Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has ordered queries for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 3-3 Police Station, Onitsha, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) following allegations that an armed robbery suspect arrested and taken to the station could no longer be accounted for.

The commissioner also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police linked to the matter.

The action followed the circulation of a viral video alleging that the suspect, who had reportedly been arrested and brought to the police station, subsequently disappeared from custody.

Ama personally interviewed the complainant and officers connected to the incident before issuing the directives.

The commissioner described the allegation as serious, stressing that conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force would not be tolerated.

He said the command would take firm action against unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office and violations of established police procedures.

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Following the interviews, Ama ordered the command’s X-Squad to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest, detention and documentation, as well as what happened after the suspect was taken into custody.

The investigation will also establish the roles played by the officers involved and determine whether any police personnel breached established procedures.

The commissioner further said operational measures had been put in place to facilitate the rearrest of the suspect, although the police have not publicly disclosed his current whereabouts.

Ama assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be communicated once the facts had been established.

He also warned against the circulation of unverified information that could prejudice the investigation, stressing the need for the matter to be handled based on established facts.

The commissioner reiterated his commitment to police accountability and professional conduct, saying officers entrusted with protecting members of the public must also be subject to scrutiny when allegations of misconduct arise.

The development has drawn attention to the procedures governing the arrest, detention and documentation of suspects in police custody, particularly the responsibility of officers to maintain accurate records and ensure that detainees remain properly accounted for.

For now, the exact circumstances surrounding the suspect’s alleged disappearance remain unclear. The ongoing X-Squad investigation is expected to determine how the suspect allegedly went missing and whether any police officer bears responsibility.

Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

UCH CMD: After Decades Without Muslim, Agunbiade Demands Fair Chance

‘Let Merit, Not Religion, Decide Next Appointment’

IBADAN — A Muslim stakeholder, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has called for a transparent and merit-driven process in the appointment of the next Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, saying a qualified Muslim candidate should be given a fair chance to lead the institution.

Agunbiade, in a statement on Monday, argued that the leadership history of the premier teaching hospital showed that Muslims had not occupied the position of Chief Medical Director for decades.

He said the situation deserved serious consideration as the process for selecting a successor to the incumbent CMD, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, gets underway.

According to him, Otegbayo, who became CMD in 2019, was reappointed for a second term in 2023.

Agunbiade said the succession of UCH chief executives had included Prof. E. O. Akande (1978–1984), Prof. A. O. K. Johnson (1984–1985), Prof. B. O. Osuntokun (1986–1990), Prof. O. O. Ajayi (1990–1998), Prof. M. O. Olatawura (1998–2003), Prof. A. O. Ilesanmi (2003–2011), Prof. T. O. Alonge (2011–2019) and Otegbayo.

He stressed that his intervention was not intended to question the professional records or achievements of the past CMDs.

Rather, he said, the issue was whether a qualified Muslim professional should continue to be excluded from the highest executive position at the institution.

“How long should a qualified section of the institution’s community wait before it sees one of its own given a genuine opportunity to lead?”

Agunbiade said the question was particularly important because UCH was a federal teaching hospital with a national mandate, serving Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity or background.

‘Not Asking For Religious Favour’

The stakeholder rejected the suggestion that his position amounted to a demand for religious preference.

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He said his argument was that merit and representation should work together, rather than treating them as opposing principles.

“The demand, therefore, is not that UCH should appoint a Muslim because he is Muslim,” he said.

“The demand is that if a Muslim candidate is professionally qualified, experienced, competent and suitable, his religion must not become an invisible barrier to his appointment.”

He noted that the advertised position carried stringent requirements, including medical registration, post-qualification experience, specialist fellowship, consultancy experience, integrity and administrative competence.

According to him, once a candidate meets the professional requirements and emerges as the best person through a credible selection process, religion should not disqualify the candidate.

‘Muslim CMD Will Serve All Nigerians’

Agunbiade also dismissed the notion that appointing a Muslim as CMD would change the character of UCH.

He said the successful candidate would remain the head of a federal institution responsible for providing healthcare to Nigerians of all faiths.

“A Muslim CMD will not turn UCH into a Muslim hospital. He will remain the Chief Medical Director of a federal institution serving every Nigerian who walks through its doors,” he said.

He argued that religious identity should not be an obstacle to professional service.

“Just as a Christian CMD can serve Muslim patients without difficulty, a Muslim CMD can serve Christian patients with the same professionalism,” he added.

‘Let Credentials Decide’

Agunbiade urged the authorities to ensure that all qualified candidates are subjected to the same standards during the selection process.

He called for candidates’ academic and professional credentials, experience, integrity, administrative competence and vision to be carefully assessed.

“Let every qualified candidate compete. Let credentials be examined. Let professional experience be assessed. Let integrity and vision determine the outcome,” he said.

He also referred to wider concerns about religious representation in the leadership of institutions linked to UCH and the University of Ibadan, saying the issue had generated concerns among Muslim stakeholders.

He, however, warned against turning the matter into a religious confrontation.

“This is not a call for religious confrontation. It is not an attack on Christians. It is not a rejection of merit. It is a call for inclusion within merit,” he said.

Agunbiade maintained that if a Muslim candidate emerged as the strongest candidate through a transparent and credible process, his faith should not count against him.

He said giving a qualified Muslim a genuine opportunity after decades without a Muslim CMD would send a powerful message about inclusion and equal opportunity in Nigeria’s public institutions.

According to him, UCH belongs to all Nigerians, and its leadership selection should reflect that principle.

UCH CMD: After Decades Without Muslim, Agunbiade Demands Fair Chance

Troops Take Down Zamfara Bandit Kingpins Baban Love, Mai Zamani, Three Others

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have killed at least five suspected bandits, including two notorious figures identified as Baban Love and Mai Zamani, during a gun battle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The operation reportedly took place in the western axis of Tsafe LGA, where armed groups have maintained a presence and carried out attacks on communities and travellers.

Security sources said Baban Love, who was reportedly operating around Gunja, mobilised members of his gang before they encountered the troops, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

The troops eventually overpowered the armed group, killing at least five suspected bandits, according to reports on the operation.

Mai Zamani was also identified among those killed. He was reportedly the younger brother of Idi Mai Randa, another suspected bandit kingpin who was killed about five months ago.

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Residents of Kwarin Ganuwa were said to have celebrated the reported deaths of the two bandit leaders, while vehicles belonging to the group were reportedly recovered after the encounter.

Security sources said efforts were ongoing to identify the other suspected bandits killed during the operation and assess the weapons and other items recovered from the scene.

The latest operation is part of intensified military operations in Zamfara State aimed at disrupting the activities of armed groups and restricting their movement across the state’s forests and communities.

Zamfara has continued to experience attacks and abductions despite sustained military operations. Governor Dauda Lawal said on Monday that the state government was working to improve security response time, particularly in areas such as Tsafe, where notorious bandit leader Ado Alero and his gang have been active.

The governor said poor road access in some areas had affected the ability of security personnel to respond quickly to attacks, while the government was also deploying technology, including drones, to improve surveillance.

The military has yet to publicly release a detailed official statement on the reported killing of Baban Love, Mai Zamani and the other suspected bandits.

Troops Take Down Zamfara Bandit Kingpins Baban Love, Mai Zamani, Three Others