July 2021 – Page 79 – Crime Facts

Post Date : July 8, 2021

UPDATED: Gunshots as Imo speaker suspends minority leader, five other lawmakers

Imo-State-House-of-Assembly Imo State House of Assembly. Web image There was uproar at the Imo State House of Assembly Complex in Owerri, the state capital, on Thursday afternoon, after the speaker, Paul Emezim, suspended the minority leader, Anyadike Nwosu, and five other lawmakers. According to Punch, in an emergency plenary held under tight security, the speaker suspended the lawmakers indefinitely for what he called “unparliamentary conduct”. Apart from the minority leader, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, other lawmakers suspended by the speaker were: the immediate past majority leader, Uche Ogbuagu,(Ikeduru, APC), Onyemaechi Njoku(Ihitte- Uboma, APC), Kennedy Ibeh,(Obowo, APC), Philip Ejiogu,( Owerri North, PDP) and Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West, APC). Emezim, also dissolved all standing committees of the house and removed the Chief Whip of the house, Authur Egwim, (Ideato North, APC) and replaced him with Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre, APC). The development caused panic in the complex as the security aides to the speaker had to shoot into the air and guard Emezim, for him to make his way out of the premises, amidst protests. Our correspondent was told by one of the suspended lawmakers, Ibeh, that “we got a message today from the clerk of the house that there would be an emergency meeting today (Thursday) having on Wednesday adjourned till July 14. “We got to the complex by 10am but we didn’t see the speaker. We kept waiting until when the speaker came and we moved into the chambers and signed the attendance register. The speaker immediately without recourse to the rules of the house announced the dissolution of all standing committees of the house and removed the Chief Whip of house and announced, Obinna Okwara, in his place.” “The speaker said that the decision was taken at the executive session of the house, whereas there was no executive session. A lawmaker, Onyemaechi Njoku, stood up on the special privileges rule of the house, but the speaker shut him down. I also rose to talk but he didn’t allow me to talk. “He abandoned the rules of the house and imported his own. Other lawmakers raised concerns but the speaker didn’t care. In the end, he announced that he had suspended the six of us for unparliamentary conduct.” Asked what was his next line of action, Ibeh said “talking about political resolution, I am a member of the All Progressives Congress and the governor is the leader of the party in the state. “I will wait for an opportunity to speak with the governor so that I will tell my own side of the story. But talking about legal redress, that is not within my consideration for now. I have suffered many political persecutions in the parliament so I have taken it as one of those persecutions.” One of the media aides to the speaker, Chukeudi Osuji, told our correspondent that the suspension was indefinite. But our correspondent was told by one of the lawmakers that the “sudden and draconian” suspension of the six lawmakers was not unconnected to their disenchantment on how the finances of the third tier of government in the state were being run. Credit: The Punch

Post Date : July 8, 2021

Bandits kill two immigration officials in Katsina

Bandits in the early hours of Thursday killed two officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). They carried out the attack around 12:05 am at Kadobe village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. The officers killed were Umar Bagadaza Kankara and Lawali Dutse. The Nation correspondent gathered there was a gun battle between the immigration officials and bandits. Scores of bandits were reportedly killed while others sustained gunshot wounds. A soldier, who was among the reinforcement sent to the area, also sustained gunshot wounds on his thigh. He was said to be receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina. One of the immigration officers, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said the service has a base at the village where the incident occurred. He confided the area was usually considered safe haven for herdsmen and their animals. He said: “The herdsmen had brought their cattle there for pasture and for security, having considered that Immigration also has a base there. “But the bandits decided to attack the place yesterday night after several efforts to do so in the past had proved abortive. “The people in the community said they also saw strange faces lurking around in the evening of the incident but they refused to alert the security on the situation’’. “When the bandits attacked, they started shooting sporadically at our men and our men fired back also. They killed two of our men, but we killed several of theirs too’. “Several of the bandits sustained gunshot wounds and were able to escape with the bodies of their slain members and also managed to rustle cows belonging to the herdsmen. “Soldiers who were in patrol on the streets had rushed to the area in reinforcement and there was serious gunfire exchange in which one soldier was shot on his thigh. ‘’The bodies of the slain officers has been handed over to their families for burial.” Spokesperson for Immigration in the state, Illyasu Kasimu, declined to speak on the incident, stating he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

EXTRA: Man in court for allegedly giving wife abortion drug as pain killer

The police in Ilorin on Thursday arraigned one Nurudeen Osioyemi for allegedly giving his wife, Balikis Aliyu, an unknown drug as pain killer, which later led to the miscarriage of her pregnancy. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant was charged with criminal intimidation and causing of miscarriage, contrary to Sections 97 and 232 of the Penal Code Law. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Olufolake Makosa, told an Ilorin Magistrates’ Court that the defendant gave his wife an unknown drug to use for body pain, after which he threatened to kill or use her for ritual. Makosa said that the defendant’s wife packed out of her matrimonial home due to the unbearable attitude of her husband and after three days, she started bleeding from her private part. The prosecutor added that the victim was rushed to the Police Training School Hospital, Ilorin, where it was confirmed that she had an incomplete abortion due to the drug she used. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Magistrate, Mrs Shade Lawal, however, granted the defendant bail in the sum N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case until July 12 for further mention.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

BREAKING: Magu dropped as PSC promotes 24 CPS, 35 DCPs, 52 ACPs

..Confirms three DIGs The Police Service Commission has confirmed the acting appointments of three Deputy Inspectors General of Police. This was contained in a press release signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani. The Commission also approved the promotion of twenty four Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police. The Commission however declined the promotion of CP, Ibrahim Magu, former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The decisions were the highpoints of the Commission’s 12th Plenary Meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 6th and 7th of July, 2021 and presided over by Commission’s Chairman, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police. Similarly the Commission approved the promotion of 35 Deputy Commissioners of Police, to the rank of Commissioners, 52 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners and 46 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners. It also considered and approved the promotion of 10 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents, 17 Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents, 139 Assistant Superintendents of Police, whose names were skipped during the last promotion, to Deputy Superintendents and nine Inspectors to Assistant Superintendents of Police. The Commission declined the promotion of CP Magu pending clearance from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General of Police. The three DIGs whose acting appointments were confirmed by the Commission were Tijanni Baba who replaced Rtd DIG Aminchi Samaila Baraya for North East; Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, who replaced Rtd DIG Ibrahim Larmode, North East and DIG Moses A. Jitoboh who replaced Rtd DIG Ogbizi Michael for South South. The 24 Commissioners of Police promoted to Assistant Inspectors General of Police were; Usman Nagogo, currently CP Federal Intelligence Bureau, Force Headquarters Abuja; Bala Ciroma, Cp, FCT Command; Ahmad Abdurrahman, NIPPS, Jos; Adeleke Adeyinka Bode, CP, Kebbi State Command; Muri Umar Musa, CP Kaduna State Command; Lawal Jimeta Tanko,( former COMPOL POPOL) Andreas presently Commandant Police Academy Wudil Kano; Dauda Abdulkarim, Commandant Police Traning College Kaduna; Usman Alhassan Belele, CP Research and Development, Force Headquarters Abuja; Adebola Emmanuel Longe, CP. Nasarawa State; Musa Adze, CP Anti Fraud, FCIID, Abuja; Philip Sule, former CP Ebonyi and currently CP SPU Force Headquarters, Abuja; Usman Sule Gomna, CP Jigawa State Command; Adamu Usman, CP Niger State Command; Daniel Sokari Pedro, Deputy Commandant, Police Academy Wudil, Kano; Ahmed Mohammed Azare, CP Taraba Command; Adamu Saleh Jajeri; Maigana Alhaji Sani, CP FCIID Annex Kaduna; Audu Adamu Madaki, former CP Welfare, presently CP, Benue State; Ibrahim Sani Kaoje; NIPPS; John Ogbonnaya Amadi CP Airport Command; Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, CP Kogi State Command; Mohammed Bagega, Kwara State Command; Bello Makwashi, CP Borno State Command, Buba Sanusi, CP Katsina State Command. The 35 Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to Commissioners include; Idowu Owohunwa, Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police; Babaji Sunday, Deputy Commissioner, Operations, FCT Command, Arungwa Udochukwu Nwazue, former DCP, Operations, FCT and currently DCP, Ops Zone 9, Umuahia; Ayuba Elkana, DCP Ops Zamfara State Command; Mohammed Barde, DCP CID, Borno State Command; Abdullahi Mudasiru, DCP Force Intelligence Annex Lagos; Salisu Gedeji, DCP Training FHQs Abuja; Umar Mohammed Na,Isa DCP Ops, Jigawa; Musa Baba, DCP Armament, FHQs Abuja; D.D Kromda; Chollong Gyang DCP, CID Zamfara; and Aliyu Tafida. Others were; Abubakar Lawal; Aliyu Haruna; Alhassan Aminu, Abdul Umar; Vincent Amakiri; Adewale Harry; A.M Williams; Shettima Zanna; Ebong Eribo, DCP Admin, Bayelsa State Command; Adepoju Ilori, DCP Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Okon Okon, DCP, National Defence College, Abuja; Echeng Echeng DCP Zone 13, Ukpo; Sussan Horsfal, fomer DCP CID Airports Command and presently DCP CID, Akwa Ibom State Command; Adeshina Morenkeji, Augustine Arop, former DCP Admin, Akwa Ibom State Command and presently DCP CID, Osun State Command and Bankole Lanre Sikiru, DCP Interpol Lagos among others. The 52 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners include; Akinbayo Olasunkanmi Olasoji, Area Commander, Area B, Apapa, Lagos; Bello Yahaya, ACP Ops, FIB, Abuja; Bakori A. Ibrahim, former PSO to Inspector General of Police and presently Commandant Bayelsa State Task Force on Operation Doo Apo; Adepoju Olugbenga Adewole, Area Commander P, Alagbon Close, Lagos sate Command; Ajide Olayinka;Alice Agba; Sadiq Idris; Mustapha Abubakar; Agbo Godwin; Aliyu Iliya; and Samuel Oke. Some of the Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to ACPs include; Ibrahim Ada Usman; Jatau Hassan Anga second in command 23 PMF, Lagos; Benjamin Ogungbure; Elechi Raphael Nkem; Shehu Sambo, Makanjuola Abiodun and Abayomi Olugbenga Megbope. Olusegun Rafiu, Mohammed Awwal yahaya and Ben Kalio were some of the ten Superintendents of Police promoted to Chief Superintendents, while Erhabor Orobosa Henry was one of the 17 DSPs promoted to Superintendents of Police. Deputy Commissioners of Police who were due for promotion to Commissioners of Police had earlier appeared before the Commission in Plenary where they were interviewed. The Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith congratulated the beneficiaries and demanded of them commitment to the service of the Nigerian nation and to operate within the laws of the land and with the fear of God. He said the Commission will continue to ensure that promotions in the Police will follow due process and as and when due.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

Lauretta Onochie: I’m Being Attacked Because I Follow Due Process

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, says she is not partisan but follow due process in all she does. She stated this in an opening remarks during her screening as INEC national commissioner nominee by the Senate Committee on INEC. She said, “I’ve no partisanship in my blood. I have seen many petitions against my nomination not only from the PDP, but also from some APC members. “I’m not partisan. They know. It is about the law. No one has any reason to fear for my nomination as INEC commissioner representing Delta. As far as I’m concerned, I’m madam due process. That’s why all the attacks. I follow due process, I follow the law.” The screening is ongoing. President Muhammadu Buhari had, on October 12, nominated Onochie (Delta), Professor Muhammad Sani Kallah (Katsina), Professor Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Ekiti), Saidu Babura Ahmad (Jigawa), Prof. Sani Muhammad Adam (north central) and Dr. Baba Bila (north east) as national commissioners of INEC. Onochie’s nomination had sparked an outrage from the opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, who argued that she was “too partisan” to be a commissioner in an important institution like INEC. Last week, PDP leaders staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly to demand the rejection of Onochie.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

Kaduna Baptist students’ kidnappers reject nine bags of rice offered by school

The gunmen who invaded Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi in Kaduna State, have rejected nine bags of rice as well as other food items offered by the school. The Vice-Principal of the school, Wakili Madugu, said this during an interview on Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1fm on Thursday which was monitored by The PUNCH. Madugu said he received a call at 7.30am on Tuesday shortly after the students had been abducted and was assured of their safety. The school official said the abductors had demanded food items with which they would feed the students. He further stated that the bandits said authorities had blocked their access to food and therefore demanded that the school and the parents make food items available. “They said we should bring 10 bags of imported rice, 20 bags of local rice, 20 bags of beans and then 10 cartons of Maggi (seasoning) and then 10 kegs of oil as well as two bags of salt. These were the items they demanded.” Madugu, however, said the school did not have all the items demanded because they had exhausted almost all their foodstuffs ahead of the school’s closure this week. He added that the school was able to make some of the items available but the bandits rejected them. Madugu stated, “The school had no more food because we were preparing to close the school in less than four days. So, the food items were not up to what they (abductors) were demanding. So, we sought assistance from some of the parents and we did our best. “As of today, we have nine bags of rice, one sack of beans, two cartons of Maggi (seasoning), two kegs of palm oil and a bag of salt. They told me to bring the items yesterday (Wednesday) and so I called them around 7pm and they asked me how far. “I told them this is what we have on hand and they started insulting me, threatening me and they switched off the phone. That means what I have is not enough.” The vice-principal said it wasn’t true that the state government had asked the school to close down before the incident. On what efforts the school had made to ensure that students were not abducted, Madugu said members of the Joint Task Force had been guarding the school and they actually engaged the bandits in a gun duel on Tuesday but they were overpowered by the superior fire power of the assailants. He added that the bandits did not come in vehicles but actually marched the students out of the school. The vice-principal added that the kidnappers had not yet made any demand for a ransom.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

The partitioning of Nigeria ahead of 2023

By Frederick Nwabufo Avarice and prejudice drove European conquistadors to carve up much of Africa like cake. With the gradual end of the transatlantic slave trade spurred by the industrial revolution in Europe, the trespassers, possessed by capitalist fiends, sought sources of raw materials for their industries and markets for their manufactured products. These encroachers considered Africa as ‘’terra nullius’’ – a vast land belonging to no one –, so they struck, usurping natural boundaries and turning brothers into strangers. All for greed, prejudice and arrogance. But nothing changed after the European raiders left Africa. Only the skin colour and facial features of the oppressors varied. Colonialism by aliens gave way for colonialism by natives; black-on-black oppression. In Nigeria’s case, the worst form of colonialism steeped in prebendalism, carnivory, nepotism, tribalism, corruption and predation took root. Nigeria’s political class are a hybridised version of the European colonial masters. It is about two years to the next general election in 2023, and already there is chaos, confusion and caustic rhetoric brought on by politics of conquest. It is always about the cake for the Nigerian political class — how to carve it up and serve it among themselves; who to get what and what portion. It is never about how to make life better for citizens. Nigeria abandoned the development plans of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. In fact, we do not have concretised development plans anymore, but we always have plans and budgets for elections. It has been said that Nigerian politicians plan for the next election instead of staying in the present and working for the people. It is always about the next election for them. It is all about how to acquire power, abuse it and retain it. On Monday, governors of the southern region met and issued a communiqué after the conclave. I must say, the official communication contained fine points like — ‘’the forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the house of representatives’’ as regards the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). It is against sensibility that ewes which make the best milk should not eat more of the finest grass. To stave off possible agitations in the future, it is only reasonable that the Niger Delta region from where the bulk of our revenue comes from is accorded this advantage. In general, the intention of the governors is noble, considering that it is for the preservation of their region. But where does the manifest polarisation of Nigeria into north and south by political leaders leave the country? Regional agenda has become centralised against the goal of the collective. There is a pursuit of self in negation of the whole. The chasm between the north and the south is widened by the operations of political leaders. The resolution of the governors that – ‘’the forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between southern and northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the southern region’’ – could be unnerving for people who are not from the south. I think matters of this character require national consensus not a regional gang-up. It requires statesmanship. Most political leaders in the north have openly expressed support for a power shift to the south in 2023. Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna governor; Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, and Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano governor, are some of the leaders who have said the next president should come from the south. Some northern groups have also voiced their support for a president from the south in 2023. So, what was the aim of that performance by southern governors? What that resolution has achieved so far is to unnerve even those who have shown support for power shift to the south in 2023. This is what Zulum, a proponent of power shift, said in reaction to the resolution by southern governors. Zulum: “I have said it times without number that I, Professor Babagana Zulum, I am of the view that the presidency should go to the south in the year 2023 because the unity of our country is very important. Secondly, inclusivity is very important. Thirdly, I am in the APC. Six or seven years ago, APC had zoned the presidency to northern Nigeria based on the agreement that in the year 2023, the presidency should go to the south. But again, this is politics. We are supposed to meet and discuss this issue among ourselves, among the political class. This statement that people are saying that the president must go to the south, I want them to remove the word must.” The politics of ‘’we against them’’ is one of conquest which benefits the political class. It is the politics of scrambling for spoils and partitioning the peoples of Nigeria. The Nigeria Governors Forum used to be a formidable clique which spoke in one accord and even acted as a parallel government. It is sad to see this forum become a house of Babel. Now, we have Northern Governors Forum and Southern Governors Forum – representing and pursing regional interests. Is there anyone willing to embrace Nigeria? Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo Twitter and Instagram @fredricknwabufo

Post Date : July 8, 2021

Federal Government Cries Out Over N37bn Debt Owed By Airlines

The Federal Government has raised concerns over a 37 billion naira debt owed by airlines. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika told a media conference today that the airline debt owed agencies like Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has accumulated for over thirteen years and contributes to the poor management of Nigeria’s civil aviation sector. According to Mr. Sirika, the Federal Government will, in line with current reforms double down on such debtors like the Bi-Courtney which owes 13 billion naira. Sirika said the government is in the process of intensifying plans towards the concessioning of international airports in the country by the early second quarter of 2022. He said labour has been duly consulted. The minister also stated that a total of 67 accidents have occurred in the last five years, of which 48 have been reported under the present administration to drive transparency in the system.

Post Date : July 8, 2021

BREAKING: Uche Ogbuagu, 5 others suspended from Imo assembly

The Imo State House of Assembly Speaker has suspended six active lawmakers for reasons yet to be known, Crimefacts.news reports. Crimefacts gathered that Uche Ogbuagu, member representing Ikeduru state constituency was among the lawmakers suspended. OTHERS ARE: 2. Barr Anyadike … Ezinihitte LGA 3. Ezerioha Dominic … Oru West LGA 4. Philip Ejiogu … Owerri North LGA 5. Micheal Onyemaechi… Ihitte Uboma LGA 6. Kennedy Ibe… Obowo LGA In the same vein, the member representing Nkwerre LGA State Constituency, Hon. Barr. Obinna Okwara elevated to Chief Whip. More to follow…..

Post Date : July 8, 2021

BREAKING: Boko Haram Insurgents Attack Yobe Community

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Katarko village a distance of 18 kilometers away from Damaturu the Yobe State capital. Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that the attackers drove into the community around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday in one Armoured Personnel Car (APC) and six Toyota Hilux mounted with anti-aircraft guns. The residents who fled to the bush for safety said, the insurgents might have come to loot foodstuff as today, Thursday, is the market day of Katarko village. Other unconfirmed sources from the village revealed that the military had ambushed the insurgents while returning back to their base. Katarko community was last attacked on March 16, 2021, in which blocks of health facilities were burnt down by the insurgents. More to follow…