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Tag: CP

  • CP Odumosu’s Show of Power: Estate narrates how security operatives, mourning widow, 3 children were allegedly kept behind bars

    CP Odumosu’s Show of Power: Estate narrates how security operatives, mourning widow, 3 children were allegedly kept behind bars

    …says Nigeria is a place in a vast place, not yet a country
    …apologises to estate residents

    Disturbed by the Lagos Commissioner of Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu’s alleged show of power over the weekend which led to the detention of a mourning widow, three of her children, security operatives of MABRA estate in Lagos, the estate has tendered an unreserved apology to its estate residents.

    The estate management in an apology letter entitled: ‘Nigeria is a place in a vast place, not yet a country’ the state narrated what transpired in new year day from the gate to the cell.

    Read full letter below:

    The Executives of MABRA will like to apologise to all residents who were delayed in the traffic jam caused by the social visit of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu on the 1st of January, 2022 to our Estate.

    At about 6pm yesterday evening, Mr. Odumosu entered our Estate to attend a social event at the instance of one of our resident.

    It was quite a busy day in the Estate yesterday as many residents had ongoing social events. The Estate security operatives on duty, having not had prior knowledge of Mr. Odumosu’s visit and in a bid to assist him with directions to the house of his host, sought to ascertain the particular resident he was visiting.

    The Commissioner interpreted this act as an insult on his person and ordered the immediate arrest of all the security operatives on duty even after gaining access into the Estate to attend the party.

    A resident who happens to be a widow that was passing by with her three children was also ordered to be arrested alongside her 3 children by the Commissioner of Police. Her offence was that she tried to intervene to understand the situation.

    The Executives, represented by the Vice-Chairman and the Publicity Secretary, after being briefed of the situation, proceeded to the party to apologise on behalf of the security operatives for any disrespect caused to the Commissioner and plead for the release of the resident, her three children and the security operatives. These pleas fell on deaf ears.

    At this point, the Executives, members of the Estate Security Committee, the Estate CSO and some residents had converge at the Estate gate to plead with the Commissioner on his way out with the hope that his anger would have subsided after enjoying the party.

    To our amazement, the Commissioner came down from the car on his way out, said he was insulted by our estate and further instructed that the remaining security operatives who replaced the arrested ones should also be arrested.

    This resulted in complete shutdown of the Estate as no one could go in or come out as our Estate gate is automated and the operatives with the access token were all arrested with the token. This further resulted in the traffic jam that occurred on CMD Road for over 4hrs.

    Pleas from different angle was made to the Commissioner with no yield until about 11pm when he finally gave in. The estate was finally able to bail the security operatives who were already put in cell, the resident with her children who were put behind the counter at about 11:30pm

  • Ogun journalist petitions CP over herdsmen invasion on farmland

    Ogun journalist petitions CP over herdsmen invasion on farmland

    A journalist with Platform Times Newspaper in Ogun state, Fatai Ilyas, has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, over the alleged invasion of his farmland by some suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    Ilyas in the petition dated 21st October, 2021 said that the suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded his six acres vegetables farm situated at Awowo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The 33-year-old graduate of Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta lamented that the money used in planting the vegetable farms was running into N600,000 with expected returns of one million and eight hundred thousand naira.

    The reporter said he was overwhelmed by the level of destruction caused by the herders , claiming that the entire vegetation had been reportedly eaten up with all the heaps leveled beyond recognition.

    A copy of the petition read partly, “I had my Youth Service in Zamfara State, and searched for job for more than three years without getting any. So, I decided to take into farming to maintain myself and family in line with Federal and State Government Campaign for youth participation in Agriculture for Advancement of Individual and National Economy.

    “However, on the 1st of October, 2021, I received a call from my partner, Mr. Oluwanifemi Olawale that some suspected Fulani herdsmen had invaded our six acres vegetables farm, situated at Awowo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, which had gulped more than Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N600,000.00) with expected returns of one million, eight hundred thousand naira.

    “On immediate inspection, I was devastated by the level of destruction caused by the herds under the command of the herders.

    “As I write the petition, the entire vegetation had been wiped out with all the heaps leveled beyond recognition.

    “I subsequently lodged a formal complaint at Obada-Oko police station and my statement was obtained by Inspector Adamu. I have visited the station on two other occasions without any tangible news of arrest of the culprits, which makes me sad by the day.

    “I therefore demand that an action be taken to track the herdsmen and bring them to justice.”

     

  • Lekki protests: LASG denies ordering arrest, maltreatment of protesters; says CP will give account of what happened

    Lekki protests: LASG denies ordering arrest, maltreatment of protesters; says CP will give account of what happened

    The Lagos State Government on Sunday said the Commissioner of Police will be questioned on the events at the Lekki Toll Gate – the venue for the planned #OccupyLekkiTollGate protests on February 13.

    The State Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said during an interview on a monitored Channel Television programme.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that during the protest, popular comedian Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, along with some others were arrested by the police.

    They were also said to have been mistreated as videos that have now gone viral online, showed some of them being thrown shirtless into a police van.

    The protesters had come out to oppose the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to reopen the Lekki Toll Gate and hand it over to the Lekki Concession Company.

    According to the Commissioner for Justice, the government has no problem with residents exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression or participation in peaceful protests, however, if the action of the protesters is seen to result in a breakdown of law and order, then that is where a crime is being committed.

    He cited a breach of COVID-19 protocols as part of the offences of those arrested, as well as the fear that the exercise could go out of hand.

    “We cannot afford the sort of vandalism we saw before,” Onigbanjo said.

    He, however, stated that the CP will be asked to give proper accounts of the events that led to the arrests, especially if they indeed mistreated peaceful protesters.

    “We condemn any act of brutality on the part of the police,” the commissioner said, explaining that the government is not the one who gives such orders.

    “The Nigerian police force is a legal entity of its own, with its own processes.

    “But the role of the police stops when it comes to prosecution.The state government will ask the CP to give an account of what happened”.

    Onigbanjo further defended the state government, saying that the ideally, arrests made on weekends don’t get to be brought to court until Monday, but in the case of those arrested, mobile court was set up immediately and the arrested youths were allowed bail and released later that same day.

    “We were hell-bent on ensuring that nobody’s right is trampled upon,” he said.

  • Cultism remains greatest challenge in Ogun – CP

    Cultism remains greatest challenge in Ogun – CP

    Ogun Police Commissioner, Kenneth Ebrimson, on Saturday said that cultism remained the greatest challenge facing the state police command.

    Ebrimson said this in Abeokuta when students body in the state led by Azeez Adeyemi, Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Student Matters, paid him a courtesy call.

    He intimated the students’ representatives that it was important to always preach against cultism, saying that when two cult groups clashed, innocent people were often affected.

    “I need your assistance, I need your cooperation, particularly in the area of fight against cultism.

    “That is the greatest challenge we have in this state; not armed robbery, not kidnapping but cultism and it thrives in tertiary institutions.

    “Cultism has no advantage, it is just a mere group of people trying to have rival supremacy over things that are not worth their lives,” he said.

    According to him, cultism is mother of kidnapping, armed robbery, drug peddling. Cultism is the major cause of every violent crime in the society.

    “Tell me where you have seen cultists clash without wanton destruction of lives and property?

    “There is no society that is free of crime. So I want to tell you that the police is the only friend you have.

    “No matter how bitter you feel, you must locate a police station to lodge your complaints in the first instance.

    “So, please, I need your cooperation and I think from time to time, we will be having this type of platform to enable us vent our grievances,” he said.

    The police commissioner commended the state government for initiating the students-police relations meeting, adding that there had never been bad relationship between the police and the students.

    He pleaded with the students to erase bad impression about the police from their minds, saying that it was the duty of the police to guide and protect all citizens of the country.

    Earlier, Raymond Ojo, the Global Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), noted that the priority of student leadership was to defend the rights of Nigerian students.

    Ojo decried the indiscriminate and unlawful assault and arrest of students by the police, saying that the attitude of the police should be checked and the bad eggs be fished out.

    He urged the police authorities to always ensure that police vehicles were branded so that it would be easy for the public to report any officer involved in illegality.

    Also speaking, Adeyemi noted that the meeting was facilitated by the state government to foster more relationship between police and students.

    The special adviser to the governor appealed to the state police command to see Nigerian students as partners in progress and agent of peace.

  • Avoid bribe, it brings bad luck, CP warns policemen

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmed Abdulrahman, has warned policemen to avoid bribe or extortion stressing that such money was poisonous and capable of bringing bad luck.

    Abdulrahman gave the warning in Nsukka while addressing men and officers of Police Area Command, Nsukka, during his familiarisation tour.

    He said his administration would not spare any police officer found guilty of taking bribe as well as the collection of money for bail.

    The era of extortion, collection of money before doing your job or taking money before granting somebody bail is over, I will not condone such unprofessional practices.

    Some people erroneously believe that when a policeman collects illegal money from the public, he will give it to the Division Police Officer (DPO).

    According to them, DPO will give it to the Area Commander and area commander will give it to Commissioner of Police, that is a complete lie,’’ he said.

    He said nobody should bring ‘brown envelop’ that is proceed of bribe to him because such is poisonous and brings bad luck.

    “Bail is free, if any policeman collects money to bail anybody, the public should report that officer to me and he or she will be sanctioned.

    “If somebody appreciates you willingly because of the excellent way you are doing your work, I am not against it.’’

    Abdulrahman commended the sister security agencies and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) who assisted him to bring to a halt the high rate of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state when he assumed office.

    “I am happy Enugu State has returned to its former glory as the most peaceful state in the country.’’

    The police commissioner urged residents of the state to embrace community policing, adding that that had become the main practice in every part of the world.

    “Community policing is the main thing in every part of the world as it helps to build confidence and trust between police and the community,’’ he said.

    The police boss promised to send more patrol vehicles to Nsukka Area Command to improve operation and logistics in the area.

    The Chairman of (PCRC) in Enugu State, Mr Dom Ezema, commended the police commissioner for the visit in spite of his tight schedule.

    Ezema, however, urged him to deploy more policemen to Nsukka senatorial zone to enable the command give maximum protection to people in the zone.

    “Nsukka zone is more populated than any other zone in the state and as such, needs more policemen to protect lives and property in the area.

    “PCRC will continue to support police in the Enugu State in ensuring good community relation with residents,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Mr Omaru Ozigi, the Commander of Nsukka Police Area Command said that the command had keyed into the commissioner’s philosophy of no bribe no extorting.

    He said the area command had ensured that any erring police officer is brought to book.

    Ozigi told the commissioner that the ban of motorcycles in Nsukka town, from 8 p.m to 6 am, was to stop criminals who used motorcycles to commit crimes at night in the town.

    “The ban is yielding good result since the enforcement started,’’ he said.

    He also commended the commissioner for the visit and thanked him for promising to send more operational vehicles to Nsukka Police Area Command.

    NAN reports that many stakeholders in Nsukka Local Government Area were present during the visit.

  • Supplementary election going on peacefully in Plateau – CP

    Supplementary election going on peacefully in Plateau – CP

    Plateau Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyode has said that supplementary election in the state was so far going on peacefully.

    Akinmoyode said this on Saturday in Jos in an interview with newsmen when led top security personnel to monitor the election.

    According to him, so far the election is going on peaceful in all parts of the state.

    “We hope that it will be peaceful till the results are collated and the winner is declared.
    “We have adequate security personnel at every polling unit where election is ongoing.

    “People should not be afraid of the security, they are there to give them confidence to come and vote.
    “The security are here to protect the people, they are here to secure INEC staff and materials,” he siad.

    On shutting down of the entire state for just 40 polling units where elections are taking place, Akinmoyode said that measure was to ensure peaceful and successful election.

    He said that the command had credible information that some people were planning to interfere with the process.
    The CP said that it was better to sacrifice a day to get what we want than to fail.

    Akinmoyode said that there was likelihood that people may move from areas where elections are not taking place to cause trouble where elections are holding.

    “We have security report and it behoves of us to take the right decision or allow the thing to happen before we start running helter shelter,” he said.

  • Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Security not responsible for voter apathy, says Lagos CP

    Zubairu Muazu ,Lagos Police Commissioner on Saturday debunked claims that observed voter apathy in some areas of the state was connected to lack of security presence during the presidential election.

    Violence sprung up in some polling units in the state during the February 23rd Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections following the disruption of voting exercises by hoodlums.

    But the commissioner who toured the state during election, told reporters that watertight security was provided for this Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections to ensure voters’ safety.

    Muazu, alongside his boss Lawal Shehu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone Two, toured Oshodi, Okota, Ijora, Apapa and Surulere areas of the state, said he was pleased with the professionalism of security operatives deployed for the exercise.

    “It is not true that voters did not come out because of fear or insecurity. We provided adequate security and have been assuring electorates to come out and vote. We had assured that security measures will be doubled and also ensured that armed policemen were stationed not far from polling units to wade off miscreants.

    “So far, the exercise has been peaceful. We have not had any issues. We have made adequate plans to contain any post-election violence though we do not envisage any. We also have security operatives on standby who would be deployed if the need arise.

    “We are back from convoy patrol of the polling units. The next phase will be to move from local governments to state collation centre.

    “Like I said, we have made adequate arrangement to ensure that we re-inforce those polling centers and we cannot expect any problems.”

     

  • IGP Charges CPs to Assume Full Control of SARS in States, FCT

    IGP Charges CPs to Assume Full Control of SARS in States, FCT

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja.

    Acting Inspector-General of Police Mr Adamu Mohammed has charged all Commissioners of Police at the State and Zonal Commands of the force to assumed full control of the operations of the Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS at the the outfit is becoming so notorious for unwholesome practices.

    He gave the directive during maiden meeting with top ranking Police officers from the rank of AIG to Assistant Commissioners of Police at the Force Headquarters Abuja where they brainstormed on strategic plans for the policing of the 2019 general elections.

    According to the IGP, while this initiative is being perfected, the operations of SARS which is currently centralised at the Force Headquarters is hereby decentralised.

    Consequently, with immediate effect, the Commissioner of Police in each of the 36 Police Commands and the FCT are to assume full Command and Control authority on all SARS in their Commands, while the FHQ Unit is, henceforth, subsumed under the command of the DIG FCIID. The import of this is that the DIG FCIID and Command CPs shall from this date, not only assume administrative and operational control of SARS in their respective Commands, they shall also be directly held liable for any professional misconducts resulting from the operations of the Units in their Commands.T

    They are to immediately undertake a detailed evaluation of the Units in their Commands and submit a report to my Office within the next two weeks.

    Similarly, all quasi-investigation and operations outfits including the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) or any other such Teams under whatever name are hereby disbanded. The DIG FCIID is to takeover and review all cases that such Teams are currently handling as well as official assets on charge to them and submit a detailed report to my Office within two weeks. Similar comprehensive reorganisation will be undertaken in the investigative, intelligence and special operations arms of the Force comprising of the Police Mobile Force, Counterterrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit.

    This re-positioning process will eventually cascade down to the Zonal and State Command levels. The essence is to restore order and apply a break to the current slide in policing standards, discourage the proliferation of multiplicity of outfits competing for operational space in the most unprofessional manner. We shall enhance the capacity of the Force towards situating our operations within the principles and practice of Intelligence-led policing and human rights standards, and align our operations to modern dynamics.

  • Extortion: New Lagos CP, Edgal goes tough, queries two DPOs, orders arrest of nine policemen

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, said on Thursday that nine policemen, one traffic warden and two others have been arrested for extorting money from motorists.

    Edgal told journalists the arrest was a follow up to his warning to officers and men of the state police command to guide against corruption and unprofessional conducts.

    He said the X-Squad unit had intensified its activities to ensure zero tolerance to corruption and unruly practices by police officers and men of the command.

    Edgal said: “In the light of this, operatives of the X-Squad have been out day and night to ensure that this renewed determination is achieved.

    “To this effect, nine policemen and a senior traffic warden alongside two of their accomplices popularly known as ‘Camp Boys’ or ‘Antelopes’ were arrested between September 1 and 18, 2017.

    “One of the Camp boys identified as Taofik Ismaila was arrested along Ikotun road on September 8, along with some unscrupulous policemen, who were caught extorting money from innocent motorists.

    “Similarly, the unit also arrested one Stephen Nwafor along Igando road with some policemen caught collecting money from some unsuspecting motorists.

    “The policemen are currently undergoing departmental orderly room trial to ensure a total purging of the command of its bad eggs, while their civilian accomplices are being charged to court for related offences.”

    The police commissioner has also directed that the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Divisional Traffic officers of the affected areas be issued queries for lack of supervision and disobedience to lawful orders.

    He urged all executives and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to warn their members from being used by unscrupulous policemen as tools and agents of extortion against members of the public.

    “The activities of this unit are still on and will not relax until the command gets rid of all the bad elements,” he added.

  • Lagos CP sacks OC anti-kidnapping for alleged robbery

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has ordered the removal of the Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Squad, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CSP Akinade Adejobi.

    Adejobi and his officers were alleged to have taken N50,000 for the bail of one Blessing Taiwo, over an alleged theft.

    Also alleged to have seized the victim’s phone pending when a balance of N20,000 would be paid on Tuesday.

    Blessing’s sister, Florence, had claimed she (Florence) was sexually harassed by the policemen who put hands into her private parts and breasts anytime she took food to her sister in the cell where Blessing was locked up with a mad woman.

    She had said one of the policemen had been pestering her with telephone calls, asking to see her.