Police Dismisses 3 Officers In Lagos For Discreditable Conduct, Corrupt Practice

December 30, 2018

The Nigeria Police has dismissed three officers attached to Ijanikin Division in Lagos State for what the police described as discreditable conduct and corrupt practice.

The police recommended one other officer to the Inspector General of Police for similar dismissal while redeploying the Divisional Police Officer in the area for lack of proper supervision of his men and officers.

Those who have been dismissed are Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs), namely: Sergeants Gbemunu Afolabi, Afolabi Oluwaseun and Coupler Adigun Omotayo.

Lagos State Police Command Spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, who confirmed the dismissal of the officers today, Sunday, said that the fourth policeman, an Inspector, was recommended to the AIG Zone 2 for dismissal.

“The authorities of the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that the Command’s Provost Section, trying four policemen attached to Ijanikin Division for discreditable conduct and corrupt practice, has found them guilty on all counts and accordingly recommended them for dismissal from the Force.

“Based on the recommendation of the adjudicating officer, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal, approved the dismissal.

“Meanwhile, the recommendation for the dismissal of Insp. Amiete has been forwarded to the Assistant Inspector- General of Police, Zone 2 for approval,” Oti said.

Chike Oti said that the policemen had conducted themselves in a manner unbecoming of their status in the Force, adding that the Commissioner of Police had redeployed the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ijanikin Division, CSP Eugene Ubine, for lacking in supervision of his men.

“He, therefore, warns Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of departments to strictly monitor the activities of their men for better service delivery.

The dismissed police men had earlier been arrested for allegedly robbing one Theodore Ifunnaya of 350,000 CFA (about N221,508).

Accosted the victim who is a Nigerian based in Togo, and was in Nigeria to celebrate Christmas; the dismissed officers subjected him to tortuous search and interrogation.

When the dismissed officers discovered the sum of money on him, they collected the money, exchanged to Naira and gave N2000 to the victim to go home. The policemen also threatened to arrest him for alleged robbery if he speaks out.

Aviation Authority Withdraws Certificate Of One Airline For 180 Days, Fines 3 N2 Million

Editorial staff

December 30, 2018

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a fine of between N1.5 million and N2 million on three private airlines and suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of one other for 180 days for violating the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NigCARs).

The General Manager, Public Relations of the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, who spoke today, Sunday in Lagos, said that the airline that have been so punished included both scheduled and non-scheduled operators.

According to him, the affected operators were caught when NCAA Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) visited their premises, adding that a number of deficiencies, including non-implementation of training programmes for maintenance personnel as required and irregularities concerning helicopter flight identification were discovered during the inspection.

“Also discovered were deliberate violation of the regulations, performing maintenance programme without necessary approval and the use of outdated manual.

“NCAA has directed that the maintenance personnel be trained immediately. NCAA wishes to assure all stakeholders that it will continue to ensure the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are strictly followed.”

Source: NAN.

Benue,Taraba Governors Offer Amnesty To Criminals At Border

December 30, 2018

Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Darius Ishaku of Taraba States have resolved to grant amnesty to criminals operating along the border of the two states. The offer is part of the resolution at the end of the joint security meeting between the two states held today, Sunday, at the Federal University Wukari in Taraba State.

Governor Ishaku, who read the communique at the end of the tour of some border communities of Abako, Sai and Dogon-Gawa, said that the amnesty window took effect immediately and would expire by the end of January 2019.

“We are willing to give amnesty to criminals who are willing to renounce criminality and surrender their weapons so that we can give them better jobs and reintegrate them into the society.

“Criminals willing to surrender, including those that defaulted in the past are free to contact any of us (governors), traditional rulers and security agencies.

“Elections are around the corner and we will like to do this between now and end of January so that we can secure our places and synergise for peaceful elections.”

The meeting condemned the spate of kidnappings, armed robbery and banditry involving youths in the states at the border.

It stressed the need for job creation as a fundamental tool to reduce unemployment which made youths to take to criminality.

It called for adequate provision of logistics support to the security agencies by both the federal and state governments to sustain surveillance.

The meeting called on the people of the areas to report all forms of criminality to appropriate authorities and not shield criminals in their domain.

“The governors have resolved to constitute a joint security committee made up of people of proven integrity and locals of the area between the two states to address the security challenges and a joint security forces to be constituted with a police station at Sai.

“The joint security meeting mandates the Boundary Committees of the states in conjunction with the National Boundary Commission to meet and ensure that boundary issues involving the two states are resolved,” he said.

Governor Ortom called on the people of the states to report criminals in their domain to security agencies, be law abiding and shun acts capable of dividing them.

The security meeting was attended by heads of security agencies from both states, traditional rulers and top government functionaries from the states, including the immediate past governor of Benue, Dr. Gabriel Suswam.

Source: NAN.

Shagari Specified Where He Should Be Buried, Against Sultan’s Wish – Eldest Son

Editorial staff

December 30, 2018

Alhaji Bala Shagari, eldest son of the Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, has said that before the 93 year old Shagari died, he had specified exactly where his remains should be buried.

The choice of late Shagari, according to Alhaji Bala, contradicted that of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had wished that his remains were buried at Hubbare, where the legendary Shehu Usman Dan fodio was laid to rest.

“We acknowledged it but late Shagari had told us that he should be buried in Shagari town and even indicated a specific location, so we have to comply with his will.”

Alhaji Bala, who is currently the District Head of Shagari town in Sokoto, said that apart from the choice of where he should be buried, Shagari did not leave any other wills, even as he said that his father had pronounced forgiveness to all those who did wrong to him, including those who staged military coup that overthrew him in 1983.

The eldest son, who spoke today, Sunday, when President Muhammadu Buhari paid condolence visit to the family in Sokoto State, said that his father “pardoned everyone” involved in the coup, even as he expressed appreciation to President Buhari over the condolence visit to the family.

Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari was President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983. He was dethroned in a coup d’etat that brought in Muhammadu Buhari to power as military head of state, three months after he was sworn-in for the second term.

Source: NAN.

Military Set To Bombard Boko Haram In Baga, Plan Relocation Of Civilians

Editorial staff

December 30, 2018

The Nigerian military has announced plan begin the bombardment of Boko Haram locations in Baga, Borno State after relocating the residents. Baga recently came under the attack of Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement today, Sunday, the Deputy Director, Public Relations in charge of the counter-insurgency operations in the North-east (Operation Lafiya Dole), Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu explained that the planned relocation of the resident is to give room for massive bombardment of the terrorist group and to prevent civilian casualties.

“Operation LAFIYA DOLE troops in conjunction with Borno State Government are working towards relocating the residents of Baga to safer locations in view of the ongoing military operations in the area.”

Colonel Onyema said that the people of Bama, Dikwa and Monguno will not be made to vacate their respective communities as there was no immediate threat to them.

“It has been observed that some unscrupulous individuals with likely sinister motives within and outside Borno State, are trying to create panic and unnecessary humanitarian problems for undisclosed reasons.

“It has come to our attention that these people are plotting to instigate the inhabitants of Bama, Dikwa and Monguno communities to abandon their communities and relocate to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps for undisclosed reasons.

“The inhabitants of these towns and the general public are to discountenance such calls and remain calm.

“Theatre Command, Operation LAFIYA DOLE and other security agencies will shed more light on the issue in a Security Council meeting with the Borno State Government scheduled to hold on Monday 31st December 2018.”

The army spokesman advised members of the public to remain calm, adding: “the military is in firm control to guarantee their safety and security.”

It Is Buhari Who Has History Of Bringing In Looted Funds – Atiku

Editorial staff

December 30, 2018

Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has denied allegation that he is planning to smuggle in looted funds into the country just before the February 2019 elections.

Responding to the allegation by the Buhari Media Oeganisation (BMO), Atiku described it as another infantile outburst that tells more about the accuser than the accused, adding that he has no looted funds abroad or in Nigeria.

He said in a statement by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, he has a record of preventing looted funds from being smuggled into Nigeria.

According to him, in 1984, he, as head of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command of the Nigerian Customs and Excise Department, stopped the ADC of the then Military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, from smuggling in 53 suitcases of looted money into the country.

“Young Nigerians and millennials who may not be aware of this incident, will do well to Google it. Only the guilty are afraid. It is President Muhammadu Buhari who has a history of smuggling in looted funds and not Waziri Atiku Abubakar.

“In fact, Nasir El-Rufai, a favourite of the President and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, said as follows on October 4, 2010:

“In 1984, Buhari allowed 53 suitcases belonging to his ADC’s father to enter Nigeria unchecked at a time the country was exchanging old currency for new.”

“Atiku Abubakar’s plane was searched, his accounts have been perused and his businesses have been thoroughly investigated with a fine tooth and nothing remotely corrupt or illegal has been found.

“In desperation, the Buhari administration released this statement to cover their shame on a day that the US based International Strategic Studies Association reported that it is the unprecedented corruption around President Buhari that has led to the recent setbacks in the war on terrorism in the Northeast and the heavy loss of lives amongst the military rank and file. May God save Nigeria from a government that values money over lives.

“We therefore urge Nigerians to note that it is Muhammadu Buhari who has a history and a record of smuggling in looted funds and it is Waziri Atiku Abubakar who has a history of preventing such from happening.

“And while they are at it, we urge them to tell Nigerians those behind Etisalat and Keystone Bank and how they suddenly possessed such wealth overnight.

“Finally, Nigerians should note that the Buhari administration cannot defend their record on jobs and poverty – the things of most concern to voters – thus, their only resort is slander.”

2019: Group Alerts CBN, Security Over Atiku’s Plan To Bring In Illicit Funds

Editorial staff

December 30, 2018

A group, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has alerted the Central Bank of Nigeria and relevant security agencies including the Customs and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beware of grand plot by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar to bring illicit funds into the country ahead of the 2019 elections.

The group, which in a statement today, Sunday, asked the relevant authorities to be on the lookout for cross border movement of large sums of dollars into the country, said that the PDP’s candidate is desperate to go into the 2019 election with intent to buy votes and damn the consequences.

The statement signed by the of the Chairman of the group, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, said: “we have it on good authority that the PDP and its Presidential candidate are making strenuous efforts to bring in public funds stashed abroad including those from recent sales of assets in Angola which were acquired with illicit funds.

“We also know that the former Vice President has made promissory transaction commitments on a number of strategic national assets including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a percentage holding in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to a foreign syndicate.

“All these are out of desperation and as a result of his inability to raise funds from governors elected on PDP platform, many of whom are themselves locked in stiff battles for their seats.”

The group explained that the move by the PDP Presidential candidate follows stringent measures put in place by the CBN and EFCC to ensure sanity in the banking sector.

“It is clear to Atiku Abubakar and PDP elements that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has put in place a system that has made it difficult for the type of situation in 2015 where former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke could warehouse $115,000,000 (One hundred and fifteen million dollars) which was then shared among party officials to influence electoral officials.

“They also know that even the EFCC is very much on the alert at local airports as seen in the manner its operatives have twice in recent times intercepted undeclared sums of money running into millions of dollars.

“So these opposition elements are now working out a more crooked way of bringing in money through the borders in order to circumvent the system before and during the February 2019 elections”.

Information Minister Describes Senator Saraki As ‘Insane’

Editorial staff

December 29, 2018

“How can any sane person equate human life with money? No amount of money is worth any human life. And no one should play politics with human life. All people of conscience must condemn this glib comment by a desperate political warlord.”

These were the words of the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while reacting to a statement by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over the bank robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State, which left 33 people dead.

Senate President Saraki had said on a radio programme that he gave N10 million to the Offa monarch as against the N7million stolen by the Offa robbers, some of whom were linked with him.

Lai Mohammed, who spoke at the 2018 Ijakadi Festival in Offa town today, Saturday, described the efforts to trivialize the dastardly act as indecent and called on the people to condemn any attempt to play politics with human lives.

“In recent days, there have been attempts by some political desperadoes to trivialize the calamity that befell this community when those armed robbers attacked banks and the police station, among others. These desperadoes were quoted as saying that when they visited this town to commiserate with the people after the attack, they donated 10 million Naira, even when what was stolen from the banks’ vault was seven million naira.

“Now, let us ask them: how many of those who were killed in that attack have they also been able to bring back?”

Abuja Women Thumb Up For Nigerian Army Over Peaceful Christmas Celebration

Editorial staff

December 29, 2018

A coalition of Abuja women under the aegis of FCT Women of Honour, have commended the Nigerians Army over the peaceful atmosphere that pervaded the Christmas celebration across the nation.

The President of the FCT Women of Honour, Princess Juliana Okolo, who spoke to news men in Abuja, expressed ‘pleasant surprise’ how the Nigerian Army were able to restored calmness in such a short time, with the dreads of old now forgotten, adding that this is no mean feat and deserves to be applauded.

The group hailed President Buhari, the COAS and his soldiers for restoring peace to the nation’s capital and across Nigeria.

“While in the eyes of the ordinary, it seems an ordinary feat, it is indeed a huge feat when compared to previous years where there was hardly any Christmas period that bombs would not detonate in churches or other recreational spots within the federal capital territory and its environs,” she stated.

“It is therefore instructive to note that for three consecutive years, (2016,2017 and 2018) residents of Abuja celebrated the Christmas in absolute peace and harmony. We are of the opinion that this was made possible by the total commitment of the Nigeria Army under the distinguished leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff.

“The FCT Women of Honour Group sees and recognizes the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in keeping the country safe and secured with it various military operations going on simultaneously around the country. From the east to the west, to the south and the north, the commitment of the Nigerian Army has remained unflinching even though it has been stretched thin by these activities.

“The FCT Women of Honour also wishes to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his unalloyed commitment in the fight against Boko Haram since he assumed leadership of this great country in 2015.

“The visible inroads experienced in the critical security sector is indeed a demonstration of the political will to ensure that Nigeria is back on the path of glory again.

“As African mothers, we indeed must continually remember our sons in our daily prayers that are striving day and night for our sake so that we may be free from evil forces that are hell-bent on destabilizing our great country.

“We are using this medium to extend our appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai for his commitment in seeing to an end of the Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria, as well as other parts of the country experiencing various security challenges in one way of the other.

“This group is therefore of the opinion that if not for the gift of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria would have indeed collapsed before our eyes due to threat of militant and violent armed groups that threatened the very essence of our foundation.

“We also appreciate the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for leading the onslaught against the Boko Haram Terrorists and the subsequent achievements it has recorded in the past three years.

“We also wish to appreciate the troops that have continually sacrificed for the country. They are the real heroes of Nigeria, and their sacrifices would never go in vain.

“We also wish to charge them to more victory and also to disregard the very few that would not appreciate their efforts so far in the fight against Terrorism and other militant and armed groups in Nigeria.”

Prior to President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, frequent bomb blast marred the festive periods, especially in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A good example was the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, a suburb of Abuja in 2011 which claimed over 40 lives and left 60 others injured.

As a result, inhabitants were forced to mark the festivity at home, staying away from religious and public centres.

Jerry Gana Cannot Hold Any SDP Activity Now, National Chairman, Falae Warns

Editorial staff

December 29, 2018

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, has warned Jerry Gana and his Presidential Campaign Committee not to carry out ant activity now to avoid contempt of court.

In a statement in Abuja, Falae said: “we cannot and should not attend any of the events being scheduled by Prof. Jerry Gana and his Campaign Committee as it will amount to a breach of the court process and may amount to contempt of Court.

Falae said that he had received a letter dated December 27 from Gana seeking his leave as SDP national chairman to ”unveil the vision and Programme” of his Presidential Campaign.

He said that Gana in the letter, was also inviting him as “Chief Host” at both the “unveiling” programme scheduled for Saturday Dec. 29, and at the “Summit of Stakeholders planned for Saturday January 5, 2019.

He recalled that earlier correspondence from Gana made it clear that he based the proposals on the judgment of the FCT High Court dated Dec. 14, 2018.

Falae said that the counsel of all the five defendants in the case (including SDP), Wole Olanipekun & Co, had already appealed to the Court of Appeal against that judgement.

“We have also, through our Counsel, filed a motion at the Court of Appeal, praying for certain reliefs including Stay of execution of the judgment of the High Court and injunctive reliefs against Prof. Jerry Gana, pending the determination of the Appeal.

“All the relevant processes have been served on Prof. Jerry Gana’s Counsel.

“I appeal to all Party officials at all levels, leaders and members to stay calm and refrain from participating in actions designed to pre-empt the courts. We must remain loyal to the Party which is more important than any of us.

“We are all one party and we are all united.’’

Recall that the SDP had earlier declared former Governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, as its presidential flag bearer for the 2019 General Elections.

The party declared Duke as winner of its primary election, stating that he polled 812 votes while Gana got 611.

Gana, however, went to court seeking that it should declare him the winner in line with the zoning and rotation formula of the party’s constitution.

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