Nigeria Police Force

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a moment of pride for the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun on Tuesday received Sergeant Peter Theophilus Tanko at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement in China.

Sergeant Tanko, who is attached to the INTERPOL Section of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), recently completed a five-year law degree in the People’s Republic of China, emerging as the best graduating student at Jiangsu Police Institute. His journey began with a year-long Chinese language course at Nanjing Normal University.

As a result of his academic excellence, Tanko was selected to deliver the valedictory speech for all international students at the convocation ceremony held in June 2023.

The IGP commended Tanko’s dedication and discipline, describing his success as a testament to the potential within the Force. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting officers in the pursuit of education and professional development.

Egbetokun also urged police personnel across the country to emulate Sergeant Tanko’s example by embracing self-development, adding that intellectual growth is key to the Force’s overall success.

By Uzair Adam

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight individuals over the alleged killing and secret burial of a newborn baby at a private hospital located in Kwatam along Baga Road in Maiduguri.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Nahun Daso, disclosed the development in an interview with the press on Saturday.

According to him, the incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on April 18, 2025, after concerned residents alerted the police to a suspicious act at the hospital.

Daso said officers from the Ite Division responded immediately, secured the premises, and apprehended the suspects at the scene. 

Forensic experts were later deployed, and the baby’s remains were exhumed for examination.

He added that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation to uncover the circumstances behind the act.

The police called on the public to continue supporting security efforts by sharing timely and credible information.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has welcomed back Augustine Madubiya, a final-year student recently rescued unharmed from kidnappers, thanks to local security agencies. This is stated in a press release by Jamilu M. Magaji, Head of Information and Public Relations.

Augustine was officially returned to the university on Thursday in a ceremony held at the Council Chambers. The event was attended by Kebbi State’s Deputy Governor, Sen. Umar Abubakar Tafida, along with the Commissioner of Police Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani, who personally handed over the student to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor attributed the successful rescue to the unwavering commitment of the State Governor, His Excellency Comrade Dr Nasir Idris. He emphasised the importance of the firm directives given to security forces to take urgent action in response to the kidnapping incident.

Augustine is currently receiving medical treatment, after which he will be reunited with his fellow students at the university. The Vice-Chancellor expressed profound gratitude to the state government and security operatives for their prompt response and mobilisation of resources in support of the university during this crisis.

The university community has extended its heartfelt appreciation to Governor Idris for his ongoing commitment to the safety and security of all residents in the state, highlighting a collective effort to safeguard lives and properties.

As the university continues its mission of providing a safe learning environment, this incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced and the resolve needed to overcome them.

By Abdulhakeem Yetu Zakari

Police officers are sworn to protect, yet too often they become the very predators that citizens fear. The recent case of police extortion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, highlighted by an editorial in the Nigerian Tribune on Friday, March 14, 2025, is just one of many disturbing examples.

A traveler, on his way out of the country, found himself at the mercy of uniformed officers who accused him of internet fraud merely because they discovered a love letter on his phone. What should have been a routine encounter quickly escalated into an ordeal—one that concluded with him being extorted of ₦260,000 through a POS transaction. 

The money was sent to an account linked to a suspect, a method that has become all too common in these shakedown operations. This brazen misconduct is more than just a stain on the reputation of the Nigerian police; it is a cancer eating deep into the fabric of society. 

When those responsible for law enforcement become the enforcers of lawlessness, to whom do citizens turn? Police extortion in Nigeria has evolved from sporadic bribes into a well-organized criminal enterprise embedded within the force. Officers who should be defending the rights of the people now act like rogue agents, preying on innocent citizens. 

The danger of this menace extends beyond financial loss—it breeds fear and resentment and erodes trust in the justice system. For many Nigerians, the fear of encountering police officers has surpassed the fear of encountering criminals. When citizens approach a police checkpoint, they are not concerned about security but about how much money they might have to part with to evade harassment, intimidation, or even arbitrary detention. 

Those who resist are often brutalised, falsely accused of crimes, or threatened with trumped-up charges. Some do not make it out alive. Every incident of extortion further damages the already fragile relationship between the police and the public. Citizens who are supposed to rely on law enforcement for protection now view officers with suspicion and fear. 

This loss of trust has far-reaching consequences—not just for individuals but for national security. When the public distrusts the police, cooperation in fighting actual crime diminishes. People become reluctant to report crimes, knowing that the very officers they turn to may exploit or even implicate them falsely. 

This weakens overall law enforcement efforts and emboldens actual criminals. On the international stage, these acts of extortion paint Nigeria as a nation where corruption is deeply entrenched. Foreign travellers and investors hear stories of police preying on citizens, and it raises concerns about safety, governance, and the rule of law. 

Who would want to visit or invest in a country where law enforcement officers act like criminals? I do not speak as an outsider to this reality—I, too, have been a victim. In December 2024, in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, my friend and I stepped out to buy something from a nearby store. Suddenly, police officers appeared and singled out my friend, accusing him of an unspecified crime. 

They found nothing incriminating, yet they threatened him and demanded a “bail” fee—right there on the roadside. No station, no paperwork, just a blatant extortion scheme. Having heard too many similar stories, I knew better than to linger. I ran. Because in Nigeria, when the police grab you, guilt or innocence does not matter. What matters is how much money they can extract before letting you go.

This is the harsh reality that many Nigerians face daily. Whether traveling abroad or simply walking down the street, citizens are easy targets for extortion. The very people meant to ensure safety have transformed into predators, shaking down those they vowed to protect. This must stop. 

I urge the relevant authorities to impose strict penalties on officers who misuse their power. There should be an independent complaints system where victims of police extortion can safely report cases without fear of retaliation. Surveillance and monitoring systems must be implemented, especially at known extortion hotspots such as airports and major highways.

If decisive action is not taken, police extortion will continue to thrive, deepening the distrust between the people and law enforcement. The Nigerian police force still has an opportunity to redeem itself, but it must act swiftly and decisively to purge corrupt elements from its ranks. If the police are no longer our protectors, then who will save us from them?

Abdulhakeem Yetu Zakari is interning at PRNigeria and can be reached at: abdulhakeemzakari7@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Tragedy struck at a construction site in Delta State when a site engineer was brutally murdered by his own employees after they discovered he had a large sum of money in his bank account.

According to local reports, the victim, Chigozie Udalor, was overseeing a project when some workers allegedly gained access to his financial details. Upon realising he had substantial funds, they plotted to kill him in an attempt to steal his money.

The suspects reportedly attacked Mr Udalor at the site, buried him and fled the scene. Authorities were alerted, and security operatives have launched an investigation to track the perpetrators.

In a statement released, the spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, stated that on December 12, 2024, Hyacinth Nnalue reported to the Akwu-kwu Igbo division that his cousin Chigozie Udalor had been missing since December 10, 2024. He also mentioned that Chigozie was his site manager at his fish pond in the Bod camp of the Akwukwu Igbo community. 

Edafe stated that after receiving the information, the DPO began an investigation, later transferring the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, instructed DPO Ekpan CSP Aliyu Shaba to conduct a technical investigation. On March 31, 2025, operatives arrested David Tacho for attempting to withdraw money from the victim’s account and also arrested Daniel Orshio for involvement in the murder.

‘’Investigation also revealed that David Tacho is a brother to one Victor Tacho, who conspired with Pius Daniel (both presently at large) and Daniel Orshio and murdered the victim. The two suspects are presently in custody. Preliminary investigation revealed that all four suspects were employed by the deceased, who is the site engineer, but they discovered he had some money in his Moniepoint account, and they conspired, used a hammer to hit him on his head, tied him and buried him in a shallow grave at the site.

“Two of the suspects, David Tacho and Daniel Orshio, are presently in custody, while two other suspects, Pius Daniel and Victor Tacho, are still on the run. The body of the deceased has been exhumed and awaiting autopsy while efforts to arrest the other two suspects are ongoing.’’ Edafe said

By Uzair Adam 

The Edo State Police Command has arrested over 30 suspects in connection with the brutal killing of 16 northern travelers and the burning of their truck in Udune Efandion.  

The Daily Reality reports that the attack occurred on Thursday along the Uromi/Obajana Expressway.  

Confirming the arrests in a statement on Friday in Benin, the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, condemned the killings and assured that justice would be served.  

Yamu stated that the police were committed to ensuring justice for the victims and that no stone would be left unturned in the ongoing investigation.  

He revealed that a truck carrying 25 travelers from Elele, Rivers State, was intercepted by a vigilante group in Uromi. 

During the stop, some travelers were reportedly found in possession of locally made dane guns, raising suspicion among the vigilantes.  

“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm, claiming the travelers were suspected kidnappers. 

This led some community members and passers-by to attack and lynch 16 occupants. The truck conveying them was also set on fire,” Yamu said.  

Police operatives from the Uromi Division swiftly responded to the scene and managed to rescue ten of the travelers, two of whom sustained injuries. 

The injured victims were taken to a hospital and are currently responding to treatment.  

“In the course of investigations, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime. An emergency meeting was also convened with stakeholders and community members,” Yamu added.  

Meanwhile, a unit of the Police Mobile Force and other tactical teams have been deployed to the area to prevent further violence.  

The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Betty Otimenyin, urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement while cautioning against reprisal attacks or unlawful gatherings that could escalate tensions.

By Uzair Adam 

Police in Kano have successfully thwarted an attempt by suspected bandits to infiltrate the state, leading to the arrest of four individuals.  

The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development, stating that the suspects were apprehended following credible intelligence that they had arrived in Kano intending to purchase an AK-47 rifle.  

SP Haruna added that the suspects were found in possession of various weapons and are currently in custody as investigations continue.

By Uzair Adam 

Two operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State have been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a 19-year-old girl, Patience Samuel, in the Jaba Quarters.  

The Daily Reality learned that the incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday at about 10:55 p.m.  

According to intelligence sources quoted by Zagazola Makama, the Kano State Police Command arrested the officers in connection with the shooting.  

Police personnel who visited the scene evacuated Samuel to Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.  

The arrested officials, identified as 23-year-old Nass Ridwan Usman and 26-year-old Sna Ismaila Yakubu, were both attached to the NDLEA’s Kano State headquarters.  

Recovered from them were a motorcycle, a live round of ammunition, four empty shells of 7.62×51mm ammunition, and two knives.  

The police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.  

In a similar incident in November 2024, NDLEA officials were accused of killing Faisal Yakubu Hussaini in Dangi, the headquarters of the Kanam Local Government Area in Plateau State. 

Residents alleged that the officers raided a lodge, fired gunshots to disperse the youth, and killed the victim in the process.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Salisu Shehu, has called for the assistance of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in addressing rising crime and insecurity, particularly the recurring theft incidents threatening the safety of the Council’s office.

During a visit to the Commissioner of Police (CP) of the FCT Command, Prof. Shehu emphasized the vital role the police play in ensuring the safety of NERDC’s operations, especially since the office is located on the outskirts of Abuja, making it more vulnerable to criminal activities. He appealed for enhanced security to protect lives and property at the NERDC headquarters.

“We need special attention and support to feel secure in our location,” Prof. Shehu stated, expressing concern over the vulnerability of the staff and office to security risks.

The Executive Secretary also brought up the recent case of stolen solar inverters, which is under investigation by the police. He urged that the case be thoroughly investigated and that the perpetrators be brought to justice, noting that past thefts within the Council remain unresolved. He expressed NERDC’s readiness to fully support the investigation to ensure accountability.

In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Aliyu Abubakar, welcomed the NERDC management team on behalf of CP Olatunji Disu, who was unavailable due to national duties.

He reiterated the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and the police in ensuring the security of lives and properties, and assured that the police would continue to work professionally to resolve the case and bring the culprits to justice.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Shafi’u Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 61 Police Mobile Force in Kontagora, Niger State, has reportedly taken his own life.  

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, 8 February 2025, when the officer was found hanging from the ceiling of his room. His father, Mallam Usman Bawa, alerted the authorities after discovering the tragic scene.  

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased’s body has been released to his family for burial.  

“The reason behind his action is yet to be determined, and the matter is under investigation,” Abiodun stated.  

Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.