The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described her experience with the Nigerian police as unforgettable.

In an interview with The Free Press, she recounted how officers of the Nigeria Police Force allegedly stole her brother’s watch and shoes.

Badenoch has received severe backlash from several Nigerians, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who criticized her negative remarks about Nigeria.

Badenoch stated, “Giving people a gun is just a licence to intimidate,” referring to the Nigerian police.

She emphasized that her experience with the Nigerian police was very negative, contrasting it with a positive encounter with the British police when she moved to the UK.

She recalled, “The police in Nigeria will rob us,” and pointed out the challenges faced in a country where people often resort to theft.

When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m Black, I say, well… I remember the police stole my brother’s shoes and his watch.”

In contrast, she praised the British police for their helpfulness during her own burglary incident in 2004, stating, “They were helpful before they eventually caught the person.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said a report that it has invited former President Goodluck Jonathan to vie for the 2027 presidency under its platform is not true.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi made the clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa.

The PDP deputy spokesman said a previous interview he granted about Jonathan’s eligibility for presidency was misconstrued.

“The report that PDP has issued its presidential ticket to former President Goodluck Jonathan or invited him to contest the 2027 presidential election is not true.

“What happened is this: I had an interview with a journalist where we discussed some issues. But in the course of the interview, he mentioned President Jonathan, asking about our opinion of him, because there are reports that he is being urged to run for the presidency.

“I responded by saying that he (Jonathan) is eligible to contest the election, because he is a Nigerian and has the right to do that by the provision of the law, and he still has one more term left. So, there is nothing wrong about him contesting the presidential election because he is eligible in the face of the law,” he said.

Abdullahi said Jonathan is just one of many prominent people, including 12 sitting governors, in the party who are eligible to seek the party’s presidential ticket.

He maintained that PDP would not need to woo Jonathan as the party has done enough for him.

Daily Sun

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a truck driver, Olalere Timileyin and his motor boy at Obada Oko, in Ewekoro local government area of the State, over the death of a man said to have been assaulted for allegedly stealing a tarpaulin.

The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Saturday.

Odutola stated that one Alao Fadipe of Iyana Ikereku at about 3 am on Friday, December 13, reported to the police how he saw some individuals fighting on the road in front of his house.

Fadipe reportedly told the police that upon getting to the scene, he observed that Timileyin, a truck driver and his motor-boy associated with a cement factory in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state were allegedly assaulting a man for stealing tarpaulin until he lost consciousness.

Odutola stated that, “acting on the complaint, detectives from Obada Oko responded and arrested the driver and his motor-boy at the location.

“The injured man was promptly taken to the State Hospital, Ijaye, for medical care, but sadly passed away during treatment.

“The body has been at the morgue for an autopsy. The suspects are currently being interrogated, and efforts are underway to reach the deceased’s family.

“The case will be forwarded to SCIID Eleweran for further investigation”.

The state command has also warned residents against street fights or any act of violence that could lead to a breach of peace during this yuletide and beyond.

Vanguard