Security

Egbetokun Withdraws Mobile Police Personnel from VIP Escort Duties

By Web News 363

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, said personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) would be withdrawn from VIPs escort and guard duties.

Mr Egbetokun said this on Monday in Abuja at a conference with the Police Tactical Commanders.

He said the force would re-evaluate the responsibilities of the PMF to ensure their effective utilisation.

“Specifically, we shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.

“While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole.

“By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large,” he said.

The IGP said a special committee headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations had been set up to assess and advise on how the strategy could be implemented seamlessly.

According to him, the committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks after which further details will be made available.

Mr Egbetokun said the focus of the police would be to enforce the law and be partners in creating safe communities and nurturing an environment where everyone would feel protected and valued.

“To support the foregoing strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers will be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) only where necessary.

“To ensure the smooth implementation of this policy, we will, in consultation with the Police Service Commission, invoke the Supernumerary provision of Sections 23, 24 and 25 of the Police Act 2020.

“The Act allows the police to train supernumerary officers specifically for the personal protection duties of individual Nigerians who require their services,” he added.

He said details of the strategic plan would be made available in the weeks and months ahead, adding that the force would ensure that the policy was implemented strictly in accordance with best practices.

According to him, this will free up regular police officers to focus more on frontline policing duties across the nation.

Mr Egbetokun said the proposed operational strategies was aimed at fostering trust, cooperation and confidence within the Police Force.

Premium Times/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

Obey Traffic Rules, IGP Orders All Police Convoys

By Web News 690

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive ordering all police convoys to henceforth, as a matter of compulsion, obey all traffic regulations.

The IG gave the directive Monday during his meeting with the Mobile Police Squadron and commanders at the Force headquarters in Abuja.

According to him, the Force must lead by example if it is to command the respect of the general public. He therefore pledged to lead by example, promising to also observe all traffic regulations.

He said, “Let me end this speech by reminding you that those who keep the peace must be the epitome of peace. Those whose duty it is to enforce the laws of the land must themselves respect and obey the laws of the land. Without obeying the laws, the Police lack the moral high ground to interrogate and bring lawbreakers to book.

“Consequently, in line with my vision of building a rule of law compliant Police Force, it is my directive that henceforth all police convoys on routine, non-emergency movements must obey traffic lights and other traffic rules, I pledge to lead by example in this regard. As you will be returning to your various bases, I wish you a safe journey and please be assured of my best wishes always.”

Speaking further, the IG also said the newly created special squad—Special Intervention Squad—will comprise 40,000 specially trained officers, selected from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units across the country.

He said, “Modalities for the creation of a new special squad—the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated. This special squad will consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.

“These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil. By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.

“This dedicated force will bolster our capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats, ensuring that our presence is felt and our response is effective in every corner of our country.

“1,000 personnel from this new squad will be deployed to every state of the Federation for immediate operations as standby intervention units, while more troubled spots or zones will receive the remaining officers out of the 40,000.

“These officers will not perform routine police duties but will be housed and kept combat-ready at all times, engaging in daily training in readiness for deployments to intercept and neutralise high-profile criminals and those terrorising our communities. They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment”, Egbetokun said.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Security

IGP Deploys Promoted AIGs to Commands

By Web News 426

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has deployed the new Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police to their new posts following their promotion in the Nigerian Police Force.

  This assignment to the various commands in the force is in line with the manpower development policy of posting the right people into roles fitting for them based on their capabilities.

This includes the former police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who was assigned to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Annex Lagos.

The posting is with immediate effect, the IGP stated.

The IGP noted in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, that this is in line with his mandate and strategies to strengthen the operational structures of commands, departments, and formations.

The statement partly reads, “The following AIGs have been posted/redeployed to the duty posts indicated against their names;  

i.AIG Zone 14 Katsina-AIG Ahmed Abdulrahman, mni

ii.AIG Police Mobile Force-AIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, mni

iii.AIG Special Protection Unit -AIG Matthew Akinyosola, mni

iv.AIG Zone 12 Bauchi-AIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, fdc

v.AIG Maritime Lagos-AIG Yekini Adio Ayoku, psc(+), mni

vi.AIG Zone 13 Ukpo Dunukofia – AIG Olofu Tony Adejoh

vii.AIG Zone 7 Abuja-AIG Aliyu Garba

viii.AIG ICT FHQ Abuja-AIG Idris Dabban Dauda, fdc

“ix.AIG Research & Development – AIG Yusuf Ahmed Usman

x.AIG Zone 4 Makurdi – AIG Haladu M. Ros-Amson, fdc

xi.AIG Zone 8 Lokoja-AIG Babatunde B. Ishola

xii.AIG Counter Terrorism Unit – AIG Alexander N. Wannang

xiii.AIG Zone 2 Lagos -AIG Ari M. Ali

xiv.AIG Zone 9 Umuahia-AIG Mamman Sanda Umar, fdc

xv.Commandant Police Academy, Wudil – AIG Sadiq I. Abubakar, mni

xvi. AIG FCID Annex Lagos – AIG Frank Emeka Mba, mni

xvii.AIG Zone 16 Yenagoa – AIG Benjamin N. Okolo, fdc

xviii.AIG DTD FHQ Abuja – AIG Oyediran A. Oyeyemi, fsi

xix.AIG FCID Annex Kaduna – AIG Babaji Sunday

xx.AIG Zone 5 Benin – AIG Arungwa Nwazue Udo, mni

xxi.Force Transport Officer – AIG Yusuf C. Usman, mni”.

Baba urged the AIGs to put in their best and ensure that the activities of their new commands, formations, and departments align with the Police Reform mandate.

  He equally mandated them to fully comply with all standard operating procedures in discharging their duties.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

We are ready to deal with electoral offenders – INEC Boss

By Web News 381

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said on Tuesday that the commission is setting up a legal team to deal with cases of electoral offenders during the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly polls.

This was as he said the forthcoming governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be expectedly more demanding than the presidential poll and urged the security agencies to be on guard.

The INEC boss spoke at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja on Tuesday.

Yakubu advised political parties to caution their supporters, stressing that the March 18 governorship and state Assembly elections are a contest and not war.

He said INEC was looking forward to receiving electoral offenders’ case files as promised by the Inspector-General of Police.

Yakubu said, “The governorship and state Assembly elections this weekend involve more constituencies than the national elections held about three weeks ago. Unlike the last elections involving 470 constituencies (one presidential, 109 senatorial districts and 360 House of Representatives seats), the state elections will involve 1,021 constituencies (28 governorship and 993 state Assembly seats). There will also be more candidates involved and more collation centres to protect. There are also local elections involving keen contests.

“It is, therefore, important for parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war. They should refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers.

“The commission is encouraged by the directive to state commands by the Inspector-General of Police to handle all cases of electoral offences expeditiously. We look forward to receiving the case files. We will immediately set up a legal team to handle such cases in earnest.”

On his part, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, described Saturday’s polls as complicated but gave the assurance that security agencies would ensure peace.

Monguno said a lot of meetings had been going on, especially with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure peaceful polls.

He said, “Of course, the elections on Saturday are going to be much more complicated, and contextually different. First of all, we are going to have 1,021 constituencies, which means more people are interested, and more people will vote. Obviously, the dynamics would be much more different than the elections that were just concluded.

The NSA urged political parties and candidates to demonstrate high level of discipline and maturity during and after the polls, advising them to caution their supporters.

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Crime

Osinachi: IGP Promises Justice

By Web News 611

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has assured the family of late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, of justice. 

Mr Alkali Baba made the pledge when he received the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Louis Edet House office in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the IGP, investigations over the singer’s death are ongoing, adding that Osinachi’s husband, who has been accused of assaulting her before her death, “is still in police custody”.

The minister and the IGP also discussed, amongst other things, the plight of women in Nigeria, particularly in relation to gender and domestic-based violence.

She pointed out that Osinachi Nwachukwu’s“untimely death at the hands of her husband” on April 8, had caused outcry across the nation and beyond.

Mrs Tallen, who was accompanied by members of the late singer’s family, was equally interested to know what mechanisms the police had put in place to ensure that swift justice was served.

In his reaction, the IGP described Osinachi’s death as “untimely” and “heart-breaking”, particularly, as information from sources close to the late gospel singer’s family and independent witnesses fingered her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, as being responsible.

Mr Alkali Baba said “the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, arrested the deceased’s husband at about 05:00 pm on Sunday, April 10, at their residence in Lugbe, Abuja.

The suspect is currently in detention at the FCT Police Command, even as investigations are still ongoing”.

The IGP stressed that considering the sensitive nature of the case, as well as the need to get swift justice for Osinachi and her family, the command had approached the National Hospital, Abuja, for post-mortem examinations on the deceased, in order to ascertain the cause of death.

“Also, her husband, Mr Nwachukwu, would be charged to court as soon as it was established that he was responsible for her death”, the IGP promised.

Describing the alleged act as “condemnable, illegal and immoral in all ramifications”, the IGP said it was hard to understand why anyone would want to take the life of another.

The police, he added, remained committed to ensuring that cases of this magnitude, including domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, rape, and other social vices, were accorded utmost attention with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice.

Culled/Simeon Ugbodovon

Security

We Are Working On New Protocols For Tinted Windows – Police

By Web News 634

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba says all existing vehicle tinted window permits duly issued by the Nigeria Police Force remain valid.

The clarification is contained in a statement signed by Police Spokesman, Mr Frank Mba in Abuja.

According to the statement, the clarification was necessary following the recent suspension on the issuance of tinted vehicle windscreen permits across the county.

Mr Mba said the suspension which was a temporary measure, would remain in force pending the release of a new protocol that would regulate the issuance of tinted permits for vehicle owners and operators in the country. Net

Security

Insecurity: Nigeria Police Launches “Rescue Me” App

By Web News 1340

POLICE PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNITY POLICING APPLICATION

SECURE APPLICATION ACCESS PLATFORM: NPF Rescue Me APP

The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of Oyo State and the general public that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, NPM, mni in a bid to strengthen internal security, has employed a new Community Policing Strategy through cutting edge technology to boast Policy for the protection of lives and property of Nigerians to aid the Police Force in effective intelligence gathering.

2. This was made possible through the commissioning of the Nigeria Police Force National Command and Control Centre (C4i) by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The Nigeria Police National Command and Control Centre (C4i) project is an Integrated Command and Control System which offers a robust platform, Rescue Me Application for secured end-to-end communication via video, voice and data. The Centre is a convergence point for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) which creates a Situational Awareness position for the leadership of the Force, staff and other Inter operators Nationwide.

3. The Command enjoins the good people of Oyo State and the general public to know that this veritable tool, the NPF Rescue Me Application, is free and also a secure application access platform which is an emergency response application developed for the Police Force to improve the response time of Police Officers to emergency situations. It is a real-time application that uses internet services and GPS Global Position Satellite-based application which can work on Android, Apple phones, and any other communication platforms, while open for usage on 24hrs/7days basis. It can be downloaded from Google android/IOS app stores or visit www.npfc4i.com.

CSP.  Fadeyi Olugbenga, Anipr

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE OYO STATE COMMAND

Politics

Presidency Confirms IGP’s Order For Sunday Igboho’s Arrest

By Web News 986

The Presidency says the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, for giving Fulani in Oyo State an ultimatum to exit the state.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was quoted as saying this during an interview with BBC Hausa.

According to the BBC report, Shehu said he had just got off the phone with the IG who told him that an order had been given to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Igboho immediately and transfer him to Abuja.

Igboho, who is the Akoni Oodua of Yoruba land and a grassroots politician, had asked herdsmen in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State to leave within seven days, blaming the leadership of the Fulani of being behind the rising insecurity in the state.

BBC

Security

Oyo State Gets New CP As Frank Mba Becomes CP, FFPRO

By Web News 1638

A new Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, has been posted to the Oyo State Police Command.

The order was given by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Monday, January 11, 2021.

The posting, with those of other Commissioners of Police to various other commands, is with immediate effect.

Posted to Ebonyi State Command as Commissioner of Police is Aliyu Garba, while Abubakar Umar Bature has been posted to Airport Command in Lagos State.

The newly-decorated Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba has also assumed the position of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Force Police Public Relations Office (FFPRO), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Adeleke Adeyinka Bode has been made the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, while Philip Maku is thePolice Commissioner, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Others are CP, Sokoto State, Ali Janga Aji; CP, Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Ohikere Idris; CP, Border Patrol, FHQ, Abuja, Haladu Musa Rosamson; CP, Cross River State, Sikiru Akande; CP, Enugu State, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu; CP Peacekeeping, Sadiq Idris Abubakar; CP, Delta State, Ari Mohammed Ali; CP, Counter Terrorism Unit, Olofu Tony Adejoh; CP, Imo State, Nasiru Mohammed; CP, OPS, DOPS, Yusuf Ahmed; CP, Adamawa, Aliyu Adamu Alhaji; CP, Training, DTD, Babaita Ishola; Commandant, PDCE, Alexander Nengi Wannang; CP, Ports Authority Police (PAP), Western Lagos, John Amadi and CP, Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, Daniel Sokari-Pedro.

Rasheedah Makinde

Yoruba

Ọga Ọlọ́pa Pátápátá Ti Rọ Àwọn Ọlọ́pa Láti Padà Sẹ́nu Isẹ́ Wọn

By Web News 1075

Ọga àgbà yányán fún ilésẹ́ ọlọ́pa orílẹ̀èdè yíì, Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Muhammed Adamu ti rọ àwọn ọlọ́pa láti máse kárẹ ọkàn nídi isẹ́ tí wọ́n yàn láayo.

Ó sọ̀rọ̀ yíì lásìkò tó ńbá àwọn òsìsẹ́ ọlọ́pa nípinlẹ̀ Ògùn sọ̀rọ̀ lólú ilésẹ́ náà eléwéran nílu Abẹokuta lásìkò àbẹ̀wò rẹ̀ sáwọn ìpínlẹ̀ ìwọ̀-oorùn orílẹ̀èdè yíì.

Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Adamu sàlàyé pé, àbẹ̀wò náà wáyé láti se kóríyá fáwọn òsìsẹ́ ọlọ́pa, lẹ́yìn tí wọ́n pàdánù ọ̀pọ̀ ǹkan lákokò rògbòdìyàn Endsars.

Ó sàlàyé pé ìfẹ̀húnúhàn ọ̀hún kise láti fòpin sí ikọ̀ Sars nìkan, àmọ́ ìgbìyànjú láti dojú ètò ìsèjọba dee, kò sài wá gbóríyìn f’áwọn ọlọ́pa fún bí wọ́n tise fọmọnìyàn se nípa bíbu ọlá fún ẹ̀tọ́ àwọn aráalu.

Ọgbẹni Adamu ẹnitó pé fún ìgbésẹ̀ kíakía tako ìròyìn òofegè èyí tó ní pé òsokùnfà nigudu lákokò ìfẹ̀húnúhàn #EndSARS.

Sáajú alákoso fún ilésẹ́ ọlọ́pa nípinlẹ̀ Ògùn, Ọ̀gbẹ́ni Edward Ajogun sọpé àwọn òsìsẹ́ ọlọ́pa nípinlẹ̀ Ògùn ti padà sẹ́nu isẹ́ kówá wọn.

Wale Oluokun/Elizabeth Idogbe

Security

IGP Visits Ogun State, Charges Officers To Remain Committed

By Web News 920

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Muhammed Adamu wants officers and men of the force not to be discouraged in discharging their duties.

The Inspector-General made this known while addressing the rank and file of Ogun State Police Command at the Eleweran Headquarters of the command in Abeokuta, the state capital during a working tour of Southwest states commands.

Mr Adamu stated that the visit was aimed at boosting the morale of officers and men of the command having suffered some losses during the recent end SARS protest.

The Inspector General of Police said the protest was not only about #EndSARS, but an attempt by some individuals to destabilise the government, and commended the policemen for showing great respect for human lives during the protests.

Mr Adamu who called for urgent action against fake news which he noted triggered the protest and the wanton destruction of property that followed.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Mr Edward Ajogun informed the IGP that his men have returned to their duty posts, assuring that police officers in Ogun State are being well-motivated.

Wale Oluokun

News Analysis

Implications Of The Withdrawal Of Police Officers From VIPs

By Web News 2686

Recently, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to very important persons, VIPs, across the country, with immediate effect.

The IGP, however, exempted those attached to government houses, the Senate President and the Speaker House of Representatives, from the order.

The new directive came barely ten days after the police authorities disbanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, following the nationwide protests against the squad for its high handedness and extrajudicial killings.

Before the October 21 directive, in March 2018, former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris ordered an immediate withdrawal of all police orderlies attached to private individuals and companies.

Despite lacking adequate workforce, feeble attempts have been made to withdraw police officers from VIPs in the past by successive IGPs but was unsuccessful.

For instance, the elites believe that having a police officer around for security has become a status symbol for many of them.

Thus, granting them such privilege has left few officers for core police duties like investigations and patrols, as such, most Nigerian communities are at the mercy of criminals.

In other countries, the practice is for VIPs to retain the services of private security guards.

Since the ex-governors, former ministers, businessmen, politicians, entertainers and clerics desirous of extra protection can afford this service, they should be made to get it from private guards without putting undue pressure on the overburdened police system.

The fact that over forty percent of its officers and men are attached to VIPs and unauthorised persons, has made Nigeria grossly under-policed.

Additionally, there are several ills bedeviling the Nigeria Police Force that make it so ineffective in discharging its core duty of maintaining law and order.

The country is yet to meet up with the United Nations recommendation of one police officer for every four hundred and forty citizens ratio, this huge gap has led to increase in crime and criminal acts like armed robbery, kidnapping, gangsterism, cultism, rape and terrorism.

Insecurity has assumed monstrous dimensions around the country while Nigerians are groaning under the yoke of kidnapping and armed robbery.

This pragmatic approach of withdrawing policemen from VIPs will free more officers to face squarely the duty of protecting lives and property of all citizens.

To this end, the action would allow the Nigeria Police to discharge their civic responsibility without any form of distraction.

Rasheedah Makinde

Security

Poll: IGP Orders Restriction on Movement of Vehicles in Ondo

By Web News 675

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adams has ordered restrictions of vehicle movement in Ondo State from midnight today to six ‘ o clock in the evening on tomorrow, Saturday. 

The order is part of efforts by the force to ensure effective coordination of public order and safety during the gubernatorial election.

A statement by the Force public relations officer, DCP Frank MBA says the vehicular restriction order is also aimed at preventing political actors and trouble makers from freely engaging in unpatriotic acts. 

The IGP enjoins the citizens to bear with any inconvenience arising from the restriction order noting that it is part of necessary sacrifices to nurture and sustain democracy in the country.

Dupe  Isename

Politics

House of Reps Orders IGP to Arrest Acting MD of NDDC

By Web News 659

Lawmakers at the House of Representatives have ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to immediately arrest the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, for contempt of the legislature.

The Interim Management Committee of the NDDC led by Pondei had staged a walk-out from the committee when it appeared for the continuation of the investigative hearing of the commission. 

Pondei questioned the credibility of the House Committee, saying the committee Chairman, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was corrupt as he had benefited from award of contracts in the commission.

Irked by the walk-out, spokesperson for the House, Benjamin Kalu, moved a motion invoking section 89 of the 1999 constitution , to issue a warrant of arrest.

The motion was seconded and passed.