A professor from the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Kemi Rotimi, has characterized community policing in Nigeria as a fraudulent concept.

The academic asserted that discussions surrounding community policing in Nigeria tend to intensify whenever financial support is provided by donor agencies committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and their property.

Rotimi made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s program Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, emphasizing a lack of genuine discourse regarding community policing in the nation.

“When Nigeria Force Headquarters chiefs talk about community policing, if I call it a scam, I won’t be too wrong.

“For so many years, we have been mouthing and touting community policing; the noise will be deafening whenever there is donor agency money.

“The moment the donor agency money dries up, the noise will go down. In the last two years, have you noticed that we have not heard much about community policing?

“The Nigeria Police Force, as constituted, cannot be community policing. Why? The rapid turnover of staff—the staff deployment nature of the Nigeria Police Force—does not amount to community policing.

“Community policing, as a matter of fact, is not a programme; it is a philosophy that should undergird and be instilled into policing while training personnel,” Rotimi stated.

The professor indicated that he has conducted research on the history of policing in Nigeria. He remarked that what has been referred to as community policing is fundamentally misleading, stating, “The individual who promoted community policing, former Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, became aware of the concept while in America, presented it to President Olusegun Obasanjo, who embraced it; however, it was a poorly conceived and inadequately understood initiative.”

The scholar further asserted that the police force has never received adequate funding since the pre-colonial era. He noted that the early police were composed of former slaves during colonial times, and the legacy of treating police officers as if they were slaves continues to persist. He emphasized that the situation deteriorated further during the civil war and subsequent military regimes.

Additionally, the academic claimed that members of the elite have been known to misappropriate portions of the limited funds allocated to the police.

He concluded that for policing to be truly effective, it is essential to ensure proper funding, along with the implementation of an appropriate philosophy and motivation for the members of the police force.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused a former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, of encouraging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to disobey President Bola Tinubu.

He blamed Odili for the failure of the peace agreement signed between his camp and Fubara.

Wike spoke during a reception organised to host Rivers State stakeholders on Friday.

The battle for the political control of the state between Fubara and Wike has been raging for a while following the disagreement between the two former allies, now turned foes.

In 2023, Fubara and Wike’s camp signed a peace agreement. The eight-point peace deal was brokered by Tinubu and other stakeholders, including Odili, at a crucial meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But the peace deal fell apart, with Fubara alleging that he was ambushed into signing a peace deal with Wike’s camp.

Odili, a two-term governor of Rivers State, accused Wike of self-interest.

Speaking at an event in Port Harcourt on December 28, he commended Fubara for preventing Wike from turning the state into his private estate.

“It has now been over 12 months since the 25th of October 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State.

“With assuring fortitude, Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance, and made civil servants and Rivers people happier, as it used to be until I left office in 2007,” Odili said.

But Wike fired back at Odili on Friday, insisting that he remained the best governor the state had ever produced.

“I am trying to make Rivers State the medical hub of South-South Nigeria. How did I now come to convert Rivers State into a personal estate?” Wike questioned.

“I am the best governor that Rivers State has ever produced. How did I convert Rivers State into my personal estate? And people will not answer a simple question?”

Addressing the guests, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at the event, the FCT minister insisted that he would not apologise for his comments on Odili.

“He (Odili) said somebody is converting Rivers State to his personal estate and we have now come to show statistics that it is not correct. The man who is converting Rivers State to a personal estate is you, and to crown it all, you are now the general overseer.

“They said Tinubu should be careful, but Tinubu is not like you. Tinubu called Rivers people, your elder statesman (Odili), supposedly. You are Tinubu’s colleague, the President’s colleague, and Mr President read this thing (peace agreement) to them, and you read it and came back home.

“Ordinarily, what you (Odili) should have done was to call Mr President back and say, ‘Mr President, I have tried, we have implemented A, B, C, D, E, it remains F, G, H. Is there any way we can meet again to reconcile these F, G, H?’ Never, rather you encouraged him (Fubara) to disobey everything Mr President said,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also said that he deliberately worked against the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s former chairman, Uche Secondus.

Wike said, “When I said Secondus, you will not be chairman again, yes, I did it. In 2023, they said Atiku was coming, I said where? There was nothing I was not offered. I told PDP I would not support Atiku because I am not a second-class citizen. I must support the South to produce a President. Even though I know their offer was wayo (fake).”

The minister also emphasised his unbroken record of electoral victories, saying, “I ran for the local government election in 1999, and up until today, I have never lost an election, and nobody I have supported has lost. I have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Wherever you are, pray for Mr President. We will continue to support him. It will be better this year. Mr President is taking tough decisions but for the interest of the country.”

Earlier, former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, criticised the politicians supporting Governor Fubara, accusing them of doing so to undermine the FCT minister.

He said, “In the last election, everybody in Rivers State did anti-party. Your Excellency, with all due respect, I did anti-party. I didn’t allow the SDP candidate to come here and campaign. When he came to my house, I told him I was with Tinubu. Oga (Wike), you too did anti-party. You were very clear that you were with Tinubu and did not support the PDP presidential candidate. The present governor also did anti-party; he was with you and didn’t support the PDP presidential candidate.”

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has likened the support of Nyesom Wike for the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to a football club giving its best player to a rival football club for free.

He also sarcastically appreciated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for giving its ‘best player’ to the APC.

Oshiomhole made the submission on Friday against the backdrop of Wike’s support for the APC in the 2023 election after his fallout with his party, the PDP, on the party’s presidential ticket.

Wike was subsequently appointed as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in what is widely seen in political quarters as compensation for his support for the APC and the subsequent emergence of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 election.

Though Wike remains a member of the PDP, he is one of the top officials in the APC government led by President Tinubu.

Speaking on the scenario on Friday during a New Year luncheon organised by Wike in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Oshiomhole took a dig at the PDP, describing the development as a football club allowing its “best player” to join a rival without collecting any transfer fee.

“Thank you to PDP for giving us Nyesom Wike to help us fix Abuja. I don’t belong to any club, I only belong to Bendel Insurance but I listen to those who say they are Manchester United fans [and the likes]. When you are giving your best player to another club, you pay heavily,” the lawmaker said.

Oshiomhole also hinted that the APC would want Wike to join the party, saying they won’t be willing to return Wike to PDP due to the good works he is doing.

“Thank you for what you’re helping us in APC to do. PDP Rivers led you to us without saying we should pay a transfer fee. We may not be happy to return you; we would even create a toll gate to prevent that.

“Tonight, we are celebrating a Nigerian who is adding value to the FCT; who is showing there has to be the rule of law and that we must respect certain environmental laws,” Oshiomhole said.

The former Edo State Governor appreciated the FCT Minister for his dedication to duty, noting that Wike would “step on toes” to set things right.

“So, thank you for what you are doing in Nigeria; thank you for what you are doing in Abuja,” Senator Oshiomhole submitted.

The family of Sunday Morakinyo, one of the Osun indigenes involved in the infamous ‘death-for-fowl’ case, has appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals for assistance in addressing the mental illness he has been battling.

According to the family, Morakinyo was in good and stable condition before his arrest by the police in November 2010 for allegedly stealing fowl and eggs in Oyan, Osun State.

On January 30, 2013, the police arraigned Morakinyo and his co-accused, Segun Olowookere, before Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court in Ikirun, on charges of conspiracy, robbery, and stealing.

They were accused of conspiring in November 2010 to rob one Oguntade Faramade of fowls and eggs worth N20,000.

Morakinyo and Olowookere were convicted and sentenced to death by the Osun State High Court on December 17, 2014, for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery, and stealing.

However, Governor Ademola Adeleke pardoned them last week following a public outcry.

Morakinyo, upon his release, returned home with a mental illness that reportedly developed after his arrest.

Olowookere, had in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, revealed that Morakinyo’s mental disorder was a result of the torture they endured at the Okuku Police Division.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Morakinyo’s uncle, Ojo Olaide, refuted claims that the ex-convict had been suffering from a mental disorder before his arrest.

Olaide asserted that Morakinyo, who lived with his grandmother, was healthy and mentally stable at the time of his arrest.

He said, “Nothing was wrong with him before his arrest. He was hale and hearty and mentally stable. He was arrested at the market in Oyan and taken to the police station for allegedly stealing fowl and eggs, which he denied.

“Later, Segun Olowookere was also brought to the station, having been arrested at his father’s shop. We wanted to pay for their bail that day, but our children insisted that we shouldn’t because they hadn’t committed any crime.

“The following day, the two of them were transferred to the Okuku Police Division, then to Osogbo. That was how the case escalated. Our children were eventually arraigned in court for robbery, a crime they did not commit.

“During the trial, the policeman who arrested them testified in court that Sunday and Segun were not involved in the theft of fowls and eggs. Those who actually committed the crime were taken to welfare homes in Osogbo, and I later learnt they were released.”

Olaide accused the police of implicating Morakinyo and Olowookere, alleging that the statements of confession attributed to them were fabricated.

“The police, not our children, wrote the so-called statements of confession. I can defend that claim anywhere. The police implicated our children,” he said.

Asked when the family first noticed changes in Morakinyo’s mental condition, Olaide said it became evident while he was in the Ilesa Correctional Centre.

“I was told Sunday was tortured severely, and that led to his mental illness. I visited him regularly at the Ilesa Correctional Centre, bringing him clothes, but by my next visit, he would have torn them. That was how I came to know about his condition. Sunday was in a very stable condition before his arrest. Unfortunately, he returned home with a mental disorder. He doesn’t recognise people again,” he explained.

Olaide commended Governor Adeleke for pardoning the ex-convicts and appealed for further support to rehabilitate Morakinyo.

He said, “I deeply appreciate Governor Ademola Adeleke for pardoning both Segun and Sunday. However, we are appealing to the government to assist us in treating Sunday’s condition and facilitating his rehabilitation. We plan to take him to the hospital by Monday.”

Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo has disclosed that she has been sexually assaulted five times in the past.

The thespian made the traumatic disclosure with Biola Bayo, on her talk show, Talk to B.

She emphasized her zero-tolerance stance on rape, whilst also expressing her frustration with rape apologists.

Iyabo Ojo also discussed her complicated family history, including her father’s struggles with addiction, which led to his death at 40.

She revealed that she grew up with her grandmother and didn’t meet her mother until she was seven years old.

She said, “I was raped five times in my life. I discovered we have a lot of rape apologists. I don’t care who the person is; if that person is my son, I am going to come for him unapologetically.

“I have never met Naira Marley before my entire life. The only time I lacked was when I insisted this was the man I was going to get married to because, at that time, my dad and I disowned each other.

“My dad did everything, alcohol and drugs, so it messed him up at a young age. He died at 40.

“I grew up with my grandmother, who is half Delta and half Igbo. I think I was seven before I knew my mother”.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has shown excitement about the planned visit of President Bola Tinubu to Enugu State today.

Ohanaeze expressed optimism for the release of the leader of the proscribed Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday, the President will commission some of the projects executed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration during the one-day visit.

Commenting on the planned visitation, Ohanaeze, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, expressed delight over the gradual attitudinal change of the federal government towards the Igbo.

The statement partly read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses immense delight over the gradual attitudinal change of the Federal Government towards the Igbo. Ohanaeze has insisted that national peace, unity, patriotism and sustainable economic development of any country are the outcomes, effects or products of equity, and social justice.

“In other words, there is hardly any society or group that can be complacent under severe existential threats such as orchestrated marginalisation, relative deprivations, and external instigation of insecurity, conflagrations and crises.

“It is therefore hoped that with the Enugu visit, President Tinubu will write his name with gold in the hearts of Ndigbo and all the well-meaning Nigerians, if he orders for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

The National National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP, has disclosed the arrest of a suspected arrowhead of an international

human trafficking network operating across the Middle Eastern countries with an operational base in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Dubai.

The suspect, Uadiale Christiana, popularly called Christy Gold, according to the agency, had been on its wanted list in the past five years.

She was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Serce, NIS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 31, 2024, on arrival from Dubai for the new year celebration. Thereafter, she was handed over to NAPTIP

Explaining how she was arrested, NAPTIP’s Press Officer, Mr Vincent Adekoye recalled that “on March 18, 2020, the Nigeria Immigration Service Ikeja Airport Command shared intelligence with NAPTIP Joint Border Task Force/Benin Satellite Office (JBTF/BSO) in respect of one Uadiale Jacob ,of number 15 Osagie Street, Off 2nd Power Line, Egbon Estate, Benin City, Edo State.

“Uadiale Jacob popularly known as Christy Gold is a senior member of an organized human trafficking syndicate notorious for the recruitment, trafficking and sexually exploiting of underage Nigerian girls in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Following the Agency’s investigation into the alleged offense to establish culpability, she was arrested by NAPTIP in Ikpoba Hill area, Benin City on October 13, 2020 for her involvement in the trafficking of aged Nigerian girls to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for forced prostitution.

“She was charged to the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on the 25th of November 2020, where she was granted bail. While on Court bail, she violated the terms of the bail and absconded to Dubai. After failing severally to appear before the Court, a Bench Warrant was therefore issued by the sitting Judge on November 3,2021 for her arrest.

“To get Christiana Uadiale Jacob to face justice for her crimes, NAPTIP sought the assistance and collaboration of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, National Central Bureau (NCB), INTERPOL Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the United Arab Emirates Police for her arrest and extraction to Nigeria.

“ Even while she tried to evade justice, NAPTIP did not relent and as a result of our diligent prosecution of the case, Christiana Uadiale Jacob was convicted for human trafficking in absentia by Honourable Justice F . A Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on March 21, 2024 with sentencing being awaited whenever she is rearrested and brought before the Honourable Court.

Luck however ran out on her on the 31st of December 2024, as Officers Nigeria Immigration Service acting in respect of NAPTIP’s request for watchlisting dated February 22,2023, nabbed her on arrival to Nigeria.

“Her suspected other accomplices: Michael Nduka, Osas Wiseman, Vivian, and a certain Prophet John in Lagos along with others are field officers who assist in the recruitment and subsequent transfer of victims to Christy Gold, are still on the run”, Adekoya stated.

Speaking on the development, Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Immigration Service for the arrest, describing it as a commendable demonstration of inter-agency collaboration.

She recalled that “ few weeks ago, I visited the Comptroller General of NIS and the outcome of that advocacy visit is this improved synergy and very efficient collaboration. The convict that has been arrested and convicted will surely be taken to the Court to face the sentence by the Law.

“This is a clear message to other members of this international criminal gang who are still on the run: They can only hide for a while; they can never hide forever. We have already activated all necessary security and intelligence apparatus, and our partners around the world are on the lookout for these elements. Very soon, the net will catch them.

“I am happy it was a sad end for human traffickers in the country in 2024 and we promise them a hell in 2025. We are more determined and will be more decisive this year to fish them out and ensure the protection of Nigerians from trafficking, exploitation, and violence against persons, the Director General stated.

Ghana has approved a visa-free travel policy for all countries in the African continent, effective this year, 2025.

The president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, made the announcement during his final State of the Nation address on Friday as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office.

He said the decision to grant all African passport holders visa-free entrance is part of efforts towards strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year.

“This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world.

“All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU’s Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063,” Akufo-Addo said in his address to parliament.

Naija News understands Ghana had previously allowed visa-free access to citizens of 26 African nations and visas on arrival for travellers from 25 others, while only two African countries — Eritrea and Morocco — required a visa before entry.

Other countries in the continent that have also approved visa-free entry to African travellers are Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin.

Fatima Dzuma, a resident of Lafiyagi Dzwafu village in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, is accused of allegedly murdering her husband, Baba, in a shocking act that has left the community in disbelief.

According to a local resident, Baba married Dzuma three years ago after her divorce from her first husband. Dzuma had no children with Baba, although she had one child from her previous marriage. 

Meanwhile, Baba’s first wife recently gave birth, with preparations for the naming ceremony underway.

Dzuma reportedly confessed, saying she killed her husband because she "no longer liked him." 

She allegedly strangled him with a scarf and struck him twice on the head and once on the hand with a pestle while he was asleep, breaking his hand.

After killing him, Dzuma wrapped his body in a mat, dragged it to the backyard, and cleaned the scene. For three days, she denied knowing his whereabouts, even as Baba’s family searched frantically.

However, Dzuma later admitted, “I acted alone.” 

She is currently in police custody, pleading for mercy and claiming, “The devil made me do it.”

The police have confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations are ongoing.

Confirming the report to SaharaReporters, Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer said, on 31 December 2024, the lifeless body of 25-year-old Baba Aliyu was discovered in a bush near Katcha, Niger State. 

The police, led by operatives from Katcha Division, responded promptly to the scene. 

Police further revealed that Dzuma, 27, admitted to killing him after a violent altercation. Fatima explained that her husband had beaten her during the argument, and later, while he slept, she struck him on the head with a pestle, resulting in his death.

Afterward, Dzuma tied the body with clothes and rope, wrapped it in a mat, and discarded it in the bush to cover up the crime. 

The body was sent to Bida General Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Fatima was arrested and is currently in custody, awaiting transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.