Abidemi Rufai, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun’s associate, has been released from prison in the United States.

Mr Rufai, 47, was released from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons’ custody in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on November 15, 2024, The Gazette understands via correctional documents. The convicted felon would now ready himself for deportation from the U.S. as stipulated in his guilty plea. His Nigerian passport was returned to him on October 21, 2024, after he filed a motion to reduce his sentencing.

When he pleaded guilty to allegations of tax fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2022, Mr Rufai waived his rights to challenge deportation after serving out his jail sentence.

He was sentenced to 60 months in prison on two counts of fraud in 2022 after prosecutors presented a strong case of multimillion-dollar fraud backed with 100,000 pages of evidence before a federal judge in Tacoma, Washington. The terms were scheduled to run concurrently.

Mr Rufai, widely known as Elele Ruffy, was scheduled to be released on Valentine’s Day in 2025 but a judge approved his motion to be released earlier based on new sentencing guidelines, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons forwent the three months left of his sentence.

He was ordered to pay $607,000 in restitution to the U.S. government agencies across multiple states, and a Nigerian court ordered the seizure of his Lekki mansion in Lagos and bank accounts after the anti-graft office EFCC filed fraud charges against him.

Mr Rufai was widely known as a notorious Internet fraud ringleader in Lagos and Ogun for many years before he extended his fraudulent operations to the U.S., where he got nabbed.

He served in the same prison as infamous Internet fraudsters Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas and Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Mr Woodberry, who are still serving long sentences in American jails.

It was not immediately clear whether or not Mr Rufai would return to his job as an aide to Mr Abiodun in Ogun. The governor was arrested for fraud in Florida over three decades ago, but his punishment was unclear.

Katsina State Police Command has confirmed that gas cylinders conveyed in a truck exploded at a filling station in Jibia Local Government Area of the state, causing damage to about six vehicles.

The Command’s spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Friday.

Sadiq-Aliyu said on Friday, November 15, a loud explosion was heard by police operatives attached to Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters and promptly the DPO led a team, in collaboration with the military, to the scene.

“Upon arrival, operatives found a truck loaded with gas cylinders engulfed in flames at Tamal filling station, along Kagadama-Magamar Jibia road.

“The joint team swiftly deployed preventive measures to protect lives and minimize property damage, successfully quenching the fire.

“Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no life was lost,” he said.

The PPRO said that the state police commissioner, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has directed a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.

Sadiq-Aliyu explained that further developments will be communicated as the investigation proceeds.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has congratulated former governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose, on his 64th birthday, describing him as a dependable ally.

Wike, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Friday, also called Fayose a valuable friend and a brother.

“His yes is yes, and no is no, and never pretends about where he stands on issues,” the minister said of the former governor.

“I rejoice with my friend and brother, former Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, on his attainment of 64 years on earth today, Nov. 15.

“The attainment of this age is no doubt a confirmation of the grace the Almighty God has bestowed on him and a challenge for more service to our country, Nigeria.

“At 64, Fayose has remained a reference point in politics in Nigeria. His footprints on the sands of Ekiti will forever remain indelible.

“He is such a valuable friend and brother, who will never pretend about where he stands on issues.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to make the days of Fayose on earth fruitful, with immeasurable blessings and robust health,” the minister said.

The Supreme Court on Friday, dismissed the suit of the 13 states challenging the constitutionality of the law that established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The seven-man panel of justices led by Justice Uwani-Abba-Aji, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

Details shortly…

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has announced the repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian girls from Ghana.

According to a statement signed by NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Friday, the latest rescue brings the total number of trafficked victims brought back home since July 2024 to 163.

“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163.

“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the statement read in part.

The operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International and NIDO Ghana, with the support of NiDCOM.

The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured to Ghana under the pretence of employment opportunities but were instead trapped in exploitative conditions.

The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her appreciation for the coordinated efforts that made the operation possible.

She thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in supporting the repatriation process.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that the commission remains committed to protecting Nigerians abroad as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

The statement noted that the girls hail from various states, including Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers.

“The rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

“They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act,” the statement added.

A NiDCOM representative who accompanied the victims back to Nigeria, Akinboye Akinsola, noted that the girls surrendered voluntarily after hearing of prior rescue missions in Kpone Katamanso and Tema, Ghana.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, Callistus Elozieuwa, explained that the organisation provided temporary shelter for the victims before facilitating their safe return.

He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating trafficking networks.

Valentine Uzo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi governor, assured that the state government had already put measures in place for the proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued girls.

The Lagos Territorial Office of the National Emergency Management Agency, along with other stakeholders, has received 148 returnees from the Niger Republic.

In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, NEMA noted that the returnees arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday.

The return was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration Mission in the Niger Republic.

According to NEMA, the repatriated Nigerians include 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants.

The statement read, “The NEMA Lagos Territorial Office (LTO), alongside other key stakeholders, welcomed a new group of returnees repatriated from the Niger Republic on Tuesday, 12 November 2024, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

“The returnees landed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Cargo Terminal, at approximately 2:15 PM on Skymali flight ER-CTZ, totalling 148 individuals. The group included 120 adult males, nine adult females, 10 male children, seven female children, and two infants.

“Due to heavy rain, there was a brief delay in moving the returnees from the aircraft. Once the weather cleared, officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service arrived, and the aircraft handlers provided buses to transport the returnees to the biometric registration centre for documentation.

“Other stakeholders present included representatives from NCFRMI, IOM, and FAAN.”

Three suspected thieves were nabbed on Tuesday for stealing two phones belonging to accident victims in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in a statement on Wednesday, said its operatives arrested the suspect at Governor’s Road, in Alausa.

“The suspects: Isaiah Adegbenro (38), Edet Johnson (30) and Efe Sowemimo (28) were arrested a few meters away from the accident point while trying to escape with the phones,” RRS said.

The statement added, “The accident victims were heading towards Ikeja in a red Toyota Camry 2010 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a road divider in front of Adeyemi Bero end of Governor Road, Alausa, Ikeja.

“The three suspects who were close to the scene when the accident happened, rather than assist the driver and the occupants out of the badly damaged vehicle, were ransacking the victims’ pockets and vehicle.”

The operatives patrolling the area, after being alerted to the crime of the fleeing suspects, pursued and recovered the stolen “iPhone 15, valued at N1,300,000:00 and an iPhone 12 worth N620,000:00 from their pockets.

According to the statement, the operatives also assisted in taking the accident victims to the hospital and also removed the vehicle from obstructing the road.

The police said the RRS Commander, Shola Jejeloye, directed that the suspect, who already confessed to the crime, be charged to court.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has pledged adequate legislative support for women and other persons with disabilities.

The Assembly Speaker, Danladi Jatau, gave the assurance on Thursday in Lafia when he hosted a non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative.

Mr Jatau said that the support would help improve the standard of living and those of their family members.

The speaker stated that there was ability in disability, hence his determination to support them at all times.

He said, “Let me assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that persons with disabilities are carried along in governance. We will remove the barriers, which before now posed some hindrances for the effective functioning of persons with disabilities in the state. In the eye of the Lord, we are all equal. I have respect for disabled persons and other people. That is why we have passed the Disability Rights Law, and the governor has constituted the Disability Rights Commission to take care of the welfare of disabled persons in the state. I assure you that the government will take you into consideration now more than ever before.’’

TThe Vice Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Aliyu Chunnaya, appreciated the NGO for the advocacy.

“This House is disabled friendly, as we have taken the welfare of disabled women and others seriously,” he said.

Earlier, the Programme Manager, Advocacy for Women Disabilities Initiative, Kola Jayeoba, commended the Nasarawa lawmakers for passing bills and resolutions having direct bearing on the lives of women and other people.

Mr Jayeoba advocated the inclusion of more disabled women in governance as well as consideration of disabled women’s plights when building public facilities to ease their movement.

He also advocated the sexual and reproductive health of persons with disabilities.

Mr Jayeoba further called for more employment opportunities for disabled women, adding that there is ability in disability.

The programme manager appreciated Hivos People Unlimited for supporting the NGO’s activities.

The Nasarawa State Coordinator, Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative, Asaba Averson, appealed for respect and special attention for people with disabilities.

A court in Yola, Adamawa State, has remanded three persons in prison custody for allegedly breaking into a house and stealing a motorcycle worth N1 million.

The Chief Magistrate, Court II Yola, remanded the three young men identified as Sikiru Habu, Ahmadu Tanko Kugama and Sani Abubakar, all of Mayo Belwa LGA, for allegedly forcing their way into a house located at Anguwan Fada, in the area, and stealing the said motorcycle belonging to one Umaru Bello Daburam.

The Police First Information Report on the case accused the defendants of conspiring, on the 30th October, 2024, and breaking into the said house and helping themselves to the motorcycle.

According to the Police report, the defendants are serial thieves who have participated in similar crimes within and outside the Mayo Belwa LGA.

The defendants were remanded on the charge of “criminal conspiracy, house trespass and theft”, for which they pleaded guilty.

After issuing the remand order, the Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by Musa Adamu, adjourned the matter to the 27th November, 2024 for hearing.

The Ogun State Security Network, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has thwarted a self-kidnap scheme allegedly staged by a 41-year-old resident, Enitan Awoyemi, in an attempt to evade a debt of around N1 million.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the state’s Amotekun Commander, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), Awoyemi, a resident of Irolu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area, allegedly faked his abduction to avoid paying a substantial gambling-related debt.

The plot surfaced after Awoyemi’s wife, Mrs Tope Awoyemi, reported to the Amotekun Irolu outpost on 10 November that her husband had called, claiming he had been kidnapped the previous day by unknown individuals who were demanding a ransom of N5 million for his release.

“Upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence team launched an investigation into the alleged abduction. Findings revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accrued significant debts from gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering N1 million,” the statement read.

The statement added that Awoyemi, a frequent gambler, had previously won N6 million, using part of his winnings to purchase a Toyota Corolla Sport car and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for commercial purposes.
However, faced with the inability to repay his debt, he allegedly resorted to faking his own kidnapping.

Amotekun officers, working closely with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and other local stakeholders, tracked the suspect to Ijagba town and later to Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

He was eventually apprehended early on Wednesday at the Irolu Okada Park during routine patrol operations.

Officers noticed a strong smell of insecticide on Awoyemi, suggesting a possible suicide attempt. He was immediately rushed to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical care.

Brigadier General Adedigba assured the public that Awoyemi would face due legal processes.

“Once he is discharged from the hospital, he will be handed over to the police for further proceedings,” he stated.

The Amotekun Commander praised the collaborative efforts that led to the suspect’s capture and urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

“This incident underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring safety and security,” Adedigba said.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Wednesday raided an illegal alcoholic drink factory in the Lugbe axis of Abuja.

The operation led to the confiscation of adulterated alcoholic beverages and the discovery of expired salt with altered expiry dates.

During the enforcement operation, the agency intensified efforts to curb the circulation of substandard goods, counterfeits, and rebranded products.

NAFDAC’s director of Investigation and Enforcement for the Federal Task Force, Shaba Mohammed, told journalists that Lugbe had become a hub for producing and distributing substandard alcoholic beverages.

He noted that imitation brands in the area now carry fake labels of popular alcoholic brands.

Mr Mohammed explained that the team found premises where counterfeit alcohol was being repackaged in used bottles with fake labels and altered expiration dates.

“This is one of many recent operations in the FCT. The counterfeit products were manufactured in a residential apartment, using fake packaging materials, often over weekends. NAFDAC has sealed the facility and summoned those responsible for further investigation.

“We will remove the counterfeit products from the production site, and our Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate will sweep the market to clear out any remaining items,” said Mr Mohammed.

Tamanuwa Andrew, deputy director of Investigation and Enforcement for NAFDAC in Kaduna, reported similar findings in Wuse Market and Mararaba, a community bordering Abuja and Nasarawa.

He noted an increase in unregistered herbal remedies and pharmaceutical products, stating that NAFDAC would intensify surveillance to protect public health.

“As the festive season approaches, counterfeiters often exploit the increased demand to distribute harmful products. We are ramping up enforcement actions to prevent these activities.

“We advise consumers to carefully check product labels before purchase. Authentic products display a valid manufacturer’s address and clear labelling, unlike counterfeits that often use recycled bottles with incomplete or mismatched information,” Mr Andrew explained.

He stated that penalties for those involved in producing counterfeit goods will be determined following further investigation.

President Bola Tinubu has signed the instruments of accession for six Conventions of the International Maritime Organisation.

This is according to a statement by NIMASA’s spokesman, Osagie Edward, on Wednesday.

Mr Tinubu said the action would pave the way for Nigeria to officially deposit the instruments of accession at the IMO headquarters in London, which serves as the repository for such conventions.

The president said the move was expected to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance and align its practices with international standards, promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

The six instruments signed by Mr Tinubu are the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol of 2005 to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf, the Instrument of Accession of the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 1995; and the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in cases of Pollution by Substances other than Oil, 1973 as Amended (INTERVENTION PROTOCOL).

“Others are the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) 1976; the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea, 2002; and the Instrument of Accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009,” Mr Tinubu said.

According to the statement, the president formally presented the instruments to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and the director-general of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola.

Mr Tinubu expressed gratitude to the minister for facilitating the president’s signing of the IMO conventions after several years of being pending in the Ministry.

“These six instruments have been lying within the ministry for the last six to eight years, and thanks to the efforts of the minister,” he said. “This is a landmark achievement for Nigeria, as the IMO will soon update our records to recognize these instruments.”

The minister reassured stakeholders of the president’s commitment to developing the Nigerian maritime industry in line with global best practices.

“By signing these instruments of accession, the president has reaffirmed this administration’s determination to take its rightful position among the comity of maritime nations,” the minister explained. “This development will undoubtedly further reassure member states and stakeholders of Nigeria’s resolve and determination to be a leading member of the decision-making body of the IMO.”

Mr Oyetola added, “The deposit of these six instruments of ratification will be carried out by the supervising ministry and NIMASA.”

Governor Seyi Makinde said on Wednesday that building strong institutions that would guarantee good governance remains a priority of his administration.

Mr Makinde stated this while hosting leaders of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) in Ibadan, adding that building such institutions would make the state continue to thrive.

“My administration will, therefore, not only be remembered for building infrastructure across the state but for putting in place strong institutions,” the Oyo governor said.

Mr Makinde explained that his administration’s decision to embark on massive infrastructure development was predicated on the fact that there was an infrastructure deficit in the state.

Speaking about the forthcoming Ondo governorship election, Mr Makinde rallied support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi.

Even though any election should not be a do-or-die affair, he urged the electoral umpire to allow the people’s votes to count.

The Anambra government has approved N489.716 million for airfield lighting at Chinua Achebe International Airport, Awka.

The Anambra State Executive Council awarded the contract to facilitate night landings at the airport.

This was disclosed in a statement by Law Mefor, the information commissioner, on Wednesday in Awka.

He said other decisions reached by the council included enhanced security for life and property, with approval for kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

The government also awarded the contract for developing a master plan for heritage sites at N125.8 million, while the College of Nursing Sciences, Isuofia, would gulp N150.69 million for property clearing and fencing extension.

Mr Mefor said the reconstruction of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital entrance gate was awarded at N112.7 million.

According to him, N42.8 million will also be spent installing a 200 KVA/11KV transformer for the institution’s College of Medicine.

He said the power supply to Anambra Mix-Use Industrial City, Ogboji, will be enhanced with a 33KV line from the Oji-River substation for N1.74 billion with a dedicated injection substation for N1.24 billion.

The commissioner added that the state government also approved N76.2 million for the renovation of the Naval Base at Iyiowa Odekpe, which will be completed in two months.

N715.12 million will be spent installing ultraviolet-resistant chairs at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

The Anambra State Solution Data Platform will get N97.1 million.

Joe Biden welcomed Donald Trump back to the White House on Wednesday, in a show of civility to a bitter rival who failed to extend him the same courtesy four years ago.

The US president and president-elect shook hands in front of a roaring fire in the Oval Office as they pledged a smooth transition — a stark contrast to Trump’s refusal to recognize his 2020 defeat.

“Welcome back,” Biden, 81, said as he congratulated the 78-year-old Trump and offered brief opening remarks to the man he has repeatedly slammed as a threat to democracy.

Biden, who dropped out of the election in July but saw his successor Kamala Harris lose to Trump last week, said he was “looking forward to having a smooth transition” and pledged to do “everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated.”

As the two presidents with a combined age of 159 years shook hands, Biden appeared to look down while Trump leaned forward and looked him in the eyes.

Trump riled up a mob that attacked the US Capitol in 2021 and ran a brutal and divisive election campaign this year — but sought to strike a gracious tone on his return visit to the White House.

“Politics is tough, and in many cases it’s not a very nice world. It is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much,” Trump said.

Trump added that the transfer of power would be “smooth as you can get” — despite the fact that his transition team has not yet signed some key legal documents ahead of his inauguration as president on January 20.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, presented the state’s 2025 appropriation bill to the House of Assembly, commending the lawmakers for their continued support of his administration.

Laying the budget before the lawmakers, Adeleke stated that the appropriation bill, being the 34th in the history of the state, included a capital expenditure of N144,231,183,800 and a recurrent expenditure of N245,797,093,940.00.

Adeleke, who reiterated that the 2025 proposed estimates aligned with the existing Osun State Development Plan, 2023–2050, noted that the major focus of the bill was to meet the people’s needs by completing all ongoing projects.

On the revenue projections for 2025, Adeleke said the government expected N196bn from the federation account, while N109,870,932,830.00 would be expected from independent sources.

“The total size of the 2025 budget is N390,028,277,740.00. The expenditure comprises capital expenditure of N144,231,183,800 and recurrent expenditure of N245,797,093,940.00.

“Recurrent expenditure is divided into personnel costs, which include salaries and allowances, as well as pensions and gratuities, totalling N102,895,821,010.00. The balance of N142,901,272,930.00 is set aside,” Adeleke said.

Reporting on the performance of the 2024 budget, the governor said his administration had made significant progress in implementing the state agenda, adding that he had achieved unprecedented progress across various sectors.

According to him, his administration reduced the rural health access gap by 40 per cent through the rehabilitation of over two hundred primary healthcare centres, increased healthcare access for all pensioners from less than 10 per cent to 90 per cent within two years, and reduced the road infrastructure gap by 50 per cent from 80 per cent.

He, however, promised to continue driving bold reforms and establishing a system-driven environment conducive to efficient service delivery for the people of Osun State.

The Commander of the United States Africa Command, General Michael Langley, has visited the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, noted that the AFRICOM Commander was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills.

According to Gusau, Langley commended the Defence Headquarters’ strategy in combating insecurity.

He stated, “General Langley praised Nigeria’s approach to tackling insecurity within the country and its strategic leadership role in the sub-region. He also congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff on his appointment as Chairman of the Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff.”

Gusau added that the CDS pledged to collaborate with other nations to eliminate terrorism in West Africa.

He further noted that Musa requested the United States’ support in the procurement of weapons and other equipment.

Gusau said, “In his response, the CDS thanked the AFRICOM Commander for taking the time to visit Nigeria and assured him of the Armed Forces’ commitment to cooperate with other nations in the sub-region to eradicate all forms of terrorism and crime.

“General Musa also sought greater defence cooperation with the United States, particularly in training, intelligence sharing, and facilitating the procurement of necessary platforms from the US.”

The Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters.

The helicopters, which were purchased by the Ministry of Defence, were handed over to the Navy on November 12, 2024.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, said the Ministry of Defence handed over the helicopters to the Navy at a brief ceremony in Lagos.

Adams-Aliu said, “The Ministry of Defence handed over three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters to the Nigerian Navy.

“The brief handover ceremony took place at Ikeja, Lagos. The Chief of the Naval Staff, accompanied by other senior officers, was present to receive the newly acquired helicopters.”

Adams-Aliu added that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, expressed appreciation to the Ministers of Defence, Abubakar Badaru and Bello Matawelle, for facilitating the procurement of the helicopters.

He said, “The CNS thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular.

“He also expressed gratitude to both the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Honourable Minister of State for Defence for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters to enhance NN operations such as air reconnaissance, search and rescue, air insertion, and MEDEVAC.”

Speaking on the capabilities of the helicopters, Adams-Aliu said the AW 109 helicopters are configured for VIP use, with full leather interiors and a noise attenuation system.

He added, “Furthermore, the helicopter is designed with landing skids, which provide better loading capacity compared to wheeled helicopters.

Additionally, it is equipped with auxiliary tanks, which extend its endurance to up to 3 hours 40 minutes.

“Thus, the helicopter could be used for long-range transport flights. The helicopters can also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.”

Fire on Wednesday gutted Eco Fitness Center in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja.

It was learnt that 50 people escaped from the popular fitness center when the fire began.

The fire occurred at about 10:00 am and firefighters were called to put out the blaze.

As at time of filing this report, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Although the fire was successful quenched, large portions of the facility were razed.

There were no casualties.