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Police Nabs POS Robbers, Recovers Money In Kogi
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A 38 year old Timothy James and Comfort David 44yrs both of Zaki-Biam, Benue State who specialises in robbing POS attenders have been nabbed by the Kogi state police Command.
The operatives attached to intelligence Department of the Kogi State Police Command arrested one Timothy James and Comfort David both of Zaki-Biam, Benue State for allegedly robbing one Jammai Maryam Bashir in Lokoja.
In a statement made available to the press in Lokoja, the police public relations officer, DSP, William Aya said the suspects robbed their victim one Jammai Maryam Bashir 23, of the sum of fifty thousand, two hundred naira.
The victim who was at her POS business point along Cemetery road, Lokoja was deceived under the guise of performing deliverance was unconscious and thereafter robbed her of the sum of #50,200.
According to the statement, the victim, immediately after regain consciousness, raised alarm that led to the arrest of the duo at Nataco axis on their way to Abuja and recovered the sum of forty three thousand, two hundred naira from them.
The suspects according to the statement who confessed to crime further admitted that they robbed in Jalingo, Makurdi, and Otukpo respectively.
As efforts is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicates, arrested suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of the investigation.
June 18, 2021
Benue Assembly Approves Gov Ortom’s Request to Access N11. 6Bn Loan Facility
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly has granted approval to enable Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom access over N11.6 billion loan facility from the bank.
The approval was sequel to correspondence from Governor Samuel Ortom to the House which was read by the Speaker, Mr Titus Uba at plenary.
According to Ortom, the loan facility is to finance counterpart funds obligation, infrastructure development and other needs of Government.
The Governor explained that, due to the inability of the state government to access the fourty billion naira bond which was approved by the house for the same purpose but which Government was unable to access it, Government has sought for another alternative way to enable it continue to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Ortom noted that security challenge and Covid-19 pandemic as well as lack of appreciable improvement in the average monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account to the state have hindered Government from financing capital and recurrent obligation.
The Speaker, Mr Uba put the question of approval before the members and they unanimously agreed through voice vote.
June 18, 2021
13 injured, 25 cars destroyed as tanker Explodes in Lagos
No fewer than 13 persons sustained various degrees of injuries on Thursday night after a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker exploded at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, opposite Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja.
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the development to newsmen in Ikeja on Friday.
Farinloye said about 25 cars were destroyed in the explosion which was caused by leakage while the LPG tanker was in motion.
“The fire affected the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza besides Sheraton Hotels, which houses different commercial outfits including a Chinese Restaurant.
“After concerted efforts of five fire trucks from the Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit the fire was put out.
“The initial search and rescue activities revealed that 13 persons sustained various degrees of burns. Out of this, nine are males while four are females,” Farinloye said.
According to him, the affected victims were attended to at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for First Aid.
“Preliminary assessment of vehicles damaged indicated that about 25 were destroyed as at now,” he added.
June 18, 2021
Suspects held over kidnap allegation, accuses police of demanding N35m for freedom
By Abel Leonard, Lafia
Three suspects held by the Nasarawa State Police Command on allegation of kidnapping have accused the command of demanding N35 million to secure their released and freedom
This is even as the Nasarawa police command has said it will not succumb to intimidation from any quarters as it has remained resolute to stamp out crimes and criminality in Nasarawa.
The three suspects, Alhaji Bawa Adamu, Abdullahi Adamu and Ibrahim Bawa who said they were arrested on April 15,2021 by the police following information by two police informants, Kire Iki and Dere Dono, that they were involved in kidnapping activities alleged that the police have been forcing them to admit to the crime besides payment of N35 million for their release.
In a petition dated June 9,2021, to both President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali,the two brothers being detained by the state police command, denied involvement in the crime just as they appealed for transfer of the case out of Nasarawa for thorough investigation.
The alleged persons are claiming to be that innocent of the crime they were being detained for, the trio who said a total of 17 persons were picked up by the police in connection with the allegation alongside them ,alleged that the police have made several attempt to asked them to admit to the crime and pay the sum N35m for their freedom.
According to the petition signed by their counsel,Oghenovo O. Otemu,Head of Oghenovo O. Otemu Chambers,the petitioners said out 17 persons arrested,12 were released upon payment for their bail while the police refused to release them and two others insisting that N35 million must be paid.
“It is our brief that Alhaji Bawa Adamu, Abdullahi Adamu and 17 others were arrested by the Police Anti-kidnapping Team in Nasarawa State about the 15th of April,2021 on the instigation of Kire Iki and Dere Dono. After their arrest, several financial requests were made by the police. While 14 of the arrested persons were released upon paying for their bail,the police refused to release our client and two others, insisting that our client must pay the sum of N35 million or buy a gun which they will submit to the Anti-kidnapping Unit,”the petition read.
Noting that, “it is worthy of mention that Kire Iki and Dere Dono have been conniving with the police you extort monies from our clients at different times before”,the petitioners claimed that:”This current arrest on Alhaji Bawa Adamu was done when he went to secure the release of Abdullahi Adamu,his brother.”
“After their arrest,the police in connivance with Kire Iki and Dere Dono have trumped up charges against our client in a bid to extort the sum of N35 million from them,”the petition read.
To this end,the petitioners did not only demand transfer of the case from the Nasarawa State Police Command but also a thorough and unbiased investigation on the case.
It claimed that a petition earlier written to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali,was approved by the former and the case assigned to the Force Criminal Investigation Department,FCID,”but when officers of the FCID went to Nasarawa State Police Command to collect the file and the suspects,the Commissioner of Police refused to direct a release of the case file and the suspects,thereby insisting of holding on to the case file.”
“The IPO has consistently boasted that nobody,not even the Inspector General of Police can take the case from them and that if the money they are requesting for is not paid,our client will be implicated and subsequently die in prison,”they alleged in the petition.
According to the petitioners,”In actualizing their threat,our client’s brother who have been interfacing with the police by trying to secure their bail,who also has on behalf of our clients instructed lawyers to petition the Inspector General of Police to call for justice for his brothers by trying to expose the activities of the police and the humongous request they are making,was also arrested on the 6th of June,2021, in order to permanently silence our clients and keep them in perpetual detention until the N35 million is paid.”
“Our clients are seriously sick and are not being cared for. The police in Nasarawa State have also refused to thoroughly and unbiasedly investigate the case as they are working with Kire Iki and Dere Dono to undermine your authority and further our clients by keeping them in detention under harsh condition in perpetuity with a bid to coarse them to succumbing to paying the N35 million.
“Consequently,we therefore, humbly appeal to you to use your good offices to direct the Inspector General of Police to cause a transfer of this case from the Nasarawa State Police Command to an unbiased team of investigators here in Abuja for a thorough investigation into this matter to see that justice prevails,”the petition further read.
But in a swift response to the allegation,the state police commissioner, Bola Longe dismissed the allegation, saying the command cannot be associated with the allegation given its disposition to zero tolerance for corruption.
The Nasarawa State Police Command head by Cp Bola Longe had denied its involvement in the alleged bribery levelled against it saying as soon as the suspects were arrested,pressure has been mounting from different quarters for their release, but added quickly that his command remained resolute in fighting crime in the state.
Cp Longe gave the denial while reacting to a petition purportedly written against the command, alleging that it was demanding the sum of N35 million for the release of one Alhaji Bawa Adamu and two of his brothers being detained over alleged involvement in kidnapping stressimg the command determination to fight crimes to the barest minimum in the state.
While vowing that in spite of the pressure,there must be a thorough and unbiased investigation into the case involving the suspects, he said his insistence that the law must take its course “prompted the petitioners to go to the highest command to seek the release of the suspects.”
” We are firmed,the command would not be intimidated by the petitions flying from every corners,”he insisted saying that Nasarawa has zero tolerance in corruption, so cannot be associated with the allegation by the petitioners.
He advised that the command must be allowed to carry out its statutory responsibility of protecting and preserving the lives and property of citizens of the state.
June 18, 2021
President, Court Of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem Visits Governor Lalong
The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has assured Nigerians that she is determined to ensure that the cause of justice delivery and confidence in the Judiciary and the Court of Appeal is strengthened under her leadership.
Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was speaking when she visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House in Jos ahead of a Thanksgiving Mass and Grand Reception in her honour scheduled for Saturday in Jos.
Justice Monica said she was glad to be home and very grateful that her home State has decided to honour her following her elevation as the President Court of Appeal.
She thanked all those who have continued to pray for her and offer support before and after her appointment, assuring that she will continue to do her best to transform the Court of Appeal by making the delivery of justice seamless and very thorough according to the laws of the land.
Governor Lalong while welcoming the President of the Court of Appeal back home said the people of Plateau State are extremely happy that she has attained the height of her career and is doing well in the one year she has been in office.
He said the Plateau State Government decided to hold a grand reception in her honour in line with the tradition of celebrating sons and daughters of the State who have attained great heights in their careers or have been appointed to various positions in the country.
Lalong said told Justice Dongban that although she is on a national assignment, the people of Plateau State find it imperative to pray and give her moral support which is symbolic with the holding of the grand reception in her honour and a Thanksgiving Service.
Governor Lalong said Justice Monica Dongban has built a good reputation over a long period of time and will consolidate on this trajectory during this assignment.
He praised her efforts in increasing quick dispensation of justice as well as enduring legacy of fairness and forthrightness in the Court of Appeal and the Judiciary as a whole.
June 18, 2021
Youth Association For Good Governance Hails Dr. Wailare
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
The Coalition of youth associations on Democracy and good governance (YGDG) has hailed Dr. Saleh Musa Wailare for his contributions towards the progress of Nigerian democracy through various types of philanthropic programmes as a trusted politician.
The association made the commendation at the special ceremony organised by the Coalition to mark the annual democracy day where so many achievements and other political issues were showcased in a colourful presentations.
In his welcome address, the president of the associations Alhaji Usman Ahmed said that Nigeria’s democracy is now in a stage of development at both national, States and local governments levels like what is being witnessed at present, where he challenged the elected and appointed leaders to do more in the area of rural and urban infrastructure, economy and security.
He disclosed that YGDG was initiated five years ago in order to bring national unity and youth development especially nowadays when the elected leaders are making efforts to ensure that dividends of democracy is circulating everywhere under the present democratic process.
In conclusion, the national president, on behalf of the Coalition members commended Dr. Saleh Musa Wailare who is always using his talents in bringing more fortune to the people of Dambatta/Makoda federal constituency like what is being witnessed physically though he is not an elected nor appointed office holder.
Earlier in his presentations, Malam Jabiru Hassan, who was invited to deliver a speech on democracy and good governance at the occasion discloses that Nigeria’s democracy is getting more recognition but there is the need for the electorates to choose best candidates that would work for them without bias.
Malam Jabiru states that ” Certainly, democracy in Nigeria is in progress, but you have to put more efforts in enlightening the general public about the needs to elects good leaders that are ready to work for the people according to their demands as this association was established and initiated to enlighten the electorates about politics of development”. He said.
Furthermore, Malam Jabiru Hassan announced that the emergence of Dr. Saleh Wailare has brought so many progress in the political situation at Dambatta/Makoda local governments by including youths and women gender into so many activities that are beneficial to livelihood.
He added that ” we are certain that Dr. Wailare is a nice politician and philanthropist who initiates so many programmes that are meant for human development especially in education, healthcare, Information technology, employment, empowerment for self reliance, and I am of the opinion that the people of Dambatta and Makoda would benefit more from the politician despite that he is not holding any elective position”.
At the end of the activities, the Coalition members announced that YDGD would honour Dr. Saleh Musa Wailare for his untiring efforts towards democratic progress at Dambatta/Makoda federal constituency and for his determination a and zeal to assist the people of all categories with all his strength.
June 18, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari Enjoins Political Leaders To Emulate Governor Zulum In Providing Dividends Of Democracy To The People
By Dauda R PamMaiduguri
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on elected political leaders to emulate the sterling leadership qualities of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for his selfless service to the people, as opposed to buck-passing and game blame syndrome.
He made the call on Thursday, during a one day state visit and security assessment of Operation Hadin Kai theatre command headquarters in MAIDUGURI, where he took time-off, to commission seven out of the 556 capital projects executed by the Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s two years in office.

Hear him, “I am highly impressed by the very dynamic leadership that, Governor Babagana Umaru Zulum, has been providing in Borno State in the last two years.
He is very selfless and has been taking a lot of personal risks in order to guarantee the safety and welfare of his people.
I wish that every other person who has responsibility for the people at various levels will emulate Governor Zulum, instead of squandering so much time on unhelpful buck-passing and blame games. I have gone round to commission some of the capital projects executed by the Zulum Administration in two years. I am very happy with what I saw”.
At the Muna Vocational Training Institute, the President described it as, “a very dynamic answer to skills acquisition and job creation efforts” which has the potentials to drastically reduce youth unemployment in the state.

The institute, it was gathered, was designed to train about 1,500 persons annually, it has 14 workshops for Automobile and Mechatronics, Electrical Installation, Solar Installation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Leather Works, Barbing and Cosmetology, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, GSM Repairs, Welding and Fabrication, Maisonry and Building, Carpentry and Joinery; Tie and Die, ICT, as well as Tailoring and Fashion design.

It also has, six hostels of about 200 rooms, a kitchen and common room, as well as an Auditorium, administrative building, and sporting facilities.
The President commissioned the Borno State University, which was completed by the Zulum administration including the senate building, two large hostels with 150 rooms for 1,200 students,34 units of duplexes and bungalows for Professors, senior and intermediate staff.
Other projects included, seven kilometers of road and drainage network, landscaping works across the University, just as, the major infrastructural works were earlier done by the Kashim Shettima’s administration, the founder of the state university.

Also commissioned, were two mega-size Government Day Technical Secondary Schools in Njimtilo and Goni Kachallari and a higher Islamic School, near the Shehu’s palace, all of which have 60 air-conditioned classrooms for at least 2,400 students; vocational workshops, laboratories for sciences and ICT, auditoriums and sporting facilities.

It will be recalled that, Zulum, has built 16 of such schools across Borno State within the two years in office..

Others commissioned were Abbaganaram Maternal Healthcare Centre, which has 50-bed spaces, theatres, diagnostic equipment, blood banks and laboratories and another replicated in Gwange.

Roads and drainages were not left out, as the President also commissioned roads and drainages constructed in Jiddari Polo and first phase of 10,000 resettlement houses he had approved for Borno State from which 4,000 have been completed.

In another development, President Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Health to work with Borno Government in identifying areas through which the FG can support on-going construction of Borno State University Teaching Hospital through intervention, equipment and manpower.
The support, according to him, is to compliment the state government which, in two years, executed 58 capital projects on health, which included establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres, new doctors quarters, and the overhaul of eight hospitals.
Also delivered were, 10 capital projects on security; 13 capital projects on Agriculture; 15 capital projects on commerce and industry and 28 capital projects on Jobs creation, Youths Empowerment and Humanitarian support.

As well as 53 capital projects executed on Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Resettlement which involved more than 6,000 resettlement houses for IDPs and Refugees in 15 towns.

On capital projects,59 delivered on water and environment; 63 capital projects on governance, and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development, with education having the highest number of 194 capital projects including rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of Mega-size government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities.
June 18, 2021
Police nab rail track syndicate vandals in Benur
By Mike Oboh
· As 36 notorious criminal suspects are arrested in sustained anti-crime operations
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a criminal syndicate responsible for recent economic sabotage and vandalism of rail tracks in the North-West and North-Central parts of the country. The arrest of the suspects follows deliberate efforts by the Force to contain and clampdown on perpetrators of recent incidents of rail tracks vandalism, carting away of critical locomotive equipment and other related economic crimes in some parts of the country.
A statement by Force spokesman CP Frank Mbah said the arrested vandals are among a total of thirty-six (36) notorious criminal suspects arrested by the Police recently for offences of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of illegal firearms, cultism, murder, economic sabotage, cybercrime, car snatching, etc.
The arrests were achieved as a result of sustained nationwide tactical, anti-crime operations by the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) in the ongoing efforts aimed at stemming criminal activities particularly violent crimes in the country. Exhibits recovered in the operations include: 8 AK49 rifles, 3 AK47 rifles, 1 locally made rifle, 346 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, 24 live cartridges, 20 AK47 magazine, cash sum of One million, four hundred thousand (N1,400,000), vehicles – 2 Toyota Corolla (Abuja – RBC 653 AE and ABC 906 AG), 1 Toyota Camry, one 307 Peugeot (Abuja – BWR 920 HK), one 406 Peugeot and one Honda civic.
The suspects involved in the rail track vandalism, Idris Lawal ‘m’ 42years, Abdullahi Musa ‘m’ 29years and Usman Umar ‘m’ 22years were arrested following a coordinated intelligence-driven special operation on 27th May, 2021, which uncovered a warehouse in Gboko LGA of Benue State. A cordon and search operation conducted by the Police operatives on the building revealed different vandalized rail equipment, stolen rail installation racks, weld-shear, rail puller, other rail accessories and consumables. Further investigations by the Police team led to the interception of three (3) heavy-load trucks along Ikom-Ibom junction in Cross Rivers State. The trucks were fully loaded with vandalized rail items transported from the warehouse. Investigation is ongoing to identity the destination, the targeted criminal receivers, end-users and other suspects complicit in the crime.
Similarly, a 6-man notorious armed robbery and kidnapping syndicate linked to several violent crimes in Ondo and Ekiti axis of the South-Western part of the country has been arrested. The arrest follows the trailing and arrest of one 60-year-old Umar Mohammed who has been on the wanted list of the Police for transporting firearms and ammunition on behalf of notorious criminals who have carried out major operations in the South-West States. Further investigations by the Police team led to the arrest of five (5) of his gang members – Umar Abubakar, 22yrs, Muhammed Bello, 52yrs, Sale Lawali, 25yrs, Usman Muhammed, 20yrs and Musa Ibrahim, 53yrs, all male – that utilize the weapons he provided to carry out series of kidnapping and armed robbery operations in the country.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has expressed confidence that no stone would be left unturned until all public spaces are reclaimed from criminal elements and a comfortable level of public safety and security achieved in all parts of the country. He enjoined citizens to continue to support the Police and the security community as they carry out the tasks of returning our country to the path of peace and security.
All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations.
ABUJA
June 18, 2021
Security Operatives intercept bags of foreign currencies at Kano Airport
Combined security personnel have intercepted bags filled with different foreign currencies smuggled into Nigeria via Ethiopian Airline in Kano State.
The incident, which occurred Thursday, according to some insiders at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, followed the arrival of an Ethiopian Airline, which came in at about 2 pm local time.
A source who, doesn’t want to be mentioned, explained that the Ethiopian Airline arrived at about 2.30pm.
“Some security personnel uncovered some suspicious luggages and upon checking, discovered different foreign currencies stashed in them.”
The source added, “Upon further checking of the luggages, different foreign currencies such as US Dollars, Euro, Pounds Sterling and others were uncovered”.
Accordingly, heavy reinforcement of security was quickly drafted to the scene of the incident.
“Security started counting the money at about 2pm and they could not conclude till evening”, the source added.
All efforts to speak to different security agencies on the matter proved abortive.
June 17, 2021
NIHOTOUR DG reiterates commitment to accountability, inaugurates Anti-Corruption unit
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa has pledged commitment to the tenets of probity, diligence and accountability in the effective service delivery of the core mandate of the Institute.
Kangiwa who was represented by the Institute’s Director of Human Resources, Alhaji Muhammed Abarshi made the pledge during the inauguration and induction of the NIHOTOUR Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unity -ACTU.
This was contained in a press release signed by Ahmed Duke, Director, Media/ Publicity of NIHOTOUR, made available to Daybreak today
Kangiwa noted that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) remains a critical value chain in entrenching accountability and discipline in the nation’s administrative system.
He said that better quality service delivery to the Nigerian people cannot be achieved without probity, accountability, discipline and due diligence in the conduct of public affairs, pointing out that the country deserves transparency and fairness from those trusted with public office which is the cardinal principle of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Kangiwa noted further that the onus to honestly and sincerely deliver on the mandate of every public sector establishment is on all MDAs as public institutions to ensure that people get the best of services they deserve in governance as a way to better their lives and living conditions.
He called on staff of the Institute to put all hands on deck to carry out the mandate of NIHOTOUR as the apex public Travel-Tourism and Hospitality training, research and regulation of professional practices in the sector of the country as a way to move the industry to the next level.
In a goodwill message Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye SAN, represented by Mr. Abuo Lawrence an Officer in the Commission called on members of the inaugurated ACTU Unit of the Institute to honestly and courageously perform their duties without fear or favour so as to uphold the trust and confidence reposed in them as worthy members of the Unit.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of members of the Unit, Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Muhammed promised to work diligently and to deliver on the mandate of the Unit on all principles and aspects of public probity, fair play and accountability.
June 17, 2021