The Nigeria Police Force has raised concern at the spate of jungle justice in parts of the country, cautioning against its consequences on criminal justice administration, rule of law and global reputation.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Adejobi condemned the trend of jungle justice in the country, describing it as “a deplorable and savage behaviour”. The police spokesperson said the act had led to the tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties across the country. He said that the inhuman act was a betrayal of justice and due process, which undermined the rule of law, fundamental principles and ideals of human rights and justice.Adejobi said that the Nigeria Police also condemned the act of arson in some parts of the country.He said the act led to the death by burning of some suspects in police custody and the setting ablaze of police barracks, patrol vans and the Divisional Police Station in Edo.According to him, in the above case, the public alleged that the police were trying to pervert justice by taking into custody, some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, accused of terrorising the community.“The main suspect was arrested and almost lynched by some community members before he was rescued by the police and his arrest led to the arrest of three additional suspects.”`The rescue and detention of the suspects did not go down well with some members of the community, who later mobilised in large numbers.“They attacked the police station, killed the suspects by burning them and the station as well as properties therein,” he said.Adejobi said the erroneous perception of members of the community that the police would set free the suspects was wrong and unfair.He said the police never intended to pervert justice in the case, adding that through painstaking investigation, three other suspects were arrested over the said act.According to him, in another development, a police team trying to prevent the execution of jungle justice was attacked in Lagos State.Adejobi said the attack by a mob on Oct. 19 in Agege area of Lagos State led to the killing of a police officer, ASP Augustine Osupayi, attached to the police command in the state.He said the police team went to rescue a driver, who was alleged to have accidentally knocked down a motorcycle rider.The Police spokesperson said a group of motorcyclists pounced on the driver, who was eventually rescued by the police.“The rescue didn’t go down well with the riders, who descended on the police team and unfortunately killed the ASP instantly.“These are very few cases out of many incidences recorded across the country,” he said.He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, had condoled with the families of the departed souls.Adejobi said the I-G had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), to investigate the incidences.He said the idea was to bring all persons found wanting to face the full wrath of the law. (NAN)

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the out-of-school children menace in the country provides a fertile ground for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents, if not properly addressed now.Obasanjo said this on Sunday in Bauchi, when he inaugurated the dualised seven-kilometre Awala-Mairuguri Road and 17.

70-kilometre Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa National Airport Road. He also inaugurated the 30-kilometre Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road. In a speech at the ceremony, Obasanjo said that education and human capacity building are very essential in ensuring development and creation of a safer society.He said: “World Bank says we have over 20 million out-of-school children, who should be in school but are not.“For a population of about 220 to 230 million, that is 10 per cent of our population that should be in school that are not in school.“Dear governor of Bauchi State, your Royal Highnesses present here, brothers and sisters, that is recruitment for future Boko Haram and nobody needs to tell us that.“Apart from the 10 per cent of our population not being equipped to develop their inate capacity to be able to serve themselves, their family and communities, we are also preparing them to be recruited in 10 years or 15 years time for whatever form of Boko Haram it would be that time.“We are preparing them for whatever form of banditry and it will not be kidnapers in the usual sense of it by that time, they may be coming to homes and be snatchers of people from their homes. Think about it.”Obasanjo called on leaders at all levels to put hands together and find a lasting solution to the menace once and for all.He commended Gov. Bala Mohammed for embarking on the road construction, renovation and dualisation, adding that they would open new opportunities for development.He further said that the projects would significantly enhance transportation, boost commerce, create new jobs and make life easier for the residents and farmers in the state.Earlier, the governor said that the roads were part of the larger transformative vision of his administration.He said: “As of today, we have undertaken the construction of over 116 roads, totalling 1,482.25-kilometres across the state.“Out of these, 79 have been completed and are ready for inauguration.”The News Agency of Nigeria Report says that Obasanjo also launched the distribution of 10,000 hearing aids to indigent people from the Northeast in Bauchi facilitated by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, in partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation. (NAN)

The Nigerian Army has dismissed insinuation that there is a leadership vacuum in with regards to personnel posting and promotion as army Chief is on annual leave.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the statement was in reaction to what he described as ‘social media stories, rumours, and innuendoes’ about happenings in the Nigerian army.

He said that while some of the stories were laughable and deserve no further reference, others had bordered on pure mischief calculated to cause panic and confusion within the rank and file, as well as the general public.

“Specifically, many insinuations about personnel postings, promotions, and even training activities have been raised vis-a-vis the official leave of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth.

“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.

“Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away.

“This is not peculiar to the army as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence,” he said.

Nwachukwu said that the claims of leadership vacuum in the army presently was a mere speculation, adding that all routine and scheduled activities of the service were on course.

According to him, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure.

He said that the Commander Traning and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, announced the result after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently answers for the Chief of Army Staff in his absence on leave and medical checkup abroad, in line with extant procedures.

“Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos.

“This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna.

“The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management,” he added.

Army spokesman said it had never been the practice for the COAS to sign postings or promotions for both officers and soldiers in the army contrary to the insinuation that COAS’ absence had caused undue delay in the release of the result of the WO-MWO promotion exercise.

He added that the appropriate departmental chiefs perform those functions routinely, adding that they were fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy.

“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the Nigerian army and be assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.

“Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt Gen TA Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him.

“The Army Headquarters assures Nigerians and the international community that all land-related training, operational, and administrative activities are on course and that the COPP(A) is firmly and effectively running the affairs of the Service pending the return of the COAS,” he said. (NAN)