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Tag: Task Force

  • Lagos task force sacks 2 officers

    Lagos task force sacks 2 officers

    The Lagos State Task Force says it has dismissed two of its personnel, Fatai Yusuf, 42, and Hammed Garuba, 38, following their involvement in theft during a recent raid.

    The task force’s spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

    Gbadeyan said that the officials stole phones during the operation conducted at a hotel in Gowon Estate, known for harboring drug users and traffickers, which resulted in numerous arrests.

    He said that the integrity of the raid was compromised by the actions of the two officials whose misconduct was captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).

    According to him, the culprits were found guilty of stealing mobile phones from the scene.

    “Both individuals, serving as paramilitary officers within the agency, were subjected to a meticulous investigation by the agency’s disciplinary committee.

    “Upon confirmation of their guilt, they were summarily dismissed from service and will face immediate prosecution for theft,” he said.

    The image maker said that the chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, denounced their actions and reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to integrity and accountability.

    “Akerele has issued a stern admonition to all personnel, emphasising that any breach of ethical conduct would attract severe consequences,” he said.

    Gbadeyan said that the taskforce was guided by principles of discipline, equity, and justice, and any act that compromised the agency’s credibility or eroded public trust would be addressed decisively and without hesitation.

    He said that in a related development that those apprehended during the raid had been arraigned.

    “The first group of 53 drug peddlers and users apprehended during earlier operations have been remanded at the Badagry Correctional Centre, after being charged in court.

    “This week, in a subsequent raid targeting drug hotspots and illicit structures within Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, the taskforce apprehended 43 additional suspects.

    “The operation led to the demolition of identified drug hideouts and shanties, to deter recurring criminal activities in the area.

    “All apprehended individuals have been promptly arraigned, underscoring the agency’s relentless commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes and ensuring public safety,” the spokesperson said.

    He said that those actions highlighted the task force’s uncompromising stance on unethical conduct and its dedication to maintaining law and order, in line with the Lagos State THEMES Plus agenda.

  • FG inaugurates task force to combat illegal private charter operations

    FG inaugurates task force to combat illegal private charter operations

    In a bid to address the rampant illegal operations by private aircraft owners, leading to significant revenue losses for the Federal Government and posing severe risks to the safety and security of Nigerians, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has inaugurated the Ministerial Task Force on Illegal Private Charter Operations and Related Matters. An initiative that aligns with the minister’s strategic agenda to reform Nigeria’s aviation industry.

    The task force comprises members drawn from the public and private sectors of the industry.

    This was made known in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Digital Communications, Saka Olugbenga, who noted that the task force’s diverse composition aims to balance regulatory enforcement with industry insights, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the task force.

    The task force, chaired by Captain Ado Sanusi (Managing Director, Aero Contractors), seeks to: enhance operational safety; restore financial integrity within the aviation sector; foster a fair competitive environment for legitimate operators; secure better compliance with aviation laws and regulations; and ultimately, build a more robust and trustworthy aviation industry for Nigeria.

    The launch of this task force further emphasises the Minister’s commitment to addressing critical issues within Nigeria’s aviation sector and ensuring compliant operations to enhance safety, revenue, and adherence. The initiative aims to set a new standard for Nigeria’s aviation industry, by tackling these illegal operations head-on.

    The committee is expected to come up with solutions in 3 months.

  • Scarcity: Government raid filling stations to prevent hoarding fuel

    Scarcity: Government raid filling stations to prevent hoarding fuel

    In Ilorin the Kwara state task force, raided many filling stations operating within the state, in its bid to tackle the lingering fuel scarcity in the state.

    The government warned the filling stations against hoarding of fuel which it declared imposes needless hardship on the masses.

    Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Mahe Abdulkadir who led the team noted that the committee set up by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is tasked to attend to the problem of fuel shortage.

    “We observed that the major marketers are doing their best so far because we checked their pits,” he added.

    Prince Abdulkadir also appealed to the people of the state to be patient and avoid panic-buying.

    “We want to call on the people of the state to be patient and avoid panic buying, the federal government is not trying to increase the prices of fuel. We will make sure our people are not shortchanged,” he stated.

    Filling stations inspected included Total Energies Post Office Area; Rainoil Filling Station Asa Dam; NNPC Gerin Alimi; Total Energies Surulere; NNPC Surulere; and MRS Filling Station Oja-Oba.

    The Chief of Staff charged the management of fuel stations dispensing fuel across the state to properly organise their customers to ensure orderliness.

    At Rainoil Filling Station Asa Dam, NNPC Gerin Alimi, and NNPC Surulere, the team confirmed that there was enough fuel in their pits and encouraged them to continue to sell in an orderly manner.

    Some of the managers promised to avoid hoarding in the interest of the state.

    In their reactions, some motorists on queue appealed to the government to continue to monitor sales of fuel to check hoarding and reduce hardship occasioned by fuel scarcity in the state.

  • Court voids Yahaya Bello’s Task Force on Firearms Control

    Court voids Yahaya Bello’s Task Force on Firearms Control

    A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja has nullified the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms established by Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that regulation and control of firearms were sole responsibilities of the appropriate federal agencies and not the state governments or agencies set up by them.

    It would be recalled that Hon Ahmadu Danjuma had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023, sued the governor, Mr Friday Sani Makama, Director-General (DG) of State Security Service (also known as DSS) as 1st to 3rd defendants’ respectively.

    Others joined in the suit include DG of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) as 4th to 6th defendants.

    Danjuma, through his lawyer, Promise Ogbadu, had challenged Gov. Bello’s setting up of the task force and giving them powers to regulate firearms within the state.

    The governor, after the establishment of the task force, appointed Makama as the director general of the group.

    Delivering the judgement on Oct. 5 and a copy of it made available to newsmen on Tuesday, Justice Omotosho declared the task force as “illegal, null and void.”

    He held that Bello had “no power to unilaterally regulate or control the possession of, or dealing in firearms in Kogi State or any part thereof.”

    He said that the DSS, NIA, I-G and the NSA were the constitutionally recognised agencies saddled with the responsibility of firearms regulation in the country.

    The judge held that the appointment of Makama as DG of the task force constituted a threat to the security of the state and nullified his appointment forthwith.

    He consequently, ordered the retrieval of all arms in the possession of the task force, as well as a thorough investigation into the activities of Makama and all those under him.

    Reacting to the judgement on Tuesday, counsel to the plaintiff, Ogbadu, said the judgement was in line with the rule of law, expressing optimism that the state government and relevant security agencies would comply with the order of the court.

  • Bayelsa Gov, Diri cries out, says flood has also taken my house

    Bayelsa Gov, Diri cries out, says flood has also taken my house

     

     

    Nobody is spared as Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has lamented that his private building at Sampou Community in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area of the state has been taken over by the ravaging flood in the state.

    Diri, who undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the flood situation in some communities, bemoaned the devastation of property and the hardship visited on people of the state by flood.

    The governor who was accompanied by the state Commissioner for Environment and chairman, Task Forceon Flood Mitigation and Management, Mr. Eselema Gbaranbiri, his Works and Information counterparts, Moses Teibowei, and Ayibaina Duba, respectively as well as other top government functionaries, visited communities submerged by the flood including, Tungbo, Sagbama town and Adagbabiri, all in Sagbama Local Government Area.

    While addressing the people the governor said he wanted to get first-hand knowledge of what the people and the communities were going through.

  • Police restore normalcy after Task Force, motorcycle operators clash in Abuja

    Police restore normalcy after Task Force, motorcycle operators clash in Abuja

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it had restored normalcy in the Gosa Market area after a clash between Task Force and motorcycle operators in the area.
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
    Adeh said the command had, at about 11:30 a.m., received a report of civil unrest around Airport Road, near Gosa market area of the FCT.
    She said the incident was due to an uncultured display of dissatisfaction by commercial motorcycle operators who took to the streets, burning tires and other substances.
    The police spokesperson said the motorcycle operators took to the street following the activities of the Task Force who earlier, confiscated some motorcycles for certain violations.
    According to her, upon the receipt of the information, operatives from Iddo Divisional Police Headquarters were swiftly drafted to the scene.
    She said the operatives had taken necessary measures to restore peace and normalcy to the situation.
    Adeh urged the public to eschew the generation and promulgation of fake news or contrary narratives and go about their lawful businesses without fear of harassment or molestation.
    She said monitoring and surveillance would continue at the scene while efforts were being made to arrest the miscreants responsible for the disturbance.
    Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Babaji Sunday, pledged the commitment of the command to bring crimes and criminality to the barest minimum
    The CP said full wrath of the law would be meted out on persons involved in the burning of combustible materials on tarred roads, adding that the act amounted  to the vandalism of government property.
  • Lagos condemns attacks on its officials; hawker arrested for injuring environmental operatives

    Lagos condemns attacks on its officials; hawker arrested for injuring environmental operatives

    A Lagos hawker, Yusuf Usaini, on Monday, allegedly attacked the operatives of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC, around Railway Crossing, Fagba, in Ifako Ijaye Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.

    The incident occured at about 12.30pm, during the daily routine patrol by the officials in ensuring that the State is cleared of all forms of street trading.

    It was gathered that the 30 years old hawker said to be hawking popcorn, upon sighting the Agency’s operatives brought out dangerous weapons such as knife (dagger) and charms to attack the operatives.

    Meanwhile, Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has reiterated its commitment to rid the State of all environmental nuisances such as street trading and hawking on the major highways just as it warned the general public on any form of attacks on its operatives carrying out official duties of ensuring the general cleanliness of the State.

    The Corps Marshal, C.P Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd), disclosed this today at the Command Headquarters of the Agency, Bolade, Oshodi.

    Mrs. Gbemisola condemned these incessant attacks on its personnel who are out to dislodging street traders around the nooks and crannies of the State, noting that such attacks can inflict serious injuries or loss of lives to the officers who are out to ensure the directives of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards ensuring that our roads, walkways and road setbacks on major highways in the State are free of illegal trading activities and street hawking which mostly impedes free human and vehicular movements that often constitutes traffic gridlocks on our roads.

    However, the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.

    While affirming the Agency’s commitment at ensuring the directive of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at ensuring that every part of the State is free of any form of environmental nuisances, she however appealed to market leaders and transport unions to partner with the Agency in the discharge of official duty.

  • Delta: Hoodlums in COVID-19 ravaged LGA beat, inflict injuries on task force team, police officials [Graphic Photos]

    Delta: Hoodlums in COVID-19 ravaged LGA beat, inflict injuries on task force team, police officials [Graphic Photos]

    There was pandemonium in Ughelli North Local Government Area, one of the coronavirus [COVID-19] ravaged LGAs in Delta State on Monday after COVID-19 task force team and some police officials were allegedly attacked by suspected youths from Otor-Ihwreko the host community to Ughelli main market in the local government area.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Ughelli North is one of the six LGAs identified as COVID-19 hotbeds in Delta. Others and their confirmed COVID-19 cases are; Oshimili South which comprises Asaba, Okwe and Oko area with 351 cases, Warri South has 161 cases, Uwvie has 145, Ughelli North has 122, Oshimili North 107 while Sapele has 100 cases in the state.

    According to reports, the hoodlums in their hundreds attacked the policemen and officials of COVID-19 task force while carrying out sensitization campaign on the uses of nose masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing precautions at recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to the market women.

    Eyewitness account said the youths emerged from the community’s shrine on sighting the officials of the COVID-19 task force and policemen from ‘A’ Division, Ughelli with dangerous weapons and heavily attacked the policemen and officials of COVID-19 Task Force of the council area.

    Two women sergeant from ‘A’ Division Ughelli were beaten to stupor and their uniforms were torn and half naked while alighting from the council’s NUGLE bus.

    The officials of the task force were not spared as many of them were left with various degree of injuries in their bodies.

    According to an eyewitness, an attempt to set the council bus ablaze was averted as the DPO ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, CSP Kevin Zuokumor sent police officers to rescue the police officers and officials of COVID-19 task force locked up in the market stalls.

    The youths in their warring song said the community will no longer fold their hands looking at government of Delta State killing their people with hunger, any attempt by the state government or anybody to impose stringent condition on their people will be resisted.

    “From henceforth, any attempt by Delta state government to further impose stringent conditions on our people will be highly resisted by superior power”.

    When contacted, the council boss, Hon. Goodwin Adode condemned the attack on the officials of the council and Nigeria policemen from ‘A’ Division Ughelli who are carrying out their lawful duty.

    Adode vowed that the perpetrators will not go unpunished adding that they will be arrested and made to face the law.

    “We will not condone it from anybody, the youths of Otor-Ihwreko that attacked policemen and officials of COVID-19 task force will face the law and brought to book” he threatened.

    Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) ‘A’ Division Ughelli, CSP Kevin Zoukumor has assured the council boss of getting the hoodlums arrested and prosecuted

  • FRSC gets task force on drivers licence, vehicle number plates in Rivers

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to creats a special task force for enforcement of vehicle number plates and driver’s license to sanitize driving culture in Rivers, an official has disclosed.

    The new Sector Commandant in the state, Corps Commander Salisu Galadunci, made this known during a visit to the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Mr Tammy Danagogo, on Monday in Port Harcourt.

    He said the initiative would ensure safety of lives and property for road users as well as enhance revenue generation for the state.

    Galadunci also commended the state government on its various contributions towards the services of the command.

    “I am aware of the cordial relationship with us, the latest being the donation of five new JAC brand of Pick-Up vehicles to the command.

    “I promise to further build on this relationship to enhance sanity in the driving culture of residents of the state,” Galadunci said.

    The Sector Commander also said that the Replacement Machine Centre for Number Plate has been established in the state, adding that provision of office accommodation would enhance it quick commencement.

    Responding, Danagogo expressed delight over the laudable programmes envisioned by the new Sector Commander and applauded him on his readiness to serve.

    He also said that Gov. Nyesome Wike has approved to assist the Corps in setting up the Replacement Machine Centre for Number Plate.

    According to him, the accommodation and other necessities have also been put in place in readiness to kick stating its operations.

    Danagogo promised to do a follow up with the governor to come up with a date for commencement of the centre.

  • COVID-19: Gombe records 7 deaths, says taskforce

    COVID-19: Gombe records 7 deaths, says taskforce

    Gombe State Taskforce on COVID-19 says it has recorded seven deaths related to COVID-19 in the state.

    Prof. Idris Mohammed, chairman of the taskforce stated this in Gombe on Wednesday while briefing newsmen.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that three deaths were initially reported, and the state recorded additional four recently, bringing the total to seven.

    He said out of the seven deaths recorded, three were from community transmission because they did not have any record of travelling.

    He said so far, there were only 23 active cases in the state that were on admission at Specialist, Federal Teaching Hospital and Kwadon Isolation centres Gombe.

    He further expressed concern over the way people were conducting their businesses in the state without the fear of the pandemic.

    Idris said the negative attitude of members of the public was worrisome because they were frustrating the efforts of the taskforce that was going round the communities for contact tracing.

    “Members of the community were frustrating the efforts of taskforce who were out for contact tracing.

    “Community transmission can only be checked if they cooperate with health workers who were out for contact tracing,” he said.