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How Lecturer’s  Motorcyclist  (Okadaman) Friend Arranged His Abduction – Police

By
Ayodele Oni
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Police on Duty

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Mr. Omoniyi Samuel, a lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AUAA).

The arrests followed a discreet, intelligence-driven operation by operatives of the Command, which uncovered the coordinated roles each suspect played in the crime.

A Statement on Thursday by the Command explained that investigation established that one of the suspects, Benson Alaba (45 years) of Akungba-Akoko, a commercial motorcyclist, who routinely conveyed the victim to his workplace, used his familiarity to spy on the victim’s movements.

The statement, signed by the Command’s spokesman Ayanlade Olusola, stated that “on 4th August 2025, he visited the victim’s residence without prior arrangement, under the pretence of requesting a handset.

“This was later confirmed to be a calculated ploy to study the victim’s activities and create an opening for the syndicate. Shortly after his departure, other gang members moved in and abducted the lecturer.

“Further inquiry revealed that Ogungbemi Wasiu (42 years) of Okeruwa, Ikare, provided the Itel handset used to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom of ₦5,000,000.

“Although he claimed the handset was lost on 2nd August 2025, he failed to report the loss to the Police, a deliberate omission that aided the criminal enterprise.

“His role was critical in maintaining communication between the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives, thus facilitating the ransom negotiations.

“The investigation also linked Audu Shaibu (25 years), Ismaila Abdullahi (24 years), Nuru Bature (18 years), Usman Baba (20 years), and Yusuf Muhammed (23 years), all of Agopanu, Owo, to the physical execution of the kidnapping.

“Eyewitness testimony confirmed that these five suspects, acting in concert with Benson Alaba and under the operational facilitation of Ogungbemi Wasiu, participated in forcibly abducting the victim and directly demanding the ransom from the family during the incident.

“The seamless coordination between Benson Alaba’s surveillance, Ogungbemi Wasiu’s communication support, and the aggressive role of the five field operatives clearly points to a well-organised kidnapping syndicate.

“The victim is currently receiving medical attention at the Adekunle Ajasin University Health Centre.

“While the investigation into this case continues, efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing accomplices and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

“The Command remains unwavering in its determination to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and protect the lives and property of all residents in Ondo State.”

After Surviving Auto Crash, Gov Radda Goes On Medical Leave

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Dikko Radda Accident

By Ayodele Oni

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, will begin a three-week medical leave on Monday. This comes a couple of weeks after he  survived an auto crash.

The announcement was made in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu-Zango on Thursday.

The trip comes just weeks after Governor Radda was involved in a road accident while returning from Daura.

He reportedly sustained a fracture, received treatment, and was discharged shortly after the incident.

During his absence, Deputy Governor Mallam Faruk Lawal-Jobe will oversee State Affairs to ensure Government operations continue without disruption.

Governor Radda explained that his decision to take a break is driven by the need to prioritize his health, assuring the people of Katsina that he will return to duty as soon as his medical checks are completed.

“I deeply appreciate the goodwill and support I have received. Taking care of my health now is necessary so I can serve our state more effectively and make sound decisions for our collective progress.

” I look forward to resuming my duties as soon as possible,” the statement quoted him as saying.

He also expressed full confidence in the Deputy Governor’s  ability to lead with commitment and pledged that all ongoing projects and programmes will proceed as planned.

Peter Obi To President Tinubu, ‘You’re Not A Tourist But President Of  Troubled Nation’

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu

The main opposition leader and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again cried out at the apparent indifference and the insensitivity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the myriad challenges facing the country.

As the President jets Today making it over 200 days out of 806 days in office, Obi says the indifference to our problem is worrisome.

President Tinubu leaves the country this Thursday morning on a two-nation tour and a stopover in another city, reminding him that he is not a tourist but the President of a troubled country.

Writing on his X handle this morning in a treatise he titled “Again our President moves as the Nation bleeds” Obi said

“Amid the deplorable state of our nation in all ramifications, we have a virtually indifferent President who has continued to display insensitivity to our situation.

“How can anyone explain that a President who came from Brazil recently and met with the President is returning to the same country, leaving the various degrees of challenges at home unresolved?

“The latest itinerary of the President shows he

will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil.

“The President will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.

In Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22. The itinerary is silent on the President’s return date to his visibly troubled nation.

“The situation we find ourselves in is deeply worrisome. Our President, who has not found it worthy to visit any of our troubled states, takes joy in travelling to foreign countries at the slightest invitation or excuse. Often departing several days even before the events he’s invited to.

“In his last trip, for instance, he had a one-week State visit to St Lucia before attending the BRICS Summit, where Nigeria was merely invited as an observer, though the role was dressed up as “partner” to the invitation, which was more significant. The leaders of actual member countries who attended only arrived a day or two at most for the event.

‘Nigeria’s insecurity situation, economic hardship, and human suffering have reached their peak. We are now counted among the most insecure nations, the most fragile economies, and the hungriest countries in the world. This dire reality demands the full attention of Mr. President, and his travels should be more within our troubled states and communities, spending time on the ground, and taking decisive action to alleviate the people’s suffering rather than these overseas conferences that contribute little or no tangible value to our nation’s woes. And where the trip is necessary at all, it could be attended in just a few days rather than indulging in prolonged, unnecessary absences from a country that requires 24/7 attention.

“What our nation needs now is security of lives and properties, economic stability and ensuring that our people have food on their table.

“Our President’s planned trip of 12 days departing today,  if necessary, should have been at most a 5-day trip as the event he was invited to in Japan commences on the 20th.

“Nigeria today demands competent leadership with capacity and compassion to start dealing with the problems besetting it with the presence and sacrifice required.

“Mr. President must, as a matter of urgency, commence tours of our states with the same enthusiasm he shows for jetting out of the country every month. These visits will enable him to see, listen and learn more about what Nigerians are going through.

“Though Nigerians know that our huge problems cannot be solved overnight, they want to see 100% effort and tireless commitment to solving them.

“Most importantly, our President must know that he’s not a tourist, but the Chief Executive of a troubled nation, so he must have consciousness, no strict work schedules and a strict travelling schedule to show that he has a troubled country to quickly return to”

A New Nigeria is POssible.’

UBA In Trouble For Moving $160m From Customer’s Account

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Oliver Alawuba

For more than three years, a United Bank for Africa, UBA, customer, Akpasi Oziegbe, had sleepless nights after the commercial bank unlawfully and unilaterally moved over $160 million from his company’s account.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, what started on July 20, 2022 as a joke to the customer took well over 40 months to resolve. What he experienced within the period has left him shattered and traumatised, according to those close to him who spoke with the magazine.

But on Wednesday, a federal high court in Abuja restored his peace that was shattered by the bank as it ordered the Oliver Aluwaba -led lender to return the money to him, with a whopping damages attached to it as compensation for what he went through.

The magazine reports that the customer had dragged the commercial bank to court after all botched attempts to get his money returned to him.

Ruling on the case yesterday, Justice Peter Lifu thoroughly scolded the bank for freezing and moving the money from the customer’s account without a valid court order, saying his rights has been thoroughly violated by the bank.

For UBA’s unlawful act, the judge also ordered the bank to pay the customer N30 million as damages, adding that what the bank did is capable of eroding customers’ confidence in the bank

Judge Lifu noted that the bank had no legal basis for freezing the business domiciliary account or transferring funds from the account without a court order or notifying the customer.

According to a certified true copy of the judgment delivered on July 25, 2025 and made available to journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital yesterday, Justice Lify described what the commercial bank did as ultra vires, act that should not be condoned  in any decent society.

How It All Began

Oziegbe, trading under the name and style of Micoz Bluelink Enterprise, had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1412/2023, sued UBA as the sole defendant.

The plaintiff’s legal team, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, and Adeyemo Richard, explained that the firm was incorporated on March 19, 2021, with a domiciliary account opened thereafter for trading operations.

On July 20, 2022, the company discovered that the account had been restricted by the bank with a balance of $163.8 million meant for supply contracts.

“The applicant made several enquiries to the bank seeking reasons for the account restriction, but the bank failed to respond or unfreeze the account,” Ojukwu said.

Richard, equally, contended in one of the sittings that the bank allegedly transferred the sum without the company’s authorisation on August 19, 2023.

The plaintiff, in the affidavit in support, averred that “there is no mention of fraud in the call-back request presented by the bank, and the document lacks proper endorsement and authenticity.”

In its defence, UBA, through its counsel, Kalat Jatau, admitted the inflow of $163.8 million but claimed the funds were flagged as suspicious.

The bank said it filed a suspicious transaction report with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and temporarily restricted the account pending enhanced customer due diligence.

The bank alleged that “the applicant was informed of the restriction and requested further documentation, which, upon review, was found to be inconsistent with actual transaction amounts”.

It further argued that the funds were recalled following a SWIFT instruction from its correspondent bank, Citi Bank.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu held that UBA breached its fiduciary duty and acted without court approval.

“The bank failed to inform the applicant of reasons for the restriction and proceeded with unilateral withdrawal, thereby breaching the banker-customer contract,” he held.

On the validity of the bank’s evidence, the judge found UBA’s Exhibit ‘A’ defective.

“There is no mention of ‘fraud’ or ‘fraudulent’ in the document, which only states ‘Possible Duplicate’ and does not justify a call back,” he said.

The judge also recognised the significant economic loss and business disruption caused to the applicant following the over-one-year restriction.

According to Lifu, there is no proof the bank took appropriate steps before restricting the account or withdrawing funds, nor did it disclose where the money was transferred.

The judge held that customer’s funds could only be withdrawn from their account “pursuant to an unequivocal instruction by the customer or a court order”, and that neither of which was presented.

Justice Lifu declared UBA’s actions “illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of banker-customer relationship”.

Blue Economy Key To Economic Diversification – Ex-NIMASA DG 

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Dosunmu NIMASA

Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has reiterated the urgent need for Nigeria to harness the vast opportunities in the Blue Economy as a strategic pathway to diversify the nation’s economy.

The former NIMASA boss made this call today while delivering a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Economic Diversification: Opportunities and Challenges” to participants of the Senior Executive Course 47, 2025, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos.

In his presentation, he outlined the concept of the Blue Economy, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. He stressed the sector’s capacity to reduce Nigeria’s over-reliance on hydrocarbons and emphasized the urgency of tackling key challenges, including regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints.

“The Blue Economy offers a unique and timely solution to Nigeria’s perennial dependence on hydrocarbon resources,” Dr. Dosunmu stated. “With strategic reforms, robust policies, and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders, the sector can significantly boost national revenue and secure a prosperous future for our country.”

The lecture was part of a broader engagement that also featured papers on Foreign Direct Investment and the Blue Economy, Sustainable Coastal Tourism and Recreation in Nigeria, and Fisheries and Aquaculture in Nigeria’s Blue Economy, among others.

The NIPSS is Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, established to develop top-level leaders and policymakers capable of formulating and implementing strategies for national development.

Rivers Council Election: IPAC Directs Political Parties To Boycott Exercise

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Rivers State Electoral Commission - RISEC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC, has formally declared that political parties under its umbrella will not be participating in the scheduled Rivers State Local Council Election.

The Source reports that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has fixed August 30, 2025, for the conduct of elections to elect officials for the State’s 23 Local Government Areas.

An earlier exercise held on October 5, 2024, by  suspended Governor Similanayi Fubara, was earlier this year, annulled by the Supreme Court for failing to satisfy the provisions of  extant laws and regulations.

But in a statement from its National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the IPAC described the planned Local Council Polls as “illegal, unconstitutional and a mockery of democracy.”

According to the IPAC, the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has no constitutional powers to conduct a democratic election.

Dr Dantalle maintained that as long as the country is not under any Martial Law, there is no way they will participate in a democratic election being conducted by an unelected official.

The IPAC National Chairman informed that the leadership of all political parties under it have been adequately notified of the resolution to boycott the planned Local Council Election.

He insisted that no amount of  propaganda and intimidation by political hirelings will obviate the illegality of the proposed exercise.

Dantalle noted that the primary purpose of declaring a state of emergency is to restore normalcy and peace in Rivers State and not to conduct democratic elections.

“The proposed Local Government election in Rivers state is illegal , unconstitutional and a mockery of our emerging democracy.

“It is totally unacceptable and should be rejected by all lovers of constitutional governance in Nigeria.

“The Sole Administrator has no constitutional mandate to conduct a democratic election as if the nation is under a military regime.

“Only an elected Governor has the constitutional powers to conduct a Local Government Election in collaboration with the State House of Assembly.

“The Sole Administrator cannot arrogate to himself powers in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The Sole Administrator is not an Emperor with absolute power to rule as he pleases.

” Gathering political hirelings who claim to be Chairmen of their political parties in Rivers State to endorse the conduct of the purported Local Government Election smacks of desperation by the Sole Administrator.

“Fake Chairmen cannot give legitimacy to gross illegality, unconstitutionality and abuse of office”, the IPAC National Chairman stated .

Dantalle, while reaffirming IPAC’s  total rejection of the exercise, also declared its unwavering commitment towards consolidating and deepening democracy in the country.

To this end,  he emphasized the readiness of the umbrella body of all registered political parties in the country to resist any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s hard earned democracy by some anti-democratic forces.

The Source further reports that  some political parties in Rivers state, including the ADC, Action Peoples Party, APP ,and others had last week informed that they will be shunning the Local Council Polls in deference to a directive from the National bodies of IPAC ,and their various parties.

While speaking with the Media in Port Harcourt ,the Rivers State Chairman of APP, Sunny Wokekoro, disclosed that all the parties have been advised to boycott the polls.

The IPAC National leadership had in a letter dated August 1,2025 , addressed to the Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibas, rejected the planned Local Council Election in the State.

In the letter which was  also copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly and all the National Heads of the country’s security agencies, IPAC had warned against any acts capable of  ridiculing the nation’s democracy.

Curiously, a few days after  IPAC made its position known, as well as communicating  same to the leadership of political parties across the State, some individuals claiming to be Chairmen of parties in Rivers state gathered to give a stamp of approval to the planned election.

No More New Universities As FG Suspends Establishment  For Seven Years

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dr Tunji Alausa

By Ayodele Oni

Decayed infrastructure in Universities and paucity of fund have compelled the Federal Executive Council (FEC), to embargo establishment of new Federal Universities, Polytechnic, and Colleges of Education nationwide.

The suspension will last seven years, according to the Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa.

Alausa, said the decision takes effect immediately and is designed to address falling academic standards and infrastructure deficiencies in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

“The freeze aims to channel resources into revitalising existing institutions rather than creating new ones.”

Speaking to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja presided over by President Bola Tinubu,  Alausa stressed that the proliferation of Federal institutions had overstretched available resources.

“Access to tertiary education is no longer the issue. The challenge is the duplication of institutions, which has stretched resources thin and compromised quality.”

Official figures show that Nigeria currently operates 72 Federal Universities, 42 Federal Polytechnics, and 28 Federal Colleges of Education, in addition to state-owned and private institutions.

Yet, for the 2024/2025 academic year, 199 universities received fewer than 100 applicants via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), with 34 recording zero applications.

Polytechnics and Colleges of Education also saw alarming numbers, with 295 Polytechnic and 64 Colleges reporting critically low or no applications.

Dr. Alausa highlighted one Federal University with fewer than 800 students, but over 1,200 staff, calling it a clear example of unsustainable resource use.

“The decision supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises delivering education that meets global standards.”

Alausa pointed out that the moratorium period will be used to improve infrastructure, enhance staff recruitment and training, and increase the capacity of existing schools.

In a related move, FEC approved the licensing of nine new private universities, based on pending applications previously delayed at the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Of 551 applications inherited by the current administration, only 79 remained active, with nine meeting the requirements.

Dr. Alausa indicated that a similar moratorium on private universities might be considered in future to safeguard quality.

Meanwhile, the government has allocated ₦110 billion through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for 18 specialised health universities, marking a targeted approach to addressing key sectoral needs.

Emmanson May Be Compensated As Fresh Facts Emerge On Fracas With Ibom Air Crew

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ibom Air Bans Passenger For Life
Ibom Air

By Ayodele Oni

Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air Passenger, accused of breaching aviation laws, which led to her remand in prison on the orders of a Lagos Magistrate Court, may laugh last, going by emerging fresh facts.

A new evidence may lead to a review of Emmanson’s case, potentially leading to compensation for the trauma and humiliation she suffered. The young lady was stripped as she was being dragged down the aircraft, and photographs and video taken of her, which indecently exposed her body, posted for public viewing.

Emmanson, who was also allegedly assaulted and humiliated by Ibom Air officials, after a dispute over turning off her phone on a flight, was released from custody on Wednesday following the Federal Government’s intervention in the five charges preferred against her, and their subsequent withdrawal.

According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), a passenger seated next to Ms Emmanson on the flight has come forward with his account of the events which may shed new light on the incident.

The witness, who Achimugu said  has provided his boarding pass to verify his presence on the flight, has a different version of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure.

Achimugu stated that the NCAA has, therefore, issued a Letter of Investigation (LOI) to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and eyewitnesses to a meeting to get to the bottom of the incident.

“Sequel to this, the passenger seated right next to the lady in the viral videos has contacted me (also sent in his boarding pass) and given his account of the events that transpired on the aircraft before departure.

“Some aspects of his testimony offer an opportunity to look at other perspectives of this case, especially the behaviour of other actors involved, and the manner of passenger handling before the flight took off.

“Although he says he will release a statement later, the Authority has issued an LOI to Ibom Air and will invite both the airline and eyewitnesses to a meeting.

“The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA has a remarkable record of protecting the rights of all stakeholders in this industry and will continue to do so.

“One is glad that a truly verifiable witness has come forward, and his statement makes me glad not to have listened to most of the fake audios and claims flying around social media.”

Achimugu also assured that every culpable party involved in the incident will be held accountable, which may include airline staff and security personnel.

“There is a lot to unbundle, and we will get to the root of it. Rest assured that every culpable party in this case will be held accountable.”

The new evidence may lead to a review of Emmanson’s case, potentially resulting in compensation for the trauma and humiliation she suffered.

The NCAA’s investigation may also lead to changes in the way airlines handle passenger disputes, prioritising human dignity and rights.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for Ibom Air to apologise and compensate Emmanson for her ordeal.

In a show of solid support from her community, the Grand Council of Ikpaisong Ibibio has condemned the treatment given to their daughter,  Emmanson, and is demanding justice and respect for human dignity.

As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the airline and regulatory authorities will respond to the new evidence and the growing public outcry.

Airline Operators May Appoint Emmanson As Ambassador

By
Ayodele Oni
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Comfort Emmanson - Passenger on Ibom Air

By Ayodele Oni

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) are looking at the option of using Comfort Emmanson, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct.

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo who revealed this, said since Emmanson has also shown remorse, Aviation Agencies are considering using her, like Wasiu Ayinde, for the role in order to prevent others from engaging in such act.

The Minister stated this via his X while clarifying the reason the agency appointed Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, as an Ambassador.

He wrote, “For further clarification, it is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to Community Service.

“It is not paid for and it is voluntary service. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some would assume that once you hear the word ‘Ambassador’ it is a big position that comes with the perquisites of office.

“No, it is not. It is for free. It is not the first time it is happening in Nigeria and it will not be the last . Examples abound of such roles given to repentant persons by previous governments in Nigeria.

“Whilst the Aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), they are also looking at the option of using Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct.

“It is left for the AON to work out those details since she has been actually released from prison custody today based on my earlier statement.

“Whilst the usual suspects can continue to question our decisions on this issue, we firmly believe we have been fair to all.”

Kano Assembly Orders LG Chairman To Step Aside

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kano State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

For flouting State Government’s directive on sale of fertilizer, the Kano State House of Assembly has slammed a three-month suspension on the Chairman of Rano Local Government Council, Muhammad Nazir Yau.

Apart from inflating cost of fertilizer by N2,000, the Chairman was also accused of financial recklessness, and abuse of office.

The Lawmakers reached the decision on Wednesday after receiving an interim report from the House Committee on Public Petition, chaired by Majority Leader Hussaini Lawan  Yangurasa.

He was also accused of mismanaging revenues from markets and cattle levies, illegally allocating market stalls, disrespecting party elders, and diverting council funds.

According to the Committee, Yau denied most of the allegations during a meeting with investigators on August 11 but admitted to raising the fertiliser price by ₦2,000.

Citing Section 55 of the Kano State Local Government Law 2006, the Assembly ordered him to step aside to allow for a full investigation and directed the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to install the vice chairman as acting chairman.

The council must also submit all financial and administrative records within seven days.

The Speaker, Ismail Falgore, presided over the plenary that adopted the committee’s recommendations.

It would be recalled that in June, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf launched the distribution of 132 trucks of subsidised fertiliser to farmers across all 44 local government areas.

At the event in Madobi, the governor warned council bosses against diverting or inflating prices, insisting the fertiliser should be sold at half the market rate to genuine farmers.

“We will not tolerate any form of exploitation in this process,” Yusufsaid at the time.

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