The Nigerian Police Force has paraded fourteen of its former personnel who were discharged for collaborating with criminals in carrying out their activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Don Awunah, the sting operation that resulted in the arrests of the policemen was in line with the resolve of the Inspector General, Ibrahim Idris, to ensure that the conduct of officers and men of the Force conform to international best practices.
Among the suspects paraded on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters were nine ex-policemen who were arrested for unprofessional conduct, aiding and abetting of serious crimes such as cattle rustling, armed robbery and kidnapping in the North East.
They are: Yuguda Abbah, Habila Sarki, Diphen Nimmyel, Yasan Danda, Abbas Mailalle, Bwanason Tanko, Donan James, Idris Salisu, Zakari Kofi.
According to the FPRO: “In the month of 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 (9) 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.”
Awunah added that confessional statements from the arrested police personnel led to the arrest of 19 other suspects from whom assorted weapons were recovered, including: “14 AK 47 rifles with numbers intact; 3 other AK 47 rifles with numbers etched out; 1 Pump Action; 1 locally made pistol; 42 empty magazines; 363 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition; 71 K2 live ammunition and 25 live cartridges.”
Awunah further stated that four police personnel were arrested for “compromising and conspiring with one Zakari Ya’uIsiaka, a notorious armed robber, kidnapper and murderer who has been on the wanted list of the Police in Kogi State.”
They include Musbahu Yahaya; Ugenlo Sylvester; Musa Umar and Omale Edicha.
“5 assorted rifles and different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspect and other members of his gang,” the police spokesman said.
Similarly, another Police personnel was arrested for conspiracy to supply explosives to militants in Lagos and Ogun states.
The suspect, “Laibi Opakegba, was intercepted discussing with one Abiodun Amos “alias” SENTI on how to source and supply red dynamite to militants.”
Awunah stated that “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 (2) AK-47 rifles.
The FPRO said that the police authority would continue to make sure that its personnel “carry out Police duties and other responsibilities professionally in line with regulations guiding our operations without compromising our integrity and allegiance to the Nation and the Force.”
He assured Nigerians on behalf of the IGP that the Force was working “assiduously to further reduce the rate of crime and criminality across the country, especially kidnap for ransom and other violent crimes.”
Awuna urged Nigerians to always be law abiding and see themselves as stakeholders in making the country safer and secured.