Crime
BREAKING: Abduction epidemic: IG launches special squad for FCT
The Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun, has launched the Special Intervention Squad in the Federal Capital Territory to curb activities of kidnappers and bandits, especially in border towns within the territory.
It was gathered that the squad would be in charge of patroling and securing the communities within the various borders of the FCT, and intervening to curb and mitigate violent attacks in the nation’s capital
The Nigeria Police Force had in late 2023 revealed that deployment of 40,000 operatives of the Special Intervention Squad who were undergoing training would begin with Katsina and nine other states including the FCT.
The Force Headquarters also revealed that the proposed commanders that will be in charge of the squad will be trained in Mexico while noting that the deployment to the 10 carefully selected states is to pilot the activities of the SIS.
Following his assumption of office in June, Egbetokun declared the establishment of the SIS, a maiden project of his administration.
Egbetokun further noted that the SIS would be a standby team of specially trained officers to quickly intervene in large insecurity occurrences, adding that it was part of the priority in his administration’s endeavour to combat the country’s threat of violent crime.
During a recent event in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the IG stated that the other 27 states will immediately follow the 10 pilot states that were selected based on the recent violent crime assessment conducted in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that the Special Intervention Squad will not operate like the defunct Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad that was notorious for human rights abuses.
The Force spokesperson also revealed that operatives of the SIS which were drawn from the Police Mobile Force, and others would not be involved in escort duties while noting that the squads’ commanders would operate under the command of Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Adejobi said, “The training of the Special Intervention Squad is still on, and the Inspector General of Police has organized training for the SIS Commanders, in a train-the-trainer course. One is ongoing, and another one will come up in Mexico, and the IG has given approval for that.
“We actually want to have enough training before deployment commences, but we are starting very soon with 10 states, while we then move state by state. We have picked some Commanders and instructors to train them, and those are the people who’ll be going to Mexico for training. And the IG gas got some equipment for the SIS to start operations.
“But we need to clarify that the SIS is not SARS. People have been asking questions whether or not it’ll operat like SARS? No. The SIS are basically operational men, it is majorly Police Mobile Force operatives, CTU operatives, and our tactical squad operatives that’ll come together under the command of a very senior police officer, either an ACP or a CSP that’ll be the commander in each state, and they’re not going to be doing stop and search work or pursuing ‘Yahoo Boys,” they’re specifically for intervention purposes.
“It is only CPs that will call on the commanders to move their men to certain places for intervention. It’s not that a commander would say, oh, these people can pay me well, you guys should move there. That’s not what it’s all about.
“The SIS is a very different squad, and the Standard Operating Procedures and Rules of Engagement are also different, and we are starting very soon. I can confirm that the IG added Katsina State amongst the 10 States, as the Katsina State Governor met with the IG, and also donated some vehicles for the SIS.”
Meanwhile, while clarifying the misunderstanding in regards to the IG’s directive concerning the proposed withdrawal of the Police Mobile Force from specialised escort and services for VIPs, Adejobi noted that the NPF did not intend to strip VIPs (who are legally and statutorily entitled to police escorts) of their security details, noting that doing so would be unsafe and counterproductive.
He said, “Get the message right: We understand that there has been some misunderstanding regarding the directive of IGP Olukayode Egbetokun about withdrawing members of the Police Mobile Force Unit from Specialized Escort and Services for VIPs. It’s crucial to provide clarifications to address this.
“First and foremost, let us be clear: at no point did the Force intend to strip VIPs (who are legally and statutorily entitled to Police escorts) of their security details. Doing so would be unsafe and counterproductive. Instead, the objective is to reassign the withdrawn PMF personnel to the recently established Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
“For those who genuinely require specialized police escorts, this vital service will continue to be provided by other units of the Force, such as the Special Protection Unit (SPU). However, individuals who do not fall within and enjoy the legal framework for such security details would strictly be screened and their applications thoroughly assessed for consideration, if necessary.
“To eliminate any misunderstandings, it’s crucial to clarify that the withdrawal of Police Mobile Force personnel does not equate to a blanket ban on all Police Officers from providing VIP escort services. This withdrawal pertains specifically to PMF personnel, who are just one unit within the broader Police Force.
“We encourage everyone to read the full contents of our press statements rather than giving headlines whimsical meanings and spreading distorted information. For a comprehensive understanding of this matter, we strongly recommend referring to our press releases dated June 29, 2023, July 10, 2023, and July 24, 2023. These statements provide a clear and accurate perspective on this directive.”
Crime
Gateman flees after murder of a manager with Okeyson Transport
They went to Abdullahi Dairu, and he mentioned one of his friends, claiming he went out with him. But when the wife called that same friend, he said he hadn’t seen him that day,” the source stated.
Image credit : Instagram
A gateman identified as Abdullahi Dairu has been nowhere to be found following the murder of a 67-year-old man, Chief Augustine Nwalieze, a manager with Okeyson Transport.
Chief Nwalieze’s body was discovered with deep machete wounds in his home at Ajah area of Lagos State, a development that has thrown his family and friends into mourning.
It was learned that Nwalieze was attacked Saturday morning as he prepared to go out.
Nwalieze lived with his wife, daughter, two maids, and another woman, who were upstairs at the time of the incident.
A family source said the victim’s gateman identified as Abdullahi Dairu has been nowhere to be found since the incident.
According to the source, Dairu allegedly attacked Nwalieze for yet-to-be-ascertained reasons as the victim walked downstairs to the car park, close to the store where spare parts from his cars are kept and a solar panel was stored.
“Nobody could really tell what happened. They didn’t hear the sound of any car driving off or the gate opening.
His three cars were still parked, so, they became worried about his whereabouts.
They called his phone, but he didn’t pick up,” the source said.
The source added that Dairu could not give a straight answer when questioned about his boss’ whereabouts.
They went to Abdullahi Dairu, and he mentioned one of his friends, claiming he went out with him. But when the wife called that same friend, he said he hadn’t seen him that day,” the source stated.
The case against Dairu grew stronger after he went into hiding, the source further stated.“
By the time they returned to question him again, he had disappeared. That was when they began to search the compound thoroughly.
They found his lifeless body in one of the flats downstairs.
He had machete cuts on his head, hands, and body. It was a terrible sight,” the source disclosed.
The victim was immediately rushed to hospital but efforts to revive him failed.
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on a newly amended five-count charge involving the alleged unlawful wiretapping of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
Appearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The charges allege violations of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, specifically regarding unauthorized interception of communications and compromising public safety.
The case originated from a February 13, 2026, interview on Arise News, where El-Rufai reportedly admitted to tapping the NSA’s phone lines. He claimed the surveillance revealed a plot by the DSS to arrest him at the Abuja airport following a trip to Cairo.
On March 2, the ICPC raided El-Rufai’s Abuja residence, reportedly recovering specialized wiretapping equipment and documents.
A major point of contention during the proceedings was the prosecution’s application to conceal the identities of two key witnesses.
The Prosecution argued that using pseudonyms is necessary to protect the witnesses and their families from potential attacks by El-Rufai’s sympathizers.
The Defence lead counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, opposed the request, arguing it is a constitutional right for the accused to face his accusers. He noted there was no evidence that El-Rufai leads a “cult-like” following or poses any physical threat.
The defense team also moved to quash the charges entirely, though the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application as meritless.
Furthermore, Iyamu objected to a request for three consecutive trial days, citing the difficulty of accessing his client. El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on separate matters.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until May 18, 19, and 20, when the court will rule on the pending applications and begin the trial. If convicted, the former governor faces up to three years in prison.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on a five-count amended charge bordering on an alleged breach of national security.
El-Rufai, who was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
When the case was called, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to take his plea.
Aladedoye, however, told the court that a further amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13.
The lawyer prayed the court to substitute it for the earlier three-count charge.
Responding, counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, said he had been served with the amended charge and did not oppose the application.
The judge subsequently struck out the earlier three-count charge.
After the counts were read, the former governor pleaded not guilty, and Aladedoye sought three consecutive trial dates.
Iyamu, however, objected to the request for consecutive trial days for the commencement of trial.
He submitted that since the defendant had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), access to him within that period might be difficult.
According to him, the proposed schedule would not be in the best interest of the defence.
Iyamu also informed the court of a bail application filed on February 17.
However, the further affidavit in support of the bail application was not in the court file, prompting the judge to stand down the matter for Iyamu to address the issue.
Upon resumption, the further affidavit was located.
The DSS stated that it did not oppose the bail application.
The prosecution then moved an application seeking an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses expected to testify.
The DSS requested that:
• The identities of the witnesses should not appear in public court records.
• Pseudonyms should be used during the trial.
The prosecution argued that the witnesses’ families could be vulnerable to attack from persons sympathetic to El-Rufai.
The defence opposed the request through an application, written address, and further affidavit, urging the court to dismiss it.
The defence argued that it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know his accusers.
It further submitted that there was no evidence before the court to suggest that El-Rufai had a cult-like following or posed any threat.
Counsel stated that the defendant had dedicated his life to public service and warned that granting a blanket anonymity order could cause serious prejudice to the accused.
The defence also applied for an order directing the prosecution to furnish it with proof of evidence to prepare for trial.
The prosecution opposed the request through a counter-affidavit.
It argued that the materials sought by the defence were unrelated to the prosecution’s filed processes.
The defence informed the court that it had also filed an application to quash the charge.
• Legal arguments were raised that an application to quash cannot be brought after a plea has been taken.
The prosecution filed a written address urging the court to dismiss the application for lacking merit.
The case has been adjourned till May 18 for continuation of hearing.
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