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Defence/Security

IG-P orders arrest, prosecution of unauthorised sellers of police uniforms

IG-P orders arrest, prosecution of unauthorised sellers of police uniforms
By Monday Ijeh
Arrest
Abuja, July 31, 2022 (NAN) The Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Mr Usman Baba, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of persons or groups engaging in unauthorised sales of police uniforms and accoutrements. 
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the IG-P had directed all Commands, Formations, the IG-P  Monitoring Unit, Provost Marshals and X-Squad to ensure the arrest and immediate prosecution of offenders within their jurisdiction in accordance with the law.
The IG-P cautioned film or skit makers who portray police officers in bad light, without applying and getting permit letter for such portrayals, to desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law.
Baba pledge the commitment of the force to guarantee compliance with law, adding that the FPRO had been directed to ensure prompt authorisation for all applications seeking usage of police items in movies.
He said such application would be granted in tandem with the extant laws and would portray good values, impress positively on the Nigerian public and be of value to the system.
Baba said the request must provide police officers with modern innovations to actively carry out policing duties and on-screen role models who would influence their lives and career as well improve security mechanisms in Nigeria.
“I strongly believe that such sanity in movies production, regulation of sales, possession and usage of police uniforms and accoutrements will definitely impact positively on resuscitating moral values.
“It will correct wrong perceptions and ideologies towards commissioning of crimes in our society.
“It is obvious that this step will surely curb proliferation of Police kits, uniforms and accoutrements and eventually reduce police impostors-induced crimes,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IMC/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Defence/Security

EFCC raids Bureaux de Change as naira dips against the dollar

Currency

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, July 29, 2022 (NAN) EFCC operatives on Friday raided Wuse Zone 4, home to most bureaux de change in Abuja.

The raid, conducted on other locations across the country, was undertaken days after the CBN blamed currency speculators of exacerbating the crash of the naira against the dollar and other foreign currencies.

An authoritative source at the commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the raid was a product of weeks of covert operation.

“The idea is to dislodge currency speculators who are massively mopping up all available foreign currencies.

“The raid was a product of weeks of surveillance where agents of the EFCC monitored the activities of most of the bureaux de change operators in the Wuse 4 axis,’’ he said.

According to the source, enough intelligence was gathered that some people with massive naira inflow had mobilised resources and are buying up available foreign currency, especially the dollar.

“Similar operation has also been carried out at major airports in the country.

“It’s a nationwide co-ordinated operation and will be extended to major commercial cities of Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt,’’ the source added.

Efforts to get official confirmation on the raid from EFCC spokesperson, Mr Wilson Uwujaren were not successful as his phone was switched off. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

IMC/MZA/ALLI

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Alli Hakeem

 

Defence/Security

No shooting at Dantata Bridge, Minister’s Hill in Abuja – Police

No shooting at Dantata Bridge, Minister’s Hill in Abuja – Police

Shooting

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, July 27, 2022 (NAN) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said there was no shooting at Dantata Bridge and Minister’s Hill as speculated in some quarters.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Some sections of the media on Tuesday circulated stories of shooting at Dantata Bridge, along Airport Road and Minister’s Hill in Maitama area of Abuja.

“The attention of the Police Command in the FCT has been drawn to a series of erroneous stories making the rounds, especially on the social media spaces.

“The stories suggested that there was heavy gunfire simultaneously around Dantata Bridge and Minister’s Hills on Tuesday at about at about 7:30 p.m.

“Following the receipt of the news, the Command’s Intelligence and Tactical asset drafted to the scene where the news was found false.

“Having maintained monitoring and surveillance of the area all night, and with the intelligence at the disposal of the Command, it is important to categorically state that the news is unfounded and should be disregarded,” she said.

Adeh enjoined the public to eschew the generation and promulgation of fake and unverified news and go about their lawful business without the fear of harassment or molestation.

She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Babaji Sunday, had reassured residents of the commitment of the command to ensure the safety of all and sundry in the territory and called for calm.

The CP said investigation into the source of the stories and other maliciously crafted write-ups targeted at promoting panic and apprehension in the territory had commenced.

Sunday called on residents to only believe information released from confirmed sources, adding that the police would continue its quest to bring crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the FCT.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the police through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883. (NAN)

IMC/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Defence/Security

Police recruitment based on merit, not politics, favouritism, says I-G

Police recruitment based on merit, not politics, favouritism, says I-G
Recruitment
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja. July 25, 2022(NAN) Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba again restated unequivocally that the recruitment process of the Nigeria Police Force was merit-based and not favouritism of any kind.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the recruitment process comprises a physical screening of all applicants who expressed interest in serving with the force by filling the application form online without any charge attached.
He said applicants who met the legal requirements for the physical screening were subjected to a Computer-Based Test (CBT), set and organised by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).
Baba said after the CBT, successful applicants were also subjected to Medical Screening to confirm their fitness to take up the policing duty.
“Those who have successfully passed these processes are collated and an equal number of them, prioritising the best amongst them, per Local Government Area (LGA) are selected.
“The process ensures that only those suited for the job are amongst the final individuals from whom the required 10,000 are selected,” he said.
Baba said it was surprising and misinforming to read in some actions of the media that police recruitment was influenced and facilitated by some individuals to suit their interest.
The I-G said police recruitment process was not for sale neither can it be influenced by any individual for selfish reasons.
He pledged to continually intensify efforts in upholding the sanctity and standards of modern policing in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government said 40, 000 police officers were recruited in the last four years, in an effort to re-energise and improve the personnel of the force to tackle increasing security challenges in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari made this known while declaring open a two-day retreat for Senior Police Officers in Uyo, on Tuesday.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Maigari Dingyadi, said the federal government also granted assent to the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Act and carried out an upward review of salaries and allowances of the rank and file, in a bid to boost the morale of the Force.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

IMC/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza
Defence/Security

N109bn fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Accountant General, 3 others on Friday

N109bn fraud: EFCC to arraign ex-Accountant General, 3 others on Friday
EFCC
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, July 21, 2022 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) says it will on Friday, arraign the former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris
Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC said this in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja
Uwujaren said the former AGF and the three others would be arraigned before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi of an FCT High Court.
He said the three others to be docked alongside the AGF over N109 billion fraud were Godfrey Akindele, Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.
According to him, the suspects will be arraigned on a 14 count charge of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109, 485,572,691.9.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the former AGF was arrested on May 16, by the EFCC over alleged diversion and laundering of N109 billion.

The EFCC said verified intelligence reports showed that Idris raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

The commission said the funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

It said Idris was arrested after he failed to honour invitations by the commission to respond to issues connected to the alleged fraudulent acts. (NAN)

IMC/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Health

NGO advocates mental health desks at Police divisions

NGO advocates mental health desks at Police divisions

Health

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, July 21, 2022 (NAN) An NGO, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has called for the establishment of mental health desks at Divisional Police Commands in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Dr Aminu Garba, the Coordinator of AHBN, made call on Thursday in Abuja during a one-day training programme organised for police officers drawn from the 10 FCT Metro Divisional Police Commands.

The theme of the programme is “Highlights of Mental Health Problems as a Support to Routine Police Investigation and Interrogation.”

Garba said the programme organised by the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) in collaboration with the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiatives and AHBN had 25 participants.

He said the training was organised in recognition of the fact that a lot of suspects being investigated and interrogated had mental challenges.

“Many a time, police officers are not well equipped to understand and handle suspects with mental health issues during interrogation.

“The training is to help police officers to understand the basic signs and symptoms of mental illness during investigations.

“The target is to ensure that police officers are fully equipped to confront any suspect with metal health issues during investigation and interrogation,” he said.

Mr Ameh Abba, the President, Mandate Health Initiative Empowerment (MHEI), an NGO, said the programme was organised to educate and sensitise participants to all it takes to be productive.

He said the event was organised because of the discovery of the importance of mental health during investigation and interrogation by police officers.

“As a matter of fact, mental health has become very critical, especially in relation to the operations of security operatives in Nigeria.

“To have them perform optimally, it is important we prioritise their mental health,” he said.

Mr Hassan Zaggi, the Chairman of CCAN, said the training was organised in recognition of the challenges confronting the operations of police officers.

He said the idea was to ensure that the media were part of the solutions to the problems confronting police officers in the discharge of their duties. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng) IMC/OIF/DCU
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Donald Ugwu

Defence/Security

Osun election: IGP hails security operatives, electorate for peaceful conduct

Electorate
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, July 17, 2022 (NAN) The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr  Usman Baba has commended security operatives and electorate in the peaceful conduct of July 16 governorship election in Osun.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
The IGP lauded the massive deployment of police operatives, specialised units and other human and operational assets, including three helicopters and a couple of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance.
He said four adequately manned gun boats for the riverine areas and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) were among the operational assets deployed for the election.
Baba said the deployment to the three Senatorial Districts of the state was to ensure swift responses to some pockets of electoral issues.
He also appreciated the collaborative efforts of other security agencies that assisted in the peaceful conduct of the election.
The police chief further commended the electorate and other stakeholders in the conduct of the election for their role in collectively maintaining decorum and cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
He said the professionalism displayed by officers deployed for the election helped to garner trust and ultimately led to the success of the process.
Baba pledged that the force would continue to improve on its security mandate ahead of the 2023 general elections. (NAN)
IMC/RSA
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Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
Defence/Security

PSC hails Police performance in Osun election

Security
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, July 17, 2022 (NAN) The Police Service Commission (PSC) says the performance of policemen deployed for Osun governorship election is a pointer to better security in future elections in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations of the commission on Sunday Abuja.
The Chairman of PSC, Alhaji Musiliu Smith said the progress recorded in election policing in Osun was a good signal that the 2023 general elections would be better.
He said the policing of the Osun governorship election was a huge improvement over the recent governorship election in Ekiti State.
Smith called on the Nigeria Police to sustain the momentum in future elections and pledged that the commission would continue to support them to ensure improved performance.
He pledged that the commission would continue to reward officers who display exemplary performance in the discharge of their duties to serve as motivation for others.
Smith said the commission monitored policemen on election duties in the 30 local government areas of the state and rated their performance above average.
He said the police officers arrived the polling centres on time, were professional and orderly in their conducts and had exhibited high level of commitment to duty.
The chairman said an average of three properly dressed policemen were deployed to each polling unit, adding that the officers were firm and courteous to voters in spite of initial squabbles in a few polling units.
Smith noted that police and other security agencies were quick to restore peace and order in such polling units.
“The polling units were devoid of arms carrying security agencies in line with the requirements of the law.
“Both armed military men and special forces of the police mounted road blocks and paraded the streets.
“PSC monitors across the state reported that there was no major violence recorded in most of the polling units visited,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IMC/ MZA/RSA
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Rabiu Sani-Ali
Defence/Security

SCUML says procurement process for new certificates production, concluded

SCUML says procurement process for new certificates production, concluded
Certificate
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, July 16, 2022 (NAN) The Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) says it has concluded procurement process for the production of new certificates for applicants.
 
Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Uwujaren said successful applicants would soon begin to receive notification to collect their certificates adding that,  machinery had been set in motion to ensure that the backlog was cleared with dispatch.
He said the clarification was to guide the public in understanding the situations, relating to SCUML certificates.
According to him, the delay is purely administrative and has nothing to do with inefficiency as imputed in some quarters.
“SCUML empathises with genuine applicants for the difficulties of the past few days.
“All arrangements have been made to ensure that the process is returned to the established order of prompt and excellent service delivery,” he said.
Uwujaren said SCUML was aware of the difficulties currently being experienced by successful applicants for its certificate.
He said the development was caused by the suspension of the issuance of certificates to successful applicants by the SCUML.
According to him, the move is an administrative measure designed to bring the agency to full compliance with its statutory responsibilities and obligations under the new Money laundering Act, 2022.
He said the law, fundamentally, altered the existing regulatory framework and substantially, invalidates the certificates issued by SCUML.
“The law did not reflect SCUML new status as an agency fully domiciled in the EFCC.
“It therefore, became imperative to suspend the issuance of the old certificates until a new one that takes into account the new regulatory environment is printed.
“Being a security document, there are processes involved in its new printing,” he added. (NAN)
IMC/IAA
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
Defence/Security

Police enforce Spy number plates ban in FCT

Police enforce Spy plate number ban in FCT
By Monday Ijeh
Ban
Abuja, July 14, 2022 (NAN) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has commenced the enforcement of the ban on use of Spy number plates in the territory.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the territory, DSP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, on Wednesday banned the issuance and use of Spy number plates nationwide.
The I-GP said the ban was to forestall the continuous disregard of traffic rules and other extant laws guiding road usage by individuals using the SPY police number plates. 
Adeh said the Command on Thursday took to the streets of the territory for the enforcement.
She the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the FCT, Mr Babaji Sunday said the ban followed public outcry over disregard for traffic rules by bearers of the Spy number plates.
Sunday added that the ban was also to address the misuse of the privileges attached to the use of the number plates.
The police boss said the measure would complement the already existing robust security architecture to curb crime and criminality in the FCT.
Sunday directed officers and men deployed for the exercise to discharge their duties with utmost regard for fundamental human rights of residents, in line with global best practices.
The commissioner of police therefore enjoined residents to embrace the development and cooperate with the police.
He explained that the personnel were directed to only confiscate the number plates and not arrest anyone, “except on other logical grounds discovered in the course of executing the order”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IMC/MZA/MST
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola