Awajis George News

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has advanced efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security through a trilateral cooperation framework involving Nigeria, the United States and Italy, with emphasis on specialised training, counter-insurgency, intelligence-led operations and institutional development. During his working visit to Italy, IGP Disu engaged Italian law enforcement authorities on leveraging international expertise, advanced training and technology to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s response to terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking and other security threats. A key outcome was an offer to provide specialised training for up to 5,000 police personnel, with priority given to counter-insurgency and operations in challenging rural and forested terrain. The proposed training would cover tactical operations, intelligence-led patrols, critical infrastructure protection, digital and scientific forensics, cybercrime, exp...

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Inspector-General of Police,  Olatunji Rilwan Disu has today Wednesday, 28th October 2026, declared open a Mental Health Awareness and Coaching Workshop for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja. The Inspector General of Police who was represented at the event by the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi Eze, said the workshop is coordinated by the Department of Training and Development, in partnership with Awesome Valley Consult Limited and the Directorate of Force Medical Services, to strengthen officers’ emotional resilience, professional judgement and operational effectiveness. In his remarks, delivered by AIG Nkechi Eze, the IGP outlined his approved policy direction on mental health coaching, emphasising early identification of mental health concerns, timely intervention and appropriate referral for professional care. He noted that the demanding nature of police work requires practical coping skills and accessible support system...

  By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The South-South Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Info-Hub has called on the Rivers State Government to cautiously increase and release budget allocations to State Institutions responding to Gender-Based Violence in the State. The Hub which is a platform for organizations working to reduce SGBV in the South-South region of Nigeria made the call during the SGBV Info-Hub State Consultation Dialogue in Port Harcourt supported by Gender And Development Action (GADA). According to ithe Hub, without various budget allocation and political will, Rivers State will continue to rank low in the implementation of he Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in the nation. In her opening speech during the event, the coordinator, South-South SGBV Info-Hub, Miss Inyingi Irinagha while appreciating the efforts of stakeholders working to reduce SGBV, remarked that more works need to be intensified especially by the State Institutions responding to SGBV...

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  With the 2027 General Elections less than three months away, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), has commenced the training of 10,000 Police officers nationwide on election security management, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directing personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the five-day programme, was formally declared open today Thursday, 22 October 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja. According to the statement, the programme is being implemented across designated centres and focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful response to election-related incidents.  The first phase of the programme brings together officers across ...

By: Awajis Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery, kidnapping gang, recovered several firearms and ammunitions following an intelligence-led operation. A statement by the Command's Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the Commander, Violent Crime Response Unit led a team of Police officers to Rumuekpe Community, in Emohua Local Government Area where the suspects were arrested. According to the statement, the suspects are Chinemerem Uchewo, Micheal Ishaka, Abdulahi George and Gideon Okah. ASP Agabe stated that Preliminary investigation revealed their involvement in several armed robbery and kidnapping incidents within Choba, Elele Alimini, Emohua and Rumuekpe communities in Rivers State. The suspects also confessed to the robbery and murder of Joseph Onyeka on 23rd July 2026 in Rumuji Community, and the shooting of Inspector Womoma, while on duty at a checkpoint along the East-West Road by Elele Alimini Junctio...

By: Lanre Olagunju At 96, Dame Stella Obuoforibo Okuyiga has found a way to outlive herself. Not through science or medicine, but through her book. At the launch of The Origin of Police Women in Nigeria: The Story of the Pioneer Women Officers and My Journey in the Nigeria Police Force, the retired Deputy Commissioner of Police expressed excitement at the thought of her book living on in libraries across the world. Even when she is gone, she hopes her story will continue to speak. On October 13, in Port Harcourt, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Inspector-General of Police, joined her in preserving that history. His presence as chief launcher was more than a gesture of respect. It was an opportunity for the Nigeria Police Force to confront a fundamental question: how well does an institution remember those who made its progress possible? In 1955, the first 20 women joined the Force at a time when policing offered women limited opportunities. They entered unfamiliar territory, confronting barriers...

  By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Rivers State Police Command has relieved the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abuloma Division and the officer overseeing the Abuloma Police Outpost of their duties following allegations that suspected cultists financed the renovation of the police facility and visited it to celebrate the completion of the project. The Command also ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the controversial renovation after a video and reports of the incident circulated widely on social media. According to the police, the individuals alleged to be cultists reportedly visited the facility on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to celebrate the completion of the renovation they were said to have facilitated. In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, said it had taken cognizance of the viral video and allegations and had begun steps to establish the facts. It strongly condemned any relationship or activit...

    By:  Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Inspector General of Police,  Olatunji Disu has charged men and officers of the Rivers state Police Command under the leadership of CP Olugbenga Adepoju to cooperate fully with Rivers people for effective community policing. IGP Disu gave the charge in an interview with Newsmen in Port Harcourt after interaction with officers of the Command. '' I notice that the Commissioner of Police has put in a lot of work in security of the state.I have been able to see the successes and interact with members of the community,a lot of stakeholders and everybody is in agreement that my officers are doing so much and have been able to improve the security of the State. "The purpose of the meeting is to meet with my officers and discuss their operation with them.And to tell the complainants,I have had and tell them,one or two things. "And to discuss the issue of 2027 elections with them . He commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police,...

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Yesterday in Port Harcourt, the spotlight shone brightly on a ninety-six-year-old pioneer. Dame Stella O. Okuyiga, DCP, a retired policewoman from the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, was among the historic first twenty women to be recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955. Her new book, "Origin of Police Women in Nigeria," drew the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, alongside captains of industry, senior police officers, government officials, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, FIDA, and the media to the Rivers State capital for the official launch. Speaking at the event, IGP Disu said the author had highlighted an important truth that every police officer must recognise: parental responsibility plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigeria, while adult delinquency contributes to many of the country's security challenges. He stressed t...

 By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, today, Monday, 12th October 2026, declared open the Small Arms and Light Weapons Identification and Tracing (SALW-IT) Simulation Programme in Abuja.  The five-day programme, running from 12th to 16th October 2026, is designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to identify, mark, register and trace small arms, light weapons and ammunition. In his remarks, the IGP described illicit arms proliferation as a major threat to peace and security across Africa, fuelling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime.  He noted that effective weapons tracing helps investigators uncover trafficking networks, financiers and supply routes, enabling targeted action against illicit arms trafficking. The IGP highlighted the programme’s relevance to preparations for Nigeria’s upcoming elections.  A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said IGP noted that dis...

  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the posting of new Police Public Relations Officers and Public Relations Liaison Officers to selected Commands and Formations of the Nigeria Police Force, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic communication, improve public access to credible Police information and enhance engagement with the media and other stakeholders. Accordingly, SP Johnson A. Doghudje has been posted as Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 5, and can be reached on 08038773657; SP Ojedele Olanrewaju Tunji, anipr, has been posted to Zone 11, Osogbo, and can be reached on 09152481510. Also, DSP Orchia Adndongu has been posted to the Benue State Police Command and can be reached on 07013495466; while DSP Imah Unwana Victor has been posted to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and can be reached on 08038281577. Similarly, ASP Abdulaziz Maharazu has been posted to the Police Academy (POLAC) and can be ...

By Awajis Josiah-Chijindu Members of the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Rivers State Police Command under the leadership of CP Olugbenga Adepoju have donated N1.150m to 11 patients at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Old GRA, Port Harcourt. The gesture formed part of activities marking the official launch of the VCRU, which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The VCRU team, led by its Commander, CSP Julian Wealth, visited the children's and postnatal wards of the hospital on Thursday, where it provided financial assistance to the patients to help offset their medical bills. Speaking with journalists after the visit, Wealth said the gesture was aimed at demonstrating the people-oriented policing philosophy of the Nigeria Police Force and showing that police officers were concerned about the welfare of members of the public. He said, “As part of activities to officially launch the unit on Saturday, October 10, 2026, we decided to contribute money to ...

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, have successfully rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members who were abducted in Imo State on 1st October, 2026. The victims were rescued at about 4:28 p.m. on 7th October, 2026, at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained and coordinated search-and-rescue operations by the security agencies. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said following their safe rescue, the victims have been taken for medical examination and necessary medical attention as part of the post-rescue process. The successful rescue followed sustained operational coordination and collaboration among the security agencies involved in the search-and-rescue effort. According to the statement, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects responsible for the abduction, as the Police and other security agencies continue to intensify operations towards brin...

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, today, 5th October 2026, paid his maiden official visit as Inspector-General of Police to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, as part of efforts to deepen international police cooperation and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force’s response to transnational crime. During the visit, the IGP met with the INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, and other senior officials of the organisation, with discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in cybercrime, counter-terrorism, financial crime, organised crime, fugitive tracking, intelligence sharing and the effective use of INTERPOL databases and policing tools. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP ANI INIEDU, said the engagement also provided an opportunity to review Nigeria’s participation in INTERPOL-supported initiatives and explore further areas of technical and operational collaboration aimed at strengthening...

By: Lanre Olagunju When the distress call came from Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, the people on the other end knew what it meant. Armed men had invaded the community.  Residents were under attack. The police responded. Officers from the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams and conventional units moved towards the danger and engaged the attackers for several hours before forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest.  By the time the shooting stopped, seven civilians and four police officers were dead. The officers were identified as “ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu and Inspector Edeh Andrew”. Their bodies were later recovered from the surrounding bushes. There is a tendency to read an incident like this through the cold language of security reporting: four officers killed, seven civilians killed, attackers repelled, suspects fled. The language is necessary, but it can also make terrible things sound ordinary.  Fou...

By Evelyn Usman On February 25, 2026, IGP Olatunji Disu took charge of the Nigeria Police Force with a solemn promise not to squander the confidence reposed in him. Today, that pledge is being tested against the hard realities of policing Nigeria , the crimes fought, the reforms pursued, the officers disciplined and the continuing effort to rebuild confidence in the Force. When the number one cop in Nigeria, IGP Disu assumed office as the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police, he inherited more than a crime-fighting institution. He took over a Force grappling with the longstanding challenges of crime prevention, public confidence, internal discipline and operational effectiveness. Since then, the police leadership has sought to reshape its approach around intelligence-led operations, internal accountability, tactical restructuring and closer engagement with communities. A career officer with a strong operational background, Disu had served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police...