Tag: Police

The Police Force has invited Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II for questioning over the killings during the Sallah celebration in Kano.

The letter dated April 4, 2025 and signed by CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, Commissioner of Police (Operations), said the invitation was under the directive of the Inspector General of Police.

The monarch is to report to the Force Intelligence Department, opposite the Police headquarters, Area 11, Abuja, on Tuesday, April 8 by 10:00am.

“I have the directives of the Inspector General of police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID) to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.

“Your availability is highly sought for a purposeful investigation,” the invitation letter emphasised.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings, police said.

One Usman Sagiru, 20, and 35-year old Nasir Idris, have been arrested in connection with the killing and attack on vigilante members who were part of the entourage Emir Sanusi after Eid prayers on Sunday, March 30, at about 12:40pm.

The Kano Command also invited Shamakin Kano, Alhaji Wada Isyaku for interrogation following the reported defiance on the Durbar ban.

Sanusi presided over the Eid prayer attended by Governor Abba Yusuf and other top government officials at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground in Kano. 

He was also at Government House for a homage on the governor in continuation of the Sallah celebrations.

“While dispersing from the Eid praying ground, Usman Sagiru and others, who who now at large, allegedly stabbed Surajo Rabiu, a vigilante member from Sabon Titi Jaba Quarters who later died from injuries.

“Another vigilante member, Aminu Suleman, who was among those providing shield  for Emir Sanusi, sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital Kano,” the police spokesman in Kano, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said.

Kano Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, constituted a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to investigate the violence that erupted in Sanusi’s entourage after the Eid prayers on Sunday, March 30.

The panel was charged to unravel the “remote and immediate causes” of the violence and “any defiance to the Command’s overt ban on all forms of Durbar or horse riding throughout the Sallah Celebration, based on security concerns in the state.”

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The police command in Kano had banned all forms of Durbar and warned that anyone found engaging in such activities will be dealt with decisively.

Also, all forms of thuggery (Daba) activities would not be tolerated, and anyone engaging in any acti or conduct that might likely cause a breach of peace or breakdown of law and public order would be made to face the law.

Sanusi, who is in a tussle with Aminu Ado Bayero over the emirship in Kano, has been invited to field questions from the police force on the killings and alleged defiance to the ban on the Durbar or any form of it, The Nation learnt.

…threatens court over detained minors, others

Members of the Shi’ites Islamic group have urged the Nigeria Police Force to urgently release corpses of its 26 members who it claimed were killed during March 28 encounter with security agents in Abuja.

The group, speaking through its team of lawyers led by Bala Dakum, threatened to resort to initiating court action should the police ignore its request, including for the release of the about 274 members detained, including 60 minors.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday evening, Dakum claimed that the decision by the police to hold on to the corpses of those killed, knowing fully well that they are Muslims, who ought to be buried promptly, was intended as a way of psychologically torturing members of the group.

Dakum said: “Our clients came out on 28th March, 2025 to commemorate their annual international Quds day like their counterparts across the globe. 

“While peacefully carrying out their procession in Banex Area, Wuse Il, Abuja in their thousands, they unexpectedly and surprisingly came across group of armed soldiers who without any provocation started firing live ammunitions at them. 

“In the cause of this inhumane, callous, cruel, barbaric and most horrific attack on our clients, about 26 persons lost their lives, over 30 persons sustained various degrees of life threatening injuries and about 274 were arrested by the soldiers. 

“Our clients were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, who took them to the now defunct infamous SARS in Abattoir, Garki, Abuja where they were detained under very harsh and dehumanising condition. 

Read Also: Four feared killed, officers, others injured as Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

“The corpses are now deposited in secret hospitals, which is against Islamic rites that provides for prompt and immediate burial of deceased persons. 

“This, we must say is strange, knowing that the dead bodies cannot be investigated or tried,” he said.

The lawyer claimed that among those currently being detained in terrible conditions and allegedly forced to write statements in the absence of their lawyers, are about 60 minors.

He added: “It is pertinent to note that on all occasions when our clients carried out their processions in Abuja or any part of this country without the involvement of the security agencies, it has always been peaceful. 

“Even on the said 28th Day of March, 2025 when our clients were killed here in Abuja, all other procession across the country were peaceful. 

“The world must know that our clients in Nigeria have been under attack for over 11 years.

“It suffices to submit that there is a grand plan by the Nigerian government to permanently deprive our clients of their rights to freedom of worship, association and expression which are all guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution and the international charter on human and people’s rights,” Dakum said.

The Delta State Police has exhumed the remains of Mr. Chigozie Udalor, an engineer contracted to construct offices in Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North LGA, following the confession of two suspects.

In a statement issued by the Police Command’s spokesperson, Mr. Bright Edafe, a Superintendent, the investigation was launched after a missing person report was filed at the Akwukwu-Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

Edafe explained that police operatives conducted a technically driven investigation, which led to the arrest of David Tacho, who attempted to withdraw funds from Udalor’s account using the victim’s phone. 

Further investigation led to the arrest of Daniel Orshio, while Victor Tacho and Pius Daniel remain at large.

All four suspects had been hired by Udalor, and according to Edafe, the suspects conspired to murder him after discovering that he had money in his bank account.

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Part of the statement reads, “On the 12th of December 2024, one Hyacinth Nnalue reported to Akwu-kwu Igbo division that his cousin Chigozie Udalor had been missing since the 10th of December 2024. He also stated that the said Chigozie was his site manager at his fish pond in Bod camp Akwukwu Igbo community. Upon receipt of this information, the DPO commenced an investigation and later transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Just like in the previous case of the murder of one Paulinus in Otokutu, the DPO detailed operatives who commenced an intelligence-led investigation, on 31st March 2025, they arrested one David Tacho ‘m’ who attempted to withdraw money from the victim’s account through his phone and also arrested Daniel Orshio who took part in the murder. 

“Investigation also revealed that David Tacho is a brother to one Victor Tacho who conspired with Pius Daniel, (both presently at large) and Daniel Orshio, and murdered the victim. The two suspects are presently in custody. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that all four suspects were employed by the deceased who is the site engineer, but they discovered he had some money in his Moniepoint account and they conspired, used a hammer to hit him on his head, tied him and buried him in a shallow grave at the site.

“Two of the suspects David Tacho and Daniel Orshio are presently in custody while two other suspects Pius Daniel and Victor Tacho are still on the run. The body of the deceased has been exhumed and awaiting autopsy while efforts to arrest the other two suspects are ongoing.”

Some Stakeholders in Ebonyi including the Police have expressed concern over the spate of jungle justice across states of the federation, urging citizens to desist from the act.

They gave the advice on Thursday in Abakaliki at a Town hall meeting with relevant stakeholders in commemorations of the National Police day scheduled for April 7.

The theme of the meeting is tagged: “Police and the community: strenthening cooperation for improved service delivery.”

The stakeholders, who spoke at the event condemned the act of jungle justice, police extortions, police molestation and harassment, extra judicial killings among others.

CP Anthonia Uche-Anya, Commissioner of Police in the state explained that the meeting was to harness issues towards achieving maximum security of lives and security for citizens.

Uche-Anya noted that it was unlawful to take a life of fellow citizens.

According to her, nobody has the right to take the law into his or her hands.

“Citizen must follow due process in the efforts to ensure security,” the Commissioner said.

On police extortion, she said the Police Force had zero tolerance to such act and warned officers to disengage from the nefarious act.

Uche-Anya noted that the police had no right to check another person’s phone at the checkpoint except, if such a person was under investigation.

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Earlier speaking, Nwanneka David, Ex-Officio, National Association of Nigeria Student (NANS), Ebonyi chapter, decried police harassments of students in the state.

“We are not happy the way police have been harassing students, to the extent of tagging most of them, “Yahoo Boys”.

“We need the Commissioner to intervene. The police have gone the extra mile checking people’s phone,” David stated.

Mr Chidi Igboji, the state’s Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), also condemned the unprofessionalism among the police personnel.

Igboji, therefore, suggested regular training for the police force in the efforts to harness and promote security.

Mr Sunday Oketa, Traditional Ruler, Nkaliki-Echara Unuhu Autonomous Community, in Ebonyi Local Government Area, called for more stakeholders collaboration for improved security.

Oketa hailed community policing in the state and urged the officers to keep the flag flying.

The Ogun Police Command has intensified security measures at the four intersections of the Sagamu Interchange for safety of residents and commuters.

This follows recent concerns over security in the area, including reports on social media about an incident on March 21, 2025. 

Ogun Police spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, in a statement, explained while no such incident was formally reported at any police station, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, proactively led efforts to reinforce security at the Sagamu interchange.

“As part of these measures, personnel from the Quick Response Squad, OP Mesa, and Mobile Police Squadrons 71 have been strategically stationed at key locations, including under the bridge, at the roundabouts, and along the inward and outward routes of the four intersections.

Read Also: Police arrest ‘human traffickers, cult-suspect’

“A two-hour assessment of the area conducted by the Commissioner of Police, revealed  illegal trading activities and presence of touts. Earlier in the day, a criminal hideout was discovered in surrounding bush at the interchange and three suspects were arrested. 

“Thereafter an immediate disbandment of illegal trading activities under the interchanged bridge was carried out 

“To further enhance security at the interchange the Commissioner of Police has engaged members of the transport Union to redirect  traffic towards well-lit and secure areas.

“While Ogun State remains relatively peaceful, the police command urges citizens to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to criminal activities.

“As a precautionary measure, commuters are advised to plan their travels early to minimize security risks.

“With increased security presence , collaborative efforts of sister security agencies, and continued support of his excellency , the governor of Ogun State, citizens are assured of the safety of our highways,” she stated.

Operatives at the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, have arrested suspected human traffickers and cultist, a statement by the zonal spokesperson, CSP Ayuba Umma said Tuesday.

Umma said the zonal command also recovered firearms, ammunition and voter’s cards from criminal elements.

According to the statement, the suspected human traffickers were arrested at Ayobo, Ipaja in Lagos, while the alleged cultists was nabbed at Ijebu-Ife in Ogun State

Umma said the human trafficking syndicate allegedly led by one Stella Edem was smashed on March 22 by the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad (ZIRS) led by SP Francis Kpoughul, who stormed their base at Command Meran area of Lagos State and arrested Edem along with one Susan Michael.

Umma said Edem confessed to the crime, adding that she was introduced to the business by one Anabel resident in Mauritania, and Rosemary Isaiah Otobong, who has been prosecuted for the same offense and isserving jail term in the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCOS) facility.

“She added that Anabel contracted her to recruit young girls below the age of 22 years  to be used as sex workers in Mauritania and that she was being paid N50,000 as commission on each young girl sent to Mauritania. 

“She confessed that among other girls she recruited is her 19 year old daughter citing that she has so far received over ₦500,000 from Anabel,” Umma said.

Continuing the zonal spokesperson said that Michael revealed she was contracted by Edem to recruit young girls to serve as domestic staff in Mauritania but upon questioning and further inquiries she discovered the girls were to be used as sex workers. 

“She said she withdrew from the said business, adding that the only girl she sent to Stella Edem was rejected due to age and body size and it was at that point she felt something wasn’t right,” said Umma.

On the suspected cultist, Umma said he was arrested during a raid of a hideout for Eiye cult members in Ijebu-Ife area of Ogun State, who had terrorised the community.

She said the zonal command received intelligence and the Dragon Squad II (ZDS-II) led by DSP Akeem Adeyemi was deployed for a discrete operation.

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The police team, Umma said, raided the hideout of the cult group on March 19, while they were allegedly planning an attack and one Orekoya Abayomi, 54, was arrested while others escaped through a nearby bush. 

“He led the team to his residence where the following items were recovered: One locally made single barrel pistol; six live cartridges; 21 Voter’s Cards with different names (suspected to be fake), and One Emerald Pump Action Gun with Breach No. 1335.

“Investigation is on-going and suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” she added.