Crime Facts

It took me time to develop your mum’s village, Wike tells Amaechi

  GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike has again mocked his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, this time, for allegedly neglecting the development of Egbeda, his mother’s village in Emohua Local Government Area during his time in power. Wike, at Egbeda on Wednesday to flag off construction of Akpabu-Egbeda-Omoku Link Road, noted as sad that Amaechi, former governor of Rivers and immediate past Minister of Transportation, would describe the new road project as unnecessary and a waste of resources. The incumbent governor referred to his predecessor, “You see, your mother is from here. You didn’t seem fit or necessary to do anything for your maternal home. Now, that our mother is not from here, are doing something to help your maternal home. You say it is unnecessary, it is a waste of resources. “When you have a bad child, he is a bad child. If he is not a bad child, he should thank us for removing shame from his face. Since you don’t have Shame, I will add more things for your maternal home.” He spontaneously announced a separate contract for the reconstruction of the internal roads within Egbeda, directing the State Commissioner for Works to ensure that the contractor handing the road being flagged off stays back to attend to the internal roads. On speculations over his presidential candidate of choice, as he continues to keep stakeholders in suspense, Wike responded that “If anybody likes, say what you want to say, that I am working for so and so person. “It’s their business. Say I am not working for a so and so person, it’s their business. Some of them who do not have 25 votes are busy abusing leaders. When you are finished abusing leaders (us), you will pay. “We are here talking to our people, they are there in radio stations and television houses. We are here talking to our people. When you are finished, by that time, it’ll be too late.” The governor reportedly left the Egbeda event in Oyo state for yet undisclosed official engagement

Why I stay away from APC presidential campaign — Ngige

  The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said that he decided to stay away from the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential campaigns or any other political party because the four frontrunners for the presidency are good candidates who have the requisite cognate experience in Government business at state and federal levels. The Minister also tackled former President Olusegun Obasanjo for criticising the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his controversial new Year letter to Nigerian Youths. This is as he advised Nigerians to vote for the right candidate who should be able to work for them after a critical evaluation of their manifestos and antecedents. Senator Ngige spoke, Tuesday, at his hometown, Alor, Idemili South local government area, Anambra State, during the annual distribution of Christmas largesse by his Chris Ngige Foundation to APC members, the indigent, widows and aged persons. Recall that the Minister had indicated an interest in contesting the APC Presidential primaries and was said to have purchased the Expression of Interest Form before he withdraw from the exercise. Addressing the mamoth crowd at St. Mary’s Church Pavilion Alor, Ngige in a statement issued by his Media Office said the Federal Government realised that things were difficult and requested ministers to go home and assist their people since last September. Regarding his choice of a presidential candidate, he said, “the four frontrunners are good candidates with cognate experience in governance at the federal and state levels. “They are my friends and they are well known to me. They have worked with me in one way or the other before now. “Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was at the helm of affairs in the country when I was kidnapped as a sitting governor. He was Acting for Mr. President who was away in Maputo at that time. He ordered my reinstatement. We sat together in the National Economic Council where he is the Chairman. We formed the Action Congress (AC) with Asiwaju. “Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC is also my good friend and political ally. He was very supportive during our trying times as Governor. We formed AC together. We worked together in ACN and I became the lone opposition Senator in the Eastern Region under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is not somebody I don’t know. “Peter Obi of the Labour Party is my brother, his Local Government is next to mine here my successor and everything. I know him too well. I know his capacity. “Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of NNPP is my friend too. I knew him as Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives under Agunwa Anaekwe in 1991 as Speaker. We were in APC So, so I know him. “For me, let the Nigerian people vote right. Let Nigerians look at them and their manifestos and vote, according to what is right for the country. I don’t think I will go around campaigning for candidates A or B or C. I won’t do that. It is not my stock in trade. I don’t jump from party to party. But besides, I have some conscience and I am going to protect my conscience and make sure that I don’t hurt it.” Senator Ngige took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his scatting statement that Nigerians are living in hell under President Buhari’s administration. According to him, the current government should not be blamed much for the hardship in food and energy in the country because it is not restricted to Nigeria alone but happening all over the world. He explained that our African neighbours, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa were not insulated, ditto the United Kingdom and other developed economies of Europe and America. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard politicians who will come campaigning and tell them that the Buhari government caused the hardship they were passing through. He said, “I am part of this government and when I start talking, people will say that ‘he will defend the government because he is part of it’. Yes, I must defend the government because I’m inside and I know the hard work put in to ameliorate this hardship we are seeing. It is also world over as the cost of living is up and there are low and middle-class agitations everywhere, especially among the working class. It is not only in Nigeria. “So, don’t mind those politicians who will come and say that the Buhari government inflicted hardship and poverty on you. One of them wrote a letter the other day, the habitual National letter writer. He said Buhari brought Nigeria below the 1999 level. How can somebody say that? The same person ruled from 1999 to 2007. What did he do to change here to Eldorado when he was in charge? It is easy to criticise. It is easy for spectators in the field of play to say they would have scored a goal if they were in the field of play. As a spectator, when the ball is in the penalty box, you move your legs as if you are the one playing. But, when they throw you inside there, you discover that the game is man-to-man. It is 90 minutes of man versus man. It is no longer a question of talking or clapping from the sideline. “So, when politicians, especially our elder statesmen do this kind of write-up, you start asking yourself whether they want our country to remain in peace or be torn to pieces. I don’t like it. Chief Obasanjo is somebody I respect(and who we should all respect) a lot, but after reading his letter twice, I took exception to that aspect, criticising a government trying to finish very well and strong, working assiduously. It is not good.” Speaking further, Ngige decried the claim by Obasanjo that Nigeria today has been dragged well below Nigeria at the beginning of his presidency in 1999. He recalled that while serving as

Tinubu: PDP toyed with our lives for 16 years — APC can make Nigeria more prosperous

  Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not mean well for Nigerians. Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at a rally that was held at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano state. The former governor of Lagos said while he and his party can make Nigeria better, the other parties and their candidates cannot. “We can make Nigeria better, safer, and more prosperous. We can educate our youths, feed our people, and put an end to fear. We can do these things. We can move you forward,” he said. “But the others cannot. They want to hold you back so that only they can move forward. They offer nothing but fake promises and easy answers that hold no water. All they can show you is how to hate your fellow Nigerian and reject your neighbour. “But they cannot show you how to protect our society, feed our people, provide jobs and care for those in true need of help. “Let me say this clearly and plainly. This campaign is about our collective march to a better Nigeria. Do we march forward? Or do we lose sight of the road? “We must march forward. But we cannot forget how they frittered away our commonwealth. For 16 years, they toyed with our lives and the future of this country. They spent $16 billion on electricity, but they procured darkness instead.” Tinubu also said the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, do not fulfill promises. “Neither he nor his party can keep their promise. Tell me how they will keep their promise to the nation,” Tinubu said. “No wonder, their party is in tatters! Governor Wike was right when he talked about a lack of integrity, saying ‘look at the man and his history’. Their contribution to institutional-building is to create an electoral commission to rig elections.” The APC candidate added that his policies would revive the industries in Kano.

Asset Declaration: Court Stops DSS, Police, CCB From Investigating INEC Chairman

  Justice Maryam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Garki has quashed the allegations of false assets declaration against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmood. The Court also barred the Department of State Security (DSS), the police, and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) from investigating him over his valid assets declaration. In an Originating Summon filed by one Somadina Uzoamaka against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Yakubu, the claimant sought, among other things, an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC Chairman to step down pending the investigation and consideration of the various allegations against him by the various law enforcement agencies. The plaintiff also sought an order of court stopping the Yakubu from holding or assuming any public office for a period of 10 years. In his response to the allegation, Prof. Yakubu gave the court several exhibits to show the sources of money for the purchase of the properties which the plaintiff alleged were illegally acquired and insisted that his assets declaration was validly done. Delivering judgment, Justice Hassan found that the declaration of assets by Prof. Yakubu was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law and that he cannot be investigated by any of the security agencies listed by the claimant. The Court declined to grant any of the 14 prayers of the claimant, declaring that the INEC Chairman cannot be removed over “fabricated” allegations of false assets declaration. The judge therefore dismissed the claims of the claimant and allowed the counter-claim of the defendant.

Bauchi commissioner resigns after father loses traditional title

  The Commissioner of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Sa’adatu Bello Kirfi, has resigned her appointment hours after her father was stripped of his traditional title as Wazirin Bauchi and removed as Bauchi Emirate Council member. The PUNCH earlier reported that Kirfi, a retired federal civil servant, Second Republic Minister and former Minister of Special Duties was for the second time in five years, stripped of his traditional title and removed from office as a Senior Member of the Bauchi Emirate Council. He was removed over his alleged “disloyalty and disrespect” to the State Governor, Bala Mohammed. His removal was conveyed in a letter addressed to him by the Secretary of the Bauchi Emirate Council, Alh. Shehu Mudi Muhammad, dated January 3rd, 2023 with reference No: BEC/ADM/20/VOL.XV and titled: “Removal from office as a Council Member and Traditional Title of Wazirin Bauchi.” He was first removed by the Bauchi Emirate Council in March 2017 for alleged “disloyal and unruly behavior” during the administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar. But Sa’adatu, who is one of the children of the octogenarian, tendered her resignation as a Commissioner in the Bala Mohammed administration and member of the State Executive Council after his father stripped of his title. Her resignation was contained in a terse letter addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government, dated January 4, 2023 and titled “Letter of Resignation.” “Your Excellency, I wish to humbly tender my resignation as a member, Bauchi State Executive Council and Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs Development, Bauchi State with immediate effect. “I wish to thank His Excellency the Executive Governor for giving me the opportunity to serve my State under your Administration,” she wrote in her letter.

2023 budget hopeless, says Ezekwesili

  A former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has raised concerns over the 2023 National budget, describing it as “hopeless”. The PUNCH reports that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), signed the 2023 Budget of N21.83tn along with the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law. Buhari signed the 2023 transition budget Tuesday morning at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other members of the Federal Executive Council. Speaking at the event, the President said his regime would speed up critical infrastructure projects nationwide as it raced toward the finish line on May 29, 2023. He noted that the budget is N21.83 trillion aggregate expenditure, an increase N1.32 trillion over the initial executive proposal of N20.51 trillion. It is the eighth and final budget of Buhari’s regime. But reacting to the budget on Wednesday via her Twitter page, Ezekwesili decried the budget deficit, adding that it was important for Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards. She wrote, “This is the summary of the HOPELESS Budget @MBuhari signed into law yesterday: “Total Expenditure is N21.83 trillion. “Total Revenue N9.73 trillion! “The Budget has a deficit larger than revenue by almost N12.00 trillion! Tragic. “You all better get your PVCs ready because…”

2023: INEC receives last batch of BVAS

  The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday received the last batch of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation machines. This was contained in a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, on Wednesday. According to the statement, the commission created four airport hubs in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt to facilitate the smooth delivery of the machines. The statement read “In furtherance of the preparations for the 2023 General Election, the Commission, yesterday, 3rd January 2023, received the last consignment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation machines with 52 days to the election. “The Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Commissioners and senior officials of the Commission were at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to receive the BVAS. Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company and airport security officials were at the airport to receive the INEC team. “To facilitate the smooth delivery of the machines, the Commission created four airport hubs in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Over the last four months, several flights delivered the BVAS to the designated airports for movement to States of the federation ahead of the elections. With the arrival of the last flight in Abuja yesterday, the Commission has now taken delivery of the required number of the BVAS for all the polling units in the country and extra machines in line with our contingency provisions for all critical election materials. “The Commission appreciates the support of all Nigerians in its determination to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive 2023 General Election facilitated by the deployment of technology.”

Buhari: DSS arrests ISWAP commander, others in connection with Kogi bomb blast

  The Department of State Services on Wednesday announced the arrest of two men who carried out the deadly bombing which occurred on 29th December, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the visit of the President Muhammadu Buhari to commission some projects in the state.   The DSS said in a statement made available to Vanguard by its Spokesman Dr. Peter Afunanya, announced that the masterminds of the Vehicle-Borne Explosive Device(VBIED)AbdulmumIbrahim OTARU (aka Abu Mikdad) and one of his associates, Saidu SULEIMAN were arrested on Tuesday on 3rd January, 2023. Afunanya said however that the major mastermind, who is a commander of the Islamic States in West Africa, sustained an injury on his leg while trying to escape. The statement said: “The (DSS) wishes to inform the public that it has arrested the mastermind of the Vehicle-Borne Explosive Device (VBIED) attack which occurred on 29th December, 2022, near the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State during the visit of the President to commission some projects.   “The Service arrested Abdulmumin Ibrahim OTARU (aka Abu Mikdad) and one of his associates, Saidu SULEIMAN on 3rd January, 2023. OTARU sustained a gunshot injury on his left foot while attempting to escape. He is currently receiving treatment at a health facility. “During investigations, it was ascertained that OTARU was a high commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and either coordinated or was involved in the following dastardly operations: “The 24th June, 2022 attack on Nigeria Police Area Command, Eika-Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi State. A Police Inspector, Idris MUSA was killed and two (2) AK-47 rifles carted away in that attack; “The 5th July, 2022 attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje Area Council of the FCT; and 5th August, 2022 attack on West African Ceramics Ltd (WACL) in Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi in which three (3) Indian expatriates were kidnapped. It will be recalled that five five persons including one Indian, two policemen and two drivers of the company were also killed in the attack. The kidnapped expatriates were released on 31st August, 2022. “OTARU operated terrorist cells in and around Kogi State. Similarly, he and his gang had staged several kidnap operations in Kogi and Ondo states. Meanwhile, the suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly. “The Service reiterates its commitment to the safety of the nation. It assures to work assiduously with stakeholders including sister security agencies to tackle the menace of terrorism and other forms of criminality and threats to national security. It, therefore, calls on citizens to support it and other law enforcement organisations with relevant information and all the necessary cooperation required to achieve a peaceful country”.

Mother with three children missing in Enugu

L The people of Umuokpara Amagu Nachi, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been thrown into confusion as one Mrs Chinyere with her three children have reportedly gone missing. The middle-aged woman and her three kids were said to have been last seen at about 6:00 am on Monday, January 2, 2023. Community sources told our correspondent that family and friends have been going around the whole village and town in search of them with no success. The family in messages posted on various social media platforms with their picture have appealed to all Nigerians with information about their whereabouts to contact the family or report to the nearest police station. “Anyone with any useful information on their whereabouts should please call these phone numbers: 08039297726 or 07060708482,” the message read. When the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, was contacted for reaction, he said he had no information about the incident. “Please, my dear I don’t have this information, I am just hearing it from you. I will contact the DPO in-charge of the area to find out.”

Suspected cultists kill tricycle operator in Anambra

  Some yet-to-be-identified assailants wielding guns and dangerous weapons, who are suspected to be cultists, have shot and killed an unidentified tricycle operator. It was gathered that the incident happened near the back gate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, late on Tuesday night. The deceased was said to be returning to his house when the assailants accosted and shot him, thereby leaving him in a pool of his blood. An eyewitness, who is a student at the university, said, “Residents and students are currently living in fear due to the incessant killings and shootings. “For the past two or three days, there have been records of young people being gunned down and that of today (Tuesday) has happened at Unizik school gate in Ifite, Awka.” The state Police Public Realtion Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident said it was cult related. Ikenga added that security operatives have intensified surveillance in the area. “Our operatives have been deployed in the area and the situation is closely monitored. Preliminary information showed that the shooting is a result of a cult-related clash between two rival groups. “Police patrols have been intensified within Awka and other parts of the state,” he said.