Crime

Abducted Police Officer, Two others Regain Freedom

By Web News 419

The Ogun State police command says only one Policeman was among the three persons abducted by suspected kidnappers at Wasinmi in Ewekoro local government area of the state, contrary to reports that the three victims were officers of the force. 

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi who made this known in Abeokuta also said the kidnapped persons, including the policeman, had regained their freedom and were reunited with their families.

Some witnesses had earlier claimed that a team of three officers from the Zone 2 formation of the police in Lagos State were kidnapped in a vehicle conveying them to the area of their assignment after notifying the Wasinmi Divisional Office of the Ogun State Police Command that they were in the state to investigate a crime. 

Those who reportedly witnessed the incident alleged that it was the commercial driver who escaped abduction that reported back to the police that the three security operatives had been taken to an unknown destination by their abductors. 

Reacting to the incident, the state PPRO, Mr Oyeyemi, who explained in a statement that one policeman and two others were abducted on Wednesday 21st September by kidnappers operating in military camouflage uniform said the victims regained their freedom the following day at about 9:45 pm. 

He said the three persons were released when the police mounted intensive pressure and carried out aggressive trailing of the kidnappers, adding that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole had directed that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the kidnappers were all arrested.


Olusegun Folarin

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Security

Security Agencies Parley to Enhance Response to Crimes

By Web News 692

The Nigeria Police has clamoured for a more cordial relationship among Security agencies to collectively wage war against various challenges bedevilling the country. 

Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, ComPol, Mr Adebowale Williams made the call during a courtesy visit to the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr Micheal Adaralewa. 

The police commissioner said harmonious relationships among sister agencies would go a long way to fill all the vacuums in the security sector, to achieve a safe and secured environment. 

“If the man on the border is not doing his job well, Police will have problems, Civil Defense will have problems because you will have problem on your head that he is supposed to handle”. 

While appreciating the efforts of the Oyo ComPol, the NSCDC Commandant, Mr Micheal Adaralewa said the visit would facilitate a more robust relationship between both agencies which would enable a conducive working environment. 

Mr Adaralewa noted that NSCDC was ready to work with the Police and other sister agencies to make society a safe haven. 

“We need each other, we can’t work in isolation, there is no way we will not have misunderstanding once in a while, but the ability to resolve it and forge ahead should be paramount”

“Civil Defence is ready a hundred percent to always be part of you as a partner in progress”

Meanwhile, NSCDC in Oyo State has decorated one hundred and thirty-eight newly promoted officers.

While decorating the promoted officers, NSCDC Commandant, Mr Micheal Adaralewa said the promotion was borne out of efforts of the Corps to encourage hard work, promote the culture of merit and reward excellence. 

“We should all know that promotion is from God and that you should see it as an opportunity to redouble your effort in security service delivery to our dear nation bearing in mind the present security challenges and the need to overcome it” 

Mr Adaralewa, therefore, called on the officers who were yet to be promoted, not to relent in discharging their duty accordingly. 

One of the newly promoted officers, Mr Adeyemi Oluokun, who appreciated God for his elevation, promised to redouble his efforts as the promotion comes with more responsibilities. 

Rasheeda Makinde

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Crime

Police Arrest Man for Alleged Defilement of Teenage Daughter

By Web News 808

The police in Ogun State have arrested a 46-year-old man, Mr Olusegun Oluwole over the allegations of forcefully having carnal knowledge of his 17-year-old daughter.

The suspect reportedly defiled the teenager in their one-room residence in the Amọ́láṣọ area of Abeokuta, the state capital, around half past eleven in the night when the victim was asleep.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to journalists said the affected daughter, one of the 6 children of the suspect had reported the matter at the Ibara Police Station, accompanied by men of the Ogun State security outfit.

Mr Oyeyemi maintained that the man whose arrest was effected by the Divisional Police Officer, Ibara division, Mr Bernard Egbondiya, had confessed to the commission of the crime, but pleaded for forgiveness while claiming that he didn’t know what came over him.

The PPRO explained that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Departments, CID, for further investigation and possible prosecution on the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole while the victim had been taken to the Hospital for medical treatment.

Omolara Adasofunjo

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Crime

Security Operatives in Ogun Swoop Down on Kidnappers, Rescue Victims

By Web News 729

Three suspected kidnappers have been arrested by the men of Ogun State Police Command at a forest along Imeko- Iwoye-Ketu road and rescued three victims of their kidnap operation unhurt. 

The suspects, Aliu Abubakar, Umaru Tukur and Yau Isah were arrested when policemen at Imeko divisional headquarters received information that about 8 kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons blocked Termac/ Iwoye road and shot sporadically. 

The police spokesperson, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi in a statement in Abeokuta revealed that the police with men of Amotekun corps, So Safe Corps, Hunters, Vigilantes as well as Fulani/Yoruba youths stormed the forest in search of the victims and their abductors. 

Mr Oyeyemi explained that the kidnappers abandoned their victims and left an unregistered motorcycle behind at their hideout in the forest while the security operatives continued combing the bush which led to the discovery of three of the suspects where they were hiding in the forest. 

He added that the key to the abandoned motorcycle was recovered in the pocket of one of them along with three cutlasses. 

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole, therefore ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to anti-kidnapping section of the state Criminal investigation Departments for discreet investigation. 

Olajumoke Idowu 

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Crime

Officials in Police Net over Kastina Govt House Theft

By Web News 391

Some officials at Katsina state Governor’s office are now in police custody over the theft of an unspecified amount of money at the Governor’s office on Sunday night.

Sources put the amount stolen at N31 m, although Governor Aminu Masari’s Director General on New media, Al-Amin Isah, said he did not know the amount.

It was also learnt that the theft occurred on Sunday night during rainfall.

Isah told journalists ”Those suspected to be involved have been arrested by the police. The investigation has already commenced. But, I don’t know the amount alleged to have been stolen.”

Insiders further revealed that the image of a man who stole the money was captured by the Closed Circuit Camera installed at the Financial Controller’s office at the Governor’s office.

One of the sources revealed, “The thief was seen on the CCTV at the Financial Controller office. He entered the office through the window. He was also seen leaving the office with a large sack which he kept the money inside.”

Attempts for comments or clarification from the spokesman for the Katsina police command, SP Gambo Isah, were unsuccessful.

The spokesman did not pick up his calls, and he was yet to respond to the SMS sent to him on the incident as of press time.

A civil servant in the state had last month lost N61 million in a daylight robbery that occurred within katsina town.

The police command said then that there was a “conspiracy theory” in the incident.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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Crime

Owo Church Attack: Defence Hqr Confirms Arrest of Additional Two suspected Attackers

By Web News 571

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said two additional suspected terrorists linked with the Owo attack have been arrested.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, had during a meeting with media executives and editors on Tuesday announced the arrest of some suspected terrorists including the mastermind of Owo attack.

In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, said the duo of Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris were arrested at the Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA in Ondo State during a joint operation with the DSS, Police.

The statement titled, ‘Arrest of two additional suspected terrorists in connection with the Owo Catholic Church on June 5,2022.’ reads, “Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff during his parley with media executives and editors yesterday, Tuesday 9 August 2022, informed of the arrest of 4 terrorists among those who carried out the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on 5 June 2022.

“They were arrested through a combined operation by military and DSS personnel at Eika, Okehi LGA, Kogi State on 1 August 2022. Those arrested include Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza (a.k.a Bin Malik), Momoh Otohu Abubakar, Aliyu Yusuf Itopa and Auwal Ishaq Onimisi.

“Barely few hours after the disclosure by the CDS of the arrest of four of the Owo Catholic Church attackers, two additional ISWAP terrorists, who were also connected to the attack on the church were apprehended at Omialafara (Omulafa), Ose LGA, Ondo State yesterday, August 9 2022.

“The arrests were made through the collaborative effort by military and DSS personnel. The suspects are Al-Qasim Idris and Abdulhaleem Idris. ”

He, however, said that Abdulhaleem, alongside other high profile ISWAP commanders, had previously coordinated attacks on military targets in Okene, Okene LGA, Kogi State, which led to the death of many.

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Crime

Police Parade Suspected Criminals in Oyo

By Web News 1020

Police Command in Oyo state has paraded nine suspected criminals on various cases bothering murder, human trafficking, conspiracy, stealing and unlawful possession of firearms.

Briefing journalists on behalf of the state Police Commissioner at the Command’s Headquarters at Eleyele Ibadan, the Police Public Relations Officers in the state, Mr Adewale Osifeso stressed that some of the suspects were apprehended in Ibadan metropolis through intelligence gathering. 

One of the suspects, Mutiu Idowu was arrested and confessed to having killed one Rufus Olayiwola in order not to pay the money he loaned from the deceased.

 “I was provoked when he (Deceased) refused to collect part of the loan from me, days before the incident, I approached him to give me a loan and he gave me, but a few days after, I approached him to give him part of the money I collected from him without interest so I can collect the car that I used as collateral for the loan but the man refused and that got me annoyed and I only pushed him, and before I could say anything he hit his head with wall and that led to his death.”

“I only use the Pepper Spray (teargas spray) on him, before pushing him, I don’t kill him with any object, I was annoyed with his action for rejecting part of the money and I only pushed him, and I hurriedly left with my car when I discovered that he has gone to the world beyond, I actually regret my actions, and I plead for mercy from the authority.” 

Other suspected criminals paraded alongside Mutiu Idowu are Olakigbe Jonathan, Adams Mudasiru, Moses Adeyemo, Salami Isiaka, Wasiu Adeleke, and Olowookere Joshua.

 According to the PPRO, Olakigbe Jonathan was paraded for human trafficking, while Adams Mudasiru, Moses Adeyemo, Salami Isiaka and Wasiu Adeleke were paraded for cases of conspiracy and stealing.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included unregistered Lexus ES 300 Car Ash colour, a pepper spray, one registered ten vehicles and some mobile phones. 

Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Osifeso said the command remains alive to its statutory constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and property of the public in conformity with virtues of commitment, dedication, handwork and courage against the backdrop of the evolution of crime trends induced by criminal elements in the society. 

” The Command, through purposeful intelligence gathering from its communal partners,  systematic intelligence sharing and technological surveillance drives, shall always be at the Frontline to take the fire against criminality and other adjoining vices to the doorsteps of those threatening the relative tranquillity enjoyed by the good citizens of the citizens”

“While appreciating the confidence and cooperation received from residents, it pertinent to appeal to all and sundry to take judicious advantage of the Command investigative interventions to always provide the police with credible information on how to Police the society maximally”

“In the same vein, the process of stop and search is an integral proactive stance in the command’s security architecture and as well a core factor in its visibility policing approach”

“In case of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers, 615(toll-free), 07055495413 and 08081768614”

Rasheeda Makinde

Crime

Suspected Thug, Rashidi Oko Ilu Arrested in Osogbo

By Web News 3284

Ede born suspected thug, Rasheed Hammed, popularly known as Rasidi Oko-Ilu , has been arrested.

Oko-Ilu who had been declared wanted by the Osun State Police Command over alleged various criminal activities, including murder was arrested on Saturday night at a hotel in Osogbo, Osun state capital.

Radio Nigeria learnt that it was the combined efforts of  men of the anti cultism unit of the Osun police command and members of Oodua Peoples Congress (APC) that led to his arrest. 

The police had over four months ago declared Oko-Ilu wanted for alleged murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and others.

He was alleged to have been terrorising Ede and its environs over the years.

Oko-Ilu  was declared wanted by the police for alleged murder, arson, ritual killing, among others.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Yemisi Opalola  alleged that Oko-Ilu had been disturbing the peace of Ede.


Adenitan Akinola

Security

Osun CP Disbands Surveillance Squad

By Web News 468

Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, has ordered the immediate disbandment of Commissioner’s Surveillance Squad.

The dissolution is coming on the heels of complaints of unprofessional conduct exhibited by the personnel of the squad.

According to a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Mrs Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin, the dissolution takes immediate effect.

“The dissolution is with immediate effect and all personnel attached to the squad are to report to the State Headquarters for redeployment, while investigation has commenced at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“The CP is using this medium to state that, this will serve as deterrent to other tactical squads in the Command, as the Command under his watch will not tolerate or condone any act that is unbecoming of a Police officer.

The public is hereby enjoined to rekindle their trust in the Police, as the Command is committed to giving them improved policing services that will stand the test of time.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Police Caution Media on Reportage of Cult Stories

By Web News 1231

Ogun State Police Command has called on the media not to fall to the antics of cultists and their sponsors by exercising caution before going to press on issues relating to security.

The Command spokesman, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi made the call in Abeokuta while debunking some Newspaper headlines on a crisis in Enugada area of Abeokuta between policemen and some cult members.

He stated that some Media houses had reported narratives that were contrary to the true position of the incident.

Mr. Oyeyemi explained that the anti cultists’ team of the police were on routine patrol of the metropolis and sighted two of the most wanted cultists that played major roles in various violent clashes within Abeokuta.

The Police spokesman said the two suspects ‘’Akuko Beggar’’ and ‘Slim cash’’ were arrested only for the police team to be attacked, with a machete cut injuries on one of the policemen, and one of the suspects “Akuko Beggar” was set free.

He said the hoodlums also attacked the divisional headquarters at Enugada but were repelled by policemen during which three persons got injured, and were all recuperating in the hospital.

The Ogun State Police Command then stressed that it would not be discouraged in the war against cult activities by propaganda embarked upon by cultists and their sponsors.

The Police Command called for the support and cooperation of the people to make Ogun State peaceful.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Ondo Police Arrest Woman during Stolen Baby’s Naming

By Web News 544

The Ondo State Police Command said it had arrested a woman identified as Funmi Mogbojuri for allegedly stealing a day-old baby.

The police said the 35-year-old suspect stole the baby at the Sabo Area of Okitipupa, the headquarters of the Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state and took the baby to Sagamu in Ogun State.

Speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the suspect was arrested while the latter was about to christen the stolen baby

She said, “One Abass Issah of Arikawe Street, Okitipupa, came to the station and reported that his new-born baby was stolen by unknown persons. Discreet investigation by the Okitipupa Divisional Policemen led to the arrest of Funmi Mogbojuri, who absconded with the baby to Makun, Sagamu in Ogun State.

“During interrogation, she confessed to have absconded with the baby to her husband’s house. It was also discovered that she had earlier stolen another baby on the 16th of January, 2021, in Okitipupa, took the child to Igbokoda and gave him to one Lucky and said the child died few days later.”

Speaking, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and pleaded for forgiveness. She said she could not ascertain the spirit that entered her to have committed such an act.

Mogbojuri also said she had two kids for her first husband before but his family prevented her from having access to them.

She said, “It was not intentional, I will just beg Nigerians to forgive me. Truly, I stole the child and I did that in order to be taking good care of the child. I have given birth before, but I never had child for the husband I’m presently with. I just like the child, that’s why I abducted the child because I have not conceived for my present husband.

“The husband I married now did not know anything about the situation, I lied to him that I was pregnant. This would be the second time I will abduct a child so I’m just pleading for forgiveness.”

The mother of the baby, Binta Alhassan, who also spoke on the incident, stated that Mogbojuri came to their house because she was very familiar with their house and requested to pass the night in her house on the day she put to bed, which she obliged.

She said, “She had a friend in our house before who she always visited but the man is no more living in our house. That is how we knew her. She came in the evening of the day I put to bed that she was stranded in Okitipupa and had no place to sleep.

“We allowed her to spend the night in one of the vacant rooms, we even gave her food to eat that night, not knowing that she had a mission. To my surprise, the following morning, while on my way from the bathroom, the woman had disappeared with the baby which I had not even been breastfed by then, it was after five days that the police found and arrested her.”

The Police Public Relations Officer said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded on the matter.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

Foreign

Shinzo Abe Killing: Japan Police Faults Security

By Web News 450

Japanese police have admitted there were flaws in the security for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot dead in the southern city of Nara on Friday.

“It is undeniable that there were problems in the security,” said Nara police chief Tomoaki Onizuka.

A gunman opened fire on Abe at a political campaign event – a crime that has profoundly shocked Japan.

Sunday’s elections for the upper house are going ahead as planned.

Voting began at 07:00 local time, 22:00GMT, just two days after Abe’s assassination.

Analysts suggest his killing could boost support for the governing Liberal Democratic Party, LDP , for which Abe was a leading and hugely influential figure.

Elections for Japan’s less-powerful upper house of parliament are typically seen as a referendum on the current government.

Campaigning continued on Saturday with tighter than usual security.

Police say the suspect, named as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, held a grudge against a “specific organisation”.

Japanese media quote sources close to the investigation, who say Yamagami believed Abe to be linked to a religious group which, Yamagami alleged, had ruined his mother financially.

The suspect has admitted shooting Abe with a homemade gun, according to police.

“The urgent matter is for us to conduct a thorough investigation to clarify what happened,” police chief Onizuka said, without specifying where he saw failings. He was on the verge of tears, addressing journalists.

Yamagami told police he had served in Japan’s navy, the Maritime Self-Defense Force, for three years. More recently, he had worked at a factory in western Japan.

Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and died aged 67. He was campaigning for the LDP in the run-up to upper house parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, also an LDP member, said he was “simply speechless”, vowing that Japan’s democracy would “never yield to violence”.

He said the election campaign would continue on Saturday with tightened security, with Sunday’s vote still set to go ahead.

Gun violence is extremely rare in Japan, where handguns are banned and incidences of political violence are almost unheard of.

Police are investigating why Abe was targeted and whether his killer acted alone.

Abe was giving a speech on behalf of a political candidate at a road junction when he was shot from behind. Photos show the suspect standing close to Abe moments beforehand.

Witnesses described seeing a man carrying a large gun moving within a few metres of Abe and firing twice. The former prime minister fell to the ground as bystanders screamed in shock and disbelief.


BBC /Taiwo Akinola

Security

Police Rescue Two Abducted Victims in Anambra

By Web News 371

Police Operatives in Anambra state, in collaboration with sister security organizations, have rescued two kidnapped persons and recovered two vehicles in the process.

The police operation, which took place on Thursday night, included the recovery of a Toyota Highlander jeep with registration number NSH 398 HA and a Toyota Camry with registration number BRS 941 AA.

Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga said preliminary information showed that security personnel intercepted an alleged seven-man kidnap gang along Awada Obosi.

In an attempt to arrest the criminals, six out of the seven gang members escaped and abandoned their victims and their operational vehicles.

Mr Ikenga said the captured culprit was lynched by an angry mob and set ablaze before the police arrived the scene.

Condemning the action of the mob, the State Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, warned against the resort to jungle justice in the event of arresting a suspect, and enjoined the public to always have recourse to the police for proper investigation.

Mr Echeng also urged the public to always exercise restraint by not taking the law into their hands but rather, they should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest police station whenever they are apprehended.

Meanwhile, the Police have initiated operation to apprehend the fleeing kidnapping gang as well as those who participated in setting ablaze the suspected kidnapper.

 Uche Ndeke

Crime

Police Arrest Suspected Murderer in Abuja

By Web News 492

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with the gruesome murder and dismembering of a yet-to-be-identified suspected middle-aged lady.

It would be recalled that on the 20th June 2022, following the receipt of information at the Kubwa Divisional Police Headquarters about the sighting of a dismembered body around PW Bridge Kubwa, Police Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) were drafted to the scene for necessary actions while the bag-packed body part was removed by the environmental health workers as demanded by standards best practices.

A statement by ASP Oduniyi Omotayo, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, said, “Following intelligence gathering and painstaking effort of the Command’s Tactical and Intelligence assets attached to the Kubwa Divisional Police Headquarters detailed on the case, an arrest was made at about 4:45 pm on the same day”

“Investigation so far proves progressive and is intensified to unravel other facts surrounding the incident as will be communicated subsequently.

“The FCT Commissioner of Police CP Babaji Sunday while reassuring the good people of the Territory of the Command’s unalloyed commitment to bringing crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the Territory, urged residents to eschew the promulgation of fake news in all its forms.

He enjoined them to rather partner with the police especially as touching the rendition of concise, accurate and prompt information.

Mr Omotayo adds that, in the light of the above, members of the public are therefore urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the various emergency lines operated by the command.

Vanguard/Maxwell Oyekunle

Crime

Police Nab Suspected Robbers Terrorizing Banks in Ibadan

By Web News 582

As part of its determination to rid Oyo State of unscrupulous and sinister-minded elements, the Police Command has apprehended members of a criminal gang specialized in carrying out robbery attacks on Banks in Ibadan.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan signed by the police public relations officer in the State, Mr Adewale Osifeso. 

The statement indicates that the arrest of the suspects, who recently robbed a new generation bank in Ibadan, was made easy with an intelligence-led and purposeful driven operation of the gallant officers of the Command. 

According to the statement, the suspected criminal gang members are Abass Azeez ‘m’ 42yrs, Mayowa Kehinde ‘m’ 29yrs, contract staff/marketer with a new generation bank, Rildwan Eniola ‘m’ 33yrs, Mistura Akinade ‘f’ 33yrs, Abass Aderoju ‘m’ 41yrs and Akeem Adeniyi ‘m’ 37yrs. 

The statement notes that the suspects were all nabbed at their Agara Odo-Ona hideout along Akala road after concluding plans to execute a bank robbery attack on another new generation bank within the metropolis.

The statement further notes that the suspects have all confessed their various involvements in the criminal operations, which included arms procurement and clandestine intelligence gathering ahead of the proposes date of perpetrating the dastardly act.

It states further that comprehensive investigations are in progress to crackdown the criminal network and other accomplices.

The statement adds that in cases of emergency, the Command can be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll-free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND), and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614. 

 The NPF Rescue-Me App is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and I phone users respectively.


Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko has enjoined residents to continue to partner the Police in terms of providing timely and credible information valuable in curbing criminality and maintaining the relative tranquility enjoyed in the State.

PR/Rasheeda Makinde 

Politics

Thank you for your cooperation – Police Tell Ekiti Voters

By Web News 472

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Ekiti State Governorship election, Mr Johnson Kokumo has described Saturday’s exercise as a huge success in terms of security arrangement.

Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti after monitoring the poll in the state capital and Ikere, Mr Kokumo said the exercise was 95%  successful apart from few reported cases of violence.

He commended the people of Ekiti State for their cooperation with security personnel which he said was one of the factors that led to the success of the election.

The DIG announced that those arrested in connection with electoral fraud and few cases of violence would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

Amos Ogunrinde

Crime

Court Jails Kyari ‘s Co-defendants

By Web News 579

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced two co-defendants in a suit filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, against suspended DCP Abba Kyari over an alleged drug deal for two years in prison.

Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite held that having admitted to have committed the offence preferred against them in counts 5, 6 and 7 by the NDLEA, the co-defendants, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, were hereby convicted accordingly.

Justice Nwite thereafter sentenced them to 2 years imprisonment on each of counts 5, 6 and 7, terms would run concurrently and commence from the day the defendants were arrested by the NDLEA.

The two defendants were the two alleged drug traffickers arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu by the Nigerian police and handed over to the NDLEA.

They had pleaded guilty to five, six and seven counts preferred against them by the anti-narcotic agency.

Ifeoma Nwovu/Marian Benjamin/Abdullahi Lamino

Security

Democracy Day: Police Patrol Nooks, Crannies of Oyo

By Web News 556

As part of efforts to rid the state of criminals, Police in Oyo State have embarked on a team and convoy patrol in the Ibadan metropolis as well as the entire State.

The patrol tagged, “Show of Force” began from the Police Headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan through Aleshinloye, Ring-Road, Challenge,  Idi-Arere, Beere, Oje, Agodi gate, Iwo-Road, and Ojoo Ibadan. 

Deployment of the security apparatus was meant to send signals to the criminally-minded, who might have planned to cause crises in the state, as the nation marked Democracy Day.

Briefing the newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr. Olawale Osifeso said the show of force was ongoing in all the ten area commands of Oyo state. 

Mr. Osifeso said the team and convoy patrols became imperative to enforce and stand authority of the Command as the lead agency in providing security. 

He stated further that the show of force was also for protection in public places, recreation facilities, and other public infrastructure, especially during the Democracy Day celebration. 

The police spokesperson, therefore, warned persons who might want to cause trouble in the state to have a change of mind or face the consequences of their illegal actions.

 Mr. Osifeso added that members of the public should not relent in providing credible and reliable information to the Police in order to collectively achieve a crime-free state.

Rasheeda Makinde

Foreign

US to Review Police Response to Texas School Shooting

By Web News 445

The US Justice Department will investigate the police response to the mass shooting at a school in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two teachers.

Public anger is growing after it emerged that officers waited in the hallway as children trapped with the shooter made desperate 911 calls.

US President Joe Biden is in Uvalde to meet families devastated by the attack.

He will also meet survivors and first responders.

First Lady Jill Biden, herself a teacher, accompanied the president to a memorial at Robb Elementary School. They were seen comforting the school’s principal Mandy Gutierrez, beside a carpet of floral tributes for the teachers, and children – all under 10 years old – who lost their lives.

Both were seen wiping tears from beneath their sunglasses. Mrs Biden touched each child’s photo in turn.

The couple then attended a Catholic Mass at the local Sacred Heart church. Protesters outside the church shouted, “Do something!” as the president walked out.

“We will,” he answered.

Announcing its Critical Incident Review on Sunday, the US Justice Department said the goal was to “provide an independent account of law enforcement actions and responses that day, and to identify lessons learned and best practices to help first responders prepare for and respond to active shooter events”.

The shooting has provoked new calls for gun control measures, in a country reeling from two vicious shootings in under 10 days – although leading Republicans oppose tightening rules.

The US has now surpassed 200 mass shootings since the beginning of 2022.

A mass shooting is defined as an incident in which four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter.

White House officials say Mr Biden is unlikely to offer specific policy proposals or seek to issue an executive order in the coming weeks to avoid interfering with delicate negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans.

The president’s visit comes days after 18-year-old Salvador Ramos shot his grandmother, and then opened fire on a classroom of fourth-graders with a legally acquired AR-15 style assault rifle.

The gunman’s rampage lasted for over an hour and police found as many as 1,657 rounds of ammunition and 60 magazines in his possession after he was shot dead.

Authorities have struggled to give a clear timeline of how events unfolded in Uvalde.


BBC /Taiwo Akinola

Crime

Man in Police Net for Trafficking wife

By Web News 498

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 36-year-old man, Kingsley Essien, for allegedly trafficking his wife to Mali for prostitution and selling her two-year-old son for N600,000.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspect was arrested following a report lodged at the Agbara divisional headquarters by the suspect’s wife, Bright Essien.

The PPRO said, “Bright reported that sometime in October 2021, her husband, Kingsley Essien, informed her that he had secured a job for her in Bamako Mali, and that he had assisted many people to that country for greener pastures before.

“She explained further that being her husband, she didn’t suspect any foul play until she got to Mali only to discover that she had been sold to a human trafficker cartel headed by a woman at the rate of N1,400,000.

“While in Mali, she was forced into prostitution, but later found her way to the Nigerian embassy in Bamako, where she was assisted back to Nigeria.

“On getting to Nigeria, she discovered that her two-year-old son in care of her husband was nowhere to be found.

Upon the report, the DPO, Agbara division, SP Abiodun Salau, detailed detectives to go after the suspect, and he was eventually arrested.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Crime

Alleged Blasphemy: Police arrest Two Persons in Sokoto

By Web News 597

Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the killing of a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, over alleged blasphemous statement.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, and made available to newsmen in the state on Thursday.

“At about 0900hrs, a distress call was received from the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, stating that students were rioting over one female student named Deborah Samuel, a 200 level student, who was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.

The students banded together with miscreants and barricaded the Sokoto/Jega road.

“Upon receiving the information, the DC Operations led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders in the state to the school, where the road was cleared and the situation was brought under control.

“Two students were arrested in connection with the crime committed.

The school has been closed down by the school authority, and policemen were deployed to give tight security coverage,” the statement partly read.

The statement further said the State Commissioner of Police,  CP Kamaldeen Okunlola, is appealing to members of the public to go about their lawful activities and should not panic as the situation is under control.

He further assured that the suspects in the viral video on Twitter were spotted, and will be nailed soon.

Reacting to the incident, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a press statement signed on his behalf by the secretary of the Sultanate Council, Sa’idu Muhammadu Maccido, condemned the killing in its totality.

“Sultanate Council has learnt with dismay the unfortunate happenings at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, that led to the loss of life a female student of the institution.

“The Sultanate council condemned the incident in its totality and has urged the security agencies to bring perpetrators of the unjustifiable incident to justice,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Bishop Mathew Kukah, while condemning the act, also called on authorities to investigate and ensure that all the culprits were brought to book.

According to a statement signed by Bishop Kukah and made available to our correspondent, “the only obligation that is owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authority is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to the extant laws of our land.

“This has nothing to do with religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours here in Sokoto over the years.

“This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.”

Kukah, however, called on Christians in Sokoto and environs to remain calm and to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Crime

74-yr-old man in police net over alleged sexual abuse

By Web News 557

A 74-year old man, Bassey Inyang, has been handed over to the police for alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year old girl in Calabar.

The suspect, who resides at 14 Waddell Street, Mbukpa in Calabar, was whisked away by men of the Anti-Cult and Kidnapping Squad of the Cross River Police Command following an alarm raised by members of the community.A witness had alleged that this was not Inyang’s first time while other parents, who had similar experiences, also opened up to tell their stories.

They said luck ran out of the suspect when the mother of the 12-year old (name withheld) came to the suspect’s compound to confront him because her daughter had contracted a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)They said the mother noticed blood stains on the underwear of the minor and asked her what happened and she opened up that she had been assaulted sexually by the suspect.Commenting on the incident, Mr Pendo Ned, Secretary of Ikot Edet Etim village in Efut Abua West clan in the Mbukpa area, said when they got the information, the suspect was brought before the Community Head, Muri Ebuka Ebuka.

Vanguard/Opeyemi Olugbenga

Crime

Police on the Trail of Suspected Rapists of a 26-Year Old

By Web News 420

The Police Command in Ebonyi State has vowed to arrest and prosecute the killers of a 26-year-old lady, Miss Ugochukwu Nworie.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

Odah revealed that efforts were on top gear to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators accordingly to serve as a deterrent to possible offenders.

He stated that the investigation confirmed that the Lady was gang-raped, as more than 12 used condoms were discovered in the room.

The Police Spokesperson said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Kpirikpiri Police Division in the state, indicated that the incident happened in the Hope-in hotel, situated at Nine Ngbowo street, Abakaliki.

“The DPO reported that the incident happened while on a routine check on the hotel where a room not accounted for was discovered.

“So the DPO decided to enquire from the receptionist, who told him that the guests in the room were unknown to him.

“Efforts to open the room proved abortive until he requested for the spare key to open the door, only to discover a lifeless body of the lady, naked and her legs, hands with the mouth was tied to the bed in the room,” Odah said.

She said the corpse has been deposited at a morgue.

She described the incident as unfortunate and an offence against humanity.

Odah warned the general public, especially young ladies, to be careful. 

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

News

Eid-el-Fitr: Don’t bring posters to Eid ground, Gombe Police tell politicians

By Web News 468

The Gombe State Police Command has cautioned politicians against bringing political posters or electioneering materials to Eid prayer grounds, saying such action would be meted with punishment.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babaita, said the season for campaign would be declared open by Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that violators would not be spared.

Babaita stated this on Saturday, at the officer’s mess, during the command’s monthly meeting.

The commissioner who declined to reveal the number of officers deployed to ensure peace and security said all hands would be on deck towards attaining the desired peace before, during and after celebrations.

He said, “I wish to felicitate with the Muslims and members of the general public. The command reaffirms its commitment towards protection of life and property of the citizens by emplacing robust crime prevention measures, before, during and after.

It is necessary to once again call on politicians in the state to strictly adhere to INEC time table on schedule of activities for the 2023 general election. The command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute individual or persons who sponsor or encourage campaigns or political rallies under any guise at Eid praying grounds in violations of the Electoral Act. No posters, no room for campaign of any sort should be brought, as the ground is not meant for campaign”.

He added that criminal hideouts would be raided accordingly to ensure, the peaceful celebration of the Muslim holidays.

Meanwhile, the state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said no fewer than 614 officers would be deployed during the forthcoming break, while urging officers to be professional in handling their tasks.

Disclosing this through a press statement Public Relations Officer, Saad Buhari, urged residents to enjoy the season without fear, noting that efforts were on in ensuring itch-free celebration.

The statement read, “Commandant Waziri Babagoni Goni has deployed 614 Officers and Men to provide adequate security and protection of critical National assets in the State to checkmate the activities of bad elements that will want to take advantage of the festive season (before, during and after) as directed by the Commandant General Abubakar Ahmed Audi.

“The deployment, cuts across mosques, recreation centres, motor parks, markets, black spots, flash points among others. Commandant Goni, congratulates all Muslim faithful in the State over Eid il fitri  celebration.”

Punch/Taiwo Akinola

Crime

Police Parade Suspected Cultists, Kidnappers, Ritualist in Ogun

By Web News 1203

Ogun State Police Command has paraded sixty five Suspects arrested for various offences ranging from Cultism, Armed Robbery, Fraud and Kidnapping.

The command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi while parading the suspects on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police said the command was not relenting  in its  fight against crime and criminality in all parts of the state and urged criminals to relocate from the state or face the wrath of the law.

He explained that the series of cult clashes in some part of the State which had left about eight persons dead made the police to swung into action and arrested fifty two suspected cultists belonging to different groups.

Mr. Oyeyemi also paraded another nine suspected members of kidnapping syndicates said to be terrorising  Abeokuta Ayetoro axis of the State.

The parade also include one suspected ritualist, Lukman Kushimo for being in possession of a little boy’s head he severed after helping the family to bury the remains.

Other suspects were paraded for alleged Armed Robbery, Murder and advance free Fraud.

The police command commended the public for the support towards fighting crimes in the state.

Wale Oluokun