Families of the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap victims have led a protest to the the Ministry of Transportation on early this morning against the continued stay of their loved ones in the terrorists’ den.
This came after viral video released by the kidnappers showing the victims being mercilessly flogged.
The families who have been at the ministry since 6 am said they were there to express their frustration over the continued stay of those in captivity.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, has ordered a total ban on all use of Police SPY Vehicle Number Plates by vehicle owners across the states of the federation without exceptions.
This is irrespective of whether it is authorized, or not, as all authorizations are hereby revoked indefinitely.
This order is necessary to forestall the continuous disregard for traffic rules and regulations and other extant laws guiding road use by individuals hiding under the privileges of SPY police number plates.
The IGP has therefore directed that police officers and officers of other security agencies attached to VIPs who use the SPY number plates should ensure prompt compliance with this directive or risk being arrested for violation of the order.
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to give full effect to the directives as contained above.
The IGP specifically directed the AIGs and CPs to ensure that all SPY number plates currently in use are confiscated henceforth but the owners of such vehicles should not be arrested unless they are police officers or officers of other security agencies on escort duties.
The IGP however warned that while carrying out these assignments, officers must ensure the rights and privileges of citizens are respected in line with the laws of the land and in accordance with international best practices.
Other security agencies and members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the Police in this regard as the moves are aimed at strengthening our internal security.
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI mnipr, mipra
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, has declared the killers of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Chris Josiah wanted. The Police boss ordered a mass deployment of policemen to Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state in order to fish out criminal elements who perpetrated the evil act.
Also, the command said its personnel had been directed to identify and clamp down on perpetrators of violent crimes against the people of Oyigbo.
The CP gave the order in a statement signed by the Spokesman for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-koko in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Eboka Friday, has ordered a massive deployment of personnel across Oyigbo Local Government Area of the Rivers State, to fish out criminal elements and perpetrators of violent crimes against the good people of the area.
“This is coming on the heels of the gruesome murder of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Chris Josiah, attached to Afam Divisional Police Headquarters on the evening of June 28, 2022, while returning home after work.
“The deceased Officer was ambushed by five yet-to-be-identified armed masked men, who opened fire at the officer along the Assemblies of God Church, Obeama Community, Oyigbo, and shot him dead inside his Lexus RX 300 SUV.
“The Commissioner of Police has equally ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident with a view to unravelling the situation and immediate cause of the attack and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
He strictly warned that further attacks on police officers tasked with the protection of lives and property would not be tolerated by the police authority.
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, yesterday, signed into law a bill for the prohibition and punishment for banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, kidnapping, terrorism and other incidental offences 2022.
The executive bill was sent to the House of Assembly a few weeks ago. The bill is part of the state government’s new measures to curb crime and criminality especially banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling that have bedeviled the state for over a decade.
Governor Matawalle had, on Sunday, directed residents of the state to get personal firearms against bandits and kidnappers following the spate of attacks in Bakura, Bukuyyum, Tsafe, Gusau and Maru local councils.
Signing the bill into law at the Government House chamber, the governor insisted that his directives for citizens to obtain firearms against bandits is to assist security agencies in addressing the menace. He urged residents to support the programmes and policies of government, especially, in its quest to restore lasting peace in the state.
According to him, the state government relied on an extant legislation to direct residents to acquire weapons to defend themselves.
In a statement issued by Jamilu Magaji, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, on Tuesday, Magaji explained that the governor’s directive was part of the administration’s efforts to tackle protracted security challenges in the state.
It added that government was aware of the misgivings expressed in some quarters regarding the new measure. It noted that the measure was meant “to encourage the communities suffering almost daily from the inhuman aggressions from the bandits to acquire firearms to defend their communities.
“Self-defence is a natural instinct and has always been part of human survival strategy. As those entrusted with the safety of life and property of the people, we will do everything possible to uphold this responsibility within the ambit of the law.
“We are also aware that the security forces are doing their best to combat this formidable challenge. Their efforts are, however, hampered by the lack of adequate modern warfare equipment and the dearth of personnel.
“Our decision to mobilise people to secure their communities is, therefore, for the people to complement the efforts of the conventional security forces in dealing with banditry and fishing out informants.
“The acquisition and usage of firearms by the public, who desire to do so, would be governed by the Nigeria Firearms Act,” he further stated.
The statement added that the state government had explored all options to address the issue to no avail. It explained that apart from dialogue, reconciliation and disarmament, the government also had regular engagement with the Federal Government and neighbouring states, including the Nigerien authorities.
“We also shut down mobile telecommunication networks to give security forces the leeway to take the battle directly to the bandits,” the statement added.
