TheNewsGuru

Tag: NPF

  • BREAKING: NPF asks court to stop judicial panels from probing police brutality

    BREAKING: NPF asks court to stop judicial panels from probing police brutality

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has filed a suit at a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to stop the judicial panels of inquiry set up by State Governors to probe allegations of police brutality and human rights abuses against the force.

    Following the #EndSARS protests, state governors were directed by the National Economic Council (NEC) to establish judicial panels across the country in a move to deliver justice for all victims of the disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and other police units.

    Among the defendants are the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the attorneys-general of the states, and chairmen of the panels set up by the states.

    In a suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/1492/2020 and filed by O.M Atoyebi, NPF’s lawyer, the police argued that the establishment of panels of inquiry by the state governors to investigate the activities of the force violates “section 241(1)(2)(a) and item 45, part 1, first schedule to the constitution and section 21 of the tribunals of inquiry act”.

    The force said the action of the governors “is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

    It asked the court to restrain the defendants from conducting any investigation or setting up panels to probe the affairs of the security agency.

    “A declaration that having regard to the provisions of Section a14 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First Schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Federal Government of Nigeria has the exclusive power to organise, control and administer the Nigeria Police Force,” the suit read in part.

    “A declaration that the establishment of panel of inquiries by the Governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria, to inquire into the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in relation to the discharge of her statutory duties is a gross violation of the provisions of Section 241 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 21 of the tribunals of inquiry Act, Cap.T21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    “A declaration that having regard to the circumstances of this case, the attitude of the governors of the various states of the Federation of Nigeria, in this case, is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd to 38th defendants (the attorneys-general of the 36 states) from making or conducting any investigations, sittings and inquiries and/or from making or conducting any further investigations, sittings and inquiries in respect of matters affecting the Nigeria Police Force, and or further setting up any panel of inquiry in any state whatsoever in the country.”

    Although the case was listed for December 3, it was rescheduled for December 18 as the federal high court in Abuja did not sit.

  • Interpol nabs 3 Nigerians involved in scamming 50,000 victims

    Interpol nabs 3 Nigerians involved in scamming 50,000 victims

    Three suspects have been arrested in Lagos State following a joint cybercrime investigation by INTERPOL, Group-IB and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The Nigerian nationals are believed to be members of a wider organized crime group responsible for distributing malware, carrying out phishing campaigns and extensive Business Email Compromise scams.

    The suspects are alleged to have developed phishing links, domains, and mass mailing campaigns in which they impersonated representatives of organizations.

    They then used these campaigns to disseminate 26 malware programmes, spyware and remote access tools, including AgentTesla, Loki, Azorult, Spartan and the nanocore and Remcos Remote Access Trojans.

    These programmes were used to infiltrate and monitor the systems of victim organizations and individuals, before launching scams and syphoning funds.

    According to Group-IB, the prolific gang is believed to have compromised government and private sector companies in more than 150 countries since 2017.

    Group-IB was also able to establish that the gang is divided into subgroups with a number of individuals still at large.

    While investigations are still ongoing, some 50,000 targeted victims have been identified so far.

    The year-long investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Falcon, saw INTERPOL’s Cybercrime and Financial Crime units work closely with Group-IB to identify and locate threats, and ultimately, assist the Nigerian Police Force, via the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, in taking swift action.

    Group-IB’s participation in the operation came under Project Gateway, a framework which enables INTERPOL to cooperate with private partners and receive threat data directly.

    Craig Jones, INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Director highlighted the outstanding cooperation between all those involved in the investigation and underlined the importance of public-private relationships in disrupting virtual crimes.

    “This group was running a well-established criminal business model. From infiltration to cashing in, they used a multitude of tools and techniques to generate maximum profits. We look forward to seeing additional results from this operation,” he said.

    In a separate statement on Wednesday, Group-IB described the three arrested persons as follows: “«OC» (32 y.o.), «IO» (34 y.o.), and «OI» (35 y.o.)”, adding that they were “identified with the help of Group-IB Cyber Investigations and CERT-GIB teams”.

    “The data discovered on the devices of the arrested TMT members has confirmed their involvement in the criminal scheme and identified stolen data from at least 50,000 targeted victims, according to Nigerian Police.

    “Group-IB has been tracking the gang since 2019 and established that around 500,000 government and private sector companies could have been compromised by TMT gang members.

    “Based on the infrastructure that the attackers use and their techniques, Group-IB was also able to establish that the gang is divided into subgroups with a number of individuals still at large.

    “The findings on other suspected gang members, whom Group-IB was able to track down, have been shared with INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate. The investigation continues.

    “The analysis of their operations revealed that the gang focuses on mass email phishing campaigns distributing popular malware strains under the guise of purchasing orders, product inquiries, and even COVID-19 aid impersonating legitimate companies,” the statement by Group-IB reads.

  • NPF speaks on trending new police salary structure

    NPF speaks on trending new police salary structure

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has disclosed that the trending story of a new police salary structure is fake news.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the NPF made this known on Monday, urging Nigerians to ignore the trending fake news.

    The fake news has it that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the new police salary structure with immediate effect.

    The fake news new salary structure indicated police officers salaries as follows:

    • Police Constable (PC) II – N84,000
    • Police Constable (PC) I – N86,000
    • Sergeant Corporal (SC) – N96,000
    • Sergeant Major (SM) – N119,000
    • Inspector Of Police (IP) II – N167,000
    • Inspector of Police (IP) I – N254,000
    • Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) II – N271,000
    • Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP) I – N296,000
    • Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) – N321,000
    • Superintendent of Police (SP) – N342,000
    • Chief Superintendent of police (CSP) – N419,000
    • Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) – N483,000
    • Deputy commissioner of Police (DCP) – N531,000
    • Commissioner of Police (CP) – N1.5million.

    The circulating information stated that the Nigerian police should be grateful to the #EndSARS protest led by the youth.

    However, the NPF is saying this information is fake news, urging Nigerians to ignore.

  • UN picks Nigerian for woman police of the year award

    UN picks Nigerian for woman police of the year award

    Chief Superintendent Catherine Ugorji of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been selected by the United Nations (UN) for a woman police officer of the year award.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the announcement was made via the official Twitter account of the UN system in Nigeria.

    Ugorji was selected by the UN as one of two runners-up for the prestigious UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award for 2020.

    Meanwhile, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UN Police Advisor, Luis Carrilho, have both attested to the good behaviour of Ugorji.

    Speaking of the character of Ugorji, while Lacroix, said Ugorji’s actions and words exemplifies the best of UN policing, Carrilho said her leadership of three Formed Police Units in Gao was remarkable.

    “Her tactical operations have been instrumental in reducing crime in the area, in support of the Malian security forces and the host population,” Carrilho further stated.

    TNG reports Ugorji currently serves with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

  • JUST IN: Gbagi has case to answer, Ministry of Justice insists

    JUST IN: Gbagi has case to answer, Ministry of Justice insists

    The Ministry of Justice has said a governorship hopeful in Delta State, Kenneth Gbagi, who is the Chairman and owner of Signatious Hotels and Suites, and his son, Egba Gbagi have a case to answer with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Ministry of Justice directed the Police to arrest Gbagi and obtain statement from him under caution in response to allegations levelled against him in a case involving armed robbery, kidnapping, deprivation of liberty, torture and cyber stalking.

    According to a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, The Nigeria Police, State Headquarters, Asaba by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Delta State, B. E. Tambou, Esq, Gbagi featured prominently in the case involving Gloria Oguzie, Roselyn Okiemute, Achibong Precious and Ephraim Victor, and therefore, should be arrested.

    “The Police should arrest Chief Kenneth Gbagi and obtain statement from him under caution in response to the allegations against him in the case file. The facts from the case file show that the name of Chief Kenneth Gbagi featured prominently in the matter. He was allegedly the mastermind behind the acts perpetrated on pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8 Achibong Precious (f) and A9- Ephraim Victor (m).

    “The statements of the witnesses identified him as participating personally in their ordeal. In addition, the statements of the two arrested suspects placed Chief Kenneth Gbagi as being present during the course of this matter and an active participant thereof. It is therefore imperative that Chief Kenneth Gbagi respond to the allegations against him,” the letter read in part.

    Also, the Ministry of Justice directed the Police should also arrest Egba Gbagi, son of Gbagi, who allegedly took pictures and made a video recording of pages of the witnesses, Mr Success, the account officer at Signatious Hotels and Suites, who allegedly on the instructions of Chief Kenneth Gbagi, transferred the sums of money belonging to the witnesses.

    “All the police details attached to Chief Kenneth Gbagi on the 17th and 18th September 2020 who are alleged to have aided, abetted and took part in the events of 17th and 18th September 2020 involving pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8- Precious (f) and Page A9- Ephraim Victor (m). Their statements should be forwarded to this office to enable us ascertain their culpability,” the letter reads.

    Read details of the case below:

    Our Ref No: DTMJ.3/6/109279/8

    The Deputy Commissioner of Police,
    The Nigeria Police,
    State Headquarters,
    Asaba.

    RE: LEGAL ADVICE

    STATION: SCIID

    OFFENCE: ARMED ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING, DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY, TORTURE, AND CYBER STALKING

    CASE FILE NO: CR.203/2020

    CHARGE NO: CMA/382c/2020

    IPO: ASP THERESA OKPOR & TEAM

    SUSPECTS: VICTORIA OGIDIAGBA (F), IKECHUKWU KINGSLEY NDUKWU (M)

    The above subject matter refers wish to inform you that this office is in receipt of the Certified True Copy of the Police case file in this matter from the Senior Registrar, Chief Magistrate Court, Asaba for Legal Advice. This office has undertaken a painstaking review of the case file inclusive of statements obtained from the witnesses namely Pages A6- Gloria Oguzie, A7- Roselyn Okiemute, A8- Achibong Precious and A9 Ephraim Victor. We also reviewed the cautionary statements of the arrested suspects Page B1-Victoria Ogidiagba (f) and Page B2-Ikechukwu Kingsley Ndukwu (m). The following facts are elicited from the case file:

    i. Chief Kenneth Gbagi, the Chairman and owner of Signatious Hotels and Suites situated at P.T.I Expressway Warri accused all the victims Pages A6 Gloria Oguzie (f) A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8- Achibong Precious (f) and A9- Ephraim Victor (m) of stealing the money of Signatious Hotels and Suites where all the Defendants work.

    ii. In consequence of the above on the 17 September 2020, Chief Kenneth Gbagi forcefully with the aid of his armed police details attached to him took page A9- Ephraim Victor hostage to his village (Oginibo) where he was held overnight against his will and stripped naked to his under pants

    iii. On the 18 September 2020, Chief Kenneth Gbagi returned to his Signatious Hotel and Suites with page A9 Ephraim Victor whom he conveyed in the boot of his range rover jeep and further confined him in the said car boot from about 10am till about 1pm.

    iv. On the same 18th September 2020, Chief Kenneth Gbagi acting in concert with his armed Police details forcefully apprehended pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), and A8- Achibong Precious (f) and compelled them to carry out all of Chief Kenneth Gbagi directives at gun point.

    v. Chief Kenneth Gbagi ordered page A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), and A8- Achibong Precious (f) to strip naked except for their pants at gunpoint.

    vi. Chief Kenneth Gbagi with the aid of page B1 Victoria Ogidiagba (f) collected the ATM cards of all the victims A6- Gloria Oguzie, A7- Roselyn Okiemute, A8- Achibong Precious and A9- Ephraim Victor and made them to disclose their respectively ATM pin numbers at gunpoint.

    vii. Chief Kenneth Gbagi then directed his account officer (one Mr. Success) and page B1 Victoria Ogidiagba (f) to withdraw all the monies in the victims various accounts. The amounts withdrawn were N176,500, N111,000 and N5,000 respectively.

    viii. Chief Kenneth Gbagi further compelled the victims to write their statements in his office at gunpoint.

    ix. Chief Kenneth Gbagi then proceeded to parade the victims publicly on the grounds of the hotel naked except for their pants before members of staff of the hotel and the hotel customers.

    x. He ordered page B1 Victoria Ogidiagba (f) to lock the victims up in the hotel warehouse and to keep watch over them which instruction she carried out. The victims were kept locked in the warehouse for a while before they were subsequently moved to Chief Kenneth Gbagi office where they were also held against their will. They were then subjected to physical and verbal abuse by Chief Kenneth Gbagi and his armed police details

    xi. In the course of the interrogation Chief Kenneth Gbagi personally flogged page A8 Achibong Precious (f), a married woman, with a whip.

    xii. Chief Kenneth Gbagi ordered his police details to beat up page A9 Ephraim Victor which they did.

    xiii. Chief Kenneth Gbagi personally took pictures of the victims with his mobile phone in their nude state. He thereafter directed page B1-Victoria Ogidiagba (f) and his son Egba Gbagi to also take pictures and make video recordings of the victims in their nude state. The pictures and video recordings were eventually posted on several social media platforms.

    xiv. Chief Kenneth Gbagi instructed Page B2-Ikechukwu Kingsley Ndukwu (m) to print the nude pictures of the victims from the phone of his son Egba Gbagi. Page B2 thereafter transferred the pictures from the phone to the hotel’s desktop computer and printed the nude photographs of the victims.

    3. From the facts in the case file summarized above, the elements of the following offences are established:

    i. Conspiracy to commit to a felony to wit armed robbery, punishable under S. 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act 2004 (as amended).
    ii. The substantive offence of armed robbery punishable under S.1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act 2004 (as amended).

    iii. Conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit: Kidnapping, contrary to Section 3(1)(d) and punishable under Section 4(1) of the Delta State Anti-kidnapping Law 2016.

    iv. Kidnapping, punishable under Section 4(1) of the Delta State Anti-kidnapping Law 2016.

    v. Conspiracy to commit to a felony to wit: Cyber Stalking, punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    vi. Aiding and abetting the commission of the offence Cyber Stalking, punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    4. The two arrested suspects, pages B1-Victoria Ogidiagba (f) and B2 Ikechukwu Kingsley Ndukwu (m) were identified by the witnesses in their various statements in the case file. In addition in their various cautionary statements, each of the two suspects admitted to the roles played by them in this matter. These pieces of evidence taken together meet the threshold of establishing a prime facie case, which is required at this stage of the matter against pages Bl-Victoria Ogidingba (f) and B2 Ikechukwu Kingsley Ndukwu (m). In the circumstances, page BI-Victoria Agidigba (f) has a prime facie case of the following offences to answer to

    i. Conspiracy to commit to a felony to wit: armed robbery, punishable under S. 1(2)a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act 2004 (as amended).

    ii. The substantive offence of armed robbery, punishable under S. 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act 2004 (15 amended).

    iii. Conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit: Kidnapping, contrary to Section 3(1)(d) and punishable under Section 4(1) of the Delta State Anti-kidnapping Law 2016.

    iv. Kidnapping, punishable under Section 4(1) of the Delta State Anti-kidnapping Law 2016.

    v. Conspiracy to commit to a felony to wit: Cyber Stalking, punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    vi. Aiding and abetting the commission of the offence Cyber Stalking punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    Page B2-Ikechukwu Kingsley Ndukwu (m) on his part has a prime facie case of the following offences to answer to:

    i. Conspiracy to commit to a felony to wit: Cyber Stalking, punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    ii. Aiding and abetting the commission of the offence Cyber Stalking, punishable under S. 24(a) of the cybercrime (prohibition prevention ete) Act, 2015.

    The information disclosing the offences will be filed immediately at the High Court of Justice Delta to commence their prosecution. I am to request that you forward the original case file and exhibits in the matter to enable us effectively prosecute the matter.

    5. The facts from the case file show that the name of Chief Kenneth Gbagi featured prominently in the matter. He was allegedly the mastermind behind the acts perpetrated on pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8 Achibong Precious (f) and A9- Ephraim Victor (m). The statements of the witnesses identified him as participating personally in their ordeal. In addition, the statements of the two arrested suspects placed Chief Kenneth Gbagi as being present during the course of this matter and an active participant thereof. It is therefore imperative that Chief Kenneth Gbagi respond to the allegations against him. We note from the case file that he was invited by the State Police Command but failed to honour the invitation. The Police should arrest Chief Kenneth Gbagi and obtain statement from him under caution in response to the allegations against him in the case file. The statement of Chief Kenneth Gbagi should thereafter be sent to this office for further action.

    6. The Police should also arrest the following under listed persons and obtain statements from them under caution:

    i. Egba Gbagi (m), son of Chief Kenneth Gbagi, who allegedly took pictures and made a video recording of pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8- Achibong Precious (f) and A9. Ephraim Victor (m).

    i. Mr. Success, the account officer at Signatious Hotels and Suites, who allegedly on the instructions of Chief Kenneth Gbagi, transferred the sums of money belonging to pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f) A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f) A8- Achibong Precious (f) and A9- Ephraim Victor (m) from the victims accounts to the hotel’s account.

    iii. All the police details attached to Chief Kenneth Gbagi on the 17th and 18th September 2020 who are alleged to have aided, abetted and took part in the events of 17th and 18th September 2020 involving pages A6- Gloria Oguzie (f), A7- Roselyn Okiemute (f), A8- Precious (f) and Page A9- Ephraim Victor (m).

    Their statements should be forwarded to this office to enable us ascertain their culpability.

  • BREAKING: Finally, police arrest killers of Nnadi Michael, unravel other killings by gang [PHOTOS]

    BREAKING: Finally, police arrest killers of Nnadi Michael, unravel other killings by gang [PHOTOS]

    The Nigeria Police Force on Sunday has finally arrested and released the names of the kidnappers and killers of Nnadi Michael that left the Catholic Church in mourning in February.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nnadi Michael was kidnapped and subsequently murdered in cold blood, and was buried February 11, with Bishop Matthew Kukah berating the President Muhammadu Buhari government at the burial.

    DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, who made the arrest known in a statement on Sunday, said the suspects are all of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

    The statement reads: “Police Operatives have arrested a deadly criminal gang responsible for the kidnap and murder of a Catholic Seminarian, Nnadi Michael of the Catholic Good Shepherd Major Seminary at Gonin Gora, Kakau in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

    “Recall that, on January 9, 2020, the criminal gang stormed the Catholic Seminary and kidnapped four (4) seminarians, murdered one of them in cold blood and released the remaining three on 31st January, 2020, having obtained a ransom. The remains of the fourth Seminarian were found in a bush where abandoned.

    “The suspects: Tukur Usman ‘m’ aged 37, father of 7, Shehu Bello ‘m’ aged 40, father of 5 and Mustapha Mohammed ‘m’ aged 30, father of 1, all of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State were arrested after several months of intensive and extensive intelligence-led operations by crack detectives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    “Discreet investigations so far reveal that the arrested suspects are part of a 19-man gang that also carried out the kidnap of Dr Phillip Ataga’s wife and two daughters on January 24, 2020 at Juji Community in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. Mrs Ataga was killed by the gang following her heroic resistance to the despicable and inhuman attempt by the leader of the gang to rape her. The suspects after killing her released the daughters and corpse of the slain woman to the family after collecting ransom.

    “Further investigations reveal that the same criminal gang is responsible for the kidnap of six students and two teachers of Engravers College, Chikun LGA, Kaduna, from their school premises on October 3, 2019.

    “The suspects, known to belong to a hybrid terrorist criminal network causing untold havoc in North-Central, Nigeria, have confessed to several other random operations along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway where they kidnapped, killed and robbed motorists, collecting ransom and valuables running into millions of naira.

    “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni while reiterating that the Force will remain unrelenting in ensuring that crimes across the country are reduced to the barest minimum, assures the nation that the Force will not rest until the other members of the gang also responsible for the above crimes, but currently on the run, are apprehended and brought to book”.

  • COVID-19 test results of Inspector General of Police, 11 others released

    COVID-19 test results of Inspector General of Police, 11 others released

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP M. A. Adamu has tested negative to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said.

    According to the NPF, the IGP received the result of the test on Tuesday morning, having submitted samples on Friday.

    Other officers who also tested negative include the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, DCP Idowu Owohunwa, and Head of the Force Technical Intelligence Unit, DCP Lanre Ogunlowo.

    Others are Personal Physician to the IGP, CSP (Dr) Nonye Welle, Medical Officer, Police Clinic, Force Headquarters, Abuja CSP (Dr) Titus Adegbite, Secretary to the IGP, SP Moses Jolugbo, and five (5) other close aides to the IGP.

    “While noting that policing is a high-contact job with its attendant risks, the IGP enjoins police officers nationwide to adhere strictly to all precautionary and safety measures in the course of their day-to-day activities.

    “He equally enjoins members of the public to voluntarily obey all restriction orders emplaced by the constituted authorities,” a statement by the NPF read.

  • Pension Fund Operators endorse NPF Pensions’ demand for special gratuity for police retirees

    Nigerian policemen who have been groaning over poor retirement benefits since the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 will have cause to smile soon if feelers that emerged from a three-day investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions is anything to go by.

    The investigative hearing organised to determine the level of compliance with the Act held between Monday, March 9, and Wednesday, March 11, at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

    It was a huge boost for the management of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Pensions Limited and its clients, policemen, as its request for the approval of a special gratuity for police retirees at the rate of 300 per cent of their last annual gross pay was endorsed by the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp).

    In its submission on Monday, the operators who insisted that the major challenge faced by pension management was the backlog of accrued rights and pension arrears owed by the Federal Government, endorsed the demands of NPF Pensions Limited.

    “Some of our constituents, specifically the NPF Pensions Limited have some specific issues to bring to the attention of this committee,” PenOp said.

    “They represent a very critical segment of our society – the police force. We endorse their submission and urge you to take on board their recommendations.”

    In its special memorandum on the ways and means of addressing the plight of police retirees under the CPS which was submitted to the House Committee on Pensions, NPF Pensions Limited disclosed that a request had been made to President Muhammadu Buhari, which if approved, will resolve the issue of constant agitation for exit of the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

    Making the presentation before the Hon. Alhassan Kabiru Rurum-led committee, Dr. Sule Wuro Bokki, Managing Director/CEO of NPF Pensions Limited, said the PFA was seeking the president’s approval of special gratuity for police retirees at the rate of 300 per cent of their last annual gross pay so that the balances in their Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) will be channeled towards their monthly pension payments.

    Dr. Bokki said support for the request was anchored on Section 4 (4) of the Pension Reform Act which provides that an employer, notwithstanding the provisions of the Act, may agree on the payment of additional benefits to the employee upon retirement.

    The second request was the recognition and treatment of police officers from the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and above as public office holders who should retire with their full benefits, such as permanent secretaries pursuant to Section 7 of the Pension Reform Act.

    Bokki told the House Committee that whereas the RSAs of serving and retired police officers are being professionally managed by NPF Pensions Limited, and are covered by the same guidelines and safety nets covering the CPS, the issue of low pension can be administratively resolved within the ambit of the Act.

    “Our prayer, therefore, is that the Honourable House of Representatives should pass a resolution to the effect that to solve these agitations by police retirees, and for them to remain within the Contributory Pension Scheme, Mr. President should approve the request for improved pension benefits by the police, namely: special gratuity for retired police officers at the rate of 300 per cent of their last annual salary and recognition and treatment of retired police officers from the rank of AIG and above as public officers who should retire with their full benefits, such as permanent secretaries.”

    The current Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who adopted the position of his predecessor that if the two issues are favorably considered, it will permanently solve the agitation by police retirees to exit the CPS, has once again written to President Buhari to approve the request which has also been adopted by the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON).

    Speaking anonymously at the investigative hearing venue on Tuesday, a senior police (name undisclosed) who came to observe proceedings enthused that, “Now that the Pension Operators, an independent body established to promote the operations of the pension industry, provide for self-regulation and ensure that international best practices relating to the industry are observed by the operators, and which represents all the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), the Closed Pension Fund Administrators (CPFAs) and the Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), have unanimously endorsed the request, the days of low pension benefits to police retirees will be over soon.”

    The public hearing was sequel to a December 5, 2019 motion in the House “on the need to investigate the non-remittance of contributory pensions by employers and delay or non-payment of entitlements by PFAs and general non-adherence to the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014.

  • JUST IN: Nigeria police inferior to their foreign counterparts – Gbajabiamila

    JUST IN: Nigeria police inferior to their foreign counterparts – Gbajabiamila

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday said he had seen Nigerian policemen in tatters and some wearing untucked uniforms.

    Gbajabiamila said this at an ongoing one day public hearing tagged ‘Repositioning The Nigeria Police For An Enhanced Service Delivery.

    The speaker said “if you see the gear of an American police, German and UK policemen they immediately command respect but here I have seen our policemen in tatters.

    “Some wearing their uniforms untucked but see their counterparts in the US their kits alone will make you fear and respect them.

    “With a poor benefit package we don’t expect our police to perform optimally without the enabling environment.

    “This public hearing will make far reaching recommendations that will enable our police perform”.

    Earlier, Chairman of Police Committee, Hon Usman Bello Kumo in his opening remarks said: “Any nation that did not get policing right cannot survive.

    The public hearing is on going with many critical stakeholders in attendance.

    Attendees: Rep of the Sultan of Sokoto, Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, Representatives of the Emir of Kano, COAS, security chiefs, Civil Defense CG, former IGP, Musliu Smith and other stakeholders.

  • Breaking: Police arrest more suspects involved in gruesome killing of Emir’s Police escorts

    Breaking: Police arrest more suspects involved in gruesome killing of Emir’s Police escorts

    More suspects involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emir’s Police escorts have been arrested.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in a statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, has also released the names of the suspects, three (3) more members of the Ansaru Terror Group.

    According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained mop-up operations by Police operatives at the operational bases of the Ansaru Terrorists’ Group in Kuduru Forest, Birnin-Gwari.

    The suspects are Munkailu Liman Isah aka Babban Driver ‘m’ 32yrs, Abdullahi Saminu aka Danmunafiki ‘m’ 21yrs and Aminu Usman ‘m’ 22yrs.

    According to the Police, the arrest brings the number of persons arrested to eight (8), and they are already assisting Police investigators with useful information relating to the membership spread and make-up, criminal/operational records, logistics and general modus operandi.

    “Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were actively involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emir’s Police escorts.

    “They were also involved in several other kidnap operations and terror attacks on commuters and other innocent citizens along some major highways, especially in the North-West and North Central States of the country,” the Police statement read.

    The Police, however lamented that investigation has revealed that some citizens, especially those within the business community, give tacit support to the terror groups by deliberately doing businesses with them through the supply of essential goods, drugs (licit/illicit) and other services.

    “To this end, the IGP calls for patriotism amongst the people, noting that this is the only way the fight against the criminal elements can truly be won.

    “While Police operatives are on the close trail of other fleeing members of the terror groups and their collaborators, the IGP has expressed immense appreciation to all and sundry, especially the good people of Birnin-Gwari and environs for their understanding, cooperation and support which have resulted in the measure of successes recorded so far particularly in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other heinous crimes in the ccountr,” the statement read.