Nation

THE STATES

Published

7 years ago

September 18, 2017

Adamawa
Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa State last Wednesday said his administration would inject more resources into the state civil service for efficient service delivery.
Bindow made this known at the swearing-in of two Permanent Secretaries in Yola, describing civil service as a veritable instrument for positive change.
He said that improving its standard would engender better service delivery in the state.
Bindow assured civil servants in the state of his commitment to improving their welfare in order to get the best from them.
While urging the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries to uphold their oath of office by being fair and just in the conduct of their duties, he said that their choice was based on merit.

Bauchi
The Bauchi State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) has distributed 13 ultra modern Tuberculosis diagnostic machines to 13 local governments, its Executive Secretary, Mansur Dada, said last Thursday.
Dada told newsmen in Bauchi that each of the 13 local governments got one Gene-Xpert machine.
He said the machine was for quick diagnosis of tuberculosis samples within three hours, thereby reducing the burden of manual laboratory tests.
He added that the agency procured the machine to ensure fast and easy diagnosis and release of results so that patients could start treatment without delay.

Borno
The Police in Borno State last Wednesday said a top Boko Haram commander together with other members of the group had surrendered to the command in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Victor Isuku, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that the insurgents unconditionally surrendered to men of the command.
“The counter terrorism effort of the Nigerian military, code named “Operation Safe Corridor” recorded another victory with the unconditional surrender to the police by high profile repentant Boko Haram terrorists.
“On September 10, at about 21: 00 hours, the intelligence arm of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the command, were able to negotiate a peaceful surrender of repentant Boko Haram terrorists with their families.

FCT
The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has signed a tripartite agreement of N120 billion with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julius Berger Plc. for the construction of Bonny-Bodo road.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola at the tripartite agreement and contract signing last Wednesday in Abuja said the project would revive and strengthen the nation’s economy.
The 34 kilometres road when completed would boost socio-economic development in the country and improve the lives of Nigerians in the Niger Delta region living on Bonny Island, Ogoni, Okrika, Eleme and Andoni.
Fashola emphasised that the project was in compliance with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which had infrastructural provision as one of its pillars.

Kaduna
The Northern States Governors and traditional rulers last Wednesday agreed to hold town hall meetings in all the 19 states in the region on restructuring of the country.
The decision followed a closed door meeting chaired by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in Kaduna.
He told newsmen after the meeting that the inputs collated from across the region would be used as a working document by the technical committee on restructuring set up by the two bodies.
“We will also extensively engage all shades of opinion leaders in the North on what should be an aggregate position of Northern region of Nigeria.”
He said that the technical committee was set up to come up with acceptable, and sustainable position of the Northern region in consonance with provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Kano
The Kano State Government has awarded contract for the upgrading of Kano City ancient wall as part of plan to make the state capital a mega city.
The Permanent Secretary, Kano State Bureau for Land Management, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, said this while awarding the contract to Messrs Tamidan Nigeria Limited in Kano last Thursday.
Yusuf said the state government was determined to beautify and up-grade Kano to become a mega city.
He said the contract include grading and sand-filling of the space by the wall from Gadon-kaya gate to Kofar Na’isa gate.
The permanent secretary called on the residents of the state capital to cooperate with the contractor.

Kogi
Kogi State House of Assembly last Wednesday set up a seven-man committee to dialogue with the organised labour in the state in apparent bid to avert a looming industrial action.
The organised labour in Kogi State had earlier issued a one week ultimatum to the Kogi State Government to pay its workers their full salary or risk a strike.
Reports that the action followed the adoption of a motion of Urgent Public Importance moved by Haruna Idoko Musa (APC-Idah) at a plenary in Lokoja.
Musa had said that it would be disastrous for the workers go on strike “at this trying period” of the nation’s economy.

Kwara
The Kwara State Police Command says it has arrested the alleged abductor of a 17-month-old baby who snatched the Hyundai car from the mother of the baby.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Lawan Ado, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Ilorin last Wednesday.
He gave the registration number of the car as Lagos EPE 168 CF, saying that it belonged to one Mrs Omotoyosi Adewoye of Gaa Akanbi Area in Ilorin.
Ado said the suspect who attended same church; Living Faith Church, Offa Garage, with the owner of the car, requested for a ride, pretending to be going to same direction with her.

Lagos
Stakeholders in the aviation sector last Wednesday expressed divergent views over plans by the Federal Government to concession Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reports say that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had last Monday announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the concession of both airports to improve their efficiency and service delivery.
The Chairman of Air Peace , Mr Allen Onyema told newsmen that the decision was a step in the right direction.
“Government has no business in doing business and that is the truth. If the Federal Government now decides to concession the airports, that is the right thing to do”.

Niger
The Niger State Government says it has released N13 million for the medical treatment of Mr Dauda Mohammed, a former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State Mr Jide Oritunsin disclosed this to newsmen last Thursday in Minna.
Mohammed, who was NANS’ President from 2011 to 2012 needs an urgent medical treatment for liver cirrhosis in a recommended Indian hospital.
Reports indicate that NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi last Wednesday led a peaceful protest to the Niger Government House to demand for the immediate release of funds for Mohammed’s treatment.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Tijjani Ahmed, has urged proprietors of private schools to beef up security in their schools in order to protect their students and teachers.
The commissioner made this call last Thursday in a meeting with proprietors of private schools in Lafia.
According to him, the call became imperative, in view of the current kidnapping of students and teachers in other states of the federation.
He noted that the state government put in place the precautionary measures in order to safeguard the schools before any unpleasant thing could happen.
Ahmed explained that apart from the parameter fencing, the school management needed to beef up security and monitor human and vehicular movements in and out of the the schools.
“The management should put machinery in motion to ensure that anybody coming in or out of the school including the staff goes through a check.

Ogun
The German government says it has concluded plans to train 10,000 Nigerian youths in Ogun and Plateau States between September 2017 and June 2018 to enable them acquire vocational skills.
Mr Horst Bauemfeind, an official of GIZ, the German National Agency for International Cooperation, stated this in Abeokuta last Thursday at the inauguration of the committee for the monitoring of the initiative in Ogun.
Bauemfeind said that the project would provide demand-oriented vocational training for young persons in the agriculture and construction sectors considered to be two areas with high growth and employment potentials.
He further said that the gesture was part of an ongoing development cooperation between Nigeria and Germany based on bilateral agreement.
The German official, who said that 5,000 youths would be trained in Ogun, explained that his team had already embarked on an assessment tour of vocational centres and technical colleges in the state to identify possible gaps and areas of needs.

Nation

Osun Park Management Chairman Shot By Police, Union Alleges

Published

20 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.

Nation

Police Kill Notorious Cultist In Rivers, Recover Gun, Ammunition

Published

20 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.

Nation

Cybercrime: Absence Of Legal Representation Stalls Trial Of 109 Foreigners

Published

20 hours ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

The planned arraignment of 109 foreigners charged with cybercrime before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was on Thursday stalled due to their inability to secure legal representation.
The foreigners, who are said to be citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, were recently arrested by the police in their residence at plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja, where they were said to be engaging in cybercrime by allegedly promoting “a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”.
In a six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the foreigners were charged with cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawfully residing in Nigeria.
When they were brought to court on Thursday, the prosecution indicated its readiness for the arraignment of the defendants.
Justice Ekerete Akpan noted that the defendants were not represented by any lawyer, a development that promoted the judge to reschedule the arraignment for November 22 to enable the foreigners to secure the services of lawyers.
It was alleged in one of the counts that they did aid, abet, conspire among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit, cybercrime, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
They were also alleged to have “knowingly accessed a computer and network and input, altered, deleted, or suppressed data resulting in inauthentic data with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon as if they were authentic or genuine, and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
In another count, the 109 defendants were alleged to have,
“Knowingly and without authority, you caused loss of property to persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria when you caused the inputting and suppression of data by deceiving people to believe that the unregistered and gambling platforms they were marketing were authentic, for the purpose of conferring economic benefit on yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
They were said to have, with intent to defraud, “did promote via electronic messages on the internet a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platform, materially misrepresenting facts about the said fraudulent gambling platform upon which reliance, persons in Nigeria and outside Nigeria suffered enormous economic losses and you thereby commit an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
They were alleged to have removed “from Nigeria, proceeds generated from operating fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms, namely, 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, and you thereby commit money laundering, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
The defendants were also accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed, or neglected to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit and remained in Nigeria without a valid resident permit or appropriate valid visa, and you thereby contravened to Section 4(2) and punishable under Section 44(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”