BY UTHMAN BABA NASEER-,MINNA

A twenty five years old Bala Aliyu of Bosso town in Niger State was publicly administered twenty strokes of horse whip (KOBOKO), in the presence of his family in Bosso town on the order of a Minna Senior Magistrate Court.

Aliyu was earlier in the Month of June, found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in Correctional Centre in addition with the twenty stroke of the canes to be carried out in his community with a compensation of N250,000 to be paid to the victim

He was charged to the court through the office of the Director General of Niger State Child Right and Protection Agency (NSCRPA) Barrister Ummul-Kalthume Muhammed for prosecution and he was found guilty as charged.

The Director General who witnessed the flogging of the convict,described the sentencing and administering of whipping as a monumental step to send a signal that her agency does not compromise gender related cases for granted particularly child molestation and abuse.

She said the public enforcement was to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice. She also called on communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such offences.

“ We in the Niger State Child Right And Protection Agency (NSCRPA), are prepared to go all out to take anyone involved in Gender Base Violence against Girl Child or any Domestic Violence against women or the vulnerable out of the community.

“We will not compromise in ensuring that such people face the heavy weight of the law. We will not allow such persons to move freely in our streets. The full wrath of Justice will be visited on the perpetrators of these crimes against our girl child.

“ This is a warning and a signal to any person or group that thinks that he can commit these heinous crimes and go away with that person should have a re-think that he is getting it wrong the law will surely go after him” the Director General warned.

According to Barrister Ummul Kathume Muhammed, the administering of the public punishment “ is not only about the convict. It also serves as a strong warning to any one who abuse or sexually molest girl child should expect the full consequences of the law”

She then appealed to members of the public to raise their voices by reporting suspected cases of child abuse,molestation and any gender based violences to her agency for prompt action rather than allowing the perpetrators to go scot free without allowing justice to take its cause against offenders.

The Prosecuting Counsel in the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State Aisha Ashafa Esq,described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled

According to her, the victim’s mother initially considered withdrawing the case, but later decided to allow the legal process to continue after understanding the importance of seeking justice for the child and holding the accused accountable.

The case has renewed calls for parents, traditional rulers and community members to take stronger action against child sexual abuse and report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

She stressed the need for the community to always report any forms of abuse against children in your community to Niger State child right agency or any police division in your community for necessary action.

Bala was said to have sexually abused his neighbor’s 10-year-old daughter and was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment,with 20 strokes of the cane, and ₦250,000 in compensation for the victim by a Minna Senior Magistrate Court number nine presided by Senior Magistrate Samira Jibrin Wambai.

While serving his jail term at the Minna Medium Correctional Centre Tunga, he was brought to the Palace of the District Head of Bosso where he was publicly administered the twenty stroke of the horse whip.

She said the public enforcement was intended to send a strong warning to anyone who thinks they can abuse children and escape justice warning communities to stop protecting or hiding people who commit such heinous crimes.

The Prosecuting State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Aisha Shafa, described the judgment as an important development that could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled.

She called members of the public to speak out by reporting suspected cases of child abuse instead of allowing offenders to escape justice.

In an interview with reporters,the District Head of Bosso, Malam Muazu Adamu Laka, said he had never witnessed this kind of judgment being publicly enforced in his community before.

He expressed satisfaction with the decision, saying the public enforcement would help community members understand the seriousness of child sexual abuse and discourage others from committing similar offences.

By David Owei

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale has assumed duty in Bayelsà State, promising to fight against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences,crime and criminality in the state.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale takes over from AIG Iyamah Daniel Edebor who has been elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The Police Commissioner, in his maiden address to newsmen in his office,assured the people of Bayelsà State of his commitment to quality service delivery in protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and delivering professional, responsive policing.

He said despite the fact that the State is predominantly a riverine terrain and waterways which present unique security challenges, he will adopt strategies to tackle security threats such as cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other organised criminality.

He noted that the perception index viz-a-viz the IGP policy direction of giving trust back to the community will provide us a guide in our operational strategy hence my immediate directive to my Officers and men to decisively tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other acts of economic sabotage.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale also outlined his strategy to be intelligence-driven, proactive, with robust community engagement, effective multi-agency collaboration with zero tolerance for crime and misconduct.

He said the mission of the State Police Command under his leadership will be to: enhance public safety, combat crime proactively, build trust and confidence as well as promote accountability and professionalism.

According to him, “the Police will strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping, targeted operations against cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, pirates, and drug traffickers. We will also dismantle their leadership, funding, and logistics networks.”

“Given the State’s riverine nature, marine and waterways security will be prioritised through patrols, intelligence operations, and collaboration with the Armed Forces and maritime stakeholders.”

“We will also improve inter-agency and inter-state coordination to block criminal movement. Protection of oil and gas infrastructure will be strengthened through partnerships with relevant agencies, operators, and host communities.”

“The Command will enhance high-visibility policing, rapid response, and intelligence-based patrols in crime-prone areas. We will continuously adapt our strategies to emerging threats. Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs.”

He said the men and officers of the Bayelsà State Police Command will
approach security by strengthening
Intelligence gathering, crime mapping and analysis to identify crime hotspots, emerging threats and criminal networks, while sustaining targeted operations against cultists, armed robbers, pirates, drug traffickers and other violent criminals.

He also added that given the Bayelsa’s peculiar riverine geography, marine and waterways security will receive particular attention through,”

“Increased patrols and intelligence-led operations. The protection of critical national infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, will receive renewed attention through stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies, operators and host communities to prevent vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other acts capable of undermining the State’s economy and national security.”

The CP also advocated for inter agency collaboration, declaring that under his leadership, the police will strengthen operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, in addressing criminal activities.

On the issue of community policing, CP Ajao Saka Adewale noted that effective policing cannot be achieved by the Police alone; security is a collective responsibility, “We shall deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media.”

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force is set to use the sixth edition of its Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers to develop a comprehensive security roadmap for the 2027 general elections.

The conference, scheduled for September 21 to 23, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, is themed: “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections”.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, saying the three-day event would provide a strategic platform for senior police commanders, security experts and other stakeholders to assess emerging threats and develop operational strategies for safe, peaceful and credible elections.

Iniedu said deliberations at the conference would focus on intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and other contemporary approaches to strengthening police operations before, during and after elections.

He added that the retreat would facilitate the development of actionable strategies for the protection of voters, electoral officials, candidates, election materials and the general public during the 2027 elections.

According to him, the initiative is part of the police leadership’s commitment to institutional reform, professionalisation and operational readiness ahead of the elections.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to professionalising its personnel to guarantee a peaceful, safe and secure atmosphere for the country’s next major election.”

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lenders Consult International Shina Philips, said the organisation had, since securing approval to organise the conference and retreat, worked to secure sponsorship for every edition of the event.

He described the initiative as part of the organisation’s contribution to supporting the “selfless and patriotic work” of the Nigeria Police Force.

He commended the government’s efforts to strengthen national security but stressed the need for Nigerians to support the police in fulfilling their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property and maintaining public order.

According to Him, the vision of the conference has evolved over the years, with the event attracting international participants and providing a platform for Nigeria to embrace modern policing methods.

He said Lenders Consult International would continue to partner with the Nigeria Police authorities to ensure that the conference remained focused on delivering cutting-edge policing solutions.

He thanked the Inspector-General of Police, the Force Management Team and the entire Nigeria Police Force for their support for the programme since its inception in 2019.

He also expressed appreciation to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for agreeing to host the event for the third time.

The conference is expected to bring together senior police officers, security professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on emerging security challenges and strengthen preparations for the 2027 general elections.

End