News / Security

Niger Police gun down bandits’ chief informant Buba Baromi

The operatives of the Police anti-banditry team in Niger State have gunned down a notorious bandits’ informant, Buba Baromi.

Baromi was killed at his hideouts in Damba Forest, in the state.

PRNigeria gathered that local hunters led the Police to the hideouts of Baromi where he was recuperating from a gunshot wound, he had sustained in previous encounters with security personnel.

An intelligence officer involved in the operation told PRNigeria that Baromi was not only an informant but also led bandits to targets of attacks and kidnapping. “Shehu Buba Baromi was notorious in providing information to bandits, as well as leading them to targets of attacks, abductions and cattle rustling.

“In the middle of August 2021, he led bandits to rustle cattle and launch attacks on villages at Dogon Fadama, where innocent lives were also lost.

“It was in one of the encounters with policemen that he sustained a bullet wound and escaped to Damba Forest, where he was being treated.

“However, the police on Tuesday, stormed the forest and engaged the bandits protecting him, and gunned him down.

“His corpse has been deposited in the hospital so that his victims and those who knew his notoriety would be satisfied with his death,” he said.…

News / Security

Akeredolu ignores Miyetti Allah, signs anti-open grazing bill into law

Less than 24 hours after Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu suspended all activities in Ondo State forest reserves, he, yesterday, signed into law the Anti-Grazing Bill passed by the State House of Assembly.

According to a statement made available to journalists in Akure yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, “the move is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1 was set as the deadline for governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

“This is worthwhile and a very laudable development aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State,” the statement said.

Explaining the import of the new law across the 18 local councils of the state, Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, said: “For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target. While it is the hope of government that all residents would take an ample advantage of this law to enhance our socio-economic well being in Ondo, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention.…

Kidnapping / News / Security

Police recovered corpse of missing 13-year-old boy

The corpse of a 13-year-old mentally challenged boy, who went missing on Saturday in Danzomo village, Suletankarkar Local Government of Jigawa State, has been recovered.

This was contained in a statement by ASP Lawan Shiisu, the Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Police Command, in Dutse on Tuesday.

Shiisu the corpse of the deceased, identified as Gambo Yusuf, was recovered in an open well at about 1230pm.

He said: “On August 29, at about 0740hrs, a man, Yusuf Makeri of Danzomo village Suletankarkar LGA, reported at the Danzomo police outstation that his 13-year-old son, who was mentally challenged, was missing and all efforts made to trace his whereabouts failed. “However, on Sunday, his corpse was discovered in an open well in the area.” The PPRO added that the corpse has been evacuated and handed over to his relatives for burial as no foul play suspected in connection with the incident.…

News / Security

Sit-at-home: Be at your duty post or be fired, Umahi warns workers

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has directed all civil and public servants to report to work on Monday despite the sit-at-home order issued by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB had fixed Monday every week for its sit-at-home protest.

Umahi gave the directive in a statement issued to reporters on Sunday by Dr Kenneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Coordinating Commissioner.

According to him, whosoever failed to report to his duty post stands to lose his job. “Similarly, any shop or bank that failed to open for business on Monday stands the risk of losing the right to operate business or banking operations in the state. “The general public is by this announcement advised to go about their normal businesses without fear.

“Security agencies have been directed to patrol 24 hours in all corners of the state. All concerned are to take note and adhere strictly to this government directive,” Umahi stated.…

News / politics / Security

Sit-at-home: Security operatives plan to disguise as ESN — IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra has alleged that security operatives in collaboration with some politicians have perfected plans to disguise as members of the Eastern Security Network to enforce the sit-at-home order it had relaxed.

The spokesman for the group, Emma Powerful, levelled the allegation in a statement on Sunday on the sit-at-home.

Powerful said: “Security agencies have perfected plans to unleash  attacks on innocent people in the name of ESN and IPOB volunteers.

“We have no plans again to enforce any sit-at-home order. “They want to wear jeans trousers and combat knicker jeans and  brand it ESN and IPOB volunteers.

“Our people should resist any attempt by anybody to attack them tomorrow (today).

“Fleet of Hilux vehicles have also been set aside for this assignment.

“Our people need to be cautious.

“We want to put the world, especially residents of Biafra-land that IPOB has since two weeks ago suspended its initially declared Monday sit-at-home order.

“It, therefore, makes no sense that we will at the same time be enforcing the suspended order.

“IPOB restates that there is no longer ghost Mondays in Biafra-land in solidarity with our detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Sit-at-home will only be observed on the days our leader will be making appearances in court. Such days will be well publicized ahead of time.

“Everybody is hereby placed on  alert about this wicked plot.

“IPOB will not tolerate any attack on any Biafran or resident of Biafra under any guise.

“People should be allowed to go about their businesses without any molestation or harassment.

“We are warning politicians and traitors including security agents who have designed to destroy IPOB and tarnish our hard-earned global reputation to retrace their steps.

“Biafrans are free to come out tomorrow and every Monday to do their normal business.

“All market leaders in Biafra-land are advised to comply with this directive and ensure their markets are open for business.”…

Crime / News / Security

Lalong on Plateau killings: We’ll arrest those who rush to bail suspects

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has warned against any rush to bail suspects of the August 14 killings along Rukuba Road in Jos and other attacks in the state

The governor spoke on Tuesday at an emergency peace and security stakeholders meeting held in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting focused on the August 14 incident and other attacks in Bassa, Jos South, Barkin ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.

Lalong said: “The rush to bail suspects of unrest when arrested for investigation frustrates efforts to find lasting solution to insecurity in Plateau.

“Henceforth, people rushing to bail suspects will also be arrested.

“If you find them, please arrest them.

“If people rush to bail them, arrest them.”

Lalong said that such action would deter people fond of bailing suspects of unrest, alleging that such gestures implied that most of them were either sponsors or accomplices to such crimes.

He said the meeting with critical stakeholders, comprising former governors, political leaders, elders and traditional and community leaders, was to seek their views on measures to end the cycle of violence in Plateau State.

Lalong held that the insecurity, particularly in some local governments, required concerted efforts toward lasting peace.

“We cannot afford to fail the upcoming generation by refusing to do the needful,” he declared.

He decried the misuse of the social media by people out to worsen an already bad situation through the massive spread of fake and unsubstantiated videos and messages.

He said: “Such fake messages only ignite further attacks.

“I have directed the security agencies to go after such persons and ensure they face the law for incitement and hate speech.”

Lalong also urged religious leaders and other stakeholders holders not to incite their followers with their sermons or comments on insecurity, noting that they (clerics) were also guided by the constitution.

“In future, defaulters will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Lalong banned any form of protest in the state, explaining that Plateau …

Crime / News / Security / Transportation

We have 28 checkpoints on Katsina-Jibia Road, but only five legal — Customs

Retired Colonel Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, has ordered the immediate removal of all illegal checkpoints along Katsina-Jibia Road.

Ali gave the order when he paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir, on Monday.

The CG, represented by ACG Uba Mohammed, Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Kaduna, said the Service had approved only five checkpoint along the Katsina-Jibia Road.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the ACG had in a similar visit to Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State disclosed that there were about 28 checkpoints along the road. The ACG said: “On behalf of the CG, I have ordered for the immediate removal of all checkpoints along the road, except the approved five.

“Henceforth, only five checkpoints should remain along Katsina-Jibia Road.

“The police operatives along the same route should also look into the issue.

“Our visit to the state is to condole the state government, the Katsina Emirate Council and the people of Jibia Local Government Council over the recent accident involving our border drill operatives.

“This visit is occasioned by the ugly incident of August 9, 2021 where a near crisis was averted, resulting from an unforeseen vehicular accident, an incident which claimed lives and incapacitated a host of others.

“Unfortunately, that mishap, though an operational hazard, should have been averted with the deployment of the requisite safeguards.”

Mohammed said the CG had set up a committee to investigate the cause of the incident, adding that the Service would also take responsibility for the medical bills of those wounded in the accident.

While condoling the Emir, Ali reiterated the Service’s readiness to adopt proactive measures to forestall future occurrence of the incident.

In his response, the Emir said the incident, which claimed many lives, was unforgettable as it had been happening for a very long time.

Kabir said: “I always have sleepless nights over this issue and that of banditry in our communities.

“I believe that lack of proper information dissemination between the public and the security operatives is one …

News / Security

Jos Killings: Only justice can stop reprisals — MURIC

The Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern has again demanded stiff punishment according to the law for the killing of 23 Muslim travelers on August 14, 2021.

The group insisted that reprisal killings will continue unless justice is swiftly and effectively served.

MURIC stated this on Tuesday in a statement issued by its Director and Founder, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

The statement said: “Once again we are constrained to reiterate our strong condemnation of the brutal killing of Muslim travellers which occurred on Saturday, 14th August, 2021 at Rukuba, Jos, the Plateau State capital. The attack was carried out by Irigwe Christians mourning their lost ones. That attack was wicked, callous and animalistic. “However, we are of the opinion that killing with impunity will not stop unless justice is swiftly and effectively served. A situation where every brutal killing is anchored on a previous attack is Bohemian and unacceptable. It smirks of a society whose norms, values and law enforcement machinery has totally broken down. This must not be allowed to happen.

“This cycle of reprisal killings can be traced back to the Zango-Kataf crisis of 1992. Subsequent killings would have been averted if the reports and recommendations of the Okadigbo panel had been implemented. But criminal elements continue to hide under the canopies of religion and ethnicity to unleash mayhem on innocent people because of the laxity in the system.

“What we need therefore is systemic change. State governments must stop providing cover for criminals. This aptly applies to the situation in Plateau State today as we find Governor Lalong giving a ludicrous excuse to extenuate the sadistic killing of innocent and unarmed Muslim travelers. Unfortunately this is not the first time Lalong will aid and abet the killing of Muslims.

“We therefore reiterate our demand that the investigations into this latest massacre must be handled by the Federal Government. For this reason, we commend the strong intervention of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Army in the restoration of normalcy in Jos and its environs. We …

News / Security / Transportation

Eid-el Kabir: FRSC deploys 3,5000 personnel, 736 patrol vehicles, 120 ambulances

To ensure safe travels for all road users, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has deployed a total of 3,500 personnel, 736 patrol vehicles and over 200 motorcycles for the 2021 Eid-el Kabir special patrol before, during and after the celebrations.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, who disclosed this said that the Corps is embarking on the special patrol operation to ensure that motorists and other road users have a hitch-free celebration, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, prevailing security challenges and the rain season.

He also said 120 ambulances and 25 tow trucks would be on the road during the special operation that would commence on 16 to 25 July 2021 nationwide.

He urged motorists to endeavor to avoid traffic violations and remain conscious of their safety to avoid not only arrest and prosecution by members of the corps, but falling prey to avoidable road crashes.

He added: “The mission of the special operation is to ensure free flow of traffic, provide prompt rescue services and timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the country before, during and after the festive period as well as reduce Road Traffic Crashes, Road Traffic Fatalities and Road Traffic Injuries; enforce strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols by motorists and road users, and ensure high visibility of the corps on the highways.”

Kazeem said the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, had directed commanding officers operating across various formations nationwide to ensure that the 52 corridors are properly manned throughout the period of the operations.

He appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, saying Mobile Courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.

The Corps Marshal, also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus to effective traffic control, wrongful overtaking, use of phone while driving, drivers license violation, lane discipline, removal of rickety vehicles from the road, …

Crime / News / Security

Police arrest 127 traffic robbery suspects, pledge to combat crime

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 127 suspected traffic robbers within the last three months in various parts of the state.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, said the suspects were picked at various spots in the state.

He promised that robberies in traffic would soon fizzle out and become a history in the state as the state police command had deployed human and material resources to tackle the menace headlong.

The police boss added that fight against the menace would be intensified and more effective with the new equipment from the Lagos State Government.

Odumosu also ordered the commencement of combat training and range practice for police personnel and also training of police operatives attached to the newly formed Anti-Traffic Robbery Squad to tackle robbery in traffic in the state.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have nabbed two notorious suspected robbers along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects, Tunde Ramoni and Adepoju Samuel, who hail from Oyo State, were arrested at Ojota, while Adepoju was caught while robbing a motorist with an unregistered motorcycle around Tipper area, Ketu, Lagos State.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Tunde Ramoni was once arrested with a gang of pickpockets in 2019 and was sentenced to six-month imprisonment.

Another suspect, Ibrahim Abiodun, was also arrested with two locally-made pistols with two live cartridges, assorted charms and weeds at Agbomalu, Apapa, on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, has ordered that the suspects be transferred to the command’s Special Squad, Ikeja, for proper investigation and possible prosecution.…

News / Security

Nigeria ranks 146th on Global Peace Index, 8th least peaceful in Africa

The 2021 Global Peace Index (GPI) has ranked Nigeria 146 among 163 independent nations and territories, according to its level of peacefulness. Nigeria moved one step from 147 in 2020, though it still ranked eighth among the least peaceful countries in Africa after South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Central African Republic, Sudan and Mali.

In the report released yesterday, Nigeria finished with 2712 points and was graded low on the state of peace out of very high, high, medium, low and very low on the chart.

The GPI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), measures the state of peace in countries. It assesses countries in three domains, including the level of societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization.

Describing the situation, the report said Nigeria continues to face challenges on both safety and security and ongoing conflict domains. The conflict between government forces and Boko Haram in the Northeast led to an estimated 1,606 people killed in 125 fatal incidents in 2020, making an average of 13 deaths per violent event in the Boko Haram insurgency of last year.

Civil unrest rose 10 per cent globally, driven by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic caused a global rise in civil unrest and political insecurity, according to the GPI report. There were 14,871 violent demonstrations, protests and riots recorded globally in 2020.

The report said COVID-19 was a “multiplying force” in future political instability and civil unrest. It added the level of this unrest going forward is likely to hinge on the speed and effectiveness of economic recovery. Countries with less debt and higher levels of positive peace were more likely to recover faster.

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal and Slovenia. Mauritius is the most peaceful African country ranked 28th, followed by Ghana (38), Botswana (41), Sierra Leone (46) …

Agriculture / News / Security

FG will task stakeholders on food security

The Federal Government has commenced meeting with stakeholders through the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) in a bid to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, floods and conflicts on food security.

 

This is against the backdrop of recent reports by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) that listed Northern Nigeria as one of the 20 countries where acute hunger is expected to soar.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhile while declaring open the 44th NCARD meeting urged stakeholders to come up with strategies to scale up food production, processing and marketing within the agribusiness ecosystem to avert food crisis and engender food sufficiency for the growing Nigerian population.

While reiterating Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the framework of the National Economic Sustainability Plan and the Nigerian Agricultural Technology and Innovation Plan as a strategy for food resilience and economic development, he highlighted some efforts in the sector to include, “the provision of mechanization inputs to farmers, training of extension agents on extension service delivery in crop, fishery and livestock value chain activities and construction of mini earth dam for irrigation activities.

He emphasized the commitment of the ministry “to be tied to the commodity value chain concept of strengthening sectoral linkages, Import substitution initiatives, value added processing and export-oriented activities in the country”.

Umakhihe stressed the importance of sustaining the collaboration on agribusiness initiatives to facilitate incentives to researchers, farmers and processors geared towards increase in agricultural output and match National requirements.

The Federal Capital Territory Secretary of Agriculture, Ibe Prospect, noted that the coming of COVID -19 is a wakeup call for a new beginning in agriculture and for nations to ensure sustainability of their internal food supply.…

News / Security

I have been receiving death threats, says EFCC boss Bawa

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, says corruption does fight back, adding that he has been receiving death threats since he came on board as the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

He spoke on Tuesday when he featured in Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ program.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in November 2016 said, “Corruption is fighting back vigorously”.

When asked on Tuesday if indeed corruption is fighting back, Bawa said, “Last week, I was in New York, as all Nigerians are aware of. A very senior citizen received a phone call from somebody that is not even under investigation. What he (the caller) said to him on phone is that; he is going to kill the EFCC chairman, the young man. The President had in February 2021 named 40-year-old Bawa as the new EFCC chairman to replace the embattled ex-acting chairman of the anti-graft commission, Ibrahim Magu.…

News / Security

Police speak on reported killing of 15 Soldiers, attack on Imo Government House

The Imo State Police Command has rebutted the report on some social media platforms that gunmen attacked the Imo State Government House and Obinze Army Barracks.

Reacting to the report in a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bala Elkana, urged the public to disregard the report.

He described it as “a false alarm, which only existed in the imagination of the writer”.

The social media report also stated that 15 soldiers were killed in the attack.

The PPRO described the report as “the handiwork of mischief makers and conflict entrepreneurs.

“The command, therefore, warns the public to be wary of such posts,” Elkana stated, adding that it was aimed at causing tension and instilling fear in Imo people.

He further warned mischief makers to desist from such fake alarms else they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Elkana, who said that peace had returned to Imo State, advised “night crawlers and hospitality patrons to feel free, come out in in pursuit of their regular pleasure”.…

News / Security

SARS disbandment creating security challege, IGP cries out

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman, yesterday, said the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had weakened efforts by the force to confront insecurity frontally in Nigeria.

 

This came, as he also announced that his men had arrested those involved in the March 20, 2021, failed attack on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

He said the morale of his men had been seriously dampened by the #EndSARS protests and subsequent attacks in the South East.

The IGP, who spoke yesterday during a press briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House, Abuja, stated that the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) squad, established in October 2020 to bridge the vacuum created by the disbanded FSARS, was yet to take off.…