THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) detained Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello along with his other security details on Friday, April 19, 2024.
According to a report by Saturday PUNCH, the ADC and other police officers attached to the former governor are being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sources within the police who spoke anonymously disclosed that the officers were apprehended on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun over suspicions that they assisted Bello escape arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier in the week.
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“Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers attached to him were brought to the command this morning, and they’ve been detained for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape),” Saturday PUNCH quoted the source as saying.
The ICIR reached out to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the FCT Police Command Josephine Adeh to confirm the arrests.
She told The ICIR that she has yet to be briefed on the issue.
“I have not been briefed, but I will confirm and get back to you,” she noted in a text message.
The EFCC declared Yahaya Bello wanted on Wednesday, April 17, over allegations of fraud totaling N80.2 billion.
A notice declaring him wanted was posted via the EFCC’s official social media handles following the Commission’s botched attempt to apprehend him at his Abuja residence the previous day.
The arrest was unsuccessful, as the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was reported to have driven into Bello’s home and smuggled him out.
The federal government also placed Bello on a watch list for breach of trust, money laundering, and conspiracy.
This was contained in a memo signed by the Nigeria Immigration Service, which also copied the Nigeria Customs Service, State Security Service, Police, and some other security agencies.
“I am directed to inform you that the above-named person has been placed on a watch list. Suffice it to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust, and Money Laundering vide letter Ref; CR; 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated April 18, 2024.
“If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation, or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action. Please, accept as always the Comptroller-General’s warmest regards and esteem,” the document read.
Following the failed arrest, the IGP ordered a withdrawal of all police officers attached to the former governor on Friday morning.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.