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IGP Baba Flags Off 3-Day Capacity Building Workshop for Police PROs in Lagos
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By Eric Elezuo
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has declared open a fully residential three days capacity building workshop for public relations officers attached to all the Police commands in the country.
The flag off event, which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA Ikeja, has in attendance all PPROs in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
In his speech at the event, IGP Baba noted that the workshop is timely and unique, and that the contextual theme of the workshop will seek to develop robust forensic awareness and knowledge for the Spokespersons. He urged the participants to “take advantage of the opportunities the workshop presents, to interact, cross fertilize and broaden their skills, especially in responding to crime incidents and to fit-in to the ever demanding, dynamic but necessary task of information management and public engagement, for the Force.”
He also appreciated the Nigeria-German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and it’s Head, Gertjan de Gruijter, for partnering the Police to host the workshop.
Read the IGP’s full speech
REMARKS BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP USMAN ALKALI BABA, psc (+), NPM, fdc AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A 3-DAY FULLY RESIDENTIAL CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP FOR POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICERS
Protocol
It is with great sense of professional fulfilment that I welcome you all to this very important occasion which is the opening ceremony of a 3-day Intensive Capacity Building Workshop for Police Public Relations Officers across all Commands and other Formations of the Nigeria Police Force. This workshop, with the theme, “Crime Scene Management and Conclusive Criminal Investigations – The Role of Police Spokespersons”, will hold from today, through to 3rd September, 2021.
2. Ladies and gentlemen, this workshop is organized in partnership with the Nigeria – German Development Cooperation (GIZ). I sincerely appreciate the Head of Component, GIZ Nigeria, Gertjan de Gruijter, for GIZ’s approval and for undertaking to sponsor and organize this workshop as part of the many interventions by the organization in building and strengthening Police structures and capacity in Nigeria. I am reliably informed by the Force Public Relations Officer, who has been interacting with the GIZ team on behalf of the Force, that the workshop would be in two (2) batches with the first batch holding here in Lagos and the second in Abuja. This is for the purpose of positive intellectual impact and also in compliance with the COVID-19 prevention regulations.
3. Let me state that I am particularly excited about this workshop, owing to the fact that, it is coming at a time when the Force is implementing a new Manpower Development Policy, which amongst other things, focuses on improving capacity of Police personnel across all ranks, in line with new policing standards and best practices.
4. This workshop for Police Public Relations Officers is timely and unique in many ways. One of these, is the contextual theme of the workshop which seeks to develop robust forensic awareness and knowledge for our Spokespersons. This in itself flows from contemporary public relations practice which identifies Police spokespersons across the world as one of the first responders to crime scenes. This is in addition to many other important roles played by Police Spokespersons in managing crime incidents throughout the investigative processes. These roles are germane to the pursuit of professional criminal investigations and the dispensation of justice to both the victims and defendants.
5. This course also seeks to equip the participants with skills necessary for effective descriptive, analytical and strategic communication touching on criminal investigations and procedure. This in turn will enable them acquire relevant skills to give appropriate responses to citizens and media enquiries into matter of forensic and evidential nature connected to ongoing criminal investigations.
6. I have no doubt that the 3-days workshop would, amongst other benefits, impact Police Spokespersons positively, particularly in the areas of Strategic Communication and Crime Scene Management. In addition, participants of this course must be reminded that, to succeed as Police Image Makers, they must be versatile and have deep theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of policing, covering administration, operations, investigations, forensics, amongst others. Therefore, the quest for resourcefulness, remains an integral part of the objective of this course.
7. I encourage the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the workshop presents, to interact, cross fertilize and broaden their skills, especially in responding to crime incidents and to fit-in to the ever demanding, dynamic but necessary task of information management and public engagement, for the Force. I am confident that the trainees will put up their best of performance throughout the period of the training and reflect the knowledge gained in their service delivery.
8. The Nigeria Police, under my watch, remains committed to well-thought-out and goal-driven partnership and collaborations, with progressive and positive-minded organizations such as the GIZ, targeted at enhancing professional, structural and operational capacity of the Force. The Force would sustain this relationship and open new areas of collaborations, particularly ones touching on capacities on criminal investigations, respect for human rights, access to justice for citizens, improved transparency and accountability in policing actions, and other deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening citizens’ complaint response system.
9. Once again, Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to this event and I wish you a robust and professionally-rewarding engagement. On this note, it is my singular honour to declare this Workshop open. I thank you for your attention.
Eight members of the 24-member Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers cited insecurity, injustice and failure to address the wellbeing of the people.
In a joint statement, they said they could no longer remain in a party that had failed to provide adequate security for citizens, particularly in rural communities.
The affected lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tukur Bakura (Bakura), Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun I), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Muktaru Nasiru Kaura (Kaura North), Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Bashar Bello (Bungudu West) and Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).
Kagara, an ally of former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, said their decision followed the state government’s failure to tackle insecurity affecting their constituents.
“What we are challenging Governor Lawal’s administration about is even worse now compared to previous times, so we have seen no reason to continue remaining in the APC. Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” he said.
He also alleged that the lawmakers had gone 32 months without salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
“This is our 32 months without salary, allowances and other entitlements as honourable members, and the people of Zamfara; the ball is in their court,” he said.
The lawmakers did not immediately disclose their next political party.
Reacting, APC Publicity Secretary in the State, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party is yet to receive official notification.
“We are still waiting for their correspondence from their respective political wards after reaching their local government executives, which would later be forwarded to us. We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand,” he said.
The development adds to internal realignments within Zamfara APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A source quoted by Daily Trust, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he did not blame the lawmakers, alleging that Governor Dauda Lawal had chosen to work with others instead of reconciling with them.
An intelligence-led operation by a combined team of troops of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, and Western Nigeria Security Network aka Amotekun officers, at the weekend in Owo forest, Ondo State, eliminated a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abdussamad Ohida.
Reports quoting security sources said Ohida, aka Anwar, who was on the verge of planning massive terrorist attacks in some southern states, was killed alongside many members of the terrorist organisation by the security forces who led a surprise attack on their forest hideout.
According to the sources, the eliminated ISWAP leader previously served as deputy to ISWAP Central Nigeria leader Abu Ikrimah, also known as Abu Uwais. Ikrimah was arrested by the DSS in 2023.
Following Ikrimah’s arrest, continued the sources, Ohida assumed leadership of ISWAP activities across parts of North Central and southern parts of the country, where he subsequently played a key role in the planning, coordination and execution of terrorist operations.
Through the interrogation of Abu Uwais, continued the sources, the DSS was able to gather credible intelligence on plans by Ohida to attack innocent persons during the forthcoming Yuletide.
“The plan was to attack civilians during the festive period and ultimately disrupt the 2027 general elections. This Intelligence was corroborated by intelligence partners from the United Kingdom, who supported the elimination operation,” offered one of the sources.
He said Ohida planned and executed the December 31, 2025, invasion of Ipele Divisional Police Station, Owo, Ondo State, carting away right AK-47 rifles before bringing down the station with an explosive. He mentioned the 28 July 2022 Suleja–Zuba Road, Niger State military checkpoint attack in which several soldiers, officers and civilians were killed.
He also blamed Ohida for the July 11, 2022, attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; the 23rd April, 2022 attack on Ogaminana Police Station, Adavi LGA, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of five police officers, and the February 7, 2022, attack on Okene Area Command police station.
“The terrorist planned and executed the 24th December, 2020 attack on a Naval checkpoint in Okene, Kogi State, which resulted in the death of two naval officers, not to mention the several attacks he launched across parts of the country,” he added.
“We may not immediately realize it, but the elimination of Abdussamad Ohida represents a significant disruption to ISWAP’s leadership structure, operational network and expansion efforts in central and southern Nigeria.
“Ohida’s elimination, coming a few months after the killing of ISIS leader Abu Bilal al-Minuki, is a very big blow to ISWAP’s efforts to expand its operational presence in Nigeria, and underscores the growing efficiency of our security services,” he declared.
Amnesty International Nigeria has urged Nigerian security authorities to investigate allegations of political violence threats made by politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections and ensure that those found responsible are held accountable.
The human rights organisation made the demand in a statement shared on its verified Facebook page on Saturday, following reported remarks attributed to the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe.
Amnesty International said Tenebe was reportedly quoted as threatening to deploy the “power of AK-47” against persons allegedly attempting to frustrate the APC’s ambition of securing 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“Tenebe made the threat during a campaign rally in Edo State, where political violence is already rampant,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation also raised questions over the response of Nigerian security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as public threats of violence issued by politicians.
It noted that such remarks were being made “in utter disregard for the rule of law and the nation’s Electoral Act.”
Amnesty International called on the authorities to ensure that politicians and other public figures, irrespective of their political affiliations, are held responsible for actions or statements that incite, threaten or encourage politically, religiously or ethnically motivated violence.
The organisation further stressed that accountability should cover individuals involved in carrying out or promoting violence and human rights violations before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
