Mohammed Shosanya

The Ladigbolu Royal Family, Oyo,has insisted that any other process apart from Ifa divination would not be acceptable.

This was conveyed in a statement signed by Akinade Ladigbolu on behalf of the royal family and made available to newsmen on Thursday

He said:“Because right from the beginning, all the Princes were told that Ifa consultation would be employed to select the new king and we all agreed.

“The position of Alaafin of Oyo is an important seat in Yorubaland. So, Yoruba all over the world should rise and join in the battle against imposition, against Yoruba tradition which is a taboo.

“It is important we do it right now because any wrong step taken in the selection process will have a negative effect in the future and posterity will not forgive anybody that cut corners against the will of the people and God for Oyo town.”

Ladigbolu insisted that, as of today, none of the aspirants jostling for the position of Alaafin has been submitted by the Oyomesi as the crowned Prince to the government.

He harped on the need for the kingmakers to go back to the drawing board in the selection of the new paramount ruler for the ancient town.

He said:“We are also using this opportunity to warn those promoting lies against Governor Makinde and accusing him of employing delay tactics to subvert the will of the kingmakers to desists and join the path of truth and stop anti-people’s move.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The new Director General (DG) of the Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi,has assumed office on Thursday.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS Headquarters, Abuja,confirmed this in a statement obtained by Premium News.

The statement quoted that,the DG was warmly received by the immediate past DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi who briefed him on related issues.

It said:”Both of them recalled moments that they worked together in the past and reflected on the respect and admiration they have for each other.The two of them later addressed Management and Staff of the Service.

“While the outgone DG urged all to cooperate with the new one to enable him succeed in the task ahead, Mr Ajayi harped on unity of purpose among staff and enjoined them to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties.

“Mr Ajayi assured that he would work with relevant stakeholders with utmost commitment and deep sense of responsibility so as to surmount challenges confronting Nigeria’s economic, political and security environments.

“The objective, according to him, is to achieve peace and stability necessary for development.

“Highlight of the occasion was the handing over of the Service flag and other insignias of office by the former DG to the new one. Afterwards, Mr Ajayi took a tour of the National Headquarters during which he visited some sections and encouraged staff on duty to remain vigilant, resourceful, dedicated and loyal to the Service, constituted authorities and Nigeria at large.

“Instructively, the DGSS pledged to refocus the service towards covertness and likelihood of studied silence over certain matters.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC),has read riot act to market associations, who engage in what he described as “exploitative and unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services” across the country.

Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer,FCCPC,stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the stakeholders meeting on exploitative pricing organised by the agency.

He threatened that the personnel of the Commission would soon begin to crack down on those involved in the profiteering scheme.

He disclosed that the Commission had carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks over exploitative pricing of consumer goods, adding that, “Our findings are quite disturbing, to put it mildly.”

He decried the identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, including price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices.

He said: “As you were duly informed in the invitation card, our purpose here today is to address an issue of critical national importance everyone is complaining about.

“Which is the growing trend of unreasonable pricing of consumer goods and services across the country on the one hand; and the unwholesome practice of market associations engaged in price fixing on the other hand.

“This, I am sure you will all agree with me, has eroded consumer trust and is threatening the stability of our economy. As a responsive organisation, let me inform you that we have carried out discreet market surveys extensively across the country in the past few weeks.

“Our findings are quite disturbing, to put it mildly. Therefore, our gathering here today is to underscore the gravity of the situation and urgency of the need that we both work together to check this unwholesome development.

“As a statutory body whose mandate is to cater to consumer rights, we cannot allow this unhealthy trend to continue.To be sure, we quite recognise that an unfavourable exchange rate has negatively impacted the cost of production in local currency.

“However, the margin in pricing of goods and services is rather unreasonable or excessive in not a few cases. We have observed, for instance, that the margin in the prices of imported goods are very disproportionate in many cases; and in the case of locally produced goods, excessively inflated.

“This is an untenable situation, particularly in the retail segment, where we have identified patterns of price fixing perpetrated by some market associations, price gouging, and other anti-consumer practices.

“To illustrate, let me give you some glimpses of our findings. For instance, our check just two days ago at a popular supermarket chain in Texas, United States, revealed that a fruit blender called Ninja is displayed on the shelf at $89 (roughly N140,000).Just two days ago.

“Meanwhile, the same product was displayed at a popular supermarket at Victoria Island in Lagos for N944,999 on the same day and at the same hour.

“This represents more than 500 percent inflation of the cost. Interestingly, when our undercover officer visited the same supermarket two weeks earlier, this same blender was on display with the price tag of N750,000.

“The question then arises: what is the basis for this arbitrary hike in the price of the blender compared to the United States? What business principle can justify this level of profiteering?”

Commenting on the unpleasant discoveries made by the Commission, Bello pointed out that in some notable supermarkets surveyed discreetly in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcout and Lagos, it was discovered that prices were arbitrarily jacked up from time to time without any justifiable reason.

According to him, “In one particular big supermarket in Abuja, for instance, consumers were being charged N2,600 for an imported toilet soap at the payment point as the price tag was not displayed as earlier mandated by FCCPC.

“The same toilet soap was displayed for sale at N1,950 at a popular supermarket in Lekki, Lagos the same day. That already constitutes a double offense. From our findings, the penchant to hike prices arbitrarily is also common among sellers of food items and transport operators.

“When the foodstuff sellers were engaged, their common response was that the cost of transportation had increased. But how justifiable is it for the tomato seller to double the price of a basket of tomatoes simply because they paid higher transport fare?

“Whereas the price of the same basket of tomatoes was far cheaper at another market within the same jurisdiction surveyed by our field officers. Now, the question: did the seller who sold at a lower price not also pay transport fare?”

He warned that exploitative price fixing is no longer acceptable, adding that FCCPC would henceforth crack down on those involved in this profiteering scheme.

“Price gouging and price fixing are not only unethical, but patently illegal under the FCCPA. Section 17 of the Act empowers the Commission to eliminate anti-competitive practices, misleading, unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable marketing, trading, and business practices.

“As such, the FCCPC has the will and the capacity to invoke the full weight of the law against those found culpable of exploiting consumers for undue profit. Under Section 155, violators whether individuals or corporate entities face severe penalties, including substantial fines and Imprisonment, if found guilty by the court.

“This is intended to deter all parties involved in such illicit activities.

He affirmed that this new initiative by the FCCPC aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritises the welfare of the Nigerian people in all economic activities,adding that “We are determined to uphold this agenda by ensuring that market practices do not exacerbate the economic challenges faced by our citizens at this time.”

In an interactive session, Mr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Vice Chairman,National Association of Nigeria Traders, accused government of causing the hike in the prices of goods and services, saying that “government says one thing and does another.”

He explained that even items imported, the personnel of the Nigerian Customs Service would take exorbitant charges from the importers as well as policemen in various check points across the country.

Okonwo identified soaring transport fare and insecurity plaguing the country as other factors responsible for high cost of food items in the markets.

Mohammed Shosanya

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa,says the Federal Government has approved a 50% subsidy on electricity for public hospitals nationwide.

He spoke in Abuja on Thursday,stating that this initiative is intended to minimize operating expenses for public hospitals and lessen the burden on patients.

He said the government will change the names of Federal Hospitals to Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and destigmatize hospitals so that everybody can come there.

“While the core services will remain psychiatric, this re-naming will allow for the continuous expansion of services,”

“We know they are development institutions, they are social institutions. But inside the health and educational institutions, private businesses are hiding under them. These people charge their customers commercially and they expect to be subsidised because they are located within the territories of these institutions.

“We said no, go and do a proper search and meter everybody. For the ones that are properly health and education-related, we are ready to subsidise them, even if they are on Band A. We are compiling our data, DisCos will collect a certain amount and the government will pay the balance.

“But we must get the data right so that we are not subsidising a private business that is charging its customers commercially. That will be an abnormal profit and it is unfair”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The military is on high alert and has increased its readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression,the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.

The military also disclosed that, troops have in the month of August killed 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba,at the DHQ, Abuja,disclosed this on Thursday during the biweekly media briefing on troops operational activities across the country.

According to him,the ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive.

The situation being experienced mostly these days, he said are “low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.”

He said: “We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy, that must be stopped from their acts of terror.

“Accordingly, the armed forces is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.

“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.The military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators.”

He revealed that several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield during the month.

Those in the North East, according to him include, Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab. Others in the NW include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.”

He also said that:”Troops have significantly dismantle these terror groups in the North East, where they are a diminishing but active threat.

“Troops are also intensifying operations in the North West, North Central, South East and South South to defeat and dismantle the threats in these areas.”

During the month of August 2024, troops, Buba stated that, troops neutralized 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.

He said:”Additionally, troops recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions and denied oil theft of an estimated sum over N5billion (N5,045,160,010.00) only.

“The breakdown of recoveries in the month of August includes and is not limited to the following: 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm
NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.

“Others are 5,047,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS amongst other item.”

The motivation of the terrorists, the DMO Director said is “getting lower and lower in the North East which is leading to the mass surrending recorded.”

He hinted that: “Troops aim at replicating same in other theatres of Operation in order to bring peace and safety to citizens.

“The military is on high alert and we have increased our readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression.

“We urge citizens to understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation. It is certain that at the end, these terrorists will be destroyed and our nation will be safe and peaceful again.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has approved special promotion for eight officers of the Marine Command of the Agency

They were elevated for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways.

The promoted officers include: Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel John; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and Membe Timipa Gabriel.

The agency conveyed this in a signed statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters

At a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new ranks and also hand them commendation letters at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja, Marwa said “Every time we have a breakthrough, it tells the World a story about the new NDLEA we are working hard to build.

He said:”It also reinforces our conviction as an Organisation that we are on the right track. So, an occasion such as this is a source of pride for me.”

Justifying the essence of the special promotion and commendation, the NDLEA boss said “In this case, we have officers who exhibited bravery and an unwavering sense of duty in the face of adversity on the waterways to thwart an attempt by a criminal gang to smuggle 60 jumbo bags of illicit drugs from a neighbouring country.

He said:”Despite obvious attempts to thwart our interdiction bid, our officers were resilient and prevailed over the situation. It is in recognition of their gallantry that they are given special promotion and we are holding this ceremony to decorate them. This is keeping with our culture of rewarding hard work, results and sacrifice.”

Marwa said the reward scheme is also part of the sweeping reforms he instituted in the past three years to motivate officers to raise their performance level.

He added:“Under this scheme, we have instituted the bi-annual Command Awards and Commendation as well as special promotion for deserving officers, among other measures. I must say that the eight officers I will be decorating shortly showed bravery and dedication to duty and are deserving of a reward.”

Recapping the details of the particular operation, Marwa said “On the 23rd of August 2024, the Special Marine Squad received actionable intelligence at 3am.

He said: “They immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat along Alfa beach, in Lekki, Lagos. Another boat was equally sighted. They however faced some unfavourable encounter in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.

“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines.

“The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons. First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable. Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.

“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command.

“Those who have been following the development in NDLEA are aware that we now have a full-fledged Marine Command with well trained divers.

“In the recent past months, we have been reinforcing the Command with equipment and training for which we are grateful to the UK Home Office International Operations.

“What this crop of officers did is a loud statement to trafficking organisations that NDLEA will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our waterways are not safe routes for drug traffickers just as the airports, seaports and land borders.”

Addressing the promoted officers and their colleagues across all commands and formations, Marwa charged them on the need “to sustain the momentum of our trajectory and also protect the integrity of our job.

He said:”That entails that we should be mindful of our actions and activities in the line of duty or off duty.”

“I expect them and every officer not to rest on their oars. There is so much work to do out there, and there are dangers involved. As long as we conduct our operations in line with established SOPs, as these officers did, and as long as we don’t compromise our mandate, we shall always prevail, without casualty and without erring in our action”, He added.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the team leader Aaron Dick expressed gratitude to the NDLEA boss for transforming the agency to an efficient and result-oriented organisation through purposeful and exemplary leadership.

He said the special promotion and commendation will not only motivate him and his colleagues to do more but will equally inspire other personnel of the agency to be exceptional in the discharge of their duties.