The Police Command in Oyo State, says it has uncovered plans by hoodlums to attack and loot banks, shopping mails, INEC offices and other facilities in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Command’s spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, on Friday in Ibadan.

The statement is coming on the heels of Friday’s protest by some youths in Ibadan who blocked major roads in Iwo, Agodi gate and the state secretariat over scarcity of new naira notes and fuel.

Osifeso said that available intelligence revealed that certain unscrupulous elements have perfected plans to hijack the protest and unleash full scale chaos by shutting down and attacking places of interest.

He listed the hoodlums’ target to include INEC facilities, banks, media houses, schools, Correctional Centers, major malls and business centers, as well as other critical infrastructure in the state.

“Member of the public are hereby advised especially with reference to the youth segment to avoid being used by agents of violence who want to capitalise on the situation to criminally enrich themselves especially as we navigate towards the 2023 General Elections.

“The Command is fully prepared to mobilise fully to prevent these criminal elements from turning Oyo state into their playground,” he said.

He announced that the command had ordered intensive patrols to provide comprehensive security across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams advised residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of harassment or molestation.

He assured that the police would not allow the relative tranquility within the state to be disrupted by unscrupulous and criminal elements. (NAN)

The Police Command in Nasarawa State has confirmed the rescue of the remaining four abducted pupils of Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School Alwaza, Doma Local Government Area.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state made the confirmation to newsmen on Friday in Lafia.

Newsmen report that six pupils of LGEA Primary School Alwaza, Doma LGA were kidnapped by gunmen on motorcycles on Friday, Jan.

20, around 7:00 a.m.

Newsmen also recall that two out of the pupils were rescued by the police in collaboration with other security agencies and hunters on Jan. 21, a day after they were kidnapped.

The PPRO said that about 7:00 a.m. on Friday, a detachment of joint security operatives in collaboration with hunters rescued the four pupils unhurt at Doka village, Doma LGA.

The police spokesperson added that the victims have been taken to the hospital for medical examination and would  be reunited with their parents thereafter.

He said that Mr Maiyaki Muhammad-Baba, Commissioner of Police in the state expressed gratitude to members of the public for their support throughout the period of the search of the pupils.

He said that though no arrest has been made, he  appealed to the public to assist the police with useful information that would assist in arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act. (NAN)

The Imo Police Command has confirmed Thursday’s killing of a Customary Court Judge, Mr Nnaemeka Ugboma, while presiding over a matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri on Friday.
Okoye said that the incident happened at Ejemekwuru, under Obudi-Agwa Division, in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the command had commenced a manhunt for the assaillants.
“We have commenced investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act in order to bring them to justice,” he said.
A reliable source told reporters on the condition of anonymity that the gunmen came into the courtroom, dragged him out and shot him in the head and zoomed off.
“He was just about to rise for the day when the incident occurred,” the source further said.
It was reported that, some soldiers rushed down to the scene and took the victim to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was reportedly confirmed dead by a doctor.
The source further said that the attackers went to the place in a commercial minibus.
The manner of the gruesome murder of the 55-year-old Customary Court Chairman has introduced a new dimension to the complex security challenge in the state.
It further raised more concerns about the precarious security situation in the state.
Newsmen recall that on Jan. 24, gunmen attacked and killed Christian Ihim, the APC Chairman in Umuchoke ward in Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of the state.
The attackers reportedly also kidnapped five other chieftains of the party in the community.
Earlier on Jan. 19, gunmen attacked and kidnapped the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area, Christopher Ohizu.
Ohizu, who was kidnapped in his residence in Arondizuogu, alongside two others, also had his building and vehicles, razed down by the gunmen.
Also, on Dec. 15, 2022, the Labour Party candidate for Onuimo State Constituency, Christopher Elehu, was killed after the gunmen set his Okwe country home ablaze.
A fortnight ago, gunmen attacked a Police check point at Ihitte Junction on Owerri-Aba Road, Owerri, killing a female police sergeant, Chinyere Obialor, during a gun duel.
Meanwhile, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Ugochukwu Alinnor, has described the killing as “unjustified and alien to us as a people.
“It is to say the least, insane.
“These are desperate times and desperate measures must be taken,” Alinnor stated.
Also, the state Secretary of the association, Mr Chukwurah Onuorah, condemned the incident, describing the murder of Ugboma as the height of insecurity in the state.
Onuorah said: “A court is a place we consider as sacred, same way we consider the Church or temple.
“A person who presides over in the court is a priest and the person is there to render justice.
“Someone who was out to render justice now met with injustice because of the poor system in the country.” (NAN)