Security
Minna based Lawyer tackles NSCDC Commandant for abducting businessman from market
A Minna based legal practioner Barrister Benjamin Attah, has petitioned the Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD), Niger State Command, Mr Haruna Bala Zurmi over unlawful detention of his client, Alhaji Surajo Mariga.
Barrister Benjamin a legal practitioner in Umaru Kawu and company had already filed a suit in Minna High court for the enforcement of his fundamental human right as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
In a 17 paragraph affidavit deposed at a Minna High court, which was made available to CAPITAL POST, the legal practioner claimed that Alhaji Surajo Mariga who is a business man based in Mariga Local government Area of Niger State was unlawfully arrested in the glare of the public on Market day and whisked away in a waiting Hilux van belonging to the corps.
Joined in the suit are the Deputy Commandant in charge of investigation, Mr Bello Alkali Argungu and Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Mr Nurudeen Abdulkadir of the Niger State Command of the NSCDC.
According to the statement pursuant to Order 2, Rule 3 of fundamental rights enforcement procedure filed in court, declared that the plaintiff is a reputable businessman in Mariga town, adding that his arrest, and detention is an embarrassment of the plaintiff in the full glare of people in the open market of Mariga town without any reason by the respondents, which is an infringement of the constitutionally guaranteed right of the plaintiff.
The Counsel, according to him, further claimed that the plaintiff place on all the depositions contained in all the paragraphs in the affidavit in compliance with order 2 of the rules.
“The applicant being a businessman was embarrassed and maltreated by the respondents in that the 1st respondent ordered for the applicant’s arrest and detention and the said order was carried out by the 2nd and the 3rd respondents who went with Hilux van to Mariga market to arrest him with armed men in the open market in full glare of the people in the market.
“The applicant, despite his protest of wanting to know what he did he was not told of his offence till date.
“The applicant is still being detained for over 48 hours without him being taken to court from the 26th of March, 2021 till date.”
Barrister Benjamin further submitted that whether or not the degrading treatment and arrest of his client in the full glare of hundreds of people in Mariga market and his detention without giving him reason for so doing is an infringement of his fundamental right.
“We submit that every individual in this country is entitled to respect for dignity of his person as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as Amended) section 34(1) (a) provides.” he added.
Submiting further, the legal practitioner, avered that there are over 30 courts of competent jurisdiction in Minna should the respondents elect to take him to any court, Federal High court or state high court or Magistrate Court but they deliberately chose to keep him in detention in their facility for the show of strength or might and in total disregard to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), “and we urge my Lord to so hold, and to hold that their breach of the provisions of the Constitution is a gross violation of the applicants fundamental right.”
He argued that the provision of section 35 (6), of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) “is that any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person.
“On the whole, we urge my Lord to hold that the applicant is entitled to compensation and public apology.
“We submit that from the above sections of the Constitution and authorities, what the respondents did to the applicant from the 26th of March, 2021 was illegal and violation of his fundamental right”, he asserted.
In a swift reaction to the claim of the legal practioner, the Public Relations Officer of the State Command of the Corps, Nasir Abdullahi, ASC, explained that Alhaji Surajo Mariga was arrested and detained by the State Command of the corps on the allegations of vandalizing some national critical installation that was arraigned before a Federal High court in Minna.
He disclosed that he was granted bail by the Federal High court in Minna and he jumped bail that he was on the run after the bail.
According to the State Corps spokeman, he was involved in the vandals of Nitel mast some times in September last year and charged to Federal High court in Minna” and since he was granted bail, he has severally refused to come back to court since then.
“The command has been on his trail untill we got the hint of his whereabout some where in Mariga before our men arrested him and brought him for detention in our facility.
“So what we did is just to exercise our duty by complying with the court order.
Even though, the legal department of the Command has not gotten any court summon, that is just the position of the Command as far as the arrest and detention of Alhaji Surajo Mariga is concerned.
“So I’m telling you that he is under detention for an offence of vandalizing of Nitel mast and we don’t have any regret for our action”. He declared.
As public outrage continue to trail the killing of travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday 27th March, 2025, the Nigerian Police authorities in the State has announced the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the killing.
The victims said, to be hunters were travelling to the Northern part of the country when mob swooped and killed them on suspicion that they are Fulani kidnapper.
The Police said, they are 16 powers and all of them were killed.
The Spokesman for the Police Command, Moses Yamu said some persons have been arrested in connection with the attack.
“In the course of investigations, fourteen (14) suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime, while an emergency meeting was convened with stakeholders and members of the community to address the situation,” Yamu said in a statement on Friday.
Narrating how the incident happened, the Edo Police Command said it occurred when a “truck with registration number KKF 225 XA coming from Port Harcourt, conveying 25 travellers from Elele, a suburb of Rivers State, was accosted by some vigilante group members at Uromi, and some of the travelers who found in possession of locally made dane guns were arrested”.
“While this was ongoing, some vigilante members raised an alarm of them being suspected kidnappers, which led some members and passersby in the community to attack and lynch sixteen (16) of the occupants while the truck conveying them was equally burnt.
“Police operatives attached to the Uromi Division got wind of the incident and swiftly stormed the scene where ten (10) of the travelers were rescued, two of whom sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital where they are currently positively responding to treatment.”
Yamu said a unit of Police Mobile Force personnel with other command tactical teams had been deployed to the area to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The police said “investigations continue” over the incident and cautioned “against any form of reprisal attacks”.
The new Commissioner of Police in Niger State, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman has sent a strong warning to criminals operating in the State and vowed that his tenure as a Police boss would change the tide for them or else they should relocate elsewhere.
He sent this warning after he assumed office upon his posting to the State, insisting that criminal elements should stay clear of the State or be ready to incur the full weight of the command.
He said the command under his watch will engage a high level of professional standards in effectively policing the state calling on well meaning individual and critical stakeholders to partner with him in ensuring crime free Niger State.
According to the CP, he is already aware of the activities of youth restiveness and other criminal activities in Minna the state capital assuring that he will make the state unbearable for them.
Speaking through the Command Public Relation Officer (PPRO), while Fielding Question from Journalists at the Police headquarters in Minna Friday, Wasiu Abiodun,SP insisted that the command will not fold its hands to watch some disgruntled elements engaging in an act that will breach the security of the people.
He underscores his command preparedness to ensure the maintenance of law and order in policing the command through community related policing appealing to officers and men of the command to leave above board in making Niger State unsafe for criminal minded elements.
In his words,” as you know, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman just took over the mantle of the command on Thursday the 27th, of March 2025.
“He addressed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other sectional heads of the Command. He assured them of building on the legacy of his Predecessor CP Ebenezer Shawulu Danmaman.
“He also requested that they should extend their hands of fellowship to him for him to succeed in chasing and curtail the activities of these miscreants to the barest level in Minna the capital of Niger State.”
Speaking on the Command’s preparedness to ensure crime free eid ul-Fitr celebration, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman disclosed that the command will deploy enough personnel to all praying grounds across the state. This according to him is to ensure the safety of worshipers.
He warned parents and guardians in the state to monitor the activities of their wards and children to guard against any act that will bring them to face the wrath of the law.
While appreciating men and officers of the Command for their professional resilience in the maintenance of law and order, CP Abdullahi Elleman warned that he has zero tolerance for any act of unprofessional conducts that will bring the Command to ridicule.
In a bid to strengthen security of lives and property and to foster peaceful coexistence in Ijumu Local Government Area, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, within the Local Government, to address pressing security concerns and enhance community Policing efforts.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ovye Aya, made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday, said, the meeting was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara, Rtd, the representative of the Department of State Services (DSS); the member, representing Ijumu, at the State House of Assembly, the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, the Chairman of the Local Government, the Olujumu of Ijumu, as well as members of Miyetti Allah.
In his address, the CP emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling insecurity. He called for intelligence-sharing between residents and Security Agencies, stressing that law enforcement alone cannot ensure safety without community support. He called for the effective collaboration between the Police and their host community.
He further assured of involving immigration agencies to monitor and regulate movement as well as Proper documentation that will enhance accountability and reduce security threats within the Local Government.
The meeting also addressed land ownership rights, the role of traditional institutions, and the need for structured conflict resolution. The CP urged all parties to respect existing leadership structures and seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
Reaffirming the Police unwavering commitment to professionalism and human rights, the CP warned against lawlessness, stating that Security Agencies are fully prepared to take action against any individual or group threatening the peace in the area. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.
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