ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Enugu State Government on Friday said security operatives had arrested six suspected criminals linked to major security breaches in the state and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during joint operations.

Governor Peter Mbah disclosed this while inspecting the recovered arms at the Enugu State headquarters of the Department of State Services in Enugu.

The recovered weapons include 17 AK-47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, one rocket launcher, one tear-gas gun, 12 AK-47 magazines, two hand grenades, three tear-gas canisters and 1,071 rounds of ammunition.

The ammunition comprises 323 rounds of special ammunition, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 478 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Security operatives also recovered uniforms and four lanyards.

Mbah, who was received by the State Director of the DSS, Humphrey Ohikhuare; the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa; and the Garrison Commander of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Garba Suru, commended security agencies for what he described as a major breakthrough in the fight against crime in the state.

He said some of the suspects had been on the state’s security watch list and were allegedly involved in violent crimes, including attacks that claimed the lives of security personnel.

“First of all, I would like to acknowledge and salute the gallantry of our security agents. What we are witnessing here today is the triumph of vigilance, hard work and dedication to duty.

“Recall that sometime in December last year, we had an incident that took the lives of some of our officers. The state government placed bounties on the heads of the criminals. We had earlier apprehended some of those involved, but the suspects here today are those who had been on the run,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements, stressing that offenders would be tracked and brought to justice regardless of how long it takes.

“We have always said in Enugu State that we have no room for criminals. If you commit crime here, no matter how long it takes, we will identify you, get you and ensure that you are brought to justice,” he added.

Mbah attributed the arrests and recoveries to the state’s investment in security infrastructure and technology, as well as the collaboration among security agencies.

“It is heartwarming that the investment we have made in the security sector and the cooperation of our security agencies are yielding results. The people of Enugu State can sleep with both eyes closed, knowing that we have their backs covered,” he said.

The governor also warned criminals still operating within the state to leave or face the consequences of their actions.

He further urged landlords and property owners to carry out proper background checks on prospective tenants, warning that the government would continue to prosecute erring landlords and demolish properties linked to violent crimes.

“You cannot be exculpated on the ground that you did not know. The law has placed the duty on you to know who you are giving your property to,” he said.

Mbah also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen the security architecture across the country, including the rehabilitation of security training institutions and ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing policing.

He welcomed the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the House of Representatives, describing it as a significant step towards improving security at the subnational level.

According to him, state policing would help address security challenges more effectively by enabling states to take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property within their territories.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, has ordered a statewide clampdown on vehicles plying Lagos roads without number plates or with concealed registration marks, warning that offenders would be arrested and their vehicles impounded with immediate effect.

The directive, according to Fatai, formed part of measures to strengthen security architecture and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the state through unregistered vehicles.

The CP gave the order during a strategic meeting with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, and Commanders of Tactical Units at the Officers’ Mess, Ikeja, yesterday.

He briefed the officers on resolutions from a recent conference with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and outlined new security measures to tighten security across Lagos.

According to Tijani, “The Inspector-General of Police emphasised the need to ensure that all vehicles plying the roads in the country have their plate numbers on them. On no occasion should anybody put a vehicle on the road without a plate number or with a covered plate number. If anybody is found driving such a vehicle, that vehicle will have to be impounded.

He observed that “Most of the vehicles being used by these criminals are either not registered at all or have their plate numbers covered. Apart from those genuinely permitted by law to cover their plate numbers, there are no other exceptions”.

CP Tijani also directed all DPOs to intensify community policing and intelligence gathering at the grassroots, stressing that effective security requires active collaboration between the police and residents.

He further disclosed that the command would sustain joint patrols and intelligence-sharing with other security agencies, particularly in border communities and along waterways, to forestall the movement of criminal elements into Lagos.

Assuring residents of the command’s readiness to tackle emerging threats, Tijani said , “ Lagos Police Command had maintained a strong intelligence network and would continue working closely with transport unions, community leaders and other stakeholders to keep the state safe. Our goal is to ensure that Lagos remains secure and that criminal elements find no space to operate.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Suspected gunmen have abducted a cleric with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), identified as Pastor Gbenga Sanny, in Ondo State.

It was gathered that Sanny was seized by three gunmen on Sunday evening in the presence of his children.

Sources who confirmed the abduction to The Nation on Monday said the incident occurred at about 7.00 p.m in front of his residence located at Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government.

Sanny, who is also a staff of the Akure North Local Government Area of the state, was taken to an unknown destination by the attackers.

His wife reportedly escaped the attack.

“The three armed men reportedly came out of the nearby bush and whisked him away,” one of the sources revealed.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police command, Jimoh Abayomi said investigation has been launched into the abduction case.

He stated that officers and tactical teams of the command have already been mobilised to the area and working to secure the safe rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible for the crime.