The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed as misleading a report on the abduction of 11 people at the Amechi-Idodo area of the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway on Wednesday.
The command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement on Friday in Enugu that the report was aimed at creating panic in the state.
Ndukwe said that the stance given in an online publication was a total distortion of facts surrounding the incident of an attempted abduction along the road.
The spokesman pointed out that a joint security team moved to the Enugu/Ebonyi States border point along the highway after receiving a report on the activities of criminals and rescued the occupants of a commercial bus in the area.
He said: “Hence, they rescued 13 occupants of a Nissan commercial bus. However, three others, who scampered into nearby bushes upon the attack, are yet to be located.
“The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the sustenance of ongoing operations to locate and rescue the three missing victims and also hunt down the assailants.
“The commissioner further cautions reporters and publishers to always verify their facts before going to press.”
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Police dismisses report on abduction of 11 passengers in Enugu
Niger Republic jailbreak: Immigrations steps up border patrol in Niger
The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has beefed up its presence and intensified its patrols across border communities to curb the influx of hardened terrorists into the state.
A statement signed by the command’s head of the Media and Public Relations Unit, Mukhtar Abubakar, in Minna, said that the step was taken to nip in the bud any unforeseen security breaches.
He said the move was a result of a memo that directed state and zonal commands of the service to intensify and increase their patrol of border towns to curtail the influx of some notorious terrorists that escaped from prison due to a jailbreak in the Niger Republic.
Abubakar explained: “The memo from the Controller General of the Service, Kemi Nana Nandap, directed all immigration formations within border communities in their respective states and zonal commands to be on the alert to curtail the movement of unusual faces within the border areas.”
Abubakar further asserted that the command has already placed men on border patrol and on red alert to assist in intensifying their patrols along the border towns across the state to checkmate suspicious movement.
According to him: “We are not taking any chances. We are already on top of the situation to curtail and checkmate any unusual movement in our border communities in the state.
“Our border patrol squads are already on top of the situation with the aim of checking the influx of suspicious movement of any character within our border towns and communities.”
He also urged the general public to assist the command with useful and credible information on the strange faces in their midst to assist the command in taking proactive action.
Niger Republic jailbreak: Immigrations steps up border patrol in Niger
NGX: Equities market ends week with N20bn gain for investors
The Nigerian equities market ended the week’s trading with a N20 billion gain for investors on Friday.
This followed an increase in the share prices of stocks like SOVRENINS, CUSTODIAN, and NAHCO amongst others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization increased to N56.92 trillion from N56.90 trillion posted by the bourse on Thursday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 100,539.40 from 100,503.21 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was negative as 16 stocks advanced and 28 declined, while 71 others remained unchanged in 9,988 deals.
SOVRENINS, CUSTODIAN, and NAHCO led other gainers with 4.26%, 4.17%, and 3.41% growth in share price each to close at N0.49, N10.00, and N39.40 from the previous N0.47, N9.60, and N38.10 per share.
On the flip side, CUTIX, ABC TRANS, and TANTALIZER led other price decliners as they shed 8.55%, 8.33%, and 8.16% each to close at N5.99, N0.77, and N0.45 from the initial N6.55, N0.84, and N0.49 per share.
On the volume index, FCMB led trading with 114 million shares valued at N869 million in 218 deals followed by JAIZ BANK which traded 103 million shares valued at N224 million in 151 deals.
UCAP traded 56 million shares valued at N2.29 billion in 1480 deals.
On the value index, UCAP recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N2.29 billion in 1480 deals followed by GTCO which traded equities worth N1.69 billion in 521 deals.
ZENITH BANK traded stocks worth N1.09 billion in 569 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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APC, police disagree over attack on Okpebholo, Shaibu in Edo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo has accused the state police command of complicity in the attack on its governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, and the reinstated deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
Gunmen attacked the duo while leaving the Benin Airport shortly after they arrived from Abuja on Thursday.
A police inspector was killed while three other operatives were seriously wounded in the attack.
At a media briefing on Friday, the Director of Media, APC Campaign Council for the September 21 election in the state, Kassim Afegbua, demanded the sack of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye.
He said the killing of the police officer was witnessed by the CP.
Afegbua said the party had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to look into the case and check how the police commissioner undermined the role of the police.
According to him, some members of the party who saw the CP at the airport shared the intelligence of what was about to happen, but he unfortunately ignored it.
He said: “It is disheartening to observe that while the ruthless shootings were going on, Adeboye was on ground at the Benin Airport and he did nothing to repel the vicious attack which led to the death of one of his officers.
“As fate would have it, it was our candidate’s police attaché that was killed, while our candidate and the deputy governor missed death by the whiskers.
“From eye witness account, it is very clear that some of these hoodlums are members of the Edo Vigilante Network who were fully knitted in their uniforms.
“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, has willfully undermined the responsibility placed on him by law, that is protection of lives and property within his jurisdiction.
“As at today, Edo State is in a state of lawlessness occasioned by the non-control of the source of weapons being paraded by members of Edo State Vigilante Network who were recruited without any formal training.”
He described the attack on the APC candidate as an assassination attempt.
Adegboye, however, absolved himself of blame in the mayhem.
He dismissed claim that intelligence was shared with him before the attack.
“I had information that some people gathered at the airport, supporters and I went in there because our goal is to maintain law and order. Where we discover we have a crowd, we will go there.
“So we were there, myself and my men and it was after these people left the airport that we learnt about the shooting which led to the death of the inspector.
“Nobody gave me any intelligence of what was about to happen. There was no single incidence at the premises of the airport,” the CP stated.
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LP ward executives in Rivers suspend actress Hilda Dokubo
The Labour Party has suspended actress-turned-politician, Hilda Dokubo, over alleged financial misappropriation.
She was also accused of abusing her position and violating party rules, among other things.
The thespian, who once served as special adviser on youth affairs to former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, was suspended by her ward executives in the Asari Toru local government area of the state on Thursday.
READ ALSO: Buhari is sexist –Hilda Dokubo
In a letter signed by the ward chairman, Ajalamonia Ibama, and the secretary, Lole Amacheer, the ward executives said they took the decision after a comprehensive investigation of the claims against the 54-year-old actress.
They said considerable evidence had been discovered to support their charges against Dokubo, who has refused to respond to the allegations against her.
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New service scheme: ASUP mobilises for strike
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, may go on strike if the Federal Government refuses to withdraw its new scheme of service approved by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.
TVN reports that the two-week ultimatum issued the Federal Government will expire on Monday.
Chairman of ASUP, Federal Poly, Offa, Dr Atilola Moses Idowu, disclosed this to TVN in Ilorin on Friday.
He said a resolution to this effect was taken in line with the directive of the national body of the union at the congress of the union’s chapter held on Thursday in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara state.
The union asked the NBTE to withdraw the new scheme of service for polytechnic lecturers or risk a strike.
ASUP, raised concerns in some areas of the new scheme which required amendment, including dichotomy against HND holders in other cadres, allowing at least one skipping for all cadres as it is done other tertiary institutions in Nigeria and not elongating the waiting period for all promotions beyond three years.
“These observations from the Committee of Rectors of federal polytechnics, polytechnic staff unions, and the national association of polytechnic students, have been forwarded to the Head of Service of the Federation,” it stated.
New service scheme: ASUP mobilises for strike
Actor Chinedu Ikedieze unveils new wife
Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze aka Aki has presented his new wife, Stephanie Promise, to the public.
This came after the 46-year-old actor parted ways with his first wife, Nneoma Nwajah.
Ikedieze announced his separation from Nneoma on Tuesday, saying he is now married to Stephanie, with whom he had a child.
The versatile thespian announced on Instagram while celebrating the woman’s birthday and revealed that they have additional children together.
He wrote: “My world, my love. On this particular day, I want to celebrate not only your birthday but the incredible journey we’ve been on together. You have blessed our lives with two beautiful girls who light up our world, and now, we have been gifted with a precious baby boy.
READ ALSO: Actor Aki says he contemplated suicide when he was being bullied for his stunted growth (Video)
“Watching you embrace motherhood with grace and strength fills me with awe. You are the heart of our family, the rock we all lean on. Your love and dedication to me and our children are unparalleled, and I am endlessly grateful for the life we are building together.”
However, Aki, who has appeared in over 150 films in his 22-year career, did not reveal when his first marriage ended or when the second was contracted.
Aki and his first wife Nneoma had their traditional wedding on November 26, 2011, in Obolo, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.
The white wedding took place on December 9, 2011, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God – Abundant Grace Parish in Ogba, Lagos.
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Crime in Nigeria has reduced – IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said on Friday that the crime rate in the country is on the decline.
The IGP addressed State House reporters after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in the company of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
According to him, the president wants the security heads to synergise and bring crime to the barest minimum.
“Mr President is satisfied with our report; he has challenged us to continue to work together and improve our synergy,” he said.
“We have records of all reported crimes across the country and can tell you that crime rate is declining in Nigeria.
“Records don’t lie; the records are there so I can assure you that we will continue to do what we are doing to maintain the decline in the crime rate.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff called on citizens to join hands together in the fight against crimes.
He said that President Tinubu is aware of the ills and cries of the oil-producing communities, insisting that the Nigerian leader is not going to let them down.
“For the criminals, those that are hell-bent on stealing our infrastructure, stealing our crude for whatever reasons their days are numbered,” he added.
He warned criminals stealing the nation’s natural resources that “we are coming after them.”
He further urged Nigerians: “We all need to put our heads together to achieve this success. Nobody can do it alone, no single service, no single individual can do this.”
Crime in Nigeria has reduced – IGP Egbetokun
Cholera vaccine to arrive Nigeria soon – GAVI
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, Gavi, said on Friday that cholera vaccines will soon arrive in Nigeria.
The chief executive officer of Gavi, Sania Nishtar, confirmed this in a statement on his X page.
According to him, GAVI is ready to work with its partners, UNICEF and WHO, to help curb the ongoing outbreak.
“We stand ready to work with our partners, UNICEF and WHO, to support Minister Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s federal ministry of health, and the NCDC’s timely efforts to contain this outbreak and protect those at highest risk.
“Despite the large number of cholera outbreaks this year, our stockpile is now fully replenished, and production continues at maximum capacity,” he said.
Meanwhile, a total of 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths have been recorded in 34 states in Nigeria.
Cholera vaccine to arrive Nigeria soon – GAVI
CBN finally takes over dormant accounts, to invest funds in treasury bills
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a fresh directive to banks and financial institutions operating in Nigeria about dormant accounts.
In the new directives, the apex bank will take over the funds in such dormant accounts and invest them in treasury bills and other securities.
This was contained in a circular FPR|DIR|PUB|CIR|002|011 released on Friday by John S. Onojah, Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department and titled: “Guidelines On Management Of Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Balances And Other Financial Assets In Banks And Other Financial Institutions In Nigeria”.
The apex bank unveiled the draft stage of the guidelines in April.
However, in the latest circular the apex bank noted that it would open and maintain an account earmarked for the purpose of warehousing unclaimed balances in eligible accounts.
“CBN shall treat unclaimed balances (dormant accounts and financial assets) as follows: Open and maintain an Unclaimed Balances Trust Fund (UBTF) Pool Account’, maintain records of the beneficiaries of the unclaimed balances warehoused in the UBTF Pool Account; invest the funds in Nigerian treasury bills (NTBs) and other securities as may be approved by the ‘Unclaimed Balances Management Committee’.
“Refund the principal and interest (if any) on the invested funds to the beneficiaries not later than ten (10) working days from the date of receipt of the request. Where it is imperative to extend the timeline, a notice of extension shall be communicated to the requesting FI stating reasons for the extension,” it stated.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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