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Policemen caught drinking on duty, abandon work in Ajah

Published

3 years ago

January 2, 2023

Policemen attached to the Ajiwe Police Division, Ajah, Lagos State, regularly abuse alcohol which may be responsible for the increasing rate of extra-judicial killings by cops from the station.

Investigations by PUNCH Metro showed that residents and business owners also observed the trend.

According to them, the policemen are always under the influence of alcohol while on duty and on patrol.

They said this might be responsible for the recent killing of a pregnant lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, who was attached to the station.

Two weeks earlier, an inspector, Imeh Johnson, attached to the same division, also shot dead another resident, Gafaru Buraimoh, who was on his way to buy fuel.

When our correspondent visited the police station on Tuesday around 10am, some of the officers were seen clustered in pairs outside the premises.

A closer observation revealed some of them consuming alcohol in sachets, while heavily armed.

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One of the two officers, who sat close to a barbing salon attached to a building beside the station, was seen with a glass cup of beer, which he sipped at intervals.

A policeman among another set of officers who took cover under a shed adjacent to the station was seen drinking a canned alcohol drink with a pistol strapped to his waist.

While some vendors found around the police station made some of the alcoholic drinks available within the officer’s reach, other officers stayed away from prying eyes by walking a distance to patronise other traders.

After observing this for close to one hour, a fair-looking officer, who was earlier seen pacing around the corridor of the station, beckoned on our correspondent.

Close contact with him showed that he was drunk, as his body reeked of alcohol.

While this reporter thought he was about to be questioned about his presence around the police post, the policeman, who sounded incoherent, requested a sum of N200.

Out of curiosity, the reporter gave him N1,000 in expectation of his balance.

The officer immediately took him to a vendor, bought a sachet of alcoholic drink and gulped it on the spot, while the vendor provided the balance.

PUNCH Metro also learnt that the police officers paid regular visits to some alcoholic vendors behind a motor park under the Ajah Bridge, where Raheem was shot dead.

Our correspondent, who visited the spot and mingled with some of the street urchins, observed as they hailed some of the policemen, who came to patronise a female customer spotted at a corner under the bridge.

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A resident, Soliu Adekanmbi, said the officers were known for their open abuse of alcohol.

He said, “The officers do things the way they like and nobody is checking them. It looks like nobody can confront them. Most of them are always with alcoholic packs while on duty. They drink them here under the bridge while in uniform. It is what everybody knows, but no one can say anything since the police authorities have done nothing about it.”

Our correspondent also gathered that most of the policemen had spent a long time in the area and had refused to be transferred.

A community development association chairman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said this had contributed to their excesses in the community.

He said, “Most of the police officers have turned this community into their permanent place. Most of them rise through the ranks to retire here. That is why they have become uncontrollable. Some have spent between 15 and 20 years in the station. Anytime a transfer comes, they manipulate it. They know who to settle. Even in Langbasa Police Station, there is one Supol Sunday and one Inspector Yomi and up to 10 of them who have spent up to those number of years. They do not want to leave the station because of pecuniary gains. When the first incident happened, they changed the DPO. But the one that happened on Sunday shows it is not about changing DPO but the policemen.”

The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said drinking on duty contravened the Police Act of 2020.

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He said, “The Police Act 2020 is very clear on the use of alcohol among police officers. It prohibits police officers from drinking alcohol while on duty. It also provides penalties for persons offering or selling alcohol to police officers on duty. Drug use and abuse among security agencies, including the police in Nigeria is very high. Police officers in uniform enter beer parlours with arms, sit and drink alcohol. This is prohibited under the law, but it has become a usual spectacle.

“There is no other way to explain what has happened to the woman (Raheem) order than that the officer acted under the influence of alcohol, because how do you explain that a police officer would simply pull a trigger on a woman who was not armed?

“One of the issues that came up after #EndSARS was the need to do a psychological evaluation of police officers, especially those who handle arms to be sure that they are mentally stable. But this did not happen. Even the recruitment procedures have been compromised. People who are unfit find their way into the police because the guideline for recruitment is circumvented. There is the need for a genuine commitment to implement reforms that address these problems, as well as competent leadership both at the level of the police and at the political level.”

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, it is an offence to drink on duty.

He said, “If a police officer is drunk while on duty, it is a disciplinary offence and there are laid down procedures dealing with such a person. It is the duty of the DPO or any officer that discovers the same to bring him for disciplinary action.”

metro

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

Published

19 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

Benin City, Edo State — Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday publicly aligned himself with youths and residents protesting persistent power outages and billing challenges linked to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The protest took place at Ring Road in Benin City, with demonstrators carrying placards reading “We say no to BEDC oppression,” “No light, no bill,” and “Edo people say no to bulk billing.”

The protesters decried prolonged blackouts, estimated electricity bills, and what they described as the exorbitant cost of prepaid meters, which they say range between ₦150,000 and ₦400,000. Residents also questioned the transparency of BEDC’s free meter distribution initiative, urging the company to publicly disclose beneficiaries.

Governor Okpebholo, reportedly passing by the protest area, stopped to address the crowd. He expressed solidarity with the demonstrators, saying he stood with them “as fellow youths seeking fairness.” The governor acknowledged that electricity challenges affect both rural and urban communities in Edo State and appealed for calm while the government engages relevant stakeholders to find solutions.

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While clarifying that BEDC is privately owned and not directly controlled by the state government, Governor Okpebholo pledged that efforts would be made to tackle the residents’ concerns. He suggested liberalising the electricity distribution sector to attract new investors and reduce what he described as a monopoly. Drawing a comparison with the telecommunications industry, he noted that introducing more players would improve service delivery and provide consumers with options.

The governor also announced plans to convene a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday and urged the protesters to nominate five representatives to participate in discussions aimed at addressing electricity supply and billing issues.

Speaking on behalf of the protest group, Comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel said residents were compelled to act due to what they termed oppressive practices by BEDC. He emphasized the financial burden caused by prepaid meters and irregular billing, stating: “We pay for light and they give us darkness.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the protest remained peaceful, with security personnel ensuring order. The demonstrators dispersed following Governor Okpebholo’s address. As of press time, BEDC had not issued an official response to the claims raised by residents.

Edo Gov Okpebholo Joins Benin City Youths in Protest Over Power Outages

metro

Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor

Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a pastor and his wife over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives from the Ekeki Division during a Sunday church service. Eyewitnesses said the pastor initially fled through a back exit after sighting police officers but later surrendered himself when his wife was taken into custody at the church premises.

According to reports, the victim is a relative of the pastor’s wife. The teenager allegedly told investigators and members of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence and the Do Foundation that the abuse occurred about five times beginning in November 2025.

The girl reportedly said the incidents happened whenever her mother sent her to deliver a local bread known as “madiga” to the pastor’s wife. On one occasion, when the wife was not at home, the pastor allegedly invited her inside the church, locked the door and assaulted her. She further alleged that similar incidents occurred on other visits to the pastor’s residence.

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The minor said she initially kept silent out of fear but later informed her mother after noticing she had missed her menstrual cycle. Following the revelation, the mother confronted the pastor and his wife.

Sources disclosed that the pastor’s wife allegedly handed the mother N120,000 to facilitate an abortion after a medical scan reportedly confirmed pregnancy. The mother was said to have been persuaded by a relative not to “destroy God’s house” at the time.

The matter, however, escalated during a church service where the pastor and his wife were reportedly heard thanking God for helping them overcome enemies allegedly trying to bring down the church. Feeling distressed by the public display, the victim’s mother later filed a formal complaint at the Ekeki Police Division.

She also petitioned the complaint unit of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, led by Dise Harry.

Confirming the development, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor, said the case has been transferred to the Gender Unit of the command for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.

Police authorities assured that due process would be followed in handling the alleged rape case in Bayelsa, emphasizing that offences involving minors are treated with seriousness under Nigerian law.

The incident has sparked reactions in Yenagoa, with some church members reportedly seen at the police station discussing the development as investigations continue.

Pastor, Wife Arrested in Bayelsa Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old Girl

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DSS Busts Alleged Arms Trafficking Network in Gombe, Seizes RPGs

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Trends Admin

DSS Busts Alleged Arms Trafficking Network in Gombe, Seizes RPGs

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two suspected arms couriers and recovered rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) equipment during a security operation in Gombe State.

The suspects — Muhammed Alhaji Mohammed, 55, and Sani Gesha, 47 — were intercepted at Mararaban Tula in Kaltungo Local Government Area while travelling in a grey Toyota Corolla with registration number Taraba JAL475YQ. Security sources said the vehicle was stopped following weeks of intelligence-driven surveillance targeting an alleged bandit network operating across parts of the North-East.

During the operation, DSS operatives reportedly recovered two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) warheads, an RPG launcher and other items believed to be linked to banditry and arms trafficking activities. Sources familiar with the investigation said the weapons were suspected to be part of a consignment intended for delivery to criminal elements operating in neighbouring states.

According to security officials, the arrests followed over three weeks of covert monitoring of a trafficking syndicate allegedly connected to a notorious bandit leader operating across Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa states. A source disclosed that the operatives monitored the group closely before launching a coordinated operation that led to the suspects’ arrest with what was described as a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the recovered weapons were meant to be delivered to one Ardo Hamma Ari, said to be a resident of Kukawa Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Authorities are expanding investigations to track other members of the network and uncover the source and intended use of the weapons.

In a related development, DSS operatives also rescued a six-year-old boy, Mohammed Jabir, at Gyada Village in Talase, Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State. Security sources said the child had allegedly been kidnapped by one Salisu Hussain under the pretext of teaching him how to ride a motorcycle.

Following a report by the family, DSS operatives launched a swift operation that led to the safe rescue of the boy and the arrest of the suspected kidnapper. The child has since been reunited with his parents, who expressed gratitude to the DSS for the prompt intervention and safe return of their son.

Security authorities confirmed that all suspects are currently in DSS custody and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations. Officials emphasized that the operation underscores ongoing efforts to combat illegal arms trafficking, banditry, and kidnapping in the North-East region, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety.