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Tag: Sadiq Bello

  • Police dismiss corps member’s killer

    The Police authority has dismissed the Policeman who shot a Corp member, Miss Linda Angela Igwetu in Abuja on Wednesday night.

    The Police also said the policeman, Benjamin Peters  has been  arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction and he is awaiting trial.

    This was disclosed in Abuja on Friday by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Sadiq Bello at a press briefing.

    Giving details of the incident, Bello said: “On 4/07/2018 at about 0300hrs when Policemen on Stop-And-Search duty at Ceddi Plaza Pindown intercepted a Toyota Camry car with sun roof.

    “It was alleged that the lady, one Angela Igwetu stood up and brought out her head through the sun roof, shouting and calling out for help that she was kidnapped.

    “The Policemen claimed that they flagged that vehicle down, but the driver refused to stop. This made the Police Inspector to open fire on the vehicle which unfortunately hit the lady in question; she was rushed to Garki Hospital where she eventually died.”

    On the sanction meted out to the Policeman, Bello said: “Police have taken necessary measures, the Policeman that opened fire has been arrested, necessary disciplinary procedures have been concluded.

    Read Also: Policeman kills NYSC member one day to passing out

    “He has been dismissed from the Force and arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction and he is currently on remand awaiting commencement of trial.

    “I am appealing for calm and understanding from members of the public particularly, the family of the deceased that at the end of the day justice will be done in this matter.

    “The Nigeria Police, FCT Command does not condone act of irresponsibility and incivility or outright criminality on the part of its officers and men; they have always been admonished to be civil to members of the public and be professional in the conduct of their duties.”

    On whether his dismissal was justified, The CP said: “This is what the policemen on duty said, they said as the car was coming, she stuck her head up and she was shouting that she has been kidnapped and she was calling for help. That is what the policemen said but the two gentlemen that were with her said no.

    “They agreed that she stuck her head up but that she was catching fun and obviously maybe they were under influence of something because they were just coming out from joint or something because she was about to pass out from NYSC the next day. That is what they said and they are colleagues; herself and one of the other occupants of the car. They work for one American company.  So you see, the issue of kidnap, I don’t believe would come in there.”

    He further explained: “One thing again, as police officers, we know that it is much better for a criminal to escape than for an innocent person to die. So again, if you are doing that to save her life, you ended up killing her.

    “If you are very familiar with law, there is no excuse for taking someone’s life. It can only mitigate the intention. For a crime to be confirmed there must be intention and the physical acts.  So if you kill somebody by mistake, you are still culpable but it is just that it will mitigate the intention.

    “So for us, I think the shooting is not justified. They could have as well radioed the control room that this is what is happening and call other Police checkpoint to be on alert.

    “I can tell you that it is a standing order that it is better for a criminal to escape than  for an innocent person to suffer.”

    The CP also reassured residents of FCT that they should go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation or harassment, adding that their peace and security is guaranteed at all times.”

     

  • We’ll probe killing of seven policemen – CP

    The Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CCIID) in the Federal Capital Territory has commenced investigation into the killing of seven policemen in Abuja.

    The policemen reportedly died after a gun duel with “daredevil men of the underworld.”

    The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq Bello, who carried out on the spot assessment of the scene, assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

    Bello said the Command has deployed proactive security measures to protect lives and property in the FCT.

    The Command’s Spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah, disclosed these in a statement on Tuesday.

    The statement reads: “The FCT Commissioner of Police has reassured members of the public that the Command has deployed proactive security measures to protect lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory.

    “He stated this on Tuesday during his visit to Galadimawa round-about for on the spot assessment of the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of some policemen during a fierce gun battle with some daredevil men of the underworld.

    “While commiserating with families of the deceased policemen who paid the supreme price while serving their fatherland, the Commissioner of Police wishes to assure law abiding FCT residents and the general public that the Command has set machineries in motion to arrest the fleeing assailants and bring them to justice.

    “Meanwhile, the Command Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has since commenced discreet investigation to unmask the identities of the criminal elements behind the dastardly act.”

  • Senate Invasion: Court restrains police, SSS from arresting Senator Omo-Agege 

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has ordered the police and the State Security Service (DSS) to desist from arresting Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) over Wednesday’s disruption of the Senate’s proceedings during which its mace was allegedly stolen.

    Justice Isahq Bello, who is the court’s Chief Judge, gave the order Thursday while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the Senator.

    Justice Bello said the order is to subsist pending the hearing and determination of the Omo Agege’s motion on notice seeking similar prayers as contained in the ex parte motion.

    Justice Bello, in his ruling, retrained the four respondents from arresting Omo-Agege pending the hearing of the senator’s motion on notice.

    The judge granted all the applicant’s prayers, which included:

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents and/or servants arresting and/or detaining the applicant either in their custody of any other law enforcement agency, or its servants, agents or privies or through any person working in concert with the respondent as its agents, by whatever means or however described pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit.

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their representatives, agents or privies, howsoever described from any attempt or threat to violate the applicant’s fundamental right to personal liberty and right to freedom of movement pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit.

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from taking any or further steps detrimental to the applicant’s aforementioned fundamental rights to the applicant’s rights in connection with the facts stated in this matter pending the hearing of the motion on notice filed in this suit.”

    Upon granting the Senator’s prayers, Justice Bello adjourned further proceedings to May 7 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

    The judge equally re-assigned the case to Court 30 which is being presided over by Justice Usman Musale in the Jabi Division of the FCT High Court, where subsequent proceedings would take place

    The main suit is marked: FCT/HC/CV/1522/2018 and the ex parte motion marked: M/5050/18.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris; the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Sadiq Bello, and the Director-General of SSS, Lawal Daura are listed as respondents.

    Read Also: Senate probes police invasion of National Assembly

  • Police in FCT arrest five armed robbery suspects

    Police in FCT arrest five armed robbery suspects

    The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Sadiq Bello, said the command had arrested 5 suspects who specialised in dispossessing people of their cars and jewelry at gun point.

    The suspects are: Sunday Okhomode, 30,  (principal member of the gang); of No 35, Obabayibe, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Meshak James, 23, of phase 3, Kubwa, Abuja and Amusu Koku, 28 of Koroduma, Abuja, who specialises in changing colours of stolen cars.

    Others are: Kunle Obajemi, 49 of Kuje junction who specialises in changing chasis numbers on the dash board of stolen vehicles and Suleiman Isa, 26 of Jiwa , Gwagwa, who buys stolen jewelry from the gang.

    Bello made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the arrest by operatives of the command on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that items recovered from the suspects are:  Five vehicles including a BMW X6 car; four pistols; eight rounds of live ammunition and a face mask.

    He said that the face mask, four pistol, eight rounds of live ammunition and a face mask, were recovered from Vital Care Hospital in Kubwa phase three, owned by Dr  Ola Jimade.

    The commissioner said that the items concealed in a bag in the office of the doctor, were recovered during execution of the search a warrant in the suspect`s hospital.

    He said that the doctor who was the leader of the gang was on the run.

    He said that the arrest of the syndicate was sequel to a reported case of armed robbery incident in Maitama in November 2017, where a BMW X6 car and large quantities of gold were carted away.

    Bello said that four of the stolen vehicles had been identified by their respective owners who were robbed at gun point.

    He said that the gang’s modus operandi was to gain access into the houses of their targets by blaring the horns of their cars at the gate.

    He said that investigation was ongoing to recover more vehicles and to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

    Bello said that the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation.

    In a related development, the command had also arrested Destiny Abang, 32, from Boki East in Cross River while trying to steal a car from Area 8, Garki, Abuja.

    The commissioner of police said in the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to have stolen several cars within Garki and environs that were taken to Boki for sale.

    Bello said the investigation led to the recovery of 13 cars.

    They include: Five Mazda 323 saloon car, a Golf three car, three Toyota corolla cars, a Nissan primera car, a Mazda 626 car and a Toyota Highlander car.

    He advised members of the public to always make thorough checks on vehicles by insisting on seeing the original copies of particulars before buying to avoid buying stolen cars.

    The commissioner also urged the public to cooperate and collaborate with police for peace and tranquility in the territory.

    NAN

  • We didn’t arrest, detain Ezekwesili, says Police

    We didn’t arrest, detain Ezekwesili, says Police

    The FCT Police Command has denied arresting and detaining the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls group, Prof. Oby Ezekwesili and some of its members.

    Ezekwesili had alleged on her Twitter handle that she was arrested by Personnel of the the Force at the Unity Fountain while she and other members of the group were planning to embark on a peaceful protest to the Villa.

    Reacting to the allegation on Tuesday, the  Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah explained that some members of the group were only taken to the Command to forestall breakdown of law and order.

    The statement reads : “The FCT Police Command wishes to clear the air and set the record straight that it did not arrest or detain Prof. Oby Ezekwesili and some members of the Bring Back Our Girls group as being speculated on some social media platforms.

    “It is pertinent to state that they were only brought to the Command to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order as some members of the group reacted violently and broke down security barriers set up by the police to restrict their protest to Unity Fountain.

    “The members of the group were addressed by the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Sadiq  Bello who reiterated the commitment of the Command to protect lives and property and enjoined the Bring Back Our Girls members to go about their lawful businesses. After briefing by the Commissioner of Police, the members of the group left the Command.”

  • Police arrests three suspected arm dealers in Abuja

    Police arrests three suspected arm dealers in Abuja

    The FCT Police Command has arrested three suspected illegal armed dealers.

    The suspects – Philip John, Onyegabueze Okpara and Joseph Bulus who specialized in manufacturing, supplying and distribution of locally made firearms were arrested in Zuba area of Abuja.

    The sole manufacturer, John said he started the business immediately after his primary school education because of hardship.

    Items recovered from them included one locally fabricated double barrel firearm, two live 12 calibre cartridges,  two single barrel firearm frame, two Dane gun frame, 58 empty cartridges shells, 338 live 12 calibre cartridges, and locally fabricated revolver pistol cylinder.

    Others are – four Dane guns, one double barrel firearm, two calibre live cartridges, empty caliber cartridge shell,  Six Dane gun muzzle, Six single barrel firearm frame, two Dane gun hammer, five gun muzzle spring, manual motor drill, one dice for retread and various implement used for manufacturing locally made weapons.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Sadiq Bello said: “Following intelligence and discreet police investigation, operatives of the command uncovered an illegal firearm fabricating factory located around Shenagu village near Zuba.

    “During a raid on the factory, three suspects were arrested and during interrogation, Philip John stated that he has been doing the illicit business for 17 years.

    “He also confessed that he sells fabricated single-barrel guns to his clients at N20,000 while Dane gun went for N10,000.”

    “John also said he serviced and repaired malfunctioning guns brought to him by his client whom he claimed were vigilantes and hunters.

    On the supplier of the arm by Okpara, the police commissioner added: “The supplier of the ammunition who disguised as a bicycle spare-parts dealer was arrested at Kwaita market in possession of some of the exhibits which he carefully concealed and sold to criminals.

    “In his statement, he narrated that he started the illicit deal since 1997 and that he sold a pack containing 25 pieces of live cartridges for N12,000, while single cartridge was released for N500. He further confessed that got his supply from Onitsha.”

    The police also said the third suspect, Bulus was the major link between John and potential buyers of the firearms.

    On how he began the trade, John said: “I am from Kaduna State. I started hunting when I was in primary school. I used firearm to hunt. In the process of hunting, I started learning how to repair the gun I used. From repair of my gun, I mastered how it was done.

    “I decided to go into the fabrication of arm as a full time business because hunting was no longer lucrative and I was looking for something that would sustain me.

    “I don’t have licence to manufacture and I know what I do is illegal but I made effort to get licence but my efforts proved abortive and that is why I resolved to this.”

    Also speaking, the Okpara who disguised as bicycle spare-parts seller said: “I have been in this business for about 20 years now. I know that what I deal in is contraband but what choice do I have? I sell to vigilantes and hunters.

    The police commissioner said: “We are not going to sleep, we are going to keep vigil to ensure that we safeguard the lives and property of FCT residents.”

    He also said the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation.

  • Police uncover illegal firearm factory in FCT

    Police uncover illegal firearm factory in FCT

    The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Sadiq Bello, said the Command has arrested three suspects in connection with an illegal firearm fabricating factory in Shenagu village near Zuba, FCT.

    The suspects are: Philip John, owner of the factory, Mr Onyegabueze Okpara, supplier of ammunitions and Joseph Bulus, distributor of the arms.

    Bello made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on arrest by operatives of the command on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that items recovered from the suspects include: locally fabricated revolver pistol cylinder, four Dane guns, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, two caliber live cartridge and  six Dane gun muzzles.

    Others are: four single barrel muzzles, six barrel gun frame, two gun muzzle spring, one manual motor drill, one dice for retread and various implement used for manufacturing locally made weapons.

    He said that during interrogation, John confessed to have been in the illicit business for 17 years and selling the fabricated single-barrel guns and Dane gun for N20, 000 and N10, 000 respectively.

    The commissioner said that the Okpara, who disguise as a bicycle spare parts dealer was arrested at Kaita market with the items which he concealed and sells to criminals.

    He said that Okpara had been in the illicit deal since 1997, sells a pack containing 25 pieces of live cartridge for N12, 000, while single cartridge goes for N500.

    Bello said that Bulus, the major link, who connects the principal suspect, John, with potential buyers of the fabricated firearms was arrested in Zuba.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court on conclusion of investigation.

    Bello said that the command also arrested five armed robbery suspects at Apo roundabout and Kabusa areas of the FCT.

    The suspects are: Hashiru Isiaka, 30, of Kuruduma, Umar Adamu,20, of area 1 Garki, Tukur Bala, 25, also of area 1 Garki, Bashiru Mohhamed,25, of Durumi  and Benjamin Jatau, 29, of Kabusa.

    He said that Jatau was arrested by operatives of the command on Sept. 15 during a stop and search at Dantata bridge in Jabi.

    Bello said items recovered from the suspect are: one revolver pistol with two rounds of live ammunition, one revolver pistol and one locally made pistol, Nokia cell phone, Indian hemp, charm and screw driver.

    “The exhibits were discovered by the police during a search conducted on the bag the suspect was carrying while on transit from Jabi to Kabusa in a tricycle,“he said.

    He said that the suspect who was an ex-convict confessed that the guns, which he bought for N50, 000 was to be used for a major robbery operation around Kabusa and environs.

    “The suspect and exhibits have been transferred to the command Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) for discreet investigation and prosecution,“he said.

    He said Isiaka, Adamu, Bala and Mohammed were arrested on Sept. 20 by the command SARS while responding to a distress call about a robbery at Apo roundabout.

    The commissioner said that Adamu was arrested at the scene of the crime while his cohorts who fled on sighting the operatives, were later arrested on Sept. 9.

    He said that the suspects robbed and dispossessed two of their victims of N120,000.

    Bello said that suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

    He said with the support and cooperation of the public, the command would continue to track and arrest criminals in the territory.

    “This arrest goes to show that the command will not go to sleep, residents have a stake and should feel free to give police information“he said.