Headlines

Governor Duoye Diri has been sworn in for a second term in office as Bayelsa governor.

He took his oath of office on Wednesday, February 14, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Goodluck Jonathan among others.

Diri polled a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his main rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Details shortly…

Men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested seven notorious kidnappers in Abuja, recovering N9 million ransom.

Parading the suspects on Wednesday, the FCT police commissioner, CP Benneth Igweh, said the kidnappers were arrested by operatives of the Utako police division led by CSP Victor Godfrey in a coordinated operation at Tudun – Wada Lugbe and Pyakasa area of Trademore.

He gave the names of the wanted kidnappers as Usman Muazu from Kwali, FCT, Aliyu Mohammed, from Pumpomare area of Borno state, Awwal Dahiru, who hails from Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, Rabi Sani, from Safana, Katsina state and Madina Abubakar, from Gulu, Lapai local government area of Niger state.

Others are, Jonah Elimelech from Kauru, Kaduna state, Saminu Idris, from also from Kauru, Kaduna state and Mariji Iliya from Mangu, Plateau state.

According to him, the suspects were linked to high profile kidnapping cases in FCT and its environs, saying all the suspects have confessed to their crime and are giving useful information to aid the arrest of other gang members.

He said other exhibits recovered from the suspects included knives, cutlasses, bullet proof vest and charms.

CP Igweh further disclosed that 79 suspects were also arrested during raids on various black spots by the police operatives from Trademore, Galadimawa, Maitama and Gwagwalada in the FCT.

He noted that the raid was part of the command efforts to rid FCT of crimes, as its operatives raided uncompleted buildings and also recovered substance suspected to be Indian hemp and some illicit drugs from the suspects.

“And we speak, the suspects who have been profiled are in custody undergoing interrogation at respective division, while those found wanting will be charge to court,” he said.

The Police says it has arrested a dismissed officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) who has been supplying military camouflage and other accoutrements to bandits terrorising Zamfara State.

According to the Police, Ahmed Mohammed, was attached to the Air Force Base, Kaduna, and only served in the NAF for just five years before he was court-martialled by the military for a yet-to-be-revealed offence.

Police spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that the dismissed NAF personnel introduced sale of military camouflage and other accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar who had supplied different camps of criminal gangs.

Adejobi said the duo had in the past supplied military camouflage to the notorious bandit, Bello Turji, and his gang members who have been terrorising the state.

Parading the suspects at the headquarters of Special Tactical Squad-Intelligence Response Team in Abuja on Tuesday, Adejobi listed items recovered from both Mohammed and Abubakar as 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms and 10 pieces camel pack.

Other items recovered include: 2 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 T-shirts, 2 belts and 3 anklets, adding that they were intercepted when they were transporting the items from Kaduna to Zamfara for bandits.

The senior police officer said, “On 20/12/2023 at about 1230hrs the operatives of the FID-STS intercepted the movement of military accoutrements from Kaduna to Zamfara state precisely Shinkafi LGA.

“In the process, a spot search was conducted and the following items were recovered; 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 pieces of camel pack, 12 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 t-shirts, 2 belts, and 3 anklets.

“The two suspects were arrested. The Mushiri Abubakar is a childhood friend of one Air Force personnel attached to the Air Force base in Kaduna state who served for only five years before being court marshalled and introduced the idea of selling military accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar.

“Further investigation revealed that same Mushiri Abubakar had supplied military materials to the Notorious Bello Turji.

Speaking further, the police spokesman told journalists that the operatives had resolved to dismantle the criminal syndicate, particularly those supplying arms and ammunition to bandits before going after the main criminals.

Unidentified men, suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), conducted a late-night operation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State, leading to outrage among students.

According to student accounts on social media, the incident occurred around 2 am on Wednesday morning when men allegedly forced their way into student lodges, including one Celebrity Lodge. Videos circulating online show broken window frames, suggesting forced entry.

Students took to social media, sharing their experiences and expressing anger. One user, J Brandy, wrote, “EFCC shouldn’t raid at night! This is outrageous! When will this end? EFCC officials acting like thieves!”

While details remain unclear, one video shows a man wearing an EFCC jacket. This incident comes just months after EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued a directive in November 2023 prohibiting late-night sting operations following a controversial arrest in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

FUTA authorities have yet to publicly comment on the alleged raid. The EFCC has also not issued an official statement confirming the involvement of its operatives.

The Chairman of the Ondo Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Fatai Adams is dead.

He reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday.

Ondo PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, who confirmed the incident, said the party would soon make official communication to the media on the matter.

“Yes it is true but we will soon communicate to you properly on the incident,” Peretei said.

Details shortly

A female hostel in the Yobe State University was gutted by fire on Tuesday, destroying a complete block accommodating about 150 students.

Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filling this report, an eyewitness told Channels Television correspondent that casualties have been evacuated to various hospitals located in the state capital.

Meanwhile, a protest rocked Damaturu, the state capital, on Tuesday, as the Association of Tricycle Drivers (NAPEP) expressed displeasure over what they called extortion by the Yobe State Road Transport Agency (YOROTA).

According to members of the group, the agency ordered fresh registration by every rider.

The protest crippled economic activities as many persons were seen stranded without means of transport to places of work. It is also affecting school children.

The FCT Administration (FCTA) has warned that over 9,671 title owners who failed to pay their ground rent in 2023 are at the risk of losing their lands if they fail to pay within two weeks.

Top on the list are foreign embassies, which the administration said were owing over $5.3m for failing to pay in 2023.

Others, according to a publication in some national dailies signed by Muhammad Hazat Sule, FCTA’s Director of Information and Communication, include companies and individuals who are collectively owing N2,205,079,937.

The publication reads in part: “The FCT Administration hereby reminds the general public, particularly allottees of land(s) within the FCT, of their obligation to the FCTA as stipulated in the covenanted terms of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to wit to pay in advance without demand to the Honourable Minister, FCT, the annual ground rent from the first day of January of each year.

“All allottees, property owners, as well as beneficiaries of the sale of federal government houses in the FCT who could not pay or settle their outstanding ground rent for the year 2023 are hereby advised in their interest to ensure payment within two weeks from the date of this publication; failure of which such titles shall be revoked.”

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Tuesday, urged the elite and residents of the territory to pay their taxes and ground rent to allow for adequate funding of projects and infrastructure development in the territory.

The minister made the plea during an inspection of ongoing projects, including the vice president’s residence under construction by Julius Berger; the Asokoro and Area 1 roundabouts on the Outer Southern Expressway being constructed by CGC Construction; the Wuye Bridge under construction by Arab Contractors and roads D6 and B12 being handled by Julius Berger.

Wike said, “First of all, whether inflation or not, that’s why we are here, to solve problems. With the taxes people pay, we try as much as we can to allocate it to the priority projects. Again, we don’t allow variation. Why? Because we also try to pay as at when due; so the issue of variation does not come in.”

The minister called for the support of residents of the FCT, noting that the paid taxes and ground rents were being managed judiciously to ensure the delivery of various projects.

Senator Ned Nwoko has urged the National Assembly to pass relevant legislation, such as the right to firearms, to guarantee further the safety of lives and property in Nigeria.

Mr Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and is a member of the Senate Committee on Defence, made the appeal in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

The lawmaker said insecurity in the country informed his decision to introduce to the Senate an amendment bill to allow civilians to own firearms.

He said the permission for self-defence would, however, depend on stringent conditions and regulations such as comprehensive training.

“This approach ensures that firearms are in the hands of responsible individuals who understand the gravity of such ownership and are equipped to handle these weapons safely.

“Nonetheless, this approach necessitates a meticulous regulatory framework and oversight to prevent any adverse consequences and prioritise public safety above all else,” Mr Nwoko said.

“My bill on self-defence and firearms ownership regulation, currently listed in the Senate awaiting its first reading, deals with this pressing issue.”

He said it was also important that Nigerians join the conversation on making the country safer, adding that it was wrong to leave it in the hands of governments alone.

“I am pleased that the topic has gained national significance, sparking diverse opinions and discussions that predominantly fall into two camps – one in opposition and the other in support.

“Allowing law-abiding citizens to possess firearms could potentially provide a sense of security and a means to protect themselves and their families from immediate threats.

“However, it is crucial to emphasise that the initiative to permit firearm ownership is accompanied by stringent regulations and comprehensive training,” Mr Nwoko said.

According to Mr Nwoko, a strengthened security system would minimise violent crimes.

“The persistent threats and violence have left many feeling vulnerable and defenceless,“ he said.

The legislator said his proposed legislation stipulates the involvement of grassroots leaders and the police before certification is given.

“The qualifications for firearm ownership must involve obtaining references from four medical doctors affirming mental soundness. It must include an endorsement from the local government chairman for the community validation, a traditional leader’s guarantor role emphasising cultural trust, and confirmation by the divisional police officer to verify the absence of criminal involvement.

“These requirements aim to ensure a comprehensive vetting process, emphasising mental fitness, community support, cultural ties, and a clean record for responsible firearm ownership,” the lawmaker said.

A final year student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) Olubodun Sanni, has killed one of his colleagues, Miss Adekunle Adebisi Ifeoluwa.

Sanni, a 21-year-old, was said to have stabbed his victim to death and stole her iPhone XR.

The victim, a 300-level student in the Department of Economics, was found dead on February 2nd inside the one-room apartment she rented outside the campus.

Ondo police commissioner, Abayomi Peter Oladipo, said the police discovered that the deceased phone was missing after the murder.

Abayomi, speaking while parading some suspects, stated that the police, through the use of modern technology, traced the phone to 21-year-old Sanni, who is also a neighbour to the deceased in the hostel.

He said: “The recovered phone led to further questioning of the suspect who gave details of what happened in his confessional statement.”

He said Sanni would be charged to court at the end of the investigation.

Abayomi also paraded one Umar Ibrahim, who killed his friend, Mohammadu Adamu.

Umar reportedly killed Adamu while they were on their way to Ogali through Kogi state.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has said the signature of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was forged by those who withdrew $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 8, 2023

Mustapha, who was testifying on Tuesday, February 13, in the trial of former governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, said his signature was also forged, adding that he knew nothing about the money reported to have been withdrawn for the payment of foreign election observer.

The ex-SGF said it was not the business of the federal government or the office of the SGF to request funds from the CBN for the payment of foreign election observers, saying it was solely the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deal with issues relating to election observers.

An official of the CBN, Michael Onyeka Ogbu had told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on Monday that the amount was given out in cash to an official from the office of the SGF, named Jibril Abubakar following approvals by President Buhari and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele following a request by the SGF.

Emefiele is accused by the prosecution of being behind the withdrawal.

Details shortly…