Nigeria Police Force

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa student has been apprehended for allegedly murdering a fellow student in a violent confrontation. 

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of John Gambo, a second-year Banking and Finance student, in connection with the death of Ibrahim Matthew, a Computer Science student at the institution.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, the arrest followed a complaint from Madam Mercy-Bassey, a resident who witnessed the violent confrontation between the two students. 

When police arrived at the scene, they found Matthew lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Nasarawa but was pronounced dead due to the extent of his injuries.

The suspect, Gambo, was arrested and reportedly confessed to using an axe and a knife to attack his victim. The Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, has instructed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation and prosecution.

By Uzair Adam 

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has clarified that police officers have the legal authority to enter properties without a warrant if they reasonably suspect a crime is being committed.  

Adejobi made the statement on Saturday while responding to a widely circulated video that has drawn public outrage. 

The Daily Reality reports that the footage shows masked armed policemen in unprofessional attire storming a property, allegedly without a warrant.  

In the video, shared by @General_Somto and tagged “What’s Going On Here???,” two masked officers carrying AK-47 rifles demanded access to a house, but the occupants refused, citing the absence of proper identification and a search warrant.  

One of the occupants, believed to be the homeowner, said, “Imagine police people with facemasks come into my house to force our door, saying that we are fraudsters.”  

The officers overheard threatening to enter by force, eventually fired a shot and scaled the fence. Once inside, one officer opened the gate for his colleague.  

Reacting to the incident, ACP Adejobi stated, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed. That is understandable. 

However, I am not too ok with their dress and appearance. Policemen are not allowed to wear masks or tie headgear.”  

He further questioned the circumstances surrounding the invasion, saying, “What is the offence of the people to have warranted breaking in, and why this dressing? 

“I wish I knew the location so that we could direct these questions to the men involved.”  

The Nigeria Police Force condemned the officers’ actions, describing their conduct as unprofessional while assuring the public of an investigation into the matter. 

Adejobi noted that the video had been forwarded to the relevant authorities to identify and hold the officers accountable.  

The incident has reignited concerns about police brutality, human rights violations, and the need for accountability within the force.

By Dr. Mansur Hassan

The annual Maulud celebration organized by the Tijjaniyya sect in Kano State has once again highlighted the resilience of the people of Kano against politically motivated security threats. Despite repeated attempts by unscrupulous elements to disrupt such events, this year’s Maulud, conducted under the leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, and His Royal Highness Muhammad Sunusi II, the Emir of Kano was successfully held.

Politically Motivated Threats and Compromised Agencies

It has become a recurring issue that whenever the government of Governor Yusuf, under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), intends to organize any form of gathering—be it religious, political, or social—certain individuals and groups, who are both indigenes of Kano and enemies of the state, orchestrate unnecessary security threats. These threats, fueled by political motives, are aimed at destabilizing the government and discouraging the people from attending such gatherings.

Disturbingly, some of these elements reportedly exploit their connections with the federal government to influence security agencies. In several instances, certain compromised officials within the security apparatus have appeared to yield to these politically motivated threats rather than prioritizing their constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.

The Role of the Nigeria Police Force

The Nigeria Police Force, constitutionally mandated to ensure peace and security, has often found itself at the center of these controversies. Ideally, any credible security threat should be swiftly addressed to allow citizens to freely exercise their rights to assembly and worship. However, instead of providing adequate protection, there have been instances where the police were reportedly pressured by these unscrupulous individuals to ask the government to cancel such events under the guise of maintaining public safety.

This practice undermines the fundamental rights of citizens and creates unnecessary tension within the state. It is crucial for the police and other security agencies to remain neutral, professional, and committed to their duties rather than bowing to external influences.

A Victory for Unity and Resilience

Despite the challenges, this year’s Maulud celebration was a resounding success, marking a significant victory for the people of Kano. The event demonstrated the unity and resilience of the Tijjaniyya sect and the larger Kano community in the face of politically driven intimidation.

The successful organization of the Maulud sends a strong message that the people of Kano will not be swayed by fear or manipulation. It also highlights the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to upholding the rights and traditions of the people, ensuring that religious and social gatherings can take place peacefully.

Conclusion

The yearly Maulud celebration in Kano serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and fairness in governance and security. It underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights of citizens against the machinations of those who seek to exploit political differences for personal gain. As the people of Kano continue to stand united, it is essential for all stakeholders, especially security agencies, to prioritize their constitutional responsibilities and act in the best interest of the state and its citizens.

Alhamdulillah, this year’s Maulud has proven that unity, faith, and determination can overcome even the most insidious of challenges. May such successes continue to inspire peace and harmony across Kano State and Nigeria at large.

Dr. Mansur Hassan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Northwest University Kano and he can be reached through mhassan@yumsuk.edu.ng

By Uzair Adam 

The Lagos State Police Command has exposed a new kidnapping tactic referred to as “Constructive Kidnapping,” where unsuspecting women are deceived by individuals posing as online friends or lovers.  

The Daily Reality gathered that this disturbing trend has led to the rescue of 16 women across the state. 

Additionally, the command intervened in a separate incident involving a 15-year-old girl who allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to fake her own abduction to extort ransom from her parents.  

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olawale Ishola, provided insights into these cases during a briefing on the command’s operations between September 2024 and January 2025. 

He highlighted the cunning nature of the perpetrators, who establish trust online before luring their victims to Lagos with offers of money and luxury accommodations.  

The command reiterated its commitment to combating such crimes and advised the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online.

By Anwar Usman

The Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory Command, recovered a total of ₦409,992,000 from criminals during various operations in 2024.

A breakdown of the recovered sum, according to the command’s scorecard made available to journalists on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, revealed that ₦36,850,000 was recovered from kidnapping suspects; ₦68,552,000 from armed robbery suspects; ₦19,590,000 from burglary cases and ₦285,000,000 from fraud cases.

Also, in 2024, Adeh stated that 1,426 cases were reported, leading to the apprehension of 1,077 suspects.

According to the scorecard, fraud cases were the most reported, with 385 cases and 422 suspects arrested. This was followed by armed robbery, with 268 cases and 132 suspects arrested.

One-chance robbery ranked third, with 263 cases leading to 71 arrests. Car theft came next, with 127 cases and 64 suspects arrested. Kidnapping took the top five position with 104 cases, resulting in the arrest of 216 suspects.

“For cybercrime, 32 cases were reported, and 15 suspects were arrested. For homicide, 68 cases were reported, leading to 78 arrests. Burglary saw 73 cases, with 20 suspects arrested, while cultism recorded 38 cases, leading to 59 arrests,” the scorecard stated.

The report also indicated that 376 firearms, including 13 AK-47 magazines and 187 rounds of live ammunition, were recovered.

The report further revealed that “Seventy-three vehicles were recovered from car theft cases, 24 from one-chance robbery cases, and two from cultism cases. The above statistics show a 15.1% reduction in crime incidents within the FCT, recorded between 2023 and 2024. Additionally, 68 kidnapping victims and 19 one-chance robbery victims were rescued”.

While highlighting the command’s readiness for 2025, Adeh explained that efforts would focus on enhancing community policing and conducting targeted operations.

“Building on the successes of 2024, the Command will intensify: Community policing engagements—intelligence-led policing strategies. Targeted clearance operations and public enlightenment initiatives were used to address the evolving security demands of the FCT.

“With a significant reduction in crime rates and a stable, peaceful atmosphere in the FCT, the Command is committed to sustaining the momentum in fighting against criminal activities,” she said.

By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi 

The Inspector General of Police’s concerns and warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and relief items that led to confrontation and stampede come at the right time. His calls on groups, individuals, and NGOs planning to distribute alms to the needy to ensure proper planning to avoid stampedes and unnecessary confrontations among citizens seeking assistance are commendable.

During the two unfortunate events at Maitama, Abuja and Okija in Anambra state, several persons lost their lives. Many injured with different degrees of injuries receive treatment at other health facilities where the IGP reiterates the force’s commitment to supporting efforts to create a safer and more structured environment for aid distribution in our communities to prevent future tragedies and ensure such processes are seamless.

To achieve a tragedy-free engagement, philanthropists should collaborate with relevant stakeholders in organising such gatherings. These include security organisations, religious groups, community leaders, and civil society organisations.They should also leverage technology to achieve a hitch-free and transparent selection of beneficiaries and relief distribution. 

Crowd management experts and safeguard specialists are very key in the actualisation of a seamless approach; these could be found in many government and private organisations such as the Nigerian Police as highlighted above, NEMA/SEMA, International relief organisations working at different IDP camps, decades involved in this special tasks in the country.

According to online resources on crowd management and safety, emergency preparedness and management are key, access control, crowd density, and surveillance are paramount, barrier fencing, communications and risk assessment, as well as post-events analysis, knowing your crowd and their dynamics, and positioning security personnel in strategic locations are key to achieving a safer and more effective event organisation.

Organisers of such events should choose spacious, open areas with minimal obstacles and should be scheduled when the crowd is likely to be smaller; this is where the religious and community leaders will come in by submitting the lists of the vulnerable people who primarily benefited from such relief.

The order by the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances that led to the two unfortunate tragedies is commendable. This highlighted the command’s commitment to ensuring safer and better ways to avoid the sad incident in the future, 

Leadership at all levels needs to see the importance and urgency of developing policies and programs to cushion Nigerians’ hunger and poverty levels; this can go a long way in reducing the number of people from trooping to alms distribution events. It will enable them to tread cautiously and prioritise their safety to avoid unforeseen calamities, as the IGP emphasises.

The National Orientation Agency, established to communicate government policies, stay abreast of public opinion, and promote patriotism and national unity, should, as a matter of public interest, develop a sensitisation program, specifically on the Nigerian government’s health and safety measures. This could be achieved through Drama, Skits,and Jingles, leveraging the FRCN radio stations and civil society organisations nationwide to achieve the desired objectives.

Our condolences go to the families and relatives of those who lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident and to those injured, wishing them a quick recovery.

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi is the Bauchi State Coordinator for the Youths O’clock Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has implemented a series of measures to strengthen its anti-corruption framework and improve governance.

Speaking during the commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day on Tuesday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf unveiled the Kano Integrated Governance Accountability System.

The system, to be implemented across all 44 local government areas, will utilize an e-portal to enhance transparency in contract awards and public administration.

Governor Yusuf highlighted the state’s progress in developing a Central Criminal Register Software designed to streamline the criminal justice process, ensure fairness, and combat corruption effectively.

“To bolster our anti-corruption efforts, we have proposed amendments to the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law and are working on a Proceeds of Crime Bill to ensure transparent management of recovered assets,” Yusuf stated.

He described the significance of eradicating corruption as a “cancer that erodes trust and undermines institutions.”

He also linked anti-corruption efforts to protecting human rights, stressing the administration’s commitment to justice, equity, and accountability.

The event featured a symposium and an evening musical concert to engage stakeholders, particularly youth, in the fight against corruption, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence.

The Governor commended the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, which is led by Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, for its dedication to promoting transparency and accountability.

He also extended appreciation to federal anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC, and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as development partners like the MacArthur Foundation and ROLAC, for their collaborative efforts.

In his address, Barrister Rimingado reiterated the Commission’s commitment to tackling corruption and urged young Nigerians to participate in the fight actively.

The state’s Attorney General, Haruna Isa-Dederi, also praised the Governor for providing an enabling environment and revealed that the Ministry of Justice now has an Anti-Corruption Unit empowered to investigate and prosecute cases.

Representing the ICPC Chairman, Ibrahim Garba-Kagara highlighted the challenges of combating corruption, citing insufficient political will and public awareness as key obstacles.

However, he commended Kano State’s proactive approach and encouraged youth participation.

The symposium drew participants from various sectors, including representatives from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions and officials from the EFCC, DSS, Code of Conduct Bureau, civil society organizations, and the Kano State Police Command.

The initiatives unveiled underscore the state’s commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

By Uzair Adam 

The Benue State Police Command has arrested Dr Ichor Tersagh, a lecturer at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi (JOSTUM), for allegedly orchestrating the abduction of Mrs Susan Anyagh, the wife of his colleague, Mr Paul Anyagh, who is the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JOSTUM chapter.  

Mrs Anyagh was reportedly ambushed and kidnapped along Otukpo Road, Makurdi, last Saturday. 

According to reports, the kidnappers stole N1.3 million from her car, physically assaulted her, and left her unconscious on a bush path.  

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Benue, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday. 

She revealed that the victim was later found along Yandev-Ugbema Road and taken to the Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu, for medical treatment.  

Upon regaining consciousness, Mrs Anyagh narrated how she saw Dr Tersagh at the scene of her abduction and pleaded for help, but he allegedly turned away. 

She further claimed that the kidnappers received a phone call from Dr Tersagh instructing them to kill her, causing her extreme distress.  

“She stated that while driving from the NNPC mega fuel station in Kanshio, where she went to collect money from a customer, she stopped to assist some people who flagged her down. 

“However, they jumped into her car at gunpoint, ordering her to drive towards the Wurukum area. Outside the car, she spotted Dr. Ichor Tersagh standing nearby. When she sought his help, he turned his back and walked away,” Anene said in her statement.  

The statement added, “The abductors later parked the car, took N1.35 million from her, and attacked her with a vehicle jack, leaving her unconscious.”  

Dr. Tersagh has been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Anyagh confirmed the incident, stating he was at the police headquarters to follow up on the case and would provide additional details later.

By Uzair Adam 

Atsi Kefas, the sister of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, sustained injuries after being accidentally shot by a police escort during an attack by gunmen on Thursday.  

According to reports by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focusing on the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred along Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. 

Our reporters gathered that Atsi and the governor’s mother, Jumai, were travelling together when their convoy was ambushed.  

In an attempt to repel the attackers, a police officer providing escort for the family mistakenly shot Atsi Kefas.  

Troops quickly intervened, rescuing the victims and evacuating Jumai and Atsi Kefas from the scene via an air ambulance. 

Atsi was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment, although her current condition remains unknown at the time of this report.  

Security forces recovered the vehicle used by the assailants, along with an empty magazine and passenger luggage left behind by the attackers.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has uncovered how three police officers attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, illegally diverted N43,160,000 from a cargo worker at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in August 2023.  

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the officers—Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—acted on the directives of DSP Peter Ejike. 

They unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of clients.  

The officers reportedly detained Ejah at Zone 7 Headquarters and falsely declared that only N31,790,000 was recovered. They allegedly demanded a portion of the funds in exchange for suppressing the case.  

Upon receiving a petition from the owners of the missing funds, the Force Headquarters assigned the IGP Monitoring Unit to investigate. 

The unit recovered N31,790,000 from the officers, who maintained that it was the total sum confiscated during Ejah’s arrest.  

Further investigations revealed that the officers had tampered with evidence. Photographs taken at the time of arrest, showing the full amount, were allegedly lost after the phone used was damaged. 

However, forensic analysis exposed their conspiracy to divert N43,160,000 and move it out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for safekeeping.  

The statement also addressed circulating reports accusing Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun of shielding a cartel involved in smuggling new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

The NPF dismissed the claims as false and part of a smear campaign to divert attention from the officers’ misconduct.  

“The implicated officers have been suspended and face prosecution for serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, and corrupt practices,” Ogunjobi added.  

The NPF urged the public and media to disregard false narratives aimed at tarnishing the Inspector-General’s image and undermining ongoing police reforms.