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Traffickers Now Use Sport Platforms To Recruit Youths – NAPTIP Alerts Nigerians

July 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

This year’s World Day against Human Trafficking and the 20th anniversary of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was held on Saturday in Abuja with a warning to Nigerians to beware of traffickers using sporting platforms to traffic in youths.

NAPTIP Director-General, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, gave the warning during a novelty match with some agency’s partners to mark the celebration.

She stated that “Many young people want to be football maestros like Kanu Nwakwo and Daniel Amokachi, but traffickers are out there planning to prey on the hopes and aspirations of these young people.

“Let youths be aware; let parents be aware that there are preys out there waiting to extort their ambitions.

“NAPTIP has the powers to regulate and to issue clearance to travel agencies, tour operators and sporting recruitment agencies.

“Potential sportsmen and women are at liberty to demand for NAPTIP clearance from the recruitment agencies before engaging with them,.”

The match was held between NAPTIP and development partners among which were the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the International Organisation for Migration.

In his remarks, Deputy Country Representative of UNODC, Mr Danilo Campisi, noted that human trafficking was a major problem in Nigeria.

He observed, however, that NAPTIP had made tremendous progress to curb the menace as it had made arrests and secured court conviction of some traffickers.

The NAPTIP football team won the novelty match 2-1 after 30 minutes of play.

Simon Ekpa To South East: Kanu’s Purported Letter Is Fake

Ayodele Oni

July 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Confusion is trailing Friday’s alleged letter from the leader of Independent Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB) currently in detention, Nnamdi Kanu, to Simon Ekpa, in which he asked Ekpa to put a stop to the continued stay at home by the people of South-east.

Ekpa, responding to the letter, described it as a fake one, which emanated from security agents and asked the Igbo to disregard it.

In the letter, Kanu reportedly advised Ekpa to discontinue the stay at home order and stop attacking leaders of the South-east.

Ekpa pointed out that what should be the concern of all now is the release of Kanu to ensure lasting peace in the South-east.

His response: “Our attention has been drawn to the fake letter from the pit of hell being paraded by Nigerian media claiming that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wrote a letter.

“It is not only a joke but an insult taken too far that the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra is being misrepresented in this way.

“As the Prime Minister of Biafra under the leaders0hip of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I call on all Biafrans to disregard the fake letter coming from DSS.”

US Offers Niger’s Ousted President Support; Tinubu Meets ECOWAS Leaders Tomorrow

James Orji

July 29, 2023

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blicken says Washington will work to restore constitutional order in West African country following coup.

Blinken also pledged his country’s support for ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum who was removed by soldiers in the Presidential Guard earlier in the week.

He spoke amidst plan by President Bola Tinubu to meet ECOWAS Leaders in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Sunday.

Tinubu is the President of the regional bloc, ECOWAS.

The United States’ top diplomat offered his “unflagging support” to Niger’s ousted leader, warning his captors that hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance could be at risk if democratic norms are not restored.

Blinken told Niger President Bazoum in a phone call that Washington would work to reestablish the constitutional order after the West African leader was toppled in a military coup, the state department said on Friday.

Blinken also “praised Bazoum’s role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region”.

Blinken’s comments come after he told Bazoum earlier in the week that Washington’s support of the landlocked African nation would depend on its “democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights”.

Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tchiani on Friday declared himself the head of a transitional government after members of Niger’s presidential guard earlier this week took Bazoum into custody.

In an address on state television on Friday, the 62-year-old military leader said he had taken control of the government to prevent “the gradual and inevitable demise” of the country.

Tchiani previously led the resistance to a failed coup in March 2021, when troops tried to take over the presidential palace days before the swearing-in of the then-newly elected Bazoum.

The pro-West Bazoum’s election marked the first peaceful transfer of power since Niger gained its independence from France in 1960.

Niger, which borders seven African countries including Libya, Chad and Nigeria, is seen by the US and former colonial ruler France as an important partner to address security threats in the region.

The country is the largest recipient of US military assistance in West Africa, having received an estimated $500m in assistance to the country since 2012.

The country also hosts more than 2,000 US and French troops.

Aljazeera

Soldiers Kill IPOB, Boko Haram Terrorists In Renewed War Against Insecurity

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 29, 2023

The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that soldiers have killed scores of terrorists across the country in the renewed quest to stamp out terrorism.

Those killed include some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, responsible for some killings and arson in the southeast, and boko haram fighters operating in the country’s North east.

According to a statement by Defence spokesperson, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, close to 60 terrorists have been neutralized in the past few days by troops who also freed over 80 kidnapped victims during various operations.

The defence spokesman also stated that the troops arrested 88 criminals, 10 kidnappers, 20 gunmen and 19 suspected oil thieves within the period.

Giving the breakdown, Buba said troops killed 13 terrorists and arrested nine others while a total of 764 terrorists comprising two adult males, 336 adult females and 426 children surrendered at different frontlines in the North East zone.

In the North Central Zone, the Defence spokesperson said troops arrested 17 suspects and rescued one hostage.

Buba said: “Between 22 and 23 July 2023, troops arrested a suspected bandit identified as Terhemen Aduwe a.k.a. Kulu at Sankera Village, along Gbagir Road in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

“In another operation, troops arrested three suspected bandits at Ukulo Village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

“On 22 July, 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and arrested five suspects.”

He said troops of Operation Whirl Punch on operations in the North West zone neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested three terrorist collaborators and rescued 75 kidnapped civilians.

On troops operations in the South-South zone, Buba said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 498,650 litres of crude oil, 168,145 litres of automotive gas oil, and 4,400 litres of dual purpose Kerosene.

“Troops destroyed 42 illegal refining sites, 36 wooden boats, 68 storage tanks, 77 ovens, 19 dugout pits, 4 speedboats and 5 outboard engines.

“Meanwhile, a total of 41 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period,” he said.

The Defence spokesperson also said that troops killed three Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters and apprehended 23 suspects during raid operations in the South East.

“In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one AKMS rifle, 4 pump action guns, 2 Dane guns, one locally made pistol, 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 86 live cartridges and one locally made hand grenade,” Buba said.

APC NEC Meets Next Week To Appoint Ganduje As Chair

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 29, 2023

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, will hold its National Caucus and National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings next week.

The meeting was initially scheduled for July 18 and 19 following the removal of Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

Next week’s meeting is expected to deliberate on the next chairman of the party, and other positions that became vacant following the resignations of Adamu, Omisore, and Salihu Lukman the Deputy National Chairman North of the APC.

According to the Nation newspaper, a new chairman is expected to emerge during the NEC with Abdullahi Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State widely favoured for the position.

It was gathered from a highly placed source in the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party that the new dates were communicated to the party leadership by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.

The National Caucus meeting is slated to hold at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa on Wednesday evening.

The National Executive Committee, NEC, which is the highest policy-making organ of the party, will meet the next day at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel also in Abuja.

The NWC had to postpone the two meetings following the voluntary resignation of the former National Chairman and Secretary, and Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore respectively from office last week Monday.

The two meetings were initially fixed for 18 and 19 of July 2023.

Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari had on Monday, after the meeting of NWC told newsmen of the postponement of the meetings.

According to Kyari, “With this recent development in the change of leadership, I like to inform everybody here that the proposed national caucus meeting slated for Tuesday 18th July 2023 and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC slated for Wednesday 19th July 2023 has hereby been postponed. And this postponement will not be indefinite but a new date will be communicated shortly.”

The Nation, however, gathered on Friday that following the choice of the President, the NWC had fixed the two crucial meetings for August 2nd and 3rd.

“The NWC received a letter from Mr President on Wednesday intimating us that he is disposed to attending the two meetings on the 2nd and 3rd of August, 2023 and on the strength of the letter, we are equally set for the meetings,” our source hinted.

Ahead of the two meetings, NWC met on Thursday for about 5 hours to prepare the agenda for the two engagements, they also collectively looked into the account books of the party in line with the constitution of the party, to enable it to present the financial records at the party’s NEC meeting.

NWC at its meeting scrutinised the list of members of the five statutory committees to be set up by NEC at the recommendation of the NWC in line with Article 18 of the constitution.

Confirming the new dates, a source in the NWC said, “The stage is set for the caucus and NEC meetings. That was why our meeting on Thursday lasted for five hours. We were able to review the agenda proposal by the Secretariat for the two crucial engagements.

“We have our financial reports ready, the membership list of the five statutory committees recommended for approval at the NEC meeting.

“ The vacant positions of the National Chairman and Secretary are expected to be filled at the NEC meeting. Dr Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru have been pencilled down to fill the two positions at NEC.”

Kanu Warns Ekpa: “Anybody Still Engaging In Sit-At-Home Is Not My Disciple”, Denounces Insults On SE Governors

Ayodele Oni

July 28, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

In what could be described as an about-turn or change in tactics, detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has warned against insulting Governors and Leaders in the South-East.

Long before now, the tough-talking Kanu did not seem to respect any of the Governors and most of the Leaders. They were loosely dismissed as “efulefus” or “Fulani slaves.”

But in an order passed on to Simon Ekpa, an estranged member of IPOB, who proclaimed himself Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple, and who, from Finland where he lives, imposes a sit-at-home order on the South-east Zone, through his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu told Ekpa ordered a halt to any insults directed at the Governors or Leaders of the Zone.

The IPOB, also, in the letter released on Friday, also disowned Simon Ekpa over his continued sit-at-home order on the people of the South-east, and emphasised that anybody who gives such order is not his disciple.

Kanu in a hand-written letter, circulated on the social media,declared an end to all sit-at-home order in the South-East and any other proposed means aimed by the group at forcing government to release him from detention.

Kanu, in the letter he authorized to be read out by his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, during a world press conference held in Enugu on Friday said any such things should be stopped forthwith.

The letter by the IPOB leader, dated July 24, 2023, followed the refusal of a factional leader of the group, Simon Ekpa, to announce the cancellation and further declaration through his media platforms.

Kanu, warned Ekpa to “desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth” and “to make a public announcement to the effect that he (Ekpa) is in receipt of a direct order from him (Kanu) to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.

“Simon, this is a direct order from me. I hereby instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home henceforth. Equally, refrain from antagonizing governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf.

“I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any pending sit-at-home in place at the moment.

“I embarked on this movement to liberate our people not to enslave them. I despise and will despise any person or entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people. I have authorized Alloy to issue a press statement if you fail to make this announcement on your platform.

“Anybody still engaging in sit-at-home is not my disciple. Haters of Biafra and mindless murderers in uniform are hiding under the cover of combating enforcers of sit-at-home to unleash mayhem against the same people we swore to defend.

“I have sent countless messages to those purportedly enforcing sit-at-home that they are not doing so in my name. I am not begging anybody to release me just that Nigeria should have the decency to obey their own laws.

“The main issue which our people should address their minds to is the unconscionable delays in hearing the government’s appeal at the Supreme Court, which is a situation not amenable to any sit-at-home. Therefore, sit-at-home is a waste of time, resources and energy.

“Those who may not understand the genesis of the sit-at-home should refer to my younger brother’s press statement on the eve of the commencement of the original order issued by the IPOB family.

“My brother made it clear to the DOS that I was against the order for people to stay at home under whatever guise. This caused a rift between my siblings and DOS till date.

“Aloy should use the above contributions to form the main body of the press statement. I want our people to know how this whole sit-at-home brouhaha started.

“Had DOS obeyed my direct instructions to cancel the first Monday sit-at-home, opportunistic scavengers would not have jumped on the bandwagon to wreak havoc on our people.

“You (Aloy) must release the press statement tomorrow with the screenshot of the handwritten note I gave to you unfailingly.”

“I am Directed To End Insecurity In South East” – GOC 82 Division Tells Uzodimma

The Source

July 28, 2023

Chances of insecurity in the South East being dealt a deadly blow became brighter, Friday, when the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Major Gen. Hassan Taiwo Dada told Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State that he had been directed by his superiors to end the menace forthwith.

Major Gen Dada who dropped the hint when he paid a working visit to Governor Uzodimma in company of his team at the New Exco Chambers Government House Owerri, however added that the visit was to solicit the support of the government and the people to deliver on the mandate given to him.

Though he said he had assumed office two weeks ago, Major Gen Dada told the Governor that it is customary in the Military for officers posted to places for their assignment to familiarise themselves with the people, hence the courtesy call.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has given me a marching order to end insecurity in the South East and I hope to do just that. I am here therefore, to solicit the governor’s support and everybody’s support to improve security in Imo State and the South East,” Major Gen Dada said.

The GOC who explained that he was aware of the state of insecurity in the South East added: “We will do all it takes to ensure that peace returns to the South East.”

He used the opportunity to thank Governor Uzodimma for the support his government has been extending to the Military, and recalled that the one week duration Army Day Celebration which took place in Imo State last year is still fresh in his mind.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma welcomed the GOC and his entourage and reminded him that he has in his kitty a résumé that will help to stamp out the cankerworm of insecurity in the South East.

The Governor assured him the the people of Imo State in particular and South East in general will support his mission in the course of his assignment.

The Governor reminded the GOC of the cordial inter security agencies relationship that has existed in the State and urged him to ensure its sustainability in addressing the issues of criminality in the region such as banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and other crimes.

Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity to remind the military high command of the negative impact of sit at home in the South East, urging Major Gen Dada and his colleagues to do all within their behest to ensure that those instigating it are brought to justice.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, the Senator representing Okigwe zone, Sen Patrick Ndubueze, four House of Representatives members from Imo State – Hon. Miriam Onuoha, Hon. Canice Nwachukwu, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu and Hon. Akarachi Amadi -, former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagbaso, the Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Chairman of Imo State Elders Council HRH Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Commissioners, among other dignitaries joined the Governor to receive the GOC.

Afenifere Tackles President Tinubu, Says He Is Imposing On Nigerians Hurried Policies

Ayodele Oni

July 28, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Yoruba apex socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has observed that the removal of subsidy on petrol, with attendant hike in pump price, and increase in fees payable in schools have further compounded the poverty ratio of Nigerians.

In a statement in Akure, on Friday, the organization’s Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni, described the hurried policies as “latest blow on an already traumatized citizenry.”

Describing the policy as thoughtless, the statement said: “It is feared that this latest gross act of thoughtless policy implementation and its unintended consequences will further push Nigeria’s economy down the slope as Nigeria has officially overtaken India as the New Poverty Capital of the World.

“Nigeria, despite being touted as the 55th largest economy in the world currently ranks 142 out of 167 on the global prosperity index with the expected total number of Nigerians plunged into the deep end of multidimensional poverty to gross 133 million before the end of 2024.

“In the same vein, the number of extremely poor Nigerians for the same period is estimated to hit 71 million which may now be compounded by the multiplier effects of peremptory removal of petrol subsidy, intractable fall of the Naira and surreptitious increase in school fees payable in Federal Government secondary and tertiary educational institutions.

“While the top three Presidential candidates in the last election agreed that the wasteful and corruption- infested Petrol Subsidy had to go, no one however, expected that the Subsidy would be removed in the sudden manner it was done: a seeming off-the-cuff declaration of the removal of the subsidy, totally ignoring the impact on the people and the economy.

“Such a huge economic decision with clear potential for serious deleterious impact on disposable incomes of the already impoverished citizens should never have been made in the cavalier manner as was witnessed.

“It is indeed a matter of grave concern that a party and its candidate which made subsidy removal a cardinal campaign issue, did not have a plan on ground to introduce the necessary countervailing palliatives simultaneously to protect the people and the economy.

“Progressive” governance, which they have always professed, would have put ahead of everything, the welfare of the citizens and should never be, or made to seem like, an afterthought.

“Those whom our warped and strange constitution have put in the saddle while their legitimacy is yet subject of judicial inquiry are nonetheless expected to act expeditiously to restore hope to the weak in society and protect the economy by introducing quickly, the much needed palliative measures.

“Hitting the ground running is more than a slogan or braggadocio declaration, the run must be well coordinated by competent hands available nationwide and not confined to actors whose efforts have only been exaggerated by the spatial limits of their past endeavours.”

Ministerial Nominees Should Prepare For Thorough Screening – Senate Leader

Ayodele Oni

July 28, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said at Iyin Ekiti, his country home, on Friday that there will be no sacred cow among President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for ministerial positions as the Senate will subject them to thorough screening.

While speaking with journalists at the well-attended programme to mark his 60th birthday, the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said Godswill Akpabio-led Senate was desirous and keen about ensuring that those holding pivotal positions under Tinubu’s presidency are those with capacities to deliver.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the screening won’t be only bow and go, except for those who had been members of the National Assembly before and whom we knew and appreciated that they have the wherewithal to give Nigerians qualitative leadership.

“Nigerians expected us to be thorough. They are expecting us to do a thorough screening. But take a bow and go is not an unparliamentary convention, it has become a practice all over the world and that person must be a former member of the parliament who is well known to us. Somebody we have confidence in his ability.

“We are going to follow the constitution to ensure that we deliver our mandate to make those who voted for us happy. This will occur at the level of parliament, oversight functions and at the committee level.

“We will partner Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on his promises to Nigerians. We are determined to ensure that all the three arms of government, particularly the judiciary are put on a good footing to be able to deliver justice without fear or favour. We are determined to ensure that the right people are brought on board.”

On the removal of the fuel subsidy, Bamidele stated that “The federal government will put palliatives in place to help the poorest of the poor.

“There is also another category of palliatives that will be rolled out for the civil servants apart from the promised salary increment that will be done across states and at the federal level.

“The removal is very significant because the federal government will be able to save a lot of money to do infrastructure and make all Nigerians happy.

“That was the intention of President Tinubu about the removal. He knew what Nigerians are passing through and efforts are underway to cushion the effects of this removal.”

Bamidele appreciated God for sparing his life to celebrate 60th birthday, describing the gesture as uncommon favour, having a retrospect of what he had passed through in his political journeys.

In his short exhortation tagged “out of your faithfulness” at the event, the Vicar in charge of the All Saints’ Anglican Church, Iyin Ekiti, Ven Zaccheus Ibitoye, described Bamidele as a dependable and descent politician, who loathes politics of bitterness and do or die.

The Cleric assured that Nigerians will render a good story in the end despite the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to curb corruption in the system.

“Let us be patient and pray for our leaders. All the presidential candidates promised that they will remove the petrol subsidy and one of them won and removed it. We should all be expecting it.

“Let us be patient with the federal government. We will have a good story to tell for our coming children. This stage and difficulties shall pass away”.

The Vicar added that Bamidele enjoyed tremendous favour from God because he had served humanity in the most rewarding fashion as a Commissioner and member of the National Assembly.

“We could all remember when he was shot few years back, whether through targeted or strayed bullet, but God protected him. He didn’t die because God proclaimed that it wasn’t yet time. I am happy for your life.

“Senator Bamidele is a special breed of politician, who will not pledge what he will not do. I want to charge you to continue to hang your faith in God. He has been protecting you. You are still going higher and higher, you are unstoppable.

“I plead with politicians to play this politics neatly. Some of you used to eliminate people because of ambition. Senator Bamidele doesn’t belong to that group.

“He is a descent politician. Let us learn how to wait upon God. All of us can’t be Senators or Governors, but we can all be children of God.”

Nigeria Police Laments Use Of Its Emergency Numbers To Obtain Loans

Akinwale Kasali

July 28, 2023

Haruna Garba - FCT Commissioner of Police

By Akinwale Kasali

Haruna Garba, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Commissioner of Police has lamented the use of its emergency numbers by fraudulent and unscrupulous persons to obtain loans from Loan Shark Companies.

A perturbed Garba said that non-state actors had also been engaging the emergency lines.

He warned those behind this illicit act to desist from it, and said the police would ensure they are brought to book.

In a statement on Friday, the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated that the Police frowns at such act, as any one caught in the act will be brought to book and face the full wrath of the law.

It partly read: “In the same vein, the CP enjoins non-state actors who have been engaging the Police emergency lines in their mischievous posts, aimed at misleading members of the public and those submitting same to obtain loans to desist from such and only use the emergency lines for its intended purpose as deliberate steps will be taken to arrest and prosecute the purveyors of these illegal acts.”

She said the CP urged residents to cooperate with the Police for improved service delivery.

“He equally tasks FCT residents to take advantage of the Police Control Room numbers in reporting suspicious activities: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883,” she added.

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