CP HAKEEM OLUSEGUN ODUMOSU MAIDEN BRIEFING HELD AT EDO STATE POLICE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS

BENIN CITY ON 14TH JANUARY, 2019

INTRODUCTION:

I, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu assumed duty as the 39th Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command on 02/01/2019. I thank the Inspector-General of Police IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni for the confidence, trust he has in me in providing me this opportunity to serve as the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command. I was properly briefed by my predecessor CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo in a well-organized official handing and taking over ceremony. I also appreciate my predecessor for his clear objectives that he sets forth for me to improve upon. I hereby state categorically that with God on our side, guidance of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni, support of His Excellency, Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and cooperation of all residents of Edo State, we shall collectively achieve a safer and more secured Edo State during my tour of duty. The stage is set for more effective and efficient Policing in the State. Policemen in Edo State under my watch will step up their activities in the performance of their statutory duties as stipulated in section 4 of the Police Act and other relevant laws.

MISSION STATEMENT

My mission as the Commissioner of Police Edo State Command is to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum through maximum utilization and deployment of human and material resources available to the Command. This will be carried out in line with Inspector-General of Police trust of Policing in accordance with International best practices using Community Policing as pivot with the sole target of providing secured and conducive environment for all law abiding citizens of the state to thrive in their chosen endeavours. I intend to achieve this through;

POLICING STRATEGIES

1. Visibility Policing. Police will be deployed to all the nooks and crannies of the State to provide tight security for all and sundry so that the good people of Edo State can sleep not only with their two eyes closed but will also snore.

2. Quick response and prompt intervention to distress calls.

3. Prompt, professional, unbiased and discrete investigation of all criminal cases.

4. Zero tolerance to crime and criminality in all its ramifications including, Cultism, Robbery, Kidnapping etc by ensuring that criminal will have no place to hide in the State because it will be too hot for them to perpetrate their criminal acts. Edo State will not be used as transit camp and or hibernation abode to criminals.

5. Zero tolerance to corruption: This shall be abhorred in all its ramification. All Police personnel of this Command have been warned against this. I promise to handle all complaints of corruption against any of my officers and men with utmost dispatch. No culprit shall go unpunished. This I promise the people of Edo State.

6. Respect to human rights: The Police in Edo State under my watch will ensure that all fundamental human rights of citizens as enshrined in Chapter 4 Section 33-43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) will not only be respected nut also protected.

7. Collaborating and providing adequate security to all government agencies to enable them achieve their set goals and objectives.

8. Enhancing robust relationship with other sister security agencies like the Military, and other paramilitary security outfits to ensure that security is jointly brought to the steps of every law abiding citizens of Edo State.

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9. Collaborating with other stakeholders e.g. Traditional Institution, Vigilante groups, Civil Liberty Organizations, Labour Unions, Police Community Relations Committee etc.

10. I shall equally synergize with the Judiciary to make sure that criminals are not only brought to justice promptly, but ensure that full weight of the laws is brought on them to serve as deterrents to others.

11. I shall ensure that members of the Public have unfettered access to all Police formations in the State to be able to lodge complaint which shall be promptly attended to. One immediate and first step towards achieving this is the launching here today of 100 of dedicated and permanent telephone lines and telephone boxes that cover all the 55 Police Divisional Headquarters, 10 Area Commands, 6 Police Posts, and all other Police formations in the state. All the Telephone lines have been activated. You are at liberty to call any Police station right now and lodge your complaints including passing information on traffic situations and criminal incidents. In furtherance to this, I have directed all Area Commanders and DPOs to boldly print their personal GSM numbers as well as that of their principal officers especially ACO’s, ATO’s, DCO’s, DTO’s, Ops patrol and guard, Admin Officers, Station Officers etc and display them in conspicuous places in their Area Commands and Divisions for all members of public to see and reach them without any encumbrance. I will not tolerate situation where Area Commander or DPO will turn himself or herself to a tin god or remain inaccessible to members of the public. I hereby solicit for co-operation and assistance of the press in widely disseminating these numbers to members of the public. You may save a life through this. The second phase of this information security strategy will be unveiled in due course.

12. I shall build and shot-up the warning thrust, mutual suspicion etc that exist between Police and members of the public to let them have more confidence in reporting cases and/or giving information to Police, I assure that all information rendered shall be treated with utmost secrecy and informant’s identity fully protected.

13. Embarking on a pro-active and confrontational Policing strategy of taking war to the den of the criminals so as not to let them have a respite or leeway to plan and unleash terror on innocent citizens of Edo State.

14. Constant training and retraining of our officers and men in line with IGP’s directive to mitigate against the incidences of misusing firearms to avoid accidental discharge and unprofessional handling of weapons.

15. Providing medical care to the officers and men to keep them physically and mentally alert in order to serve and protect the citizen of the State. The medical tour and spot activities were started on Monday 7th and 9th January, 2019,I promise to keep these activities on.

16. Mopping-up of illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of unauthorized persons or groups continues. The Inspector general of Police IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni directives on Presidential order in mopping up illegal arms and ammunition subsists. It is advised that should there be any person or group of persons that are still in possession of illegal arms and ammunition to submit them to the Police as the Edo State Police Command under my leadership will not leave anyone found culpable unpunished.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Within two weeks in the office with God on our side, we have been able to make some modest achievements which include but not limited to the followings:

1. ARMED ROBBERY:

The Command through a well-coordinated intelligence foiled nine (9) armed robbery incidences in different locations within the city and Sabongida-Ora of the State. During this, the following arrest and recovery were made;

i. Number of suspects arrested – 16

ii. Number of arms recovered – 5

iii. Number of vehicles recovered – 4

iv. One wood carved gun

v. One rubber pistol gun

vi. Number of assorted phones recovered – 9

2. FOILED ROBBERY INCIDENT/RECOVERY OF VEHICLE/OTHER ITEMS:

On 08/01/2019, the operatives of Iguobazuwa Police Division while on township patrol intercepted a white FIAT bus Reg No. ATN-818-YV along Benin/Lagos Road by Okada Junction. The driver of the vehicle on sighting the Police made a sudden stop and he and his gang took to their heels. Operatives conducted search on the vehicle and the following items recovered; one big generator, twelve giant motor batteries including the white FIAT bus Reg. No. ATN-818-YV. Investigation revealed that the recovered items were property of MTN Communication. Investigation is in progress to clamp down the criminal elements.

3. CONSPIRACY/ARMED ROBBERY:

On 08/01/2019, the Command operatives acting on a distress call by one Stella Omolola ‘f’ of No. 9, Uwa Street off First East Circular through control room, Benin City that some armed robbers are in their area, immediately operative swung into action and comb the entire area and arrested the following suspects; Osazuwa Joseph ‘m’ and search was conducted on him immediately one locally made double barrel recovered from him. Suspect have made statement to the crime

4. ARMED ROBBERY:

On 10/01/2019, operatives of the Command who were on patrol along Sapele Road by fly over intercepted on Nissan Vannet bus taxi coloured Reg. No. Ab-388-XA and as soon as they saw Police they ran into nearby bush but with intensive bush combing, two of the suspects were arrested namely; Emmanuel Saka ‘m’ aged 25yrs and Okha Happy ‘m’ aged 26yrs. While searching the vehicle, the following items recovered from them; one locally made single barrel gun, one expended cartridge, one live cartridge, one face mask, six assorted handsets and one Nissan Vannet bus Reg. No. AB-388-XA. The suspects have made useful information to the Police. Investigation continues.

5. MURDER:

Ø Breakthrough was recorded in two out of the four murder cases reported during this four (4) days of my taking over here. In this, suspects were not only arrested, weapons of committing the offence were recovered and confessional statements are recorded. They will be charged to court at the completion and the other final completion of investigation. Investigations are in topmost gear in the other outstanding ones.

Ø Two (2) murder cases of DICKSON IGBINOBA ‘M’ AGED 47YRS and SUNDAY OBAKHENA ‘M’ AGED 22YRS were received from Egor quarters, Benin City and Sabongida Ora areas of Edo State.

Ø Murder case at ugbogun: Investigation is in advance stages for other

6. On 13/01/2019, the operatives of Ekiadolor Police Station, Edo State arrested one Waila Idehen ‘m’ aged 35yrs a native of Ovbiogie Community, off Benin/Lagos expressway, Edo State, who gruesomely murdered his wife Mrs. Maureen idehen ‘f’ aged 28yrs and his two children Derek Idehen ‘m’ aged 3yrs and Desmond Idehen aged 2yrs by firing them through the bedroom door with his English Made Double Barrel gun over a mere misunderstanding. The gun was recovered while suspect made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is in progress.

7. CULTISM:

Ø A total of four (4) cases of cult activities were reported in the city, Okpella town, Ogua Community and Okomu Community in Edo State. Police prompt action on these report led to arrest of 10 suspects who are being charged to court.

Ø On 13/01/2019, the Command operatives acting on information arrested one Osarumwese Anthony ‘m’, Wisdom Ojo ‘m’, Saturday Obazee ‘m’, Awansoba Omoruyi ‘m’ along with some quantity of Indian hemp, at Igiebor Hotel, Udo Town in Iguobazuwa, Edo State suspects confessed members of Jurist and Eiye secret cult confraternity.

Ø On 10/01/2019, Operatives of the Command while on township patrol intercepted one taxi cab with about five occupants, but on search of them two of them namely Osazee Enoma ‘m’ aged 22yrs and Edgar Winchester ‘m’ aged 17yrs were members of Vikings secret cult group. Investigation continued.

NUMBER OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 24

8. FRAUD

Ø The Operatives of the Command foiled a case of obtaining the sum of N220,000.00 under false pretence by one Saibu Ali ‘m’ who is currently under investigation.

Ø In another development, on 11/01/2019 the Command arrested six (6) fraud suspects one Abel Ogbebor ‘m’; Harrison Etumah ‘m’, Asemota Uwala ‘m’, Festus Wekpe, Wahab Uwagboe ‘m’ and Sunny Ighodaro ‘m’ who posed as House agents and fraudulently obtained the sum of seven million naira from one Ogboko Austin ‘m’, a resident of Benin City.

NUMBER OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 11

9. KIDNAPPING

a. ARREST OF KIDNAP SUSPECTS, RECOVERY OF ARMS/CARTRIDGE

On 04/01/2019, the command through a corroborated efforts of Nigerian Naval Officers foiled a kidnap incidence and arrested three (3) suspects one Ali Abubakar ‘m’ aged 40yrs, Abubakar Suleiman ‘m’ aged 30yrs and Babatunde Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 25yrs at ishawa and Agor Communities in Etsako LGA of Edo State, who kidnapped a Naval Officers one SLT Mohammed Awwal ‘m’ attached to the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Emiri Ondo State who was on transit to Eze Market in Edo State.

b. RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED VICTIM

On 11/01/2019, the operatives of Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber-crime Unit through a corroborated efforts of vigilante group and hunters rescued unhurt one Omobude Monday ‘m’ aged 55yrs of Urhokuosa Community along Benin/Auchi Road, Edo State, who was kidnapped in his farn at Adams Camp at Urhokuosa Community. Two other kidnapped victims were also rescued. Efforts are on top gear towards arresting the perpetrators of the crime.

10. CHILD STEALING

A case of child stealing was reported at Utese Village in Ovia North East LGA of Edo State. The Command operatives swung into action and arrested three (3) suspects and rescued the two female victims. They are equally being charged to court.

11. SEXUAL OFFENCE:

Ø ARREST OF DEFILEMENT SUSPECTS:

The Command operatives arrested one Odaro Archimiedis ‘m’ of No. 38, Eke Street, off Sakponba Road, Benin City, following a complainant against him be one Orobosa Edugie ‘m’ for defiling one Miss Faith Edigin ‘f’ aged 13 yrs old suspects made statement and denied committing the crime. Investigation is on-going.

Ø ARREST OF DEFILEMENT SUSPECT

The Command operatives attached to Ekpoma Police Station arrested one Anthony Okhoria ‘m’ at No. 9, Isidohomen Street, Ekpoma, Edo State following a report made by one Oribor Ibhare ‘f’ that the suspect defiled her daughter one Praise Abraham ‘f’ aged 8yrs. Suspect made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is in progress, thereafter suspect will be charged to court.

12. RAID

On 11/01/2019, 12/01/2019 and 13/01/2019, the Command conducted raid operation in criminal black spots and vulnerable points in the state. During the exercise, a total number of 110 suspects were arrested. The suspects were thoroughly interrogated, 68 out of 110 were screened out and 32 are currently under investigation.

 

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS

NUMBER OF ARMS RECOVERED – 14

NUMBER OF AMMUNITION RECOVERED – 72

NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECOVERED – 4

NUMBER OF ROBBERY SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 16

NUMBER OF KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 3

NUMBER OF CULT RELATED SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 57

NUMBER OF FRAUD SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 9

NUMBER OF MURDER SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 15

NUMBER OF DEFILEMENT SUSPECTS ARRESTED – 5

NUMBER OF KIDNAPPED VICTIMS RESCUED – 6

NUMBER OF DEFILED CHILDREN RESCUED – 4

NUMBER OF CHILDREN STOLEN AND RESCUED – 2

NUMBER OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED DURING RAID OPERATION – 110

NUMBER OF SUSPECTED SCREENED OUT OF 110 – 68

NUMBER OF RAID SUSPECTS UNDER INVESTIGATION – 32

TOTAL NUMBER OF VICTIMS RESCUED – 14

TOTAL NUMBER OF SUSPECTED ARRESTED – 106

CONCLUSION

Once again, I wish to assure all law abiding people of edo State that while I remain the CP in the State, their security needs shall not be treated with levity.

Thank you all and God Bless.

HAKEEM OLUSEGUN ODUMOSU Psc,
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
EDO STATE COMMAND,
BENIN CITY