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Tag: IGP

  • Inspector-General of Police redeploys senior police officers

    Inspector-General of Police redeploys senior police officers

    The Inspector-General of Police,  Mr Usman Baba has ordered the redeployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs).

    Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated on Tuesday in Abuja that the redeployment was in line with the inspector-general’s manpower development policy of placing round pegs in round holes.

    Adejobi stated that Mr Danmallam Mohammed, a DIG, had been redeployed to the Department of Finance and Administration.

    He added that some AIGs were redeployed to take over the duties and responsibilities of DIGs.

    They are Mr Hafiz Inuwa, Department of Training and Development; Mr Aji Janga, Department of Research and Planning and Mr Adeleke Bode, Department of Operations.

    Adejobi stated also that Mr Habu Ahmadu had been posted as Force Secretary, while Mr Shuaya’u Abdulyari had assumed office as the AIG in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Abuja.

    Senior police officers posted to take up the duties and responsibilities of the AIGs in charge of Zonal Police Commands are Mr Matthew Akinyosola, AIG Police Mobile Force and Mr Jonathan Towuru, AIG Zone 6 Calabar.

    Others are Mr Sylvester Alabi, AIG Zone 2, Lagos, Mr Akande Kayode, AIG Zone 11, Osogbo and Mr Abimbola Shokoya, AIG Zone 17, Akure.

    The Inspector-General of Police also ordered the provisional posting of some CPs, pending the approval of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    The police spokesman stated that the CPs affected by the posting were Mr Adebola Hamzat, Adamawa; Mr Frank Mba, Ogun; Mr Suleiman Yusuf, Taraba; Mr Idowu Owohunwa, Lagos State and Mr Faleye Olaleye, Ebonyi.

    He added that Mr Baba charged the newly-posted officers to hit the ground running to ensure the mission, vision, and policy statements of his administration were effectively complied with in the areas of crime-fighting, public cooperation, and safety.

    Baba also called for support and cooperation from the public to enable the newly-posted senior officers to perform optimally.

    Adejobi stated that the postings were with immediate effect.

  • Retired police officers ask court to send IGP to prison

    Retired police officers ask court to send IGP to prison

    Some retired police officers have asked the National Industrial Court (NICN) to commit the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to prison for contempt of court.

    This is contained in a statement issued by one of the aggrieved officers, Mr Emmanuel Idris, on behalf of other concerned officers and made available to newsmen in Akure on Tuesday.

    The police officers, through their counsel, Mr Godwin Okoro, asked the IGP, the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Force Secretary to explain why they should not be committed to prison for their refusal to obey a court order that reinstated the officers who were forcefully retired from service when they have not spent 35 years in service or attained 60 years of age.

    The Industrial Court, presided by Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, had, in suit No. NICN/ABJ/281/2021, filed by Messrs Egong Egwu Egong, Omeh Felix Okechukwu, Paul Obot Umoh and Galadima Bello, asked the IGP and the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Secretary of the Police Force to reinstate the officers who were forcefully retired from office.

    The police officers had, through their counsel, approached the National Industrial Court, seeking an order to nullify their retirement from service by the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    The court, consequently, restrained the defendants; the IGP, the PSC and the Secretary of the Nigeria Police Force from retiring the officers compulsorily.

    However, since April 19, 2022, when the judgment was delivered, the IGP and other defendants were yet to obey the court order reinstating the officers who joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1996, 1999 and 2000.

    In form 87 filed by the retired police officers, they asked the IGP and other defendants to appear in person to show cause why an order for their committal should not be made for disobedience of order reinstating officers of courses 33, 34 and 35, who graduated from police academy between 1996 and 2000.

    A copy of the letter, addressed to Usman Alkali Baba, and signed by the court registrar, Mrs Rufai Zainab Ahmed, and dated January 23, 2023, warned the IGP and other defendants against disobeying the court judgment or face the consequences – imprisonment.

    “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the Certificate of Judgment of Court, dated the 19th day of April 2022, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison,” the letter read.

    The statement of the aggrieved police officers said they were forcefully retired from the force in spite of the court judgment ordering the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission not to retire them when they have not reached the 60 years retirement age or spent 35 years in the force.

    Idris, in the statement, said the court delivered its judgment in April, 2022, and the defendants were yet to implement the judgment.

    “We are members and graduates of Courses 33, 34 and 35 of the Police Academy. We were forcefully retired from the force when we were yet to attain the age of 60 years and neither have we spent 35 years in the police force.

    “We approached the National Industrial  Court, Abuja, to challenge the action of the force against us and the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola, gave an order that we should be reinstated but to our surprise, the police authority has not obeyed the court judgment up till today.

    “It could be noted that the police took the action against us because of the issue on our date of first appointment and the issue has been cleared by the court and there was no appeal on the court judgment.

    “Incidentally, the police authority had implemented the earlier judgments of the same court involving other police officers, but for inexplicable reasons, the authority refused bluntly to obey the judgment in our own case,” the statement read.

  • “Arrest naira notes racketeers”- IGP orders officers

    “Arrest naira notes racketeers”- IGP orders officers

    The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered the arrest and subsequent prosecution of any person who engages in the sale or abuse of Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

    He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau to place officers and men of the department and the bureau across the nation on high alert to carry out the directives.

    The police chief noted that this was in furtherance of the federal government’s policy and drive to uphold the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007, and dignify Nigeria’s currency.

    The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday.

    The IGP similarly charged all supervisory AIGs and Commissioners of Police in charge of police commands and formations to carry out full enforcement of the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act, 2007 which criminalizes amongst other things the hawking, selling or otherwise trading.

    “And also the spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira notes, falsifying or counterfeiting of bank notes, refusal to accept the Naira as a means of payment, tampering with the coin or note issued by the CBN,” the statement read.

    "Arrest naira notes racketeers"- IGP orders officers
    Usman Baba

    Adejobi further noted that the IGP reiterated the mandate of the NPF to enforce all laws and regulations without any prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies.

    He also called on “all and sundry to cooperate with the police as it brings the long arm of the law to bear upon all violators of the provisions of the CBN Act, and other extant statutes in Nigeria, with a view to having a well-policed society in all ramifications within the country”.

  • IG orders arrest of holders of expired PCRC ID cards

    IG orders arrest of holders of expired PCRC ID cards

    The Inspectors General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has invalidated the existing Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Identity Card with effect from December 2022 and those caught using them should be prosecuted.

    The IGP directed that anyone found parading himself with the invalidated PCRC ID card should be arrested and prosecuted.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Saturday, he said this is in line with the IGP’s zeal to sanitize and standardize all sectors including the Police Community Relations Committee.

    He said the IGP has also ordered the redesign and re-issuance of new PCRC ID cards from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and through judicious screening of membership across board.

    “The Inspector-General of Police hereby directs all eligible members of PCRC nationwide to contact the offices of the various Zonal, Command and Formations PCRC Chairmen as well as the Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) of their Zones, Commands and Formations respectively to obtain new forms for processing the newly approved ID Card”, Adejobi stated.

  • Naira redesign: Reps to issue warrant to IGP to compel CBN’s summon

    Naira redesign: Reps to issue warrant to IGP to compel CBN’s summon

    The House of Representatives says it will not hesitate to issue a warrant to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to compel the appearance of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for refusing its summon.

    The House also threatened to issue similar warrant leading to the arrest of the Managing Directors (MDs)  of commercial banks who failed, refused or neglected to honour its summons.

    The Speaker of the House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

    Rep, Alhssan Ado Dogwu, Chairman, ad hoc committee set up to interface with the CBN and bank MDs on scarcity of the new notes and the deadline for the old notes, had briefed the House on the failure of CBN to appear before it.

    A visibly angry Gbajabiamila said that, though Emefiele is a friend, but beyond this, “I have a constitutional responsibility to discharge for the people we represent.”

    He said the refusal by the CBN and bank MDs to heed the invitation of the House was evidence in the blatant disregard to the people and an insult to the parliament.

    “If at the end of today, there is further disregard, I will not hesitate to issue a warrant to the IGP to compel the arrest of CBN and MDs of banks.

    “Apparently, it appears the Governor and his people will not be showing up today but I will still give them the benefit of the doubt, they have a few more hours to rethink and show up,” he said.

    He told the committee to go into the committee room and await their arrival, adding that if they did not show up, the House would take the step it needed to take.

    He said this was sequel to the House response to a motion of urgent public in importance in section 89, 1(d) of the constitution and Order 19, 2, 1 of the Standing Order of the House of Reps.

    He said the House recognised the CBN’s authority to determined the country’s legal tender and to recall currency with reasonable notice subject to the approval of the president.

    “The House is also aware that section 20 sub section 3 of CBN Act mandates the CBN to redeem the face value of the recall currency upon demand even after the expiration of notice of recall.

    He added that this was notwithstanding the deadline imposed by the CBN, adding that the House would see to it that the provision of the law was honoured in full.

    Explaining further, Gbajabiamila said the law allowed the CBN to change the legal tender, adding that after the expiration date, such old naira notes would no longer be legal tender.

    “But it says that even five, three, and two months after, only old notes presented to the bank shall be redeemed by the bank.

    “That point needs to be made to the CBN and the public but it has not been made. It is a provision of law,” he said.

    Buttressing his point further, Gbajabiamila said, “In 2009 and 2010, the then CBN Governor, Charles Soludo, introduced polyma notes and wanted to phased out 5, 10, 20 and 50 naira notes.

    “There was public outcry because of the time, at the end of the day it was halted and he did what all known CBN all over the world did”.

    He said Soludo introduced the polyma and allowed the old notes to continue until everything was moped up by the bank.

    The House of Reps had on Jan. 24 summoned bank operators and CBN, on the scarcity of the new naira notes.

    This is sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sanda Soli (APC-Katsina) at the plenary.

    However, the CBN, in a letter written to the House, said Emefiele was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation to Dakar, Senegal, hence he would not be available to appear before the House.

  • IGP doles out N13.6b in cheques to families of fallen heros, injured officers

    IGP doles out N13.6b in cheques to families of fallen heros, injured officers

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has disbursed cheques, worth N13.6 billion to the families of deceased police officers and those that sustained injuries in the course of their duties.

    Presenting the cheque to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Abuja, Baba said the disbursement was to pay the backlog of 6,184 personnel, covering between 2012 and 2020.

    He said the disbursement was for officers , who had previously fallen under the uninsured/uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme.

    “While sympathising with the families of the deceased officers, knowing that nothing will bring back their loved ones, I urge you all to judiciously utilize these funds in training your children.

    “I also assure you that the Force, under my leadership will continue to do more in advancing your welfare and that of serving personnel,” he said.

    Baba said the Nigeria Police had incorporated the Nigeria Police Insurance Company that would be solely responsible for all insurance related issues concerning the force as soon as its practice license was granted.

    He said the Nigeria Police institution was the single largest agency in Nigeria for purpose of insurance contributions, but noted that the strength was not being maximized.

    The I-G said it had been third party insurance companies that had been responsible for processing insurance claims of personnel of the Nigeria Police.

    According to him, with this initiative the Nigeria Police will be responsible for its insurance needs.

    “It is my conviction that this will ease the insurance processing of personnel.

    Baba prayed for the continuous peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased officers and wished the injured ones quick recovery.

    He urged all personnel of the force to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation, adding that unlike in the past, the Federal Government and citizens had shown much faith and committed resources to reform the Police.

  • FG debunks tenure extension for Police IG, Baba

    FG debunks tenure extension for Police IG, Baba

    The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi, says the appointment of Mr. Usman Baba as the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) is for a single tenure of four years.

    A statement by the Press Secretary to the minister, Mr. Ošaigbovo Ehisienmen on Thursday in Abuja said the clarification followed reports in some sections of the media over tenure extension for the I-G.

    Dingyadi said the I-G was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 6, 2021and confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council headed by the President in June 2021 for a single tenure of four years.

    “The appointment and confirmation were done as provided for, in Section 7 (3), and Section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020 which amongst others states “that the person appointed to the office of the I-G shall hold office for four years.

    “These provisions of the 2020 amended Police Acts should not be misconstrued for tenure extension as erroneously reported in some sections of the media,” he said.

    The minister expressed concerns over the misrepresentation of his response on the tenure for the  I-G by some sections of the media at an engagement with State House Correspondents on Wednesday.

  • IGP reiterates commitment to improving Police Officers’ welfare

    IGP reiterates commitment to improving Police Officers’ welfare

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has reiterated his commitment and concern toward improving the welfare of police officers for effective service delivery.

    Baba made the assertions, while inaugurating the Ultra Modern Police Station and Barrack in Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government area of Oyo State. on Friday evening.

    Newsmen reports that the police station consists of male and female cells, change rooms, rest rooms and other offices, while the barrack consist of six flats of two bed rooms each.

    The IGP, represented by DIG Johnson Kokumo, in charge of South-West, said that improved welfare packages for the ranks and files of officers would no doubt impact positively on their service delivery to the public.

    Baba said that inauguration of the Police Station and Barrack was one of his welfare packages to see that police officers were able to work and reside in a conducive atmosphere.

    “When the working environment is conducive and place of habitation is equally conducive, it will impact positively on service delivery of officers.

    “When there is improved service delivery in the discharge of our statutory duties and responsibilities, definitely members of the public will be our friends.

    “What I am trying to do is to rewrite the narration of mutual trust between the police and the public and to truly see members of the public as friends of the police and police true friend of the public,” he said.

    The IGP, however, called on the public to cooperate and synergise with the police in order to positively impact on the current community policing.

    According to him, it is an active participation of members of the public in providing adequate security for lives and property of where they reside.

    “I hope with this modern edifice, there will be better service delivery.

    “I promise not to relent on my oars at improving the welfare of officers and I urge the officers to reciprocate the gesture,” Baba said.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Adebowale Williams, described Ado-Awaye Town as a pre-historic Western settlement famous for its civilisation and resourcefulness which predates the early 18th century.

    Williams said the priority and concern of the IGP in the protection of lives and property of the public necessitated the construction of the Police Station and Barrack in Ado-Awaye.

    He said that it was in consideration of its large expanse of land and diverse population and enveloped by a long stretch of forest areas and reserves.

    Williams assured the IGP of the command’s improved commitments toward effective implementation of crimes fighting strategies, in accordance with standard best practices and improved service delivery to people of the state.

    He said the command had recorded a lot of successes in recoveries of arms and ammunition, vehicles, arrest of high profile kidnap suspects, foiled bank robberies, among others.

    “I would like to specially appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for his kind considerations in prioritisng welfare incentives, not just to the Oyo State Police Command, but to the entirety of the Force” he said.

    Williams further thanked the IGP for including the command among the beneficiaries of Health and Insurance Policies, upkeep for families of deceased officers, provisions of tactical equipment to include but not limited to Gears, Trucks and Armament and Training amongst others.

    He appreciated other sister security agencies, religious leaders and traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their partnership and influence in ridding the state off undesirable criminal elements.

    Dignitaries present at the inauguration included, the Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbele; Alawaye of Awaye, Oba Amidu Okunola, among others.

  • IGP condemns killing of lawyer by policeman in Lagos, orders probe

    IGP condemns killing of lawyer by policeman in Lagos, orders probe

     

    A lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, was killed on Christmas Day by men of the Nigerian Police, Ajah Division.

    She was murdered on her way from Church in Ajah, Lagos. Bolanle was shot pointblank beside her husband.

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, has condemned the shooting and killing of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer.

    She was allegedly shot and killed by a Policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.

    A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP described the incident as unfortunate and sad.

    He said the IGP had ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, “which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.”

    “In the same vein, the IGP commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul.

    “He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law, as the Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts,” Adejobi said in the statement.

  • Lagos police arrest ASP, two other officers over killing of female lawyer on Christmas Day

    Lagos police arrest ASP, two other officers over killing of female lawyer on Christmas Day

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the killing of a female lawyer, identified as Barr Omobolanle Raheem, in the Ajah area of Lagos State during the Christmas Day celebration.

    This was as Lagos State police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, attached to Ajah Division and two other police officers, for allegedly killing the lawyer.

    He stated two other police officers who were with the ASP were also arrested for interrogation.

    “Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.

    “They are to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigations,’’ Hundeyin stated.
    Lagos police arrest ASP, two other police officers over killing of female lawyer on Christmas Day
    The spokesman stated also that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Abiodun Alabi, had been in touch with the family of the female lawyer and with the Nigerian Bar Association over the ugly incident and the arrest of the policemen involved.

    Meanwhile, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, “the IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.

    “In the same vein, the IGP commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul.

    “He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law, as the Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the killing of one of its members, Mobolanle, on Christmas day.

    The NBA said the “killer” of Mobolanle Raheem must be swiftly prosecuted and justice be immediately served.Lagos police arrest ASP, two other police officers over killing of female lawyer on Christmas Day

    Mobolanle was shot dead on Christmas Day by a policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah.

    The Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said he has been in touch with the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, who “assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer of Mrs. Raheem will be swift”.

    “The NBA President, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN, and his Exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves,” Uwanna said in a statement and added that the victim’s body had been deposited at the morgue.

    “Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee led by Mrs. Tam George have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with the Commissioner of Police later today to emphasize our mandate of ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied. The committee members have also proceeded to visit the family of our slain member as at the time of releasing this statement.

    “I urge us all to take a moment today to pray for the repose of the soul of our slain colleague, and that God will console her husband and family members.”