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Ebonyi Police Deny Alleged ₦700,000 Payment for Release of Six Suspects

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The Ebonyi State Police Command has denied an allegation that six families were each asked to pay ₦700,000 for the release of relatives allegedly arrested over a land dispute.

The allegation was attributed by the command to a social media user identified as Justice Ozobi. The police said on Tuesday, 1 September, that there was no basis for linking the Commissioner of Police or the command to such payments.

The command did not, however, provide details of the alleged arrests, identify the six families or name the traditional ruler who was allegedly involved.

It also did not publish any investigation records or other evidence to independently establish what happened to the people referred to in the allegation.

What the police say

In a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Joshua Ukandu, the command said the allegation was “false, unfounded, and without basis”.

The police said the social media post contained “typographical errors, incoherent assertions, and a glaring lack of factual accuracy”.

It also criticised the photograph used with the post, saying it showed a former commissioner who had already retired from the position.

The command said the image “further demonstrating the author’s apparent lack of basic research and due diligence before publishing such a serious allegation.”

The police said it decided to respond because of concerns that the allegation could mislead the public.

Land dispute at centre of allegation

The command said the alleged incident was connected to a land dispute.

It rejected that connection, saying: “The Command further wishes to clarify that it does not handle land disputes.”

That position is broadly consistent with the distinction between civil disputes and criminal matters under Nigeria’s policing framework.

The Nigeria Police Act 2020 says the police are responsible for preventing and detecting crime, maintaining public safety and protecting lives and property. It also provides that a person should not be arrested merely because of a civil wrong or breach of contract.

The police have also previously warned against involving senior officers in civil land disputes. In January 2025, the Nigeria Police Force said the Inspector-General of Police should not be dragged into a land dispute.

That does not mean the police can never become involved when a land dispute produces criminal conduct, threats, violence or other offences. In such circumstances, the criminal aspect can fall within police responsibilities.

Police challenge accuser to provide evidence

The Ebonyi command challenged, Ozobi to produce the evidence he said supported his allegation.

“Accordingly, the Command challenges Mr. Justice Ozobi to produce the evidence which he based his allegation, as he claimed in his post,” the statement said.

It accused him of publishing allegations that were “apparently aimed at generating traffic and engagement on his social media platform”.

The command said anyone with credible evidence of police misconduct should submit it for investigation.

“Any allegation of misconduct against a police officer will be given due consideration and investigated on its merits where credible evidence is provided,” it said.

Why the allegation matters

Claims that police officers demand money before releasing suspects are serious because they go directly to public confidence in law enforcement.

The Nigeria Police Act places accountability, transparency, fairness and respect for fundamental rights among the principles governing policing.

The Ministry of Police Affairs also operates a Police Public Complaint Committee through which members of the public can report complaints involving police personnel, including misconduct and abuse of power.

That makes evidence particularly important in cases such as this. A social media allegation alone does not establish that money was demanded, while a police denial alone does not independently prove that no misconduct occurred.

The strongest way to resolve the dispute would therefore be to establish the identities of the alleged victims, determine whether the six arrests occurred and examine any payment records, messages, receipts, petitions, detention records or witness accounts.

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What remains unclear

The police statement does not say whether any of the six alleged suspects were actually arrested.

It also does not state whether any of the families contacted the command, filed complaints or provided evidence of an alleged payment.

The identity of the traditional ruler mentioned in the allegation has not been disclosed by the police, and the command did not give details of the land dispute said to be at the centre of the claim.

Those unanswered questions mean the public currently has only two competing positions: an allegation attributed to Mr Ozobi and a categorical denial from the police.

There is no independently verified evidence in the material reviewed for this report establishing that the alleged ₦700,000 payments took place.

What happens next?

The police said it would take “appropriate legal action” against people who deliberately circulate false or defamatory information capable of misleading the public.

At the same time, the command’s invitation to Mr Ozobi to provide evidence creates an opportunity for the allegation to be tested rather than settled through competing social media claims.

For the families allegedly affected, the key issue is whether their relatives were arrested, why they were arrested and whether any money was demanded for their release.

For the wider public, the case is another reminder that allegations involving law-enforcement agencies require evidence and verification before they are treated as fact.

The dispute will be better resolved through documented complaints, evidence and an independent investigation where credible evidence of misconduct is presented.

Security

Gateway Polytechnic Students Set to Tackle Campus Safety, Leadership at SWAT 1.0 Conference

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Students at Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, are set to discuss campus security, welfare, academic development and leadership at a student-led conference aimed at preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference, organised by the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), is scheduled for Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium.

The conference is themed “Preparing Students for a Purposeful Future While Navigating Campus with Excellence.”

The Ogun State Police Command has endorsed the initiative, particularly its focus on security awareness and constructive engagement between students and law enforcement.

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Why the conference matters

Unlike programmes focused solely on academic performance, the SWAT conference brings together five areas of student development — Security, Welfare, Academics, Training and Seminar.

Organisers say the objective is to give students practical guidance, leadership skills and positive values that can help them navigate campus life while preparing for their future careers and responsibilities.

For tertiary institutions, the relationship between students and security agencies can be an important part of maintaining a peaceful learning environment.

The conference therefore provides an opportunity for students to engage with security authorities beyond enforcement, including discussions around responsible conduct, peaceful coexistence and security consciousness.

Police back student-led security dialogue

The Ogun State Police Command said it supports programmes that promote constructive Police-Student relations and safer academic environments.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 7 October, the Command commended the SUG President and host/convener, Comr. Akinpelu B. Timothy, and his executive team for organising the conference.

The Command said its participation reflects its commitment to supporting student-centred initiatives that encourage peaceful coexistence and responsible behaviour.

Beyond security: what students stand to gain

The organisers’ SWAT framework extends beyond policing.

The inclusion of welfare and academics alongside training and seminars means the conference is designed to address some of the wider issues students encounter during their time in higher education.

Leadership development is also central to the initiative, with student organisers seeking to encourage participants to take greater responsibility for their conduct, relationships and future plans.

This could make the event particularly relevant to students preparing to transition from campus into workplaces and wider society.

A different conversation about campus safety

The police endorsement also places student-police engagement at the centre of a conversation that is often dominated by incidents after they occur.

By creating a platform for dialogue before problems arise, initiatives such as the SWAT conference can help students better understand security responsibilities while giving authorities an opportunity to engage directly with young people in an academic setting.

However, the long-term value of such programmes will depend on whether conversations translate into sustained engagement and practical improvements in campus safety.

What happens next

The SWAT 1.0 Students’ Conference will hold from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the Leadership Auditorium of Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade.

The Ogun State Police Command said it would continue to support initiatives that contribute to safe, peaceful and conducive learning environments across tertiary institutions in the state.

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Lagos Police Probe Wider Cyberbullying Claims Against Clerics After Arrest

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The Lagos State Police Command is investigating a series of allegations of online attacks against religious clerics following the arrest of a Lagos-based man accused of repeatedly making disparaging remarks about clerics and their beliefs.

The suspect, identified as Saheed Teyinbo, popularly known as “Alfasuna”, was arrested by police operatives after complaints were lodged against him by at least two religious figures, according to a police source.

The development has prompted the command to look beyond the initial complaints as investigators await possible reports from other people who may have been affected by similar alleged online activities.

Police trace suspect following complaints

Teyinbo, who is said to reside in Alakuko, Lagos, was reportedly tracked down by operatives following petitions submitted to the command.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, subsequently directed detectives at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, to investigate the allegations.

One of the petitions was reportedly submitted by Prophet Israel Oladele, popularly known as “Prophet Genesis”, a pastor of the Celestial Church.

Oladele allegedly accused Teyinbo of making disparaging comments about him and his religious beliefs.

A second complaint was reportedly filed by Alhaji Sheikh Dr Hammed Olanrewaju Alfulanny, an Islamic scholar based on Yaya Abatan Road, Ogba, Lagos.

He similarly alleged that the suspect made offensive remarks about him and his religious beliefs.

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Alleged Kwara connection

The investigation may extend beyond Lagos, as police sources said Teyinbo was also allegedly wanted in Kwara State.

According to the source, a warrant of arrest had reportedly been issued against him in connection with alleged cyberbullying complaints involving other religious clerics.

The police have not publicly disclosed the identities of those additional complainants or provided details of the allegations attributed to them.

Police seek more alleged victims

The Lagos Command is now reportedly profiling the suspect while awaiting further complaints that could help investigators establish the scale and circumstances of the alleged cyber offences.

A police source said the suspect had been interrogated and allegedly confessed to the offences.

However, any alleged confession remains part of the police investigation and would need to be tested through due legal process.

The command is also expected to gather evidence from the complainants and other relevant parties before determining the next legal step.

“All relevant parties will be given the opportunity to present their evidence before the matter is brought before a court.”

The police source said the investigation would be conducted professionally and that the command would seek to establish the facts before the case is taken to court.

What happens next?

The immediate focus of the investigation is expected to be the complaints already filed against the suspect and any additional evidence that may emerge.

If investigators establish sufficient grounds, the suspect could be taken before a court, where the allegations would be formally tested.

Until then, the allegations against Teyinbo remain unproven.

The case also highlights the challenge faced by law-enforcement authorities in dealing with alleged online harassment and cyberbullying, particularly where social media activity involves public figures, religious leaders and disputes over beliefs.

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NSCDC Anambra Seeks Stronger Public Trust, Citizen Feedback

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has called for stronger cooperation between its officers and residents as it marks the 2026 Customer Service Week.

The Command said the week-long observance, which runs from October 5 to 9, provides an opportunity to listen to citizens, respond to their concerns and strengthen public confidence in the security agency.

State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde, said public feedback would remain important to the Command’s efforts to improve its services and deepen its relationship with communities across Anambra.

“We value and recognize that public trust is vital to the discharge of our responsibilities, and this encourages us to prioritize public feedback in our ongoing efforts to enhance our services.”

Why the week matters

The 2026 Customer Service Week is being observed under the theme, “Going the Extra Mile,” which the NSCDC said highlights the importance of making additional efforts to meet public expectations.

Rather than limiting the observance to internal activities, the Anambra Command said its officers would engage directly with members of the public throughout the week.

The engagements are expected to provide opportunities for residents to raise concerns, seek assistance and interact with personnel of the Corps.

For a security organisation whose work depends partly on cooperation with communities, the Command said building trust and maintaining open communication remain essential to its responsibilities.

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NSCDC links security to community cooperation

Commandant Maku said the relationship between the Corps and the public should be viewed as a shared responsibility.

“The NSCDC is the society and the society is the NSCDC.”

He said a peaceful and secure environment was necessary for communities to pursue social, economic and political activities.

According to him, the Command has strengthened partnerships with stakeholders and introduced community-oriented approaches in response to changing security needs across the state.

Command asks residents to report concerns

The State Commandant also appealed to residents to continue working with security agencies to maintain peace and order.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities or security concerns to the nearest NSCDC formation.

The Command said continued cooperation from residents would help support its efforts to maintain peace and stability across Anambra.

Maku also expressed appreciation to residents for what he described as their continued cooperation, trust and support.

“We sincerely appreciate the people of Anambra State for their continued cooperation, trust and support, which are crucial in fostering peace and stability within our communities.”

What’s next

The Customer Service Week activities will continue until Friday, October 9, with the Command expected to maintain its focus on public engagement and service delivery.

The observance places citizen interaction alongside the Command’s broader security responsibilities, with the NSCDC saying it remains committed to accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ human rights.

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