The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed nine officers who erred and compromised in discharging their duties and betrayed the official oath of office. They were arrested, subjected to internal disciplinary measures and punished according to the gravity of their offences.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don N. Awunah, who addressed journalists in Abuja, this unacceptable professional misconduct were categorised as Aiding and abetting serious crimes; Conspiracy with militants; and Disappearance of explosives, as the accused officers were being paraded today before the media and the general public.

The first category was the arrest of nine Police personnel for cattle rustling, robbery and kidnapping in the North East. He gave the names of the suspects as EX. ASP Yuguda Abbah, EX. Sgt. Habila Sarki, EX. Diphen Nimmyel, EX. Sgt Yasan Danda, EX. Sgt Abbas Mailalle, EX. Sgt Bwanason Tanko, EX. Sgt Donan James, EX. CPL Idris Salisu, and EX. CPL Zakari Kofi

The Police Spokesman also disclosed that interrogation and confessions of the Ex-Policemen also led to the arrest of principal suspects and recovery of many arms and ammunition. He gave the names of the principal suspects as Mayo Chadi Aliyu ‘M’, Atiku Ibrahim, Ali Mohammed, Abdulrahman Umar, Umar Daudu, Ibrahim Umar, Ibrahim Mallam, Adamu Lolo, Suleiman Buba, Ahmed Adamu, Gidado Garba, Sani Dan Alhaji, Inusa Mohammed, Mohammed Wari, Mohammed Rabiu, Hammadu Abdullahi, Umar Adamu, Idi Juye, Yusuf Abdullahi.

Exhibits recovered from the suspect, according to Awunah include 14 AK 47 rifles with numbers intact; three other AK 47 rifles with numbers etched out; One Pump Action; One locally made pistol; 42 empty magazines; 363 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition; 71 K2 live ammunition; and 25 live cartridges.

“In October, 2016, one Alhaji Hodi Adamu, a notorious armed robbery suspect, was arrested by the Police in Adamawa State. The suspect’s confession led to the arrest of two other suspects namely, Rabo Bello ‘M’ and Oliver Honiol ‘M’ whose voluntary confessions led to the arrest of the nine Police personnel mentioned above for various roles they played through their actions and inactions which are considered as disciplinary infractions. The principal suspects and the dismissed police officers will soon be charged to court,” the Police said.

The second category was the arrest of a vicious kidnapper/armed robbery suspect and four policemen for aiding and abetting criminal acts in Kogi State. The names of the suspects were given as Zakari Ya’u Isiaka (a notorious kidnapper/Armed Robber) Principal suspect, EX. Sgt Musbahu Yahaya, EX. Sgt Ugenlo Sylvester, EX. Sgt Musa Umar, and EX. CPL Omale Edicha.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include One AK-47 Rifle; one G3 Rifle, one Baretta Rifle, one Assault Rifle, ten 7.62mm life ammunition; two K2 life ammunition; two AK-47 magazines; three K2 magazines; and two G3 magazine.

The police also said: “On the 16th of August, 2016 four Policemen mentioned above serving with the Kogi State command were arrested for compromising and conspiring with one Zakari Ya’u Isiaka, a notorious armed robber, kidnapper and murderer who has been on the wanted list of the Police in Kogi State.

“The suspect confessed to having been actively involved in many armed robberies, kidnappings and murder cases within Kogi and other North-Central states. Five assorted rifles and different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspect and other members of his gang.

The dismissed policemen were interrogated and found to have conspired and compromised their call to duty.”

The third category, according to police authorities, was conspiracy to supply explosives to militants in Lagos and Ogun states.

The names of the suspects were given as Abiodun Amos alias SENTI ‘M’; Ex-SGT Laibi Opakegba ‘M’, Ex-SGT Laibi Opakegba was intercepted discussing with one Abiodun Amos “alias” SENTI on how to source and supply red dynamite to militants. The said Abiodun Amos, a 43-year-old militant who is a native of Ese-Odo L.G.A of Ondo State, was arrested at the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State while in possession of two AK-47 rifles. He named other members of his militant group.

Awunah said: “The Inspector General of Police wishes to acknowledge and commend the patriotic and tireless Police officers who are making sure that Nigeria is safe and secure especially at the flash points of the North East, North Central and South South (Niger Delta). Their sacrifices will not go in vain; they will be adequately rewarded.

“Admittedly, these remarkable achievements are clear testimonies of interagency synergy between the police and our sister intelligence agencies. The IGP recognises and appreciates their professional and institutional support.

“The process to progressively sanitise the system of unprofessional and criminally minded personnel will continue and will be sustained.

“In summation, the IGP is assuring all Nigerians of adequate security and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to work assiduously to further reduce the rate of crime and criminality across the country, especially kidnap for ransom and other violent crimes. He urges Nigerians to always be law abiding and see themselves as stakeholders in making the country safer and secured.”

•Photo shows IGP Ibrahim Idris.

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