The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a security alert over a grand plot by bandits to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train service anytime from now. Recall that an Abuja–Kaduna bound train was attacked in Katari village, Kaduna on March 28, 2022, prompting the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to briefly halt operations along the route. In a leaked letter signed by DSS Director of FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu, entitled, ‘Security Alert: Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’, the DSS cautioned train passengers to be extra vigilant. DSS warned of an “impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja– Kaduna Train Service” The secret memo stated that a coalition of banditry syndicate was plotting to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train aimed at kidnapping passengers on board for ransom any moment from now. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) high command has said it will not give in to propaganda by terrorists group. NAF was reacting to a video shared by a terrorist group in Niger State claiming to have shot down the NAF helicopter. Spokesman of the Air force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said: “While it is not in the character of NAF to respond to such claims, particularly one peddled by terrorists, concerns expressed by well-meaning Nigerians on the need to address the propaganda becomes imperative. “Like all military organizations involved in counterinsurgency and counter- terrorism operations, incidences of fatalities, mishaps and crashes are sometimes inevitable. “With heightened levels of air operations, occasioned by an enhanced fleet, the likelihood of air mishaps and accidents at times become unavoidable and inevitable due to various reasons.” “Indeed, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said this much when he hosted Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, yesterday, August 15, 2023, at his office where he noted that the rates of aircraft accidents/incidences are directly proportional to the heightened level of air operations. ” While the NAF regrets such unfortunate incidents, especially as they involve the loss of lives of our colleagues, the Service will never shy away from unravelling the probable cause of the crash with a view to drawing lessons. “For those aiding and abetting the propaganda tendencies of terrorists, deliberately or inadvertently, by spreading the videos of the alleged crash site with gory pictures of dead military personnel, the need to rethink the consequences of their actions on the morale of troops, families of deceased personnel as well as on Nigeria’s national security is imperative. “For the NAF and indeed the entire members of the Armed Forces, our resolve and determination to bring the current security situation in Niger State and indeed all troubled spots in the country remains unshaken. “Infact, if anything, we are determined more than ever before, to take on the enemy frontally until they are brought to their knees.

  The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has directed the Aviation Security (AVSEC) has suspended its proposed strike for one week. The union had in a circular on Tuesday directed the Aviation Security (AVSEC) and logistics sub-sector to commence an immediate strike from Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 over their N30,000 monthly pay. However, in another circular on Wednesday, it directed the workers to suspend the strike following the intervention of the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The union said they have considered the request of the Director General and decided to grant a period of one week “to allow his effort to bear fruit.” “Accordingly, the withdrawal of services that was earlier directed to commence today has been suspended for one week, effective today. “We note the high level of mobilisation by the branches and our State Councils and commend the high state of solidarity among our members. Thank you all. We shall remain on standby, ready for any eventuality,” the union’s statement partly read.

  SOUTH WEST Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tuani Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management Ishak Salako Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister Of The Economy Wale Edun Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Bunmi Tunji-Ojo Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare Tunji Alausa Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake Minister of Tourism Lola Ade-John Minister of Transportation Adegboyega Oyetola SOUTH EAST Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Doris Anite Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji Minister of State, Labour and Employment Nkiruka Onyejeocha Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy Minister of Works David Umahi SOUTH SOUTH Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo Minister of Youth Abubakar Momoh Minister of Humanitarian Affairs And Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu Minister of State, Gas Resources Ekperipe Ekpo Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri Minister of Sports Development John Enoh Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike NORTH WEST Minister of Art, Culture and The Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Minister of State, Defence Bello Matawalle Minister of State, Education Yusuf T. Sununu Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed M. Dangiwa Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development Abdullahi T. Gwarzo Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu Minister of Environment and Ecological Management (Kaduna) Minister Of State, Federal Capital Territory Mairiga Mahmud Minister Of State, Water Resources And Sanitation Bello M. Goronto NORTH EAST Minster of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari Minister of Education Tahir Maman Minister of Interior Sa’idu A. Alkali Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf M. Tuggar Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare All Pate Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Geidam Minister of State, Steel Development U. Maigari Ahmadu NORTH CENTRAL Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu A. Audu Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammed Idris Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi Minister of Labour And Employment Simon B. Lalong Minister of State, Police Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi  

  The Anambra State Government has distanced itself from those parading themselves as members of the state’s taskforce on indecent dressing. Mrs Ify Obinabo, the state’s Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday in Awka, said that the government did not constitute such a task force. She described the act as illegality targeted at tarnishing the government’s image.   Obinabo was reacting to a viral video on Facebook where a lady was held hostage at the Upper-Iweka area of Onitsha for not putting on a bra. According to the narration on the video, the victim was accosted by a group of young men claiming to be Anambra State taskforce team on indecent dressing. It was alleged that the victim paid the sum of N5,000 to the purported task force before regaining her freedom. The commissioner said that the state government did not constitute such taskforce and warned those involved to desist forthwith or risk arrest and prosecution. Obinabo also urged women to raise the alarm anytime they encountered such anomaly. According to her, such persons should be treated as rapists, criminals and armed robbers. “I want to tell all ladies, if you encounter anybody or group doing such, know that the state government has no hand in it. “Those around should treat them as rapists, criminals and armed robbers. “We have serious things to do, not to go after those wearing or not wearing bra. We are absolutely not involved. Anyone caught will be prosecuted accordingly,” she said.

  A man identified as Ajah Chibuzo, his wife, their 12-year-old daughter and a driver have been kidnapped by gunmen at Mile 2 Ishiagu, along the busy Okigwe-Ishiagu Expressway in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The family members were said to be returning home Tuesday evening in a Siena bus with the number plate KWL 941 PD when they were kidnapped alongside the driver. It was gathered that the vehicle was recovered from the scene and taken to Ishiagu Police Station. The police had yet to confirm the incident, but the Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Internal Security for Ivo LGA, Hon. Ike Cletus, confirmed the abduction. Cletus who expressed worry over the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, attributed the development to the non-functionality of the local vigilante group. Ishiagu in Ebonyi axis, Uturu and Isuikwuato in Abia, bordering Nkpu in Enugu State have become hotbeds of kidnappers. Speaking to journalists in Abakiliki, Ivo council chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ajah, said that security personnel comprising the anti-kidnapping team, the Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT), military men and the local vigilante group had been mobilized to go after the kidnappers. “Security teams are currently combing the bushes to ensure the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspected kidnapper,” he added.

  Anambra Government on Wednesday sealed an orphanage home, Arrow of God Community Children’s Home at Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area. Mrs Ify Obinabo, state’s Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, while speaking to Reporters after sealing the facility, said the licence of its owner had also been withdrawn indefinitely. Obinabo said the action followed a news report accusing the ministry of involvement in illegal adoption of a baby girl in connivance with one of the registered homes in the state. She added that the founder of the orphanage home, Rev. Deborah Ogo, presently at large, had ignored her invitation to explain. According to her, the founder’s refusal to honour the invitation of the ministry contributed to sealing the facility in collaboration with security operatives. The commissioner said that a total of 20 children, comprising of 10 boys, nine girls and a new born were rescued from the facility and were currently in the ministry’s custody. She said that appropriate steps were been taken to trace and reunite the children with their respective families. Obinabo said that the ministry was neither aware of any adoption with the orphanage home, nor did the adoption process passed through the ministry. She identified major irregularities that characterised the adoption process such as absence of three signatures which must be hers, Head of Child Unit and Permanent Secretary of the ministry. Obinabo also said the court that was used for the adoption process was not certified by the ministry. “Part of our mandate is to fight illegal adoption and we have put up measures to address that, including rules and regulations guiding operations of orphanages in the state. “We have designated courts and the homes are aware of these courts because they are not supposed to use any other courts, so that we can be in control of all adoptions. “But Arrow of God went against the instructions. I found out that the founder carried out the adoption through one court in Nnewi to back up her nefarious acts. “As soon as we saw the video, we rushed to the facility with police but discovered that the owners had disappeared, abandoning the entire children. “We immediately sealed the facility and withdrew their licence, while we brought the entire kids to the ministry to ensure their safety and upkeep,”she said. Obinabo warned other orphanage operators involved in illegal adoption to desist from such nefarious acts. She also urged intending adoptive parents to be wary of those parading themselves as the ministry’s consultants in facilitating adoption processes. “The ministry has not engaged the services of any consultant. Always report any suspicious activity found in any orphanage to us for appropriate actions,” she urged.

  Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the ‘Emilokan’ slogan will not work during the current electioneering period in the state. Obaseki who made this known while receiving the leaders of Edo South Senatorial District at the Government House said the strategy is strange to the people of the state. The word ‘Emilokan’ was used by President Bola Tinubu during his presidential election campaign. Obaseki however said, “Edo people will not accept ‘Emilokan’ as a strategy in government as they are not known for that. For us, it is the people that will decide. “What has happened in the last few months is strange, and even if you have ambition, this is not the time to express it. The timetable for the election is not out. You can’t be part of a government and also be the one to destabilise the same government. “I thought we came together and will leave together and let the people say you have done a great job, and they will now make the decision themselves. They are the ones to say that come rain or sunshine, we must continue. “You are telling the world one thing and yet doing another. You are loyal to your principal and yet you are in Court with your principal. Everybody has the right to be ambitious but do it the right way.” Obaseki’s submission appeared as a veiled remark about Philip Shaibu, his deputy who is eying the state’s number one seat.

  The United States Agency for International Development, on Wednesday, said that a new survey has rated Nigeria as the country with the second-highest malnutrition rate in the world. The Director, USAID Mission, Anne Patterson disclosed this at the Trade Fair for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods and Other Life-Saving Nutrition Commodities in Abuja. Citing the most recent Food Consumption and Micronutrients Survey in 2021, Patterson explained that the prevalence of severe acute malnutrition in Nigerian children increased from seven per cent to 12 per cent over the last five years. She noted, “This means Nigeria is the second most prevalent malnutrition country. “Only 2.8 per cent of those children were treated with ready-to-use therapeutic foods -also known as RUTF in the past 12 months. “These are alarming figures. Fortunately, local procurement of RUTF is available with producers like Ariel Foods, Emzor- Foods, DABS, and Nutri-K.” Patterson stated that these firms have demonstrated that there is capacity in Nigeria to produce these commodities at international standards. She stated, “In partnership with the people of Nigeria, their government, and various stakeholders, we recognise that reducing malnutrition is a critical component of improving health, education, and economic development. “The United States Government is eager to strengthen ties with private sector firms that are addressing malnutrition. “For example, just last week, USAID entered into a partnership with Emzor Food and Beverages to build a medical-grade groundnut paste processing facility.” The Mission Director called on state governments to commit to sustaining access to RUTF and other life-saving nutrition commodities for their citizens. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, Nebeolisa Anako, said malnutrition is a huge burden that needed collaborative efforts to address. Represented by the National Convenor, UN Food Systems Transformation Pathways for Nigeria, Faniran Sanjo noted, “We shall identify priority actions for government at all levels to produce RUTF.”

  Wednesday 16 August 2023 N6.9bn procurement fraud: Federal Government arraigns Emefiele, allies Thursday FG to sell stakes in NNPC, 19 entities EFCC goes after dollar speculators, CBN slashes banks allocations Aviation security workers embark on nationwide strike Wednesday Niger ambush: Tinubu mourns soldiers, NAF vows to pound bandits One Dead, Three Missing As Seplat Oil Rig Collapses In Delta Politics Being Overplayed, I Don’t See Why El-Rufai Won’t Be Cleared To Be Minister – Lukman Niger Coup: Tinubu Welcomes Central African Bloc’s Support For ECOWAS Tinubu Govt Inherited Terrible Economic Situation, Says Oshiomhole There Will Be No Fuel Price Hike, Tinubu Assures Nigerians Bandits Attack Zamfara Community, Abduct Several Residents Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Hits 24.08% Amid Forex Scarcity Lagos Govt Conducts Therapy Programme For Male Perpetrators Of Domestic Violence Police Arrest Suspected Bandit Kingpin In Benue, Recover Arms Kenya reinstates fuel subsidy for 30 days to curb soaring prices Akpabio: We need behavioural change to tackle corruption in Nigeria Removal of ‘All eyes on judiciary’ billboards is assault on free speech, says Atiku’s aide Minimum wage: Reps will ensure Nigerians get survival package – Speaker W-Africa military chiefs to discuss Niger crisis this week Amid Defection Rumour, Wike Visits, Congratulates Ganduje Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…