Politics

We have integrity issues in Nigeria —Peter Obi

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The former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has lampooned the current leadership, and the populace by extension, over the current state of the economy.

Obi bemoaned the lack of integrity amongst the average Nigerian which he said is evidenced in the crop of leaders being produced every electoral cycle.

He made this assertion on Monday during a live interview on AriseTV.

The problem of Nigeria is leadership.

We need a complete overhaul; we have an integrity issue. People who are well-educated but are thieves

“We need people who have integrity and who have the wherewithal to handle the problem,” Obi stated.

However, the former Vice Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remained coy when asked about the possibility of running for the Presidency in 2023.

Politics

Ghost Monday: Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi on lockdown as ordered by IPOB, one reportedly killed

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The commercial city of Aba, Abia State, Nnewi and Onitsha in Anambra State as well as Owerri in Imo State were on Monday placed on lockdown by residents who refused to exit their houses or carry out commercial activities in compliance with a directive by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

There were no vehicular movements in the cities, and commercial activities were suspended.

Reports from Nnewi indicate that one person may have been killed, but details are still sketchy as to the identity of the victim or circumstances that may have led to the death.

The IPOB group had declared a sit-at-home directive for every Monday in the South-East region of the country starting August 9 to press home demands for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu who is being tried for treason related offenses by the Nigerian government.

It had also earlier threaten to deal with anyone who flouts the order which it described as Ghost Monday, a situation which must have scared many residents to remain indoors to avoid possible violence.

Most shops and offices were under lock and key in Owerri, Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba as at the time of this report, against pleas by the state governments and the police for citizens to ignore the IPOB directive and go about their normal businesses.

There had been confusion earlier whether or not the Ghost Monday had been called off after contradicting communications came form the IPOB and a younger brother to the detained IPOB leader, Kanunta Kanu, who was said to have encouraged residents of the South-East to ignore the IPOB directive.

Kanunta had in a statement on Sunday, suspended the sit-at-home action, citing the National Examination Council’s (NECO) exams for junior secondary school students that had just begun as a reason.

Also, the IPOB leader’s younger brother said the group would announce a new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home.

However, the IPOB Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a counter-statement, maintained that the group would go ahead with the sit-at-home as planned on Monday, stating that the date remained sacrosanct.

Politics

Military kills four notorious bandits in Kaduna

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The Kaduna State government has confirmed the killing of four notorious bandits by the military in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the development this in a statement on Sunday in Kaduna, said the bandits were killed during raids on their hideouts in Maikwandaraso, Igabi local government area of the state.

He listed the slain bandits as Alili Bandiro, Dayyabu Bala, Bala Nagwarjo, and Sulele Bala.

Maikwandaraso shares boundaries with the Kawara and Malul forests in Igabi LGA.

Aruwan said: “Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his happiness at the development, and thanked the military for their concerted efforts at ridding the identified areas of armed bandits.

“The Governor commended the troops and personnel involved in the successful strikes, and encouraged them to sustain the tempo of operations towards a comprehensive sweep of all hideouts.”

Politics

‘Admit Buhari’s failure on security,’ PDP tells Masari

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday asked the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, to stop his empty lamentations over the persistent banditry in the state.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP challenged the governor to tell President Muhammadu Buhari that he has failed Nigerians.

Masari, according to the party, is doing a great disservice to his people and other victims of banditry in the country by refusing to tell the President the truth about his failures.

The statement read: “It is indeed a distressing and colossal mark of failure that President Buhari’s home state, Katsina, is being taken over by bandits, who are now over-running local governments, killing, raping, maiming, and pillaging innocent citizens, while Mr. President, who promised to lead the fight against insurgency from the fronts, continues to recede deeper into the safety and comfort of Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“It is totally upsetting that while Mr. President is busy with his unnecessary rhetoric in Abuja, bandits, according to Governor Masari, are having a field day in persistent attacks on 10 local government areas, killing and robbing innocent citizens on daily basis.

While it is common knowledge that President Buhari has failed and especially, in his three-pronged focus of security, economy, and anti-corruption, it is however regrettable that his administration could be so aloof, cold, and unperturbed as bandits ravage our citizens in most states and particularly in Mr. President’s home state. What a failure!

“President Buhari and Governor Masari must know that there is no way history will be kind to them and their party, the APC, for their incompetence, insensitivity, and failure in governance, which have brought so much devastation to our dear nation.

“The PDP for the umpteenth time calls on President Buhari to wake up to the responsibilities of his office, pick himself up, and lead from the front in the fight against insurgents, in line with his campaign promise. He should either shape up or ship out.

Our party, however, urges Nigerians, especially the people of Katsina state not to resign to despondency over President Buhari’s failures, while charging our gallant troops to remain strong as we work hard to rescue our nation from the misrule of the APC, which has led to the escalation of woes in our country.

Politics

Ekwunife heads PDP campaign council for Anambra election

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, as the director-general of its campaign council for the state’s governorship election.

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, disclosed this to journalists at the end of a meeting held at the Abuja residence of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

He said the decision was taken at a meeting the PDP national leadership held with governors, and some of the party’s aspirants in Anambra.

Fintiri expressed satisfaction with the party’s preparation for the election and the reconciliation of all aspirants in the election.

The governor said: “We carried out the directives of our governors and reconciled all the aggrieved aspirants and it was unanimously agreed that Ekwunife be appointed the campaign director and she is so appointed.

“With her appointment, the campaigns for PDP recapturing of Anambra will soon kick-off. All aspirants have been reconciled.

Anambra state belongs to the PDP and this will be confirmed at the November 6 governorship election.”

In his remarks, Secondus expressed the confidence that PDP would win the Anambra election.

He urged the aspirants to forget the past and be work for the success of the party in the election.

The PDP governorship candidate in Anambra, Valentine Ozigbo, said the party would win the election following the reconciliation of all aggrieved members in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier excluded the PDP from the election after Ozigbo and Ugochukwu Uba laid claims to the party’s ticket for the poll.

Ozigbo won the primary election organized by the PDP national leadership while Uba, a former senator, was backed by a faction of the party in the state.

The Anambra State High Court had in July asked the commission to recognize Uba as PDP candidate for the election.

Politics

Nigerian govt postpones phase two of COVID-19 vaccination

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The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 (PSC) has postponed the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria.

The committee’s Director of Press, Mr. Willie Bassey, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday night in Abuja.

The exercise was earlier slated to commence at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Bassey said the exercise was postponed due to some unforeseen circumstances.

The United States donated four million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria on August 1.

The statement read: “This is to announce the postponement of the national flag-off of phase 11 vaccination programme earlier scheduled for Tuesday this week due to unforeseen circumstances.

“A new date will be communicated.”

Politics, World News

Onyeka Onwenu opens up on alleged ‘sleeping and secret marriage’ with Obasanjo

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Veteran singer, Onyeka Onwenu has finally clarified rumours that she had a secret marriage with former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Onwenu in an interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, said the accusations that she slept with Obasanjo and had a secret marriage with the former President is false.
She also revealed she was accused while growing up of sleeping with many big men in Nigeria.
The veteran singer said: “I was accused of sleeping with Sunny Ade, Fela and Obasanjo. They even went to the extent of saying I got married to Obasanjo secretly.
“If he approached me to marry him, why would I keep it a secret? We would have made it public so that was funny.”

Onwenu also revealed how late legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti sent her a marriage proposal in the eighties and she turned him down.
She said: “Fela is a trickster. He knew I’d say no, I think it was his way of thanking me for coming out in support of him when he was jailed.”
She added that her marriage to her ex-husband would have almost killed her if not for her brother who saved her.
“I don’t like talking about it but because you raised it and because I’d written about it, I have to expatiate.
“The marriage was incredible, but sometimes, when things happen to people, they change. My husband, I pray for him on a daily basis.”

Politics

Nigeria joins U.S, Ghana navies for Gulf of Guinea exercises

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The Nigerian Navy will this week join their counterparts from Ghana and the U.S. for a three-day at sea training exercise.

The training is part of efforts by the U.S government to strengthen partnership with coastal African nations and also mark the return to Nigeria, Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4).

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command acting as a militay sea base.

According to a statement from the U.S embassy in Nigeria, officers assigned to the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) with Nigerian offshore patrol vessels and members of Ghana’s Special Boat Squadron (SBS) will engaged in different military routines.

“Maritime engagements that include many navies working together really improve our interoperability and collective capability, which are absolutely necessary for a busy area such as the Gulf of Guinea,” Capt. Chad Graham, USS Williams commanding officer, was quoted as saying.

The captain who met with the chief of operations for the Nigerian Navy Western Naval Command (WNC), Commodore Daupreye Franklin Matthew, praised Nigeria’s commitment to a peaceful, well-policed Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, Nigeria maintains the largest navy in the Gulf of Guinea region and is critical to security and stability in Africa.

“We’re happy to be working with our Nigerian partners to plan our at-sea multinational engagements, and we’re looking forward to a successful event that demonstrates our commitment to maritime security in the region.

“We greatly appreciate Nigeria, and the city of Lagos, for welcoming our crew to their country,” Graham said.

“Nigeria is the lynchpin for Gulf of Guinea maritime security; our Sailors are excited to be working with their counterparts at sea and to engage with Nigerian communities ashore,” he added

While visiting Lagos, Sailors assigned to Hershel “Woody” Williams will also help paint Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School Achakpo Ajegunle, as well as play sports with members of the Nigerian Navy.

Politics

Former Radio Biafra Director, Simon Ekpa, gives date Biafra Republic will be ‘restored’

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Former Radio Biafra Director, Simon Ekpa, says the much awaited separatist Biafran Republic will be declared on Monday, August 9.

Ekpa, who has continued to lay his allegiance to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), despite being fired from his position a week after his appointment, stated on his Facebook page on Sunday that “Monday, 9th August 2021, will be an unforgettable day as it will be the day when Biafra is restored.”

The separatist group had, two weeks ago, announced a compulsory sit-at-home in the South-East to begin on August 9, and will continue to be observed till the Nigerian government releases their leader who is still in the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).

In line with the declaration of the weekly sit-at-home order which many have described as ‘Ghost Mondays’, Ekpa said the declaration will mark the freedom of the republic and the eventual disintegration of Nigeria.

“Monday, the 9th of August 2021, sit-at-home in Biafraland will definitely be the beginning of what will go down in the history of freedom agitation; we will not forget from 9th of August as one of the historic day when Biafra is restored or Nigeria disintegrated,” Ekpa wrote.

Politics

NSCDC nabs five people with adulterated petroleum products in Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Saturday, said it arrested five persons with a truckload of 200 cellophane bags, suspected to be filled with adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and another truck containing 33,000 litres of petroleum products.

This was disclosed by the State Commandant of the Corps, Abidemi Majekodunmi, while briefing newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo.

According to Majekodunmi, two suspects, the truck driver, and conductor were apprehended along Itam Road at the Itu Local Government Area of the state, with a truck containing consignments of suspected illegal petroleum products.

Also, he said the other three suspects were nabbed by the Nigerian army with a 33, 000 litres truck loaded with petroleum products sourced from an illegal cracking location in Abia State, and were handed over to the NSCDC.

“This kind of activity can lead to bleeding of the Nigerian economy and certainly a nation striving towards development cannot afford to allow these kinds of things to be happening.

We have detained them, and they have made worthwhile statements. We are also pushing further to ensure that all other people involved in the activities will be brought to face the law so that justice can prevail.

We will ensure that we get to the root of this case, as they will be prosecuted in the competent Court of law. Trusting that this will serve as a deterrent to all conspiring to engage in these activities. We promise the people of Nigeria that we will look into this case to the very end.

“We have 200 Cellophane sacks filled with AGO suspected to have been sourced from an illegal refinery location. Now the security patrol team who are always on routine patrol accosted them on the road and demanded to search.

On searching, 200 cellophane bags were discovered filled with suspected stolen products. Illegally refined oil is a product of oil theft and this must not be allowed to continue. Even the degradation that it does to the economy is unbearable and it is a problem for the country,” Majekodunmi said.

Meanwhile, the commandant warned that it would no longer be business as usual for vandals, as the corps is taking necessary actions to dig out more conspirators.

“We want the public to support our progress with credible intelligent information, that we can use to execute our mandate and perform our constitutional duties and responsibilities.

“The Nigerian economy has a strong presence in the oil industry. We have to protect this industry because it is a strong national asset and that is one of the advantages that we have as a nation,” he added.

Politics

Police rescues woman who attempted suicide in Jigawa

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Police operatives in Jigawa State have rescued a woman identified as Maimuna Wadaji, who attempted to set herself on fire at the Rungumau village, Dutse local government area of the state.

Residents of the community told journalists on Saturday the woman attempted suicide after she heard that her husband was about to remarry his ex-wife.

The spokesman of the state police command, Lawan Shiisu, who confirmed the incident in a statement, the command, after receiving the information, swung into action and deployed operatives to the scene of the incident.

He said: “On Friday, at about 10:00hours, information was received by the police that one Maimuna Wadaji of Rungumau village, Dutse LGA, attempted suicide, where she bathed with petrol and put fire on herself.

“And after the woman shouted and called for help she was rushed to FUD Teaching Hospital in Dutse for treatment.”

The spokesman said Wadaji would be arraigned in court after her discharge from the hospital.

Politics

Ekiti govt warns PDP against politicisation of insecurity

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The Ekiti State government on Saturday warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against undue politicisation of matters bordering on the security of lives and property in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant on Inter-party Relations to the Governor, Sam Oluwalana, made the call during a chat with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

Oluwalana appealed to the party to refrain from comments that could people the impression it as mocking victims of insecurity in the state.

The governor’s aide was reacting to the PDP criticising the government over the recent spate of insecurity in the state.

The party had in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary in Ekiti, Raphael Adeyanju, accused the state government of having an agreement with the bandits killing and kidnapping people on daily basis in the state.

The party lamented that Ekiti, hitherto regarded as the most peaceful state in the South-West, had turned into a haven of bandits and political thugs.

The statement read: “Time has come for stakeholders in the state to confront Governor Kayode Fayemi and ask him whether or not he has an understanding with these marauding bandits not to touch them.”

In his reaction however, Oluwalana said the politicisation of the state security challenges will do no one any good.

He said: “For PDP to have politicised this type of issue, where life was lost, showed that it is irresponsible and lazy. The issue of insecurity is one that affects the entire country, and Ekiti is not an exemption.

“I want to say that the governor is working hard to secure the lives of citizens and we should all join hands with him to ensure that criminals are exposed, rather than making political comments capable of heating up the system.”

Politics

Cholera kills 60 in Katsina

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The Katsina State government confirmed on Saturday at least 60 people dead in a cholera outbreak in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Yakubu Danja, who disclosed this at a meeting with officials of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Katsina, said 1,400 cases had been recorded in the state.

He charged the people of the state to ensure healthy practices in their various communities.

The commissioner said: “Free drugs for the treatment of this outbreak are being purchased for distribution to hospitals for treatment of cases, health education on prevention and management of the disease is ongoing. Active case search and surveillance are also ongoing across the state.

“Diarrhea and vomiting is a preventable disease. Adhering to basic protocols on personal hygiene and the use of clean water is the surest preventive measure.”

Politics

Chibok girl who had two children in Boko Haram captivity reunites with family

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The Borno State government has confirmed the return of Ruth Ngladar Pogu, one of the abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who had been in Boko Haram captivity for seven years.

The girl, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Public Relations and Strategy to the Governor, Isa Gusau, was received by Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House on Saturday and reunited with her parents.

The governor said Ruth was married to a Boko Haram fighter and returned with two children she had while in captivity.

The couple surrendered to the military in Bama, Borno State, on July 28.

Zulum said: “Following their surrender, the state government, and security officials initiated contact with the girl’s parents to confirm her identity.”

He said the return of the girl would rekindle the hope of parents and family members of other students still in captivity.

The governor added: “Ruth will undergo a rehabilitation and reintegration programme that will focus on her health, psychosocial wellbeing, and her future goals.

“As a father of all sons and daughters of Borno, I haven’t lost hope that our remaining Chibok schoolgirls and other abducted persons will be safely recovered.”

Boko Haram fighters had on April 14, 2014, abducted 276 girls from the college.

The incident sparked global outrage with several international organisations and world leaders demanding the girls’ release by the jihadists.

Although a good number of the students had regained their freedom in the last seven years, about 100 others are still in captivity.

Politics

Obasanjo meets Beninese President, reportedly seeks asylum for Igboho

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has met the Beninese President, Patrice Talon, in a bid to get a soft landing for the self-professed Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, who is standing trial in the country, TheCable reports.

Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou over two weeks ago, is standing trial for alleged illegal possession of a Beninese passport and other charges at a court in the tiny West African nation.

The Department of State Service (DSS) had on July 1 declared the activist wanted over alleged illegal possession of seven AK-47 rifles and 5000 rounds of ammunition among others following raid on his Ibadan, Oyo State, home.

Diplomatic sources told the online platform that Obasanjo travelled to Zanzibar, an island in Tanzania, on August 1 and rerouted to the Benin Republic.

The ex-President, according to the sources, travelled to the Benin Republic under the guise of condoling with the country’s former leader, Nicephore Soglo, who lost his wife recently.

The duo had maintained a very cordial relationship over the years.

Former President Obasanjo travelled to Zanzibar on August 1, perhaps to conceal his trip; he rerouted to Benin Republic.

“He was to condole with former President Soglo who recently lost his wife,” one of the sources said.

Another source confirmed that Obasanjo asked the Benin Republic government to grant asylum to Igboho in the country.

“He (Obasanjo) met with Patrice Talon. The purpose of the meeting was to seek soft-landing for Sunday Igboho.

“He’s asking the Beninese authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria.

“The former President intervened at the request of some South-West leaders,” he stated.

Politics

Police arrests two suspected killers of 50-year-old woman in Delta

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Police operatives in Delta have arrested two suspected killers of a 50-year-old pepper seller in the state.

The suspects – Akpoghene Idogo and Onos Simon were arrested for conniving to kill the victim simply identified as Mrs. Patience Komor for ritual purposes.

The spokesman of the state police command, Edafe Bright, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Asaba, said the after the suspects killed the woman, removed some vital organs and buried the remains in a shallow grave.

Simon was arrested two days after the incident while Idogo who fled the area to avoid arrest was arrested in Kwale where he had gone to seek refuge.

Bright said: “Following a rip-off, the Divisional Police Officer, Oleh Police Station, Paul Oboware, on August 6, 2021, led a combined team of policemen and some vigilante group to Kwale town, where Akpoghene Idogo was arrested.

“The suspect has been on the run after the alleged murder of the woman who was a pepper seller. The suspect’s friend had earlier been arrested.

“Effort to arrest other suspects who contracted and paid the suspects N100,000 for the dastardly act is ongoing.”

Politics

New Year: Sultan directs Muslims to look out for new moon Sunday

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The Sultan of Sokoto,  Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the new moon of Muharram 1443 AH on Sunday.

Abubakar, who is also the President-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the directive in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Junaidu.

The statement read: “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Sunday, August 8, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Dhul-Hijja 1442AH shall be the day to look out for the new moon of Muharram 1443AH.

Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking out for the new moon on Sunday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”

The sighting of the new moon of Muharram will usher in the New Year 1443 AH in Islam.

Politics

Lagos police command gets new spokesman

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, on Friday, appointed CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu as the command’s new Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO).

Ajisebutu replaced Olumuyiwa Adejobi who had been transferred to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement in Lagos, said the new spokesman was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on September 1, 1988.

Until his new posting, Ajisebutu, was the second-in-command, Area E Command, Festac, Lagos State.

He was one time the PPRO Oyo State Police Command from 2015 to 2019 and PPRO Zone 11, Osogbo between 2019 and 2020.

“He has worked in various capacities in the Force, such as Deputy PPRO, Ogun.

“He was a Personal Assistant to Commissioners of Police in Ogun Command and Personal Assistant to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DIG Leye Oyebade (retd), in 2021.

“CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police,” the outgoing spokesman said.

Politics

Police rescues seven teenagers from suspected traffickers in Edo

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Police operatives in Edo State have rescued seven teenagers from suspected traffickers in the state.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin on Friday, said the victims were rescued from the suspects following an intelligence received from members of the public.

He said the victims who were intercepted on Thursday were allegedly billed to be trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire and Libya.

The police commissioner added that the victims were six girls and one boy aged between 16 and 20 years.

Oghadu said: “The girls, who disguised as Muslims by wearing hijab, were intercepted by the police at Isihor police check-point, Benin City, on the Benin-Lagos highway on Thursday.”

He said the victims who are from Delta, Edo, and Enugu States but staying in Edo were allegedly recruited for the journey by a relation to one of them.

The CP added: “They are minors, six girls and one boy. On interrogation, we found out they were being trafficked to Cote d’Ivoire by a relation to one of them.

It is a case of trafficking. They will be handed over to National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.”

Politics

Fayemi signs bills on legislative, judiciary autonomy

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The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Friday signed the recently passed Legislative (Fund Management) Bill and the Judiciary (Fund Management) Bill into law.

At a ceremony held at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, the governor also signed governor the Creation of Local Government Areas (Amendment) Bill; Office of the Attorney General Bill; Consumer Protection Bill; and the Economic Development Council Bill.

He said bills would not only improve governance, but solidify existing arrangements between the three arms of government on revenue allocation.

Fayemi said the signing of the bills reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to good governance, transparency, and fair and equal opportunity for development by all communities in the state.

The governor said: “These bills are proposed in furtherance of the Memorandum of Action and the implementation of the financial autonomy for the State legislature and judiciary.

“It was jointly signed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers and the National Judicial Council, among others on May 20.

“It will enhance the vision of my administration for a self-sustaining three arms of government that work as equals even if separately for the delivery of good governance to the people of Ekiti State.

I should add that for us, these bills are not simply about allocating or sharing revenue.

“They provide an opportunity for the three arms of government to constantly interface on how our limited resources can be best managed.

Also how to grow the resources to meet the many and evolving needs of our people across the state.”

He said the creation of Local Government (Amendment) Bill would pave the way for the creation of additional 19 local government areas in Ekiti State.

Fayemi added: “I am of the firm opinion that the creation of LCDAs is necessary and important to the socio-economic and political development of Ekiti State.

“What is important at this moment is that the beneficiary communities of the 19 newly created LCDAs will work with the government to make a success of this initiative.

“For the emphasis, achieving the efficient functioning of the LCDAs cannot be the exclusive responsibility of government.

Beneficiary communities must see themselves as active partners in the development of the LCDAS.

“After signing this into law, the next stage is to formalise the institutional delivery of the 19 LCDAs.”

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