By Patience Ogbo
The home breed terrorist group, Bokom Haram has claimed responsibility for
the bomb blast at the Force headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Some media commentators said the group has shown its seriousness to keep
the nation in fear until their demands are met. Others blame the IGP Hafiz
Ringim inaction able comment a previous day to the bomb attack of flushing
the Bokom haram sect, as responsible for the terrorist’s sect showing off
the stuff they are made of by detonating a suicide bomb in the police
headquarters.
From the report we have gathered, it is obvious that the target was
Mr.Ringim. . A 234next version said
"A traffic warden near the scene who requested anonymity said the explosion
took place shortly after Mr Ringim's convoy entered the building. He said
the bomber, who was driving an old model Mercedez Benz car, was right behind
the IG's incoming convoy, and gained entrance into the building premises
despite efforts to dissuade him by policemen riding in the last vehicle in
the convoy.
Sources say that as soon as the suspected bomber entered the premises, he
attempted to park the car beside that of the inspector general but was
stopped by a police superintendent who forced him to move to an adjacent
parking garage." the newspaper reported.
The question, is why is the IGP being targeted? Why did the police
officers at the entrance gate not stop the suicide bomber until he was so
close to Mr. Ringim and had to go park somewhere else?
If the car was suspected as claimed by the police spokes person Olushola
Amore, why was the same car allowed to park inside the premises? Why was he
not asked to park outside the police premises? Other questions begging for
answers are ,where are the multi-million anti-terrorism and anti-bomb squad?
What about out dear SSS, and military intelligence? Why is somebody not
resigning already over these endless bomb blasts? If the bombers can easily
PENETRATE THE Force headquarters with the entire CCTV cameras they claimed
they have installed in Abuja, then somebody or some people are aiding and
abetting the Boko haram sect; the security officers are glaringly on their
side.
The truth is that we are only left to what we can see and hear which is
very limited but it is high time we began to perceive beyond what we can see
and hear. The boko haram is the security officers and the security officers
are the Boko haram, they are already in the Nigeria police Force and other
security agencies.
This suicide attempt on the IGP is the second in two weeks as it was
reliably gathered that a” disgruntled" DSP attempted to kill the IGP two
weeks ago .The said DSP attached to the Federal anti-robbery squad has since
been detained on the orders of the IGP. A police source who requested
anonymity said “the suspected DSP attempted to kill the IGP after he learnt
that the IGP has removed his name from the security personnel of a governor
in the north and has replaced it was one of his "boys". How the said DSP
attempted to kill the IGP is still being investigated.
This brings us to the question I asked earlier, who wants the IGP dead? As
it is now, Mr. Ringim is the most “unsafe” man in the country. I wonder how
he can make Nigerians safe when he himself is been targeted and the first
instinct we know is that he will protect himself and his family first before
thinking of Nigerians.
One would have thought that the attempt on Mr. Ringim’s life last week
Thursday would have elicited empathy from his officers, but the reverse is
the case .The officers said the IGP should not expect their empathy or
sympathy has he has not shown empathy to his officers.
Their disdain for the IGP is related to his comments exonerating the army
for dastardly murdering in cold blood key officers of the Badagry police
station on May 26th. Mr. Ringim’s comment infuriated his men and from the
interview I conducted with some of the officers after the bomb blast in
Abuja, some of them said he is being paid in his own coin by not showing
empathy to his officers' death. One officer said " the IGP is in-between the
devil and the deep blue sea, he has created a sense of apathy from his
officers, as the occasion of the death of the Badagry officers was one he
would have utilised to show his officers and men that he care about them, he
would have visited the officers' families and be present during their
burial; this would have portrayed him as a people centered boss,” the
officer said .another officer said “ the IGP’s attitude to the Badagry
officers death is not right ,he was in Lagos when the officers were killed,
and after their death, he visited Lagos twice to commission projects, if he
has time to commission projects, I wonder why he cannot find time to visit
the slain officers’ families and condole with them”
It is sad that it is the same disgruntled officers that are “protecting”
the IGP, “tell me which officer would want to do his or her work effectively
when they have seen that their lives mean nothing to the country?"another
officer, a constable said .
Mr. Ringim's lackadaisical attitude to the gruesome murder of the Badagry
officers was condemned by Nigerians and the human rights groups and some of
them like the AfriRights and Access to Justice have chided the presidency
for not reacting TO THE BADAGRY KILLING but “now that the IGP was involved
in a bomb attack, Mr. Jonathan has rushed to see him; is Mr. Ringim’s life
better that that of the slain police officers” the Rights groups also want
Mr. Ringim to resign. “Since he CANNOT PROTECT HIS OWN OFFICERS, HE HAS
SHOWN THAT HE CANNOT PROTECT NIGERIANS” Afolabi Gbajumo, the president of
AfriRights said.
Somebody must take the blame for the bomb blast at the Force headquarters.
Mr. Ringim, himself, and then the security at the entrance to the Force
Headquarters should be investigated.
Also the police must begin to purge his own house as the bokom haram sect
has infiltrated the police Force because how will the bomber had known when
Mr. Ringim left his house?, who would have informed the bomber on how to
beat the security at the gate? who would have passed on the intel that the
IGP would be at the office at 11.am that day ?; these vital information on
the movement of the IGP can only come from an insider and it is high time
he started the purging before he becomes a roasted meat.
I am not saying he should surround himself with his Hausa or Muslim
officers, because typically and expectantly, that is what the IGP will do,
in short the IGP has been accused of deploying officers on ethnic and
religious sentiments all over the country. Read TheNews magazine of June
20th. This is not what the nation needs and it will not serve the greater
goal of national security.
What we need in and around the IGP manning our security outfits are
professional police officers who have proven their capabilities to rise to
the duty of safeguarding lives and property. Such officers are in all
tribes, creed and religions in the country and they should at this
critical moment in our nation's existence be called upon to braze the storm.
It is time for Nigerians to unit in love and purpose for this country to
watch our neighbour’s back and be the security we desire, as the security
agencies alone as it has shown cannot guarantee our safety. This is not the
presidency or Mr. Ringim’s fight alone, it is our collective battle to rise
to the challenge of protecting our homes, our dear country and our future
from the monster called Boko haram and all militant groups in and outside
the country; it is not a TIME TO FEAR, but a time to go the extra mile to
search for clues, to watch our neighourhood , to observe strange movements
and people and to give security agencies vital information that will help
them do their job better; Nigerians are the security we need; a stitch in
time , they said save nine; this time , it will save millions.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Crimes and Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs
Three local drug dealers arrested
By Patience Ogbo
May 27, 2011 01:49AM
print email
addthis_pub = 'Next';
addthis_logo = 'http://234next.com:80/csp/cms/sites/Next/assets/images/icon-share.gif';
addthis_logo_background = 'FFFFFF';
addthis_logo_color = '666699';
addthis_brand = '234next.com';
addthis_options = 'favorites, digg, delicious, myspace, facebook, google, live, more';
-->
In an attempt to halt the abuse of illicit drugs, the Lagos State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided major drug flash points in the state.
The raids took place at the Iddo motor park, Oyingbo railway terminal and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation depot at Ejigbo and led to the arrest of three suspected drug dealers and seizure of 122.65kg of cannabis.
The Lagos State commander of the NDLEA, Aliyu Sule, gave the names of the suspects as Gambo Amadu, 28, who was arrested with 90.3kg of cannabis, Fidelis Mike, 19, in possession of 7.35kg, and Diana Gabriel, 22, caught with 25kg.
The commander said a constant raid of areas will continue to flush out illicit drug peddlers and their buyers.
"The command will continue to raid drug flash points within the metropolis. Investigation is ongoing into the cases and the suspects will be charged to court," Mr Aliyu said.
The chairman and chief executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, expressed satisfaction with the raid. He urged Lagos residents to supply useful information on drug syndicates to the NDLEA, adding that the agency is interested in arresting all drug dealers in the country.
"Raid operation is a daily affair in the agency and I am pleased with the results of this operation. The agency is determined to bring every drug dealer to book. We are interested in taking away all drug users and addicts in our society," Mr Giade announced.
Everyday people
Mr Amadu, a commercial motorcyclist nabbed at Iddo area, claimed that his role was to guard the illicit warehouse where the cannabis was stored.
"I am an okada rider. I came to Lagos in 1993 and was introduced into the cannabis trade two years ago. My duty is to protect the cannabis warehouse. I work with one Isa but at the time of my arrest, Isa had gone out," Mr Gambo stated.
Mr Mike says his friends introduced him into cannabis.
"I can sing very well but I have no helper. I used to hawk Gala but friends lured me into cannabis sales. While selling Gala I can make 500 to 1,000 naira profit but with cannabis I can make a minimum of 3,500 naira a day. I attended Ladipo primary school in Lagos but after my graduation in 1996 I could not further my education because I lost my mother and my dad is bedridden," Mr Fidelis stated.
Contrarily, the female suspect nabbed in the raid operation denied her involvement in the crime.
"I do runs and attend club. I also smoke weed but I don't sell. I live with my father at Maryland," Ms Gabriel stated. "I am asking for early release to enable me write university entrance examination next month," she said.
Back tag.
*
* If you do not want to deal with the intricities of the noscript
* section, delete the tag (from ... to ). On
* average, the noscript tag is called from less than 1% of internet
* users.
*/-->
");
//]]>-->
function returnurl();
{
var url = window.location;
return url
//alert(url);
}
Crimes and Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs
By Patience Ogbo
May 27, 2011 01:49AM
print email
addthis_pub = 'Next';
addthis_logo = 'http://234next.com:80/csp/cms/sites/Next/assets/images/icon-share.gif';
addthis_logo_background = 'FFFFFF';
addthis_logo_color = '666699';
addthis_brand = '234next.com';
addthis_options = 'favorites, digg, delicious, myspace, facebook, google, live, more';
-->
In an attempt to halt the abuse of illicit drugs, the Lagos State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided major drug flash points in the state.
The raids took place at the Iddo motor park, Oyingbo railway terminal and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation depot at Ejigbo and led to the arrest of three suspected drug dealers and seizure of 122.65kg of cannabis.
The Lagos State commander of the NDLEA, Aliyu Sule, gave the names of the suspects as Gambo Amadu, 28, who was arrested with 90.3kg of cannabis, Fidelis Mike, 19, in possession of 7.35kg, and Diana Gabriel, 22, caught with 25kg.
The commander said a constant raid of areas will continue to flush out illicit drug peddlers and their buyers.
"The command will continue to raid drug flash points within the metropolis. Investigation is ongoing into the cases and the suspects will be charged to court," Mr Aliyu said.
The chairman and chief executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, expressed satisfaction with the raid. He urged Lagos residents to supply useful information on drug syndicates to the NDLEA, adding that the agency is interested in arresting all drug dealers in the country.
"Raid operation is a daily affair in the agency and I am pleased with the results of this operation. The agency is determined to bring every drug dealer to book. We are interested in taking away all drug users and addicts in our society," Mr Giade announced.
Everyday people
Mr Amadu, a commercial motorcyclist nabbed at Iddo area, claimed that his role was to guard the illicit warehouse where the cannabis was stored.
"I am an okada rider. I came to Lagos in 1993 and was introduced into the cannabis trade two years ago. My duty is to protect the cannabis warehouse. I work with one Isa but at the time of my arrest, Isa had gone out," Mr Gambo stated.
Mr Mike says his friends introduced him into cannabis.
"I can sing very well but I have no helper. I used to hawk Gala but friends lured me into cannabis sales. While selling Gala I can make 500 to 1,000 naira profit but with cannabis I can make a minimum of 3,500 naira a day. I attended Ladipo primary school in Lagos but after my graduation in 1996 I could not further my education because I lost my mother and my dad is bedridden," Mr Fidelis stated.
Contrarily, the female suspect nabbed in the raid operation denied her involvement in the crime.
"I do runs and attend club. I also smoke weed but I don't sell. I live with my father at Maryland," Ms Gabriel stated. "I am asking for early release to enable me write university entrance examination next month," she said.
Back tag.
*
* If you do not want to deal with the intricities of the noscript
* section, delete the tag (from ... to ). On
* average, the noscript tag is called from less than 1% of internet
* users.
*/-->
");
//]]>-->
function returnurl();
{
var url = window.location;
return url
//alert(url);
}
Crimes and Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs
Crimes and Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs
Crimes andMan nabbed for kidnapping Indian national
By Patience Ogbo
June 3, 2011 02:14AM
print email
addthis_pub = 'Next';
addthis_logo = 'http://234next.com:80/csp/cms/sites/Next/assets/images/icon-share.gif';
addthis_logo_background = 'FFFFFF';
addthis_logo_color = '666699';
addthis_brand = '234next.com';
addthis_options = 'favorites, digg, delicious, myspace, facebook, google, live, more';
-->
A 34-year-old man, Bassey Ekpenyong, is in police custody for allegedly kidnapping an Indian man.
Mr Ekpenyong was arrested by officers of the Ajah police division last month following a tip off from the victim’s family that he masterminded the kidnapping.
The victim, Bratish Joshi, 24, was kidnapped by a gang at the Piccolo Mondo night Club, at Victoria Island on May 2.
Mr Ekpenyong had been a close friend to the victim and he provided the kidnappers the necessary information which aided the kidnapping. Members of the gang who were identified as Ugbaka, 27, Koko, 28, and Baggie, 30, took Mr Joshi to a hideout and they called his parents and demanded a ransom of $200,000 US dollars before he will be released. The family of the victim paid the ransom and Mr Ekpenyong got $50,000 as his share of the deal.
He said he bought a piece of land for three million naira.
“I have known Bratish for more than six years now... we usually meet in night clubs and that was how I got to know his house and his father’s factory at Ikorodu,” Mr Ekpenyong said.
Mr Ekpenyong narrated how he lured the victim into the kidnappers nest.
“Sometimes in March this year, one of my friends called Ugbaka came to me and told me that I have opportunity to make money but I was not utilizing it,” he said. “I asked him what the opportunity was and he said that we should organize and kidnap my Indian friend. Ugbaka told me that I will get my share so that was how I agreed to the plan; that day I was the one who told Ugbaka and the other members of the gang where Bratish will be, so that was how they went to the Piccolo Mondo night club at Victoria island, they waited for Bratish to come out from the club and they forced him into a car. And drove to him to Ugbaka’s house.”
Mr Ekpenyong added that “Ugbaka got Bratish’s parents phone number and he demand for $200,000 dollars ransom before he will be released. They gave me $50,000 as my share. I used the money to buy land for three million naira.”
The Lagos State police spokesperson, Samuel Jinadu, said the police recovered three locally made pistol from the suspect’s house and the sum of $4000.
“The suspect has made useful information that will lead to the arrest of other members of his gang. The police are on the trail of the suspects who are at large and they will be arrested soon,” Mr Jinadu said.
Mr Jinadu advised members of the public to be very careful with friends who can set them up with kidnappers.
“This young Indian man did not know that the person he called a friend will set him up with kidnappers, so members of the public should be wary of such friends who can give out information to men of the underworld to kidnap them or their loved ones. The case is under investigation and the suspect will be charged to court soon,” Mr Jinadu said.
Back tag.
*
* If you do not want to deal with the intricities of the noscript
* section, delete the tag (from ... to ). On
* average, the noscript tag is called from less than 1% of internet
* users.
*/-->
");
//]]>-->
function returnurl();
{
var url = window.location;
return url
//alert(url);
}
Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs
By Patience Ogbo
June 3, 2011 02:14AM
print email
addthis_pub = 'Next';
addthis_logo = 'http://234next.com:80/csp/cms/sites/Next/assets/images/icon-share.gif';
addthis_logo_background = 'FFFFFF';
addthis_logo_color = '666699';
addthis_brand = '234next.com';
addthis_options = 'favorites, digg, delicious, myspace, facebook, google, live, more';
-->
A 34-year-old man, Bassey Ekpenyong, is in police custody for allegedly kidnapping an Indian man.
Mr Ekpenyong was arrested by officers of the Ajah police division last month following a tip off from the victim’s family that he masterminded the kidnapping.
The victim, Bratish Joshi, 24, was kidnapped by a gang at the Piccolo Mondo night Club, at Victoria Island on May 2.
Mr Ekpenyong had been a close friend to the victim and he provided the kidnappers the necessary information which aided the kidnapping. Members of the gang who were identified as Ugbaka, 27, Koko, 28, and Baggie, 30, took Mr Joshi to a hideout and they called his parents and demanded a ransom of $200,000 US dollars before he will be released. The family of the victim paid the ransom and Mr Ekpenyong got $50,000 as his share of the deal.
He said he bought a piece of land for three million naira.
“I have known Bratish for more than six years now... we usually meet in night clubs and that was how I got to know his house and his father’s factory at Ikorodu,” Mr Ekpenyong said.
Mr Ekpenyong narrated how he lured the victim into the kidnappers nest.
“Sometimes in March this year, one of my friends called Ugbaka came to me and told me that I have opportunity to make money but I was not utilizing it,” he said. “I asked him what the opportunity was and he said that we should organize and kidnap my Indian friend. Ugbaka told me that I will get my share so that was how I agreed to the plan; that day I was the one who told Ugbaka and the other members of the gang where Bratish will be, so that was how they went to the Piccolo Mondo night club at Victoria island, they waited for Bratish to come out from the club and they forced him into a car. And drove to him to Ugbaka’s house.”
Mr Ekpenyong added that “Ugbaka got Bratish’s parents phone number and he demand for $200,000 dollars ransom before he will be released. They gave me $50,000 as my share. I used the money to buy land for three million naira.”
The Lagos State police spokesperson, Samuel Jinadu, said the police recovered three locally made pistol from the suspect’s house and the sum of $4000.
“The suspect has made useful information that will lead to the arrest of other members of his gang. The police are on the trail of the suspects who are at large and they will be arrested soon,” Mr Jinadu said.
Mr Jinadu advised members of the public to be very careful with friends who can set them up with kidnappers.
“This young Indian man did not know that the person he called a friend will set him up with kidnappers, so members of the public should be wary of such friends who can give out information to men of the underworld to kidnap them or their loved ones. The case is under investigation and the suspect will be charged to court soon,” Mr Jinadu said.
Back tag.
*
* If you do not want to deal with the intricities of the noscript
* section, delete the tag (from ... to ). On
* average, the noscript tag is called from less than 1% of internet
* users.
*/-->
");
//]]>-->
function returnurl();
{
var url = window.location;
return url
//alert(url);
}
Justice in Nigeria: man flogged, disgraced for snaping photographs