Metro
How Drivers in Military Camouflage Beat Up Policeman, LASTMA Official
A police inspector, Ben Thompson, and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Caleb Akerele, have been hospitalised after they were allegedly assaulted by two bus drivers who were dressed in military camouflage along the Eko Bridge.
The drivers were reportedly conveying passengers on a one-way route from Costain to Ijora Olopa in commercial buses, when they were accosted by the traffic officers.
The officers reportedly ordered them to turn back, which started an argument.
The drivers were said to have pounced on the officers and beaten them up.
The LASTMA spokesperson, Taofeek Adebayo, who confirmed the incident, said one of the military officers was apprehended.
He said, “Two commercial buses fully loaded with passengers were driving one-way from Costain to Ijora Olopa and they were challenged by a policeman and a LASTMA officer, who asked them why there were plying one-way.
“After several pleas to turn back, the two commercial drivers, who were putting on army camouflage, descended on the two officers and started beating them. It took the intervention of a team of policemen from Ijora to rescue the officials.
“In the course of the operation, one of those drivers ran away with his vehicle, while the second driver was apprehended and his vehicle impounded in our office. The injured officers were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta. The policeman’s hand was severed with a jackknife; the LASTMA officer was injured on his cheek. The military officer has been detained at the Lagos State Police Command.”
According to Adebayo, no one is above the law.
“So, I see no reason why anyone should contravene the law. Our officers are the ones bearing the brunt. We are appealing to members of the public to desist from plying one-way and respect the law,” he added.
A police source said a policeman was abducted by one of the military officers.
The source said, “The military men, while confronting the officers, sighted and beckoned on their colleagues who were on a different bus and those ones joined them in assaulting the policemen. Some policemen, who came to the scene, were also attacked.
“The soldiers abducted a policeman. We had to radio the patrol team in front to quickly block the road and we rescued the policeman. But all the soldiers succeeded in running away. One of them who drove the commercial vehicle was arrested and his vehicle impounded.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed the incident.
He said, “One policeman and a LASTMA officer were injured during the incident. They are currently receiving treatment.”
The Punch
The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has conveyed Nigeria’s dedication to fostering effective partnerships with INTERPOL member countries to tackle crimes, combating terrorism and maintain global peace as well as commitment to ensuring public safety and upholding the principles of justice, according to a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director, Press, Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The Minister who led the Nigerian delegation comprising Vice President Africa (INTERPOL), AIG Umar Garba (RTD); Director, Police Inspectorate Department (PID) Mrs. Bola Blessing Aderele; Head (INTERPOL, National Crime Bureau), AIG Lanre Bankole and others are attending 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna, Austria to commemorate the Centenary Celebrations.
The Minister expressed optimism about the future prospects of international cooperation in combating crime and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with Interpol and its member countries to ensure a safer, more secure world Gaidam acknowledged the pivotal role played by Interpol in promoting global security through its extensive network, data-sharing mechanisms, and operational support as well as funding of infrastructure in Nigeria.
“The centenary celebrations of Interpol served as a moment of reflection and appreciation of a century of international collaboration in law enforcement among member countries. Our active participation in the event further solidified Nigeria’s role as a responsible and proactive member of the international law enforcement community,” the Minister said.
He added: “Our presence highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to international security and cooperation as well as a renewed commitment from all member countries to work collectively in addressing the evolving challenges of crime in the 21st century.”
The Interpol General Assembly is an important platform for global law enforcement agencies to engage in constructive dialogue, exchange best practices, and strengthen collaboration in combating transnational crime.
During the assembly, discussions encompassed various topics, including the latest advancements in policing techniques, emerging security challenges, and strategies to enhance cross-border intelligence sharing.
The delegates deliberated on initiatives aimed at countering terrorism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational criminal activities. The momentous event witnessed the gathering of 196 member countries from Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has suspended the flight dispatcher who entered the wrong code to the dispatch document on Sunday, for a flight to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, which ended up at Asaba airport..
The flight dispatcher (names withheld), according to reports, was issued a suspension letter on Tuesday, by the management of the airline following an outcry from the public, which caused the carrier avoidable embarrassment.
Although the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is already investigating the incident, the suspension of the Dispatcher will remain in place until after the conclusion of the probe.
Head, Corporate Communications, United Nigeria Airlines, Mr. Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu, confirmed the suspension.
Uchegbu clarified that the suspension is not a sack, “but an action to enable investigation.”
The flight Dispatcher, on Sunday, entered into the dispatch document ABB, which is the code for Asaba International Airport, Delta State, instead of ABV, the code for Abuja airport.
Commenting on the incident, President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Comrade Galadima Abednego, described the situation as worrisome.
Speaking in Kano at the ongoing National Air Traffic Communicators’ Association of Nigeria (NACAN) 10th Annual General Meeting/Conference, Galadima said: “I would not like to call it a diversion. It is quite a worrisome situation, where an aircraft that is Abuja bound found itself in Asaba. It has serious safety and security breaches.”
A wave of fresh protests have broken out in the Kano metropolis as thousands of residents on Wednesday trooped to the streets demonstrating their rejection of the Appeal Court judgment sacking of Governor Abba Yusuf.
The appellate court, on September 20, upheld the verdict of the State Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay, which sacked Yusuf and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Nasir Ganuwa, the authentic winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State.
The tribunal had ruled that 165,663 votes garnered by Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) were invalid on the grounds that they were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus reducing his votes to 853,939 while those of the APC rival remained at 890,705.
Yusuf, who was not satisfied with the tribunal judgment, took his case to the Appeal Court only for it to uphold the verdict.
With the outcome of the appeal court, there has been tension in the state as several groups who are in support of Yusuf have been holding sporadic protests against the ruling which they see as a travesty of justice.
Different groups had also reportedly fixed protests but were dispelled by security operatives who prevented them from going ahead with the demonstrations to prevent break down of law and order.
However, despite concerted efforts by the police and other security agencies, the protesters defied all warnings and took over the streets in the city to protest the ruling of the appeal court.
The protesters were seen carrying placards as chanting slogans like “We will not accept it”; “We will not allow it”; “Kano belongs to Abba”; “Our mandate must be restored”; “Injustice exposed in CTC”; among others.
It was gathered that efforts by security operatives to disperse the protesters were abortive as they stood their ground and refused to back off.
