The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Police

  • 18 children rescued from traffickers

    18 children rescued from traffickers

    Fake doctor’, two others arrested

    Anambra State Police Command has rescued 18 children from traffickers, and arrested an alleged ‘fake doctor’ and two other syndicates.

    Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, yesterday at the Police headquarters in Amawbia, near Awka, said the command was seeking the collaboration of the Ministry of Women’s affairs for custody, medical attention and care of the children until they recovered.

    Orutugu further called those whose children and loved ones were missing to come to the state command for proper identification.

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    Those rescued were at 3-3 and Inland town, all in Onitsha, adding that the success was based on intelligence gathering

    He said the “fake medical doctor” and another woman was arrested at 3-3, while 10 malnourished children were rescued

    “The Divisional Police Headquarters have been monitoring one of the alleged suspects in the area on the receipt of a report around July,last year about a missing six-year-old boy in the neighbourhood.

  • Protesters burn police station in Ondo

    Protesters burn police station in Ondo

    • Command denies torture of suspect

    Protesting youths have razed a Police Division in Ifon, headquarters of Ose Local Government, Ondo State.

    It was gathered that the protesters carried out the act after a boy identified as Tobi Bobade died in police custody.

    A friend of the deceased is said to be in a coma at a hospital.

    Sources said the fight began among some youths after the Valentine’s Day celebration and two of them were dragged to the Police station. One of them was said to have died the following day.

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    It was gathered that news of the death led to protests and attacks on the station. A building belonging to the family of one of the boys that took the deceased to the station was also razed. An eye witness said signs of torture were visible on the body of the deceased.

    Spokesman for the Ondo Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the deceased was not tortured.

    Odunlami said the deceased was brought to the station weak and died while receiving treatment in the hospital.

    In a statement issued after Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, visited Ifon for an on-the-spot assessment of areas affected in the attack, the CP condemned the attack and arson on the Divisional Police Station and ordered an investigation.

  • Police kill 15 in Imo, Kebbi, Ogun

    Police kill 15 in Imo, Kebbi, Ogun

    • 23 arms, ammunition recovered

    The Nigeria Police have neutralised 14 criminals – nine, which include seven suspected Eastern Security Network (ESN) members in Imo and five terrorists in Kebbi states, recovering 23 arms and assorted ammunition. 

    It also killed one armed robber in Ogun State.

    In Imo State, a operation was carried out on February 8, targeting an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp in Ezioha Mbaitolu.

    A follow-up on February 9, led to the interception of another group of terrorists in Nkwukwo Forest, Mbaitoli Local Government. Three terrorist kingpins were neutralised, and two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one cutlass, four motorcycles, and various criminal charms were recovered.

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    In Kebbi State, police operatives attached to the Kebbi State Command engaged kidnappers in a fierce gun duel in Tundafari Forest, Dakingari axis, on February 14, during which four kidnappers were killed, one arrested with injuries, and rescued the kidnapped victim, Umaru Bawa.

    According to the Force’s spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, yesterday, “The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the efforts of the operatives involved and emphasised the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime.’’

    The spokesperson, the Ogun State Police,Chief Superintendent of Police Omolola Odutola, said their officers also recovered a firearm after the gun duel on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Highway.

  • IG disciplinary panel ends verification, 340 officers, men quit

    IG disciplinary panel ends verification, 340 officers, men quit

    Over 340 officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have proceeded on retirement ahead of the submission of the report of a disciplinary committee that probed their continued stay in office.

    The committee constituted by Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun sat between Monday and Tuesday at the Louis Edet headquarters of the Force in Abuja.

    It was supported by the Force Management in the screening of the personnel.

    The Nation could not ascertain at the weekend if the affected officers or men suddenly opted to quit to avoid being sanctioned.

    They had allegedly refused to proceed with retirement despite clocking 60 years or spending 35 years in service.

    A source close to the committee, who confirmed their exit revealed that an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Benneth Igweh,   two Commissioners of Police and a high-ranking police lawyer, were among those summoned by the committee. 

    Igweh has officially handed over to Mohammed Gumel as the new AIG of  Zone 7  headquartered in Abuja.

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     Our source also revealed that some of those affected ‘’converted from rank and file to senior officers and did not go to the police academy.’’

    He said:  “The committee started the screening on Monday and concluded it on Tuesday.

    “Over 340 officers have now proceeded on retirement. You are aware that Benneth Igweh is among them.  He has handed over. 

    “Many of them are senior officers.  Those who are aware that they were supposed to go last year have also gone. I am  not sure if anyone was penalised

    “It was the committee and the force management team that were allowed to be part of those that screened the officers.

    “They are those that were supposed to have retired from 2020  till date. They did not alter their age but most of them converted from rank and file to senior officers and did not go to the police academy.

    “The rule is that if you want to move up as a senior officer, you have to resign as an officer in the rank and file. But most of them did not do that. They were operating on the two levels.

    “There is a retirement age for them as a constable and a retirement age for them as senior officers or commissioned officers.”

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) had at a meeting in Abuja this month ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.

    PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, recalled that the commission at its  September 27  and 28,    2017   plenary meeting approved that the NPF entrants should have their date of appointment against the date of their enlistment on their files.

    Ani said: “The commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision, in its intent and purpose, contradicted the principle of a merger of service in the public service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.

    “Accordingly, the commission at its First t extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on  Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.”

    “The commission’s decision was been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.”

    Critics had queried the PSC decision to retire the affected officers while the tenure of IGP Egbetokun was extended by President Bola Tinubu.

    But the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)   explained that the President acted within the law.

    Efforts to get the reaction of   Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi were futile.   

  • Police Inspector found dead in Ogun hotel, female companion missing

    Police Inspector found dead in Ogun hotel, female companion missing

    The lifeless body of a man identified as Inspector Haruna Mohammed was discovered in a hotel room in Ogun State, while the woman who accompanied him remains missing. 

    The incident occurred at Super G Royal Hotel, located at 11 Anthony Uzum Estate, Oyeyemi Akute, where the officer checked in with the unidentified woman around 1:00 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

    The hotel owner, Abiodun Olagunju, reported the case to the police after the woman’s sudden disappearance. 

    According to reports, the woman was last seen at the hotel reception around 6:00 am when she requested table water.

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    A female hotel worker believed to be the manager, discovered the officer’s body and has since been taken in for questioning at the Ajunwon Police Division. 

    Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stating that there were no visible signs of violence on the body.

    Although police camouflage found in his bag bore the name Haruna Mohammed and the rank of Inspector, authorities are yet to verify if he was indeed a serving officer. 

    The remains of the deceased have been deposited at Life Channel Mortuary, an Ogun community bordering Lagos, as investigations continue.

  • Police arrest seven wanted suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    Police arrest seven wanted suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    The Ondo State Police Command has arrested seven individuals on its wanted list for kidnapping and murder, including an ex-convict recently released from prison. 

    Among the suspects is 40-year-old Ishaku Abdul, who was apprehended at Aladura Camp, Oke-Oge, following a surge in criminal activities in the area after his release.

    Others arrested include Aminu, Abdullahi Abubakar, Yusuf Saidu (22), Nafiu Ibrahim (32), Mohammed Anas (20), and Kabiru Mohammed (24). 

    Additionally, two suspects, Adekunle Saheed (48) and Gafaru Adegoke, were arrested for hijacking a petrol tanker meant for Ekiti State.

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    They allegedly murdered the driver and his assistant before attempting to offload the fuel at a petrol station in Akure. 

    Another suspect, Gbenga Olanrewaju, also known as “Fish,” a wanted cultist linked to the January 6 killings in Owo, was also paraded. He reportedly confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity and was wanted for other crimes across the state. 

    Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, revealed that private trackers assisted in the successful operation.

    He also announced the arrest of 25-year-old Temidayo Fadahunsi in Akure, from whom 228 Android phones, 156 batteries, and 23 foreign SIM cards were recovered. 

    Afolabi stated that the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

  • Insecurity: Police neutralise seven terrorists, recover 23 arms, ammunition

    Insecurity: Police neutralise seven terrorists, recover 23 arms, ammunition

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has neutralised seven terrorists and recovered 23 arms and ammunitions in some parts of the country.

    Unknown armed men, the police said invaded Gobiraje Village in Suru LGA of Kebbi State and kidnapped one Umaru Bawa ‘m’ aged 60 yrs on February 14, 2025.

    Police Operatives attached to the Kebbi State Command, upon the receipt of the report, trailed the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of the State and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.

    Consequently, four of the kidnappers were neutralized and one arrested with fatal injuries while the kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt.

    The police said the operatives also recovered the cash sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) already paid to the kidnappers as ransom.

    A statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In a decisive response to threats of violent and organized crimes across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has significantly intensified its operational strategies, leading to notable successes in neutralizing criminal activities and enhancing internal security.

    “Earlier, on February 8, 2025, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Imo State Command, in collaboration with other security agencies carried out a tactical operation targeting an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp located in Ezioha Mbaitolu within the Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA of the State. The operation led to the neutralization of 2 ESN Kingpins, the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, hundreds of assorted live ammunition, and the successful dislodgement of the camp. 

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    “As a follow up, on February 9 2025, the operatives moved to the Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, at the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, Imo State, where the team intercepted a group of terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the police. During the ensuing exchange, 3 terrorist kingpins were further neutralized, 2 AK47 rifles each loaded with 36 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun, 1 cutlass, 4 motorcycles, and various criminal charms were as well recovered. 

    “These operations not only reflect the commitment of the Force to maintaining law and order but also show the determination to dismantle criminal networks that threaten the safety of citizens. The Inspector-General of Police IGP, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the brave efforts of the operatives involved and emphasized the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime. 

    “The Force assures members of the public that these operations will continue with renewed vigour as it strives to ensure a safer environment for all Nigerians. As part of these ongoing efforts, the IGP has called for increased intelligence gathering, community engagement, and prompt reporting of suspicious activities by citizens. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting lives and property, reinforcing community trust, and fostering a peaceful and secure nation.”

  • Group seeks probe of extortion allegations against police in Enugu

    Group seeks probe of extortion allegations against police in Enugu

    A civil society group, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urged the Police Service Commission to order an independent investigation into the alleged kidnapping, extortion, and abuse of power involving members of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.

    RULAAC’s appeal followed allegations by one Mr. Olu Agwu, a businessman, who was reported to have been abducted in Abia State, blindfolded, and taken to the Enugu State anti-kidnapping unit, where he was subjected to threats and unfounded accusations of being associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

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    The report further stated that Agwu was coerced into paying a staggering sum of N62 million to secure his release, with claims that part of the extorted amounts was intended for senior police officials, including the chairman of the police service commission.

  • Police arrests suspected killer of Abia traditional ruler

    Police arrests suspected killer of Abia traditional ruler

    The prime suspect of the game that reportedly murdered HRH Eze Eric Ihevueme, traditional ruler of Eziama Nunya Autonomous Community in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State, identified as Emeka has allegedly been arrested by security operatives in the state.

    Emeka, an indigene of the same Eziama Nunya community, was reportedly apprehended by the security operatives who have been on his trail over the months, at Ezinachi, Okigwe, Imo State, after being on the run since the tragic incident.

    Reports have it that HRH Eze Eric Ihevueme was brutally murdered in his hometown in Eziama Nunya, leaving the community in deep sorrow and fear.

    The revered monarch was said to have been attacked by the hoodlums at about 9 PM by unidentified assailants, in what many described as an unprecedented act of violence in Isuikwuato.

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    Following the assassination, the community leaders, elders, and security agencies launched an intensive search for those responsible for such an act, vowing that the perpetrators would not escape justice.

    It was gathered that the murder of HRH Eze Ihevueme may have been linked to a dispute over land ownership.

    Sources allege that Emeka was laying claim to a landed property which he insisted belongs to his late father.

    Despite not being the first son, Emeka allegedly insisted on reclaiming the land, leading to tensions that allegedly culminated in the brutal killing of the traditional ruler.

  • Police deny claims of 3,907 missing firearms

    Police deny claims of 3,907 missing firearms

    • IGP seeks closed-door probe
    • ’Allegations misleading, inaccurate’

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday dismissed reports alleging that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armouries, described the claims as misleading and inaccurate.

    Also, the  Inspector-General of Police (IGP),  Kayode Egbetokun, has written to the Senate on the alleged missing AK-47 rifles as contained in the 2019 Audit report by the office of Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), seeking closed-door probe.

     The Force Headquarters clarified that the figures cited in recent reports originated from a 2019 audit assessment, conducted before the tenure of Egbetokun.

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     In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the report was a misrepresentation and that many of the weapons in question had been issued to officers for duties and later recovered.

     The police emphasised that the report of AuGF was misunderstood.

     “These allegations are inaccurate and misleading. The AuGF report does not state that 3,907 firearms were missing, but rather that they were unaccounted for at the time of the audit. This means auditors could not physically verify all arms, as some were deployed for operations,” the statement read.

    The Force also pointed out that law enforcement agencies often face logistical challenges, especially during civil unrest, when officers have been attacked and arms looted.