Crime

Why Nigeria Police must rethink war on dissent

Published

8 months ago

October 28, 2025

Once again, the Nigeria Police have not shown that they fear the voice of the people more than the actions of real criminals.

On October 23, 2025, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was arrested in Abuja shortly after leaving the Federal High Court, where he had appeared earlier in the day.

He was not at any protest, yet the police swooped in and took him away — another act that exposes how those in power use law enforcement to intimidate voices of dissent.

There was no violence, no disruption, no crime — just the familiar pattern of silencing outspoken citizens. But the story didn’t end there.

On October 24, just one day later, after Sowore was granted bail by a magistrate’s court, the police re-arrested him immediately.

Eyewitnesses say he was manhandled and forced into a police vehicle without proper documentation or legal order. His lawyers later reported that his whereabouts were unclear for several hours — a worrying sign of how casually the rule of law is ignored. This is not policing; this is persecution.

Let’s be honest: this is no longer about Sowore alone. It is about what Nigeria is becoming — a country where truth is treated like rebellion and courage is punished like crime.

The Nigerian Constitution, under Sections 39 and 40, guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Yet, when those rights challenge the powerful, the same police who should defend the law become tools to suppress it.

Each unlawful arrest like this widens the gap between the police and the people.

Each abuse of power destroys what little trust remains.

If the police can arrest and re-arrest a public figure like Sowore without cause, imagine what can happen to ordinary Nigerians who have no platform or protection.

It is time the police remembered their true duty — to protect citizens, not politicians.

Until then, every siren they sound will remind us not of safety, but of fear.

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Crime

Hoodlums tie up couple, steal ₦4m valuables in Bauchi – Police

Published

8 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and armed robbery in Gadau community of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, a 28-year-old resident of Gadau Town reported the incident to the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, stating that the robbery occurred on June 8 at about 3:00 a.m.

The statement partly read, “On 3rd July, 2026, a 28-year-old complainant, male, resident of Gadau Town, reported at Gadau Division that on 8th June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, five unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons broke into his residence.”

It added, “According to the complainant, the hoodlums forced open his bedroom door, intimidated him and his wife with machetes, tied them up, and carted away valuables. Items stolen include one Jincheng motorcycle, five Android mobile phones, 10 sets of wrappers, the sum of ₦1,000,000 cash, one cap, and three wristwatches, all valued at about ₦4,000,000.”

The police spokesperson said detectives immediately visited the scene and launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives visited the scene and commenced an intelligence-led investigation. As a result of diligent follow-up, two suspects were subsequently arrested.

“They are Salisu Umar, 20, of the same address, and Sadiq Shehu, 20, of Azare, Katagum Local Government Area. They underwent preliminary investigation at the Divisional Headquarters,” Habib stated.

He further revealed that during an identification parade, the complainant’s wife identified one of the suspects.

“During an identification parade conducted, the complainant’s wife recognised and pointed out Sadiq Shehu as one of the persons who entered her room and forced her to open the main gate for the other accomplices,” he said.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and his team for the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He added that the commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested for allegedly robbing residents in Maiduguri

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of the 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected impersonator accused of posing as a soldier to rob residents in the Shuwari area of Maiduguri, Borno State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Mohammed, was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026 following credible intelligence on his activities within the Shuwari General Area.

Security sources on Monday, July 6 said the suspect allegedly dressed in military camouflage to gain the confidence of residents before stealing mobile phones and other valuables from homes in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 7 Division Garrison, supported by members of the CJTF, swiftly mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and whether he is linked to any criminal syndicate.

Security authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone suspected of unlawfully wearing military uniforms or engaging in suspicious activities, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested at Borno varsity suspected of acting as terrorist informant

Published

12 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The 25-year-old man who was arrested while dressed in military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, is being investigated for possible links to criminal intelligence gathering.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026 at the university’s Njimtilo campus after his appearance in a desert camouflage uniform aroused suspicion among troops.

According to the sources, the suspect claimed during preliminary questioning that he was a newly admitted student of the university and had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, the claim quickly unraveled during interrogation.

The sources said the suspect was unable to communicate in English, failed to produce a valid student identity card, and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission status.

Troops subsequently contacted the university management through the institution’s Systems Manager, who confirmed that the suspect was not a registered student of the university.

The university official also informed the troops that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s claim that he had attended the event as a newly admitted student.

Security sources said the suspect is being investigated over suspicions that he may have been gathering intelligence under the guise of a soldier.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion for further investigation.

Military authorities reiterated their warning against the unlawful use of military uniforms, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces poses a serious security threat and could be exploited by criminal and terrorist elements.