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Niger State Police Commissioner, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, yesterday paid a familiarisation visit to the Emir of Minna, His Royal Highness Dr. Umar Farouk Bahago, at his palace.
CP Danmamman, during the visit, said the purpose of the courtesy call was to familiarise himself with the Emir, receive his royal blessings, and pay homage to the exalted throne, adding that a good beginning would ensure that the end would be well.
He noted that it was important to get to know the Royal Highness and receive his blessings and support, as well as to appreciate him for the wonderful assistance, counsel, advice, cooperation, and blessings the police command have been enjoying over time from the Emir.
The commissioner said that he was informed of the wonderful relationship that exists between the police and the traditional institution in the state and that he acknowledged and appreciated him for the good deeds.
CP Shawulu Danmamman therefore solicited support for community policing and a better societal approach to internal security.
He reiterated that the dynamics of crime have changed over time; therefore, all hands must be on deck from both state actors and non-state actors.
The commissioner said that the police, being the lead internal security agency, needed every bit of assistance, partnership, and cooperation to succeed in providing internal security for our land.
He said that one key institution that was fundamental to partnering with the security agencies, most especially the police, was the traditional institution.
The police commissioner stated that the command wishes to leverage the Emir's influence, spread, authority, and respect accorded to the Royal Highness' office and help in policing the people, noting that the Emir has the strata of leadership across the communities and that his authorization, free hand, and encouragement of these community leaders to partner with the police will go a long way towards fighting and tackling crime and criminalities in the state.
He reaffirmed the command's preparedness to fight crime, loyalty to the constitution of Nigeria, and respect for traditional councils and cultural backgrounds in ensuring safer communities.
In his response, the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Farouk Bahago, welcomed the new commissioner of police to the state, assured him of his emirates’ support for him to succeed in community policing, congratulated him for his appointment as the 37th commissioner of police in the state; and commended the past commissioners of police in the state for their partnership with the emirate and the support and cooperation given to the traditional institutions in the state.
A Minna High Court Number two has restrained the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the head of the Federal Investigation Bureau (FIB) Special Tactical Squad, DCP Bello Yahaya, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mokwa Divisional Command, CSP Wakili Inusa, from arresting and detaining Salisu Mohammed Dankabo.
Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, who gave the order in a motion on notice filed by the counsel representing the defendant in the matter, Barr Philip Emmanuel, was brought in pursuant to (1) sections 34, 35, 41, and 46 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). (2) Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009); (3) Articles 6 and 7 paragraphs 'B', C', and D' of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights.
Barr Philip Emmanuel prayed the court for an order enforcing or securing the enforcement of the defendant's rights to dignity of his person, liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement, and compensation for damages as enshrined under our laws.
Barrister Philip further prayed the court to restrain the respondents from staying actions or matters relating to or connected with and restraining the respondents, the agents, and provided, from continuing to invite, detain, interrogate, arrest, intimidate, investigate, and torture the defendant, pending the final determination of the matter or until otherwise directed by the court.
Granting the prayers as moved by the counsel representing the defendant, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu, declared that the defendant, as a reasonable law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, was entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, freedom of movement, and the right to personal liberty as enshrined in the Constitution.
"An order is hereby made directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Bello Yahaya Officer in Charge of FIB Tactical Squad, CSP Wakili Inusa Divisional Police Officer, DPO in Charge of Mokwa Divisional Command, and one Hamza Baba to immediately release to the defendant unconditionally his Toyota L.E. 2006 model, which the men and officers, under the directive of the first and second respondents, forcefully took away from the defendant's house at Muwo and parked the same at Mokwa Divisional Command headquarters under the custody of the third respondent.
Justice Mikailu further ordered that, in view of the DPP's advice annexed to this application as exhibits, 'B' the applicant shall not be invited, arrested, detained, interviewed, interrogated, or subjected to further investigations in relation to or in connection with the subject matter of the DPP's advice (Exhibit 'B').
Similarly, Justice Mikailu declared that any and all actions taken in breach of any of the rights herein claimed are "null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
"An order is further made to stay all actions or matters relating to, or connected with, and in particular, invitation, arrest investigation, interrogation, torture, harassment, detention, brutalization, and intimidation of the defendant in matters connected to this suit."
Salisu Dankambo was alleged to have been involved in a communal clash between the Muwo community in Mokwa LGA and was arrested along with other members of the community.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court Number One in Minna and were later exonerated by the office of the Director, Public Prosecution DPP, in the state Ministry of Justice.
