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  • Nigerians now more conscious of their rights, IGP warns officers

    Nigerians now more conscious of their rights, IGP warns officers

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has cautioned policemen on how they carry out their duty saying that society has become more conscious of their rights and how they want to be policed.

    The IGP stated this during the passing out parade (POP) of the first catch of the Special Constabulary at the Police Training School in Minna, Niger state.

    The IGP who was represented by the AIG Zone 7, AIG Hosiah Kama charged the newly recruited Special Constables not to abuse the position they are given or use it as an opportunity to abuse the rights of others.

    “You are, therefore, charged as you pass out and will be deployed accordingly to work with respective police divisions, to be professional in the discharge of your duties, always respect human rights and be courteous to the members of the public.

    “Remember, you are from this state and you are known by members of the community, strive, therefore to be good ambassadors of your respective families and do not be the reason why your families should be viewed with contempt and sustain,” he admonished.

    The IGP explained that the Police is adopting community policing to bridge the gap between the police and the policed adding that it would further address and solve the issues of criminality in the country.

    “Community policing is a global policing model which is problem-solving based by emphasizing the impressiveness of partnering with the community in addressing the causes of crime and reducing fears of insecurity in the society.

    “Community Policing is a policing strategy which advocates and inclines towards crime prevention and control, then reactive policing measures which widen the gap between the police and the police.”

    Adamu implored the communities to cooperate with the newly recruited Special Constables adding that the inky way to solve crimes and criminal incidents in the community is for everyone to work and cooperate with each other.

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello who applauded the Inspector General of Police for the recruitment of the Special Constables to be used for community policing said that the communities in Niger state who are bedeviled with insecurity can be at ease.

    Bello who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso said that this development would bring security to the areas experiencing insecurity in the state adding that community policing will keep the community more secured.

    “Having experienced a lot of issues in banditry and communal clashes in our communities, we believe that the only way out communities can be secured is to have community policing.

    “We believe that with these Special Constables, our communities will be greatly secured than ever before. Having them will make the people in the community to sleep with their two eyes closed. Now that they are here, I believe that our communities will be normalized now.”

    The Commandant of the Police Training school, Minna, ACP. Aloko Amodu said that the first batch of 463 persons drowned from 10 local government areas of Niger state is passing out adding that the other recruits from the 15 local government areas of the state would start their training soon.

    He said that the Special Constables had undergone training for five weeks and would be deployed back to their various communities for their primary assignment as Community Policing Officers.

    Amodu said that the recruitment of the Special Constables was to reposition the security architecture of the country for effective service delivery through Community Policing.

    He added that the Special Constabulary have the sole responsibility of protecting lives and properties, intelligence gathering and also ensuring that all fundamental human rights are not violated pointing out that they are also to promote the cordial relationship between the police and members of the public.

  • #EndSARS violence: Return to duty posts or face dismissal, PSC warns absconding officers

    #EndSARS violence: Return to duty posts or face dismissal, PSC warns absconding officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned officers of the Nigeria Police Force to return to their duty posts nationwide or face dismissal.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG in an investigative story on Wednesday reported the conspicuous absence of law enforcement agencies and traffic officers including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials on major roads in Lagos.

    A two-day tour of the fifteen out of the twenty local governments in the state by TNG correspondents showed that the police, LASTMA and other agencies were conspicuously absent on the road, a development believed to have been caused by the fallout of the #EndSARS violence. This development led to gridlocks on major highways with thousands of commuters stranded.

    Riot policemen had also failed to respond to incidents of looting and vandalism of public and private property by miscreants in defiance of a directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordering them to reclaim the public space from hoodlums.

    Senior officers had expressed fear for their lives, saying their security was not guaranteed hence their decision to stay away from work.

    Reacting, the PSC frowned on the refusal of some policemen to return to their duty posts following the killing of about 22 cops during the violence that broke out in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests across the country.

    The PSC said Public Service Rules, which also applies to members of the Nigeria Police Force, prescribes dismissal for any officer that deserted his job, while admonishing them to put the killing of their colleagues behind them.

    The PSC stressed that policemen did not deserve to be killed and should in fact be protected as fellow human beings, but it however noted that the attack on them by hoodlums should not be an excuse for them to stay away from work.

    PSC spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said the attacks on the police were not good for the country “because when you make Nigeria lawless and ungovernable, there would be a situation nobody would be able to control.”

    He cautioned against further attacks on law enforcement agents, describing such incidents as an ill-wind that could lead to anarchy.

    He added, “It would be an ill-wind that blows nobody any good but it is not a reason for anybody to say he won’t go to work. If you don’t go to work, the Public Service Rules will take its course.”

    Section 030402 of the Public Service Rules lists absence from duty without leave as serious misconduct, which can be investigated and if proved, may lead to dismissal.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of PSC, Musiliu Smith, has urged the police to rejig their anti-crime strategies, assuring officers and men of the Force of improved welfare.

    He spoke on Thursday when he inspected some of the damaged police formations in the Lagos State Command alongside some retired senior officers.

    A statement on Friday by the police spokesperson in Lagos State, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said Smith called for “thorough investigation into all the cases recorded during the crisis. He emphasised that officers and men of the command should take the ugly incident as one of the challenges and hazards of police job in a developing country like ours.”

  • BREAKING: FRSC orders officers to return to duty posts nationwide

    BREAKING: FRSC orders officers to return to duty posts nationwide

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday ordered all its officers to ‘immediately resume’ operational activities in all formations of the Corps across the country.

    Recall that TheNewsGuru.com, TNG in an investigative story published on Thursday noted the conspicuous absence of law enforcement agencies and traffic officers including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on major roads in Lagos and the consequent gridlock experience, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olajide Oduyoye has explained why officials of the authority stayed off the road.

    A two-day tour of the fifteen out of the twenty local governments in the state by TNG correspondents showed that the police, LASTMA, FRSC and other agencies were conspicuously absent on the road. This development led to gridlocks on major highways with thousands of commuters stranded.

    However in a statement on Friday, FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, ordered all the officers of the Corps to return to their duty posts.

    The statement titled, ‘Go Back To The Roads, Corps Marshal Orders Personnel, Mourns The Victims Of Enugu Crash,’ was signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem.

    According to the statement, Oyeyemi instructed all Commanding Officers to “keep the roads safe, enforce maximum compliance to road traffic regulations and safety guides as well as forestall incidences of crashes and fatalities on the highways.”

    He said the Corps was not dispirited by the attacks on some of its properties by hoodlums, adding that “the Corps is still deeply committed to the full realisation of its corporate mandate” which includes keeping the roads safe at all times.

    Oyeyemi assured the personnel that everything humanly possible must be done to safeguard the lives and properties.

    The FRSC boss also mourned the victims of an auto crash in Enugu State where 21 persons lost their lives on Wednesday.

  • TNG Investigation: Police activities on the low in Lagos, many officers not wearing uniform for fear of attack

    TNG Investigation: Police activities on the low in Lagos, many officers not wearing uniform for fear of attack

    …Lagosians appeal to them to return to their duties

    Investigations by TheNewsGuru.com, TNG correspondents in Lagos have revealed that operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have all deserted their duty posts.

    TNG reports that this development is coming after the fallout of the #EndSARS violence which saw over six policemen killed with 38 others severely injured and currently receiving treatment. Four civilians were also reported dead from the violence attacks by hoodlums.

    TNG reports that following the widespread violence in the state, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Saturday directed members of the force to reclaim space to bring an end to the wanton destruction of lives and properties. However, days after the order, hoodlums in some parts of the state are still having a free-for-all without questioning or arrests made by the police.

    A two-day tour of the fifteen out of the twenty local governments in the state by TNG correspondents showed that the police and sister (state and federal) agencies were conspicuously absent on the road. This development led to gridlocks on major highways with thousands of commuters stranded.

    However, a police officer who does not want his name mentioned said men of the force are working underground. He said the state government and the police command were working on restoring calm and boosting police morale after the unfortunate attacks. “I report for work but it is discreet. I can’t tell you in details because I am not authorised to. The governor is working assiduously with the police command to ensure the morale is high again. You know facilities were destroyed and some of the hoodlums escaped with arms. So we have to handle things professionally,” he said.

    “We are yet to see them resume activities. You no their station here Igando, Ikotun and several other places was attacked by hoodlums during the violence. So I think they might want to do some renovation before resuming. However, I hear that some of them have been moving around in mufti for fear of further attacks by these hoodlums,” a motorist told TNG.

    A resident of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, one of the most affected during the violence said: “The hoodlums made a mess of all the police divisions in Ajeromi-Ifelodun. They attacked police openly leaving many injured. They also invaded and burnt the LG secretariat. Tension are high because they (the hoodlums) are still operating underground. No law enforcement officer has been sighted in any of their duty posts here after the violence. I pray the government engage them so they can return to their duty of protecting the people”.

    Police absence on the road is strategic – Force Public Relations Officer

    Responding to the absence of officers at their duty posts, Public Relations Officer (Lagos State Command), Muyiwa Adejobi said: “The development is strategic, we are on the road. Many of them are undergoing treatment. The Commissioner of Police will address the press over the issue.”

    Lagosians seek resumption of police activities

    Meanwhile Lagos residents have appealed to the police and the sister agencies to return to their duty posts and ensure the safety of lives and property.

    The appeal was made on Tuesday on social media platforms following the continued absence of the police on Lagos roads.

    Lagosians reminded the police that it was their job to protect lives and property, urging them to forget the ugly incidents of last week.

    Some of the residents decried the activities of armed hoodlums, who have taken over major roads and streets since the police retreated, while others lamented the lawlessness of motorists, especially commercial drivers, who park indiscriminately or drive against traffic.

    In an open letter to the police on Facebook, a woman, Safiya Musa, apologised on behalf of Nigerians who demonised the service and grouped all operatives in the ‘bad eggs’ basket.

    She wrote: “Dear Nigeria Police Force, please we apologise on behalf of Nigerians who demonised you. They put everyone in the ‘bad eggs’ basket, and for this we say sorry.

    “Now we know how important you guys are, and we’ve realised that not all of you are bad.

    “Please stop being angry and help protect lives and property, while you get rid of the bad eggs among you. We know many of you have low morale at the moment, but please think of Nigeria.”

    Others also stated the importance of the police on the road while pledging that the attacks on men of the force will never happen again.

    Police release names of officials killed, properties destroyed in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday released the names of six policemen killed by hoodlums in the aftermath of #EndSARS violence in the state.

    Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu released the names of the murdered policemen on Tuesday at a news conference in Lagos.

    The slain police officers are: ASP Yard Edward, attached to Denton Police Station; Inspector Olayinka Erinfolami of defunct Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU); Inspector Adegbenro Aderibigbe attached to Meiran Division, Sergeant Abejide Abiodun of Department of Operations (DOPs) and two others from Orile Police Station.

    The commissioner added that four civilians were also killed during the violent protests, while 38 policemen were injured.

    Odumosu disclosed that 16 police stations were burnt by the hoodlums across the state.

    Some of the police stations burnt are: Orile, Amukoko, Layeni, Old Area J Command Ajah, Elemoro, New Area J Command Elemoro, Igando, Ebute-Ero, and its barracks and Ilasamaja Police Stations. Others were Makinde and its barracks, Ikotun, Isokoko, Pen-Cinema, Onipanu and Alade Police Stations.

    According to him, 58 vehicles were burnt and 62 others vandalised, adding that 15 motorcycles and tricycles were torched and 65 vandalised at various locations within the state.

    For public assets destroyed, Odumosu listed High Court Complex Igbosere, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Broad Street; Ejigbo LCDA Secretariat; BRT Terminal Iddo (where 67 buses were burnt); City Hall, Lagos Island; COVID-19 Warehouse at Monkey Village; BRT Terminals at Ojodu and Ikotun; Ajeromi Ifelodun LG Secretariat; NPA Head Office, Marina, and FRSC/VIO Office at Ojodu where only the vehicles parked outside the main buildings within their compounds were burnt.

    “Thirteen formations were vandalised amongst which were Ojo and Ojodu Stations. Police posts burnt included Cele, llogbo-Elerin, Shibiri, Defunct Anti-Cultism office, Gbagada, Defunct SARS Office Onilekere, Makoko, Daleko, Ashamu, Makinyo, Amuwo-Odofin, Defunct Anti-Kidnapping Office, Surulere and 0ld SARS Office Ajegunle.

  • [GRAPHIC PHOTOS] Police van somersaults in Ondo, four officers feared dead

    [GRAPHIC PHOTOS] Police van somersaults in Ondo, four officers feared dead

    Tragedy struck on Tuesday in Akure, the Ondo State Capital on Tuesday after a Police Hilux van somersaulted with about four mobile policemen on board were feared.

    Three others were seriously injured in the lone accident.

    According to reports, the van somersaulted several times before hitting a pavement while trying to negotiate a bed on the Obaile Airport Road in Akure metropolis.

    It could not be immediately confirmed if the affected officers were among those detailed for the just concluded governorship election.

    Spokesman of the Ondo State Police Command, Tee Leo lkoro confirmed the accident but could not give the number of those that lost their lives in the crash.

    More details later…

  • Police list names of officers killed in Borno govt’s convoy

    Police list names of officers killed in Borno govt’s convoy

    The Borno State Police Command have released the names of the officers killed by Boko Haram ambush on Saturday.

    Commissioner of Police, Bello Makwashi listed the names of his dead personnel on Monday when Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum visited the Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    “During the encounter, I want to name the names of those that lost their lives and paid the supreme price,” Makwashi said.

    According to him, the affected officers are Mba Mathew, Ibrahim Muhammad, David Jarta, Jerry Joseph, John Barka, Elijah Gwarza, Eheboya Osaheinde, and Nura Aminu.

    The police boss told the governor that the State Command had to break the sad news to the families of those in Maiduguri, adding that some were still on their way coming.

    Meanwhile, the wives of the slain officers have appealed to the governor for support during the trying moment.

    Mrs Effa David Jarta who spoke on behalf of the widows said they received the news of the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of their breadwinners in utter shock, adding that “it is not easy.”

    “It is God’s design for them, everybody will die but our prayer is to consider us. Let the government see us and pay all the benefits of our husbands. This is all I have to tell you.”

    Mrs Joseph thanked the governor for his visit but said “consider us and the situation we are in.”

    On his part, Governor Zulum expressed deep regret about the incident which he said was the first in 18 months since he became governor.

    He however assured the women of his commitment to support their livelihood efforts and the education of their children.

    “I am standing before you here, I am not here to just see you and go back. God willing we shall not let you down, we shall support you.” Zulum assured.

    This comes three days after Boko Haram ambushed the convoy of the state government.

    The convoy ran into an ambush by Boko Haram at a spot called Korochara, which is about 2km away from the base of the Multi-National Joint Task Force on the way to Baga from Monguno.

  • Governorship poll: Lagos Police Command deploys 1,000 officers to Edo

    Governorship poll: Lagos Police Command deploys 1,000 officers to Edo

    The Lagos State Police Command has deployed 1,000 officers to complement other security personnel drafted for the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept. 19.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

    Adejobi said that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu admonished officers from the Command to be of good conduct and exhibit professionalism in discharging their duties during the election.

    “He further reiterated the commitment of the IGP to sustain the core values of democracy in Nigeria via fair, free and credible elections,” the police spokesman said.

    Odumosu said that adequate incentives and welfare packages as approved by the IGP had been provided to encourage and boost the morale of the officers detailed for the special duty.

    The CP enjoined the officers to protect themselves and avoid any acts capable of denting the image of the Force and truncating the peaceful conduct of the election in Edo State, the statement said.

  • Yoruba World Congress sacks officers, appoints interim exco

    Yoruba World Congress sacks officers, appoints interim exco

    The Yoruba World Congress has dissolved its 16-man executive council and replaced it with an interim caretaker committee.

    The decision was reached at the meeting of the group in Ibadan at the weekend, according to Princess Tanimowo Okusaga, who signed a communique.

    According to the group, the interim committee that will run its affairs is headed by its President, Professor Banji Akintoye.

    He has three other persons who will work with him to midwife the next convention of the YWC.

    The statement by the group debunked notions that it is in crisis.

    “The Yoruba World Congress (YWC), continues to resolutely reassure Yoruba people that YWC is one, and is not in conflict. Neither is there any crisis within the organization”, Okusaga stated.

    YWC said it dissolved its executive committee based on its phenomenal growth, since it started two years ago.

    “For the major reason that the Organization has expanded exponentially, and in many directions within a short period, it has become imperative that YWC upgrade its operations and organization modalities. Hence it was further resolved as follows:

    *That the Interim Executive Committee, formed at the inception of the organization, and consisting of all the 16 Secretaries and Directors, stands dissolved immediately.

    *That a 4-man Support Committee to work with the President and Leader, pending the Convention to elect substantive officers, be set up immediately to seamlessly continue the work of the organization, in the interim.

  • COVID-19 Lockdown: Police dismiss officers assaulting woman in Osun

    The Nigeria Police Force on Friday said it has dismissed two officers who assaulted a woman at the Odo Ori Market, Iwo Osun State.

    The police said the dismissal of the officers – Inspector Ikuesan Taiwo and Constable Abass Ibrahim – was preceded by a trial where they were found guilty of assaulting the woman.

    “They have been dismissed from the Force. They will be arraigned in court for prosecution,” the police said.

    The duo attached to Iwo Division of Osun State Police Command were seen assaulting a woman at the Odo Ori Market, Iwo, Osun State, in a video in early April.

    The victim identified as Azeez Tola had claimed that she was out to buy drugs but Ikuesan turned a deaf ear to her plea.

    In the video, the police officers interrogated the woman on an unknown issue and soon began pulling her by the clothes she wore.

    Taiwo and Ibrahim continuously flogged the woman with canes amidst pleas by sympathisers to stop the assault.

    The video generated a renewed call by Nigerians for the government to restructure and re-orientate police officers who have been found culpable of illegal arrest, abuse, extortion, and extrajudicial killing of Nigerians on many occasions.

  • Police dismiss two officers in viral video fighting in public

    Police dismiss two officers in viral video fighting in public

    Two policemen who were caught on camera fighting on a street in Edo State have been dismissed.

    The policemen are Corporal Ozimende Aidonojie (F/NO.491112) and Constable Salubi Stephen (F/NO.516384).

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, had ordered the arrest of the two policemen after the video was shared on Twitter Thursday by the handle @parodyspokesman.

    A tweet by the verified Twitter handle of the Nigeria Police, @PoliceNG on Thursday, responding to the video, had revealed that the policemen were going to face disciplinary action.

    The tweet, which endorsed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Frank Mba, had read, “The Force wishes to apprise the general public that this show of shame is certainly not in our character and we will not condone such indiscipline.

    “In the best tradition of transparency and accountability, the outcome of the trial will be made public. This, we believe, will also serve as deterrent to other police officers.”

    In another tweet by the Police on Friday evening tagged “Feedback on investigations into cases of unprofessional conduct by police officers” it was revealed the policemen had been dismissed.

    “‪CPL Ozimende Aidonojie and PC Salubi Stephen captured in a viral video fighting shamelessly in Edo State, have been tried and found guilty. They have been dismissed from the Force,” the tweet read.