The Minna Chief Magistrate Court number one has convicted and sentenced a dismissed police inspector of the Niger State Police Command to a two-year jail term for theft and selling of an AK 47 magazine and ammunition to suspected armed bandits.
Dismissed Inspector Yahaya Mohammed, second in command in charge of armoury with the Niger State Police command headquarters, was said to have conspired with one Ndaman Gana, who is also an officer in charge of the state police command armoury department.
The convict was arraigned on two counts of charges that bordered on criminal conspiracy and theft of Ak47 magazine and unlawful dealing in the sale of Ak47 magazine and ammunition.
According to police Prosecutor Ahmed Saidu, DSP, the two counts of charges contravened sections 97, (2), and 288(l) of the penal code and sections 27(6) (111) of Act 28 of 2004.
The Police First Information Report (FIR), made available in court and obtained by our reporter, revealed that through credible information received from a reliable source to the Department of State Service (DSS), attached to Rafi Local Government in Kagara, Niger State, "that unknown person transported goods inside Ghana-must-go bag, suspected to be arms to Kagara motor park.
Police detectives immediately swung into action and arrested ex-inspector Yahaya Mohammed, a police officer formerly attached to the Department of Operations second-in-command Amory Minna.
The charge further stated that during the police investigation, it was discovered that the ex-police inspector conspired with one Ndaman Gana, the officer in charge of state armoury attached to the Department of Operations Minna, and took away 22 magazines and 61 live ammunitions of different calibre, property of the Niger State Police command.
When the charge was read to him by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Fati Umar Hassan, he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, DSP Ahmed Saidu, then told the chief magistrate to invoke the provision of Section 190 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Niger State by convicting him summarily and quickly adding that the convict was diagnosed with cough hemophysis.
While passing her judgement, the chief magistrate, Hajiya Fati Umar Hassan, expressed disappointment with the conduct of the convict as a police officer saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens.
"It is quite unfortunate as a police officer that your duty is to protect the lives and property of the citizens, and you now engage in selling amunitions to armed bandits that are terrorising and killing innocent citizens across the country.
"I will be lenient with you while convicting you with the option of a fine as a result of the contagious disease and with the medical report attached to the first information report.
"If not for the disease, I would have convicted you without the option of a fine so that other inmates would not be inffected by the disease.
You are hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of a N 100,000 fine", she declared.
Chief Magistrate Fati Umar Hassan then directed that he be taken to Chanchaga Leprosium Colony to serve his jail term if he could not pay the fine.
The Nigerian Army on Wednesday reiterated its commitment towards fostering effective media engagement, aimed at enhancing collaboration with the military’s field efforts.
Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), emphasised this commitment during the Nigerian Army Civic Quarterly Media Chat in Sokoto State.
Lagbaja stressed that the media, as the society’s informer, should prioritise the country’s overall interests and the necessity for a peaceful environment to drive socioeconomic development.
Represented by Maj-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding 8-Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, the COAS highlighted the media’s essential role in supporting the military, noting that the theme, “Media as a Force Multiplier in Nigeria Army Operations”, is both apt and timely.
“As the Nigerian Army continues its constitutional responsibilities within a joint operational environment, we will actively engage the media to complement our military efforts in the field.
“Forums like this is envisaged to provide avenues for robust deliberations on Army-related concerns in order to design deliberate ways of addressing them appropriately,” he explained.
Lagbaja expressed gratitude for the continuous support from President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders in implementing Nigeria’s national security imperatives.
He underscored the importance of Nigerians’ support in achieving stability, peace and security, emphasising that the army belongs to the people.
The COAS revealed ongoing efforts to implement comprehensive strategies, encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations.
He noted the acquisition of modern equipment and combat enablers, with additional provisions in the final stages.
Maj-Gen Nosakhare Ugbo, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, acknowledged the media significant role in shaping public opinion.
Ugbo assured regular updates on Army activities and emphasised the need for accurate information without compromising operational and national security, consistent with global best practices
He encouraged participants to strengthen the partnership between the media and the Nigerian Army, while seeking implementable solutions for future engagements.
Retired Maj-Gen. Usman Mohammed and retired Brig-Gen. Sani Usman presented papers on “Toward effective Civil Military Cooperation Line of Operations of the Nigerian Army: The role of the media”, and “The role of the media in tackling Insecurity in Nigeria: Nigerian Army in perspective,” during the event. (NAN)
