Four shot dead as Police operatives suspected kidnappers engage in gun duel

The Police Command in Ogun said it neutralised four suspected kidnappers in a gun duel at Warewa axis on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday.

This is contained in a statement issued by CSP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s Spokesperson, on Saturday in Abeokuta.
Odutola said that a white Paragon commercial vehicle marked BDG 753 YH, driven by one Morufu Adedeji and heading towards Lagos, was ambushed at 8: 30p.m by armed men at a lonely section of the road

She explained that the assailants, wielding firearms and dangerous weapons, forcefully halted the vehicle, pointed a gun at the driver, and began robbing passengers at gunpoint.

” During the attack, some passengers managed to escape through the rear door, which had been smartly and courageously opened by the driver.

” This act enraged the kidnappers, who then brutally assaulted the driver to the point of unconsciousness,” she said.
Odutola said that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command in a swift and well coordinated response to a distress call foiled the attack.

She stated that upon their arrival the police operatives engaged the criminals in a gun duel.

” Four of the armed men were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds into the bush.

” Items recovered at the scene included one locally made pistol with two cartridges, two daggers, N20,000 cash, one Tecno Android phone, one solar power bank, and three USB lights (suspected to be stolen property),” she said.

Odutola explained that the bodies of the neutralised suspect had been deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy and further investigation.

She said that the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, had reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthen security and rid the area of criminal activities.

The command’s spokesperson further said that the commissioner had deployed tactical operatives to keep surveillance at strategic flashpoints on the Warewa/Arepo axis and routine patrols to ensure security of residents and commuters.

Odutola urged members of the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.

She also advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station. (NAN)

Two Suspects arrested by Police for murder of woman accused of witchcraf

The Biu Police Area Command has detained two suspects in connection with the murder of a 50-year-old woman accused of witchcraft practices.

The Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, Mr Yusuf Lawan confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via telephone interview on Saturday.

Lawan said the deceased, Hajara Saleh, was murdered on Feb 21, in Bantine community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He gave the names of the suspects as Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad and Ya’u Muhammad aged between 20 and 30 years.

The commissioner said the suspects allegedly conspired to kill the victim, accusing her of practicing witchcraft and bringing misfortune to the community.

Lawan said the woman sustained injuries on her neck, legs, and hands, resulting to her death.

He said that the police were alerted of the alleged crime by a residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward who reported the incident at about 11:00 a.m.

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered that the victim had already been buried according to Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members,” the commissioner said.

Lawan explained that in spite of the burial, police investigators managed to photograph the victim’s remains and gather critical evidence.

He added that two suspects were arrested immediately, while one was still at large, assuring that the police had launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

The commissioner described the attack as barbaric and unjustified, warning that accusations of witchcraft should not be used as an excuse for violence or extrajudicial killings.

“The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he said

According to him, the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offenses, noting that they would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

Lawan therefore, urged community members to report suspicions of witchcraft or other grievances to the police rather than resorting to jungle justice. (NAN)

JUST IN; Retired Police officers plan public protest over stalled Pension bills

The Kaduna State Chapter of Retired Police Officers has declared that it will stage a nonviolent demonstration in Abuja on Tuesday to demand that two important pension measures that are presently stuck in the Senate be passed.

The declaration was made in a press release by CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria (retd), Chairman of the Retirees’ Kaduna State Chapter, after their monthly general meeting at the Kaduna Police Officers’ Mess.

In order to create the Nigeria Police Pension Board and remove the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the retired officers are pleading with the National Assembly to approve two legislation.

The protest will take place at the National Assembly premises in Abuja, where the retirees intend to press for the exclusion of police retirees from the CPS and the creation of a dedicated police pension board.

CSP Zaria, speaking on behalf of the retirees, expressed deep concern about the dire living conditions of police pensioners.

“In just one week, seven retirees have passed away due to extreme poverty,” he said, emphasising the struggles many retirees face in their post-service years.

The retirees lamented the ongoing challenges they face, including the inability to afford education for their children, from primary school to university, and the rising costs of healthcare.

Many have reported losing the respect of their families due to their dire financial situation. “Our members can no longer provide for their families, and we have lost all dignity,” Zaria added.

In addition, the retirees voiced concerns over a new pension scheme allegedly being proposed by the Nigeria Police, called the “100 and 80% Pension Scheme.”

According to the retirees, this scheme would grant police officers from Assistant Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police 100% of their salaries as pension, while officers ranging from Chief Superintendent of Police to Constable would only receive 80% of their salaries.

The retirees are strongly opposed to this, as they believe it unfairly discriminates against lower-ranked officers.

The planned protest is set to serve as a call for justice and recognition of the sacrifices made by retired police officers in the service of the nation.