The Nigerian Airforce on Friday, said its Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, carried out reconnaissance missions along the Kolo Creek trunkline and Soku Sambarth lines and destroyed Canoes and illegal sites at Obenibokiri in Rivers State.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force in a statement on Friday, said the crew scanned the Right of Way of the pipeline with no sign of breach observed.
According to him, midway along the line, a leak was observed with some persons suspected to be staff of an oil company attempting to fix the leakage but the team while extending the patrol towards the end of the line revealed no sign of illegal activities.
It said the aircraft proceeded to Soku-Sambarth, identified Soku Gas station, and carried out a further scan of the general environment with no sign of illegal activities observed, but on their return journey, the crew sighted 6 canoes loaded with suspected stolen oil products, which were subsequently destroyed.
“Flying overhead Obenibokiri, a settlement about 15 Km away from Port Harcourt, the crew spotted 8 active Illegal Refining Sites with overhead tanks and one with over 300 piled up sacks containing suspected stolen oil products. These were all effectively destroyed.” It further said.
NAF Operation Delta Safe destroys canoes, illegal sites in Rivers
NAF Operation Delta Safe destroys canoes, illegal sites in Rivers
Tinubu to attend AU meeting in Ghana
All appears set for President Bola Tinubu to depart Abuja for Accra, Ghana, to participate in the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU).
The meeting will also deliberate on the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.
Tinubu in his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will address the meeting on the status of regional integration across various areas in Africa, highlighting the achievements and challenges encountered in West Africa since the last meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2023.
The President and Chairman of ECOWAS will equally present the ‘2024 Report on the State of the Community’, focusing on peace, regional security, governance, economic integration, humanitarian and social development, energy, mines and agriculture.
The event is being convened under the AU theme of the year 2024: ‘Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century.’
The Mid-Year Coordination Meeting was conceptualized in 2017 as the principal forum for the AU and the RECs to align their work and coordinate the implementation of the continental integration agenda, replacing the June/July summits.
In July 2023, President Tinubu, who was then elected as the Chairman of ECOWAS, delivered his maiden speech at the AU Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, where he affirmed Africa’s strength and the need for unity.
In Accra, the items on the agenda will include evaluating the AU’s early warning and conflict prevention mechanisms and promoting cooperation among regional economic communities to accelerate integration.
A declaration will be adopted at the end of the meeting.
“The President, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, will return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting,” a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity added on Friday.
Tinubu to attend AU meeting in Ghana
I will carry Tinubu on my head if he ends govt’s reckless spending – Momodu
Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says he will personally carry President Bola Tinubu on the head if he’s able to cut the reckless spending of his government and make palpable sacrifices.
Momodu stated this in a post on his X handle on Friday, while criticising Doyin Okupe, ex-spokesman to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for supporting Tinubu’s government.
He said the people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and instead thereof he is defending a profligate government with untenable economic ‘hocus pocus’.
Momodu went on to say that no government can succeed with advisers like Okupe.
Part of his post read: “My dear Egbon, DR DOYIN OKUPE, I’m more amazed at your flip-flops Sir. You’re Reno’s senior in engaging in sophistry since your days as Obasanjo’s Spokesman in 1999, till you fell out.
“You’ve defended almost all governments since then with your eloquence. What has Nigeria gained?
“The people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and you’re both defending a profligate government with untenable economic hocus pocus…
“I will personally carry Tinubu on my head if he’s able to cut the reckless spending of his government, make palpable sacrifices, ignite an agricultural revolution, empower our brilliant and energetic youths with vocational grants instead of distributing cash to phantom politicians, etc… But with advisers like you, no government can succeed.”
I will carry Tinubu on my head if he ends govt’s reckless spending – Momodu
Three months after, NCoS unveils identities of 31 Suleja prison escapees
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed the identities of 31 of the inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State on April 24, 2024.
The inmates numbering over 100, had staged an audacious prison break following a heavy downpour which affected parts of the perimeter fence and since then, a large majority of them have not been recaptured while a few have been caught and returned to the prison.
However, spokesman of the NCoS, ACC Abubakar Umar, in a statement on Thursday, said only 31 of the fleeing inmates were still at large and went on to reveal their identities.
The statement reads:
“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to publish the information of some escapees from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, FCT Command, which is as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the facility’s perimeter wall following a heavy downpour on Wednesday, 24 April, 2024.
“This has become pertinent in an effort to recapture them and bring them back to custody.
READ ALSO:118 inmates escape Suleja correctional centre as rainstorm wrecks havoc
“The information of the fugitives are hereby published for sister security agencies as well as the general public to look out for them in an attempt to recapture them and bring them back to the facility.
“The public is further enjoined to cooperate with the Service to recapture these fleeing inmates as they pose danger to public safety and national security.
“The general public is further informed that the Nigerian Correctional Service has since deployed overt and covert strategies towards recapturing all escapees, while ensuring that security in custodial facilities nationwide is beefed up to forestall any security breaches.
“If any of the escapees is sighted, the public can report to the nearest security agent or agency or may call the following numbers: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006. The public can also contact us through our email on: info@corrections.gov.ng or complaintsresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng”.
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Zamfara CP blames hunger, starvation on banditry
Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan has blamed the hunger starvation ravaging the North on bandits, saying the bandits did not give farmers the chance to do their farming activities last year.
The Commissioner stated that eighty-five per cent of farmers in Northern Nigeria last year could not have access to their farms, pointing out that it was not caused by the government.
Dalijan further explained that there is hope this year as more than eighty-seven percent of the farmers have returned to their farms due to the improved security situation, saying that many of the bandits want to repent and drop their banditry activities.
He stated this when he held talks with stakeholders at the Police Command Headquarters in Gusau, the State capital, aimed at persuading them to stop the planned protest against hunger in the country.
He described those who are planning to embark on the protest as criminals, bandits, illegal miners, armed robbers and unemployed youth who want to take advantage of the opportunity to break into people’s shops to loot valuables.
The State Police boss admitted that Zamfara residents are suffering from bandits’ attacks, saying that if any form of protest is allowed, it could worsen the insecurity situation in the state which was why he convened the stakeholders to discuss with those concerned to shelve their idea.
Speaking, the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Sani Halilu, reminded the CP that everyone knows that the situation is bad in Nigeria, which calls for urgent measures to tackle it to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.
He stressed that the Commissioner called for stronger collaboration between the civil populace and security agencies in tackling the lingering security challenges ravaging Zamfara State.
Zamfara CP blames hunger, starvation on banditry
I did not betray Peter Obi, he was the one who betrayed Atiku —Okupe
Former Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign in the 2023 presidential election, Doyin Okupe, has responded to accusations by supporters of Peter Obi generally known as Obidients, that he betrayed his principal before and after the election.
Okupe who opened up in an interview on Thursday, said rather than be called a traitor, it was actually Obi who betrayed Atiku Abubakar after he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party candidate whom he was a running mate to in the 2019 presidential election.
In the interview, Okupe narrated how he convinced Obi to dump the PDP when he realised the opposition party won’t give him its presidential ticket and decided to support Obi’s presidential ambition after his discussion with elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo in 2022.
He also confessed that there was no way the Labour Party could have won the presidential election in 2023 as the party lacked the capacity to win a national election.
The former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan however, made a shocking revelation that the Labour Party, like other parties, also rigged the 2023 election but could still not win.
READ ALSO:Obi is a political jobber, he will dump LP like Okupe, Balami —Bwala
Responding to the allegations of betraying Obi, Okupe said:
“Atiku brought Peter Obi into national politics and he went ahead to betray him due to his personal interests. What joined Peter Obi and I was to stop another Northern candidate from replacing Buhari.
“I have been around since 1978, my political journey is not tied to Peter Obi and I can say my truth,” he quipped.
Going further, he said:
“We didn’t have the structure to win a national election, neither did we have agents in about 80% of the polling unit, how can we win an election that way, Tinubu clearly won the 2023 Elections, every party rigged including Labour Party
“Our initial ambition and main reason for leaving the PDP was for a Southerner and Tinubu has won and I’m very happy.
“Talking about betrayal, I didn’t betray Peter Obi, it is Peter Obi who betrayed Atiku Abubakar who was his master”, he said.
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263 Boko Haram terrorists surrender at Nigeria-Cameroon border – Army
The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, has reported a significant surrender of 263 Boko Haram terrorists and their families at the Nigeria-Cameroon border between July 10 and July 17, 2024.
This development comes as Operation Lake Sanity 2 continues to make strides in the region.
A statement signed on Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Chief Military Public Information Officer at HQ MNJTF N’djamena, Chad, detailed the wave of surrenders that began on July 11, 2024
He said, “On that day, five terrorists surrendered to MNJTF troops in Wulgo, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“Preliminary information indicated that these individuals were from Tumbuma and Kutumgulla in Marte Local Government Area, Nigeria.
The statement went further to explain the progression of surrenders, stating:
“July 11: Malum Kori Bukar, a 50-year-old, escaped from the Jibilaram hideout and surrendered. Additionally, 19 terrorists surrendered in Madaya, Extreme North Cameroon, and another 11 surrendered in Wulgo from the Tumbuma hideout.
“July 12: 64 individuals surrendered in Bonderi, Cameroon, including 6 adult males, 20 women, and 38 children.
“July 13: 27 terrorists surrendered.
“July 15: Another 102 individuals surrendered in Bonderi, Extreme North Cameroon, including 20 adult men, 40 women, and 42 children. Additionally, 5 individuals surrendered in Wulgo, with 2 coming from the Tumbuma hideout, southern Lake Chad.
“July 16: 2 more terrorists surrendered.
“July 17: A total of 48 terrorists and their families surrendered, comprising 10 adult males, 15 females, and 23 children.
The statement further revealed that all the surrendered individuals are Nigerians. Consequently, they have been handed over to the troops of Operation HADIN KAI for further action.
263 Boko Haram terrorists surrender at Nigeria-Cameroon border – Army
NCoS releases more pictures of Suleja prison escapees
The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has released additional names and pictures of inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State.
Recall that the escape occurred on April 24 when heavy rainfall destroyed the prison walls, leading to the breakout of 118 inmates.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, attributed the incident to the old and weakened state of the facility’s walls and assured that the federal government would take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
On June 6, NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar announced that 23 of the escapees had been recaptured. Subsequently, on June 15, the NCoS published the names of 18 remaining fugitives on its website.
These inmates are Ogbonna Kingsley, Auwal Mohammed, Mustapha Ibrahim, Suleiman Sani, Raphael Kelly, Abdullahi Babangida, Idris Bashir, Umar Mustapha, Ayuba Obedience, Lamido Gambo, Garba Fidelis, Mohammed Jibrin, Sylvester Allison, Albert Israel, Edoga Okwudili, Olaiya Stephen, Ibrahim Aminu, and Audu Usman.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Abubakar Umar released the names and pictures of 13 still missing escapees.
This brings the total number of publicly identified fugitives to 31, including those previously listed.
The new set of escapees listed includes Tasiu Mohammed, Philip Ola, Mohammed Lawal, Buba Bello, Biyo Flamingo, Onyedikachi Emeka, Augustine Uden, Gambo Lamido, Sani Muhajid, Abubakar Hashiru, Haruna Salisu, Solomon Gkwangurum, and Aliyu Ismaila.
The NCoS spokesperson said the service has implemented “overt and covert” strategies to ensure the recapture of the escapees.
“The information of the fugitives is hereby published for sister security agencies as well as the general public to look out for them in an attempt to recapture them and bring them back to the facility,” he said.
”The NCoS has provided several contact options for the public to report sightings of the escapees, the statement said.
”The NCoS urges anyone with information on the whereabouts of the fugitives to promptly contact the nearest security agent or agency.”
NCoS releases more pictures of Suleja prison escapees
Gov Otu acknowledges potential of Ogoja State when created
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has acknowledged the potential benefits of Ogoja State if it materialises.
He has advised that the processes for its actualization be pursued without rancour and acrimony.
The governor spoke when he played host to leaders of Abi and Yakurr local government areas of the State who visited him to reaffirm their enduring allegiance and that they elect to remain an integral part of Cross River State should Ogoja State materialize.
The governor, however, expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of creating the amplified Ogoja State out of the present Cross River State.
But he has advocated for a peaceful and orderly pursuit of the people’s aspirations to have another state given the vastness of the present Cross River State.
Otu assured of the security of lives and properties regardless of any outcomes related to state creation.
The governor underscored the inalienable right of the Abi and Yakurr peoples to self-determination, affirming their sovereign prerogative to elect their desired state affiliation.
He highlighted the indissoluble cultural bonds that unite the peoples of the southern regions of the state and the Abi-Yakurr communities, asserting that the historical and cultural ties must remain intact.
Governor Otu further expressed support for the Abi-Yakurr people’s preference to remain within the state and recognized the enduring cultural and historical connections that bind them.
Otu, however, noted that the principal challenges confronting Nigeria are pervasive hunger and a lack of productivity, noting that these fundamental issues would significantly diminish the impetus for new state agitations when governance is effective.
“Effective governance supersedes mere administrative reconfigurations”, he stressed.
In their statement signed by Dr Sam Eno, the Secretary of Abi-Yakurr Peoples Assembly, the stakeholders said, “The primary objective was to present a formal declaration of our unwavering resolve to remain an integral part of Cross River State, contingent upon the prospective creation of Ogoja State.
“We unanimously support the creation of Ogoja State.
“We recognize that the creation of an additional state from the current Cross River State would likely foster significant economic development. This potential is seen as a positive incentive for the restructuring.”
Gov Otu acknowledges potential of Ogoja State when created
N70,000 minimum wage: Private sector asks Nigerian govt to roll out proposed plans for OPSN
Following the agreement reached by the Federal Government and organized labour over the N70,000 minimum wage, the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has expressed concern over its ability to pay the newly approved minimum wage.
TVN recalls that the leadership of the workers’ union accepted the N70,000 minimum wage because President Tinubu promised to support the private sector in paying the new minimum wage.
However, the OPSN asked the Federal Government to immediately announce the proposed support it promised organized businesses to enable effective planning.
They stated that private organizations are overburdened by high production costs and other necessities.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, stated this on behalf of the group, though the group commended the federal government for approving the new minimum wage.
He pleaded with the federal government to reverse the increase in electricity tariffs, ensure the CBN redeems all outstanding forwards for companies in the productive sector, put a freeze on the introduction of new taxes and levies on businesses for the next five years, and provide a duty exemption on imported conversion kits along with government subsidies on their procurement.
According to him, there is a need to implement reforms that would strengthen the private sector’s ability to pay.
He said, “While we commend the president for putting to rest the immediate issue of the National Minimum Wage, we also note, most importantly, his commitment to support the sub-nationals and the organized private sector in paying the new wage.”
The NECA DG noted that during the consultations with the National Minimum Wage Committee, the OPS expressed concern about its ability to pay the N62,000 recommended by the tripartite committee.
“In fact, the N62,000 was premised on the understanding and agreement by the government representatives that the government would take definite steps to reduce the current economic burden on the organized private sector,” he said.
According to him, the ability to pay remains a fundamental consideration.
N70,000 minimum wage: Private sector asks Nigerian govt to roll out proposed plans for OPSN