“People calling for scrapping of SARS may likely be armed robbers” – Police PRO #EndSars

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, Jimoh Moshood has said the people calling for the proscription of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) may be armed robbers.

Speaking to TheCable on Sunday, Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, said SARS has lived up to its duty of curbing violent crimes and so, calls for its proscription should be “totally condemned”.

“As we speak, SARS is doing fantastically well across the country in reducing incidents of robbery to the barest minimum… they are doing very, very well,” Moshood said.

“There has not been any specific violation of human rights against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumour is not doing the nation any good.

The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. Anybody calling for their proscription is not doing the nation any good and such people should be suspected as having something to hide.”

Jimoh Moshood

Moshood urged Nigerians with complaints against any police officer – “whether SARS or any other personnel” – to channel their complaints through established channels.

“Accessibility (to the police in cases of complaints) is very possible, he said, adding: “We do not take any infraction or violation of human right of any Nigerian likely. You know that so many police officers have been dismissed and even charged to court.”

“So, Nigerians should not give in to insinuations from people that just come to the social media and start spreading falsehood. Such people spreading such information may likely be armed robbers themselves.

“There is laid down rules for police procedures and any police officer that go beyond boundary to do something outrageous which is against the law is apprehended.”“SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate.

Chaos As Soldiers Drag Policeman To Their Barracks For Assaulting Colleague. Photo

It was a chaotic moment earlier today at Otigba Junction, Enugu, Enugu State, as a result of a clash between the Nigerian army and some policemen. According to reports, trouble started when a policeman used his riffle to hit a soldier on the head for allegedly ignoring the traffic light. .

The colleagues of the brutalized military man promptly mobilized to the scene to rescue him and they have been trying to drag the policeman to their barracks at the 82 Division Headquarters.

Police Arrests Man Who Helped Rescue Kidnapped Victims Inside Creek

Residents of Igando area of Lagos were shock after police from arrested a young man simply known as ‘Egbon’, who led the Vigilante group to the creek and exposed the kidnappers den which led to the rescue of seven victims.

The arrest and detention of Egbon had triggered negative reactions especially from those living in Akesan, Egan Igando and Badore areas who knew the role he played in unmasking the criminals.
According to PM Express, the police were not happy that Egbon took the vigilante group to the creek instead of the police where seven victims were recently rescued. The vigilante group also recovered arms, handed them over to police and the kidnappers were temporarily dislodged.

The police has turned now to allege that Egbon knew too much about the activities of the kidnappers and therefore must be among those who collect ransom for the kidnappers.

During a visit to Igando Police Division, the DPO was said not to be around but the young man was still detained in the cell.

However, a police source confirmed that Egbon was arrested as a suspect. The source also said he will be transferred to the State Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS at Ikeja for interrogation. The Area Commander, Area M Idimu Command, ACP Austine Akika was contacted and he said he would contact the DPO to find out the facts and get back to the reporter but did not.

The VGN Lagos State Deputy Commander, Mr Adeye Santos confirmed the development and explained what happened. He said Egbon was one of the key informants the vigilante group was using to unmask the criminal hideouts mostly in the riverine areas because of his deep knowledge of the water ways.

He said in the last operation which led to the rescue of the seven victims, he was fully involved and even led the operation in the creek. He was therefore surprised when he was told that Egbon has been arrested and detained by the police as one of the kidnappers.

He wondered how he would be chasing the kidnappers and at the same time be among them.

Residents have described dealing with the police as dangerous despite the fact that they always claimed that ‘police is our friend'.

U.S. Govt expresses concern over deaths of Nigerians during clashes between police and Shia Muslims in Kano

The U.S Government has expressed its concern over the killings of Nigerians by police during the clashes between the police and Shia Muslims in Kano State last Monday.

A statement issued on Friday, November 18th, by John Kirby, U.S. Department of State's Assistant Secretary and spokesperson, said the Shia community have the right to assemble, peacefully express their religious beliefs, and mark their celebrations.

"The United States is deeply concerned by the deaths of dozens of Nigerians during clashes between individuals participating in a Shia procession and the Nigerian Police Force in Kano State on November 14, the statement reads.

"While the matter is still under investigation, we are troubled by the apparent disproportionate response by the police. This is the latest in a series of violent incidents between security forces and members of the Shia Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), some of which have resulted in deaths, destruction of property, and the arbitrary detention of IMN members.

"The United States calls for calm and restraint on all sides, a reduction of tensions, and greater communication between Shia citizens and government authorities.

Members of the Shia community, like other religious communities, have the right to assemble, peacefully express their religious beliefs, and mark their celebrations.

"We call on the Nigerian government to protect and defend these rights. It is also incumbent on members of the IMN and all Nigerian citizens to respect the rule of law and cooperate with the police as they attempt to maintain public order.

"We continue to urge the government to ensure accountability for the deaths of more than 300 IMN members during December 15, 2015 clashes between the IMN and security forces in Zaria, Kaduna State. We also call on the Nigerian government to conduct a transparent investigation of the latest incidents and bring to account anyone responsible for violating the law"

- LIB

A Man Was Arraigned For Naming Pet Dog Buhari In Ogun

A named Mr. Joe Chinakwe, who was arrested for naming his pet dog Buhari, has be rearrested again yesterday by the Ogun State Police Command noting that the suspect would be arraigned in court on Monday.


It also stated that Chinakwe, who was earlier released a few days ago, was picked up again based on its belief that the suspect’s action was capable of provoking an ethno religious crisis.

Saturday Vanguard had exclusively reported the three-day detention and subsequent release of the 30-year old after the intervention of the Serkin Hausa and President-General of non-indigenes in the state.

He was taken into custody after one of his neighbours, who was later found out to be a Nigerien complained that the dog was named after his father, Alhaji Buhari. It was learned that the prompt intervention of the elders made the complainant to withdraw the case at Sango-Ota Division.

Police sources had earlier told Vanguard that upon his release, the father of two, who hails from Ukwunzu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State and the complainant were made to sign an undertaking not to cause any breach of peace. In the light of these, the suspect’s arrest yesterday opened another page on the matter that had aroused public interest.

However, the state’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, told newsmen that Chinakwe was rearrested yesterday to prevent the state from being plunged into crisis, adding that the complainant and his sympathisers had threatened to kill the suspect.

He further stated that the suspect was being held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the command, noting that the arrest was done to save Chinakwe’s life. In addition, the Police mouthpiece said the suspect, had confessed that he named his pet dog Buhari and had the name written on the body of the dog.

His words: “The man is here with us. He is at the Criminal Investigation Department. The charge will be prepared here and he will be arraigned at Sango Magistrate Court on Monday. “He is going to court on Monday because what he did was highly provocative. It can cause an ethnic and religious crisis.

We have to be proactive, we cannot fold our arms and allow the state to be plunged into crisis.
“In fact, the arrest was made to save the suspect’s life because the complainant and his group have threatened to kill him if he comes back and this may trigger violence”.

Further investigation by Vanguard showed that the Police had not recovered the dog which may likely serve as evidence.
Chinakwe was arrested last Saturday after one of his neighbours complained that he named the dog after his father, Alhaji Buhari.