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Police prosecute masquerade, group leader for assault, extortion in Akwa Ibom

Published

1 month ago

November 2, 2025

Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, ASP Timfon John

Police prosecute masquerade, group leader for assault, extortion in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced the prosecution of a masquerade and a group leader over alleged assault, highway blockade, and extortion disguised as cultural display.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has also proscribed the operations of the “Akwa Ibom Civil Society Forum,” a coalition of some civil society groups in the state.

According to DSP John, police operatives arrested two suspects, including the leader of a masquerade group, for engaging in illegal assembly, armed blockade of a public road, and extortion of commuters.

“The arrest followed a distress call from a concerned citizen reporting that members of a masquerade cultural group were attacking passersby, blocking a public highway, and extorting money from motorists. They were armed with spears, arrows, machetes, and sticks, and even assaulted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),” she said.

Police investigations identified Uwem Umanah, 45, as the leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade in the village. He was accused of authorizing his members to appear in public despite an existing ban on such displays.

Operatives swiftly responded to the distress call and arrested Umanah, while another suspect, David Michael, 34, was apprehended at Ukana Onuk Village while allegedly preparing to stage a similar masquerade display.

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Both suspects have since been charged to court after investigations. The command warned that it would not tolerate any form of lawlessness or violence under the guise of cultural expression.

“The police will not condone intimidation or the misuse of cultural paraphernalia to commit crimes,” the statement added.

In a related development, CP Baba Azare has banned the use of the name “Akwa Ibom Civil Society Forum” by any coalition of NGOs or civic groups in the state, describing it as illegal and misleading.

The commissioner issued the directive during a meeting with leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs) on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Police Headquarters in Uyo.

“The use of the name gives the false impression that it is the official umbrella body for all CSOs in Akwa Ibom State, which it is not,” CP Azare said, directing all groups to cease using the name immediately.

He urged CSOs to operate strictly within the confines of the law and avoid actions capable of threatening public order.

The meeting was attended by leading civil society figures, including Franklyn Isong, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, and Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director of Policy Alert.

Police prosecute masquerade, group leader for assault, extortion in Akwa Ibom

Related Topics:Akwa Ibom assault extortion masquerade

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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2 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

3 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.