Nine out of the 102 Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State IDPs reportedly abducted by Boko Haram terrorists while fetching firewood in the bush on Sunday, March 4, have returned home. While media reports confirmed by locals that the young IDPs were abducted by the terrorists, with further confirmation by the UN, which condemned the abduction of over 200 IDPs, the Borno State government dismissed the abduction narrative, arguing that they only lost their way back home from the wilderness. “In fact, we don’t even believe that they were abducted,” Dr. Barkindo Mohammed Saidu, the Durector-General, Borno SEMA, who led the state government fact-finding team to Ngala immediately after the reported abduction, had told newsmen in Maiduguri, Friday, March 8. He had argued: “We believe they only lost their way back home, not abducted, because if they were abducted, the abductors would have, by now, called for Ransome; but nobody has called anybody for any Ransome yet.” As of Sunday, March 10, no authority gave The PUNCH any hint about the abductors quoting any ransom for the release of the abductees whom the Borno government still firmly believes only lost their way back home. “We have been reliably informed that nine out of the ‘missing’ IDPs traced their way back to the camp last Friday, March 8,” Dr. Saidu revealed to The PUNCH on Sunday, adding, “Officials at Ngala have been instructed to mount an intensive and extensive vigilance to inform us about any trickling number returning.” The Borno SEMA helmsman maintained, “You would have observed that the state government restrained all along from quoting any number because we know the IDPs very well because we are the ones managing their affairs; they are economical with the truth.” Dr. Saidu explained: “We don’t believe the IDPs in this abduction narrative and the number of those they said were abducted; the IDPs are not trustworthy. “There is no trust between them (IDPs) and government and between them and NGOs; there is even no trust among themselves; if it is about food and other essential commodities distribution, or they want to raise public sympathy for them among the public, they exaggerate numbers; if it is about anything they don’t want, like immunisation, they reduce numbers.” He continued, “This is why we don’t even believe the abduction story and the numbers quoted.” The PUNCH could not immediately reach the 7 Div spokesman, Lt. Col. Ajemusu Jingina, for a military update about the IDPs.

  The police authorities have dismissed an officer and suspended two others involved in the alleged extortion of 3,000 USDT from a Port Harcourt resident. While Inspector Michael Odey – one of the errant cops – had already been dismissed, the other two, ASP Doubara Edonyabor and ASP Talent Mungo, have been suspended from office. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. She said both officers have been officially suspended following approval from the Police Service Commission (PSC). “As previously communicated during our press briefing on February 13, 2024, Inspector Michael Odey was found guilty and subsequently dismissed from duty, effective from 07/02/2024, following thorough Orderly room proceedings and a comprehensive review conducted by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16,” the statement read. “Furthermore, during the aforementioned briefing, we provided information regarding the ongoing reviews of ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, as their respective ranks required approval from the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission. “Today, we hereby inform the public that the Police Service Commission has officially authorized the suspension from duty of ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, effective from 29/02/2024. Additionally, the salaries of the implicated officers have been stopped. “The two officers will face the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), which is responsible for addressing disciplinary issues involving senior officers. An update would soon be given on other cases involving these officers On January 19, a human rights activist in Delta State, Harrison Gwamnishu, made a post on X, via his handle, @HarrisonBbi18, where he accused the officers of arresting a man and extorting $3,000 from him before “dumping” him in Port Harcourt. “The police officers attached to Rivers State command left Port Harcourt to Aba, Abia State, arrested the man, took him to Rivers State, Bayelsa State and entered Ughelli, Delta State. “After paying 3000 USDT, they moved him back to Port Harcourt and dumped him. Let it be on record that the commissioner of police in Rivers State, is aware of this kidnapping by men under his supervision,” he wrote in X. Not long after, the Rivers State Police Command reacted to the post, saying the affected officers had been identified. According to the police spokesperson, the indicted policemen had been arrested while the investigation was ongoing into the allegation. She assured that the outcome of the police investigation would be made public.

  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Dr. Aminu Maida, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) “to immediately revoke the apparently unlawful directive to network providers to bar the phone lines of millions of Nigerians who have linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs).” SERAP also urged him to “restore the phone lines of these Nigerians, and to urgently establish a mechanism for effective consultation to provide Nigerians who are yet to link their SIM cards to their NINs with the appropriate support and infrastructure and adequate time and opportunity to do so.” The Commission had recently ordered telecommunications companies to bar the phone lines of millions of citizens including those who allegedly “did not submit a good NIN or didn’t get a cleared or verified NIN by February 28.”   In the letter dated 9 March 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The directive to the network providers to bar Nigerians who have linked their SIM cards to their NINs is an appalling violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy.” SERAP said, “No agency has the right to strip the citizens of their basic constitutional rights under the guise of failing to properly link their SIM cards with their NINs or failing to do so timeously.” According to SERAP, “The blocking of phone lines of Nigerians must only be a last resort measure, and strictly in line with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], international human rights and due process safeguards.” The letter, read in part: “The arbitrary barring of people’s phone lines is never a proportionate measure as it imposes disastrous consequences and severely hinders the effective enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as civil and political rights.” “Blanket measures of barring the phone lines of millions of Nigerians are inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which the country is a state party.” “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NCC to comply with our request in the public interest.” “The arbitrary directive and the barring of the phone lines are extreme measures which must meet the strict legal requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.” “The NCC has also apparently failed to conduct an impact assessment of these extreme measures in order to avoid their arbitrary or excessive effects. These extreme measures go against the regulatory objectives of the Nigerian Communications Act and violate Nigerians’ fundamental human rights.” “The NCC has clearly failed to abide by the Nigerian Constitution, human rights standards, democratic processes, the rule of law and due process safeguards.” “There is no legal justification for the arbitrary barring of phone lines of millions of Nigerians, especially those who have linked their SIM cards with their NINs.” “The directive by the NCC to telecommunications providers to bar the phone lines of Nigerians who have linked their SIM cards with their NINs amounts to unlawful, unnecessary, unjustifiable and disproportionate restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy.” “The NCC has a direct responsibility to respect the rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy and to take effective measures to protect these fundamental human rights against attacks by third parties such as network providers.” “The NCC cannot use the pretext of responding to the security crisis in the country by adopting unlawful restrictions on constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights.” “Any restriction on the rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy must meet the three-part test under international human rights law, namely that it is provided for by law, it serves to protect a legitimate interest recognised under international law and it is necessary to protect that interest.” “The directive by the NCC fails to meet these requirements. Any suspension of the telephone lines of Nigerians who have linked their SIM cards with their NINs would not be justified in the context of the rights to information and privacy.” “The use of these telephone lines by Nigerians would pose no risk to any definite interest in national security or public order.” “The rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy are essential for the enjoyment of other human rights and freedoms and constitute a fundamental pillar for building a democratic society and strengthening democracy.” “A democratic government based on the rule of law is one that is responsible to its citizenry and seeks to represent their interests. Barring the telephone lines of Nigerians has continued to have a chilling effect on the enjoyment of their other human rights.” “The directive is also patently contrary to the objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as contained in Sections 1[g] and 4(1)(b) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which is to ‘protect and promote the rights and interest of consumers within Nigeria.’” “Under the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, the NCC has a legal responsibility to ensure and protect Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression, information and privacy.” “According to our information, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has issued a directive to telecommunications providers to bar Nigerians who previously linked their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NINs).” “According to the NCC, ‘people who probably didn’t get a cleared or verified NIN’ have been barred because the earlier ones they submitted were not good.’ The NCC also reportedly issued a directive to telecom service providers to bar subscribers who have failed to link their phone numbers to their NIN by February 28, 2024.” “Over 40 million telephone lines have reportedly been barred allegedly for failing to link their SIM cards to their NINs, and face the risk of being forfeited. The NCC has threatened that ‘If the barred lines are not acted upon in the

  A middle-aged man simply identified as Onuora, is now in police custody at the Inland Town Police Division in Onitsha, for allegedly raping a schoolgirl in the Onitsha area of Anambra State. It was gathered that the suspect was arrested at the Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha by security operatives, who have been trailing him. A police source told our correspondent that the suspect was in the habit of laying ambush around the school waiting for his victim. Following the arrest of the suspect, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has demanded the remand of the suspect. Punch Celebrates Golden Jubilee In Style, Hosts Black Tie Dinner0.00 / 0.00 The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chumthe a-Udeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the governor specifically requested for the suspected rapist to be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation Department Awka, while the investigation continues on the alleged rape case. “Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested and detained at the Inland Town Police Division Onitsha. “Governor Soludo, who frowned at such a terrible and nefarious act of preying on the innocent, vowed to take every legally available means to bring the perpetrator to book in hopes that this will serve as a deterrent to others. “The governor enjoined the Ndi Anambra to speak up in the face of such abhorrent acts,” the commissioner added. Meanwhile, efforts to get the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, for further details, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls and several messages on his telephone. Recall that the Anambra State Police command had a few months ago arrested and detained no fewer than 11 suspects in various cases of rape and defilement. Ikenga, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspects were arrested across various localities in the state within the week. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, directed that all the suspects indicted in the course of the investigation be arraigned in court without delay once the investigation is concluded.

  The ministry of interior says Nigerians living in the diaspora can now get their passports after an online application without hassle. A statement issued on the ministry’s X account on Saturday said the development would also eliminate the discomfort of long queues and middlemen that applicants encounter. The ministry did not clarify if the new improvements would ease the process of submitting biometrics as citizens abroad could previously apply for their passports online. However, Ridwan Adelaja, media aide to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, hinted that the ministry had unveiled a new system for citizens abroad. “No cause for alarm. They will all be processed and produced duly. However, going forward, the new system is expected to be used,” Adelaja replied to an X user asking what would happen to applications scheduled with the “old system”.   TheCable contacted Adelaja to clarify if the ministry’s announcement was a launch of a new portal or features but the aide did not immediately respond. Reacting to the development, social media users hailed the ministry for an improved speed in passport collection. “My wife’s younger brother left Manchester very early on Monday morning to have his passport biometrics completed in London. He returned to Manchester the same day, and his passport arrived the following day (Tuesday),” an X user wrote. Another post reads: “If nothing is working in Nigeria, you BTO is actually working. Friend of mine got his passport less than a week after biometrics in London”. On January 8, the interior ministry announced the full automation of passport applications for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that the automated system, when fully launched, would be digitally inclusive and ease passport application. All citizens of Nigeria either by birth, descent, adoption, registration or naturalisation, are eligible to possess a passport, provided they satisfy all conditions prescribed by law. On the application portal, citizens abroad can apply for a fresh passport, renewal, data correction, pause applications, book appointments, and track applications. Applicants can also test their passport photographs before final upload and processing. Citizens requesting a passport from outside Nigeria will be required to fill out the application form and select a mission in the processing country. They would then be required to choose a payment option and make payment, after which they would book an appointment for biometric enrolment. Applicants would also need to proceed with enrolment on the scheduled date and wait for a passport pick-up notification. The minister of interior had said the fresh criteria introduced for passport applications are intended to stop foreigners from exploiting the system.

  The Northern Senators Forum has said its consultants have uncovered N3trillion unexplained increase in the N28 trillion 2024 budget signed by President Bola Tinubu. The forum said the unexplained increase, which was skewed against the north in particular and Nigeria in general, was unacceptable. The chairman of the forum, Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), said this in an interview aired on the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday. Ningi said, “For the past three months, we have engaged consultants to review the budget for us. We have some experts who are working on it line by line. “We have seen the huge damage that was done not only to the north but to the entire country in that budget. We are supposed to sit with the Senate President to inform him about what we have observed. “We want to show him what we have seen in the budget that is not acceptable; we will not accept them, and we don’t want the country to continue spending money on those things. “Apart from what the National Assembly did on the floor, there was another budget that was done underground, which we didn’t know. “The new things we have discovered in the budget were not known to us. We haven’t seen them in the budget that was debated and considered on the floor of the National Assembly.” Speaking about discoveries made by the consultants engaged by the forum, Ningi said, “For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28 trillion, but what was passed was N25 trillion. So there is N3 trillion on top. “Where are they? Where is it going? So, we need to know this. There are a lot of things. We are coming up with a report, and we will show the president himself and ask him if he is aware or not. “This is what we intend to do. We are to meet the president. We will talk to him about the Mambila power project, Ajaokuta, and the River Niger dredging. We will talk to him about the Niger Republic. Recently, they said they would construct a dam; this is not good for us. “The action taken by ECOWAS has affected the relationship between Nigeria and Niger. There was an agreement that they would not construct a dam so that the Kainji Dam would be intact, and we would give them electricity in return. “Over one billion US dollars was spent on Mambila, the BBC has reported. Where is that money? Who collected the money? We need to know and see what can be done. This Mambila is like the future of the North. Every part of the country has its own symbol that will save it in the future. “One of our weaknesses in the north is that we don’t love ourselves and our region so much that we don’t care about the future. We are just living anyhow. We just love the region in our mouths, not at heart, and I am seriously worried about that.” Tinubu hasn’t done well The NSF Chairman explained that the fact that he is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not distract from his patriotic disposition as a Nigerian and representative of the people. He said, “First of all, I want you to know that I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a representative of the people. Based on my opinion, the government hasn’t performed to our expectations. “Things are getting worse compared to when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the leadership of the country. People are going through a lot of difficulties. We live in villages. “We are going there to interact with them, and they are lamenting seriously. They have nowhere to go, so they have no one to express their grievances to other than us. “I think Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t even understand this country, and he didn’t understand the difficulties of ruling a country like Nigeria. Probably he has his own idea of what governance is, but I don’t blame him so much because when he was campaigning for the seat, there was no agreement or promise between him and the people. “People were just blinded and voted for him because he supported former president Muhammadu Buhari when he was contesting. Some even voted for him because he is a Muslim; as such, he needed their vote on whether he could or could not do the right thing for the country. “But the most painful thing is that Northerners stood for him and did all they could to bring him to power, but unfortunately, there was no agreement between them and the president on what should be done to the North and the Northerners. “Especially taking into consideration the importance and significant projects that North has been yearning for and aspiring to get for a long. For example, the Ajaokuta project, the Mambila power project, the dredging of the Niger River, and other notable projects. “What mostly disturbs my sleep is that we had a budget in 2013 and 2014 in which we earmarked billions of naira, but it was neglected by President Goodluck Jonathan. When President Buhari came, we thought it was one of the projects he would pay attention to, but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible for over eight years. “Even road construction like Kano-Abuja is not yet completed, as if it were cursed by someone, despite the road being the soul of our travellers in the North. “Indeed, we don’t attack the government as the opposition is supposed to do. But this is a result of the situation and the government we have. These so-called leaders they forced on us were not voted for by us. “They brought religious issues and ethnic and tribal issues into the process; they used propaganda, saying that no Hausa/Fulani would be trusted to lead the opposition because there would be no peace. “If you look at it from this scenario, the majority of those in opposition

  The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said that President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Customs Service to return all seized grains to their owners for onward retailing in the Nigerian markets. The CGC disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting at Kwangwalam, a border town in the Maiadua Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday. The Interesting Things About Pha Din Pass, Dien Bien That Just A Few People Know He said the directive was given by the president in his magnanimous gesture of ensuring that people of the country have enough food to buy at cheaper prices from the markets. He said, however, the return of the confiscated food items to the owners was based only on the condition that it would be sold in the Nigerian markets. The whole idea is to promote food security and ensure that Nigerians will not be living with hunger and Mr President considers this as one of the strategies that can help address the problem of food security. “We have over 120 trucks of food items for export seized, which means a lot of food items were taken out of our markets, leading to the unavailability that created some pressure on the prices of these food items. So, we hope that by the time we restock our markets, it will have some positive effects on the prices,” he said. The CGC visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his country home of Daura as well as the emir of Daura, Dr Umar Farouq Umar in his palace where he was conferred with the traditional title of Mabudin Hausa by the emir.