All Posts in "Day: January 21, 2022"

NSCDC Arrests Two Fake Herbalists In Osun

NSCDC arrests suspected herbalists for defrauding people
 The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun Command,  has arrested two men parading themselves as herbalists to defraud people.
Parading the suspects in Osogbo,Mr Emmanuel Ocheja, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, disclosed that the suspects, Adeyemo Mufutau,and Oladiji Hezekiah, would call members of the public and later compel them to send money.
He said:”On Monday, officers of NSCDC at Ile-Ife arrested two suspects who indulge in the illicit business of calling members of the public on the telephone, pretending as old men/herbalist to defraud them.They will send fake recharge cards to people, then call the receiver that the person should help return the card, and afterwards introduce one baba/herbalist as the person intending to send the recharge card to his son.
“They will say the baba wants to specially thank anybody who send the recharge card back to them and in the process introduce themselves as an old man/herbalist who will like reciprocate their kind gesture, by offering to help them solve their problems.”.
 The  suspects had confessed to the crime and would be charged to court,he added.
He also announced that two suspects were also arrested on Monday, at a mining site at Ita Obi Community of Ilesa, for mining illegally while three other persons, on Wednesday, were arrested for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
According to him, one Zainab Afeez (f) was also arrested for allegedly abusing and pouring hot water on her 11 year old biological daughter , while one Abdulrahman Ibrahim was arrested in connection to a Toyota Camry, 1999 model, that was stolen in Osogbo but recovered in Kano.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Stop Attacking Sylva,Wabote, Group Warns

TIPEDI Flays Malicious Attacks Against Sylva, Wabote - Green White Green
A group, the Transparency In Petroleum Exploration and Development Initiative (TIPEDI), has  warned  against serial attacks on  the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote.
The group  said the action of the detractors is unfair to the good intent of Sylva and Wabote  to turn around the nation’s oil gas sector.
The group’s Director of Field Operations, Derek Igho, who conveyed the  warning in a statements, advised Timi Frank and one Jackson Ude, to desist from being used as vehicles for campaign of calumny against Wabote whom he noted was their target.
He stated:”From our investigations, it has become clear that the entire campaign of calumny against Engr. Simbi Wabote is being orchestrated by forces that are no longer comfortable with his many achievements as Executive Secretary of the Local Content Board. But rather than coming out openly themselves to take him on, they resort to using Jackson Ude and lately Timi Frank, both of whom are well known for such activities to be their hatchet men.
“But then any right thinking person, will rather commend Engr. Wabote for resorting to legal means to seek redress for the unwarranted, frivolous and libelous allegations that were made against him by Jackson Ude, who thought that because he was hiding in the United States, the long arm of the law would not catch up with him.”
He described Wabote as a technocrat, who is well known within the oil and gas industry for his operational philosophy of transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for wastes.
He disclosed that his group has been closely monitoring the case in the US and we know that several motions filed by Jackson Ude’s lawyers at the Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, USA, have failed as the trial Judge had ruled against them.
The last  mention on the matter,he said ,came up on December 22nd when the Judge gave them deadline of January 4th 2022 to file their “Dispositive Response” which they had been delaying.
He added:”It is, therefore, obvious that with the ongoing Libel suit against Jackson Ude in the US not going well for him, there is no more hiding place, so rather than focusing on proving their allegations in Court, they have resorted to their well known tactic of spreading lies on social media. All in their desperate bid to portray Engr. Simbi Wabote in negative light before the public”, the statement added.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
Tinubu Explains Visit To  Babangida,Receives Support Of Niger Governor

2023 Presidency: I Visited Babangida To Seek His Blessings - Tinubu
National leader of All Progressives Congress,APC,Asiwaju  Bola Ahmed Tinubu,Thursday, visited Niger state to commiserate with the government over the spate of banditry attacks there.
He also  visited former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida to receive blessings for his presidential bid,saying there was no way he would visit Niger state and not pay courtesy call and receive prayers.
He said:“If you restrict my visit to this house that is it. Generally, I came to Niger state to commiserate with the Governor and the people of Niger state and so, I can’t stop by without paying a courtesy call to the enigma General Ibrahim Babangida, retired.
“So, he gave me his prayers. You want to know the outcome of the consultations? We are running a democracy, I took my decision voluntarily and I am running for the Presidency of the country, we are running a democracy, thank you very much and God bless you.When I made the declaration, I told you that I am still consulting and I will consult as widely as possible”.
Meanwhile,Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state, has endorsed the candidature of former Lagos state Governor and National leader of the, All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring him that Nigerians await his  victory to replicate Lagos transformation in the country.
 He described  Tinubu as the only candidate that fits the needs and aspirations of the country
“Lagos is a country within a country, we saw the foundation you laid there, we are looking forward to seeing you replicate it for Nigeria”, Governor Bello said as he appreciates the former Lagos state Governor for empathising with the government and people of Niger state.
Bello lamented security situation in the country generally, adding that no where is safe and recounted how some villagers in Mashegu Local Government Area were murdered in cold blood by the armed bandits inside the mosque while observing their early morning prayers.
He said:”Where are we safe in this country? In a place of worship, people have been killed. We are not dealing with normal human beings, but people whose heart has been cemented for evil and no amount of talking or dialogue can change them”.Only recently, they went to a village while they were observing their early morning prayers, locked the door and started shooting indiscriminately, killing 18 people and only those that forced the door open survived and few days later they did same in another village”.
He said the time has come for Nigeria to change its approach to the ongoing was against armed banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality from the conventional warfare to a technological driven for expected results.
He added:“Since we are not fighting conventional warfare, let’s use technology even though it is expensive, the trend can be checked. The era of sending soldiers into forests when we can deploy drones to monitor movements of bandits and hit targets effortlessly should have been over”.
 Tinubu, had earlier enjoined Nigerians not to see the ongoing security breaches as a hopeless situation noting that, with self belief, prayers and determination the situation can be resolved.
“We share in your grief as a people and government. I am here for the people of Niger state, hearing and reading of disasters, banditry attacks and cattle rustling every day, just like what happened on Wednesday again”, Tinubu said.
He donated  a N50 million to the victims of banditry  attacks in the state.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in Politics 0
FRSC  Announces Reduction In Road Crashes

The Federal Road Safety Corps,has  announced 26% decrease in number of people killed, 9% decrease in road traffic crashes and 9% reduction in the total number of people injured.
The figures differed from the ones recorded  same period in 2021
The agency took the evaluation during its recent operation zero exercise that lasted between December, 2021 to 15 January, 2022.
The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, disclosed that  600 road traffic crashes (RTC) were recorded as against a total of 660 in the same period in 2020 representing 9% decrease.
He said  327 people were killed against 443 people in the same period in 2020 representing 26% reduction in fatalities, while  a total of 1916 people were rescued with injuries against 2099 in 2020 also representing 9% reduction in injuries.
According to him, that there was a recorded increase in the total number of people rescued as the Corps rescued 2406 victims of RTC against 2273 people rescued in 2020. he said the statistics represents 6% increase.
He added that the Corps operatives covered 1575 routes, impounded 11060 vehicles representing 18% increase in impoundment, and apprehended 20845 offenders as against 16578 offenders in 2020 representing 26% increase; for committing 24214 offences as against 18392 offences in the same period in 2021 which represents 32% increase.
Kazeem attributed the reduction  to several coordinated factors, among which are; enhanced visibility, establishment of Station Offices in almost all the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria; intensified public enlightenment and sensitization campaigns held nationwide in collaboration with key stakeholders in the transportation sector and beyond; and of course, effective patrol operations.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0

A new bill seeking to make the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the apex regulatory authority over all players in the nation’s capital market is proposing  10 years imprisonment for operators of ponzi schemes in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation intends to also saddle SEC with the responsibility of regulating the market to ensure capital formation, protection of the market,
protection of investors, maintenance of fair, efficient and transparent market
and reduction of systematic risk and for related matters.
Sponsored by Hon. Babangida Ibrahim (APC, Katsina) the amendment Bill seeks to enhance regulation of investment schemes and to effectively combat the proliferation of ponzi (fraudulent investing scam) schemes in Nigeria.
It provides for the prohibition of ponzi/pyramid schemes and other illegal investment schemes, prescribed a jail term of not less than 10 years for promoters of such activities and empowered SEC to shut down such prohibited investment schemes.
It introduces the regulation of derivatives and commodities trading to deepen the Nigerian capital market and the economy.
In a lead debate on the Bill, Hon. Ibrahim ,said the current enabling law for the Nigerian capital market; the Investments and Securities Act, Act No. 29 of 2007 was signed into law by late President Umar Musa Yar’adua in June 2007.
He argued that the current trends in capital markets regulation have made it imperative to make major improvements to the Act to align the country’s market with international standards.
The lawmaker said amongst others, the major essence of the Bill are; introduction of new provisions to regulate the activities of financial market infrastructure, as well as netting and bankruptcy provisions to protect investors in derivatives contracts.
“There are new provisions on the regulation of Financial Market Intermediaries (FMIs), such as Central Counter Parties (CCPs), Clearing Houses, Trade Depositories etc.
“The general law of insolvency would have no effect on market contracts or action taken under the rules of an exchange, FMI with respect to market contracts, or an action taken to transfer any collateral.
“Furthermore, no entity, trade association can operate or hold itself out as a Self Regulatory Organization (SRO) unless recognized or registered as such by SEC. The responsibilities of SRO are also well spelt out, while a new provision has been introduced on netting of financial contracts,” he submitted.
The lawmaker added: “We are enhancing provisions relating to efficient regulation of investment scheme. Recently there is a lot of complaints by Nigerians to the extent the FG itself put some embargo on some accounts on Ponzi schemes. So as of the time of signing the current Act, the ponzi scheme was not in existence in Nigeria. So we have to put some regulations to monitor them.
“Another provision has to do with derivatives and commodity markets. When the existing Act was formed, there were no derivatives on commodity market. if you look at section 223 of the exiting Act, … The plan is to make it a little bit flexible so some tiers of government can be able to approach the capital market to source for fund either for —-projects or specific projects.
So we introduced other new provisions and some amendments. There are also areas like investors protection fund, also the collaboration between SEC and other agencies in the financial market is also enhanced in the Bill and it also strengthens the authority and enforcement power of the jurisdiction of the securities and investment tribunal. These are agencies in charge of settling dispute between investors”
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
 863 Terrorists, Families Surrender 

863 Terrorists, Families Surrender To Troops In Two Weeks – Gen. Onyeuko – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
Nigerian Army,says   863 terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops in Banki, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Gamboru towns in Borno State, in two weeks.
Its Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Bernard Onyeuko,disclosed  this during a biweekly press briefing on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in Abuja said.
He said  the surrendered terrorists comprise 136 adult males, 251 adult females and 476 children.
He revealed that  troops have  sustained their operations on the terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements by maintaining offensive engagements in all theatres of operation within the country, which recorded appreciable results.
He added that the surrendered terroristshave been properly profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
According to him,troops of Operation Hadin Kai,conducted various land and air operations in different locations of the theatre with renewed vigour that recorded significant results in the last two weeks.
He stated that  some of the operations were conducted at different locations in towns, villages and forests under; Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Bayo, Kukawa, Monguno, Nganzai and Damboa LGAs of Borno as well as locations in the Sambisa forest.
He said, “Troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe States, around the Mandara Mountain and along Damaturu – Potuskum road, respectively.
“Notably, ground troops with the support of the Air Component aggressively foiled terrorists’ attempted infiltration into Biu town in Borno State. During the encounter, troops neutralized scores of the terrorists and captured their gun trucks and other weapons.
“These operations resulted in the elimination and arrest of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms, ammunition, livestock and other items of security concern as well as rescue of abducted civilians. Furthermore, troops’ operational activities have continued to drive terrorists out of their camps into surrendering with their arms and families in the North East Zone of the Country.”
Consequently, within this period under review, troops have neutralized  a total of 37 terrorist elements, arrested 17 of them as well as recovered 21 assorted arms and 117 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, while a total of 4 gun trucks were captured from the terrorists.
“Additionally, troops rescued a total of 16 abducted civilians within the period. “
Besides, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was said to have scored devastating hits on terrorists’ stronghold at Arina Chiki village in the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of the terrorist, while several others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
The feat was achieved on the 14 January 2022, when on the heels of credible intelligence, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatch to attacked the identified location which the terrorists used as venue for biweekly meetings; the NAF platforms took out the terrorists in successful turns of airstrikes.
Within the last two weeks, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji   were said to have maintained the operational tempo by conducting clearance operations on criminal enclaves across the theatre.
Some of the locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results include Gurbin Baure – Shimfada road, Gidan Saleh and Girnashe villages as well as Jibia town in Jibia LGA, all in Katsina State.
Other locations were; Wasagu town in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State and Kara Kalmalo village in Ilella LGA of Sokoto State.  Consequently, these operations resulted in the neutralization of 12 armed bandits and arrest of 15 including their collaborators.
Besides, a total of 16 assorted arms and 136 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 114 rustled livestock were recovered by own troops within the period. In addition, troops recovered 3 extra magazines of AK-47 rifle and 4 motorcycles from bandits, while a total of 3 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
Nigeria, US Sign  Agreement On Reduction Of Illicit Trafficking of Ancient Arts

Nigeria, US sign pact to reduce Illicit trafficking of ancient arts - Daily Post Nigeria
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, has expressed the optimism that the Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA) Agreement, which was signed by Nigeria and the United States of
America on Thursday, will reduce the pillage of Nigeria’s ancient arts.
The deal was made known in a statement by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant To The President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture.
The Minister expressed the optimism when he signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on the CPIA with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja.
“This legislation was enacted by the United States to restrict the importation into the US of archeological materials ranging in date
from 1500 B.C. to A.D. 1770 as well as ethnological materials including those associated with royal activity, religious activity,
etc. from nations that have entered into the kind of bilateral initiative that we are signing here with the United States today,” he
said.
Alhaji Mohammed said on the basis of the agreement, Nigerian antiquities being imported into the United States without the
requisite Export Permit will be seized at the border of the United States and returned to Nigeria without the arduous and costly task of
going through the labyrinth of judicial and diplomatic processes.
“We are optimistic that this agreement will reduce the pillage of our irreplaceable archeological and ethnological materials, as the market for these materials is being shut in the United States against illicit traffickers.
“The agreement will last for an initial period of five years. If it works well, as we anticipate it will, it shall be renewed for a longer
term. We implore other friendly nations to take a cue from the United States of America and join us in finding means to prevent the illegal
importation of our antiquities into their countries,” he said.
The Minister said the signing of the MoU became necessary because, despite all efforts by the Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, with the assistance of law enforcement agencies, to prevent illicit export of the nation’s archeological and ethnological materials, widespread looting and illicit excavation of these materials still continue.
He said the stolen artifacts are mostly smuggled to Europe, the United States of America and other places for the benefit of art collectors.
The Minister, who thanked the Government of the United States, in particular the Embassy of the United States in Nigeria, for making the
MoU possible, said the Nigerian Government looks forward to a diligent implementation of the landmark agreement, so it can become a game changer in the nation’s efforts to prevent the looting of its priceless ancient works of art.
In her remarks, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Beth Leonard, said the agreement is aimed at preserving, restoring and protecting Nigeria’s
cultural heritage.
“In Nigeria, over the past decade, the U.S Mission has partnered with the Nigerian government and state institutions to preserve cultural landmarks and sites through projects worth over one million dollars and funded by the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.
“Just last November, I signed a grant award to digitally survey the Busanyin Shrine located within the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove. That $125,000 grant will help document a series of shrines within the Grove and provide training to local professionals in digital tools and cultural heritage management,” she said.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
 Reps Vow To Probe  178,459 Missing Police Fire Arms

Reps To Probe 178,459 Missing Police Arms
The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation into circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 178,459 fire arms from the armoury of the Nigeria Police.
The House also implored  the Inspector General of Police to take urgent actions to arrest  those culpable for the depletion of the armoury of the Nigeria Police Force; just it mandated the House Committee on Police Affairs to ensure compliance and report back to the House within four (4) weeks.
The decision  followed  a motion of urgent public importance brought by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), on the need to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing arms and those responsible for them.
In his presentation,Okechukwu noted with concern the 2019 report of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation on alleged disappearance of about 178,459 different arms and ammunition of the Nigeria Police Force in 2019 recently reported in our national daily newspapers.
He  added:”The audit of Arms Movement Register, Monthly Returns of Arms and Ammunition and Ammunition Register at the Armoury Section reveals that a total number of lost firearms as at December 2018 stood at 178,459 pieces.Of this number, 88,078 were AK-47 rifles, 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols across different police formations, which could not be accounted for as at January 2020.
“The findings in the report that the police high command failed to keep record of unserviceable and expired firearms and ammunition; owing to non-compliance to the internal control system of the Nigeria Police Force.Records of the total number of unserviceable firearms were not produced for examinations and there were no returns from Adamawa State Command, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 46, 56, 64 and 68 for the period under review.
“Dully completed Treasury Form 146 (loss of stores) were not presented. Records obtained from force armament at Force Headquarters showed 21 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron, Abuja did not report a single case of missing firearm, whereas schedule of missing arms obtained from the same PMF showed a total of 46 missing arms between year 2000 and February 2019,” the motion stated.
He expressed worries that the value of the lost firearms could not be ascertained because no document relating to their cost of acquisition was presented for examination.
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
Oyo Moves To End Kidnapping,Banditry In Onigari Axis

Bandits kidnap nursing mother, eight others in Oyo - Vanguard News
Oyo State Government says it is expediting action to get rid of kidnapping, banditary and other criminal activities in Onigari Axis of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun,who was guest at the Oyo State Correspondents Chapel, disclosed that the state government is working with the Amotekun Corps just to ensure that we get rid of kidnapping and banditry in the state, especially at the Onigari Axis.
He said: “Most of the incidences that happened in Onigari don’t usually happens in our state, it’s other side of the road which belong to our neighbouring state, Ogun but the moment people talk about Lagos-Ibadan Expressway they automatically thinks it happens in Ibadan, but nevertheless we are talking about lives, So we have approached the state commissioner of Police to liase with her Ogun State counterpart to see how they can work together to flush criminal elements out of that axis.
“We are not trying to give excuses, we take the responsible, if you go there you will see that we don’t have problem in our part of Onigari because our men both the Police and Amotekun Corps are always on ground, it is somewhere around Mamu, the other side of Onigari that there is a problem.
“Onigari does not really fall within Oyo State territory, but since the axis is along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, people believe the location is within Oyo State, but we have done the needful from our own end.
“Governor Makinde made a lot of promises during electioneering, and he set up Committe to look into its fulfilment under ‘Road Map to Accelerated Development in Oyo State’ which has four branches, education, health, education, and infrastructure.”
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0
NEC:Decision On Petrol Subsidy Removal Shelved

PROFILE: Abdullahi Sule, Governor, Nasarawa State, Nigeria [2019 - ]
The National Economic Council (NEC),says decision on discontinuation of  petroleum subsidy in Nigeria would be reached in June when the provision for its payment in the 2022 budget is expected to expire
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule, who disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said it was necessary the controversial subsidy should be yanked off in June.
The NEC, through a committee it has set up on the issue, has been having a conversation on the matter, it was yet to take a stand on it,he said.
He added: “What you have to understand is that we didn’t make any presentation on this because there has not been a decision. But in reality, all of us Nigerians know that there is now the Petroleum Industry Act. And NNPC has now become a limited liability company. So, NNPC will run differently. So, if the minister of finance provides for six months, you probably can understand part of the reason for provision of six months before NNPC fully takes off and at that moment, that’s when decisions will be made.
“But I want to make the correction that it is not governors who are making recommendations. It is actually a NEC committee, you know, which comprises of all the other people that are looking at this and no decision has been made and probably by the time a decision will be made, you know, the Petroleum Industry  Act would have fully taken charge, and it will not require any recommendation from anybody.”
Online Editor by — January 21, 2022 in News 0