Iran warned Israel on Tuesday against attacking any of its infrastructure amid fears of a possible Israeli assault on oil or nuclear sites following Iran’s missile barrage last week. “Any attack against infrastructure in Iran will provoke an even stronger response,” state television quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying. He spoke after Israel said it was preparing a response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack on its arch-enemy, its second on the country in six months. On Monday, an official statement quoted Araghchi as saying Iran did not seek war in the region. On Friday, US President Joe Biden cautioned Israel against attacking oil installations in Iran, one of the world’s top 10 producers of crude. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Rassul Sanairad warned Israel on Sunday that any attack on nuclear or energy sites would cross a “red line”. The Fars news agency quoted him as saying following the Israeli threat: “Some political leaders have spoken of a possible change in Iran’s nuclear policy.” In 2022, after an official said Iran had the technical capability to produce a nuclear weapon, the country stressed there had been no change in its nuclear ambitions. Last year Iran slowed the pace of its uranium enrichment, but then in late 2023 accelerated the production of 60 percent enriched uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Enrichment levels of around 90 per cent are required for military use. Iran has always denied any ambition to develop a nuclear weapons capability, insisting its activities are entirely peaceful. Any attack on Iranian nuclear sites “would have an impact on the kind of response by Iran,” General Sanairad said. Tehran says its attack on Israel, when some 200 missiles were fired, was a response to the death in a Beirut air strike of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah, and of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death, but Israel has not commented.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured Nigerians not to panic as it has put in place policies to ensure that all monies deposited in financial institutions across the country are secured. A statement by the apex bank’s Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali on Tuesday, reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the stability and reliability of the Nigerian financial system. The development comes following a fresh uproar across the country on Monday, warning customers of certain banks to immediately withdraw their deposits, as the licences of those banks had been withdrawn by the CBN. The statement said, “The CBN actively ensures that banks adhere to established regulations and best practices to maintain the integrity of our financial system. Regular stress testing is conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities, helping to ensure that our financial institutions are resilient. “In addition, the CBN has implemented Early Warning Systems that proactively detect and address emerging risks, allowing us to provide timely solutions to any foreseen issues. The Bank’s approach to Risk-Based Supervision ensures that it focuses its regulatory efforts on institutions that may pose the highest risk to the financial system. This targeted strategy allows it to maintain a robust oversight mechanism while promoting the overall health of the banking sector.” Furthermore, the CBN said it has established Memoranda of Understanding with the various countries where Nigerian banks’ subsidiaries are located. “This collaboration enhances regulatory coordination and ensures that our banks operate within a safe and sound framework in accordance with banking regulations, both domestically and internationally. “The CBN remains dedicated to fostering a secure banking environment where depositors can be fully confident in the safety of their funds. It will continue to monitor and adapt strategies to safeguard the financial interests of all Nigerians and stakeholders in our financial system,” the statement added.

Tuesday 08 October 2024 Naira-for-crude: FG panel proposes six-month supply for Dangote refinery Suspected Ogun serial killer pleads for death penalty Rivers crisis: Settle your dispute in court, Tinubu tells Fubara, others Oando, two others shortlisted to purchase Trinidad’s refinery Nigerians in Lebanon differ with FG over evacuation claim PDP kicks as Alia swears in Benue LG chairmen Over 200 captains take Army promotion exam Don’t abuse autonomy, Eno warns LG chairmen Over 10,000 civil servants get FG’s relief loan 2027: Obi, Kwankwaso alliance proposal will fail, says APC FG, NNPCL, Dangote plan changes in petrol lifting — Investigation Autonomy: Labour begs FG not to give workers’ salary to LGs Ododo dwarfs FG, raises minimum wage to N72,500  Customs set to exceed 2024 revenue target, collects over N4trn in 9 months  FG allocates 48.6m barrels of crude to Dangote Refinery in 10 months LG Poll: SIECs Need To Be Liberated From Stronghold Of Governors – Yiaga Africa Tinubu Breaks Silence On Rivers Crisis, Asks Police To Maintain Order Police Kill Suspected Murderer Of Monarch’s Son, 2 Cops In Delta Video Evidence Contradicts Akwa Ibom Electoral Body, Shows PDP Won Akpabio’s LG Tinubu’s Minister: My Appointment As A Corps Member Didn’t Violate Any Law 9 Years After, Jonathan Gov’t Policies Dominate Website Of Nigeria High Commission In UK Rivers crisis: Fubara expresses worry over Tinubu’s stance PDP releases timetable for 2025 zonal congresses Court Grants #EndBadGovernance Protesters Bail Variation Of N5m Each Netanyahu Vows To Return Hostages As Israel Marks Oct 7 Anniversary We Are Partners In Crime Fighting, Kekere-Ekun Tells EFCC, ICPC, Others IGP Tasks Rivers CP To Restore Law And Order After Burning Of LG Secretariats Falana: My daughter has received death threat over my decision to sue VeryDarkMan Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, has released another purported call recording of controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky. In September, Daily Trust had reported how VeryDarkMan shared an alleged audio of Bobrisky, claiming he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him. Bobrisky, however, dismissed the audio, stressing that the claim that he was never in prison was false and should be ignored. In the new audio leak released on Monday, VeryDarkMan revealed that Bobrisky had a conversation with another individual on May 16. Bobrisky allegedly admitted to not being in prison but rather in a well-furnished apartment near the prison where he had access to his mobile phone. He reiterated that the EFCC dropped the charges against him after discovering the substantial amount of money in his account. He said: “I don’t have enough time because I don’t talk to people, but I want to talk to you about this because I haven’t been speaking to anyone or replying to messages sent to me. I don’t want anybody to know I have my phone, but you know what happened to me. “So, before the EFCC, of course, they were investigating me about the cars, money, and everything, all this while. I knew they would come for me one day because of all the noise, but it’s okay. “When they were investigating me, they blocked my account, they froze my account. Obviously, they didn’t want me to carry out any transactions during their ongoing investigation. Initially, they added money laundering charges because of the funds they found in my account and the money passed through it. So, they had some money, but we were able to plead with them and give them some funds to drop the money laundering charges against me.” Speaking further, Bobrisky alleged that the money laundering charges were merely an attempt by the EFCC to detain him unjustly. In the leaked audio, he expressed his shock at being taken to court simply for spending his hard-earned money. “I can’t be facing money laundering charges—God forbid. I know they were just looking for something to hold against me because I was not the only one spraying money, but they chose to target me for that, which is strange. But I’m strong and ready for whatever comes my way. One thing that made me happy was that after their investigation, they realised I was not involved in money laundering, fraud, or any illegal dealings with politicians. “They did a thorough check and couldn’t find any evidence against me. They went to my house, seized my car and everything. During their investigation, they saw the people I did business with. I earned all the money I have legitimately through my influencing work. I can easily make around £10,000 from one job. “They don’t know how much I charge, but I clarified that I can charge as much as $100,000 for influencing. So, if you think you can’t do it, remember not all fingers are equal. Some people do it, and God blesses them, too.”

Two brothers, aged between 15 and 19 years, have allegedly killed their 60-year-old father, Alhaji Dahiru Yusuf Maileather, in the Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. An eyewitness disclosed that the incident occurred over the weekend at approximately 8:30 a.m. when Dahiru Yusuf was stabbed to death by one of his sons. The elder brother of the deceased, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammed Bala, confirmed the tragic event, stating that he was at his residence when a sister called him with the news. “When my sister called me, she said our brother had been killed by his son. I quickly ran to my brother’s residence, only to be told he had been moved to a hospital,” he recounted. Bala added that the suspect has since been handed over to the police. He also mentioned that the suspect’s mother and her other two children have fled to an unknown location. The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Aya, confirmed the incident, stating that one of the suspects, identified as Abba Yusuf, has been arrested, while the second brother is still at large. “It is a case of culpable homicide. On 05/10/2024, at about 21:00 hours, a distress call was received by the DPO ‘B’ Division Lokoja that one Alhaji Dahiru Yusuf ‘M’ of Sarkin Noma area had been murdered. Immediately, a DCO and team were dispatched to the scene, where the lifeless body of the deceased was found lying in a pool of his blood with multiple stab wounds all over his body,” Aya said. Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was stabbed by his two sons, Abba Yusuf and Aminu Yusuf, along with their divorced mother, Hajia Jummai, due to a prolonged domestic dispute. Further information revealed that both sons had reportedly robbed their father of millions of naira to purchase iPhones. Eyewitnesses testified that the deceased repeatedly called out “ABBA! ABBA!!” as a dying declaration before passing away at SHAFA Hospital, Lokoja. Photographs of the crime scene have been taken, and the corpse has been deposited at the morgue for an autopsy before being released to the deceased’s relatives for burial according to Islamic rites. The exhibit knife and blood-stained clothes were also recovered at the scene. Abba Yusuf has been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing suspects. The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the case be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet investigation.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. He urged the political actors and their supporters to settle their differences in court, saying, “Self-help has no place in a democratic system.” The President’s admonition follows reports of arson and vandalism of public facilities in Rivers State after last Saturday’s local government elections. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the police to guard public facilities to “restore and maintain peace, law and order immediately.” The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu decries violence in Rivers, directs police to provide security to local government offices.’ The Action People’s Party dominated the recent local government elections in the state when it secured 314 out of 319 councillorship seats across the state’s 23 local government areas. The Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the results in Port Harcourt on Sunday. According to the RSIEC, the APP won 314 wards, while the All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party and Young People’s Party each clinched one seat. The Rivers State PDP and the APC factions rejected the conduct and outcome of the election on Sunday, saying no election held on Saturday. The Rivers PDP loyal to the former Governor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, vow3d to challenge the results in court. Meanwhile, the incumbent Governor, Fubara, who is now at loggerheads with his predecessor, has since sworn in the newly elected council chairmen of the 23 local government areas. This has sparked tension in the state as supporters of each camp have laid siege to public facilities. In response to recent tension, “the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state,” Onanuga said. The statement read, “He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately. “While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions. President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism. “He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy. According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.”