Metro

Bayelsa Poll: Women Besiege Police Hqtrs, Demand CP’s Removal, Non-violence Election

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Hundreds of protesters, on Tuesday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, besiege the police command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.

The protesters mainly women, clad in black attires also call on President Bola Tinubu and? the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure a peaceful poll in the state.

They were armed with placards of some which read, “IG- The Police must be neutral, Change CP Alausa for a violent free poll”, ” We say No to CP Alausa, Give us new CP, we don’t want Tolani Alausa”.

One of the protesters, Madam Alice Daniels, said “All we are asking for is a violent free election in the state.

“Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election?

“Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace? We want a non-violence exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want. This should not be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police.”

Also speaking, Mrs Timitimi Ebipador, a human rights activist, appealed to the state’s command for proper supervision of the election process, noting that the best approach to a non-violent exercise is when the police are neutral.

“We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election, we want an exercise devoid of violence, you are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty, and not interfere in the election itself.

“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non-violent election.

“We beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.

“We have experienced it on several occasions, in 2019, and 2015 it was marred by violence and till this moment nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence.”

Addressing the protesters, DIG, South-South, Daniel Sokari Pedro, assured them of peaceful conduct of the election come Saturday, noting that all measures for smooth conduct and professionalism by officers and men of the police force will be adhered to.

He promised them that the election would be different from others marred by violence like in 2015 and 2019.

“We have heard your agitations, and we will ensure peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after.

“I have just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful.

“2023 is not 2019 and 2015, we have put all measures in place for a peaceful process. All security architecture is in place. Also, pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign.

‘Without peace, there will be no development in our communities. We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people during the election season.”

Metro

Gateman Arrested For Allegedly Defiling Four-year-old Pupil In Oyo

Published

3 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

A 26-year-old gateman identified as Josiah Ayomide has been arrested for allegedly defiling a four-year-old pupil in one of the schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspect was paraded alongside other suspects arrested for offences ranging from theft, banditry, rape, and other crimes at the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, on Thursday.

In his briefing, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said the suspect was nabbed after the victim complained of severe vaginal pains to her parents at home.

Osifeso added that after a thorough investigation and probe, the suspect confessed to the crime.

The police spokesman said the victim later told her mother that her school gateman had unlawfully raped her while she was in the school.

According to the report, “The victim was taken to the Police Medical Clinic, Eleyele-Ibadan, for medical examination and treatment, and the medical report revealed that the hymen was not intact, with tenderness around the vulva and vagina and bruises.”

Osifeso said the suspect would be prosecuted upon completion of the investigation.

Metro

Panic As Fire Guts Fuel Station In Ikorodu

Published

5 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

Photo: File Copy

There was pandemonium on Friday when fire gutted A1 Petroleum Filling Station, an independent oil dealer located on Isawo Road, off Agric Bus Stop in Ikorodu, Lagos.

As of 1 p.m., the extent of property destroyed and possible casualties had not been confirmed. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by other emergency responders, were at the scene battling to contain the inferno, which reportedly began from a diesel-laden truck within the premises.

Metro

DSS Charges Top Ansaru Leaders Over Terrorism, Kuje Prison Break Roles

Published

5 hours ago

September 5, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group, over their alleged role in violent attacks across Nigeria.

The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, who is described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, also called Malam Mamuda. They were recently captured during security operations.

According to the DSS, the charges against them include leading a terrorist organisation, funding its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide.

Their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja is expected soon.

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), said the two men were behind the July 2022 Kuje prison attack, where more than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects, escaped.

Ribadu explained: “Abu Bara was the coordinator of terrorist sleeper cells across Nigeria and the mastermind of several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to finance terrorism.”

On Mamuda, Ribadu revealed that he trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadists from Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, specialising in handling weapons and making explosive devices.

The NSA also linked the suspects to the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp in Katsina, the 2019 kidnapping of Musa Uba, Magajin Garin Daura, and the kidnapping of the Emir of Wawa.

Ribadu described their arrest as “a turning point”, noting that the duo maintained strong networks in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.