Police

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Tudun Tagarji in Kano State were left in shock on Saturday after a newborn baby was discovered abandoned inside a carton near a drainage in the Kaura area.

The discovery was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday by the Commander of the Operation Zaman Lafiya vigilante group, Rabiu Sulaiman.

Sulaiman explained that his team encountered the tragic scene while on routine patrol in the early hours of the morning.

“Yesterday, around 2 a.m., while we were on patrol, we came across a shocking incident inside a pit very close to us. Upon close observation, we noticed a disposed carton, but we had no idea what was inside it.

“To clear our doubt and be sure nothing harmful was kept there, I instructed my boys to open the carton, and behold, upon opening it, we saw a baby already dead,” he recounted.

Following the discovery, the vigilante team immediately informed local community leaders before reporting the matter to the police.

“By morning, we invited the ward head to come and see for himself, along with other members of the community, before conveying the baby to the police station and informing them,” Sulaiman added.

The authorities directed them to a hospital, where doctors confirmed the baby was already deceased.

“We came back home and organised burial rites for the baby in accordance with Islamic teachings,” he stated.

Sulaiman urged community vigilante groups to remain vigilant and stated the importance of parental guidance, particularly in preventing situations that could lead to unwanted pregnancies.

“Unwanted pregnancy contradicts Islamic teachings. Parents must monitor their children’s movements and guide them properly,” he advised.

The incident has sparked deep sorrow within the community, with calls for increased awareness and preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from a suspected armed robber and ritualist while launching a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

According to the statement, the incident took place at a hotel in the Wuse district of Abuja, where officers discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster.

She was found unconscious and in distress when the police arrived at the scene on January 31, 2025, following an emergency call from the hotel staff.

The victim was rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she regained consciousness.

The statement further revealed that the victim had checked into the hotel on January 30 with a man who introduced himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

However, investigations later showed that the suspect had initially contacted her online, using the alias Michael Prince and claiming to be an employee of an oil company based in Delta State.

The statement added, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

“On January 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM, the Command received a distress call from a hotel in the Wuse area of the FCT, reporting suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

“Responding swiftly, police operatives arrived at the scene and discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster. She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.

“Preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of deception and violence. The victim had checked into the hotel a day earlier, on January 30, 2025, at about 7:00 AM, in the company of a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

“However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja.

“Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones.

“Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to ‘finish the job.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed all police officers who have reached the age of 60 or completed 35 years of service to retire in accordance with government civil service regulations.

This directive aligns with the guidelines governing mandatory retirement ages for government employees.

The PSC reiterated that no extensions would be granted to senior officers who are retiring.

The commission also stated that there are sufficient personnel within the police force to replace them.

Additionally, the PSC expressed support for the order from the Inspector-General of Police, which instructed officers meeting the retirement criteria to submit their retirement documents promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a wanted terrorist and his wife in a major operation aimed at dismantling a terrorist network attempting to establish a base in the state.

The suspect, Ahmad Adam Abba, a Chadian national, was wanted for masterminding the brutal killing of 17 people in Chad.

While he managed to escape from Nigeria, his wife and two associates—another Chadian named Jibrin Mohammed (42) and a Nigerian accomplice—were captured in a decisive police operation.

The command also recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), preventing what could have been a deadly attack.

Commissioner of Police Salman Dogo Garba, speaking at a press briefing on Friday at the Bompai Police Headquarters, reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to ensuring that Kano does not become a safe haven for terrorists.

Recall that last week Friday, January 24, the police issued a security alert, warning the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities after intelligence reports suggested the presence of terrorists planning an attack in the state.

However, the timing of the warning—on the eve of the annual Maulud celebration of the Tijjaniyya sect—sparked controversy, with some accusing the police of attempting to disrupt the religious gathering.

Despite the criticisms, the command intensified its surveillance, working closely with intelligence agencies to track down suspected terrorists. Their efforts led to the arrest of Abba’s associates and the recovery of explosives.

“These criminals thought they could establish a foothold in our state, but they underestimated our resolve. There is no hiding place for them,” Garba declared.

He urged the public to continue cooperating with security agencies, stressing that intelligence-sharing is crucial in preventing security threats.

With the latest breakthrough, Kano residents remain on high alert as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle any remaining terrorist networks.

By Uzair Adam

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded Garo town in Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Sunday, abducting a young lady after collecting N8 million from her family.

A source who spoke to journalists in the state disclosed that the attackers, numbering 10, stormed the residence of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Auwal, at Garo Sabuwar Unguwa around 1:20 a.m.

Three of them were said to be armed with guns, while the others carried different weapons. The source narrated how the assailants forced their way into the house by breaking a small door, gathering the entire family in one place and instilling fear and panic.

“The head of the family begged for the safety of his loved ones and offered to meet their demands. The gunmen were handed N8 million,” the source explained.

Despite receiving the ransom, the attackers abducted the eldest daughter of the family, a secondary school graduate, and fled the scene.

The family has not received any communication from the kidnappers regarding her whereabouts, leaving the community in a state of fear and uncertainty.

Residents are appealing to authorities to address the worsening insecurity in the area.

When contacted, Kano Police Command spokesman SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway to apprehend the culprits.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has apprehended two individuals for allegedly assaulting a lecturer at the Kano State Polytechnic.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed that the suspects, identified as Khalid Hussain, 20, also known as Baffa, of Dorayi Quarters, and Khadija Hassan, 18, of Charanchi Quarters, are currently in custody at the Anti-Daba (Anti-Thuggery) department.

According to reports, the lecturer, Aliyu Hamza Abdullahi, lodged a complaint with the police, accusing Khadija of masterminding the attack. She allegedly blamed the lecturer for obstructing her transfer to a preferred department due to insufficient grades.

In response, she reportedly contacted her fiancé, Khalid, who is said to have entered the lecturer’s office armed with a cutlass, striking him on the head.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Isma’ila Bagwai, confirmed the incident and commended the swift response of students and staff, which helped contain the situation before it escalated further.

SP Kiyawa assured the public that the suspects would face prosecution while noting the importance of maintaining order and safety within academic environments.

Meanwhile, the injured lecturer is reportedly recovering, as investigations into the matter continue.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, held a virtual conference on January 13, 2025, with key strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force, including tactical commanders, Commissioners of Police (CPs), and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs).

During the meeting, the IGP commended officers for their efforts in combating crime throughout 2024 but urged them to enhance their anti-crime strategies in 2025.

Egbetokun underscored the importance of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in policing and stressed the need for specialized training for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigators to improve their ability to handle complex cases.

He ordered immediate reorientation programs for all police personnel, focusing on human rights, community policing, ethical conduct, and appropriate use of force.

In addition, the IGP directed the introduction of weekly lectures across all police divisions, area commands, and state levels.

These sessions will focus on continuous professional development, legal updates, and technological advancements in law enforcement.

The IGP emphasized that these initiatives are aimed at fostering a culture of learning and accountability within the Force.

The IGP further tasked strategic managers with ensuring professionalism within their commands, holding supervisors accountable for any misconduct.

He reiterated his commitment to strengthening the police force and improving its relationship with the Nigerian public.

By Anas Abbas

The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa, stated that the police command in the state has apprehended approximately 916 criminals, neutralized 40 bandits, and rescued 319 victims of kidnapping in one year.

This announcement was made on Monday during an end-of-year event in Katsina, where Aliyu celebrated the command’s accomplishments in combating crime and enhancing public safety.

He expressed pride in the dedication shown by the police force throughout the year, which has led to a notable decrease in crime rates across the state.

“Our commitment to fighting crime has been unwavering, resulting in significant achievements that have improved the safety of our communities,” he stated.

The Commissioner listed several key successes, including the dismantling of multiple criminal networks, recovery of valuable evidence, and the successful rescue of numerous kidnapped individuals.

He reiterated that these accomplishments reflect the hard work and bravery of the officers who strive to protect the community.

Among the notable milestone, he explained that,”We rescued over 319 kidnapping victims, reuniting them with their families.”

The police neutralized 40 bandits, which has contributed to safer neighborhoods.

The recovery of 2,081 rustled animals, aiding local farmers and the economy.

While speaking he stated that “we arrested 199 suspected armed robbers, enhancing street safety.”

The prosecution of 23 major drug dealers, disrupting illegal drug activities.

These enhancements have increased operational efficiency and improved emergency response capabilities.

“Our community policing initiatives have also fostered stronger relationships between law enforcement and the public,” he added.

The Commissioner expressed gratitude to other security agencies for their collaboration over the year, underscoring the importance of teamwork in addressing security challenges.

Governor Dikko Radda, represented by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, acknowledged that Katsina State continues to face significant security challenges but commended the efforts of law enforcement in addressing these issues.

By Uzair Adam

The Kwara State Police Command has successfully rescued 13 individuals abducted by armed assailants while traveling to a wedding in Kogi State.

The operation, conducted in collaboration with personnel from the Oke-Ero Local Government Security Initiative, was confirmed in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

According to DSP Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation underscores the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining security in the state.

She explained that the rescue followed a distress call received on December 21, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence and with support from local informants, security operatives identified the kidnappers’ hideout in the Idofin-Igbana area.

“The kidnappers, numbering six and some dressed in military uniforms, engaged the operatives in a gun battle.

“However, they were overpowered by the superior firepower of the security team, forcing them to flee with injuries and abandoning their captives,” the statement read.

The rescued victims include three females and 10 males from locations such as Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and a group of trailer drivers en route to Kogi.

While two of the victims sustained minor gunshot wounds, all 13 individuals received medical attention, were stabilised, and later reunited with their families.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the resilience and swift action of the operatives, noting the importance of community collaboration in combating criminal activities.

The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and called on the public to provide timely information that could aid in curbing crime.

By Uzair Adam

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, revealed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) achieved significant success in 2024, with 30,313 suspects arrested for various criminal activities and 1,581 kidnap victims rescued.

This was disclosed during a strategic meeting with senior officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.In addition to these accomplishments, the NPF recovered 1,984 firearms and 23,250 rounds of ammunition throughout the year.

The IGP praised the police for their dedication, particularly in reducing crime and engaging with the community to foster trust and collaboration.

He noted the importance of continued innovation in technology and operational strategies in 2025 to build on these successes.

Looking ahead, the IGP stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to prioritize safety and security during the festive season, ensuring a peaceful environment for citizens across the country.