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Vector Pays Emotional Tribute To Late Dad

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Vector Crying During The Burial

LAGOS – One of Nigeria’s finest hardcore rappers, Olanrewaju Ogunmefun, popularly known as Vector Tha Viper, has penned an emotional tribute in memory of his late dad.

The rapper’s dad, who was a police officer, died in July 2017. Today, Monday, July 5, 2021, the rapper posted an emotional tribute to him, with an emotive photo, recalling some of the legacies he left behind before his death.

He wrote; “I had a court case at a time, I lost everything I had (and I hate asking for help from anyone, even my own parents).

My Dad walked into the court room on the day set for hearing and my lawyer in that case lost his shit. “That’s the man I was telling you about all these years” he said to his partner next to him.”

“His friend was killed in a failed brake accident in Ibadan (I think) and when they got there, they were going to shake the driver with all their might and connections but my dad welcomed them in his office and asked if he could read them some Bible passages before they commenced discussions.”

“They left the office letting go. He didn’t see my dad anymore till the day I had a court case he represented me in and my dad walked in.”

“I learnt about resting in peace from the life my dad lived. To say “rest in peace“ is a lie if the person who died didn’t leave good memories of him/herself.”

“If you wonder where my confidence comes from, it is in knowing the son of whom I am. You have seen me smile many days, see me cry, today is different.”









Rotimi Agbana is an experienced Journalist with a number of years on the hallowed profession. Having obtained a degree in English & Literary Studies from Kogi State University, Anyigba, he proceeded to obtain series of trainings in journalism/communications. Being an entertainment journalist of repute in the Nigerian entertainment industry, he has worked closely with the likes of Wizkid, Davido, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Omawumi, etc. He was previously an entertainment reporter with Vanguard Newspaper, before joining Independent Newspapers Limited as the Deputy Online Editor.





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Chief of Army Staff calls for peace, harmony among Nigerians

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Faruk Yahaya has called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. The COAS made the call today Friday 2 July 2021 during Jumma’at Prayers observed to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021 held at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

General Yahaya commended the effort of troops of the Nigerian Army towards restoring peace and keeping the country united. He averred that the Almighty God created all humans to live together in peace.

Earlier in his sermon, the Director Islamic Affairs, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Shehu Mustapha prayed for peace in the country. He described the military service as a noble profession to serve mankind through selfless service to the nation. He also prayed for the protection of troops engaged in various operations across the country and for the repose of the souls of late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and other fallen heroes.

The cleric also prayed for divine guidance and protection for President Mohammadu Buhari and others in the position of leadership. The cleric called on citizens to always support the course of peaceful coexistence in the country.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion were senior military officers, members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, soldiers, families and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army among others.

*ONYEMA NWACHUKWU*
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
2 July 2021

Nigerian, Pakistani military partner to improve defence capabilities

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The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has indicated interest to collaborate with the Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF) in the area of defence capabilities to further boost its operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, stated this when he hosted the Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (PCJCSC), General Nadeem Raza, in Abuja.

The CDS stated that the AFN under his watch would further strengthen the long existing strategic partnership with its Pakistani counterpart on human capacity building, acquisition of military platform and modern communication gadgets.
According to Gen Irabor, “Pakistan stands a good ground for us (AFN) to improve on our defence capabilities”

The CDS reiterated the commitment of the AFN towards partnering with both foreign and regional allies in order to build capacity of its personnel towards meeting the various security threats.

The Pakistani defence chief said he was in Nigeria to seek ways on how to further deepen the scope of the defence cooperation between Pakistan Armed Forces and its Nigerian counterpart.

Gen Raza added that AFN and PAF could also collaborate in the area of defence production capabilities which include manufacturing of armoured tanks, small arms and ammunition, communication equipment amongst others.

Gen Raza added that there was need for both Armed Forces to share their individual experiences in the fight against terrorism which according to him, Nigeria and Pakistan were faced with peculiar security challenges. He reiterated that the PAF will continue to support the AFN in all areas of endeavours aimed at surmounting insecurity.

Sunday Igboho on the Run as DSS Confirms His Residence Attack

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In the early hours (about 0134 hours) of today, 1st July, 2021, a joint team of security operatives raided the residence of Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo a.k.a. SUNDAY IGBOHO at Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State. This was based on intelligence that he had stockpiled arms in the place. On approach to the residence, the team came under heavy gun attack by nine (9) men, suspected to be IGBOHO’s guards. Six (6) of them were armed with AK-47 gun and Three (3) others, with Pump-Action riffles.

2. In the course of the exchange, two (2) of IGBOHO’s armed men were gunned down while the rest were subdued and arrested. Only one operative who was shot by the assailants on his right hand sustained injury. He has however received medical attention and is very stable.

3. Afterwards, the team procedurally searched the house and subsequently recovered the following among others:

i. Seven (7) AK-47 assault rifles;
ii. Three (3) Pump Action guns;
iii. Thirty (30) fully charged AK-47 magazines;
iv. Five Thousand (5,000) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition;
v. Five (5) Cutlasses, One (1) Jack knife, One (1) Pen Knife
vi. Two (2) Pistol holsters;
vii. One (1) binoculars
viii. A wallet containing Five (5) US Dollars in one (1) Dollar denomination; local and international driver’s licences in his name, ATM Cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name;
ix. Two (2) whistles;
x. Fifty (5) Cartridges;
xi. Eighteen (18) Walkie-Talkies;
xii. Three Voodoo charm jackets/traditional body armour;
xiii. Two (2) Laptops (One (1) Toshiba and One (1) Compaq); and
xiv. His International Passport and those of many others (as displayed here). Further exploitation and forensic analysis are ongoing.

4. Aside the items recovered from the building, about thirteen (13) suspects including twelve (12) males and one (1) female were arrested and brought to Abuja. While one suspect is being profiled, the other twelve (12) paraded here are:

i. Abdulateef OFEYAGBE
ii. Amoda BABATUNDE aka Lady K (female)
iii. Tajudeen ERINOYEN
iv. Diakola ADEMOLA
v. Abideen SHITTU
vi. Jamiu NOAH
vii. Ayobami DONALD
viii. Adelabe USMAN
ix. Oluwafelumi KUNLE
x. Raji KAZEEM
xi. Taiwo OPEYEMI and
xii. Bamidele SUNDAY.

5. Highlights of this brief are to:

i. Inform Nigerians and the world that Sunday IGBOHO and his group, in the guise of campaign for self-determination, have become well-armed and determined to undermine public order. This, the arrests and seizures are, no doubt, a confirmation of a grand plan by IGBOHO and his cohorts to wage a violent insurrection against the Nigerian State.

ii. Alert foreign missions and licencing authorities within and outside Nigeria about this development and the possibility that IGBOHO could declare some of his personal permit and identity cards missing in order to seek their replacement.
iii. Apprise stakeholders that the Five (5) AK-47 assault rifles recovered from the building are suspected to be those collected by IGBOHO’s men from Nigerian Customs and Immigration personnel at Idi Iroko, Ogun State.

 

6. The gun duel which lasted for an hour offered IGBOHO the chance to escape. Sunday ADEYEMO a.k.a Sunday IGBOHO is now on the run. IGBOHO may run as far as he can. He may hide as long as he wants. He might have attacked security operatives as his strength carried him. But this will be the end of his shenanigans. Soon, he will not have a hiding place. His strength will sure fail him. And the law will catch up with him. The law may be slow. But it will be steady.

7. Consequently, ADEYEMO/IGBOHO is advised to turn himself in to the nearest security agency. Those cheering and eulogising him may appeal to or advise him to do the needful. He should surrender himself to the appropriate authorities. He or anyone can never be above the law. Meanwhile, those arrested will be charged accordingly.

 

Nigerian housewife Elizabeth Omeh has petitioned for a divorce from her husband

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After more than three years of marriage, a Nigerian housewife named Elizabeth Omeh has petitioned the Ebonyi Family Law Centre, a special Family Court located in the state, for the dissolution of her union because she has been unable to be sexually satisfied by her husband.

Elizabeth also revealed how her husband nearly choked her to death after she refused to have sex with him, forcing her to flee to her mother’s house.

She alleged that her husband, James, had not had a sexual relationship with her in more than a year, and she bemoaned bitterly that every time she attempted to seduce him, he responded by beating him.

Moreover, Elizabeth disclosed to the court that she had grown tired of the marriage and had decided to return the dowry money she had received from the father of her husband to his family.

Read also: Insecurity: Illegal possession, importation of firearms to attract 3-year jail term

Her husband’s family, according to the woman, changed the man they initially introduced as her husband and brought in a sick man to marry her. She is a nurse and a native of Ngbo in the Ohaukwu local government area of the state, and she is a nurse by profession. She requested that the marriage be annulled because of the man’s deteriorating health and his family’s deceitful treatment of her during their courtship.

James, on the other hand, denied all of the allegations, claiming that he had no issues with his wife.

Ms. Elizabeth Nwali, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Family Law Centre, expressed her thoughts on the situation, saying, “Since the woman has stated that she will not continue with the marriage due to deception, constant beating, and the man’s state of health, which requires medical attention, we cannot force her to stay.”

Five oil thieves have been convicted and sentenced to prison

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In a ruling handed down by Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, five oil thieves have been convicted and sentenced to various prison terms.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, also known as the EFCC, was responsible for bringing the convicts to court.

Those found guilty included Salisu Abubakar, Aliyu Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Sambo Yahaya, Musa Mohammed, and Abbas Melle, all of whom pleaded “guilty” to charges of dealing in petroleum products without the proper license.

Melle was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, while Abubakar, Umar, Yahaya, and Mohammed were each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Read also: FG approves payment of outstanding pension liabilities

In addition, Abubakar, Umar, and Yahaya were sentenced to prison under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007; Mohammed and Melle were found guilty under Section 1 (18) (a) I of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007. Abubakar, Umar,

Abubakar, Mohammed, and Melle were sentenced to prison by Justice Obile on Monday, June 28, 2021, while Umar and Yahaya were sentenced to prison on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

One of the convicts was charged with a single count of a separate charge, which read as follows:

That you Aliyu Mohammed Umar on or about the 31st day of December, 2017 at Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Port Harcourt Rivers state within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court dealt in petroleum products to wit: Automated Gas Oil (AGO) conveyed in a truck with Registration number: EKY 157 XS and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 (1) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code and punishable under

The convicts, on the other hand, were given a variety of good options.

Abubakar and Melle were given the option of paying a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) each, whereas Umar, Yahaya, and Mohammed were given the option of paying a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000.00) each.

Truck FKY 206 YF was ordered to be sold by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and the proceeds of the sale were to be deposited into the Federal Government’s Account, according to Justice Obile’s ruling.

It also stated that the products on board the truck with the registration number XA 327 JMT would be forfeited to the government and that both trucks would be released to their respective owners after a thorough inspection.

The journey of the convicts to the Correctional Centre began when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took over the investigation of their cases from the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on various dates.

Several trucking companies were involved in the cases, including an Iveco Tanker with the registration number XA 521 KBG, a Mack Tanker with the registration number River GGU 138 XA, and three other trucks with registration numbers EKY 157 XS, FKY 206YF, and XA 327 JMT. These individuals were all apprehended at various locations while loading petroleum products suspected to contain illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Troops kill 73 terrorists and rescue 55 victims -DHQ

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According to the Defence Headquarters, Operation Hadin Kai troops in the North East have killed 73 Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in less than two weeks.

Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, the acting Director of the Defence Media Operation, revealed this during a press conference.

On Thursday in Abuja, he briefed journalists on military operations between June 18 and June 30.

The troops also recovered a large cache of arms and equipment from the terrorists in the area, according to Onyeuko.

various encounters over the course of the period.

He went on to say that on June 27, the troops had received a total of 55 terrorist camp escapees.

15 adult males, 12 adult females, and 27 children surrendered to them in Borno’s Darajemel.

He said 73 terrorists were killed, with 44 AK-47 rifles, two PKTs, seven anti-aircraft guns, and seven gun trucks among the weapons used.

Ammunition of various calibres, as well as weapon cleaning supplies, was discovered.

Blankets, food, vehicles, generators, IED materials, religious scripts, and other items were also recovered, he said.

Another feat was accomplished on the same day, according to the acting director, when the air component of Operation Hadin Kai was coordinated.

Multiple airstrikes in the Borno region’s Lake Chad axis destroyed some terrorist commanders’ strongholds.

He went on to say, “Airstrikes were launched against terrorist camps in the towns of Sabon Tumbu, Jibularam, and Kwalaram in the state.

Read also: 8 Boko Haram terrorists surrender as troops rescue more captives

“Terrorists’ spiritual bases and training camps in the north-east of Borno State and on the outskirts of Lake Chad were destroyed by air bombardment during the air operations.

“This followed a credible intelligence report revealing that some top ISWAP/BHT commanders were meeting at the aforementioned locations.

“As a result, the Air Component mobilized on NAF platforms with force packages and launched attacks on the targets.”

During that time, Onyeuko said, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and other security agencies in the North West carried out a series of land and air operations in various locations.

He explained that the operations resulted in the capture and arrest of kidnappers and drug dealers who admitted to supplying illegal drugs to miners and other criminals.

According to the spokesman, the operations resulted in the deaths of a large number of bandits, the peaceful resolution of farmer/herder clashes, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the recovery of rustled livestock.

“The operations also resulted in the rescue of kidnapping victims in various locations, including a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi, and a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi.

“At Tangaza LGA in Sokoto State, some gunrunners and bandit logistics suppliers, including one Lawali Na Habu, were apprehended with trucks loaded with large quantities of AGO, and one Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, a wanted notorious bandit, was also apprehended.

“During this time, the air component also carried out a number of air operations, provided Close Air Support to ground troops, and dominated the airspace.

“Overall, troops have continued to dominate the theater of operations with aggressive fighting and confidence-building patrols to reassure citizens of the military’s commitment to eliminating all forms of criminality in the zone,” he said.

Anambra Assembly passes Hydroform, Concrete Agency Establishment Bill

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The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the establishment of the Anambra State Hydroform and Concrete Agency to reduce the cost of building construction and housing in the state.

The Assembly passed the bill after Third Reading on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

The lawmakers took turns to perfect some corrections in the 27-clause bill before it was finally passed.

The Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, conducted a voice vote on each of the sections of the bill before passage by the House.

Okafor said: “Having considered the Third Reading for the bill – Anambra State Hydroform and Concrete Agency Establishment Law 2021, and to provide for other related matters – the bill is hereby passed.”

The speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Pius Udo to forward a clean copy of the bill to Gov. Willie Obiano for his assent.

According to the bill, the Agency will be solely empowered to produce blocks for the construction of government buildings.

It says that the agency would be saddled with the responsibility of determining prices for the products and ensure it is affordable and cheaper for the state government.

It also said that the agency shall develop strategy for diversifying into other block making businesses in the near future.

“The agency would develop the strategy for commercialising the products as may be directed by the governor

“It shall ensure that government and its institutions pay for any service rendered by the agency,” it said.

Insecurity: Illegal possession, importation of firearms to attract 3-year jail term

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The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill which provides for 3-year jail term or N3 million naira fine or both, as  penalties for anyone caught illegally possessing or dealing in firearms in Nigeria.

Titled, “Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021,” the piece of legislation amends Section 35 (2) of the Principal Act which previously provided a fine of just N1,000 naira as penalty.

The amendment to Section 35(2), which is captured in Clause 4 of the bill, provides for stiffer penalties for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions by any individual, organization or corporate entity.

The passage of the amendment bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The Senate sequel to receiving the Committee’s report, dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to carry out a clause-by-clause consideration of the Committee’s recommendations on the bill.

The upper chamber inserted a new Section 39 after Section 38 of the Principal Act, to make it lawful for any officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and officers of other law enforcement agencies to seize and confiscate any illicit and illegal firearms imported into the country without any valid import documents or firearms in possession of any individual, corporate bodies and other organizations, without a valid license.

The new section empowers the head of agency responsible for the seizure, to create a place for safe custody of the firearms, as well as designate officers whose responsibility it shall be to record the details of the firearms in a database.

It further provides that the agency responsible for the confiscation or seizure of illegal firearms shall within fourteen days (14) days deposit the confiscated and seized firearms  with the Office of the National Security Adviser, who shall act as the Central Coordinating Body for all illicit and illegal firearms seized by any law enforcement agency.

Upon receipt of the confiscated illegal firearms, the new Section provides that the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the Armed Forces shall assess and separate the firearms that are of military serviceable grades to be deployed to the military; and serviceable but not of military grades to be deployed for use by Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and Registered Vigilantes under the approval and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Also, in accordance with Section 39 subsection (4), same provides that arrangement shall be put in place by the Office of the National Security Adviser for the destruction of the unserviceable firearms during a destruction ceremony.

However, the destruction ceremony referred to in subsection (6) gives the Office of the National Security Adviser a maximum period of two months to carry out same after seizure of illegal firearms.

In addition, the Senate inserted new Section 41 in the Principal Act which provides for the recycling of waste materials from destroyed firearms.

Under the new Section, the Minister in charge of Defence is required to develop a policy for recycling and reusing waste materials such as metal, wood and plastic derived from the destruction of firearms seized pursuant to the provision of the bill in order to generate revenue and produce objects with practical artistic and symbolic value.

FG approves payment of outstanding pension liabilities

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The Federal Government has given presidential approval for  payment of outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The Head of Corporate Communication at National Pension Commission (PenCom) Mr Peter Aghahowa, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said, “PenCom is pleased to inform all its stakeholders, particularly retirees of Treasury-funded Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that President Muhammadu Buhari  has approved PenCom’s submission.”

The submission was on the payment of some critical aspects of the outstanding pension liabilities of the Federal Government under the CPS specifically.

Aghahowa said payment of the outstanding accrued pension rights was for verified and enrolled retirees of treasury-funded MDAs retired but yet to be paid their benefits and backlog of death benefits due to beneficiaries of deceased employees.

Aghahowa said payment of 2.5 percent differential in the rate of employer pension contribution for Federal Government retirees and employees resulted from increase in the minimum pension contribution for employers from 7.5 percent  to 10 percent in line with Section 4 of the Pension Reform Act, (PRA) 2014.

He said that payments for retirees and existing employees would begin from July 2014.

Aghahowa said the Federal Government was expected to continue with the payment of the 10 percent rate of employer pension contribution for its employees, thus ensuring a remittance of at least 18 percent monthly (employer 10 percent and employee 8 percent) as provided by the PRA 2014.

He said the  funds had already been made available for the settlement of the above stated pension liabilities.

Also, he said that remittance into the various Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of the affected retirees and employees were currently being processed.

Aghahowa said the affected retirees and employees would be notified in due course by their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

“The settlement of the outstanding accrued pension rights of verified and enrolled FGN retirees and compliance with the reviewed rate of pension contributions are significant developments, that have resolved the challenges in these aspects that have lingered since 2014,” he said.

Aghahowa added that the board and management of the commission reiterated their appreciation to the president for his untiring support, commitment to the implementation of the CPS and ensuring the welfare of retirees.