Metro
Nationwide Protest: Police Affairs Ministry Advises Youths, Staff to Shun Violence
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr. James Sule, has advised Nigerian youths and staff of the Ministry not to join anybody to destroy the country as the government is doing its best to reposition the economy given the global challenges from COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine war and banditry in the country.
The Perm Sec, according to a statement e-signed by the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Mr Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), stated this during the handing over ceremony between the outgoing-incoming Permanent Secretaries Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzor and Mr. James Sule at the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary urged the staff to play their best and work as a team given the upcoming protest and be careful of destructive elements in the society whose actions do not promote a peaceful atmosphere but clamour for the destruction of the country.
In his words, “The economic challenges are not peculiar to this country alone but affect nations globally. We should not join them to destroy the country. We are not saying there is no shortcoming but gradually we come out of it to reposition the country.
James added that the Ministry has been saddled with the responsibility of repositioning the police to be well motivated, people friendly, and ensure the safety and security of Nigerians. That means we have a part to play in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service delivery in Nigeria. He stressed.
According to him, “I am assuring you that I will do my best and I want all of us to see ourselves as leaders. Everything starts and ends with leadership. Open your doors and have a listening ear to staff working with you and offer any help you can. We still have a lot to do to improve the service delivery of the Nigeria Police to meet global standards.”
In their goodwill messages the Director of Human Resource Management, Mr. Stephen Simon extorts the quality attributes of the outgoing Permanent Secretary for having a very good listening ear to every problem, reports, and being ready to proffer solutions.
The Chairman of the Joint Union, Comrade Archibong Okon, and the leader of the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) Mr. Adetoyinbo Oluwaferanmi Pamilerin thanked the Permanent Secretary for his open-door policy, transparent, humane, and father figure in dealing with them.
Earlier, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, pointed out that once the Nigeria Police is reformed the whole country would be reformed adding that there is a lot of potential in the Ministry to improve the service delivery of the Nigeria Police to the citizens base on the numerous technological driven projects.
In his words, “The police became more endeared to my heart because of the potential to turn around the country. Whatever little achievement you record, it may be small in your view but has a strong transformative effect on the entire nation. Your achievement here has a magnifier that would amplify the volume of benefits that you would contribute to the nation”.
He said that directors are important people in the civil service and urged the staff to extend cooperation to the incoming Permanent Secretary adding that he has a flair for quality output and dedication of staff.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police mobile force (PMF) personnel from private individuals nationwide.
The IGP, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, gave the directive during a meeting with PMF squadron commanders at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday.
He decried the assignment of PMF operatives to escort and guard duties for VIPs and private individuals across the country.
He also announced a series of reforms, including quarterly ethics and professionalism training, and the mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units.
In the statement, Adejobi said the move is part of the reorganisation of the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
“He expressed concern over the diversion of PMF personnel to non-core roles, including escort and guard duties for private individuals and VIPs, a trend which has undermined the unit’s effectiveness,” the statement read.
“To address this, the IGP has announced a series of measures including the immediate withdrawal of PMF personnel from unauthorized deployments, regular quarterly training focused on ethics and professionalism, and mandatory standby of fully equipped, combat-ready units across all Squadrons for rapid tactical support.”
According to the IGP, all PMF Commanders will be held accountable for the conduct of their personnel.
Egbetokun, however, urged them to lead proactively through regular training, inspections, and mentorship aimed at upholding discipline, respect for human rights, and operational excellence.
The police in Bauchi State have arrested a 40-year-old woman for allegedly raping a 12-year-old boy in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area.
The State Police Command in a statement by the PPRO, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said: “On March 1, 2025, at about 14:00 hours, a concerned citizen from Katagum Local Government Area reported a serious incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Azare.
“The report implicated Fatimah Ibrahim, a 40-year-old resident of Tashan Jama’are, in a troubling case involving a 12-year-old boy (names withheld), who had been employed to assist in her business.”
The victim, an Arabic pupil, was reportedly housed at the defendant’s residence, where he was subjected to inappropriate conduct over two months.
During an interview, Wakil said the victim described how the defendant, who he trusted as a maternal figure, engaged him in acts of a sexual nature, especially when her other visitors were not present.
He recounted being given a mixture of lemon juice, which he believed may have been tampered with before these incidents occurred, and indicated that he had been subjected to such behavior on multiple occasions.
Wakil said during the subsequent interrogation, the defendant admitted to her actions. He added that investigation is ongoing, adding that the suspect will undergo profiling before charged to court for the appropriate offence.
A prominent Lagos hotelier, Otunba Kunle Akinyele, tragically passed away on Saturday after collapsing during a church thanksgiving service held in honour of his wife’s 60th birthday.
The incident occurred at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Iyanu, Odemuyiwa District Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos State, leaving family, friends, and well-wishers in deep shock.
In a now-viral video shared on Facebook by Ayoade Ojeniyi on Sunday, the late businessman appeared visibly distressed, gesturing frantically—apparently requesting water or an inhaler—moments before slumping while delivering his testimony.
The thanksgiving service had been organised to celebrate his wife, Deaconess Catherine Adejoke Akinyele, with a grand reception scheduled to follow immediately after at Noble Castle Events Centre, Igando.
However, those plans were abruptly halted when news broke that Akinyele had collapsed in church. Despite frantic efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
One of the event vendors, who shared their experience via Facebook, said they had arrived at the reception venue as early as 10 am for the party, which was set to commence by 2pm.
The vendor wrote: “The celebrant, her husband, their children, and guests had all gone to church for the thanksgiving, intending to proceed to the reception afterwards. Varieties of foods were ready, decoration set, cocktails, emu oguro, and more. The live band had already mounted about 25 speakers. This is how people die? I can’t even think of asking for my balance for the job.”
