The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Special Anti-Robbery Squad

  • Fulani herdsmen kill SARS operative in Oyo

    Fulani herdsmen kill SARS operative in Oyo

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed the Officer-in-charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Saki Area of the Oyo State Police Command.

    The officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, whose name was not disclosed by the Command was said to have been macheted to death by the suspected Fulani herdsmen during an operation in a forest around Saki-Ogboro Road in the Oke Ogun area of the state.

    The incident is coming barely two weeks after the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude and other top officers of the Command held a stakeholders meeting to address issues and crisis between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

    The meeting held at the Eleyele Headquarters of the Command in Ibadan.

    According to a top Source who pleaded anonymity, a combined team of police officers and men of the SARS operatives in the area had arrested some suspected Fulani herdsmen on the ground of disturbing public peace a day earlier, but that the men were ambushed by another gang of herdsmen during another attempt to arrest two other suspects involved in the public chaos.

    The source added that the development has led to palpable fear in Saki and its environs.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu who confirmed the incident said four suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of the officer.

    He, however, added that the Command has commenced an investigation on the incident while assuring people in the area to remain law-abiding and calm.

  • Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested a soldier serving at 81 Battalion, Makola, Ibadan, for allegedly hijacking a fuel-laden truck along  Akobo,Iwo road.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abiodun Odunde, made the disclosure in Ibadan while presenting the suspects to newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday.

    Odunde said that the soldier and three others were arrested on November 11 along Akobo, Iwo road, Ibadan.

    The commissioner said that investigation revealed that the gang was responsible for waylaying and subsequently hijacking trucks along the expressway.

    “The gang led by the soldier hijacked a 40,000 litre truck with registration number ABJ 132XA at about 9:30 p.m. and abducted the driver and the conductor.

    “They later took them to Omi-Adio after robbing them of their money and valuables and thereafter drove the truck to Akure/Ilesa road.

    Read also: Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    “The alarm raised by the victim attracted some members of the community who alerted the police that led to their arrest and also recovered the truck,’’ Odude said.

    The police also presenteed 17 other suspects including an employee of George Investment Company, Ibadan, who stole six Sino trucks and a Toyota Camry car belonging to the company.

    Odude said that investigation conducted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad led to the arrest of the suspect and one other in Edo and Abuja.

    The CP said that the six trucks were sold in Kaduna at the rate of N20 million while the Camry car was given to a yet-to-be identified pastor in Abuja.

    “As a result of diligent investigation by the SARS, all the trucks and two other cars were recovered and the criminal receiver also arrested.”

    10 other suspects were arrested for alleged stealing, cultism, armed robbery, unlawful possession of counterfeit currency and impersonation.

    Items recovered are two cut-to-size single barrel guns, two Laptop computers, eight mobile phones, a mask and charms.

    NAN

  • 2019 elections: IGP warns officers against unethical conduct

    2019 elections: IGP warns officers against unethical conduct

    The Inspector-General of Police ( IGP ), Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday warned officers of the  Nigeria Police Force against unethical conduct during the 2019 general elections.

    Idris gave the warning at the monthly meeting with officers of the rank of Commissioners of Police and above in Abuja.

    He also urged them to avoid temptations from politicians who would want to compromise them, adding that the force was doing its best within limited resources.

    “You have to avoid temptations from political actors at the cost of having smooth and credible elections in 2019,“he said.

    Idris said there was need for officers and men of the force to be steadfast in carrying out their duties professionally.

    He charged commissioners of the various commands to impress it on their officers to be civil in discharging their duties.

    The high point of the meeting was the decoration of 15 commissioners of police by the inspector-general, among them was Danjuma Ibrahim, who was recently discharged and acquitted over the killing of the Apo six traders.

    Read also: Our plans for 2019 elections, by INEC, AGF, IGP, Rep

    Meanwhile, the police said it had appealed a Federal High Court judgment awarding the Peace Corps of Nigeria a N12.5 million compensation for unlawful arrest and detention of its officials.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of the legal department, Mr David Igbodo, who disclosed this, said the force was a law abiding institution.

    “We are on appeal and we have transmitted records to the Court of Appeal, until the full process of the court is completed, no action will be taken about the Peace Corps,“he said.

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on November 9 ordered the Nigeria Police to pay N12.5 million to the Peace Corps of Nigeria as compensation for unlawful arrest and detention of its officials and unseal its headquarters in Abuja.

    On the reorganisation of the Special Anti Robbery Squad ( SARS ), the police said it was ongoing.

    The commissioner of police in charge of SARS, Mr Haliru Gwandu, made the disclosure at the Inspector-General of police monthly meeting  with senior officers in Abuja.

    He explained that after reorganisation, the unit would only concentrate on violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery.

    Gwandu said at the completion of the ongoing reorganisation of the unit, the issue of extrajudicial killings in the country would be a thing of the past.

    He said there would be training and retraining of personnel of the unit to enhance efficiency.

    Some group of Nigerians recently in the social media, called for the scrapping of SARS over alleged harassment of innocent Nigerians, using the #EndSARS.

    NAN

  • SARS: ‘crime rate has dropped in Rivers upland region’

    SARS: ‘crime rate has dropped in Rivers upland region’

    Mr Akin Fakorode, the Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) in Rivers, says crime rate has dropped to the barest minimum in the upland region of the state.

    Fakorode disclosed this in an interview on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

    He assured the people of the state that the Squad would continue to tackle insecurity in the riverside region until peace was permanently restored following its collaboration with the Marine Police, Navy and other relevant security agencies.

    He disagreed with those clamouring for the withdrawal of SARS from the state,saying the call had no good intention for the residents.

    Fakorede urged members of the public to lodge their complaints about  any misdemeanour on the part of SARS operatives for appropriate sanctions.

    He said that SARS had been able to identify those fomenting trouble and their hideouts, adding that trouble makers would not be given breathing space under his watch.

    “We have increased our presence and we have also strengthened surveillance on the state’s waterways to block the entry points of criminals to the riverside communities.

    “ This measure is to ensure that there is no safe Haven for criminals even in the creeks.

    “I urge the public to enjoy the best Christmas celebration in terms of security as we have positioned our officers and men to ensure security of lives and property in the state,” he said.

    The commander said the presence of SARS in Rivers had brought a sigh of relief to the residents who hitherto were unsafe owing to incessant  kidnappings and cult activities.

    Read also: SARS: Wike, other campaigners are crime beneficiaries, says Peterside

    Fakorode called for more public cooperation,saying  that SARS operations in the state had also  reduced incidents of senseless killings.

    “We remain grateful to those who came in solidarity to identify with the noble objectives of SARS in Rivers because we cannot talk about policing without public collaboration.

    “At several fora, we have asked the public to make official reports of misconduct by our men to the Inspector-General of Police and top police officers.

    “We made this request because some persons may have been negatively affected by some SARS operatives.

    “I can assure Rivers people that any complaint would be duly investigated and if any officer is found wanting he shall not go unpunished,” he said.

    NAN

  • Outrage as Badoo kills man, wife, children in Ikorodu

    Outrage as Badoo kills man, wife, children in Ikorodu

    …leaves teenage daughter unconscious

    For the umpteenth time, suspected members of the Badoo gang struck at Ikorodu killing a man, his pregnant wife and two children.

    They were killed at the wee hours of Monday when their Letter N Junction, Radio Area, Erunwen residence in Ikorodu was invaded.

    One of the family members, said to be an SS3 student, who survived the attack, was said to be battling for her life at a specialist hospital (names withheld).

    She was found naked and unconscious on Tuesday morning with a black cloth around her head.

    It was gathered that the assailants used mortar and pestle to smash their victims’ heads.

    Condemning the killings, Coordinator, Ikorodu Ambassadors, Rasheed Fatuga said the Badoo issue must be addressed urgently.

    He decried the passive manner the issue has been handled, calling on the police, government, traditional and other institutions to act fast before it got out of hands.

    He said: “How long will this continue, what is their mission and purpose? Why kill families? What for? What gain? So sad!

    “A kitchen mortar is a device used to prepare ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding them. It is shocking and sad to see that Badoo gang hasn’t been neutralised.

    “What happens in a community where constituted authorities cannot provide security of lives and properties? What is the function of the Ikorodu Police Divisions when they cannot give us peace of mind?

    “What is the essence of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad patrolling Ikorodu 24/7 looking for only Yahoo-Boys up and down?

    “And where are the Ikorodu Youths, that are supposed to take the Badoo issue as their priority, talk about it on social media every time, forward the news to the Lagos State Government’s platforms, stand up against these negligible acts? They are nowhere to be found.

    “Instead, they are busy carrying posters of politicians on their heads, politicians/leaders that are responsible for all this suffering in the first place.

    “Kudos to the Vigilante Group of Ikorodu, they have been awesome, but they cannot do it all. They don’t have the resources. We need to re-orientate and equip them.

    “We use this opportunity to call on our community, religious and political leaders to neutralise this ugly situation as soon as possible.

    “Also we are calling on Ikorodu indigenes/ambassadors all over the world, muslim community, christian associations, traditional worshippers, market men, women and all mothers in Ikorodu to stand up now. Remember, POSTERITY is watching you all!”

    Continuing, Fatuga said the murderous gang usually explored easy access, houses without burglary proofs and isolated.

    He said: “The Badoo gang usually looks for easy access. They look for houses without burglary proofs, incomplete, areas where there are few houses, so that even when victims scream for help in distress, they get none.

    “It hasn’t been easy identifying and detecting the notorious gang because they don’t carry weapons on them when walking. They depend and use sharp objects and equipment that can hurt victims to do their damages.

    “Always challenge and report any suspicious person(s)/activities around your environment to your landlord or Community Development Association (CDA), then they can report to the necessary authorities.

    “If you notice any stranger(s) parading around your house/area, call on your neighbours, approach them politely, ask questions, then call on elders, landlord or CDA representatives to intervene and hinder necessary actions.”

    Contacted, the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) said investigation was ongoing to arrest the culprits.

  • Checkpoints’ withdrawal will restore police mandate – IGP

    Checkpoints’ withdrawal will restore police mandate – IGP

    The inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, on Tuesday said the withdrawal of military checkpoints will restore the police mandate of ensuring internal security.

    Arase also disclosed that force top hierarchy has concluded arrangements on dress code for the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police.

    The IGP spoke during a meeting with Commissioners of Police in Abuja.

    He said: “The withdrawal of the military should not create any fear in the minds of Nigerians, we have done it before and we are going to do it again. We have about 555 vehicles on the highway nationwide, each state has about 15 vehicles to man the highway.

    “Besides that, prior to this time, most of the states had about 20 vehicles each. They are not sufficient but what we have now should do to ensure that we are able to secure the highway space.

    “Constitutionally, other security agents have the responsibility to also complement the efforts of the NPF, asking us to take over the responsibility of the roadblocks which originally was supposed to be our turf will not create any vacuum.

    “Nigerians I believe will not want to listen to excuses from us and we have opportunity now to take over our mandate of securing the internal security space.”

    On the proposed dress code for SARS, the IGP said: “We have discussed it extensively in management and we have agreed that there should be a dress code for all our SARS so that they would be identified with it.

    “We are trying to get some designs and the DIG in charge of logistics is expected to bring that up to management for approval and once that is done, we will unveil it and everybody will know the dress code for SARS operatives nationwide.”

     

  • ‘My father had sex with me to confirm my virginity’

    ‘My father had sex with me to confirm my virginity’

    • It’s devil’s work, says dad

     

    A 14-year-old girl has told the police how her father, Waheed Adeboye, 49, defiled her in their Ikorodu, Lagos home.

    She alleged that her father, who is now being detained at the Zonal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (ZSARS) Onikan, Lagos,  first had carnal knowledge of her in November 2014. “He had carnal knowledge of me again on March 5, this year,” she added.

    The victim, a Senior Secondary 1 pupil at Aro Isiode Grammar School in Ikorodu, Lagos, said: “We live in a face-me-I-face-you house in the Adamuo area of Ikorodu. My mother is late. We are four – my brother, two sisters and I. My father was formerly working at the National Open University (NOUN) but now works at a sawmill at Ikorodu. He left our family when I was three years old and he returned when my mother died.

    “In 2014, he used to check my private parts to find out if I had started menstruating. His second wife had already left him. One Saturday, I was sleeping alone on the floor in our one-room apartment; he removed my wrapper and lay with me on the ground while touching my private part with his finger.

    “Later, he asked me whether anybody had tested it and I said no. He said he would use his manhood to confirm. He removed my under-wear and wore a condom. He forced his manhood into me. I wanted to scream, but he held my mouth. After having fun with me, I bled profusely and felt weak.

    “I was angry with him because he is my father, but he warned me not to tell anybody. Sometimes he would ask me why I was browsing with my phone and when, attempted to explain to him, he would hold me and have fun with me. I felt humiliated and went to a church where I narrated my problem. The church brought me here for police attention.

    “He drinks a lot and womanises with prostitutes and other women outside marriage.”

    Adeboye, who sells planks in Ikorodu, said the victim’s mother died in 2007, adding: “I was arrested by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) for raping my daughter. They beat me silly and carried me to a church. The church then brought me to Zone II SARS.

    “It is devil work. I did not drink. Please my daughter, if I have offended you, forgive me. I am your father,” he pleaded.

    Zone II Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Shem Olorunfemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the matter was reported to the police on May 20.

    The case, he said, was transferred to ZSARS following a petition by a church. This, he said, led to the suspect’s arrest on May 21.

    Olorunfemi said a medical report and police investigations showed that the suspect defiled his daughter, adding that he would be charged to court after investigations.