Flowerbud News

Category: Security and Crimes

  • French minister expresses support for EFCC’s anti-graft war

    French minister expresses support for EFCC’s anti-graft war

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    French’s Minister of the Interior and Overseas, Laurent Baile has expressed support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in statement in Abuja on Tuesday said that Baile made the disclosure while on a courtesy visit to Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede.

    “Baile congratulated Olukoyede on his appointment and sued for greater collaboration with the EFCC on modalities for tackling cybercrimes and associated criminalities.

    “Discussions were also held on issues pertaining to joint investigations and intelligence sharing,” Oyewale said.

    He quoted Olukoyede as also appreciating the visit and restated the Commission’s resolve to driving the war against economic and financial crimes on the right focus.

    “ We are determined to properly focus the mandate of the Commission in the overall interests of Nigerians.

    “The overriding aim of fighting economic and financial crimes is to grow the economy, stimulate development, create jobs and remove bottlenecks against sustainable development.

    “We will be more professional in the way we do our jobs and we will adhere strictly to the rule of law,” he said.

    Olukoyede commended the French government for its longstanding support for the EFCC and called for greater synergy in tackling the menace of economic and financial crimes.

    Baile was accompanied by Verin Emmanuel, Interior Attaché  at the French Embassy.

    NAN

     

  • Police arrest 15 suspects, recover 20 stolen vehicles in Kano

    Police arrest 15 suspects, recover 20 stolen vehicles in Kano

    By Aminu Garko

    The Kano State Police Command on Tuesday announced the arrest of 15 suspects and recovery of  20 stolen vehicles in different parts of the state.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa in Kano.
    He said that the arrest and recovery of the stolen vehicles were as a result of the command’s commitment to ending all forms of criminality in the state.
    Kiyawa said, ” We are fully committed towards combating cases of theft of motor vehicles and all forms of criminal activities in our areas of supervision.
    ” In the last one month, the police command consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and properties of all residents of the state.
    “This is in furtherance to the directives and vision of I-G  Egbetokun to all police commands and formations to implement community-based policing, intelligence-led policing and the display of professional competence for effective service delivery.
    ” The state police became committed by combating and nipping in the bud cases of motor vehicle theft in the state.
    ” We embarked on a series of crackdown operations that led to the arrest of  15 suspected motor vehicle thieves and recovery of 20 exhibit  vehicles,”he said.
    The Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, while appreciating the  people for their understanding, cooperation and support, reiteratedthe commitment of the command to live above board.
    He further urged everyone to keep reporting any suspicious movement, person(s) or item(s) they come across to the nearest police station for prompt security action.
    NAN

     

  • Shiites condemn aerial bombardment of Kaduna worshippers by Nigerian Army

    Shiites condemn aerial bombardment of Kaduna worshippers by Nigerian Army

     

     

    …Demands prosecution of perpetrators

    Abuja:  The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiites, on Tuesday, condemned the killing of scores of Muslim worshippers in Tudun Biri Village, Kaduna State by the Nigerian army.

    The IMN, in a statement by Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto, on behalf of the Islamic group under the leadership of His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H), said the perpetrators of the act should be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.

    It reads: “A report reaching us revealed that more than 150 Muslim worshippers were massacred by the Nigerian Army in Tudun Biri Village, Kaduna State. The attack took place on Sunday, December 3, 2023, using a military drone.

    A reliable source from the village confirmed that the purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Maulud; thus, hundreds of Muslims faithful within and nearby the village gathered within the vicinity of the village to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). Unfortunately, the Army strike befell the Maulud gathering.

    “According to eyewitness, the strike happened several times. The first strike happened around 11:00 p.m., and people rushed to provide first aid. After 30 minutes from the first strike, the second strike hit the village.

    “Maulud, the birthday celebration of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), is a very important ritual in Islam that connects Muslims with the love and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). Due to its importance, Muslims do spend a couple of months celebrating the birthday.

    In September 2023, the federal government and numerous state governments in Nigeria declared Maulud public holiday.

    This became compulsory for all individuals and corporate organisations operating in Muslim communities to be aware of this important festive period. Consequently, the Army attack on Muslim worshippers in Tudun Biri is unacceptable and condemnable.

    “Numerous national dailies report that the Nigerian Army has taken responsibility for the Tudun Biri massacre that left hundreds of Muslim worshippers killed at Tudun Biri village in Kaduna State. The army said the attack was a mistake. It is in record that this type of massacre, referred to as a mistake, took place several times in this decade alone, especially in the north-east and northwest. To refer to this atrocity as a mistake is unacceptable. The Nigerian Army should be held responsible for this massacre.

    “Nigerian security forces have repeatedly killed civilians in settlements, camps, villages, and cities. In 2014, a Nigerian military aircraft dropped a bomb on Daglun village in Borno State, killing 20 civilians. In 2015, more than 1,000 disciples of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky were massacred in Zaria by the Nigerian Army. In 2017, 76 people were killed by the Nigerian Air Force strike on a refugee camp in Rann Camp in Borno State. In 2022, 64 people were reportedly killed by the Nigerian military’s airstrike in Mutumji Community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. These are unacceptable and condemnable atrocities, and a deafening silence on these atrocities will result in the reoccurrence of another massacre.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Islamic movement, under the leadership of His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H), condemned the Tudun Biri Massacre and demanded the following:

    “1) All people of conscience should come out publicly to condemn these atrocities and demand justice for the people of Tudun Biri.

    “2) The perpetrators of this massacre should be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.

    “3) An investigation should be conducted to ascertain what happened, the number of people killed or injured, and the losses incurred by the people of Tudun Biri as a result of this massacre.

    “4) The Nigerian Army, Kaduna State Government, and the Federal Government of Nigeria should pay compensation to the families of victims of the Tudun Biri massacre.”/ Flowerbudnews

  • Olukoyede  Seeks Media Enlightenment of Youths in Fight Against Internet Fraud

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   Ola Olukoyede has urged the media to intensify enlightenment of youths in the country on the effects of indulgence in internet fraud.

    He made the call in Abuja on Monday,  while receiving a delegation of Daar Communication plc that came on a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of the EFCC in Jabi, Abuja, a statement by Dele Oyewale Head, Media and Publicity disclosed.

    Olukoyede decried the unsavoury effects of youth’s involvement in internet-related crimes,  pointing out that the practice has become a menace and cankerworm in the society.  He called on the media to design programmes aimed at enlightening youths on the evil of the crimes.

    “ We are looking towards Daar Communications to enlighten our youths on the evils of cyber crimes.  It is worrisome that seven out of ten students today are involved in cyber crimes.  These are the youths we are preparing to be leaders of tomorrow. The media should not relent in enlightening them on the evils of such criminal practices”, he said.

    He commended the management of Daar Communication on its commitment to broadcasting in Nigeria,  pointing out that its impact is real.

    He also applauded the media outfit for its contributions to the enlightenment campaigns of the EFCC against corrupt practices,  promising that the Commission will continue to partner with it in its continuing public awareness against economic and financial crimes.

    Earlier in his presentation,  Chief Executive Officer of Daar Communications Plc,  Mr Tony Akiotu congratulated Olukoyede on his appointment as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC,  describing him “as a square peg in a square hole”.

    He explained that his delegation came to the Commission “  to offer you our friendship,  goodwill and support “.  He also talked about the commitment of Daar Communications to corporate social responsibilities, stressing that “ we do a lot of CSR.

    We are the only media outfit in Nigeria that does CSR for people having health challenges. The same level of CSR can be extended to government agencies like the EFCC”.

    He used the occasion to present some of the upcoming programmes of his outfit to the Commission.  Akiotu was accompanied on the visit by top echelons of Daar Communications plc, including Managing Director of African Independent Television, AIT,  Mrs Tosin Dokpesi. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Death: Police arrest two for starving their cousin to death for alleged witchcraft

    Death: Police arrest two for starving their cousin to death for alleged witchcraft

     

    By Isaac Ukpoju

    Lafia:  Two men are in police custody in Nasarawa State for allegedly locking up their 35-year-old cousin and starving him to death over allegation of witchcraft.

    Acting Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Mr Shettima Muhammad, confirmed the arrest of the duo on Monday in Lafia.

    He said police received information on Nov. 30 that the deceased, Mohammed Sani had his hands and legs tied and locked away in his room where he was starved to death over allegation of witchcraft.

    Muhammad said the family hurriedly buried the remains of Sani, but further investigation was on-going to arrest others that might have been involved in the murder.

    He added that the two suspects already arrested denied their involvement and claimed that they only participated in the burial after discovering the decomposing body Sani in his room.

    In another development, Muhammad paraded 16 suspects arrested between October and November for various criminal offences across Nasarawa State.

    He said 10 of the suspects were arrested for armed robbery, five for kidnapping and one for defilement.

    He added that police also recovered seven firearms and 27 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.

    On the case of defilement, Muhammad said the suspect, Habu Yusuf (21), was arrested on Oct. 31, for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl.

    He said the victim’s mother reported the case to the police on the fateful day when she found her daughter walking abnormally.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had also sexually molested two of his elder brother’s children aged eight years and 10 years before nemesis caught up with him,’’ Muhammad said.

    He commended the collaboration of other security agencies and that of citizens with the police in the fight against crime in Nasarawa State and sued for sustenance of the synergy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap Abuja landlords, demand N20m ransom

    JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap Abuja landlords, demand N20m ransom

    Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped two landlords in the Asokoro extension area of the Federal Capital Territory.

     

    The gunmen are demanding N20m ransom to release the victims.

     

    Our correspondent gathered that armed men pointed a gun at one of the landlords in the area whom they used to gain access to a victim.

     

    A resident of the area who simply identified himself as James told our correspondent that the other victim was making his way into his house when he was whisked away by the armed men.

    He said, “It happened around 11pm on Sunday. Because of the heat, one of the landlords slept outside. They saw him and pointed a gun to his head. They asked him to take them to his house, and he showed them but they were not satisfied with the kind of house he lives in.

     

    “There were other big houses next to his house. So, they went with him and asked him to knock on the gate of one of the houses. When he knocked, as a well-known neighbour, the gate was opened for him. That was how they accessed the man’s house and kidnapped him.

    The second landlord had issues with his car and came home with a motorcycle. He was about to enter his house when they attacked him and whisked him away.

    The source noted that the kidnappers had reached out to the families and demanded N20m to release the landlords.

     

    He said, “Two hours after their operation, they called the two families to pay N10m each. One of the families pleaded to pay N2m and assured them that they would get it almost immediately, but they rejected and instead threatened to kill him if the N10m is not complete.”

     

    The FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

     

    The Asokoro Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Mohammed Seidu, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, adding that effort was ongoing with the police to rescue the victims.

     

    “Policemen attached to the Asokoro Police Station are aware of the matter. We have been combing the nearby bushes to see if we can rescue them,” he said.

  • Kogi: CP Orders Investigation of Attack on Residence of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

    Kogi: CP Orders Investigation of Attack on Residence of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Lokoja: (Flowerbudnews): The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, CP Bethrand C. Onuoha, has ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on the Quarters of the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner.

    A statement by William Ovye Aya, the Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Command said that the CP directive followed report of the shooting by some hoodlums at the INEC Commissioner’s quarters.

    The statement read,:

    The Command received distress today 1/12/2023 at about 0311hrs on the attack by unknown armed hoodlums who stormed the Quarters of the REC, INEC and started shooting sporadically.

    The Police guards on duty at the residence engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and denied them access to the premises.

    Meanwhile, the Sienna Bus they came with was seen burnt to ashes at the frontage of the house. Immediately, the Commissioner of Police deployed a reinforcement Team of Tactical Operatives to the scene while trailing the hoodlums.

    He commended the guards on duty for their bravery and diligence.

    The Commissioner while condemning the attacks, tasked the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to commence investigation with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to deserved justice.

    The CP assured the people of Kogi State of the Command’s commitment to guarantee the safety of lives and property of law abiding citizens,.

    He urged them to collaborate with the Security Agencies by way of volunteering credible and timely information on the activities of Criminal elements in the State to enable Prompt and commensurate response.(Flowerbudnews)

     

     

  • CAS lauds troops for exceptional performance in South-East operation

    CAS lauds troops for exceptional performance in South-East operation

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has lauded Nigerian Air Force (NAF) troops for exceptional performance in ongoing Joint Task Force in South-East code-named Operation Udo Ka II.

    Abubakar said this on Thursday in Enugu during his maiden visit and tour of operational and training assets and facilities within NAF Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu.

    He noted that NAF troops had done exceptional well and recorded series of successes in the joint operation meant to keep the South-East safe and secured for all.

    The CAS noted that the GTC Command was highly important to NAF as it houses the ground component (non technical component) as well as a unit of air component necessary to ensure the attainment of the mandate of NAF.

     

    He said: “Today, we are in Enugu, which is the host of the GTC Command in our maiden visit and we are here to interact with the NAF personnel, see the facilities and infrastructure on ground.

     

    “We are also here to encourage the personnel to continue to do the good job they had been doing before now.

    “The GTC Command and the Air Training Command are key to all of our activities in NAF and the two commands ensure we have the adequate and skilled manpower for all our activities and operations.

     

    “I am also here to strengthen our activities within Operation Udo Ka II, which Enugu is the headquarters, and see how we can achieve greater successes more than what we are having now and ensure that South-East is totally secured.”

     

    According to him, there is currently training and graduation ongoing in most of NAF training facilities nationwide; while currently 750 personnel are undergoing training and would be graduating between December and January.

    “These training are important to us in terms of our operation; and the current number (750) is very significant amount of manpower to be injected into our operations and other activities in the country,” he said.

     

    On the inspection in new GTC Command Headquarters, new 553 Base Services Group (BSG) Headquarters and BSG Annex; Abubakar said that he was quite satisfied and impressed with the pace, level and quality of work done already.

    “I have taken out time to inspect the projects and asked questions about the projects and I tell you that I am satisfied with what are on ground and all our assets and facilities are well maintained and protected,” he said.

    The NAF boss commended NAF officers, airman and airwomen in GTC Command for “doing a good job and keeping the flag flying high” as well as extolled their sacrifices and commitment to duties as well.

     

    “I am very happy for their performance. We at the NAF headquarters we are do all we can to make sure they have all the necessary support and equipment as well as welfare and accommodation to carry out their jobs effectively,” he said.

    He assured NAF personnel of doing more by providing all necessary infrastructures to ensure the maximum working of the GTC Command.

    The CAS also inaugurated a renovated airmen’s club and new Mrs Rakiya Abubakar Children’s Park as well as inspected the water treatment and reticulation system and the hospital within NAF Base Abakpa in Enugu. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Kogi Police Debunks SDP Allegations, Issues 24-hr  Demand for Substantiation by Farouk Adejoh

    Kogi Police Debunks SDP Allegations, Issues 24-hr  Demand for Substantiation by Farouk Adejoh

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja”(Flowerbudnews):  Kogi State Police Command has debunked political allegations leveled against it by a Chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)  Farouk Adejoh

    In statement by the Public Relations officer of the Command  William Ovye Aya, the police described the SDP allegations as reckless and unsubstantiated.

    The Police warned Adekoh to substantiate his claims against the police within 24 hours or be ready to face appropriate police operational processes.

    The Police statement read:

    Our attention has been drawn to a reckless allegation against the Kogi State Police Command and the Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Command, claiming that the CP was responsible for recruiting and supporting thugs in support of a certain political party or personalities.

    It is not the tradition of the Police Command to respond to all allegations, especially frivolous ones by politicians accusing us of bias, but the last one by one Farouk Adejoh who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Social Democratic Party, is a direct affront on the integrity and authority of the Nigerian Police Force, hence the need to set the record straight.

    The Command is hereby giving Farouk Adejoh 24 hours to substantiate his allegations against the State Police Command and the CP or we might have no option than to invoke our operational processes to hold him to account for his reckless and unsubstantiated claims.

    The Police Command doesn’t belong to any political party. Our responsibility is to protect lives and property, a mandate we have protected without fear or favour.

    Today, we received reports of a protest gone awry at the State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    The CP swiftly directed the deployment of officers and men to restore normalcy at the INEC Office. Our concern is the protection of the staff and property of the Electoral Commission as well as the safety of the citizens transacting businesses around the INEC Office.

    With the support of other security agencies, calm was restored at the INEC State Headquarters. How the operation that restored peace at the INEC Office has infuriated the Social Democratic Party is what we don’t understand.

    The protesters who blocked the road and were burning tires to scare people were all wearing the fez caps of the Social Democratic Party.

    The Police Command hereby sounds a note of warning to the SDP and other political parties to desist from disturbing the peace of the state as anyone that tries to obstruct operations at the INEC Office will face the full wrath of the law.

    The CP has therefore, unbiasedly directed full investigations into the allegations raised in Farouk Adejoh’s statement with a view to ensure that a final knell is placed on attempts by politicians to drag the Police Force into partisan disagreements. We are for all Nigerians.

    While other parties have conducted themselves in a relatively peaceful manner, the activities of the Social Democratic Party has generated a lot of security concerns before, during and after the election.

    They have refused to cooperate with the Nigerian Police in dealing with security issues, a situation that has raised tension in the state.

    He urge all parties to have faith in the judiciary and refrain from taking the laws in their hands. Any breach of peace henceforth will be dealt with decisively and without compromise, no matter the elements involved.

    The State Police Command wishes to assure Kogites of their safety as plans have been put in place to guarantee peace. (Flowerbudnews)