State police inevitable to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity – Tinubu - Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

State police inevitable to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity – Tinubu

Published

11 months ago

on

"I Was Sitting on a Hot Burner" — Tinubu Defends Fuel Subsidy Removal
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

State police inevitable to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again emphasized the urgent need for the creation of state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.

Speaking on Tuesday, September 2, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu declared that the federal government is determined to confront insecurity, particularly banditry, head-on.

The president directed security agencies to reassess their operations in Katsina State, which has witnessed a troubling rise in bandit attacks. He further disclosed that the federal government would soon deploy advanced military equipment, drones, and surveillance technology to strengthen counter-insurgency efforts in the region.

In addition, Tinubu revealed that his administration is working to boost the capacity of the newly recruited forest guards, who will play a critical role in safeguarding vulnerable communities across the state.

“The security challenges that we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders. We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. It is a challenge that we must fix, and we are facing it,” Tinubu said.

READ ALSO:

He added: “I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and review strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones. I am reviewing all aspects of security. I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us.”

The president recalled that in February 2024, the federal government set up a committee to develop a framework for state policing. The initiative has since gained wide support, though Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed in March that 20 states were yet to submit their reports.

Tinubu also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring the delegation that his legacy would be preserved.

“The time we lost our brother, President Buhari, is a loss for all of us. It is the will of God Almighty, but he has left in a good way. He didn’t hand over a defeated country or a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he said.

Governor Radda expressed gratitude for the president’s consistent support, noting that Tinubu had always responded to his requests. Other speakers, including former Governor Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin of Katsina, praised Tinubu for honouring Buhari and investing in infrastructure. Ida, however, urged the federal government to prioritise upgrading Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and intensify security in southern Katsina.

 

State police inevitable to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity – Tinubu

Loading

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Osun Speaker: CP Gotan Arrested SSG Igbalaye for Laughing When Police Boss Was Booed

Published

6 seconds ago

on

July 31, 2026

By

Osun Speaker: CP Gotan Arrested SSG Igbalaye for Laughing When Police Boss Was Booed
Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG) Teslim Igbalaye

Osun Speaker: CP Gotan Arrested SSG Igbalaye for Laughing When Police Boss Was Booed

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has alleged that the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, in retaliation for laughing when the police chief was booed at a public event. The accusation deepens the controversy surrounding the SSG’s detention, which has sparked a heated political backlash ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The Speaker’s account directly contradicts the official narrative from the Osun State Police Command, which has maintained that the raid and arrests were based on credible intelligence concerning suspected electoral offences and criminal activity.

According to Egbedun, he was attending an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting alongside the Deputy Governor and the SSG when the incident began. He claimed that during the meeting, members of the public booed Commissioner Gotan while he was on the podium, and upon returning to his seat, the police chief noticed Igbalaye laughing at the situation. “We all witnessed the unfortunate moment when Commissioner Gotan was booed while on the podium by citizens of Osun State. Immediately he returned to his seat, he looked directly towards us. At that moment, the SSG laughed,” Egbedun stated. The Speaker said he became suspicious after watching Gotan reach for his phone and make several calls. “The next thing I observed was Commissioner Gotan picking up his telephone and making a series of calls. From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,'” he alleged. According to Egbedun, his prediction was confirmed within minutes when Igbalaye received a call informing him that police officers were waiting at his residence. “A few minutes later, the SSG received a telephone call informing him that police officers were waiting for him at his residence. He immediately stood up and left the event, leaving the Deputy Governor and me behind,” the Speaker said.

READ ALSO:

The Osun State Police Command has presented a markedly different version of events. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said operatives acted on intelligence reports that a criminal gang was operating from a location in Osogbo, leading to the raid on the SSG’s residence in the Oroki Estate area. Police said they recovered significant exhibits during the operation, including ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, and a printer. Six suspects were arrested, including Igbalaye and one Oladele Abiodun, described as a wanted suspect already on the police watchlist for alleged criminal offences. The command stated that the recovered items “raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” specifically citing vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect.

Egbedun insisted that the SSG’s arrest was not an isolated incident, describing what he called a broader pattern of intimidation against officials of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration. He recounted a separate incident in which, after receiving intelligence about a planned attack on his residence, Commissioner Gotan allegedly ordered all police officers attached to his security detail to report for questioning. “We received credible intelligence that some thugs were planning to attack my residence. My security personnel and I remained on high alert in anticipation of the attack. However, to my greatest surprise, my police orderly received a call from Commissioner Gotan directing that every police officer attached to me should report to his office for questioning that very day,” the Speaker alleged. Egbedun said he confronted the commissioner directly, telling him he would not be intimidated. “I immediately telephoned the Commissioner and told him that I am a proud son of Onikoyi, and that I neither fear nor bow to intimidation,” he said.

The Osun State Government strongly condemned the police action, with the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, describing it as a major threat to a free and fair election. The government insisted that Igbalaye was not at home during the raid, as he was attending the INEC stakeholders’ meeting. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) offered a contrasting interpretation, describing the raid as vindication of its allegations that the ruling party was planning vote-buying. The Accord Party has also demanded the immediate redeployment of Commissioner Gotan, with the Imole Campaign Council alleging that 86 Accord Party members had been arrested in the preceding days.

The Osun State Police Command released Igbalaye on Thursday, less than 24 hours after his arrest. The Imole Campaign Council spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, welcomed the release, describing it as a “triumph of justice,” while the police confirmed that investigations into the recovered exhibits and alleged offences are still ongoing. Egbedun has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to urgently intervene and review the conduct of Commissioner Gotan. He argued that the people of Osun deserve “policing that is professional, impartial and respectful of the rule of law.”

Osun Speaker: CP Gotan Arrested SSG Igbalaye for Laughing When Police Boss Was Booed

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences

Published

22 minutes ago

on

July 31, 2026

By

Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences
Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye

Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, less than 24 hours after his arrest during a raid on his residence in Osogbo. His release was confirmed on Thursday, July 30, by both the police and the Imole Campaign Council, the group coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign. The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, announced the development on his verified Facebook page, commending the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as heeding public concerns over the arrest. Olajengbesi described the release as a triumph of justice, stating, “The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten. Our SSG is out, back and solid.” The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the SSG’s release during a telephone interview with journalists in Osogbo, but maintained that investigations into the case were still ongoing.

Igbalaye and five others were arrested on Wednesday, July 29, after police operatives raided his residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo. The police stated that the operation followed intelligence reports that suspected criminal elements, including a wanted suspect, were operating from the location. One of those apprehended was Oladele Abiodun (also known as Abiodun Arowomole or “Ashipa”), who was said to be on the command’s watchlist over alleged criminal offences. Others arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40. During the operation, police recovered exhibits including ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15. The police said the recovery of cash and voters’ details raised concerns about possible electoral offences, including vote-buying contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The command stated that all exhibits had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

READ ALSO:

The arrest immediately sparked outrage within the Osun State Government, which accused the police of targeting senior government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, described the raid as illegal and an escalation of what it called targeted harassment of top government officials and members of the Accord Party. The government insisted that ward officials were merely holding a political meeting at the residence while the SSG attended the INEC stakeholders’ forum. The controversy deepened when the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the SSG’s arrest after being booed at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting. According to Egbedun, the commissioner was jeered by some attendees, and Igbalaye laughed during the incident, prompting Gotan to make phone calls that led to the SSG’s arrest. “The next thing I observed was Commissioner Gotan picking up his telephone and making a series of calls. From what I saw, I turned to the SSG and said, ‘The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,'” Egbedun stated. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), however, described the raid as vindication of its allegations that the ruling party was planning vote-buying.

The police have rejected allegations of political motivation, maintaining that the operation was intelligence-driven and lawful. The command reiterated its commitment to enforcing electoral laws “without fear or favour” and insisted the raid was conducted as part of an investigation into alleged criminal activities and possible violations of the Electoral Act. Although the SSG has been released, the police said investigations into the recovered exhibits and alleged offences are still ongoing.

Police Release Osun SSG After Controversial Arrest Over Alleged Electoral Offences

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

‘We’ll Marry Beautiful Ones, Kill the Rest’ – Terrorists Reject N155m Ransom for 176 Kwara Captives

Published

36 minutes ago

on

July 31, 2026

By

'We'll Marry Beautiful Ones, Kill the Rest' – Terrorists Reject N155m Ransom for 176 Kwara Captives
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu

‘We’ll Marry Beautiful Ones, Kill the Rest’ – Terrorists Reject N155m Ransom for 176 Kwara Captives

Nearly six months after 176 residents were abducted from Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, families of the captives have made a desperate appeal to the Federal Government, the Kwara State Government, and security agencies to intensify rescue efforts. The families alleged that terrorists rejected more than N155 million raised by the affected communities as ransom and have threatened to force some female captives into marriage while executing the remaining hostages. The attack occurred on February 3, 2026, when more than 100 heavily armed assailants launched a coordinated assault on the rural communities, leaving over 260 people dead, more than 30 houses burnt, and 176 residents abducted. The victims, most of whom are women, children, and nursing mothers, have remained in captivity despite months of negotiations and community efforts.

Speaking on behalf of the affected families, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim told BBC Hausa that community leaders and residents contributed more than N155 million through community donations, personal savings, and the sale of valuables in a desperate bid to secure the release of the captives. However, the terrorists allegedly refused to accept the money, leaving hundreds of families uncertain about the fate of their relatives. “We raised N155 million and took it to them, but they refused to accept it, saying it was not enough. We returned with the money and have not heard from our relatives since. We appeal to the Federal Government and the Kwara State Government to rescue them because there is nothing more we can do,” Ibrahim said. Ibrahim, who said he lost 10 relatives and still has 35 family members in captivity, added that repeated attempts to secure the release of the abductees through negotiations and public demonstrations had yielded no results. According to him, the kidnappers stated that the victims are from Kwara and Niger States and insisted that both governments should pool resources together. He alleged that the terrorists do not even want to talk to the families and have insisted on engaging only with government authorities.

READ ALSO:

Fresh concerns emerged that the abductors had allegedly threatened to marry the “beautiful” female captives while executing the remaining hostages if their demands were not met. Speaking in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa Service, Ibrahim said the threat had deepened fears among relatives. “They said they would marry the beautiful ones and kill the rest,” Ibrahim said, adding that the terrorists had refused to soften their position despite months of negotiations. The Dan Sardaukin Kaiama, Suleiman Bukata, urged the Federal Government and security agencies to replicate the operation that recently secured the rescue of abductees in neighbouring Oyo State by extending similar efforts to Kaiama. Bukata said the successful rescue in Oyo had rekindled hope among families in Kaiama, stressing that the people deserved the same level of commitment from the authorities. “No Nigerian community should be left to face this kind of tragedy alone. If people could be rescued elsewhere, our people should not be forgotten,” he said.

However, there are conflicting accounts regarding the ransom payment. The National President of the Kaiama Development Association (KDA) stated that “No payment has been made, although negotiation is still ongoing.” For his part, the Village Head, Alhaji Salihu Umar Bio, confirmed the efforts of the community towards the donation but said the terrorists have insisted on engaging only with the government since the incident occurred on February 3, 2026. The lawmaker representing the area in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Sa’idu Baba Ahmed, also appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the captives, saying the prolonged wait had increased the suffering of the affected families.

The attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities was reportedly triggered after residents rejected attempts by the armed group to establish an extremist religious presence in the area. Survivors said the attackers, dressed in military-style uniforms and riding motorcycles, killed scores of residents, burnt homes and abducted dozens before fleeing. The incident underscores the growing insecurity in parts of North-Central Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly carried out mass killings, kidnappings for ransom, and attacks on rural communities, despite ongoing security operations. Over 2,700 people were initially displaced following the February 3 attack, with many remaining in temporary shelters in neighbouring communities.

‘We’ll Marry Beautiful Ones, Kill the Rest’ – Terrorists Reject N155m Ransom for 176 Kwara Captives

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending