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Police, Correctional Provider spouse to curb kidnapping in Abuja

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Police, Correctional Provider spouse to curb kidnapping in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Correctional Service have pledged to collaborate to improve security in the Federal Capital Territory.

This was disclosed when the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, John Francis, paid a courtesy call to his police counterpart, CP Bennet Igweh, on Wednesday.

The FCT is facing an alarming spate of insecurity, prompting growing concerns among residents and authorities.

According to a December 2023 Nigeria Security Report by Beacon Consulting Ltd., an enterprise security risk management and intelligence firm, a total of 519 persons were abducted across 229 local government areas in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

A deep dive into the report showed that, based on a ranking, the FCT ranked third in the states with the highest number of abductees, with 67 civilians and 1 government official abducted in December 2023.

Since December 24, 2023, when suspected bandits attacked Garam, a community in Tafa LGA of Niger State, bordering the Bwari area council in the federal capital territory, abductions of residents have occurred almost daily.

Six sisters and their father in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT were abducted by bandits on January 13, 2024. The killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, one of the girls, generated anger among Nigerians.

Francis, in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, Adamu Duza, on Wednesday, said the insecurity situation in the FCT was worrisome, hence, the need for synergy cannot be overemphasised.

He noted, “I am here to familiarise with you and to seek actionable ways to improve and fortify the safety and security of FCT.”

Francis appreciated the support of the Commissioner of Police in the security formation of the Kuje Custodial Centre, especially in the deployment of his men.

He, however, appealed for a more cordial relationship between the two agencies for a more secure society.

In his response, Igweh expressed gratitude to the Controller for Corrections for finding time to visit, stating that it is healthy for both agencies.

He said, as a crime fighter, “My life and other citizens who have fought crime would not be safe if the custodial centres are not secured.”

CP Igweh pledged his support to the service in every area possible to enhance the security of FCT.

Ideally suited Courtroom justices should not earn not up to N15m per 30 days — Adeyanju

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Ideally suited Courtroom justices should not earn not up to N15m per 30 days — Adeyanju

A human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has raised concerns over the welfare of members of the bench, saying the Nigerian Supreme Court justices shouldn’t earn less than N15m monthly.

He also vowed to use the instrumentality of the law to advocate better welfare of justices and ensure no apex court justice earns less than N15m per month.

The activist made the pledge in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled “My commitment to Nigerians as I joined the largest bar in Africa.”

He said, “It is indeed shameful that while governors, lawmakers, and even their aides earn humongous amounts under a four-year term, members of the judiciary who have dedicated their entire life to doing justice to all manner of persons earn peanuts. A judiciary where a Supreme Court Justice earns barely N3m per month is a judiciary vulnerable to corruption. I will use the instrumentality of the law to advocate that no Supreme Court justice should earn less than N15m per month.

“I will commit my time, resources and knowledge of the law to the fight against corruption. In almost all areas of our national life, corruption has become pervasive and there is no better time than now for us to confront this monster. I will, as often as possible urge the relevant security agencies to investigate allegations of corruption and where they fail to do so, I will seek orders of mandamus compelling them to do their jobs, as well as fiats from the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute corruption cases.”

He promised to also continuously seek the interpretation of knotty constitutional issues that affect the well-being of Nigerians.

“As I join the largest bar in Africa and become a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, today, my commitment to Nigerians is that I will use the knowledge and instrument of the law to advocate for the downtrodden, the oppressed and all those who are unable to speak out or defend themselves.

“I will take up human rights cases on pro bono basis and ensure that no oppressed Nigerian goes to bed unable to defend his God-given and Constitutional rights because he could not afford a lawyer,” he added.

A retiring member of the bench at the Supreme Court, Justice Musa Dattijo, had in October 2023 during his valedictory service, bemoaned how the judiciary has been emasculated by inadequate funding.

He said, “Beyond the issue of the salaries of Justices remaining static with no graduation for over 15 years now, it is instructive to enquire what the judiciary also does with its allocations. Who is responsible for the expenditure? An unrelenting searchlight needs to be beamed to unravel how the sums are expended.

“Notwithstanding the phenomenal increases in the sums appropriated and released to the judiciary, Justices and officers’ welfare and the quality of service the judiciary render has continued to decline.

“It may interest one to know that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court earns more than the Justices. While she earns N1.2m per month, justices take home N751,000 in a month. The CJN on his part takes home #400,000 plus. The salary of a Justice, curiously, drops rather than increases when he gets the added responsibility of being a CJN.

“That the unjust and embarrassing salary difference between the justices and the Chief Registrar still abides remains intriguing to say the least. Valedictory session after valedictory session lapses and challenges that should be nipped are restated to no avail. Why the silence and seeming contentment?”

NIJ matriculates 248 scholars, restates dedication to high quality coaching

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NIJ matriculates 248 scholars, restates dedication to high quality coaching

The Provost, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, on Wednesday, said the institution’s goal was to train disciplined professionals committed to best practices. Adefaye said this at the matriculation ceremony for the 2023/2024 academic session which took place at the school auditorium, Ogba, Lagos, according to a statement released by the institution’s spokesman, Tolulope

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Trump, Biden hurricane against rematch as Haley drops out

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Trump, Biden hurricane against rematch as Haley drops out

Donald Trump marched Wednesday towards a bitter rematch against President Joe Biden in November as his final Republican rival Nikki Haley threw in the towel after a thumping defeat in the “Super Tuesday” primaries.

Pointedly declining to endorse the man she has portrayed as chaotic and mentally incompetent, former UN ambassador Haley said Trump would have to earn the support of moderates who backed her longshot campaign.

Her withdrawal leaves America facing a battle for the White House between two elderly men that many voters say they don’t want, with Trump brushing aside multiple criminal indictments and the scandal over his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election in his pursuit of a comeback.

“We must turn away from the darkness of hatred and division,” the 52-year-old Haley said in Charleston in her home state of South Carolina.

About Trump, she said only that “I wish him well” as he seeks a return to the world’s most powerful office.

She also lamented the US “retreat” on world issues including Ukraine, as Trump and his hard-right Republican allies block aid for Kyiv’s fight against the Russian invasion.

Biden meanwhile swept his Democratic “Super Tuesday” primaries but he must now gear up for Thursday’s State of the Union address, a defining moment as the unpopular 81-year-old seeks to allay voter concerns over his age, the economy and the war in Gaza.

Both men swiftly made their pitch for Haley’s bloc of mainly affluent, moderate Republican voters.

After proclaiming that he had “TROUNCED” Haley, Trump invited them to “join the greatest movement in the history of our nation.” Biden hailed her courage for telling the “truth about Trump” and said there was a place for her supporters in his campaign.

– ‘So conclusive’ –

This year’s Super Tuesday was sapped of suspense as Biden and Trump had effectively secured their parties’ nominations before a ballot was cast.

Former president Trump, 77, swept 14 out of 15 states up for grabs on the biggest day of the 2024 race so far, with Haley denying him only in the northeastern state of Vermont.

“They call it ‘Super Tuesday’ for a reason,” Trump told cheering supporters at his Mar-a-Lago beach club in Florida. “They tell me, the pundits and otherwise, that there has never been one like this, never been anything so conclusive.”

Impeached twice, beaten by seven million votes in 2020 and facing 91 felony charges in four trials, Trump has a profile unlike any US presidential election candidate in history.

Yet his appeal among working-class, rural and white voters on issues like immigration and the economy has propelled him toward the nomination in one of the most lopsided primary seasons ever seen.

“This means the campaign will continue to be Trump’s tour of personal grievance,” Todd Belt, a politics professor at George Washington University, told AFP

He also finally received the backing of Senate Republican Minority leader Mitch McConnell, who had fallen out with Trump over his baseless claims to have won the 2020 election.

– Warning signs –

Biden meanwhile raced to clear wins — minus a loss in tiny Pacific Ocean territory American Samoa — and warned that Trump was “determined to destroy” US democracy.

Biden is now expected to use his State of the Union speech in less than 48 hours to paint the election as a stark choice between himself and an existential threat to the country.

But while the election is set to be a rematch, recent polls give Trump a narrow lead, unlike four years ago when Biden was largely ahead of the vote.

There are also warning signs from a protest vote over Biden’s support for Israel’s offensive on Gaza, with some voters filling out ballots saying “uncommitted” in Minnesota and other states.

Red lights are flashing for Trump too despite his dominant Super Tuesday performance, with signs that traditional voters in key swing states could be turned off by the chaos and scandal swirling around him.

Stephanie Perini-Hegarty voted for Biden in Quincy, Massachusetts.

“I think we need a leader who is not involved in any corruption, and who is going to look out for the best interests of the people,” the 55-year-old told AFP.

AFP

 

FG threatens to revoke license of DisCos over chronic provide 

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FG threatens to revoke license of DisCos over chronic provide 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, threatened to revoke the licenses of power Distribution Companies over persistent poor power supply across the country.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known on Wednesday.

The minister, through his X handle, expressed that the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, and the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria have been summoned to a crucial meeting to explain the current challenges faced nation.

“The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions,” he said.

He lamented the insufficient electricity distribution by the Discos, despite the generation companies, saying “The ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW. Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan,”

He stated his commitment to hold all distribution companies accountable for their performance as “willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed.”

He added, “Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions. During recent supervisory visits to power-generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector.

“Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.”

PSC approves promotion of one,607 DSPs

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PSC approves promotion of one,607 DSPs

The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 1,607 Deputy Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Superintendents.

The Commission had earlier stepped down the consideration of the officers’ promotion at its last management meeting where other recommendations were considered when it noticed some discrepancies in the list.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday.

The statement quoted the Chairman of the Commission and  Retired Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, as saying that the Commission has restored the dignity of the specialists’ cadre in the Nigeria Police Force.

It added that the promotion of the DSPs to SPs saw the elevation of 158 officers in the professional cadre, including 105 in the communication unit, 22 in transport, 10 medical officers, nine nurses and another nine from works.

Arase said, “The Commission will continue to give equal opportunities to all cadres in the Nigeria Police Force. The era where specialists stagnated in one rank is now history.

“The Nigeria Police Force needs these specialists for efficient and effective Policing and promised that the Commission will continue to accord them the required privileges.

“The general duty officers will continue to receive the support of the Commission in the area of prompt and regular promotions. We tasked the newly-promoted officers to reciprocate the Commission’s gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of the nation.”

Arase also warned that the Commission will not hesitate to discipline any officers who undermine the ethics, rules and regulations guiding their conduct.

He also warned them to stay clear of land matters and recovery of rents and other minor issues that can be resolved through alternative dispute resolution or legal processes.

“You need to concentrate on helping the nation win this war against insurgency and banditry and also remember that the Police is the lead Agency in internal security,” he added.

The other professionals promoted to superintendents were six workshop officers, three maritime, and one each from medical and dental units and Band.

A total number of 1,423 DSPs were promoted in the General Duty cadre.

Some of the promoted Officers are the public relations officers for Anambra and Delta states, Tochukwu Anthony Ikenganyia and Bright Edafe.

Others are: Clement Ominiyi Awoyemi, Salami Ganiyu, Dogo Mathew, Finedon Akah, Attahiru Umar, Adamu Wakili, Constance Katu Ekeh, Nuhu Danjuma and Yaha Bashir.

The list also include: Iwuji Barnabas Iliya, ADC to the Rivers State Governor;  Samson Ekeinde, Officer in charge, Safer Highway, Bayelsa State Command; Clement Gladys C, Lagos Command; Usman Nureni and Adibeli Joy.

Enoch Suleiman, Officer in charge of Surveillance,  Zone 5 Benin; Sidi Umar Ahmad, Technical Assistant to the DIG Training and Head of IGP Smart Force Management and Data Base Centre; Patrick Chinwe Anike, Divisional Crime Officer 1, 9th-mile Division, Enugu State Command; Ben Orih, Unit Commander 28 PMF, Umuahia; Nwanaga Innocent Okpuru, OPTS Officer, SPU BASE 28 Owerri, Imo state; Isa y. Ladan, Department of Operations,  Rivers State Command and Moses Omale were some of the other DSPs that got the Commission’s approval for promotion to the next rank of Superintendents.

The approval has been officially communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

P&ID rip-off: Court docket moves out case over ex-director’s loss of life

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P&ID rip-off: Court docket moves out case over ex-director’s loss of life

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday struck out the case against the former Director of Legal, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Grace Taiga. Taiga was accused of bribery in the controversial Gas Supply Processing agreement between Process and Industrial Development and the Federal Government. She was first arraigned on September 20,

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Long run of our youths lies in Nigeria, now not Europe – AfDB boss

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Long run of our youths lies in Nigeria, now not Europe – AfDB boss

The President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on Wednesday, said the future of the Nigerian youths does not lie in any country but in Nigeria.

He said this in Lagos while speaking at the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos.

Adesina was awarded the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award.

Former heads of state, state governors, royal fathers and other distinguished Nigerians.graced the event.

Past winners of the prestigious award are Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and lawyer, Aare Afe Babalola.

Adesina added that Nigerians must make the country a viable place for people to stay and not a place to run away from.

“I refuse to believe that the future of Nigeria’s and Africa’s youths lie in Europe, North America, Asia, or anywhere else. I believe that their future must lie in Africa, growing well, robustly, able to create quality jobs and decent earnings for our young people.

“There is absolutely no reason in the world how we have a demographic asset that then becomes a global negative externality. Let’s take pride in ourselves and let’s make our demographic asset our economic asset globally. I firmly believe that their future lies right here in Nigeria,” he said.

The former Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015 decried the migration to other countries by Nigerians, especially youths, as it does not develop sustainability.

“While one might argue that our growing diaspora is good as they send back billions of dollars, higher than the oil revenue that we have, this is not the way to develop sustainably.

“Nations that develop do all they can to keep their best human capital at home and additional resource skills elsewhere, with flexible immigration and labour policies,” he said.

He said AfDB unveiled a $614m programme to support Nigeria’s digital and creative enterprise to create 6.3 million jobs and add N6.4bn to the economy.

“I always say to myself, how can we have 477 million people under the age of 35 and there are no financial institution? That means we have missing institution and market failure problems and that is why the African Development Bank decided that we will create what we call Youths Entrepreneurship Investment Bank,” Adesina added.

Speaking about the event, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), described Adesina as a brilliant man, who “represents the best of Nigeria.”

“The choice of Dr Akinwumi Adesina can only be described as having been very well done. He represents the best of Nigeria, hardworking, diligent, brilliant, forward-looking, and deeply patriotic,” Gowon stated.

Reps search finish to banditry in Katsina

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Reps search finish to banditry in Katsina

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to be ruthless against criminal elements terrorising innocent Nigerians in Katsina State.

This is coming against the backdrop of the frequent attacks by gunmen in parts of the state.

The resolution by the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on the floor of the House during plenary by the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Mr. Sada Soli.

Addressing his colleagues while moving the motion, the lawmaker expressed concerns over the continuous destruction of lives and property in the North Western state and called for urgent action to stem the tide.

This is just as he lamented what he called the failure of security agencies to rise to the occasion and rid the state of criminals.

“The House calls on Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to direct the security agencies to sustain their pressure on criminals perpetrating violence and criminal activities in Katsina State and the country in general.

“The House urges the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to urgently provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and support the displaced persons across the state,”  Soli said.

Leading the debate earlier, the lawmaker accused security agencies of failing to take immediate and decisive action to address the security challenges in the state, adding that the development necessitated the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected communities to combat banditry and restore peace and order.

He stated that a gang of armed bandits from neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara states were making all efforts to gain control over some communities in Katsina State, noting that as a result, the state is almost on the verge of being “overrun by these criminal elements if no urgent and decisive action is taken to curb the activities of these bandits and restore peace to about 18 Local Governments Areas of the State.”

While commending the security agencies for their successful operation on March 4, 2024, which led to the killing of two notorious bandits, Soli called for sustained pressure on the criminals “so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army killed a notorious terrorist leader, Maikusa, who is reported to be the second-in-command in the hierarchy of terrorists in Katsina State, under the leadership of another terrorist known as Modi Modi.

On March 6, the Katsina State Government released over N10 billion from May 2023 to date for various developmental projects and to tackle insecurity in the 34 Local Government Areas of the state.

The According exclusively learnt that this expenditure is to ensure development at the various council levels and to encourage residents to live and migrate to the rural areas.

10 suspected killers of Zamfara Islamic student arrested

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10 suspected killers of Zamfara Islamic student arrested

The Zamfara State Government said 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mada.

Mada was reportedly murdered in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area on Tuesday.

A statement on Wednesday by the state governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, noted that suspects apprehended by the authorities are members of an outlawed vigilantes group and not members of the state’s Community Protection Guards.

The statement read, “The arrested vigilantes were not authorised by the state government to carry out any form of security operations as they are not part of the Community Protection Guards.

“The security operatives have successfully apprehended all suspected vigilantes behind this heinous crime.

“The Zamfara State Government has taken this matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that all the culprits behind this unfortunate murder are brought to book.

“Every effort will be put in place to ensure justice is served without compromise.

“We want to clarify that the suspected vigilantes behind the extrajudicial murder are not in any way related to the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards.”

The Community Protection Guards is a local community-based security outfit.

He added, “This clarification is expected to put to rest the confusion that arose over the identity of the arrested culprits behind the extrajudicial murder.

“We will never compromise on the protection of the lives and properties of the people.

“We want to inform the public that the Zamfara Community Protection Guards has modus operandi which prevent them from engaging in an operation without the guidance of relevant security operatives.

“Based on the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, it has been discovered that one of the vigilantes who was arrested was a former student of the murdered Sheikh.

“This information can help the authorities better understand the situation and take appropriate actions.

“Zamfara government will share the outcome of the police investigation with the public once it is concluded.

“During this trying time, we sympathise with Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada’s family and the entire community. May his soul rest in peace.”

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