Housewife orchestrates her own abduction …husband pays N3m to lover’s account
In the ever changing crime scene in Nigeria, a housewife has introduced a new dimension by conspiring with her lover to orchestrate her own abduction. The FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Ben Igweh narrating the bizarre incident explained that a married woman, names withheld, colluded with another lover to arrange her own kidnap thereby compelling her unsuspecting husband to transfer a ransom of three million naira into the boyfriend’s account. Further details on this stranger than fiction occurrence remain sketchy, but our correspondent shall follow the trail.
“I hope all is well with him” – Atiku sympathizes with Tinubu over slip
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sympathised with President Bola Tinubu after the President slipped at the Eagle Square during the 2024 Democracy Day celebration. Recall on Wednesday, Tinubu slipped at the Eagle Square while boarding the parade vehicle. The President, however, quickly regained his balance and continued with the proceedings without further issues. Reacting, Atiku expressed his empathy over the incident, hoping that all is well with the President. He wrote on X, “I sincerely sympathise with President Bola Tinubu, @officialABAT, over this unfortunate incident as he was set to review the parade on Democracy Day. I do hope that all is well with him. -AA.”
Tinubu condmns Katsina attacks, gives marching orders to police, others
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent spate of attacks against citizens in Dutsin-Ma and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina State. No fewer than fifty farmers were killed by rampaging armed bandits in three villages across Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State yesterday, The gunmen who raided farms across ‘Yargoje, Gatakawa and Dan-nakwabo villages shot sporadically at the farmers most of whom died on the spot. Several eyewitnesses said no less than fifty dead bodies were counted after the mayhem. While describing the latest attacks as grisly and sinister, the President emphasized that more will be done ”to secure citizens and completely degrade terrorists and other harbingers of death and sorrow in any part of the country” President Tinubu directed security agencies to go after the assailants and ensure that they are brought to justice. ”The President condoles with the families of the deceased, as well as the Government and people of Katsina State, and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed,” a statement signed by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale stated.
Boko Haram Terrorists Kidnap Passengers Along Maiduguri-Kano Highway
Some passengers travelling along the Maiduguri/Kano highway have been kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. Reports obtained on Tuesday morning revealed that the insurgents carried out the abduction between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, which is located along the Damaturu highway, at approximately 5:50 pm on Monday. Daily Trust quoted a source to have disclosed that the terrorists barricaded the highway and forcibly took away several passengers. As a result of this incident, numerous travellers and commuters found themselves stranded on both ends of the usually bustling road. Consequently, many of the commuters were left with no choice but to return to Benishek and Auno, respectively. “There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted. “We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly there was an abduction on Monday evening,” the source noted. Some residents who spoke to journalists on the development narrated how many commercial drivers took refuge in their community momentarily when the insurgents were operating between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari villages. “They came out with three wheelbarrow and I believe they were looking for food stuff. We don’t know how many people abducted but some commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before reinforcement of military arrived,” the residents noted. A passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he, alongside others were stranded for hours. “We were heading for Kano from Maiduguri when the driver got hinted about the attack and took a detour. “We have been waiting for the military to clear the road but we don’t know when. We are stranded here,” he said.
Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released
The Police Service Commission has announced the approval and release of a list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable and specialist cadres of the Nigeria Police Force. The commission noted that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, it worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission. It added that it ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country. The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, made the development known in a statement on Tuesday. Ani said, “The Police Service Commission has approved and released the list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force. “The commission today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, received the report of the Police Recruitment Board. 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for General Duty, while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre. “To ensure fairness and justice in the Recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission. It ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.” The commission had earlier inaugurated a Recruitment Board – a broad-based stakeholders’ body populated by representatives from the PSC, the NPF, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges, and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the PSC. Interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media. Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications (October 15, 2023 to November 26, 2023) in line with the Federal Character requirements. The PSC revealed that a total of 609,886 applications were received, while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise, which was physical and document screening. This stage was held in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory between Monday 8, January, 2024 to Monday 29, January 2024. The commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowed for its expertise in computer based tests. Ani on Tuesday noted that, “15,447 General duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for medical screening to determine their health status. The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening. Each stage of the Recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care. “A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection. “The selection of specialists was done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation. “The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police declared that the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.” Arase noted, “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.” The PSC Chairman disclosed.
IGP Speaks On Creation Of State Police
The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to adhering to the federal government’s stance on state police. This statement was made during the visit of the Coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police, South-West, Mr. Abiodun Alabi, who represented the IGP in Lagos on Monday. This is a modal window.The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Egbetokun’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about the suitability of state police in Nigeria. Previously, on April 22, 2024, he had expressed reservations about the country’s readiness for state-controlled police forces, citing maturity concerns. During the press briefing, DIG Alabi, on behalf of IGP Egbetokun, emphasized the importance of discipline and professionalism within the force. He urged police officers to adhere strictly to the constitutional guidelines that dictate their operations, focusing on human rights and the responsible use of firearms. “The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to performing its duties responsibly. We must ensure our actions are always within the bounds of the law and respect for human rights,” Alabi stated. In addition to operational directives, IGP Egbetokun highlighted the welfare of the police officers, announcing initiatives aimed at improving their living conditions. This includes partnerships with consultants to facilitate housing for police personnel, enabling them to access their own homes shortly. The IGP also addressed the mental and physical health of the officers, instructing the officer in charge of Police Medical to conduct comprehensive mental and psychological evaluations for the personnel of the Lagos State command. On the topic of inter-agency cooperation, Egbetokun warned against any rivalries with other security bodies, emphasizing that a collaborative approach is essential for national security. He also called on officers to proactively engage with the youth to educate them on the dangers of cultism, as part of broader efforts to combat this pervasive issue. The meeting concluded with remarks from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, who noted the success of recent collaborative crime prevention strategies that have led to a significant reduction in crime rates across Lagos.
Alleged unresolved murder: IGP sued over failure to release report on Asabe
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over failure to release the probe report of an “unresolved murder” case on one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL. Fourteen years after police investigation on Mrs Waziri who was said to have intentionally hit a pregnant woman with her car, the prosecution agency is yet to release the report. According to a petition to the IGP, dated May 2, 2024, by a civil society organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network(GICN) the police probed the incident but had failed since then to release its findings. In originating summons with suit number FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024, the, plaintiff prayed the court for an order of granting leaveto the applicant to apply for judicial review by way of Order of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to forthwith release to the Applicant based on the demand letter dated 2nd May, 2024 and attached hereto as EXHIBIT GICN 4 the FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT of the case involving Asabe Waziri who intentionally hit a pregnant woman named Mrs. Shitua Aso, with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on or about 30th May, 2010. The suit dated May 29, 2024, sought a declaration that the failure, refusal and or neglect by the Respondent to release the information and documents requested for by the Applicant vide their letter to the Respondent dated 274 May, 2024amounts to a violation of Sections 4 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and therefore unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal. The plaintiff also prayed the court to declare that that by a true interpretation of Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 the Applicant being a Public Official cum custodian of information at Nigeria Police Force which is a Public Institution within the meaning of Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 is obligated to furnish on request by the Applicant a comprehensive, just and fair information and documents as enumerated in their letter to the Respondent dated 2″¢May, 2024. In the suit, the plaintiff listed the following as facts in support of the grounds of the suit: That Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020gives the Nigeria Police Force power for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged; amongst other duties within or outside Nigeria. “On 2nd May, 2024 the Applicant wrote a letter to the Respondent requesting for acomprehensive and detailed FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORTof the case involving Asabe Waziri who intentionally hit a pregnant woman named Mrs. Shitua Aso with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja on 30 May, 2010. “Till date, the Respondent has failed, refused and or neglected to avail the Applicant access to the information and documents requested vide their letter dated 2″4 May, 2024 which was received at the office of the Respondent on 3” May, 2024. “The 7 (Seven) days within which the Respondent is required by Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act. 2011 to furnish the Applicant with the information and documents sought began to run from 4th May, 2024 and elapsed on 10 May, 2024. “However, the Respondent did not comply with Section 4 (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 by giving notice to the Applicant that access to all or part of the information sought will not be granted, stating reasons for the denial and the Section of the Act under which the denial is made. “Unless and until the Respondent is compelled by an Order of this Honourable Court, he will continue to refuse the Applicant access to the information and documents sought by them from the Respondent. “The failure, refusal and or neglect by the Respondent to give the Applicant access to the information and documents sought is unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal. “The Applicant is aggrieved and hereby applies that this Honourable Court invokes the provisions of Freedom of Information Act, 2011 particularly Section 1 (3) thereof by issuing a Writ of Mandamus compelling the Respondent to allow the Applicant access to the information and documents sought in their letter dated 2 4May, 2024submitted to the Respondent in line with his duty under Section”. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter
Super Cop, Abba Kyari regains Freedom
Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre in the Federal Capital Territory after spending 27 months in detention. Kyari was detained following his arrest on February 14, 2022, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged involvement with an international drug cartel. He, along with four members of the Police Intelligence Response Team—Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu—was arraigned on March 7, 2022. Two other suspects, Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who were apprehended at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, were also charged. Unlike Kyari and the IRT members, who pleaded not guilty, Umeibe and Ezenwanne pleaded guilty and were convicted. Despite several attempts, Kyari’s bail applications were consistently denied until a recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja. On May 22, 2024, Judge Emeka Nwite granted Kyari bail to allow him to perform the burial rites for his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died on May 5. As conditions for his bail, Kyari was required to deposit his passport with the court and report to the nearest NDLEA office during the bail period. The court has set a hearing for Kyari’s main bail application related to the drug trafficking charges for May 31, 2024. Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service of the Federal Capital Territory Command, confirmed that Kyari met his bail conditions and was released on Friday. Duza said, “DCP Kyari has perfected his bail conditions, and has since been released today.”
Tension in Kano as Sanusi, Bayero plan Friday prayer at palace’s mosque
There is noticeable apprehension among Kano residents as the reinstated Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, is set to lead the two rakat congregational Friday prayers today at the Emir’s palace Friday mosque. This announcement was made in a statement signed by Danburan of Kano on Thursday evening. The statement invites residents to attend and listen to the sermon to be delivered by Sanusi. Similarly, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, invites residents to join him at the emir’s palace Friday mosque to observe the Jumu’at prayer. It further mentions that the movement to the emir’s palace mosque begins at 12:30 pm. However, the police authorities have yet to comment on the situation to prevent any potential disruption of law and order. Effort to contact the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna failed as his mobile phone number was not going through.
Nigeria Police unveil cybercrime reporting platform
The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled a platform for reporting cybercrime. NPF says the platform is in its bid to reinforce its commitment to tackling digital threats. The new portal, managed by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre is now accessible with a new site replacing the old site. The Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force is pleased to inform the general public of the launch of a new, more robust, and secure domain for reporting cybercrime-related offences as part of the continued commitment to combating cybercrime and enhancing the safety and security of our digital space. “The new reporting platform, managed by the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), can be accessed at: [https://nccc.npf.gov.ng/ereport/signin]. This upgraded domain replaces the previous site [https://incb.npf.gov.ng] which must be discarded.” The statement stated that the upgraded domain offers enhanced security to protect user information and is user-friendly for efficient reporting. Additionally, it featured improved tracking and response mechanisms for timely action on reported cases, and it urged the public to utilize this platform to aid in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria. “The upgraded domain includes enhanced security measures to protect user information and ensure confidentiality and is user-friendly for easy and efficient reporting of cybercrime incidents. “It also includes improved tracking and response mechanisms to ensure timely and effective action on reported cases. “The Inspector General of Police urges all members of the public to utilize this new platform for reporting any cybercrime activities as vigilance and prompt reporting can significantly contribute to police efforts in tackling the menace of cybercrime in Nigeria, and even beyond,” it added. It would be recalled that implementing the Cybercrime Act 2015 has been met with different reactions from various quarters. The Act will provide a unified legal, regulatory, and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes in Nigeria.