Category Nigeria News

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) over what he described as unprofessional conduct and violations of the Police Act by officers of the Kaduna State Police Command.

In the petition, El-Rufai stressed the importance of accountability within the force, noting that the PSC must be consistently informed of misconduct that undermines public confidence.

“I am writing out of concern that the Nigerian Police, warts and all, is the only frontline law enforcement institution that we have.

“The duty of all citizens is not only to support it at every level, but also to ensure that the Commission is provided opportunities to deliver on its regulatory powers to enforce discipline and promote sound and ethical conduct by all police officers at all times.

“This laudable goal can only be attained if the Commission’s attention is continuously drawn to any egregious conduct of some bad eggs that serve interests other than those conferred by law in Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020.

“Such conduct thereby negatively affects the image of the Police and undermines public confidence in its leadership,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Police Summon El-Rufai, Other ADC Leaders In Kaduna

El-Rufai noted that he had earlier raised similar concerns in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police regarding “egregiously unlawful acts” allegedly carried out by some officers.

He said this was since the assumption of duty by the Kaduna Police Commissioner, Rabiu Muhammad, on 30 December 2024.

He urged the PSC to conduct an “immediate, impartial, and exhaustive” investigation into the matter.

Police Summons

His petition comes against the backdrop of a police summons issued to him and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State.

The Kaduna Police Command had invited El-Rufai to appear before it over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt.

The invitation, signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of criminal investigation, Zubairu Abdullahi, also listed other party leaders.

“This Department is currently investigating the above-mentioned case involving the following members of your party. You are requested to come along with them to SCID to clarify allegations reported against them by the complainants on 8th September, 2025,” the letter read in part.

However, some ADC members said they had not received any formal summons and only became aware of it through social media reports.

Inauguration Disruption

The summons followed violent clashes on 30 August, when suspected thugs attacked the inauguration of a transition committee formed by a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC in Kaduna.

Armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, the attackers injured participants and vandalised property, though the inauguration went ahead under tense conditions.

The coalition includes members of an All Progressives Congress (APC) faction opposed to the state leadership, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), and the ADC.

The Kaduna State Police Command, however, blamed El-Rufai for the disruption, accusing him of failing to notify security agencies about the event despite prior warnings.

Its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police viewed this omission as a breach of public order.

Meanwhile, the ADC has accused the Federal Government of using security operatives to intimidate the opposition.

In a statement on Friday, party spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi faulted the police summons on El-Rufai and other ADC leaders, as well as an attack on the convoy of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

The party alleged that the police actions form part of a “coordinated effort to stifle opposition politics” in states where the ruling party feels threatened by the ADC’s rising influence.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Leila Fowler, a renowned educationist, lawyer, and founder of the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in Lagos.

She passed away at the age of 92.

The President’s message was contained in a statement shared on X by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy on Thursday.

Fowler, who held the title of Yeye Mofin of Lagos, was also the mother of Babatunde Fowler, former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

President Tinubu described her passing as a “massive loss” to her family, loved ones, and to Nigeria, especially in the education sector, where she carved a legacy as a pioneer and visionary.

“Through establishing the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, the late Mrs. Fowler laid the foundation for academic excellence, nurturing generations of young women and empowering them to reach their fullest potential,” the President said.

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He added that her legacy lives on in the thousands of lives she transformed.

“The nation is grateful for her remarkable impact. She will be fondly engraved in our minds,” Tinubu stated.

The President extended his condolences to the Fowler family, friends, associates, the management and students of Vivian Fowler Memorial College, and the people of Lagos State.

He also prayed that Almighty God would grant her soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her passing.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured of enhanced military operations against terrorists across the country, saying the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is investing massively in military hardware.

He stated this in a condolence message issued on Monday for victims of the recent attack at the Darajamal community in the Bama local government area of Borno state.

Shettima expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Borno State over the incident that claimed the lives of civilians and military personnel.

The Vice President reiterated President Tinubu’s directive to the Armed Forces to review security operations, including the deployment of advanced military hardware and surveillance equipment to eliminate terrorist groups across the country.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Vice President Shettima described the incident as a profound loss to both the state and the nation.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the people of Borno State, and the Nigerian military over the tragic loss of our compatriots. These deaths have left the entire nation in collective grief, but we are confident that justice will be served for the bereaved families,” the Vice President stated.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Won’t Be Given LP’s Ticket In 2027 — Abayomi Arabambi

Shettima expressed confidence in the Armed Forces’ capacity to overcome the security challenges facing the state, citing President Tinubu’s approval for the acquisition of additional drones and his directive for all security agencies to intensify and review their operational strategies.

The Vice President highlighted the federal government’s consideration of establishing state police, emphasising President Tinubu’s position that security challenges in some Nigerian states require specialised units that understand local terrain, culture, and can effectively network at the grassroots level.

Tom Phillips, who absconded with his three children in December 2021 after a row with his former partner, was shot dead in the rolling hill country of the North Island’s Waikato region.

Phillips’ case captivated the country, particularly in the Waikato area and the town of Marokopa, where he was suspected of hiding.

The family eluded capture despite several sightings, including CCTV apparently showing Phillips and a child breaking into a store last month.

But on Monday, police said Phillips had been killed after shooting an officer in the head and shoulder with a high-powered rifle after police were called to a potential burglary.

The officer who was shot was airlifted to the hospital and was undergoing surgery, New Zealand Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said.

Rogers described the wound as “survivable” but critical.

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Images of the scene taken by the Waikato Times show Phillips in the middle of the road, with a rifle in a ditch metres away.

Several bullet holes can be seen in the police vehicles.

One of Phillips’ children was with him during Monday’s shooting and was taken into custody.

The other two siblings were found at about 4.30 pm (0430 GMT) after a full day’s search at a remote campsite in the bush.

“To know the children are safe, and now receiving care after nearly four years, is an absolute relief,” Rogers said.

All three children, believed to be 9, 10 and 12, were unhurt.

Rogers said they were found on their own and it was unclear if they had been told about their father’s death.

About 50 police officers, some of them armed, were involved in the search.

Deadly Confrontation

Two police officers told AFP on condition of anonymity that authorities had long feared the Phillips case would end in a shootout.

“We were always worried it could end in a deadly confrontation,” one of the officers with knowledge of the case, who was not authorised to speak to the media, said.

Police believed Phillips had several people helping him evade capture, providing food and accommodation since he fled.

They received sporadic reports as to the health of the children and decided against a full-on search for the family so as not to threaten their safety.

In recent weeks they believed the support network may have crumbled, leading to more brazen burglaries.

“If you went to Marokopa, half the town seemed to support him and half the town thought he was a criminal,” an officer told AFP.

“But more recently his support seemed to be running thin.”

Since fleeing in 2021, police suspected Phillips of committing several crimes and charged him with aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The mother of the three children, known as Cat, said she was relieved the ordeal had ended.

“They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care,” she told national broadcaster RNZ.

“At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today.”

She asked for the family’s privacy to be respected as the children reintegrate into a “stable and loving environment” after “a long and difficult journey”.