FG, security agencies must rise up to end wanton killings in Nigeria - Peter Obi

 

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to rise up and end wanton killings of people in Nigeria.

Obi, a former presidential candidate under Labour Party, said for the umpteenth time, Nigerians, again woke up to the continued reports of highly condemnable acts of violence reoccurring across our nation.

“First was the reported killing of about 30 persons in Plateau State, and secondly, the gruesome killing of husband and wife in Anambra State, whose bodies were left in the boot of their vehicle by the roadside, among many other violent crimes that go unreported in our nation.

“While condemning these dastardly and despicable acts in totality, one wonders when we will wake up to the news of this insecurity that has continued to undermine the peace and progress of our country being curtailed. This constant loss of precious lives to insecurity demands that more concerted efforts be taken to end the menace,” he lamented.

Obi said he would continue to appeal to everyone, the leaders, especially those in office, and the security agencies, to strive harder to unravel and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to book, and continue to make efforts to rid society of crime and violence.

“I condole with the affected families who have lost their loved ones to the raging insecurity in the country while praying to God to grant eternal rest to the dead. These are very difficult times in our country, but we must conquer this monster of insecurity to be able to enjoy the New Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.

Source: PM News

Gov Obaseki’s Special Adviser resigns

 

Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki‘s Special Adviser on Strategy, Performance and Project Monitoring, Mrs. Sarah Ajose-Adeogun, aka Madam Sarah, has resigned.

Ajose-Adeogun, a former Senior Manager with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), in a post on her Facebook page, said: “l came, l saw and l conquered,” confirming her resignation as an Adviser to Obaseki.

The Nation gathered on Friday morning in Benin that the resignation of Edo governor’s top aide may not be unconnected with the battle of supremacy and survival of the fittest rocking the outgoing Obaseki-led government.

Ajose-Adeogun’s office was once shut by the Chief of Staff to Edo Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, because the ex-senior official of SPDC allegedly refused to yield her seat in a commercial flight to Obaseki.

Her resignation came a little over one month after former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Obaseki, Andrew Okungbowa, also quit.

Obaseki whose second term ends on November 12, 2024, is at loggerheads with his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu, over succession.

Shaibu is interested in succeeding Obaseki who is believed to be backing a Lagos-based lawyer, Asue Ighodalo.

The Governor is also engaged in a face-off with numerous members of PDP’s Legacy Coalition, led by the National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, the immediate Edo Chairman of PDP, who declared Ighodalo won’t succeed Obaseki.

Wike not ready for peace in Rivers crisis, Clark tells Tinubu

 South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has told President Bola Tinubu that the immediate past governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCT, Nyesom Wike, was not ready for peace in the political crisis rocking the state.

In a statement yesterday, in Abuja, Clark said: “The continuous activities of Wike are clear indications that he is not ready for peace in Rivers State

.“It will be recalled that Tinubu intervened in the crisis when he issued an ‘8-point pact’ to both parties which include: That the governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubara and his allies should withdraw all court cases pertaining to the matter, even though this is against the 1999 Constitution and against popular opinion of Rivers people and indeed Nigerians, Governor Fubara and his associates, including the Speaker recognised by the court, Edison Ebie, have complied with this proclamation.

“The expectation is that the 26 decamped legislative members who had filed cases in court, would have also done same. But they refused, giving rise to the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotoso on January 22, 2024, stating amongst other things, the nullification of the 2024 Budget which was presented by Governor Fubara, passed and signed into law.

“Justice Omotoso said he based his judgment on the fact that the legislatures said there was no evidence of settlement of the matter before him.

“From the above, it shows clearly that Governor Fubara, obeyed Mr. President and carried out his directives, in violation of the 1999 Constitution ‘for the sake of peace,’ except that which he is currently precluded from doing by the courts. Even though majority of Nigerians were not happy with the terms of the settlement.

“Having done all these against the Constitution which Fubara, as Governor of Rivers State swore to uphold, Nyesom Wike is not seen, wittingly or unwittingly, by his latent or otherwise conduct, advancing peace in Rivers State.

“Let the truth be told to President Tinubu, Wike is not ready for any form of peace. Therefore, I call on the President, once again, to call him to order to allow the elected Governor Fubara, whom he Wike claimed he made to govern Rivers State, peacefully.

“However, I did not anticipate that Mr. President would proclaim an 8-point agreement that appears to be one-sided and unconstitutional, when I appealed to him to call Wike to order.”

Police recover N50m stolen from ailing Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu

 

Detectives at the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbion, Ikoyi, Lagos have disclosed that they had recovered N50 million withdrawn from the hacked bank account of ailing Nollywood actor, Mr John Okafor, popularly called Mr Ibu.

Consequently, Ibu’s son, Onyebuchi Okafor and his lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu, were arrested and changed to court for conspiracy and stealing.

Their arrest, according to spokesperson for the FCID, ASP Mayegun Aminat, followed a petition received from Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Ibu’s wife, Stella Maris Okafor, in September 6, 2023, where Ibu’s sons, Daniel and Valentine Okafor and one of the son’s lover, Jasmine Okekeagwu were alleged to have conspired to defraud Ibu.

According to her, “Investigation into the case established that as part of efforts to fund his medical bills, Mr. Ibu launched a public fund-raising initiative and attracted donations from his fans, entertainment industry players, and other well-spirited members of the public into a bank account which he publicized and dedicated for the purpose.

“Mr. Ibu’s wife, Mrs Stella Maris Chinyere Okafor was initially managing the funds to defray the medical bills of Mr. Ibu and sustain the family.

“However, along the line, the duo of Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor and Jasmine Chioma Okekeagwu manipulated Mrs Stella Maris Okafor, took possession of Mr. Ibu’s phone and hacked into the banking details therein.

“They thereafter re-installed the mobile banking applications of Mr. Ibu on the phone of Onyeabuchi Daniel Okafor, preparatory to the perfection of their pre-conceived fraudulent plans and wiped off the banking applications originally installed on Mr. Ibu’s phone, thereby, taking direct and full charge of banking activities of Mr. Ibu in relation to the funds being donated by members of the public in support of his medicals.

“Through this fraudulent act, Onyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu started transferring funds from Mr. Ibu’s public fund raising account to Onyeabuchi Okafor’s personal bank with forensic analysis of their illicit financial dealing establishing that a total of N55 million has been successfully and criminally transferred prior to their arrest and investigation.

“Investigation also unearthed text messages via WhatsApp between Jasmine Chioma and Daniel Okafor detailing stage-by-stage how they conspired and hatched their criminal plans.

“It was also established that the two suspects, Jasmine Okekeagwu and Onyeabuchi Okafor had a sham marriage at the Ikoyi Marriage Registry with plans to escape from the country to the United Kingdom, where they intended to settle with their proceeds of crime. They already applied for UK Visa in furtherance to this plan prior to their arrest.

“During investigation, the stolen N55 million was traced to the bank account of Onyeabuchi Okafor wherein it was discovered that they had squandered a total of N5 million on questionable transactions, while the balance of N50 million has been recovered from him.

“On the strength of evidence, Onyeabuchi Okafor, and Jasmine Okekeagwu have been charged to the Chief Magistrates Court 1, Yaba in Charge No. A/06/2024 for conspiracy and stealing. They were granted bail in the sum of N15 million with two sureties in like sum while case was adjourned to March 11,2024.

“Meanwhile the casefile has been forwarded to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.”

Lagos taskforce raids Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Mile-2, impounds 253 motorcycles

 

The Lagos State Taskforce on Thursday, impounded at least 253 commercial motorcycles, popularly called okada, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and Mile-2 axis of the state over violations of traffic laws

The okada riders were raided for operating on State highways and restricted routes after several warnings by relevant authorities.

The extensive exercise which  took place along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway was orchestrated by the Chairman of the Agency, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Shola Jejeloye, who disclosed that these set of operations were warnings to recalcitrant okada operators to desist forthwith.

Jejeloye described Apapa-Oshodi Expressway as a take off point for okada operators who violate Lagos State traffic laws by operating on that particular highway and Apapa Local Government Area which is one of the councils where okada operations have been banned out rightly.

“We have been to this particular location about twice because of the sensitivity of the corridor and routes it connects.

“However, our leniency has been taken for granted by these okada operators and perpetrators of illegalities in this area who feel we are oblivious of their activities.

“We have surprised them today (Thursday) and confiscated all bikes that operate here. I am sure they would have gotten the message by now.”

The chairman described the activities of the okada operators as despicable as a result of their large numbers that congregate along the Expressway, thereby constituting nuisance and creating unnecessary bottlenecks on the highway.

“From the volume of motorcycles seized here you can imagine how this location looks like at rush hour.

“We have come to put an end to it so that Lagosians can have a breath of fresh air and commute along this axis peacefully.”

Jejeloye subsequently, addressed illegal merchants of petroleum products who deal in the sale of petrol on the highways, warning them to relocate as their days are numbered.

He stressed that the state taskforce would swoop in heavily on them till sanity and environmental decorum is restored to the area.

Jejeloye, assured residents that the agency would keep up with the continuous enforcement for compliance exercise across all nooks and cranny in the state.

Source: Punch Newspaper

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Naira drops at parallel market, closes 900/$ official window

 

                                            Naira and Dollar notes 

The naira fell to a record low of N1,400/$ at the parallel market on Thursday despite recent efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria to save the national currency.

With continued dollar scarcity plaguing the country, Bureau de Change Operators confirmed to The PUNCH that the naira touched new depths in the foreign exchange market.

A BDC operator at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Usman Ibrahim, said, “For today, one dollar is N1,400 but if you don’t buy it today, I cannot assure you of the same price tomorrow. I also buy at N1,390 to a dollar.”

Another operator, Abubakar Taura confirmed that the naira depreciated further to N1,400 to a dollar.

He stated, “As of today, the dollar has gone up. It now sells for N1400/$.”

According to the BDC operators, there is currently uncertainty as regards the price of the naira against the dollar due to high demand.

On the official Investor and Exporter window, the naira depreciated by 2.12 per cent to N900.96/$ from the N882.24/$ it closed on Wednesday. Transactions opened at N929.18/$, rose to a high of N1,399/$, and recorded a low of N789/$. Total FX turnover was $115.19m, a 103.52 per cent increase from the $56.60m that was recorded on Wednesday.

The national currency didn’t do better on the cryptocurrency peer-to-peer market where it rose to a high of N1,400/$ too. As of the time of filing this report, the naira was trading on Binance’s P2P platform for N1,395.8/$.

According to Chainalysis, a blockchain firm, Nigeria has one of the largest peer-to-peer exchange volumes in the world.

The naira’s fall has persisted despite the best efforts of the CBN to save it, piling more pressure on the economy and the average Nigerian. Recently, the apex bank announced it has paid $2bn as part of FX backlogs, also the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited got a $2.25bn oil-for-cash loan facility from the African Export-Import Bank to boost FX liquidity.

All these are yet to be reflected in the market. Commenting on the exchange rate recently, the CBN’s governor, Olayemi Cardoso, stated that there was an expectation that the foreign exchange market would stabilise in 2024.

He hinged this expectation on the reduction in petroleum product imports and the recent implementation of a market-determined exchange rate policy by the apex bank.

He also said the naira was currently undervalued.

Announcing other moves by the bank at the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group 2024 Macroeconomic Outlook Report, the governor said, “I am pleased to note our collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the NNPCL to ensure that all FX inflows are returned to the Central Bank.

“This coordinated effort will greatly enhance the bank’s FX flows and contribute to the accretion of reserves.” He added that the bank is implementing a comprehensive strategy to improve liquidity in the FX markets. Cardoso expressed the belief that the national currency is currently undervalued and, “coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term.”

According to the International Monetary Fund, the volatility of the exchange rate can be linked to excess naira in circulation. Nigeria’s Country Representative, International Monetary Fund, Dr. Christian Ebeke, recently said, “This is because if you look at naira pressures, you can decompose them into three main categories. One is the fact that you have excess naira in the market.

“The second one is structural; the market is new. These reforms are bold, the government needed a lot of courage to let the naira depreciate like that in a country where the naira has been quite stable for a while.

“The market is still new. It is still in its price discovery mode. Market participants are still learning how to transact in an orderly fashion. These structural factors affect the naira because the market is new, it is a little bit shallow is also responsible for volatility in the market.

“Then, there is also uncertainty in the market. I am not sure that the parallel rate is the ultimate rate. At some point, we may think about a fair naira rate that is probably between what we see in the parallel market and the official market. But it is very difficult while you are still in the transition phase to talk about what is a fair value and what we are seeing.”

Recently, the Group Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, projected that the naira might depreciate to N1,500/$ in 2024.

He said, “The worst case scenario is that the naira could worsen to N1,500 against the dollar.”

Source: Punch Newspaper

US court fines Nigerian blogger $50,000 for defaming MFM overseer

 

                                            Dr Daniel Olukoya 

A Baltimore County Circuit Court in the United States of America presided over by Theresa Adams, has slammed a record $50,000 damages on a US-based Nigerian blogger, Funke Ashekun, for defaming the General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr Daniel Olukoya.

A statement on Thursday by Olukoya’s media aide, Collins Edomaruse, said the jury found that the postings of Ashekun defamed the MFM and portrayed its pastors in a false light.

Delivering its judgment in the matter with Case Number: C-03-CV-22-004424, the court returned a unanimous verdict in favour of MFM USA and its three pastors, Grace Ugeh, Kunle Ladipo and Adekunle Adekola.

According to the MFM, Ashekun, who recently relocated to the United States, “has been on social media, spreading all manners of falsehoods against the MFM Church and its General Overseer with the sole purpose of tarnishing and damaging the reputation of the respected man of God and that of his ministry.”

Reacting to the lawsuit filed against her, the YouTuber, in a video she posted to her YouTube channel on November 28, 2023, said MFM and three of its US-based pastors filed a suit against her and accused her of defaming their General Overseer.

“I am now able to confirm to you and to formally do so now that I, Funke Ashekun, have been sued by a church in America. I want you to know I’ve been sued by a church in America. I’m also able to confirm that the name of the church that has taken me to court in America is Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, America.

“I am also able to confirm to you that I don’t know them, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Imagine, people that I don’t know are suing me. What an Irony!

“The first one is Adekunle Adekola. He’s a pastor in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Rockville, Maryland. The second person is Kunle Ladipo. He is also a pastor in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Bowie, Maryland. And the third person is a woman, I am surprised. She is Grace Ugeh. She is also a pastor in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in California; one of their branches.

“Somebody even came from California to sue me in Maryland. These are people I don’t know. I have never been to their church here in America since we relocated. I saw two of them in court recently. But I don’t think I will still recognise them if I meet two of them on the way. I am surprised how a woman will come after me for speaking against sexual assault on women,” she said.

Ashekun added that she was shocked about the lawsuit, stressing that she did not mention the name of any church or pastor in particular in any of her posts.

“I am talking about Pharaohs of our country. People that are supposed to be men of God; that people call men of God and reverence. I am talking about things going on in our churches, that there are sexual abuses going on in our churches. Women are becoming depressed. Some of them are becoming suicidal. They are being sexually molested seriously. And then a woman would come after me and take me to court for talking.

“I, also want to let you know that I, Olufunke Ashekun, am the respondent in this lawsuit in my personal capacity and to the exclusion of no other. These three people, they came after me. In fact, they came with two different lawsuits.

“One thing still shocks me, still baffles me that since I have started this programme, I have never mentioned the name of any church. When I talk about Pharaohs destroying women, destroying men, torturing, oppressing, sexually molesting women, young girls, even in the toilet, in church, inside what is supposed to be a sanctuary of God. Since I’ve started, I’ve never mentioned any church doing that.

“I’ve never mentioned the name of any pastor or any General Overseer. I have been talking about Pharaohs. Pharaoh is a Biblical name. We all know Pharaoh to be an oppressor of God’s children. It is a satirical name that I formed for this programme to pass all my messages because we need to speak out. We can’t keep quiet and allow these people to go on in our society,” she said.

Reacting to the judgment, the MFM lead counsel, Gilbert Garcia, said the “Church was gratified that the jury found in favour and vindicated our position,” according to the statement.

Source: Punch Newspaper

Atiku’s Former Campaign Director In Ondo, Senator Kunlere Resigns From PDP

 

Kunlere, a former Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, who represented Ondo South Senatorial District, tendered his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

Senator Boluwaji Kunlere has resigned from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Kunlere, a former Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, who represented Ondo South Senatorial District, tendered his resignation in a letter dated Wednesday, January 24, 2024.

The letter was addressed to the Igbotako 2 Ward Chairman of the PDP at Igbotako Ward 2 in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

In the letter titled, ‘Letter Of Resignation Of My Membership Of PDP,’ Senator Kunlere said, “I hereby tender my letter of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria with effect from today being 24th January, 2024.

“I sincerely express my appreciation to you and other members of the party for your cooperation and support throughout the period of my membership of the party.

“Thank you and God bless.”

He, however, did not state if he would be joining another party.

Kunlere was the Director of Campaigns for the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation in Ondo State ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

He is a former Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State and Senator of the 7th National Assembly.

He joined the PDP from the Labour Party in August 2014, two days after the widely reported news that then-Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo was on the verge of defecting to the PDP as well.

Senator Kunlere said he decided to join the PDP after consultations with his constituents and to pursue his political career.

Describing his defection as a matter of principle, he added that he had had enough of what he alleged to be repeated blackmail from the close aides of Mimiko in his local government area.

In a text message to SaharaReporters, Mr. Kunlere, who hails from Okitipupa, said he could not “continue to trade my political business with the Labour Party (LP) in the state,” adding, “anyone who is still displaying the Labour Party flag or carrying the card about is a dead politician waiting to be buried alive.”

Senator Kunlere said he no longer had any business with the Labour Party, adding that he had already issued a red card to the party’s leaders whom he accused of painting him bad to the then-governor.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Rivers crisis: Fubara’s loyalists face FGs’ terrorism charges in Abuja Court today

 

The federal government has slammed terrorism charges against four Port Harcourt-based men who allegedly invaded, vandalized and burnt down Rivers State House of Assembly last year.

The accused persons, suspected to be loyalists of Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State, are accused of committing the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.

They are Chima Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

The federal government has slammed terrorism charges against four Port Harcourt-based men who allegedly invaded, vandalized and burnt down Rivers State House of Assembly last year.

The accused persons, suspected to be loyalists of Siminalaye Fubara of Rivers State, are accused of committing the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year.

They are Chima Eguma Ezebalike, Prince Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

Although the immediate past factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Edison Ehie was named in the 7-count terrorism charges, he was however said to be at large alongside other suspects.

The four alleged terrorism suspects who have been in the custody of the anti-terrorism department of the police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja are to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

In the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, obtained by our correspondent, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun is named as the complainant.

Apart from allegedly burning down the State House of Assembly, some of them were said to have killed a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state.

The police informants said to have been killed are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi.

They were also accused of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Simon Lough has been detailed to lead the prosecution team before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

Specifically, they are alleged to have on October 29, 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt conspired to commit acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an offence punishable under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

Part of the charges read, “That you, Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert conspired together to commit felony to wit: acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 26 (1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022.

“That you Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37 years, business man of Street 5, Radio Estate Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Prince Lukman Oladele, 47 years of Okocha Street, Port Harcourt, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Hon Edison Ehie and others now at large on 29th of October 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, while acting in concert and armed with dynamite, iron rods, lighters and other offensive weapons willfully and maliciously invaded, attacked and set fire on the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Their arraignment is expected to be conducted before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Edo lost 135 lives to cultism, communal clashes in six months – Obaseki

 

         

Edo State Government says no fewer than 135 lives were lost to cult-related activities and community clashes in the state between July and December, 2023.

DAILY POST reports that the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin City shortly after the maiden Security Council Meeting for 2024, held with security chiefs in the State.

Obaseki said the 135 deceased residents were victims of the 500 cases of crimes recorded in the state in the period under review.

He noted that the government and security agencies in the State were working assiduously to check violent crimes and tackle cultism in the State.

The governor added that in the month of December alone, 83 cases of criminal incidents were recorded out of which 24 are homicide-related.

According to him, “we have just concluded the maiden Security Council Meeting for the year and reviewed crime indices, not only for December but for the last six months of 2023.

“We reviewed the data from July to December and noticed that the biggest security challenge we have in Edo State today is homicide, arising largely from cult-related activities and probably community clashes.

“From July to December 2023, homicide recorded the highest numbers of incidents in the state. From the month of December alone, out of the 83 incidents reported, 24 are related to homicide.

“For the last six months in 2023, for instance, out of 500 incidents reported, 135 had to do with homicide and we lost 135 people from mostly cult-related activities and community clashes.

“This is an issue of concern to the State and the Council took a decision to delve deeper into the data to understand the specific situation and reasons driving this high level of homicide in the State.”

The governor, however, noted that the Security Council mandated the Commissioner of Public Safety, Kingsley Uwagbale to work with security agencies to tackle cultism in the State.

He opined that cultism would be addressed from two distinct approaches, which include ensuring diligent investigation and prosecution of cult related crimes and ensuring high publicity.

Price of rice up 81% in 1 yr, Onions rise 123%

 

The price of 1 kilogram (Kg) of rice increased year-on-year, YoY, by 81 percent to N917.93 in December 2023 from N506.17 in the corresponding period of 2022.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this yesterday in its Selected Food Price Watch for December 2023.

NBS also said the average price of 1kg of Beans brown (sold loose) rose by 48.5 percent YoY to N870.67 in December 2023 from N586.14 in December 2022.

Similarly, the average price of 1kg onion bulb rose by 122.9 percent YoY to N971.86 in December 2023 from N435.93 in December 2022.

In addition, the average price of 1kg of Tomato rose by 77.6 percent YoY to N814.16 in December 2023 from N458.42 in December 2022.

Meanwhile, the NBS in its Transport Fare Watch for December 2023 released yesterday said transport fare for bus, motorcycle (Okada), air and water transport journeys increased during the period.

It stated: “The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within the city per drop declined to 13.83 percent from N1,047.64 in November to N902.70 in December 2023. “On a YoY basis, it rose by 40 percent from N644.66 in December 2022.

“In air travel, the average fare paid by air passengers for specified routes single journey was N85,692.12 in December 2023, showing an increase of 5.36 percent while compared to previous month (November 2023).

“On a YoY  basis, the fare rose by 14.8 percent from N74,597.30 in December 2022. The average transport fare paid on Okada transportation was N419.73 in December 2023 which declined by 11.29 percent when compared with the value recorded in November 2023 (N473.13).  On a YoY basis, the fare declined by 9.04 percent when compared with December 2022 (N461.45).

“For water transport (waterway passenger transportation), the average fare paid in December 2023 increased to N1,386.76 from N1,352.70 which indicates an increase of 2.5 percent on a monthly basis.

“On a YoY basis, it increased by 34.77 percent from N1,029.00 in December 2022.”

Afenifere demands state police, scraps Adebanjo’s leadership title

 

                                             Pa Ayo Adebanjo

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, on Wednesday, annulled the office of the acting leader of the group, being occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

This was as the organisation reiterated its call for the formation of state police amid the rising insecurity in the land.

Afenifere, which appointed Adebanjo as the acting leader of the group in 2022, said the position had been abrogated and formed another group named Afenifere Elders Caucus, with Adebanjo a member and Fasoranti as leader.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the monthly meeting of the group held at the residence of its National Leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, on Wednesday. The communique was read by the Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Jare Ajayi.

The communique read, “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided that the position of Acting  Leader and Deputy Leader have now been abrogated.

“The responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader of Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus, which is hereby constituted.”

According to the communique, Fasoranti is the Chairman of the Eelders Caucus while the members of the group include Adebanjo, Oba Olu Falae, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu,  Basorun Seinde Arogbofa,  Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele,  Archbishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani, Akinrinade (retd),  Maj. Gen. Olu Bajowa (retd), Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, among others.

At the meeting, the group also expressed its displeasure over the state of the nation with particular reference to the socio-economic and security situations in the country, saying it was time to restructure the country as a means towards a new lease of life and a better Nigeria.

“There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way. Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish their own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such. Doing so would check if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining, for instance, the Oyo State Government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around. Such would have prevented last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatised hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into billions of naira. “

While reiterating that it was time to restructure the country, the Afenifere urged President Bola Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.

“The organisation (Afenifere) took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist, would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal,” it said.

Source: Punch Newspaper 

Scores of terrorists killed as ISWAP fighters launch reprisal attack on Boko Haram camp

 

There are indications that the deadly clashes between the Boko Haram and Islamic State, West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorist groups are not abating any time soon.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad Region, reports that the ISWAP elements recently attacked a Boko Haram fighters’ camp in Tumbun Rago.

Zagazola said the attack was a response to the January 21 attack launched by the Boko Haram faction on an ISWAP camp in Tumbun Jaki, noting that both sides are devising means of undoing each other.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Zagazola said the latest clash claimed the lives of several fighters from both sides.

He added that reliable sources informed him that the fight at Tumbun Rago was bloody as the Boko Haram group suffered numerous casualties.

“In the wee hours of 22 January 2024, ISWAP elements went to where Boko Haram fighters were camping in Tumbun Rago to attack them in response to the January 21 attack launched by the Boko Haram faction on the ISWAP camp in Tumbun Jaki.

“Zagazola Makama, counter insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad Region, was told by reliable sources that the fight at Tumbun Rago was bloody as the Boko Haram group suffered numerous casualties,” he wrote.

The security expert further stated that the deadly rivalry between the two erstwhile allies will continue unabated as the Boko Haram fighters are not prepared to surrender their supremacy or be displaced by the ‘usurpers’.

Ijaw youths set for showdown over sale of Shell’s onshore assets

 

The umbrella body of Ijaw youths worldwide, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), has warned of renewed hostilities in Niger Delta if the purported sales of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) onshore assets fails to follow requisite laws in line with the Local Content Act.

The youth group warned that the consortiums, which planned to buy the assets, should steer clear from the erroneous process modified by Shell to further embolden the mystery of respective host communities, which Shell is famous for in its 70 years operation.

In a statement by its spokesman, Binebai Princewill, they noted that Shell cannot go free after the destruction of their environment and abuse of stakeholders for over 70 years of Shell’s oil and gas exploration in the region.

They warned Renaissance Africa Energy and other consortiums that have perfected plans to buy Shell onshore assets in the Niger Delta without recourse to stakeholders from the region to steer clear.

IYC said: “We strongly advise the consortium and any other business entities not to waste their resources in procuring the Shell Onshore Assets in the Niger Delta, particularly in Ijaw areas without proper participation and inclusion of Ijaw indigenous companies and critical stakeholders in the region.

“Without mincing words, the IYC is daring Shell and its collaborators to go on with this process without involving the local people whose areas these onshore assets are located and watch the grave negative impact these will cost the oil and gas industry.

“The Ijaw people cannot continue to be treated as slaves by eating crumbs. Any attempt to continue to treat our people as second-class citizens in this process will meet stiff resistance by any means necessary,” the statement warned.

Meanwhile, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has faulted the planned sale of SPDC Onshore Assets to the Renaissance Group, alleging that the group is an assemblage of unknown entities with no proven track record in managing such diverse assets.

General Secretary, PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, in a statement, yesterday, threatened that any attempt to transfer the assets without resolving issues affecting its members would be met with the stiffest resistance the oil and gas industry had ever witnessed.

Stating that the industry regulator, JV Asset Partners (NNPCL, Non-Operated Asset Partners) and other stakeholders have been put on notice, he said that Renaissance is a group of consortiums consisting of ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings, The Petrolin Group, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, as well as the Waltersmith Group.

He said after reviewing the union’s Shell/SNBO Branch presentation, which had already communicated all subsequent information presented to its members by Shell management on the planned sale, the union rejected, without equivocation, all the terms affecting employees that were communicated in the presentation to its members.

Source: Nigeria Guardian