• Rivers probes extortion allegations against officers

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday showcased a truck intercepted while conveying military camouflage uniforms and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

The command also dismantled a notorious one-chance robbery syndicate, rescued dozens of foreign nationals from possible mob action and recovered firearms and other crime-related exhibits across the state.

Operatives of the command intercepted an unregistered MAN diesel truck loaded with 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

Also recovered were 14 firearms, four live cartridges, one operational motorcycle, 51 mobile phones suspected to be proceeds of crime, two vehicle Engine Control Units (ECUs) and 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances.

Three suspects identified as Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi, 45; Chinedu David, 29; and Ezeagwu Chukwuma, 38, were arrested and taken into custody.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, said the development underscored the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and public safety.

“We have made tremendous achievements. We have recovered arms, ammunition and other exhibits. I believe it is important to make the public aware of these recoveries and showcase them,” he said.

Fatai disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the truck was headed for a destination in the eastern part of the country.

The commissioner said investigations were ongoing to determine the intended use of the uniforms.

“For me, it does not pose any immediate threat to Lagos State because the items were being moved out of the state. However, considering the current security situation in the country and the fact that we have seen people wearing such uniforms in various criminal activities, we cannot rule anything out. Investigations are ongoing to get to the root of the matter,” he said.

The command also rescued 38 foreign nationals from possible mob action in Epe. The group comprised 14 Chadians, nine Burkinabes, four Beninese, four Malians, two Togolese, two Cameroonians and one Ghanaian.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding their arrest, Fatai said: “All those arrested could not give a satisfactory account of themselves.”

He added: “While some possessed ECOWAS travel documents, they could not clearly explain what exactly they were doing in Nigeria.”

He disclosed that the matter had been referred to the Nigeria Immigration Service and the relevant embassies for profiling and further investigation.

Meanwhile, he said investigations were still ongoing into the recent explosion reported in Mushin.

“There was an explosion. Any explosion could be linked to an improvised explosive device (IED). That is all I can say for now. Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operatives are still working and, in due course, we will provide a full briefing on the outcome,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated the command’s resolve to monitor suspicious activities involving foreign nationals and other security threats.

“If foreign nationals are in the country, we need to know their mission. Whenever we receive information about any foreign national acting suspiciously, we will investigate and ascertain the purpose of their presence in the country,” he said.

Also, the Rivers State Police Command has commenced an investigation into allegations of extortion involving a police officer, ASP Omomefe Akin Geoffrey, and other personnel following the circulation of a viral video and reports on social media.

The command said it viewed the allegations with utmost seriousness, stressing that extortion, illegal collection of money and abuse of office run contrary to the ethics, values and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordered the immediate arrest and detention of the officers allegedly involved pending the outcome of investigations.

According to the statement, the police hierarchy acted swiftly after becoming aware of the allegations, underscoring the command’s commitment to accountability and discipline within its ranks.

Adepoju reiterated that the command would not tolerate extortion or any other form of misconduct by officers under any circumstances, noting that such actions undermine public confidence in law enforcement and damage the image of the force.

He emphasised the need for officers to conduct themselves professionally while discharging their duties, adding that policing must be guided by integrity, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law.

The police commissioner assured residents that the investigation would be thorough, transparent and impartial, promising that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with the law and the Nigeria Police Act.