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POLICE INSPECTOR IN EBONYI COMMAND ALLEGEDLY FACES PERSECUTION FOR DOING GOOD.

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This is certainly not the best of times for a policewoman in Ebonyi State, Inspector Charity Agwu, who rescued a baby from its mentally challenged mother.

Instead of Agwu to be rewarded for her good work, she has allegedly been facing intimidation, harassment and humiliation by her superiors in the state police command. Her offence is that she has insisted to know the whereabouts of the baby boy she rescued in December 2022.

According to the policewoman, she circumcised and put the child in good medical condition before it was taken away from her by the police command and officials of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

At the moment, the mother of five (four boys and one girl) and the police command sharply disagree over the whereabouts of the baby boy and who should take custody of him.

In the matter, a social media critic in the state, Mrs. Chinyere Nwele, alleged that the baby had been sold through a post on her social media handle. She was arrested and detained for 22 days by the police before she was arraigned and remanded at the Abakaliki correctional centre.

Nwele languished for months in jail before she was released after being granted bail by a court through the efforts of her lawyer, Nwugo Chimere Nwugo.

Agwu, on her part, has faced orderly room trial at the police headquarters, Abakaliki, for “being stubborn” on the matter by insisting that she must know the whereabouts of the child, in case the relatives of the mentally challenged woman surfaced in the future and demanded for their baby.

Daily Sun gathered that the policewoman has been tried by the police authorities in the state more than six times for challenging some senior police officers in the command over the matter.

On December 2, 2022, Agwu, who was then a sergeant, was on duty on the road and saw something wrapped in a black bag by a mentally challenged woman. She suspected that whatever was inside the bag needed to be salvaged. She immediately approached the woman to know what was inside the bag. Lo and behold, it was a newborn baby and it was really in a bad condition.

Agwu engaged the woman in a discussion and pleaded with her to release the baby to her, promising to take good care of the child. Passersby already gathered in their numbers at Convent Road, Abakaliki, where the incident occurred.

After much persuasion by Agwu and the passersby, the mentally deranged woman handed over the child to Agwu, who reiterated her promise to take good care of the baby pending when contact would be established with her family for collection of the child.

She then took the baby to the police clinic inside the command headquarters, Abakaliki, for medical attention.

While at the police clinic, a senior police woman surfaced and requested to take over the treatment and custody of the child proper. But Agwu refused on the ground that she had not documented the matter, in case any issue cropped up in the future.

The unnamed senior police officer mounted pressure on Agwu and brought three more officers into the matter, who allegedly rained abuses on her. They threatened to deal with her for disobeying her seniors in the police job.

Eventually, Agwu released the baby after making a documentary on it and insisted that the baby must be taken to the motherless babies’ home responsible for taking care of babies of such nature for proper care.

She left the baby in the motherless babies’ home and came back the following day to see him but was not allowed to do so by the authorities of the home who told her that the then Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinwe Okah, who is now Commissioner for Budget Planning and Research in the state, asked them not to allow her access to the baby because she was not the biological mother of the child.

According to the policewoman, she then sent someone to visit the motherless babies’ home and know if the baby was still there but the person returned and told her that the baby was no longer in the home.

Inspector Agwu was surprised and insisted that she must see the baby, which did not go down well with some senior police officers and the then commissioner for women affairs and social development. Okah had reportedly vowed that the Good Samaritan would not see the baby.

Inspector Agwu’s “stubborn approach” on the matter has earned her several orderly room trials. She was detained by the authorities of the state police command on several occasions, tried and released by the command.

Sometimes, she would be asked to appear before the senior police officers handling her trial and she would obey. She would wait for several hours without seeing anyone and her trial would be shifted to another time.

When the officers handling it eventually appeared, Agwu would be tried and remanded and released to go home and asked to come back days later.

The unending harassment, intimidation and humiliation of the Inspector by her superiors forced her sister, Mrs. Janet Alex, to petition the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

In the petition written by her lawyer, Nwugo, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Sun, Alex said: “My sister left the baby with the motherless babies’ home and came back the following day to see the baby but was not allowed to do so by the authorities that the Commissioner for Women Affairs asked them not to allow her to see the baby just because she is not the biological mother of the child.

“Worried about the situation, the safety and wellbeing of the child and considering that no effort was made by the Ministry of Women Affairs to locate or contact the family of the mentally challenged woman still wandering in Abakaliki metropolis, her sister was worried as news started making the rounds that a policewoman sold a child she took from a mentally challenged woman.”

Alex alleged that, to cover up the truth about the rescued baby, the senior police officers who were contesting the child with Agwu ordered her arrest on May 27, 2024, for orderly room trial and she was released afterwards.

He added that on June 10, 2024, she was rearrested for trial and released again.

“Our client informed us that on the 12th day of June, a public holiday known as Democracy Day, her sister, Agwu, faced another orderly room trial for telling the truth over a child she rescued from a mentally challenged woman,” the lawyer wrote.

He urged IGP Egbetokun to look into the matter to ascertain the truth in respect of the baby rescued from the mentally challenged woman and save Inspector Agwu from the psychological trauma she has been passing through in the state police command over her act of charity.

Spokesman for the state police command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed to our correspondent that the Inspector was facing internal disciplinary measures over the matter.

He said: “As for the policewoman, Inspector Charity Agwu, the matter is an internal process, internal disciplinary measure, and it is still ongoing. The disciplinary procedure is ongoing.”

Investigation by Daily Sun, revealed that the public relations unit of the Force Headquarters, Abuja, last week, summoned a popular blogger and social media influencer known as English Alhaji to appear before it for posting Agwu’s ordeal on his social media handle, which has been attracting condemnation by members of the public.

The social critic was subsequently released after hours of interrogation by the unit.

The Ebonyi State Police Command had slated last week Friday to pass judgement in Agwu’s orderly trials but Daily Sun gathered that it was shifted to Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

EVENTS

Abia Police Commissioner Dismisses Three Officers for Abduction and Extortion

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The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, has dismissed three police officers for their involvement in acts of conspiracy, abduction, and extortion of unsuspecting victims. The officers have also been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution alongside their civilian accomplices.

The affected officers are:
– **Sergeant Jonas Nnamdi** (Force No. 501356), attached to Area Command, Aba.
– **Corporal James Daniel** (Force No. 511844), attached to the Department of Operations, Umuahia.
– **Corporal Ifeanyi Emeka** (Force No. 511853), attached to Eziama Division.

According to the police statement, the officers were arrested on January 29, 2025, after they conspired with two civilians, hired a minibus, and abducted some individuals along the Port Harcourt Expressway. They were found armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol, which they used to intimidate and extort money from their victims. The officers also demanded additional ransom from the victims’ families before releasing them.

Following their arrest by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abayi, an investigation and Orderly Room Trial were conducted, which confirmed their involvement in the crime. Their dismissal follows the administrative disciplinary measures taken by the Abia State Police Command, and their service accoutrements have been retrieved.

CP Danladi Isa reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct, emphasizing that discipline and professionalism remain the foundation of the Nigeria Police Force. He assured the public that the command under his leadership would not tolerate any form of misconduct and remains committed to upholding the vision of the Inspector General of Police for a people-friendly and law-abiding force.


The dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices will face prosecution as part of the command’s efforts to maintain law and order in Abia State.

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EVENTS

Dave Umahi orders immediate closure of Lagos waterway

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The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has ordered the immediate closure of the waterway between the Eko and Carter Bridges in Lagos.

This follows the structural damage to Eko Bridge, reportedly caused by illegal dredging activities.

The directive came during the minister’s inspection tour of critical infrastructure across Lagos on Saturday.

Umahi urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take urgent action to enforce the closure, warning that continued activity in the area poses a significant risk to public safety.

“The dredger struck a pier cap, causing both the cap and the pier to collapse and sink,” Umahi revealed during the tour.

“He confirmed that the operator or owner of the dredging equipment has been apprehended, and assured that the Federal Government would pursue strict punitive measures due to the scale of the damage.

Expressing his dismay, the minister noted that illegal dredging is still being carried out along the Third Mainland Bridge, despite a Federal Executive Council resolution passed four months ago, banning all dredging activities within a 10-kilometre radius of any bridge in Nigeria.

“I am shocked to see dredging still going on. These activities compromise the structural integrity of our bridges,” Umahi said.

He also cautioned against the growing trend of parking and loading on bridges, urging members of the public to refrain from such practices.

The minister stressed that preserving Nigeria’s infrastructure and ensuring the safety of citizens must remain a top priority.

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EVENTS

NATIONAL POLICE DAY: PREPARATIONS REACH CLIMAX; POLICE ENGAGE IN NATIONWIDE WALKATHON As IGP calls for inclusive policing in Nigeria.

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PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL POLICE DAY: PREPARATIONS REACH CLIMAX; POLICE ENGAGE IN NATIONWIDE WALKATHON

As IGP calls for inclusive policing in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Police Force preparations for it’s maiden National Police Day is reaching its climax, as Police Officers in all 36 State Commands across the nation and the FCT engage in a grand walkathon to promote community engagement and raise awareness for the Maiden National Police Day grand finale coming up on the 7th of April 2025.

The nationwide walkathon, which commenced from 6AM today, 5th of April, saw participation from officers of all ranks, as well as members of the public. The event was aimed to foster stronger relationships between the police and the communities, promoting cohesion and mutual understanding.

Furthermore, in continuation of preparations for the grand finale of the National Police Day celebration, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., today inspected parade rehearsals, exhibitions, amongst other activities at the Eagle Square, Abuja. The IGP expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness, emphasizing the importance of a well-coordinated and impactful event to celebrate the gallantry and achievements of the Nigeria Police Force .

The IGP encourages all citizens to celebrate the Nigeria Police Force by actively participating in National Police Day events and show their support for the men and women who serve and protect our communities.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
5TH APRIL 2025

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