Kogi Govt hails Nigerian Police for fishing out officers indulge in extortion

Kogi State Government wishes to commend the leadership of the State Command of the Nigerian Police for heeding to the call made by Governor Yahaya Bello to fish out officers who waged riotous attack on an innocent passenger in the state. 

It would be recalled that a viral video went out yesterday, showing how a Police Officer assaulted a passenger and also allegedly extorted him of N25,000 forcefully with the use of his ATM card. 

Governor Yahaya Bello promptly directed the State Command to immediately fish out the riotous Police Officers who clearly infringed on the rights of the passenger as such flagrant abuse of rights is not condoned in the State. 

As a Government,  we are pleased with the swift intervention of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police,  CP Idrisu Dauda Dabban on  the matter. We are aware the unprofessional Officers have been identified, apprehended and would be tried immediately. 

As a Government led by young people,  we believe Police brutality against the youth is a thing we must kick against in view of our recent history as a nation. 

The Government of Kogi State will follow up on this case to ensure justice is served and served adequately to signal a  deterrent for possible future occurrence. 

Our nation will only thrive when the rights of the citizens are respected and protected. This is what the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello stands for in Kogi State and his wish for Nigeria. 

We owe Nigerians a responsibility of protection  and security as the centre of the nation. 

Kingsley Femi Fanwo 

Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications 

17/10/2023

Nigeria @ 61: Expert seeks governments' collaboration to curb menace of insecurity

 

By Stephen Adeleye

A Security Expert, Mr Austine Ogaga, has advised the Federal Government to  partner with the private sector and individual to curb the rising insecurity in the country through the use of technology.

Ogaga gave the advise in an interview with our Correspondent on Friday in Lokoja, as part of activities to mark the Nigeria's 61st independent anniversary.

According to him, as the nation continue to grapple with incessant kidnappings, killings and other related security threats, the best way to tackling the disturbing menace in the country is through the use of technology.

The security expert, who is an American based Nigerian, said that he had recently developed a software that could prevent, respond and investigate crime digitally.

He, therefore expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Federal and State Governments and other relevant stakeholders in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.

He explained that his organisation, WestZone Services Limited, is a software development company, interested in partnering with the Government to manage insecurity through tailored security apps,trackers and monitoring systems both online and offline.

Ogaga reiterated confidence in the President Mohammadu Buhari, as well as Governor Yahaha Bello led administrations in addressing the rising security threats and enjoined them to adopt technology as a way out.

''The software developed by my organisation would go a long way in complimenting the proposed community policing and promoting Digital Policing System in the country.

"This is the 21st Century and war against terrorism, kidnapping and other insecurity are fought via technology globally. This is where Nigeria is lacking. 

''Technology should be deployed along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight insecurity. Once technology is deployed offline and online insecurity rate would drop drastically.

''Today, police departments around the world are using surveillance cameras, gunshot detection systems, automated license plate readers, facial recognition software, body cameras, drones, DNA Based Identification and Tracking System and numerous databases to prevent, respond and investigate crimes. 

Once deployed as designed and managed fully in line with recommendations, criminals would think twice before they act" he added.

The expert assured that Nigeria would be a safer country when the digital policing system is adopted. While saying the project could generate revenue for the nation and states.

Ogaga added that it would also create employment opportunities through the running of it's operations when his software is deployed to the fullest.

End

Four killed, one injured as gunmen invade kabba Correctional Center

 

Gunmen have allegedly invaded Kabba Correctional Center early hours of Monday killing four military men while over one hundred inmates the escaped.

The army men mounting road block about 50 metres before the prison situated along Lokoja- Okebukun- kabba- highway.

The soldiers were said to have mounted a routine check point and when the hoodlums came and rained bullets on them before they invaded the prison facility.

An eye witness account said the gunmen also sprayed bullets on an uncompleted building where the soldiers normally hibernate before they broke into the correctional centre and released over 100 of the inmates.

The account said some of the correctional officers on guard were fatally injured while one of the soldiers who made attempt to flee away was also hit in the leg.

A source also confirmed that there of the prisoners were rearrested at about 8.00 am on Monday beside Kudon hotel, kabba when they made effort to board a vehicle to escape to Ilorin

Confirming the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 8, Ayuba Edeh, said the State Commissioner of Police and other heads of security agencies have swung into action to do an assessment of the cause of the break.

It was also that the state controller of the correctional service along with the state security adviser, Jerry Omodara have as at the time of writing this report have gone to the kabba for on- the spot assessment.