By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja has urged the Nigerian public to disregard the falsehood being peddled by the publisher of an online media and its agents, whose duty it said, is to constantly attack and malign the reputation of the force.
The Force Headquarters Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to firmly ensure justice and uphold the rule of law, with all suspects in any criminal act treated according to due process.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement in Abuja made available to newsmen in Bauchi, debunked the allegation by the online publisher purporting a robbery, burglary or theft to have taken place at the residence of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“On 28th April 2024, an armed robbery incident occurred at the residence of a police officer, attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory. During the incident, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away”.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained in the statement that a CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, which has been helpful in the Force forensic investigations in the case, which so far the police have successfully dismantled a cartel dealing in jewelry worth billions of naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and environs.
“Those purporting the robbery, burglary or theft obviously do not how the residence of the IG looks like, otherwise they would have known that no robber, burglar or thief can get close to the residence of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria and current chairman of the committee of West Africa Chiefs of Police”.
It added, “Assuming, in the most unlikely event such robbery, burglary, or theft occurred at the residence of the IGP, we should be talking about the number of policemen in detention and not this ring of armed robbers. For emphasis, the entire neighbourhood of IG residence is fortified, safe, and secure against such security breaches and criminal occurrences”.
“Subsequent investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal. Despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Alhaji Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it”.
“Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department revealed that Alhaji Auwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewelleries. This group has been linked to previous similar cases under police investigations at various formations within the FCT”.
Adejobi revealed that the 26 suspects arrested in connection with the case and many others, who are currently in custody, are being detained legally under a court order and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations, contrary to the news making rounds.
The Force Headquarters press statement with reference No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/174 dated 12th June, 2024, clarified that these were the facts of this matter, but which have been deliberately distorted by the publisher either at the instance of some of the suspects who are currently fleeing from the law, or those suspects who are lawfully detained.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reiterated that the suspects or publisher would out of mischief alleged that the said robbery occurred at the residence of the Inspector General of Police, saying categorically it is on record that robbery or any burglary or theft never took place in the IGP’s residence nor in any of the official facilities of the Nigeria Police Force
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