, was apprehended following a high-speed pursuit near Zaria town.

    “This arrest also led to the recovery of a Toyota Camry which was found abandoned near the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway. A Honda CR-V was also recovered following the arrest of one Emmanuel Oliseh, who had stolen the vehicle from Abuja, and a Toyota Camry (1998 model) was intercepted with three suspects, Ibrahim Bala, Abdulsalam Abdullahi, and Abdulraman Muktar, who later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Nasarawa State.

    “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commends the officers for their swift response to intelligence, as this successes once again underscores the importance of collaboration between the police and security stakeholders in combating crime in our communities. The IGP urges members of the Public to continually provide timely information to the Police and other security agencies to help keep our country safe”.

  • Police arrest 27 suspects in Kaduna community where Naval Officer was stabbed to death

    Police arrest 27 suspects in Kaduna community where Naval Officer was stabbed to death

    The Kaduna Police Command has arrested 27 suspected criminals and recovered dangerous weapons and hard drugs in the Kawo areai where a senior naval officer was stabbed to death by suspected phone snatchers at the weekend.

    The raid, which took place on Sunday night, was part of a joint operation involving the military, DSS, KADGIS, and local vigilantes, following renewed security concerns in the area.

    According to Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, the operation was aimed at flushing out miscreants and dismantling criminal hideouts in Kawo and surrounding neighborhoods.

    Recovered items include knives, axes, cutlasses, and large quantities of suspected Indian hemp and other hard drugs.

    Read Also: Police raid Enugu ‘church,’ recover human skull, other ritual items

    The raid was coming less than 48 hours after Lt. Cdr. M. Buba, a Naval Officer and student of Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, was stabbed to death near the Kawo flyover while attempting to fix a flat tyre.

    A local vigilante, who tried to assist the officer, was also injured during the incident while the attacker was reportedly lynched by a mob at the scene.

    Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad however assured residents that the Command would continue to clamp down on criminal elements and would not allow anyone to destabilize the peace in the state.