Nigeria Police Force

By Zakariyya Shu’aib Adam 

About two months ago, I took off from Sokoto to Minna in a commercial vehicle. As usual, I wore a kaftan and sat in the front seat. Although I had my headphones on, we had some words with the driver. He never knew I was “ɗan boko” until I communicated with someone on the phone in English. He said: “Mallam, na zaci kai ma duk mu ne [I thought you were like us – uneducated].” I laughed it off and said, “Ai dole sai a na raba ƙafa [One must diversify].”

The driver told me that he knew many police officers on that way. That is why he is not frequently stopped at checkpoints. However, when we left Kontagora and before we reached Tegina, we were stopped at a checkpoint. When the police came, they greeted and cracked jokes. He asked the driver: “Babu kayanmu a motar nan [Are there our goods in the car]?” The driver said, “Eh, babu kayanku [Ye, there’s none].” I wasn’t interested in their discussion until I saw the police pointing at me, saying, “Wannan ba kayanmu ba ne [Is this not ours]?” The driver said, “A’a, wannan ɗan gari ne [No, he’s not].”

When we were allowed to pass, I asked the driver the meaning of “kaya [goods]” and why the police thought I was their “kaya [goods].” He said the police thought I was nomadic Fulani. A typical Fulani who did not attend school. Whenever a car is stopped at the checkpoint, they single out a Fulani man or woman and ask him or her to alight. They will be charged between 5k to 10k. If they fail to give, they will be framed as kidnappers or their informants. He said if only he had told the police that I was their “kaya”, I would have been made to give that amount of money.

By Allah, if it were someone that informed me of this, I wouldn’t have believed. But Wallahi, it happened to me. I was just saved by Allah, Who made the driver promptly intervene. I just can’t imagine myself refusing to give them that sum of money. I would have been left alone, and the network wasn’t friendly for calls. I would have been framed up as a kidnapper or their informant. Only Allah knows what would have happened to me. My sin was just that I am Fulani.

Indeed, there are criminals among Fulani. There are kidnappers and their informants among them as well. Many of these undesirable elements have committed heinous acts against innocent people and subjected sackless individuals to unnecessary throes and severe distress. They have successfully sacked many villages and murdered countless innocuous souls, thanks to the I-don’t-care attitude of the government. May these barbarous beasts get caught and euthanized. 

This piece is not, in any way, intended to strip them of their crimes. Even though there are bad eggs among them, there are also good ones. There are many responsible and peace-loving individuals among them. Imagine how many innocent Fulanis are stopped on a daily basis and robbed. How many of them are falsely charged as kidnappers without conviction. Some of them are even victims of the kidnapping and cattle rustling. What kind of justice is served?

This type of unjust profiling and more paved the way for these innocent people to join the malignant kidnapping infection. Many of these unethical practices and professional misconducts committed by a few greedy Ekuke parading themselves as police are not only apoptotic to the Nigeria Police Force but are also a threat to the peaceful coexistence of the country. The perpetrators of these heinous acts amongst the police must be investigated and brought to book.

Zakariyya Shu’aib Adam wrote from Sokoto.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The police in Lagos State have confirmed being on the trail of one Ahmed for allegedly conspiring with one Uchenna Daniels to abduct his girlfriend, Hannatu Kabri.

The Daily Reality learnt that Daniels reportedly abducted Kabri in Abuja on March 31 2022.

After her abduction, Daniels took Kabri to Lagos, a catastrophic situation that put her family in a dilemma.

In an attempt to save Kabri, her parents had no option but to pay the ransom of two million naira for her release. 

The case was reported to the police, and a search was launched for the suspects, leading to Daniels’ arrest.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, the spokesperson for the command,  SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the police were making efforts to arrest Ahmed and one Biliya who allegedly participated in the crime.

He added, “Operatives of the command tracked and arrested the suspect, Uchenna Daniels, at Allen Avenue, Ikeja. 

“The suspect revealed that the victim’s boyfriend one Ahmed and one Biliya planned the kidnap with him and collected a ransom of N2 million in Kaduna through a Bureau de Change from the parents of the victim before she was released.

“The suspects used a toy gun to commit the crime. An investigation is ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects,” he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The House of Representatives decried the incessant security challenge in communities bordering Taraba and Plateau states, urging the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, to begin joint security operations in the areas. 

This reportedly followed the adoption of a motion by a member from Taraba State, Abdulsalam Mubarak.

Mubarak raised an urgent need to mitigate the security challenge of banditry and kidnapping in the areas.

He lamented that banditry in the areas had skyrocketed with several reported cases of killings, rape and kidnappings.

However, the House also pleaded with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the North East Development Commission to assess the damage cost by banditry and provide palliative to the victims.

Insecurity is one of the menacing challenges that militate against peace in communities bordering Taraba and Plateau and the entire northeastern and northwestern parts of the country. 

Several hundreds of people were reported dead due to the insecurity, with many others kidnapped, raped or displaced. 

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Bandits have invaded a mosque at Maisamari town in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State and killed Alhaji Abdulkadir Maisamari, a district head.

A source disclosed that Maisamari was shot dead during Ishai prayers on Monday night.

The bandits were reported to have opened fire shortly as they roamed the prayer ground. 

However, residents reportedly confronted the gunmen, forcing them to run for their lives. 

The bandits were also said to have fled into a mountain close to the town.

The Taraba State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the incident to journalists. 

By Ishaka Mohammed

The Nigeria Police Force has shortlisted qualified candidates for the next stage of its 2021 recruitment of constables.

In a statement signed by the force’s acting public relations officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, applicants who attended the physical screening exercise are to check their application status on http://www.policerecruitment.gov.ng.

Qualified candidates are urged to print their slips for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) scheduled to hold on April 20 and 21, 2022, at designated centres nationwide.

On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, maintains that “the recruitment is absolutely free”, adding that applicants should be wary of criminal elements who might want to dupe them. He urges candidates to channel their complaints through 08100004507 or support@policerecruitment.gov.ng.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

On Saturday, the Ogun State Police Command announced the arrest of Sikiru Ibrahim, a 27-year-old man who hacked his father to death after rousing him up from his sleep.

The incident began when the deceased, Mumuni Ibrahim, a guard, got home from work on Wednesday morning and discovered his son asleep.

Ibrahim is claimed to have awoken his kid and questioned him about why he was still in bed at such a late hour.

Sikiru, a suspected cultist, was claimed to have attacked his father with a cutlass, enraged at his father’s actions.

Ibrahim was believed to have died on Thursday while receiving treatment at a medical hospital for injuries sustained in the attack.

DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, said the culprit was apprehended after one Abiodun Sunday, described as the deceased’s neighbour, filed a report at the Onipanu Divisional Headquarters.

Mr Opeyemi was quoted as saying, “The neighbour reported that the deceased, Mumuni Ibrahim, a guard, returned home and met his son who was still sleeping, and when he asked him why he was still sleeping at that time of the day, the suspect got annoyed and brought out a cutlass with which he attacked the victim.

“Upon the report, the DPO Onipanu Division, CSP Bamidele Job, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene where the suspect was arrested, and the victim rushed to a general hospital for treatment. The suspect, who is strongly suspected to be a cultist, has no reasonable explanation for his action when interrogated.”

By Muhammad Sabiu

In Ewekoro, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, a local hunter named Saheed Ogundahun is said to have slain a Fulani herdsman.

The Ogun Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, verified this on Monday while arraigning the suspect and others at the State Police Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Ogundahun was detained on March 13 for killing a Fulani herdsman with a Dane rifle, according to Bankole, adding that after killing the herder, the suspect buried him on his property in Ewekoro.

The dead herdsman’s body has been unearthed and sent to Ifo General Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.

“on credible intelligence, one Saheed Ogundahun, a hunter, was arrested in connection with the case.

“On interrogation, the said Saheed confessed that he shot the victim to death and buried him in the bush,” the police commissioner was quoted as saying.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A stepmother identified as Elizabeth Abu, who allegedly burnt the butts of her stepson with pressing iron, was arrested on Monday, March 14, 2022. 

According to reports, the little stepson used his shirt to make a duster he was asked to bring to school. This angered the stepmother, who punished him this severely. The stepmother reportedly burnt his butts with pressing iron and rubbed pepper in his eyes and the burnt butts.

Mrs Abu has reportedly been on the run since the news of the dastard act broke on March 10, 2022, before her arrest today.

The Facebook user, Safiya Stephanie Musa, who shared the details of her arrest and others who reacted condemned the act in strong terms. Stephanie Musa posted, thus:

“And the wicked stepmother, Elizabeth Abu, who burnt her stepson’s butts with a hot iron, and rubbed pepper in his eyes, has been taken into Police Custody in Lokoja. How one can do this to a child because he used his cloth to make duster they were asked to bring to school beats me silly.Big thanks to the Governor and the Kogi Women Affairs Commissioner for taking action. The boy is currently in the hospital. May the Lord grant him full recovery without complications, Ameen.”

The Lokoja police command has yet to make any official statement on the issue while filing this report.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Two Inspectors from the Nigerian Police Force in Borno have been fired for alleged unprofessional behaviour.

Tahir Ali and Saidu Nadabo, the two sacked Inspectors, are both assigned to the Borno-based 53 Force Mobile Unit.

Mr Abdu Umar, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Borno, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) about the development in Maiduguri on Thursday.

According to Umar, Ali was fired for allegedly killing Army Warrant Officer Donatus Vokong, who was assigned to Operation Hadin Kai, while Nadabo was fired for allegedly trafficking 4.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa.

He added that the army officer was killed by the policeman, who was under the influence of alcohol.

“I have just directed senior officers of the command to arrest any personnel with riffle and is under the influence of alcohol or who engage in gross misconduct,” the Commissioner assured.

Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has declared the recently approved hijab by the Nigerian Police as illegal. The legal luminary made the declaration in a public statement issued yesterday, March 5, 2022. However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has responded by telling the Nigerian Police to ignore Adegboruwa’s comment.

MURIC spoke on Sunday, March 6, 2022, through its chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Ustadh Jibril Ayu-Akpanim.

The statement reads :

“Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) yesterday declared the recently approved hijab by the Nigerian Police as illegal. Of course, we know his antecedents. He has never shown any support for the civil rights struggles of Nigerian Muslims. His opposition to the approval of the hijab in the police force is therefore understandable. Adegboruwa is simply staying in character. Our considered opinion is that the Nigerian Police should ignore his razzmatazz.

“How can a whole SAN oppose a matter of fundamental human rights? It is paradoxical that those who know the law are the ones who adopt prejudice against civil rights matters. Adegboruwa’s vituperation sprang from personal acrobatic religiosity. His articles and comments on the hijab crisis in Kwara and other places symptomize bias, intolerance and pathological hatred for Muslims.

“Is this the same senior lawyer who has been articulate on human rights in Nigeria all these years? We are appalled that he has elected selective justice. It means Adegboruwa’s definition of human rights is exclusive. Muslims must not enjoy human rights. Muslims have no place in his concept of equal rights, freedom and justice. Adegboruwa has exposed himself as a Muslim-hater nulli secundus.

“Adegboruwa should be stripped of his SAN title. A senior lawyer who ignored the tyranny of school principals and teachers who have been persecuting innocent school girls over an ordinary headscarf for decades but jumps up within 24 hours to oppose a window of liberty for them does not deserve the highest decoration in his profession.

“The SAN is asking how Catholics and Anglican women police should dress now that their Muslim colleagues have been allowed to use hijab. He should tell us how catholic and Anglican policewomen dress in Britain, America, Canada, etc. By the way, is Adegoruwa telling us that he has never seen pictures of Mary, the mother of Jesus (peace be upon him)? Has he ever seen Mary without a hijab on her head? Bigotry is indeed an almost incurable disease.

“Adegboruwa should ask catholic and Anglican policewomen to demand their own form of dress code if such a thing exists in real life. He will be surprised to see that Nigerian Muslims will not oppose their demand. Islam condemns pettiness and selfishness. It teaches Muslims to live and let others live. Anyway, Adegboruwa may advise Catholic and Anglican policewomen to dress like Mary, the much-honoured mother of Jesus (peace be upon him).

“Adegboruwa should know that the current uniform of the police satisfies Nigerian Christians because it was designed ab initio by the British colonialists who, essentially, were Christians. That is why Nigerian Christians have never complained about uniforms in schools and security agencies.

“Muslim interest was not taken into consideration by the colonialists when they were designing uniforms for schools and the security agencies. Justice and the need for inclusiveness demand that the design should be reviewed in the post-independence period. That is why even the recent approval must be seen as belated.

“Quarter-finally, has Adegboruwa forgotten the outcome of the hocus pocus created in Osun State when the court approved hijab and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) incited Christian students to wear ridiculous garbs like a church choir, Sango, Oya and masquerade dresses to school? How long did it last? He should go to the state today to see how the female Muslim students shine with their hijab. No matter how fast falsehood runs and for how long, the truth will catch up with it in a single day.

“Semi-finally, we advise Adegboruwa to go to court if he feels so strongly that Muslim female policewomen have no right to use hijab. He may also want to go further by approaching the international court at the Hagues to stop British, American and Canadian policewomen and soldiers from using the same. Islamophobia in the legal profession is not new to us. The Amasa Firdaus matter on our minds. The learned silk may do well to consult his colleagues at the highly esteemed Council of Legal Education and the Body of Benchers before plunging into his prejudiced, ill-advised, ill-fated and anti-Muslim adventure.

“Finally, we congratulate all female Muslim policewomen in Nigeria on their newly won freedom. Nigerians have seen many of them on the streets wearing the hijab with their uniform in the past few days. They look awesome, fantabulous, fantasmagoric and fantaslamic. We urge them to continue using it. Without a court pronouncement, no lawyer from anywhere can force them to remove it. Not even a SAN.”