Metro
Inaccurate and Misleading: Lagos Police Debunk Reports of Attempt to Release Lebanese
The Lagos State Police Command has vehemently denied reports making the rounds that it was involved in the attempted release of a Lebanese national, who is in custody for the defilement of eight children.
The Police made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Lagos, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In the statement titled, RE: OUTRAGE AS LAGOS POLICE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPT TO RELEASE LEBANESE ACCUSED OF DEFILING EIGHT CHILDREN, the Police noted as follows:
“The Lagos State Police Command is not involved in any alleged attempt to release a Lebanese accused of defiling eight children.“
The story is therefore inaccurate and misleading.
The above case is being handled discreetly by the Gender Unit of the Command with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, and in line with international best practices, by specially trained gender case specialists.
Furthermore, the investigation strictly follows the standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons. The Gender Unit of the Command remains firmly committed to child protection and upholding due process in the pursuit of justice, without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone involved, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.
The case in question, which is under thorough investigation, does not involve any Lebanese, but rather a national of one of the Southern African countries. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that justice is served in the matter. It is important to inform the public that both the biological mother of the child and the child herself made statements to the Police affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person.
However, the complaint by the child’s father, who has custody of the child, on his allegations against the accused person, is being carefully investigated to ensure justice in the matter and prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a discreet investigation into the allegations highlighted by the reporter in the report to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting to the root of the matter . The writer of the story has also been contacted and briefed on the steps being taken by the Police to ensure that justice is achieved.
The Commissioner of Police furthermore wishes to reiterate his full confidence in the impartiality, competence, and high level of professionalism in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, Lagos Police Command,Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Toyin Kazeem, who was officially out of the country on IACP in the United States when the matter was reported to the Gender Unit. Her exemplary track record, both locally and internationally, exemplifies her integrity, dedication, and commitment to handling gender-related and other sensitive cases. Under her leadership, the Gender Unit has brought pride to the Command and provided justice to numerous vulnerable persons, including women and children.
The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the public and the media to continue to repose trust and confidence in the ability of the Command to deliver justice in all cases, particularly those involving children and other vulnerable groups. The outcome of this case will be made known to the public on completion of the investigation.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
The family of former President Shehu Shagari has announced the death of his last surviving widow, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari.
She passed away on Monday at the age of 89, after a prolonged illness.
A statement signed by the eldest son of the former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirmed that Saratu died at about 3 pm.
He described the late Hajiya Saratu as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity and service.
The family also said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is partnering with the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) as official media partner, to host the 2025 edition of the Nigerian Children National Crime Awareness Month.
According to a statement signed by POCACOV National Director, Citizens Engagement, Olafemi George, the month-long event scheduled to kick off on November 11 is themed “We are the Children of Nigeria — Our Lives Matter”, and is expected to run through the 28th with education oriented and Awareness activities lined up to give the children of Nigeria a solid voice in the scheme of affairs.
Narrating the rationale behind the Awareness Month, the statement noted that “There are moments in history when a nation must pause, look into the eyes of its children, and decide what kind of future it wants to protect. For Nigeria, that moment has come.
“Across our communities, schools, and homes, the quiet cry of our children grows louder each day — a plea to be seen, to be heard, and to be saved from the rising shadows of crime, drug abuse, cultism, and moral decay.
“This November, under the theme “Our Lives Matter,” Nigerian children will stand — not as spectators, but as voices of hope — to lead the first-ever National Children Crime Awareness Month. This movement is not a ceremony; it is a national rebirth; and for the first time in our history, the official flag-off will be conducted by Nigerian children themselves, from classrooms and school grounds across all 36 states of the federation. Each child will rise and declare to the nation and the world: “We are the children of Nigeria — our lives matter.” This is not just a campaign. It is a cry for redemption, a call to conscience.”
Acknowledging the frontline afforts NAOSNP has played in the safety and security of the Nigerian public, the statement stressed that “your Association has always stood as the conscience of our nation. Today, we ask you to once again stand on the side of truth and legacy and give these children a voice and a face through your platform as our Official Media Support Partner.
“Your partnership will amplify this unprecedented movement and remind the world that Nigeria has not lost her future — that her sons and daughters still believe in peace, in God, and in the power of collective goodness.”
The statement informed of the activities lined up for the period as follows:
November 11 – National Prayer and Flag-off by all Nigerian Children in their respecive Schools.
November 12 – 2-Km National Awareness Walk by all Nigerian children in their school uniforms.
November 17 – National Letter-Writing Day by Nigerian children, theme: ‘Letter To The President’.
November 20 – National Drawing Day by Nigerian children, theme: ‘Face of Motherhood’.
November 28 – Showing of the National Crime Awareness official Film across all Schools in Nigeria.
POCACOV and NAOSNP has maintained a healthy relationship in the fight against crime and criminality, and this opportunity is another platform to further serve the Nigerian National interest.
