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Tag: Police Officers

  • Extra-judicial killings: Lagos set to prosecute four police officers

    Extra-judicial killings: Lagos set to prosecute four police officers

    The Lagos State Government says it will prosecute four police officers indicted in an alleged extra-judicial killing of two people in Lagos.

    The families of late Segun Sholaja and Ogheneovo Ebobo had petitioned the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo over what they described as travesty of justice.

    The two families had cried out to the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu to launch an independent probe into the killings of their children by the police, as well as appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to look into the complicity of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the matter.

    According to the families, their children Ayodele Solaja and Ogheneovo Ebobo were murdered in the cold blood by a police team led by one Inspector Fabiyi Omowayowa at Iba New Estate Lagos on Monday 19th of August, 2019, debunking claims by the police that the victims were robbers.
    However, a statement issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Wednesay informed the public that sequel to a petition received from the families of late Segun Sholaja and Ogheneovo Ebobo alleging extra judicial killing of the deceased persons by the four police officers, Inspector Fabiyi Omomayara, Sergent Olaniyi Solomon, Sargent Solomon Sunday and Constable Aliyu Mukaila of the Nigeria Police Force, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN directed immediate investigation and review of the case.

    “In the course of investigation initiated by the Office of the Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, fresh evidence came to light indicting the concerned police officers.

    “This has necessitated a review of the earlier legal opinion issued, and the Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice has directed that the suspects be charged for the killing of the deceased persons.

    “The Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice assures the general public of the resolve of his office to uphold the Rule of Law in the State,” the statement said.

  • Court grants bail to eight South African police officers accused of murdering Nigerian

    The eight South African police officers arrested in connection with brutal murder of a Nigerian in 2017 have been released on bail by that country’s Magistrate Court.
    Adetola Olubajo, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), confirmed the latest development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Pretoria on Monday.
    Mr Olubajo said that South Africa’s Independent Police Investigating Directorate (IPID) had indicted the eight cops for the torture and murder of Badmus Ibrahim on October 10, 2017.
    “The eight police officers (six men and two women) were released today (Monday) on bail of R3,000 (about N72,000) each among other conditions by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate Court.
    “One of the bail conditions is that the released police officers should not in any way interfere with witnesses.
    “The eight police officers made application for bail at the magistrate court today (Oct. 8) with three lawyers representing them,” he told NAN.
    Mr Olubajo said that IPID, an independent unit outside the South African Police Department, had opposed the bail application through the IPID Principal Investigating Officer, Tulani Makagula.
    He said the magistrate granted the wish of the defendants and adjourned the matter until November 13 for further hearing.
    “The court premises and room were filled with members of the police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, who were in solidarity with their members indicted for torture and murder of Ibrahim.
    “The police union have thrown their weight behind their accused members, pledging legal support for them.
    “Also, the Nigerian Union in South Africa senior officers were at the court with members of Nigerian community to witness the proceedings and ensure everything was in order,” he said.
    Mr Olubajo said that NUSA’s legal adviser, Omoreige Ogboro, who was present in court, had applied for Nigeria’s Channels Television to cover the court’s proceedings.
    The union’s president said the Nigerian community had earlier reported to the union the constant harassment and intimidation of Nigerians following the murder of Mr Ibrahim.
    According to him, the principal witness in the case was arrested in August by that country’s police and had remained in detention since the arrest.
    “NUSA commend the efforts of IPID for not leaving any stone unturned while investigating the murder case of late Ibrahim.
    “Going by the briefing we received from IPID, we believe they (IPID) have a watertight case. So, we are positive that justice will be served at the end of the trial.
    “We advice Nigerians in Vanderbijlpark, outside the magistrate court to remain calm as we have confidence in the investigation done by IPID so far, and South Africa’s justice system,” he said.
    According to unofficial sources, up to 800,000 Nigerians mostly young people reside in South Africa. (NAN)

  • South African police officers to appear in court for allegedly killing Nigerian

    The Nigerian Mission in South Africa announced on Friday that police officers implicated in the alleged murder of a Nigerian, Ibrahim Badmus, would be charged to court soon.

    Badmus, 25, who was murdered in 2017, was among no fewer than 120 Nigerians, mainly young people, killed in South Africa since February 2016.

    Nigeria’s Consul-General in South Africa, Godwin Adama, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview from Johannesburg that the South African authorities had confirmed that investigation into the murder of Mr Badmus was almost concluded.

    “Badmus, a native of Lagos State, was brutally murdered by the South African police on Oct. 10, 2017 at Vanderbidjk Park, South Africa.

    “Police officers implicated in the murder will be charged to court any moment from now,” the envoy said.

    South African police officers were said to have stormed the home of Badmus, an undergraduate at Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark in South Africa, alleging that Badmus was trafficking drugs.

    But it was learnt that when the operatives searched the home of the young Nigerian, they could not find any drug.

    The operatives, allegedly asked the deceased for money and when he could not give them money, they handcuffed him and used excessive pepper spray on him. He passed out and died, due to suffocation

    Adama said the case was classified as high-profile because of the tension generated by the development as some Nigerians, who had confrontation with the police almost took laws into their hands.

    The consul-general said that on hearing the development, he immediately rushed to the scene where he interfaced with aggrieved Nigerians and the police to calm frayed nerves.

    “I led a delegation from the mission to visit the scene on receipt of the information. When we arrived the scene, the place was tensed up because Nigerians there were not happy.

    “We immediately met with the station commander in the area with some selected Nigerians.

    “The police assured that a thorough investigation would be carried out and that the culprit would be brought to book.”

    He said that the police authorities later arrested the police officers, who perpetrated the crime and commenced investigation.

    Adama said that the mission had followed up on the case and that it was clear that investigating authorities had done a thorough job.

    The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Adetola Olubajo, blamed the incessant killings of Nigerians in South Africa on a lack of prosecution of offenders by the South African authorities.

    Olubajo told NAN that the inability of the government to bring to bring those perpetrating the heinous crimes against Nigerians to book had given some people impetus to descend on Nigerians.

    “Lack of prosecution of these criminal activities has actually emboldened a lot of people to feel that they can kill Nigerians without any consequence,” he said.

    On July 11, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during a visit to Nigeria, said that killing anybody in South Africa was a criminal act and that criminality in the former apartheid enclave was not specifically targeted at Nigerians.

    But despite the assurances of Ramaphosa, the death toll of Nigerians in South Africa has continued to increase.

    On July 12, another Nigerian, Martin Ebuzoeme, was killed by assailants in the Yeoville district of Johannesburg.

    On July 6, Lawrence Ozumba, was similarly shot dead by gunman at No.10 Koppe Str., Middleburg, Mpumalanga.

    Earlier on April 9, another Nigerian, ThankGod Okoro, was reportedly murdered at Hamburg, Florida West Rand in Johannesburg by the South African Police Flying Squad.

    The same month one Clement Nwaogu, a father of two, was burnt to death by a mob, stoking a protest by some Nigerians resident in South Africa.

    It was learnt that at least 14 of the protesters were taken into custody and allegedly branded drug peddlers by the South African authorities.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen invade Abuja, kill seven police officers on duty

    There was pandemonium on Tuesday in Abuja as armed men reportedly gunned down seven police officers.

    According to a report by Premium Times, the incident occurred at Galadimawa Junction, just off the international airport road.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police commissioner, Sadiq Bello confirmed the tragic incident.

    The police chief was, however, unable to immediately provide full details of how it occurred, saying the FCT police spokesperson, Anjuguri Manzah, will provide further details shortly.

    Details soon…

  • Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    Why police officers protested, blocked highway — Official

    The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that its personnel who blocked its Borno headquarters earlier Monday in Maiduguri, were not staging a protest, but “merely complaining” over the delay in payment of their special duty allowances.

    The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement claimed some of the police mobile force personnel on special duty only went to the command to enquire about the delay in the payment and not to protest.

    Moshood said the officers who went on enquiry were not those attached to Operation Lafiya Dole in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    He said they were those on the category of visiting PMF units deployed in Maiduguri on Crime Prevention and other Police duties in the State.

    “The force wish to categorically state that it is not correct that police personnel protested in Maiduguri today July 2,” he said.

    Moshood said that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed the Commissioner of Police in Borno to address why the delay in the payment of their special duty allowances.

    He also assured them that with the approval of the budget, the allowances would be expeditiously processed and paid without any further delay.

    The spokesman said the IGP also ordered the Commissioner of PMF to proceed to Borno and other states in the North East where personnel are deployed on special duty.

    He said the commissioner should also inform them on efforts being made by the force to ensure timely payment of their allowances.

    “Members of the Public in Maiduguri, Borno are hereby enjoined not to panic but to go about their lawful duties and other responsibilities without fear or apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organisation and will not allow any situation to degenerate into disturbance of Public Peace anywhere in the Country,“he said.

    Earlier, mobile policemen in the Borno capital of Maiduguri staged a protest over non-payment of their allowances.

    The protesting officers barricaded their command headquarters located on Maiduguri-Kano expressway.

    The protest disrupted traffic on the road.

    One of protesting policemen who pleaded anonymity, said they were angry over the non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.

    “About 10, 000 mobile policemen were deployed to the state from different commands but we have not received our allowances in the past six months.

    “We have been serving at the command headquarters since our deployment; but some of us deployed to other locations outside the headquarters were being paid their allowances as and when due.

    “We have been facing hardships as a result of the non-payment of the allowances. We have made several complaints but nobody listened to us,” the aggrieved policeman said.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Damian Chukwu, blamed the non payment on the delay in the passage of the 2018 budget.

    He called on the protesting policemen to calm down and assured them that their allowances would be paid.

  • How FG negotiated ceasefire, release of police officers with Boko Haram insurgents – DSS

    The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Daura on Monday explained in details how the Federal Government negotiated with Boko Haram for the release of abducted policewomen and oil explorers in Lake Chad Basin.

    Recall that the police officers were abducted in June 20, 2017, while traveling from Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, to Askira Uba local government area to attend a burial.

    The lecturers were part of a team of geophysicists searching for oil in the Lake Chad Basin, on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

    The abductees were, however, released on February 10. They were received by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday (today) at the presidential villa in Abuja.

    Addressing the president and the abductees, the SSS boss, Daura, identified Jummai Ibrahim as the victim who was serving as a youth corps member at the time of her abduction.

    He said she could have passed out at the end of the last batch in 2017.

    Other female abductees are Esther Kwasina, Amina Gomdiya, Gloria Bulus, Paulina Amos and Tani Audu, a final year student at the University of Maiduguri.

    He later gave details of how the negotiation happened. It is, however, unclear what terms were finally agreed upon for the kidnapped officials to be released.

    “Mr. President, the search and negotiations for the rescue of the victims commenced in earnest following your directives to the effect that all abducted persons must be found and rescued alive,” Daura said.

    “However, we chose the path of negotiation because it was considered as the safest because any forceful attempt to rescue the victims could endanger their lives.

    “These negotiations took several months and the Department of State Services with support of the external elements of the group in diaspora and support from friendly countries and liaising with International Committee of the Red Cross, made the rescue possible,” he said.

    Daura also said the process of the rescue slowed due to the problem of dealing with two different groups based in different locations at the same time.

    “In addition, the negotiations took place mostly outside the country, though subsequently finalised in the theatre of operations.

    “The negotiations were mainly centered on an attempt at conflict mitigation which include the fate of arrested members of the insurgent groups especially, accepting to free by government those found not to be culpable in any criminal action.

    “Also, possible cessation of hostilities especially the attacks with IEDs on innocent civilians, worship centres, schools and other public places in return for temporary stoppage of air strikes by helicopter gunships.

    “Lastly, the negotiation was also centered on the possibility of granting amnesty to those willing to surrender and ready to lay down their arms by the federal government,” he said.

    A geophysics lecturer, Solomon Yusuf, spoke at the event on behalf of the released abductees.

    “While we were in captivity and we said with 180 million or more Nigerians, will Nigeria ever come to rescue us? We lost hope! Sir, you surprised us. After seven months for us in the university and eight months for the 10 ladies, Nigeria rescued us. This shows that the life of every Nigerian is important and is worth rescuing.

    “Sir, we are grateful. You gave us hope when there was no hope And we are excited, we thank you Sir, Mr. Yusuf said

    “We also want to appreciate the DSS, the Nigerian armed forces, and the entire team that worked together to make sure we regained our freedom. We appreciate the labour of love they have shown to us.

    “We also want to appreciate Nigerians for praying. We were informed that the entire nation was praying for us and we were excited and we said, ‘Oh God what is this?’ This is love. Sir, we are grateful.

    “Sir, from the university, it is a golden opportunity for us to see you and to share our fears and concern because we were abducted while working for the nation. And right now going back home to us is still a nightmare because of our experiences.

    “Sir we have this golden plea with all due respect. Sir, if there is an opportunity for us to be relocated and maybe given another job, Sir, this is our golden request. This is the only opportunity we have to share with you. But we appreciate everything done, the sacrifice you have given to us. Thank you Sir.”

  • Boko Haram: Buhari receives rescued lecturers, police officers’ wives in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and police officers’ wives who were abducted by Boko Haram last year.

    He received them at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    The rescued persons had been under the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja where they were examined by a team of doctors and psychologists.

    The rescued lecturers were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno, while the police officers’ wives were kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa road, near Maiduguri, in June 2017.

    Their release after series of negotiations, according to an earlier statement issued by a presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, in line with presidential directives.

  • Gunmen attack, kill two police officers in Nasarawa

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State on Monday said two of its officers were killed by gunmen along the Akwanga-Keffi federal highway.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, Kennedy Idirisu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lafia.

    According to Mr. Idrisu, the police officers were stationed at Kubere village, some few kilometres away from Gudi, along the Akwanga-Keffi highway, when the gunmen attacked them from the bush, killing two of them.

    He said the command had deployed officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and the mobile police detachment alongside the vigilance group to comb the forest for the suspected assassins.

    He said the spot had been identified as a flashpoint for kidnapping and other nefarious crimes, hence the decision by the command to station its officers in the area.

    The police spokesperson said the command would not be deterred by the sad incident in its resolve to perform its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

    “The hoodlums, by this act, wanted to dampen the morale of the police as we approach the Yuletide so that they can have their way.

    “However, the command remains resolute and determined to tackle crime head-on as the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Uba-Kura, has ordered the deployment of more officers and men to identified flash points across the state,” he said.

    Mr. Idirisu appealed to members of the public to always provide the security agencies with useful information that would help in curbing crime and criminality in the state.

    He said that crime fighting was a collective responsibility, and not for security agencies alone.

    NAN

     

  • Post-coup crackdown: Turkey orders detention of 177 police officers

    Post-coup crackdown: Turkey orders detention of 177 police officers

    Turkish authorities ordered the detention of 177 police officers, the state-run Anadolu agency said on Thursday, widening a crackdown against people accused of links to a failed coup in July.

    The suspects, from 25 provinces, were being sought on suspicion of using ByLock, an encrypted smartphone messaging app, the agency said, citing the Ankara prosecutor’s office.

    The government has accused the network of cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the coup, and says it made use of ByLock in the attempt.

    Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup.

    In the post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 125,000 from the military, judiciary and public services.

    Among the suspects sought on Thursday were police officers who had previously been dismissed over alleged links to Gulen’s network, Anadolu said.

    It said some of suspects had already been detained and would be brought to Ankara for questioning.

    President Tayyip Erdogan declared emergency rule after the failed coup, enabling the government to bypass parliament in enacting new laws and limit or suspend rights and freedoms when deemed necessary.

    Rights groups and some of Turkey’s Western allies fear Erdogan is using the coup as a pretext to stifle dissent, but he says the moves are necessary to protect democracy and root out Gulen supporters.

    Turkey, a NATO member, has been hit by a series of bombings and shootings in the past year in addition to the coup, in which soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power, killing no fewer than 240 people.

     

    Reuters/NAN