Nigeria Police Admits ‘Photoshopping’ Pictures of Suspects

Image

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigeria Police Force has admitted that it photoshopped pictures of suspects posted on its social media handles on Tuesday.

The lead agency for maintaining internal security in Nigeria had announced yesterday that its operatives apprehended some criminal suspects with arms. Their photos were posted along with the information.

However, the eagle eyes of some Nigerians spotted some anomalies in the images posted by the police and concluded that it was photoshopped.

On Wednesday, spokesman of the police, Mr Frank Mba, issued a statement on the matter, admitting that the pictures of the suspects were taken separately and merged into one “for a seamless understanding of the storyline.”

However, Mr Mba emphasised that the decision to photoshop the image was not to falsify the information or misrepresent or deceive members of the public.

To set the record straight, in the case involving one Talatu Ibrahim, female, 40years old from Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State from whom six (6) AK49 rifles were recovered and one other, Duleji Alhaji Abubakar a.k.a Ori jeje who gets arms supply from her to carry out series of kidnapping and armed robbery in Kwara State, the pictures are an authentic and true representation of the suspects and exhibits. However, the pictures were taken separately and merged into one screen for a seamless understanding of the storyline. The arms showcased in the picture were the exhibits recovered by Police operatives from the suspects.

“Similarly, with respect to the photo of the re-arrested inmates who escaped from lawful custody at the Oko Correctional Centre, Benin City during the #EndSARS protests, one of the suspects, Alhaji Hudu Musa a.k.a Mai Cellular, had already been taken out for investigation purposes at the time the group picture was taken on December 1, 2020, a day after the public parade of the suspects.

“His picture was, therefore, taken separately and merged with the three others in the group picture for presentation purpose and to enable readers and viewers have a one-stop glance of the suspects in the story for easy follow-up and understanding,” he explained.

Mr Mba further stressed that, “It is imperative to state that editing photographs only becomes unethical or condemnable if the purpose is to create non-existing facts, misrepresent the facts or engage in outright falsification of the images or figures for purposes of deception or other ulterior goals. None of these was the case in the above two scenarios.”

“The Force, therefore, enjoins members of the public to discountenance reports and comments that the images were falsified,” he added.

Share
Related Stories
Image
12-March-2024

Budget Padding: Senate Suspends Abdul Ningi for Three Months

By Dipo Olowookere Senator Abdul Ningi has been suspended by the Senate for three months over his allegations that the 2024 budget was padded with about N3.7 trillion. The opposition lawmaker was slammed with the suspension at the plenary on Tuesday after his colleagues debated his allegations and interview in the media. Mr Ningi, who was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Bauchi Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had claimed in an interview with BBC Hausa that the N28.7 trillion budget of 2024 was padded with N3.7 trillion. When he was asked

Image
08-March-2024

NBC Challenges Judgement Against Imposition of Fines on Broadcast Stations

By Emmanuel Udom The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has challenged the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, which said it has no powers to impose sanctions on erring broadcast stations in Nigeria. Justice James Omotosho had on November 23, 2023, held that the regulator cannot be a judge in its case by imposing fines on broadcast media platforms it believes violated the broadcasting rules. On March 1, 2019, NBC announced the imposition of a fine of N500,000 each on 45 broadcast stations for alleged contraventions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Angered by this, an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Noah

Image
10-March-2024

SERAP Tells NCC to Reverse Directive to Block Phone Lines

By Adedapo Adesanya  In its latest move, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately revoke the directive to network providers to bar the phone lines of millions of Nigerians who have not linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs). SERAP also urged the commission to “restore the phone lines of these Nigerians, and to urgently establish a mechanism for effective consultation to provide Nigerians who are yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs with the appropriate support and infrastructure and adequate time and opportunity to do

Image
13-March-2024

Nigeria Lifts Embargo on Niger Republic, Opens Borders

By Adedapo Adesanya Nigeria has opened the land and air borders with the Republic of Niger as it lifted other sanctions on the neighbouring country following a coup last year. According to a statement from Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger with immediate effect. This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja. ECOWAS leaders

More Stories
Image
13-July-2021

Three Securities Trigger 2.3% Growth on NASD Trading Platform

By Adedapo Adesanya The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange opened the new week on a positive note after it recorded a 2.25 per cent growth, triggered by three securities. Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc, Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc, and UBN Property Plc were the three stocks responsible for the growth witnessed yesterday at the NASD trading platform. NDEP Plc was the day’s highest gainer as it gained N19.50 or 8.9 per cent to close at N300 per share compared with the previous N280.50 per share. On its part, CSCS Plc appreciated by N1.65 or 6.5 per

Image
17-July-2022

Standard Chartered, Liverpool FC Extend Sponsorship Deal

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The sponsorship deal between Standard Chartered Bank and Liverpool Football Club of England has been extended by four years, terminating in the 2026/27 season. The contract also extends to the Liverpool Football Club Women and will make the lender appear on the front of the shirt of the football outfit until the end of the 2026/27 season. Standard Chartered first signed up as the club’s main sponsor in July 2010, making the partnership one of the longest in the Premier League, and has been at a time in which Liverpool FC has enjoyed tremendous success. In this

Image
07-April-2018

Pogba’s Brace in 98 Seconds Buoys United Comeback Win at Etihad

By Dipo Olowookere Two goals scored in quick succession by Paul Pogba inspired a Manchester United win over their ‘noisy neighbours’ in the Saturday’s late kick off. Manchester City were hoping to claim the English Premier League title today by beating their city rival, but the red side North-West of England had other plans. They came from two down in the first half to spoil the title party for the Blue part of Manchester in the second half. Captain Vincent Kompany put the Pep Guardiola-led team ahead with a stunning header from a corner, while İlkay Gündoğan put the second

Image
05-July-2018

VAIDS: FG to Release Names of Tax Defaulters Mid-July

By Dipo Olowookere The Nigerian government has threatened to release list of tax defaulters in the country before the end of this month. Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Mr Babatunde Fowler, dropped this hint on Wednesday after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja. Mr Fowler, who was addressing newsmen on update of the Voluntary Assets Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which ended on June 30, 2018, said the next step will be to release the list by the middle of July 2018. The VAIDS was launched on July 1, 2017 by Vice President Yemi

Image
13-January-2021

COVID-19: UNICEF Highlights Impact of School Closure

By Ahmed Rahma One of the most widespread and recognisable social welfare organisations in the world, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has highlighted the impacts of school closure on the students. In a statement yesterday, while speaking about schools closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, the agency warned that the number of out-of-school children could rise by 24 million to a level not seen in years. Revealing the percentage of students the action has affected worldwide, it said, “School closures have affected 90 per cent of students worldwide and denied a third of school children access to remote education.” “Children’s

Image
09-May-2021

Naira Appreciates at Black Market, I&E

By Adedapo Adesanya The Naira strengthened against the US Dollar, the Pound Sterling, and the Euro at the parallel market segment of the foreign exchange market on Friday, May 7. At the window, which caters for demands not met by government-regulated channels, the local currency gained N2 on the US currency as it sold for N483/$1 in contrast to N485/$1 it quoted at the previous session.   Following the same pattern, the Nigerian currency gained N4 against the Pound Sterling to finish the final trading session of the week at N672/£1 compared to N676/£1 it traded a day earlier. On the Euro,

Image
29-January-2017

GTBank Appoints Obebeduo as Secretary

By Dipo Olowookere One of the leading commercial banks in Nigeria, GTBank, has announced the appointment of Mr Erhi Obebeduo as its new Secretary. Mr Obebeduo was appointed following the resignation of Mrs Olutola Omotola as Secretary of GTBank. In a statement signed by the Head of Communications & External Affairs at GTBank, Mrs Oyinade Adegbite, it was stated that the appointment of the appointee was approved by the board of directors of the bank and it took effect on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. It was revealed that Mr Obebeduo is a seasoned lawyer with over 18 years post call

Image
07-January-2022

Xend Finance Launches Crypto Banking App to Tackle Devaluation, Inflation

By Adedapo Adesanya Committed to solving currency devaluation and inflation, Xend Finance, a fast-growing startup that uses decentralized finance (DeFi), has launched the first global cryptocurrency banking app out of Africa. The blockchain-based application allows users to save in stable currencies in order to hedge against inflation and devaluation. The launch of the Xend Finance app officially shows how blockchain technology can be applied in the changing banking environment with continuous migration from traditional banking to digital banking. According to the company, it is bringing a whole new terrain with crypto banking. “The absolutely interesting part about this is that

Ad
Ad
Recent Stories
Image
19-March-2024

Brent Jumps to $86 Per Barrel on Low Crude Exports, Stronger Demand

By Adedapo Adesanya  The price of the international crude benchmark, Brent Crude, rose by 88 cents or 1.0 per cent to $86.22 per barrel on Monday, triggered by lower crude exports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and signs of stronger demand and economic growth in China and the US. Also, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude appreciated by $1.01 or 1.3 per cent to $82.05 per barrel, as Iraq, the second-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), said it would reduce crude exports to 3.3 million barrels a day in the coming months to compensate

Image
18-March-2024

Cardoso Begins CBN Clean-up, Removes Directors Close to Emefiele

By Aduragbemi Omiyale There are strong indications that some directors at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have to lose their jobs in the in-house clean-up exercise by the Governor, Mr Yemi Cardoso. Reports suggest that Mr Cardoso wants to let go of some directors who worked closely with Mr Godwin Emefiele, who President Bola Tinubu believes worked to stop him from going to Aso Rock. Recall that during his electioneering campaign, Mr Tinubu accused the former CBN chief and some persons of introducing the botched Naira redesign policy to frustrate him. Immediately after he assumed office on May

Image
18-March-2024

Profit-Taking Depletes Nigerian Exchange by 0.40%

By Dipo Olowookere The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited succumbed to profit-taking on Monday, shedding 0.40 per cent despite a bullish investor sentiment. The local bourse ended with 27 price gainers and 18 price losers today, implying a positive market breadth index. The selling pressure was just investors booking profit after gains in the past few trading sessions, especially in MTN Nigeria, GTCO, Zenith Bank and others. The heaviest price depreciation was recorded by McNichols, 9.30 per cent, closing at N1.17, and was trailed by DAAR Communications, which shed 8.97 per cent to 71 Kobo. UPDC declined by 7.89 per cent

Image
18-March-2024

NCC Announces 90% Restoration of Voice, Data Services After Cable Cuts

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has announced that voice and data services affected by undersea cable cuts last week have been 90 per cent restored. In a series of tweets signed by Mr Reuben Muoka, the Director of Public Affairs at the commission on Monday, March 18, the NCC said, “Following the disruption on March 14, 2024, which affected data and voice services due to cuts in undersea fibre optics along the coasts of Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, we are pleased to announce that services have now been restored to approximately 90% of their peak utilization capacities.”

Image
18-March-2024

Unity Bank, SkillPaddy to Train Female Software Engineers

By Modupe Gbadeyanka At least 1,000 female software engineers will undergo a training programme organised by SkillPaddy through its Count Her In tech programme with support from Unity Bank Plc. The IT skill development and empowerment initiative is intended to bridge talent supply gaps while providing individuals with the opportunity to meet their training goals and launch careers in the tech industry. It was disclosed that about 40 young girls will receive full sponsorship from Unity Bank in the special training initiative which was conceived as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day 2024. All beneficiaries of

Image
18-March-2024

Your Moods Soundtracked With Spotify’s New Daylist Feature

Throughout the day, your mood changes, and so does the music you listen to. Last night might have been an island vibes riddim Monday night, while this moment is more of a nostalgic 2010s Tuesday afternoon. The point is, that you’re ever-changing, and your playlists should be too. Say hello to daylist, your day in a playlist. This new, one-of-a-kind playlist on Spotify ebbs and flows with unique vibes, bringing together the niche music you typically listen to during particular moments in the day or on specific days of the week. It updates frequently between sunrise and sunset with a

Image
18-March-2024

Stanbic IBTC Adopts Mala Kachallah Model School, Three Others

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Mala Kachallah Model School in Maiduguri, Borno State; Methodist School Mbiafun Nkwono Ikono, Akwa Ibom State; Aramoko District School, Aramoko Ekiti State; and Magin Rafi Model Primary School Tudun Wada, Sokoto State have been adopted by Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. The leading financial services provider in Nigeria revamped these citadels of learning under its Adopt-a-School programme structured on the company’s Social, Environmental, and Economic (SEE) framework, which aligns with its mission to be a responsible corporate citizen. It was learned that Stanbic IBTC renovated and rebuilt classroom blocks, provided modern and conducive learning environments, furnished classrooms, established

Image
18-March-2024

Nigeria’s Data Regulator Investigates Alleged NIMC Breach

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is investigating allegations of unauthorised access to the personal data of enrollees in the database of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This was disclosed by Mr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the data regulation body in a statement signed by Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, NPDC, Mr Babatunde Bamigboye on Monday. He said the investigation is a further regulatory measure to be taken by the commission in the wake of public concerns over reports of illegal access, to the personal data of enrollees by a shadowy entity called

Image
18-March-2024

Russia Validates Partnership with Republic of Congo

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh Over the years, Russia and the Republic of Congo have had good bilateral relations and, undoubtedly, there are still prospects for strengthening these relations, especially in the economy and security spheres as underlined during the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Denis Sassou-Nguesso in the Kremlin. “Our countries have always had friendly relations that have been developing this way for 55 years now. Our trade is growing – by over 60 per cent – although, unfortunately, the numbers in absolute terms are still modest. But, we have good potential in several industries, such as energy, the processing

Image
18-March-2024

2,250 Professionals for Interswitch Job Shadowing Programme

By Modupe Gbadeyanka An initiative known as Job Shadowing Programme designed to empower about 2,250 professionals through immersive training, tailored coaching, and mentorship sessions has been introduced by one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, Interswitch. A statement disclosed that the mentorship sessions would span diverse disciplines such as engineering, product management, operations, marketing, finance, and human resources. The firm explained that the scheme was designed to nurture emerging talent and enhance capabilities within the continent’s tech sector. Scheduled to run from March to June 2024, participants will immerse themselves in comprehensive training, gaining insights into industry