Security

Egbetokun Takes Over as Acting AIG

By Web News 610

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has officially assumed office as the 22nd IG.

The former IG, Usman Baba, officially handed over to Egbetokun today, Wednesday, during a Handing/Taking Over Ceremony of the Inspector-General of Police at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

it would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the new acting IGP alongside the Service Chiefs and Egbetokun was decorated on Tuesday at the State House by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

IG Seals 17 Plateau LGs’ Secretariats

By Web News 822

The Inspector General of Police, IG, Usman Baba, has ordered the sealing of all the 17 local government area secretariats in Plateau State.

The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, made this known on Thursday, in a statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alabo Alfred.

The statement claimed that the action was to prevent a breakdown of law and order following tension that arose over the appointment of new leadership in the affected council areas by the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

The statement read in part, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, to seal up all the 17 local government secretariats of the state.

“This has become necessary as a result of tensions around the leadership of the local government areas and the possible threat that supporters and local government chairmen are posing to critical infrastructure, lives and properties in the state. The decision to take this action is in accordance with the exercise of our constitutional responsibility as the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure that the above doesn’t hold sway on the Plateau.

“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force on the Plateau cannot sit down and watch things go wrong under our watch, hence the need to make this critical decision of sealing up the local government secretariats.

“The command, therefore, warns that it will not take it lightly with anyone who tries to disrupt this process or causes any confusion around the Local Government Secretariats, as we will ensure that the law takes its full course on such persons.

“The CP commends the good people of Plateau State for their continued understanding and urges everyone to go about their lawful businesses as we all give peace a chance on the Plateau.”

Reports say that the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, suspended all the chairmen in the local government areas of the state, last week alongside the councillors to pave the way for investigations following allegations of financial impropriety levelled against them by the state legislature.

They were later replaced by the governor with interim management committees to run the affairs in the council areas but the former council officials who were all members of the All Progressives Congress had rejected their suspension and vowed to remain in their offices.

Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

IG Lauds Passage of Police Pension Board Bill

By Web News 1060

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba has commended the National Assembly for the passage of the Police Pension Board Bill and the Nigeria Police Force College, Training School and Institution (Establishment) Bill.

The Senate had on Tuesday announced that it had passed the bills.

Reacting to the development during a press conference at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday, the IG described the passage of the two bills as a milestone achievement with a positive impact that will redefine the act of policing in the country.

He stressed that the bill would standardize the training capacity of the force, enhance police productivity and address the reoccurring pension-related hardship.

Baba said, “The removal of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, and the establishment of the NPF Pension Board is a welcome development and will be resourceful in addressing the plight of police retirees.

“We acknowledge the doggedness and resilience of the National Assembly in the passage of these critical bills, and we commend the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians for their support and concern towards the passage of the bills which in no time will definitely attract the assent of the President for their full implementation.

“We also commend the retirees for their patience and steadfastness on the issue, and we assure that all hands are on deck to make the bills a reality.

Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp

Politics

NPF Assures Citizens of Adequate Security

By Web News 406

The Nigeria Police Force has assured the entire citizens of a secure and safe society before, during and after tomorrow’s elections.

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the southwest, Mr Babatunde Kokumo stated this while briefing the officers and men of the Oyo State Command, Eleyele on what is expected of them during the elections. 

The DIG said the Police remain the lead agency in internal security affairs and would always be ready to partner with sister agencies in ensuring adequate security for lives and property. 

“We will always play the lead role, officers should not relinquish this leadership role and don’t allow it sleep off you”

“We are Police, we will play the leadership role, policing is a civil Force and not a brutal force, hence the need to be civil while executing their statutory responsibilities and should be at all times have respect for people’s human rights”

“The Inspector General of Police,  Usman Baba had deployed personnel on the ground, air surveillance in synergy with Nigerian Airforce and deployment on waterways through the Nigeria Police marine unit that would work in synergy with the Nigerian Navy”

DIG Kokumo, therefore, called on officers and men that would be on the ground at polling units to use minimum force where applicable in order not to scare the electorates away.

The DIG, therefore, called on officers to always be ready to render assistance to the vulnerable at the polling units and they include the aged, expectant mothers and people with disabilities for easy access. 

On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mr Adebowale Williams said the command has deployed personnel to all the polling units to maintain law and others, before, during and after the elections.

Mr Williams noted that the extra commissioners of police and order officers deployed to Oyo state for election monitoring had been briefed about threat analysis on each of the senatorial districts and efforts to checkmate them.

The police boss in Oyo state added that the command was ready to provide adequate security for Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC facilities, materials as well as the electorates. 

Rasheedah Makinde

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group 

Crime

BREAKING: Court Sentences IGP to Three months in Prison

By Web News 557

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to three months in prison for flouting a 2011 court order.

The IGP’s committal followed a suit that was filed by a police officer, Mr. Patrick Okoli, who was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force.

The court also ordered the payment of N10 million to the applicant, being special and general damages for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional denial of his rights and privileges as a Senior Officer of the Nigeria Police Force from 1993 till date.

The court in a ruling that was delivered by Justice M. O. Olajuwon, held that the police chief should be committed to prison and detained in custody for a period of three months, or until his office obeys an order made by the court since October 21, 2011.

Olajuwon noted that though the Police Service Commission recommended Okoli’s reinstatement into the NPF, a decision that was affirmed by the court, the IGP’s office, refused to comply with the order.

Olajuwon said, “If at the end of the three months, the contemnor remains recalcitrant and still refuses to purge his contempt, he shall be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt.”

The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told our correspondent on Tuesday that the police would soon respond to the verdict.

He said, “We will respond soon. It’s a matter between 1993 and 2011, when the incumbent IGP, Usman Baba, was not yet in office.”

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Crime

Police Arrest Officer for singing Praise of Cult Group

By Web News 660

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has condemned the unruly conduct of the Police officer caught in a viral video, singing, dancing, and brandishing a rifle in praise of a particular confraternity (cult).

The officer has been identified as Corporal Matthew Isaac, attached to the Ebonyi State Police Command.

The act of the officer in question, which is clearly calculated to portray the NPF negatively, is a discreditable conduct in line with the provisions of the First Schedule to Regulation 370 of the Police Regulations.

His actions equally violated the provisions of the NPF Social Media Policy (SMP), penal laws, and other extant laws regulating the conduct and discipline of all Police officers.

According to the force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,  has directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of Ebonyi State to detail the Command’s OC Provost to hand over the erring officer to the Force Provost Marshall for necessary disciplinary actions.

The IGP further warned officers to ensure total compliance with the laws guiding the Force as any breach would be severely sanctioned.

Abisola Oluremi/Olaolu Fawole

News

IGP Appoints Replacement For Suspended Abba Kyari

By Web News 785

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has appointed Tunji Disu, a deputy commissioner of police, to replace the suspended head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari. Mr Kyari was suspended by the police authorities after his indictment by the U.S. for his alleged role in the $1.1million fraud by Ramon Abass, popularly called Hushipuppi.

Mr Kyari has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Kyari was suspended by the Police Service Commission on the recommendation of the inspector general. The police said Mr Kyari’s suspension was to allow an independent investigation into the charges against him.
On Monday, the police spokesperson, Frank Mba, said in a statement that the police chief approved Mr Disu’s appointment on Monday, with a directive that he should resume work with immediate effect and refocus the unit for better service delivery

“The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has today, 2nd August, 2021 approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The posting of the officer is on the heels of Management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the Unit for better service delivery,” Mr Mba said.

The statement said the inspector general charged Mr Disu to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the unit. He also assured citizens that the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) will remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.

Prior to his appointment as the new Head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Mr. Disu was a former commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State. He was also the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He had also previously served at the State Criminal Investigation Department, (CID), Rivers State, as the Deputy Head of the Unit, and was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan.

Mr Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad including Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, United Kingdom, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others.

Mr Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management, amongst other professional bodies.

Premium Times