CRIME
200,000 Officers Policing Nigerian Politicians–Arase
By Abiodun Jimoh, Abeokuta
Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase, has said that over 200,000 policemen are attached to political elites in the country.
The former police boss spoke yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun state at the second edition of the national dialogue series of the Political Leadership and Training Institute (POLA), championed by former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
“We have about 400,000 police personnel in Nigeria, and 200,000 of those officers are with the political elites.
“What we are doing in this country is that we are policing the elites, we are not policing security spaces, and this is an issue we have to look into”, he said.
Arase, however, faulted the practice which he described as “policing the elites against policing security spaces.”
He blamed the challenges facing the police to lack of political will to implement past reports on how to reform the security outfit.
CP Holds Two-day Retreat for Personnel
In a related development, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Abdurahman, is holding a two-day retreat aimed at revamping the morale of his personnel in the aftermath of the recent #EndSARS protests.
Addressing participants, Abdurahman expressed regrets at the effects of the protests on the Police Force in terms of human capital and the destruction of infrastructure.
“We lost our men and property to the protests… we were harassed and humiliated by the hijackers of the protests.
“Police have always been active in protecting the people’s lives and property but why the masses decided to make us the target still baffles me.
“Now that the masses have pleaded for our return, it is better we take the outcome of the protests in good faith, ” the police boss said.
Declaring the retreat open, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, urged police officers to put the event behind them.
He pledged that the Enugu State Government would always support the police.
“Enugu State Government is solidly behind you people and we appreciate your readiness to go back to work.
“Without the police on duty, there will be loss of lives and property, especially during the upcoming festive period.
He urged the police not to allow hoodlums and other the evil-minded individuals to take over the society.
Addressing the police officers, Prof. Felix Asogwa expressed regrets that a peaceful protest was turned into a violent one in which police personnel became the biggest casualties.
Asogwa who is the Director, Institute for Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) condemned the attacks on the police.
He expressed the hope that the retreat would explore ways of rejigging the Police Force and shoring up the morale of its personnel.
“One is not obvious of the fact that the police have had to perform their task in the most challenging and limiting circumstances.
“But abandoning the social space for miscreants and hoodlums to govern will imperil our very existence,’’ Asogwa cautioned.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.