The wife of the late king of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State has narrated her last moments with her slain husband.

The widow, Yetunde Ogunsakin, stated that her husband called her before being slain by gunmen to inform her that he was hungry and that she should prepare something for him before he arrived at his palace.

Mrs Ogunsakin who spoke to AIT News in a documentary seen by SaharaReporters said she started to worry when she realised her husband did not arrive within the period of an hour.

She said, “He called me when he reached Ajowa that he was coming, that he was hungry and I should prepare something for him. Ajowa to this place, I was not checking time, that it is not supposed to take more than one hour. Getting to one hour, one hour plus, I was calling his phone. He did not pick.”

“I was shocked when I was called around 4:30 to be informed that he has been attacked by assailants and that he was killed in the process with a fellow Kabieyesi, Onimojo of Imojo,” Chief Niyi Ojo, a community leader from Esun Ekiti added.

In response to the monarchs' deaths, Micheal Ogungbemi, Chairman of the Ajoni LCDA, urged the Nigerian government to grant local security officers in the town a licence to carry arms in order to confront militants attacking residents.

He said, “I believe at this time, we should ensure that our local security must be harmed, the must be allowed to carry weapons.”

SaharaReporters had reported how gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, on Monday, killed the two traditional rulers, throwing their towns into confusion.

The incident was said to have happened between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti in Ajoni Local Government Area of the state.

Sources disclosed that another monarch, Alara of Ara in Ikole LG, however, narrowly escaped when the armed men accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away.

President Bola Tinubu had also condemned the killing of the two traditional rulers.

By Matthew Atungwu


A 37-year old security guard at Prestige International College, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, Nuradeen Shehu, has reportedly committed suicide.

The State Police Commissioner, Hussaini Gumel, told newsmen on Tuesday that the incident happened inside one of the classrooms of the college.

He said on January 28 at about 10:30 am, one Abdullahi Abdulsalam of Rijiyar Zaki, brought a report that Nuradeen Shehu, a security guard at the college, was found motionless after he hanged himself with rope in a classroom.

According to him, a team of Policemen from GwaleDivision, led by the DPO, was at the scene and forcefully unlocked the door, cut the rope and rushed the body to Murtala Mohammed General Hospital where a medical doctor confirmed him dead.

The body was released to the family of the deceased for burial.

Information revealed that the deceased hanged himself, having realised that his ex-wife has remarried.

Gumel added that the police would thoroughly investigate the incident.

The Osun State Police Command said it has arrested an Oyo prince, Eniola Oyeyode, in connection to the killing of a United States American-based lecturer, Richard Idowu.

Idowu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party was shot at Oyeyode’s residence on Saturday evening and he died while receiving treatment in a private hospital in the Ejigbo area of the state.

A security source close to the Osun State Police Command who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Online that Oyeyode was moved from Ejigbo to Osogbo on Sunday.

Also, the spokesperson for the state police command, Yemisi Opalola, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of Oyeyode.

Opalola said, “The Osun Police Command is using this medium to inform the general public that the command is aware of the incident of shooting that occurred at Ejigbo which led to the death of one Dr. Richard Adeoriokin.

“The incident occurred on 27/1/2024 at about 9:48 pm after the 50th Coronation Anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin where one Prince Eniola Oyeyode ‘m’ of Ejigbo instructed one of his civilian guards named Hammed Abdul Jelili ‘m’ of Ejigbo to fire his double barrel gun into the air to confirm if the gun was in good condition or not, but instead shot directly at the victim. He was rushed to a hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.

“Meanwhile, the prince, Eniola Oyeyode, who gave the order to his civilian guard to fire guns have been arrested and detained.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Bzigu Dali Kwazhi, therefore, appeals to members of the public especially the residents of Ejigbo to remain calm as the discreet investigation has commenced immediately.”

Idowu was shot dead in Ejigbo, Osun State on Saturday.

The incident threw the community into mourning and led to tension among the residents.

An investigation by our correspondent revealed that the incident occurred in a private residence of Oyeyode, a son to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode, who was marking his 50th anniversary on the throne.

It was also learnt that Idowu was part of the coronation anniversary, from where he was summoned to a meeting in the residence of Oyeyode located along Inisa Road in Ejigbo.

An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, while speaking with PUNCH Online on Sunday on the matter, said at the meeting was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ayodele Asalu and one other person identified as Mr. Timothy.

After the meeting had ended and the attendees were leaving the premises, the eyewitness said gunshots were heard and Idowu was hit on the leg which led to his death while being treated in a private hospital in Ejigbo.

Narrating how the incident happened, a Personal Assistant to the deceased, Afiz Lawal, who said, the incident happened in his presence further explained, “When we returned to Osun from Ogun State where Governor Adeleke took a chieftaincy title, we moved to Ejigbo for 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin.

“Immediately after the coronation party, we were about to start coming to Osogbo, when Prince Eniola, son of Ogiyan, told us to go to his house along Inisa Road in Ejigbo for a brief meeting. Those that attended the meeting include Hon. Asler ( Ayodele Asalu), and one Hon Timothy.

“When the meeting ended, they all dispersed and were entering their vehicles. I heard Prince Eniola say, ‘release,’ asking a local hunter there on the premises to release gunshots into the air. Unfortunately, instead of firing into the air, he shot towards the ground. And that was how Richard Idowu was hit on the leg and he immediately fell.

“Before we could get him to the hospital, he had already lost so much blood and there is no good hospital in Ejigbo. He gave up at a private hospital in Ejigbo. The incident happened between 8pm and 8.30 pm Saturday. He was a PDP chieftain and a lecturer based in the United States of America.”

Asked if the incident could be regarded as a case of misfiring or preplanned, Lawal said, “It may be planned or accidental, but I just narrated how the incident happened because I was at the scene. His remains have been deposited at the morgue of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

It was also learnt that the man who fired the shot was beaten to death after the incident.

While speaking with PUNCH Online, the Commander of Osun Command of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service, the group also known as local hunters, Ahmed Nureni, said no member of the group was involved in the incident, demanding a thorough probe into the killing.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered an immediate investigation into the killing and counter-killing at Ejigbo during the 50 years coronation celebration of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyeyosin.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday partly read, “The Governor who commiserates with the people of Ejigbo town directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure that the law takes its cause.

“Mr Governor further called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident.

“Urging families of the deceased not to take laws into their hands, the Governor has also dispatched a high powered delegation to visit Ejigbo and ensure restoration of calm while the investigation continues. Members of the delegation include the Commissioner of Police, the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, the State Commissioner for Information and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Security.

“What happened today at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killings of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer. I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on the usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance the safety and protection of the citizens especially at public functions.”

A tragic incident struck in Ejigbo, Osun state when a United States Professor and politician, Richard Adeoriokin, was accidentally shot dead by a local security guard while bidding him farewell after an event.

[b]The incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Saturday along Inisha Road of Ejigbo, following the conclusion of a public function attended by Professor Adeoriokin, his political associates, and the son of Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oyeyode Oyesosi[/b]n.

After the meeting at the king’s residence, the son ordered the security guard to fire gunshots into the air to bid farewell to his friends.

Unfortunately, one of the bullets struck the Professor, resulting in his death, and the enraged mob subsequently killed the security guard.

Afeez Lawal, the personal assistant to Professor Richard who was present at the scene, recounted that his boss, a lecturer at Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas, and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had attended a ceremony where Governor Ademola Adeleke was conferred with a chieftaincy title before the tragic incident occurred.

He said: “We headed to Ejigbo for the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo. Immediately, after the event, we were almost set to go back to Osogbo, the king’s son, Oyeyode Oyesosin said we should go to his house along Inisha road for a brief meeting, so those that followed him home Ayodele Asalu, Timothy and Prof Richard.

“When the king’s son wanted to bid his guests farewell, he ordered the local security to fire guns to the air, as a gesture but unfortunately, one of the security’s guns was facing down, instead of firing to the sky, he fired the bullet downward, the bullet hit Professor on his leg, he fell, before we could rush him to the hospital he had lost a lot of blood. He gave up the ghost at the Baptist hospital in Ejigbo.”

The aide confirmed that the remains of the Professor had been deposited in Osun State University Teaching Hospital Morgue.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered through investigation over the killing of Adeoriokin and one other as he condoled with the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyosin.

He directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure that the law takes its cause.

He further called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident.

Adeleke Urged families of the deceased not to take laws into their own hands.

He said: “What happened at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killings of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer. I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on the usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance the safety and protection of the citizens, especially at public functions.”

Subsequently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal condoled with Ejigbo over the killing of one of its prominent indigenes, describing the death as tragic and wicked and tasked the Police Authority to investigate the matter.

After a two-month forensic analysis of call logs, videos and messages, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed more than 70 evidence against a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Osim Ndifon.

Ndifon is standing trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged sexual harassment, molestation and outright rape.

The offence of gratification carries a seven-year jail term if convicted.

Four current students and five alumni testified against the law lecturer when the university raised a panel of enquiry,

ICPC has lined up 15 witnesses, mostly students, against the lecturer for a trial which may be 80-90 per cent electronically based in court.

While some claimed that he had sex with them forcibly, others alleged that he had MouthAction with them.

An admission seeker, in her written statement on November 14th, 2023, admitted that the don put his genital in her mouth and had sex with her in order to get a slot to enter UNICAL.

She said on another day when she visited the don, he gave her a nylon bag with 11 used condoms to throw away.

According to ICPC, Ndifon has a case to answer for alleged abuse of office, especially when he was solely in charge of admission into the Faculty of Law.

The anti-graft commission said under the supervision of Ndifon, in UNICAL’s Direct Entry Admission for the year 2022/2023, only eight out of the 37 candidates shortlisted by the lecturer were eligible.

Ndifon, who is in addition standing trial with his counsel, Sunny Anyanwu for alleged obstruction of investigation, has pleaded on oath that he is not guilty.

He has been remanded in Kuje Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) pending his admission to bail.

All these details were contained in the charge sheet filed by ICPC before the Federal High Court before Justice James Omotosho.

In line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) all evidence have been frontloaded and made available to all parties and their lawyers.

ICPC alleged that in “contravention of Section 8 of the Corrupt Practices Act, Ndifon unethically and habitually requested/solicited and received sexual gratification cum pleasure in exchange for grades and mark upgrades from his female students.

Other submissions of the commission are: “The Respondent (Ndifon) habitually requested for video of his students’ bodies and Instruments specifically instructing the female students on the mode and medium of delivery of same which is through WhatsApp.

“The Respondent habitually took advantage of the unequal relationship between himself and his students to cause them to perform MouthAction on him under duress, thereby gratifying himself.

“The apprehension of failure in Law courses and ultimately not gaining admission into degree programme or graduating from the university with their mates created real fears in the students and they succumbed to the Respondent’s entreaties. They saw the Respondent as a larger than life phenomenon.

“That in exchange for the pleasure/gratification to satiate his sexual urge, the Respondent awarded the female students undeserving grades contrary to established university approved grading order/pattern.

“That in contravention of the Cybercrimes (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2015, the Criminal Code and Penal Code, the Respondent wielding inordinate power in an unequal relationship with his female students caused the female students to transmit nude and pornographic videos of themselves as a currency for grades, upgrades, and admission into the University’s faculty of Law or transition from Diploma in Law Class to LLB Degree Class

On the allegation of abuse of office, ICPC alleged that Ndifon was involved in the collection of “unauthorized fees and diversion and misappropriation of students’ journal fees.

“That without the approval of the University and justifiable cause, that the Respondent imposed illegal and unjustifiable fees/levies on the students of the Faculty of Law of the University.

“That the said fees paid into a bank account personally designated by the Respondent found their ways out of the said bank account for reasons and causes unrelated to Law Journals or learning /teaching benefits.

“Additionally, there is a prima facie evidence of financial impropriety and embezzlement against the Respondent who for three years had used his position to levy various sums of money on law students for building a non-existing law journal which fund had depleted on his account and directive under Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006.”

ICPC added: “The investigation revealed the following: That the investigative panel report confirmed that the Respondent did not adhere to the criteria of Direct Entry Admission for the year 2022/2023. See Annexure C441 – C584 (Panel Report).

“That the investigative panel report confirmed that only 8 candidates out of the 37 candidates shortlisted for Direct Entry Admission for the year 2022/2023 were eligible.).

“That the investigative panel report confirmed that the Respondent solely handled the admission of students from Diploma in Law Programme to the Direct Entry LL.B programme for the 2022/2023 academic year.

“That the investigative panel report also confirmed that the Respondent admitted six (6) students from Diploma in Law Programme year 1 to the Direct Entry LL.B programme year 2 for the 2022/2023 academic year without being qualified, contravening the University’s regulations . See Annexure C441 -C584 (Panel Report)


“That law students paid monies for the publication of law journal into Law Journal account number 1014459068 domiciled in a bank.

“That the investigative panel report confirmed that the Respondent had collected funds from the law students for 3 sessions without publishing and presenting them with any journal.

That the investigative panel report also confirmed that the Respondent created a website (www.calabarlawjournal.com.ng) on June 2, 2023 and updated June 3, 2023 but was empty with absolutely no papers uploaded.

“That the Law Journal account number 1014459068 domiciled in Zenith Bank had a total inflow of =N=9,498,950.01 and a total debit of =N=10,017,573.10 from January 01, 2018 to December 12, 2023.”

The commission also accused Ndifon and his lawyer of alleged moves to interfere or impede investigation.

“That the Respondent directing and acting in concert with his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu, became meddlesome in the Commission’s investigation and made calls to the star witness of the prosecution to ask her not to respond to the officers of the commission,” the commission said.

In a 20-page statement to ICPC, the 59-year old Professor of Law faulted some of the claims of his students.

He said he did not harass or rape any student under any guise.

President Bola Tinubu has been spotted watching the inauguration of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State, from France.

Daily Trust reports that Tinubu, on Wednesday, departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit.

While the President was physically present at the inauguration of Hope Uzodimma for a second tenure in office as Governor of Imo State, Vice President Kashim Shettima, attended Ododo’s swearing in ceremony, on Saturday.

See pictures of the president below:

Joe Ajaero, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has lamented about the crisis in Nigeria’s power sector.

Speaking during the 21st Trust Dialogue themed “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and Losers”, held at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Ajaero narrated how more than 30 companies got licence for power plant in 2005 yet nothing fruitful came out of the venture.

Ajaero also criticised the first three policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, saying they inflicted more pain on Nigerians.

He said, “President Tinubu wants to build on President Jonathan’s privatization policy. When Buhari came in, he did nothing about it… In 2005, over 30 companies got licenses to build power plants, but up till now, none of them has generated a watt.

“They said that they sold it and they would go to borrow money from banks, That does not pay. Nigeria that went to borrow money from banks would buy the power sector tomorrow. And what they told us was that what they needed were foreign investment and technical ability.

“We have heard that proxies are the owners of Nigeria’s power sector. As of today, nobody can tell us who are the owners of the power sector. The Tinubu government should look at this holistically to have a conscious plan to move Nigerians forward. I agree that Nigeria was down at the time he came in, but the first or three policies have inflicted more pains on Nigerians and those injuries are painful coupled with the cash crunch.”

Lagos State is set to venture into airline business, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hinted yesterday.

The state, he said, would soon begin the construction of its own airport in Lekki, a Lagos suburb which is fast-developing on the Epe axis.

Sanwo-Olu spoke during the Lagos West Senatorial District Town Hall meeting at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, where he presented the scorecard of his administration to Lagosians.

He presented a catalogue of achievements in the West of Lagos.

The governor also attributed the delay in the kick-off of the ambitions 38-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge to funding challenges.

The bridge will connect Lagos Island across the Lagoon from Langbasa (Lekki) to Baiyeku, Itamaga in Ikorodu.

The 2 x 4 lane carriageway, with permission for Bus Rapid Transit Lane and future road contraction was designed to relieve traffic on the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.

They are: Eko Bridge, Cater Bridge and the Third Mailand Bridge.

A one-time permanent secretary and retired Auditor- General for Local Government in the state, Pa Muhammed Hassan, believed Lagos was ripe to own an airline. He backed the governor’s proposal.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the airline business plan had been in the pipeline for months, with the state now finalising the financing model.

“What is being considered is the Federal Government’s approval and operational contingency for the airline,” the governor said.

At the meeting, Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, took feedback from residents, who posed questions.

The governor noted that the input from the public was necessary to guide his government’s decision on planned programmes and interventions before their implementation.

He pointed out that his administration had completed and opened 42 new roads projects and two flyovers in the district, with the combined length of the infrastructure spanning over 72 kilometres.

Saying that the last four and half years had seen Lagos taking a leap forward in its socio-economic and development trajectory, the governor said he remained resolute in doubling his efforts to keep the state on the sustainable growth path as his second term progresses.

The event was attended by members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), political, religious, business leaders and traditional rulers. Also there were members of the state executive council.

Some of those who spoke include: Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Bishop Stephen Adegbite, a child disability advocate, Mrs. Mathilda Otitoju, community leaders, among others.

The governor said: “Over the last five months, Mr. Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of airlines. The business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing. The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan.

“In Lagos West Senatorial District, infrastructure development has been our priority since we came in. Over the last four years, we have completed over 70 kilometres of new roads and over two kilometres of bridges.

“These include Pen-Cinema Bridge, Ikeja Flyover, and over 42 roads we have completed in Alimosho, Ifako, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Amuwo Odofin and Badagry. We also have over 30 ongoing road projects which are at various stages of completion within this district.”

The governor said the senatorial district was also the major beneficiary of the intra-city railway development projects of his administration, with Lagos West hosting major passenger hubs of Blue Line and Red Line trains.

He said the new General Hospital being constructed in Ojo axis has reached an advanced stage, adding that its completion would boost access to health care in the district.

To further enhance security and safety in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said his administration would be releasing additional patrol vehicles and work gadgets to raise surveillance and capacity of security agencies to respond to emerging threats.

He said: “We are in talks with you, the citizens, today because we believe the government does not know it all. The feedback and inputs we are taking away from here will help us to cater for your needs and wellbeing better.

“We will strive to make it easier for you to be law-abiding. It is not enough to say the laws must be obeyed, we must also ensure that the laws are clear, fair and just.

“When people break the law and don’t do the right thing, they make governance a lot more difficult for us. We must discharge our civic responsibility and fulfil our obligations as citizens.

“When we do this, it reduces the cost of governance and saves resources that will enable us do a lot more. While we appreciate your suggestions, we are also encouraging you to ensure that all citizens do the right thing at all times.”

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, likened the town hall parley to the annual general meeting, which offers stakeholders the opportunity to discuss with the leadership.

Omotoso noted that the move was to engender an all-inclusive government in which citizens would have an input.

“The conversation continues with the citizens on the Lagos project. Today, Lagos West Senatorial District leads the way; other districts will take their turns of the Town Hall meeting where they will have unfettered discussions with the Governor,” Omotoso said.

Professor Hafiz Abubakar, former deputy governor of Kano State, has spoken on the rot in the economy, narrating how bullion vans go to government houses to carry money to bureau de change in broad daylight.

Abubakar stated this during the 21st Daily Trust Dialogue held on Thursday at NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
The event was themed “Tinubu’s Economic Reforms: Gainers and losers”.

Daily Trust reports that Nigeria is battling with its worst naira depreciation crisis with the local currency exchanging at N1,400 to a dollar at the parallel market as of Thursday January 25, 2024.

There has been an alleged arbitrage in the foreign exchange market with the Bureau De Change (BDC) operators allegedly at the centre of the trade.

Our correspondent reports that the parallel market is the most important market for foreign exchange transactions.

Speaking at the Daily Trust Dialogue, Hafiz Abubakar urged The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide a system that will sanitize the unwholesome practice in forex transactions, saying the practice involves a very big risk for the country.

He said, “When I was a student in the 1980s in the United Kingdom, I was fully aware that there was a cap on cash transactions you can hold with bureau de change. Regrettably in our country, it is open.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria has no figures of what is going on in our BDCs. And I am sure they are fully aware of the very great risk. In civilized societies, there are caps for cash transactions in any bureau de change, but in our country it is limitless.

“And there is no system that keeps record of the transactions for our Central Bank to know what is happening there. To me, that is a very big risk. It is part of what is fueling corruption in this country. Bullion vans go to some government houses to carry money to BDCs in the daylight. I wonder why we don’t have a system that can make sure transactions are carried through the banks legitimately.”

A former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has explained why a former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, was annoying to some people in the immediate past federal administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola who alongside Pantami served in the Buhari cabinet, said one of the reasons was Pantami’s dedication to getting things rights at all times and every ‘T’ and ‘I’ crossed and dotted.

The former Lagos State governor said this on Wednesday in Abuja in his keynote, at the public presentation of a 341-page book titled ‘A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating Academia’, written by Prof. Pantami.

“I got to know Prof. Pantami as my colleague in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), where he served as Minister for Communication and Digital Economy during 2019 to 2023. His passion and attention to detail are very well known. His desire to have every ‘T’ and ‘I’ crossed and dotted in every document was almost annoying for some people.

“But our memoranda and our cabinet records are undoubtedly better off in terms of accuracy, having been impacted by what I call the Pantami effect. He was essentially our ‘Mr. Compliance’. Either your memo, if it was a tech memo that did not have a NITDA certificate, he would be the first one to see it, and he won’t keep quiet.

“And if your vision and missions did not align, he would let you know very clearly. But he was Mr. Compliance to a good cause. As I said, our records are better off for the ‘Pantami effect’. At a time when truth is the endangered by fake news, when history is threatened by revisionists, books that profess a factual basis, which report history and events accurately, become all the more important to preserve the foundations of our civilization,” Fashola said.

Fashola said the launch is auspicious that such a book dwells on scholarship and academia, which are qualities urgently needed to drive national development.

The event was also attended by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; former Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje; former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani Kyode; and former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed among others.

Fayemi in his remark commended Pantami for achieving many developmental strides for Nigerian, including broadband penetration which was about 23 per cent as at 2019 and which rose to about 50 per cent currently and also internet penetration to about 87 per cent.

Prof. Pantami in his remark expressed appreciation to everyone present and other who contributed to making the event successful, promising to continue to contribute to the body of knowledge for national development.

Saheed Wahab, a Nigerian man reportedly died a day after moving to the United Kingdom to pursue his master's degree.

Wahab, who reportedly hailed from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, began his studies at Teesside University in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2024, and died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, according to Nigerians in the UK Community.

“Following the sad news we received regarding the death of Mr Saheed Wahab, a student at Teesside University who died a day after arriving in the United Kingdom from Nigeria,” Nigerians in the UK Community wrote on its social media handle.

“He was here to start an MSc qualification, but unfortunately he died on Tuesday (16th January) afternoon in Teesside.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his sins and accept his return.”

The cause of death could not be ascertained and the group did not link the death to any cause in their statement.

It, however, said it had reached out to the family of the deceased for burial arrangements.

The statement noted, “We have reached out to his wife and family members in Nigeria, and they’ve given us permission to act on their behalf and arrange a funeral service for him here in the United Kingdom.

“We’ve also been able to contact the coroner where his remains is.

“Following his death, his Janazah (funeral) arrangement has been scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Jamia Masjid Al Madina, 133a Waterloo Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 3JB.

“In view of the above, we’re soliciting for financial support towards his burial, please kindly donate generously to the account given below, may the Almighty accept it as an act of ibadah and grant us the rewards. Ameen.”

By Olayide Soaga

Residents of Tundun Biri, a community in Kaduna State that lost scores of its residents to an accidental drone attack by the Nigerian Army, have faulted Nigerian lawmakers for not fulfilling their promise of donating their December salaries to the survivors.

On December 3, 2023, 85 people were killed and dozens injured by a military airstrike during a religious celebration in Tundun Biri, Kaduna.

Shortly after this incident, Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, paid a condolence visit to the community, where he announced that senators would donate their December salaries totaling N109 million to the victims of the attack.

“We are here to represent the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and indeed, other senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to sympathise with you and condole with you for the lost lives and those who sustained injuries in respect of the unfortunate incident that happened at Tundun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna some few days ago,” said the Deputy Senate President.

“It is on this note that we have decided that we are going to donate our salaries for a full month to be given to those who were affected by this incident. So, a total of N109m will be made available to the governor to be channelled to help bring succour to those affected by the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri,” Jibrin added.

It has been six weeks since this visit, and the victims are yet to receive this donation.The residents of the community are also worried about the security situation in the community.

“The security situation in Tudun Biri is still a concern. We were told that a military formation would be established but that has not happened. There is still a security threat here in Tudun Biri, and the earlier the government acted on the promise (military formation), the better for the community,” said Idris Dahiru, a man who lost 30 members of his family to the unfortunate incident, told The PUNCH

Anambra victims

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have killed two persons suspected to be husband and wife and dumped their corpses in a car boot of their vehicle, a Toyota Camry with the registration number: EE-621-EU.

The two fresh blood-dripping corpses were seen by passers-by at a lonely place along the Tempo Junction, Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in the early hours of Wednesday.

A video currently trending on social media, showed the dark-coloured Toyota Corolla being surrounded and inspected by passersby. The vehicle doors were wide open while the two fresh corpses were dumped inside the boot.

The blood dripping from beneath the vehicle boot showed the deceased may have been freshly murdered.

When contacted on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.

Ikenga added that the police personnel attached to the Oyi Division have recovered and deposited the two lifeless bodies in a mortuary, while investigations have commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

“Police personnel attached to the Oyi Division led by the DPO at about 7:30 am today 24/1/2024, have recovered two lifeless bodies, abandoned in a car boot along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

“The operatives also recovered the abandoned vehicle and some expanded cartridges at the scene. Meanwhile, bodies have been deposited in the morgue and investigations have commenced.

“Preliminary information revealed that those persons, a man, and woman, with marks of violence and gunshot injuries all over their bodies, were murdered and abandoned in a black Corolla car with reg plate number Lagos AAA 621 EU. Further details shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga added.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a Kano-based politician, Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda, over his alleged threat to mobilise the masses to start an uprising and make Kano ungovernable.

A senior official of the secret police in Kano confirmed to Daily Trust that the controversial politician, known for his critical takes on issues on local radio in the state, was arrested after a video of one of his latest interviews on a radio station went viral and was brought to the attention of the security agencies.

The official, who asked not to be named, revealed that after the arrest, Kwamanda was handed over to the police and was subsequently charged before a Magistrate Court in the state. The court thereafter ordered his remand in a correctional facility.

Daily Trust gathered that in the interview that triggered Kwamanda’s arrest, he alleged that the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had concluded plans to restore Muhammadu Sanusi, the deposed 14th Emir of Kano.

Kwamanda, in the video, which was shared with our reporter, could be heard saying he would mobilise the masses to take over the streets of Kano and start an uprising so large and destructive that the federal government would be forced to declare a state of emergency in Kano.

Daily Trust also gathered that since after the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as Kano state governor, Kwamanda had granted several interviews on local radio stations expressing his dissatisfaction with the judgment and faulting President Bola Tinubu for allegedly not ensuring that the All Progressives Congress (APC) retains the state.

He had also join others to criticize the recent moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relocate some of its staff to Lagos from Abuja, as well as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) decision to also relocate its headquarters in Abuja to Lagos, alleging that these were all parts of the plan of the Tinubu-led administration to cripple the northern part of the country.

A Civil Servant, Abiodun Akintomowo, has reportedly slumped and died in Ondo town, Ondo State, after a sex romp with his girlfriend in a hotel.

Consequently, police detectives have apprehended the suspect and the owner of the hotel where the victim died.

Confirming the ugly incident, the spokesperson for the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, had a sex romp with his girlfriend, in a hotel located at Akinjagunla area of the community.

Odunlami said that ”The man (deceased) was not feeling alright after the sexual intercourse with the lady in the hotel, so he was rushed to the hospital and later died.

The two suspects are still in our custody.”

She said the investigation into the matter was still ongoing while the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the hospital morgue.

An eyewitness account said that the girlfriend raised the alarm after the deceased collapsed in the hotel room.

According to him ”The woman raised the alarm after realizing that the man collapsed, the manager of the hotel and some residents raced to the scene and made frantic efforts if they could revive him.

”But he was later confirmed dead by the doctors who attended to him.

”The management of the hotel later reported the matter at the Yaba Divisional Police Station in the community.

Police detectives later visited the scene to evacuated the corpse of the deceased to the University of Medical Sciences, morgue in Ondo town.

The uncle of late Nabeeha Al-Kadriyah who was killed by bandits last week, Sherifdeen, has said information reaching the family shows that she graduated with a first class from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and would have been awarded at the school’s convocation slated for January 27.

He also said the release of Nabeeha’s remaining sisters late Saturday evoked bittersweet memories for the family.

He said, “You can imagine such a feeling if she had been alive to witness the convocation. However, the situation has further strengthened our faith in Almighty Allah.

“We thank all those that stood by us during this trying period.”

He added that, “I was the one who went to claim the body of the late Nabeeha. She was brutally murdered and her sister, Najeeba, was forced to see her brutal corpse to traumatise her and others for us to quickly pay the ransom.’’

When City & Crime visited their residence on Sokoto Road, Okekere, Ilọrin, Kwara State, it was observed that the family was still receiving visitors who came to rejoice with them following the girls’ release.

The family, however, contradicted the police, saying that no ransom was paid before the release of the girls.

The father of six abducted girls, including Nabeeha, who was killed in captivity, has disclosed how the bandits got access to them.

Daily Trust recalls that some kidnappers ravaging the Federal Capital Territory abducted six sisters of Al-Kadriyar family and demanded a ransom of N60 million for their release, and one of the girls, a student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) was killed following the delay of the ransom.

In an interview with Arise TV News, the father disclosed the experience that led to the abduction of his girls, following a gun duel with the security agents.

Al-Kadriyar said he mistook the bandits for armed robbers when he first sighted them in his compound through the door and windows, adding that he called his brother, Alhaji Abdulfatai, for help.

Unfortunately, Abdulfatai, who was with the police lost his life in the effort to rescue the abductees.

He added that three policemen were injured in the gun duel with the terrorists.

He hailed the gallant effort of his brother who mobilised the police to his neighbourhood to rescue them but unfortunately, they were overwhelmed by the assailants.

He said, “I picked up my phone. I was trying to see who I could call, neighbours around. My memory was like ‘who do I call?’ I was confused. But along the line, I was able to pick myself up and said let me call my brother. And I called my brother. I said where are you, there is a problem, we have been attacked by thieves.

“Within 15 minutes. I called back, he said Bros, I am close to you. That’s OK. So I was a bit relaxed. The guys, I have already sighted them by the window. They pulled the window and they broke the glass. I knew they were in full force.

“There was nothing I could do than for me to surrender myself to them. I know what it is that you need. One of them said ‘Ina kudi’ (where is money), I looked at him and I said I don’t have money.

“He marched me out of my room and my children too. They had already broken the door. They used a long jigger they saw in my compound. They broke the doors and got access to my children.

“Their intention was to lead us out of that community to the main road. So I had the confidence that at least the police would come or other security people would come, that would make them leave us and run away.

“When I noticed my brother was driving in. I was happy. He was the one that actually led the police to my community. When I sighted his car, they (the kidnappers) had already positioned themselves again. When they understood that they were coming but they didn’t know who was coming. But they saw the police light on, they knew quite alright that these guys had come for them

“They told us to lie down, and I told my children, just go down. Three of them now went to a building not far from the main road, trying to gain entrance to that building. I was seeing them using arrows and all sorts of things to break the security lights. It was from there they now exchanged bullets (with the police).

“I saw my brother was trying to drive further, the next thing was for him to reverse back. The reverse that he did, I believed they must have shot him. So the police vehicle got stuck. They were all exchanging gunfire with themselves.

“After a few minutes, I think the police stopped. They could not advance further. I know they must have injured my brother or the police. For the police vehicle could not to advance further, meaning that they could not withstand the guys.

“Thereafter, they were able to regroup themselves, and get their strength that they had injured these people. They now asked us to stand up and go back to the village, take another route to get out of that place.”

Nigerians expressed anger and frustration altogether when the bandits killed one of the girls in the forest when they did not receive the rasnom they demanded.

At the time, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, was widely criticised when he announced that he spoke with a friend to raise money for the release of the remaining sisters.

Some days later, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru kicked against crowdfunding by Nigerians to raise ransom for the abducted citizens, as he argued that he encouraged the criminals.

Two prominent Northern groups have issued a strong warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against what they perceive as a bias against Northern politicians in recent corruption investigations.

The Northern Elders Progressive Forum (NEPF) and the Northern Professionals Development Group (NPDG) expressed their concerns in a joint communique following a two-day meeting on national issues.

The groups took specific issue with a recent report in the PUNCH newspaper, titled “EFCC Revives 13 Ex-Governors’ N772bn Fraud Cases,” which listed several Northern politicians among those facing corruption allegations.

The communique, signed by NEPF Chairman Dr. Usman Sani and read by NPDG Secretary Comrade Yusuf Abubakar Dingiyadi, stated, “We are dismayed with the recent reports and publication by the PUNCH Newspaper titled EFCC revives 13 ex-govs N772 bn fraud cases in which it published names of certain political leaders, and individuals with alleged accusations of amassing public wealth illegally without recourse to the due process and rule of law.

“The publication has now become a big embarrassment to them, their families, political associates, and our dear nation in the quest for objectivity, a presumption of innocent, emotional, and moral psyches.

“We think that certain groups of political class because of vendetta or other reasons are cheaply using some media platforms to drag the anti-graft agency image into disrepute to achieve cheap and unpopular political scores.”

While appreciating the EFCC’s efforts in the fight against corruption, the groups cautioned against allowing the commission to become a tool for political vendettas.

They noted concerns about certain political individuals using media platforms to tarnish the image of personalities, potentially eroding the EFCC’s objectives and urged the EFCC leadership to denounce the publication and assure that investigations are not influenced by political motives.

The groups recommended that the EFCC order petitioners and individuals making accusations to publicly sign a commitment to pay compensation if those accused are found innocent after investigation and court proceedings.

They added, “While appreciating EFCC’s highly motivated operations and effective fight against crimes and corruption in the country so far, it is pertinent to note that, the new objectives assured by the leadership of EFCC in the fight against crimes and corruption under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu are about to be eroded by certain selfish group of political individual with access to media and investigations in the commission.

“The commission should not allow itself to become a tool of political vendetta, blackmail or intimidation against any individual through personal grudges, persecution and campaign of calumny to tarnish the image of certain personalities or any perceived political enemies of the characters hiding behind their executive power to unleash allegations through media for public consumption and sympathy.

“There are groups of people who are allegedly sponsoring such sinister motives against some of the political leaders mentioned in the PUNCH story in order to tarnish their reputation; those affected are senators Adamu Abdullahi, Danjuma Gone, Rabu’u Musa Kwankwasko, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Sule Lamido, among others.

“Most painful to see even the serving political leaders are not spared example of Dr. Bello Matawalle who has served Zamfara State meritoriously, honestly, diligently, and transparently, but his name was involved in this conspiracy by some hidden forces with the intention to destroy his good name and service rendered for the progress of his state and the country at large.

“However, we advise EFCC leadership to denounced the Punch publication and bring out a bond of assurance by ordering those petitioners, characters who allegedly accused those mentioned by the Punch Newspaper and many others to come out publicly and sign to pay compensation to those accused if after investigation and court process were found innocent from such allegations”.

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed that the only financial benefit he receives from the government is N577,000 monthly pension as a former governor of Lagos State.

He also said that he is not receiving billions of naira from the federal government as speculated by some Nigerians, after serving eight years as the minister.

Fashola said this on Saturday while appearing as a guest on Arise TV programme, ”Perspectives.’

When asked if there were financial benefits accrued to him as a former public servant, he said, “The benefit I get I think is N577,000 monthly pension from Lagos State. That’s all I get.

“So, in spite of all the stories that we got several billions of money (after leaving office), I’ve come out to deny that repeatedly. Well I don’t know how long it lasts, but all I know is that I get N577,000 per month consistently.”

When asked if there were other benefits from the federal government, he said “no.”

Responding to a question on if he could advise current public office holders, the former Lagos governor said he was not in the position to issue advice but admonished that they “should remain true and authentic” in their duties.

In September 2023, Fashola said he did not need to hold office for serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“I do not need a title to serve: the president can only appoint at least one minister, for example, from each state in which he has done that,” Fashola had said.

Tolulope Fayokun, a senior manager at Johnson & Johnson, has successfully won a discrimination case against the company, alleging racial profiling by her boss, Alessandra Toro.

Fayokun had dragged the pharmaceutical before an employment tribunal after she was dismissed in early 2020, with the tribunal determining that Toro had discriminated against her by referring to her Nigerian origins.

The tribunal heard that Fayokun’s relationship with Toro, whom Fayokun – a dual British and Nigerian national – reported to and was the Director for Strategic Insights and Analytics at J&J, took a detrimental turn when she was presented with a document outlining ‘Nigerian traits.’

Toro had conducted research into Nigerian workplaces, suggesting that Fayokun was lazy and operated on ‘African time,’ implying a lack of punctuality.

Toro allegedly told Fayokun, “I’m different from Nigeria,” highlighting differences in their perspectives on deadlines and workplace flexibility.

Subsequently, after Fayokun’s dismissal, she filed a lawsuit for race discrimination, leading to a tribunal judge’s conclusion that she had been unfairly ‘racially profiled.’

The tribunal heard details of Fayokun’s professional journey at Johnson & Johnson, where she initially demonstrated strong leadership. However, as time passed, she began feeling overwhelmed by her workload, leading to strained relations with Toro. The relationship worsened during a work trip to the USA, and upon returning, Toro presented Fayokun with what she described as a ‘racially profiling document.’

While Fayokun expressed her grievances against her bosses, Toro argued that she presented a report on ‘cultural fluency’ rather than racial profiling. Despite Toro’s different perspective, the tribunal concluded that Fayokun had been discriminated against by the ‘profiling exercise.’

The compensation for Fayokun will be determined in a subsequent hearing. However, additional claims made by Fayokun, including unfair dismissal, victimisation, harassment, religious, and race discrimination, were dismissed by the tribunal.

Billionaire tycoon Femi Otedola has racked up shares worth N6 billion of Dangote Cement Plc, a source with knowledge of the transactions told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.

Mr Otedola, the source said, acquired the shares in his name.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement maker Dangote Cement recently leapfrogged telecommunications powerhouse Airtel Africa to become Nigeria’s biggest company by market capitalisation, currently valued at N8.35 trillion.

Dangote Cement has returned 81.4 per cent in the last 52 weeks and has 17.04 billion outstanding shares.

Dangote Industries Limited, the conglomerate controlled by Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, holds 85.8 per cent of the company’s shares.

To shore up the valuation of its stock, Dangote Cement completed two tranches of share repurchase between 2020 and 2022, during which it bought back 166.9 million shares.

Mr Otedola holds the majority stake in the power-generating company Geregu Power Plc, whose market value currently stands at N1.2 trillion.

In 2021, he acquired huge volumes of the shares of FBN Holdings, the parent company of Nigeria’s oldest commercial bank First Bank, in piecemeal via a series of off-market trades to become the biggest shareholder of the financial services group.

Mr Otedola holds 5.57 per cent of the shares of FBN Holdings, where he is the chair of the board of directors, according to the lender’s 2022 audited earnings report. FBN Holdings recently surpassed the N1 trillion mark in market value before easing to N967.4 billion on Thursday, shedding 2.53 per cent.

Last April, Mr Otedola purchased the shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria summing up to 2.6 billion units in various trades, translating to a substantial shareholding of 6.3 per cent, putting him on track to become the top shareholder of the conglomerate.

However, Tony Elumelu, the biggest shareholder of United Bank for Africa, swiftly accumulated more shares to increase his stake in the company from 2.07 per cent to 25.9 per cent to retain his place on the top spot of Transcorp’s ownership ladder.

Mr Otedola would later sell his stake to Mr Elumelu, giving up the top ownership race.

An official of Partfinder International Limited, an aviation security company, has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for attempting to dispatch a suspected illicit drug through a departing Ibom Air flight to Accra, Ghana.

In a statement by the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, the employee approached a passenger to help convey a parcel through the flight. However, the passenger became skeptical and raised the alarm, suspecting that he was being set up for drug trafficking.

“The attention of the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been drawn to a video circulating on social media where a supposed staff of the Authority was knelt down and being slapped by a passenger for trying to use him to traffic drugs.

“It has been identified that the incident took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at about 14:30 hrs at gate 2, the boarding gate at ITZ2.”

“The Authority wishes to set the records straight by stating that the officer being manhandled in the video is not a staff of FAAN. He has been identified as a member of the staff of Pathfinder company.”

“The employee approached a passenger to help him convey a parcel through the flight. When the passenger became skeptical, he raised an alarm, alleging that he was being set up for drug trafficking.”

FAAN spokesperson, however, disclosed that the passenger involved was arrested for further questioning while the passenger involved boarded his flight to Ghana.

“The employee was immediately arrested for questioning by the Crime Investigation and Intelligence Unit of the Aviation Security Services. The passenger involved has since departed on Ibom Air to Accra while the medication with the name ‘NEW AGE GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN SULFATE COMPLEX’ has been taken to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.

“FAAN is dedicated to a drug-free society and has zero tolerance for drug peddling through her airports.”

Oyo State Government said operators of the illegal mining and gemstone markets discovered in Ibadan claimed to have approvals from the Federal Government.

The Oyo State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Fatai Owoseni, disclosed this in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday.

Recall that a recent explosion occurred in Ibadan as a result of explosions in stores by illegal miners.

The security adviser noted that the security agencies and the government could not know of all the happenings in the state if the citizens within the state did not provide credible information to the agencies.

Owoseni said, “For the past two years, the Oyo State governor has been engaging the federal government with regards to mining. We’ve discovered that there is an illegal mining market, gemstone market in Ibadan around Ojoo and populated by foreigners.

“And when you go there that you want to do any operation, either as police or state apparatus, they will show you approval which they have gotten from the federal government.”

Owoseni said that there is a lot of decadence in mining industry from those who are supposed to be in charge of monitoring miners by conducting checks.

He said, “The conditions are that you must have a magazine, that’s like a storage where you should keep these things,” going on to say that “along the line of maybe lackadaisical attitude, the fellows that will be asked to escort the buyers, the users, they may not do the right thing.

“Some of the people that we apply for those things, the address they indicate is not the address where they’ve taken the things to. Rather than taking them to the magazines or the storage close to the area where they will use it, they will divert these things.”

Owoseni further stated, “The notion that Nigerians and everyone has that the security people must know everything, well, it’s a bit right, but at the same time, wrong.

“The concept and philosophy guiding security work, especially policing, is that the people are the police are the people. Without credible intelligence, the security people would not know anything.

“People don’t give information, intelligence reports. If landlords want to also take undue benefits of, oh, you know these people are doing bad business, and because they pay you a lot of money, you keep your mouth shut. So, this is the kind of thing you have.”

According to Owoseni, if there were reports of such illegal activities in those areas, the government would have acted on it immediately.

He said, “Government won’t know if the people don’t give information. People have come up to say some people said they’ve reported that before. Why is it now that all those information is coming out? That is number one.

“Number two, people that have talked of complicity by government or security agencies, for people that know that location, people who live there, who own houses in that area, know the calibre of people that live there.

“A former deputy governor of Oyo state lives around that place. Some eminent emeritus professors live around that place. So, these are people that cannot just be taken for granted that if such a thing has been reported, it cannot just be wished away.

“They have very strong Landlord/Resident association. So, all these people that are talking, do they even bring this to the notice of the association? Like I said, when you have such a people living in such areas, you can’t take them for granted.”

On the current death toll, Owoseni said, “As of yesterday, the governor indicated we had 3 dead persons, 77 wounded. But this morning, just before we started this interview, the security operatives in that area had just sent me a text to let me know that 2 more dead bodies were recovered this morning.”

The Security adviser said the government has opened avenues for citizens to make credible intelligence reports.

He said, “With the interaction that his excellency Governor Seyi Makinde had had with the Security and the Intelligence Community in Oyo state, we’ve opened avenues, different avenues for people to come up with credible intelligence so that some of these areas can be checked.

“We have what we called citizens enquiry number in Oyo State, it is ‘615’. They don’t need to know you because through 615, we’ve gotten information and some other things that happened in the state which the governor had made use of. We’ve been having face to face interaction, interface with the community.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has raised an alarm that the security agencies in the country have been infiltrated by fifth columnists, including people who are agents of criminals unleashing mayhem on Plateau and other parts of the country.

The governor made this claim Wednesday on Trust TV’s Daybreak Show while responding to questions on the response of security agencies after violent attacks in the state and other parts of the country.

Plateau State recently suffered coordinated attacks on 23 villages in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas, which left over 150 dead and many others injured.

After the attacks, there had been outrage across the country on how such coordinated attacks could have taken place despite the presence of the military’s Operation Safe Haven in the state, in addition to other security agencies.

There was also the revelation that despite several distress calls by the communities, the assailants carried out the attacks for hours and left before the security agencies arrived.

Recall that shortly after the sporadic attacks on Plateau villages between December 23 and 24, 2023, Governor Mutfwang said the military received 36 distress calls.

“I was made to understand by the GOC that on Saturday (the eve of the attacks) alone, they had distress calls from 36 points almost simultaneously.

“That will tell you that that is a logistic issue right there…,” the governor stated.


‘Many loopholes in security architecture’

Responding to a question during his interview with Trust TV on where the problem lies, the governor said the work of these fifth columnists within the security agencies makes it difficult for prompt response by the security agencies.

He said, in many instances, several lives of security personnel have been lost after being ambushed due to information leaked by the fifth columnists.

He said, “…Let me also say this; fifth columnists have infiltrated the security agencies. This is a fact we must confront as a nation.

There are many people who should not be there; they are agents of these criminals, and sometimes they even compromise their colleagues. And that is why you have a lot of ambushes sometimes when these security agencies are going on operations.”

The governor added that President Bola Tinubu must give a very firm directive to the security agencies that in the ongoing recruitment processes, diligence must be taken.

“Diligence must be observed to ensure that wrong elements are not recruited into the armed forces and the security agencies. But there must also be a mechanism to be able to fish out these bad eggs within the security services.

“It is only when we do that, that there will be professionalism and discipline, and also some bit of empathy to the victims of these attacks,” he said. He said while the government continues to conscientise and mobilise the communities to be able to defend themselves, the overzealousness of some security officers on the ground makes the process difficult and renders the government’s efforts to be counter-productive.


Self-defence is necessary

Governor Mutfwang said communities in Plateau were being advised to be vigilant.

“I will continue to ensure that the communities are sufficiently conscientious to look out for one another. And so, that also gives the security agencies the opportunity to come in as their response time will be greatly reduced.

“There are areas where we can improve, certainly, but beyond that, we are also trying to ensure that the communities themselves are sufficiently conscientised and mobilised to be able to defend themselves, because the security forces can only come in and go, the people still remain in their localities, and they form borders at the last line of defence.

“We must be able to balance. We cannot just leave people to possess guns without control and accountability. And so, my own is that even if we are armed in communities, there must be a registration process.

“You should be able to boost the morale of those who stand up to defend their communities and not arrest them. We have had a few excesses, which we have reported to the authorities.

“We have witnessed a lot of overzealousness by some of the security agencies’ operatives on the ground, who instead of cooperating with locals, when they find them sometimes with ordinary machetes, they confiscate them and we have engaged their commanders to say no, this is not right,” he said.

The governor also said he is an advocate of state police and balanced gun control.

“I am a firm believer in state police. Sincerely, I have heard so many arguments about it: the tendency of governors to misuse their powers, and so on and so forth.

We cannot continue to live in fear and refuse to face realities. Globally, security is a local issue. And unless we can bring it down to the level of the communities, we may not achieve much success,” he said.


We’ve our shortcomings

Governor Caleb also admitted that since governors are human beings, the tendency to misuse or abuse of power cannot be ruled out.

He said examples of countries like the United States of America can be used to counter this fear, arguing that where there is noticeable evidence of abuse of state police by any governor, the federal police, as is the case in the USA, can be called in to restore order.

“So, I think for effectiveness, we cannot run away from the issue of state police. We must look at it critically; all the talks about community policing by the Nigeria Police Force. I do not think it is effective, because the time span for dissemination of information and decision making is very critical. When you have a situation where there is an attack in the community and the police will (only) be able to mobilise to counter it at three, four hours away.

“It doesn’t make sense. So, we must be able to bring them closer to the theatre of conflict,” he said.

While debunking the reports that the Plateau State government was operating a militia in the form of Operation Rambo, the governor said his take on community defending themselves informed the government’s effort to conscientise and mobilise the communities to be able to stand up against attackers in their own controlled way before the security agencies are able to mobilise to the areas.


We’ll study the allegations

When contacted yesterday, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu explained that he would not be able to respond accordingly until the statements made by the governor were properly studied.

Nwachukwu, a Major-General, added that the army, and of course the entire military are professional and regimented organisations that cannot hurriedly respond to issues.

He said the comments needed to be examined after which he would get in touch with appropriate authorities before responding accordingly, if there is a need to do so.

“Let me first see the statement. The army is a professional organisation. I’m not speaking for myself but for the army. I will have to first study the governor’s comment after which we will respond accordingly, if there is a need for it,” he said.

In the same vein, the Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a Brigadier-General, also said he would like to see the clip or the statement before giving any response.

“I’m just hearing this from you. I will like to see the video clip or the statement, so that I will know how to reply,” the senior military officer told one of our correspondents in a telephone interview.

Daily Trust recalled that a few days after the incidents on the Plateau, some locals protested and called for total withdrawal of the military from the crises-prone areas, saying they preferred to have the police and other security operatives.

But the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, during a visit to the state, denied the allegation that troops of the Nigerian Army deployed to Plateau State were biased in their operations.

Lagbaja said it was incorrect to accuse the Nigerian Army personnel, who he said have been tirelessly working to restore peace in the state, of being biased in their operations, adding that the organisation is impartial in its operations.

The army chief emphasised that the Nigerian Army is composed of individuals from diverse tribes and religions. Hence, it should not be regarded as personal property that can be manipulated by any single individual.

He stated this while responding to allegations by some members of the communities regarding impartiality in army operations, during a visit to NTV, one of the affected communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

Former Emir of Kano State, Mohammad Sanusi II, has said it is too late for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the last general elections in the state, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and other APC stalwarts in the state to accept defeat.

Sanusi stated this in a viral video where he spoke on accepting destiny during a lesson session.

The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, is among the APC leaders, rooting for Gawuna to take over governance in the state after tribunal and Appeal courts sacked Governor Kabiru Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

However, Supreme Court last Friday set aside the lower courts’ rulings.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Gawuna had said he accepted the apex court’s judgment on the governorship dispute in the state as God’s decision.

But responding to Gawuna’s assertion, the former Central Bank governor said the APC attempted to seize power through a court process not knowing God was waiting.

Sanusi said, “We thank Allah, the Almighty and congratulate the people of Kano State. During our last session, we prayed and admonished the judges to do what is right. At last God has given the people of Kano State what they voted for.

“When people vote, any attempt to stifle their choice is a shared injustice. The robbery is not on the winner, but the electorate. God would never allow this.

“People participated in an election and lost. Now they tried to force their way in through corrupt judges. This book we are reading is about accepting destiny whether good or bad, to accept God’s decision.

“One laughable thing is that after some people were defeated in an election, they went to court to hijack power. At last in the court they met Allah in wait. After stopping them from gaining power by force, now they said that they have accepted His decision.

“The best time to accept destiny is after the polls. You know people did not vote for you. You know you lost but made moves to hijack power. It’s too late.

“God is always on the side of the truth. He may give a tyrant a chance or two, but surely that would be short-lived.”

Sanusi, however, prayed for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s success, urging the governor to fulfill his campaign promises.

“If he fails them, they can vote him out. This is how democracy thrives.

“We hope our politicians will learn democracy from the developed world. Unless you are sure of winning an election, there is no point in going to court to use some corrupt judges to get power,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has violated a new directive he recently issued on cutting down the number of people on his entourage during local and international travels.

Last Tuesday, the President announced the slashing of officials accompanying him and other top government officials on official trips.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the move was part of the new government’s “massive cost-cutting measures.”

Mr Tinubu directed that individuals on his delegations should be pegged at 25 for local travels and 20 for international engagements. He also ordered that security agents based at his destinations should be regularly deployed for his protection whenever he travels to states instead of being accompanied by many security details from Abuja.

The policy drew huge praises from many Nigerians who had all along been irritated by the regime of waste and mismanagement of public funds characterising government operations at state and federal levels.

The directive was issued following a barrage of criticisms of Nigeria’s 1,411-member contingent to the COP 28 climate conference in Dubai and other wasteful public spending patterns.

But less than a week after the new laudable policy took effect, President Tinubu himself violated it. PREMIUM TIMES understands that when he travelled to the South-east state of Imo on Monday to attend the inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodinma for a second and final term, more than 50 individuals were on his delegation.

In his first trip outside Abuja since the new policy was announced, Mr Tinubu flew with at least 25 people on the presidential aircraft to Owerri, the Imo State capital. At least another 30 officials travelled before his arrival in the city.

Some of those who flew with the President on the NAF 001 are his son, Seyi Tinubu; his senior special assistant/private secretary, Aderemi Damilotun; his principal secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; his senior special assistant on domestic matters; Subair Oluwatoyin and his senior special assistant on social events, Atika Ajaka.

Also on the flight were two other Personal Assistants to Mr Tinubu, Kamorudeen Yusuf and Wale Fadare; the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale; the State Chief of Protocol, Victor Adeleke; the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the President, Fasasi Adegboyega; the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President, Nurudeen Yusuf (a lieutenant colonel); the Chief Principal Staff Officer to the President (CPSO), Usman Shugaba (a deputy commissioner of police); the Personal Physician to the President, Dr Tinubu Sikiru Adekunle; the Chief Detail to the President; Bashir Mohammed and the Presidential Liaison Officer, Musa Yakubu.

Other officials who flew with Mr Tinubu include:

Two presidential photographers, Asemota Nosa Joseph and Okanlawon Taiwo.
The President’s official videographer, Sunday Moses.
NTA reporter, Musbau Danwahab.
NTA cameraman, Lukman Sani.

In what one State House official described as ludicrous, also on the presidential aircraft for the trip were Eniola Sakumbi, the personal assistant to the President’s ADC and a certain Emma, who functions as personal assistant to the President’s CSO.

In addition to the officials who flew with Mr Tinubu for an engagement that lasted only a few hours, at least 30 other people were mobilised to travel by commercial aircraft ahead of the President’s arrival in the Imo state capital.

Our sources said the advance party included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, as well as five other officials from the media unit of the presidency, six officials from the protocol department, 15 security details and five journalists covering the State House in Abuja, even when their media organisations have representatives in Owerri and were on ground to cover the inauguration.

Also on the advance party were soldiers from the Brigade of Guards, drivers and other auxiliary staff with little or no role to play in Owerri.

Presidential spokesperson, Mr Ngelale, did not answer or return calls seeking his comments for this story. As of the time of filing this story, he had yet to respond to a message sent to him.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has summoned an emergency security meeting following the worsening security situation in the nation’s capital.

Bandits have been breaking into houses and picking up residents from the comfort of their homes.

The incidents which have created tension reached its height when some residents, including a 13-year-old Secondary School Student, were killed over failure to meet deadline of ransom payment.

Speaking at the meeting, which is ongoing, Wike assured FCT residents that their safety is guaranteed.

He said the government was working to support security agents with all what they need to tackle insecurity.

Among those in attendance are heads of security agencies in the FCT, top officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), council chairmen as well as traditional rulers.

Wike warned the area council chairmen to be alive to their responsibility at the local levels.

He stressed the need for the security apparatus to re stratigise and redouble their efforts to tame insecurity in the territory.

A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, would have survived suspension under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sani, a one-time member of the All Progressives Congress, said in a recent interview on Trust Radio monitored by Daily Trust that if the public outcry calling for Dr Edu’s suspension had occurred during the Buhari administration, “it would likely be disregarded and fallen on deaf ears.”

Commending President Bola Tinubu for what he described as taking decisive action in suspending Dr Edu and Shehu, Sani said the move reflects the administration’s responsiveness to public appeals.

“Let me tell you, Tinubu is not Buhari. In 2011, lives were lost due to people’s devotion and optimism for Buhari, but he didn’t do as expected. His significant error lies in not thoroughly scrutinizing the individuals he appointed to positions, which does not align with effective leadership,” he said.

He said that “95 per cent of his (Buhari’s) executive council served for eight years, seemingly as if they were the only individuals known to him nationwide. He didn’t find replacements, particularly when it became evident that they did not meet expectations.”

He described it as unfortunate that the former administration of Buhari, which criticized the past government for corruption, is now surrounded by corruption allegations.

“During his presidency, when you report misconduct, he will just assure you of a proper investigation, but from there, nothing will come out of it,” Sani said, adding, “But look at what Tinubu did in suspending Betta Edu despite all her contributions to his politics as APC woman leader before the election. This demonstrates his willingness to take action against wrongdoing.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has called for applications for private companies interested in maintaining and operating the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC).

This was made known on Monday via the commission’s social media platform, explaining that the decision was made to improve dependability and sustainability to meet the country's fuel supply and energy security requirements.

A short statement titled, “Request For Expression Of Interest (EOI) For The Provision Of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services For NNPC Limited Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC),” reads: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is seeking to engage reputable and credible Operations & Maintenance (O&M) companies to operate and maintain one of its refineries, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), to ensure reliability and sustainability towards meeting the nation's fuel supply and energy security obligations.

“Complete details on description, eligibility criteria, compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, Submission of EOI documents, closing date and important information are available on our official website when you visithttps://cms1977.nnpcgroup.com/uploads/NNPC_EOI_for_the_Provision_of_Operation_cbfa7aa37a.pdf.”

SaharaReproters had reported how PHRC reportedly resumed operations last December after it was shut down for rehabilitation by NNPCL for several months.

Amaka Okafor, Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, confirmed the resumption of operation at the refinery.

Amaka said, “Yes, the refinery is set, we will visit the refinery site today to kickstart its operation.”

The $1.5 billion rehabilitation project of the refinery was launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2019, to restore the refinery to its nameplate capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Lokpobiri and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, in August, assured Nigerians that the refinery would be operational by December 2023.

Kyari also during the budget defence session on December 9, told Nigerian lawmakers that by the end of December 2023, the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations.

He further said that in early 2024, the Warri refinery would begin operation and that by the end of 2024, the Kaduna refinery was expected to also commence operation.