“Stop Attending Night Vigils And Prayers In Isolated Places” – Police Warns Christians
Ogun State Police Command has warned residents against attending night vigils and prayer sessions in isolated places to avoid being victims of kidnappers.
The command spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen, due to the security situation in the country.
He expressed great concern that, despite the series of warnings and security tips from the police, some people are still congregating for night vigils and organizing prayer sessions in the forest, thereby making themselves easy prey for kidnappers.
“However, inasmuch as the Command is not oblivious of right to freedom of religion, it is worthy of note that the present security situation in the country does not favorably dispose anyone to organising prayer sessions in isolated places,” the PPRO said.
He appealed to the public to refrain from creating opportunities for kidnappers to operate, as the Command was working assiduously to get rid of criminals who have made kidnapping a business.
Oyeyemi explained that security should be seen as everybody’s business and “we should all play our part in securing ourselves and our property,” adding that “after all, the scriptures even enjoined us to watch and pray.”
“However, if there is any compelling reason to embark on such prayer sessions, the organisers should report to the nearest Police station for advice and possible security patrol of the area,” he added. (NAN)
Investigate Disclosed Boko Haram Sponsors NAOSRE Charged President Buhari
The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite appropriative administrative measures and investigate the truth or otherwise of the list of Boko Haram sponsors in Nigeria released by the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
On the list were six Nigerians, designated as terrorism sponsors.
According to UAE, the listed individuals and entities, including their affiliates, are being monitored.
The Nigerians named are Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.
Relying on its Resolution No 83 of 2021, UAE is making good its promise to target and dismantle networks that finance terrorism and its related activities.
The resolution demands that the UAE regulatory authorities monitor and identify any individuals or entities affiliated with or associated with any financial, commercial or technical relationship and take the necessary measures according to the laws in force in the country in less than 24 hours.
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday morning, NAOSRE President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, noted that the embarrassing disclosure by the UAE government was just an extension of the engagements of NAOSRE which has been saddled with bridging the communication gap between citizens and security agents as well as expose individuals and institutions that support terrorism.
Oyewale explained that the association is determined, more than before, to continue with its media supports to end insurgency in Nigeria
“At NAOSRE, our core responsibility has been to preach patriotism and dissuade supports to terrorism.
Our task to promote citizens’ absolute loyalty to Nigeria’s peaceful coexistences has been nothing but challenging.
“Yet, we remain committed. Therefore, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser, NSA, to leave no stone unturned in investigating current UAE’s revelations.
“We also urge the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation to take appropriate measures to ensure that justice is done for a peaceful Nigeria.
“At NAOSRE, we assure President Buhari and the international community of our association’s cooperation in the struggle to end terrorism in Nigeria,” Oyewale stated.
Breaking: President Sacks Service Chiefs, Names New Commanders
Zambia’s new President Hakainde Hichilema has replaced the country’s top military commanders and the head of the police – and signalled a focus on the security forces being more accountable to the citizens.
The president late on Sunday announced new commanders of the Zambian army, the air force and the national service and their deputies, as well as a new inspector general of police.
All regional police commissioners have been relieved of their duties but their replacements have not been named.
Mr Hichilema said the new office bearers “must have the interest of the people at heart and serve the country diligently while ensuring human rights, freedoms and liberties are respected”.
He said the police must carry out proper checks before detaining suspects and that “no one should be arrested before investigations are concluded”.
Mr Hichilema, who was voted in as president earlier this month in a landslide victory, has been the victim of police brutality in the past.
He has been arrested and detained multiple times in the past – and had promised to deal with the heavy-handedness of the security forces.
Marwa Led NDLEA Seizes 400.37kg Illicit Drugs, Arrests Kingpin Who Ingested 87 Wraps Of Cocaine
A narco trafficker, Ibeh Kenneth Ejike, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for ingesting 87 wraps of cocaine.
This is contained in a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy an made available to NAOSRE.
According to the statement, the 41-year-old suspect who imports clothes for sale and hails from Owerrizikeala village in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra state was arrested on Wednesday, 25th August 2021, upon his arrival on board an Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Kigali via Addis Ababa.
He was taken in for a secondary check during which he tested positive for ingestion of the illicit substances.
While under observation, he excreted 87 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.884 kilograms.
In the same vein, a Lagos-based drug dealer, Eze Celestine Okorie has been arrested following the interception of 4.15kilograms of methamphetamine consignment going to London, the United Kingdom at the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on 13th August.
The drug was concealed in tins of tomato branded ‘sunripe’ and packaged for the driver of a freight forwarding company to deliver at the airport export shed for onward movement to the UK. Though the freight company’s driver was initially arrested, follow-up investigations and subsequent sting operation led to the arrest of the kingpin behind the consignment, Eze Celestine Okorie, at his Coker, Surulere, Lagos home on Wednesday 25th August 2021.
He hails from Isu village in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State.
Meanwhile, raids of drug joints continued across the states in the last week. In Cross River state, one Anietie Attauba was arrested at Idundu community with 9.9 grams of cocaine, while 23-year-old Joy Odey was picked at Nassarawa Bakoko Area of Calabar Municipality LGA on Friday 27th August with 500grams of skunk. On the same day, one Ugwuanyi Chukwujekwu Basil was arrested at AK Divine Park, Harbour Road, Calabar with 2.6kg of cannabis; 10.33grams of cocaine and 30ml of swinol.
In Abuja, operatives of the FCT Command of the Agency also intercepted a Hiace bus conveying bags of cannabis, and 30 parcels of skunk, cumulatively weighing 310kilograms along Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway, where another 32kg of Tramadol was equally seized same day.
In Anambra State, operatives also raided the Onitsha main market, Marine Line on Thursday 26th August with the support of soldiers. Recovered during the raid include 50kg of cannabis; 150grams of meth and 27.6grams of cocaine. One of the dealers, Moses Obiahu was arrested.
While commending the resilience of the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Anambra, Cross River and FCT Commands of the Agency as shown by their latest arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing offensive action aimed at cutting off availability and accessibility to illicit drugs in all parts of Nigeria.
How Gallant Officers Incharge Of NDA CCTV Slept Off, Gave Room For Deadly Bandits Attack
There is a popular saying that ‘ You Can’t cheat nature’, this was exhibited by Personnels of the Nigerian Army saddled with the responsibility of monitoring closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) who were reportedly asleep when bandits attacked the premises on Tuesday, killing two officers.
The gunmen invaded the Afaka barracks of the academy around 1am, killing two soldiers identified as Lieutenant Commodore Wulah and Flight Lieutenant Okoronwo, and abducting Major Stephen Dantong.
A source later told SaharaReporters that the kidnappers had contacted the military authorities to demand a ransom of N200 million.
“They contacted ACA, which is what we call NDA to demand N200 million ransom for the officer,” an officer told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity.
One of the officers who was injured in the attack is currently being treated at a hospital within the barracks.
However, sources told TheCable the bandits sneaked in through a part of the facility that had no fence.
Another source said “it was in the middle of the night, and the personnel that were meant to be monitoring the CCTV had slept off.”
“They could have put everyone on alert, and avert the attack.”
The newspaper learnt the academy authorities would court-martial some soldiers for failing to secure the area.
Bashir Muhd Jajira, spokesperson for the academy, in a statement said, “The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.
“The Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state has since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescue the abducted personnel.
“The NDA community and Cadets are safe in the Academy. We assure the general public that this unknown gunmen would soon be apprehended and the abducted personnel rescued.”
Battle Against Insurgency: Buhari threatens to replace security chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his readiness to change the security architecture in Nigeria.
Buhari said he would continue to change the security architecture until he is satisfied with the outcome of his actions.
The President, who spoke at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said the intended move is aimed at wiping out insecurity from Nigeria.
Buhari’s resolution was disclosed by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Babangana Monguno, in a chat with State House Correspondents after the meeting.
Munguno said the President was determined to win the battle against insurgency.
He said: “So, the president was briefed, the president is quite happy that there’s been tremendous success, especially with the advent of the new service chiefs and Inspector General of Police.
“He has made changes and he is ready to make further changes if he is not satisfied.
Kebbi abduction: Sen. Abdullahi blames poor security architecture in Nigeria
“He is completely determined to ensure that there’s a turnaround in the fortunes in the theatre of operations.”
See What President Buhari Discussed With Security Chiefs In Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the various heads of Nigeria’s security agencies over rising cases of banditry and kidnappings.
Society gazette reports that the meeting was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) stated that Buhari vowed not to exit the government as a failure in 2023.
He disclosed that security chiefs briefed the president on the success recorded so far against insecurity.
“He’s (Buhari) made changes and he’s ready to make further changes if he is not satisfied. He is completely determined to ensure that there’s a turnaround in the fortunes in the theatre of operations,” Monguno said.
He stated that a lot has happened in Nigerian in relation to security since the last National Security Council meeting held on June 8.
According to the NSA, the security chiefs briefed President Buhari on the current security situation in the country.
The former military general stated that many successes have been recorded in the theatre of operations.
“Large numbers of people are surrendering in the North East as a consequence of the relentless efforts of the Armed Forces, intelligence and security agencies.”
“We’ve never had such large numbers of people defecting from the other side back to the Nigerian side, mainly as a result of many issues within the theatre, issues of infighting among the various factions of the terrorist groups,” he added
Marwa Vows To Dismantle Drug Cartel As NDLEA Operatives Recover 137.55kg Of Cocaine In Ondo, Nasarawa, Benue Raid
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have launched fresh raids in Nasarawa, Benue and Ondo states where no fewer than 43 dealers and consumers of illicit substances were arrested.
137.55 kilograms of assorted drugs was also recovered during the ‘offensive action.’
Femi Baba Femi, Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency disclosed this to NAOSRE in a press statement.
According to the NDLEA spokesman, operatives in Nasarawa state were backed by a detachment of soldiers from 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Keffi.
The team raided notorious drug joints located in Kara Masaka, Ruwa Ruwa Uke, Abattoir at the border with FCT, Filing Bala, Masaka U- Turn and others for two consecutive days between August 5 and 6.
During the raids, at least 41 suspects were arrested and assorted drugs such as cocaine, cannabis sativa, cough syrup with codeine, rohypnol and tramadol with a total weight of 65.250kg recovered from them.
Cannabis plants planted by the drug dealers in the adjoining bushes were destroyed while all the stalls in the drug markets were dismantled and set ablaze.
In the same vein, operatives of the Ondo state command of the Agency in the early hours of Monday, 9th August, 2021 raided Odopetu area of Akure in Akure South local government area of the state capital, where a 44-year-old Mrs. Folake Ademola was arrested while her husband escaped arrest.
Recovered from their home include: 65.400kg of cannabis sativa; skunk – 500grams; loud- 16grams; Colorado- 34grams, bringing the total of drugs seized from them to 65.950 kilograms.
In Benue state, a 34-year-old Iornum Emmanuel was arrested at the NDLEA Aliade checkpoint on Sunday 8th August, 2021 with different quantities of assorted illicit drugs, which include; tramadol -500grams; diazepam- 1.5kg and exol 5- 7.9kg.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the commanders, officers and men of the Nasarawa, Ondo and Benue state commands for their commitment to the goal of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and trafficking.
He charged them and their colleagues in other commands to continue on the offensive until the last drug cartel in Nigeria is dismantled.
Odumosu Moves To Sustain Lagos Peace As The Command Arrests Robbery Suspects
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, on Monday, August 9, held a strategic meeting with his Management Team, Area Commanders, DPOs, HODs and other tactical commanders to review security situation in the State.
This is contained in a statement signed by CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer and made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.
According to the statement, the meeting was part of concerted, deliberate efforts to sustain the existing peace and tranquility currently being enjoyed in the State.
Addressing the officers, CP Odumosu charged them to always carry out diligent investigation and prosecution of criminal cases, and be more proactive by constantly carrying out intelligence-driven and aggressive raid of identified black spots with a view to smoking out criminals from their hideouts.
While appreciating the officers for their untiring commitment towards maintaining law and order, Odumosu reiterated his commitment to providing robust security for the good people of Lagos State, adding that while crime had reduced drastically in the state, there was need for officers and men to continue to be ahead of criminals and other hoodlums who often make lives unbearable for law abiding citizens.
Consequently, the CP has directed the creation of additional pin down points at Ile Zik, Opebi, Monkey Bridge, Odo Iya Alaro and other places to further strengthen security of the affected areas.
The Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu while also frowning at reckless attitude of motorists and motorcyclists who persistently violate traffic rules and regulations, vowed to instill discipline by arresting offenders in special and continuous operations that would commence in earnest on Wednesday 11th August, 2021. Therefore, the Command once again uses this medium to warn such traffic violators irrespective of their personality to desist from their unbridled penchant for breaking traffic laws in any part of the State.
In like manner, Ajisebutu added in the statement that following sustained surveillance patrols as part of proactive strategies for crime prevention and control around suspected flashpoints and other areas in Lagos State, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), have arrested two armed robbery suspects at the wee hours of August, along Akowonjo Road, Alimosho.
The suspects are a 31 years old Samuel Akabueze, of 34, Valentine Obasi Street, Idimu Road, and 37 years old Onuoha Joshua of 52, Yusuf Street, Ipaja, both in Alimosho area of Lagos State.
The suspects who are both from Imo State were intercepted while driving a suspected stolen Lexus jeep (LSD 666 GK), suspiciously along Akowonjo Road by the RRS operatives who trailed them to the point of arrest at Egbeda area of the State.
They are suspected to belong to a dare devil armed robbery gang responsible for the spate of armed robbery in Gowon Estate, Festac, Lekki and other areas in the State.
Exhibits found on them include a locally-made pistol with two rounds of live ammunition, four ATM cards, consisting of Eco and Access banks, charms, BRT cowry card, two different keys of another different Lexus SUV and a motorcycle.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to be members of the Aye Confraternity.
The Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi has immediately transferred the two suspects to the Special Squad of the Command for further discreet investigation in line with the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu.
ACG Of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Talabi, Sues For Efficiency As She Visits Lagos State Command
The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Ajoke Talabi, during the week, visited the Lagos Command of the Immigration Service.
Lagos Command is part of Zone A which has under it Ogun State Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA Command, Seme Border Command, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Idiroko Border Command, Lagos Seaport and Marine Command as well as the Passport Control Command.
In a statement signed by Jide Ogungbe, Lagos Command spokesman and made available to NAOSRE, Talabi was received on arrival by the Command’s Comptroller of Immigration Service, CIS, Bauchi Aliyu.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Talabi commended the Aliyu led team for carrying out their duties without attracting complaints from the public.
She warned officers against revealing any official information that is meant to be treated as confidential.
She advised officers to adopt “a need to know basis principle” in managing information.
In addition, Talabi pointed out that Lagos Command has the highest number of personnel in the country, a fact that calls for utmost professionalism in the overall interest of Nigeria in line with the administrative policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Alli, ret’d.
The ACG mandated officers to be watchful for fraudulent documents and revealed that the Service is currently implementing electronic-powered mechanisms that’ll make it easier to identify fraudulent documents.
Earlier, the Lagos Command CIS, in his address, dutifully gave a detailed account to the Zonal Coordinator with specific regards to the challenges and developments in the Command.
He revealed that his first project from the moment he arrived was to improve the condition of LSC’s Provisional and Annex offices, a task he disclosed has been accomplished strictly through Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, supports from friends of the Service. The CIS also revealed that he was able to construct both the Quarter Guard and Parade Ground through the same donations.
Aliyu further disclosed that there is an imminent plan of the International Organization for Migration to fully fund and oversee the construction of a Personnel Training and Resource Centre for the Lagos Command.
He unveiled plans to build additional toilet and bathroom facilities to augment the existing ones.
CIS Aliyu informed the Zonal Coordinator that he has formed a committee that is presently working on the development of a compendium that would offer a concise interpretative collection of the most frequently violated Immigration laws for the sensitization of stakeholders.
He noted that the outcome of his visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has birth the governor’s generous heart of donating land that can accommodate the construction of the Service Headquarters structure in Lagos.
He revealed that his persistent verbal and written requests have resulted in the setting up of a Security Forum headed by the Secretary to the State Government for Intel and ideas sharing amongst security agencies in the state.
He stated the proposal he submitted to the Governor’s Office for the planned mop-up and repatriation operation of irregular migrants residing in the state.
“The proposal is a direct response to the concern raised by stakeholders during the meeting chaired by the Governor to address the menace of motorbike riders operating in the state,” he said.
However, he stated that despite the positive results of his efforts, more still needs to be done.
The CIS, therefore, tabled a number of requests for the ACG’s attention to improve the service delivery capacity of the Command.
He requested the facilitation of the deployment of junior officers and drivers as well as follow-up by her office to facilitate the completion of the Command building project.
He also requested support for the proposed inclusion of the E-Migrant registration slip as a checklist for resident permit applications; the setting up of a Music Band and the renovation of the Command Holding Centre.
The ACG however, promised to support within available resources and called for more commitment to duties.
