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Police Inspector gunned down in Rivers days after 2Baba’s killing

Published

5 months ago

February 22, 2024

Police Inspector gunned down in Rivers days after 2Baba’s killing

The Rivers State Police Command said an Inspector was killed by gunmen who ambushed and attacked its men on a stop and search duty at the Eliozu Flyover in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday night.

The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Iringe-Koko said the gunmen who were spotted in a carton-colored Sienna bus with fully tinted glasses drove in from the Rumuodumaya axis, near Port Harcourt where they launched the offensive which claimed the officer’s life.

She, however, said the team rose to the occasion and returned fire and neutralise one of the miscreants who wore masks, but that other gang members escaped by the whisker.

The statement reads, “We are deeply saddened to announce a heinous incident that occurred on 21st February 2024, involving an attack on policemen attached to Operation Sting of the Rivers State Police Command.

“At approximately 2145hrs, while conducting routine stop-and-search at Eliozu flyover, the officers were ambushed by unidentified hoodlums operating in a carton-colored Sienna bus, with fully tinted glasses.

“The registration number of the vehicle remains unknown at this time.

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“The assailants drove in from the Rumuodumaya axis, and opened fire on the police team, resulting in the tragic loss of one Inspector who valiantly gave his life in the line of duty.

“Undeterred, the police team responded with bravery, engaging the attackers and managing to neutralise one of them with a mask on his face, while the others managed to escape, potentially sustaining gunshot wounds.

“The command has launched a thorough investigation into this despicable act and has already identified the group responsible.

“Rest assured, we will relentlessly pursue these criminals and bring them to justice. No amount of intimidation will hinder our officers’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens.”

While noting that such acts of aggression against security forces detrimentally impact the safety and security of our entire society, she stressed that the command remains resolute in its duty to maintain peace and protect the well-being of the populace.

“The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, reiterates unequivocally that those who perpetrate violence against policemen or any citizen will face the full weight of the law.

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“We urge all law-abiding citizens to continue with their daily activities without panic, as we are determined to uphold our mandate of preserving lives and property in the face of such challenges.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen inspector, and we assure them that his sacrifice will not be in vain. Our resolve to serve and protect remains unwavering as we stand together against those who seek to disrupt the peace and harmony of our society.”

Last year, a former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Division, Bako Angbashim, was ambushed and killed by a cult gang.

Since the death of the cop, the command has been on the trail of the alleged mastermind of Angbasim’s killing, one Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba, with constant land and air bombardments in the various hideouts of the Iceland cult leader, even as some of his lieutenants were gunned down previously.

However, on Monday, Grace Iringe-Koko, said intelligence reports revealed that the wanted cult kingpin, 2Baba, was killed in a recent joint security raid in the Idu-Ekpeye community, Ahiada East LGA.

Police Inspector gunned down in Rivers days after 2Baba’s killing

metro

IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest

Published

24 mins ago

July 27, 2024

Trends Admin

IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest

The Nigeria Police high command has issued a cautionary alert regarding the upcoming nationwide protests, citing credible intelligence about potential manipulation by foreign mercenaries and the involvement of malicious groups aiming to disrupt public order.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who made the disclosure during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to exercise caution before joining the protest.

He highlighted that even well-intentioned protests could be exploited by groups with criminal agendas.

The police boss made it clear that the police would not tolerate violence, including the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public and private property, or looting.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerians to peaceful assembly, the police boss called on all groups planning to participate in the proposed protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

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The IGP said the decision would enable the police provide adequate security to ensure a peaceful protest devoid of violence.

“In the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.

“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”

The IG added that the information expected from the organizers also includes measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers. He added that by providing the information, the police would be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

He also said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

Other guidelines, as issued by Egbetokun, are: “Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.

“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”

IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest

metro

Bomb explodes in Yobe livestock market

Published

47 mins ago

July 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Bomb explodes in Yobe livestock market

An explosion, suspected to be caused by a planted Improvised Explosive Device, has occurred at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Channels Television reported that a resident of Buni, Ali Hassan said that the incident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday, injuring a girl.

The name of the girl and her current state of health has yet to be known

The spokesman of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Shehu also confirmed the incident, saying another IED planted in the market was discovered and successfully defused by the Army.

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The explosion occurred around 12:30 pm on Friday, causing panic among the residents and traders.

The explosion comes a day after seven Nigerian soldiers were killed after their vehicle hit an explosive in Mugunu area of Maiduguri in Borno State.

On Thursday morning, their vehicle reportedly hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram along the Gamboru Ngala-Maiduguri Road in Borno State.

Bomb explodes in Yobe livestock market

metro

Osun herbalist confesses to killing, using friend’s throat for ritual

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Police Public Relations Officer, Osun State Command, Yemisi Opalola

Osun herbalist confesses to killing, using friend’s throat for ritual

A murder suspect, Kehinde Ganiyu, 50, has disclosed that he killed and used his sick friend’s throat for ritual soap in a bid to seek prosperity.

He added that he visited his sick friend at Odebiyi’s compound, Oba-Oke in the Olorunda local government area of Osun State on Thursday July 18, 2024, and suddenly had the urge to kill him.

Fielding questions from newsmen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Friday, he said he slaughtered his friend named Emmanuel Collins and removed his throat right on the sick bed.

“I thereafter took it to the shrine where I mixed it with other things and transformed it into a black soap for my clients. I regret my actions as I don’t know what came over me.

“I have not killed anyone before now but I have been preparing the ritual soap (Bisa Bisa) for “yahoo boys” before. The clients usually bring the items, especially, human parts and I charged them N500,000. But I wanted to try this one for myself. that is why I killed my friend but I now regret my action”, he said.

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Meanwhile, police spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola said part of the exhibit recovered from the suspect include, four blood-stained knives, two gourds containing black substance, one wooden traditional pot with black soap, two local sponges, a wooden tray (opon ifa) and some local charms.
She said the suspect would appear in court after a thorough investigation.

Similarly, two other suspects were paraded for stealing and illegal possession of firearms. Ajayi Sunday was caught with a stolen bajaj and a locally made short gun while Yinka Adewuyi was nabbed carrying four bags of cement stolen from a site where he was engaged as a tiler.

Opalola added that the suspects, having confessed to the crimes would be arraigned in court in due time.