₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have killed notorious bandit leaders in Katsina and Zamfara States as part of their continued offensive against terrorist elements in the North West.

In Katsina State, troops successfully conducted an operation in Mai Sheka village, Kunchin Kalgo town, neutralizing an unascertained number of terrorists, including a notorious kingpin, Alhaji Ma’oli.

According to Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counterterrorism and insurgency expert,

Intelligence sources said Ma’oli was responsible for imposing levies and engaging in criminal activities in Unguwan Rogo, Mai Sheka, Magazawa, Unguwar Dan Halima, Unguwar Dan Mairo, and Katangan Yamma.

Similarly in Zamfara State, troops of Counter Terrorism Team 7 (CT 7) on patrol along the Bilbis-Danjigba axis under Tsafe Local Government Area encountered bandits during a fighting patrol on December 25.

During the engagement, Kachalla Muchelli, a notorious bandit commander identified as the leader of the Kuchi Kalgo camp, was neutralized.

The publication said: “Military sources confirmed that these operations form part of ongoing efforts to eliminate banditry and terrorism in the region.”

reiddecuti:
Believe him (Dave Umahi) at your own peril. We will still come here 2026 budget debating and giving excuses why the these projects couldn't be completed.

Na today!!!


Abeg! Find the gullibles to deceive...

YouandiAllofus:
We should be celebrating timely completed quality projects with reasonable cost.
Not proposed ones still on paper.

YouandiAllofus:
You are applauding paper projects?
I can't help but laugh

greatiyk4u:
Recorded
Edited with plenty modifications

Before releasing to the public, yet his foolish asslickers are celebrating the shit

He aimed at me instead, saying that even though I’m an Igbo man (which I’m not), I did not wear a red cap (which I’ve never worn) because of an "inferiority complex!"

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works plans to rehabilitate and construct a total of 468 roads and highways across the country in the 2025 budget proposal, according to findings by The PUNCH.

It also proposed a sum of N1.013tn to fund the construction of these projects, with the construction of Lafia road and the dualisation of the 9th mile (Enugu) Otukpo-Makurdi (Keffi phase two) getting the highest allocation of N166.004bn.

Our correspondent observed that the number of planned road construction projects decreased by 1,457 from the 1,925 roads proposed in the 2024 budget, but reflects an increase of N547.55bn from the N548.56bn allocated in the same 2024 budget.

A breakdown of the ministry’s line items in the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly showed that N15.02bn was appropriated for contingency funds and N2bn for the purchase of vehicles for Senior Special Assistants.

The road projects to be executed under the Ministry of Works also indicated the provision of N10bn for the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno states (Section V), N6bn for the reconstruction of Abuja-Lokoja road, N12bn for the construction of section one of the Kano- Wudil- Shuarin road and N34bn for the dualisation of Kano-Katsina road.

Similarly, N23bn was allocated for the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port-Harcourt section three and four, N75bn for the dualisation of Kano-Katsina road phase one, N6bn for the rehabilitation of Ogoja (Mbok Junction)-Abuochichie in Cross Rivers state.

N6bn for the construction of Ibi bridge, while the construction of Bidda- Sacci-Nupeko road and the Nupeko/Patigi bridge will gulp N10bn. N6bn was also allocated to rehabilitate the Damaturu-Biu road in Yobe/Borno states.

In the budget, N6bn was apportioned for the rehabilitation of Keffi-Nasarawa-Toto road, N10bn for the construction of Malando Garin Baka Ngaski Wara in Kebbi state, N12bn for the construction of Ebom road in Cross Rivers.

N12bn for the rehabilitation and dualisation of Enugu-Abakaliki Ogoja road and N10bn for the construction of Maiduguri ring roads in Borno State, N15bn for the rehabilitation of failed sections of Bauchi-Jigawa state border road and asphalting of David Umahi Federal Medical University at the cost of N1bn.

N8bn will be used to construct the failed portions of the Lagos-Abeokuta road, N100m will be spent on the Trans Sahara Super highway while N2bn will be used for the Lekki Axial road counterpart funding amongst others.

An analysis of the 2025 budget christened, “Budget of Restoration”, showed that the ministry allocated N4bn for the construction of the presidential Helipad and jetty in Lagos, N5bn for judgement debt, N5bn for the payment of legal fees, N380m for the purchase of solar lights and N280m for the maintenance of seven generators and N1.7bn for the renovation of office building.

Also, N77.1bn was allocated for Public Private Partnership due diligence and negotiation activities, N15bn for an independent engineer for Abuja-Makurdi road, N10.25bn for an independent engineer for the pilot HDMI corridors, N10m for the engagement of media consultants and stakeholders and N580m for the construction of public schools.

Upon assumption of office, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the government inherited 2,604 road projects with a required funding of N13tn but this amount increased to N19tn in October.

He said, “And let me say to him that the projects Mr President inherited were a total of 2,604 projects as of May 29, 2023. The total cost was N13tn. That’s what the President inherited. And a debt to contractors of N1.6tn.

“And when you look at the variation because of the fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira against the dollar, if these projects are reviewed, the cost of these projects will increase to N19tn, just to complete the ongoing projects.”

The year 2024 was an eventful one for Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ramped up efforts to hold politically exposed persons accountable for alleged abuse of public trust.

High-profile cases involving former governors, ministers, and public officials dominated the headlines during the year, underscoring the scale of financial mismanagement and corruption within the political class.

OLU AGUNLOYE

Olu Agunloye, former minister of power and steel, was arraigned by the EFCC on January 10.

Agunloye was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on fraudulent award of a contract and official corruption.

EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

The anti-graft agency said it traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd to Agunloye’s bank accounts.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had also challenged Agunloye to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise for the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.

Jude Onwuegbuzie, presiding judge, had ordered Agunloye’s remand in Kuje correctional centre pending hearing and ruling on the bail application.

On January 11, Onwuegbuzie granted N50 million bail to the defendant and ordered him to produce two sureties in like sum.

Agunloye had filed a preliminary objection dated February 6, challenging the powers of the EFCC to prosecute him.

Through Adeola Adedipe, his lawyer, the ex-minister said the offences levelled against him do not border on financial crimes.

However, the preliminary objection was dismissed by the court on May 15.

Two witnesses have so far been called by the prosecution with several documents tendered in evidence.

WILLIE OBIANO

Willie Obiano, former Anambra governor, pleaded not guilty to a nine-count charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency on January 24.

Obiano was placed on the watchlist of the EFCC over allegations of corruption after the completion of his tenure in 2022.

Days later, he was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and subsequently arraigned over alleged embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion.

Obiano, who was governor between March 2014 and March 2022, allegedly diverted the money from the state’s security fund account in his last five years in office.

According to the EFCC, the funds were diverted through companies with no business relationship with the Anambra government, converted to dollars, and handed to the former governor.

The prosecution, led by Sylvanus Tahir, has called five witnesses. Hearing will continue on February 25, 2025.

SALEH MAMMAN

On July 11, 2024, the EFCC arraigned Saleh Mamman, a former minister of power, before James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.

He was arraigned on a 12 -count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

Mamman was appointed minister by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2019 and was sacked in September 2021.

In May 2023, the former minister was arrested by the anti-graft agency over an alleged N22 billion fraud.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with officials at the power ministry and some private companies to “indirectly convert” N33.8 billion, which was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric power projects.

As of November 28, three witnesses had testified for the prosecution.

The case was adjourned to January 13, 2025.

HADI SIRIKA

Hadi Sirika, former aviation minister, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on two separate charges.

On May 9, Sirika was arraigned alongside his daughter, Fatima, and her husband, Jalal Sule Hamma, as well as their company, Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd, at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama.

The ex-minister was accused of abusing his office by awarding contracts to a company in which his daughter and husband retain interest.

The agency also accused Fatima, who works at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC); and her husband, Hamma, an employee of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); of “indirectly holding private interests in the contract for the Apron Extension at the Katsina Airport” for the sum of almost N1.5 billion.

Four witnesses have so far been called.

The former minister was also arraigned on May 23 alongside Abubakar Sirika, his brother; and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar; on a 10-count amended charge.

Sirika is alleged to have abused his office by awarding contracts worth N19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

ABDULFATAH AHMED

In December 2020, Abdulfatah Ahmed, former governor of Kwara, was at the EFCC office in Ilorin to clarify certain transactions and decisions he took as governor.

In May 2021, he was grilled at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja over allegations of fraud.

On February 2024, the former governor was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged mismanagement of N10 billion in public funds.

In October, the EFCC withdrew the charge and re-arraigned Ahmed on a fresh 14-count charge of alleged N5.78 billion fraud.

Ahmed was re-arraigned alongside Demola Banu, a former commissioner for finance, before Mahmood Abdulgafar, the presiding judge.

The former governor and his finance commissioner were accused of conspiring to steal money meant to pay salaries of teachers working with the Kwara SUBEB.

They were also accused of conspiring to divert money earmarked for the provision of security and infrastructure.

The duo pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

DARIUS ISHAKU

Darius Ishaku, former Taraba state governor, was arraigned on September 30 alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Both men are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them, and were later granted N150 million bail.

Ishaku, 70, was governor of Taraba from 2015 to 2023.

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor over some financial transactions conducted during his spell in office. He was later released on bail before his arraignment.

YAHAYA BELLO

Yahaya Bello’s arraignment was probably the most dramatic in 2024.

The EFCC first filed a 19-count charge, bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion, against the ex-Kogi governor.

Bello, who handpicked Usman Ododo as his successor, had been enjoying protection from the security agents attached to the state since the botched attempt by the EFCC to arrest him.

The former governor missed several court sessions, leaving the judge with no option but to issue a warrant of arrest against him.

The development was expected to end the saga, which saw Nigerian authorities issue a Red Notice to Interpol following Bello’s disappearance.

Eventually, Bello turned himself in at the headquarters of the EFCC where he was eventually arrested on November 26.

On November 27, Bello was arraigned at the FCT high court on a 16-count charge, bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N110 billion. He was denied bail.

On December 13, the former governor was arraigned before a federal high court on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.

He was granted N500 million bail.

Zooposki:
That is why women should be knacking different men, since it is not in our nature to stick with one man.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that his administration will hand over 12 new Police Divisions to the FCT Commissioner of Police before April 2025.

The minister made the disclosure during the handover of 50 Operational Vehicles to Security Agencies in the FCT on Thursday.

Wike, who emphasised security as the priority of any government, said the construction of the new Police Divisions was ongoing across the six Area Councils of the FCT in response to the request of the Commissioner of Police He urged the security agencies to utilize the vehicles, particularly in the rural areas, to ensure the safety of residents during and after the yuletide season.

"The Commissioner of Police requested for additional Police Divisions. And I told the Commissioner of Police, we will. As I speak to you now, it’s ongoing 12 Police Divisions, it’s ongoing in the six Area Councils. And by the grace of God, before April next year, we believe those police divisions would have been finished and furnished, and equipped, and then we will hand it over to the Commissioner of Police”.

“Like I said last time, we must not give space. We must not allow these criminals to strike before we go in. We have to take the war to them. Let them know that we are serious. And so during this yuletide period, make sure that we don’t give them any gap.

I don’t want anybody to say because there was no vehicle before we could reach there, something has happened. No,” he said.

Wike also stated that the FCT Administration had, earlier in the year, provided 50 vehicles for Federal security agencies in the FCT, making a total of 100 operational vehicles, noting that no state had done the same within the time frame.

In his address, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, who spoke on behalf of all security agencies, thanked the minister for providing the vehicles while stating the agencies’ commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for residents.

“As we accept these vehicles, we assure you, Sir, that they will be deployed effectively and efficiently to boost our security efforts. Our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all residents remains our highest priority.

We understand the challenges that lie ahead, and with this generous contribution, we are better equipped to face them”. In collaboration with our sister agencies, we will utilize these resources to strengthen our response time to incidents, enhance our visibility in the communities, and foster trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.

We recognize that security is a shared responsibility, and we are dedicated to working alongside the community to create an environment where everyone feels safe”, the CP said.

mrvitalis:
I don't know why anyone would want to set up a cattle ranch in IMO state for heavens sake

1) land is scarce
2) the climate is bad for cows
3) the people have categorically stated they don't want it

We all know setting up ranch in IMO would lead to death of people, we all know it would be attacked , we all know the villagers would protest

In the words of David Mark the people have a right to reject even what you think is good for them

DatNiggaDaz:


Curiously why Set " aside" 50 million for solar power for grazing reserves when you are talking about "ranching"

From which sqauare of grazing area reserves you intent to provide this solar energy ?

I hope reasonable Nigerians are not thinking what I am thinking.

Hostingmella:
The Federal Government's initiative to establish ranches in Lagos, Ogun, Imo, and other states is a significant step towards enhancing the nation's agricultural sector. This move could improve livestock farming while promoting sustainable practices. For more insights on this development and its impact, visit our website https://hostingmella.net/.

The new Ministry of Livestock Development will this year establish ranches in seven states across the Federation.

Checks by Nigerian Tribune revealed that two of the ranches will be in South west states of Lagos and Ogun while another two will be located in Imo and Cross River states in the south east and south south zones, respectively.

Two North East states of Adamawa and Taraba will equally have ranches along with the North West state of Kebbi.

The 2025 Budget sighted by Nigerian Tribune revealed that a total sum of N315m has been allocated to establish the ranches.

Aside from the allocation for ranches, the new Ministry with a total budget sum of N 11.8 Billion also made provision for poultry domestication farms in Delta, Abia and Bauchi states with a total sum of N150 million.

The Ministry budget has an overhead component of N1,800,000,000 and capital component of N10 billion.

A total sum of N600m has been allocated for provision of “Solar Powered in Livestock Production Communities in 30 Federal Constituencies of Nigeria.

Curiously, it also has N50 Million as provision of solar powered street lights for grazing reserve.


Further checks revealed that to address the mutual hostility between farmers and herders, the sum of N86 million has been allocated.

According to the budget, N85million will be spent on Stakeholders engagement with Governors, traditional rulers, leaders of thought on farmers – herders conflict at federal and state levels.

A total sum of N101m has been allocated for “establishments of Farmers and Herders Conflict Resolution Mechanism in Community, Ward, LGA, and State Levels.

The New Ministry also made provision for N97million as total expenditure to ” Establish a performance management system platform to Track Staff Performance.”

Nigerian Tribune checks revealed that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had last July approved the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock Development at the inauguration of
the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee at the State House, Abuja.

The committee was mandated to provide sector-focused solutions to address the age-long farmers-herders crisis.

Recall that on September 14, 2023, the National Livestock Reforms Committee had recommended that Tinubu create a “Ministry of Livestock Resources” to, among other deliverables, reduce the decades-long gory conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders nationwide.