Crime
Bayelsa Court Sentences State Police Commissioner To Prison Over Land Dispute
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has sentenced the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, to prison for failing to comply with a court order regarding a disputed parcel of land.
The court’s ruling stems from an earlier judgment delivered on November 26, 2016, in suit number YHC/210/2014, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal in suit number CA/PH/170/2018.
The decision favored nine families from the Yenizue-gene Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area over ownership of land in Asam, currently used as the operational base for the state-owned security agency, Operation Doo-Akpo.
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The affected families—Fabiri, Ayoko, Aku, Ugbon, Obediah, Sampson, and Boye—have been locked in a legal battle to reclaim their property, which they argue has been unlawfully occupied by security forces.
During a press briefing, the lead counsel for the claimants, Ukunbiriowei Saiyou, confirmed that the committal order was issued by the presiding judge, Honorable Justice R. Ajuwa, on December 27, 2024.
According to Saiyou, the families initiated committal proceedings in 2022 due to the Commissioner of Police’s refusal to obey previous court rulings.
“The police refuse to appear for proceedings nor challenge the various decisions of the court,” he stated.
With the application for committal formally addressed in 2024, the court ruled that the Commissioner be imprisoned for contempt.
Saiyou further called on the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action, warning that failure to comply with the Court of Appeal’s ruling of June 10, 2021, could result in the Commissioner’s arrest.
Since the exit of Saipem, the former occupants of the land, the nine families have consistently been denied possession of their property.
Saiyou emphasized that the continued occupation by the police and Operation Doo-Akpo was unlawful and without the families’ consent, prompting their legal action.
In a joint statement, representatives of the families, Chief Honest Boye Wilson and Hon. Manager Fabiri, expressed their frustration over the prolonged injustice.
They, however, maintained their commitment to peaceful resolution.
“We remain peaceful and law-abiding citizens and will not engage in public demonstrations against either the state government or the police,” they assured.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
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According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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