Crime Facts

Suicide bombers planning to attack public facilities during Christmas – DSS raises alarm

The Department of State has raised the alarm that criminal elements are planning to bomb public places during the yuletide seasons. The alarm is contained in a statement made available to Vanguard on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya. Although Afunanya did not name the specific place earmarked for the attacks, the spokesman said the masterminds plan to use a combination of explosives, suicide bombings and other dangerous weapons. The statement said the planned attacks were meant to create a general sense of fear and undermine the government of Nigeria. The statement said, “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons. “The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons. “The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the Government. “Against this backdrop, citizens are called upon to be extra vigilant and report strange movements and indeed, all suspicions around them to security and law enforcement agencies. “On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property. “To further achieve this purpose, the Service has provided these emergency response numbers 08132222105 and 09030002189 for urgent contacts. “It is also using this opportunity to unveil its interactive website www.dss.gov.ng for public communication support. “Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these platforms and similar ones provided by related agencies to timely reach and avail them (security agencies) of required information. “However, the Service advises those planning to cause chaos and damage to public peace to desist from such as it will stop at nothing to apprehend and bring them to justice. “While assuring citizens and residents of their safety during and after the festive periods, the DGSS, Alhaji YM. Bichi fwc, with his Management and Staff, wishes all, Happy Celebrations and a Prosperous 2021,” the statement said.

17 dead in Kogi auto crash

Seventeen persons have been killed in a ghastly motor accident that occurred on Irepene Abuja /Lokoja highway in Kogi State . The incident happened at about 5:00 hours on Tuesday. It was reliably gathered that the accident was between a Toyota Hiace bus and a luxurious bus. It was further learnt that 15 persons died on the spot of the incident while other passengers who sustained degrees of injuries were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately , two of the passengers who were rushed to the hospital later died . The Kogi State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp , Solomon Agure, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Tuesday. Agure said , “ The Toyota Hiace was going down to Auchi Edo State and the Luxurious bus was coming from Okene axis . The Luxurious bus overtook a car and lost control. Of course , it was night, so he came and hit the smaller Toyota bus pushing it into the bush . The vehicle somersaulted , and 15 people died on the spot and two later died in the hospital . He , however , advised motorists to reduce their speed , avoid night travel , and always plan their journey stressing that , while travelling , they should avoid dangerous overtaking. “ It is very important for motorists to obey the speed limit which is 90 with commercial vehicles and 100 with private vehicles , ” he stated. Agure said the command had deployed no fewer than 522 personnel to ensure a free flow of traffic during this yuletide season. The sector commander further hinted that more officers are expected from neighboring Ekiti and Kwara State to support the command for a hitch – free Christmas celebration.

Putin signs bill giving Russian presidents lifetime immunity

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office . The bill, which was published online Tuesday, gives former presidents and their families immunity from prosecution for crimes committed during their lifetime . They will also be exempt from questioning by police or investigators , as well as searches or arrests . The legislation was part of constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote that allow Putin, 68, to remain president until 2036. Prior to the bill becoming law , former presidents were immune from prosecution only for crimes committed while in office . Now a former president can still be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts . But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will additionally grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council or Senate, a position that assures immunity from prosecution upon leaving the presidency. Last month, the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime Russian leader is planning to step down because of poor health — a claim the Kremlin denied. On Tuesday the lower house State Duma passed legislation making information about employees of Russia ’ s judicial system , law enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential. The bill now requires Putin’ s signature to become law , a step that is considered a formality . It comes a day after opposition figure Alexei Navalny said he telephoned an alleged security agent and tricked him into admitting the Federal Security Service tried to kill him in August by poisoning. Navalny said he had gained access to the security agent ’ s phone number from leaked logs and travel records . The Kremlin critic later published the agent ’ s alleged address and phone number , actions that would become illegal under the newly proposed legislation . ( AFP)

Gunmen attack Kaduna communities, kill seven, kidnap four

Some gunmen were said to have attacked Gbaja in Katarma district of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed seven persons while four sustained varying degrees of injuries . The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr . Samuel Aruwan , who confirmed the incident on Tuesday, also said gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in a separate raid , abducted four persons in the same LGA . Aruwan listed those killed by the bandits to include , Samson Hassan , Nuhu Hassan , Ali Hassan , Tsoho Wasa , Gabriel Ahmadu, Dogara Sarki , and Shekwolo Yohanna. The commissioner said four persons were injured during the attack and gave their names as Zamai Pada , Nuhu Bulus, Bani Sarki as well as Isa ’ ac Danjuma . Similarly , in another attack at Unguwar Tagwaye Doka in Kuriga Ward also of Chikun LGA, the gunmen kidnapped three herders, the commissioner said . According to him , the three herders kidnapped are Buhari Mika’ il , Binta Auwal , and Maryam Wada . Aruwan said security operatives had since launched an investigation into the various incidents and that the government awaited their reports. Aruwan in a statement titled , ‘ Residents report attacks by bandits on locations in Chikun LGA…investigations in progress’ , said , “ Residents of the Katarma general area of Chikun local government have informed the Kaduna State Government that armed bandits have killed seven persons in a location called Gbaja . “ The Kaduna State Government has also received reports that bandits attacked Unguwar Tagwaye Doka in Kuriga Ward also of Chikun LGA, and kidnapped three herders. “ Security agencies are conducting investigations at these locations , and the Kaduna State Government awaits official reports and other details on the incidents. “ Citizens will be updated on these and other security developments across the State . “

FG to students: ASUU will end strike before Jan 15

The Federal Government has again assured that the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would soon come to an end . The assurances followed the payment of part of the arrears of salaries to the university lecturers in line with the agreement reached with the union . Some lecturers confirmed that they had been paid two months ’ salary arrears. Speaking at the meeting with ASUU on Tuesday, the Minister of Labour and Employment , Senator Chris Ngige, assured that the strike would be called off before January 15. Referring to an ultimatum issued by some students , the minister said the industrial action would be resolved before January 15, noting , however , that he had not received a letter from the students threatening to embark on protests if the strike was not called off. Ngige said , “ The government would disappoint all those wishing for the protests as all the matters in dispute must have been resolved by January 15. “ Those who want to use the #EndASUU protest to destroy public and private property or lecturers’ homes will be disappointed. “ I am optimistic that the meeting will produce the final result that will make everybody happy, ” Ngige said . Expressing optimism about the meeting, the minister informed ASUU that he had received confirmation from the FG that most of the grey areas had been dealt with . “ We are hopeful that ASUU will then take the report of what we achieved today to their members . We allow social dialogue in line with ILO conventions for all employers and employee , to guide this meeting, ” he stated . The ASUU President , Prof Biodun Ogunyemi , said they sympathised with their students who are also their children, adding that “ no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments ” . Ogunyemi said they came for the meeting with all sense of responsibility to resolve the crisis in the interest of the students and their members , who , he said had been starving . He , however , reiterated that only the National Executive Committee of ASUU could announce the suspension of the strike.

Covid-19: Stay at home from Wednesday, FG orders civil servants

The Federal Government has ordered civil servants from grade level 12 and below to stay at home for five weeks. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation , Dr Folasade Yemi -Esan, made this known in a circular in Abuja on Tuesday. Esan said the directive followed the reported cases of the second wave of the COVID – 19 pandemic in the country. The circular read in part, “ Following Mr President ’ s approval of recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID -19, in the light of the second wave of the infection in Nigeria , officers on grade level 12 and below are hereby , directed to stay at home for a period of five weeks, effective from Wednesday , December 23 and await further directive. ” According to her, the decision has become necessary to streamline the number of officers who come to work daily. She said the affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home, while officers on grade level 13 and above are to adhere to preventive measures while they at work and elsewhere . ” The measures include maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing and/or sanitising of hands and wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors. “ In line with the prescription of the PTF , virtual meetings are encouraged with the view to minimising physical contact . “ In addition, Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are expected to sustain the provision and use of necessary amenities in compliance with the existing guidelines on prevention and the spread of COVID – 19 pandemic. “ Security operatives manning the gates of offices should be directed to demand for the identity card of staff coming to the office to ensure that they are on grade level 13 and above before granting them access to the premises, ” she advised .

Garba Shehu: We need to stop herdsmen from roaming around

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, says Nigeria needs to stop herdsmen from roaming all over the country to prevent clashes with farmers. Shehu spoke when he featured on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday. The presidential spokesman was responding to the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari is grabbing lands to dole out to herdsmen. The allegation was made by Katch Ononuju, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who also featured on the programme. Ononuju had said the government does not care about the lives of its citizens, hence, the continued kidnappings, killings and clashes between farmers and herders. But Shehu blamed the actions of the herdsmen on the drying of grazing lands in the north. “This country has a grazing problem because the herders are mostly Fulanis. The challenge is from these places they had practiced, you know, the encroachment by desert leading to drying up of a lot of grazing lands in the northern-most parts of the country, “Shehu said. “This has put pressure on the herders who have been looking to the south-west green grass so that their cattle will eat and also have water to drink. It’s a global climate situation which is unfortunate considering what has happened along the lake chad basin. “I’m glad that governors of the north are coming together to say let us resolve this problem of grazing because we have to stop these herders from roaming and eating up our crops all over the country. “They drive their cattle into farmlands and eat up the crops. The farmers fight back and the killings follow. The country cannot continue in this way. “The president has no plan to fish for a land other than the one he has inherited from his father. Some of them have even be donated for community purposes but I think we need to get our facts right when we speak on some of these issues.” Still speaking on insecurity in the north-east, particularly in Borno, Shehu said progress has been made, “a lot of it” and that Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa have all “moved on” from insecurity issues. “And we are hoping and praying for our brothers in Borno state that they too, with the support of the military and the communities, they will rid themselves of Boko Haram,” he said. “The president has said times without number that his expectations are still to be met, that means we are not exactly where we wish to be. However, a fair judgement that can be made about ongoing efforts of the administration is tojudge it by the responses it makes when challenges of security comes up. “In all countries of the world, there is always one form of security challenge, the thing, then, to do is how do you respond? The present administration has responded within the capacity, competence using available resources and manpower and all the limitations that come with that. So, can we get better? We hope we will continue to improve.”

Gunmen Kidnap Passengers In Edo

Gunmen on Monday reportedly kidnapped passengers in a commercial bus on the Benin-Auchi road in Edo state. It was gathered that the kidnapping happened ay 11 a.m. between Iruekpen and White section of the road. Daily Trust also gathered that the kidnappers blocked the vehicles at a failed portion of the road and abducted all the passengers in the bus belonging to a popular transport company. It was learnt that the kidnappers after forcing the vehicle to stop at a gun point forcefully took the passenger into the bush. Meanwhile, when contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, did not respond to his phone calls.

Uzodimma signs 2021 budget into law

Imo governor, Hope Uzodimma on Tuesday signed the 2021 budget of N346.2 billion tagged “Budget of Wealth Creation” into law. According to the press statement released by Oguwike Nwachuku, the CPS/Media Adviser to Governor, the ceremony took place at the Executive Chambers of the Government House, Owerri, Imo state. Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem and Principal Officers of Imo State House of Assembly and members of the Imo State expanded executive witnessed the signing. While presenting the Budget for the Governor’s assent, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeziem said they have “done justice to the appropriation bill”. Emeziem noted that the budget passed through the due process of First, Second and Third reading. Putting the official seal on the 2021 appropriation bill as passed by the House of Assembly, Uzodimma said the estimate was “a realistic thinking of what will drive Imo State to the next level, if fully implemented.” The Governor reiterated the tag of the budget which is “Budget of Wealth Creation” and emphasised that if well implemented will address the unemployment problems in the State. Also, that it will provide infrastructure, provide counterpart funding to the State’s global partners and bridge the gaps that exist to both the State local economy and other economies. He noted that the Executive Arm of government has the responsibility to “drive the appropriated revenue, generate the revenue through her MDAs, spend the revenue as appropriated and ensure that the performance profile of the budget as passed into law is reasonable. Uzodimma thanked the leadership and members of the Imo State House of Assembly for their prompt and timely passage of the appropriation bill.

No Fresh Lockdown Over COVID-19, Says Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government on Tuesday clarified that it has not declared a fresh lockdown of the country following confirmation of a second wave of Covid-19. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave this clarification when he featured on a Radio Nigeria programme, “Politics Nationwide’’, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. The minister said the directives and position of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 at its briefing on Monday, did not translate to partial or total lockdown as reported in some sections of the media. He allayed the fears of Nigerians and some listeners that called-in during the programme that a lockdown might have negative effects on the already stressed economy. Mohammed explained that what the Federal Government had done was to reduce the chances of mass gathering by directing its workers from Level 12 below to work from home. He said the government also reiterated already existing ban on night clubs and other COVID-19 protocols. “The Federal Government has not declared a fresh lockdown. “What we have done is that we have simply reiterated the old protocols and asked federal workers on Level 12 and below to stay at home and they will still receive their salaries. “Lagos state has equally asked their level 14 workers and below to work from home and Kaduna state has done the same. “Therefore, there is no fresh lockdown and the issue of hardship and economy meltdown does not arise,’’ he said. The minister said that the government also reminded Nigerians that the ban on social gathering is still on and Churches and Mosques should obey the social gathering rules. He said the directive is to curtail people from gathering because they found out that COVID had reached level of community transmission. Mohammed said the protocols on foreign travels subsist to the effect that those travelling to Nigeria would not be able to come on board unless they have the certificate that they tested negative for the virus. He said when they arrive into the country, they must self-isolate for seven days after which they would go back for confirmation test. (NAN)