The Nigeria Police Force has placed a N5million bounty for anyone with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the killers of some policemen.
The Police also assured that identity of informants would be protected.
So far, eleven policemen have been killed. Seven policemen were killed few weeks ago in Galadimawa area of Abuja while four were killed and burnt in their patrol vehicle at Sabongidda Ora in Edo State.
The Police said five suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing in Abuja.
The Force also said investigation so far conducted showed no link between both attacks.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja Monday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.
On the latest killings, the Force said: “The IGP has directed a thorough and discreet investigation into the recent ambush and killing of four Policemen at Sabongidda, Ora in Edo State on the 14th July, 2018 by armed robbers while on patrol.
“As a result of the ambush, the police patrol vehicle burst into flame after the attack and the four Policemen died in the process.
“The investigation conducted so far has not established any link between the two attacks, but public spirited individuals and other good Nigerians have been giving useful information to the Police in the progressive investigation into the two unfortunate incidents.”
On the bounty, the statement reads: “In order to arrest the other suspects still at large in the first incident, the Force is desirous of more credible information from the public, and hereby pledges a reward of N5million to any member of the public that provides useful information that leads to the arrest of the remaining perpetrators of the ambush attack and killing of seven policemen in the FCT, Abuja on the 2nd July, 2018 or the recent ambush and killing of four Policemen on patrol at Sabongidda, Ora in Edo State on the 14th July, 2018.
“The Force wishes to assure that the informant will be protected and his/her identity secured.”
Giving details of efforts made to arrest the killers, Moshood said: “IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly on the 3rd July, 2018 set-up a team of Specialized Crack Investigation Detectives, Police Scene of Crime Experts and Technical Intelligence Unit of the Force to investigate the ambush attack and killing of seven Policemen while on duty on 2nd July, 2018 by armed robbers/bandits at Galadimawa roundabout, Abuja.
“The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police to beef-up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and embark on massive raids of criminal hideouts and flashpoints across the country to forestall any further attack anywhere in the Country.
“He further placed the Commissioners of Police and Police Personnel nationwide on red-alert and directs 24 hours crime prevention and police visibility patrol of flash and vulnerable points in their jurisdictions.
“The Commissioners of Police were also mandated to re-gird their crime prevention and control strategies and work with community/religious leaders, other stakeholders and public spirited individuals to nip in the bud crimes and criminalities in their AOR.”
The Police urged members of the public with useful information to call the following phone numbers; 08033027731, 08036783388, 08037080740, 08033129778, 08060970807, 08126660696, and 08038025705.
The IGP while sympathizing with the families of the slain Policemen, also directed prompt processing and payment of their entitlements and a befitting burial for them.
The Force said it will not relent in ensuring that crimes and criminalities are brought to the barest in the country despite attacks on its personnel.
…commiserates with their families, Police hierarchy
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the ambush and killing of four policemen by assailants, while on routine patrol in Sabongidda Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend.
Obaseki said the ugly incident is being investigated to ascertain the motive of the killers while assuring that efforts to arrest them was ongoing.
“I commiserate with the Inspector-General of Police, the Edo State Police Command, and the families of the dead. Our administration will work with the security agencies to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice,” he said.
The governor stressed that the unprovoked attacks on men and women of the police force and sister security agencies is unacceptable and assured that the state’s security architecture will create roles for communities and local groups as well as the organised private sector to support security agencies in eradicating crimes across the state.
According to media reports, the four policemen who were attached to the Sabongidda -Ora Divisional Police Headquarters were on Saturday evening killed and burnt in their patrol van by unknown persons.
The police officers were killed at a road block at Uzebba-Aviosi junction along Ifon road, Sabongidda-Ora, the reports said.
INSPECTOR General (IG) Ibrahim Idris has hailed the conduct of policemen and other security agencies deployed for the just concluded election in Ekiti State.
The IG had before the election deployed 30,000 personnel, two helicopters, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), 150 patrol vehicles and others as part of measures to ensure a hitch-free election.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, an Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Acting DCP).
The statement reads: “The Inspector General has expressed utmost satisfaction and commends the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, the entire Police personnel, officers and men of other security and safety agencies deployed to complement the Nigeria Police, in the implementation of the security arrangement for the just concluded Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
“The IG deeply appreciates the high-level commitment of the police personnel and that of other security and safety agencies in ensuring adequate security, secure and conducive environment for a free and fair gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.
“The IG further extols the high level of professionalism, civility, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the police personnel and that of other security and safety agencies, before, during and after the election.
“As a lead security agency in election security in a democracy, the IG further commends the entire police personnel deployed for the election for their personal sacrifice, collective patriotism and commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security throughout the period of the election.
“The Police Commissioners and their personnel in the contiguous states to Ekiti State, who were placed on red alert by the IG, are equally appreciated.”
The police boss also commended residents of Ekiti, traditional rulers, religious leaders, INEC officials, election observers, media and other stakeholders for their conduct during the election.
The Force said the good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election doused fear and tensions during the election.
It also stated that it would continue to sustain the elections security successes recorded in gubernatorial elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States and the just concluded one in Ekiti State as an index for the conduct of subsequent elections in the country.
The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested five suspects for their alleged involvement in the death of seven policemen in Abuja.
The Policemen who were on stop and search duty in Galadimawa area of Abuja were killed by gunmen on Monday night.
Giving update of the investigation, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said the IG has ordered that the allowances of the victims be paid to their families.
Moshood added that the Police boss also directed that the men be given a befitting burial.
He said: “It is important to update Nigerians on efforts made to ensure adequate security of lives and property.
“Few days ago, our Police personnel in Galadimawa were ambushed, attacked and seven of them died in the process.
“The IGP subsequently directed all Commissioners of Police and all formation to beef up security and set up a special crack investigation team to arrest the perpetrators.”
On the number of those arrested, Moshood said: “As I speak with you, five arrests have been made in respect of the attacks and more arrest are been made and we would ensure that all the perpetrators that were involved in this heinous crime are apprehended.
“The Team was directed to proffer measures to put in place as to ensure that police personnel deployed for special duty are properly protected. The team is also mandated to ensure that solution is proferred to prevent attack of such nature in future.
“The IGP commiserate with the family of the seven policemen and has directed that all their allowances and benefits are paid to the family.
“He has equally directed a befitting burial for the seven personnel that died while on duty of protecting the lives of Nigerians”, he said.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has set up a team of investigators to unravel the killers of seven policemen in Abuja.
The Policemen who were on stop and search duty were killed by gunmen at the Galadimawa roundabout area of Abuja on Monday night.
The team of seven would be headed by a Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma.
Other members of the team are; Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations FCT Police Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Police Forensic Department, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Police Central Criminal Registry, Assistant Commissioner of Police, 2I/C IGP Intelligence Response Team, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Federal SARS and Chief Superintendent of Police, IGPSEC.
The team is expected to report its findings to the IGP within 21 days.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Thursday by the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood.
The team was also directed to work with the FCT Commissioner of Police and also ordered take over the investigation from the Command Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
The statement reads: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has on the 3rd July, 2018 set-up a team of Specialized Crack Investigation Detectives, Police Scene of Crime Experts and Technical Intelligence Unit of the Force to investigate the ambush attack and killing of seven Policemen while on duty on 2nd July, 2018 by armed robbers/bandits.”
Terms of reference of the team reads: “A thorough and discreet investigation of the ambush attack and killing of seven Policemen while on duty on 2nd July, 2018 by armed robbers/Bandits at Galadimawa roundabout, Federal Capital Territory.
“The team is to unravel arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings and detect the motives behind the ambush and killing of the seven Policemen.
“The Team will work with the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory in the investigation of the incident and will take over further investigation into the killings from the FCT CIID
“The Team will take any other instruction from the Inspector General of Police in ensuring the prompt resolution of the crime to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Team will obtain evidence; receive complaints and information from public spirited individuals or any other member of the public with useful information that can assist them in their investigation.
“The Team is expected to proffer strategies and recommendations to forestall similar attack in the future.”
The Inspector General of Police urged members of the public in the FCT to cooperate with the Investigation Team.
The Police also asked members of the public with useful information about the killing to call the following numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938 and 07057337653.
The Force said it will not relent, despite the attack in its renewed commitment in crime prevention and control and adequate protection of lives and property throughout the country, and will ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to justice and on time.
…Investigation into the attack ongoing – Force Spokesman
Unindentified gunmen have reportedly killed seven policemen in Galadimawa area in Abuja.
The attackers were said to have opened fire on the policemen on Monday night when they were stopped by some of the personnel of the Force who were on a stop and search duty in the area.
The attack also left many civilians injured including one policeman.
Confirming the attack, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood said an investigation has commenced.
He said: “The attack on Police personnel and killing of seven policemen in Abuja on Monday is an indication that those who are calling for the disbandment or end to SARS are not doing the nation any good.
“These are policemen that were attacked and killed by armed robbers and other bandits.
“When you now begin to call for end to SARS, this is a living witness that police personnel die in the process of protecting Nigerians and it is important that the SARS who are the fighting arm remain.
“SARS is what the police is using to curb and reduce forms of robbery and criminality in the country.
“Investigation has commenced fully into this incident and the perpetrators would be prosecuted.”
Riot policemen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday staged a protest over non-payment of their five months allowances.
They barricaded the command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway, shot sporadically into the air while singing and marching.
The riot Policemen, who have bee on Special Duty working with the Joint Task Force (JTF), disrupted traffic during the protest.
Borno State Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said he was making frantic efforts to pacify them adding that the the issue would soon be resolved with the signing of the 2018 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Borno police chief said only five months outstanding allowances were been owed as against the seven and six months being mentioned.
He said: “We woke up this morning to experience a protest at the State headquearters gate by visiting PMF men in Borno State over unpaid special duty allowances for five months running.
“We are making efforts to pacify them and to assure them of their payment of entitlemnts soonest especially now that the Federal Government budget issues are being fast resolved by the Federal Government,”
The CP appealed that steps be urgently taken to proffer a lasting solution to the problem.
One of protesting policemen, who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.
“About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.
“We have been serving at the command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.
“We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was seen heading towards the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
A source at the Presidential Villa, who preferred to remain anonymous, told NAN that the IGP was in the villa to brief the Presidency on the police protest.
Spokesman of the Police Jimoh Moshood, said its personnel seen blocking Borno headquarters in Maiduguri, were not staging a protest, but were merely complaining over the delay in paying their special duty allowances.
In a statement in Abuja, Moshood said: ‘The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media report that Policemen protested in Maiduguri over non-payment of their Special Duty Allowance.
“The Force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today, 2nd July, 2018.
“Some of the Police Mobile Force personnel on Special Duty in Maiduguri went to the Borno State Police Command Headquarters on enquiry over the delay in the payment of their special duty allowance in the early hours of today and not on protest as reported in some media.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris promptly directed the Commissioner of Police, Borno State to address and inform them why there is delay in the payment of their special duty allowance, and also assure them that since the budget has been approved, the allowances will be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay. They subsequently returned to their duty posts.
“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force (PMF) to proceed to Maiduguri, Borno State and other States in the North East where PMF personnel are deployed on special duty; to lecture and inform them on the efforts being made by the Force to ensure timely payment of special duty and other allowances to police personnel in the North East of the country.
“The Police Mobile Force personnel that went on the enquiry are not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East but those on the category of visiting Police Mobile Force units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.
“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organization and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the country”.
Borno State Police Commissioner Damian Chukwu said he is making frantic efforts to pacify the aggrieved policemen who embarked on an early morning protest in Maiduguri, Borno State capital over unpaid allowances.
According to Mr. Chukwu, the issue will soon be resolved as the 2018 budget has just been signed into law.
The Borno CP however disclosed that only five months outstanding allowances are been owed to the protesters as against the 7 or 6 months being reported by some section of the media.
“We woke up this morning to experience a protest at the State HQ gate by visiting PMF men in Borno State over unpaid special duty allowances for 5 months running.
“We are making efforts to pacify them and to assure them of their payments of entitlements soonest especially now that FG Budget issues are being fast resolved by the Federal Government,” CP Chukwu disclosed.
The CP also appeal that steps be urgently taken to proffer lasting solution to the problem.
The Nation reports that armed Mopol took to the streets of Maiduguri protesting over their unpaid allowances with the JTF.
The protest witnessed heaving shooting and release of tear gas on the streets of Maiduguri causing pandemonium.