The Nation Newspaper

Tag: policemen

  • ‘Why we’re yet to arrest other policemen in ‘extortion, torture’ scandal’

    ‘Why we’re yet to arrest other policemen in ‘extortion, torture’ scandal’

    The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, has said the other rogue policemen in the alleged torture, N4milion extortion of a Lagosian were yet to be arrested because they were at large.

    Spokesperson for the FCID Annex, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aminat Mayegun, said this while responding to a request for an update on the case.

    Policemen from the department led by detained Inspector Kalu, were alleged to have invaded the Unity Estate, Egbeda residence of a man on August 12, accused him of sundry offences including Yahoo Yahoo and allegedly tortured him, his wife and sister-in-law before whisking him away.

    The victim who took to social media on August 12 to cry out through a now deleted post shared by a handle, Oni Foto, alleged that after a horrifying experience, the rogue team forced him to admit to being a fraudster or risk being killed and no one would know.

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    He alleged that eventually, he was coerced into negotiating for his freedom with the bargaining starting from N10million and concluding at N4million which they (policemen) allegedly collected through a Point of Sale (POS) operator.

    Following his petition, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) FCID Annex, Margaret Ochalla ordered immediate investigation which led to the arrest of Inspector Kalu, the POS operator and the recovery of the extorted N4m.

    An earlier statement by Mayegun confirmed these arrests and recovery, adding that the money had been returned to the victim.

    She also disclosed that an orderly room trial would commence against the rogue Inspector, adding that the victim was a suspect in a criminal case.

    Asked yesterday why the other members of the team as narrated by the victim were yet to be arrested, Mayegun said: “He could only identify one Olamilekan who is still on the run; the others are still at large, and the investigation is ongoing.”

  • The debt we owe our policemen

    The debt we owe our policemen

    Sir: “I served 35 good years. I was given N1.7 million. I retired in 2018. Since then, I have been receiving N40,000 every month. What can 40k do?” – DSP Godwin Tom (Rtd.)

    It was a painful cry, not just of a man, but of a system that has failed those who put their lives on the line to protect it. Listening to retired DSP Godwin Tom lament his fate during the recent protest by retired police officers is enough to make the soul bleed.

    The way we treat our police officers, both in service and after retirement, is a national disgrace. They are underpaid, under-equipped, underappreciated, and then cast aside after serving. It’s a lose-lose situation. No dignity in service, and even less in retirement.

    One must commend Omoyele Sowore for bringing the needed attention to this silent suffering endured by many who once bore arms for the nation. It is through voices like these that these injustices get pulled out of the shadows into the public light. For that, he deserves credit.

    How does one serve the nation for 35 years and retire to a pittance that cannot feed a family, let alone afford housing? These are men and women who have faced all sorts to protect us; urchins, armed robbers, kidnappers, and raw violence of our streets, yet they retire into misery. And we wonder why morale is low, why corruption festers, and why security is fragile?

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    While in active service, the conditions are no better. Police barracks are often in states of disrepair, unfit for human habitation. Uniforms are tattered, weapons are outdated or non-functional, and welfare support is almost non-existent. Medical facilities? Don’t get me started. The police force that is supposed to protect lives and property is itself in need of rescue.

    Take it or leave it, a broken force cannot protect a country. Poor welfare compromises service delivery and inevitably, the integrity of the officers. When people have nothing to look forward to either during their careers or afterward, what incentive is left to serve with honour?

    It’s a national security crisis in disguise.

    If we want to attract the best into law enforcement, I mean a professional, disciplined, and committed police force, we must fix the welfare structure from the ground up. That means fair salaries, housing fit for dignity, health coverage, proper retirement plans, and respect -both in word and deed.

    Behind DSP Godwin Tom’s story are thousands more, silently enduring the same fate, waiting to be heard, or worse, forgotten. It’s time we stopped treating our police officers like expendables. It’s time we treated them as the human beings and patriots that they are.

    Their future should not be a sentence to poverty.

    •Chiechefulam Ikebuiro, chiechefulamikebuiro@gmail.com

  • IG backs demand for better welfare by retired policemen

    IG backs demand for better welfare by retired policemen

    The Inspector-General of Police  (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, met yesterday with the National Security Adviser(NSA), Nuhu Ribadu over the welfare of retired police personnel.

    He stated this during his meeting with the protesting retirees at the Police Headquarters.

    Police retirees protested in Abuja and a few other state capitals to press home for the exit of the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    According to them the CPS has impoverished retired policemen and officers due to delayed payment gratuity and the next-to-noting pension.

     The police retirees who began their protest from the main entrance of the National Assembly, headed for the Louis Edet Police Headquarters under the rainfall.

    They chanted anti-government songs and displayed placards, some of which read: ‘Pay police a living wage and proper pensions,’ and ‘End Police Slavery.’

    They claimed that they had been pushed to the wall with the government’s attitude to their yearnings about what they tagged “discriminatory pension scheme.”

    Security personnel were, however, on ground to ensure that the protest was not disrupted.

    There were also protests by retirees in Edo, Kwara and Plateau states.  

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    The retirees, under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers, are seeking the establishment of a Police Pension Board to bring all Police retirees under one umbrella, full payment of their gratuity under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)  and removal from the CPS.

    Under the CPS, an employee and employer contribute monthly towards the employee’s pension.

      Armed Forces, intelligence  and secret service officials are, however,  not covered by the CPS

      Addressing the retirees, Egbetokun reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force(NPF )’s commitment to addressing their plight.    

    He expressed empathy for their situation, stating that poor retirement benefits were also of concern to serving officers and men.

    The Police boss also told them that he was not opposed to the exit of both serving and retired personnel of the NPF  from the CPS. 

    He said: “We all feel concerned. We empathise with you because we are also going to retire. I have been engaging at the highest level to ensure that something is done to improve the condition of poor pensioners.

    “I just came back from a meeting with the NSA. The subject matter was the poor pension of retired officers. There are things that we need to do to ensure that your suffering in retirement is alleviated.

    “There are several things that we have done and steps that I have taken. I would not like to disclose the details because of the presence of the press people here.   

    ‘’But I just want to assure you that we empathise with you and we are not just folding our arms. We are doing a lot to ensure that something is done.

    “I want you to understand that I am not opposed to your exit from the CPS. I’m not opposed to it. If exiting from CPS will solve the problems, I will go for it.

    ‘’But if it is difficult for us to exit CPS, what else can we do? We have been agitating exit from CPS for the past 11 years, it has not worked.

        ‘’All previous IGs tried their best to exclude the police from the CPS. Exiting the CPS is beyond the power of any Inspector-General of Police.

    “There are a lot of things that are involved. But what we’re interested in is ensuring that our retired officers live a good life after serving the country for 35 years. That is what we want.

    “Even while in the CPS, this is what I have said that people have misconstrued. They have misinterpreted it that it is not until you exit the CPS that you can earn a good pension. Even with the CPS, we can improve the operation of that CPS and ensure that you are happy in retirement.

    “  As  IG, I started thinking of alternative ways of addressing the challenges. And it is the alternative way I’m working on that people are misinterpreting as me being opposed to your exit from CPS.”

    He, however, cautioned the retirees against being used by external actors.

    “Don’t allow the enemies of the police to use you. Be suspicious of those who pretend to be on your side. They may not mean well for you,” Egbetokun said.

    Kaduna:

    Chairman of the  Police Officers Retirees on Contributory Pension Scheme, Kaduna State branch, Mannir Lawal, described the scheme as “exploitative and unjust.”

    He said: “We are here to ask the government to remove us from the CPS. The pension scheme is exploitative and unjust. I am 67 years old. Many of us here are in our 60s and 70s.

    “We have served this country faithfully and deserve to retire in dignity. This scheme has impoverished us. It is our right to demand better.”

      Presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore and some activists led the retired policemen and officers in the protest in Abuja.

    Sowore  said: “No policeman should earn less than N500,000 monthly. That’s about $300   monthly, and that’s nothing.

    ‘’We are saying enough is enough. We are here to talk about better conditions of service for servicemen and those who are retired, and even for their family members.

    “How can you serve the country for 35 years and you go home with N2 million?”

  • Outrage as policemen allegedly extort, cut dreadlocks of visitors in Minna

    Outrage as policemen allegedly extort, cut dreadlocks of visitors in Minna

    Some policemen stationed at checkpoints leading into Minna, the Niger State capital, have been accused of extorting travelers and forcibly cutting their dreadlocks, despite Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s earlier clarification that such directives were not meant for visitors or legitimate business people.

    A victim, Wisdom Jonathan, a photographer, narrated his ordeal to journalists, stating that he and two of his workers were stopped at the Pogo checkpoint while entering the state.

     According to him, the officers cut off the hair of his colleagues and imposed a N2,000 fine on them.

    Jonathan further alleged that he was assaulted with a fan belt by the officers after he protested the treatment meted out to his team.

    Governor Bago had previously explained that the hair-cutting directive was targeted at specific groups known for criminal activity and not intended for innocent visitors. 

    However, the latest incident has sparked concern over abuse of the directive and potential human rights violations.

    “When we were coming into Minna, we were stopped at the police checkpoint around Pogo and they told the other two men i was with to open their cap, they did. One has punk and the other one had dreadlocks. They said they will have to cut their hair as it was now the law. I went to them and told them that we are coming to work in Minna and we are not living in Minna. 

    Read Also: Two policemen injured in duel with robbers in Kano

    “The policemen said that they must cut the hair as they were under the order to cut any dreadlock or unruly hair. We crossed together but they told me to go back, they tried to send me back but when i refused, they brought out fan belt and started hitting me with it that i am trying to stop them from doing their job. I was trying to be careful to ensure that the men I brought with me for the work return back safely. 

    “They took my colleagues to the bush and told them that they have to pay fine of N2,000. They gave them their Opay account and one of the men transferred N2,000 to the officer and the other man gave N2,000 cash.”

    When contacted, the Niger state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun said the command will investigate the issue, “We will verify, investigate and ascertain the personnel involved for further necessary action”, he said in a message to the reporter.

     In an apparent response to the incident and others, the Niger state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honorable Binta Mamman reiterated that the government’s position towards the dreadlocks was to clamp down on nefarious youths groups with distinct hairstyles causing mayhem in parts of Minna, the state capital.

    She explained that those who would be affected are those who wear dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads is shaved.

    According to Mamman, “This is not a blanket criminalization of hairstyles, but a preventive measure informed by intelligence and ongoing trends. The aim is to dismantle the formation and spread of these emerging groups before they become deeply rooted in the state.

    “The government has observed a disturbing trend among some youth groups where a distinct hairstyle that appears to be evolving into a form of group identity or cultism. The defaulters that will be arrested are those who wear certain dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads are shaved. The security agencies know them because they walk in droves.

    “With intelligence reports, this particular dreadlocks style has increasingly become associated with members of these groups.”

    In her statement, there was no mention of fines being imposed on offenders as alledged to have been colllected by some security personnel who are at various roadblocks.

  • Policemen flee after dumping colleague’s corpse

    Policemen flee after dumping colleague’s corpse

    Some policemen who took the corpse of their late colleague, Inspector Yusif Suleiman Blessing, to his residence for burial, have reportedly fled after family members requested to open the coffin.

    Late Inspector Yusuf served at Akotogbo in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State where he died in a yet-to-be explained circumstances.

    The 50-year-old native of Ikoro Ekiti in Ekiti state was found to have been burnt to death when the coffin was opened whereas his wife was informed that her husband drowned while on duty.

    Sources said the wife received a call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) where her husband was serving that the husband had drowned.

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    The source said Inspector Yusuf was brought to the family in a sealed coffin, which the family demanded to open before the burial.

    “We were surprised the three officers refused and ran away. They abandoned the coffin and the vehicle in front of the family house at Osi community,” a family member confided..

    It was gathered that Yusuf’s body was burnt with a cracked skull which made the family to suspect foul play.

    Spokesman for the Ondo Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, promised to provide more details after investigations have been concluded.

  • Outrage as policemen assault NSCDC officer

    Outrage as policemen assault NSCDC officer

    Condemnations have trailed the violence unleashed on an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by some policemen in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The NSCDC officer is currently being detained by the Osun police.

     A source said trouble started when the NSCDC officer tried to prevent police from invading an estate without an arrest warrant and means of identification.

    The Nation gathered that policemen who were not in uniform attempted to invade Elizabeth Estate via Osun State Secretariat on Wednesday to make an arrest, but the NSCDC officer on duty denied them entry over questionable identity.

    A source in the estate said, “Policemen from Ataoja came to our estate for arrest without warrant and the NSCDC urged them to provide one, else he would not allow them in. It resulted in an altercation where 20 police reinforced the scene and they beat him up and brutally injured two residents.”

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    Reacting to the incident, the Osun State Command of NSCDC through its spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, condemned the act of the men of Osun State Police Command.

    She confirmed the arrest of its officer by policemen, adding that his uniform was torn, handcuffed, arrested, and detained at Ataoja Police Command.

    The Osun State Police Command through its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident, saying, “The NSCDC officer beat up two of our men and deflated the tyres of their vehicle.”

    However, the convener of Dialogue 365, Comrade Waheed Saka berated the police over the act describing it as barbaric, saying, “There are rising cases of police brutality in Osun State lately. The recent extrajudicial activities of police may result in another massive protest against the police.”

  • Policemen involved in N3m extortion arrested

    Policemen involved in N3m extortion arrested

    • •IG condemns act

    Policemen  who extorted N3million from  Comrade Liberty Kelechi in Bayelsa State on his way to Imo State with two of his friends  have been arrested.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who made this known, said the men are attached to Zone 16 Command in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the  command to produce the men at the Force Headquarters (FHQ).

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    He stated this yesterday on his X handle.

    He said the FHQ will continue to sanitise the system and ensure justice is done in cases brought to its notice.

    Adejobi warned that the IGP would not condone or support any unprofessional, corrupt, and illegal act as the Force will continue to uphold its values and ethics.

  • JUST IN: Policemen involved in N3m extortion arrested

    JUST IN: Policemen involved in N3m extortion arrested

    …As IGP condemns act

    Policemen involved in the case of extortion of N3m from Comrade Liberty Kelechi in Bayelsa State on his way to Imo State with two of his friends have been arrested.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who revealed this, said the men are attached to zone 16 command in Yenagoa.

    Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the command to produce the men at the Force Headquarters (FHQ).

    He revealed this on Thursday on his X handle.

    He said the FHQ will continue to sanitise the system and ensure justice is done in all cases brought to its notice.

    Read Also: Gunmen burn station, kill three policemen in Anambra

    Adejobi warned that the IGP will never condone or support any unprofessional, corrupt, or illegal act as the Force will continue to uphold its values and ethics.

    He said: “We will talk to the AIG in charge, this will be thoroughly looked into. I and many senior officers feel uncomfortable, with the way some policemen engage in unprofessional conduct, most especially forceful extortion, and most times, they even drop the name of the IGP in their illegal and inhumane act.

    “IGP has condemned it and reiterated that he doesn’t need any money or gift from any officer as returns or settlement. The IGP will never condone or support any unprofessional, corrupt, or illegal act. The Force will continue to uphold its values and ethics.”

  • Gunmen burn station, kill three policemen in Anambra

    Gunmen burn station, kill three policemen in Anambra

    Gunmen, suspected to be members of the secessionist group, yesterday attacked another police station with bombs at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State killed three policemen and injured others.

    Though the Police Command claimed that only one policeman, a Corporal, was killed, a senior Police officer told The Nation that three of their men lost their lives.

    The group, which terrorises the Southeast region, also attacked the Oba Civic Centre.

    Last week, one of the leaders of the group put a voice note on social media calling for a one month sit-at-home in the region.

    Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement.

    Ikenga said: “A joint security force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other agencies is conducting a joint operation in Oba and its environs.”

    He said the suspected group shot and threw petrol bombs, causing fire in some offices and the Civic Centre.

    “This followed an attack in the early hours of 3/9/2024 on Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and Oba Civic Centre.

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    “The suspected armed secessionist group started shooting sporadically in an attempt to gain entrance to the Police Station and threw petrol bombs at the security facility which made some of the offices catch fire, including the Oba Civic Centre.

    “Unfortunately, a police corporal, who was fatally wounded, paid the supreme price, while the fire was put off with the help of other Police officers on duty and the Joint Security responding team.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while condemning the act, described the invasion of security facilities and hostility towards security agents as an attack on the soul of a Nation and vowed to bring those behind the unholy act to book.”

    A source, who regretted such attacks on Police formations, noted that hoodlums have resumed their attacks on police stations.

  • 97 held for killing of two policemen  in Abuja attack

    97 held for killing of two policemen  in Abuja attack

    • IG orders manhunt for sponsors, assailants

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered manhunt for the sponsors and killers of two  policemen  during Sunday’s clash between police and members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria(IMN) otherwise known as  Shi’ites.

    Egbetokun condemned what he described as an unprovoked attack by members of the Shi’ite group, on police personnel.

    But the IMN denied involvement, saying its members had a mourning procession on Saturday which went peacefully.

    The group condemned the arrest of its members over the incident.

    The incident occurred at Wuse Junction by the traffic light, where assailants targeted a checkpoint and descended on policemen on duty.

    The attackers, who were armed with machetes, improvised explosive devices, and knives, embarked on several violent attacks which led to the death of two policemen. Four others, including a female were critically injured.

    Three police patrol vehicles were set ablaze.

    Egbetokun confirmed the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.

    The IG’s figure raised the number of suspects arrested from 62 given by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner Benneth Igweh on Sunday.

    A statement  by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, yesterday said: “In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun , the progressive efforts of police operatives have led to the arrest of 97 suspects and the recovery of several weapons used in the attack.

    “The IGP has also reaffirmed the unalloyed zeal of the Force to arrest other involved persons and bring the killers to justice, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining law and order and resisting all sorts of anarchy and unrest in any part of the country.

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    “The unprovoked killings of police officers in the line of duty are highly outrageous and unacceptable as those who murdered these policemen have murdered peace.

    “As investigations unfold, the Nigeria Police Force is determined to uncover the full extent of this attack and prevent future occurrences of such violence against police officers. The IGP offers heartfelt sympathies to the grieving families of the fallen police officers, mourning their loss alongside them and also wishes a speedy recovery to those currently undergoing treatment, hoping for their swift return to full health.”

    The injured officers  are responding to treatment,  Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said  while giving an update on their  condition.

    She added that the FCT Commissioner of Police, (CP), Benneth Igweh will today (Tuesday) visit the families of the dead officers.

    Adeh said: “ As we speak the four injured officers including a female are currently receiving treatment and they are responding to treatment.

    “The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh will on Tuesday visit family members of the dead officers to commensurate with them and assure them of Police support.