Crime
Police Authority Upholds Earlier Verdicts on Dismissed Officers In Kwara
Police Authority has reviewed and upheld the earlier verdicts on two dismissed police officers – Sergeant Shola Akano, and Corporal Babatunde Glorious, from the Kwara State Police Command.
This was disclosed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force PRO, Force Headquarters, Abuja,
in a statement with Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/21; and dated July 18, 2023.
He said that the Review Panel also recommended the prosecution of the two officers for : ” Conspiracy, Theft, False and Malicious Publications against NPF.”
Dismissal Not Wrongful
” The Nigeria Police Force wishes to address a viral video featuring two dismissed police officers, Sergeant Shola Akano and Corporal Babatunde Glorious, from the Kwara State Police Command and a follow-up publication in the Punch Newspaper of June 2, 2023, in order to set the records straight and demystify the trending allegations for what it really is.
” In the said video and publication, the erstwhile officers alleged that their dismissal from the Nigeria Police was wrongful and a result of their refusal to receive a bribe to compromise a matter they were investigating.
The NPF, therefore, wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding their dismissal and reaffirm the integrity of the disciplinary process after being subjected to re-assessment.
According to findings by the Special Investigation Unit, Force Criminal Investigations Department, Abuja, detailed to review their case, the duo of Sgt. Shola Akano and Corporal Babatunde Glorious were attached to the Public Complaint Bureau, Office of the Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Police Command, where their primary duty was to handle complaints brought forward by members of the public bordering on police unprofessionalism and misconduct.
A Case of Conspiracy And 419
Unfortunately, during the course of investigating a case of conspiracy and advance fee fraud in February 2020, they engaged in misconduct that warranted their dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
In the cause of investigating the case, the duo arrested two suspects – one Fatai Ridwan Olarewaju and one Awogbemi Samuel Olayinka, a student of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State.
Corceses Suspects To Withdraw N1.9 million
On 7th February 2020, the officers booked and took one of the suspects, Fatai Ridwan Olarewaju, from the police cell where he was detained to a Zenith Bank Branch at Unity Road, Ilorin where they coerced the suspect into withdrawing the sum of One Million, One Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N1,190,000.00) from his account, which was collected by Corporal Glorious.
Following this, the suspect was returned to the cell, and later released on administrative bail on the same day while the withdrawn sum, two mobile phones, and other personal effects were not released to him.
Rather than following proper procedure, Sgt. Shola Akano, and Corporal Babatunde Glorious continued to demand more money from the suspect to close the case, and thus engaged in further acts of extortion.
Actions Violate Code of Conduct
These actions were in direct violation of their duties and code of conduct as police officers, and it prompted Mr. Fatai to report the matter to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP X-Squad for investigation.
Subsequently, verifiable evidence, including the conversion of one of the mobile phones, an iPhone 11 Pro, for personal use by Corporal Glorious, was presented during their trial.
Testimonies of All Parties Involved
Based on a thorough examination of the evidence and the testimonies of all parties involved, the duo were found guilty and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
It is essential to note that the same complaint of wrongful dismissal was made by the officers before the #EndSARS panel in Ilorin, and their dismissal was upheld after a careful review of the evidence and testimonies from all concerned parties.
Series of reviews and recommendations from panels uphold the dismissal and prosecution of the duo, and they will be so prosecuted accordingly.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring discipline, accountability, and professionalism within its ranks, and condemn any form of misconduct while assuring the public that necessary actions will always be taken to maintain the trust reposed in the Police. The dismissal of Sgt. Shola Akano and Corporal Babatunde Glorious clearly underscore our commitment to weeding out bad elements from the Force and upholding the values of justice and fairness.”
The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the release of Nura Abdullahi, Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, after spending 61 days in the captivity of kidnappers.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the development to Arise News in a telephone interview on Thursday. He said the chairman is presently receiving medical attention in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, following his release.
According to the police, Abdullahi regained his freedom alongside other persons who were abducted with him on the same day and taken to an unknown location. The exact circumstances surrounding the release were not immediately disclosed.
Police authorities have remained silent on whether any ransom was paid to secure the victims’ freedom. However, unconfirmed reports circulating in the state claim that the sum of ₦200 million was earlier paid to the kidnappers. The reports further allege that the abductors refused to free the chairman at the time and continued to hold him, demanding additional payment.
The abduction occurred when heavily armed attackers invaded Abdullahi’s residence in Bungudu town. During the assault, two security agents attached to the local government chairman were killed. His elder brother was also shot and later died in hospital from the injuries sustained.
The release of the Bungudu LG chairman marks the end of a prolonged ordeal that had drawn concern across Zamfara State. Further details on the condition of the other freed victims and any ongoing investigations are still being awaited from the police.
Boko Haram militants have launched a deadly invasion of a community in Adamawa State, killing several residents and setting multiple houses ablaze.
The attack, described by local sources as sudden and coordinated, saw the fighters storm the area, opening fire on civilians and torching homes. Survivors reported scenes of chaos as residents fled in different directions to escape the assault. A number of people were confirmed dead, while others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.
The burning of houses has left many families displaced, with properties and livelihoods destroyed in the violence. The community remains tense, and residents are calling for increased security presence to prevent further attacks.
Security forces are yet to issue a comprehensive official update on the incident, though reports indicate that troops have been mobilised to the area.
The assault is the latest in a series of raids attributed to the group in the northeast, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by the insurgents in Adamawa and neighbouring states.
More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.
The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.
A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.
Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.
The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.
Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.
Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.
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