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Bail Is Free Group Embarks On Rally In Benin, Wants Nigeria Police Properly Funded

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Human rights group known as Bail is Free Campaign Organisation has appealed to concerned authorities particularly the Federal Government to properly fund the Nigeria Police Force.

The body made the appeal on Tuesday in Benin City when members of the organisation embarked on a enlightenment campaign in major streets of the ancient city.

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Speaking at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State council, Coordinator of the group, Comrade Oni-Edigin Justice said the appeal became necessary going by the manner at which police officers make demand from members of the public.

The coordinator who said the group had witnessed an incident that could be attributed to underfunding of the Police Force, noted: “Help us inform the people in charge of our annual budget that they should increase annual budget of the Nigeria Police Force. And they should also ensure that the money meant for the police get to them without some people diverting the money for their personal use.”

READ ALSO:Hardship: Rights Group Canvasses For Subsidized Mass Transport Scheme In Delta

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He added: “We witness what could be regarded as underfunding of the police during one of our campaigns. We were in one of the police stations here in Benin during our campaign, and we witnessed how their patrol van struggled to climb a hill there. This is due to underfunding.”

Justice, who expressed worry on complaints of extortion by the police by members of the public, said much needs to be done in this regard in order to stop the menace.

He said: “We are getting complain on a daily basis that police officers are collecting money from citizens in order to access their relatives in the cell. If they come to present food to their
relatives, police will demand for toiletries or money.

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“We gathered reliable information that police officers uses vehicles whose cases are in court, that are supposed to be exhibit for patrols. Police officers are collecting money for stationaries like case file, both to open and to close cases. This should be,” he added.

READ ALSO: Delta Journalist, Oyinbi Petitions CP Over Alleged Abduction, Brutality, By Police, Demands Justice

The coordinator, who declared that the group is not an antagonist of the police, noted that their aim “is to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop corruption in her
institution, particularly the Nigeria Police Force who have the ultimate great value to the nation building.”

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He added: “The police are our pride that can never be undermined. So, therefore, we have vow to uphold the
power of fairness and egalitarian society and no other organization or institution can jeopardize it.”

Welcoming the group the NUJ secretariat, Secretary of the council, Andy Egbon commened members of the group for the humanitarian service, saying “you are after the betterment of the society.”

Egbon, who also alluded to the group’s claim the the Police Force is under funded, joined his voice with the group to call on concerned authorities to properly fund the Force.

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Metro

Kwara Traditional Ruler Kidnapped On His Farm

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Gunmen have reportedly abducted a traditional ruler in Bayagan community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Ojibara of Bayagan Oba Kamilu Salami, on Saturday.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was kidnapped Saturday morning on his farm, while details of the incident were still sketchy.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

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Eyewitness disclosed that the attack happened suddenly and left the community in apprehension and confusion. Meanwhile, the incident had triggered fresh concerns over cases of insecurity across the country.

The Kwara State Police command was yet to confirm the incident as at when filing this report.

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Sokoto Police Arrest Suspected Cultists, Uncover WhatsApp Recruitment Channel

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The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of the notorious “Sai Malam” cult group, believed to be behind rising criminal activities in parts of the state.

The suspects, including the alleged gang leader Usman Shu’aibu, were apprehended on Friday during an intelligence-led operation executed by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the suspects confessed to being initiated into the group through a private WhatsApp platform called Red Chamber.

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The police noted that further investigation discovered the social media channel was created to recruit unsuspecting youths into criminal activities.

READ ALSO:Police Crack Down On Criminal Network In Delta Community, Recover AK-47

These, according to the statement, include ritual practices, the pursuit of supposed demonic powers, acts of homosexuality, and violent thuggery.

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The police warned parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities closely, noting that criminal groups are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to lure vulnerable youths.

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the arrests respond directly to public concerns about the group’s operations, adding that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members.

He assured residents of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

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READ ALSO:Hoodlums Stab Police Officer To Death In Ondo

In other news, two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

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The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest 26 Over Fake Currency, Adulterated Diesel In Lagos

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While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

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“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

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Metro

Army, Air Force Crush ISWAP Fighters After Failed Chibok Attack

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Troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai, on Saturday stopped a major attack by ISWAP/Boko Haram fighters in Chibok, Borno State, before the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) moved in with airstrikes that killed many of the fleeing terrorists.

The report was contained in a post shared on X by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the update, more than 300 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Chibok around 3:00 a.m., attempting to break through military defensive positions.

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Soldiers responded immediately, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted about two hours.

READ ALSO:Army Releases List Of Shortlisted Candidates For SSC Course

A security source quoted in the post said the troops acted swiftly and professionally.

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There was no casualty on our side, and no equipment was affected,” the source said.

As the terrorists began to retreat toward the Timbuktu Triangle, ground troops called for air support.

NAF combat aircraft were deployed to the route used by the fleeing fighters.

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READ ALSO:NAF Redeploys 25 Senior Officers

The airstrikes, guided by intelligence from the troops on the ground, hit several clusters of terrorists trying to escape.

Multiple waves of strikes were carried out, with both manned aircraft and an unmanned aerial platform targeting groups of fighters dispersing into the forest.

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According to Makama, the combined efforts of the Army and the Air Force dealt heavy blows to the attackers, preventing them from regrouping after the failed offensive.

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