The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Policeman

  • Policeman, thugs arrested for branding private vehicles in police colours

    An unidentified police inspector was arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate for aiding some people to brand two private vehicles in police colour.

    The vehicles made to look like patrol vehicles were ostensibly to be used during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The two vehicles, Volvo V70, it was learnt, is similar to the one procured by the state government for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

    A local tabloid, quoting a source privy to the development, said the police intercepted the thugs and policeman at the hotel, while they were branding the vehicles.

    The source said: “There was information that some men suspected to be political thugs working for one of the political parties was branding the type of Volvo V70 vehicle which the state government donated to the police.

    “The branding was being done ahead of Saturday’s elections. The vehicles already had the siren installed and the police inscription also on it, as well as the identification numbers.

    “When the police got to the hotel, the suspects had already relocated one of the vehicles while the second one was being branded with the assistance of the police inspector.

    “He (the inspector) was taken to the police station and the vehicle was recovered.

    “The police inspector was taken to the police station for investigation and he made useful statements.

    “He mentioned some persons who engaged him in the services he was rendering.

    “Investigation is ongoing. The inspector is serving in one of the intelligence departments in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.”

    The Nation contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odiko MacDon, to authenticate the report he cut off the line midway into the conversation.

    His line was called several times but he refused to pick his phone.

    He also didn’t respond to an SMS sent to him.

    After repeated attempts, he finally picked the phone but told our reporter that he was in a meeting.

  • Robbers kill policeman in Ekiti

    A man identified to be policeman was shot dead on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the State capital, while trailing a gang of robbers.

    The Nation gathered the armed robber had earlier robbed a petrol station along Fajuyi -Secretariat road and were escaping through the old Iyin –Ilawe road when the police officer in a white hilux van sighted them and gave them a hot chase.

    An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police van had trailed the armed robbers up to NTA junction, where they were said to have waited and blocked the way in readiness for a gun duel.

    “When the hilux chased them up to that point, the armed robbers used their vehicle to block the way and rained bullets on the car.

    “The bullets hit the driver of the vehicle and died on the spot after which the robbers entered their car and sped off.”

    The sound of the assorted rifles brandished by the bandits were said to have caused confusion within that vicinity.

    People coming towards the Ekiti State House of Assembly cimplex and the State Secretariat and motorists going to Ilawe road were said to have scurried to safety to prevent being shot.

    “Some of the motorists had to take a detour and escaped the scene because the sound of the guns caused panic in the area,” he stated.

    Police officers from the State police command later visited the scene of the incident to evacuate the corpse, which they deposited in the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching hospital.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The attack on the police officer could have been a reaction of criminal elements to the cleansing operation being carried out by the command.

    “You know that since our new Police Commissioner, Mr. Asuquo Amba came on board, he initiated a Joint Task Force carrying out Operation Make Ekiti Safe and many criminals had either been arrested or killed in the process.

    “The men carrying out the operation were drawn from the Army, Police, Immigration and NSCDC. They were diligent in their duties and this might be one of those ways to frustrate us by criminals.

    “We are assuring our people that we remain focused. We won’t be bogged down by this incident and we shall trail the perpetrators of this crime and make sure they face the full weight of the law.”

  • My son not a cult member, says father of slain policeman

    -60 killed in Edo cult war

    Chief Imafidon Osia Ehigie, father of Monday, a police sergeant who was killed last week by suspected cultists has debunked reports that his late son was a cultist.

    Monday and two others were killed last Saturday near Namayo junction, Upper Sakpoba in Ikpoba Okha-Local Government area while returning home from work.

    He was an orderly to the Chairman of the Ikpoba-Okha local government area, Dr. Eric Osayande.

    State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, said late Monday was killed fighting alongside one of the rival cult group.

    But Chief Imafidon who expressed shock at the statement of the Police Commissioner said the cultist tag on his late son was scathing and inglorious.

    Read Also: Election: Police identify flash points, mobilise anti-bomb experts

    Imafidon said Odumosun orchestrated the cultists killing to deny payment of due entitlement to a worthy and committed officer who in the course of duty paid the supreme prize.

    He denied having any meeting with the Police Commissioner where he confirmed his son as a cultist adding that he would seek justice at the appropriate time.

    Chief Imafidon noted that the assertion of Odumosu was not only obviously lost in between naked lies but a dislocation of an official channel of dissemination of verified information from an organized system that uphold professional modalities.

    He said his late son had served three Presidents of the Ikpoba Okha Customary Courts and was deployed to the Ikpoba Okha Council Chairman on recommendation of the Divisional Police Officer Ugbekun as an officer attached and served diligently.

    Police sources told our reporter that over 30 persons have been killed at Upper Sokponba since the cult war began two months ago.

    At Upper Siluko road area, suspected cultists were said to have plucked out the eyes of their victim when they meet their target at home.

    Several other youths have been killed in different parts of the state.

    Odumosu said several persons have been killing in connection to the cult killings.

  • Policeman allegedly kills tanker driver over N1,000

    There was chaos at Trinity, Ajegunle area of Lagos State yesterday after a policeman allegedly shot dead a tanker driver for refusing to part with N1,000.

    The suspected killer-cop was said to be an operative of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) posted to Ajegunle to tackle traffic robbers along the Mile Two-Apapa axis.

    It was gathered that trouble started after the driver insisted that he only had N500 to give the policeman, who got infuriated and fired the driver.

    Other drivers who witnessed the incident were said to have descended on the policeman, who was rescued and taken away by his colleagues.

    The policemen, who rescued the trigger-happy cop, allegedly shot in the air to scare the mob before they took their colleague away.

    Not satisfied, the tanker drivers were said to have mobilised their colleagues from other parts of the state and they laid siege to the road to Apapa, worsening traffic congestion.

    A source said the protesters burnt tyres on the road, while hoodlums capitalised on the protest to rob people.

    The Nation learnt that some vehicles were vandalised, while commercial activities were paralysed.

    As people scampered for safety, it was gathered that many sustained injuries.

    A driver, Danladi Usman, said: “We are being over extorted. We pay N1,000 to the police. We pay to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) and to local government officials. To worsen the matter, we pay to area boys. The extortion is becoming a burden on us. If we do not have money, they make us to pay with our lives. Is it a crime to be a truck driver?”

    Police spokesman Chike Oti said details of the incident were still sketchy.

    He said: “There was a crisis in the area and we heard that someone died in the crisis. The Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has directed investigation into the matter. At the end of investigation, anyone found culpable will be prosecuted. However, the outcome of the investigation will be made known to the public.”

     

     

  • Outrage in Bayelsa as policeman kills 300 level varsity student

    •Police arrest, disarm killer cop

    There was lamentation in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, at the weekend following the gruesome killing of a 20-year-old 300-level student of the Niger Delta University (NDU) by a trigger-happy policeman.

    Tariela Nikade, the last in the family of Nikade Anderson, a popular broadcaster, was reportedly shot dead close to their house at Tinacious Road, Edepie, Yenagoa.

    The latest murder came a few weeks after a 100-level student of the university, Seifa Fred, was shot dead by a gang of cultists, who snatched her smartphone.

    It was gathered that following the strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Tariela, an engineering student, decided to learn haircut at a barber shop close to their house.

    Narrating how his brother was killed, Anderson said: “My brother, the last in our family, who came home following the ASUU strike, was at a barber’s shop where he was learning haircut.

    “Suddenly, at about 7pm, a team of policemen stormed the area. They entered into the shop and asked people there to raise their hands. I and others raised their hands. One of them shot my brother at the back of his neck.

    “Immediately they noticed that they had shot my brother, all of them rushed into their van and zoomed off. They did not wait.”

    Anderson added that his brother was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Yenagoa and was later moved to the Family Care Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

    The killing caused outrage and protest in Yenagoa as residents and landlords in Akeinfa marched the streets and demanded justice for Tariela.

    The protesters besieged the Akenfa police station, insisting that the policeman must be identified and prosecuted for the crime.

    Some of the residents decried the unprofessional attitude of the conventional police, saying it was a far cry to the professional conduct of the withdrawn state security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpor.

    A resident, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Nigeria Police in Bayelsa State has lost focus and direction. Extra-judicial killing of innocent lives is now the order of the day. This is the height of irresponsibility and unprofessionalism.”

    A social commentator, John Idumange, called for thorough investigations into the circumstances that led to the killing.

    “The matter should be thoroughly investigated. We cannot keep quiet. For now, sorry is not enough. Kokorifa was killed and his killers have been served justice. This matter should be pursued to its logical conclusion,” he said.

    But the police command in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, identified the trigger-happy policeman as Sergeant Timadj Emmanuel.

    Butswat said the policeman was immediately arrested, disarmed and was undergoing orderly room trial.

    He said: “Bayelsa State Police Command condoles with the family and assures that justice will be done.

    The Bayelsa State Police Command regrets the unfortunate incident involving a police officer and a resident of Tenacious Road, Edepie, Yenagoa.

    “On 23 November, 2018, at about 1930 hours, Sergeant Timadi Emmanuel, attached to a patrol team of Akenfa Division, while on patrol at Tenacious Road, Edepie, under questionable circumstances, shot one Tariela Nikade ‘m’ 20 years. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

    “The sergeant has been disarmed, arrested and is undergoing orderly room trial. Investigation is in progress and its outcome will be made public.

    “The command is hereby appealing to residents to be calm and assures the family and the general public that justice will be done.”

  • Policeman found dead in pit in Delta

    A 51-year-old officer, Inspector Samuel Onwueriegho, has been found dead in a pit, on Ekwuoma road, near Owerri-Olubor, Ika North East Local Government.

    The Nation learnt the deceased, whose body was found Monday night, was attached to 22 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Lagos.

    It was not clear how the policeman ended up in a pit after he left his Dominion Estate home, Iyana-Iyesi, Ogun State, on September  13.

    A source told The Nation that his wife, Joy, reportedly told the family that her husband left without informing her.

    It was learnt a relative, Joel Obuseh, lodged a complaint that the deceased dropped by his home en route Ubulu-Uku on September 14, about 1 am.

    The wife organised a search party on September 20 after receiving information that her husband was seen in Delta.

    A police source confirmed that the remains was discovered “without external injuries on the body”.

    The body has been deposited at a mortuary for autopsy. Investigation is on, the source added.

  • Policeman arrested for allegedly shooting driver

    A police officer has been arrested for allegedly shooting a commercial bus driver over N50 bribe.

    The incident occurred at Isuaniocha in Awka North Council Area of Anambra State.

    The victim, Udoka Ezeme, was reportedly shot about 1:30pm at a police checkpoint in the area.

    The Nation learnt that the victim was accosted by policemen at the junction while conveying passengers from Mgbakwu to Unizik tempsite.

    An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said one of the officers shot the driver after he pulled up by the roadside to answer their query, instead of parting with the usual N50 they extorted from them. “The policemen immediately

    jumped into their Hilux truck and zoomed off, leaving the young man in a pool of blood,” he said.

    The Nation gathered that the victim was taken to a nearby hospital, but was not attended to, as the authorities demanded a police report, a development that caused protest.

    Speaking on his hospital bed, Ezeme denied arguing with the policemen that could have resulted in the shooting.

    He thanked God that none of his passengers, especially a new-born baby behind his seat, was hit by bullets.

    The victim demanded investigation into the incident.

    Confirming the shooting, police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the culprit had been arrested and detained.

    “Commissioner Garba Umar has ordered a discreet investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he added.

     

  • Cultists kill policeman, three others in Bayelsa

    Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed an unnamed policeman and three others in two incidents in Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the policeman, attached to the Police Mobile Force, was gunned down in Yenagoa.

    The three others were killed at Otuesiga in Ogbia Local Government.

    The policeman was said to have run into cultists protesting and shooting at Tombia, following the alleged arrest of their leader.

    Sources said on sighting the policeman, the cultists saw him as their enemy and shot him.

    At Otuesiga, it was learnt that suspected cultists stormed the community to kill two of their rivals.

    The gunmen were said to have located their enemies, shot them while a passerby was hit by a stray bullet.

    The new Police Commissioner, Mr. Ebere Onyeagoro, confirmed the killing of the policeman.

    He said: “The command regrettably lost one of its men on way to duties. That is one of the hazards of the job. We are doing our best to make sure such incident does not occur. It is essentially as a result of cultism.

    It was unfortunate that the officer ran into them and was killed.

    “We will do our best; we will sustain all patrols to make sure we curtail the acts of these cults. The fact is that crime does not pay in any way. We will not reward crime.

    “The parents and the good people of Bayelsa should advise their children and wards to shun crimes and violence. We are on top of the situation and are working on intelligence. At the end, those concerned will be brought to book.”

    Onyeagoro said cultism, robberies and other crimes would be dealt with.

    He said on assumption of duty last Friday, he noticed that the prevailing crimes were cultism, robbery, rape, indecent assaults, chieftaincy tussle, communal disputes, among others.

  • Gunmen kill policeman in Plateau

    •21-year-old abducted

    A policeman attached to Plateau State Police Command, Lance Corporal Abdullahi, has been killed by gunmen. The gunmen also kidnapped a 21-year-old, Hafsat Gambo.

    A statement by the police spokesman, Tyopev Terna, said the incidents happened at Corner Soja in Jos North Local Government Area.

    The statement reads: “On October 9, about 21:00hrs, Alhaji Idris Gambo of Corner Soja, Jos, reported at the Laranto Police Division that gunmen went to his house about 19:50hrs and forcefully took his daughter Hafsat Gambo, 21, away.

    “After his report, we mobilised to the crime scene and on arrival, we discovered that the gunmen injured L/Cpl Abdullahi S. attached to STF Sector One, Zaria Road, Jos. He was immediately rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital but was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. His body has been deposited in the hospital’s mortuary.”

    He added that investigation is on

  • Mob kill policeman, injure another in Lagos

    .Vandalise patrol van

    A policeman identified as Sergeant Collins Esiabor was on Wednesday killed and his unnamed colleague injured during an attack on a patrol vehicle by angry youths.

    The incident occurred around 11am, at College Road, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos.

    It was gathered that the youths were returning from Area G Command where they went to register their anger over the death of one of their peers.

    Their anger against the police, it was gathered followed the death of their friend said to have had a scuffle with some policemen.

    The unnamed young man was said to have been brutally beaten up by a team of policemen and abandoned to die. He was later rushed to a hospital by onlookers and allegedly died on Wednesday.

    Angered by the development, the mob upon sighting the patrol van, descended on the policemen inside, stoning and clubbing them.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said five persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.

    He said: “A police patrol team stationed at a black spot in the area was attacked by a mob for a yet to be determined reason.

    “In the process, Sergeant Esiabor Collins with service number 260326, was attacked and killed. Also, the patrol vehicle was not spared by the rampaging mob which they vandalised.

    “Preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the mob, mainly youths had earlier that morning gone to Area ‘G’ Command, Ogba with the intention to overrun the police formation and commit arson but found it impregnable.

    “However, the Area Commander in-charge, spoke to them, promising to start an investigation into their grievances which bothered on the death of a youth who allegedly died today (Wednesday), two weeks after an alleged encounter with some policemen.

    “It must be clearly stated that the police authorities in the state are unaware of any encounter with the deceased as no formal complaint was received to that effect.

    “The Commissioner of Police noted that the penchant to take laws into own hands by some people who easily constitute themselves into a mob is becoming worrisome to say the least.

    “The command stated that the deceased officer and indeed the entire patrol team had the option of defending themselves with their firearms against the mob but chose to show restraint in the face of provocation.

    “Unfortunately, the rampaging mob never allowed them that option hence Sergeant Collins paid the supreme price.
    “The Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal noted that policemen in the state had on several occasions shown restraints in the face of provocative actions. ”

    He warned that policemen may be forced to use their firearms to defend themselves.

    “He urged parents to warn their children to refrain from such acts which according to him, may lead to a breach of the peace and unnecessary bloodletting.”