The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Air Force jets kill scores of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    The Air Force said on Monday that scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been killed through air strikes at Yuwe area of Borno State.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the strikes were conducted following credible intelligence reports on the activities of the terrorists in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack aircraft of the Air Task Force (ATF), Operation LAFIYA DOLE have neutralised scores of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) in air strikes conducted on August 2019, at Yuwe ‘C’ in Borno State.

    “The air raid was executed in continuation of Operation GREEN SWEEP 3 after credible Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports, which were also corroborated by series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, established that the settlement was being used as a hideout for the BHTs.

    “The ATF, therefore, detailed 2 Alpha Jets and an L-39ZA aircraft to attack the target area.

    “As the aircraft arrived overhead the target area, several BHTs were seen attempting to flee while many others concealed themselves in the structures and dense vegetation of the area.

    Read Also: Troops begin new strategy to counter Boko Haram’s attacks

    “The jets took turns attacking the target, scoring crucial hits on the hideout leading to the neutralisation of several BHT fighters.”

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) also announced yesterday that it launched heavy and well-coordinated attacks against Boko Haram terrorists at the fringes of Lake Chad, killing several of them in the attacks.

    Its spokesman, Col. Timothy Antigha, who announced this, said the attacks were launched through air interdictions and by ground troops.

    Col. Antigha said in a statement that several of the terrorists’ equipment, weapons and logistics were destroyed.

    Col. Antigha said: “ISWAP terrorists and equipment, including weapons, ammunition and logistics, were destroyed in Tumbum Rego over the weekend.

    “Air interdictions conducted by MNJTF and national Air Task Forces successfully attacked and killed several fighters and knocked out equipment on Saturday, 30 August, as they prepared to launch an offensive on troops’ location.

    “Battle damage assessment has indicated that the air interdiction had a devastating impact, as pockets of ISWAP build up and logistics hidden under trees in Tumbum Rego have been in ruined.

    “In a related development, ISWAP assets in Mallam Zuberu and Alagarno were also targeted and neutralised. Similarly, improvised explosive devices planted by ISWAP operatives in Layi Koura area of Nguigmi in Niger Republic was discovered and defused by troops.”

    It would be recalled that in the past couple of weeks, ISWAP suicide bombers struck in Kaiga-Kindjiria; a rural community in the Republic of Chad as well as Gubio in Borno State, in an effort by the insurgents to revamp their dream of establishing a caliphate in parts of Northern Nigeria and other areas of the Lake Chad Basin.

    “This blow by the MNJTF will further plunge the leadership and followership of ISWAP into more despair,” the statement said.

  • Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: No cause for alarm, says FRSC

    The Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said on Monday no motorist would suffer on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, if they obey lane discipline and diversion signs.

    The repairs of the road, which was meant to have started on August 3, had to be postponed till September 2. It is expected to last for 61 days.

    The affected road portion to be closed to traffic from Kara Bridge inward Berger and from Berger inward Kara Bridge, amounts to about 1.4 kilometres of the 127.6 kilometres.

    Both the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and its Ogun State counterpart had issued a travel advisory, detailing alternative routes that could be used by motorists.

    FRSC’s Acting Sector Public Education Officer, for the Lagos Sector, Ms Bisi Sonusi, said the command, in partnership with the FRSC Ogun Sector and other traffic control agencies, had lined up activities to mitigate motorists’ hardship on the corridor.

    Ms Sonusi said traffic inward Lagos was still a moving traffic, though heavy. Outside Lagos, she said, was free.

    FRSC’s Acting Sector Public Education Officer added some officers would work also at nights, if traffic extended to a late period.

    Read Also: Photos: Diversion on Berger axis of Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    According to her, the corps has also withdrawn officers from other component commands to join in the work.

    Apart from tow trucks, FRSC is also in partnership with local divers to assist in search and rescue in case of any accident and in case anyone drowns.

    Also, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos Mr. Adedamola Kuti as assured motorists that with the elaborate traffic management by all agencies of government, motorists should have no trouble on the road.

    Kuti, who spoke in Lagos, said the project, which began in 2013 and earlier scheduled to end in 2017, would now be completed by 2021/22, because the Muhammadu Buhari administration expanded its features.

    He listed the additional features to include underpasses, footbridges, flyovers, toll plazas and road expansion. These features, he said explained why the project is still 40 per cent completed.

    But, Oyo State government has announced that it has deployed 100 traffic managers to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to direct traffic and make the road less congested for users during its disclosure for reconstruction.

    Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) Dr. Akin Fagbemi stated this yesterday in Ibadan while briefing reporters on the efforts of the state administration to ease the burden of travellers using the major highway.

    The Lagos-Ibadan road has been described as the only connecting road from the seaport and the international airport in Lagos to the rest of the country and had suffered neglect in the last 10 years.

    Fagbemi said his officers would be on ground along the expressway, especially at the points where construction works would be taking place to avoid congestion and traffic snares.

    He said commuters could get in touch with the men of the agency on +2348114390097 to report any complaint or seek help on the highway within the period.

    He added that alternative routes announced for road users include Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway from Abeokuta connecting Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sagamu-Ikorodu Road from Sagamu Interchange to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    Others include Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road from Ijebu-Ode to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    There was heavy security presence at the Berger to Ogun River section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday as operatives of Julius Berger blocked the outward Lagos stretch of the road for rehabilitation works while making a diversion on the inward Lagos stretch, thereby causing heavy traffic build-up along the single lane.

    Area Commander Ogudu Police Command of Lagos State, ACP Miller Dantawaye, said the police have mobilised en-mass to ensure the maintenance of law and order during the rehabilitation works.

    Also on Monday, motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway pleaded with the Lagos and Ogun state governments and others in charge of the road construction to put adequate measures in place to ensure that any broken down vehicle along the axis are towed off the roads immediately.

    This, they said, would ensure free flow of vehicular movement along the axis as broken down vehicle would make traffic worsened.

    The plea was made when The Nation visited the area. It was observed that the construction work had begun, the partitioning of the express road outward Lagos had been done to accommodate both those going out of Lagos and those coming into Lagos. When our reporter visited the area, vehicular movement in the area was thick.

    About four trucks used for the construction could be sighted and about 10 officials were seen constructing the road.

  • You’re liable for any attack on police facilities, IGP tells CPs

    Police commissioners across the country will henceforth be held accountable for any attack on police facilities by criminals, the Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu has warned.

    The police released a signal on Friday, following the recent attack on the Police Mobile Force (PMF) mini-base in Kebbi State, where eight rifles were carted away by criminals.

    The IGP warned that such lapses would no longer be tolerated.

    The directive, which originated from the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said Adamu was shocked and expressed concern about the unprofessional manner police formations and officers were being attacked and killed.

    It also frowned at the way weapons were being stolen without resistance from the police.

    Read Also: Police boss reiterates zero tolerance for corruption

    The signal said: “This is simply indicative of the unprofessionalism, unpreparedness and lack of supervision on the part of personnel deployed by the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders (ACs).

    “Recent incidents in mind are the attacks on a PMF mini-base in Kebbi during which about eight rifles were carted away without any form of resistance. Similarly, there was an attack on Isanlu Police patrol team in Kogi State, which led to the death of a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and his rifle taken away.

    “In view of these incidents, the IGP has directed all zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of commands to put measures in place to halt the disturbing trend.

    “Men posted to beats are to remain very alert to protect themselves as well as the personalities or facilities they are assigned to protect.

    “Henceforth, any attack on any police facility, loss of life or weapon will attract sanction for the command’s CP where such attack is recorded.

    “Men are to be lectured on vigilance at duty posts to ensure adequate protection of their lives as well as the lives and property of others.”

  • ‘Tinubu’s first 100 days in office my worst nightmare’

    Mr. Segun Ayobolu, a former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Lagos State ex-governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the first 100 days of the administration were his worst nightmare.

    Ayobolu spoke yesterday in Ikeja, the state capital, while presenting a paper, titled: The Dynamics of Public Affairs Management.

    The occasion was the celebration of the 60th birthday and retirement from the state civil service of a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi.

    The former CPS recalled the overwhelming challenges the administration confronted as it was settling down to govern the state.

    He said: “As Chief Press Secretary to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the anniversary of his 100 days in office in 1999 was one of my worst nightmares.

    “The reviews in the media were exceedingly negative and abominable. Critics after critics focused on the refuse heaps on the roads, the potholes and veritable craters on most roads, the scarcity of water, the terrible insecurity with armed robbery attacks on banks and snatching of vehicles occurring almost on a daily basis.

    Read Also: Why Lagos is magnet point for investors, by Tinubu

    “For a government, which had about three months to get ready, the first three months in office seemed to have caught it by surprise. No practical solution had been applied on any problem so far then.

    “Refuse heaps, which, like armed robbers, can neither talk nor think, challenged the wits of the governor.

    “Consider all the other areas, like housing, education, health and rural development. They were still at the blueprint level… Asiwaju Tinubu had enough time to prepare. He was even praised for taking the initiative of setting up a team to draw up an action plan.

    “His inauguration speech was excellent, showing clarity of thought and evidence of insight. But what went wrong? Could it be the fish in water syndrome which, out of water, just bobs and bobs? The future, the very near future would tell.”

    Ayobolu told the gathering comprising three ex-commissioners for Information and Strategy, among other media practitioners and scholars.

    The former CPS said most of the critics were not bothered that the problems were the inheritance from years of military neglect and misrule and could thus not be resolved instantaneously or magically.

    Happily, he said the Tinubu administration rose to the occasion and set a standard in governance that has been difficult to beat across the country.

    Also, Adeyemi announced the setting up of a foundation, Fola Adeyemi Foundation, to train indigent journalists.

    He broke the cheery news at his 60th birthday and retirement from the state civil service.

    During the launching of his book, titled: The Dynamics of Public Information Management: Memoirs of A Veteran Public Affairs Manager, Adeyemi said the proceeds from the book would go to the National Association for Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

    The former commissioner said the foundation is his way of giving back to the society and journalism, which was instrumental to his rise and successes.

    He made an instant donation to the foundation and promised to make the gesture a yearly affair.

    Adeyemi said this would ensure that indigent journalists get the requisite training to excel in their profession.

    The foundation has representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and NAWOJ on the board that will administer its fund.

  • EFCC recovers $690,400, N550m from suspects in Kano

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered $690,400 and N550,692,362 from some suspects in Kano State.

    The money was reportedly recovered between January and August.

    The commission’s Acting Chairman Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, stated this through the Head of the Kano Office, Akaninyene Ezima, at a media briefing in Kano.

    A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Ezima revealed that the zone was also focusing on cybercrime through intelligence gathering and collaboration with other agencies across the world.

    He said: “In this zone, we are developing a lot of intelligence to ensure that we combat this menace. Of course, we are sending a word of warning. The world has become a global village and these days law enforcement is not limited by national borders.

    Read Also: Clampdown on ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ politicians, Frank tells EFCC

    “So, there are collaborations between the commission and other law enforcement agencies in the world. As a result of such collaborations, several arrests have been made and we in the Kano Zonal Office will make sure we deliver on this mandate and stamp out the scourge of cybercrime.

    “I want to advise members of the public not to disclose their bank details to anybody because we often receive unsolicited phone calls, emails, asking us for our banking information. There is no bank or financial institution that will call you and ask for your banking details.”

    Ezima explained that scams are mostly perpetrated at weekends when fraudsters know that it would be difficult for victims to contact their banks.

    The EFCC officer also cautioned the public against the prevalence of Ponzi and other “get-rich quick” schemes.

  • Diezani paid $865,300 cash for jewellery, EFCC tells court

    A Federal High Court in Lagos heard on Monday that former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly paid $865,300 in cash for jewellery from a seller on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that Mrs. Alison-Madueke did not acquire the items with her salary or any part of her legitimate income.

    The anti-graft agency made the claims while seeking the permanent forfeiture of the 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone valued at $40 million and recovered from her Abuja home.

    But the former minister opposed the commission’s prayer on the ground that, among others, the seizure of the items amounted to a violation of her constitutional right to own property.

    On July 5, the court ordered the temporary forfeiture of 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone recovered from Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s home.

    Read Also: Diezani again – the flamboyant female former minister wants all her bling-bling back!

    According to the EFCC, which obtained the order, the items were suspected to be bought with illicitly acquired funds. Justice Oweibo fixed Monday to hear pending motions on the matter.

    When the matter was called, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo told the judge that it was in the best interest of justice for the jewellery and the gold iPhone to be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    The lawyer said the court was empowered to grant such forfeiture order under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offence Act 2006, because “the respondent’s known and provable lawful income is far less than the properties sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

    He supported his application with, among others, an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, Rufai Zaki.

    Zaki recalled that Mrs. Alison-Madueke was appointed Minister of Petroleum Resources on April 12, 2010.

    He said the EFCC investigations revealed that she started acquiring the jewellery in 2012 from Bukola Oyewumi of Trinket Box Bespoke Jewellery at Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos State. The investigator said the commission was in possession of details of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account through which Mrs Alison-Madueke allegedly received her salary as a minister.

    “The respondent did not utilise her salary or any part of her legitimate income to acquire the assets sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Zaki said.

    The investigator averred that a “damning intelligence report” received by the EFCC led to a search on Alison-Madueke’s home at 10 Fredrick Chiluba Close, Asokoro, Abuja.

    He said the EFCC invited Oyewumi and she made a statement that she started selling jewellery to the former minister in 2012.

    According to him, Oyewumi also made available to the EFCC the invoices issued on the sale of jewellery in which ‘Aunty D’ was written as the buyer.

    Zaki said the EFCC also discovered that apart from Oyewumi, Mrs. Alison-Madueke also bought jewellery from Minal Ratanani of Bella Vista Apartment on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    According to him, Ratanani admitted during questioning by the EFCC that Mrs Alison-Madueke bought jewellery valued at $865,300.00 from her over a period and the former minister paid cash. But Mrs. Alison-Madueke, through her counsel, Nnamdi Awa-Kalu, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit.

    She insisted that the seizure of the items amounted to a violation of her right to property under sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution and “to appropriate them at her discretion”.

    She further contended that the anti-graft body should not have the power to barge into any Nigerian’s home, seize their property and come to court to claim that the property is illegal.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who is said to be under investigation in the United Kingdom (UK), urged the court to reject EFCC’s prayer to permanently forfeit the jewelry and the golden iPhone to the government.

    The former minister contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim forfeiture order, besides the EFCC did not charge her with any crime or serve her with any summons.

    Following the conclusion of the hearing, Justice Oweibo adjourned till September 10, 2019 for ruling.

    According to a schedule attached to the application, the jewelry, categorised into 33 sets, include “419 expensive bangles and 315 expensive rings”.

    Others are: 304 expensive earrings, 267 expensive necklaces, 189 expensive wristwatches and 174 expensive necklaces and earrings.

    The rest are: 78 expensive bracelets, 77 expensive brooches and 74 expensive pendants.

  • Sylva not imposing any candidate, says APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Gift Ebiki, has dismissed claims by some party members that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, was on a mission to impose a candidate on the party in Bayelsa State.

    Ebiki, who spoke in Yenagoa, said the statement claiming that Sylva was exerting undue influence on the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) amounted to over-reaction and falsehood.

    He described the statement credited to Richard Kpodo as unfortunate, saying the party’s preference for direct primaries in Bayelsa was a majority decision to check manipulation, corruption and shenanigans.

    According to him, the NWC was monitoring the situation in Bayelsa and the desperation of some aspirants to manipulate their way through indirect primaries and foist themselves on the party. He said the collective position of APC for direct primaries was to ensure the election of a popular candidate who could win  the election.

    Ebiki added that claims that Sylva lost the 2015 election was untrue, and insisted that the former governor won the election but was upstaged by circumstances beyond his control.

    Read Also: Tension as PDP elects governorship candidate in Bayelsa

    He said: “In this 2019 election, Sylva has demonstrated that he is a true party man. He delivered his senatorial seat, House of Representatives seat and four House of Assembly candidates. Where were those people calling him names today? How much did they deliver? Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Brass councils gave over 80,000 votes to Buhari through the efforts of Sylva and David Lyon. How many votes came from Sagbama, Ekeremor?

    “We need people with electoral value, not party faithful by propaganda. Politics is about value not propaganda. So, let them go and deliver their wards and local government areas to be sure they are faithful party members. Sylva is our leader.

    “Why are they afraid of direct primaries? If they are popular, they should not be afraid because direct primaries test your popularity. They want to manipulate in connivance with other forces outside Bayelsa and that is why they are making references to Rivers and Zamfara.

    “Politics is about participation and direct primaries allow everybody to participate. Popular candidates are not afraid of direct primaries. It is the core of democracy. The 2019 elections show those who are leaders of APC in the state.”

  • Forum seeks support for Okumagba as NDDC head

    The United Front for Niger Delta (UFFND) has hailed the appointment of a former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Bernard Okumagba, as managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying Okumagba’s appointment is in order.

    A statement by its President, Yede Gerke, congratulated Okumagba, saying he would not disappoint the people.

    Gerke, who described the appointment as well deserved, said Okumagba was tested and trusted and had distinguished himself in private and public life.

    Read Also: APC flays Niger Delta governors for NDDC Board’s rejection

    The statement reads: “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, a renowned technocrat, as the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The President did not make a mistake in his choice as Okumagba is very capable and will bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duty.

    “We want to make it clear here that it is the turn of Delta State to produce the managing director of the commission, and the President did the right thing by picking the managing director from Delta State. Those opposing the appointment should support Okumagba to chart a new path for the region’s development.

    “Olorogun Bernard Okumagba knows the pains of the people and he is more than qualified for the position of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.”

  • Tribunal upholds Umahi’s election

    The election petition tribunal in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has upheld the victory of Governor David Umahi. It struck out the suit by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) challenging the election.

    The PDM sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly excluding its name from the ballot paper.

    Joined in the suit were Governor David Umahi and PDP as third respondent.

    Umhai defeated All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Sunny Ogbuoji, and 35 others to win a second term in office.

    Read Also: Election tribunal voids Osun PDP Rep Salami’s victory

    But the PDM and its candidate, Ajah Agha, petitioned the tribunal for the “unlawful exclusion of his name from the ballot paper.”

    The party prayed the tribunal to cancel the election and order a fresh one.

    But tribunal Chairman Justice A.B Abdukareem said PDM failed to prov that it conducted its primaries in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    The tribunal noted that there was no evidence to show that PDM submitted its candidate’s name to INEC before the deadline for parties to do so.

    Justice Abdukareem said: “Your party sent the name three days after closure of submission according to finding. Also, your party did not hold primaries…according to INEC guideline; therefore your petition lacks merit.”

    The lawmaker representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Livinus Makwe, has congratulated Umhai on his success.

    He noted that the tribunal’s judgment was a true reflection of the people’s wishes, which they demonstrated on March 9.

  • Chieftaincy row: Ibadan elevated monarchs drop crowns

    The 21 monarchs in Ibadanland appeared to have dropped their crowns in a move seen as surrendering to the supremacy of Olubadan of Ibadan land Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    It followed the monarchs’ appearance on Monday as part of the entourage of the Olubadan to the ongoing Southwest security summit at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI).

    The joint public appearance came two years after the monarchs and the Olubadan went their separate ways, following the crowning of members of the Olubadan-In-Council in 2017 by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The monarchs had boycotted the palace since their crowning due to the Olubadan’s opposition to their elevation.

    The Olubadan argued that the state government has no right to independently elevate his chiefs.

    Read Also: Insecurity: IGP, S/West govs, leaders meet in Ibadan today

    Though both parties indicated their willingness to reconcile while the crisis lasted, the Olubadan insisted that the only condition for reconciliation was for the elevated high chiefs to drop their crowns and wait for their time to ascend the throne of the Olubadan as is the custom.

    But the elevated high chiefs also stood their ground, stressing that their crowning was already gazetted by the state government.

    The appearance of the obas at the security summit yesterday, however, indicated that they have surrendered to the tough stance of the Olubadan as they wore only common caps as they sat two lines behind the Olubadan as members of his entourage.

    Monday’s outing might be a silent indication that the royal rumble in the Olubadan palace has come to an end without fanfare.

    On the entourage yesterday are Otun Olubadan High Chief Lekan Balogun; Asipa Olubadan High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Balogun Olubadan High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Asipa Balogun High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ekarun Olubadan High Chief Amidu Ajibade and Ekarun Balogun High Chief Adegbola.

    At the meeting are also Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olugbo of Ugbo land Oba Frederick Akinruntan; Oba of Lagos

    Rilwan Akiolu and a host of other traditional rulers.

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde hailed the reconciliation between the Olubadan and his high chiefs.

    He gave the commendation during his welcome speech at the ongoing security meeting.

    Sighting the high chiefs without their crowns in their attendance with the Olubadan,Makinde said: “In the entourage of the Olubadan, I can see the high chiefs. I think it is a positive development in Oyo State. We are talking about security here; and I think it is part of what will help overall security of the society.”

    Ekiti State Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, also described the reconciliation as a good development.