The demolition happened last week... It almost caused a BIG RIOT (a miracle no one died).
After the demolishing, there was looting and the boys that benefited from the looting (who doesn't even know what is happening), decided to help the government by going to other hotels trying to loot.
There is disquiet in Gombe State following the ban on social activities especially night clubs and ‘gala’ (Dancing performance) by the state government.
There used to be gala houses in the state capital where young girls and ladies dance in the night and onlookers sprays money on them in appreciation. Such social activity had been an occupation and source of earning a living by the dancing performers and owners of the houses.
However, the government of Gombe State recently banned such gala houses citing immorality and security problems as reasons behind the decision. To impose the ban, the government set up a taskforce led by the chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) as chairman with the members from security agencies.
DAYLIGHT REPORTERS reports that erring gala houses that defied the ban were demolished by the taskforce, the development that made some of them to resort to using their residential houses as alternative. Still, the taskforce would not let them be whenever it discovered such houses as it brings the buildings down.
Sounding stubborn, the gala houses operators now decided to rent small hotels for their performance, the situation that also incurred the wrath of the authorities that extended the demolition exercise to the hotels.
In furtherance of its resolve ‘to rid the state capital of immoral acts, the committee also embarked on demolition of brothels where prostitutes converge and offer commercial sex services.
The government believes that the exercise was a commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing social issues.
RESIDENTS HAIL GOV’T
Residents living close to such brothels have hailed the demolition exercise saying the places pose social threats. According to them, their children could learn bad habits and immoral acts as they see them happening everyday.
Some said the girls operating in the brothels dress indecently and move about around the area, the situation they opined is unpleasant for them.
In a commendation letter to the taskforce issued by a citizen of the state on February 15th, one A. A Rufa’i, he opined that the exercise could enhance public safety.
“The demolition of prostitution sites contributes significantly to improving public safety by eliminating spaces associated with criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violence. The removal of these sites enhances the overall well-being of communities, fostering a safer environment for residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and childre[/b]n.
“While demolition addresses immediate concerns, a comprehensive approach that includes social services, education, and economic opportunities is essential to address the root causes of prostitution effectively. [b]This approach should focus on providing support and rehabilitation for individuals affected by the closure of these sites.”, he said.
He also recommended that alongside demolition efforts, the government should ensure the availability of support services for individuals impacted by the closure of prostitution sites.
“These services may include access to healthcare, counselling, vocational training, and alternative livelihood opportunities to facilitate their integration into society. Engaging with local communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious leaders and other stakeholders is crucial for understanding the underlying issues and concerns related to prostitution.
“In addition to addressing existing prostitution sites, the government should implement preventive measures to deter the establishment of new sites in the future. This may involve enhancing surveillance, increasing law enforcement presence, and implementing zoning regulations to restrict the operation of illicit activities.”, he suggested.
SOME HOTELS CONDEMN DEMOLITION
Meanwhile, some hotels proprietors have condemned the demolition exercise saying it is unjustified.
The management of FINA Lodge in a press release issued to our correspondent lamented that the exercise was reckless.
According to them, their lodge was established in 1998 saying until its demolition by the Gombe State Task Force on the closure of gala houses and joints on the 14th of February 2024, is situated at Unguwan Waja, Bolari Quarters, Gombe.
They insisted that FINA Lodge is a registered business name having the requisite permits and governmental approvals to operate and function in the hospitality business and has been paying all its taxes to the government.
Aside that, they claimed that FINA Lodge submits daily reports to the CID, Immigration, and DSS, while ensuring prompt payment of revenue to the Revenue Board.
“FINA Lodge is neither a Gala Hall, dance house or brothel but a reputable Guest House, managed and operated by a team of proficient and law-abiding hospitality staff, who are cognisant of the regulatory ordinances and its modus operandi thereof, always ensure that FINA Lodge was managed following all regulatory laws.
Butressing their points further, they said the management always kept a register of guests received and ‘cooperatively partnered with the men and officers of the Police Command and DSS, availing them of all our guest registers and uninhibited access to FINA Lodge, whenever they so desired’.
The management added that they prohibited the sale of any alcohol, beer, denatured spirits, injurious spirits, or intoxicating liquor and it has no bar or restaurant in the lodge.
However, they lamented that despite ‘their due diligence and uninhibited cooperation with the authorities’, on Wednesday the 14th of February 2024, the men, and officers of the Task Force, ‘without any notice’ came with bulldozers and caterpillars and demolished FINA Lodge from its roof to its foundation.
They also complained that ‘in an irascible display of nonchalance for the hard-earned property of the citizenry in these times of hardship, the task force after demolishing FINA Lodge did not leave any security in place to ward off looters, leading to its invasion by over 1000 scavengers and thieves, who went on to steal valuable items including televisions, electrical appliances, beds, mattresses, pillows, wardrobes, curtains, refrigerators, and air-conditioners.
“They also removed and looted glass windows, doors roofs and in its entirety all of FINA Lodge’s properties.”, the hotel management decried.
LAWYERS BERATE TASKFORCE
Lawyers in the state under the umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe Branch observed with dismay the ‘insensitivity displayed by Gombe State Government through its Task Force on Gala Houses and Joints in brazen and wanton destruction of certain hotels under the guise of demolition of Gala Houses’.
The legal practitioners argue that demolition does not come without notice after a confirmation of the law enabling the relevant authority so to do.
“It is with all sense of responsibility that I state without equivocation that, what was witnessed on 14/2/2024 was to say the least carelessness of the highest order. Pulling down structures erected with hard-earned moneys and supervising lawless attitude of mob in stealing and or looting what was legitimately acquired and installed and or stored in the structures demolished without rebuke and or arrest of the perpetrators thereby making it glaring the insensitivity of the Task Force promoting criminality in the circumstances.
“Nigeria is not in the state of anarchy or mercantilist era, we are protected by the rule of law not rule of force. WE CONDEMN IN STRONG TERMS the pattern adopted by the task force and call on the Government to inaugurate a committee to review the entire situation and adequately compensate the owners of the illegally demolished structures as what was sort to be addressed were the vices not the hard-earned wealth of the owners.”, the association stated.
West African Fulanis Unite In Kaduna For Crucial Conflict Resolution Summit & Dialogue
In a significant move toward addressing the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers, The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN) organized a one-day conference in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria with all stake horders in peace building along the west african region.
The primary goal of the conference, as outlined by Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the National President of the Association, is to facilitate dialogue and bridge the gap between herders and farmers, especially considering the strained relationships that have surfaced in recent times.
Dr. Abdullahi stressed the importance of initiating conversations not only between herders and farmers but also fostering understanding between Nomadic Pastoralists and other communities across the nation.
The conference delved into an examination of various policies and programs implemented by the current administration, including the Fulaku initiative. It sought valuable feedback and insights from the intended beneficiaries of these initiatives.
During the proceedings, participants actively discussed the Fulaku Initiative introduced by the federal government, shedding light on its impact and potential improvements.
In a noteworthy display of inclusivity, Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, a Christian cleric, was among the distinguished guests. Delivering a speech on peace and unity, he underscored the critical role of peace and unity in Africa.
Pastor Buru emphasized the indispensability of peace as a vital component for sustainable growth and development in any nation.
“As an indivisible entity bound together by a common destiny, Nigeria requires peace to unlock its endowed human and material potentials, propelling the nation to greater heights,” Belgore passionately emphasized.
Pastor Dr. Yohanna Buru, recognized as the United Nations World International Interfaith Week and Harmony winner in 2022 by King Abdullah of Jordan, highlighted the pressing need for peace and unity across Africa.
He specifically called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to employ diplomatic means in bringing an end to the current situation.
Notably, the conference attracted various Fulani groups from African countries, including Mali and Niger Republic.
In addition, the National President of the Network of Peace Journalists Comrade Ibrahima Yakubu, along with other prominent Islamic scholars and traditional titleholders, graced the occasion with their presence, further enhancing the significance of this collaborative effort to address herders-farmers conflicts.
Protest: Kakanfo calls for calm, says Tinubu met empty treasury
Amid the successive protests staged in different parts of the country over the current economic hardship gripping Nigerians, an advocate of Yoruba self-preservation and development, Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo, has called for calm.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited an empty treasury when it took over power last year.
Some irate Nigerian youths gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday to protest the skyrocketing price of food and economic woes afflicting the country under Tinubu’s watch.
The protesters, in the Mokola area of the state capital, reportedly wielded placards with various inscriptions such as ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ among others.
In a reactionary post he made on his verified X handle on Sunday night, the Yoruba agitator claimed that it was the cluelessness and bad mismanagement of Tinubu’s predecessor that led the country into economic comatose. He said, “Nigerian politics is not ordinary but vicious ethnic war games on a sophisticated level. It is winner takes all, no middle ground.
For eight years, Buhari and his CPC Islamic conservative bloc ruled Nigeria with Feudalism, and the country spiraled into economic comatose. Emefiele, another PDP opportunist, turned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) into his pot of soup, dishing out dollars to his cronies.
Despite the failure of Buhari, the Islamic and political elites in the core North deemed it Haram for Muslims to protest.
As soon as Tinubu became the president, social media accounts and personalities that defended the failures of Buhari started attacking Tinubu, finding their voices again. “Suddenly protests were no longer HARAM? Allahu Akbar! This is why we need to understand power games and be careful so that we don’t fall into the traps of our mortal political enemies—the Zikists of the East, spreading fake news and fake videos to create anarchy in Yorubaland. Without the South-west, no protests can be successful in Nigeria.
Tinubu inherited an empty treasury and faced a hostile ruling elite ready to sponsor violence against him to destroy his government. Since 1949, Pa Awolowo has been advising Nigeria to have regional/state police, fundamental for security in any federal political arrangement. Tinubu is the only president since the amalgamation of Nigeria that has given full support for State police. The reforms are painful but will surely yield positive results.
Let us be patient; Nigeria will be led into a golden age by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.
“Stop this born-to-rule mentality” – Ex-APC chieftain warns northern leaders for criticizing Tinubu
Former presidential aspirant and legal practitioner Chief Reuben Famuyibo has issued a stern warning to northern leaders, cautioning them against adopting a “born-to-rule mentality” and making inflammatory statements criticizing the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Famuyibo expressed concerns that such utterances could incite unrest and create chaos in Nigeria.
In a conversation with The Nation on Monday, Famuyibo criticized what he perceived as an onslaught on the Tinubu administration, highlighting the need for leaders to avoid identity politics and divisive rhetoric.
He noted the sudden emergence of voices that remained quiet during the previous administration, raising questions about their motives.
Famuyibo revealed consultations with Yoruba leaders within and outside the country, indicating growing discomfort with threats, criticisms, and innuendoes directed at Tinubu.
While acknowledging that criticism over policy reforms is acceptable, he condemned politically charged and ethnically sensitive statements from some leaders in the North, warning that such remarks could incite civil strife.
Calling for a denouncement of provocative utterances, Famuyibo urged Nigerians to reject divisive tactics and emphasized that Nigeria belongs to all citizens.
He stressed the importance of unity for the nation’s collective well-being.
“We want to remind those threatening fire and brimstone against President Tinubu over the problems created by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which ran the economy aground and made Nigeria the poverty capital of the world, that neither Nigeria nor Abuja is the exclusive preserve of anyone but all Nigerians.
“They must stop the politics of provocation and incitement influenced by a born-to-rule mentality and years of patient endurance by other sections of the country.
“The self-serving, perfidious, insidious, provocative and inciting utterances must be denounced by all right-thinking Nigerians,” he said.
Tanker drivers threaten to stop petrol lifting Monday
Nigeria may witness another round of fuel scarcity as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, on Thursday, vowed to stop lifting petroleum products beginning from next week Monday due to the high cost of operations.
NARTO members have repeatedly raised concern over the high cost of diesel required to power their trucks for the transportation of petroleum products across the country.
Oil marketers told our correspondent on Thursday that diesel price is between N1,250 to N1,400/litre depending on the area of purchase.
NARTO’s President, Yusuf Othman, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday, said the statement was an official announcement from the association’s headquarters that members of the group would park their trucks from Monday.
“Why? It is because what we spend on operations is more than what we get in total, both in local and bridging,” he stated.
Othman said NARTO members had being operating at a loss and it was no longer sustainable for them to endure the losses.
“We will have to suspend operations latest from now till on Monday. We cannot continue to operate at a loss. Most people have parked. A lot more are going to park. But from the point of the association itself, we are going to suspend operations on Monday,” he stated.
He said NARTO’s efforts to get the intervention of key stakeholders, the Federal Government and industry operators had not yielded positive results.
The NARTO president said the association had written letters on the unbearable cost of operations to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu; Minister of Petroleum Resources; Department of State Services; Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; and oil marketers.
“We have written letters up to the level of the Chief of Staff to the President. We have written to the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil). We have written to the Director-General of SSS. We have written to NNPC’s boss. We have written to the NMDPRA. We have written to the major marketers,” Othman stated.
He stressed that despite the letters, there has been “no response.”
Analysing the market situation, which the members have endured for several months, he stated that the same freight rate that applied when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in ruling, was still subsisting.
“The Lagos to Abuja freight rate that was implemented when the dollar was N650 is still retained now that dollar is N1,615. Everybody is aware that all our consumables in terms of operation are not produced in the country.
“So, by virtue of the rate of dollars, every consumables has increased. But the freight they are paying us has been the same since Buhari’s time. So how is that feasible? During Buhari’s time, one dollar was N650. Today, dollar is N1,615. The average freight from Lagos to Abuja is N32,” he stated.
Othman further explained that “what I mean by local is that when you load in Lagos, you discharge in Lagos. And bridging means that when you load from Lagos, you come to Abuja. Lagos to Lagos, we are paid N120,000.
“AGO (diesel) alone to distribute fuel within Lagos is N140,000 because it is N1,400/litre. So, they give you N120,000 and you spend N140,000. So how do you want to operate? You’ve not talked about the cost of vehicles, cost of loading, driver’s allowance. That is for local.”
He stated that the cost of moving products out of Lagos or Warri to other states was far higher than what the government was paying to tanker drivers as bridging claims.
The government pays an agreed sum to transporters of petroleum products as bridging claims in order to ensure equality in the pump prices of these products across states, though this has not been the case.
NARTO is the umbrella organisation for commercial vehicle owners in Nigeria. The association represents the interests of those involved in haulage of petroleum products, general cargoes and passenger movement within the country and the West African sub-region.
NARTO has expressed several concerns regarding transporting petroleum products in Nigeria, impacting both their members and the overall efficiency of the process.
It has complained of poor road conditions, as frequent potholes, dilapidated bridges, and lack of proper maintenance lead to increased wear and tear on vehicles, higher running costs and longer journey times.
The association has also raised concern about traffic congestion, particularly around ports and depots, as this adds significantly to delivery delays and further increases operational costs.
On inadequate parking facilities, NARTO had stated that the lack of safe and designated parking areas often forced drivers to park in unsafe locations, leading to security risks and fatigue.
It had also raised concerns about the multiple checkpoints in Nigeria, as numerous security checkpoints could cause unnecessary delays and harassment for drivers.
Another issue is delayed payments, as late payments from oil marketers create cash flow problems for transporters.
Also the association has called for safety, because the theft of petroleum products, pipeline vandalism and other security threats create risks for drivers and equipment.
On policy and regulatory concerns, NARTO had observed that some depots limit access to specific transporters, impacting competition and efficiency.
It had stated that inconsistent or ambiguous regulations could lead to confusion and enforcement challenges, adding that transporters often struggled to access affordable financing for vehicle maintenance and upgrades.
BREAKING: Terrorists Release Abducted Students Of Nigeria’s Al-Qalam University In Katsina
This was confirmed by the father of one of the abductees who revealed that the students regained their freedom on Wednesday night after spending 30 days in the terrorists’ den.
The students of Al-Qalam University in Katsina State who were kidnapped by terrorists in January have been released.
This was confirmed by the father of one of the abductees who revealed that the students regained their freedom on Wednesday night after spending 30 days in the terrorists’ den.
The victims, Habiba Shatali, a 200-level of Political Science student, Mariam Musa, a 400-level Microbiology student and Yusuf Abdulazeez, a 400-level Mathematics student, were abducted around Kurfi, Dutsinma on January 14, 2024, while heading back to school from Minna, the Niger State capital.
The trio travelled home for the Christmas and New Year break but met at the motor park in Minna where they agreed to travel together back to school.
Sadly, they were waylaid by gunmen suspected to be bandits on their way to school.
Eighteen days after the abduction of the students, the parents of two of them - Maryam and Habiba - in a letter to the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Umoru Mohammed Bago, urged him to urgently intervene.
They pleaded with the governor to ensure the release of their children.
“I'm pleased to inform you that my daughter whom had been in captivity over a month had regain her freedom alongside others, yesterday night 14, February, 2024 at about 8pm.
“Both are all in good health as at present,” the father of one of the victims said.
The bandits had contacted the parents and demanded a ransom of N100 million to secure the release of each student but later reduced the ransom figure to N50 million and later down to N25 million.
A source who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity while the students were still in captivity said, “The kidnappers have now reduced the ransom and agreed to collect N25 million on each student but till today we have not heard anything from the Katsina State Government and Commissioner of Police. Nobody is talking to us on the matter. As we speak no parents have been able to raise the money.”
The public also condemned the uncaring and insensitive attitude of the government towards the plight of the affected students and called for a holistic approach to rescuing the victims.
The Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Niger State, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, urged the state government to work with the Katsina State Government to fast-track the release of the students who have been languishing in captivity for two weeks.
He expressed confidence that the Niger State Government was doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of the students
World Hijab Day 2024: Four Christian Ladies Embrace Islam At Abuja Outreach
The impact of interpersonal Dawah (Islamic propagation) was greatly felt on Saturday, February 3, at the popular Millennium Park, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, where four Christian ladies embraced Islam and became Muslims.
The four now preferred to be addressed as Zainab, Rahma, Hassana and Sherifah, after pronouncing the Shahada (Declaration of Faith) with sincerity and conviction.
Muslim News gathered that their conversion took place at the Hijab Awareness Outreach organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Women, as part of activities marking the 2024 World Hijab Day.
The World Hijab Day, initiated in 2013 by a social activist, Nazma Khan, a Bangladeshi American, to celebrate women who choose to wear a Hijab, is being held every February 1st in over 150 countries including Nigeria.
Every year, the Muslim coalition gathers its members at Millennium Park to preach Islam to females outside the faith and invite them to wear the hijab for the day to foster religious tolerance and understanding.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU'S MEETING WITH STATE GOVERNORS TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE
President Bola Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima today at the State House met with the 36 States Governors and the FCT Minister. The meeting agreed on common ground to addressing some of the challenges currently facing the country especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.
After extensive deliberations the President and Governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens. Below are the key takeaways from what the President told the Governors to do:
1. On addressing insecurity which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made 3 key pronouncements
A. More police personnel to be recruited to strengthen the force.
B. President Tinubu informed the Governors that the Federal Government will work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.
C. The President charged the Governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and arm them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.
D. Modalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council.
2. On rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
3. President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants. He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser, Department of State Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
4. President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.
5. President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors
6. President Tinubu implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.
Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy
Sahara Reporters are expert in specific terrorist because they allegedly know some them (at least back in 2015).
So they know the details of all the deals that these bloodthirsty beast are making with government (USING MOBILE PHONE). If they were opposition party members, by now DSS would track them but they are just terrorist/kidnappers.
Nigerian Military Reportedly Arrests Bandit Kingpin, Kachalla In Sokoto
Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday.
Kachalla Duna Tagirke, one of the bandit kingpins that have been terrorising Sokoto has been reportedly arrested.
Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday.
Kachalla had been operating under Bello Turji Kachalla, a notorious terrorist and bandit leader operating in northern Nigeria, particularly Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger states.
Bello Turji Kachalla in 2022 said then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was uninterested in ending banditry because some of its officials benefitted from it.
He made the allegation in response to an aerial bombardment of his residence by military jets.
He also accused the government of inciting them (terrorists) to break their peace treaty with the residents.
He had earlier led his gang to carry out a massacre in Zamfara earlier that year, killing nearly 200 people, including women and children.
Then-Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Senator Muhammad Hassan Nasiha, however, announced in August 2022 that Turji had accepted peace.
On September 18, 2022, however, he narrowly escaped death when the Nigerian Air Force bombed his house in Fakai village, Shinkafi local government area, Zamfara state, killing 12 of his fighters and relatives.
On November 14, 2022, the Defence Headquarters declared he and 18 other terrorists wanted and put a N5 million bounty on their heads.
In response to the attack on his home, the bandits' warlord accused the government of violating the peace treaty they had with him to end banditry and protect the people of the Shinkafi axis from any attack.
Turji, speaking on the phone with an online Hausa television channel, expressed resentment over the air raid on his home and the killing of innocent people after agreeing with government officials and community leaders to give up banditry.
He said, “I wonder if truly the government wanted to kill me. I think they only wanted to provoke me by making me renege on my promise not to kill anyone. If they could spot my house why couldn’t they sight and kill me because I only left the house a couple of minutes when the bombardment occurred.
“The people should know their enemy from the onset. The government is provoking us so that we will take revenge on the poor masses.
“The government is only fooling the gullible and naive people that they want to end banditry whereas in actual sense, they are the ones fueling the activities of the bandits and also benefiting from them.
“Peace is priceless and I’m ready to be a peace advocate unless the government wants me to be a warmonger. I’m ready for either peace or war. Whatever, the government wants, we can give them a multitude.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had also reported that residents of Moriki town in the the Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State reportedly paid N10.5 million out of N20 million demanded by Turji, as a form of a "peace deal fee" to spare their town from attacks.
This came a few days after SaharaReporters reported that residents of Gidan Goga town in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State had paid the demanded N20 million to Turji for the same purpose.
President Bola Tinubu, in the company of Vice President Kashim Shettima, met with the 36 state governors and the Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The meeting was held at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was necessitated by the rising price of food items and insecurity, and delayed/non-payment of salaries and gratuities owed workers, retirees and pensioners, amongst others.
This was disclosed in a tweet posted on X by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga
Onanuga stated that “the meeting agreed on common ground to address some of the challenges currently facing the country especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.
“After extensive deliberations, the President and Governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure being faced by the citizens.”
Below are the key takeaways from the meeting:
1. On addressing insecurity which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made three key pronouncements.
2. On the rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production.
The President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food producers should be encouraged to produce more food.
3. The President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with the hoarding of food for profiteering by commodities merchants.
He directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser and Department of State Security Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and stop profiteering by merchants.
4. The President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products.
5. The President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers and gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors.
6. President Tinubu implored the Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to keep them more productively engaged.
LegendaryArnold: Why was he court marshalled? Somethings fishy
You right, this country one can never be sure of anything. He could be a psychopath or it was 'after the effect' (to cover up). How can a dismissed officer still have access to uniform?.
How Ex-Airman Supplying Military Camouflage To Turji Was Nabbed
The Police High Command, on Tuesday revealed how its operatives arrested a dismissed officer of the Nigerian Air Force who has been supplying military camouflage and other accoutrements that belong to security operatives to bandits terrorising Zamfara State.
The police explained that the former NAF personnel, Ahmed Mohammed, attached to the Air Force Base, Kaduna, only served in the air force for just five years before he was court-martialled by the military for a yet-to-be-revealed offence.
Spokesman of the police, Muyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, also disclosed that the dismissed personnel introduced sales of military camouflage and other accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar who had supplied different camps of criminal gangs.
Adejobi said the duo had in the past supplied military camouflage to the notorious bandit, Bello Turji, and his gang members who have been terrorising the State.
Parading the suspects at the headquarters of Special Tactical Squad-Intelligence Response Team in Abuja, the police spokesman listed items recovered from both Mohammed and Abubakar as 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms and 10 pieces camel pack
Other items recovered include: 2 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 T-shirts, 2 belts and 3 anklets, adding that they were intercepted when they were transporting the items from Kaduna to Zamfara for bandits.
The senior police officer said, “On 20/12/2023 at about 1230hrs the operatives of the FID-STS intercepted the movement of military accoutrements from Kaduna to Zamfara state precisely Shinkafi LGA.
“In the process, a spot search was conducted and the following items were recovered; 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 pieces of camel pack, 12 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 t-shirts, 2 belts, and 3 anklets.
“The two suspects were arrested. The Mushiri Abubakar is a childhood friend of one Air Force personnel attached to the Air Force base in Kaduna state who served for only five years before being court marshalled and introduced the idea of selling military accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar.
“Further investigation revealed that same Mushiri Abubakar had supplied military materials to the Notorious Bello Turji.
Speaking further, the police spokesman told journalists that the operatives had resolved to dismantle the criminal syndicate, particularly those supplying arms and ammunition to bandits before going after the main criminals.
According to him, the bandits were powerless if they were not holding guns and other ammunition, stressing that the network of how they get sophisticated weapons to intimidate innocent citizens would be first destroyed
delzbaba: What kind of useless name did this woman allow to stick to her like this, a southern woman for that matter.shame
She had one simple job; be the spokes person of Boko Haram! If he had stick to her job (of advocating for the murderous terrorist group), she would be free right now. But she got 'rich quick fever' and had to do yahoo-yahoo.
Economic hardship: Kano traders slash prices of essential goods
Traders of essential commodities in Kano State on Monday disclosed their resolve to reduce prices of their commodities.
Chairman of the marketers, Ibrahim Danyaro, disclosed the resolution of the marketers while addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the Chairman, Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission. reports The Vanguard.
The commission’s chairman, Muhyi Magaji, said owners of the warehouses were nowhere to be found during the operation but those opened were stacked full of commodities, including spaghetti, rice, pasta, sugar, and other food items.
But Danyaro said the traders were currently selling their commodities in the market at a price less than the company prices.
He said the decision by the traders followed the public outcry over the soaring prices of essential commodities and the high cost of living in the country.
The market leader also vowed to assist the commission in fishing out bad eggs among those who are arbitrarily increasing prices of commodities and hoarding.
He said, “We are here to disassociate ourselves from hoarding. We have come forward to the commission with our pieces of evidence and the commission is convinced that we are not involved in hoarding.
“The rising prices of commodities which are recorded in the market was not arbitrarily done by our members. This development is brought about by the companies. And we suggested measures to address the situation at hand.
“One of them is for the commission to hold similar meetings with the manufacturers of these commodities to find out why the inflation of prices.
“We have expressed our resolve to cooperate with the commission to bring down prices of commodities to bring succour to the people. However, this, we can only do with the stocks we have at hand now. The prices we sold our stock in the market is not up to the current company prices.”
Another market leader, Hamisu Rabi’u, assured the residents of maintaining the old prices of the stocks at hand against the skyrocketing prices being experienced at various markets across the state.
“Take for instance, spaghetti that we sold at N11,500 or N11,700 in the market is now sold for N12,800 in companies. Sugar in the company is sold for N72,000 but we sold it N70,000. Rice is sold at N65,700 now but we sold it at 57,000 to 60,000.
“We will ensure that our stock at hand won’t go beyond the company prices for the sake of our people. We agree to run at a loss than to throw our people into difficulties”.
Court Jails Mama Boko Haram, Two Others for N40m Fraud
Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, sitting in Maiduguri, on Monday, February 12, 2024, convicted and sentenced the trio of Aisha Alkali Wakil ( a.k.a Mama Boko Haram) Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Soyade to ten years imprisonment.
The defendants were jailed upon being arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 5, 2020 on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira) only.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyade whilst being the Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, (a Non-Governmental Organisation) and Saidu Mukhtar (At large) sometime in Maiduguri, Borno State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud obtained the sum of Forty Million Naira (N40, 000, 000.00) from one Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer of Duty Free Shop Ltd under the false pretence of executing a purported contract for the supply of Five (5) X-ray Machines 1900 with Solar Energy which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (1) 1 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them.
Counsel for the prosecution counsel, A.I Arogha presented four witnesses and tendered seventeen exhibits before the court.
Consequently, Justice Fadawu convicted and sentenced them to ten years imprisonment for the offence of conspiracy. The court further sentenced the defendants to ten years imprisonment for the offence of obtaining by false pretence and ordered them to jointly and severally pay the sum of N40m to Bashir Muhammad.
“The prison term shall run concurrently on the expiration of all prison terms imposed on the convicts by any court”, the Judge said.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner alleged that they swindled him through a purported contract for the supply of five (5) X-ray Machines 1900 with Solar Energy to a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Complete Care and Aid Foundation, worth N40m. They neither supplied the machines nor returned the contract sum to the petitioner.
Aisha Alkali Wakil, popularly known as Mama Boko Haram, and two others, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Soyade, have been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for a fraud worth N40 million.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said on Monday Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, convicted the trio of Wakil, Daura, and Soyade after they were arraigned by the commission on two counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of forty million naira.
The EFCC spokesman noted in the statement that Wakil, Daura, and Shoyade, respectively, CEO, Programme Manager, and Country Director of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and Saidu Mukhtar, now at large, did, with intent to defraud, obtain N40 million from Bashir Abubakar, the CEO of Duty-Free Shop Ltd, under the false pretence of executing a purported contract for the supply of five x-ray machines with solar energy.
According to Oyewale, the offence was contrary to Section 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them.
Counsel for the prosecution, A.I. Arogha, presented four witnesses and tendered 17 exhibits before the court.
Justice Fadawu consequently convicted them and sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment for the offence of conspiracy. The court further sentenced the defendants to 10 years imprisonment for the offence of obtaining by false pretence and ordered them to jointly and severally pay the sum of N40 million to Bashir Muhammad
The judge ordered that prison terms run concurrently.
Oyewale wrote in the statement: “The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began when a petitioner alleged that they swindled him through a purported contract for the supply of five x-ray machines 1900 with solar energy to a non-governmental organisation, Complete Care and Aid Foundation, worth N40m. They neither supplied the machines nor returned the contract sum to the petitioner.”
IGP orders police cybercrime unit to clamp down on persons spreading fake news
Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), has asked Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to clamp down on persons spreading fake news to jeopardise national security.
Egbetokun directed that persons found spreading false information or engaging in cyberbullying should be prosecuted.
In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said certain individuals have started sharing old contents on various social media platforms to “undermine public trust in the policing system”.
Adejobi said the force condemned “dissemination of fake news and the perpetuation of cyberbullying aimed at discrediting the diligent efforts of our officers”.
The force spokesperson said fake news and cyberbullying are against the provisions of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
He added that fake news and cyberbullying do not only “pose a threat to the force but also have the potential to incite fear and discord within the country”.
“In response to this alarming trend, the NPF is intensifying its efforts to combat fake news and cyberbullying through increased vigilance and monitoring of online platforms,” the statement reads.
“The IGP has ordered the NPF National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to clamp down on those individuals and groups of people who are bent on jeopardizing our national security and stability via the spread of fake news and misinformation.
“The IGP also ordered that all perpetrators found spreading false information or engaging in cyberbullying be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“The Police will work closely with relevant authorities to ensure swift and appropriate legal action against offenders.
“The NPF, therefore, calls upon all citizens to exercise caution and discernment when consuming and sharing information online.
“Together, we must stand united against the spread of misinformation and cyberbullying, recognizing that the safety and well-being of our country depend on our collective efforts to uphold truth and integrity.”
Recently, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff (CoS) to President Bola Tinubu, said social media has become a societal menace that should be regulated.
The comment by Gbajabiamila elicited harsh reactions as many Nigerians argued that the political class wants to regulate social media to stifle differing views
In October 2023, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it had sent a bill for the regulation of social media to the national assembly.
The regulator is seeking to repeal and reenact the NBC act, CAP L11 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.
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