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NAF investigates Aerial Vehicle crash in Kaduna

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NAF investigates Aerial Vehicle crash in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force has said its  Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and not aircraft, crashed in Kaduna on Monday.

It said an investigation had commenced to find the reason behind the crash.

The service was reacting to reports earlier that one of its helicopters was involved in an accident.

An eyewitness had told one of our correspondents that the incident occurred around  5 am, causing significant alarm among local residents.

Residents of Tami village were said to have quickly gathered at the crash site, offering assistance where possible and expressing relief that no lives were lost.

 “We heard a loud noise and rushed to the scene. We were surprised and relieved to see the pilot alive,” said a local villager who witnessed the crash.

It was gathered that a team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area and conduct an initial investigation.

They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorised access and to ensure the safety of the villagers.

But the NAF spokesperson AVM, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, explained that it was a drone that crashed after take-off for a mission at a location near Rumji Village.

Gabkwet said, “Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, 1 July 2024, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred. Instead, an NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at a location near Rumji Village and about 15 Km from base. Since it is an unmanned vehicle, there were no casualties on board or ground.”

Gabkwet said an investigation had commenced on the incident, adding that the mishap would not affect its operations.

He said, “Preliminary investigation has since commenced to ascertain what may have caused the mishap. Nigerians can rest assured that this minor setback will not, in any way, impinge on all ongoing operations.”

The According reports that between 2015 and July 2024, Nigeria suffered at least 19 military air crashes, leading to the deaths of many.

But this is the first time a drone crash has been reported.

Some of the incidents include the crash involving a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, which was involved in a minor accident on March 7, 2024.

In December 2023,  an A MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Air Force crash-landed, with five crew members sustaining injuries.

On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, Niger State, to rescue the abducted students and workers of Government Science College, Kagara, died when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.

Green tax will raise prices of goods, says NCIC

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Green tax will raise prices of goods, says NCIC

The Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, a global network of the World Bank’s Community Innovation Centres and a member of the Climate Bus Innovation Network, has said that the proposed 10 per cent green tax on single-use plastics in Nigeria would affect production and consumption through increased pricing to consumers and households.

In a statement, the centre explained that green taxation is a policy tool used by governments to promote sustainable behaviour by imposing taxes and fees on activities that pollute and degrade the environment.

It said embracing circular economy principles could enhance economic resilience, reduce dependency on finite resources, and foster sustainable consumption and production patterns in the country.

In a new report titled ‘Positioning Plastic Waste Recycling as an Inclusive Catalyst for Unlocking a Sustainable Circular Economy in Nigeria,’ NCIC advocated a shift towards a circular economy as a more viable alternative to the green taxation model proposed by the government for single-use plastics.

The report explored the potential of a circular economy for plastic waste management in Nigeria. It highlights the limitations of green taxation and presents the circular economy as a more holistic and transformative solution.

The NCIC Chief Operating Officer, Adamu Garba, who unveiled the report to the media in Lagos, said plastic waste had become a critical environmental concern in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.

He added that rapid population growth and urbanisation had exacerbated the issue, with plastic waste posing a serious threat to public health, ecosystems, and the overall well-being of Nigerians.

“The traditional approach of green taxes, which use financial disincentives to curb environmentally harmful practices, is gaining traction, however, the NCIC argued that green taxes, while offering a regulatory mechanism, have limitations.

“NIC proposed a circular economy model that prioritises resource efficiency, reuse, and recycling,” he noted.

This approach, according to Garba, focuses on three pillars: designing products for recyclability, establishing efficient collection and recycling infrastructure and driving markets for recycled materials.

According to Garba, by implementing these three pillars, the NCIC’s circular economy model offers a holistic approach to waste management in Nigeria.

He added, “It addresses the environmental concerns associated with plastic pollution and unlocks economic opportunities through job creation in waste collection, sorting, and recycling sectors. Additionally, it fosters a more sustainable and resource-efficient future for the country.”

Garba declared that the NCIC’s proposed model took a holistic approach, focusing on three key areas.

He explained, “Firstly, it prioritises designing products with recyclability in mind. This involves using materials that can be easily reprocessed and creating products that are designed for disassembly.

“Secondly, the model emphasises building a robust collection and recycling infrastructure. This includes establishing convenient drop-off points and partnering with waste management companies to ensure efficient collection and processing of plastic waste.”

The NCIC estimated that for every 5,000 tonnes of plastic waste, 1,500 jobs could be created from such waste picking to aggregation, sorting, and processing, among other logistics jobs, and the generation Nigerian plastic recycling market is forecasted to reach 2.47 million tonnes by 2030.

Time for talking over for Tinubu

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Time for talking over for Tinubu

AFTER one year in the saddle, the time for talking and making promises about the economy is over for President Bola Tinubu. Now is the time to deliver on his avowal to strengthen and rebuild the economy through the private sector.

The Nigerian economy is battling stormy headwinds. Glaring hyperinflation, acute electricity shortages, high energy costs, steep debt servicing, chronic unemployment, divestment of multinationals, shabby infrastructure, and low wages feature prominently. Although Tinubu inherited most of them, he can revitalise the economy by significantly reducing the footprints of the government in business.

Hinting at an economic revamp by strengthening the organised private sector at the third edition of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association summit in Abuja, the President reiterated that he has embarked on economic reforms since he assumed office.

In his Inaugural Speech, he cancelled petrol subsidies. Then, his administration merged the naira exchange rates. In April, the government cancelled subsidies for Band A electricity consumers.

Coincidentally, the reforms have not instigated economic revival. As the naira depreciates to record levels, energy costs have spiralled out of control. At 40.66 per cent, food inflation is at a 30-year high. The exchange rate is N1,500 per $1 from N464/$1 in May 2023. Nigerians do not feel the touted reforms.

Surprisingly, Tinubu, who comes from a private sector background, is falling back on the failed system of public control of the commanding heights of the economy. His predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, was unrepentantly statist and ruined the economy. Tinubu should discard this archaic economics.

Between 1979 and 1990, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher changed contemporary economics by privatising major public assets. These included British Steel, Rolls Royce, British Airways, Britoil, British Energy (nuclear), British Telecomm, British Gas and British Airport Authority.

So, it is naïve that Tinubu has failed to consolidate his initial reforms by unleashing the productive power of the private sector to rebuild the tattered economy. The fuel subsidy crisis arose principally because the four public refineries with a combined nameplate of 445,000 barrels per day were under government control. Two of them have missed several deadlines to re-commence fuel production.

Consequently, Nigeria depends naïvely on fuel imports though it is a major crude exporter. Olusegun Obasanjo privatised two of the refineries in 2007 before the dubious reversal by his successor, the late Umaru Yar’Adua.

Indeed, government ownership of business has delivered only corruption, inefficiencies, and cronyism. Nigeria spends $28 billion annually on fuel imports, per Blackgold Energy Authorities. Therefore, Tinubu should embark on the transparent privatisation of the refineries. This strengthens the OPS.

All the 132 refineries in the US belong to private operators. In the UK, the six refineries are privately owned. It is a safe path for Nigeria. This will reignite Nigeria’s flagging foreign direct investment. At minus $187 million, it entered negative territories in 2022, per UNCTAD.

Nigeria has struggled vainly to kick-start its manufacturing sector since 1978 when it commissioned the Ajaokuta Steel Company. Imprudently, every administration prefers government ownership. Nothing has worked. Nigeria is losing money ($4 billion in annual steel imports) and jobs heavily. By selling Ajaokuta, Tinubu will boost the economy via the private sector.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises said Nigeria realised N550 billion from the privatisation and commercialisation of 142 public assets as of 2018. In the 18 years to 2018, the government realised $7.8 billion in FDI by selling 53 public assets. So, another path to reinforce the OPS is privatising the seaports, the airports, rails, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Tinubu can elevate the economy by delivering on his tax reform plan. There are more than 60 tax heads. The plan is to reduce this to nine. This should be done expeditiously.

The government should divert the savings from privatisation to infrastructure and concentrate on security.

FG constitutes advisory board on malaria

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FG constitutes advisory board on malaria

The Federal Government has established an advisory board on malaria elimination and a ministerial task force on malaria elimination in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a press statement by Tashikalmah Hallah, the Senior Adviser, Media and External Relations to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate.

The advisory board and task force are to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the country.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, occurs regularly and is widespread across Nigeria.

The World Health Organisation estimates that Nigeria had nearly 67 million cases in 2022, accounting for 27 per cent of the global malaria burden.

Also in 2022, Nigeria accounted for 31 per cent of global deaths and 38 per cent of global deaths in children under the age of five.

While inaugurating the advisory board and ministerial task force, Pate explained that malaria poses a significant burden on Nigerians in terms of mortality, morbidity, loss of work hours, out-of-pocket expenses, and government investments in treatments and interventions.

“Therefore, we need a paradigm shift from the standard approach to a more proactive and result-oriented method of defeating this disease.

“On this premise, we invited academics, malaria programme experts, development partners, private sectors, civil societies, business enthusiasts, policymakers as well as the political class to a roundtable discussion to rethink the country’s approaches and strategic views on malaria, which culminated to the setting up of the Advisory for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria, among other things agendas, and the Ministerial Task Force on Malaria in Nigeria,” the minister said.

The Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria is chaired by Emeritus Prof Rose Leke of the University of Yaoundé, Cameroun.

The members included Prof Dyann Wirth of the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr Soji Adeyi, President of Resilience Health System, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar of the University College, London, and Prof Peter Piot of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“They will offer evidence-based advisory services and meet regularly to review programme evidence and provide guidance on aligning with best practices for malaria elimination. They will also collaborate with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare to review implementation when necessary. The team will meet every twice in a year,” Pate added.

The Ministerial Task Force, Pate explained, would consist of stakeholders from various sectors who have extensive knowledge of malaria implementation in Nigeria and are based in Nigeria.

“They will ensure that the advice and recommendations from the AMEN are carefully considered, analysed, and implemented. The task force will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, development partners, donor agencies, and the AMEN as needed.

“The task force will contribute to the overall goal of the National Malaria Elimination Programme and work to reduce the incidence of malaria. It will also aim to improve the impact of malaria interventions through coordinated efforts in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and awareness creation,” he stated.

The Ministerial Task Force is co-chaired by Pate and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa while the Chairman of the Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria will serve as the Vice Chairman.

Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Caucus receives defectors in Osun

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Aregbesola’s Omoluabi Caucus receives defectors in Osun

Omoluabi Progressives, a political organisation backed by ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has received new members who defected into its fold during its monthly meeting.

A statement on Monday by the spokesperson for the caucus, Oluwaseun Abosede, said Aregbesola, while receiving the defectors, urged them to return to their various wards and mobilise more members into the group.

Describing the new entrants as politicians with value and uncommon grit, Aregbesola expressed conviction that the Omoluabi Caucus was on the right track to the desired political destination.

“I want you all to return home and work more in mobilising political eggheads and grassroots politicians to the fold. The essence of Omoluabi is embedded in our character, competence, and integrity. That is what we should all focus on doing.

“All of you have to work hand-in-hand to ensure that we accommodate many interests and make our tendency more vibrant than before. I know you can’t fail us.

“The new entrants are politicians with value and uncommon grit. I believe that slow and steady wins the race. I am convinced that we are on the right track. With God on our side, we will reach the promised land,” Aregbesola said.

A former Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, called on members not to relent in their pursuit of the caucus’ agenda.

The Caucus Chairman, Mr. Azeez Adesiji, lauded members for turning out in large numbers for the membership registration of the group.

He assured new members of the caucus of fairness, just as he urged them to step up their mobilisation strategies as it would further impact the realisation of the vision of Omoluabi Progressives to reclaim Osun State in 2026.

Title TRIUMPH, KOs, more at Total Destruction event

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Title TRIUMPH, KOs, more at Total Destruction event

The Total Destruction event, which was held on Sunday at the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, lived up to its name, delivering a night of thrilling bouts and spectacular knockouts, According Sports Extra reports.

The event, organised by DeLads Boxing Promotions and sanctioned by the West African Boxing Union as well as the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, featured 16 Nigerian boxers trading punches in an action-packed night of boxing.

WABU President Remi Aboderin, who is also the General Secretary of the NBBofC, told our correspondent that they promised fireworks and have delivered them.

“We said before the event that this would be an electric atmosphere, and we delivered with spectacular fights. Every single fight kept the fans on the edge of their seats,” Aboderin said.

NBBofC Chairman Rafiu Oladipo also hailed the event as one of the best, saying, “This is one of the best events of the year, and we have more coming before the year runs out.”

In the main event, Lekan Muibi became the new West African Boxing Union light-heavyweight champion by defeating Olanrewaju Segun via unanimous decision after ten intense rounds.

Muibi, known as “The Engine,” remained undefeated, with the victory extending his record to 15 professional career wins, while this fight ended his all-knockout record with all 14 prior fights ending by stoppage.

The night began with Taye Fajimi securing a unanimous decision victory over Segun Gbobaniyi in an eight-round super lightweight clash. In another notable bout, Nurudeen Salau handed Sifon Iwatt his first career loss with a unanimous decision win from the judges.

Raheem Animasahu also emerged victorious, defeating Ojo Arabambi by unanimous decision after six rounds in their super lightweight contest. The super featherweight fight between Sikiru Shogbesan and Azeez Lateef was the only bout that produced no winner, as it ended in a draw after eight rounds.

Olanrewaju Durodola defeated Idris Afinni by a unanimous decision, showcasing his dominance in the ring. Afolabi Shittu added another knockout to his record, stopping his opponent in the second round. Similarly, Emmanuel Abimbola knocked out Semiu Olapade in the third round of their eight-round lightweight clash.

The Total Destruction event showcased the rising talent in Nigerian boxing, with each bout delivering intense action and memorable moments for the fans in attendance.

Nasarawa records 29 suspected cases

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Nasarawa records 29 suspected cases

The Nasarawa State government has announced a total of 29 suspected cases of cholera in the Kokona and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas of the state.

It, however, said there was no confirmed case of the disease in the state, as it expressed preparedness to tackle it in the case of an outbreak.

Available data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed as of June 24, 2024, there were 1,528 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases and 53 deaths across 107 local government areas in 31 states, reflecting a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of the year.

The most affected states were Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, speaking on Monday at the opening of a three-day workshop on Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health, hosted by the Rotary International in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, said in the past few weeks, Kokona LGA and Nasarawa Eggon LGA recorded 19  and 10 suspected cases respectively.

He regretted that one of the suspected patients in the Nasarawa Eggon LGA died during treatment at a healthcare facility in the area.

“We have 19 suspected cases of cholera in Kokona and 10 in Nasarawa Eggon. The one that died in Nasarawa Eggon had diarrhoea and was vomiting, but there was no confirmation that he died of cholera.

“I would want the public to know that cholera has symptoms similar to other ailments. We can only say a person has cholera after some laboratory tests have been done, and it is confirmed,” he said.

The commissioner noted that there was currently no known case of cholera across the state, as he assured of the state government’s preparedness to tackle the disease in case of an outbreak in any part of the state.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Grace Tsakpa, said the state government was set to distribute cholera commodities to healthcare facilities across the state, to tackle the disease in the case of an outbreak.

Tsakpa narrated that specified healthcare workers across the 13 LGAs had been trained on sample collection and how to administer treatment to cholera patients.

“At the moment, we do not have any case of cholera in Nasarawa State, but I can tell you that we are prepared to tackle it in case there is an outbreak.

“We have sufficient drugs, fluids and antibiotics to manage cholera. But because such cases sometimes can be too much on the available medication we have, we will be happy if partners will support us with more drugs,” she said

Speaking on preparedness for an outbreak, the epidemiologist said, “As I speak now, we are planning how to distribute cholera commodities to the various LGAs to intervene whenever there is an outbreak.

“We have also engaged with relevant stakeholders in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies on how to go about intervention in case we have an outbreak of cholera in the state.”

To avert cholera outbreaks in their states, health authorities in Bauchi, Jigawa and Gombe states have embarked on sensitisation and water chlorination exercises.

The officials of the health agencies told the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi,  Dutse and Gombe that they adopted proactive preventive measures to avert cholera, following the nationwide outbreak of the disease.

The officials, however, said no active case of cholera had been reported in the states.

The Waste Manager of Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Umar Musa, said the agency distributed chlorine to the 11 local government areas of the state.

“In 2023, the distribution targeted only the hot spots. Presently, we have expanded the areas and increased the quantity from six to 10 drums.

“Chlorination is a proactive measure against gastroenteritis and cholera, which is a waterborne disease

“We took the same measure in 2023 and the result was positive because we have not recorded a single case of cholera,” he said.

According to him, the chlorination was done for open wells, stagnant ponds, and reservoirs, adding that “Aqua tabs” were provided to households who sourced water from the river or stream.

In Jigawa, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, said the state had strengthened disease surveillance and public enlightenment campaigns to avert cholera.

He said the state successfully controlled Cholera, hitherto manifested during the rainy season due to strong commitment by the state government, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and donor partners.

“There is and still no single report of any case of cholera in the state. We embarked on a massive public campaign and awareness on the measures needed to be taken by the communities, especially personal and environmental hygiene,” Kainuwa said.

He, therefore, called on residents to avoid consumption of water from open wells, streams, and obsolete public water facilities.

Similarly; the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency sensitised communities to the dangers and preventive measures of cholera.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said the state had not recorded any suspected case since the NCDC declared a cholera outbreak in the country.

Mohammed said the agency had engaged stakeholders to create awareness of the disease and developed a preparedness action plan to enhance emergency response.

He also advised the people to maintain a good environment and personal hygiene to improve their health.

In Sokoto State, the government also said there was no cholera case so far in any part of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmad, on Monday, said the ministry had already taken all the necessary measures for prompt response in case of any eventuality.

He, therefore, urged the people to ensure personal and environmental hygiene, especially during the rainy season.

“Let me call on our people in the state to ensure regular consumption of safe drinkable water. This would help in no small measure in preventing cholera,” he said.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Nura Bello Maikwanci, said the permanent secretary also called on the people to promptly report an outbreak of any disease to the ministry or nearest hospital for quick response.

Customs seize N18bn firearms, drugs from Turkey, recover 844 rifles

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Customs seize N18bn firearms, drugs from Turkey, recover 844 rifles

The Nigerian Customs Services has intercepted and seized arms and ammunition worth N18.23bn in a drastic step to curb the smuggling of illicit items into the country through its borders.

It said the 848 rifles and 112,500 rounds of live ammunition, as well as illicit drugs, were intercepted at the Onne Port in Rivers State in containers originating from Turkey.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said this while displaying the seized items during a news briefing at the Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne on Monday.

The CGC said the illegal arms were concealed in other items inside a 1X40 foot container ‘MAEU165396’, while the drugs found in different cartons were in nine containers.

One of our correspondents gathered that the rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags.

The displayed exhibits include nine containers: one holding seized arms and ammunition valued at N4.17bn, six containing seized drugs valued at N13.92bn, and two containing used clothes valued at N144m.

He added the service had also arrested three suspects connected with the arms importation, and they are currently in custody after securing a detention warrant from a court.

Adeniyi stated, “Today, we gather to inform you about the recent significant developments in our operations to secure our nation’s borders and ensure public safety.

“You may recall that at a press briefing of this nature held recently at the Tin Can Island Port Lagos, I had disclosed attempts by criminal elements seeking to exploit our trade facilitation friendly posture to compromise our processes and procedures.

“With our robust Risk Management System, we have always remained a step ahead of their moves. When these attempts revolve around revenue generation, our automated audit systems at different levels enable us to trace, track and recover the revenue. However, when efforts are geared towards creating actions that will produce irreversible consequences on national security, our alert level is elevated to match the threats posed to us.”

He said the arms were intercepted through credible intelligence monitoring the shipments from their point of departure in collaboration with the local, national and international intelligence communities.

“And so it was the case with this 1X40 foot container MAEU165396, which originated from Turkey, and based on several risk factors, became a subject of interest. We had followed its sail across the continents, as we benefitted immensely from credible information produced through our collaboration with the intelligence communities, both at the local, national and international levels.

“Working within our local structures, we followed diligently as the importer attempted to circumvent our procedure through the outlet of a private bonded terminal.

“Consequently, on Friday, 21 June 2024, the suspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. The examination result revealed the following alarming contents: 844 units of rifles, and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows; 764 units of Tomahawk Jojef Magnum Black Pump Action Rifles, 10 units of VC Verney Carron Gunmakers Jojef Magnum silver pump-action rifles, 50 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker double-barrel rifles, 20 units of VC Verney Caron Gunmaker single-barrel rifles, exclusive series, Sterling High-Quality live ammunition 34g – 25 Plastic Shotgun Shells (70MM).

“The rifles and ammunition were concealed using various items such as doors, furniture, plumbing fittings, and leather bags. The duty-paid value of the container is N4.17bn.

“In connection with this, we have three suspects in our custody after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice. Furthermore, a thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure all those involved face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Reacting to this issue, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps condemned the proliferation and illegal possession of firearms across the nation.

Emphasising a firm stance against such activities, the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, in an interview announced that the culprits apprehended would face prosecution by the law.

Afolabi said, “The NSCDC condemns all acts of proliferation and illegal possession of firearms. We also encourage that the borders be strengthened because of porosity. The Corps is always ready to synergise with sister security agencies to strengthen the security architecture of the nation.”

In another development, the controller general said its operative acting on intelligence intercepted eight containers ladened with illicit drugs in transit to a bonded warehouse.

He explained the smugglers trying to evade their officers wrongly declared its contents to evade duty payment and prohibition order.

He said, “Its officers, through synergy, collaboration, and intelligence sharing, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, intercepted yet another 8×40-foot container in transit to a bonded warehouse from Onne Port. The container numbers are TCKU6879285, CMAU5985012, CMAU7515384, CMAU4297020, SEKU5488437, BMOU4363156, MRKU4616024, and MRSU3068928.

“Upon examination, they were found to contain the following: Six containers laden with 1,050,000 bottles of CSC Cough Syrup with Codeine (100ml), 3,500,000 tablets of Trodol Benzhexol Tablets (5mg) with a total duty-paid value of N9.6bn. Two containers laden with 720 bales of used clothes with a duty-paid value of N144m.

“The total duty-paid value of the nine displayed containers is ₦13.92bn. In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the following decisions have been taken concerning these containers. The 40-footer container of evil, bearing 844 units of assorted rifles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition is hereby seized, alongside the other contents previously highlighted.

“The items would be handed over to the Coordinator of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, under the office of the National Security Adviser for diligent investigation, and ultimately rigorous prosecution.

“The suspects arrested would be handed over to the centre for further processing. We will work diligently with other agencies of government to apprehend all other cohorts and death merchants involved in this monkey business. The eight containers whose contents were wrongly declared to evade duty payment and prohibition order are hereby declared seized.

“The licences and permits issued for the operation of all the warehouses and terminals as well as those of their Customs agents involved in these cases are hereby suspended pending the determination of their involvement.”

He also promised to ensure full sanction for officers found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious acts.

“Customs Officers who are found complicit in the perpetration of these nefarious acts would be heavily sanctioned in a manner that would be approved by the Board of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“Officers who kept faith with the oath of allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and refused to be bribed into releasing these containers will be adequately rewarded in a manner provided by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

Abiodun condemns cops killing, restates call for state police

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Abiodun condemns cops killing, restates call for state police

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his sadness over the killing of two police operatives in Aba, Abia State, on Friday.

The said incident again underlined the need for Nigeria to decentralise policing by establishing the state police.

The governor stated this on Monday in a condolence message he signed to commiserate with the people of Abia State and Governor Alex Otti.

He said those killing security officers who daily put their lives on the line for the safety of other Nigerians, were, no doubt, enemies of the nation and would surely pay for their criminal activities.

He enjoined the people of the state to join hands with Otti to tackle the menace of insecurity by promptly providing credible information in their communities on the activities of criminal elements.

Abiodun also called on the police and other sister security agencies to fish out the assailants to assure residents of the safety of their lives and property.

He further reiterated the call for state police as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum, adding that its introduction would help to resolve local crimes in various states of the federation.

“I sincerely commiserate with the government and the people of Abia State over the killing of security operatives in the state. Indeed, the issue of security is too important to be left in the hands of security agents alone.

“I urge the people to continue collaborating with security agencies by providing credible information that will help to nip criminal activities in the bud.

“Obviously, every crime has a local outlook. It is on that note that I call on the Federal Government, once again, to look into the issue of state policing as a way of strengthening our security architecture in the area of local intelligence gathering at the community level,” Abiodun said.

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Oyo, FG partners to distribute grains

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Oyo, FG partners to distribute grains

The Federal Government, in conjunction with the Oyo State government, on Monday, distributed assorted commodities from the Natural Strategic Reserve to vulnerable persons in the state.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who received the foodstuffs at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Secretariat, Ibadan, warned the 33 local government chairmen in the state not to share the commodities among their political class.

Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, reminded them that security operatives, especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, would monitor the distribution.

The deputy governor said, “This distribution would have come before now, you know the project is directly under my office, but I intentionally delayed it by advising His Excellency, Governor Makinde.

“Now that you have been elected, you are now the chairmen of local governments. I want to warn you on behalf of the governor not to share it among yourselves or political class.”

He further explained that the state government also released funds for the project and urged them to distribute it to the appropriate group.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, who was represented by the Zonal Director, South-West, Steven Adewale, recalled that one of President Bola Tinubu’s promises was to reduce the impact of the current economic downturn being experienced in Nigeria.

“Mr President approved the release of 42,000MT of the assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The assorted food commodities include maize, millet, sorghum and garri.

“Based on the directives of Mr President, 20 per cent of the food items due for each local government area should be given to religious organisations (JNI & CAN) and three per cent to be given to the boarding schools in the councils,” he said.

Also speaking, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, who represented the Olubadan-in-Council, urged both the federal and state governments to find solutions to the issues of insecurity in the state, especially in the Oke-Ogun region, lamenting that kidnapping and killing of farmers were rampant.

“I want to use this occasion to appeal to the Federal Government, through our dear Governor Makinde, to help us find lasting solutions to the insecurity in this state, especially in the Oke-Ogun area. Our people are no longer going to the farms for fear of being killed or kidnapped.

“We need security in this state. Please, it is getting out of hand. We need to go back to farming. We need tractors, let’s go back to mechanised farming.

“We Obas are discussing this issue of insecurity daily. Your Excellency, help us to pass this message to President Tinubu that people are suffering,” he said.

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