www.newstower.ng

Menu
Facebook Twitter Youtube

Category: Security

Plethora Of Woes :Retired Police Officers Beg PSC For Intervention

Posted on by admin50

A Delegation of retired senior Police Officers in Nigeria led by DIG Maigari Dikko were in the Police Service Commission on Wednesday, October 16th 2024 to plead for quick intervention of the Commission in rescuing them from abandonment and poor retirement benefits.

The delegation, were Members of the Police College Ikeja 1986 CADET ASP Course 14 and had come to felicitate with their own, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, fdc who was recently appointed by Mr. President as Honourable Commissioner in the Commission.

The visitors also complained that the Police they served with all their might have continued to degenerate with “our Policemen now more in private homes than in the streets”

They lamented that retired Commissioners of Police till date receive about N73,000 as monthly pensions while their counterparts in the Military are paid upwards of N300,000 stressing that in other countries “pension entitlements are always the same for the Military and Police Officers”. They feared that this situation if not quickly reversed will constitute serious security threat.

The Delegation said the Federal Government should also quickly withdraw the several Police Officers in private homes and free them to help secure the nation and effectively
occupy the public space.

“The PSC should Intervene quickly; there are many Policemen in private homes and land grabbers have continued to use them to molest and intimidate opponents”.

The Commission spokesman, Ikechukwuu Ani disclosed that the Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, who joined DIG Lakanu to receive the team, pledged the Commitment of the Commission to restore the glory of the Nigeria Police Force both serving or retired.

DIG Argungu noted that some of the retired Officers will be engaged by the Commission to serve in its Quality Assurance Unit so that they bring their experience to bear on how the Commission manages the personnel of the Police. He also assured them that they would also be encouraged to enjoy the benefits of having their children recruited into the Police either through the Police Academy Wudil Kano or through direct recruitment.

DIG Argungu said the retired Officers are veritable assets needed for nation building.

The host, DIG Lakanu told his course mates that they have gotten another home with his assumption of duty in the Commission.

” we are course mates, we will remain close friends, we will bring some of you here and together we will make this place better”

He said the Commission will see how it can Intervene to help change the poor retirement benefits of Members.

Some other Members of the delegation were DIG Abdulmajid Ali, AIG U.U. Shehu Ambursa and AIG Alapini.

THE LAGOS IBADAN EXPRESS WAY…….THE MENANCE OF DARE – DEVIL HOODLUMS ALONG THELONG BRIDGE

Posted on by admin50

A. Memo To: OGUN STATE GOVERNOR
MEMO THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR

B. JOINT ACTION NEEDED BY POLICE PERSONNEL FROM OGUN AND
LAGOS STATE POLICE COMMANDS RESPECTIVELY AND THE
ARMY DIVISION

In recent times there has been a cases of kidnapping in this area. The
hoodlums rush in individuals whose vehicle breakdown on the long
bridge due to electrical or mechanical faults. Such commuters have no
“self-defense” since they did not prepare for such sudden attacks.
History of hoodlums attacks along the longbridge dates back to the early
80s and spread to the early 90s. The early millennium witnessed a lull
on hoodlums attack on the longbridge.
However, with the influx of some persons pretending to be cattle rearers
in the area the menace of hoodlums attacks assumed devilish heights.
The only Police Divisional Headquarters in the area is the Wavwa
division. The station lacks the necessary operational tools to tackle the
offensive operations of the hoodlums.


To save lives and properties along this longbridge and flush the
hoodlums from this area, a clarion call goes to the Ogun state
Government, the Lagos State Government, the Ogun State Police
Command Headquarters, the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters
and Zone 2 Zonal Police Headquarters and the Army Divisional in the
area to form a joint task force to rid the area of these hoodlums.
The first step of action to be taken is the clearing of all the shanties in
the area. All illegal structures under the bridge should be cleared or
demolished. The bushes have to be cleared to give commuters a clearer
vision as they drive along the route in the night.

These measures will
bring to a close the menace of notorious hoodlums along the longbridge.
The main road construction company along the route JULIUS BERGER
should be instructed to create alternate routes for commuters either
Lagos bound or Ibadan bound instead of almost blocking the road on
both sides with long concrete slabs.
This writer had once fallen victim of these robbers along the longbridge.
The earlier these above actions are taken by the two State Governments
the better for lasting solutions to hoodlums attacks on the
“LONGBRIDGE”.
Abubakar Musa
Security & Crime Analyst
GSM: 08033187071

PSC Launches Twin Anti Corruption Programmes .. Argungu Says He IS Ready To Blow The Whistle

Posted on by admin50

By Ebinum Samuel

The Police Service Commission today, Wednesday, October 16th 2024 took a bold and courageous step in the fight against corruption with the elevation and inauguration of a Standing Committee on Procurement and the launching of the PSC Whistle blowing Policy.These developments are tailored to improve transparency, accountability and integrity in the conduct of government business in the Commission. The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni who presided over the two ceremonies said he is ready to blow the whistle on any body found circumventing the approved Financial Regulations of the Federal Government. He also announced that the Staff should also feel free to blow the whistle on him if found at the wrong side of the Regulation.

He said the Commission will work in adherence with Corporate Governance template and ensure that there is value for all government expenditures in the Commission. According to the Commission Spokesman Ikechukwuu Ani, the PSC Chairman said the Commission will be at the forefront of Government’s current war against corruption and called on the Staff to free themselves of all corrupt tendencies as any one caught would be prosecuted and if found guilty jailed.The Standing Committee on Procurement is headed by the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani with the Director of the Department of Procurement, Mr. Aliyu Ahmad as the Secretary. The Commission’s Whistle blowing Policy is designed to support values, ensure employees can raise concern without fear of retribution and provide transparent and confidential process for raising concerns.

The Policy does not only cover any possible impropriety in matters of financial reporting, public service ethics and code of conduct, but will also cover fraud, corruption, bribery and blackmail. It will also cover such other areas as nepotism, criminal offences, failure to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, miscarriage of justice, endangering the safety of the individual, endangering any element of the environment and concealment of any of the improprieties identified. The principles guiding the Policy are, transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness, responsibility, consistency and equitability.The Commission has also created grievance procedures mandating anyone who reasonably believes and in good faith that malpractice exist in the workplace should report his or her concern to PSC Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit 2348035921656, 2348038866456

Drug war: NDLEA tightening the noose on drug barons, cartels, says Marwa

Posted on by admin50

Commissions marine facility as UK Govt justifies support for NDLEA

By Ebinum Samuel

We’re supporting NDLEA because Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said that the bolstered capacity of the anti-narcotic body within the maritime space will further tighten the noose on drug barons and cartels with the volume of recent arrests and seizures of illicit substances on the waterways and seaports. Marwa stated this in Lagos on Wednesday 16th October 2024 at the commissioning of NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters, a facility built and donated by the British Government. In his words, “I have to express my profound appreciation to the British High Commission in Nigeria for believing in this project and considering it worthy of His Majesty’s investment.

The timely delivery of this project and the high standard of the finished work speak volumes about the commitment of the British Government to support our efforts. Not quite long ago, a similar edifice, completed with state-of-the-art fittings, was handed over to NDLEA by the British Government at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. There has also been a series of capacity-building initiatives and provisions of equipment by the Home Office International Operations, which have bolstered the capability of the Agency’s personnel and have enhanced phenomenal drug seizures and arrests. We deeply appreciate the effort of the British government and its institutions. “According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, “over 80 per cent of the volume of international trade is carried by sea, and the percentage is even higher for developing countries.” This is equally true of illicit drug trade because maritime routes have long been exploited by drug traffickers due to the vast expanses of the open sea and the complexity of maritime laws and jurisdictions.

The illicit drug trade via maritime channels poses severe threats, not only in terms of drug proliferation but also because of its links to organised crime, terrorism, and human trafficking. “Recent records from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate that West Africa remains an important transit region for narcotics, mostly emanating from South America. We have had at least four trafficking cases in the last two years involving merchant ships (aside from cases of drugs concealed in cargo containers) from South America to Nigeria. The cases are evidence that the maritime corridor provides mobility for illicit trafficking activity.” He said the recent operational successes recorded by the NDLEA on the waterways and seaports justified his decision to upgrade the marine unit of the Agency to a full-fledged command in 2022. “We did not make a mistake when, in 2022, we upgraded the Marine Unit to a full-fledged command.

Our balance sheet of arrests and seizures of drugs within the maritime space has maintained an upward swing. The collaboration of the Agency’s Marine Command with other maritime law enforcement agencies has resulted in the interception of 61,688.79 kg of varying drugs and the arrest of 41 suspects, 15 of whom are already prosecuted and jailed. Through our various port operations in the last three years, the Agency has seized at least 750 tons of illicit drugs ranging from cocaine to codeine, tramadol, methamphetamine and Loud, to mention a few”, he stated. While calling for continuous collaboration among various security agencies operating within the maritime space, the NDLEA boss said “the operation of our Special Marine Squad on the waterways of Lagos has shown the increasing complexity of maritime drug trafficking. Aside from merchant ships, personal vessels, including luxury yachts, modified pump boats, and fishing trawlers, are also being employed in this growing drug trade. Countering this threat requires intense coastal monitoring and collaboration among security agencies to track, search and profile the various vessels on our waterways, as it is the case now”, he added.

While expressing joy that the Marine Command Headquarters facility that started as an idea has crystallised into a physical structure being commissioned, Marwa appreciated all stakeholders that made the project a reality. “Permit me to express my profound appreciation to the Executive Governor, Lagos State for his inestimable goodwill, which has created a conducive operating environment for all our commands. My appreciation equally goes to the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for synergising with NDLEA. The synergy between them and NDLEA is instrumental to our streak of success within the maritime space. The Nigeria Ports Authority and the Nigeria Maritime Security and Safety Agency have been very helpful. My appreciation equally goes to the Managing Directors of Eko Atlantic and Satellite Oil and Gas for making space available for this command headquarters”, he added.

In his remark at the occasion, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter justified why the UK government is supporting the work of NDLEA. According to him, “it is also a delight to see such a wide range of people here at this event because from my perspective, that shows the level of commitment that we see from our Nigerian partners and colleagues to what is the really critical work carried out by the NDLEA in tackling drug trafficking. We in the UK support that work for a number of reasons. We’ve seen an increase in drug detections both in Nigeria and in the UK and so that shows us two things. “Firstly, that there is a clear need for us to work together, to work collaboratively to tackle drug trafficking but it also shows that our efforts are paying dividends. We are jointly preventing more and more drugs crossing borders and we are disrupting more and more gangs and that is important for both our populations, both our countries but it’s mostly important actually for the people whose lives are disrupted by this crime but as we all know there is more work to do and it will definitely continue.” Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu Hundeyin, in his remark said “the NDLEA’s presence in Lagos has been pivotal in curbing the illegal drug trade. Your efforts have not only protected our citizens, but also enhanced the overall security and well-being of our state.”

“Today’s commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Command Headquarters, generously donated by the British government, marks a significant milestone in our collective fight against drug-related crimes. It highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships in tackling the global challenge of drug trafficking, especially in coastal areas like Lagos. I therefore, on behalf of our government and the good people of Lagos State, extend my sincere gratitude to the British government for this invaluable contribution, which will further bolster NDLEA’s capacity to more effectively patrol our waters and intercept illegal drug activities”, the governor added.

Lagos teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for rape

Posted on by admin50

Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Tuesday, sentenced a head teacher, Benjamin Ogba, to life imprisonment for defiling two underage girls, who are both seven years old.

The judge held that the prosecution proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, with the ingredients of defilement to the court’s satisfaction.

She held that the evidence of the defence witnesses was tainted with lies, which did not hold water.

Soladoye described the convict as a “serial paedophile” and his testimonies a “pack of lies.”

She said: “The convict and his fellow defence witnesses were not truthful and credible in their testimonies, during the trial. Their testimonies were a pack of lies and fell asunder like a pack of cards.

“This serial paedophile, a head teacher, who is expected to teach his students morals, stooped so low and defiled the underage girls. What a shame!

“This irresponsible and randy teacher, who teaches his students nonsense, should be locked away,” she ruled.

The judge also praised the two survivors for their courage to speak up in court against their assailant.

She said that sexual abuse of any sort must be reported and not swept under the carpet.

Soladoye further urged parents not to relent in reporting sexual abuse cases to the appropriate authorities.

“Continuous education and awareness of this issue of sexual menace must be at the forefront of all stakeholders in the administration of justice to advocate the rights of young children.

“The defendant, having been found guilty of the two counts bordering on defilement, is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the counts.

“The sentencing, will however, run concurrently and his name registered in the Sex Offences Register as maintained by the Lagos State,” she said.

During the trial, the state prosecution counsel, Mr. Olusola Soneye, called three witnesses while the defence counsel called four witnesses.

The prosecutor said the convict committed the offence sometime in April and May 10, 2019, at Shalom Private School, Oke-Ira Road, Ebutte Metta in Lagos.

He said Ogba defiled the two survivors by having unlawful sexual intercourse with them.

The prosecutor also told the court that one of the girls, however, informed her mother and the case was reported at the police station.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

15-Year-Old Sues Ministry of Education, JAMB Over University Admission Age Limit

Posted on by admin50

Master Chinaemere Opara has sued the Federal Ministry of Education, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the government’s policy limiting admissions into Nigerian universities to applicants who are 18 or older. Opara, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School student, filed the suit through his father, Maxwell Opara, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1512/2024, seeks to challenge the constitutionality of the policy that bars underage students from gaining university admission, arguing that it discriminates against brilliant young students like Opara, whose rights to education and association are being infringed upon.

Maxwell Opara deposed that his son, currently in SS2, would be directly impacted by the policy, which violates his freedom from age discrimination. He emphasized that no federal or state law mandates an age limit for university admissions in Nigeria, pointing out that his son plans to sit for his WAEC, NECO, and JAMB exams in 2025.

The policy, announced by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, in July, has sparked intense debate among education stakeholders and parents. Although the Minister initially set the age limit at 18, intense discussions have led to a temporary reduction to 16 years for the current year’s admissions. Mamman clarified that while the policy aims to regulate university admission ages, it does not affect students sitting for O’level exams. The Ministry also acknowledged that exceptions would be made for students deemed exceptionally intelligent.

Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, said the Ministry is not yet aware of the lawsuit but confirmed that discussions on the age policy are ongoing.

Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin concealed in six bags at Lagos airport

Posted on by admin50

As NDLEA intercepts N22.7billion worth of opioids at Lekki, Apapa, Onne seaports

By Ebinum Samuel

In a fresh wave of interdiction operations targeting transnational drug cartels, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos have arrested a Thailand returnee Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter for importing 13.30 kilograms of heroin worth over N3.192billion just as their counterparts at three seaports intercepted large consignments of opioids with a combined monetary value of Twenty Two Billion Seven Hundred and Forty Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand Naira (N22,740,958,000).

Oguejiofor was arrested on Monday 7th October 2024 while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases. The 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra state, had left Thailand on 3rd October on Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.

After arriving Lagos on the 5th October, he contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he can pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks. However, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit. A search of his two suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all the six backpacks. The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg. In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four parcels in Accra, Ghana. Meanwhile, a total of Thirty Two Million Six Hundred and Seven Thousand Nine Hundred (32,607,900) pills of tramadol worth over Twelve Billion Five Hundred and Seventy Seven Million Naira (N12,577,000,000) and One Million Four Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Four (1,451,994) bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of Ten Billion One Hundred and Sixty Three Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand Naira (N10,163,958,000) have been intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

The combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to Twenty-Two Billion Seven Hundred and Forty Million Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand Naira (N22,740,958,000). The illicit consignments were seized from containers watch listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for 100 percent joint examination with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between Monday 7th and Friday 11th October 2024. In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday 12th October arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. Also, in Edo state, operatives raided a cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West LGA where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg were recovered, while a suspect Monday Akele, 38, was arrested on Friday 11th October in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East L GA where 110kg of same substance was seized. With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Sacred Heart Girls International Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River; students and teachers of Methodist Girls High School, Utu/Ikpe, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom; students and staff of Federal Government Girls Secondary School, Bida, Niger state; students and teachers of Ekunle High School, Iseyin, Oyo state; students and teachers of St. Theresa Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; students and teachers of Joy Primary and Secondary School, Idogbo, Benin city, Edo state; students and staff of Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja; and WADA advocacy visit to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lekki seaport, Apapa, PHPC, Anambra, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

24-year-old man throws teenager inside well after raping her in Katsina

Posted on by admin50

A 24-year-old man, Usman Mohammed Iyal, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl and attempting to murder her by throwing her into a well in Ambassadors Quarters of Katsina metropolis.

The suspect’s brutal plan was thwarted when the Police launched a swift investigation and rescue operation, leading to the rescue of the victim from the well.

The incident occurred on September 27, 2024, when the victim was sent on an errand by her mother.

According to the Katsina State Police Command, the suspect, armed with a knife, had accosted and threatened the victim, and thereafter dragged her into an uncompleted building where he violently assaulted and raped her.

In an attempt to conceal his crime, the suspect threw the victim into a nearby well and hurled stones down the well with the intent to eventually kill the victim.

The victim’s father, Abdullahi Sabitu, reported the incident at the GRA Divisional Police headquarters, leading to a swift investigation and rescue operation.

The Police successfully rescued the victim from the well and arrested the suspect. The victim is currently receiving medical attention, and investigation was ongoing.

These were disclosed when the Police Command paraded the suspect alongside other suspected criminals at the State Police headquarters in Katsina.

While interrogating the suspect before journalists on why he attempted to kill the victim, he said: “because I don’t want her to expose me.”

The Police Command’s spokesman, Sadiq Abubakar, said the arrest of the suspect and ongoing investigation into the matter have demonstrated the commitment of the Police to addressing violent crimes and ensuring justice for victims in the State.

Corporate Governance, A Cardinal Driver For Corporate Accountability And Business Prosperity — PSC Chair

Posted on by admin50

By Ebinum Samuel

Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, has made a case for strict adherence to Corporate Governance in the nation’s public Service stressing that it promotes accountability and business prosperity.DIG Argungu spoke in Abuja at a Management Meeting of the Commission in a paper titled “An overview of Salient Features of Federal Government of Nigeria Corporate Governance Manual for Governing Boards/Councils of Federal Parastatal Agencies and Commissions”.

He noted that the place of Corporate Governance in public and private sectors in developing economic and enterprise activities cannot be overstated.The PSC Chairman said Corporate governance seek to institutionalize best practices in Nigerian Public and Private Sectors and enhances the integrity of the business and working environments.DIG Argungu noted that “essentially Corporate governance is about the way power is exercised over Corporate entities, it covers the activities of the board and its relationship with shareholders or Members, and with those managing the public/private enterprise as well as with external Auditors. Regulators and other legitimate stakeholders “.

He specifically explained that Corporate governance ” is a collection of control mechanism adopted by an organisation in promoting fairness, accountability, responsibility and transparency consistently and equitably in all that it does towards achieving its planned objectives. ” In doing these, every stakeholder in the organisation will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of the organisation, believing that his/her interest, whatever that might be, will be protected”, he explained. The PSC Chairman said the benefits of corporate governance include, transparency, accountability, integrity, fairness and responsibility. Others, he noted are consistency and equitability.