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Anambra Election: Stakeholders question IGP’s deployment of 34,587 officers, 3 helicopters

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Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, stakeholders have questioned the move by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba to deploy a total of 34,587 police personnel, three Police Helicopters, technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine and the Force Animal Branch, and other operational assets to Anambra State ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

It will be recalled that the IGP, during the 2nd Strategic Police Managers Conference for Senior Police Officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, said the move was to ensure a hitch-free election in Anambra State.

According to Baba, the 34,587 personnel comprising of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU) as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee protection of lives and properties during the election.

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The announcement has, however, triggered backlash from concerned stakeholders who picked holes in the IGP’s decision, describing it as preparation for ‘war’.

Some of the stakeholders also expressed fear that such move would intimidate the voters, saying apathy may mar the election.

The National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko said that the 34,587 policemen the IGP claimed may not be true.

According to him, the Nigerian Police force has no accurate statistics of officers deployed to a particular area. He alleged that those in charge of the deployment only formulated the figures just to embezzle public fund.

He said, “Nigerian Police force has lost focus from a very long period of time. They always engage in fire brigade approaches particularly in national matters. The issue of Anambra election does not call for the IGP to deploy such number of policemen to the state.

If the Nigerian Government had listened to ideas and suggestions that so many people including the right group, HURIWA, NGOs and other stakeholders have been making over some years now, there wouldn’t be need for this.

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“We have been calling on the government to reform the police but the government seems to be very comfortable with the dysfunctional police.

“Nigeria does not even have an accurate data of exact number of how many policemen are serving in a particular area. They are only using fathom statistics to siphon public fund. There is no statistics to say we have about 3,000 policemen in Benue State or 4,000 officers in Kaduna State so the number of personnel the IGP has declared that they are sending to Anambra may not even be accurate.

“They may just send like 5,000 policemen and tell Nigerians that they have mobilized over 34,000. The way the police service commission was set up, clearly shows that it was established not to work”.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who spoke to DAILY POST from Ozubulu Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Emeka backed the IGP, stating that the state has been enveloped with security crisis since the beginning of the year.

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He, however, warned against alleged plans by some political party to take advantage of the security situation in the state to rig the November election, saying the entire world is watching.

“Since January this year, Anambra State has not been the same, there have been killings in many parts of the state. As I speak to you, many residents have vowed to remain indoors on the election day.

“So if there is anything the government is doing to remove fear from the voters, I think that should be a welcome development. But they should note that we are all set for the election, Nigerians are watching, the world is watching; no body can rig Anambra election so whoever is planning that should rescind,”Chief Emeka added.

 

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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