The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Kidnapping: Police adopt new strategy along East-West road

    The Police in Rivers have adopted new strategy to end perennial kidnapping along East-West road and Elele-Owerri road in the state.

    The Rivers end of the East-West road linking the state to other parts of the country had been a hotbed for kidnappers, targeting passengers of commercial transporters.

    Hundreds of commuters had reportedly been abducted on the road by notorious rings of kidnappers operating within South-South states.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mustapha Dandaura, announced the adoption of the strategies in a news conference in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He said “the state has been on the news for violent crimes such as, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, killing and pipeline vandalism.

    “So, I am here in the state to fight these crimes to a standstill and bring them to a tolerable level. Rivers state will no longer be conducive for criminals.

    “My arrival will see the decimation of criminals on the East-West road and that of Elele-Owerri road as well as other violent crimes in the state.

    Read Also: Boy, 19, others arrested for kidnapping, drugging five-year old to death

    “I strongly pledge to end the attacks on the East-West road with my new deployments and re-strategisation to produce results in the shortest possible time.’’

    Dandaura said that Rivers being a major economic hub of the country must not be allowed to fall and be in the control of criminals.

    “To this end, my administration will rest on five strategies, including, intelligence-led policing, constructive engagement and community partnership as well as recovery of illegal arms.

    “Other strategies include zero tolerance on corruption and respect for sanctity of human lives as well as promotion of credible leadership.

    “In sum, the command under my watch, will fight all manner of crimes and criminality with a view to bringing them to the barest minimum,” he said.

    The police boss said that aside the strategies, the command would engage communities to key into the command’s proactive measures aimed at preventing crimes in their localities.

    He added that the measures would entail security forces being stationed at strategic locations as well as conduct raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots in the state.

    Dandaura assured that during his tenure, the command would be apolitical, professional and firm in the discharge of its mandate.

    “Consequently, we invite the media to join forces with the command to make the state safe and secure.

    “We also call on Rivers people to work with us to enable the police to deliver quality and productive policing.

    “I call on all political gladiators in the state to come together to move the state forward. I shall entrench good working relationship with Rivers government to achieve our common goals,” he said. (NAN)

  • Repentant 500 thugs surrender in Bauchi

    At least 500 suspected thugs popularly known as Sara-Suka have renounced criminality as a result of the coordinated Puff Adder Operations of the Police Command in Bauchi.

    The thugs, who were arrested between May- July in connection with kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, were granted pardon after signing an undertaking to repent and be of good citizens.

    Large number of arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them within the period.

    The Nation gathered among the repented youths, 31 students, 294 are skilled in various hand jobs while 170 are unskilled.

    Counselling the notorious gang group at the police command headquarters in Yandoka Bauchi during the surrendering of arms, Commissioner of Police , CP, Habu A. Sani said: “The command through coordinated Puff Adder Operations which involves all  its Tactical and Operational Units successfully cracked down the notorious Sara-Suka gangs and arrested most of their members  including those supplying them with dangerous drugs.”

    He said due to the intense pressure and the command awareness campaign and jingle on the ills/ negative consequences of drugs abuse and other crimes, the Sara – Suka thugs surrendered and denounced the act of criminality in the state.

    Read Also: Photos: Buhari meets Bauchi, Plateau govs

    The CP said he was keeping to his word of promising to eradicate crimes in the state.

    “It is important to know that since the implementation, the strategy has been effective as a lot of criminal activities in the state were checkmated and over 500 suspected criminals in connection with Sara-Suka thuggery, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes were arrested, a large number of arms and ammunition and other dangerous weapons were equally recovered between the months of May and July 2019.”

    Explaining the reason for the pardon, Sani said: ” It is worthy of note that most of the youths engaged in Sara-Suka thuggery are creative and have lot of potentials in life if their situation is well managed, the Command is mindful of such potentials as such granted them the olive leaf and towed the carrot approach but with strict conditions and undertaking to repent and be good citizens.”

    The Police boss said the Command’s door is open to others who are yet to repent as he vows that the police will not rest in is oars in the sustained fight against crime and criminality in the state.

    The State Government has promised to rehabilitate the repentant Sara-Suka thugs.

    Governor Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Abubakar Kari, said the government will use the information provided by the police in integrating them to the society.

    Mohammed said the state will come up with empowerment programmes aimed at assisting them in capacity building to better their lives.

  • Atletico Madrid threaten legal action after Barca announce Griezmann signing

    Since Spanish champions FC Barcelona announced the signing of striker Antoine Griezmann on Friday for 120 million euros (£107 million) from Atletico Madrid, the 2018/2019 La Liga runners-up have been fuming.

    They said the Catalan club had not paid enough to trigger the player’s release clause.

    The 28-year-old France forward rejected a move to FC Barcelona in 2018, but he did announce in May that he was leaving Atletico Madrid.

    There, he has spent the last five seasons since signing from Real Sociedad in 2014.

    Barca have been trying to lure Griezmann to the Nou Camp since November 2017, but the forward signed a new five-year deal with Atletico Madrid in June 2018.

    It had a 200 million euros buy-out clause, which dropped to 120 million euros on July 1 this year.

    Read Also: Griezmann leaves Atletico Madrid

    Atletico Madrid said Griezmann’s May 14 announcement that he was leaving the club is proof a deal had already been struck between him and Barca before his buy-out clause dropped.

    “Atletico Madrid considers that the deposited amount is insufficient to cover (Griezmann’s) buy-out clause, since it is obvious that the agreement between the player and FC Barcelona was closed before the clause was reduced from 200 million euros to 120 million euros,” the club said in a statement.

    “It was also prior to the date on which the clause was modified the communication that the player made on May 14 announcing his disassociation from the club.

    “Atletico Madrid believes the termination of the contract happened before the end of the last season due to facts, acts and demonstrations made by the player, and therefore has already initiated procedures it has deemed appropriate to protect their rights and lawful interests.”

    Barca’s long-running pursuit of the Frenchman, who scored 133 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid, has been the worst-kept secret in Spanish football.

    The Spanish champions announced his signing in a statement earlier on Friday, in which they revealed his new five-season contract included an 800 million euros buy-out clause.

    “FC Barcelona has paid the 120 million euro buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid,” FC Barcelona said.

    Griezmann’s capture adds further firepower to a Barca strikeforce already containing Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and could yet be bolstered further by the return of Neymar Jr.

    Spanish media reports say the Brazil forward is keen to return to Barca and regrets leaving the club for Paris St-Germain (PSG) in 2017 for a world record 222 million euros.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Assembly right to reject my commissioner-nominee- El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has expressed support for the House of Assembly over rejection of one of the Commissioner-nominees.

    The Assembly presided over by Speaker Aminu Shagali on Thursday rejected Alhaji Aliyu Jaafar, who was nominated by the Governor to serve as the Commissioner for Agriculture.

    Shagali said Jaafar was rejected for his consistent criticism of Governor El-Rufai’s administration.

    The Governor, in reaction to the development on Friday while swearing-in the rest of the nominees confirmed by the Assembly, said, he was in support of the decision.

    Read Also: On El-Rufai’s demographic superiority

    He however said he will be making another nomination for the position very soon.

    “We thank the Kaduna State House of Assembly for prompt confirmation and scrutinisation of our Commissioners. We note that the House was unable to confirm one of our nominees and we will shortly be proposing a replacement.

    “I think they did the right thing, because it is their job to check whatever we are doing. No one is perfect, we can never always get it right. That is why our partnership with the state house of assembly is a healthy one. And we support every decision they take,” El-Rufai said.

  • Army decorates Adeosun with new ranks

    The Nigerian Army on Friday, decorated the newly promoted Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Maj.-Gen. Bulama Biu and Capt. Abubakar Danjibrin at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji in Kaduna State.

    The officers were decorated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the accelerated promotion of the officers on Tuesday on the recommendation of Buratai.

    The recommendation and the promotion was in recognition of their achievements in the fight against insurgency in the northeast.

    Lt.-Gen. Adeosun is the Army Chief of Training and Operations, while Maj.-Gen. Biu is the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander, Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri.

    Capt. Danjibrin is of 211 Demonstration Battalion, Bauchi.

    Read Also: Army, Navy, others to source uniforms locally

    Adeosun was a Major General, Biu was a Brigadier General while Danjibrin was a Lieutenant before the special promotions.

    The Permanent Secretary, Batagarawa, said the promotion of the new officers was another remarkable milestone in their carrier as well as reward for their loyalty, commitment and dedication to servcie.

    She commended Adeosun for the achievements in the fight against insurgency in the north east, adding that Adeosun laid the foundation for recent feat the army had achieved.

    “Your achievement in the fight against insurgency cannot be forgotten in a hurryBiu has also made remarkable contribution to the successes of the Operation Lafiya Dole since he assumed the headship,” she said.

    The Permanent Secretary commended the CoAS for his leadership in recommending the officers for promotion and his readiness to accommodate an officer of equal rank with him.

    She also commended Buhari for approving the promotion of the officers.

    Batagarawa, however, urged the military to do all it can to defeat all forms of insurgency in the country and congratulated the newly promoted officers.

    Adeosun, while appreciating the chief of army staff for recommending him for the promotion, said he was privileged to be mentored by good hands.

    He also appreciated Buhari for considering him fit and approving the recommendation that led to his promotion to the new rank.

    The Lieutenant-General pledge his commitment to ensuring that the country is safe from all forms of terrorism and insurgency.

    (NAN)

  • Woman arraigned for alleged N1m fraud

    A woman, Fasuyi Oyinade, on Friday appeared in an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun for allegedly  defruading a cooperative society of N1 million.

    Oyinade is facing a three-count charge bordering on fraud to which she pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec 20, 2016 at No 5, Orilonise St., Ile-Ife.

    Osanyintuyi said that the defendant with intent to defraud obtained a credit of N1 million from Otitoinu Cooperative Society which she belonged to.

    He added that the defendant maliciously broke the contract of being a member of Otitoinu by obtained N1m loan and failed to pay back the money.

    Read Also: Woman arraigned for allegedly posing as police officer

    According to him, the defendant caused severe ill health to some of the members when she failed to return the money.

    He said that the offence contravened sections 305, 383, 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Sunday Olagbaju, applied for the bail of his client in the most liberal terms, pledging that his client would not jump bail.

    Magistrate Olukunle Owolawi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Owolawi ordered that sureties must swear to affidavit of means and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case was adjourned till Aug 5.

    (NAN)

  • Fayemi pays Fayose’s appointees’ outstanding salaries, allowances

    Ekiti State Government has paid the outstanding salaries and allowances of members of the State Civil Service Commission and House of Assembly Service Commission who were appointed by the immediate past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi while presenting cheques covering their outstanding remunerations thanked the appointees for their meritorious service to the State.

    Fayemi who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye acknowledged the understanding and patriotism of the former appointees while serving with his government, wishing them well in their future endeavours.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the outgone chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Tunji Odeyemi appreciated Fayemi for being kindhearted, saying Fayemi’s gesture is uncommon and devoid of personal vendetta.

    Read Also: Fayemi directs reinstated council chairmen to resume work

    Odeyemi said that the appointees had earlier thought that Fayemi would remove them from office since that was the norm but the governor was law abiding and retained them in office.

    “We are most delighted for an avenue like this. I must confess that this opportunity we are having today is very uncommon. When a new governor or government comes on board, what they usually do is to remove members of commissions and boards appointed by their predecessor not minding the laws establishing those commissions.

    But you have magnanimously retained us and now paying our outstanding salaries. As far as Ekiti is concerned, from 1999 to date, the opportunity we are having like this has not been very common.  We are grateful to His Excellency for this”, he said.

    The former acting governor said Fayemi has demonstrated his commitment to treating all Ekiti people equally regardless of their political affiliations and has set precedence for his successor to follow.

  • Flood takes over school buildings in Jigawa

    Frequent heavy downpour in Hadejia  town  of Jigawa has resulted in the submerging of five primary and junior secondary schools in the area, an official said on Friday.

    Alhaji Musa Garba, the Education Secretary, Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia that the affected schools included Hamza Abdullahi Junior Secondary School, Matsaro Primary School, Haruna Junior Secondary School, Usman Maidashi Primary School and Haruna Primary School.

    Garba, however, said students of the schools had been relocated to five other schools in the area, pending when the water level would recede.

    “Under the new arrangement, the host school’s students will have their lessons in the morning, while students from the affected schools will attend lessons in the evening.

    Read Also: NGO donates 40 machines to Jigawa Govt. to improve family health

    “I have already reported the incidents to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Dutse.

    “I urge it (SUBEB) and the Local Government Council, to sandfill the school compound and construct drainages around it,’’ he said.

    Also commenting on the development, Information Officer in the council, Alhaji Mohammad Garba-Talaki, said the Council’s Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikanti, had visited the affected schools.

    “The council chairman sympathises with both the school management and the students.

    “The council will look into the Education Secretary’s request,’’ Garba-Talaki said.

    NAN Corresppondent who visited one of the affected schools reports that flood had occupied classrooms up to the topmost level of  the doors.

    (NAN)

  • N-Power stipends hit N279 billion

    The Federal Government on Friday disclosed N279 billion has been spent on Nigerian youths under the N-Power programme since December 2016.

    The N-Power programme is one of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards creating jobs and ameliorating poverty in the land.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, Office of the Vice President, Afolabi Imoukhuede, said the money was spent on the N30,000 monthly stipend paid to the 500,000 youths engaged under the N-Power programme.

    He said that the youths were not owed a kobo under the N-Power programme.

    According to him, the first batch of 200,000 youths have earned a total of N180 billion for 30 months from December 2016 to June 2019 with a monthly bill of N6 billion.

    He further disclosed addition N9 billion monthly bill was paid from August 2018 to June 2019 totalling N99 billion for the second batch of 300,000 youths engaged under the N-Power programme.

    Read Also: Teachers to FG: scrap N-Power programme

    Asked how much has been spent since the inception of the programme, he said “It is every simple in talking about amount that has been invested. I am saying that in Batch 1, they started earning from December 2016, so roughly we invest N72 billion annually just for Batch 1 alone. That is aside from the gadgets that they get and aside from from all the sponsored trainings that they get.

    “For instance, all the training on agric for N-Agro, training for health for those who are in health, we sponsor all of that through the federal agencies, ministry of agriculture and ministry of health.

    “So direct in our people is N30,000 x 200,000 = N6 billion every month for the first batch which started in 2016. So they have been there for over two years, that is N72 billion multiply by two years or thereabout.

    “But since August last year, the wage bill moved from N6 billion to N15 billion because it’s now 500,000 of them that earn N30,000 monthly.

    “We have been on N15 billion for almost one year because by end of July it will be one year that we have been making that investment every month.

    “So if you put it together that just tells you how much investment we have made and like I have said, we don’t owe anyone because the money is paid directly to them not through a proxy.” he stated

    He explained the scheme was designed to solve the employability problems being faced by Nigerians youths after graduation.

    According to him, plans are currently ongoing to recruit many of its trainees into the police force in collaboration with state governors to actualize the community policing agenda.

  • Fire guts Enugu market, destroys goods worth millions of naira

    An early morning fire at Amaigbo Market in Obiagu, a sprawling suburb in Enugu, on Friday, has destroyed goods worth millions of naira.

    The Chairman of the market, Mr Emeka Nnajiofor, told Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who paid a condolence visit to the traders, that the fire broke out at about 1am.

    Nnajiofor said that at least 68 petty traders were affected by the incident, adding that the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained.

    He said that most of the stalls in the market were completely razed down by the fire.

    Mrs Nkechi Eneh, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, said that they got a distress call about the inferno and alerted the state Fire Service which, she said, responded promptly.

    Eneh said that it took the men of the fire service about two hours to put out the fire.

    Read also: Fire outbreak: Radio Bayelsa resumes transmission

    “The fire affected 68 traders and they are all gathered here,” Eneh told the governor.

    Responding, Ugwuanyi directed the Chairman of Enugu North council area to take the inventory of the loss caused by the fire.

    He also asked the chairman to ascertain the cost of reconstructing the market and forward the same to his office.

    He promised to support the victims with N100,000 each to enable them to return to their businesses.

    “We are here to help and console you. The chairman of the council has been directed to evaluate the cost of rebuilding the stalls and report back to us,” Ugwuanyi said. (NAN)