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Ondo CP Welcomed By Cult Clash, Arrests 29 Suspects, Says Illegal Firearms In Circulation

By
Ayodele Oni
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Olutokunbo Afolabi - Ondo CP

By Ayodele Oni

Mr Olutokunbo Afolabi, who resumed on Tuesday as new Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, has announced that  19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of four persons in Monday’s cult clash in Owo.

The clash was triggered by two opposing cult groups in the town with one of them trying to revenge the previous attack on its members by the other group.

Among the deceased are a youth leader of APC, mother and her child hit by stray bullets.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, Mr Afolabi revealed that he paid on the spot assessment to Owo township to get first hand information on the crisis while full scale investigation has been launched to ascertain real cause of the mayhem.

He pointed out that normalcy has been restored to Owo as he vowed that the curfew imposed on the community by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was complied with by residents.

The Police boss who was posted to Ondo State on December 24, 2024, promised that he would enhance professionalism, discipline and welfare packages for his officers

Afolabi who lamented influx of illegal firearms in circulation as demonstrated by killings in Owo, said he would deploy his men to arrest bearers and retrieve such weapons.

He warned that he would set up special team to monitor operations of policemen on roads in the state to chcekmate their excesses of alleged molestation of road users.

Ondo Reps Member Accuses Bishop Of Lying About His Performance

By
Ayodele Oni
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Timilehin Adelegbe and Revd Stephen Fagbemi

By Ayodele Oni

A member of the House of Representatives in Ondo State and an Anglican Bishop have engaged in brickbats over the performance of the Lawmaker.

Timilehin Adelegbe, representing Owo/ Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, was accused by His Lordship, Bishop of the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Owo, The Rt. Revd. Stephen Fagbemi, of not being accessible describing him as a disappointment to most of his constituents.

While reacting to the allegation,  Adelegbe said: “My line is always on. I pick all manner of calls and if I’m busy, I do return all the missed calls, so, I don’t know where this allegation is coming from because the Bishop has never called me without picking it”

The Cleric made the allegations at an event at the St Andrews Church, Owo, which was attended by Adelegbe himself.

The Bishop alleged that  Adelegbe, a two- term lawmaker, has become inaccessible to the constituents since becoming the lawmaker over five years ago.

Recognising dignitaries at the event, Bishop Fagbemi told Adelegbe that, “You have not been accessible to those that voted for you since you went to Abuja.Your number is no longer available again.”

During the closing remarks, the Bishop also reminded the lawmaker:

“Please let your number be available whenever we call you.“

Adelegbe, in his defence maintained that “I’m not far from my people. Owo is my home. It’s on record that I’ve  been judged by the same constituents as a true representative that really cares for his people, considering my monumental achievements in the Owo/Ose Federal constituency in the last six years.

“From available records, Otunba Adelegbe was with his people for the sixth edition of his mega empowerment programme among students, artisans, market women and many different groups, where many went home with tricycles, motorcycles, hair dryers, laptops, cash grants, pumping machines, generators, deep freezers, among others.

“Aside from all these, many projects initiated by him had been completed and he has recently released N300 million  to fast track the completion of all ongoing projects in the constituency.”

Kano Council Chairman Appoints 60 Aides

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Chairman of Nassarawa Local Council Kano State Yusuf Imam

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

In a bizarre adventure that has sent many tongues waging, the Chairman of Nassarawa Local Council, Kano State, Yusuf Imam, has announced the appointments of no fewer than 60 aides in one fell swoop.

This is even as this Magazine gathered authoritatively that the remaining 43 Local Government Areas of the State will in the days ahead, toe similar path ahead of the great battle for the political soul of Kano in 2027.

The hordes of Special Assistants and others whose appointments were contained in a circular dated January 6,2025, and signed by the Council’s scribe, Hon. Ado Muhammad Hotoro, are to serve in different capacities across the Local Council.

According to the appointment circular, some of the offices to be filled include Special Assistants , Special Reporters , Directors-General and Personal Assistants .

The Chairman

noted that the appointees, largely selected based on merit, will drive his vision for the Council, as well as effective service delivery.

According to the letter which was made public on Tuesday, January 7, the appointees will also assist in the task of repositioning the administration architecture of the Local Government to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

“Sequel to the efforts of the Honourable Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government to promote and develop the Local Government Area, I wish to convey the approval for the appointment of the following prominent individuals to various roles across different fields and professions ( 60 Aides ) .

“Some of the positions to be filled include that of the Special Assistant on Media and Chief protocol officer.

“However, impeccable sources have revealed that much as the development may have appeared  weird to many ,it fits into the wider plans of the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP to tame the envisaged rampaging All Progressive Congress, APC, forces in 2027.

“This is a strategic survival plan Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ,the NNPP and all the promoters of  the present administration in Kano State are in the picture of what have taken place at the Nassarawa Local Government.

“In fact, in less than no time, other Local Government Areas will follow. The only difference will be in the number of appointees.

“Nassarawa and the other seven metropolitan Local Government will be appointing between 60 and 70 aides owing to their dense population and huge electoral value .

“But the other 36 rural Local Councils will be going for between 40 and 50 appointees.

“The focus is the 2027 general elections,which  the NNPP, the ruling party ,believes will not be taken lightly by the APC in particular”, a source revealed.

LAHA Approves N3.4 Trn Budget For 2025

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State House of Assembly has approved the sum of N3,366,815,224,144 as the total budget of the State for Year 2025.

The approval followed the presentation of a report on the budget by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, and the subsequent voice votes by lawmakers at a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa

The approved budget is made up of N1,295,630,197,452 as recurrent expenditure while N2,071,185,026,692  earmarked as capital expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2025.

Obasa, thereafter, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy of the passed bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

The Speaker commended his colleagues for their painstaking efforts leading to the passage of the budget.

Governor Sanwo-Olu had on November 21, 2024 presented a proposal of N3.005 trillion to the House for approval.

The Governor, during the presentation, told the lawmakers that the budget has a deficit financing of N408,902 billion adding that the deficit would be financed from external and internal loans and bonds.

Meanwhile, the House, during plenary on Monday, also passed a bill to consolidate all laws on local government administration in Lagos State.

The bill further makes provisions based on constitutional amendments as well as amendments by the National Assembly which have direct effects on the local governments in Lagos State.

Fulani Herdsmen Will Lay Down Their Arms If

By
James Orji
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Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi with Bandits in the North

Controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has applauded the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set up Livestock Ministry.

The cleric bared his mind on Monday when a former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung paid him a visit in his Kaduna home, stating that the ministry could address the security problems facing the country, arising from herders, farmers clashes.

Gumi, a major sympathizer of bandits and Fulani herdsmen have called for their pardon by the federal government.

Security experts insist that herdsmen and bandits are predominantly of the Fulani stockm and are currently responsible for the killings and banditry across the country, particularly in the northern part of the country where their criminal activities have become very notorious.

On Monday, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state raised an alarm that bandits are relocating from the country’s north west, and are now setting up camps in the state.

Describing the Livestock Ministry as a good initiative by the Tinubu administration, he said Fulani herdsmen could lay down their arms once they realised that their interests are being served.

He said the ‘psychology’ of the Fulani herders is that the society is against them, they push back by attacking those they consider their enemies including their Fulani brethren.

According to him, once the Fulanis realised that the government is serious about their development, they may stop attacking communities, a situation that could enhance security across the country.

He said, “The psychology of the herders is that all people living in the city are their enemies, including their fellow Fulanis, who suffer more of their cruelty when kidnapped.

“Because the Fulanis are marginalised in the share of infrastructure, under the livestock ministry, if they can see physical developments on the ground and the government is assisting them, I am assuming that they will lay down their arms.”

President Tinubu had last July announced the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, and later went ahead to appoint  Idi Mukhtar Maiha as the Minister to oversee the ministry.

Gov Makinde: Bandits From The North Have Set Up Camps In Oyo

By
James Orji
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Bandits Leader Bello-Turji

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state says armed bandits from the Northern part of the country are now relocating to the state.

The governor said the criminals have now set up operating camps in Fashola area of the state.

Makinde spoke at 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for State Workers, attended by top political functionaries and civil servants.

According to him, the bandits are trying to set up a base in the state, urging the people of the state to be very vigilant by reporting any suspicious movement.

The governor who spent his last annual vacation in Fashola, a farm settlement established by his administration stated that he was briefed by security agencies that the bandits camp were close to where he stayed.

He however assured the residents of the state of government to stamp out criminality, as his administration has ramp up security around various communities in the state.

Makinde said, “The year 2024 has been a challenging year, even in terms of safety and security. We had a few fire incidents, armed robberies, and kidnappings, but what I would say is that we will redouble our efforts in 2025. Some of these issues, we will tackle squarely.

“Even just this morning, during the security briefing, we received updates about a special operation currently underway. Quite a number of the wrongdoers from the major northwestern zone are relocating here. But we will locate them, and we will deal with them.

“Because of the stampede last year, I chose to go to Fashola, just to lay low for my birthday, and I can tell you that within less than perhaps one and a half kilometres from where I was sleeping, there were bandits with camps established there.”

The magazine reports that following the clamp down on the bandits by security agencies, many of them are now seeking refuge in other parts of the country to continue their criminals activities.

As part of their desperate efforts to survived the military onslaught against them,  some bandit leaders were reported to have formed alliance with the new terrorist group, Lukarawa who are also facing a crack-down from the armed forces and other security agencies.

Kano: CP Garba Decorates 272 Senior Police Officers With New Ranks

By
The Source
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CP Garba Decorates 272 Senior Police Officers

A grand ceremony was held, Monday, January 6, 2025, at the Kano State Police Command, where 272 senior police officers were decorated with their new ranks by the Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba. This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the careers of these dedicated officers.

Promoted Officers:

– Four (4) Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were decorated with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), including:

– Uba Shehu, 2ic Wudil Area Command

– Muhammad Wada Jarma, DPO Fagge Division

– Dayyabu Salihu, O/C Anti-Fraud, CID

– Maisoro Usman, O/C Community Policing

– Fifty (50) Superintendents of Police (SPs) were decorated with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), including:

– Abdullahi Aliyu Salihu, 2ic SOR Section, CID

– Umar Said Abdullahi, 2ic State Intelligence Department (SID)

– Abdullahi Bukar Adamu, O/C Works

– Hussaini Gimba, O/C Anti-Daba

– Abdurraheem Adamu, DPO Gwale Division

– Thirty-two (32) Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) were decorated with the rank of Superintendents of Police (SP), including:

– Jamilu Mu’azu of Surveillance, CID

– Ngu Deborah Nicholas of State Intelligence Department (SID)

– Aliyu Ibrahim Mahuta of X-Squad, CID

– Ashiru Usman, DCO Dakata Division

– One Hundred and Eighty-six (186) Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) were decorated with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

In his remarks, CP Salman Dogo Garba congratulated the promoted officers and their families, emphasizing the importance of commitment, professionalism, and clean records in achieving their new ranks. He charged the officers to redouble their efforts in their discharge of duties.

The CP expressed his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Management Team for their commitment to the welfare of members of the Force.

Kano: Gov. Yusuf Assigns New Commissioners With Portfolios

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abba Yusuf Assigns New Commissioners With Portfolios

Kano State Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf has assigned new portfolios to the seven newly appointed Commissioners.

Shortly after taking their oaths of office and allegiance, Governor Yusuf urged the new appointees to serve with dedication, integrity and humility to salvage present administration’s high expectations from the state citizens.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday said 13 Special Advisers and six Permanent Secretaries also took oath of office.

According to the release, Governor Yusuf tasked  the Commissioners to foster team spirit and work in synergy to deliver expected results.

He explained that the choice of the new set of state executive council members were duly considered to accelerate his administration’s vision centred on good governance, sustainable development, and well-being of the citizens.

“I remain fully committed to fulfiling my campaign promises. These appointments therefore reflect our determination to identify and empower individuals who will help us implement policies and programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of our citizens.”

“Over the past months, we have worked tirelessly to address pressing issues, including infrastructure development,

education, healthcare, security, empowerment and employment

generation for the citizens.

“Today’s appointments and the creation of the Local Government Service Commission further demonstrate our resolve to build a more efficient and people centred government,” Governor Yusuf maintained.

He further charged the appointees to serve the citizens with their

best abilities via working hand in hand with each other to ensure effective service delivery.

He assured the present administration would do everything possible to transform the lives of its citizens positively.

In the new portfolios, the former Chief of Staff, Alhaji  Shehu Wada Sagagi, is assigned to Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Trade; AbdulKadir Abdulsalam, former Accountant General now commissioner in charge of Rural and Community Development while Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiye is deployed to Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.

Governor Yusuf further directed Dr. Gaddafi Shehu Sani to manage the newly established Ministry of Power and Sustainable Energy; Dr. Dahiru Hashim commissioner for Environment; and Dr. Ismail Aliyu DanMaraya now in charge of Finance while Nura Iro Ma’aji assumed the ministry of Procurement and Project Monitoring.

On the Special Advisers, Governor Yusuf said Yusif Jibrin Oyoyo  appointed as Students matters.,  Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya (Emirates Council),  Sani Musa Danja (Youths and sports), Barr. Aminu Husaini Sagagi (Justice and Constitution matters) Sani Adamu Yola (Local Government Projet) and  Dr Ibrahim Musa (Health Services and personal physician to Governor).

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi administered the Orth of Office for the appointees before the state governor.

In their separate vote of thanks, Commissioner Sagagi, Special Adviser, Dr. Ismail Lawal Sulaiman and Permanent Secretary, Aminu Bashir promised to institutionalised government policies in their respective offices to ensure the vision and mission of Governor Yusuf led NNPP administration are achieved.

Ondo: Curfew In Owo As Cult War Escalates

By
Ayodele Oni
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Gunmen

By Ayodele Oni

Due to the ongoing violent cult clashes and security disturbances in Owo which have led to loss of lives, Governor of  Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered a dawn-to-dusk curfew in the town, till further notice.

The clashes which started early Monday, claimed four lives and left several others with various degrees of injuries.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated that residents are required to remain indoors during the curfew.

It added that only essential services, such as hospitals, emergency services, and law enforcement, will be exempted from the curfew.

The Governor has also asked secutiry agencies in the State to enforce the curfew, ensure safety of lives, properties, arrest perpetrators of the violence and restore peace to the community.

Alleged Missing N825bn and $2.5bn: CNPP Backs SERAP’s Demand for Transparency and Accountability in NNPCL

By
The Source
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Mele Kyari - NNPC GMD
Mele Kyari

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has thrown its behind the demand by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), a government-owned commercial company, to account for an alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion oil money.

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria maintained that it has “consistently called for the probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now NNPC Limited, and its officials, citing widespread corruption, mismanagement, and lack of transparency in the oil industry.”

In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP said “Some time in 1999, the CNPP first raised concerns about the opaque nature of NNPC’s operations, calling for a comprehensive audit of the corporation’s finances.

“Our demands were met with resistance from the government, but we persisted, knowing that transparency and accountability are essential for good governance and the survival of our democracy.

“Over the years, the CNPP has continued to push for reforms in the oil industry, calling for the sack of successive NNPC management teams, including the current Mele Kyari-led team. We have also demanded the prosecution of NNPC officials implicated in corruption scandals, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears.

“Despite the incorporation of NNPC as a commercial company under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the CNPP has maintained that this move was merely a smokescreen to perpetuate corruption. We insisted that the same management team remained in place, and that the incorporation was an incorporation of corruption.

“The CNPP’s demands for accountability and transparency in NNPC Limited are therefore not new. We have been consistent in our calls for an independent forensic audit of NNPC Limited since 1999. We believe that it is in the best interests of the Nigerian people for NNPC Limited to open its accounts for a thorough audit, and all unremitted revenues traced, recovered and remitted to the Federation accounts.

“For us, the recent demand by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for NNPC Limited to account for the alleged missing N825 billion and $2.5 billion is a welcome development. The CNPP wholeheartedly supports SERAP’s demand and calls on NNPC Limited to meet the demands without delay.

“We urge the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in NNPC Limited. The time for transparency and accountability is now, and we will continue to push for reforms in the oil industry until Nigerians can reap the benefits of their country’s rich natural resources.

“The CNPP warns that Nigerians will continue to suffer hardships until NNPC Limited begins to operate transparently and remit all revenues to the Federation accounts, thereby ending the yearly borrowings to finance Nigerian budgets, which have worsened since 2015.

“We call on all Nigerians to join other civil society bodies and concerned groups in demanding accountability and transparency in NNPC Limited. Together, we can push for reforms and ensure that our country’s natural resources are used for the benefit of all, not just a privileged few”, the statement concluded.

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