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Tag: Policeman

  • Missing policeman found dead in Benue

    Missing policeman found dead in Benue

    •Herdsmen kill two NSCDC men

    One of the two policemen declared missing after an encounter with Fulani herdsmen in Benue State on Saturday has been found dead.

    Four policemen were initially declared missing after they were ambushed by herdsmen in Tse Akpan in Logo Local Government but two returned unhurt.

    The policeman’s body was found in the bush in Azege, Tombo Ward yesterday by a police search team. It was dismembered.

    Benue Police spokesman  Moses Yamu said the body had been deposited in the mortuary.

    He did not disclose the name and rank of the policeman but said the police would remain undaunted in their efforts to tackle insecurity.

    There is no trace yet of the remaining policeman, he said.

    Also yesterday, bodies of two officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were found in Awanger village in Guma Local Government. They were also believed to have been killed by herdsmen.

    No official of the NSCDC was available to comment yesterday.

    Also yesterday, the Catholic Church prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the attacks.

    The mass was organised by the four Catholic Dioceses of  Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and Katsina-Ala.

    The Chairman of   Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, urged Benue people to unite in the face of the security challenges.

    Rev. Kaigama, who spoke at the memorial mass for the 73 victims of herdsmen attacks, said the people needed to unite and form a common front devoid of political, religious and traditional sentiments to tackle the security challenges in the state.

    The cleric promised to make  a case on the plight of  the people to the CBCN for consideration.

    Bishop William Avenya of  Gboko Diocese said the site where the 73  victims  were buried would be turned into a pilgrimage centre and a monument of prayer.

    Avenya said the deceased would be immortalised so that they would be remembered for centuries to come.

    The cleric also urged the people not to lose hope, stressing that God would never forsake them.

    He called on security agencies to hunt down and prosecute the killers, adding that justice must be given to Benue people.

    The bishop, however, warned the  people against posting provocative statements on the social media to heighten tension.

    Governor Samuel Ortom expressed appreciation to the Catholic Church for organising the memorial mass. He praised the church for standing for justice and the oppressed, promising that his administration would continue to listen and act on its advice.

    Ortom vowed that he would not relent in carrying out the wishes  of the electorate.

    Tor Tiv, others reject Operation Cat Race

    Benue paramount traditional ruler – the Tor Tiv – along with some stakeholders yesterday rejected the military exercise Operation Cat Race due for launch this weekend in Benue and other states where the herdsmen killings are prevalent.

    The operation has a Tiv language code name Ayem Akpatuma.

    The military said last week that its intention is to flush out the killer-herdsmen within the six-week operation.

    But the Tor Tiv and the others made their views known to the sub-committee of the Panel led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The panel was raised by the Federal Government to find a permanent solution to the killings..

    Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi led the team to Benue.

    The Tor Tiv  Prof. James Ayatse in his submission, expressed concern about the committee, considering the comments credited to some top government officials including Inspector general of police Ibrahim Idris and Minister of Defence Manir Dan Ali.

    Prof. Ayatse noted that if the IG described the killings in Benue as communal and the Minister of Defence said the blockade of grazing reserves and routes led to the killings, people could imagine the  kind of report that would come out from such a committee.

    Pastor Dave Ogbole said they had no confidence in the planned joint military operation because the date of their arrival had been  announced  ahead of time.

    “The motive of operation Ayem Akpatuma is nothing but to harasses our youths as they already had a notion that Governor Ortom armed the youths.

    Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of  Justice Mike Aondoakaa  told the committee that ECOWAS Protocol provided that any one bringing cattle into the country must be registered and show his passport .

    Aondoakaa added that it was wrong to just allow cattle into the country because some might be infected with dangerous diseases likely to cause an epidemic.

     

  • ‘We want to know the policeman responsible for our son’s death’

    ‘We want to know the policeman responsible for our son’s death’

    Family of a commercial driver identified as David Okiniba, who was allegedly pushed to his death on Tuesday by a policeman has demanded to know the identity of the culprits.

    David’s death caused riot in parts of Benin City as five vehicles including four Hilux vans belonging to the Edo State Police Command were razed.

    He was killed in the presence of his pregnant fiancée, Ruth.

    Speaking to newsmen at the family residence at Urora in Ikpoba-Okha local government, elder brother to late David, Festus said he was shocked when he was called that his brother had died.

    Festus said he was informed that his brother was pushed into a moving truck by the police because the police demanded for N200 whereas his brother had only N100 on him.

    He said his brother was going to church when he encountered the policemen on the way that eventually killed him.

    His words, “They were going to church early in the morning when policemen stopped them at Igun junction on Third East Circular road and demanded for his vehicle papers; he told them that his papers were with the police because he rescued a girl that was hit by a car last week.

    “The girl died on the way to Central hospital and they were referred to a police station to make his report and police collected his papers.

    “But the policemen said they don’t care and that they will take him to the station. He fell inside his seat inside his car; suddenly the policeman met him and said do you not know what to do so you can go? He brought out N100 and begged the policeman so he can go but the policeman said he would not collect. So, he went back again and brought N1, 000 and said sir you take N500 and give me N500 this is the money they have; they are going to church. As he was begging the policeman, the policeman asked him to dress (shift away) and that was how the policeman pushed him and the truck smashed his head.”

    He said the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, visited the family and promised to carry out thorough investigation.

    When the deceased fiancée was brought out to speak to journalists, she could not talk and only muttered, “Where is David?”

    Another family member, Mrs. Rose Aremu, urged the police to show the public the identities of the policemen who were at that checkpoint where David died.

  • Policeman, trader, villager killed in Benue

    Policeman, trader, villager killed in Benue

    IT was another orgy of violence in Benue State at the weekend as a policeman was killed and another missing when security men and armed militia clashed.

    A villager was also killed in a village. In another,  a trader was murdered.

    The police confirmed the killing of one of their men during armed militia attack on Yogbo community in Guma Local Government.

    The police also said they shot and killed three armed militia men although their members took away their bodies.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu, in statement, confirmed that a villager was also killed.

    He added that Yogbo community came under attack from over 200 armed militia, who overran the settlement yesterday.

    He said a combined team of soldiers and riot policemen deployed in Yogbo repelled the attack .

    However, a member of Yogbo community told our correspondent on telephone that  the attackers were Fulani herdsmen, who came with their cattle.  He said they also set many houses ablaze.

    Also in Anyiin village, the country home of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, a trader simply named Abuchi, was murdered, allegedly by Fulani herdsmen. He was killed on Gbeji – Anyiin road yesterday .

    His body was discovered in the bush by policemen near Ayoo Udu village and deposited at the NKST hospital mortuary in Anyiin.

    Sources said Fulani militia opened fire at traders, who were in a pick-up vehicle while returning from a local market. Many people were injured.

    Yamu said he was yet to get in touch with the DPO in Logo for details.

    Also yesterday, Governor Samuel Ortom said he had been sleeping and waking up stronger every day in the face of blackmail and intimidation from high places.

    Speaking at Chapel of Grace, Benue Peoples House, Makurdi during a thanksgiving service to mark the state’s 42 anniversary, Ortom said he was always strengthened by the overwhelming support of Benue people. He expressed the hope that the state and Nigeria would emerge victorious in the end.

    He described comments credited to Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris that the killings in Benue were as a result of the Anti-Open Grazing Law as unfortunate and worrisome, especially as it is coming from the number one law enforcement officer.

    Ortom called for prayers for both the President and other leaders in the country for God’s wisdom for the desired leadership direction.

    He advised Benue people against taking laws into their hands, saying their weapon must be prayers. He advised against rumour-mongering, which he said aggravated tension and trauma.

    In a sermon, Chaplain Benue Peoples House, Evangelist Daniel Unongo, who preached on the theme: “Behold my servant,” said no powers of the devil would subject the destiny of Benue to ridicule.

    The state’s anniversary cake was cut.

  • Policeman shoot villager over N50 bribe

    Policeman shoot villager over N50 bribe

    A Mobile Policeman at a checkpoint in Pai in Munya local government area in Niger state shot a man on his leg for interfering on a bribery of N50.

    According to the member representing Munya Constituency at the Niger state House of Assembly, Honorable John Paul Bahago, the Mobile Policeman had demanded a bribery of N50 from a farmer who was on his motorcycle on his way to the farm but the farmer refused to give him.

    He said the refusal to give the N50 bribe gave rise to a quarrel while another villager tried to intervene into the issue.

    Bahago said that after the matter was resolved and the farmer had left, the Mobile Policeman went to the house of the villager who interfered and shot him on the leg.

    Bahago who spoke to The Nation after moving a motion at the plenary of the Assembly stated that this incident has resulted into a serious clash between the mobile policemen and the community lamenting that the police who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring the security of life and property of the people are themselves the people causing insecurity.

    He said that the mobile policemen deployed to the local government to solve the problem of insecurity are not helping matter, “instead of patrolling around, they only mount a checkpoint where farmers and innocent passersby are forced to pay N50 or more. Denial to pay this bribe leads to unnecessary delay. ”

    The Legislator called on the state government and the Commissioner of Police to investigate on the negative activities of the security men posted to the areas.

  • Soldiers on rampage in Ekiti, stab policeman on duty

    Soldiers on rampage in Ekiti, stab policeman on duty

    Seventeen  soldiers of Ekiti State origin who have  just completed their training went on the  rampage in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday,attacking some policemen.

    They allegedly stabbed a policeman, Corporal Abdulkadir Yakub with a jack-knife.

    Yakub is currently  on the  danger list at the Police Clinic, Okesa, where he was rushed to after the attack.

    Six other persons who were injured during the attack have been discharged from the hospital.

    The ‘sin’ of Yakubu, a traffic police officer, was that he challenged the soldiers for causing a traffic snarl while extorting money from motorists.

    He was subsequently stabbed by one of the soldiers in  the head and buttocks.

    The young soldiers, who were in army uniform, were said to have visited the Governor’s Office to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Ayo Fayose after completing their training in Kaduna.

    Sources said the governor was unavailable to receive them.

    From the Governor’s office,they allegedly  moved into nearby streets,stopping  vehicles at Fajuyi Roundabout with a view to extorting money from motorists and motorcyclists.

    Yakub’s colleague, Corporal Monday Agom, who was on duty with the victim when the incident occurred at about 2.00 pm, said Yakub was attacked by the soldiers after asking   them to refrain from  causing traffic gridlock during their alleged extortion.

    Agom said: “I was with Yakub at the Fajuyi Roundabout where we were deployed to control traffic. The ‘recruits’ were returning from the Governor’s Office and on getting to the point where we were controlling traffic, they stopped and started harassing motorcycle riders and motorists for money.

    “One of the soldiers  stopped a policeman who was in mufti right in his car and demanded the car key, at the point  Yakub was trying to signal  to move.

    “Yakub then explained to soldier  that the man he stopped (Boboye Oluwakorede) was a police officer and that he should allow him to go, as stopping him there would cause hold-up.The  statement infuriated the soldier who slapped Yakub, and then brought  out a jack-knife with which he started cutting him on several parts of the body.

    “I then joined other people to rescue Yakub from him.By then,the soldier was shouting , ‘I will kill you, idiot; I will kill you, idiot” even as his colleagues (soldiers) also joined  punching Yakub who was already soaked in blood.”

    Another eye witness confirmed Yakub had been on duty controlling traffic before the soldiers arrived  and started stopping everybody.

    The witness said: “I saw them when they were jogging to Governor’sOffice, singing, and when they were returning.

    “They came back and rather than go their way, they stopped at this junction (Fajuyi Roundabout) and started stopping everybody, including okada riders and drivers.

    “At a point one of them started arguing with a traffic warden and soon brought out a sharp knife to cut the warden. At that point, I ran to another place to hide myself, but I saw some people trying to hold the soldier’s hands.”

    Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the incident had been reported to the Brigade Commander of the 322 Field Artillery Regiment in Akure, Ondo State.

    Adeyemi said: “The soldiers, numbering 17, who were Ekiti State indigenes, had just returned  from a recruitment exercise in Zaria, Kaduna state and were in Governor’s Office for possible assistance from the governor.

    “They chose to make some money by stopping motorists at the Fajuyi roundabout, during which an argument arose with traffic wardens on duty, one of whom  they stabbed with a jack-knife.

    “However the situation is under control as the Brigade Commander, Akure Division, was contacted and has come to pick up the recruits to face possible departmental questioning and sanctions.”

  • Police kill suspected cultist, not policeman

    Police kill suspected cultist, not policeman

    Bayelsa State Police Command yesterday denied reports that a policeman shot his colleague in a gun duel with suspected cultist.

    The command said it was one of the suspected cultists, identified as ThankGod Indoni, that was shot in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered yesterday that police operatives responded to a distress call on Christmas eve about nefarious activities of the gang members, who opened fire on sighting them.

    It was learnt that Indoni was hit by a police bullet and was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he later died.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), however, corrected the impression portrayed by a report that it was a policeman that shot a fellow policeman.

    The spokesman said: “Contrary to an insinuation in report that a policeman mistakenly shot a colleague, the command wishes to state categorically that the report was false and misleading.

    “On December 24, around 9pm, policemen responded to distress call in respect of cult activities at Aritalin in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    “The team of policemen responded swiftly and on sighting the police team, the cult members opened fire on them.

    “In the ensuing gun battle, one Thankgod Indoni, 23, a suspected cult member was shot. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for treatment where he later died.”

    Butswat, who said investigation was on, added that the police have intensified efforts to arrest Indoni’s cohorts and bring them to book.

    The command, he said, had intensified patrols and surveillance in the state.

  • Policeman, three others killed in Cross River communal clash

    Policeman, three others killed in Cross River communal clash

    A policeman and at least three other people are feared in renewed communal conflict between the Ojor and Uyannga communities in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State.

    The incident occurred on Monday, according to a resident in Uyanga, when the Ojor people tried to pass through Uyanga with arms on a sort of march.

    According to the resident, who did not want to be named, the Uyanga people stopped them, resulting in a conflict that led to three people from Uyanga getting killed. He said there were likely fatalities on the Ojor axis also.

    Police spokesman Irene Ugbo, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), confirmed the incident and the death of the policeman.

    She said she had no report of any other death at press time.

    She said the policeman was killed when he tried to mediate in the scuffle on Monday.

    Ugbo said mobile policemen had been deployed to the area and calm restored.

    Both communities seem to always be at each other’s neck, although they are neighbours and share a lot in common.

    On June, youths of both communities clashed leading to the razing of about 15 houses in both communities.

    About 10 youths from both communities had sustained severe gunshot and machete cut wounds in the incident.

    Caught up in the clash between both communities was the Stella Maris Junior Seminary, a Catholic secondary school located along the boundary of both communities.

  • Christmas tragedy: Policeman kills colleague in error

    Christmas tragedy: Policeman kills colleague in error

    A police officer in Yenagoa was inadvertently shot and killed by a fellow policeman during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, told NAN yesterday that the incident occurred on Christmas day at Obele Area of Ovom in Yenagoa, leaving residents in apprehension.

    According to the eyewitness, trouble started when a misunderstanding among the feasting cultists degenerated to a fight within the cult group, resulting to gunshots which eventually attracted a police patrol team to the area.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), who confirmed the incident, said the killing was shocking.

    “Yes, the incident was between cultists but as the police went to find out what was going on, the cultists started shooting and one of the policemen mistakenly shot an officer.

    “Though, we are yet to get the full details because some of our men, who were at the scene, are supposed to brief us over the matter.

    “Nevertheless, the police are intensifying efforts to ensure a crime-free environment for people in Bayelsa this period of Christmas celebration; we deployed over 4,000 personnel for patrol.

    “We adopted some strategies like ‘Cordon and Search’; I must tell you, our men and women are fully on operations to safeguard lives and property,” Butswat said.

    The spokesman urged the residents to continue with their lawful endeavours and support the police by providing timely and credible information on criminal activities.

    “I also urge them to continue to enjoy the Christmas celebration and steer clear of every criminal activity,” he said.

    NAN recalls that an armed robbery suspect had also on December 22, killed his fellow robber at a robbery operation around Azikoro village, Yenagoa and eventually turned himself in at Azikoro Police Station.

  • Soldier slaps policeman

    A clash was averted on Friday at an ATM service point on Gusau Road in Sokoto after a soldier in mufti slapped a policeman attached to a bank.

    An eyewitness said customers called the police to stop a soldier, who didn’t want to join the queue.

    “On coming to find out what was going on, the soldier slapped the policeman, who immediately alerted his colleagues. Within minutes, everywhere was tensed and gun shots rented the air which dispersed all of us away. Few minutes later, a sizeable number of policemen and the soldier’s colleagues appeared at the scene. They later doused the tension and took the soldier away.”

    Two customers also fought on the scene for a similar reason.

  • Court orders remand of policeman

    Court orders remand of policeman

    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday remanded a 30-year-old police officer, Famodimu Ayo in prison, for alleged murder and attempted murder.

    Prosecuting Inspector Johnson Okunade told the court that the accused  committed the offence  on Tuesday  in Oye-Ekiti  while on patrol duty.

    Okunade said the gun of the accused fell down, releasing a bullet, which hit and killed  the driver of a car he had stopped.

    He said the bullet also hit a second victim, Azeez Isaac, in the same car. He was injured.

    Okunade said the offence contravened sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code, Laws of  Ekiti State,  2012.

    The plea of the accused was not taken.

    The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison pending receipt of legal advice from the Office of the director of Public Prosecution.

    The defence counsel, Mr Sunday Ochai, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail.

    Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye remanded the accused in prison, and adjourned the case till December 28.