₦airaland Forum

The Edo Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has arrested a fake Reverend sister over the alleged trafficking of 38 children in Delta State.

It was gathered that the suspect, Ikejimba Maryvianney (alias Oluchi) 40 years old, and one Chidera, now at large, handed over the children to two orphanage homes under the guise of giving them better care.

The children, it was learnt, were handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farm community in Enugu-Awka camp by Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.

Maryvianney was reportedly arrested by the NAPTIP following a tip-off.

When contacted, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, Nduka Nwanwenne, who confirmed the incident said the suspect was in custody.

He said the suspect claimed to be trained in Ghana as a Rev. sister while their headquarters is in the Philippines.

She said she came to meet the parents and persuaded them to allow their children to follow them to their orphanage homes and that they would be given better care.

He added, “To convince the parents when they were handed over the first batch of the children, he said the suspects asked two of the parents to follow them to know the two orphanage homes the children would stay’.

“32 of the children have been recovered by the agency while six who are between the ages of three and six years old are yet to be recovered

“The suspect claims that three of the six children are in Badagry while the other three are in Ogun State but later said they have been adopted by people in the East.”

He said the agency was still on the trail of the other suspect who is at large and that the suspect would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

He warned parents to be vigilant and never trust anybody with their kids without asking fundamental questions.

Another abducted Chibok schoolgirl, Lydia Simon, has been rescued by troops of Operation Desert Sanity III under the North-East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Wednesday.

She was rescued along with her three children by the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, exactly 10 years after she was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists alongside over 200 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014.

Intelligence sources, according to Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, revealed that Lydia, who was tagged serial number 68 among the abducted schoolgirls, escaped from the camp of Ali Ngulde in Mandara Mountain where she was held in captivity for several years.

She surrendered to troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion at Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of the State. The rescued Chibok girl was five months pregnant and claimed she was from Pemi Town in Chibok LGA.


April 14, 2024, marks the 10th anniversary of the violent abduction of 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram insurgents.

While 57 of the girls escaped from their captors in the following days, 16 were later rescued and 107 had at different times been released through negotiations.

The Federal and Borno State Governments, including the Nigerian Army, have pledged their commitment toward rescuing the rest of the abducted schoolgirls that were still held in captivity by the terrorists.

Bandits have invaded Angwar Danko village in Kakangi Constituency of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Wednesday at 6 pm firing shots indiscriminately, while forcing their victims into the forest.

According to the resident of the area, men and women who were abducted by the suspected bandits are currently being marched into the forest.

Yahaya Musa Dan Salio, representative for Kakangi Ward in the State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident.

He stated that he had yet to receive full details regarding the number of villagers abducted but confirmed that it is in the dozens.

“I just received a call from the area informing me that dozens of my constituents have been abducted. The bandits have surrounded the village, and as we speak, they are still there, taking their victims into the forest. The situation is dire,” he said.

Dan Salio expressed concern, noting that most of the victims were men.

ASP Mansur Hassan, the Public Relations Officer for the State Police Command, stated that he would reach out to the area for details before providing further comments.

The Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, on Wednesday, warned Bello El-Rufai, the son of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, against threatening and intimidating the House over the investigation of his father’s tenure.

The state House of Assembly had on Tuesday set up a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and project implementation from 2015-2023 in the state during the administration of ex-governor El-Rufai.

Bello, who’s also the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, was said to have taken to social media twice, now deleted, where he called for a “fight” and disparaged the state legislative arm, following the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna State.

But the Speaker, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Suraj Bamali, insisted that it was disheartening that a federal lawmaker “entrusted with representing the people, would resort to such behaviour, attempting to obstruct the lawful functions of the State Assembly.”

He maintained that the House remained resolute in its mandate to provide checks and balances and uphold the rule of law in the state.

Liman, therefore, urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for transparency, accountability and the rule of law while noting that the Assembly would continue serving the state’s best interest.

The statement stated, “Threats and intimidation from anyone, including federal lawmakers, will not deter the Kaduna State House of Assembly from pursuing justice and accountability. The Assembly remains resolute in its mandate to provide checks and balances and uphold the rule of law in Kaduna State.

“We urge the good people of Kaduna State to remain vigilant and steadfast in their support for transparency, accountability and the rule of law. The Kaduna State House of Assembly will continue to serve the best interests of the state and its citizens.

“In light of recent events, the Kaduna State House of Assembly wishes to address the erratic and unruly actions of Hon. Bello Elrufai, the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

“Shortly after the establishment of a committee to investigate financial dealings, loans, grants, and projects implementation from 2015-2023 in Kaduna State, Hon. Bello Elrufai took to social media with two posts, now deleted, insinuating a call to “fight” and disrespecting the entire Legislative Arm of Government. Additionally, he sent insulting and subtle threatening messages to the Rt—Hon Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon Yusuf Liman via WhatsApp.

“The screenshots of these posts and messages have been widely circulated, causing concern among the citizens of Kaduna State. It is disheartening that a federal lawmaker, entrusted with representing the people, would resort to such behaviour, attempting to obstruct the lawful functions of the State Assembly.

“The Kaduna State House of Assembly wants to reassure the good people of Kaduna State that it remains steadfast in its commitment to serving without fear or favour. The members of the Assembly took an oath to uphold the integrity of their office and ensure due diligence in their duties, regardless of any attempts at intimidation or threats.”

No fewer than 1.2 million young Nigerians will be in the first batch of those to benefit from the Student Loan Scheme of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration.

The process of participating in the programme, whose enabling law was signed by President Tinubu on April 3, will commence “anytime soon”, according to Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND’s) Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Mr. Akintunde Sawyer.

The ambitious cardinal programme will be funded with one per cent of the total annual collectable revenue by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

This year, the revenue target given to the FIRS is N19.4 trillion.

Should the agency meet this projection, N194 billion will be available as a loan to the beneficiary students.

Repayment, according to the law, will commence two years after the completion of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).

According to the NELFUND CEO, all is set for the commencement of registration and application by tertiary institution students.

He said: “We don’t expect to have more than 1.2 million students in the first instance.

“As time goes on, there will probably be expansion.

“For the successful applicants, we will be paying their fees – the full amount – directly to the institutions.

“There will also be a stipend paid to the individuals.

“At a regular interval, the beneficiaries will receive an amount of money for their upkeep so that they can do the basic things – feeding, photocopying handouts and data.

“They can use the stipend to ensure that there is enough opportunity for them to survive the experience of being students.

“We all know that students’ survival is on another level.”

On the condition to be met by potential beneficiaries, he said they would be required to provide their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) numbers, National Identification Number (NIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN), among other details before they can apply for the loan.

He explained that those who are already students and seek to take the loan would need to, in addition to these conditions, provide their matriculation details.

He restated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pledge to ensure that as many students as are interested benefit from the scheme.

“Without a doubt, President Tinubu intends to ensure that as many Nigerians as possible get this opportunity.

“That is why he has vigorously pursued this opportunity on behalf of students.

“That is why all of us must join hands to ensure that capacity expansion can happen.

“This is not going to be an elitist programme. It is a programme that is going to drag as many people into the education net as possible.

“That is what the President intends and that is what we are going to do,” he said.

President Tinubu has repeatedly said he intends to ensure that no Nigerian student drops out of tertiary institutions for lack of funds.

The President, while signing the Bill into law, thanked the National Assembly for expeditiously passing it.

The Senate and the House of Representatives passed the bill after only three legislative days.

The wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu has assisted 120 women and 200 Physically Challenged Persons across the six states of the Northeast with N500,000 and N100,000 respectively under her Renewed Hope Initiative and Women in Agriculture programme.

Speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Women in Agriculture and Support to Disables for the Northeast at the Government House, Maiduguri on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu who is the chairperson of the initiative said aside from the region, other beneficiaries have been selected from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Kashim Shettima, said the 200 physically challenged persons in Borno would be supported with N100,000 each under the Social Investment Programme of the initiative.

She added that 20 women were selected from each of the six states across the Northeast to be supported with N500,000 for the Women in Agriculture programme.

Mrs. Tinubu stressed that each beneficiary is expected to invest the fund in poultry, fishery, and irrigation farming, noting that in addition to that, 80 women farmers would be identified in each state for agriculture, and she urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to expand their agricultural base.

“Our Every Home A Garden is still ongoing. The programme would encourage women to grow gardens in their homes to have food on their tables. A competition would be open to women in the garden, and the winner would go home with N20 million”, said Mrs. Tinubu.

The First Lady further disclosed that the Young Farmers Club would soon be launched for young farmers in primary and secondary schools.

She said the school with the best farm would be rewarded with the construction of a classroom equipped with laboratories and a library, among others.

Also speaking, the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum lauded the First Lady’s programme, saying that the issue of job creation has been a priority of the state government due to its direct impact on the rural community.

He assured the wife of the President that the Northeast governors would support the agricultural programme, especially the Women in Agriculture.

Earlier in her welcome address, the wife of Borno State governor, Mrs Falmata Zulum clarified that the support offered to the 200 physically challenged persons is not a political gimmick, but a means of empowering them to own their businesses.

THE National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, said the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has so far rescued over 1,000 kidnap victims without paying a ransom.

Ribadu said this when he received 22 students and staff of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, rescued on Sunday.

The bandits had, on September 22, 2023, invaded the institution and abducted over 30 students and members of staff.

The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mummuni, who was at the university to sympathise with the families and the school authorities over the incident, called on security agencies to hasten the rescue of the kidnapped students.

In a press statement, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, assured that the command would ensure the rescue of all the kidnapped students, as it had deployed an additional tactical team for search-and-rescue operations.

The police noted that “On September 22, 2023, at about 0250hrs, suspected bandits, riding on about 50 motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded three students’ rented apartments in Sabon Gida Village near the Federal University, Gusau and kidnapped an unspecified number of students, taking them to an unknown destination.”

Seven of the students were rescued while two escaped, leaving 22 others in captivity.

On Sunday, the 22, comprising 15 students and seven workers of the university, were rescued in an exercise coordinated by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre.

Speaking while receiving the students in Abuja, the NSA appreciated the security operatives for rescuing the students “without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.”

He said, “On behalf of the President, I thank all those involved in the successful rescue of the victims without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.

“This is yet again a success story in our efforts to free all those being unlawfully held in captivity.

“We have so far released over a thousand such victims without noise and with complete respect to their privacy and safety.

“This occasion marks a final juncture in a series of rescues we have undertaken in the last few months, to free victims of recent cases of mass abductions.

“Going forward, we are strengthening law enforcement and security measures to prevent these abductions and strengthen physical security across vulnerable communities.”

Ribadu urged the students and university workers not to allow their experience to break them, but should rather make them stronger.”

In March, the military rescued 137 students kidnapped from Kaduna State, with the Federal Government saying no ransom was paid, despite that the bandits demanded N1bn.

The NSA also thanked the parents of the rescued victims for their patience and understanding during the period and commended security agencies for their sacrifices.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj-Gen Adamu Laka (retd.), said search and rescue operations conducted by security agencies led to the release of the students in three batches.

He said, “Search and rescue was conducted by a combined team of law enforcement agencies and the abductees were subsequently released in three batches, after 207 days in captivity.

“The first batch was rescued on March 15 the second batch was rescued on April 12 and the last batch rescued on April 14.

“All the abductees were profiled at NCTC while the ONSA Medical Team examined them and administered minor treatments on the bruises sustained by three of them.

“Four of them were diagnosed with malaria and are being treated. None of the females was molested and all the females tested negative for pregnancy test.”

The Corps Commander of Amotekun Corps in Osun State, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi (retd.), on Monday, warned against any unlawful gathering under the guise of Yoruba Nation agitation in any part of the state.

Adewinbi, while speaking on the preparation of the security organisation to keep the state safe in the wake of fresh Yoruba Nation agitation, also declared that Amotekun would not allow protests by the group in Osun State.

Recall that some suspected Yoruba Nation agitators dressed in military camouflage and armed with weapons had invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan on Saturday and attempted to hoist their flag on the premises.

Speaking on efforts by Amotekun to ensure that protest by the Yoruba Nation group was not allowed to cause breach of peace in the state, Adewinbi warned against such agitation at the moment.

He said, “There is nothing like Yoruba Nation agitation here in Osun. Amotekun won’t tolerate any Yoruba Nation protest here. What they are agitating for, we have gotten it indirectly.

“The president, Senator Bola Tinubu is a Yoruba man. They are looking for a Yoruba Nation and Nigeria is under a Yoruba man, so Nigeria is a Yoruba Nation now indirectly. They should not create insecurity here. They should not create confusion to divert the president’s attention. Let him face governance.

“God has given him the power and he knows how to use it for the benefit of everyone, not only for Yoruba people alone. Let us give him time. They should forget about the Yoruba Nation agitation for now. There is nothing like that. We don’t need it. Only enemies of progress will join that kind of agitation.”

To prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the state, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday directed his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr Samuel Ojo “to ensure immediate mobilisation of joint security teams to secure the State Government Secretariat, the Government House, and other strategic government buildings including the headquarters of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation.”

Also, while speaking with The PUNCH, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said the command was aware of the Ibadan incident and was prepared to stop any act of lawlessness no matter the status of the perpetrators.

Workers under the auspices of Federal Workers Forum, FWF, have advised the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

The forum said this during a meeting held on Sunday.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting was signed and made available to DAILY POST through the National Coordinator of the forum, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has been pushing for new national minimum wage since the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.

The forum, while applauding the Federal Government for the introduction of wage award, however, enjoined the government not to devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

Emelieze also tasked the government to clear all outstanding arrears owed the federal workers and announce the new minimum wage on Workers Day, May 1, 2024.

“While we appreciate Mr President for the ₦35,000 wage award, we make bold to say that the ₦35,000 palliative did not solve the economic challenges faced by the federal government workers in Nigeria. It has been an hellish existence for the federal workers since the removal of subsidy on petrol and the subsequent devaluation of the naira.

“That the new national minimum wage takes off officially on April 1st, 2024 and that we expect the announcement of the new national minimum wage latest on Workers’ day May 1st, 2024.

“Our position is very clear, President Tinubu has promised a living wage, federal workers will not accept anything less. With the present cost of living crisis ₦300,000 which is not up to 1% of the President’s salary, will not be too much for a federal minimum wage.

“For daily survival, a worker will need an average of ₦2,000 daily transport and at least ₦2.000 per meal hence,a worker will be needing an average of ₦10,000 ( at around $1 per hour) to manage to survive daily.

“We call for justice, we demand for a decent, fair and just living wage for the federal work force. We will resist and reject anything less than a living wage. Our government should also not forget to clear all outstanding arrears owed the federal workers.

“The Federal government is also called upon not to in anyway devalue the naira after the implementation of the new national minimum wage. Federal workers have suffered enough, it is time to end poverty among the federal government workers,” he said.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to instruct the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to furnish the organisation with copies of loan agreements obtained by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.

SERAP, which made the demand in a Freedom of Information request signed by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, is also asking President Tinubu to disclose the spending details of the loans and the interests and other payments so far made on them.

The civil society organisation further urged the President to establish an independent audit on the spending of the loans obtained by the governments of the former presidents and to make public the findings of any such audit.

SERAP, while urging the government to make copies of the agreements public, said it believes that it would prevent waste, corruption, mismanagement, and abuse of public funds.

It stated that no one should be able to pull curtains of secrecy around decisions on the spending of public funds, which it noted can be revealed without injury to the public interest since democracy requires accountability, and accountability requires transparency.

SERAP also insisted that Nigerians are entitled to information about what their government is doing in their name, saying this is part of their right to information.

The organisation claimed that Nigerians’ right to democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government and have an opportunity to assess progress, and assign blame.

It also added that if the president publishes the agreements, it would demonstrate his often expressed commitment to government openness and promote accountability and that it would also improve public accountability in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

SERAP further stated that the information may help to explain why, despite several billions of dollars in loans obtained by successive governments, millions of Nigerians continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to essential public goods and services.

The organisation insisted that the if the requested copies of the loan agreements signed by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari are widely published, it would allow Nigerians to scrutinise it and to demand accountability for the spending of the loans.

SERAP said, “we would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“Our requests are brought in the public interest and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Freedom of Information Act, the UN Convention against Corruption, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.

“According to Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, the total public domestic debt portfolio for the country is N97.3 trillion ($108 billion). The Federal Government’s debt is N87.3 trillion ($97 billion).

“Nigeria paid $6.2 billion in 2019 as interest on loans while the country paid $6.5 as interest in 2018. Nigeria also paid $5 billion on loans in 2017, while the government spent $4.4 billion as interest in 2016. For 2015, the interest paid on loans was $5.5 billion.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that substantial parts of the loans obtained by successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 may have been mismanaged, diverted or stolen, and in any case remain unaccounted for.

“Publishing copies of the agreements would also ensure that persons with public responsibilities are answerable to the people for their duties, including managing the loans obtained between May 1999 and May 2023.

“Your government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how loans obtained by the Federal Government are spent to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.

“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information, including to copies of the loan agreements obtained by successive governments since 1999.

“By the combined reading of the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, there are transparency obligations imposed on your government to widely publish the agreements and details of the projects on which the loans were spent.

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities,” SERAP stated.

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo who is popularly known as Sunday Igboho has dissociated himself from the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat by some armed men suspected to be Yoruba nation agitators on Saturday.

Igboho said he did not have a hand in the invasion which occurred in the early hours of Saturday and said to have been carried out by armed men in army camouflage who were seen hoisting the Yoruba Nation flag and various accessories.

Reports added that the invaders also made an attempt to take over the Governor’s Office and the House of Assembly Complex located within the secretariat before they were repelled through the combined effort of operatives of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Operation Burst, and Amotekun.

Igboho, who is a known leader of the self-determination group charged the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde to institute a proper investigation to fish out the people behind the attack and their sponsors.

He further called urged Governor Makinde to ascertain the motive behind the invasion, while adding that the people behind it should be unveiled, arrested and prosecuted.

Igboho further reiterated his commitment to the peace and security of the Yorubaland, noting that he would never be part of anything whatsoever that could disturb the peace of the region.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops on internal operations across the country killed 188 terrorists, arrested 330 others and rescued 133 hostages in the last one week.

The director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba in a statement on Friday said the troops also arrested 36 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth N637.7 million
He said the troops in the period under review recovered 270 assorted weapons and 5,083 assorted ammunition.

He gave a breakdown of recovered items to include 122 AK47 rifles, 47 locally fabricated gun, 47 dane guns, 24 automatic pump action guns, eight locally fabricated pistols, two locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel gun, one hand grenade and one IED.

Other items include 2,129 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,686 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 116 rounds of 9mm ammo, 133 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball ammo, 151 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 619 live cartridges, 34 magazines, 8 HH radios, 8 vehicles, 40 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 50 mobile phones and the sum of N610,210, amongst other items.

Meanwhile, troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites, 51 dugout pits, 24 boats, 21 storage tanks and 4 vehicles.

Troops also recovered 28 cooking ovens, 672,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,530 litres of illegally refined AGO.

He said many terrorists’ leaders have been killed and reiterated the commitment of the military to win the war.

The Federal Government says members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, will get half of their withheld salaries should President Bola Tinubu approve the payment of their salary arrears.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, revealed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday monitored by DAILY POST.

The minister said the non-academic staff members of universities were not on strike for the same period in 2022 as their academic counterparts.

He stated that the government has been doing everything possible to get a relief for them.

Asked what has delayed the payment to NASU and SSANU members, Mamman said, “No, it has not been approved.

“There is a court judgement on no work, no pay. ASUU getting four months’ pay was actually a discretion and decision on the part of the President. So, it doesn’t automatically transfer (to NASU and SSANU) but the matter is under consideration.

“I don’t think it is safe to put a time on it but it’s safer to say that we are on it and we are pushing.

While speaking on the claim of discrimination by NASU and SSANU, the minister said, “That cannot be right, there is no rating. These are people working in the same terrain, they are doing different things but all working towards the same goal.

DAILY POST reports that in March, SSANU and NASU members embarked on a one-week warning strike to protest their withheld salaries by the Federal Government.

The two unions criticized the Federal Government for paying withheld salaries to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, while neglecting the non-academic unions.

All the unions had embarked on an eight-month strike in 2022 to press home some of their demands including a better welfare package.

DAILY POST recalls that the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently invoked a ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ against the unions but President Bola Tinubu last October approved the release of four of the eight months withheld salaries.

SSANU and NASU accused the Federal Government of unfair treatment and discrimination by failing to pay them like their academic counterparts.

The leadership of the Labour Party, on Tuesday, warned the Nigeria Labour Congress against trying to hijack the political platform, saying it lacks the power to sack the Julius Abure-National Working Committee as recently declared.

The party’s response was a reaction to Monday’s resolution taken by the NLC Political Commission at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

In a communiqué released after the gathering, the unionists voided the national convention that returned Abure and his NWC members to office.

To fill the vacuum, the stakeholders said the congress will set up a transition committee to oversee the party’s affairs pending when new officers will be elected in three months.

The resolution taken by the NLC also raised concerns on the need to conduct a forensic audit of LP in line with the demand of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following allegations of corruption, forgery and fraud levelled against the party leadership.

But the party kicked on Tuesday, saying the congress lacked such power to sack its executives.

This was contained in a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, titled ‘NLC, cohorts lack powers to sack legitimate leadership of Labour Party.’

Ifoh described the stakeholder’s meeting as an illegal assembly of a handful of aggrieved former members of the party and some ‘social media tigers’ who are not card-carrying members of LP.

He said, “The Political Commission of the NLC is a front for Comrade Joe Ajaero which he has empowered for his political ambition come 2027. The group is unknown to the Labour Party and as such lacks powers to convene a meeting of ‘stakeholders’ to deliberate, let alone take any decision which will have a binding effect on a legally constituted party leadership.

“The group has been mandated by Ajaero to ensure that crisis in Labour Party festers ahead of 2027 by presenting itself as a rallying ground for dissident former members of our party, who recently lost the leadership battle in the courts. We are also not unmindful of the political pact the leadership of the NLC has gone into with the current All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to destabilize the opposition.

“This explains why in quick succession all their plots to hijack the party leadership failed. First, it was by illegal picketing of the party when that failed, it attempted to introduce and inaugurate a non-existing Board of Trustees that also failed. Again, the attempted plot to take over the party using stakeholder meetings comprising former members, social media tigers and non-members will fall like a pack of cards.

“It is pertinent to add that Nigerians are suffering under the harsh economic conditions of the current government. Workers and the downtrodden are at the receiving end. As we speak, there are unfair workers’ practices perpetuated by employers but the Nigerian Labour Congress has failed to take proactive roles to fight for the rights of workers. We want to remind Comrade Joe Ajaero that he has a lot of work to do for the Nigerian workers, which he is abdicating to face politics. This is why we previously advised that he should first resign as NLC President if he wants to join politics.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned schools, supermarkets, hotels and others against charging for services in the country in dollar or any other foreign currency.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, in the latest edition of the commission’s monthly e-magazine, released on Monday, threatened to jail anyone found dollarising the economy.

The EFCC boss cautioned that anyone caught collecting dollar for services or goods would be treated as a criminal in accordance with relevant Nigerian laws.

He vowed that the commission would go after schools, supermarkets, hotels, estate developers and business operators that used the dollar for transaction instead of naira.

“We have also started securing convictions. Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.

“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not, you will get that.

“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.

“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also effected some arrests,” he said.

The Presidency on Monday faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s comments on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, describing them as a “misrepresentation of facts.”

“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail are two distinct projects. It is unfortunate that the former Vice President is confused about the two projects…we urge him to return to the library for real facts,” the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement he signed Monday.

Onanuga was responding to Atiku’s allegation that President Bola Tinubu puts personal business interests before Nigeria’s Infrastructure growth.

The former Vice President said the Tinubu administration is engaged in questionable dealings amidst developing the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Following approval by the Federal Executive Council, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the commencement of construction on the 700km road.

Umahi said the contractor commenced work following the formal handover of the initial phase of the project, comprising 47.47km of dual carriageway, to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.

Responding to Umahi’s statement, the former vice president, in a statement by his Media Coordinator, Paul Ibe, on Sunday, alleged that the project’s allocation to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company Limited (Hitech), devoid of any documented competitive bidding process or decision by the FEC.

According to Atiku, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project reentered public discussion during the waning days of the Goodluck Jonathan administration in November 2014.

However, due to his electoral defeat, the project failed to take off under Jonathan’s tenure.

Subsequently, former President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his commitment to kickstart the endeavour.

“Umahi refused to reveal how much the project would cost. He only explained that it would run through nine states and have a railroad running through the middle.

“Most importantly, the works minister said the project would come at zero cost to Nigeria, which is currently facing an all-time high level of debt,” Atiku argued.

But the Presidency spotted inconsistencies in Atiku’s comments, saying that the former Vice President had allowed himself to be led into a blind alley again by his poorly informed aides.

The statement is titled ‘Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Atiku Abubakar makes his hollow point again.’

“Contrary to the claims in Atiku’s endorsed press statement, at no time did the administrations of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan award contracts for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to any company at any varied and revised amount. So, the question of cost comparison does not arise.

“The contract that was awarded was for Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail. The rail was designed as part of the standard gauge national rail network. The contract was awarded on August 4, 2021, by the Federal Executive Council presided over by former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, at $11.17bn. The contract was to be completed in six years. The project didn’t take off.

“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail project has always been on the card. It was another testament to the failure of the previous PDP-led government that it could not get it off the ground in 16 years it held sway,” Onanuga argued.

He added that the Presidency does not expect a former vice president of Nigeria to continue to “fan ill-will and engage in divisive politics in his twilight.”

He further argued that “Atiku queried the decision to start the coastal road from Lagos and not Calabar, oblivious of the huge impact such will make on export-import flow around the industrial zones.

“We are at a loss as to what the former VP hopes to achieve with his assertion. Is it not a received wisdom that a thousand-mile journey begins with a step?

“Whether the project begins from Lagos or Calabar, Warri or Sapele, what should gladden the heart of any patriotic Nigerian is that this important project that has been in the pipeline for several decades has finally taken off.”


The presidential aide asserted that Tinubu will continue to drive and propel national progress through infrastructural development across the country.

Therefore, he urged the former Vice President to “act his status as a presumed statesman and desist from engaging in fruitless exercise that does not add any value to nation-building.

“As to the other poorly researched issue raised by Atiku and his team on the Lekki Concession Company, we urge them to return to the ibrary for real facts rather than rushing to cast aspersions on President Tinubu and his government,” the statement concluded.

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, received travel content creator, Pelumi Nubi, at the Government House, following her arrival in Lagos from London by road on Sunday afternoon.

The governor has consequently appointed Pelumi Nubi as Lagos Brand Ambassador with a new car, house, and customised plate number.

Taking to her X handle (formerly Twitter) to announce the development after meeting with the Governor Sanwo-Olu, Pelumi wrote: “Just another great start and a new beginning
Congratulations to me guys as I become a Lagos state ambassador 
Alongside a new car gift from His excellence @jidesanwoolu A new home in Lagos and also a customized plate number


LEADERSHIP reports that Pelumi Nubi had received heroic welcome as she finally arrived Lagos on Sunday after 68 days of driving solo from London, United Kingdom.

It would be recalled that the content creator had earlier announced that she would be driving from London to Lagos some months ago.

During her journey, she had suffered an accident, which momentarily put a stop to her trip, before she continued.

Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, met Pelumi at the Nigerian-Benin Republic border on behalf of the Lagos State Government on Sunday.

Pelumi made her second stop at Badagry before continuing on to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to celebrate her arrival.

Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, has described greed, selfishness and envy as “much greater sins” than unlawful sex, homosexuality and gambling.

Sanusi stated this on Sunday when he appeared as a guest lecturer during a virtual Ramadan lecture titled “Some dimensions of the concept of ibadah”.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also said that part of the reason there is a social disorder in the country is that some Muslims forget that they will give an account of their actions before God.

He said people observe prayers and fast but keep committing evil “because our hearts are not Islamic”.

Sanusi alleged that a governor of a Sharia-implementing state in Nigeria stole funds and bought a hotel in Lagos.

Although he did not mention the name of the governor, Sanusi said his state remained a “most serious example of backwardness”.

According to him, if leaders were conscious that they would account for the trust bequeathed to them, they would not steal public funds.

“On Social order and Ibadah, you know when our hearts are not good, our deeds will not be good,” Sanusi said.

He continued: “How do you explain that you have this external religiosity and then you have so much injustice? And that’s why I say the obligations of the heart are far more important than those of the body.

“Greed, selfishness, wickedness, envy. These are much greater sins than zina (illegal sexual intercourse), homosexuality, and gambling. The sins of the heart are greater than the sins of the body. We are focused so much on the external things.

“We even have had state governors who said they were practising sharia, they were leading the implementation of sharia and they were stealing money and buying hotels.

“There was a governor implementing sharia in a sharia state who stole public funds and bought a hotel in Lagos. And he says Allahu Akbar.

“Meanwhile, his state was left with no education, with no healthcare, with one of the most serious cases of security, most serious examples of backwardness.”

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has toed the path of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government on a new electricity tariff hike.

Obi, on Sunday, said increasing electricity tariff for the rich is best.

Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a tariff increase on Tuesday last week for Band A customers.

Reacting to the development, Obi said that was the solution to Nigeria’s electricity challenges.

He stressed that a tariff increase for urban areas that can afford it is understandable.

“The solution is very simple (referring to electricity tariff hike), you can increase the tariff for those in areas where they can afford it.

“We must do a lot in power generation because it has taken so long. But we have to take into consideration that the majority of Nigerians are suffering.

“So we need to support people in those areas to be able to live and be able to produce something.

“When they start to produce something, we are pushing them out of poverty, and that’s where my theory of moving from consumption to production comes in”, he said.

A large crowd of people trooped out to welcome Hamisu Bala, better known as ‘Wadume’, to his hometown in Ibbi, Taraba State, on Sunday, after serving his jail term for offences of kidnapping and others.

Wadume, who was arrested by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of Inspector-General of Police, in 2019, was released from Kuje Prison in Abuja, on Saturday.

He was said to be received by thousands of people, including youths and women in Ibbi town.

A resident of Ibbi town said the town stood at standstill for Wadume, who was described as a philanthropist and local politician before his arrest.

He was driven round the town and thereafter proceeded to visit the Chief of Ibbi chiefdom, Alhaji Salihu Danbawuro, at his palace.

Wadume told the traditional ruler that he was at the palace to thank the chief and the entire people of his chiefdom.

He said throughout his trial, the chief and his subjects stood firmly with him and prayed for his safety and good health while in prison.

The chief, Danbawuro, told Wadume that he and his subjects were happy that he was out of prison.

LEADERSHIP recalls that during the attempt to arrest him in 2019 by the IRT over alleged kidnapping, he had enlisted the help of a Captain of the Nigerian Army, who aided his escape from Police custody when the vehicle of the IRT was stopped at a military checkpoint by gunfire and labelled as kidnappers instead, who had attempted at kidnapping Wadume.


Residents of Ibbi town consequently pounced on the Policemen for daring to kidnap their benefactor, killing about three of the elite Policemen and injuring others, a development that attracted national attention to the ugly incident.

Wadume went into hiding thereafter for days before another IRT team led by the now suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, smoked him out from his hideout in Kano metropolis of Kano State.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has said he is more interested in Nigeria’s success today than in the future.

This follows speculations on social media that he was looking to make former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, his running mate in the 2027 polls.

But Obi, while speaking with journalists in Gombe State shortly after donating a borehole to the ram market in Tike Pantami on Sunday, insisted he was not looking far ahead.

When asked about a possible collaboration with El-Rufai, he said: “Well, I’m more interested now in Nigeria’s success today than tomorrow.

“We are always concentrating on the election rather than what Nigerians are going through.

“My commitment is about Nigerians living in a better society, given a better life, and that’s my concern.”

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has said that the Tinubu administration is sustaining electricity subsidy for 85 per cent of Nigerian consumers.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that this re-justifies the administration’s credential as a pro-people democratic government.

He maintained that the recently announced hike in electricity tariffs is only affecting 15 per cent of the electricity consumer population.

The minister spoke at the 4th Ministerial Briefing Session held in Abuja on Friday.

The briefing featured Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Oseni Musiliu.

The discussion was based on the recently approved tariff review by NERC.

“Misconceptions and concerns around the tariff review are understandable. However, let me reassure every Nigerian that this review is a strategic step towards a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable electricity sector,” he said.

He further disclosed: “It lays the groundwork for significant improvements in service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic prosperity. Our focus must, therefore, remain steadfast on ensuring that the electricity sector’s transformation benefits all Nigerians, supports our industries, and propels our nation towards its bright future.

“You would also recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law to further strengthen the governance structure in the power sector and mandate the GENCOs to set aside 5 per cent of their actual annual operating expenditure from the preceding year for the development of the host communities.

President Bola Tinubu has called on Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to collaborate with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for children and adults.

Speaking at a meeting with a delegation of Gavi, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the State House, on Thursday, President Tinubu said partnership on local vaccine production has become necessary owing to the challenges faced by developing countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.

“We have capable and talented people who can make the necessary contributions to the production of vaccines in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,” the President told the visiting CEO, who assumed office on March 18, 2024, and has embarked on visits to some African countries.

The President assured the Gavi CEO of Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines for the year 2023.

He directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to work with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to ensure the release of necessary funds for vaccine procurement.

”We intend to contribute to the development of our healthcare programme, and we are committed to partnering with Gavi,” the President said.

President Tinubu stated that his administration is focused on ensuring that no child is left behind when it comes to vaccination against preventable childhood diseases.

”Gavi’s commitment to humanity is recognised throughout the world. Thank you for your impactful commitment to humanity, and we welcome your collaboration to save our children from preventable diseases.

”We as a nation are committed to your values, and we believe that no child should be left unprotected,” he said.

President Tinubu acknowledged the invaluable perspective shared by the Gavi CEO, who hails from a developing country, Pakistan, and emphasized the importance of leveraging her experience for the benefit of children’s health.

Commending Dr. Nishtar for her visit to Nigeria and support for the administration’s health-sector initiatives, the President pledged to prioritise investments in health-sector renewal, noting the importance of coordination and collaboration among federal, state, and local governments.

President Bola Tinubu has called on ECOWAS member states to come together, strengthen ties, and reject forces bent on causing division within the community.

The President stated this at the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on Thursday in Abuja.

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government stated this in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, saying regional solidarity is imperative to strengthen the bloc’s resilience and effectiveness at this critical juncture.

He emphasised that member states cannot afford to remain passive spectators while the community faces the threat of disintegration.

“We stand united against such forces and are committed to ensuring that our unity remains unshaken. We must ensure that cooperation amongst us is strengthened, with a view to building a sense of common destiny and purpose. No one can do this for us. We must come together.

“To this extent, reinforcing the legitimacy of the decisions taken by the Authority of Heads of State is key in sending a message that ECOWAS is one indivisible body. It is also very important that the executives, on the other hand, show similar confidence in the Parliament, which would indeed deepen democracy in our region.

“Meanwhile, in the midst of ongoing challenges, our partnership can be a driving force for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region,” the President said.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the aspirations of the community and, by extension, the fundamental objectives upon which the ECOWAS Parliament was established.

Affirming the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the bloc’s journey towards a future of peace and prosperity for all, President Tinubu said success cannot be achieved without the loyal contribution and hard work of the community’s legislative agency.

“Furthermore, to realise the ECOWAS ‘Vision 2050’, we require greater involvement of the people in the decision-making processes of the community.

“That can only be achieved through their duly-elected representatives who, being members of their national parliaments, are seconded to the community parliament. We are here, collectively, to serve all the good and great people of West Africa.

“I am aware that the ECOWAS Parliament is seeking enhanced powers, primarily through the election of its members by direct universal suffrage.

“This will increase the role parliamentarians must play and the responsibilities that they will assume in advancing our regional development objectives, particularly in harmonizing laws and regulations across the member states.


“Indeed, the practice of directly electing public officials aligns with the democratic principles that Nigeria upholds, as it enhances the legitimacy of our democratic institutions.

“This principle is also in line with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. As a one-time legislator myself, I look forward to reviewing a proposal regarding this matter, and we stand ready to support direct elections into the ECOWAS Parliament.

“We believe this would ensure that citizens have a direct say in their representation – in addition to the legitimacy and credibility such a process will confer,” the President said.

Tinubu also stated that Nigeria, as the host of the community’s institution, will continue to support the parliament to achieve its objectives.

“I am aware of the plan to have all ECOWAS institutions in one complex and of the good progress that has been made.

Nigeria is also working to meet its responsibilities in constructing the ECOWAS Parliament’s Headquarters in Abuja within the same complex.


“I would like to emphasize that, as you conduct the business of the 6th Legislature, it is my hope that your discussions will provide you the opportunity to address the prime concerns of the region and come up with resolutions that will lead to the attainment of peace and the advancement of all.

“You can stand assured that Nigeria is always ready to support the ECOWAS Parliament, in whatever endeavours you are engaged, to move the ECOWAS mission forward,” the President stated.

Even as the military continues to surround Delta community, Okuama, where some soldiers were killed a few weeks ago, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa has revealed that the suspected killers of the military personnel were ritualists.


According to the CDS, the killers being ritualists severed the organs of the army personnel after the premeditated attack for ritual purposes.

Musa while speaking on the Arise Television programme, ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday, monitored by THE WHISTLER, said the culprits aimed to prove dominance over the military.

The CDS’ assertion is sequel to the ongoing invasion and occupation of Okuama community in Ughelli Local Government Area of Delta State where about 16 army officers and personnel were killed.

The military has since started avenging the killings with more than half of the village burnt and villagers deserting the community into the forest.


However, Musa said the residents seeking to resettle into the Okuama community following military action, should identify the culprits, or keep off the area pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation to recover weapons carted away from the slain personnel.

Reacting to the allegation of traditional rulers in Delta, alluding to the military’s highhandedness in their response to the killing of its personnel, Musa said, “I have very serious respect for elders but I will also like the elders to speak from the position of strength.

“They cannot say they do not know what is going on there. I am sure you are aware that since they decapitated the bodies of those guys, there are a lot of human sacrifices that are going on within those general areas, and it was part of a way of showing that they have strength.

“That is why they were able to cut their heads, and arms, disembowel them, remove their hearts. I do not know what was the intent, but whatever the intent is we remain focused and committed.

“If you notice again, our operation was highly regulated. Ideally before now, it would have been a situation where we would have gone and flattened all the communities within that area.


“We felt not everyone was involved. But, we knew that a lot of people know what was going on and kept quiet which makes them complicit. Like I said, it was a major operation; it was a major response.

“We are conducting a cordon and search operation to thoroughly search for our weapons to arrest those that carried out the dastardly act.

“Gradually when we finish the cordon and search operations — This means we are searching every nook and cranny within the community because we know that they have a lot of illegal funds from crude oil thefts and they have bought a lot of weapons.

“During the disarmament exercise that was conducted, a lot of them didn’t hand over all they had, and because it was a riverine area, close to other countries, they also have a way of bringing in weapons.

“It was because they had weapons, they were able to perpetrate this, so it is for us to thoroughly clean the community to ensure no weapon, explosive, nothing is left behind and that none of them is hiding, and I can tell you that the communities will always go back and rebuild.

Also, Musa debunked reports that the slain military personnel were on an illegal operation in the community, hence their gruesome death.


He said, “…Because they make a lot of money from crude oil theft…They did this deliberately just because the commanding officer and his team were ensuring that any act of pipeline vandalisation, crude oil theft, or illegal refineries were completely eradicated from that region.

“I have had comments about ‘what were they doing there’. Once we are deployed on operation, we have the right and mandate to arrest all acts of criminalities within that area. So, they were deployed legally.

“They were doing a legal operation and it was because the commanding officer felt the threat was not that high, that was why he went there and he felt he could discuss…

“That officer, if he had gone armed, he would have erased everybody in that place, but he felt these were people he could talk to and when he stepped out to talk to them with his team, they were rounded up and all shot, and not only shot, their body parts were cut, and there hearts and private parts were removed, and I think that is one thing that all Nigerians must stand against.”

The military head further reacted to the backlash faulting the handing over the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Delta, Clement Ikoko to the military, despite Ikoko surrendering himself to the Delta State Police Command.

The military had declared Ikoko along with seven others wanted in connection with the incident, but the traditional ruler publicly declared his innocence.

However, the police with the legitimate right to prosecute, handed him over to the military, and was flown to Abuja, where no word has been heard from him since then.

Speaking on the matter, Musa said, “Even the traditional ruler that submitted himself which is the best thing, I wish other ones that were in the picture will also do the same… There is really nothing to fear about because he brought himself up.

“The chief is secure, he is safe, and nothing is going to happen to him. It is just a few questioning and then we will be able to clarify, but I do not want to comment so much, but nobody will tell you, they do not know what is happening.

“Maybe he did not take part directly, but he cannot say he does not have a knowledge or the understanding of what was going on, but investigations would unravel most of these things and actions would be taken.

“We are not animals; We are not barbaric that we will just go around killing people. If they had not touched our armed forces, nobody would have been there.

“The commissioner of police, handing him over to the joint task force has a police component and they are the ones with the mandate to operate and that is why he handed him over to them.

“We have set up a board of enquiries also from outside to follow up, but we will not do anything to any innocent Nigerian. We are only after the bad guys. Anyone who makes himself one, we will definitely come after him.”

The Chief of Defence, thereafter assured members of the Okuama community that they would return and rebuild their community after their operation therein, and would not want innocent residents to fall victim during their investigation.

He, however, asked the resident whom he revealed “benefit from these criminals and their acts of criminalities”, not to harbour the criminals and provide any form of logistics to them, as they, if found would be treated accordingly.

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have intercepted a vessel laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil and arrested the eight suspects, who were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commanding Officer (CO) in – charge of the FOB, Ibaka, Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this while handing over the vessel, the suspects and other exhibits to the anti – graft agency’s officials at the Base on Wednesday.

He recalled that the vessel, suspects and the products suspected to be crude oil were seized since February 23, 2024, at about 3:55pm.

“The current global market price of 30,000 litres of crude oil is about N3 billion equivalent,” Aneke noted.

According to him, the vessel was arrested by NNS Ekulu, through the collaborative efforts of ExxonMobil that supported with necessary intelligence and the Cameroonian Navy, that also supported the interception when the vessel tried to escape by crossing International waters through Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

“As at the time of arrest, the vessel had a total of 8 crew members (all Nigerians). The vessel was discovered to have four Geepee tanks loaded with products suspected to be crude oil and in various compartments,” Aneke stressed.

He, therefore, warned individuals or groups interested in planning to carry out any form of criminality within the Nigerian waters or smuggling illegal consignments into or out of Nigeria, to desist forthwith.

He said: “We are committed towards detecting every criminal move around our operational area using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

“Under the current leadership of Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we will ensure that, it is impossible for maritime crime to continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.

“Such Criminals will be apprehended and duly prosecuted. Nigeria’s water and coastal areas are not for illegal activities.”

Receiving the vessel, suspects and exhibits, EFCC’s Assistant Superintendent, Mr Terseer Polycarp, promised that the anti-graft agency will carry out further interrogation into the matter.

Frontline gospel minister, Nathaniel Bassey, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over allegations that he fathered Mercy Chinwo’s son.

Bassey urged the IGP to investigate and prosecute four persons whom he accused of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

The singer submitted the petition on April 1, 2024, through his lawyers, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye and Anthony Abia.

Last week, four social media users alleged that Bassey fathered the son of the popular gospel singer, an
allegation that went viral on X.

The lawyers, therefore, urged the police authorities to urgently treat the petition against the four social media users, identified in the petition as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and Dj Spoiltkid.

The petition reads: “Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks of life across the globe.

“On Friday, the 29th day of March 2024, Mercy Chinwo Blessed another popular gospel music minister, and her husband posted pictures of their son and themselves on different social media platforms.

“However, our client was disheartened, saddened, and grossly disturbed to find that the above-mentioned suspects, as mischief makers with a criminal intent to destroy the image and character of our client, had made different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our client ‘the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a woman who is married to another man.

“The post by Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike has since gone viral on the platform. In reaction to the post, Mr. Kingsley Ibeh commented on Mr. Okoronkwo’s post with a picture of our client with the caption “The real father of the baby.

“In a post on the platform “X” formerly known as Twitter, “Dj SpoiltKid” a verified X user, quoted the statement by Okoronkwo Ejike along with a screenshot of the post and added, “When are we doing DNA test?”

“In another post, Mr. Terrence Ekot, on the platform “X” made a post thus: “Take a look at the stunning resemblance of mercy chinwo’s son and Nathaniel Bassey. Though duo has been working together on several projects in the past..what do you have to say?”

The lawyers said the social media posts by the four individuals amounted to complete assassination of Bassey’s character.

“These nefarious acts of these suspects, if not immediately dealt with, will continue to destroy our client’s image, injure his reputation, assassinate his character and cast aspersion on the good name built by our client over the years.

The lawyers said the alleged actions of the four individuals contravened sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.).

“The consequences of making such statements on social media have been known to tarnish the reputations of individuals, render marriages unstable, and many never recover from them. International reputation is an asset — both for the individual and for the nation — and it takes time to acquire.

“Consequently, we urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspect to justice, which will serve as a deterrent to others.”

Mynd44

The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the release of 28 girls abducted by bandits yesterday in Katsina. The girls were reportedly kidnapped while collecting firewood near Kasia village in Batsari LGA of the state.


ASP Sadiq Aliyu, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the rescue in a statement on Tuesday. He stated that all the victims “have now regained freedom and are safe and sound.”


ASP Sadiq disclosed that on receiving the report, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, Katsina Police Commissioner, swiftly deployed a task force team alongside other security stakeholders. This action led to the release of all the abducted victims at about 10:40 pm on the same day of the incident.


The statement partly reads: “On the 1st of April, 2024, at about 10:30 hrs, about twenty-eight (28) girls who went to the outskirts of Kasai village, Batsari LGA, Katsina State, with intent to fetch firewood, were abducted by kidnappers.


“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Police Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, swiftly deployed operatives to the scene, tasked with the unhurt rescue of the victims.”

Racoon:
What shamelessness Going as an election rigger to the inauguration of a young man who won a clean, free and fair election.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the inauguration of Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye.

The Presidency disclosed this in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu to attend inauguration of Senegal’s President-elect Bassirou Faye.’

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is visiting the country for the first time since assuming office, at the invitation of the Senegal government.

“He will join other regional leaders to witness the inauguration at Diamniadio Exhibition Centre on Tuesday,” said Ngelale.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and other senior government officials.

He is expected to return to Nigeria at the ene of the inauguration.

Senegal is the fifth African state President Tinubu will be visiting since assuming office 10 months ago, and his 17th foreign destination.

So far, he has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Doha, Qatar.