Metro

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

Published

3 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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.