3 police officers, 1 army captain get community impact award

Three police officers and one army captain have received the prestigious Community Impact Award for professionalism and humility in the line of duty from the Youth Initiative for Fitness and Impact (YIFI).

The awardees are Capt. Ishaq Abdulhamid, Officer Commanding (OC), Forward Operational Base (FOB) Bwari, and DCP Toyin Sulyman, Deputy Commissioner, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Others are ACP Michael Tarfa, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Homicide, FCID, and CSP Ajaegbu Onyeka, Area Crime Officer, Karu Area Command.

Speaking at the award presentation, the National President of YIFI, Kenneth Chima, said the awards were part of activities to mark Global Wellness Day (GWD) coming up on June 13.

According to him, the day was established as a non-profit social project in 2012 to promote holistic well-being and healthier lifestyles.

”It was created in Turkey in 2012 by Belgin Aksoy and is now celebrated in over 100 countries with entirely complimentary and volunteer-led activities.

“Today is a very special day for us in YIFI, because it is part of our activities to mark GWD, coming up on Saturday.

“As our name implies, fitness, we deem it fit to recognise and appreciate exceptional police officers who have done well in their professions.”

He explained that some of the officers were nominated, screened and vetted.

”We have approved them. That is why we are here.

“We gave a Community Impact Award to these exceptional officers who have demonstrated superior dedication and commitment to community safety and peace.

“We did this to appreciate and encourage them to continue to exhibit these good deeds. When you die, the only thing that can speak for you is not your words but your deeds,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Tarfa appreciated YIFI for the award.

“It is an honour that I appreciate. I pledge to do more. I will not relent, in spite of any pressure.

”By the special grace of God, I will continue to protect lives and property and ensure that the people have a better life.

“This award is coming at a good time and I want to appreciate you for recognising me. On behalf of other recipients, we are grateful,” Tarfa stressed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that YIFI will host a fitness and wellness event in Bwari on June 13 to commemorate GWD. (NAN)

The Senate has called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement against bandits and terrorists who openly display their criminal activities and proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, amid rising concerns over the growing use of digital platforms by criminal networks.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, on the escalating wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in Kogi West and other parts of the country.

During the debate, lawmakers also backed an additional prayer moved by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, urging coordinated action by the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other security agencies to track, monitor and arrest individuals using social media to publicise criminal operations.

Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern that armed groups were increasingly leveraging social media not only to flaunt illicit wealth but also to conduct public displays of influence.

“Bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over ₦100m within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok,” she said.

She questioned why such online activities had not led to arrests despite clear digital footprints.

“I wonder why the Cybercrime Unit and the Police Force generally cannot track these activities and apprehend them since they are on social media. Therefore, I urge the Nigerian Police Force National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest these individuals,” she stated.

The motion was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West Senatorial District and enjoyed broad support across party lines, reflecting growing legislative alarm over the intersection of insecurity and unchecked online criminal exposure.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the trend as a direct challenge to state authority and an indication of rising impunity among criminal groups.

“The Department of State Services should be able to track their movements and arrest them because this is a show of impunity, as if there is no law at all,” he said.

He warned that the circulation of videos showing cash displays and criminal activities online was being used to undermine government institutions.

“I do not see why we should not have control over the social media space. That idea of showing themselves, showing the cash collected and displaying it is a way of challenging the government,” he added.

Akpabio urged security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security priority, calling for stronger coordination and real-time digital monitoring.

“I want the security agencies and heads of security services to see this as a major challenge. Whenever anybody finds such content, bring it to the attention of the Senate, and we shall invite the relevant federal authorities to explain why those people have not been apprehended,” he said.

He also stressed the need for transparency in enforcement efforts, insisting that Nigerians must be informed when arrests and prosecutions are made.

“If they are apprehended, they should also report back so that Nigerians can know that those who openly show their faces while committing crimes are being arrested and prosecuted,” the Senate President stated.

Oyo APC demands clarification over reported death of 200 Amotekun operatives

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described as “saddening, alarming and unacceptable” the reported death of more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps, in undisclosed circumstances.

The party called on Governor Seyi Makinde to provide full details surrounding the revelation and ensure adequate protection for security personnel and residents across the state.

Governor Makinde had on Saturday, May 30, during a sympathy visit to Oriire Local Government Area, disclosed that over 200 Amotekun operatives had lost their lives in active service, without giving further explanation of the circumstances leading to their deaths. The visit followed an attack on Friday, May 15, in which suspected bandits killed two people and abducted over 40 schoolchildren and teachers.

Reacting on Thursday, the Oyo APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, in Ibadan, expressed shock at what it described as the governor’s “flippancy” in handling such a sensitive disclosure.

“With this ugly development, there is no denying the fact that the current administration in Oyo does not attach much importance to the lives of the people,” the party said.

“How can a governor mention the death of over 200 dedicated crime fighters flippantly and without any recourse to the feelings of their family members and loved ones? Why did the governor withhold information on the high casualty figures of the slain Amotekun Corps?” it queried.

The APC argued that the reported fatalities raised concerns about the level of insecurity in the state, suggesting that crime may have reached an alarming peak.

“For Oyo to have recorded such a high number of fatalities among its security team, it indicates that crime rates in the state have reached the crescendo while the state government covers up a whole lot of things,” the statement added.

The party also raised questions about the welfare, training, and operational structure of the Amotekun Corps, urging reforms and improved coordination with federal security agencies.

“The revelation by the governor also raises a lot of questions regarding the condition of service in the Amotekun Corps Service,” it said.

“From our own discreet investigations, we found that Makinde has failed to work a synergy between the corps and the federal security agencies on account of needless ego and cluelessness,” the APC added.

It further urged the state government to strengthen security coordination and prioritize professional standards within the corps.

“The practice whereby Amotekun Corps members are being deployed to man hotels, properties and business facilities belonging to friends and political associates of the governor should be stopped, while only competent hands should be recruited, even as training, retraining and good welfare packages must be put in place for the officials for them to operate under minimum risk and high motivation,” the party stated.