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UN, US to support Police Command in Gombe with evidence storage facility
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said it would provide modern evidence storage facility at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command in Gombe State.
Mr Tom Parker, Head, Counter-Terrorism Unit of UNODC, stated this in Gombe on Tuesday at the state police command.
He said the project was funded by the United States Department of States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Parker said the intervention was as a result of the importance of evidence in effective investigation as well as the need to ensure justice.
He said the storage facility would augment the command’s capability in the collection and forensic exploitation of physical evidence.
“Our purpose here today is to open an evidence storage facility.
“This is important because collection of evidence is the bedrock of effective criminal investigation.
“When we can store that evidence and send it off for forensic laboratories where we can recover fingerprints, blood types and things like that.
“But none of that is possible unless you could store the evidence you have collected from crime scenes and then come back and find it and present it in court,” he said.
On his part, Mr Walter Quintanilla, Deputy Director International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), United States Department of State, US Embassy, Abuja, said the support was part of effort to support investigation.
Quintanilla said the event underscored his organisation’s commitment to excellence in the field of law enforcement.
“We are entirely dedicated to combating trafficking and enhancing global enforcement cooperation.
“The bureau works tirelessly alongside domestic and international law enforcement agencies, providing them with the tools, training and support needed to fight crime effectively,” he said.
According to him, through the support, the bureau hopes to strengthen the legal frameworks and support developmental and professional law enforcement capacities.
He stated that evidence collection and storage stood as the cornerstone of a judicial system that United States passed across the world, including Nigeria in promoting the essence of the rule of law.
“Proper evidence management is crucial.
“It ensures that justice is served fairly and accurately, protecting the rights of individuals while holding offenders accountable.
“The refurbishment of this evidence storage facility is a reaffirmation of the dedication to preserving the integrity of evidence.
“The enhancement of capabilities ensures that every piece of evidence is meticulously catalogued and accessible, maintaining its value and showing that it can effectively contribute to the proceed of justice,” he said.
According to him, in a world where the details can determine the outcome of the case, the importance of this evidence storage cannot be overstated in the pursuit of justice.
“This initiative serves as a beacon of international cooperation between the United States and Nigeria and I want to thank our partners for helping to make this happen,” he said.
On his part, Commissioner of police in the state, Mr Hayatu Usman, commended the UN, US and the Nigeria Police for the partnership, which he said would ensure thorough prosecution of cases.
Usman pledged to ensure that the command maintained the facility to serve the purpose for which it was provided. (NAN)
The All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman for Zamfara State, Alhaji Tukur Umar Danfulani, has lauded Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for his unwavering support.
The commendation came as Danfulani presented his appointment letter as the new Board Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Bauchi state, a position conferred by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
During a visit to the minister’s office, Tukur Danfulani expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the trust and opportunity, pledging to execute his duties with integrity and dedication to align with the president’s expectations.
“I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for this appointment and his generosity,” Danfulani said.
He also acknowledged Dr Matawalle’s consistent backing, crediting the minister’s support as instrumental to his new role.
In response, Dr Matawalle urged Danfulani to uphold honesty, commitment, and patriotism in his leadership at the Medical Centre, emphasising the importance of serving with distinction.
The appointment marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare administration, with Danfulani expected to bring his experience to enhance the operations of the Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi state.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested businessman Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, on Tuesday morning.
E-Money, who is the CEO of Emmy Cargoes Nigeria Limited and Five Star Music, was arrested in Lagos State for alleged abuse of the naira.
He is being held at the EFCC facility in Lagos, according to sources who confirmed his arrest to ELANZANEWS on Tuesday.
According to the source, E-Money is being investigated for allegedly spraying both Naira and US dollars at a party in Lagos in violation of Nigeria’s currency laws.
The Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday said that the video of the alleged invasion of the state by suspected Boko Haram currently circulating on social media was recycled.
The command’s spokesman, CSP Adewale Osifeso, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a video clip is currently being circulated on social media alleging the arrest of suspected Boko Haram members who invaded the state along the Ibadan Expressway.
“The Police Command in Oyo wishes to address the recent circulation of misleading information on social media regarding a video that purportedly shows an attempted invasion of the state by Boko Haram elements intercepted along the Ibadan Express road.
“The video, which allegedly depicts articulated trucks filled with motorcycles and weapons, has been verified as a recycled clip from 2022,” he said.
Osifeso said the re-emergence of the video, particularly during a period of enhanced security in the state, suggests a deliberate attempt by certain individuals with malicious intent, seeking to spread falsehoods and incite fear and unrest.
“The command urges the public to remain vigilant and disregard such antics; we assure that this does not pose any current threat to the safety and security of the state.
“To further substantiate our claim regarding the video’s outdated nature, we note that the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at the Ilero Divisional Police Headquarters, DSP. Segun Adeyemo, who appeared briefly in the video, retired from the Nigeria Police Force in August 2024 after a long period of meritorious service,” he added.
Osifeso reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding all residents in the state.
He urged the public to avoid circulating outdated video content pertaining to issues that had been previously resolved and encouraged them to thoroughly verify any information before sharing on social media.
NAN