The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and detention of a police inspector, Aminu Muhammed, for alleged robbery.

The cop was alleged to have robbed the residence of those around his duty station, the ‘C’ Division in Lokoja, the state capital.

Police spokesperson in the state, William Ayah, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, said the police inspector has been arrested and is already in detention.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bertrand Onuoha, has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct.


Luck ran out on the inspector following the escapades of a notorious gang who specialised in robbing houses of household items and cars in the state.

A source told our reporter that a stolen car was found in the workshop of the policeman’s panel beater who was already working on changing the car’s colour at Ochadamu in the Ofu Local Government Area of the state.

Those who knew the vehicle and were aware of the robbery incident in the owner’s house on 14th June 2024, quickly raised the alarm upon sighting the car.

The car’s number plate had already been changed to an Abuja number just as a car dealer’s receipt, backdated to 2020, was presented by the officer as his evidence of purchasing it.

His panel beater had primed the car preparatory to changing its colour before the alarm was raised and policemen of the Quick Response Unit (QRU) attached to the Police Area Command, Idah, apprehended him.

Upon reaching the ‘A’ Division in Lokoja, where the QRU took the apprehended panel beater, it was found that the criminals who committed the robbery had already been arrested for committing another crime.

One of the members of the gang of armed robbers, who had also been on the police wanted list for other crimes, confessed to the commission of the robbery, and named the police officer as the mastermind.

He confessed that they were contracted to rob the house of the owner of the car for the sole aim of getting the car for the inspector.

The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,555 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,545 per dollar last week Friday. Similarly, the Naira depreciated to N1,577.29 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM rose to N1,577.29 per dollar from N1,563.8 per dollar last week Friday, indicating N13.49 depreciation for the naira.

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded on the window increased by 21.3 percent to $153.53 million from $126.5 million traded on Friday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates narrowed to N18.8 per dollar from N18.8 per dollar last week Friday.

Almost six years after the federal government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the project has still yet to be completed and portions of it have become nightmares for travellers.

The contract for the Abuja-Kaduna section of the project was awarded alongside the Kaduna-Zaria and Zaria-Kano sections on December 20, 2018, by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and had an initial completion period of three years.

The reconstruction of the 375.9km dual carriageway from Abuja to Kano was first awarded at the cost of N155 billion. But the cost was reviewed in 2021 to N642.2 billion. Again, it was increased to N797.2 billion.

In January this year, the current Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, said the contractor, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, had asked for a further upward review to N1.35 trillion, an amount the minister said the government could not afford.

The contractor handling the project had de-mobilised from the Abuja-Kaduna section of the road project severally, even as motorists continued to drive through difficulties.

The ‘Trunk A’ Abuja-Kaduna Highway links the southern part of the country with the North West and North East geopolitical zones, and serves as the major artery for the movement of people, food items and other goods.

The project, which was contracted, and is being funded through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, has seen little progress on the Abuja-Kaduna section, though the other two sections are nearing completion.

Daily Trust commissioned its reporters on Thursday last week to take a drive from Zuba, which is 58km from the Abuja city centre, through a stretch of over 150km to Gonin Gora, a settlement that is 14km away from Kaduna, and they reported about the state of the road.



They also sampled the views of drivers, passengers and residents of settlements along the way about the state of the road, as well as the delay in reconstructing it.

Our reporters said the road is now a mishmash of new-tarred portions, with some parts abandoned midway, as well as old sections replete with potholes.

Further findings by our reporters show that on a daily basis, commuters plying the twin-lane road frequently suffer from back pain, spinal issues, and posture-related problems due to the constant jolting and vibrations at various points, and that it is also replete with recurrent accidents, which result in loss of lives and property.



Over 100 potholes dot road

Our reporters recorded 78 minor potholes and 47 major ones within the slightly above 150km they journeyed on the Abuja-Kaduna section of the road during their drive on Thursday.

They said the cracks on many parts of the road impede normal movements as drivers have to accelerate with caution.

“For instance, seven potholes were counted from Zuba Park to the military checkpoint adjacent the Zuma Rock, while a further movement to Gauraka community exposed more potholes of different sizes.

“Motorists took turns to swerve around the holes, which recent rains have turned into ponds.

“A few meters out of the community and at Zuma barracks, motorists connect with the first reconstructed part of the highway, with its smoothness tempting many to increase their speed.


“The reconstructed part terminates a few kilometres to Diko junction in Niger State. This part is one of the most dreaded for truck drivers as the two U-turn points are severely bad due to huge craters on the road, which are filled with water.

“This is evident with two trucks that have broken down on the road. One had its content spilled on the ground while the other had its axle damaged”, they said.

Moving down to Tafa town, in Tafa LGA of Niger State, our reporters found that the road also features potholes filled with water.

“But on the other part of the town which is in Kaduna State, another section of reconstructed road emerged which terminated a few kilometres to Maraban Isa.

“The community has a diversion which is overrun by a huge crater holding water.

“The diversion indicated that the construction company was previously working on part of the lane, thus forcing inbound and outbound vehicles to share one lane,” they further found.

Our reporters said the situation is the same with the section that passes though Jere LGA of Kaduna State, as motorists drive carefully as they meander their way through the many ‘craters’ on the road.

Different sizes of potholes dot the road through Rijana, which has forced drivers to abandon the outbound lane, though it is not under construction.


“However, there is a sigh of relief after Rijana down to Olam Farm and Hatcheries,” where our reporters stopped their journey, as the reconstruction

of the road has been completed.

Although neither staff of the construction company nor their equipment were seen throughout the journey, its outpost in Rijana, however, had some activities going on with trucks conveying some materials seen on the road. It was later gathered that the company was working on the Gonin-Gora section of the road, which is few kilometres away from Kaduna town.

Residents, motorists, others speak

At the diversion at Maraban Isa, Abdulhadi Saleh, one of those selling soft drinks to commuters and travellers said: “Since it is our business area, we usually use stones to fill the potholes to enable drivers to access the diversion point.

“Most of the time, we witness a lot of accidents and the trailers do crash when trying to turn and in avoiding the big potholes. Some cars also break down there causing massive gridlock,” he said.

“Recently, the container on a truck fell on a car and two people lost their lives due to that incident.

“The place is very bad during rainfall. Some of the drivers don’t even follow here. They avoid it by following the other side of the road which is also under reconstruction before it was blocked with concrete,” Abdulhadi further said.


According to him, the company handling the project has not been on site for a while. “It has been over five months since we saw them last. They moved their construction vehicles back to their yard. The only thing they do for now is that their security officers come to put on the generator for the diversion light at night for people to be aware that it is a diversion,” he further said.

While urging the government to urgently intervene “as the road is a busy one”, he said if the road is properly fixed, accidents will be reduced there.

Also, Aliyu Abubakar, who was seen fixing the bad part of the road going through Jere, said he and his friends engaged in the act to save lives. “We are fixing it to reduce the rate at which these vehicles, especially trailers, have accidents.


“Some drivers do give us money for filling the potholes with stones. We usually go into the bush to get the stones, then we get a vehicle to bring it to the place where we fix the road to reduce the rate of accidents,” he said.

When asked if he had the number of accidents that occurred on the road, he said: “I don’t have the exact numbers, but containers, small vehicles and trailers do fall here a lot, and they end up causing traffic gridlocks.”



‘I need N2m to fix my accidented truck’

The trunk of Ibrahim Ladan’s truck was seen lying on its side in the midst of the potholes at Diko Junction, thereby blocking other vehicles that needed to access the road to make a U-turn en route to Kaduna.


Ladan said the truck, which was conveying timber, was on its way to Kaduna when it overturned due to another accident that happened two days earlier.

“The accident led to the closure of part of the road while personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were giving directives on where to follow, but on getting to the U-turn, my truck overturned with all the goods I came along with going down,” he said.

“Thankfully, the goods are not fragile so we packed them; but my fuel spilled completely. I will require at least N2 million to fix the truck,” he said.

Another driver, Abdullahi Yusuf, said his truck suddenly got stuck a few meters from that of Ladan after making the same U-turn, a development that affected the back axle of the truck.


“This Diko junction U-turn is really bad and it is affecting us. It causes problems for the drivers using this road. This is the second time it has spoilt the back axle of my truck.

“The road has turns and deep potholes that when your vehicle enters some of them, it can break or remove the spring.”

He appealed to the government to fix the road, saying: “Take a look at how that trailer fell while trying to take a U-turn because of the bad road. It is pathetic,” he exclaimed.



There won’t be delay anymore – Works minister


Speaking during a briefing with contractors in Abuja on Friday, July 12, 2024, a day after our reporters travelled on the road, Works minister, Umahi said the project will be completed in 12 months from now.

“There is no delay; we just fully procured the budget and we are going to work and looking at 12 months for (Julius) Berger and the rest of them. Some of them are going to finish before 12 months,” he said. He said the Dangote Group was responsible for the first part of the road under the tax credit scheme and is working with Hitech Construction Company Limited.

He said the work to be done in the areas included concrete pavement, adding that the remaining portion to be constructed is 120km.

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He also explained the abandonment of some sections, saying, “We directed them (the contractors) to face one carriageway; the 82km that is left under their scope. We can take the right-hand side of the carriageway, let them face it and conclude and maintain the left-hand side. This is so that we will get proper funding,” he said.

The minister had, while on an inspection of the road in January this year, tied the delayed completion of the road to paucity of funds.

The completion timeline for the project has been shifted several times.

On Friday, July 7, 2023, the permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Works had during a tour of the road assured of its completion in the first quarter of this year. He attributed the delayed completion to “insecurity and funding challenges”.

The immediate past Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola, had said that the project would be done in phases with the first phase being the 74km Kaduna-Zaria section, which is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022.

Fashola said the second phase, which is the 137km Zaria-Kano section, will be completed in the first quarter of 2023; while the last phase, the Abuja-Kaduna section, should be completed in the second quarter of 2023.

denko:
How much is the total cost of the refinery and how much did NNPC contributed.

The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.

NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates, stating that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.

It demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive stopping the practice nationwide.

The association also called for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.

It made the call in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins; and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun.

It stated, “Any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequence.”

It emphasised that the police’s duty to protect citizens and enforce the law does not extend to collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.

They condemned the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches.

The letter warned, “Failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within seven days of receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force.”


Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry by July 29, 2024.

This, according to him, is to modernise and digitise the motor vehicle registration system, bolstering the nation’s safety and security framework.

The e-CMR is an advanced, real-time online repository of motor vehicle data, designed to support police investigations, and operational activities, and combat vehicle-related crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

The transition to a digitalised system, according to the police, will streamline the documentation and verification processes for vehicle ownership and related transactions.

In a statement on Saturday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that following the IGP’s directives, the e-CMR system will make services like change of ownership, license number, engine, and chassis/body seamless, ensuring vehicle genuineness, aiding in tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, and preventing the sale of stolen vehicles to innocent buyers.

The statement read in part, “As part of the efforts of the IG to enhance the security of lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force is set to commence the enforcement of the digitalized Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) within the next 14 days, specifically on the July 29, 2024, to rejuvenate and digitalize the motor vehicle registration system, significantly bolstering our nation’s safety and security framework.

“Following the directives of the IGP, services such as change of ownership, change of license number, change of engine, and change of chassis/body would become seamless as the e-CMR system would ensure the validation of vehicle genuineness and ownership, enhancing the ability to track and recover stolen vehicles effectively, and preventing the purchase of stolen vehicles by innocent buyers.”

Throwback:


He is already on course to execute the exact type of revolution that has been credited to him in 2014.

Starting with eradicating the stranglehold that PDP had on Nigeria less than a year later in 2015.

A man of his words.

A fire outbreak suspected to have been set by yet-to-be-identified persons has reportedly destroyed a palace at the Gidan Rumfa where the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, is occupying.

The incident, according to sources from the palace, said it happened Friday night, around 11pm.

The source said one of the palaces located at Kofar Kudu where the Emir sits every Monday for court was seriously affected.

“It was the palace at Kofar Kudu. You know the palace has an entrance from inside while the main entrance is from the front (outside). The key was forced open and what was suspected was that they broke in, set the fire and locked the door.

“The throne, air conditioners and other valuables in the palace have been destroyed,” the source said.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abudullahi said the command was not aware of the incident as there was no call regarding the incident at any of the agency’s centres.

iwaeda:

The builder himself, he forgets so soon the law of karma, that what you wish, always find its way crawling back to you.

Racoon:

There is no iota of leadership trait in a confiirmed certificate forger, heroin-drug runner, identity theft crook and bullion vans parading criminal.

This is how he said he does not believe in one Nigeria, opposed subsidy removel and then using restructuring as smokescreens in the desperate quest for political power. Today the criminal druggies is living a different life. Bloody hypocrite!

The escape has raised concerns about the ability of Niger's military to contain jihadist threats in the region, particularly as they are already stretched thin protecting the junta that seized power in last year's coup and responding to attacks in the west.

A curfew has been imposed in the restive Tillaberi region of Niger Republic after a mass prison break at the high-security Koutoukale prison, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of the capital, Niamey.

The incident occurred on Thursday, according to the interior ministry. This is not the first attempted jailbreak at the facility, with two previous attempts in 2016 and 2019 being thwarted.

The escape has raised concerns about the ability of Niger's military to contain jihadist threats in the region, particularly as they are already stretched thin protecting the junta that seized power in last year's coup and responding to attacks in the west.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, disclosed that the prison, located near the capital city of Niamey, was the scene of a violent mutiny that overwhelmed guards and allowed inmates to escape with weapons and vehicles.

Citing eyewitnesses, gunshots and explosions were heard inside the prison around midday, prompting a quick response from security forces. However, the inmates had already gained control of the prison, breaking through armoured gates, barbed wire, and trenches.

Meanwhile, the ministry did not specify in its statement how many prisoners managed to escape in the latest jailbreak.

Interior Minister has issued a radio message to all governors, confirming the escape and urging village chiefs and religious leaders to report any suspicious individuals.

A curfew has been declared in the Tillabéri region, and the entire River Niger region is on high alert. The curfew restricts all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles.

According to Reuters, the prison's inmates include detainees from the West African country's conflict with armed groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State and suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Niger and its neighbours - Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule, have been battling to contain increasing jihadist attacks.

On Monday, at least 14 soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in an attack by suspected jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Tillaberi region.

The troops were ambushed between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore with 24 soldiers still reported missing.

The three military-led countries have all expelled French soldiers who were there helping to fight jihadist groups and turned towards Russia for military assistance.

Thousands have been killed in the insurgencies and more than three million displaced, fuelling a deep humanitarian crisis.

ABUJA —The Federal Government has said food items to be imported into the country in the next 150 days will be subjected to recommended retail price to bring down the high cost of food in Nigeria.

This came on a day the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Senator Ali Ndume, alleged that the food crisis in the country was further worsened by the fact that President Bola Tinubu was not accessible to be advised by lawmakers and even cabinet ministers.

Recall that the government a few days ago, suspended import duties and taxes on food items, such as rice and wheat, among others.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who disclosed this on his social media handle yesterday, said having suspended duties and taxes on food items, the Federal Government will take a step further to subject items to be imported to what he described as the recommended retail price.

He also assured that the prices of food items in the country will crash in the next 180 days, and pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the government.

The minister said: “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days, including 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities
“It also includes suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.

“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price, RRP. We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.

‘’The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.

“The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.’’

The minister stated further: “There will also be engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to re-stock the National Strategic Food Reserve; Ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle

“Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide.’’

The minister also explained that over the next 14 days, the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, PFSCU, and the Economic Management Team, EMT, will, in collaboration, meet with respective agencies to finalize implementation frameworks for the new policy of making food cheaply available for Nigerians.

‘’We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country,’’ he added.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has expressed concern over the rising cost of living and food scarcity.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume said the federal government’s inability to address these issues is a major challenge, adding that some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the matter.

He said: “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”

He spoke shortly after he and his colleague, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, sponsored a motion to address the food crisis in the country.

They noted that the World Food Programme has warned that 82 million Nigerians are likely to face food insecurity in the next five years.

The senator said the aim of the motion was to draw the government’s attention to the severity of the food crisis affecting many Nigerians.

He expressed concern that if the government does not take urgent action, the situation could lead to famine and starvation, especially among children.

“We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity.”

“We want the President to intervene in the issue of high cost of living and food scarcity”, he said.

He cited the example of Katsina State, where children are already suffering from malnutrition due to food scarcity.

He also mentioned the situation in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger.

“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria, Senator Ndume,” the senator added.

While calling on the government to take immediate action to address the food crisis, including meeting with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution, he expressed disappointment that the government had not taken any concrete steps to address the issue, despite its promise to do so.

“What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage.”

“We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available” he said.

ElSudani:


Unfortunately, hoes and cutlasses can no longer feed our population. This is not to discourage you from farming though. I also agree the herdsmen issue should be considered an emergency.

Ojuntana:
This cluelessness just full everywhere
Chairman NNPCL is not talking about increasing oil production to boost government revenue and forex
He's talking about farming
Na wa o

ElSudani:


We can at least emulate countries like Brazil. Agriculture is so important to a populous country like Nigeria that it should be top of our priorities.

Elusive001:






Clown 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

Return to which farm? The ones that have been turned to graveyards for farmers?

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Pius Akinyelure, has urged Nigerians to return to farming in order to solve the food scarcity in the country.

Akinyelure stated this on Saturday at his hometown in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state at an event organised by Idanre Development Assembly to honour and celebrate reputable sons and daughters of the community.

According to the chairman of NNPC, one of the ways to face the current economic hardship was by going back to the farm.

He said “If we don’t go back to the farm, where will we get food? We will be importing and the cost of importation is too high. So the only way out is to go back to the farm, make sure there is security for the farmers so that they are not driven away from their farm and then we can have enough food to feed our nation.”


Stressing the importance of farming, the APC chieftain noted that refusing to go back to the farm “will result in us importing food which is very expensive due to the high cost of importation.”

He stressed that adequate security should be provided to ensure that farmers can cultivate their farms in peace and are not been driven away from their farms.


Akinyelure who expressed his gratitude for being celebrated said the event has also been used as an opportunity to inform the government about areas where the community was lagging in order to address the challenge.


In his remark, the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was a special guest of honour at the occasion, said the award given to Akinyelure was a well deserved stressing that such an event would serve as a motivation for others to do well.

Aiyedatiwa noted that such a rare honour was bestowed only because the people of Idanre recognise Chief Akinyelure and the other celebrants worth and the many impacts they have made at local and national levels.

Stressing that Akinyelure’s legacy will be remembered for many years to come, the governor also praised his humanitarian services, noting that “the award serves as a lesson to everyone to serve their community, state, and nation selflessly.”

The chairman of the organising committee of the event, Mayorkun Akinmoladun said the event was mainly to appreciate the effort of their past heroes and living ones and to celebrate them.

He said, “Today’s event is very remarkable, we thank God for the lives of our aged ones, past heroes and living ones. We did this to appreciate what they have done, those in the past, to also encourage those that are still in office or in one capacity or the other to be able to do more for their community.”