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UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Government has hosted a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious & Organised Crime (SOC) Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.
Launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, the programme is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.
In select local governments of these states, the SOC Prevent Programme has established robust structures and delivered various interventions, including Back-to-School Initiatives, Digital Skills Acquisition, Dance and Drama Workshops and Sports Interventions.
Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC, and to date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.
Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious & Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online focussed activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.
“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the Prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”
The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE), Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and others.
The Prevent programme is an approach to tackling SOC. Others are Pursue, Protect and Prepare. Prevent methodology looks to prevent or deter people from engaging in SOC by raising awareness of the consequences of SOC and developing techniques to deter people from continuing in criminality.
UK Government Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Serious and Organised Crime
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have foiled an attempted kidnapping at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi, Bauchi State, in the early hours of Saturday, sources said.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:42 a.m. on March 15 when unidentified persons attempted to gain entry into the school premises through the fence near the staff quarters.
Security personnel on guard duty, supported by a patrol team, responded swiftly to the situation. On sighting the approaching officers, the suspected kidnappers abandoned their mission and fled the area.
The development caused brief panic within the school as students raised alarm and ran within the premises. However, no student was harmed or molested during the incident.
Police said the situation has been brought under control, while the school premises remain under close surveillance. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects.
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
By: Zagazola Makama
A 35-year-old man, Haruna Abdul, was rescued unhurt after being abducted from his residence in Fali Village, Gashinge, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, security sources confirmed on Monday.
The incident, which occurred on March 14, involved unknown assailants armed with bows, arrows, and matches, who reportedly invaded Abdul’s home and forcibly abducted him.
During the attempted transport of the victim to an undisclosed location, police and vigilante groups promptly pursued the kidnappers to Gubana in Fune LGA, Yobe State.
The kidnappers reportedly abandoned Abdul along with a seized motorcycle, described as kasere red in color without registration number, before fleeing into the bush.
The victim has since been reunited with his family, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects for prosecution.
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
Stray bullet injures man in Tsafe following dispute involving military personnel
By: Zagazola Makama
A 38-year-old man sustained gunshot injuries in Tsafe Township, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, after a misunderstanding involving a military personnel attached to Operation FANSAN YANMA.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on March 14 in the Sahara area when the military personnel, who was in possession of a serviceable rifle, attempted to apprehend one of several youths from Sabon Fegi area.
According to sources , the youths resisted and overpowered the soldier, who reportedly fired his rifle to escape. A stray bullet hit a passerby, identified as Abdulrazak Abdullahi Kayode, in the stomach.
The injured man was initially taken to General Hospital Tsafe before being referred to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, for further treatment.
Sources said the situation has been brought under control, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Residents have been urged to remain calm while authorities look into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Stray bullet injures man in Tsafe following dispute involving military personnel
Security forces foil kidnapping attempt at Government Girls’ College in Bauchi
Man rescued by security forced after abduction in Fika, suspects flee
One killed as customs officers allegedly shoot driver in Osogbo
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