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No policeman must request money for bail – Lagos CP Warns Personnels

Police authorities in Lagos have warned personnel serving in the command against any form of extortion, human rights abuse, and incivility towards residents of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Abiodun Alabi, gave the warning on Tuesday during a familiarisation tour to Area G Headquarters in Ogba, and Area H Headquarters in Ogudu.

He stated that the Police High Command has provided several welfare packages for all cadre of personnel and worked hard to ensure salaries were upgraded.

Alabi stressed the need for personnel to reciprocate the gesture by effectively carrying out their duties in the most professional way.

He insisted that no policeman must request money for bail, saying, “If any of my officers ask you money for bail, report to the highest authorities.”

The police commissioner also warned police personnel against asking for frivolous documents from motorists. “Asking for car clearing documents is not your duty, leave it to customs.”

On the issue of tax deductions on salary, he explained that the government has agreed with the top echelon of the force that all forms of deductions from the police personnel should be stopped.

Alabi promised to address some of the challenges in some divisions under the command such as logistics, office space and accommodations, shortage of manpower, and working tools faced, by some divisions.

He commended the efforts of residents, especially the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), the Community Development Associations (CDAs), and the traditional institutions in supporting the command to achieve its set objectives.

The police commissioner also asked divisional police officers in the state to continue to strengthen such relationships which he described as livewire in information gathering and effective policing in their respective areas of coverage.

Again, NNPC Releases Fresh 516.43 Million Litres Of PMS To Nigerians

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has again released additional 516.43 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit popularly referred to as petrol to Nigerians.

The release of the 516.43 million litres, which was done between March 14 and March 20 is in addition to the 1.82 billion litres distributed into the Nigerian market within a period of 28 days covering February 14 and March 13.

The release of the product is in line with the commitment of the NNPC management to address the supply gap being experienced in the distribution of petrol to Nigerians caused by several factors.

The NNPC had in recent times introduced several innovations to bring back normalcy in the supply of PMS.

The National Oil Company had last week advised about 48 retail stations to operate for 24 hours daily so as to increase the supply of petrol to Nigerians.

A breakdown of the 516.43 million litres showed that 80 per cent of all the evacuation took place at the top 30 high loading depots while the other loading depots evacuated less than 20 per cent.

It put the average daily evacuation during the week at 73.78 million litres.

The distribution is coming at a time when the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd have reached an understanding with oil marketers to resume loading and movement of Premium Motor Spirit from the depot.

The deal will bring to an end the transportation challenges being faced by oil marketers in the distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The understanding between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC and the oil marketers followed the challenges being faced by some of them in the distribution of PMS as a result of the high diesel prices.

Crude oil is selling over $139 per barrel and as a deregulated product, when crude prices are high, diesel prices are expected to rise as well.

THE WHISTLER had reported that transportation cost had become too high for marketers because of high price of diesel which is not regulated.

Due to the unregulated nature of the price of diesel, the federal government does not subsidize the product, thereby making the price to be determined by the international market.

But in a bid to resolve the issue, the NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari issued a letter that the NNPC selling price to depot owners be adjusted downwards and the difference added to bridging cost paid to retailers.

In a tacit confirmation of the development, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners last Saturday called on its members to resume full lifting of petrol from the depots.

It said this followed the decision of the federal government to pay the 25 per cent increase in freight rate for petroleum products, which amounts to N11.87/litre, up from N9.5 per litre previously.

Some of the members have since suspended their services because of high cost of operation. Consequently, they demanded increased freight rate from the Federal Government.

NARTO National President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, urged members of the association to resume full operation in order to alleviate the current petrol scarcity.

Othman assured the members that the association is working hard on how get Automative Gas Oil (AGO) diesel palliatives from the Federal Government.

Mother Sets 10-Year-Old Daughter Ablaze In Ogun

A mother of five, Aisha Tijani, has been arrested by the operatives of the Ogun Police Command for allegedly setting her 10-year-old daughter ablaze.

The suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Mowe divisional headquarters by one Moroof Ayinde.

According to DailyTrust, fhe complainant told the Police that he lives in the same apartment with the suspect who allegedly set ablaze her daughter.

According to him, the woman was upset because the daughter took a phone she (the woman) had seized from one of her children from where she kept it and gave it back to the child, from whom, the phone was seized.

The Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi told newsmen in Abeokuta that following the report, the DPO Mowe division, CSP Folashade Tanaruno, quickly moved to the scene with the detectives and got the suspect arrested.

Oyeyemi said the victim, who had been badly burnt, was rushed to the nearest hospital from where she was referred to Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital for proper medical attention.

“On interrogation, the suspect, who claimed to have been separated from the father of the children, explained to the police that she didn’t know what came over her when she was carrying out the wicked act,” he said.

Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to state criminal Investigation and Intelligence department for further investigation.

Buhari Govt Cancels Compulsory COVID-19 Test For Vaccinated Travellers Lagos airport

The Muhammadu Buhari-led government has cancelled the compulsory COVID-19 test for vaccinated travellers coming into Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known during a press briefing on Monday.

He pointed out that in-bound fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the country will no longer be required to take a pre-departure PCR COVID-19 Test.

Mustapaha stated that fully vaccinated passengers on arrival would undergo a rapid antigen test at the airport by the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC ), within the arrival hall of all the country’s point of entry and airports.

The PSC boss added that fully vaccinated passengers will not be charged for arrival rapid antigen tests at the airport.

The SGF revealed that the revised international travel protocols, would take effect on Monday, 4th April, 2022.

He said: “Passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated shall take a COVID-19 PCR test 48 hours before departure, or do a Day 2 and day 7 test on arrival. Such passengers will be expected to pay for their PCR tests through the travel platform.

“Rules that apply to fully vaccinated adults also apply to children aged 10 – 18 years; they will not be required to have pre-arrival PCR tests but will have a sample taken at the arrival hall but not charged.

“All passengers travelling out of Nigeria are encouraged to be fully vaccinated and to fully comply with COVID-19 protocols and requirements in their country of destination.”

The SGF said that the PSC continues to strongly recommend the use of face masks in enclosed environments, while n open spaced, the use of face masks was discretional.

Mustapha also said that the country still has the National Response in place as its continue to monitor global trends and adapt them with the situation in country.

He stressed that there had been a consistent decline in number of cases around the world but that does not give Nigerians the leverage to let their guards down yet because there were predictions of rebounds as Nigerians can see in China, South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, France, Hong Kong.

Bamise’s murder: Court sets aside date for prosecution of suspect

The Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), on Tuesday set aside May 9, 10, and 11 for the prosecution of a prime suspect in the murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwole.

It was gathered that the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) driver, Andrew Nice Omininikoron, accused of killing Bamise, was arraigned on Tuesday morning before Justice Sherifat Sonaike on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and two counts of rape. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nice’s arraignment followed a legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Jide Martins, recommending the prosecution of the 47-year-old.

Recall that Bamise went missing after boarding the BRT bus on February 26. She was said to have boarded the bus which was going to Oshodi at about 7pm at Chevron Bus-stop in Lekki.

Her lifeless body was discovered on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, on March 7, triggering public outrage.

Obiano: EFCC Arrests Officer Who Videotaped Ex-Anambra Governor In Detention

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its officers for allegedly videotaping the immediate-past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, while in custody of the anti-graft agency.

This came as the EFCC distanced itself from a viral video which showed Obiano sitting in an isolated area in the commission’s headquarters and interacting with an unidentified person.

The EFCC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Monday, said the “video is completely at variance with the established Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC”.

Uwujaren added, “A discreet investigation ordered upon discovery of the leak has revealed the errant officer behind the odious act and he is currently being subjected to appropriate disciplinary action”.

Obiano had spent five days in EFCC’s custody after he was arrested for alleged mismanagement of funds to the tune of N42 billion, among other offences, while he was in office.

He was arrested on Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a few hours after he handed over to his successor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

The anti-graft agency granted the ex-governor bail on Monday, but noted that he was yet to fulfil the conditions of his bail.

Village Head, 23 Others Killed During House-To-House Attack In Zamfara

Terrorists on Sunday invaded Ganar Kiyawa village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, killing no fewer than 24 people including the village head and other traditional title holders.

During the house-to-house attack which occurred on Sunday morning, the assailants pilfered valuable items and livestock belonging to the residents.

Some of the villagers who escaped the attack had fled into nearby bushes, sources told Premium Times.

Abdullahi Musa, a resident of Gana, not far from Ganar Kiyawa community, said, “All the shops were looted by the bandits while residents ran for their lives.”

Musa added, “We cannot say how many people were kidnapped so far but those who have been killed. The residents were able to gather 23 corpses for burial. Another corpse was also found after the initial 23. It could be more especially now that the residents are afraid to go deep into the bushes to look for their dead”.

Similarly, the youth leader in Bukkuyum LGA told the medium, “Yes, 24 people were killed by the bandits in yesterday’s attack. The village head and some other traditional rulers as well as residents were killed. They (bandits) have been trying to attack the community but because their main targets were not always sleeping in the town, they decided to come in the morning”.

Zamfara is one of the worse hit states that have been ravaged by terrorists in the North West. Residents are frequently killed and abducted for ransom. Their attackers are also said steal their livestock and impose taxes/levies on them, amongst others.

Just In: Bandits Kill APC Women Leader in Kwara

A woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reportedly killed in Kwara state over the weekend during an exchange of gunfire in a rescue operation between the bandits and a combined team of soldiers and hunters.

The woman, identified as Mrs Olumo Abolaji, APC Women Leader in Koro ward of Ekiti Local Government was one of the eight people kidnapped on Wednesday evening between Araromi Opin and Obbo-Ile in Ekiti local government area of the state.

The politicians, who were all from Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were returning home the swearing-in of the state executives of the party performed by the state governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in Ilorin when the gunmen suspected to be bandits waylaid them.

It was gathered that five of the eight people involved had escaped from the kidnappers.

According to Mr. Adekunle Oluwole, a relative to one of the victims, who said that five of the eight people involved escaped from the kidnappers listed those involved, as the Isapa Ward Chairman in Ekiti local government area of the state, Mr Daniel Adewuyi; the Eruku ward Chairman; Women Leader Eruku; Women Leader Obbo Ile; Chairman Obbo Ile Ward; Women Leader Koro ward; and Women Leader Isapa ward, among others.

He, however, said that the women leaders of Eruku ward, Obbo-Ile ward and Koro ward were taken away into the forest by the kidnappers.

He said that some of the victims who escaped from the bandits were taken to the hospital in the area for treatment, adding that some politicians from the area including Mr. Ganiyu Abolarin, an elected member of the Kwara state House of Assembly representing Ekiti local government state Constituency and Mr. Wale Awelewa, Chairman of APC in Ekiti local government were in the hospital to wish them quick recovery.

Oluwole also hinted that four Hilux vans loaded with soldiers, local hunters and vigilance men were drafted to the forest to trail the kidnappers and rescued the victims.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, could not be reached for his reaction on the fate of the kidnapped victims yesterday as his phone line was switched off.

But, a senior police officer in the state police command, who sought anonymity, confirmed the incident.

He, however, declined to speak further on the issue.

Also, the state chairman of APC in Prince Sunday Fagbemi, confirmed the incident to journalists yesterday saying that “two of the three victims were rescued alive”.

Fagbemi said: “Two of our party women leaders in Eruku ward and Obbo-Ile ward were rescued alive, but unfortunately we lost one of them because the woman leader of Koro ward was killed by the bandits”.

More trouble For Abba Kyari, Co-Defendants As Malami Approves Seizure Of Assets

The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants are set to lose their properties and money in bank accounts to the Federal Government temporarily.

It was learnt that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had in a letter sent to the Ministry of Justice penultimate week, asked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to grant approval for the seizure of assets belonging to Kyari and his co-accusers.

The suspended DCP and his co-defendants are facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Some of the assets include cash and money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, vehicles, real estate, hotels, buildings, wristwatches, jewellery and other valuable possessions.

A senior justice ministry official told The Punch that Malami has granted a request made by the NDLEA to seize their assets pending the outcome of their case in court.

He disclosed that the seizure of assets of the former commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and his co-accused was to ensure that they did not benefit from the proceeds of crime.

“The AGF has endorsed the request by the NDLEA seeking approval for the confiscation of the assets of Abba Kyari, Ubua and the other police officers involved in drug dealing.

“With the approval, the drug agency can now go after their property such as real estate, bank accounts, cash, vehicles, stocks, bonds and anything of monetary value.” the source said.

Recall that the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had confirmed that the agency had traced about N4.2bn to Kyari and his co-accused, ACP Sunday Ubua’s bank accounts.

Babafemi added that the accused persons’ bank accounts would be frozen in line with standard practice.

“If You Dare Us You Will Regret It”, IPOB Warns Soludo Against Following Footsteps Of Obiano

Following the call by the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for a ceasefire by the Indigenous People of Biafra in the interest of South-East people, the group, weekend, said it was ready to toe the line of peace provided Soludo did not take the path of his precedessor, Willie Obiano.

The spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, said the group was peaceful, and only seeking the emancipation of the Igbo.

According to Mr Powerful, “We wish to assure South-East and South-South governors that IPOB members are human beings, and we don’t have plans to suffer our people but any of them who decide to approach us with harsh manner will receive us with harsh manner.”

While assuring Soludo of the group’s support if he doesn’t pose any threat to IPOB, Powerful added that, “We were here when he came and we would be here when he would be leaving.

“His predecessor, former governor Willie Obiano, allowed himself to be used by Fulani people and allowed them to kill his people at Nkpor in 2016 during our annual remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price for our freedom between 1967 and 1970.

“We won’t accept such to happen again with our members and citizens of Biafra nation.

“IPOB is a peaceful movement, only seeking freedom of their people and nothing will make us stop unless they give us a date for referendum to ascertain where everybody wants to belong, either in Nigeria or elsewhere.

“We are ready to work with any government who wishes to give our people peace. If you dare us, you will regret it. We are peaceful and cannot jeopardise his government.”

IPOB’s sit-at-home order in Southeast has collapsed businesses in the region since last August.

It was declared to press home the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He is being tried over treason, running a proscribed group, and jumping bail in 2017.