Tag:

Federal Capital Territory

Headlines

Insecurity: Fear Grips FCT Residents as IGP Orders Security Beef Up

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Following series of attack by bandits in the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered a beef up of security in the territory in order to fortify the nation’s capital against terrorists.

Residents of Abuja have been living in fear since the invasion of Kuje Prison by Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) on July 5, 2022.

Over 800 inmates, including all the Boko Haram suspects in detention were released during the invasion.

There have been several leaked memos of intelligence agencies on the plots to attack the nation’s capital.

However, the ambush of troops attached to the Presidential Guards Brigade heightened the worry of FCT residents.

Daily Trust had reported how a captain and two soldiers were killed by terrorists in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Sunday night

The deceased officers, who were attacked after they visited the Nigeria Law School in Bwari following a distressed call from the authorities of the school.

The school management was said to have alerted that terrorists had dropped a letter indicating an imminent attack.

In a statement on Tuesday, Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP had charged the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to collaborate with residents in order to ward off adversaries.

He added that the force is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the criminals are brought to their kneels.

”We are not leaving any stone unturned to fortify the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

”The IGP has ordered for additional deployment of assets to Strategic areas of the FCT while the Force Intelligence Bureau has been charged on robust Intelligence gathering and information sharing amongst other agencies.

”All residents of the FCT are urged to synergise and be on the same page with the Police and other security agencies in making sure that we forestall any ugly incidences in and around the FCT,” the statement read.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Bread Price Increase: FCT Residents go for Yam as Alternative

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory have began consuming food that serve as alternatives following recurring increase in prices of bread.

Many of them have also been complaining over the price increase itself, while appealing to the Federal Government to address challenges facing bakers in Nigeria.

Some of the residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that recurring increase in the price of bread has deprived a lot of families the opportunity of eating it at will.

Mrs Esther Oluniyi, a mother of four and civil servant said bread used to be the only affordable and available ready to eat food for most Nigerian households.

Oluniyi added that with the recent increase in the price of bread, it has now become an unaffordable and unavailable food item on every family’s table.

“The bread I used to buy for N500 about two months ago is now N700 to N800.

“Before, I used to buy two to three loaves per day, but now I can only afford four loaves per week, which means our consumption of bread has reduced and the business for the seller is dying.

I have replaced bread with yam and egg, pap and akara,” she said.

Oluniyi however appealed to the government to look into the cost of bread and find a lasting solution.

Mrs Sukanmi Johnson, a mother of three, also a civil servant, said a lot of families now have alternatives to bread due to the recent increase in the price of bread.

“I now have an alternative to bread for me and my children. Instead of buying bread everyday, we now rotate it with potato, yam, pap, spaghetti and other types of food,” Johnson said.

She said it would be good for the government to assist farmers to cultivate wheat in Nigeria so Nigeria would not depend on other countries for wheat importation.

I believe that the earlier we start eating what we grow and grow what we eat, the better it would be for the country.

“I know that it was the recent increase in the price of raw materials for bread production that made the price of bread to increase.

“So, there is need for the government to help manufacturers reduce cost of production,” Johnson said.

Bisi Divine-Grace, a seven year old pupil said the recent increase in the price of bread has forced her parents to reduce the number of loaves they eat per day.

“We now take three slices of bread for breakfast instead five to six that we normally eat.

“If you want to take more than three slices, mummy will be shouting bread is now expensive o,”
Divine-Grace said.

Ms Peace Okhuasogie, the Manager of Nextar Bakery said the recent increase in the price of bread has affected bakers’ production level negatively nationwide.

According to Okhuasogie, because of the increase, most bakeries in the FCT have been forced to close down.

“And the ones that are not closed down are struggling to continue production,” she said.

Okhuasogie however appealed to the government and other private sector stakeholders to intervene urgently in the sector which she said “is about to collapse”.

(NAN)

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Demolition: Gunshots in FCT as Scavengers Clash with Residents

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There was pandemonium at Dutse Makaranta in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, on Friday, when some scavengers popularly known as ‘baban bola’ and residents clashed over alleged stealing of properties.

According to report, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had demolished over hundred houses in the area between Wednesday and Friday.

It was gathered that trouble began when the scavengers, who are mostly Hausa boys, stormed the area and carted away valuables belonging to the displaced landlords.

When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, said she would inquire and revert.

Meanwhile, a resident who identified himself simply as John, said the baban bola boys stormed the demolition site on Thursday night and went away with several items.

“They were still coming to the place this morning before our people got angry and chased them away. Unknown to us, they went and gathered themselves and came back to attack us.

“If not for the security officers that came on time, there would have been a bloodbath here today.

“Our fear now is whether they will return today and still attack us. As you can see, there is tension everywhere here”.

Officers of the Nigeria Police who responded to distress call, were shooting sporadically to disperse the scavengers as at the press time.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Protest Rocks FCT over Council Chairmen Tenure Extension

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory have taken to the streets to protest the tenure extension of six area councils’ chairmen and councillors.

The PUNCH gathered that the chairmen and councillors’ terms in office elapsed on Thursday and the newly-elected officials were supposed to be sworn in today.

But the FCT minister, Muhammad Bello, cited a court judgement and extended the officials’ tenure by one year.

Displeased by the extension, residents in the Gwagwalada Area Council on Friday morning took to the streets.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Senate Okays Bill Seeking To Make Abuja Landlords Collect Rent Monthly

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to regulate rent payments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Senate has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to regulate rent payments in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC, Kogi), specifically seeks to stop yearly advance payment of rents and compel house owners to collect rent monthly in arrears.

Adeyemi, in his lead debate, said the bill was to cushion the effect of outrageous rents on properties on residents in the nation’s capital.

He said many properties in Abuja were empty because of the outrageous rents placed on them.

“Many residents of FCT are finding it very difficult to cope with huge rent payment, the reason many of the houses built for such purpose are empty.”

He said some landlords always insist their tenants pay one year or two years rent.

“That is wrong. There are many tenants whose salaries are competing with their rents because they live in cities like Abuja,” he said.

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger), described the proposed law as people-centred and urged his colleagues to support its passage.

“There’s no gain saying that many residents in FCT are groaning under this difficult system where tenants are asked to pay house rent yearly in advance,” Abdullahi said.

Senators Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto) and Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi) all threw their weights behind the bill.

Na’Allah said the system where tenants — many of whom receive meagre salaries — are forced to pay rent annually in advance encourages corruption.

“Where we operate a system that makes it difficult for people to survive, then we may not be able fight corruption notwithstanding the resources deployed for the purpose,” he said.

Only Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP, Enugu) opposed the bill, saying rents are determined by market forces, like cost of acquiring land and building materials.

His position, however, did not stop the passage of the bill for second reading.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Immigration Raises Alarm Over Planned Terrorists Christmas Attack in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

For the umpteenth time, the Nigerian Government has uncovered alleged plans by terrorists to launch coordinated attacks in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The latest makes it the fourth time in the last one year that Nigerian security forces and paramilitary agencies would be alerted about alleged plans by terrorists to wreak havoc in the federal capital.

The Nigeria Immigration Service, in a memo addressed to its sector commanders across 23 borders posts, said it received an urgent security report from the Presidency about the planned attacks.

The terrorists are planning to launch the attacks during the Christmas holidays “between 17th and 31st December, 2021,” said the memo dated December 23, 2021 and signed by Edirin Okoto, the NIS Land Border Patrol Commander.

According to the memo, an Algerian, Drahmane Ould Ali, otherwise known as Mohammed Ould Sidat, is leading the planned attack.

His accomplices were identified as one Zahid Aminon from Niger Republic and four Nigerians.

“The report indicates the duo are enroute Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY. That these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.

“It is further reported that Ali holds Algerian Diplomatic Passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim.

“Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all our entry/exit points- Air, Land, Sea/Marine, including, but not limited to, surveillance, rigorous search on persons and vehicles, transhumance, to effectuate the immediate arrest of these terrorists/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.”

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had similarly raised the alarm about plans by Boko Haram insurgents to carry out massive attacks in the FCT in 2020.

The NCS, in a memo dated September 4, 2020 with reference number NCS/ENF/ABJ/180/SI/VOL11, said that the terrorists had set up camps at fringes of the FCT to “attack some select targets within the territory.”

The Defence Headquarters had confirmed the alleged plan but assured “residents of FCT and other adjoining states that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have been on red alert to combat crime and ensure effective surveillance of the Federal Capital Territory and other states of the country.”

In May 2021, the Nigerian Police Force also alerted its officers about plans by Boko Haram to attack the FCT and Plateau State, amongst others.

An internal memo with reference number TB: O900/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOLT1/47 and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, CP Idowu Owohunwa, had said: “Intelligence report at the disposal of the Inspector-General of Police has uncovered plans by Boko Haram Terrorists to attack major cities in the country, particularly in Jos, Plateau State and the FCT, Abuja.

“The proposed attacks would be coordinated by the duo of Muhammad Sani, a Boko Haram Commander, domiciled in Sambisa Forest and his Deputy, Suleman (fnu), hibernating around Lawan Musa Zango, Gashua, Yobe State.

“In light of the above, it is the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you review your security architecture across all critical Government infrastructures and Police facilities in your jurisdiction with 4 view to checkmating the dastardly plans of this marauding terrorists”.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Police ban use of tinted Glass Vehicles in FCT

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has placed a ban on the use of tinted glass vehicles and covered number plates within Abuja, saying violators would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Babaji Sunday, made the disclosure yesterday while parading 26 arrested suspects for their alleged involvement in crimes ranging from kidnapping, drug trafficking, car theft, armed robbery, among other sundry crimes.

Read Also: Alleged Influx of Terrorists into FCT: Police shares Emergency Numbers

CP Babaji said operatives from Dawaki Police Division acting on a tip-off arrested one Danjuma Mohammed aged 38 years in possession of two AK 47 rifles and 60 rounds of live ammunitions while transporting exhibits.

He added: “Consequent upon his arrest, police investigation led to the arrest of Yahaya Musa, 47, and Shagari Ahmadu, 42, who are members of the same syndicate which specialises in kidnapping their victims for ransom around Bwari/Kwali axis of the FCT.

“During a clearance operation launched at their camp in Bwari axis, police operatives from Bwari Division recovered two AK 47 rifles and 90 rounds of live ammunition abandoned by the suspects who escaped the camp on sighting the operatives.

“On 27th August, 2021, the Command’s anti-car theft section arrested one David Friday, 25, and his accomplice Moses Benjamin, 34, for stealing a Toyota corolla car at Goza market, Airport road.

Read Also: FCT Residents to AEDC: We can’t keep paying for Darkness, Lacking other Amenities

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the car belongs to his employer and the suspect fabricated a spare key of the car which he handed over to his accomplice to steal the said car from where it was parked.

The car has been recovered. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation.”

Babaji, who expressed satisfaction with operations conducted by operatives of the command in recent weeks, said the command has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing fight against crime, with the smashing of a notorious kidnapping syndicate where positive arrests were made and arms and ammunitions recovered.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
BusinessHeadlines

Hunger ravages Nigerian as consumable cereals record 253%, 51% price jump

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Farmers decry worsening insecurity, FG promises intervention
The cost of food items in Nigeria has been recording significant increases in the past one year.

A survey carried out by our correspondents in markets across Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory showed that staple food commodities have witnessed astronomical price hikes.

Findings showed that within a one-year period, the cost of 50kg of beans rose by about 253 per cent, a basket of tomatoes leaped by 123 per cent, while the price of 50kg of rice rose by 51.48 per cent.

Other commodities such as bread, garri and onions also witnessed sharp increases in their prices during the period under review.

The food commodities surveyed included rice, beans, garri, maize, tomatoes, onions and bread, while the time frames examined were July 2020, January 2021 and July 2021.

In July 2020, the cost of one mudu of rice was N420.63, while 50kg of rice was between N21,125 and N28,500.

A price increase occurred in January 2021, with one mudu of rice rising to N500, while 50kg of rice was between N23,750 and N24,500.

The increase continued until in July 2021 as one mudu of rice rose to N1,100, while 50kg of rice increased to an average of N32,000.

As of July 2020, one mudu of beans cost N305.48, while 50kg of beans was N12,750.

However, by January 2021, the price of a mudu of beans had climbed to N373, while 50kg of beans was N30,000.

The increase continued in July 2021, with one mudu of beans costing N900, while 50kg of beans had risen to N45,000.

Between July 2020 to January 2021, the cost of a 1kg and onions rose from N180.56 to N411, while one big bag of onions climbed from N17,000 to N21,500.

In July 2020, the cost of one mudu of garri was N247.62, while 50kg of garri was N11,500.

A price increase occurred in January 2021, with one mudu of garri selling for N300, while 50kg of garri sold between N10,750 to N11,125.

The increase continued until in July 2021 with one mudu of garri going for N450 while 50kg of garri sold for N14,500.

In July 2020, a mudu of maize was sold for N186.89 to N184.52, while 50kg of maize was N17,500 to N17,250.

A price increase occurred in January 2021 with one mudu of maize selling for N216 to N230, while 50kg of maize was N20,000 to N20,167.

The increase continued in July 2021 with one mudu of maize selling N400, while 50kg of maize sold between N22,000 and N24,000.

In July 2020, the cost of 1kg of tomatoes was N284.49, while a big basket of tomatoes was N8,500.

A price drop occurred in January 2021 with 1kg of tomatoes going for N152, while a big basket of tomatoes sold for N6,500.

However, as of July 23, 2021 when this report was filed, 1kg of tomatoes cost N1,000, while a big basket of tomatoes was sold for N19,000.

The cost of bread continued to rise steadily within the review period.

As of July 2020, the cost of one loaf of bread was N375. The same unit was sold for N500 in January 2021 and N600 as of July 2021.

The composite food index (a measure of food inflation) rose to 21.83 per cent in June compared to 22.28 per cent in May 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

This rise was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, milk, cheese and eggs, fish, soft drinks, vegetables, oils and fats, and meat.

In January, food inflation was 20.57 per cent, compared to 19.56 per cent in December 2020. This rise was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, meat, fruits, vegetable, fish and oils and fats.

In June 2020, food inflation was 15.18 per cent. An increase caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fruits, oils and fats, meat, fish and vegetables.

According to the NBS, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (30.34 per cent), Enugu (25.18 per cent) and Kwara (24.78 per cent), and lowest in Bauchi (18.97per cent), River (18.92per cent) and Abuja (17.09per cent) in June, 2021.

On month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Jigawa (2.67 per cent), Edo (2.43 per cent) and Cross River (2.16 per cent), and lowest in Lagos (0.14 per cent), Borno (0.06 per cent) and Kwara (0.02 per cent) in June, 2021.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Alleged Influx of Terrorists into FCT: Police shares Emergency Numbers

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Nigeria Police, Abuja Command has shared numbers through which police units within the Federal Capital Territory could be reached in the event of any emergencies or suspicious activities.

This follows reports that Terrorists have, in large numbers, invaded the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from the border villages.

The numbers are;

Maitama – 08038485123
Central Police Station – 08033568389
Lugbe – 08037882321
Wuse – 08053088102
National Assembly – 08065777706; 08045317637
Asokoro – 07028134449
Nyanya – 08046115181
Utako – 07055888119; 07038621264
Karshi – 08023565354
Wuye – 08023314440
Karu – 08036249825
Gwarimpa – 08059113555
Karmo – 08033773129
Garki – 08033560903
Life Camp – 08058036613
Kubwa – 08036134478
Gwagwa – 08035537989
Zuba – 08075804475
Dutsen Alhaji – 08053089999
Bwari – 08075804475
Kuje – 07030800531
Kwali – 08033062496
Roboci – 08060568342
Gwagwalada – 08057467369
Abaji – 08037209328

Abuja residents have been enjoined to share this to any of their relatives resident around the FCT.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Water Scarcity: Tankers Begin Distribution To Abuja Residents

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

After more than one week of water scarcity in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, the management of the FCT water board has begun distribution of water to residents of the affected areas.

Residents who depend on water board in Kubwa, Garki, Durumi and Area One, amongst others, had been without water as a result of the ongoing repair works on the agency’s trunk line at the lower Usuma Dam’s water treatment plant 3 and 4 in Ushafa, Abuja.

According to report, some of the residents had lamented the high cost of purchasing water from water vendors popularly called ‘mai ruwa’.

However, on Thursday morning, Kubwa residents went into jubilation after tankers from the FCT water board delivered water to parts of the residential suburb.

It was observed that residents of Phase 3 rushed to one of the tankers to fill up their reservoirs since it was free, as water vendors who buy from boreholes had started charging as high as N3,000 for a truck of 10 jerrycans.

Some of the residents complained that the water board management should have delivered the water on a weekend to enable those who would have gone to work take advantage of the free water.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts