Metro

Family Of Slain Policeman Seeks Justice, As Delta DPP Exonerates Main Suspect

Published

1 year ago

August 19, 2024

The Delta State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Anthony Orhorhoro, has reacted to the concerns raised by the family of one late Inspector Itobi Green, who was brutally murdered by an armed robbery gang in the state.

Inspector Green, along with his colleague, Inspector Bienowu Richard, were reportedly attacked and robbed of multiple AK-47 rifles on July 16, 2018.

Report says despite compelling evidence, including witness statements and the recovery of firearms from his residence, Chief Hyacinth Okolie was released following the Delta State Ministry of Justice’s decision to enter a nolle prosequi, thereby discontinuing the prosecution against him.

Okolie, a prominent figure in the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, was initially arrested in connection with the crime.

On inquiry while the case was discontinued, the Director of DPP stated that there was no prima facie case against Okolie that warranted prosecution.

He added that those alleging that Okolie was guilty of wrongdoing should reinvestigate their facts.

However, when he was reminded him on the phone that charges had already been filed against Okolie under suite No. A/71/2018, indicating that a prima facie case had indeed been established, Mr. Orhorhoro ceased communication and directed the reporter to the Commissioner for Justice.

Attempts to reach the state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls placed to his line.

Our correspondent has been unable to get a clear response as

Reasons why the Delta State Ministry of Justice terminated the prosecution of the suspect were unclear as at when filing this report, but two weeks ago, the Green family presented their grievances to federal authorities during a meeting in Abuja.

They accused the Delta State Ministry of Justice of prematurely releasing Okolie, who was arrested alongside other members of the gang.

The family maintained that Chief Okolie was identified as the mastermind and leader of the gang, with substantial evidence, including witness testimonies and the recovery of firearms from his home during a police raid.

According to a police investigation report (Reference AB: 4099/DTS/X/D13/VOL 3 dated 30th July 2018) prepared by then-Deputy Commissioner of Police (now AIG) Wale Abass, a nine-man armed robbery gang attacked and robbed Sgt. Ayo Fidelis and Cpl. Daniel Gana of two AK-47 rifles (breach numbers 09981 and 19874) containing fifty-nine rounds of live ammunition on 13th July 2018 and 16th July 2018. The gang also robbed Sgt. Godwin John of an assault rifle (breach number 07015337) with twenty-four rounds of live ammunition at Rain Oil Petroleum along the Benin-Asaba road.

Furthermore, Inspector Green, Sgt. Yakubu Mallam, and Inspector Bienowu Richard were attacked and robbed of two AK-47 rifles, one with breach number 0887722 and another without a breach number.

Tragically, Inspector Green was fatally stabbed multiple times by the assailants.

The investigation, conducted by the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crimes Squad (SAKCCS), the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS), and the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU), resulted in the arrest of several suspects.

The family of Inspector Green remains deeply troubled by the nolle prosequi decision. They allege foul play and are calling for a thorough investigation by the Federal Government.

Elder Solomon Green, representing the family, has vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, condemning the release of Chief Okolie despite clear evidence and confessions implicating him as the gang leader.

Elder Solomon emphasized that a nolle prosequi does not equate to an acquittal, and he urged that the charges be reinstated.

Metro

Nigerian Army Suspends Statutory, Voluntary Retirement For Specific Officers

Published

20 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the indefinite suspension of all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers.

According to an internal memo dated 3 December 2025, signed by Major General E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, this is in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Okoro explained that the measure is intended to preserve manpower, expertise, and operational readiness while the Armed Forces rapidly expand to tackle the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Citing the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS) 2024, the document pointed out that officers normally retire upon reaching the prescribed age for their rank, completing 35 years of service, or after repeated failures in promotion or conversion processes.

However, Paragraph 3.10(e) permits service extensions when it is in the interest of the military.

“Military service of a commissioned officer entails a period of unbroken service in the AFN from the date of enlistment or commissioning to the date of retirement. The period of service is determined by conditions enshrined in the HTACOS Officers 2024. These include attainment of age ceilings on various ranks, 35 years maximum length of service, and other criteria provided in Paragraphs 11.02(d) and 17.15, among extant regulations,” the memo partly read.

“Notwithstanding these provisions, Chapter 3.10(e) of HTACOS Officers 2024 allows for extension of service to officers in the interest of the service.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, mandating the expansion of the AFN and other security agencies. In line with this, and to rapidly expand manpower, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”

According to the memo, the suspension affects Army officers in the following categories: Those who have failed promotion examinations three times, those passed over for promotion three times, those who have reached the age ceiling for their current rank, those who have failed conversion boards three times and those who have completed 35 years of service.

It explained that affected officers who wish to remain in service may apply for an extension beyond their original retirement dates.

However, the memo clarified that: “Officers in these categories who are not interested in extension of service are to continue with the normal retirement procedure. Officers desirous of extension should note that upon extension, they are not eligible for career progression, including promotion, career courses, NA sponsorship, self-sponsored courses, secondment, or extra-regimental appointments.”

Metro

NDLEA Seizes 7.6m Tramadol Pills, 76,273kg Cannabis In Nationwide Raids

Published

21 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the seizure of more than 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273 kilograms of cannabis strains in coordinated operations across several states, with multiple suspects arrested.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made during intelligence-led raids between 1 and 6 December.

In Delta State, operatives recovered 3,874,000 tramadol pills and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba. In Imo State, 1.2 million tramadol tablets were intercepted from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

In Adamawa, officers stopped a Toyota Hiace bus travelling from Jos to Mubi with 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and exol-5 tablets concealed in jumbo bags mixed with footwear. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was apprehended in Kano with 197,000 exol-5 pills.

In Ekiti, NDLEA destroyed 14,654 kilograms of skunk in Omuo forest and 54,300 kilograms in warehouses at Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the operations. In Ondo, 5,442 kilograms of skunk were seized in Igoba forest, Akure North, with five suspects taken into custody.

Further arrests were made in Niger State, where 500 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a van along Mokwa-Jebba road, and in Abuja, where 22 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado were intercepted at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi park led to the arrest of a female receiver, Ali Blessing, 33. Another suspect, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested with 24 kilograms of skunk and 573,500 exol-5 pills along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

In Lagos, 113 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, while Izuchukwu Usulor was arrested with 351 kilograms of skunk in Onipanu. Susan Okoro was also arrested with 104.1 kilograms at Trade Fair complex, Ojo. In Edo, 447.5 kilograms of skunk were seized from two vehicles in Agho forest, Akoko Edo, and 315.8 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Government Area.

The Agency confirmed that sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative continued during the week in schools, worship centres and communities across Kano, Benue and Rivers States.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” he said.
The Agency stated that investigations are ongoing and suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.