The Police Command in Ekiti has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during and after the yuletide.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Akinwale Adeniran, gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed, but issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Sunday Abutu, on Friday in Ado-Ekiti.

Adeniran also sought for more support, collaboration and obedience to law and order by the people of the state.

He said that any form of unlawful gathering, demonstration or protest was unacceptable, stressing the need to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and ensure safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

According to him, intelligence report available has it that some unscrupulous individuals have plans to hide under the guise of protest to unleash mayhem and create apprehension in the state.

“Ekiti State Police Command wishes to appreciate all the residents and good people of Ekiti State for their support, cooperation and collaboration all through this year 2024.

“These have assisted tremendously in nipping crime in the bud and enhancing the peaceful atmosphere currently being enjoyed in the state.

“Parents and guardians are, therefore, implored to advise their wards to shun any act that is inimical to the peace and security of the state, as anyone who runs foul of this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

Adeniran said that the command had also placed a ban on the sale and use of fireworks, knockouts and firecrackers in the state.

According to him, the items are capable of causing security threat, distractions, unnecessary apprehension and health-related issues.

He also stated that the use of fireworks could create panic and confusion, as it could be difficult to differentiate their sounds from that of the real gunshot.

The police commissioner enjoined residents to be security conscious and promptly report any untoward incident or observation that might be inimical to the peace and security of the state to the nearest police station or call 08062335577. (NAN)

Police operatives in Katsina State have succeeded in apprehending a suspected fraudster, one Bishir Abdullahi, 37, who specialised in swapping ATM cards of unsuspecting people at ATM points.The police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, told newsmen on Thursday in Katsina that the suspect was found in possession of 14 different ATM cards that belonged to different people.

He said that the suspect was apprehended after a police officer on duty became suspicious of his activities around an ATM machine. The suspect was nabbed by Inspt. Aliyu Muhammad, a police officer on duty at the First Bank branch of Tudun Katsira quarters, Katsina metropolis.“Upon instant search, 14 suspected stolen ATM cards of different banks were found in his possession.“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had been using the stolen ATM cards to withdraw sums of money from his victims’ accounts.”Aliyu further revealed that the suspect withdrew money from about six accounts at different banks.He noted that the suspect was able to withdraw money from his victims’ accounts amounting to N2.7m.He said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation. (NAN)

The Anambra Police Command and a vigilance group in the state, on Friday, arrested a couple for allegedly issuing kidnap threats to unsuspecting members of the public.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this to newsmen in Awka.

Ikenga identified the couple as Mr Kingsley Okoye and his wife, Chidinma.

“Given reports of text messages and voice notes received by unsuspecting members of the public on threats of abduction, the Joint Security Force, comprising the police and Anambra Vigilance Group, acting on technology driven information in the early hours of today, arrested a couple.

“They are Mr Okoye Kingsley and Mrs Chidinma Okoye, 36 years and 27 years, respectively.

“The duo were arrested in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state,” he said.

Ikenga said that the operatives recovered mobile phones and sim cards from them.

According to him, the couple specialised in sending threat messages to people and demanding ransom or they would be abducted or killed.

He said that the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to destroying some of the sim cards, which they had earlier used to commit the crime.

The PPRO further said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Nnaghe Itam, had directed the immediate transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping/Robbery Squad of the command for comprehensive investigation.

Ikenga said that the couple would be arraigned on conclusion of the investigations. (NAN)