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NDLEA Arrest man with fake $4.7million Cash, Apprehend Nursing Mum For Drug Offence

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have foiled attempt by a syndicate to steal at least N2.7 billion from the Nigerian economy by pushing into circulation fake $4.7 million cash.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, the operatives had in the early hours of Friday 18th February 2022 intercepted a consignment sent from Lagos to Abuja at Abaji area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Babafemi, in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, a controlled delivery of the parcelled counterfeit US dollars totalling $4, 760, 000.00 led to the arrest of a principal suspect, 52-year-old Abdulmumini Maikasuwa.

The seizure followed intelligence received by the FCT Command of the Agency detailing the movement of the cash and the vehicle conveying it. Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that both the cash and the suspect in custody be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation.

In Kwara state, barely three weeks after a nursing mother, Mrs. Rashidat Adebayo, 38, was granted administrative bail following her arrest for dealing in illicit drugs, operatives have again arrested her in Offa with assorted drugs such as Tramadol, Swinol, Diazepam and Pentazocine injection ampules.

Before her latest arrest on Thursday 17th February, the nursing mother had been arrested and granted bail on 24th January 2022 for dealing in similar drugs.

In the same vein, NDLEA officers have arrested two drug dealers: Sani Isa (aka Bilaz) and Bala Yerima in Hong, Adamawa state with 239 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 209kg, just as operatives of the Bauchi state Command have intercepted a truck marked FFF 422 XB coming from Lagos to Maiduguri, at Azare, Bauchi. A total of 164.8kg of cannabis sativa concealed in peak milk cartons was recovered from the truck.

The NDLEA Chief Executive has commended the officers and men of the FCT Command for their vigilance and preventing counterfeit $4.7 million from going into the streets. He charged them and their counterparts in Adamawa, Kwara, Bauchi and others across the country not to rest on their oars.

Police IG Commends Constable Aina For Clinching WBF Super Bantamweight Female Title Belt

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on behalf of the entire Police Force, has congratulated the famous Police Constable, Mary Yetunde Aina (aka Iron Abbey), on her victory at the international championship bout against United Kingdom’s Laura Pain, on her soil, to clinch the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Bantamweight title belt at City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex, London on Friday February 18, 2022.

A statement, signed by Police spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, disclosed that, Abbey, who serves in the Lagos State Police Command, has distinguished herself greatly in the boxing sphere by winning several awards and recommendations as a Boxing Referee at the amateur level.

The statement added that she is equally a renowned boxing judge and professional boxer with a clean sheet and several amateur wins to her name.

The IGP, who intends to receive the champion in Nigeria on arrival soon, commended the cop for her courage and giant strides in making the nation and the Nigeria Police Force proud. In the same vein, the IGP called on sports enthusiasts within the Force to be unrelenting in developing their skills and dauntless in charting new frontiers in the world of sports.

Similarly, IGP while applauding the unprecedented feats recorded in the Nigeria Police Sports circle, charged officers of the Nigeria Police Force to develop and diversify their talents towards the advancement of modern policing strategies that are capable of strengthening the internal security of the country as required.

I AM NOT INTERESTED IN PRESIDENCY- Gen TUKUR BURATAI

In the past few weeks, speculation has been rife that former Chief of Army Staff, now Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Rtd, may be lacing his boots, once again, for 2023 political battle and contest the Presidency.

But a statement signed by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, Rtd and made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, denies such ambition and called on Nigerians to disregard the information.
The statement reads in full:

“The attention of His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff, has been drawn to calls and dissemination of campaign posters calling on him to join partisan politics and contest for Presidential candidature of one of the political parties by some persons.

However, it is essential to state that Ambassador Buratai never indicated interest, discussed with, or directed anyone on such matters. Therefore, such calls and posters should be discountenance as they did not emanate from him, nor is he interested in them. It is entirely the handiwork of some people for reasons best known to them.

His Excellency wishes to reiterate his contentment and commitment to national service in his present capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic. He remains loyal and eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. He, however, wishes to thank all well-meaning persons, friends and well-wishers who showed concern over this development.”

Covid-19 Positive Queen Elizabeth To ‘Continue Duties’

British Queen Elizabeth (95) has tested positive for the coronavirus, but is expected to carry on some of her duties.

Buckingham Palace disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The ailment is despite her being vaccinated.

But the royal family said the queen will be given further treatments in view of the latest development.

“The Queen has today tested positive for COVID,Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.

“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines,” the Palace said

2023 presidency: Tinubu storms Oyo, to visit Alaafin

In continuation of his consultations and engagements with critical stakeholders in Nigeria and beyond on his decision to contest for the presidency in 2023, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will on Sunday (today) visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
According to Asiwaju Progressives Oyo, Tinubu will use the visit to hold court with the Alaafin, Obas and chiefs in his domain.

The APC leader had earlier visited the Presidential Villa, where he informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his aspiration.

Since declaring for the race while speaking with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu had interfaced with Northern leaders led by former Presidential Liaison Officer to former President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.

He had visited Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari and Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle to consult and also sympathise with them over the incessant bandit killings in the two states.

He met with Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, also on the same matter.

The consultations has also taken Tinubu abroad, where he met members of APC United Kingdom chapter and Nigerians in the Diaspora among others.

Only last weekend, he visited the four paramount rulers in Ogun State: Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi.

Kenya Ambassador To Nigeria, Wilfred Machage Slumps, Dies in Abuja

Wilfred Machage, Kenya’s high commissioner to Nigeria, is dead.

Machage was appointed high commissioner to Nigeria in January, 2018.

He reportedly collapsed at his Abuja residence on Saturday, after which he was rushed to the hospital.

Confirming his death, Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement, expressed sadness over Machage’s demise.

The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets to announce the sudden death of Hon Dr. Ambassador Wilfred Machage, Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, which occurred today.

“Ambassador Machage collapsed at his home and was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after at around 12.30pm, Saturday afternoon, in Abuja, Nigeria.”

His wife was present with him at his residence when he collapsed.

Electoral Bill: ‘Buhari Is Under A Curse’ – Aisha Yesufu

Nigerian activist, Aisha Yesufu has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for refusing to sign the electoral act amendment bill into law.
Aisha is of the opinion that signing the electoral bill into law is an opportunity for the president to leave a lasting legacy before leaving office.

Naija News reports that the activist shared her thoughts via Twitter.

She wrote: “Buhari doesn’t even like himself! Otherwise he would be the one championing and doing everything possible to ensure that the electoral bill is passed!

“How can someone spend 8 years with zero positive legacy?! Ahhhhhhh!

“The people that placed a curse on him did him bad!”

There have been unconfirmed claims that the reason for the delay in signing the bill is because some governors and top leaders of the APC are insisting the president does not sign the bill.

People are also concerned that the delay might lead to legal uncertainties which will inevitably threaten the integrity of the off-cycle elections in Ekiti, Osun and the 2023 elections.

Meanwhile, the Kenya ambassador to Nigeria, Wilfred Machage has been confirmed dead after collapsing at his Abuja home.

In a statement to newsmen on Saturday, Machage was pronounced dead at hospital in Abuja.

The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the ambassador’s wife was with him when he collapsed. Read more

Adamawa Govt Places Ban On Sale, Transportation Of Livestock To Lagos, Others

The Adamawa state government has announced the banning of the sale and interstate transportation of livestock.
The Secretary to the State Government, Bashir Ahmad, in a statement revealed that the reason the state took such a decision was due to the amount of levy placed on the livestock.

He went ahead to state that Lagos collects about N35,000 levy on a cattle and maintained that such high levy affects the amount of revenue generated per head of cattle.

Ahmad said that since they were solely responsible for rearing the cattle they would therefore harness the revenue made from it to improve the economy of the state.

According to him: “What we generate as revenue per head of cattle is low compared to what’s been collected along the road to the point of sale”

“People take cattle from Mubi market here, move it to Lagos, along the road they pay nothing less than N5000 per head in like, five revenue collection points.

“We concluded that as long as this thing starts from us, then we should be able to acrue revenue just as others are doing.

“As we’ve seen how much revenue is generated outside the state from our cattle, we decided to harness it to improve our economy.

“To achieve that from now, we will work on value-chain of the cattle by moving it from the market to an abattoir within the state, slaughter it, process it by separating the bones, the horns and we’ll package the beef for shipment to markets in Lagos and other states.”

Oando Director Resigns Amidst Methanol Blended Petrol Importation Saga

The Executive Director and Group Chief Finance Officer of Oando Plc, Olufemi Adeyemo, has resigned his appointment from the company and the board, the company has announced.

Adeyemo’s resignation is coming in the heat of the company’s participation in the importation of off-spec methanol blended fuel into the Nigerian market.

The company was one of the suppliers that imported the methanol blended petrol through four Premium Motor Spirit cargoes under its Direct Sales Direct Purchase arrangement.

The four companies that supplied the methanol blended petrol are MRS which made the importation through a vessel named MT Bow Pioneer, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium through vessel identified as MT Tom Hilde, Oando through a vessel named MT Elka Apollon, and Duke Oil.

But the company had denied participation in the importation of the off-spec petrol until the revelation made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.

“Adeyemo played a major role in the growth and success of the Oando Group. He was pivotal in the execution of several notable accomplishments, including but not limited to; the 2014 landmark acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigerian assets, the 2015 Rights Issue, and various restructuring programs within the Group,” the company said of the former staff who joined back in October 2005.

The ex- director’s resignation became effective February 18, 2022 and he has been replaced by Mr. Adeola Ogunsem.

Ogunsem was the company’s Chief Financial Officer of Oando’s upstream division, Oando Energy Resources as he joined the company on January 01, 2012.

The company said the new CFO has over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.

Oando also expressed optimism that Ogunsem would make a positive contribution to the oil company.

Buhari, Jonathan, Sambo Attend Anyim Pius Anyim’s Birthday Party

President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday graced the birthday celebrations of former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim.

Anyim’s 61st birthday celebration was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, was accompanied by aides and other government officials.

Also at the event are former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and ex-Sokoto state state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others.

Speaking at the event, Jonathan described Anyim as a humble man who did well to serve Nigeria creditably when he was Senate President and SGF.

The former president also stated that Anyim can do better “if given the opportunity” having done well in previous positions.

This newspaper reports that Anyim has declared his intention to contest for the presidency in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).