Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt


Rivers Commissioner for Works Dr. George-Kelly Alabo, has resigned to join the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Alabo’s resignation followed his appointment by Tinubu as the Director-General of Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

Alabo, a loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, was among the commissioners, who resigned their appointments in the State during the crisis between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He was later reabsorbed into the cabinet by the Governor in fulfillment of one of the nine-point peace resolution brokered by President Tinubu to resolve the crisis in the state.

It was, however, gathered that Alabo tendered a fresh resignation letter after accepting Tinubu’s appointment.

In his resignation letter dated March 14th and addressed to Fubara, Alabo said his action was to enable him accept the appointment graciously offered him by the President.

He said: “I hereby resign my appointment as the Commissioner for Works in Rivers State to enable me take up an appointment graciously offered to me by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I appreciate your Excellency for the opportunity to serve my beloved Rivers State as the Commissioner for Works”

The Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikot Omin, Eno Abasi Circuit Diocese, Calabar, Cross River State has called on the management of Ekondo Microfinance Bank to compensate the church to the tune of N35 million after the mast belonging to the bank collapsed and destroyed the residence of the Minister in-charge, Rev. Evans Uwaoma Obiokor.

The church said the collapsed telecoms mast along 8 Miles axis on Calabar Road has rendered the cleric and his family homeless.

Bishop of Diocese of Atamunu (Methodist Cathedral of Favour), Calabar, Otuekong Ukut, in an interview with LEADERSHIP on Thursday in Calabar, stated that preliminary survey showed that the property lost to the collapsed mast is valued at N35 million.

“We have already sent an architect to go through each of the items, and the preliminary survey has shown N35 million for the loss,” the Bishop said.

The cleric listed the items destroyed to the mast to include three buildings comprising the office building, the residence of the Minister in-charge where he lives with his wife and children, the service quarter and the back house which were hit by the fallen mast.

“Those three buildings involved the roofs, the woods, electrical, the appliances, the electronics, office, and books in the office, computers, and photocopiers. It’s a massive damage.

“We have asked our legal officer to inform the bank. We are having our meeting on Monday. At the moment, we have to relocate the minister because the electrical wires in his home are sparking. The water you saw on the floor of his home because of yesterday’s rain can spark up once light is restored.

“Apart from the physical damages, there is threat to the life of the minister, that’s why I have to quickly inform our Prelate at the headquarters and the Board of Trustees. I believe they would have an emergency meeting because all Methodist Church’s property belongs to Board of Trustees,” Ukut maintained.

He said although the management of the bank had not communicated with the church to express concern over the damages or to take responsibility, but as the Bishop, he has visited the premises of the bank, but found out that the collapsed mast was never maintained.

“I found out that the base of the mast was all rotten. There was no environmental impact assessment. The basement and maintenance of the mast were rotten.

“The poles were rotten, with several perforations laced with rust that could not stand the test of time. It’s something that should have been removed if the organisation were to be on alert.

“They should have been the ones to replace the mast with solid steel structures, that was what was about to kill the Minister of Methodist Church, his wife and children,” the Bishop said.

When asked if the management of the bank had visited the church to discuss on the necessary actions to take, Bishop Ukut said none had come.

Asked if the church have the intention to seek redress at the court of law, should the bank fail to a take responsibility for the fallen telecom mast, the Methodist said, “I actually do not expect any responsible organisation or individual to refuse.”

He stressed that it would be very inhuman for the bank to deny responsibility, but it should instead thank God that their negligence and did not lead to the death of anyone.

When LEADERSHIP visited the bank to get its reaction, the Branch Manager, Mrs. Joy Koku, said she does not have the authority to speak on the incident.

”I have no authorisation to make any comment except for or big men from the headquarters,” Koku stated.

The Lagos State Police Command has beefed up security at shopping malls and government warehouses where food items are stored in the metropolis to forestall any possible attack by miscreants.

Similarly, authorities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the Southwest region said its management had beefed up security around its warehouses in the region.

The move is to forestall any attack on government warehouses and shopping complexes by miscreants who may take advantage of the current hardship and hunger in the country to break into facilities where food items are stored.

Recall that a warehouse belonging to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory was broken into by hoodlums and a truck loaded with food items was looted by some residents of Dei-Dei in Bwari Local Area of the FCT.

Speaking after a security meeting with Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), Heads of Tactical Teams, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), the Lagos State police commissioner, Mrs Adegoke Fayoade, said plain-clothes policemen had been deployed to keep a close watch on shopping malls as well as key government installations in the state.

Fayoade has also placed all area commanders and their respective Divisional Police Officers on red alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order in any part of the metropolis.

Operatives of the state’s anti-crime squad, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), have also been directed to keep a close watch on government warehouses and shopping centres where food and beverages are sold.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, exclusively disclosed this to our correspondent on the telephone.

The PPRO said the command was alive to its responsibility of providing security for all and sundry.

Hundeyin said though the command did not anticipate such attack, the deployment was a proactive measure to check any act of violence in the state.

Also speaking, NEMA’s South West Territorial Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, said they had also been directed to beef up security at all government installations in the region.

“All critical stakeholders are on standby for any attempt by anyone. Even though there isn’t a single food item in the warehouses, we are taking precautionary security measures to protect both human and other assets of the federal government from any unforeseen circumstance,” he said.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, says the Federal Government plans to send some medical personnel abroad for training in certain specialties with a view to checking medical tourism and enhancing research,

Alausa said the Federal Ministry of Health was working with the National Postgraduate Medical College, Ijanikin, Lagos State towards the plan.

The health minister spoke in Lagos on Friday during the investiture of Dr Peter Ebeigbe as the 23rd President of the National Postgraduate Medical College, Ijanikin.

Ebeigbe, a fellow in the Faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was elected on December 1, 2023, during the 131st statutory meeting of the governing board of the college, and he is expected to hold the position for the next two years after taking over from the immediate past president, Dr Akinsanya Osibogun.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Alausa said the ministry was developing new curricula to solve the challenges in the health sector.

He said, “I am to announce that the college, in collaboration with the ministry, is establishing training in many other sub-specialties to be able to treat Nigerians, reduce medical tourism, and enhance research.

“The new curriculum being developed includes interventional cardiology in the faculty of internal medicine and cardiac electrophysiology in the faculty of internal medicine. This is extremely important as a lot of people in our country now have pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators; interventional radiology in the faculty of radiology; pain medicine in the faculty of anesthesia; critical care medicine in the faculty of anesthesia; hospice and palliative medicine in the faculty of family medicine; and robotic surgery in the faculty of surgery.

“The FMOH is putting mechanisms in place to fund this training abroad for selected candidates who will be bonded. Surgical oncology in the faculty of surgery; and transplant surgery in the faculty of surgery. This super specialty training in solid organ transplant will focus on kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplants for now.”

Speaking during his address, Ebeigbe lamented the dwindling earnings of medical professors and consultants compared to their counterparts in the Middle East.

He noted that the major reason why medical professionals in the country migrated abroad was for economic reasons while calling for urgent economic intervention.

Ebeigbe said, “One of my teachers who travelled to the Middle East and came back after many years explained things to me, stating that a Nigerian medical professor’s annual earnings gradually dwindled until they were less than the equivalent of $700.

“It was an insightful ‘economic’ intervention by the Federal Government for the enactment of the Medical Salary Scale, which resulted in better pay for doctors, that put an end to the medical brain drain.

“The root cause of brain drain is economic, and economic intervention is currently needed to stem the worsening cascade and prevent a collapse of the health system. As a person who relates closely and daily with resident doctors and trainers, I must inform the honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare about the severity of the situation.”

Claim: Men need to have sex 21 times monthly to avoid prostate issues.


Full Text

Prostate problems are unique to men because they have to do with a peculiar reproductive organ. There are three types of prostate problems: inflammation (prostatitis), enlarged prostate (BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia), and prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the abnormal and uncontrollable growth of the prostate (a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm).

Recently, a video was shared by Naija (@Naija_PR) of a medical practitioner identified as Dr Ken asserting that a healthy man should engage in sexual activities 21 times a month to avoid prostate issues.

From the details of the one-minute, 23-second video, we deduced that the footage was from a radio programme “The Discourse” on Classic FM, 97.3. The man emphasised the need to optimise sexual activity, and if need be, men can have multiple sexual partners to meet their needs monthly.

“It is a concept in Physiology; if you don’t use it, you lose it. The only exercise your prostate gland gets is during erection, and that erection comes with sexual activity. So, the study is abundantly clear that a man in healthy shape should be able to have sexual interaction 21 times a month to avoid prostate issues, prostate cancer and cardiovascular issues. If you don’t exercise the gland, it swells on you. It becomes enlarged, and when it becomes enlarged, that is a precursor to cancer.”

As of Friday, 9 February, the post had garnered over 235,000 views, 805 reposts, 241 quotes and 2,320 likes.

The controversial nature of this assertion and the need to provide the public with accurate information, especially on health issues, prompted DUBAWA to investigate it.


Verification

A keyword search led to an article by the Urology Care Foundation, analysing a study that sampled 32,000 men for 18 years. This study found that men who ejaculated the most (at least 21 times a month) had a 20 per cent lower chance of prostate cancer than those who ejaculated four to seven times a month.

The foundation, however, noted that ejaculation may or may not affect the risk of prostate cancer. While it helps the prostate by flushing out harmful chemicals that build up in semen, it does not automatically mean it protects against prostate cancer. This is because there may be other factors like a healthy lifestyle. The foundation noted the need for more research to know for sure whether more ejaculation reduces the risk of prostate cancer or not.

An article by Healthline discussing this study noted some of its limitations. One of these is the fact that the study relied on self-reported answers (once in 1992 and once in 2010) about how often these subjects ejaculated each month and whether they developed prostate cancer. This means that the results could be skewed by the subject’s memories or awareness of their habits.

The article also noted that the study didn’t specify whether the recorded ejaculation resulted from sexual intercourse with a partner or masturbation, and the reason for emission may play a role in any potential benefit.

A Medical News Today article also addresses the relationship between frequent ejaculation and the risk of prostate issues. The article noted that it remains unclear whether more or less ejaculation makes men of all ages likely to develop prostate cancer because of conflicting findings from different studies over the years, which calls for more research.

This article analysed a 2004 study that surveyed more than 29,000 men on their ejaculation frequency over eight years. The earlier mentioned 2016 study was a follow-up to the original 2004 study. The results of these studies supported the assertion that men who ejaculate more frequently may be less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ejaculate less often.

On the contrary, a 2009 study found that while frequent masturbation might reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men aged 50 and above, it might increase the risk among men in their 20s and 30s. A more recent study in 2017 also found that a higher ejaculation frequency in males in their 30s was protective, but the effect was not the same for males in their 20s and 40s.

A 2016 literature review concluded that masturbation, frequency of ejaculation, and age all affect a male’s risk of prostate cancer, and there is not enough evidence to confirm how these factors might link together.

Similarly, a 2018 meta-analysis of 22 studies on sexual activity and prostate cancer risk found that a moderate ejaculation frequency of two to four times per week was significantly associated with a lower prostate cancer risk. This gives a frequency of about eight to 16 ejaculations per month, which is less than the frequency being promoted by the claimant.

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
While it is true ejaculation rate and age are risk factors for prostate cancer, as highlighted by the above studies, it is important to note and be aware of other factors that cause or increase the risk of prostate cancer as this can help males understand their likelihood of developing it.

These factors include age (as men get older, their risk of developing prostate cancer increases. Around 60 per cent of prostate cancer cases affect males over 65.

On race, it is noted that African American males are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white males, while Hispanic and Asian American males are less likely to develop prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white males. On geography, prostate cancer rates are higher in North America, Europe, and Australia than in areas such as Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.

Other common factors include family history and genetic factors such as changes in the BRCA genes, which also increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer; and exposure to chemicals, with some findings suggesting that Agent Orange, which military forces used in the Vietnam war, may have links with prostate cancer).


Experts Opinion

We spoke to a gynaecologist, Jeremiah Agim, who advised us to speak to a urologist but gave us his opinion. He noted that there are several causes of prostrate issues aside from ejaculation, and just tackling ejaculation will not make much difference.

“There are many risk factors for prostate cancer. These range from age and family history (inherited gene mutation) to lifestyle. Even infection and inflammation of the prostate have been implicated, an environmental carcinogen (e.g. bisphenol from plastic), exposure to ionising radiation, obesity, and hormonal level (sex hormone and others). Ejaculation frequency is just one of these risk factors; therefore, I don’t think an increase in ejaculation frequency with an increase in exposure to other risk factors will make much difference in the development of prostate cancer.”

He also faulted the claimant’s law of physiology about prostate use or exercise, saying: “I will fault his concept of use and disuse. If you want to look at it in that direction, the prostate should atrophy, i.e. become small and not become cancerous when not in use, and it should swell when used. Also, it is not only during sexual activity that a man has an erection. Most erections happen during deep sleep. If you remember your biology class on evolution, Jean Lamarck’s theory of use and disuse. He even said such gain in function can even be inherited.”

Speaking on available studies, he said, “If you go back to those studies you said you came across, one of the explanations by the authors for increased ejaculation frequency as a protective factor for prostate cancer is not from use and disuse. They explained that ejaculation removes carcinogens which would have remained and accumulated in the prostate, thereby increasing the risk of prostate cancer.”

We reached out to a Urologist, Head of the Surgery Department at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Ondo State, Olurotimi Ogundunniyi, who dismissed this assertion as a mere opinion, not a scientific fact.

“We all saw the video and discussed it on our forum. We lamented that when there is no information, people spread rumours. There are risk factors for prostate cancer, like age and family history. It is of recent, people have started thinking if there is a link between sex and prostate cancer.

“In the past, people thought frequent sex and infection was a risk factor, but there was no research to back it up. Is there a study to show that revered fathers suffer prostate cancer more? No. These are just speculations. There are papers here and there suggesting this. At best, it is the realm of being studied, not science. I assure you he was not speaking science, just his opinion,” Mr Ogundunniyi said.

We also spoke to another urologist, Emmanuel Adugba, the medical director at Rock Creek Care Hospital Abuja, who noted that not much has been discussed in this area, but he believes it is a matter of sentiments.

“That area, not much has been discussed. Anything sex, people tend to exaggerate it. It is subjected to sentiments and emotions. For me, I think of harder issues than sentimental issues,” he said.

He explained that if frequent sex was the solution to prostrate issues, then clergypersons who do not have sex or celibate people should account for more of the patients of prostate cancer. At the same time, people who indulge in more sexual activities because of their many wives and concubines should not have prostate cancer, but this is not the case.


Verdict: [/b]MISLEADING! Available studies suggest the narrative has conflicting findings, hence the need for more research. Experts have also dismissed this as a scientific fact because it is still being studied.


[b]Conclusion

While there are different benefits to having sex or frequent ejaculation, and a few studies suggest a relationship between this and prostate cancer, there is no clear link between the two. Available studies so far recommend further study on the issue, and experts have dismissed this, noting the issue is still being studied.

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has warned that the Ministry of Interior’s expatriate employment levy will deter investment in the country.

The association also faulted the levy, saying there would be a need for certain regulations to be put in place before such tax could be imposed.

In a statement on Sunday, NECA said that following the launch of the Expatriate Employment Handbook, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Interior, purportedly aimed at enhancing skills transfer in Nigeria, the new levy would frustrate the Federal Government’s ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms if implemented.

The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, “It will also serve as a disincentive to Foreign Direct Investment among many other unintended negative consequences. The levy of between $10,000 to $15,000 on employers that employ expatriates when Nigeria is actively seeking FDI is not only exploitative and extortionist but also a contradiction that cannot be explained.”

“While we support the Federal Government’s objective of developing the local workforce, we have been at the forefront of promoting skills transfer, technical skills development, and employment generation.

He added, “However, the recently launched initiative of the Ministry of Interior has the potential to create more fundamental economic and socio-labour distortions.“

“The imposition of US$15,000 and US$10,000 on organisations that employ expatriates at a time when businesses are shutting down and leaving the country in droves is worrisome. Recent results of many businesses have shown massive losses, a situation that could potentially increase the level of unemployment with dire socio-economic consequences.”

While raising organised businesses’ concern on the legality and appropriateness of the levy, Oyerinde said, “We are concerned at the legality and appropriateness of the Expatriate Employment Levy as well as its effect on the economy. The provisions of a Handbook can never override clear provisions of extant laws in Nigeria, especially the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Immigration Act, and the Local Content Act among others.”

According to him, the Ministry of Interior and indeed, government cannot impose a tax or levy without appropriate legislation.

He said, “For instance, Section 59 of the Nigerian Constitution requires that any imposition of tax, duty, fee, or levy must be backed by an Act of the National Assembly. Levies that are imposed without complying with the provisions of section 59 of the Constitution offends the Constitution and are illegal.”

The NECA chief also observed that “existing legislations, such as the Local Content Act and Immigration Act have already addressed objectives like those of the EEL Handbook – thus, covering the field. Therefore, the introduction of additional levies is an unnecessary duplication and could impede the ease of doing business in Nigeria.”

Oyerinde noted that “the levy, if implemented, will not only distort, and frustrate the ongoing efforts at clear reform of the Fiscal and Monetary space but also contradicts and render ineffective the President’s ongoing quest for Foreign Direct Investment. Furthermore, a reciprocal implementation of the same policy by other countries will have dire consequences on the careers and progress of Nigerians who are expatriates in other nations.”

As a result, he urged that the government seeks to strengthen existing regulatory institutions responsible for managing expatriate employment rather than imposing additional levies, thus ensuring a more responsive and accountable regulatory framework in the implementation of extant laws.

He stressed the adoption of fiscal incentives to enhance investment attractiveness, support business stability, and prioritise measures that facilitate ease of doing business to attract both local and foreign investors.

Oyerinde canvassed for collaborative efforts between the government and private sector to explore alternative revenue streams and promote wealth creation through dialogue and stakeholder engagement.

Oyerinde acknowledged the government’s goals but stressed the need for strategies fostering a favourable investment climate without burdening businesses excessively. Collaboration between the private sector and Government is vital to finding fair solutions promoting economic interests and sustainable business growth.

As notable in Nigerian politics, after the 2023 general elections, there have been defections by key opposition figures into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Political analysts have often described this movement as realignment of interests.

The defectors, most of who hinged their decision on “irreconcilable crises” in their former parties, described the APC as the only platform committed to addressing the various challenges bedeviling the country.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that defection of politicians from one party to another has become a tradition in Nigeria’s political landscape. Pundits said those who did so had various reasons.

Daily Trust on Sunday chronicles some of the prominent politicians, who have since found a new home in the ruling party.


Prof Ahmed Rufa’i Alkali and other NNPP chieftains

Perhaps, one of the most shocking of the defections was that of Professor Ahmed Rufa’i Alkali, the former national chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). He defected from the NNPP to the APC on October 30, 2023 with many other chieftains of the party.

The NNPP chieftains who defected alongside Alkali are the Kaduna State governorship candidate, Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi; Benue State gvernorship candidate, Prof Bem Angwe; Yobe governorship candidate, Garba Umar; ex-Gombe Commissioner for Women Affairs, Binta Bello; Gombe senatorial candidate, Abigail Albashi; Kaduna State NNPP chairman, Nuhu Audu; ex-Kaduna Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman and the immediate past secretary of the NNPP (North West), Dr Isa Shika and Kaduna senatorial candidate, Mikaih Takwat.

Others are the Kaduna NNPP secretary, Major Yahaya Shinko (retd); Kaduna zonal chairman, Usman Danbaba; former Cross River State commissioner, Godwin Ettah; Gombe House of Reps candidate, Adamu Gargajiga; Benue senatorial candidate, Isaac Idu; Benue NNPP deputy chairman, Ihyom Asongu; ex-Benue Commissioner for Information, John Tine; Gombe House of Representatives candidate, Bukar Mailafiya; and ex-Gombe Commissioner for Community Development and Poverty Alleviation, Aishatu Hashidu, among others.

The development came two days after the South East chapter of the NNPP disowned the presidential candidate and leader of the party and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and settled for Dr Boniface Aniebonam, who founded the party 22 years ago.

The defectors were received at the APC national secretariat in Abuja by the party’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

Speaking during the event, Prof Alkali said, “Mr Chairman, before you today are some of the leading members of the NNPP. As Your Excellency may be aware, most of us seated here participated actively in building and strengthening the NNPP political base as a formidable political movement that enabled the party to field candidates in virtually every electable position throughout the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.

“To us, the APC is more accommodating. We are even more convinced that there is a sense of urgency to address the political, economic and social issues that confront our country in order to bring greater good to the greater number of Nigerians, especially the poor, the underprivileged, the women, the youth and other vulnerable groups in our society. And we believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will see us through.”

Welcoming the defectors, Ganduje said, “It (NNPP) was a decent party before it was bought and polluted by the Kwankwasiyya Movement. But you have done well by retracing your steps to the right party, which is the APC. I promise to convey your congratulatory message to President Bola Tinubu and arrange for you to meet him face to face.”


Ramalan Yero

He is a former governor of Kaduna State. He joined the APC, five months after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.

The former governor, who served the state from 2012 to 2015 on the platform of the PDP, joined the APC on February 11, 2024.

Explaining why he defected, Yero said, “Since the very day we announced our defection from the PDP, many political parties contacted us, including the ruling APC. We met and discussed since the very day we left our former party. Therefore, from today, being February 12, 2024, myself and representatives of other political associates have decided to join the APC. After our decision, we met with the state governor and had a discussion with him. We told him that we accepted to join the party based on the invitation we received.”


Senator Ifeanyi Ubah

Ubah, who represents Anambra South in the National Assembly, had in October 2023 defected from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC.

He informed the Senate of his defection in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. Ubah explained that his decision to join the ruling party was premised on some irreconcilable differences in the YPP.

He thereafter stormed the APC national secretariat in Abuja on October 11, 2023 with his supporters and Anambra State Executive Committee members, where he was received by the party’s national chairman, Dr Ganduje and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

It was gathered that the party has put in motion, a plan to make further inroads into the South East by taking over Anambra from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2025 governorship election.

On October 6, Ganduje said President Tinubu approved a blueprint for political liberation of the South East and urged political bigwigs in the region to unite and key into it.

Addressing the gathering, Ganduje, who announced Ubah as the leader of the party in the state, said he would deliver the state to the APC in 2025.

He said, “This is the biggest fish we have caught since I became the chairman. Let’s see what is happening in the South East. With five states, three are controlled by different political parties. We have the PDP, Labour Party (LP) and APGA. The remaining two are APC states. Now, where is the sense of unity in a geopolitical zone with five states controlled by four political parties? Is this a sense of collective decision to participate in national politics? No.”

Some analysts said Senator Ubah would likely contest the party’s ticket to run against Governor Charles Soludo, who would be seeking a second term in 2025.


Salihu Tanko-Yakasai

He is a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Kano State, but he dumped the party for the APC on August 30, 2023.

In a post on his verified X handle, Tanko-Yakasai stated that a former governor of Kano State and the current national chairman of the APC, Dr Ganduje, urged him to return to the party to help in “consolidating its gains.

The post reads, “The national chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (OFR), has requested me to return to the party and continue to give my best in consolidating the gains of the party from top to bottom, which I have gladly accepted.”

Before joining the PRP, Yakasai had worked with Ganduje but fell out with him before the elections. He has since reunited with his former boss, now serving as one of the APC national chairman’s aides.


Senator Halliru Dauda Jika

He was the Bauchi State governorship candidate of the NNPP in the 2023 election.

After he received his APC membership card at the Kafin Madaki ward in Ganjuwa Local Government Area in the state, Jika said, “All APC members in Bauchi State will now come together, harmonise and strategise, fuse together as one solid entity ahead of the 2027 polls so that we will emerge victorious in Bauchi State. My return to the APC is marking the beginning of a new dawn in the party in Bauchi State.”


27 Rivers lawmakers, others defect

Twenty-seven members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP, had in December 2023 defected to the APC following the feud between the state governor, Sim Fubara and his predecessor, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The lawmakers cited division within the PDP as the primary reason for their defection to the APC. The affected lawmakers are said to be loyal to Wike.

Two officials of the PDP in Benue State also defected to the APC on January 3, 2024. They are Vincent Yandev Amaabai, a national ex-officio and Mbakorlumun James Chia, the state vice chairman for Benue North-West (Zone “B”) senatorial district.

The state publicity secretary of the PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, had in a statement noted, “PDP understands that migration of politicians of a particular kind from the opposition to the ruling party has become a common feature of our politics and sees nothing unusual about this current episode of it.”

Also, on December 4, 2023, a stalwart of the PDP and former contender for the House of Representatives, Babatunde Agunbiade, officially defected to the APC in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. He defected with scores of his supporters

In his address at the rally, Agunbiade cited the country’s best interest and his supporters’ yearnings as the primary motivation for his decision to switch allegiance.

A few days ago, scores of members of the PDP and the Zenith Labour Party in Ondo State defected to the APC. The official defection took place at the APC secretariat in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday.

The defectors are a former member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Tomide Akinribido; former House of Representatives candidate of the PDP, Mr Dare Aliu; Dr Felder Olatunji, Olu Falolu, Ayodele Ikumawoyi, Pastor Olatunde Felix, Chief Pius Akinrinmola, among others.

On December 5, 2023, scores of PDP members also defected to the APC in Kwara State.

The defectors, numbering about 200, were led by a former chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area under the Governor Abdullfatah Ahmed administration, Muyiwa Oladipo (Kanu).

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu and the APC chairman in Irepodun Local Government, Abdulhafeez Yakubu, received the defectors at the local government secretariat in Omu Aran.

In an earlier interview with Daily Trust on Sunday , a renowned political analyst, Professor Kamilu Sani Fage, said it’s always an easy decision for politicians in the country to switch political parties because most of them only see the political parties as a vehicle to achieve their personal ambitions.

He said it was difficult to identify political parties based on manifestos or ideologies; hence it is easier for politicians to move freely from an opposition party to a ruling party, and vice versa. He added that because of personal goals and lack of ideology, most politicians find it difficult to remain in the opposition.

Also commenting, a professor of Political Science, Tunde Adeniran, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the quest for materialism and lack of political ideology are some of the factors responsible for defection of opposition leaders and members to the ruling party after elections.

He said, “There is the rush at different levels and by various politicians to join the ruling party because of lack of ideology.

“It ordinarily should serve as a compass to guide members of the political class and their followers.

“In its absence, the majority of politicians act without integrity, principles or values-guided direction. They are, therefore, prompted by materialism in their actions.”

Grace Obike, Abuja


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two-day official visit to the State of Qatar will assume full gear today with the signing of seven agreements between Nigeria and the Middle East country.

The visit had begun yesterday with a visit the Nigerian president paid to the Museum in Doha, the capital city where the CEO of Qatar Museums Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi and the Director of National Museum of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Thani conducted the Nigerian leader around the facilities.

The Museum which was recently redesigned ahead of the 2022 FIFA world Cup, offers visitors access to a variety of materials used in Islamic art, including carpets and textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, wood, ivory, metalwork, stone and glass.

The President is expected to see pieces of materials dating back to the earliest Islamic period from the 20th century, spanning Spain and North Africa to the Far East.

The host is also expected to conduct his visitor to view the early Hijazi Quran fragments, the sitara of the Holy Kaaba, the Moroccan arch, a copy of al-Sufi’s treatise on the fixed stars, the Abbasid blue-and-white bowl, the Seljuq stucco panel, the Doha Hind and the post-Islamic Spanish ceiling.

The visit to the Museum is expected to herald other events that will culminate in the signing of agreements in seven areas between the Nigeria and Qatari governments today.

From the Museum, the President will visit the Qatar Foundation, which is responsible for promoting Qatar government humanitarian activities in other countries, including Nigeria.

The Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a state-led non-profit organisation in Qatar.

The institution, which was founded in 1995 by the then Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his second wife Moza bint Nasser Al-Missne, has been linked to development of schools, houses and health facilities in several countries, including Nigeria.

The Foundation helped Nigeria with infrastructures including schools, residential houses and health facilities in states ravaged by insecurity.


Earlier on Friday night, President Tinubu had met with key ministers and top officials of the Qatari government.

At the meeting were some key Nigerian government officials on the President’s entourage, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Ibrahim and the Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Ali Pate.

FG has identified locations with Lithium in commercial quantity —Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, said the Federal Government (FG) has identified locations where Lithium occurs in commercial quantities in the country.

He said comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral Lithium are available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for businesses interested in establishing lithium companies in Nigeria.

Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, made this known in a statement.

He said Alake made this disclosure in Doha, Qatar on Saturday at a meeting with Qatari businessmen on the sidelines of the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Arab country.

He stated: “Comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral Lithium are available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for businesses interested in establishing lithium companies in Nigeria.

“Responding to enquiries on the quality of Nigerian lithium by Qatari business mogul Sheikh Shahid Jawad, at the meeting held at the prestigious Sheraton Doha, Alake said mineral exploration initiated by the Federal Government has identified locations where lithium is available in commercial quantities and in high grades.

“To buttress the disclosure, Alake recalled that on a visit to Australia, he was presented with samples of rock composites from Nigeria with high grade lithium content confirmed by laboratory analysis.

“He said it showed that the quality of Nigerian lithium has been recognised by the global mining sector.

“Encouraging Qatari businessmen to visit the country and witness the immense opportunities in mining, Alake said the Nigerian government has put in place generous, investor- friendly policies to facilitate business.

“Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund, Mrs Fatimah Shinkafi, urged investors to explore opportunities in mining infrastructures.

“Giving the example of Vale, a mining company in Brazil that invested in trains to ease the transportation of minerals from the mines to the processing towns, Shinkafi said while the government will continue to provide transportation facilities to the mines, mining companies that recognise the significance of transportation to their future cost control will invest wisely by supplementing government’s efforts.

“Also giving the minister the update of its activities in the mining sector, the vice- chairman of the Qatar- Nigerian Chamber of Business, Muhammed Santuraki, said the chamber was formed in 2017 to build business relations between both countries.

“Recalling a recent visit to a gold mine in Nasarawa State, Santuraki observed the existence of good roads for the haulage of minerals to the ports.

“Other businessmen at the top- level meeting were Sheikh El Jouneid, Chief Executive Officer, ETCC Qatar and Aminu Dahiru, Chairman, Asdub Oil & Gas.”

Godwin Emefiele, immediate-past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has demanded the sum of N25 billion as damages from Senate President Godswill Akpabio over an alleged defamatory remark.

On Sunday, Akpabio said the allegations against Emefiele are so numerous that the federal government does not know which charges to pin on him.

The senate president also blamed the economic hardship in the country on the policies of the former CBN governor. Akpabio and childish talk are just inseparable..

In the letter dated February 19 and seen by TheCable on Wednesday, Matthew Burkaa, counsel to Emefiele, said if Akpabio fails to pay the aforementioned sum and tender an apology, the ex-CBN governor would seek “appropriate redress”.

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is making efforts to raise at least $10 billion to increase foreign exchange (FX) liquidity, stabilise the naira and grow the economy.

Tinubu made this known at the inauguration of the public wealth management conference organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said there was a need to identify, consolidate and maximise returns on government-owned assets worth trillions of naira.

Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu also said there are plans to create millions of jobs by unlocking the value of Nigeria’s vast public assets.

“The federal government set a goal to raise at least $10 billion in order to increase foreign exchange liquidity, a key ingredient to stabilise the naira and grow the economy,” he said.

“At the core of this is ensuring optimal management of the assets and investments of the Federal Government towards unlocking their revenue potential.

“This includes our bold and achievable plan to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next 8 years.”

Tinubu, however, revealed that decades of mismanagement and underutilisation have plagued the country’s assets, spread across Nigeria and outside its borders, leading to revenue losses that have hindered economic growth.

He assured that “the newly restructured Ministry of Finance Incorporated, which is to act as custodian and active manager of these assets, will now take the centre stage.”

The president also said transparency and accountability are key principles, believing improved corporate governance, innovative partnerships and attracting alternative investment capital would significantly increase returns.

“These improved returns will then be directed towards crucial funding for education, healthcare, housing, power, roads and other areas vital to lifting millions out of poverty,” Tinubu said.

“And stimulating sustainable economic development and job creation for the youths.”

By efficiently managing public resources, Tinubu said the government aimed to build a more equitable society and unlock the full potential of its citizens.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders, including ministries, development financial institutions and the public and private sector players, to partner with MOFI to optimise the strategic assets.

Tinubu expressed hope that the collaborative effort would unlock Nigeria’s full potential and create a brighter future for all citizens.

On his part, Shamsudeen Usman, MOFI board chairman, said the asset manager would play a more active role in the management of assets under its purview.

He told operators of the assets to see MOFI as partners rather than competitors or regulators.

The chairman said the management was committed to high-level corporate governance.

Usman also said the company had integrated a non-conflict of interest policy to guard against practices that undermine professionalism among members of staff.

President Bola Tinubu has directed immediate settlement of outstanding electricity bill due to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s directive followed the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and AEDC.

The AEDC on Monday, in an advertorial, published in a number of national dailies, mentioned the Presidential Villa one of the debtors on its list of 86 defaulters, claiming a whooping N923,873 million.

The Statement, however, faulted the almost N1 billion claim by AEDC, saying the Villa’s outstanding bill stands at N342, 352, 217.46.

“Contrary to the AEDC’s initial claim of N923million debt in paid advertorial in newspapers, the State House outstanding bill is N342, 352, 217.46, according to a letter by the management of AEDC to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024.

“Having reconciled the position to the satisfaction of both parties, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has given assurance that the debt will be paid to AEDC before the end of this week.

“Following the example of the Presidency, Chief of Staff also urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with AEDC and pay their electricity bills,” the statement reads.

Dollar sales by Deposit Money Banks and other entities at the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market dropped by $252m to $84.1m on Friday.

This represents a 74 percent drop from the $331.1m transactions recorded at the official Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the naira depreciated to N1,537/$ on Friday from N1,498/$ recorded at the close of trading activity on Thursday at the official market.

Analysis of data obtained from FMDQ Security Exchange showed that forex turnover plunged by 74 percent to $84.10m on Friday from $336.11m on Thursday. However, aside from commercial banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, oil firms and multinationals also sell dollars at NAFEM.

At the parallel market, on Friday, the naira also depreciated to N1,670/$ from N1,600/$ recorded on Thursday amid a demand with a steady demand for the greenback.

Further analysis for the week ending showed that the supply started on a low at $116.11m on Monday; it increased by $292.3m to $381.92m on Tuesday but dropped to $117.87m on Wednesday. On Thursday, the supply increased to $336.11m.

Market experts hinted that the naira depreciation followed a strong demand for dollars by speculators as well as individuals travelling for business, tourism, education and health.

According to currency dealers, the demand for the greenback may not end anytime soon.

The FMDQ report indicated that the banks led others to sell $1.97bn in the first week of the CBN circular which had mandated banks not to exceed a new threshold in their FX prudential guidelines.

In a series of guidelines, the CBN had ordered Deposit Money Banks to sell their excess dollar stock. It also warned lenders against hoarding excess foreign currencies for profit.

On Thursday, the apex bank released another set of guidelines that stopped banks from paying Personal Travel Allowance to their customers.

In a second circular signed by its Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Hassan Mahmud, it also asked International Oil Companies not to repatriate all their revenue to their parent companies at once. The apex banks also, in the third circular, reviewed its guidelines to stop under-invoicing of exports and over-invoicing of imports.

Nevertheless, despite the Central Bank’s efforts to boost forex supply through various policy interventions, challenges persist in the forex market.

The gap between the rates in the official market and the parallel market is once again widening, raising concerns about the potential resurgence of round-tripping activities.

In response to the circular, banking institutions and IMTOs have begun the implementation, carrying out operational adjustments to accommodate the revised remittance framework by issuing notices to their customers.

A showdown is imminent at the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged plans by members of the dissolved board to return to office.

President Bola Tinubu had on June 19, 2023 dissolved boards of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the ICPC.

However, TheCable understands that members of the dissolved board have insisted that the ICPC was not affected by the presidential directive and are set to resume duties on February 19.

Insiders said the affected board members have continued to lobby the presidency through the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and that of the vice-president that the ICPC board should be excluded from those dissolved.

“Since 19, 2023, the staff of the commission have continued to be notified every week that they are resuming back to the commission the following week,” a source told TheCable.

“A letter purported from the office of SGF was dropped by a representative of the board members last week asking them to return back to the commission to complete their terms of office.

“Since the letter was dropped at the commission, the chairman has been under intense pressure to stop the board members from resuming work on Monday, February 19.”

Another insider informed TheCable that Aliyu Musa, chairman of the commission, has also been seeking to confirm if the board members were resuming as claimed.

“The chairman has been running around from the SGF office to the attorney-general and the chief of staff to the president to confirm the resumption of the board members,” the source said.

“The chairman prefers the board members to come in as ad-hoc board members on part-time and not full-time.

“The 12 board members are also insisting on resuming on Monday and have made demands which included the payment of their eight months salary arrears (the period they were suspended).

“Each board member earns over N2 million monthly. This implies over N24 million monthly for the period they were dissolved.

“And in eight months, the total salaries of these 12 board members is over N192 million.

“Some of the board members have also demanded the return of the cars allocated to them which were collected when the board was dissolved.

“The main issue is that the salaries of the 12 board members have not been factored into the 2024 budget of the ICPC as the board was dissolved during the preparation and defence of the budget.”

Azuka Ogugua, spokesperson of the ICPC, is yet to respond to enquiries by TheCable.

In 2000, when the commission was created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, there were six full-time board members but ex-President Muhammadu Buhari increased the number to 12.

“Buhari made them 12 board members and is draining resources, and we have plenty of things to do with resources,” an official of the commission, who did not want to be named, said.

Bandits have reportedly killed no fewer than nine persons in Kwasam community, Kauru LGA and Gwada community in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

The bandits also reportedly abducted 35 others, including a retired Director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), his brother and the brother’s wife.

They were said to have also injured nine people during the attack in the two LGAs.

The retired CBN Director was identified as Zakariya Markus

The breakdown showed that six persons were killed, five abducted and two injured in Kauru LGA while three persons were killed, seven injured, and 30 others kidnapped in Igabi LGA of the State.

According to sources, the incident occurred penultimate Friday around 10pm when bandits invaded the community.

Sources said the bandits picked two people who, at gun point, led them to the residence of the retired CBN staff and abducted him.

“Banidits moved to his family house, abducted his brother and the brother’s wife. Residents rushed out in an attempt to rescue victims but the bandits fired at them killing six, injuring two.

“Those killed, include Danmasani Gwaska, Mrs. Giwa John, Kapishi Barmu, Ganya Ubangida, Shigama Salisu and Gani Magawata.

“Those kidnapped include Mr. Zakariya Markus (retired CBN director), Mr. Monday Markus (Younger brother to the retired CBN staff), Mrs. Monday Markus (wife of Monday), Mr. Alhamdu Makeri’s son and Baban Fati of Kauru.”

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has appealed for aggressive military operations against bandits across the State following the attacks.

The Governor sent his condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in Igabi and Kauru LGAs.

He spoke through the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, at Gwada and Kerawa villages in Igabi LGA, during an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in the area, in the company of the Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muhammad Kana, other military commanders and security forces working.

He said: “We are here on behalf of Governor Uba Sani to first of all condole with you over the lives lost in Kerawa and Sabon Birni Wards in Igabi LGA and also Kwassam, Kurera and Kan Makama communities in Kauru LGA.

“May Almighty God grant the deceased eternal rest, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured.

“I want to assure you that we are also here for an assessment of the security situation and as you can see, troops are presently carrying out operations in these locations, to which you have attested. The Governor of Kaduna State is not relenting in his efforts, and he is also working towards sustained aggressive military operations in the frontline locations and emerging fronts like Kauru LGA.”

The most wanted suspected kidnapper in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dahiru Adamu, has been arrested.

The development comes barely three days after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, placed a N20 million bounty on him and one Abu Ibrahim.

The two terrorists are said to be causing mayhem in the nation’s capital, kidnapping and killing unsuspecting citizens.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrest to DAILY POST on Friday.

The PPRO said the suspect was arrested when operatives of the Command raided two kidnappers’ camps bordering Nasarawa and the FCT, via Kuje Area Council, on Thursday.

The suspected kidnapper was said to be the leader of the kidnapping syndicate paraded by the Police Command on Wednesday.

By Henry Umoru


FRESH facts are emerging from Tuesday’s closed session between the Senate and leadership of the nation’s security apparatus.

This is just as the security chiefs led by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, gave the Senators the achievements made so far by security agencies.

A very ranking Senator who was at the closed door session that lasted nine hours on Tuesday, told Journalists yesterday that though the lawmakers went into the meeting with a lot of misgivings and apprehension, the security chiefs allayed their fears and earned the confidence of the lawmakers.

The NSA, ministers and security chiefs took turns to give the lawmakers vivid accounts of their exploits and how they have averted major terrorist attack since President Bola Tinub took over in May last year.

The Senator who noted that Ribadu gave the lead presentation by taking them through different components of the security challenges, explaining how they met the situation and the changes so far, however spoke about how wanton violence has significantly gone down thus pushing down number of casualties from attacks by armed groups.

The NSA was said to have told the lawmakers that Boko Haram and ISWAP now resort to planting IEDs showing that they were regressing from their comfort zones, which he attributed the success in the fight against the Boko Haram to the gallantry of troops and the hard work of the Borno State Government.

According to the Senator, Ribadu who also told the lawmakers that 20 gunrunning networks were smashed and over 5,000 military grade weapons were seized and destroyed by government agencies, also disclosed to them that sporadic incidences of kidnapping being reported in most parts of the country were pointers that security kidnapping and banditry have now evolved into economic crimes substituting armed robbery as an easy means of making money through criminal means.

The NSA said that the country was today witnessing significant increase in oil production and ralative peace in the South-East region, which was hitherto bedevilled by activities of gunmen, due to concerted military and non-military steps,

The Senator said, “The Chief of Air Staff also gave an excellent account of how the air component of the war complements the work of troops on ground. He mentioned how they killed two key leaders of bandits Ali Kacalla and Yellow Janburos and how that has helped to halt interstate movement of bandits and logistics especially around Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara States.”

The ranking lawmaker who recalled the Inspector General of Police also spoke about routing out criminals in the suburbans of Abuja and how his men have checkmated activities of one-chance criminals in the capital city.

Despite the satisfaction expressed by most lawmakers who spoke at the session, others pointed areas of operational lapses that deserve attention and urged the service chiefs to ensure harmony and cooperation for maximum success.

The lawmakers also tasked the minister of finance to prioritise release of funds to security establishments.

It would be recalled that at end of the marathon session on Tuesday, the Senate leadership expressed confidence in the leadership of the security sector and applauded their effort in addressing the security concerns.

One of the 12 All Progressives Congress governorship aspirants in Edo State, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, on Thursday, announced his withdrawal from the race.

Agbonayinma, a former member of the House of Representatives, announced his withdrawal from the governorship race following the news of his son’s death.

Agbonayinma’s 23-year-old son, Osazuwa Agbonayinma, was said to have been killed by a gunman in Houston, Texas, USA.

It would be recalled that Agbonayinma was the first aspirant to officially inform the leadership of the APC that he would be contesting the election when he visited the state secretariat in October 2023.

Addressing his supporters and members of the party in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area on Thursday, Agbonanyinma thanked his supporters and urged them to stay united and back whoever emerges at the party’s flagbearer in Saturday’s primary election.

He said, “Over a year ago, I decided to give serious consideration to the calls from well-meaning Edolites at home, and in the Diaspora, on the dire need to change the political narrative in Edo State, while expressing confidence in my ability to champion the cause of moving Edo State forward.

“So, I began consultations with my family, friends, close allies, leaders of our great party, traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, and media influencers across Edo State and the nation on my interest to contest in the 2024 Edo governorship race.

“To the glory of God, the positive reception has been overwhelming. I am eternally grateful for the individual and collective efforts for this success.

“At the height of this success, my family suffered a very tragic development. My 23-year-old and very promising son, Osazuwa Michael Agbonayinma (Zuwa), was fatally shot and killed in Houston, Texas, USA. I have just returned from the United States after my son was buried. This is a very bitter experience that cannot be wished even upon an enemy.

“Presently, my family and I are highly devastated. And I am not in the right frame of mind to continue any serious political campaign at this time. After due consultations and consideration, I am suspending my gubernatorial campaign at this time. We need some quiet time to grieve and heal.”

He thanked his supporters for their “overwhelming moral, financial, and spiritual support in my journey so far.”

Agbonayinma expressed the hope that the Edo APC governorship primary holding this Saturday will offer aspirants “a level playing field, where every aspirant is accorded a free, fair and equal chance and opportunity to participate in the APC governorship primary.”

“As a loyal party man, I call on all leaders and supporters of our great party, APC, to fall behind the party flag-bearer that would eventually emerge from a free, fair and credible process such that APC will go into the governorship election as a united party,” he said.

With Agbonayinma out, 11 aspirants are left to slug it out in the Saturday governorship APC primary of the Edo APC.

They are Clem Agba, Monday Okpebholo, Lucky Imasuen, Anamero Dekeri, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine Col David Imuse (retd), Gen Charles Airhiavbere, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Blessing Agbomhere, Dennis Idahosa and Ernest Umakhihe.

The House of Representatives has resolved to stop sports betting in the country and urged the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to comply with the Lottery Regulatory Commission Act, 2005.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Kelechi Nwogu (PDP-Rivers) at plenary in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that approximately 60 million Nigerians aged between 18 and 40 engage in sports betting.

According to him, weak or neglected regulations of sports betting have given rise to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Nwogu added that it had also led to strain or broken relationships due to lying or stealing from friends and family, financial problems, legal issues, and job loss due to excessive loss or debt.

“Betting has given rise to an increased crime rate and eventual suicide,” he said.

He harped on the need for campaigns to prevent the negative social impact of lottery and underage participation.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to conduct a comprehensive nationwide campaign to raise public awareness about the negative impact of youth participation in sports betting.

The House also mandated the Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs to conduct a public hearing on the dangerous effects of sports betting in Nigeria.

It urged the committee to report back to it within four weeks for further legislative action.

NAN reports that data from the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) has revealed that over 65 million Nigerians actively engage in betting, spending an average of 15 dollars daily.

NAN reports that Nigerians spend an estimated 975 million dollars daily on online sports betting, which amounts to about 356 billion dollars annually. (NAN)

The federal government, on Wednesday, announced that it is making efforts to modify farmers’ databases to get rid of “political farmers” as it plans to kick off the second phase of dry season farming.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in a maiden press briefing organised by the Minister of Information and National Orientation to regain public confidence.

According to him, only genuine farmers will benefit from government-subsidised interventions.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Bola Tinubu administration earlier announced that a lot of agricultural policies meant for farmers were enjoyed by ‘political farmers’: persons linked to politicians but who were not real farmers.

Last year, the ministry launched the first phase of dry season farming under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) project. The first phase focused on 15 wheat-growing states.


I50,000 hectares of rice to be cultivated in second phase

Mr Kyari said following a key evaluation of the first phase of dry season farming, measures have been taken to ensure the success of the subsequent phase.

He said 150,000 hectares of rice would be cultivated during the second phase, noting that 300,000 genuine farmers are targeted for this. The farmers, he said, would benefit from the government’s subsidised interventions such as fertilisers, herbicides and micronutrients among others.

According to him, the farmers would get three bags of these agro-inputs for free after purchasing half bags.

In addition, he said, 30,000 hectares of maize would be cultivated across the 36 states of the federation. The minister expressed optimism, noting that some state governors have shown interest in the scheme.

Mr Kyari also clarified that 42,000 metric tonnes of grains earmarked for distribution to vulnerable households would be at no cost.

“The 42,000 metric tonnes of food from the national food reserves is free,” he clarified. “We’re trying to crash down the prices of food and make it available.”

“So these 42,000 metric tonnes of food will be given to the needy free of charge. It would go directly to the needy at no cost at all.

“We’ve met with the DSS and NEMA to give us the index. This is to gather intelligence on where it is needed the most, and we are going to look at those indices,” Mr Kyari added.


Idris unveils five-pillar agenda to regain public confidence

In his remarks, the information minister, Muhammed Idris, said his ministry has developed a five-pillar agenda in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.

Mr Idris said the agenda is targeted at restoring trust, amplifying policies and programmes, reorienting national values, modernizing technology and talent, and creating an enabling environment for the media.

“The Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS) that we are kicking off today, are in line with our ‘Restore Trust’ and ‘Amplify Policies and Programmes’ pillars. This is a chance for you, the distinguished members of the press, to engage with senior officials of the federal government, on behalf of the good people of Nigeria,” the minister told journalists.

“You will hear first-hand about what the federal government is doing, policies, programmes, targets and objectives, and you will be able to ask questions and receive relevant clarifications. We have also made efforts to ensure that this Briefing Series receives the widest possible coverage, through traditional and digital platforms,” the minister explained.

Mr Idris said the ministry is “determined to restore trust, confidence and credibility to public communications, by engaging in a timely, proactive and consistent fashion with all our stakeholders, across government, the media, private sector and international community, deploying all available platforms and media.”

He noted that the press briefing will subsequently feature other ministers who will be brought before the press to highlight the government’s efforts in stabilising the country.

The leadership of the organised labour has maintained that major actions it is planning to carry out after a 14-day ultimatum it gave expired would go on as planned if the federal government does not resolve all the issues it raised.

This is just the federal government, begging the two labour centres to withdraw their notice of strike issued last week Thursday over what it described as non-implementation of 16-point agreement it reached during October last year negotiation meeting.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, who made this plea at a meeting with the two leaderships of both Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), promised again that the government would resume payment of N35,000 wage award to workers.

Daily Trust reports that the federal government has only paid N35,000 wage award to workers twice since September 2023 when the payment was initiated as agreed by both parties – the development many workers had described as “unfair”.

Speaking before the meeting went into a closed-door, Onyejeocha explained that the government had stepped up efforts to complete the implementation of those agreements, adding that she convened the meeting in order to brief the two Labour centres on the progress of the implementation.

“It is true we entered into an agreement, but the government has shown good faith, and considering the urgency of the issue at hand, I called this meeting because dialogue has always been the best way out, and we are all for the well-being of our people.

“I am here to show good cause on why some agreement has not been met,” the minister told the gathering led by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero and his counterpart from TUC, Festus Osifo at the headquarters of ministry of Labour and Employment.

She noted that while the reaction of the labour organisations was not unwarranted in the face of government’s non-completion of the agreement, bearing in mind that some items in the agreement could only be achieved in stages.

She assured them of President Bola’s sincerity of purpose and unflinching dedication to the implementation of that agreement, adding that he would leave no stone unturned to satisfy the demands of the labour organisations.

But the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, enjoined the Federal Government to be committed to beating the deadline of the 14-day ultimatum, which started on 9th February 2024, by ensuring the implementation of that agreement.

Ajaero, who declared that the organised labour had resolved to stand by their ultimatum, and that every party to the agreement should endeavour to live up to expectation for the interest of Nigerians and the government, stressed that the Congress would always fulfil its part of the bargain, so long as the federal government would do same.

Nigeria lost of its brightest minds in the banking and financial sector on Friday when the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings died in a helicopter crash in California United States.

Wigwe was in a chopper with his wife, son and three other passengers, including former Nigeria Stock Exchange chairman, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, when the incident happened.

They were reportedly heading for Las Vegas to watch the Super Bowl, the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL) of the United States.

Here are some notable Nigerians who have died in plane and helicopter crashes.


Patrick Yakowa

The former Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, died in a naval helicopter that crashed and burst into flames in the forest of Okoroba, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, shortly after take-off. Yakowa was a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012.


Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III

The 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido Abubakar III, also died in a plane crash on ADC Airlines Flight 53 on October 29, 2006, while returning to Sokoto after meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo. Maccido died along with his son, Badamasi Maccido and both were buried in Sokoto.


Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, lost his life in the ill-fated aircraft that killed 11 military officers on board, on May 21, 2021.

The aircraft crashed near Kaduna International Airport while the military officers were on their way to the passing out parade of regular recruits slated for the next day.


General Andrew Owoye Azazi

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, also died in a crash alongside the late Governor Yakowa in December 2012. He was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and two-time governor of Edo State, has demonstrated a penchant for blaming Nigeria’s woes on the previous administration or leader at every point in time.

Barely after two months former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over government to the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015, the country was plunged into economic crisis. Oshiomhole, then as sitting Edo governor, without mincing words blamed the challenges on what he labelled “recklessness” of Jonathan’s government.

Featuring on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television, in July 2015, Oshiomhole had said, “The crisis we have at the moment is not a flash; it’s going to be here for some time. I feel what has happened is that at the peak of the oil boom, prices were high and people made projections and budgets were drawn up on the basis of those numbers and along the line there was a sharp drop.

“So, if the federal government had been stopped from borrowing, the federal government would have defaulted much earlier than the states and the number of months that the federal government would have been worse than the worst state in the federation. The federal government allowed itself to borrow recklessly, quite reckless in the sense that no serious manager goes month after month to borrow for the payment of salaries.”

He added that revelations of the excesses of Jonathan’s administration have been coming into the fore, noting that Buhari had made practical efforts to correct his predecessor’s anomalies.

Oshiomhole not only attacked Jonathan, but he also called for the heads of some of his appointees.

At some point, the former labour leader alleged that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, immediate past minister of finance, expended $1 billion on the re-election bid of Jonathan.

Oshiomhole, in blistering attacks on the former minister, described her as a “pathological liar”, re-emphasising the point of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that revelations of the rot of Jonathan’s government would be released in the coming weeks.

“You will soon begin to hear when all the numbers are published,” he said.


After Jonathan Comes Buhari

The former Governor now Senator has again latched on to the current growing hardship in the country and passed the blame on Buhari, who left the government about eight months ago.

Many Nigerians and most especially experts have criticised some of the policies introduced by the President Bola Tinubu-led government that have led to hardship, especially the removal of petrol subsidy, which tripled the pump price of fuel.

But Oshiomhole said President Tinubu should not be held responsible for the right or wrong decisions taken by the previous administration.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Oshiomhole specifically said he always places national interest above partisan interests.

The senator said he criticized Buhari’s government for some of its policies. Oshiomhole was removed as the national chairman of APC in 2020 under the watch of Buhari.

“My first loyalty is to Nigeria. At some point, before the last president left office, I lamented loudly what I saw as reckless policies that were designed to dehumanize the population that was already in pain.

“I felt that it is not what the then president promised. I dissociated myself from those policies and I’m happy that I was not the only one.

“There were governors who approached the court to denounce some of those policies. It is the long term consequences of those policies that we are still grappling with now,” he said.

biographyinsigh:
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https://biographyinsight.com.ng/challenges-of-n100000-minimum-wage/

Justina Asishana, Minna


A 20-year-old girl, Aisha Aliyu, who got married in December 2023, has allegedly killed her husband, Idris Ahmadu in the Nasarawa community in the Lapai local government area of Niger State.

Aisha was said to have stabbed the husband in his chest and slit his throat.

According to witnesses, the bride disagreed on Sunday evening with her husband and was seen to have resolved their disagreement.

Neighbours said they heard screams of Idris in the middle of the night and ran into the house with his mother, meeting him trying to leave the room while holding his neck before he fell and died.

The wife was said to have fled from the scene before others came into the house.

The Niger Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident saying that effort was on to arrest the fleeing suspect.

“Today 12/02/2024 (Monday), at about 1200hrs, information was received that in the early hours, one Idris Ahmadu of Nasarawa village, via Lapai was stabbed to death by his wife, Aisha Aliyu 19/20 years of the same address.

“Before the arrival of the police at the scene, the suspect had fled to an unknown destination, while effort is being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect. The case under investigation please,” he said.

The State Security Service, SSS, has quizzed a prominent Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Auwal Shariff, for criticizing the administration of President Bola Tinubu over economic hardship in the country.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the cleric, who is a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu, was quizzed on Friday and released the same day.

In one of the videos of his sermons obtained by our correspondent, Mr Shariff had likened the power transition between former President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Tinubu to that of Pharaoh and Haman.

He also lambasted the president for the hasty decision to remove petrol subsidy.

“Tinubu and Buhari are like Pharaoh and Haman; there is no difference between them. If not for Tinubu’s lack of respect and dignity for Nigerians, how can you announce the removal of subsidy in your inaugural speech?

“After announcing the removal on the inauguration stage, the petrol price jumped from around N200 to over N600 before the president left the venue.

“And people just laughed it off, as though nothing happened. What kind of people are we?

“Ideally, he should have consulted his economic team before making such a hasty decision; even the military, which rules by decree, don’t make that kind of pronouncement,” Mr Sharif said.

An insider source told DAILY NIGERIAN that the cleric was quizzed for some hours before he was asked to go home.

“Some operatives of the SSS stormed the residence of Malam on Friday before Jumuat prayers, but he wasn’t at home.

“They came back again after the Jumuat prayer, but could not meet him. So they left behind a letter and a phone number for him to call.

“Upon his arrival from the mosque, Malam reached out to them, confirming the receipt of their letter.

“He offered to go to their office immediately, but we advised him against it. Even the SSS asked him to wait until Monday, but he insisted on going to know the reason for the invitation, and prove his innocence.

“He went and had a discussion with them, and after hours of grilling, he was allowed to go home.

“From what we gathered, the order to arrest Malam was from Abuja, but somehow the matter was handled by the Kaduna State Command,” he said.

The source said the secret police expressed security concern about some of his sermons and the kind of engagement they received from people of all faith.

“He was advised to be less critical due to the fragile nature of the polity,” the source added.

The source said his ordeal might not be unconnected to his recent criticisms of the economic hardship and some top politicians in the country.

When contacted, the SSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, didn’t respond to an SMS sent to his known phone number as at the time of filing this report.

Several bandits, two soldiers and a mobile police officer were killed on Monday during a fight that ensued after the outlaws attacked a security camp in Zamfara State.

The terrorists had attacked security personnel stationed at the Government Day Secondary School, Dauran in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

Multiple sources from Dauran and Zurmi towns told PREMIUM TIMES that the attack, which began around 9:30 a.m., was launched by the terrorists to avenge the arrest of one of them by the soldiers on Sunday after being identified by locals.

“Some residents who were once kidnapped spotted a bandit in the market on Sunday and alerted the soldiers that were stationed in the community. The soldiers came and arrested the suspect and took him away,” a community leader in Dauran, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told PREMIUM TIMES Monday evening. “That was what caused the attack.”

Two groups of terrorists were said to have stormed the camp, a government secondary school now being used by the soldiers.

“Most of the soldiers were inside the classrooms that now serve as their rooms when they started hearing gunshots,” a youth leader in Zurmi, Abubakar (surname withheld), said. “The two soldiers killed and the mobile policeman were the ones on duty outside so they fired back. They exchanged fire for some time before the other soldiers joined.”

He said several terrorists were killed by the soldiers but only two bodies were recovered as the bandits retrieved and withdrew with the others.

“Terrorists don’t leave behind dead bodies of their friends. They try as much as possible to take away all dead bodies. Yesterday, they left behind two dead bodies and went away with others. Several of them also got bullet wounds. I believe if the soldiers had more numbers, they would have killed all the terrorists,” Mr Abubakar said.

Another resident of Dauran, Ahmad Muhammad, told PREMIUM TIMES over the phone that the terrorists entered through Marakkai forest.

“The soldiers are trying but they are not enough honestly. We are happy that there are soldiers and mobile policemen here but they need to bring more security agents,” he said.

He said even before the attack on Monday, the terrorists abducted a local trader, Shafiu Musa, his wife and a friend.

Ibrahim Yahaya, the spokesperson for Operation Hadarin Daji, 1 Bridge Nigerian Army in Zamfara State, and the police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to them by this reporter over the attack.

Most of the communities in local government areas sharing a border with the Niger Republic like Zurmi (Zamfara), Jibia and Batsari (Katsina), Gada, Sabon Birni and Isa (Sokoto) have in recent weeks witnessed the resurgence of terrorist activities.

US President Joe Biden confused his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron with France’s long-dead former leader Francois Mitterrand, in a campaign speech shared on social media.

Addressing a campaign event in Las Vegas on Sunday, the 81-year-old US leader included an anecdote about Macron’s reaction to a speech at a G7 meeting in 2020.

“And Mitterrand from Germany — I mean, from France — looked at me and said, ‘You know, what — why — how long you back for?'” Biden said.

A later White House transcript inserted the correct name, Macron, in brackets.

Mitterrand was French president from 1981 to 1995, and died in 1996.

Video of the mix-up has been widely viewed and shared on social media, and shared hundreds of times.

Biden has made similar public mistakes in the past, notably in September 2022 when he called on a deceased congresswoman at a conference she helped organize.

“Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie? I think she was going to be here,” he said, referring to Indiana representative Jackie Walorski, who had died a month earlier.

And in April last year, a White House transcript corrected Biden when he confused New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team with the Black and Tans, a British military force notorious for its involvement in the Irish War of Independence.

The transcript of his speech, given in a pub in Ireland, crossed out “Black and Tans” and inserted “All Blacks”.

Biden’s predecessor and probable opponent in the November presidential election, Donald Trump, made a similar gaffe last month, confusing his party rival Nikki Haley with former House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Biden, Trump come under age scrutiny
Trump, 77, had falsely said Haley was in charge of security during the violent assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, prompting her to question his mental fitness during a campaign speech.

Following Trump’s gaffe, Biden also took the opportunity to make a dig at his potential presidential rival.

“I don’t agree with Nikki Haley on everything, but we agree on this much: She is not Nancy Pelosi,” he had written in a post.

A Nigerian soldier stationed in Maiduguri, Borno State who expressed his frustration at being unable to visit his family due to the transport fare has been detained by the army, military sources told SaharaReporters.

The soldier had in a trending video lamented how he spent one year in the bush in Borno and was given a pass to visit his family but could not go because of his N50,000 salary.

He said he was told at the motor park that the transport fare to his town was N35,000, meaning that the trip would cost him N70,000 to and fro.

Speaking in pidgin English, the soldier said, "See wahala oo, the Nigerian Army gave me a pass as I spent one year in Maiduguri today, they gave me a pass to go and see my family.

"As I left the bush, I reached the park and they (transporters) told me that from here to my town is N35,000. I calculated it and going and coming back is N70,000 and N50,000 is my salary that I was paid this month.

“I don't have any option again; I'm going back to the bush.”

Multiple sources on Tuesday told SaharaReporters that the soldier had been locked up in the ‘guardroom’ for days over the video, considered embarrassing by the army authorities.

“Our colleague who complained about the transport fare more than his salary has been locked up in the guardroom,” one of the sources said.

SaharaReporters had reported how the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said that soldiers and military officers earn less than N50,000 as monthly salaries while Generals and soldiers on operations get N1,200 for feeding daily.

The CDS disclosed this during an interview where he said that Nigerian soldiers and military officers were doing well and therefore should be paid salaries that were worth the jobs to encourage them to do more.

SaharaReporters has done several reports on soldiers lamenting poor feeding, poor salaries, poor medical treatment and poor welfare packages in general despite abandoning their families, putting their lives on the line with massive promises by the Nigerian government.

On December 11, SaharaReporters reported how troops attached to 145 Taskforce Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Damasak, Borno State for Operation Hadi Kai lamented the alleged misuse of power against their rights by their Commanding Officer.

The soldiers who spoke on condition of anonymity over fear of victimization also lamented acute hunger.

The soldiers who lamented that they were not being properly fed, called for the immediate intervention of President Bola Tinubu and military chiefs to address the issue of poor treatment of soldiers on the front lines, sacrificing their lives daily.

Apart from not being given good food, the soldiers lamented that many of their colleagues had been killed by terrorists because the military lacked adequate firepower and equipment to combat the insurgents.

In what seems to be the affirmation of the claims made by the soldiers, the Chief of Defence Staff said, “The issue of ration cash allowance where we feed, any time we are on operations, I, as a General I’m being fed on N1,200 per day with my soldiers, from the first General to the last soldier, the same amount. That is what we manage with.

“My soldiers collect less than N50,000 for a salary a month. We all know the situation on ground. My appeal is for them to have salaries that are worth the work they are doing. We deserve to have that so that it will encourage them to do more.

“We have a lot of them that have been injured, families separated for a very long time. These are the morale aspect of it that we check to actually ginger the troops to want to do more.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has said that the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as fuel and long queues being experienced in some filling stations in some Nigerian cities, particularly in Lagos is caused by distribution issues.

It had been reported on Monday that there were long queues in some filling stations in Lagos while residents of the city expressed fears that there might be a fresh scarcity of the product.

The long queues were noticeable at filling stations along the Ikorodu Road and Total Filling Station located at the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way where the queues had led to traffic jams around the Ikeja axis of the state.

The PUNCH reports that many of the filling stations along the Ikeja axis, through Obafemi Awolowo Road in Ikeja, Lagos state capital were shut down, and that all the filling stations along Ogunnusi Road, inbound Berger, did not sell petrol to customers.

It was gathered that NNPCL mega filling stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway did not dispense fuel as of Monday evening.

On Tuesday morning, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, dismissed insinuations of fresh fuel scarcity, saying that the NNPCL did not have supply issues and that its products remained readily available.

Soneye, who added that the distribution issue in some areas had been resolved, was quoted as saying, “We are pleased to confirm that there are no supply issues, and our products remain readily available.

“The recent tightness experienced in certain areas was due to a brief distribution issue in Lagos, which has since been resolved.”

Also, the National Vice Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said he was aware of the queues in some filling stations in

Lagos, but said the queues might be due to panic-buying on the part of customers.

Fashola said, “I am not in Lagos as we speak. But I heard about it too that there are queues in Lagos. It may just be panic buying. I am not sure there is fuel scarcity. People are just panicking. However, I will find out what the problem is.”

However, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, said he was not aware of the situation as he was not in Lagos at the time of filing this report.

Amid the rising wave of insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some police officers have been arrested for forcefully collecting N29.9m from a resident of Abuja.

The incident, according to Harrison Gwamnishu, a candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, happened in January.

Gwamnishu had in a video via his X account alleged that the businessman was kidnapped in Abuja by the police officers who detained him until he transferred all the money in his bank account to them.

They thereafter insisted he should call all his relatives and friends to keep sending money before he could be freed.

He also alleged that the man was taken away from his site without any proper complaint against him, adding that he was not asked to write a formal statement by the police officers.

Receipts of the transactions were shared alongside the video.

Quoting the post on Tuesday, the Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while confirming the arrest of some of the culprits, disclosed that the force had made progressive steps towards ensuring justice was served in the case.

“We are making a headway on this matter, and justice will be served, as some suspects have been arrested. Hakuna matata,” he wrote.

The development comes after the Anambra State Police Command declared one of the officers in its command, Inspector Audu Omadefu, wanted over alleged murder.

Ikenga Tochukwu, the command’s public relations officer disclosed this in a press release on Tuesday.

The police spokesperson said the fleeing operative Omadefu can be recognised by his service number AP No. 362178.

According to Tochukwu, the inspector disappeared into thin air following the accusation of murder against him.

The police called upon the public to assist in locating Omadefu, assuring that any information provided will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality.