The Commissioner of Police FCT, Mr Babaji Sunday has said that operatives of the Command are working round the clock to unravel the whereabouts of missing Vanguard House of Representatives Reporter, Mr. Tordue Salem who has been unseen since Wednesfay last week in Abuja.
Mr. Tordue was said to have been seen around the Total Filling Station, opposite the Police headquarters on Wednesday Evening and since then has not been seen again.
Speaking on the development on phone, CP Babaji acknowledged that the matter was reported at the National Assembly Police Station and when he was briefed, he immediately ordered a radio alert to all police divisions and area commands to commence the search for the jourrnalist.
“We are seriously on the matter. However, we have not received any information about any kidnap or demand for ransom. My men have not received any information about any dead corpse either on the road or abandoned corpse from the mortuary. But we are seriously on the matter and searching” he said.
The CP said he was further made to understand that the journalist did not carry his car to the National Assembly complex on that Wednesday, hence there is possibility he may have gone out with some other persons.
He however assured that the Police will not rest on its oars until the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Journalist is unraveled.
Also, a senior officer at the office of the Inspector General of Police when intimated with the development promised that the IGP will leave no stone unturned in getting at the root of the Vanguard journalists’ disappearance.
The senior offiver said, ,”This matter is noted. We will trace and deal. Will do our possible best to assist the process of unravelling it all. Regards”.
The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.
The.Nigerian Air Force coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, The Wall Street Journal said, in a desperate deal that was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina.
The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over.
The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned.
“The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”
The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.
The Journal did not specify when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned. The president has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July.
Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs.
Last month, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed. The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.
Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject without and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah.
It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes.
Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.
The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan. It also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.
The Gazette has yet to hear back from the Nigerian Air Force about the reported N20 million ransom to bandits.
Seven people are suspected to have been killed, while others have sustained injuries in a gunfight between operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and smugglers in Ogun state.
The incident occurred in Kobape village, along Abeokuta – Sagamu expressway in Obafemi – Owode local government area.
The Custom operatives from the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) were on routine duties when they stopped some vehicles the smugglers were using to convey large quantities of foreign rice to an unknown destination.
The goods were seized and one of the drivers was arrested. A source told newsmen that things turned sour when the Custom operatives refused to collect bribes from the smugglers while also declining to let the driver go.
The refusal to collect bribes made the smugglers angry thus the fight began and both sides suffered losses. It took the intervention of the Nigerian Army and police to diffuse the situation.
The Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya revealed that two of the smugglers lost their lives in the gunfight while two custom operatives were injured.
He said: “Customs patrol team from Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos was attacked without provocation on Saturday afternoon during an operation along Shagamu Inter-change in Ogun State.
“The patrol team had intercepted twelve vehicles of different kinds, laden with bags of foreign parboiled rice and were on their way to the government warehouse before smugglers mobilized themselves with the support of their sympathizers and attacked the team with dangerous weapons.
“During the exchange of gun fire, two of the attackers lost their lives and one suspect was arrested. Out of 12 vehicles in the convoy of the smugglers , our operatives were able to leave with 4 of them laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice
“The arrested suspect and the seizure have been brought to the Unit Headquarters, Ikeja”.
The Emir of Bungudu, Zamfara state, has been freed after 32 days in captivity. Themonarch who was abducted on Kaduna-Abuja road was released on Saturday, October 16.
His release was confirmed by a relative, Gazali Shehu Ahmad, who is also a Special Adviser to Zamfara State Governor on Strategy.
The traditional ruler, Hassan Atto was kidnapped on his way to Abuja on the 15th of September.
Confirming his release, Ahmad stated on his Facebook page:
“On behalf of the family and Bungudu Emirate, we wish to thank everyone for the prayers and support during this trying time,” Ahmad said on Facebook, on behalf of the family and Bungudu emirate.
“We appreciate all the efforts of Kaduna State Government throughout this challenging period.
“Our immense gratitude to the Zamfara State Government in playing a key role to see our father returned home safely.”
“We salute the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for the support in facilitating the release of the Emir.
“We wish to plead with the public to respect the privacy of the Emir in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management.”
Mr Atto was the Secretary to the Government of Zamfara State during Governor Abdulaziz Yari’s tenure before he was turbaned the Emir of Bungudu.
The General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla is set to bury his beloved mother, Dcns. Mrs Lasisi Iginla in grandstyle. She slept in the Lord on Thursday, 15th of April, 2021.
The funeral arrangements for mother of the internationally acclaimed prophet Iginla have been pegged to be a three-day event starting from Friday, 29th – Sunday, 31st of October, 2021.
Several dignitaries from home and abroad are also expected at this special funeral event to celebrate the life and times of Mama Iginla who lived an exemplary life.
While announcing her death, Prophet Joshua Iginla described her as the queen of peace and love, while revealing the many great qualities he got from her
‘’ The Queen of peace and love , the vehicle that brought me to the world. You are my hero of childhood mum. You held my hands when I was small, you caught me when I fell and you taught me love, forgiveness and how to be a giver.
I remember your last word mum, today you have gone to be with the Lord. Death takes the body. God takes the soul and the spirit. Our mind holds your memories. Our heart keeps your love. Our faith let us know, we will meet you again.
Your 83years on earth was a blessing. Your memory a treasure. I love you mum forever.’’
President Buhari pardons 102 Biafran Soldiers, Orders Payment Of Gratuities
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of gratuities to 102 pardoned ex-Biafran Soldiers.
This was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) on Friday. Magashi disclosed that the soldiers have been captured for payment of gratuity and other emoluments by the Military Pensions Board.
Speaking at the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja, he said; “It will interest you to know that the Military Pensions Board just concluded the documentation of ex-Biafran service personnel totalling 102 who were pardoned by Mr President.”
“The war ended 51 years ago and many of those involved are no longer alive but those with genuine complaints can come forward with their claims for consideration.”
He also said payment of pension and gratuities to retired military personnel had been prompt and regular, adding that the ministry in conjunction with the Military Pensions Board conducts regular verification exercises for military pensioners to streamline and check leakages in the system.
COVID-19: Zimbabwe bans unvaccinated civil servants from work
Zimbabwe will bar unvaccinated government workers from reporting for duty from Monday as part of efforts to fight COVID-19, an official circular showed.
The southern African country has, as of Oct. 14, recorded 4,655 COVID-19-related deaths from 132,251 infections since March 2020.
Although the country was one of the first on the continent to vaccinate against COVID-19, less than 2.5 million people out of its 15 million population have been fully vaccinated.
The vaccination rate has slowed down in recent weeks, as infections decline, with the government saying it has adequate doses in store.
On Sept. 14 President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet ordered all government workers to get vaccinated, giving them a month to comply. Those barred from work will not get paid, according to the cabinet directive.
Coronavirus: Zimbabwe arrests 105,000 for violations of guidelines
“Please note that members who fail to produce the vaccination certificates shall not be allowed to report for duty, in an endeavour to implement (the) government’s thrust of minimising the spread and effect of the novel COVID-19 pandemic,” the Oct. 14 circular said. It was signed by health permanent secretary Jasper Chimedza and was distributed to heads of government departments and shared with reporters.
“Those who will not attend to their daily duties due to non-compliance shall be deemed to be absent from work and consequential action will be taken,” it said, referring to no pay and potential disciplinary action.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the country’s main labour body, has gone to court to challenge the government’s compulsory vaccination drive, which has also been adopted by some private businesses.
‘Leave A Legacy like Legendary Lateef Jakande’ – Nigerians slam Sanwo-Olu over costly Lagos estates
Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been advised to leave a legacy of affordable houses like the legendary Lateef Jakande.
The late journalist, an Obafemi Awolowo disciple, governed the state from 1979 to 1983 and served as Works Minister under the Sani Abacha regime.
Fondly called LKJ or Baba Kekere, he implemented free education; increased the number of primary schools from 605 to 812; secondary schools from 105 to 223; constructed Gbagada, Ikorodu General Hospitals and 20 Health Centres.
Jakande further wrote his name in gold with the construction of more than 30,000 units in 16 Low-Cost Estates in different parts of Lagos.
DAILY POST findings show the locations are in Abesan, Abule Nla, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Dolphin, Ejigbo, Epe, Iba, Ijaiye, Ije, Iponri, Ipaja, Ikorodu, Isolo, Oke-Afa and Surulere.
After Jakande’s passing in February, Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader declared that nobody could match his record.
Thousands of citizens benefitted from Jakande’s housing infrastructure which till date provides income for the owners and shelter for accommodation seekers.
But the Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC) continues to shun the maintenance of the estates which provided succor to middle and low-income earners.
Instead, successive administrations build fancy estates sold/selling for tens of millions of Naira, rates way out of reach of struggling Nigerians.
It is no longer news that the houses are mostly purchased by government officials or their fronts, businessmen/women and firms who resell or lease for a period of time.
At the commissioning of 100 units at Ikate Elegushi on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu said the project was part of measures to “increase access to the stock of available houses”.
The Bayview Estate, a joint venture between Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Misa Limited, is situated behind Enyo Filling Station and beside Stillwaters Garden.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that it consists 68 terraces of 4 bedrooms and 32 flats of 3 bedrooms on a total land area of 23,000sqm.
“We made a promise to partner with the private sector to deliver good houses to Lagos. Bayview Estate is a further demonstration of our consistency in keeping to our promises”, he said.
Reacting to the governor’s Facebook post, citizens accused the Lagos authorities of building houses only wealthy people can afford.
Adewale Omotosho: “(The government) collect tax from the poor and build for the rich. Well done all of una!”
“God bless you sir for this affordable housing. N50m/flat. It is not too bad especially now that things have gone up”, Engr UC wrote sarcastically.
Obuh Nelson: “The elites will buy some of these structures and resell to commoners who even make an attempt to buy. When you wish to do the next one Mr Governor, let it be affordable to minimum wage earners. Then we will know you have delivered dividends of democracy like Alhaji Jakande did.”
Richard Alaribe: “Houses within and around that area is not affordable and it’s not for the masses. How could you build such houses and say you are providing affordable houses to the masses?”
Jide Mackson: “You remind us of Jakande’s sterling qualities. But, these houses are for the elites and those political class. The middle class does not have access to them.”
Adesuwa Favour: “Is it affordable to low income earners? It’s well.”
Ikay Fezzas: “The amount involved has made the houses impossible to be affordable by the low-income earners. Which promise has been fulfilled, when the middle class cannot afford it? Was the promise made to the electorates or the elites? Needless of making the commissioning public when the elites will still have it, while the electorates remain in their impoverished condition.”
Kazeem Ijaola: “Only for the rich because a civil servant earning minimum wage will never be able to afford this.”
Temitayo Badmus: “Houses you’re talking about are too high for civil servants or small shop businesses in Lagos. You’re yet to build houses for the low-income like 70,000 per month. Think about those people and stop thinking about contractors.”
Sunday Benedict: “Only for the rich people. Especially politician. When we say that we want to make things affordable, it should be in such a way that low income earners can partake.”
Seyi Ogunronbi: “They are renting the 4-bedroom in this Estate (for) N5m. How does that make it affordable housing? The people that subscribe to it are not common people.”
Ono Eme: “Can you make it affordable for a civil servant to purchase it as mortgage, not commissioning it for the rich men.”
Nwudu Austin: “Houses that government officials will buy up by themselves and be selling to the public in exorbitant prices. Same happened at Fashola estate, Igando.”
Babalola Imoleaye: “Someone said in the comment that each apartment goes for 50 million Naira. People living at Ajegunle, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu, Epe and Ilaje, who are bricklayers, electricians, welders, carpenters and teachers can now afford these affordables. When we’re through deceiving ourselves in this country, we will sit and have a rethink.”
Imoleaye advised politicians to “remember that no matter how long it takes, we will each stand before GOD to give account of how we lived on earth!”
Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, among other dignitaries attended the Bayview Estate opening.
In May 2020, Sanwo-Olu commissioned Courtland Luxury Villas, another pricey estate also in Lagos
18-year-old girl made Commissioner of Information in Rivers
An 18-year old girl, Miss Sophia Oyibo Awajibene, was appointed as the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication on Tuesday.
Miss Oyibo was honoured with the position after she was declared the winner of an intensive essay competition in the state.
Sophia defeated fourteen other contestants to rise to the top of the competition.
She was subsequently declared an Ambassador of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communication.
Miss Oyibo was presented with a cash prize of N60,000 and a plaque.
The incumbent Commissioner of Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, who vacated the seat for the secondary school leaver for 30 minutes, stated that it was imperative to encourage young people, that they can become famous and earn good reputations through hard work, honesty and integrity and not just via ‘Big Brother Nigeria’.
Nsirim said: “I got feedback that made me feel very bad about the prizes we were to give the winners. People asked, why would the prizes for an intellectual competition be N50,000, N30,000 and N20,000.
“They said, didn’t I see how much they are getting in Big Brother but that is a sad commentary about our country today, everything is monetised.”
Nsirim, however, said the ministry intends to inculcate the right values through essay competition and also showcase to the world that the right values can make someone become famous and a model to others.
Sophia Oyibo was made the Rivers state Commissioner for Information and Communication
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku and his Youths Development Counterpart, Prince Ohia, expressed delight at the performance of the winner, stating that education remains the bedrock of any society that desires advancement.
Just In: CAN Commends Senate Over U-Turn On Electronic Voting, Transmission
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Senate for its decision on the recommendation of electronic voting and transmission in the forthcoming general elections in the country.
The Senate has revoked its decision on some clauses in the Electoral Amendment Bill that was passed sometime in July 2021.
The Upper Chamber of the National Assembly specifically reviewed clause 52 of the act which deals with the methods of voting and collation of results in an election.
In its review, the Senate amended the clause to let the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), determine the use of electronic voting and transfer of results.
The development stirred controversy among politicians and concerned Nigerians, this online news platform reports.
In September 2021, the House of Representatives assigned seven members to work with the upper chamber of the National Assembly on the Electoral Act amendment bill.
The seven rep members, Naija News understands were tasked to work with their colleagues from the Senate to harmonize the Electoral Act amendment bill. The rep members as announced during a plenary are: Akeem Adeyemi, James Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos); Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe); Blessing Onuh (APC, Benue); Nyima Idem (PDP, Akwa Ibom); Chris Azubogu (PDP, Anambra) and Abdullahi Kalambaina (APC, Sokoto).
The legislators from the two chambers will work on the bill to harmonize the details, provide a clean copy and get it ready for Presidential assent.
Subsequently, the Senate revoked the adoption of the process for the 2023 election and CAN leadership is commending the Senate for being sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
“That is the beauty of democracy. The more the government does this, the better for our nation,” CAN acknowledged in a statement made available to Naija News on Thursday, October 14 through its General Secretary, Barr. Joseph Bade Daramola.
CAN called on the House of Representatives to follow this path of honour by rescinding its own decision too and we also advise President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful by signing the amendment Bill to the law as soon as he receives it.
“We, however, call on the two chambers to let political parties decide how their candidates will emerge instead of imposing Direct Primaries on them.
“We appeal to INEC, the Federal government, the security agencies, political parties and the Non-Governmental Organisations to work together to ensure credible, free and fair polls in the country. The situation where courts decide those occupying our political offices is totally unacceptable, reprehensible and disheartening. If by now our democracy is still a baby, Nigeria would not be regarded as a serious country in the comity of nations,” the statement added.
