Crime & Court
SECURITY : OYSSTF to buy, repair police APC, vehicles
•Solicits information support for police
IN response to the unfortunate bank robbery incident that left many security operatives and innocent individuals dead in Offa, Kwara state, the Oyo State Security Trust Fund has again called on the attention of the people of Oyo state not to leave the task of security of lives and property solely in the hands of the government but support same by reporting suspected criminal activities promptly to the security operatives.
While calling on the people to always avail the security operatives particularly the police, information that can help nip criminal activities in the bud, the agency says people must be ready and willing to partner with and support the government effort in the interest of sustaining peace.
The agency made the call while informing journalists of its plans to refurbish and repair security operatives vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as complete the installations of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in some crisis-prone areas in the state.
Speaking with journalists on Monday at the Onireke office of the agency after the meeting of the members of the board of the agency, the Executive Secretary of OYSSTF, Mr Femi Oyedipe said the latest release is the third phase of the agency support initiative to bolster the peace and security being enjoyed in the state.
Lamenting the high number of victims of the Offa bank robbery incident, Oyedipe wondered why such innocent people had to pay with their lives, insisting that the security agencies must be supported with valuable information about criminals and their activities, among others.
The OYSSTF Chief who did not disclosed the amount approved by the Board also said disclosing the areas the CCTV are being installed would be a direct information for criminals to know how to avoid such areas and perpetrate their crimes elsewhere.
His words, “the money released is to improve the security architecture of the state in the wake of recent Offa robbery incidents that left scores of security and civilians killed. The Trust Fund did the Phase 1 of Police vehicles repairs in August 2017, when 20 vehicles were added to the fleet of Operation Burst Vehicles.
“The Phase 2 held in December 2017 with the refurbishing of faulty vehicles for all security agencies in Oyo State. The latest release of funds is for the phase 3, which aims to buy and refurbish police Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), patrol vehicles, and complement the state government initiatives in the completion of CCTV installations.
“The Board of Trustees of OYSSTF met on Friday, April 13, 2018, and it was agreed that all hands must be on deck in ensuring security is not left alone for government to fund, especially in the wake of the unfortunate bank robbery incident at Offa, Kwara state, where many lives were lost.
Oyo Security Trust Fund boss charges residents to report unusual activities
“It was sad that such a number of policemen could die in an incident occurring at a peacetime. We, therefore, called in all citizens to report any suspicious movement around them because the security agencies are to be supported by providing valuable information on criminals”.
The Executive Secretary, however assured that the Board will continue to support every government initiative in ensuring that the state remains safe for all, particularly with the recently released funds, which he said would enable the security agencies to increase their operational fleet as well as ensuring that their Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) are functional.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment.
The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification.
Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises.
The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.
A Police Inspector, Mohammed Bulama, attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 41 in Yobe State, has been arrested for allegedly killing a 39-year-old civilian, Abdulmalik Dauda, during a confrontation in Damaturu, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, was sparked by a heated argument between Bulama and Dauda over “uncleared transactions” in the Zango area of Damaturu. The argument escalated, leading Bulama to fatally stab Dauda in the chest.
In a statement, the Yobe State Police spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed Bulama’s arrest and announced that an investigation into the homicide case had been launched.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident involving Inspector Mohammed Bulama,” Abdulkarim said.
He further disclosed that the officer has been placed in custody, pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.
CP Ahmed condemned the actions of the officer, extending his condolences to the family of the victim.
He also assured the public that justice would be served swiftly in accordance with the law.
The Lagos State Police Command has summoned three officers accused of extorting N1 million from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Surulere area of Lagos.
Footage of the incident, which went viral on social media late Friday, shows the officers confronting the corps members, reportedly over the absence of a physical copy of a driver’s license. The video was shared by social media user Oluyemi Fasipe, who claimed that the officers threatened the corps members with firearms and forcibly took them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, the Area C Command of the Lagos State Police, where they allegedly extorted the sum of N1 million.
“Dear @BenHundeyin, Your officers today in Surulere extorted 1 million naira from three corps members,” Fasipe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “They were threatened with firearms, kidnapped, and taken to the KAFARU OLUWOLE TINUBU HOUSE AREA C POLICE COMMAND of the @LagosPoliceNG where they were robbed.”
Fasipe added that the entire incident stemmed from the corps members’ inability to present a physical copy of a driver’s license, a situation he described as “evil.”
In one of the videos, the officers are seen inspecting the vehicle’s documents, with the situation escalating as additional officers arrived. One officer can be seen entering the car and demanding that the corps members stop recording the incident, while also prohibiting them from contacting their families.
In response, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officers involved have been summoned, and an investigation is underway.
“The men have been summoned, and their trial has commenced,” Hundeyin wrote on X. “We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.”
