Crime Facts

Anybody caught using IPOB’s name to enforce non-existent sit-at-home will be treated as a traitor – Emma Powerful

…Condemns chasing of students writing exams in Imo …..Promises to replace burnt motorcycles and rebuild school blocks destroyed by IPOB members By Ibe Pascal Arogorn Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson has warned that anybody caught using IPOB’s name to enforce non-existent sit-at-home will be treated as a traitor. This was contained in a statement by the outlawed group’s spokesman Emma Powerful on Tuesday and was obtained by Crimefacts.news Recall that Powerful had issued a statement canceling IPOB’s everyday Monday with at-home order. But Crimefacts.news has learnt that another faction in the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) continued to order people in the Southeast to sit at home. Powerful’s statement reads, “we the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to reiterate once again, that we have no other sit-at-home order atfer 14th September. Any other purported sit-at-home including the suspended weekly sit-at-home on Mondays does not exist in the dairy of IPOB. In fact, after September 14, there is no other sit-at-home this week. Any contrary news or speculations to this effect should be ignored. Speaking further, he said that anybody trying to enforce any sit-at-home order using the name of IPOB is a saboturer, and does so at his peril. If we catch anybody disturbing the peace of Biafrans or residents in Biafra land under the guise of enforcing non-existent sit-at-home order, such a person regret his actions because he will receive the reward of traitors. “IPOB is a responsible organization with reasoning and empathy. We cannot be part of the problem we are trying to solve. We cannot join the enemies to compound the woes of our people we are fighting to liberate. That was why we suspended the ghost Mondays that we earlier declared because of the economic implications to our people. We listened to appeals by the people and reviewed our stance on the matter then. That was why we reduced the sit-at-home protests to the days our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be making appearances in court. That is enough for now and we stand by it. Anybody trying to impose another sit-at-home order on our people or enforce illegal or imaginary sit-at-home is not IPOB, and must be dealt with. Such a person(s) are working with the enemies to disrepute IPOB, and we won’t tolerate such stupidity. “On this note, IPOB strongly condemn the barbaric act by hoodlums and mentally deranged fellows who disrupted a WAEC exam in a school in Imo State on Monday. What a stupid madness! Whoever was behind such barbarity must be made to pay for their actions. IPOB leadership is hereby promising to replace those motorbikes burnt in the school to their owners and rebuild school blocks burnt by hoodlums in the name of ESN and IPOB volunteers, this is not to portray or indicate that IPOB committed the heinous crimes against our people and promise to set up taxforce to chechmate those parading themselves as IPOB volunteers and those committing this crime against humanity and our people, we plead to Biafrans to bear with us for this dastardly act against humanity they are using to disrepute and demormize IPOB in the world. We are calling on the school management and those their properties were destroyed to contact any IPOB office near to them for possible payments of their properties, “he said.

Buhari Writes Senate, Seeks Approval For Fresh $4bn, €710m Loans

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to approve $4 billion and €710 million external loan. This is contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and read at plenary, on Tuesday. Buhari said the proposed loan is to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, EXIM Bank and IFAD. He said the loan would enable the Federal Government fund critical infrastructural projects in different sectors. The letter reads: “I write on the above subject and submit the attached addendum to the proposed 2018-2020 external rolling borrowing plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for the same to become effective. “The distinguished Senate President may recall that we submitted a request on 2018-2020 borrowing plan for the approval of the Senate in May 2021. “However, in view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as of June 2021 are incorporated, I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan. “The projects listed in the external borrowing plan are to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, EXIM Bank and IFAD in the total sum of $4,054,476,863 and €710 million and grant components of $125 million.”

IPOB: Uzodinma meets Air Force boss, vows to ‘flush out bad eggs’

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has expressed optimism in “flushing out unrepentant bad eggs” from the state. He said this in a Facebook post after meeting Air Vice-Marshal Frank Okpara. The PUNCH reports that there had been agitations for an Indigenous People of Biafra across South-East, including Imo State. Since the return of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to detention in Nigeria, separatists have continually ordered a sit-at-home on Mondays. Nigerian officials had earlier extradited Nnamdi Kanu. The officials said that Nnamdi Kanu was brought back after he jumped bail and went on the run in 2017. His family and lawyers say he was illegally arrested in June while in Kenya, tortured, and flown back to Nigeria. Giving an update from the meeting, the governor said, ” In furtherance to our synergy with security agencies for an improved security network across the state and other sundry services, yesterday I had an interactive session with Air Vice Marshal Frank Okpara who came calling on an official visit. “We deliberated on issues bordering on improved security of lives and properties in line with the most professional conduct and rules of engagement while flushing out every bad egg that chose to be unrepentant and I am optimistic of a sustained and improved security situation of our dear State. “Prominent on our discussion is the establishment of Air Force Secondary School to complement on our existing educational institutions and offer a greater sense of belonging. I leveraged this visit to seek the full equipping of the Air Force Hospital in Owerri and ensuring the availability of Healthcare services to the host community and the state at large.”

Sex worker slits Lagos trader’s stomach with blade, victim dies

A trader, Sunday Emmanuel, has lost his life after a suspected sex worker, identified as Precious, allegedly slit his stomach with a blade at FESTAC Town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro gathered that Emmanuel had a makeshift shop on First Avenue, where he sold alcoholic drinks. During a visit to the area on Monday, our correspondent learnt that Precious usually visited the spot at odd hours in search of customers. A car marketer, who identified himself only as Buchi, said around 4am on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, an argument ensued between her and Emmanuel. Buchi added that the argument degenerated into a fight, as Precious brought out a blade and slit the stomach of the 32-year-old. He said, “After perpetrating the crime, she boarded a motorcycle to escape. The guy who was attacked ran after her, but the injuries made him fall and he died, because his intestines came out. “People thought she had escaped. But the motorcyclist, who witnessed the attack on Emmanuel, rode her to the FESTAC Police Station and handed her over to a policeman. I don’t know what caused the fight between her and the man.” The Manager of De Haven Hotel, who identified himself only as Mr Lucky, told our correspondent that the motorcyclist informed him about the incident. He said, “After he told me, I stepped out and saw a lot of people at the scene, which is opposite our hotel. The motorcyclist informed me because he knew the police might want to hold the hotel responsible for the death. He also wanted me to ensure that the police treated the case properly. “When I got to the station, I saw the girl; she is a sex worker, and was not remorseful about what she did. Even when she was handcuffed, she was still not remorseful, until when they were transferring the case and she was told that she might never come back. “The incident did not happen in the hotel, but opposite the hotel and my only saving grace was the motorcyclist who took her to the station and informed me. I learnt that she was taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.” The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said he was going to get back to our correspondent after getting details of the incident. He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Tuition hike: UNIBEN students protest

Students of the University of Benin [UNIBEN] have kicked against the new hike in tuition fees after the management of the institution insensitively hiked fees twice in one session in the face of economic hardship in Nigeria made possible by the appalling incompetence of the Buhari dictatorship. A source at the institution who spoke to CitizensAlert on the condition of anonymity said that hiking tuition fees has become a habitual affair at the institution. The source informed CitizensAlert that students previously paid N14,000 as tuition. However, this changed in the 2017/2018 academic session when authorities catapulted the fees to an outrageous N41,400! CitizensAlert gathered that the hike did not stop there. Immediately after resuming for the ongoing academic session, the University Management headed by the Vice-Chancellor Lilian Imuetinyan Salami again announced another hike from N41,400 to N45,000. And as if that was not enough, less than a month later, the fees were again hiked with an increment of N20,000, bringing the total fees payable to N65,000 for both students in the Art and Sciences. Meanwhile, newly admitted students are asked to pay N90,000, an outrageous amount considering the fact that the University of Benin is a federal institution. These insensitive hikes are consistent despite the fact that students have several other fees the institution imposes on them. Some of these compulsory fees include: Faculty dues Department dues Course registration Whilst the management of the institution claims it does not officially sell handouts, its lecturers coerce students to pay for same. UNIBEN Management insists that failure of the students to pay the new fee regime will result in them losing access to the institution, their portal or even their studentship. Infuriated students have since shut down academic activities at the university, occupying UNIBEN’s gate as early as 07:00 AM on Tuesday morning, September 14. Several placards seen by CitizensAlert at the university gate, venue of the protest, read: “UNIBEN VC Salami is after my sanity as a student” “I dey find hook up like this. Na UNIBEN send me ooo. . . #No20k #NoLatePayment” “EDUCATION IS MY RIGHT, NOT MY PRIVILEGE” “Madam VC wants to milk us dry” “Salami wants us to do cash out” “E come be like sey na private university I come.” Benedicta Ehanire, Public Relations Officer of the University of Benin, whilst reacting to the complaint of the students, made the misleading assertion that education is not a right but a privilege. He further asked students to go into prostitution or Yahoo Yahoo [a term used for internet fraud in Nigeria] in order to meet up with their academic bills. The students have vowed to bring academic activities at the institution to a standstill until the Management of the institution purges itself of its habitual habit of fee hiking by reverting to the status quo as well as cancelling the fee for late payment.

CBN Moves To Establish Financial Centre

Modelled after New York, London and Singapore financial powerhouses, Nigeria is to establish the Nigerian International Financial Centre (NIFC). This financial house to be established and driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will come on stream in the next 12 months. The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele disclosed this on Tuesday at the 14th Annual Banking and Finance Conference holding on Abuja. The theme of the conference is “Economic Recovery, Inclusion and Transformation: The role of banking & finance”. Emefiele said: “The Central Bank, will, in the next 12 months be establishing The Nigerian International Financial Centre (NIFC). The NIFC will act as an international gateway for Capital and investments, driven by technology and payment system infrastructure. “This new financial hub, will curate local and international banks to make them global champions. The NIFC will be a 24/7 Financial centre that will complement London, New York and Singapore financial centers and enable an acceleration of our home grown initiatives such as the Infracorp plc, the N15 Trillion infrastructure fund which we will be launching in October 2021” he said. He said the NIFC will also complement our initiatives on the Nigerian Commodity exchange and the National Theatre creative hubs for our youths as well as the E-naira project, which will also debut in October 2021.” He stated further that “the NIFC will take advantage of our existing laws such as the BOFIA 2020, NEPZA and other CBN regulations to create a fully global investment and financial hub where monies, ideas, and technology will move freely without hindrance.” The CBN Governor assured that Nigeria’s “robust payment system has continued to evolve towards meeting the needs of households and businesses in Nigeria. Reflective of the confidence in our payment system, between 2015 and 2020, close to $500m worth of funds have been invested in firms run by Nigerian founders.” He also said the CBN is working to depeen Financial inclusion.

UAE places six Nigerians on terror list

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has placed six Nigerians on its terror list. The development follows the UAE cabinet resolution No 83 of 2021, designating 38 individuals and 15 entities as those supporting and financing terrorism in the country. According to Al Arabiya News, the decision is part UAE’s efforts in disrupting networks associated with the financing of terrorism and forestalling whatever plans they might have. Law enforcement agencies in the country have been directed to take the necessary actions against the individuals or entities or anyone associated with them. The six Nigerians are Abdurrahaman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad. Some of the other nationals are Ahmed Mohammed Abdulla Mohammed Alshaiba Alnuaimi (UAE), Mohamed Saqer Yousif Saqer Al Zaabi (UAE), Hamad Mohammed Rahmah Humaid Alshamsi (UAE), Saeed Naser Saeed Naser Alteneiji (UAE), Hassan Hussain Tabaja (Lebanon) and Adham Hussain Tabaja (Lebanon) among others. Ray Tracing Trading Co LLC, H F Z A Arzoo International F Z E, Hanan Shipping L.L.C, Four Corners Trading Est, Sasco Logistic L.L.C, AlJarmouzi General Trading LLC and Al Jarmoozi Cargo & Clearing (L.L.C) are some of the entities designated as terrorist organisations. In 2020, six Nigerians were jailed 10 years in the UAE for funding Boko Haram. A court had found them guilty of setting up a Boko Haram cell in the UAE to raise funds and material assistance for the insurgents in Nigeria. They appealed against the judgment, arguing that they were “framed”, but they lost and are currently serving their sentences.

Man Beats Tricycle Operator To Death In Kwara

A tricycle operator, Kola Adeyemi, has been allegedly beaten to death by a tricycle operator in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. Daily Trust gathered that the alleged culprit, Kayode Oluwatomi, popularly called “lawyer” is a staffer of BYC consulting firm located at Irewolede area of Ilorin. He was said to have attacked the deceased (Fear God) for hitting his vehicle from the rear. According to an eyewitness, the incident began as a heated exchange of words between the duo. “The man out of provocation then hit the tricyclist with something suspected to be a charm and the man fell down and died instantly. “His dead body was deposited at the Garin Alimi Hospital, Asa Dam and the police have taken over the matter,” the witness added. When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident. He said that the case was reported by the Vice Chairman of the Tricycle Riders Association, Garin Alimi/Asa-Dam unit, Ilorin. “It’s a case of culpable homicide and the deceased of Boluwaji area, Egbejila, hit a black coloured Honda car with Reg No. Bx 954 AJL at the back and broke one of its parking lights valued at N2,500. “The tricycle operator begged to pay N2,000 but he (Kayode) refused and argument ensued which led to him slapping the tricycle operator who slumped and was confirmed dead at Garin Alimi hospital, Ilorin,” Okasanmi added. He said the suspect, who has been arrested, will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

12 Killed As Gunmen Attack Kaduna Community

No fewer than 12 people have been killed following an attack by gunmen on Peigyim village, near Kibori at Atyap Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday. He explained that the gunmen invaded the community on Sunday night and opened fire on the residents, leading to the death of 12 locals. While two other residents who were injured during the attack have been taken to a hospital for treatment, security operatives were reported to be combing the area with a view to arresting the perpetrators. In his reaction, Governor Nasir El-Rufai condemned the attack and condoled with the grieving families of the victims. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and wished those injured a quick recovery. The attack comes barely 24 hours after a pastor of the ECWA Church was murdered in the same community. Kaduna is one of the states in the North-West and North-Central that have been caught up in violence from heavily armed criminal gangs who loot villages, steal cattle, and carry out mass kidnappings. The violence has its roots in years-long tensions and tit-for-tat raids between farmers and nomadic herders over grazing land and water resources. The criminal gangs, also known as bandits, often attack in large numbers and arrive on motorbikes. Typically motivated by financial gain, they have been targeting schools and colleges, kidnapping students and pupils for ransom. On their part, security forces have carried out operations and airstrikes on the camps of the criminals which are hidden deep in the forests that span Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger States. This is, however, not enough to stop the violence from escalating. While the Federal Government warned that paying ransoms would provoke more kidnappings, authorities in some states have tried to negotiate amnesty deals to stop the attacks. But those accords have failed most of the time.

Cows ‘Take Over’ School In Abuja

Cows were found on the premises of L.E.A Primary School, Orozo, Abuja, on Monday afternoon. The school is among the constituency projects facilitated by Senator Philip Aduda, lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory at the senate. Aduda was recently quizzed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over the contractor who is executing one of the constituency projects he facilitated.