Easter: Security Beefed Up In Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities have boosted security for this weekend’s Easter commemorations, fearing extremists will use the Christian holiday to carry out further attacks.
Meanwhile, soldiers killed three suspected members of Islamist group Boko Haram in a shootout in the city of Kano on Tuesday night.
He alleged that security forces thwarted a plan by the suspects to carry out attacks in the city, which was hit by coordinated bombings and shootings in January which left at least 185 people dead.
Boko Haram has previously targeted Christians in attacks, including a Christmas bombing at a church outside the capital Abuja which killed at least 44 people.
Patrols, searches and checkpoints have already been boosted in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, ahead of Easter, while other arrangements were being put in place nationwide.
Police spokesman Olusola Amore said all commands have been asked to put special security arrangements in place for Easter.
Police To Arrest Derailed Cops.
The Nigeria Police Force will henceforth monitor its personnel serving as orderlies to important personalities to ensure that they are not converted to house helps or personal staff.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar said this in Calabar to inaugurate the state of the art Emergency Response Centre and Quick Intervention Squad.
Abubakar said henceforth any police orderly caught carrying bags or doing menial jobs for his principal would be arrested.
He said the measure was meant to instil discipline and enhance professionalism in the force.
Abubakar said the duty of an orderly was to ensure the safety and well being of his or her principal and not to carry hand bags or be deployed as house helps.
He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for re-equipping the Nigerian Police.
Abubakar said the Police had created a department where a Deputy Inspector General would be in charge of Information Technology.
He said the initiative was in line with modern policing and in tracking and monitoring equipment as well as those who are supposed to be monitored.
The Nigeria Police is owned by the people, it should serve the people, respect the people and be there for the people of Nigeria.
He urged the media to uphold and protect Nigeria’s national security and interest of Nigerians.
He said highway patrol would be reintroduced to ensure adequate safety on the roads and discourage road blocks by police personnel nationwide.
He said the highway patrol team would also direct traffic, assist road users, accident victims, fight armed robbery on public highways and other acts of criminality.
The IG said in spite of security challenges faced by Nigerians, the security situation was better than what obtained in most countries.
He called on Nigerians to give the needed cooperation to the police, so that police personnel could serve them better.
Police arrest robbery kingpin, recover N2.3m, nine vehicles
Police have arrested an armed robbery kingpin, Nurudeen Kolepowo, who specialises in robbing banks and recovered N2,308,000 as well as AK 47 and ammunition from him and members of his gang.
Nine different brands of vehicles bought by the bandits from the proceeds of robbery operations were also recovered.
The group had attacked First Bank, GTB and Ecobank in Ogun State and Offa, Kwara State on March 21 before they were nabbed by the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos.
Kolepowo, who was arrested by a team of police detectives, led investigators to the hideout of their gang leader, Mike, who was shot dead during an exchange of gunfire, while attempting to escape.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olusola Amore, in Abuja said Kolepowo had also led detectives to Ijebu Ode where the gang armourer, Sarafa Sanni, was apprehended and several items recovered including 188 empty magazines of AK 47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, 3101 7.26x 31 mm AK 47 live ammunition, two rocket head, nine chain bullets, and two boxes of 7. 62x 51 mm live ammunition of 700 rounds each.
Also recovered were 446 rounds of 7.62x51mm live ammunition loaded in chain bullets 502 assorted ammunition one vehicle plate number, Lagos LG 119 EPE and N2,308, 000 million cash.
Bandits attack police station, free detainees
Amichi Police Station in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State was attacked by unknown gunmen.
The gunmen numbering about seven set free all the detainees in the cells and allegedly carted away all the arms in the armoury.
The invaders, according to witnesses, shot as they approached the police station. The walls of the police station and about 10 vehicles parked in the station were riddled with bullet holes.
A source said the hoodlums stormed the police station about two o’clock in the morning when many residents were fast asleep.
He said the heavily armed gunmen came in a Sport Utility Vehicle and shot continuously for about 40 minutes before carting away the police arms, including more than 14 AK47 rifles.
The police authorities could not be reached for their reaction to the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Bala Nasarawa, was said to be away in Abuja and his deputy, Austine Evbakhavbokun, declined to comment on the matter.
The telephone of the Police Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, indicated that it was switched off, while he was not at his desk when our correspondent called.
IG arrests anti-kidnapping squad in Delta
More than eight members of the Anti-Kidnapping Task Force in Delta State have been arrested and flown to Abuja for interrogation on the orders of Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.
Those arrested were accused of aiding and abetting kidnap suspects in the state.
They include the task force head, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), and over six members of the squad.
The suspects were also accused of allegedly colluding with criminals.
The task force has been disbanded. It was gathered that ‘pastors’ are among the over 98 persons nabbed in recent times for kidnapping by the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the army.
The police and the SSS have 40 in their custody while the army has 18.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan confirmed the arrests at the end of State Security Council meeting at the Government House Annex, Warri.
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