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Tag: Officers

  • Rotation of officers is a professional strategy aimed at reinvigorating operations- CP Tsav.

    Rotation of officers is a professional strategy aimed at reinvigorating operations- CP Tsav.

    A former top security chief in Nigeria and retired Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has stated that the routine posting of officers in the Nigerian Army is a professional strategy aimed at reinvigorating military operation. He said this during an interview with select journalists in the country in the wake of the recent reposting of military commanders across the country by the Nigerian Army.

    CP Abubabar Tsav (rtd) stated that as standard with most security formations, there are regular postings and reposting to ensure that cases of familiarity and complicity are reduced to the barest minimum.

    “ It is a standard practice that officers should not stay at a particular command for too long a period to reduce incidences of familiarity and complicity with criminal elements in such locations. If you look at the operations of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, you would realize that there are always postings and reposting as a way of reinvigorating operations for maximum efficiency.

    He further stated that postings in the security sector are purely for professional purposes and not witch-hunting, as some would want to believe.

    “ People must understand the sensitivity of the operations of security operatives. It’s far different from conventional practice in the civil or public service. Here we are dealing with the protection of human lives and properties, and as such, there is no room for sentiments. Nigerians must come to terms with the fact that whenever any of our security agencies carry out routine postings, it is purely for operational reasons and nothing more.”

    When asked if the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi from the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria was not connected with his recent conduct where he posted videos of troops during operations in the northeast, he stated that nothing of such would have been the case as the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has evolved to be a professionally active fighting force.

    “ I tell you for free that those of us in the security sector understand the dynamics involved in warfare. We also follow security issues carefully, and I tell you that the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has nothing to do with the videos that went viral on the social media space.

    “ I think the Nigerian Army of today has evolved past that stage that people are insinuating. Not with a man like Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, a statesman to the core. It must be noted that the sensitivity of the northeast operation requires that the Chief of Army Staff carries out a holistic review of his frontline commanders and their performances as a whole and not just about one rare attempt to showcase oneself to the world as a war Commander.”

    “ One does not need to be in the top echelon of the Nigerian Army to know that Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, given the opportunity would promote Major General Olusegun Adeniyi and any other officer that is doing an excellent job. So it must be understood that his redeployment is routine and in line with the operations of the Nigerian Army in operation in North-East Nigeria.”

    “ The Boko Haram war is not one that the Nigerian Army would play to the gallery. It is an asymmetric war, and there is no room for personal or selfish pursuit. The overarching objective remains for the best interest of the country and the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. Therefore I strongly believe that his posting has nothing to do with his recent actions but the overall well-being of the Nigerian Army and the interest of the state.”

    On the war against insurgency, Tsav stated that in less than no time, the Nigerian troops would have cause to be celebrated by the citizens as the troops have continued to give in their best to the fight.

    “ If we go down memory lane, we would realize that since 2009 when the Boko Haram group began a violent campaign against Nigeria, there has never been a time like now where the morale of the fighting troops has been boosted to give in their best. Since 2016, the Nigerian Army has indeed risen to the occasion and proved that they indeed mean business. From the takeover of the over 16 local government areas under the control of the Boko Haram group, to the capture of the operational headquarters of the group in Sambisa forest.”

    “ These exploits indeed came with lots of sacrifices, and this is where I give great credit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his unflinching commitment to ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgent groups are neutralized. This much we must admit in fairness.”

    The anti-corruption crusader also stated that the Nigerian Army has demonstrated and displayed that capacity to end the war against terrorism in Nigeria. It behooves on well-meaning Nigerians to give it all the support it deserves.

    “ I believe that those who know me would readily attest to the fact that I am not one that shies away from the truth, even while I was in service. This attribute of mine can be easily verified. I have always spoken the truth in all situations in areas I have considerable knowledge. I think as far as security is concerned in Nigerian, I can count myself as an authority.”

    “ I can state categorically that the Nigerian Army of today is indeed a highly professional and effective fighting force. This is not unmindful of the activities of some disgruntled elements that are working hand in hand with some external forces that do not want the progress of Nigeria.”

    “ Sufficing to add that despite all their shenanigans, these disgruntled elements cannot break the spirit of the fighting troops. Instead, the troops have continued to display loyalty to the country in the battlefront hence the numerous gains recorded since 2016.”

    Tsav particularly queried some news platform that derive pleasure in publishing negative things against the military stating that these news platforms are compromised and it is against the interest of the country if such anomalies continue unabated.

    “Terror groups take to social media because it’s cheap, accessible, and facilitates quick access to many people. In the past, it wasn’t so easy for these groups to engage with the people they wanted to. In contrast, social media allows terrorists to release their messages right to their intended audience and interact with them in real-time. The media provides a platform for terrorist movements to broadcast and amplify their message to global audiences. Without this platform, the message of terrorist actions would not reach beyond its very immediate locale and therefore, would remain unknown to most people outside the confined boundaries of the attack.

    “ This negative trend must be curtailed because the terrorist groups have found these news platforms as worthy partners in their despicable plot. It is also not a secret that these news mediums are funded by some external interest and members of the opposition that are hell-bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria. This trend must be discontinued, and these news platforms should see themselves as partners in progress as no amount of money is worth any human life.”

    He also advised Nigerians to continue to rally support for the Nigerian Army in the quest to defeat terrorism in Nigeria.

    “Nigerians must rally support for the troops. They must see the enormous sacrifices that are being made daily and come to the realization that the interest of Nigeria should take center stage at all times. I believe that in less than no time, the Nigerian troops will have cause to be celebrated by the citizens as the troops have continued to give in their best to the fight against terrorism.”

  • Police commence investigation into video of ‘officers’ extorting with POS machine

    The Nigeria Police has commenced investigation into a viral video on social media where persons dressed and armed as policemen are extorting from members of the public with a point of sale (POS) machine.

    In the video shared by @marshallkacy, the “policemen” are seen demanding some citizens by making payments with their ATMs on the POS machines.

    In the 45-second video, a particular young man can be heard protesting that he would not provide his own ATM, because he had never heard about such.

    The police through its verified Twitter handle @policeNG on Friday, said it has commenced investigations to unravel the authenticity of the video, location of incident and identity of persons captured in the viral video where some persons in Police uniform were captured, allegedly with POS machine and demanding ATM card from a member of the public.

    “Members of the public with relevant information that could assist Police investigators are enjoined to kindly DM @policeNG or furnish same via any of our confidential channels e.g pressforabuja@police.gov.ng

    “The IGP condemns all acts of corruption by Public Servants, particularly Police officers and is committed to bringing to book any officer found wanting in this regard,” the tweet read.

  • COZA saga: IGP orders probe of officers who stormed Timi Dakolo's house

    The Inspector-General of Police has ordered an investigation of the police officers who delivered the letters inviting the Dakolos to Abuja for interrogation over what was alleged to be ‘falsehood, criminal conspiracy, threat to life and mischief”.
    The investigation will ascertain whether the procedure which the Police operatives adopted in serving the letters on Timi and Busola Dakolo on Saturday, 20th July, 2019, was in conformity with Police Standard Operating Procedure and International Best Practices.
    According to Police PRO, Frank Mba, the IGP wanted the behaviour of the officers be subjected to rigorous and discreet scrutiny.
    The IGP made the order today as he also charged Michael Ogbizi, a deputy Inspector-General to take over the probe of the rape allegation levelled by Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly.
    Busola and her husband, Timi Dakolo have been invited to appear at the police headquarters on Tuesday.
    In ordering Ogbizi to take over the case, IGP Adamu said he wanted to ensure a speedy, thorough, fair and impartial investigation.
    Ogbizi is in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
    The DIG is also expected to take over the investigation of the complaint made by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo against the Dakolos in addition to providing a personal supervision to all facets of the investigation to ensure justice and fair-hearing to all the parties, with each case being treated purely on its merit, according to a statement by DCP Frank Mba, the Force PRO.
    Armed policemen, in an intimidating manner, stormed the residence of the Dakolos on Saturday in Lekki Lagos, all to hand over letters of invitation to the couple, asking them to report at the police headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
    Their behaviour was roundly condemned.

  • Buhari extends tenure of prisons chief, promotes 10 other officers (FULL LIST)

    Buhari extends tenure of prisons chief, promotes 10 other officers (FULL LIST)

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of the Controller-General, Nigeria Prisons Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed by one year with effect from July 21.
    Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
    The statement was signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry.
    Ehuriah, congratulated the Controller-General and urged him to ensure the consolidation of the on-going reforms in the Prisons Service in line with the policy thrust of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    Ja’afaru whose tenure was to end on July 21, 2019 was recommended for the extension due to his track record of innovative reforms in the Prisons Service.
    The extension was also to consolidate and complete some of the on-going programmes especially on human rights compliance, reformation and health care, agricultural and education programmes for inmates.
    A seasoned prisons administrator, Ja’afaru until his appointment as the Controller-General, headed a number of prison formations across the country.
    He was the Deputy Controller General in the Directorate of Administration and Supply at the Prisons National Headquarters, Abuja.
    Meanwhile, the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB) has promoted 10 officers from their former ranks of Assistant Controllers/Commandants and Assistant Comptrollers –General (ACGs).
    The men moved to the ranks of Deputy Controllers/Commandants and Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs) across its four Services.
    Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, announced this on Friday in Abuja, in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry.
    According to the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the promotion thus enabling the board to act.
    ‘’The Board in compliance with its guidelines on Appointment, Promotion and Discipline has recently conducted written and oral examinations and interviews for the affected ranks in the respective Services.
    ‘’This is with the aim of filling the available vacancies in tandem with the Federal Character Principle, for which each geo-political zone is expected to produce at least one officer on the rank of Deputy Controllers/Commandants and Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs).
    “Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari has therefore approved the promotion of the officers to their new ranks following their excellent performance both during the written and oral examinations as well as interviews recently conducted by the Board in line with its statutory responsibility.”
    Ehuriah in the statement listed the names of the promoted officers as Azogu Gerald of federal fire service (Imo – South East)
    Officers promoted in Nigeria Prison Service are: Bitrus Filibus (Borno – North East); Aremu Tajudeen (Oyo – South West); and Mbabure John (Delta – South South).
    In the NSCDC THOSE promoted are: Adamu Soja (Yobe – North East); and Aminu Abdullahi Katsina (North West).
    Others from NIS are Ogwu Julius (Benue – NorthCentral); Uebari Saro (Rivers – S/S); Idris Here (Kaduna – N/W) and Didi Adaeze (Rivers – S/S).
    Ehuriah urged the newly-promoted officers of the Services under the Ministry to ensure improved security and service delivery in line with the policy direction of the Buhari administration.
    She congratulated the officers on their promotion and assured them of the support of the Ministry.
    She however, implored them to reciprocate the gesture by giving the best of their service towards ensuring the consolidation of the reform policies of the present Administration.

  • Extortion: Lagos sacks 34 LASTMA officers

    The Lagos State Government on Friday said it has sacked 34 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, over cases of extortion and others.

    The government also disclosed that two LASTMA officers were currently being investigated for allegedly extorting motorist in the state.

    Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat stated that the present administration was committed to given adequate support to LASTMA officials towards reducing travel time within the state, but would not condone any government official terrorising the citizens.

    “And that is why we are currently investigating two of our officers that allegedly harassed citizens who admitted driving against traffic. But the essence of LASTMA officers on the road was not to harass but to affirm the dictate of the road traffic law and be civil while enforcing it.

    “The claim is that the two officers allegedly extorted money from the driver. A petition has been written to the state government by a law firm stating how it happened. The officers have been referred to the agency that has power to discipline them for investigation,” said.

    Hamzat said the LASTMA officers were currently before the State Disciplinary Management Board, assuring residents that none of the officers enforcing the laws had rights to harass them, while cautioning residents against depositing money for fines into officers’ personal accounts, as the only approved account must have Lagos State Government as the account holder.

    LASTMA General Manager, Wale Musa, disclosed that 34 officers were sacked for extortion in the last 18 months.

    Musa disclosed that while 24 were sacked last year, 10 were sacked between January and May 31, 2019, saying that the agency had decided to intensify its enforcement and keep watch on LASTMA officers.

    “Any officer found wanting will be disciplined accordingly. We have been doing it. This year, nothing less than 10 LASTMA officers were dismissed. Same last year, over 24 were dismissed. We have a system where we can discipline our staff.

    “Anyone that has an issue, should please take it up with us, we will deal with it accordingly. We have been seeing so many social media comments on the law, the truth is that the law is meant to be obeyed.

    “But we have a system where no LASTMA officer issues you a ticket. The LASTMA officer and yourself will face the law. It is not the right of the LASTMA officer to tell you that you are guilty, it is the court that decides. If members of the public can cooperate with us, we are ready and willing to ensure that the laws are obeyed and that our men work without fear or intimidation and no member of the public will be intimidated,” Musa said.

  • Killings: Police to retrain officers, men on arms handling

    In a bid to stem the tide of police brutalities against the civil population, the police authorities have concluded plan to return all officers and men to the range from retraining on arms handling and proficiency.

    The Assistant-Inspector General of Police for Zone 11, Adeleye Oyebade, who made the disclosure at the inauguration of the “Operation Puff Adder” at the Zonal Headquarters along Gbongan-Ibadan road in Osogbo, Osun State capital, said the police could not allow the little mistakes and errors continue to affect the achievements of the Force.

    The Police Commissioners for Osun, Oyo and Ondo States comprising the Zone 11 Police Command, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, Mr. Sina Olukolu and Mr. Undie Adie, were present at the inauguration.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive have rejigged “our security architecture by launching “a new operational outfit code named ‘Operation Puff Adder.”

    According to him, the new outfit, since its inauguration, has begun to yield positive results, adding that the IGP has directed that the outfit be replicated in all the zonal and state commands to complement existing security structures.

    Oyebade, who said the police has the resources to prosecute the operation, assured that the Force has upgraded its technical platform to fight crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism among others.

    He said the new face of the Nigeria Police is proactive and will not allow crimes to overwhelm its officers and men.

    Disclosing that the police has identified flash point and was battle ready to curtail criminal activities across the nation, he maintained that the police is strategic in its planning and operations.

    He further disclosed that the police is sharing information with sister security outfits including the Nigeria Army, Department of State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Prisons Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service among others to combat crimes.

    He said the Zone 11 Police Command will soon hold a security stakeholders’ conference, where the Civil Society Organizations, Labour and Industrial Unions, Non-Governmental Organizations will be in attendance.

    The police boss, therefore, called for patience and understanding of members of the public, advising them to always reach out to the police via the control rooms whenever they are in distress.

    He assured that the police will respond promptly whenever called upon by members of the public.

  • BREAKING: Police sacks nine senior officers, demote six for misconduct

    BREAKING: Police sacks nine senior officers, demote six for misconduct

    The Police Service Commission has approved with immediate effect the dismissal of nine senior Police officers for gross misconduct.

    It also approved the reduction in rank of another six officers for different cases of misconduct.

    The PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said in a statement on Tuesday that this was part of the outcome of the fifth plenary meeting of the Commission, which held in Abuja on March 26 and 27, 2019, presided over by its Chairman, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector-General of Police.

    It stated that the Commission also approved ‘severe reprimand’ for five officers and ‘reprimand’ for another five.

    One officer, Austin Agbonlahor, a Commissioner of Police was, however, exonerated.

    The statement read, “Those dismissed were Abdul Ahmed, a Superintendent of Police who will also be prosecuted; another SP, Adamu Abare, had his promotion from SP to Chief Superintendent of Police withdrawn before his dismissal.”

    The Commission further requested the acting IG to furnish it with information on the punishment meted out to other officers mentioned in the Police Investigation Reports involving Abare with regard to irregularities in the conduct of the 2011 recruitment exercise.

    Others who were also dismissed include DSPs Osondu Christian, Samson Ahmidu and Pius Timiala who would be prosecuted.

    The statement said their promotion from Deputy Superintendent to SP had been withdrawn.

    Four Assistant Superintendents of Police were also dismissed for various wrongdoings. They are: Agatha Usman, Esther Yahaya, Idris Shehu and Usman Dass.

    “Oluwatoyin Adesope and Mansir Bako had their ranks reduced from SP to DSP, while Gbenle Mathew,; Tijani Saifullahi, Sadiq Idris and Alice Abbah were demoted from DSP to ASP,” the Service stated.

    It added that the decisions had been conveyed to the IG for implementation in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, Nnamdi Mbaeri.

  • BREAKING: Police reveal identities of officers who ‘killed’ Kolade Johnson

    BREAKING: Police reveal identities of officers who ‘killed’ Kolade Johnson

    The Lagos State Police Command have provided the names of the three officers arrested with links to the fatal shooting of Kolade Johnson in Lagos.

    Recall that Johnson, 36, died after being hit by a stray police bullet near a football viewing centre on Sunday evening.

    The officers involved were taken into custody as part of the initial police response to the killing that has gripped the country and sparked nationwide outrage.

    The officers were identified as Ogunyemi Olalekan (an inspector), Godwin Orji (a sergeant), and Ojiawuna Samuel ( a corporal).

    The police said the aforementioned officers are part of a patrol team of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad that shot Johnson on Sunday.

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, gave the names during a condolence visit to Johnson’s family in Mangoro, Lagos, the neighbourhood where he was killed.

    The police chief condemned the action of the officers and assured the family of a thorough investigation and sanctions.

    More details later…

     

  • Buhari mourns Air Force officers who died in helicopter crash

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, and relations of five people who lost their lives in a military helicopter crash January 2 in Damasak, Borno State.

    The president mourns Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob (Pilot in Command), Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas (Co-Pilot), Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim (Flight Technician), Lance Corporal Adamu Nura (Gunner), and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael (Gunner), who died in the mishap.

    Commiserating with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, President Buhari said it was sad that the fine officers and men lost their lives in the bid to guarantee the safety and protection of their countrymen.

    He said rather than dampen the morale of troops fighting the insurgency in the North-east, the unfortunate development would rather bolster their resolve to completely eliminate all evildoers within the shortest possible time.

    To the families and relations of the dead, President Buhari condoles with them, noting that the dead officers and men were heroes, who paid the supreme price for peace to reign in the country.

  • ’72 FRSC officers killed by reckless drivers in Kaduna…’

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRCS) says 72 officers and men of its Kaduna Zonal Command were killed on duty by reckless and unruly drivers in 2018.

    Mr Abayomi Omiyale, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), said this in Kaduna on Friday at a one-day retreat organised for FRSC commanding officers in the zone.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kaduna Zonal Command of FRSC comprises Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.

    Omiyale said that some of the officers were knocked down by reckless drivers, while others were attacked by disobedient motorists and some people for personal reasons or.

    “Over the last one year, our patrol officers have been knocked down, some were attacked or even shot, leading to the death of 72 patrol officers in the zone. Our vehicles and properties were also vandalised,” he said.

    Besides, the ZCO said that a total of 717 accidents, involving 6,190 vehicles, were recorded during the period under review, representing a 5.8 per cent reduction to the 725 accidents which were recorded in 2017.

    He said that 687 persons died in the accidents, reflecting a 16 per cent increase on the 583 deaths that were recorded in 2017.

    He, however, said that the number of those injured reduced from 3,144 persons in 2017 to 3,047 persons in 2018, representing a 3.0 per cent reduction.

    A breakdown of the statistics indicates that Jigawa recorded 84 accidents with 69 deaths — the highest in the zone — Katsina State recorded 14 accidents, while the number of accidents in Kaduna State reduced from 24 in 2017 to 14 in 2018.

    Omiyale particularly blamed the increasing number of deaths from road crashes in the zone on vehicles overloading, excessive speeding and reckless driving.

    He said that the retreat would provide an opportunity for the zonal FRSC command to assess its performance in the outgoing year and highlight the perceptible challenges, with a view to addressing them and fashioning out the way forward for 2019.

    “The retreat will also remind our patrol officers that we interface with the public during operations; we have to be civil and professional in carrying out our duty of ensuring sanity on our roads.

    “We equally need to be cautious while on patrol; we should, however, look out for offenders who have a high tendency to become violent,” he added.

    Omiyale reiterated the commitment of FRSC toward ensuring a drastic reduction in road accidents by enforcing strict compliance with the traffic rules and regulations.

    Also speaking, Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State commended FRSC for its tireless efforts to ensure sanity on the country’s highways.

    The governor, who was represented by Mr Yohana Waje, Director of Civil Engineering, Kaduna Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, pledged the state government’s support for the efforts of FRSC to promote road safety.