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Author: Day Break

  • NDLEA Intercepts ₦32 Billion Cocaine At Lagos Port, arrest clearing agent

    NDLEA Intercepts ₦32 Billion Cocaine At Lagos Port, arrest clearing agent

    Cocaine worth N32bn has been recovered in a consignment at the Tincan Port in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

    It was gathered that the consignment, which arrived Nigeria from Brazil on board a vessel marked MV SPAR SCORPIO was placed on surveillance for some days before two clearing agents showed up on Monday to clear it.

    The Commander, Tincan Port Command of the NDLEA, Sumaila Ethan, said the clearing agents were arrested, while the consignment was searched and the substance weighing 43.11kg was found in it.

    He said, “After a thorough search, we discovered 40 compressed parcels, which after laboratory investigations, tested positive for cocaine. The two clearing agents have been taken into custody, while we continue with the investigation. The seizure is no doubt an attestation to the renewed vigour in the operations of the agency.

    “The Tincan Port seizure followed the various seizures made at the Lagos and Abuja airports as well as in Edo, Katsina, Nasarawa and Benue states in the last three weeks.”

    Commending the operatives of the Tincan Port Command, the Chairman of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa charged them and other officers and men from different commands across the country to remain vigilant.

    He said, “The successes we recorded in the last three weeks can only serve as a challenge to raise the bar and do more. We’ll continue to do our best to motivate the officers and men of the agency, and we expect full commitment, dedication to work and discipline in return so that we can collectively achieve the goal of ridding our nation of illicit drugs.”

  • Court Orders CBN To Unfreeze all Accounts Of #EndSARS Protesters

    Court Orders CBN To Unfreeze all Accounts Of #EndSARS Protesters

     Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unfreeze the accounts of 20 individuals linked to the #EndSARS protests.

    The CBN had in October 2020 asked banks to freeze accounts of 20 #EndSARs protesters.

    Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Gatefield Nigeria Limited, Saadat Temitope Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi Promise, Mosopefoluwa Odeseye and Adegoke Pamilerin Emmanuel.

    Others are Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon and Idunu A. Williams.

    The #EndSARS protests, which held for 13 days in various parts of the country, called for the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the police and urged the government to carry out general police reforms.

    Donations were received in various currencies, including naira and dollars using Flutterwave to provide food, medical care and legal aid to protesters.

    However, the donation link was disabled. The donation was subsequently moved to Bitcoin

  • Unfreeze My Bank Accounts Or Serious Protests In South-West – Igboho

    Unfreeze My Bank Accounts Or Serious Protests In South-West – Igboho

    Igboho, who confirmed that all his bank accounts have been frozen by the Federal Government because some people were collecting donations.

    However, Igboho said he had no hands in the said donations, warning that his accounts must be unfrozen to avoid nationwide protest by youths across the South-West region.

    His words: “They have frozen my bank accounts because I am fighting a just course. I know Yoruba people are behind me.

    “I will not relent. I must achieve my aims by putting an end to criminalities in Yorubaland.

    “If they refuse to release my accounts, there will be serious protests across the South-West.

    “Yes, the Yoruba are living in fear. They are afraid that the killer-herdsmen might attack them.

    Self-acclaimed freedom fighter, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, on Tuesday, accused the Federal Government of freezing his bank accounts, following his attack on the killer-herdsmen in Oyo State.

    Igboho, who spoke to Vanguard, confirmed that all his bank accounts have been frozen by the Federal Government because some people were collecting donations.

    However, Igboho said he had no hands in the said donations, warning that his accounts must be unfrozen to avoid nationwide protest by youths across the South-West region.

    His words: “They have frozen my bank accounts because I am fighting a just course. I know Yoruba people are behind me.

    “I will not relent. I must achieve my aims by putting an end to criminalities in Yorubaland.

    “If they refuse to release my accounts, there will be serious protests across the South-West.

    “Yes, the Yoruba are living in fear. They are afraid that the killer-herdsmen might attack them.

  • President Buhari Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Illegal Arms Bearers

    President Buhari Orders Arrest, Prosecution Of Illegal Arms Bearers

    President Buhari has ordered arrest and prosecution of all illegal arms bearers in the country irrespective of their ethnic affiliation.

    Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, yesterday disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme monitored by our reporter.

    Daily Trust had exclusively reported on Sunday that proliferation of arms was fuelling insecurity across the country.

    Adesina said the president has zero tolerance for criminal elements and would not harbour anyone found wanting by security agencies.

    “The president has always held the stance that anyone seen carrying a gun unlawfully should be arrested and tried regardless of where he comes from,” he said.

    On the efforts of the Presidency towards bringing an end to the herdsmen’s crisis, Adesina said: “Some positions have been canvassed on settling this issue, the president has spoken about it. The old cattle routes we know have been taken over by civilization. So, it means we will have to look into ranching.

    “Governor Ortom, in the past, had said that ranching is the way out of the crisis, but suddenly, he turned around that there is no land for it. Another alternative was the RUGA settlement, but people came out to say that there is no land for it. Now, some are saying that cattle rearing is a private business so the government must not be involved in it.

    “That brings the question: Are we interested in settling these issues permanently to the good of all the sides? That is something we must consider.”

  • Buhari Will Be A Talkative To Speak On Every Matter – Adesina

    Buhari Will Be A Talkative To Speak On Every Matter – Adesina

    The Presidency, on Tuesday, says the President Buhari will be a talkative if he speaks on every matter including the herdsmen crisis.

    Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today

    Many Nigerians including Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, had urged the President to address Nigerians and make it known publicly that he does not support the criminal activities of some herdsmen in parts of the country.

    Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had also called for the enactment of a law to abolish the movement of cattle by herdsmen from the Northern part of the country to other parts in order to prevent the incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes rocking parts of the country.

    When asked about the reaction of the President on the idea suggested by Ganduje, Adesina said, “When you have knotty issues like this, many ideas will be proffered, many solutions will be canvassed. The President does not have to speak on each and every one of them.

    “He does not have to, it was just an idea being proffered. It should be looked into and then if it is a consensus, it should be adopted. But it is not as one idea comes the President speaks on it, another idea comes, the President speaks on it, such must be a talkative President.”

    The South-West region has been in the eye of the storm lately over the activities of gun-wielding herdsmen who kidnap, kill, rape, and destroy farmlands in Yorubaland with impunity.
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    Many Nigerians including Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and a leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, had spoken against the killer herdsmen who move about with AK-47 rifles while private citizens are denied of ammunition to protect themselves.

    However, speaking on Tuesday, Adesina said the position of Buhari has always been that anybody who bears arms unlawfully should be arrested and tried.

    “His (Buhari’s) position has always been that anybody that bears arms unlawfully should be arrested and tried irrespective of where he comes from,” the presidential aide said, adding that the country must explore the option of ranching to solve the herdsmen crisis at hand.

    Adesina also said contrary to claims by critics, “hundreds” of criminal herders have been arrested and tried in the past.

  • Each Weapon retrieved from Bandits Can Kill 2,000 People- Zamfara Govt

    Each Weapon retrieved from Bandits Can Kill 2,000 People- Zamfara Govt

    The Zamfara State Government says its sustained dialogue with bandits was producing results.

    Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Abubakar Dauran, said more gunmen had submitted their weapons.

    He spoke on Tuesday at a joint press briefing with the Police at the State Command Headquarters in Gusau. Anambra 360 Reports

    Daura commented on the arms a bandit leader, Daudawa and his followers gave up on Monday.

    “These 20 AK47 riffles were surrendered at once by just one gang of repentant armed bandits and l can tell you, each of these weapons is capable of killing 2,000 persons”, he said.

    Commissioner of Police, Yaro Abutu, assured that the command would continue to support government’s peace initiative.

    He said the command had rescued many kidnapped victims and recovered several arms and ammunition from repentant bandits in recent months.

  • Today’s Major Nigerian Newspaper’s Cover Stories 10-February -2021

    Today’s Major Nigerian Newspaper’s Cover Stories 10-February -2021

  • BUA accuses CACOVID of pettiness, shows evidence for purchase of 1million doses vaccines

    BUA accuses CACOVID of pettiness, shows evidence for purchase of 1million doses vaccines

    The purchase of COVID-19 vaccines is causing crisis in the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

    CACOVID is a private sector initiative for the fight against COVID-19. BUA group, a member of the coalition on Tuesday accused the coalition of playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.

    Earlier on Monday, BUA group announced that it will single-handedly purcase 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the Afrexim platform.

    However, the coalition in a statement refuted the claim by BUA group, noting that the purchase of the vaccines cannot be done by an individual.

    But in a counter-statement, BUA released evidence of its payment of 1 billion Naira to the Central Bank of Nigeria for the purchase of the vaccines.

    BUA in the statement claimed some persons within the group are being petty. It also revealed that the offer to donate for the intiative was tabled at a meeting with the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, however, none of the other members were willing to donate.

    The statement said that BUA was shocked over the report attributed to CACOVID which disowned its payment of 1 million AstraZeneca doses for Nigerians, stating that the purchase was done in good faith.

    It said that at the CACOVID steering committee meeting held on Monday the CBN Governor disclosed that CACOVID had been given the opportunity through the Afrexim Platform to access and pay for 1 million doses, but that it took it upon itself to purchase the vaccines when other members showed no interest in the payment.

  • FG To Partner Cameroonian, Chadian Troops In Ending Insurgency, Says COAS

    FG To Partner Cameroonian, Chadian Troops In Ending Insurgency, Says COAS

    The Federal Government will partner Cameroonian and Chadian troops in ending the menace of insurgency in the northeast.

    This was disclosed on Monday by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, who addressed journalists at the Army Super Camp 1 Ngamdu, Yobe State.

    We are bringing out things, you can see Operation Tura Takaibango in tandem with forces from the Republic of Cameroon. We shall be bringing in the Çhadians to ensure the annihilation of the Boko Haram in Nigeria,” he said.

    “I have met commanders, I have received briefs and they have told me exactly what their critical requirements are. I want to bring this war to an end soonest.”

    Attahiru said the challenges confronting soldiers on the frontline were surmountable and would be addressed with military effectiveness.

    He also pledged to improve the welfare of the troops in the theatre of operations in the northeast, noting that efforts were ongoing to acquire boots, uniforms and protective gears in a couple of weeks.

    The COAS also said plans would be made to replace soldiers who have served long in the northeast, vowing that the rotational policy would be made in a matter of months.

    While charging the troops to put in greater efforts in the fight against the Boko Haram, said the army would provide support arms and logistics to the soldiers in order for them to fight efficiently.

  • House Writes NNPC, Demands Records from NLNG Accounts over $20.3bn Withdrawals

    House Writes NNPC, Demands Records from NLNG Accounts over $20.3bn Withdrawals

    Following the audit query of the Auditor General of the Federation on the $20.3 billion illegal withdrawals from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) account, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has written the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), demanding full details.

    The Committee’s request was contained in a letter with Reference No: HR/PAC/SCO5/9NASS/QUE.9/974 dated 7th December, 2020 signed by its Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Oke and addressed to the NNPC Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari.

    The lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations so far given by NNPC, also asked for the comprehensive financial records of the corporation with expenditure details of funds utilisation from the inception of NLNG to date.

    The letter reads: ‘’I refer to your presentation on the above subject matter at a session with the Committee on Thursday, December 3, 2020 confirming the withdrawal of the sum of $20.3 billion from the account by NNPC. In view of the above, you are to furnish all records of the withdrawals from the account and the utilisation of the fund from inception to date.’’

    Earlier in its response, the NNPC via a letter with reference No: GGM/GPAD/01 dated November 9, 2020 and signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kenny Obateru said it had made a presentation on the illegal withdrawals.

    “Following your request for information, we hereby submit 46 copies of NNPC’s presentation on the illegal withdrawals from the NLNG by NNPC and 46 copies of our response to issues raised in the Auditor General’s 2014 report on the Federation Account relating to NNPC.”

    The presentation was followed by the breakdown of the receipts and disbursements from NNPC NLNG Dividend Account from inception to date communicated to the House Committee via a letter with Reference No: GMD.49 dated 30th October, 2020 and signed by the NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya Isa.

    According to the letter, ‘’In line with Government’s directive on the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the NLNG Dividends go into the CBN/NNPC NLNG Depository USD Account domiciled with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). From inception to date, the sum of $21,685,647,923.39 was received into the NNPC NLNG Dividend Account while the sum of $20,300,772,850 was disbursed from the Account leaving a credit balance of $1,384,875,073.39 as at 30th June, 2020 as tabulated below”.