Poland may be hit by Russia soon, going by the report of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, an event that will quickly bring NATO into the Ukrainian war.
The service known as KSB reported Friday that intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and several other NATO countries are using Poland as a “logistical hub,” for sending weapons and transferring fighters to Ukraine.
“The intelligence services of NATO countries are transferring foreign terrorist fighters to Ukraine… the US and UK intelligence services in recent weeks have de facto turned Polish territory into a ‘logistical hub’ used to supply weapons and smuggle fighters, including from the Middle East, to Ukraine,” the statement read.
According to the Russian intelligence, fighters arriving in Ukraine from the Middle East were trained at the US-controlled Al-Tanf base in Syria to be used in the Donbass conflict.
“At the end of 2021, the Americans released from prisons… several dozen ISIS terrorists [Islamic State, banned in Russia] including citizens of Russia and CIS countries.
“These individuals were sent to the US-controlled Al-Tanf base, where they have undergone special training in subversive and terrorist warfare methods with a focus on Donbass region,” the statement added.
As the Russian intelligence said, Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has destroyed most of these fighters, yet the US continues to form new terrorist units in the Middle East and Africa, and they are planned to be sent to Ukraine via Poland.
“The CIA and the US Army Special Operations Command continue to form new ‘ISIS fighter echelons’ in the Middle East and Africa.
“Their transfer to participate in subversive and terrorist activities in Ukraine is planned to be carried out through the territory of Poland,” the statement added.
Two suicide bombers have blown themselves up at a mosque in north-western Pakistan, killing 30 people and injuring scores of others, police and medics said.
The men fought their way inside the mosque compound in the city of Peshawar by killing police guards before blowing themselves in the packed main hall, police official Haroon Raheed said.
“At least 30 bodies and more than 60 injured people were brought to Lady Reading Hospital, the biggest health facility in the city.
“The death toll may rise as more than a dozen of those injured are in critical condition,” said the hospital spokesperson.
Rescuers, police and volunteers were searching the rubble for further victims, said rescue services official, Bilal Faizi.
Sports brand Adidas has suspended co-operation with the Russian Football Union (RFU). The contract with the organization was valid until 2026. Adidas has provided equipment for Russian athletes since 2008.
"Adidas is suspending its partnership with the RFU immediately," an Adidas spokesperson said . The company has acted as the official technical partner of the Russian Football Union and has provided equipment for all teams since 2008. In 2021, the contract was extended until 2026.
The World Athletics Council has today agreed to impose sanctions against the Member Federations of Russia and Belarus as a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine.
All athletes, support personnel and officials from Russia and Belarus will be excluded from all World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future, with immediate effect.
Upcoming events include the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22, and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22, which begin on Friday in Oman (4 March).
The Council also agreed to consider further measures, including the suspension of the Belarus Federation, at its scheduled Council meeting next week (9-10 March).
The Russian Athletics Federation (RusAF) has been suspended from World Athletics since 2015, due to doping violations, and therefore is not currently eligible to host World Athletics events or send teams to international championships.
The Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) process remains in place but Russian athletes who have received ANA status for 2022 are excluded from World Athletics Series events for the foreseeable future.
This means that all Russian ANA or Belarusian athletes currently accredited for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Muscat 22 and the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 22 (18-20 March) will have their accreditation withdrawn and entries denied, as will any support personnel and officials.
In an address to the Council, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “The world is horrified by what Russia has done, aided and abetted by Belarus. World leaders sought to avoid this invasion through diplomatic means but to no avail given Russia’s unswerving intention to invade Ukraine.
The unprecedented sanctions that are being imposed on Russia and Belarus by countries and industries all over the world appear to be the only peaceful way to disrupt and disable Russia’s current intentions and restore peace.
“Anyone who knows me will understand that imposing sanctions on athletes because of the actions of their government goes against the grain. I have railed against the practice of politicians targeting athletes and sport to make political points when other sectors continue about their business. This is different as governments, business and other international organisations have imposed sanctions and measures against Russia across all sectors. Sport has to step up and join these efforts to end this war and restore peace. We cannot and should not sit this one out.”
World Athletics Athletes’ Commission chairs Renaud Lavillenie and Dame Valerie Adams welcomed the decision.
“We stand in solidarity with our fellow athletes, competitors, and friends from Ukraine who are facing far greater challenges than just disruptions to their training and competition, but are in fear of their lives and the lives of their loved ones," Lavillenie said.
“While we understand the implications of this decision for Authorised Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarusian athletes, who may not be condoning their nations’ deplorable military action in Ukraine, we cannot ignore the message that inclusion of these two nations’ athletes would send to our friends in Ukraine and the rest of the world.”
In accordance with World Athletics rules, the Member Federations from Russia and Belarus have been informed of the Council’s decisions and have the right to respond. If necessary, the Council will reconvene to consider that response.
On the decision of FIFA and UEFA to exclude Russian teams from international competitions.
The Russian Football Union categorically disagrees with the decision of FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Russian teams from participating in international matches for an indefinite period.
We believe that this decision is contrary to the norms and principles of international competition, as well as the spirit of sports. It has an obvious discriminatory character and harms a huge number of athletes, coaches, employees of clubs and national teams, and most importantly, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests international sports organizations must protect in the first place.
Such actions are dividing the world sports community, which has always adhered to the principles of equality, mutual respect and independence from politics.
We reserve the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law.
UEFA and FIFA have decided to exclude from the current iteration of the Europa League. This means that our round of 16 ties against RB Leipzig will not go ahead as planned.
This verdict is connected to the organisations' position on recent events that have taken place in Ukraine.
The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports.
Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with.
For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs.
Autopsy reveals septic shock as cause of death of 19-month baby boy Obinna Udeze allegedly flogged to death by teacher in Asaba @PoliceNG @IAOkowa @NigeriaGov
Ukrainian delegation has arrived for talks with Russia at Ukraine-Belarus border, office of the president said. It consists of defence minister Reznikov, deputy foreign minister Tochytskyi, presidential advisor Podoliak, MPs Arakhamia and Umerov, TCG representative Kostin
The Russian delegation, headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin and former culture minister, arrived in Gomel, eastern Belarus, on Saturday. Ukrainian officials initially refused to send a delegation to Belarus, arguing that it was inappropriate to hold talks in the country since Russian troops were using its territory to stage attacks. Minsk denied that its forces were participating in the Russian operation.
Ukraine demanded an immediate ceasefire and Russian troop withdrawal on Monday, as a delegation arrived for talks with Russia at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border even though there are low expectations.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations will meet on the border between Ukraine and Belarus for peace talks, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday, four days after Russian troops invaded his country.
Zelenskiy said he had talked with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close Russian ally, who assured him that “all planes, helicopters and missiles stationed on Belarusian territory remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s travel, talks and return.”
The meeting will take place near the Prypyat River, which flows from Belarus to Ukraine north of Kiev.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskiy said he was open to peace talks but rejected Moscow’s suggestion to hold them in Belarus, which has been used as a staging ground for the invasion.
Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week.
This is the beginning of a new page in the history of our states �� ��. #MarioDraghi in a phone conversation supported Russia's disconnection from SWIFT, the provision of defense assistance. Ukraine must become part of the #EU.
Former Labour and Immigration Minister Tyler Shandro has become the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. Madu will take over Shandro’s old portfolio after being stripped of his duties last month.
Minister of Energy Sonya Savage will discontinue her position as acting Justice Minister.
This comes after Kenney stripped Madu of his duties on Jan. 17 after CBC News broke the story that Madu was fined for distracted driving and called Edmonton police chief Dale McFee to discuss the ticket.
It also comes after the Law Society of Alberta launched an investigation into Shandro’s conduct when he was Minister of Health.
Both ministers were under investigation
The move comes after an independent review into the phone call was released on Friday. The review, conducted by former Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Adèle Kent, found that while Madu did not interfere with the administration of justice, he did attempt to do so.
The report also concluded that the phone call created a reasonable perception that he did.
According to a copy of the report obtained by Global News, Madu was pulled over by a constable in an unmarked vehicle near the Constable Daniel Woodall School in Edmonton. The constable, who is unnamed in the report, allegedly saw a cellphone in Madu’s hand which prompted him to pull Madu over and issue a distracted driving ticket. Madu denied the allegations, saying the phone was in his pocket and that he was opening the console of his truck.
Madu then identified himself as the province’s minister of justice to the constable and said he would never do anything to break the law. According to the report, Madu said he was the justice minister three or four times throughout his conversation with the constable.
Madu called Edmonton police chief Dale McFee to discuss the ticket shortly after. McFee told Kent that Madu sounded “concerned” and “frustrated” and that the politician raised the possibility that there was racial profiling in relation to the ticket while referencing an incident with the Lethbridge police force involving MLA Shannon Phillips.
McFee responded by saying that he was not going to talk about the ticket and Madu had two choices: pay or go to court. Madu never asked McFee to do anything with the ticket, according to the report.
“There is nothing about the stop that could lead a reasonable person to conclude that Minister Madu was racially profiled. It was an ordinary day of a police officer doing his work in a school zone,” Kent wrote in the report.
“The allegations of what went on in Lethbridge are disturbing. However, to take from those facts the possibility that police in other police forces in Alberta are doing the same kind of thing is highly speculative.”
While we are here we have a report from our civil defense that in five minutes we will have a Russian bomb in the center of Kyiv. And we have a bomb shelter 100 meters from here.
"We in Ukraine are not standing in line for the bread, for the cash from the bank machine. We are standing in line for the weapons. We are standing in line to give our blood to our soldiers. And with this situation, we demonstrate a unique quality that we can stand against Russian aggression. We can stand against Russian occupation. We are united together with whole world."
Poroshenko, wearing a black jacket, stood among members of a Territorial Defense Forces battalion and little more than a mile from fighting. After saying the group had two machine guns, he took aim at Putin.
"He's just simply mad. He's just simply crazy," the former president said. "He's just simply evil to come here to kill Ukrainians.
"Putin declared a war not for Ukraine. Putin declared a war to the whole world, every single person who is watching right now. And I think this is also a war to President [Joe] Biden."
He also had a message for Putin.
"I think Putin never will catch Ukraine despite — no matter how many soldiers he kills, how many missiles he has, how many nuclear weapons he has," Poroshenko said. "We Ukrainian are free people with a great European future."
Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko is a Ukrainian businessman and politician who served as President of Ukraine from 2014 to 2019. Poroshenko served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2010, and as the Minister of Trade and Economic Development in 2012.
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, charging that Russian leader Vladimir Putin “chose this war” and that his country will bear the consequences of his action.
The sanctions target Russian banks, oligarchs and high-tech sectors, Biden said. The United States and its allies will block assets of four large Russian banks, impose export controls and sanction oligarchs.
Biden also said the U.S. will be deploying additional forces to Germany to bolster NATO after the invasion of Ukraine, which is not a member of the defense organization.
The penalties fall in line with the White House’s insistence that it would look to hit Russia’s financial system and Putin’s inner circle, while also imposing export controls that would aim to starve Russia’s industries and military of U.S. semiconductors and other high-tech products.
“Putin is the aggressor,” Biden said. “Putin chose this war, and now he and his country will bear the consequences.”
Biden, for now, held off imposing some of the most severe sanctions, including cutting Russia out of the SWIFT payment system, which allows for the transfers of money from bank to bank around the globe, or Russia’s energy sector.
Biden announced the sanctions while Ukraine’s government reported mounting casualties as Russian forces attack from the east, north and south.
Biden spoke to Americans from the White House hours after holding a virtual meeting with the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Italy and Japan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also joined the meeting.
The president also met with his national security team on Thursday morning in the Situation Room as he looked to flesh out U.S. moves in the rapidly escalating crisis.
While Biden described the sanctions as severe, Ukrainian officials urged the U.S. and West to go further and cut the Russians from the SWIFT financial system.
“We demand the disconnection of Russia from SWIFT, the introduction of a no-fly zone over Ukraine and other effective steps to stop the aggressor,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a tweet.
The Biden administration, however, has shown some reluctance to cut Russia from SWIFT, at least immediately, because of concerns the move could also have enormous ramifications for Europe and other Western economies. Biden, answering questions from reporters, appeared to push a decision on SWIFT to European allies.
“It is always an option but right now that’s not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take,” Biden said. He also contended that the financial sanctions he announced would be more damaging to Russia.
At the direction of the President, Secretary of Defense Austin has ordered the deployment to Europe of approximately 7,000 additional Service Members.
This would comprise an armored brigade combat team with associated capabilities and enablers. They will deploy to Germany to reassure NATO Allies, deter Russian aggression and be prepared to support a range of requirements in the region.
Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chernobyl_NPP. Our soldiers are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.
Russians breached Ukrainian border from Belarus in Chernobyl. The National Guard of Ukraine, which guards the storage of unsafe radioactive waste in Chernobyl, is fiercely resisting. "If the occupiers' artillery strikes hit the nuclear waste storage, radioactive dust covers EU!
UEFA will no longer stage this season's Champions League final in St. Petersburg after Russia attacked Ukraine, The Associated Press has learned.
An extraordinary meeting of the UEFA executive committee will be held on Friday to discuss the geopolitical crisis and when officials are set to confirm taking the May 28 showpiece game out of Russia, a person with knowledge of the process said on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.
Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the UEFA president has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for 10:00 CET on Friday 25 February, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions.
Further communication will be made after the meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee.
The British government and fan groups had been asking UEFA to no longer play the game in the St. Petersburg, where the stadium is sponsored by Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom.
We have severed diplomatic relations with Russia. For all those who have not yet lost their conscience in Russia, it is time to go out and protest against the war with Ukraine.
We will lift sanctions on all citizens of Ukraine who are ready to defend our country as part of territorial defense with weapons in hands.
We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.
We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.
Nigerian Table Tennis legend, Olufunke Oshonaike, on Wednesday took to Facebook to thank God for surviving a ghastly accident.
HE SAVED ME�� What can I say or write⁉️ I am still in pain , shock and traumatized ��! Thank God that no RIP is written on my picture ❗️ Thank you God for giving me another chance to live, for making me see my kids again.
Though my new baby car got destroyed completely , but God saved me. I know that He will stop all this storms in my life that didn’t take my life away now and give me back my real laughter soon. I know He will sure surprise me and bless me more soon��.
I will forever be grateful to God for saving me�� #celebratelife #celebrateME #greatfulheart #rejoice
The Hamburg-based Oshinaike is a 25-time national champion, 11-time African Games medallist, and three-time continental champion and is the first woman to qualify for seven Olympic Games in table tennis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered Russian forces to enter and conduct “peacekeeping functions” in two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine that he recognized as independent earlier in the day.
In decrees published late Monday night, Putin ordered the “implementation of peacekeeping functions” by the Russian armed forces in the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.
On the recognition of the Luhansk & Donetsk Peoples Republics
1. Taking into account the will of the people of the Luhansk & Donetsk Peoples Republics, Ukraine's refusal to peacefully resolve the conflict in accordance with the Minsk agreements, recognize the Luhansk & Donetsk Peoples Republics as sovereign and independent states.
2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation should hold negotiations with the Luhansk & Donetsk Parties on the establishment of diplomatic relations and formalise the agreement reached with the relevant documents.
3. Instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to hold negotiations with the Luhansk & Donetsk Parties on the preparation of a draft treaty on friendship, co-operation and mutual assistance, with the participation of interested Federal Executive authorities, to submit, in the prescribed manner, a proposal for signing.
4. In connection with the Republics, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, prior to the conclusion of the agreement referred to in paragraph 3 of this Decree, with the appeal of the heads of the Luhansk & Donetsk People's Decree, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Luhansk & Donetsk Peoples Republics, ensure peacekeeping functions.
5. This Decree comes into force from the date of its signing.
Military Airstrikes Eliminate Buba-Danfulani, Other ISWAP Commanders at Tumbuns, Sambisa Forest
Nigerian Military Airstrikes have eliminated Amir Buba Danfulani and four other notorious ISWAP Commanders in Tumbuns and Sambisa axes of the North-East.
PRNigeria gathered that Amir Buba Danfulani was a senior ISWAP Commander saddled with indoctrinating Fulanis and herdsmen in joining a terrorist group. He also coordinated activities of the terrorists ranging from the deployment of spies as well as tax collectors.
The well-coordinated airstrikes were conducted by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) under its Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI within the week at different locations
An intelligence source told PRNigeria that Super Tucano jet, helicopters and other aircraft were deployed in the week-long operations that were carried out simultaneously at different locations.
“Prior to the execution of the special mission, intelligence identified terrorist training camps at Tumbun Kaiyowa and Tumbun Allura that are most active with ISWAP/Boko Haram activities.
The camps were also used by terrorists in firing projectiles against Nigerian Army locations in Mallam Fatori
“Consequently, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai deployed some aircraft that degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in order to prevent future attacks on troops and friendly location while ensuring the success of ongoing operations.
“The aircraft dropped several bombs on the targets at TUMBUN KAIYOWA and rockets and cannon at TUMBUN ALLURA. The fleeing surviving terrorists were also eliminated with fighter helicopters.
“Similar operation was conducted at Parisu and Njimia within Sambisa Forest, where three different aircraft types for specific purposes bombarded the targets.
“The elimination of these number of high-ranking terrorists will surely send a strong signal to the terrorists operating in the Northeast that the change in the fortunes of terrorist elements and their likes isn’t accidental. Rather this is attributed to the renewed vigour that the armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have brought to bare in the counterinsurgency operation.
PRNigeria gathered from domestic intelligence sources that five key terrorists’ leaders were killed in the airstrike. They include Musa Amir Jaish, Mahd Maluma, Abu-Ubaida, Abu-Hamza and Abu-Nura umarun Leni.
Meanwhile, calls to the NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, for confirmation of both the outcome of the Tumbun and Sambisa Forest airstrikes were yet to be returned at the time of filing this report.
UPDATE ON SETTLEMENT OF SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON SHANGISHA/MAGODO
Following the intervention of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officials of the State Government and representatives of the Shangisha Landlords Association (the judgment creditors) held a series of meetings at which both parties explored the possibility of complying with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
At the said meetings two issues arose:
· There was a serious division among the judgment creditors as to who controlled or had the right to represent the Association; and
· the demand by the judgment creditors that a single global Certificate of Occupancy should be issued in the name of the Association as opposed to the position of the State Government that each of the 549 members of the Association would be given allotment letters individually.
Given the sharp divide between the two factions of the judgment creditors on who has authority to represent the Association and the disagreement regarding whom the Certificate of Occupancy should be issued (collectively or individually), the State Government has approached the Supreme Court to seek further directives and clarifications on both issues. The Judgment Creditors have been served with the application.
The State Government, however, wishes to reiterate its commitment to complying with the judgment of the Supreme Court once these two issues are resolved.
Gbenga Omotoso Honourable Commissioner for Information & Strategy
There were several warnings made to regulatory authorities over the state of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel that exploded two weeks ago, TheCable understands.
The Trinity Spirit’s FPSO vessel, located at the Ukpokiti terminal, around Excravos, Warri south-west, Delta state, exploded with ten crew members on board on February 3, 2022.
Ikemefuna Okafor, chief executive officer (CEO) of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL), had said three out of the ten crew members on board were found alive.
Three potential crew members were said to have been found dead while four are still missing.
SEPCOL is yet to shed light on the cause of the explosion, as investigations with regulators are ongoing.
Sharon Ikeazor, minister of state for environment, had said the oil vessel was carrying about 50-60 thousand barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident.
A highly-placed source disclosed to TheCable that concerned persons had written to various authorities as far back as 2017 on the state of the vessel.
At the time, the vessel was already in bad shape with visible signs of dilapidation, according to the source.
TheCable understands that in spite of the petitions, no concrete action was taken on the matter by the owners and the regulators.
“There were complaints to the authorities about Trinity Spirit’s FPSO since April 2017,” the source said.
Several pictures seen by TheCable show the progressive deterioration and how badly managed the vessel was before the explosion.
In the pictures, the nuts and bolts were visibly rusted and worn out, while the cargo pump was seen to be leaking.
In 2004, SEPCOL acquired all of 40 percent of ConocoPhillips equity interest in OML 108 and, by virtue of the acquisition, became the technical operator of the block. Express Petroleum and Camac Limited own the remaining 60 percent equity interest on OML 108.
The FPSO Trinity Spirit serves as the primary production facility for the block. The Ukpokiti field was discovered in 1993, and the licence was converted into oil mining lease (OML) 108 in 1996.
SEPCOL (now in receivership) is owned by a combination of Nigerian and overseas corporate entities, including Abbeycourt Trading Company Limited (ATCO), Abbeycourt Petroleum Company Limited and Allenne Limited.
Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine's borders.
"Units of the Southern Military District, having completed their participation in tactical exercises, are moving to their permanent deployment points," Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement, as state television showed images of military units crossing a bridge linking the Russian-controlled peninsula to the mainland.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.
“Prior to this appointment, Mr Koko was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Authority,
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Tuesday said the North-Central region is more deserving of the Presidency in 2023 than the South-East region.
Mr Bello made the assertion during a chat with journalists at the State House after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor noted that the North-Central has been the most marginalised since 1960, when the country attained her independence.
The Governor, who was at the State House to brief the President on the state of insecurity in Kogi, said the North-Central has never produced the president nor vice president of the country, and it was only fair that it produce the next President of the country in the 2023 general elections.
On insecurity, he said the issue is over-hyped and could be politically motivated.
He urged a reduction of the over-reliance on security agencies.
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said that he possesses the necessary qualities to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
The governor said this while fielding questions from State House reporters after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He also defended the necessity of his candidacy despite the current argument over the zoning of the Presidency.
Bello said from 1999 till date, the North had not spent up to the number of years utilized by the past occupants of the seat from the South.
Asked whether he had informed the President about 2023 presidential race, the personality he thought should take over from Buhari and the motive behind his ambition, he said: “Mr President would want a vibrant, experienced, energetic, patriotic Nigerian to take over from him and in all of the qualities that Nigerians are yearning, or looking for today, I possess all of these qualities by the special grace of God.
“Nigerians are yearning and asking myself to run for the President come 2023 and by the special grace of God, I will not turn down that offer.
“Also, Mr President is one of the Nigerians like I said who would want a qualified person to take over from him.
“Informing him is between myself and him, it is not what I should come to the public to tell the world that I have informed Mr President that I want to run.
“But surely short days, and possibly weeks ahead we are going to come to the public to declare our intention by the special grace of God.”
On his reaction to the questions on whether his records were enough to present him as a qualified candidate and the view that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) might zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South in the spirit of federal character since power would have stayed eight years in the North by 2023, Governor Bello replied: “First, what have I done to merit the presidency of this country?
“You simply refer to 2016 when I assumed office, compared it to this moment security-wise, in terms of unity, in terms of infrastructural development.
“I think we should not be laid back to the extent that we don’t read and research. I don’t have to come to the television to be blowing my trumpet. You come to Kogi State, you’ll see exactly what we have done.
“Simply, you can visit our website and then you’re going to see what we’ve done. Visit kogipedia.net you’re going to see the much we have done.
“We have surpassed more than any other person can ever imagine. That in terms of unity, Kogi State today is more united than ever before.
“Today, nobody cares where you come from or the religion you practice, Nigerians are yearning for this.
“In terms of security before you travel through Kogi State, you hold your breath, today you can travel day and night. Pockets of issue sometimes, but it can never be the situation it was in 2016.”
Call for Zoning
On zoning question, he said: “Then concerning whether North and South, first, I’m an advocate of capacity and ability to serve.
“In Nigeria today, we need somebody who has the capacity to serve the country. Today, if you’re flying from one place to another, you don’t care who the pilot is, but who is that person who is experienced to fly from one point to another.
“Also coming from the angle of North and South divide, then let us be very fair and equitable. Then, you look into the number of years North have held this position and the number of years South has held this position.
“If you add eight years to what South has had and then looking at the North, then you know that there’s injustice as far as that is concerned.
“So, if we’re talking about justice, fairness and equity, we’re not just looking at the eight years by the grace of God of that of President Muhammadu Buhari, we should add them together to the number of years the North has had it since 1999 till date, and the number of years South have had it since 1999 till date. Whichever divide whichever argument that comes up I perfectly fit into the arguments.”
When asked about the time he would make a formal declaration about his ambition after the convention, he said: “I shall declare after February by the grace of God”.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has declared the suspended Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police Force, DCP Abba Kyari wanted over his involvement in a 25kilograms Cocaine deal.
The anti-narcotic agency declared Kyari wanted at a press briefing addressed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi at its National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday 14th February, 2022. The Agency said it took the decision after all efforts to get him honour formal invitations for his interrogation failed.
The Agency bemoaned a situation where those who are supposed to support current efforts to stem the tide of illicit drug trafficking and abuse are themselves neck deep in the menace.
Part of the text read at the briefing reads: There is no better way to start this press briefing than to remind us about the enormity of the drug problem Nigeria has on its hand and the imperative of all well-meaning Nigerians to play a positive role in curbing the illicit drug menace.
“Even before the damning findings of the 2018 National Drug Use and Health Survey, Nigerias drug problem was getting close to epidemic proportion. And if anything, the arrests and seizures by NDLEA in the past 12 months is an indication that the countrys drug problem was grossly underestimated before President Muhammadu Buharis resolve to strengthen the NDLEA and the subsequent launch of offensive action by the Agency to clean the society of the menace.
“And in just 12 months, even the most cynical of Nigerians now agree that the country is really in a drug quagmire and therefore appreciates the relentless efforts of NDLEA operatives.
“Unfortunately, some law enforcement agents who should be partners in the pursuit of the Presidents mandate are at the forefront of breaking the law, as they aid and abet drug trafficking in the country.
“Today, we are forced to declare one of such law enforcement agents wanted in the person of suspended DCP Abba Kyari, the erstwhile Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police Force.
“With the intelligence at our disposal, the Agency believes strongly that DCP Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline, and he needs to answer questions that crop up in an ongoing drug case in which he is the principal actor. His failure to cooperate forced the hand of the Agency and that is the reason for this press briefing.
The Agency provided a clue on some of its findings in the course of investigating the drug deal. The saga started on Friday, January 21, 2022, when DCP Kyari initiated a call to one of the NDLEA officers in Abuja at 2:12 pm. When the officer returned the call two minutes later, Kyari informed him he was coming to see him, to discuss an operational matter after the Jumaat service. “He appeared at the agreed venue of the meeting with the officer and went straight to the crux of the matter.
This was it: His team had intercepted and arrested some traffickers that came into the country from Ethiopia with, according to him, 25kg of cocaine. He proposed a drug deal whereby he and his team are to take 15kg of the cocaine and leave 10kg for the prosecution of the suspects arrested with the illicit drug in Enugu. In the meantime, the purloined cocaine will be replaced with a dummy worth 15kg. He asked the NDLEA officer to persuade men of the FCT Command, to play along as well.
“By 11: 05 am on Monday, January 24, after the Agency gave the officer the green light to play along, he and Kyari began a WhatsApp call for the rest of the day. The officer conveyed their willingness to play the game.
“At this point, Kyari disclosed that the 15kg (already taken out) was shared between the informants that provided information for the seizure and himself and his men of the IRT of the Nigerian Police. According to him, the informants were given 7kg while his team took 8kg which was already sold. He then offered to pay the NDLEA team (that is the officer and the FCT commander) by selling, on their behalf, half of the remaining 10kg, thereby further reducing the original cocaine for the prosecution to just 5kg. At N7m per kilogram, the proceed from the 5kg would amount to N35m, at the exchange rate of N570 per dollar being the black market rate for the day, January 24, 2022. In effect, he would be delivering $61, 400 to the NDLEA team. He put pressure on our officer to wrap up the arrangement with the commander of the FCT Command to take custody of the drug and suspects from his men who were on ground in Abuja. At the time, he was speaking from Lagos, where he allegedly travelled for private business.
“The next day January 25, Kyari offered to send his younger brother to deliver the payment while his men deliver the suspects, but our officer turned down the suggestion, insisting he would rather deal with him in person and was therefore prepared to wait for him to return from Lagos.
“And by 5: 23 pm, Kyari was in Abuja and met with the officer at the same rendezvous where they had the first meeting. In their discussion, he disclosed how his team received the information from a double-crosser who betrayed the traffickers to him, showing a sordid connection between law enforcement agents and the drug underworld; he narrated how acting on the tip-off, his team departed Abuja to Enugu and arrested the traffickers, removed part of the consignment on his instruction and replaced same with dummies. He also indicated how to identify the remnant of the original cocaine that would be delivered to NDLEA, five original packages marked with red dots. The reason for this was to avoid the dummies being subjected to test. He forwarded a picture of the marked original cocaine package. According to the plan, once the 5kg cocaine has been tested in the presence of the suspects and confirmed positive, there would be no need to test the remaining ones, being dummies.
“He also brought with him the money from the sale of the 5kg share of the NDLEA team, a total of $61, 400. Our officer, however, preferred to take the money inside his car. Well, the car was wired with sound and video recorders.”
While explaining that relevant channels of communication were duly followed in the demand for Kyari without any result, the Agency said it cannot continue to keep other suspects in the case indefinitely while the principal suspect fails to honour official invitation.
NDLEA has the mandate to take custody of suspects and consignments of drugs seized by other arms of law enforcement. And there is a standard protocol for such transfer. This we duly followed. The suspects and drugs were delivered to us on February 8 but the last part of the process, yet to be completed, is the debriefing of Kyari.
“DCP Abba Kyari was invited by NDLEA for debriefing on Thursday February 10 through two main channels because there is a whole lot of questions begging for answers. The invitation was legitimate and formal according to our protocol. But up till the close of office hours on Friday, February 11, he refused to respond. Up till this moment, he hasnt responded. We are a law-abiding agency of government. We follow due process. In that vein, we will not detain suspects beyond the stipulated period according to the law before we charge them to court. And Kyari must be debriefed before the suspects are arraigned in court.
Having failed to honour the official invitation, NDLEA has no option but to declare DCP Abba Kyari of the Nigerian Police WANTED, right from this very moment.
The Agency warned that its not unaware of threats to the lives of its officers involved in the case, assuring that it would do everything to protect its officers.
“We are not unaware of threats to the lives of NDLEA officers involved in this investigation, even as we continue to do our best to protect our officers and men in the line of duty.
We are making this strong statement to those contemplating harmful action against NDLEA officers. They would only succeed in compounding their problems in the event of the murder of or harm to officers and men of NDLEA.
Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja Monday 14th February 2022
Anambra State Governor-elect Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has debunked alleged political appointments and other job vacancies advertisements credited to his office.
A public notice which emanated from his office has it that the Governor-elect did not authorize such job vacancies already circulating in the public domain.
The notice also held that a new date for the official launch of the job advertisements will be announced by the transition committee, urging members of the public to disregard it.
The public notice reads, ” It has come to our attention that a wrong press release directing individuals to apply for political appointments in Anambra state has been circulating on various digital platforms. We apologise for this development and ask the general public to kindly ignore the incorrect document and information being circulated.
The accurate press release on the Anambra Talent Hunt Initiative will be issued on Monday 14th February on all social media handles of the governor-elect.
The announcement will give specific directives on how to express interest to be volunteers or apply for roles in the government of Anambra State. It will also convey the accurate platform for all applications to be submitted.”
Meanwhile, a certain job advertisement was viral on social media claiming that the transition committee of the governor-elect had issued a directive authorising members of the public, especially Anambra citizens to express interest in the job vacancies so advertised.
Troops of the Nigerian Military deployed for Operation ‘Hadin Kai’ on Saturday foiled ambush attacks on some motorists and commuters in the North East, PRNigeria reports.
The attacks, which occurred on two highways in Borno State, was staged by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
It was gathered that the terrorists, had first mounted multiple check-points at Banki Junction to kidnapped civilians in Bama local government area of the State, yesterday.
PRNigeria learnt from a top military intelligence commander that mobile troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, on patrol within the general area, foiled the insurgents’ operation immediately after responding to a distress call.
According to the commander, the ISWAP fighters who had held some civilians captive on the road, fled on sighting approaching troops, abandoning their victims in the process.
He said one of the commercial vehicles’ rear screens was damaged by gunshot, but there was no loss of life.
Similarly, troops of 152 Battalion, on a separate patrol along Bula Yobe – Darel Jamel road yesterday, responded to a distress call about another ISWAP attack on motorists.
Meanwhile, in another development, seven Nigerian soldiers survived bomb attacks when they ran into an Improvised Explosive Device(IED), planted by ISWAP terrorists along Maiduguri-Damboa road.
An intelligence source told PRNigeria that the troops were on a long-range patrol to protect commuters when the incident occurred.
“The soldiers from the 134 Special Forces Battalion 7 Division Garrison Maiduguri were escorting commuters when their vehicle stepped on the IED planted along the route Delwa – Bulabulin, Damboa Local Government Area on Saturday, Feb 12, 2022.
“No fatality was recorded during the incident but 7 soldiers sustained injuries and evacuated to Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.”
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