My Blog

Tag: law enforcement

  • We’re Upholding the Law By Crushing Impounded Commercial Bikes -FCTA

    In a bid to reinforce the ban on commercial motorcycles, commonly known as “Okada,” within the city centre of Abuja, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) recently conducted an operation to impound and crush 400 illegally operating motorcycles.

    This move, according to Mrs. Deborah Osho, the Head of Operations at DRTS, was in strict compliance with the provisions of the law.

    According to her, the ban on Okada operations within the city centre of Abuja has been in effect since 2006, as directed by the Federal Capital Territory Road Transport Regulation of 2005.

    This regulation designates specific areas where Okada riders are permitted to operate, excluding the city center districts, including Wuse, Central Business District, Maitama, Asokoro, and others.

    “The enforcement of this ban became necessary due to several concerns. Okada operators had been associated with security threats, quick getaways from crime scenes, kidnappings, snatching valuables, mobile phone theft, and a rising number of accidents within the city.

    “Therefore, the decision to crush impounded Okada motorcycles aligns with the law, which provides for such action against motorcycles seized for constituting security threats or those impounded with a court forfeiture order.

    “Despite prior sensitization and awareness campaigns conducted even before the ban in 2006, Okada operators within the city centre continued to defy the regulations. Authorities have also held meetings with Okada leadership to emphasize the ban and its consequences for non-compliance,” Osho explained in an interview.

    She said that to strengthen the enforcement of the ban and address issues of alleged corruption in the seizure process, the FCTA amended the ban to include the forfeiture of impounded commercial motorcycles to the government.

    “This approach aims to prevent officials from collecting bribes and releasing the motorcycles back onto the streets. Instead, the impounded motorcycles would be crushed and sold to recycling companies, with the proceeds deposited into a government account.

    “The decision to crush impounded Okada motorcycles reflects the government’s commitment to upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and minimizing security threats within the city centre. It also serves as a deterrent to both operators and potential buyers of these impounded motorcycles,” she explained further.

    She concluded by saying that the recent operation to impound and crush illegal commercial motorcycles in Abuja’s city centre is a clear demonstration of the FCTA’s determination to enforce the ban on Okada operations in designated areas.

  • Kidnapping: Police arrest 32 suspects in Adamawa

    The Police Command in Adamawa, in synergy with some professional hunters, had arrested 32 suspects in connection with kidnapping activities in the state.

    SP Suleiman Nguroje, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Yola on Monday.

    Nguroje said that the command recorded the success with the support received from the Adamawa Government and the people in the state including media practitioners.

    He said exhibits recovered from the suspects included N1.6 million, four vehicles, 13 AK-47 rifles, five locally made pistols, 59 live ammunition, four ATM cards, two permanent voter cards, 10 dane guns, seven fabricated guns and charms.

    The police spokesman also said that the command equally succeeded in dislodging four identified hideouts where the kidnappers normally operate from.

    Nguroje said the suspects had all been charged to Courts and were awaiting trial, adding that investigations were still ongoing.

    He added that the command would redouble its efforts aimed at ensuring that residents in the state sleep with their two eyes closed.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Afolabi Babatola, had commended the officers and the hunters for their gallantry. 

  • Police arrest robbery suspects on 2nd Niger Bridge

    Operatives of Anambra State Police Command, attached to Harbour Division, have arrested two robbery suspects dispossessing unsuspecting citizens of their valuables on the recently inaugurated 2nd Niger Bridge.

    The Police team was on surveillance patrol on the Bridge when they apprehended the suspects who were about to steal expansion joints near the Obosi end of the bridge.

    A statement issued to journalists in Awka on Monday by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the suspects are now helping police in further investigations.

    According to Ikenga, one of the suspects hails from Enugu State and the other from Ebonyi State.

    The PPRO said when searched, two daggers and five sim cards removed from previously stolen phones, were recovered from the suspects, aged between 20 and 22 years.

    He added that the Covert Police Team monitored the gang and swooped on them, arresting two of the gangsters while others fled.

    Ikenga quoted the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, to have commended the Police Team for its vigilance and courage in confronting the gang.

    He stated that the CP had directed the owners of the recovered sim cards be located with a view to assembling evidence for successful prosecution of the arrested suspects.

  • Troops crackdown on oil thieves in Imo, Delta

    The Nigeria Army has confirmed its cracked down on illegal refineries in Imo and Delta, with seizure of several litres of illegally refined Petroleum products.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the confirmation in a statement in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment, on Monday, cracked down on an oil thieves’ camp in Obokofia Community in Imo while conducting anti-oil theft operations.

    According to him, the vigilant troops intercepted 15 sacks and 13 Jerry cans of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in the camp.

    He added that the troops also recovered two pumping machines, three power generators, one hose and a tool box used for hacking into oil pipelines.

    Nwachukwu said the troops, while acting on credible information, on Tuesday, intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 110 sacks of illegally refined AGO concealed in the creeks of Egbema West in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo.

    “The vigilant troops equally intercepted two vehicles loaded with 18 sacks of illegally refined AGO within the same general area.

    “Members of the public are please implored to report any suspected act of sabotage or criminality to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations to curb economic sabotage in the country,” he said.

    According to him, “Troops of 3 Battalion also on Monday, clamped down on an active illegal oil refining site containing three cooking ovens and six reservoirs at Enokora Community in Burutu LGA of Delta.”

  • Lawyer seeks IGP’s help on Spring Hall British School’s property issue

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has been called upon to intervene in the refusal of the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School, Mr Stanley Jegede to vacate a property located in the Maitama District of Abuja, after it was sold to new owner. 

    The new owner of the property, Moxie Communications Limited, through its lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, in a letter dated August 25, 2023, called for the intervention of the IGP to avert a breach of public peace. 

    He said after the property was purchased, the school was notified but Mr Jegede has allegedly frustrated and intimidated his staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices. 

    Barrister Giwa said, “Our Client by a DEED of Assignment and Contract of sales dated 13th of June 2023 respectively purchased the property described above from Mabon Estate Limited.

    “The said property is used as school by one Stanley Jegede, the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School hereafter referred to as suspect. 

    “Our client on the purchase of premises and take over had notified the suspects through several letters of the desire of our client to renovate it premises on the bases of fit for purpose.

    “Surprisingly, after several letters and discussion, the suspect has deliberately and with the intention of causing breach of public frustrated and intimidated our staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices.  

    These acts of the suspects have stunted the renovation work of our client on his premises.

    “The suspects have refused and failed to remove items and belongings from our property to enable our client continuous work.

    “This action of the Jegede Stanley is provocative, and capable of instigating serious resistance from our client’s staff and workers, which may eventually lead to break down of law and Order in the premises. 

    “It is on this note that we are writing to you for your intervention and arrest of the suspects for his action which is capable of breaching public peace and criminal intimidation.”

  • EFCC nabs six alleged internet fraudsters in Abuja

    In a recent development, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have taken into custody six individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud activities. These arrests were carried out within the Bwari and Dutse areas of Abuja.

    According to Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s spokesperson, these suspects were apprehended on Monday based on intelligence gathered about their purported involvement in cybercrime-related endeavors. The arrested individuals have been identified as Odey Paul (25), Greg Odey (23), Julius Okpanachi (21), Ugbede Opaluwa (25), Okpanachi Emmanuel (25), and Mohammed Abba (26).

    From the possessions of the suspects, law enforcement authorities managed to recover two Toyota Camry vehicles, one Mercedes Benz C300 car, a total of twelve mobile phones, and three laptops.

    As the investigation unfolds and progresses, the EFCC spokesperson, Uwujaren, conveyed that the suspects will be presented before the court to face legal proceedings. The aim is to ensure that justice is served once the investigation is thoroughly concluded.

  • FCTA demolishes illegal market used for criminal hideouts in Abuja

    The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja.

    The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja.

    Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby.

    Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area.

    He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue.

    He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld.

    “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place.

    “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities.

    “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment.

    “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said.

    Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area.

    The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums.

    “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good.

    “We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

  • Troops apprehend 17 suspects for alleged crimes in Plateau, Kaduna

    Troops belonging to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force entrusted with maintaining peace in Plateau, parts of Bauchi, and Kaduna States, have successfully apprehended 17 suspects on charges related to murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities.

    In a statement provided by Captain James Oya, the Media Officer of the operation, it was revealed that these arrests took place between August 21 and August 28 across various locations within the region of their operational responsibility.

    “Troops arrested five suspects for killing one Mr. Joshua Deme on his farm in Kassa village, situated within Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau,” Captain Oya stated. He continued, “We also executed a meticulously planned operation in Jagindi Tasha village, located in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leading to the arrest of a long-sought suspected kidnapper, Mr. Baba Habu.”

    Further emphasizing the successful efforts, Captain Oya explained, “We effectively thwarted a kidnapping attempt in Angwan Takai village within Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau. This achievement was facilitated by the rapid response of our troops to a distress call.” Over the stated period, the troops achieved a series of milestones – apprehending suspects, rescuing kidnapped victims, foiling armed robbery endeavors, and preventing potential attacks on vulnerable communities.

    Arms and ammunition were also seized from some of the apprehended suspects. Captain Oya reported, “In parallel endeavors, our troops conducted operations at Gwash and Kamantan villages in Jos North and Zango Kataf local government areas of Plateau and Kaduna. Here, we succeeded in recovering firearms, including a pistol, cartridges, and rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”

    Amidst these operations, the security forces managed to detain a notorious armed robber, Mohammed Lawal, in Kafanchan town. The seizure of two fabricated rifles and one pistol accompanied his arrest. A truck transporting vandalized railway tracks was intercepted along Gidan Ado village in Riyom.

    The operations also extended to addressing drug-related offenses. “A drug kingpin, Maxwell Davou, was apprehended in a sting operation with substances suspected to be illicit drugs at Waye Foundation Du in Jos South,” Captain Oya stated. The troops’ determination led them to engage bandits around Alaghom and Mangu, eventually neutralizing some and retrieving weapons.

    The comprehensive efforts of the troops extended beyond criminal activities as they intervened to manage 237 cows that were damaging crops on farms across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.

  • NDLEA seizes 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in 3 states, FCT

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives intercepted at least 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in Gombe, Adamawa, Ogun and other parts of the federation between August 21 and August 23.

    Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that NDLEA officers recovered an abandoned vehicle on Darazo Road in Gombe State containing 373,420 tramadol and diazepam pills on August 21.

    He added that operatives also recovered 60,000 pills of tramadol from a suspect travelling in a commercial Toyota Starlet car from Kalaa village to Mubi both in Adamawa on August 22.

    “Operatives raided the home of a drug dealer in Ibafo area of Ogun on August 23 and recovered 81,000 tablets of tramadol weighing 32.4kg.

    “In the FCT, operatives intercepted two consignments of suspected skunk with a gross weight of 1,242.1kg.

    “The first consignment of 665.1kgs was seized from a truck in Abuja on August 20, while the second one, weighing 577kg, was recovered during a stop-and-search operation on Lokoja- Abaji Expressway.

    “The consignment was concealed in an online shopping company’s goods delivery packs conveyed inside a containerised truck. The driver and his assistant were arrested,’’ he stated.

    Babafemi stated also that NDLEA operatives conducting stop-and-search operation on Jebba-Minna Road linking Kwara and Niger intercepted a commercial truck conveying goods from Lagos to Katsina on August 22.

    The truck had 37.5kg of suspected Indian hemp hidden among other items inside it, he added.

    The driver and his assistant were also arrested for investigation.

    “In Yobe, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle on Potiskum (Yobe)-Gombe Road on August 23

    “Three suspects in the vehicle were arrested with 133 blocks of suspected Indian hemp weighing 62kg,’’ Babafemi also stated. 

  • Police arrest man with fresh human corpse in Ogun

    The Police Command in Ogun said one Babatunde Kolawole, allegedly found with a fresh male human corpse, was arrested and handed over to its personnel at Ado/Odo-Ota area of the state.

    SP Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Ota, Ogun, said the suspect was apprehended by Amotekun Corps.

    According to her, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sango-Ota, CSP Saleh Dahiru, received a report by Amotekun and took the suspect, Kolawole, into custody.

    “Preliminary investigations have commenced into the incident.

    “Although the suspect did not deny the incident, he claims to be a native doctor who was attempting to revive the deceased.

     “However, it remains unclear how the suspect obtained the fresh corpse during the late hours of the night,” she said.

    The PPRO said that so far, no one had come forward to claim the body, and the suspect had not revealed any information about the origin of the corpse, to enable police to gather more information and solve the case.

    She added that the corpse had been transported to the Ifo General Hospital for an autopsy.

    Odutola enjoined members of the community to provide any useful information related to the incident to the police.

    She also said that the community members could assist the police in their investigation by helping to shed more light on the disturbing occurrence.