Crime Facts

$265m Release: Reps Ask Foreign Airlines To Slash Airfares

  Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, has commended the Federal Government for responding to the appeal and concerns expressed by the House Leadership and the its Committee on Aviation by releasing more than half of the trapped foreign airlines’ funds. Nnaji also frowned at the insistence of some airlines to sell tickets in dollars while asking them to rescind their decision. He also appealed to the airlines to bring down their fares on Nigerian routes noting that investigations had shown that Nigerian travellers pay higher fares on international routes more than any country in Africa. Nnaji also acknowledged the efforts of the Ministries of Aviation and Finance as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) for their roles in making the release of the funds possible. The House Committee Chairman on Aviation similarly expressed thanks to the Speaker and the leadership of the House of Representatives for always responding swiftly to the matters affecting the industry. He equally urged the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the member airlines to show understanding by rescinding some of the actions they have taken against the country. In a statement, he said, “As representatives of the Nigerian people, the House leadership and members of my Committee will continue to dialogue with the executives to ensure robust air transport economy in our country “. Nnaji further stressed that while the relevant organs of government were making efforts to liquidate the remaining balance, sufficient arrangements should be put in place to avoid a repeat of such circumstances in future.

Obasanjo visits IBB, Abdulsalami; says ‘I have national agenda, not anointed candidate’

  Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that his romance with some Presidential candidates and Political Parties is not an indication that he has a preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 elections but that he rather has a national Agenda. He said as an Elder Statesman, he has no annointed presidential candidate or a preferred Political Party but an Agenda for the country. He made this known in Minna, Niger state after having separate closed door meetings with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar at their uphill residents, Minna on Sunday. “I don’t have a special candidate for the 2023 presidential election but rather, I have a National Agenda,” he declared.   Chief Obasanjo had at different fora had consultations with Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other prominent Nigerians from different Political Parties. Chief Obasanjo who arrived in a Black Jeep with plate Number Kaduna DKA 621FQ at exactly 12.30pm on Sunday drove straight first to General Abdulsalami’s residence where they had a closed door meeting for about 30 minutes. Answering questions from Journalists after meeting General Abubakar, Obasanjo said he had come to visit his “brother”. “I have come to see my brother who was indisposed and when he was abroad I had wanted to visit him but unfortunately, I missed him because the day I arrived in London to visit him was the day he left. “So I said since I could not see him in London, I will come to see him in Nigeria and so, that is what I have come to do. “He is special in a way and he was indisposed, so I had to come and see him. If there is anybody again who is special and indisposed that I have to see, I will see him. I am still strong enough”, Obasanjo remarked. General Abdulsalami with his wife Justice Fati Abubakar after the meeting led Chief Obasanjo to his car at exactly 1.13pm. The former President immediately drove to General Ibrahim Babangida’s residence too where they also had another closed door meeting.

Imo Guber: Ihedioha Suffered A Brazen Daylight Robbery– Dogara

  Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has said that Honourable Emeka Ihedioha suffered a daylight robbery when his election as governor of Imo State was nullified by the Supreme Court in January 2020. Dogara made the assertion while speaking at the Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ihedioha’s mother, Dame Dorothy Ihedioha at St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja Sunday. “I want to say this with all humility that our brother here (Ihedioha) suffered a brazen daylight robbery, and I can be quoted but I thanked God that he didn’t bend or became depressed,” Dogara stated. ” I believe it is his faith in God that kept him and he must have contacted this grace from our mother.” The former Speaker noted that the stolen electoral mandate of Ihedioha did not in any way break his spirit as he has moved on with life. He praised Ihedioha’s resilience and courage, saying he came from the upbringing he received his from mother.   “We want to thank God for the gift of life and more importantly the gift of longevity,” Dogara said. “As it is said that the impact of life is not measured by the quantum of years you live but by how impactful one’s life is. “We have seen the impact of your life in the church, the community and in the lives of your children as represented by my wonderful brother His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. “He has supported me and one of the meetings that led to my emergence as Speaker was held in his guest house. “Mama we thank God for your life and we pray you will continue to age in grace and by His Grace you will reach the 120 years in good health and in prosperity. And we will be here to celebrate with you because you are ahead of us so we will come too.

Police Nab Fake Army Captain Duping Vulnerable Ladies In Lagos

  Policemen in Lagos State have arrested one Andy Edwards who paraded himself as a Captain of the Nigerian Army. The state’s Public Relations Officer of the police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on Sunday. “Detectives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a fake Army Captain, Andy Teddy Edwards, ‘m’ aged 39 for armed robbery. “The fake soldier, who posed as a modelling agent, would invite ladies for auditioning and then rob them of their cars and valuables at gunpoint,” Hundeyin said. The PPRO added that, “he was arrested following a painstaking investigation that was launched after one of his victims reported the robbery of her Lexus RX330 SUV. “Further investigation led to the recovery of one Ford Edge SUV with registration number KRD 276 EG, one sewing machine, one POS machine with six SIM cards, two pairs of military camouflage uniforms, one number plate – AFL 469 GD, in the suspect’s house. “While an investigation is being rounded off, the owner of the Ford SUV is hereby urged to come forward to claim same. The suspect would be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation. “The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc once again assures the good people of Lagos State of the unwavering commitment of officers and men of the command towards annihilation of crime and criminality in the state.”

All Things Work For Good To Those Who Love God – Cardinal Okpaleke

  The Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, has recalled the circumstances leading to his coronation as the new prince of the Nigerian Catholic Church, saying all things work for the good of those who love God. Before his elevation as Cardinal, controversy had trailed Okpaleke’s appointment as Bishop of Ahiara Diocese in Imo State. Some clergy and lay faithful had protested his appointment because he is not an indigene. The situation forced him to resign which later made Pope Francis carve out Ekwulobia Diocese in Anambra and installed him as Bishop.   In an interview with Vatican City News, Okpaleke spoke about how he received the news of his appointment and how his pastoral experiences contribute to inspiring him in his new role. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God,” Okapaleke said, stating that he considered his own unworthiness and shortcomings. “By the grace of God, it has pleased the Holy Spirit working in the Church.” According to Okpaleke, in spite of the difficult moments and the antagonism that trailed his appointment as Bishop, God granted him peace as he had never experienced before. He said, “Jesus talks of this type of peace in John 14:27. Now, I know what Jesus meant; that he gives us peace; not the kind of peace that the world gives.” “Ours is a providential God who, in spite of seeming confusion and randomness, directs history to his purpose and invites all to open themselves up and contribute their own God-given energies, insights, and talents to the Divine project of making the face of the Earth to reflect more clearly the Kingdom of God.” On Saturday, Okapaleke was one of the 20 new cardinals sworn in by Pope Francis at St. Peters Square in Rome. The College of Cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in overseeing the affairs of the church, and they also vote during papal elections. Bishop Okpaleke who is among the 20 new cardinals of the church is one of two African bishops and the only Nigerian sworn in. With the new cardinals, the total number of College of Cardinals has now grown from 208 to 229.

Nigeria, Cameroon seek judgment clarification over Bakassi peninsula

  of Justice (ICJ) to seek clarification of some ambiguities in a ruling over possession of the Bakassi Peninsula. Historically, Nigeria conceded Bakassi to Cameroon as far back as 1975 when Yakubu Gowon, a general, was military head of state. In 2002, ICJ ruled against Nigeria when Obasanjo was president, and President Goodluck Jonathan handed over the peninsula to Cameroon in 2012 in compliance with the judgment. In a communiqué issued at the end of the 24th session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC), the two countries pledged to collaborate closely to promote the development of cross-border infrastructure projects.   The communiqué also added that the mixed commission recommended that the two parties finalise the agreement on the joint exploitation of the hydrocarbon along the maritime border. Both countries commended the sub-commission on Demarcation and the Joint Technical Team for reaching an agreement on the course of the boundary in Mabas village and the project steering committee and the technical monitoring team for the successful construction of additional 327 pillars in Alantika mountains, which has been endorsed by the Mixed Commission. Umar Gwandu, a spokesperson for Abubakar Malami, said the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) led the Nigerian team to the session.   Gwandu quoted Malami as expressing Nigeria’s determination to ensure that the limited areas of border disagreement between both countries are resolved amicably. “Nigeria is committed to the quick and successful execution of the mandates of the Mixed Commission,” Malami said, noting that disagreements had been reduced to three. Malami urged experts working on the issue to “embrace pragmatism in order to reach consensus in all the three areas of disagreement,” hoping that “amicable solutions would be found as soon as possible to enable the work to be completed”.

I value transparency, social justice–Osinbajo

  Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says he places high value on the virtues of integrity, transparency and social justice. Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the vice-president interacted with a group of Harvard Business School students who visited him at the Presidential Villa. Numbering about a dozen, some of the students are Nigerians. The students, who are currently on an African excursion, asked questions about leadership, faith, spirituality, government policies in education, health, economy, and national image, among others. “Just looking at these values, there is a great deal of unanimity about what is the right thing to do. “The question is whether or not you will do those things, or whether you are motivated enough to do them, or whether you are compelled to do them. “Spirituality helps in that sense to help you to decide what to do and what not to do; especially where institutions are not strong enough to restrain people from behaving in a particular way or not,” he said. Osinbajo said that the virtues of integrity, transparency and social justice were also exhorted in the different faiths and religions in the country. According to him, spirituality connotes values. “I came into government with values about what I think is important especially around transparency, social justice and justice, among others. “”You are almost always a product of the values you believe in. “”Fortunately, a lot of these values cut across the different faiths, they are not necessarily restricted to a religion or one faith. “In societies that are more developed institutionally, you don’t need to be told that you shouldn’t do certain things, because you could end up in jail. ”If you do and there is a good likelihood that you could be detected and the process will go through and you will be punished. “I speak about corruption and all that; but where the institutions are weak, some people have reasons for not doing the right thing,” the vice-president said. On the perception on Nigeria in the international community, Osinbajo said that it was in understanding the size of Nigeria that the international community could better appreciate the enormity and complexity of some of the country’s challenges. “First, there is a need to appreciate the size of the country, which is crucial to understanding what the issues are. “For instance, Borno is about the size of the whole of the UK plus Sweden or Denmark. “When they talk about economy, we are often compared with smaller African countries, but there are 10 states in Nigeria that have bigger GDPs than those countries, it is a huge target market.” He also responded to the question about some inaccurate characterisation of Nigeria in sections of the international community. The vice-president said it was important to constantly engage the international community to show them how we feel about the stereotypes. “It comes down to the work we do as government and people about the characterisation. “This is why some of the work around the Ease of Doing Business among others are all initiatives that have behind them. The whole idea that this environment is one that is welcoming to business and people can come and do business,” he added. Osinbajo also talked about creativity in governance and education. “A lot of that is tied to education that is really something that interests me the most; just using an example of something we did in the Northeast.” He narrated how the Learning Centers in Maiduguri were started. “I visited Maiduguri, Borno in 2015, and I saw many children whose parents had been killed by the Boko Haram insurgents and in a place where they were; I saw about 49,500 of such children. “ I had a conversation with the governor and other officials and the idea of starting a school for them came up and we stepped in. “The state government gave us land in Maiduguri that could accommodate 1,300 children, and these were children that could only speak Kanuri. “We built a school that exposed these children to technology and values, and after five years, the children were able to speak English and Hausa, they were doing robotics, writing programmes and other things they were not able to do before then. “What this showed is that with skills, any child, anywhere can do everything, especially when you provide that child with education that is focused,” he said. More so, Osinbajo spoke about the economy, and the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme, politics, leadership, education, and energy transition, among others. The students thanked the vice-president for the opportunity to visit him. The Team Leader, Mr Daniel Jaiyeoba, said that they wanted to hear from the vice-president. “We understand your private sector experience and now you are in the public sector. “That is why we put this visit together,” he said. The students were accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who had taught some of them as undergraduates. The list of the Harvard students delegation also included Maan Aldaiel, Dusty Register, Tomas Tussie, Connor Popik, Ruben Anzures, Scott Kimberlee, Thomas Cowan, Laura Romine, Lanre Ojutalayo, Oluwatoyin Ogundele, Etim Imoh and Abdul-Rahman Buhari

Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB warns against criminalities in South-East

  The Indigenous People of Biafra has warned those who claim to be fighting for Biafra actualisation and praying for the peaceful return of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to eschew all kidnappings for ransom and other forms of criminalities in the South-East geopolitical zone. While noting that kidnapping for ransom and other heinous crimes were not part of the tradition practised by the zone’s ancestors, the group warned it was a sacrilege to be part of such an ugly trend in the land. The group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Sunday. It said it initiated the Monday sit-at-home order in the zone, but had since suspended it, saying its continuation was against the people and should be condemned at its entirety. The statement read, “We, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to condemn numerous Kidnappings and killings going on at the Nnewi LGA and other parts of Biafraland by criminals as Igbo tradition goes against Ndigbo waste innocent Igbo lives. “It is a sacrilege to be part of such heinous crime against our own people. If our ancestors acted in such way to themselves we wouldn’t have been able to see today. “We are cautioning those claiming to kidnap because of non-compliance of non-existent Monday sit-at-home order to stop. If you are fighting for Biafra freedom and wish that Nnamdi Kanu should be released from the DSS dungeon, you must stop all forms of criminalities in Biafra land. However, if you enjoy spilling the blood of a fellow innocent Biafran, bear in mind that you will be rewarded in the same coin. “We wish to remind our people that the already suspended Monday sit-at-home was initiated by the IPOB leadership (DOS) and not any other person or group. However, our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whom we are following his footsteps and leading this movement and noble family, advised us to stop the Monday sit-at-home and we obeyed. All previous sit-at-home orders from DOS were not enforced yet Biafrans obeyed knowing that we are in the struggle together. We don’t know why infiltrators paid to be unfortunate disciples to Nnamdi Kanu will recruit, brainwash and arm criminals and some misguided Biafrans to maim, kidnap, murder and destroy fellow Biafran properties so as to enforce already suspended Monday sit-at-home. We are calling those brainwashed and misguided Biafrans used by the paid infiltrators to impersonate the IPOB to pull out of such gang. But if you continue kidnapping and killing innocent citizens because of Monday sit-at-home, bear in mind that you must be killed because you are not fighting for Biafra Restoration nor the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.” It further condemned the spates of kidnappings going on in Nnewi, Anambra State, adding that the ugly trend had led to the unnecessary killings of innocent citizens, who could not provide ransom for their release. It added, “If you’re among the criminal gangs contracted to continue to harass our people, the IPOB and ESN operatives must not spear you unless you repent. If indeed you’re passionate to fight for Biafra freedom, how come you didn’t join ESN and do the legitimate work for Biafra freedom? Those who have been brainwashed into terrorising our people should stop, repent and revert to the IPOB strategy and operations or regret your actions. “The infiltrators were paid to hire criminals to impersonate, blackmail, demonise and destroy IPOB in the eyes of the International Community by killing our people whom we are fighting for their liberation and freedom. The IPOB doesn’t kill and must not kill anybody to have Biafra as a Sovereign Nation. Biafra will come but not through car snatching, kidnappings and killings going on in these communities in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States. “We are aware that Nigeria Government and Fulani Caliphate recruited and funded those criminal activities in the region, they recruited the criminals and make them look as if they are IPOB or ESN members. But it is the duty of every Biafran to debunk this ‘divide and rule British game’ because they are looking for anything and anyone to destroy IPOB and ESN. “Igbo youths, please shine your eyes!! The green snakes are in the green grass. The enemies have armed some of us to be harmful to fellow Igbo man and woman while impersonating the IPOB. But one thing is sure, you cannot destroy the IPOB-ESN using propaganda or fake ESN, Why so? Answer – Just to get ESN and IPOB out of the way for Fulani conquest of Biafra land to be sure. “The DOS and other leadership are up there fighting hard to gain Biafra recognition internationally while some idiots have allowed themselves to be used against our people and to damage the good loyalty and reputation the ESN and IPOB volunteers have enjoyed since establishment. We knew why our leader stopped the Monday sit-at-home order which we are not obliged to expose to the public. Unfortunately, some Biafrans are on social media ranting and fighting the IPOB leadership without knowing what is happening or going on with the struggle and where the struggle stands at the moment. But in a short while some revelations will be made known concerning Biafra agitation. “Anybody still enforcing that non-existent Monday sit-at-home is a criminal who is paid through infiltrators’ leader in Fulani to impersonate and blackmail IPOB. So long as IPOB is concerned, the Monday sit-at-home initiated by the DOS has been cancelled and has not been reinstated. The IPOB doesn’t force or intimidate anyone when we call our people to sit-at-home as part of our civil disobedience especially on our Leader’s Court date. We allow people to do it voluntarily and not by force. Therefore, anyone enforcing already suspended Monday sit-at-home is not an IPOB member nor IPOB volunteer.”

Insecurity: Three security operatives, nine others killed in two weeks as insecurity decline

  Nigeria witnessed a drastic decline in the killings by non-state actors in the last two weeks (August 14 – 27) as only 10 persons were killed against the dozens recorded in past weeks. The figure, which is one of the lowest in 2022 further signifies a decline when compared to the previous week when 15 persons were killed. One of the weeks in the first quarter recorded zero incidents. The reduction in killings comes weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari said his orders to security chiefs to stop attacks in the country were yielding the desired results. In the same period more than 57 terrorists were killed in different operations conducted from 11 to 25 August in the North-east, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said. Of the 10 people killed last week, three were security operatives including two police and one soldier while the remaining three were civilians. PREMIUM TIMES compiled the incidents from media reports. Thus, unreported cases are not included. Below are the recorded incidents: Imo A commercial motorcyclist was killed when gunmen attacked a market in Ogbaku, a community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria’s South-east. The gunmen reportedly stormed the market in a Toyota Sienna vehicle and shot the victim to death, according to a report by The Punch. Also in Imo, a driver, Valentine Enwerem, was killed when gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, attacked his vehicle. The incident happened at Nkwo Orji market junction along Owerri-Okigwe Road in Owerri North Local Government Area. Ebonyi A police officer was killed on Wednesday afternoon when gunmen attacked a security checkpoint along the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway in Ebonyi State, Nigeria’s South-east. The gunmen, about three of them, were said to be on a motorcycle. They reportedly opened fire on the police officers, killing one of them instantly. Abia A yet-to-be identified soldier has been killed by gunmen during a shootout with Nigerian troops in Ebem, a community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria’s South-east. The incident happened at about 5:02 p.m. on Wednesday near a motor park in the community, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Zamfara Gunmen on Thursday killed a lawyer, Benedict Azza, during a night attack in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital city.   PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Azza, the Principal Associate at Benedict Torngee Azza and Associates was killed around 10:00 p.m in Unguwar Saminaka behind the Federal Road Safety Corp headquarters in Gusau. Yobe Gunmen on Saturday killed a Yobe-based Islamic scholar, Goni Aisami-Gashua at Jajimaji, the headquarters of Karasuwa local government council of the state. The cleric was said to be travelling from Gashua to Kano when he was followed on a bus by the attackers. Taraba One person was reportedly killed following a disagreement between two communities during a football match in Nukkai, within the Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State. Several others were said to have also been injured, with some receiving treatment at various health facilities in the area. Lagos The police in Lagos State confirmed the killing of a police inspector by gunmen in the Coker Aguda area of Lagos. The spokesperson for the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the inspector was inside a tricycle when he was shot. Katsina Terrorists blocked Katsina – Jibia highway killed one passenger and abducted several others in an early evening attack on commuters. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that a corpse was recovered at the scene of the attack around Kadobe village. Osun Gunmen killed a commercial motorcyclist, identified as Toyin Oluwaseun, inside an uncompleted building in Ilesa, Osun State. Details of the incident are still sketchy but a resident in the area who preferred not to be named said the police had taken away the corpse. Premium Times

How drug syndicate leader disguises as cleaner in Lagos airport

  Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a cleaner at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, Ohiagu Sunday, who leads a drug syndicate at the international wing of the airport. According to NDLEA, Ohiagu was nabbed on Tuesday, August 23, following the arrest of Obinna Jacob Osita, an intending passenger on Air Peace flight to Dubai, UAE. Osita was arrested with three bags, two of which contained eight blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 4.25kg concealed in cassava product, gari and crayfish. “One other member of the airport syndicate, who works with Ohiagu,” NDLEA noted, “has also been arrested while operatives are after another suspect. “Investigations revealed that a Dubai-based drug dealer recruited Obinna, a 42-year-old native of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, to traffic the drugs and equally contracted Ohiagu, a 34-year-old airport cleaner from Orlu West Local Government Area of Imo State, to create access for the unhindered passage of the trafficker. “The drug syndicate bust, which is the first drug arrest at the new terminal of the MMIA, comes on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of bottles of juice and beverages, used to conceal skunk for export to Dubai, UAE, through the NAHCO export shed on Monday, August 15. “A freight agent has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.” In the same vein, attempt by a syndicate to export illicit drugs through the Lagos airport on Wednesday, August 24, was foiled during an outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline to Oman via Addis Ababa. A suspect, Jonah Chukwuemeka, was arrested with a total of 1,995 Tramadol tablets with a gross weight of 900 grams hidden in locust beans in his luggage. The bag containing the illicit substance was handed over to him at the airport by one Olagunju Abbas, who was promptly arrested.