Crime & Court
INSECURITY: Again Ajimobi calls for state police, modern technology
The Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, on Wednesday reiterated his advocacy for the introduction of state police to curb the pervading armed banditry and insecurity threatening the peace of the country.
The governor restated this position while playing host to he Assistant Inspector-General of police in charge of Zone 11, Mr Leye Oyebade, in his office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
Also, he urged the Federal Government to invest in cutting-edge technology that would aid reconnaissance and intelligence gathering in order to preempt crimes before being committed.
If established, Governor Ajimobi noted that the state police would have the benefit of good community relations, averring that increase in the funding of the police force and adequate provision of logistics would also boost the morale of the personnel.
According to him, “I am one of the pioneer advocates of state police. There is nowhere in the world where crime is effectively combated without state police. We refer to state governors as chief security officers, but we have no control over the commissioner of police.
“Some will argue that the governor will take undue advantage of a state police under his watch. But, do they consider the challenges of having only one person controlling the police in the 36 States and the federal capital.
“Until we do some structural adjustment to the policing system in Nigeria, we may not have the desired results. Having said that, generally Nigeria, and Oyo State in particular, still have security challenges.
“In order to ensure effective and more efficient policing, I opine that the police needs modern technology. Technology must help policing. Look at the developed countries, when a crime is committed, even before it happens the police would have been hinted.
“They have informants that are working very well. They have a communication system that is very effective and they have the public supporting them. How well are members of the public supporting the police here?”
The governor, however, urged the rank and file of the police to change the perception of the masses who did not see the police as their friends as the police would want them to believe.
Ajimobi said the police must go beyond mere sloganeering that they were friends of the people by exhibiting civility, cordiality and friendship in their relationship with members of the public.
In line with internationally established protocol, he said that the police must relate with suspects on the basis of being seen as innocent until they were proved guilty of an offence.
Nonetheless, the governor commended the police and other security agencies in the state, without whose support he said that his administration would not have succeeded in restoring peace and security to the state in the last eight years.
Oyebade, who was a former commissioner of police in the state before his elevation, said he was determined to ensure that the peace being enjoyed in the state, as well as in Osun and Ondo States under his supervision was not truncated.
Judging by the efforts of the present administration in the country and in Oyo State in particular, he said that the Southwest states had shed the toga of ‘’wild wild west’ for ‘wise wise west’.
The police chief told the governor that officers under the zone would benefit from training and retraining programmes, upgrade of police stations to divisional headquarters, as well as firing range training.
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has ordered the remand of three individuals in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at Bashorun Islamic High School, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left many others injured.
The accused include Abdullahi Fasasi, the school’s principal; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of Agidigbo FM; and Naomi Silekunola, estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife. The trio was arraigned by the Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday, before Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi.
The court proceedings, held under heightened security, drew a large crowd of family members and concerned citizens. According to the police prosecutor, the defendants face four counts, including charges under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
After hearing the charges, Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi ruled that the accused be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Center, pending further directives from the state prosecutor.
Southern Governors Pay Condolence Visit
In a related development, Southern governors, led by the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, paid a condolence visit to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Addressing reporters after the visit, Governor Abiodun described the stampede as a tragic turn of events from a well-intentioned initiative. He urged non-governmental organizations to collaborate with government agencies to ensure better planning for charity programs.
“I am here on behalf of myself, my family, the people of Ogun State, and the Southern Governors’ Forum to commiserate with Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the unfortunate incident of December 18, 2024,” Abiodun said.
“The entire Southern governors are deeply pained by this tragedy. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that such an incident never happens again. We will continue to hold the bereaved families and the people of Oyo State in our prayers.”
The Southern Governors’ Forum also expressed solidarity with the affected families, praying for the repose of the departed souls and quick recovery for those injured.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
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