Metro
Police Nab Masterminds of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack, Greenfield University Kidnappings
The Nigeria Police on Thursday, announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna where some passengers were killed while scores were abducted in March 2022.
The mastermind was identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, also disclosed that the suspect had also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.
Adejobi also added that 48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts were underway to identify his sponsor and supplier of weapons.
He said, “On 12th January 2024, police operatives attached to an anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department, based on credible information swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi aka MANDE at Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.
“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.
“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”
Meanwhile, the police spokesman also said that no fewer than 81-armed robbers, 40 kidnapers, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities between January to date with particular focus on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
According to him, the strategic initiative being implemented by the force along the Abuja-Kaduna highway was responsible for current success stories so far recorded.
Similarly, he added that operatives have successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres.
“Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.
“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed. These achievements include.”
The police spokesman further said that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remains steadfast in its resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of all citizens as well as combat criminal activities in the country.
Some bloodthirsty terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March 28 and abducted some passengers.
A day after the attack, another passenger who suffered from a gunshot wound died, making it nine, the total number of those killed in that attack.
From the manifest received by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 398 passengers bought tickets but 362 were validated as having bought tickets.
The Punch
Metro
Police Dismissed Officers Caught Fighting in Viral Video, FPRO Clarifies, Says Incident Happened in 2020
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that the video making the rounds in the social media about two offiers fighting in the public space is an old video, adding that the incident occurred in 2020.
In a press statement made available to this medium, the FPRO noted the two erring officers, who were identified as F/NO. 491112 Cpl Ozimaede Aidonojie and F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen, have since been dismissed.
He wrote:
The Nigeria Police Force is aware of a video circulating on social media platforms depicting a street fight involving two police officers. The two officers involved were identified as F/NO. 491112 Cpl Ozimaede Aidonojie and F/NO. 516384 PC Salubi Stephen, both of whom served at the Ebele Divisional Police Headquarters in Edo State.
Upon thorough examination of the video in question, it has been confirmed that this regrettable incident occurred in the year 2020. The behavior displayed by the officers during this altercation, witnessed by members of the public who had to intervene to separate them, is completely unacceptable and unbecoming of officers entrusted with upholding law and order.
In response to this serious breach of professional ethics, both Cpl Ozimaede Aidonojie and PC Salubi Stephen have been dismissed from the Force. Their dismissal was officially communicated through a Police wireless signal with reference number CH 6450/EDS/PROV/VOL.3/188, dated April 24, 2020.
The Nigeria Police Force wishes to reiterate its condemnation of such act in the strongest terms, while assuring resolute commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity among its personnel.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue to partner with the Force, as partnership is key to promoting accountability and transparency in the Force, as well as enhancing a safe and secure environment for all.
The Lagos State government has issued a stern warning to teachers and schools against extending official hours for fee-paying extra lessons.
This directive was announced by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, during the unveiling of a block of classrooms and furniture at Amuwo Odofin Junior High School complex.
Alli-Balogun emphasized that the extra hour after the official closing time – typically used for paid lessons – ought to be for extracurricular activities. The activities, the commissioner said, include clubs such as the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Boys Scouts, Boys/Girls Brigade, STEM Club, Writing and Debate Club, are essential for the well-rounded development of students.
Expressing his disapproval of the practice where the first lesson of the day is often neglected by teachers, Alli-Balogun warned that any teacher found derelict in their duties would face strict consequences.
“Do your job at the right time between 8.00am and 2.00pm and leave the extra hour for reading or extracurricular activities.
“We will no longer condone using that time for fee-paying extra lessons in our schools. Education is free in Lagos State, and nobody should be charging any fee for anything,” he warned.
The commissioner made these remarks during the inauguration of new classroom facilities and furniture at the Amuwo-Odofin Junior High School Complex, a project sponsored by Grimaldi Group and Ports & Terminal Multiservices Ltd.
He urged students to fully engage in the various social activities and clubs available to ensure their holistic development.
Alli-Balogun’s stern message underscores the government’s commitment to free education and the importance of extracurricular activities in fostering a balanced educational environment.
Troops of Sector 2 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in Bagasola, Chad, have neutralized one suspected terrorist as well as frustrate the logistics movement of the Boko Haram group.
The achievement was part of the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity 2, of the task force through an ambush on Monday, according to a statement signed by the Chief Public Information Officer, Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
This operation took place on Litri Island, situated on the border between Chad and Nigeria in the Central Lake Chad, resulting in the neutralization of one terrorist. The troops were able to recover several items from the operation, including one AK 47 rifle, 2 x magazines, one unexploded ordnance device, a mobile phone, and other personal belongings. This marks a blow to terrorist capabilities in the area.
Complementing this success, on 11 May 2024, troops from 19 Brigade Sector 3 MNJTF disrupted a logistics movement by Boko Haram terrorists in the Burwarti area of Kukawa LGA, Borno State, Nigeria. The ambush led to the capture of 2 motorcycles, one Baofeng radio, 4 bags of millet, and various miscellaneous items. Following this operation, on 12 May 2024, a clearance operation from Burwarti to Daban Masara resulted in the intercept of a civilian vehicle by troops. The vehicle, driven by Mr Baba Ado, carrying passengers and empty baskets towards Daban Masara, was found 6km east of Burwarti. After a thorough search and interrogation, Mr Baba Ado, who was on the 19 Brigade’s watch list, was detained for further investigation.
Adding to these successes, on 13 May 2024, the Nigerien Gendarmerie in Sector 4 MNJTF located in Diffa, Niger Republic, seized petroleum products concealed within sacks of maize cereals. This operation, conducted about 5km from the main road on the outskirts of Diffa town, thwarted an attempt to smuggle these products past security checkpoints, products that were destined for terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
These collective efforts significantly undermine the logistical and operational capabilities of terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region. The MNJTF remains committed to eradicate the menace of terrorism and restore peace and security to the region.
