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Author: Monday Ijeh

  • I-G warns against acts undermining merit-based promotion

    Merit
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, has warned against acts to undermine merit-based postings and promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.
    Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during the decoration of 27 newly promoted senior officers.
    He said the leadership of the current police administration had been committed to standardisation of promotion process in the force.
    According to him, the current promotion exercise, like those preceding it under this administration, adhered strictly to the fundamental principles of seniority and merit.
    “I will like to take this opportunity to sound a note of serious warning to unscrupulous officers who are attempting to undermine our merit based promotion process for personal gains.
    “I urge them to seize lobbying for special promotions through influential persons and external forces.
    “From now on, severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found guilty of soliciting for undeserved promotion through illicit means, masquerading as special promotion.
    “This also applies  to officers soliciting for preferential postings,” he said.
    The I-G pledged that promotion process in the Nigeria police would continue to be transparent and fair to all officers.
    He said no officer, eligible for promotion would be denied their rightful advancement.
    Egbetokun said the current police leadership had at inception, announced the suspension of special promotions to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent promotion process.
    “While we acknowledge that exceptional circumstances can warrant special promotion, we will take appropriate and expedient action when necessary.
    “We will revisit the decision at the right time and make exceptions where deserved, balancing individual merit to ensure fair and equitable process,” he said.
    The I-G congratulated the senior officers being decorated and urged them to see their promotions as a call for more dedication to duty.  (NAN)
    IMC/CHOM/EAL
    ==========
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Police nab 14 suspects over kidnapping, other criminal offences in FCT

    Police nab 14 suspects over kidnapping, other criminal offences in FCT

    Suspects

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) has arrested 14 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery, gun running, car theft, illegal registration of SIM cards and other criminal offences.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh said this during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said two network jammers, seven firearms, six vehicles, 1,100 registered SIM cards, three SIM registration machines, two fingerprint machines, and one Gionee phone were recovered from the suspects.

    The CP said six of the suspects, arrested by a team of detectives from the State Intelligence Unit on May 29 followed credible intelligence over alleged involvement in a national security breach.

    He said the suspects specialised in the sale of already registered Phone SIM cards to criminals that operate with other people’s identities to avoid being traced or tracked.

    “It may interest you to know that four different numbers can be registered under a single National Identification Number (NIN).

    “These criminals employ street SIM card vendors to get the details of unsuspecting residents who buy SIM cards and register them at the same time.

    “Over 1,100 already registered SIM cards, three registration machines and other gadgets were recovered from the suspects,” he said.

    The CP said the suspects had confessed to the crime.

    Igweh said operatives from the command, on May 19 trailed and apprehended two suspects following credible intelligence from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) over kidnapping and car theft.

    He said one of the suspects who had been on the command’s wanted list was currently on court bail for a similar offence.

    The CP said the duo were members of a four-man gang terrorising Abuja, and its environs and had freely confessed to the crime.

    Igweh said an ash-coloured Toyota Camry vehicle, with reg. no. KSF 412 HT, a network jammer, seven SIM cards and a new number plate reading LSR 961 JK were recovered from the suspects.

    The CP said operatives from the anti-car theft unit of the command, on June 7, trailed and arrested a suspect following credible intelligence over gun-running.

    He said seven automatic pump action shotguns and 1,000 rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the suspect.

    The CP said the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of investigations. (NAN)

    IMC/NNO/EAL

    Edited by Nick Nicholas/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Group cautions against NASS intervention in Plateau Assembly affairs

    Group cautions against NASS intervention in Plateau Assembly affairs
    Plateau
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) A socio-political group, the Plateau Patriotic Front, has cautioned against call for the intervention of the National Assembly in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
    The group gave the warning on Tuesday, in Abuja in a statement by its Chairman,  Mr Mani Imman.
    He said the call for the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly was an invitation to stoke violence and disrupt governance in the sltate.
    According to him, describing the situation as “the crisis surrounding the swearing-in of new members of the Plateau State House of Assembly ”portrays those behind the request as lover of crisis.”
    He said that the development at the floor of the House of Representatives had come to the group notice as reported in the media that a motion was raised during Plenary.
    “The motion has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis surrounding the swearing-in of new members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
    “We view this alarm as an attempt to stoke problems and disrupt governance and the peaceful atmosphere under the guise of crisis in the State House of Assembly,” he said.
    He said those behind the call had been quoted as saying, “The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly has refused to swear in all the new members.”
    Imman said those behind the call had accused the speaker of demanding that they submit letters of resignation with accompanying court affidavits as a condition for swearing-in.
    He said that instead of calling for the National Assembly’s intervention in the matter it should be resolved to avoid crisis in the state.
    ‘Failure to address the delays and biases in the swearing-in of the new members poses a threat to security in the state and undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and democracy.

    “The Court of Appeal, hearing appeals arising from judgments of the Plateau State Election Tribunal made decisions that resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the State Assembly.

    “The court has ordered the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said. (NAN)
    IMC/IAA

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    Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

  • DSS urges Nigerians to resist persuasion to lawlessness

    Persuasion
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The Department of State Services (DSS) has called on Nigerians to resist any persuasions to lawlessness, disorder and anarchy in the nation by unscrupulous persons or groups.

    Dr Peter Afunanya, DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Afunanya said that the services was aware of plans by certain individuals and groups to stage physical protests in some parts of the country on Wednesday.

    The DSS spokesman explained that the protests were designed with sinister objectives to coincide with the Democracy Day celebration.

    ”While citizens may have the rights of assembly and expression, such freedoms should not be used to undermine public safety and national security.”

    He said that the services would not tolerate non-state actors to incite mass disaffection through demonstrations that could turn violent.

    “It is instructive to note that violent demonstrations are at variance with the peaceful disposition of the Federal Government to amicably address all contentions including the minimum wage.

    “Displeased persons are rather encouraged to appropriately channel their grievances through the right channels and procedures,” he said.

    Afunanya, however, pledged the commitment of the DSS to protect the country from inimical acts being orchestrated by some groups to cause a breakdown of law and order.

    He said that the service would sustain its collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including sister security agencies, to maintain peace and protect lives and property across the nation.

    The DSS spokesman enjoined law abiding citizens to go about their businesses without fear.

    “While felicitating the government and citizens on this auspicious occasion of celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy, the service calls for continued patriotism, unity and commitment in building a Nigeria of our collective dream.

    “The DSS website, dss.gov.ng; email address-dsspr@dss.gov.ng and telephone lines +2349153391309;+2349088373514 remain open to the public in the event where there is need to contact it,” he said.(NAN)
    IMC/MAM/IS
    ==========
    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Ismail Abdulaziz

  • Police yet to fix date for recruits training – PSC

    Date
    By Monday Ijeh
    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Police Service Commission (PSC), says  it has not fixed date for training of the recently shortlisted candidates for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.
    The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
    He said the training dates being speculated on  social media were fictitious and  should be ignored.
    According to him, the commission has  been inundated  by calls and messages by concerned Nigerians on the authenticity of the dates in the public space.
    “The commission is currently, working with the Nigeria Police Force to determine the training colleges and will make a formal announcement at the appropriate time,” he said.
    He urged  successful candidates to wait for the official announcement of the date and  the colleges for the exercise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    IMC/CHOM/JPE
    ============
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Joseph Edeh

  • PSC appoints Abubakar as DIG, promotes 122 other senior officers

    PSC appoints Abubakar as DIG, promotes 122 other senior officers

    Promotion

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Mr Yahaya Abubakar as Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), and the promotion of 122 senior police officers.

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

    Ani said until his appointment as a DIG, Abubakar was the AIG in charge of Zone 14 Katsina.

    He said the new DIG would represent the Northeast Geopolitical zone in the Police Management Team, replacing Mr Habu Sani who recently retired as DIG Force Intelligence Bureau.

    Ani said the 122 other senior police officers promoted were 10 Commissioners of Police (CP) to the next rank of AIG and 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) to CP.

    The PSC spokesman said 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) to DCP and 61 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) to ACP were also elevated.

    He said the decisions were taken at the extraordinary Management Meeting of the Commission, presided over by the Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase.

    According to him, the 15 DCPs, 10 CPs and the newly appointed DIG appeared before the commission in session for the compulsory interactive promotion interview, a requirement for their promotion.

    Ani said the PSC boss urged the officers to embrace the revolution in Information and Communication Technology,  in charting out pathways for effective policing and internal security management.

    He said Arase enjoined  officers to be genuinely committed to their sacred responsibility of securing the country by effectively protecting lives and property, preventing and containing crimes and criminality across the nation.

    The spokesman said the PSC boss pledged the readiness of the commission to ensure that promotion of officers and men were regular and predictable.

    Ani said the CPs promoted to AIG were Ahmed Ammani, Mohammed Adamu, Gumel Usaini, Hamzat Ayinde, Okuoma Basil, Achinyan Fera, Baba Ibrahim, Mohammed Isyaku, and Margaret Ochalla. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IMC/GOM/JPE

    ============

    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

  • CSOs urge media to refrain from blackmailing government institutions

    CSOs urge media to refrain from blackmailing government institutions

    Media

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), have urged the media to refrain from attempts to blackmail institutions of government and ensure accurate information before publication.

    The CSOs, Coalition for Peace In Nigeria (COPIN) and the Iconoclast Media, made the call in a joint statement on Friday in Abuja.

    The statement was signed by the National Coordinator of COPIN, Mr Emeka Akwuobi and the National Secretary of Iconoclast Media, Dr Mayago Mayago.

    The group faulted a media report on an alleged invasion of an Ogun State High Court premises and arrest of two suspects by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    According to the group, apart from the claim of invasion, the media platform also called on President Bola Tinubu to among others, “curb DSS excesses”.

    It said the DSS had, however, debunked the claim, explaining that the suspects were apprehended outside the precinct of the court.

    The CSOs said the establishment Act of the DSS had wide powers, including the detection and prevention of threats to national security, public safety and assets of government.

    The statement said investigation by the groups showed that the intelligence agency acted based on a report it received on alleged destruction of property and arson against the suspects.

    According to the group, the DSS, in our estimation, has a track record of observing the rule of law and following the due process of law in the execution of its mandate.

    “That informs why it ensures that suspects in its custody are held based on remand orders, pending when they are arraigned in court or granted administrative bail.

    “We, therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu to disregard the call by the media platform to interfere with the statutory duties of the DSS.

    “We also, call on other CSOs, individuals, groups and stakeholders in the project Nigeria, to give valuable support to the government and her institutions to facilitate the delivery of dividend of democracy,” the group said.

    The group also said the media platform, in its “scathing” editorial, failed to observe the time-honored journalism tradition of balancing reports.

    “While acknowledging that the media platform has a right to its opinion, the DSS has a history of respect for harmonious relationship with the judiciary,” the group said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IMC/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • PCRC to partner hunters, vigilance groups in Kogi

     

    Groups

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim-Olaniyan, the National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), says the committee will partner with local hunters and vigilance groups to rid Kogi of criminals.

    Ibrahim-Olaniyan spoke with newsmen on Friday in Abuja on the recent inauguration of zonal and state executives of PCRC in Kogi.

    He said with new the executive of PCRC in place in Kogi, there would be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

    The PCRC boss said the new executive would work with every member of the communities in Kogi to ensure that criminals hibernating in the state were flushed out.

    He commended the election that produced Mr Aron Ali as the Kogi Chairman of PCRC, adding that the process was free and fair.

    According to him, with the new executive, the expectation is that Kogi PCRC will compete with all the giant states of Kano, Lagos, Ogun and Kwara because Kogi has all it takes.

    He expressed optimism that the new team at the zonal and state levels in the state would come up with strong force to support the police and other security agencies.

    According to him, PCRC members are doing fine across its division because they are supporting police projects with very useful information.

    The PCRC boss urged the new executive to build and develop a strong synergy among security stakeholders in Kogi to ensure the realisation of their goals in the state.

    He commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi and other security agencies in the state for their commitment to the security of lives and property in the state. (NAN)

     

    IMC/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • We’ll make police hospitals best in Nigeria – Minister

    We’ll make police hospitals best in Nigeria – Minister

    Hospital

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, says the Federal Government will make police hospitals the best in the country.

    Sulaiman-Ibrahim said this on Thursday in Abuja, during an assessment tour of infrastructure and welfare facilities of police hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “From the tour, what I see is a drive for excellence and dedication to duty among personnel of the police hospitals we visited.

    “I can assure them that under the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, help will come and we will make police hospitals the best in Nigeria,” she said.

    The minister described the tour as a key component of the Renewed Hope Police Agenda of Tinubu administration.

    The minister commended the personnel for their dedication and resilience in the face of challenging circumstances.

    “Our government recognises the critical role that quality healthcare plays in the well-being of both our serving and retired officers.

    “We are committed to enhancing the quality of these facilities to ensure they meet the highest standards of care.

    “This will be done by upgrading equipment, improving infrastructure and providing the necessary resources to support healthcare professionals in their noble work,” she said.

    In her remark, the Managing Director of MD Abubakar Police Hospital in Dei-Dei, Dr Ruth Okunbo, thanked the minister for the visit.

    Okunbo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the hospital had been useful in the advancement of healthcare delivery, for both families of police officers in the barrack and neighboring communities.

    She called for the intervention of the minister in the correction of the leaking roof of the hospital and provision of an ambulance for emergency cases.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, during the tour, visited MD Abubakar Police Hospital, Dei-Dei, Police Hospital, Area 1, Police Hospital, Utako and Mohammadu Buhari Police Hospital, Area 11. (NAN)

    IMC/KOLE/AMM

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    Edited by Remi Koleoso and Abiemwense Moru