Author: Monday Ijeh

Take advantage of security agencies’ reporting channels- Group tells Nigerians

Security

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) An Interest Group, Security Now Whole Of Society Approach, has called on Nigerians to take advantage of security agencies’ reporting channels to report suspicious movements around their environment.

The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr Justify Obogoh on Thursday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to support the ongoing efforts by security agencies to address the security challenges in parts of the country.

He said that the fight against terrorists and other non-state actors would be more successful if public provide useful and timely information for security operatives for necessary action.

He cautioned community members against shielding the enemies of state who live among them.

“We are aware that the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies, have always availed the public email addresses, websites and phone numbers for possible contacts.

“The DSS, for instance, can be contacted on the website, dss.gov.ng; email address – dsspr@dss.gov.ng and Telephone lines on +2349153391309 and +2349088373514.

“The contact numbers of senior police officers, as well as those of the respective Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) can be accessed online,” he said.

The group enjoined constituted authorities to ensure the fulfillment of their campaign promises of providing basic amenities for the people.

Obogoh urged governments at all levels make funds available for law enforcement authorities to carry out mass recruitment of personnel.

According to him, continuous recruitment exercises will ensure adequate personnel for security agencies mane ungoverned spaces that have been converted to ‘sanctuaries’ by  criminal elements.

“We are encouraging states to establish internal security platforms, to complement the efforts of the military, intelligence and security agencies.

“Our men in uniform symbolise the authority of the State and we must at all times, give them the support needed to guarantee the sovereignty, indissolubility, and indivisibility of Nigeria.

“We are also, calling on the public to imbibe the culture of ‘see something, say something”, that we may restore the glory of our nation,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Recruitment

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it has not and would not cancel the list of successful candidates released for recruitment into Constables cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ani said the clarification was followed by the statement being circulated in the social media, alleging that, PSC had succumbed to pressure and cancelled the final list of successful candidates.

According to him, the statement did not emanate from PSC and we urge the public to disregard same.

He added that the recruitment exercise was conducted in clear adherence to relevant guidelines and provisions of the law.

He said the commission had just concluded a routine maintenance of its portal containing the list of the successful candidates.

“The commission is in control of the situation and has since restored the recruitment portal with its original contents.

“Successful candidates are advised to ignore this deliberate antics of desperate groups bent on destroying the good work of the commission.

“The commission is committed to giving the nation a merit based and inclusive recruitment exercise.

“It will continue to ensure that federal character, gender sensitivity and merit are the bedrock of its recruitment process,” he said.

Ani, therefore, urged those behind the circulated statement to desist from undermining the recruitment exercise, adding that, anyone caught would be dealt with.

“The portal is now fully functional and accessible hence, candidates can now log in and access all its features without any disruptions. Ani said (NAN)

IMC/MAM/AMM

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Abiemwense Moru

Suspects

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested four suspects over the murder of a retired Brigadier General, Uwem Udokwere, in his Sunshine Estate home in Abuja.

Mr Benneth Igweh, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

He said the suspects were arrested by police operatives from Utako Division on Sunday following credible intelligence.

Igweh said the suspects were responsible for the attack, robbery and killing of the retired officer on June 22 in his residence at Sunshine homes Estate in Kabusa area of Abuja.

The commissioner said the suspects who had confessed to the crime, said that they stabbed the general when he tried to resist them with his pistols.

Igweh said the knife used for the crime and the deceased stolen phone were recovered from the suspects.

He said efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and recover the pistols taken away from the deceased.

The commissioner said operatives of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit on May 26, trailed and arrested two wanted and notorious kidnap suspects in Dei-Dei Area of Abuja.

Igweh said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence were escapees of Kuje Prison break in 2022.

He said the duo were members of the kidnap syndicate that stormed livestock estate in Dei-Dei sometimes in December, 2023, kidnapped 17 victims and collected huge ransom before their release.

Igweh said the suspects had confessed to the crime and had collected the sum of N400, 000 and N300, 000 respectively as ransom.

He said the suspects had told police operatives during investigation that their syndicate was one of the four kidnapping groups terrorising FCT and its environs.

The commissioner said 91 rustled cattle, four sheep and one AK-47 rifle were recovered from the suspects.

He said operatives from the anti-kidnapping unit of the command, in a streak of coordinated clearance operations on some identified bandits camps, arrested an informant, logistics supplier and POS operator to kidnappers.

Igweh said the suspect was the chief informant and logistics supplier to the whole kidnapping groups under the general command of a suspect, currently on the run.

The commissioner said the suspect had confessed to be the facilitator of the movement of nurses, hard drugs and sex workers on request to the kidnapping groups.

“He is also the financial courier through whom money is distributed or shared on request to the kidnapper’s families and has distributed about N20, 000, 000 on behalf of the kidnappers.

“He has confirmed that the group led by the suspect at large, has over 15 members, all having AK-47 rifles and that, there are sub groups under him,” he said

Igweh said the suspects would be charge to court upon completion of investigation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/EBI/CJ/

Edited by Benson Iziama and Chijioke Okoronkwo

Group urges Plateau residents to adhere to ban on road blockage

Road

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Socio-Political Group, Plateau Patriotic Front has called on Plateau residents to adhere to an Executive Order by the state government, banning the blockage of road during religious activities in the state.

A statement by the Chairman of the Group, Mr Mani Imman on Monday in Abuja commended the state government for the Executive Order.

He said the order would go a long way in showcasing Jos, the state capital as a decent and law abiding place to live and do businesses.

According to him, the implementation of the order will also allow free movement of vehicles on the highways, especially with the innovations in the transport system conceived by the current state government administration.

He said that the order was a step in the right direction to sanitise the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

Imman urged residents to support the efforts of the government to lift Jos and other parts of the state to its deserved place in the comity of developed cities.

”We commend the government’s efforts in bringing sanity to the environment. We urge citizens to support the efforts and not see them as targeting any group or person.

”We are calling on citizens to refrain from antagonising the government, especially when policies and efforts are geared at development and the common good for all,” he said. (NAN)

IMC/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Police partner NFIU to curb money laundering, terrorism financing

Laundering

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, on Thursday said the Police had partnered with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to curb money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.

Egbetokun said this in Abuja at a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.

He said the Nigeria police force had a crucial role to play in combating money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.

“To strengthen our capabilities and demonstrate our commitment to combating financial crimes, we have established dedicated Anti-Money Laundering (AML) section at the Force Criminal Investigation Department,” he said.

He said that establishment of the section would be replicated at all Zonal and State Commands nationwide.

Egbetokun said the unit would enhance the capacity of the force to tackle the menace as well as investigate and prosecute financial crimes and terrorism financing.

“By working together, we will improve our investigations, prosecutions, and ultimately, convict perpetrators.

“I urge you all to embrace this initiative at your various duty posts, by assisting the take-off of the section,” he said.

Egbetokun said the country had over the past 12 months, faced significant challenges of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery.

He said the force had remained resilient and steadfast in its mandate despite the threats.

The I-G commended the senior officers for their dedication and hard work through exemplary performance across various duty stations.

“Our efforts to grow capacity, improve services and strengthen relationships with sister services and the public have yielded positive results in our fight against crime nationwide.

“This milestone provides us an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, acknowledge the challenges and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring safety and security of Nigerians.

“Today, we will evaluate our internal security operations and activities over the past year, highlighting significant achievements and addressing the major challenges faced.

“We will also deliberate on security plans to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in achieving smooth gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo State later this year,” he said. (NAN)

IMC/CHOM/IAA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Isaac Aregbesola

Police Recruitment:  Corruption allegation against PSC diversionary — Union

Corruption

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Joint Union Congress (JUC) of the Police Service Commission (PSC), says the corruption allegation against the commission by the Nigeria Police over recruitment of Constables is diversionary.

The Chairman of the Union, Mr Augustine Adoyi, said this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Nigeria Police had alleged irregularities and corruption in the list of successful candidates released by the PSC for the 2022/23 batch of Constables recruited into the Nigeria Police Force.

Adoyi said the allegations were unfounded, spurious, and speculative and did not follow the official channel of communication.

He said it was a deliberate effort by the police to divert the attention of the public from their failure to open Police Training Schools for the successful recruits.

“The allegation of fraud leveled against the commission is a deliberate effort to divert attention of the public from the real issues at hand.

“The Nigeria Police Force seeks to leverage on this allegation to divert attention from their non-preparedness to open the Police Training schools, in spite of availability of funds for the exercise.

“Their unwillingness to deploy funds as appropriated for the training schools must be investigated,” he said.

The union chairman urged the Nigeria Police to come clean and submit itself for accountability and probity.

He said the commission had it in good authority that the training schools were not in good condition to receive and accommodate the recruits for training.

Adoyi said the allegation of corruption and irregularities against the commission were baseless, the selection process was conducted using comprehensive criteria, including Computer-based Test (CBT).

He said gender inclusivity and sensitivity as well as Federal Character were put in place to ensure a fair, inclusive and merit based recruitment.

The chairman called for a forensic review of both the commission’s list and the one the Nigeria Police sought to foist on the recruitment board.

“This will help to ascertain the veracity of the allegation and determine where the truth lies,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Police, military foil bank robbery attempt in FCT

Robbery

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a combined operation with the Nigerian Military has foiled a bank robbery attempt in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She said the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh led the operation that foiled the robbery attempt that happened on June 13.

Adeh said security forces had engaged the 15-man robbery gang in an intense gun duel after the robbers had attacked the bank with dynamite in an attempt to rob.

She said the gun duel forced the armed robbers to scamper to safety with various degrees of bullet wounds, while the security forces succeeded in apprehending three of the gang members.

The FCT police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested with various degrees of bullet injuries.

According to her, a yet-to-be-identified suspect was set ablaze by an irate mob at the scene after being neutralised by the security forces.

“A police operative and the gang leader, with bullet injuries were rushed to the hospital, but later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while others are still receiving treatment,” she said.

She said search operation was still ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang with bullet injuries.

Adeh said the commissioner commended the effectiveness of the combined operation, and reaffirms the command’s commitment to continue to make FCT unsafe for criminals. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh