Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, have been summoned by the Nigeria Police Force to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.

This fresh summons comes less than 24 hours after Ajaero honored a previous police invitation related to allegations of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.

The police are now summoning both Ajaero and Ugboaja to respond to new allegations of criminal intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and malicious damage to properties.

The invitation was reportedly issued by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force.

This development signals an escalating tension between the NLC leadership and the Nigerian authorities, as the union has been at the forefront of challenging government policies and actions deemed detrimental to Nigerian workers and the general public.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it is seeking to engage reputable and credible Operations and Maintenance companies, to operate and maintain the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday on its official social media handle.

The Warri refinery located at Warri in Delta State was commissioned in 1978. Warri is a complex conversion refinery with a nameplate distillation capacity of 6,250,000 MTA (125,000 bpd). The refinery complex includes a petrochemical plant commissioned in 1988 with production capacities of 13,000 MTA of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black. The refinery is meant to supply markets in the south and southwest regions of Nigeria.

On its part, the Kaduna refinery was commissioned in 1980 to supply petroleum products to Northern Nigeria with a capacity of 50,000 B/D. In 1983, the capacity was expanded to 100,000 B/D by adding a second 50,000 B/D crude train dedicated to the production of lubricating oils (lubes). In 1986, the capacity of the first crude train was expanded to 60,000 B/D. The expansions have increased the current nameplate capacity of the refinery to 110,000 B/D

The first Plenary Meeting of the new Board of the Police Service Commission took place today, Friday, August 30th, 2024, with the promotion of 684 senior Police Officers.

The Meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni had in attendance, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, rtd, Honourable Commissioner and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.

Eight Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police while 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to the next rank of full Commissioners of Police. 52 Chief Superintendents of Police were also promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police, 525 Superintendents of Police promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police and 84 Deputy Superintendents promoted to Superintendents of Police. ASP Patrick Ebhodahe was also promoted to the next rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The eight Commissioners of Police and 15 Deputy Commissioners were subjected to some form of assessment/examination,a condition now precedent for their promotion to the new ranks.

Commission Chairman, DIG Argungu said the Officers must engage in deliberate self development through constant knowledge acquisition so as to be ready and
equipped to face the challenges of 21st century policing.

DIG Argungu said henceforth Police Officers must be subjected to formal examination before consideration for their promotion stressing that it is a requirement imposed on all Federal civil and public Servants by the Public Service Rules. He said the Police Officers will not be an exemption.

The PSC Chairman said the Commission must also ensure that promotions in the Police will be merit based and predictable. He assured that the Commission will not for any reason delay the promotion of deserving Officers but insisted that it must be earned.

He congratulated the promoted Officers on their new ranks but called for greater dedication to the service of their fatherland. DIG Argungu said they must be deliberate , committed and focused in the fight against insurgency and banditry in the Country and charged them to go and free the nation from all forms of insecurity.

The eight Commissioners of Police promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police are CP Benneth Igwe; Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command; Suleiman Mohammed Abdul, acting Assistant Inspector General of Police, PAB, Force Headquarters Abuja; CP Augustina Nwuka Ogbodo, CP Ebonyi State Command; CP Stephen Olanrewaju, CP Admin, Works, Force Headquarters Abuja; CP Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, CP Abia State Command; CP Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha, CP Lagos State Command; CP Adegboyega Funsho Adegboye, CP Admin, FID, Abuja and CP Mohammed Bala Labbo, CP Communication DICT Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police elevated to substantive Commissioners of Police are; DCP Innocent Ifeanyi Emenari, DCP State CID Taraba State Command; DCP Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, DCP DFA, Zone 5 Benin; DCP James Iroegbunam Nwokolo, DC DFA, Edo State Command; DCP Felix Nka Oben, DC Federal Operations, Force Headquarters Annex Lagos; DCP Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin DC Armament, Directorate of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja; DCP Ugobueze Ogbodo, Deputy Commandant, Police Detective College Enugu; DCP Ohagwu Felix Ndukwe, DC Department of Operations, Zone 11 Osogbo and DCP Taylor Lennox Olarewaju, DC, CCR, Lagos State.

Others are; DCP Sa’adatu Ismaila, DC Anti Human Trafficking Annex Lagos; DCP Olabode Adeleye Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary (DFS11), DCP Regina Cosmas Udoette, DC Department of Finance and Admin, Akwa Ibom State Command; DCP Francis Omatimeyin Gbiwen, DC, State CID Edo state Command; DCP Afolabi Wilfred Olatokunbo, DC Department of Finance and Admin, Delta State Command; DCP Ohiozoba Oyakhire Ehiede Acting CP Legal, FCID Force Headquarters Abuja and DCP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, DC, Department of Finance and Admin FID.

The Commission has conveyed its approval to the Inspector General of Police for Implementation and further necessary action.

Ikechukwu Ani
Head, Press and Public Relations
Friday, August 30th 2024

Nigeria’s music legend, Onyeka Onwenu, fondly known as the “Elegant Stallion,” will be laid to rest today in Lagos. The celebrated artist passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and impactful activism.

Onyeka Onwenu’s sudden demise occurred after she collapsed at an event honoring Dr. Stella Okoli, the Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was rushed to Reddington Hospital in Ikeja, where she sadly passed away.

The funeral service, announced by her family, will take place at the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos. A private burial will follow at a vault in Ikoyi, as reported by CKN News.

According to a funeral flyer released by the family, the Service of Songs will commence at 10:00 AM and last until noon, while the burial will take place between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Onyeka Onwenu was a multi-talented figure who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry. She was not only a renowned musician but also a broadcaster, actress, politician, and activist.

As the nation bids farewell to one of its most revered cultural icons, the funeral is expected to draw dignitaries, celebrities, and fans who have admired Onyeka Onwenu’s work and contributions to the country. She is survived by her two sons, who will continue to carry on her legacy.

Gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram Terrorist group, on Friday launched an attack on Faudiya School in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and killed several students.

According to reports, the gunmen invaded the school located in Hausari quarters in Geidam LGA around 3:44am, on Friday while the students were sleeping. They then matched the students outside and shot them.

The school belongs to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shiia sect in Nigeria.

An Eye witness who choose to remain anonymous gave his statement saying, “They (gunmen) attacked the school when these youth were asleep and brought them outside and shot them dead.

“There is tension and concern in the town after this incident. People are terrified over this unfortunate incident,” the source said.

Another source from the vigilantes’ command claimed that three members of the Shiia sect were killed while one sustained injuries.

“We don’t know who they (gunmen) are but, all we knew is that they killed three students in the school. One person who tried to escape during the incident was injured and he has been hospitalized,” he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Police Command, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the attack, but did not give further details.

The Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals across Nigeria, according to Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs for these facilities and alleviate financial burdens on patients.

Dr. Alausa made this announcement during his visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, where he also inaugurated the Electronic Health Records system and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex.

In addition, the Minister launched a solarization project at the dialysis unit, featuring a solar-powered borehole and a 10.2 KVA inverter equipped with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre.

Dr. Alausa also announced plans to rebrand Federal Hospitals as Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and reduce stigma, allowing for the continuous expansion of services while maintaining core psychiatric services.

The Minister expressed his trust in Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, citing the institution’s achievements as a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign commitments.

During his visit to the National Eye Care Centre, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Dr. G.O Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit, but noted that the ongoing warning strike by Resident Doctors is hindering efforts to secure the release of kidnapped physician, Ganiyat Popoola.

Dr. Alausa urged patience and reassured the hospital administration that the abducted doctor would be returned shortly, and outlined plans to engage with medical personnel abroad about the significant migration of medical professionals to other countries.

Despite inherited structural challenges, the Minister affirmed that President Tinubu is in active discussions with state governments to enhance initiatives related to Health Science Universities, aiming to increase annual health sciences enrollment from 24,000 to 100,000.

Earlier, Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, highlighted the centre’s specialized eye care services, training, and research opportunities, established in 1979.

“Kidnapping Epidemic: 27 Nigerian States Record Ransom Payments”

A recent report by SBM Intelligence on Nigeria’s security landscape reveals a disturbing trend of widespread kidnapping-for-ransom activities across most states in the country.

Between July 2023 and July 2024, 27 out of 36 states recorded ransom payments to kidnappers, leaving only nine states ransom-free.

The nine states that have remained ransom-free are Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Oyo, Gombe, Taraba, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Kebbi. This indicates that the majority of Nigerian states are grappling with the challenge of kidnapping-for-ransom.

The report highlights the alarming scale of ransom payments, with Anambra state recording the highest ransom payment of N350 million, followed by Rivers state with N67.7 million, Nasarawa with N55.5 million, and Borno with N34.2 million.

According to the report, a total of 7,568 people were abducted across the country between July 2023 and July 2024. This staggering number underscores the severity of the kidnapping crisis in Nigeria.

The report identifies several factors contributing to the insecurity, including Boko Haram’s resurgence in the Northeast, armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related issues in the Southwest.

The kidnappers demanded a total of N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) as ransom but

Tragedy struck on August 28, 2024, when Halliru Liman, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Wasagu Division in Kebbi state, was brutally shot and killed by a soldier at a checkpoint in Zamfara state.

According to Yazid Abubakar, spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, Liman was on his way to attend a crucial meeting in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi state, when he was stopped by military personnel at Danmarke area in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Despite clearly identifying himself as a police officer, Liman was murdered on the spot by the military personnel, led by one Hassan, attached to Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) Sector 6.

The circumstances surrounding this heinous crime are alarming and unacceptable, and the police command has demanded a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to book.

The Zamfara State Police Command has condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as a senseless and unwarranted attack on a law enforcement officer.

The command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, released a statement on Thursday, calling for a full-scale investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding Liman’s death.

The police command is urging the relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for Liman’s murder are held accountable.

The incident has sparked outrage and concern among law enforcement agencies and the general public, and there are calls for greater collaboration and coordination between security agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.

A Texas court has convicted Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian Pilot, of providing false information to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a result, he is now facing a five-year prison sentence.

Leading Reporters gathered that after his guilty verdict, US District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered the detention of the Nigerian pilot until his sentencing.

US Attorney Robert Troester released a statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website announcing the conviction of Olukayode Ojo. According to the statement, Ojo was found guilty on August 16, 2024, for making false statements in an attempt to obtain a medical certificate required to pilot a commercial passenger aircraft.

Troester noted that the case was part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.

He said, “On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.

“Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

“Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.”

The convict faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 for each count.