EVENTS

IGP DIRECTS MASSIVE DEPLOYMENT, ENFORCEMENT OF MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS, BAN ON VIP AIDES, ESCORTS, STATE SECURITY OUTFITS FOR 2024 RUN-OFF/BYE-ELECTIONS ACROSS 26 STATES

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2024

As IGP Calls on Citizens to Adhere to Rule of Law, Assures of Free Exercise of Voting Rights

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day in all states where elections will be conducted, with the exception of those on essential services such as INEC officials, electoral observers, accredited media and observers both foreign and domestic, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc., during the upcoming 2024 run-off and bye-elections scheduled to take place across 26 states on Saturday February 3, 2024. The affected states include Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

The IGP has also ordered a ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centers during the election. State-established and owned security outfits and organizations, quasi-security units, and privately owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

The movement restrictions, including the ban on VIP aides, escorts, and state security outfits, are crucial measures aimed at preventing any undue interference or intimidation during the electoral process. The IGP emphasizes that these restrictions are implemented to safeguard the integrity of the elections and guarantee equal participation for all citizens of the affected states.

The IGP urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and in accordance with the electoral laws, as any attempt to disrupt the electoral process or violate the established guidelines will be met with the full force of the law.

The Inspector General of Police reiterates the commitment of the Force to fostering a secure and democratic society, and therefore encourages citizens to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may undermine the electoral process to the appropriate authorities via the following phone numbers; 08034040439 (CP Elections); 08031230631 (Toll Free); 08057000001, 08057000002 (Complaint Response Unit); @ngpolice (Facebook); @PoliceNG (X); pressforabuja@police.gov.ng (e-mail).

The IGP expresses confidence that, through collective efforts, the upcoming run-off and bye-elections will be conducted peacefully, transparently, and in line with the principles of democracy.

EKITI INCIDENT
EKITI: IGP CONDEMNS KILLINGS, DEPLOYS AIG ABIODUN ASABI, ADDITIONAL MEN, ASSETS TO ZONE 17 FOR SWIFT RESCUE

Tasks Newly Deployed AIG on Proper Coordination for Optimum Security; Commiserates with Families of Deceased Obas

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, strongly condemns the recent killing of two traditional rulers – HRM Oba Samuel Olusola Olatunji, Ph.D., the Olumojo of Imojo-Ekiti and HRM Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti in Ekiti State, and the abduction of school pupils and teachers in Emure-Ekiti. And has therefore taken immediate steps to address the security challenges in the region. To ensure the swift restoration of peace and order, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abiodun Asabi to Zone 17 Akure, along with additional personnel and assets.

The newly posted AIG has been tasked with overseeing a comprehensive and coordinated security response to bring an end to the unfortunate security incidents in Ekiti, and parts of Ondo State and ensure proper coordination among security agencies for optimum effectiveness in tackling the security concerns within Ekiti State.

The Inspector-General expresses his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Ekiti State, the families and loved ones of the deceased traditional rulers whose lives were tragically cut short during these incidents.

Preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of thirteen (13) suspects who are currently assisting the Police with the investigation process.

The Inspector General of Police hereby reiterates the commitment of the NPF to ensuring that justice is served, and those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to book, while assuring the public that every necessary measure will be taken to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Members of the public are urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with the Police and other security agencies, as we work to restore peace and security to the affected areas.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA
1st February, 2024

EVENTS

Prominent Nigerian businessman Aminu Dantata is dead

Published

16 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Renowned Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, has passed away at the age of 94.

A family source confirmed that the elder statesman died on Friday night in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, after a brief illness.

He died at about 3am Nigerian time at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.

The source added that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Born on May 19, 1931 in Kano, Alhaji Aminu Dantata was a major figure in Nigeria’s business landscape for decades.

He was a respected industrialist and a key player in the country’s private sector growth.

He is survived by seven children and many grandchildren. Among his children is Alhaji Tajuddeen Aminu Dantata.

EVENTS

Experts call for collective action against GBV in Ogun

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Experts in Ogun State have called for urgent action to curb the state’s persistent increase in Gender-Based Violence, GBV, and other forms of abuse.

They made the call at a stakeholders’ engagement on GBV, Standard Operating Procedures, Case Management, and Legislative Framework Workshop organized by the Gender Unit of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, OGSTEP, and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The engagement, held on Thursday at the OGSTEP conference room, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, brought together 86 media professionals, online content creators, civil society groups, and government agencies to strengthen ethical reporting on Gender-Based Violence, GBV.

Speaking at the engagement, OGSTEP’s Gender Specialist, Mrs. Ewajesu Fasina, lamented that the state had the highest number of GBV cases and insisted that everyone involved, particularly the media, must raise the alarm on the danger posed by the menace.

Fasina stated that according to a report from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development, 28% of Nigerian women aged 25–29 have experienced some form of physical violence at the age of 15, while 1 in 10 boys experiences sexual abuse.

She stressed the importance of the media in influencing public opinion on GBV and urged journalists to prioritize the dignity and safety of survivors in their reporting, warning against narratives that could cause further harm.

Fasina said, “Journalists have the power to overturn court cases with the power of the pen or the power of the keyboard.

“Journalists have the opportunity to cover all angles, the health, the security, the legal aspects of every story and that’s why we’ve taken out our time to say, in this war against gender-based violence, without media, without journalists, we cannot win it. Only this group of people have the better and eagle’s eye view.”

Also, a legal expert and State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network (CPN), Barrister Adedamola Lapite, maintained that asking for consent and maintaining confidentiality would help to prevent trauma for the survivors.

He guided participants through the legal framework for gender-based violence response and reporting, urging media practitioners to report responsibly and increase public awareness about the harmful impact of such issues on society.

“What we have done here today is basically talk to us on the things required in reporting gender-based violence cases. We must talk about the need for confidentiality, for consent, so as to avoid traumatizing survivors when we’re reporting them,” Lapite said.

The OGSTEP Project Coordinator, Mosunmola Owo-Odusi, stated that as part of their program intervention, they have renovated four Sexual Assault Referral Centres throughout the state and outfitted two of them with empowerment centres to ensure that survivors have a safe place to go.

EVENTS

Retired police officers demand exit from pension scheme, plan nationwide protest

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Retired Police Officers’ Union under the Contributory Pension Scheme has planned to embark on a peaceful protest nationwide by next month.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Kaduna State Chapter, Retired CSP Mannir M. Lawal Zaria, and his Vice Chairman, Retired ASP Danlami Maigamo, it was said that the protest is a continuation of their demand for the Nigeria Police Force to be exited from the scheme.

He said the only option left for them was to embark on another peaceful protest tagged ‘Mother of All Peaceful Protests’ on July 21, 2025, adding that the upcoming protest will be nationwide and strictly peaceful.

“As law-abiding citizens, we shall continue to pursue our demand for the Nigeria Police to be exited from the CPS through peaceful means until our voices are heard,” the statement stated.

The decision to embark on the peaceful protest, which was taken after their crucial meeting in Kaduna, further stated that the meeting had its central agenda on unresolved issues surrounding the police’s participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

According to the union, a peaceful protest was previously held between February 24 and March 3 this year at the National Assembly by the Kaduna and Bauchi State Chapters, adding that the protesters submitted written complaints to five key offices, including the chairmen of relevant Senate and House Committees and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

It said despite these efforts, the group expressed disappointment over the lack of feedback from the National Assembly, particularly regarding the report of a public hearing on the establishment of a Police Pension Board, which was conducted on November 19, 2024.