CRIME
Man bags Seventeen months for impersonation as police officer
A Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, has sentenced a man, Isah Tafida to 17 months in prison for dishonestly parading himself as a police officer.
Tafida of 4th Avenue FHA Lugbe Abuja, was charged with impersonation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The Judge, Aliyu Kagarko handed down the sentence after Tafida pleaded guilty to a three-count charge leveled against him and begged the court for leniency.
Kagarko however, gave Tafida an option to pay a fine of N60,000.
He said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court the rigour of protracted prosecution.
The judge warned the convict to be of good behavoiur and also ordered him to pay the complainant N56,000 as compensation or to serve 7 months imprisonment in lieu of the compensation.
The prosecutor, Mr Stanley Nwaforaku told the court that the complainants, Mr Celestine Mathew and Isaac Obadiah all of 4th Avenue FHA Lugbe Abuja reported the matter at the Lugbe Police Station on Sept.16.
Nwaforaku said that sometimes in September the convict introduced himself as a police officer and presented an identity card with his name and passport photograph on it, to the complainant.
The prosecutor said that the convict deceived the complainants, that Nigeria Police Force was in the process of conducting a replacement recruitment, pledging to enlist them.
He told the court that the convict criminally and fraudulently collected N56,000, for police form, uniform and transportation to Ikeja police college Lagos from the complainants.
Nwaforaku said the convict collected the money and converted it to his personal use and refused to help the complainant get a job as he promised.
He said in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the convict was a dismissed police man.
He said that the convict made confessionalstatements during police investigations and a police identity card with his name and passport photograph on it was recovered from him.
Nwaforaku said that the offence contravened sections, 321, 322 and 179 of the Penal Code.
CRIME
Enugu CP Orders investigation into Man’s Death During Police Operation
From Sylvia Udegbunam Enugu
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu (male) during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Oficer, Enugu State command, Daniel Ndukwe said that the CP has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and extant laws.
Preliminary findings indicate that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, where Nworie Chidera Kelvin, a.k.a. “Akidi,” an alleged notorious drug peddler and Vikings Confraternity member, was lodged with associates. Akidi is reportedly linked to multiple cases involving unlawful firearm possession and cultism, including one in which he was charged in absentia.
He was also suspected of keeping the gang’s firearms and other criminal tools. The operation led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged 17–28. Quantities of dried weeds suspected to be “loud” cannabis, a weighing scale suspected to be used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations were recovered.
During the operation, Nnaji and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape. While pursuing them, an operative was confronted by both suspects, who allegedly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, the firearm discharged, leaving Nnaji with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped. Nnaji was rushed to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
CP Giwa has urged the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action. He reiterated that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must never be compromised in any police operation.
CRIME
Police Officer Shoots Female Colleague to Death, Kills Self in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Police Command has confirmed a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ajaokuta Local Government Area after a male officer allegedly shot his female colleague, before turning gun to shoot himself.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aliu Afusat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), on Sunday, said the Command was investigating the fatal shooting at ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta, on October 23, in which two serving police officers died.
According to the statement, “the incident was reported at 11:04 p.
m., and the Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta, led a team of police officcers to the scene.“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself. Both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead by medical personnel. Their remains have been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.
“An AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for in-depth investigation. The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the Command will not speculate on matters yet to be established.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, extends his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers over this tragic incident. The Command will provide verified updates as appropriate” the statement said.
CRIME
Borno Police Arrest Six Suspects over Mobile Phone Theft, Recover N5.65m
The Police Command in Borno has arrested six suspects over alleged mobile phone theft and fraudulent withdrawal of ₦5.65 million from a victim’s bank account.
The Command’s Spokesperson, Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Daso said the incident occurred on Oct.
13 when the victim, Abba K. boarded a commercial tricycle along Damboa Road, Maiduguri.He said the victim discovered that his Infinix Smart 8 mobile phone was missing from his pocket after alighting from the tricycle.
According to him, the victim reported the incident to the police, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, to direct operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to investigate the case.
He said the operatives, through digital forensic analysis, intelligence gathering and diligent investigation, arrested six suspects allegedly connected with the crime.
“During investigation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the theft and subsequent unlawful withdrawal of ₦5.65 million from the victim’s bank account.
“They also disclosed that the money was shared among themselves,” he said.
Daso said the police had recovered the stolen phone and the entire ₦5.65 million.


