The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • U.S. issues 300 new sanctions that go after Russia’s war economy

    U.S. issues 300 new sanctions that go after Russia’s war economy

    The United States said yesterday it was imposing sanctions on more than 300 individuals and entities connected to Russia’s war on Ukraine, including financial institutions, the Moscow Stock Exchange, and Chinese companies.

    The announcement came a day before U.S. President Joe Biden joins other Group of Seven (G7) leaders for a summit in the Italian city of Bari, in which the war in Ukraine is set to feature prominently.

    The sweeping set of sanctions is chiefly focused on trade, finance, and industry.

    U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the sanctions hit “across multiple sectors essential to Russia’s war effort,” including energy, metals, and mining production.

    China was singled out for its support of Moscow.

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     “The United States remains concerned by the scale and breadth of exports from the People’s Republic of China that supply Russia’s military-industrial base,” Blinken’s statement said.

    To that end, the U.S. is sanctioning Chinese companies that provide dual-use goods that “fill critical gaps in Russia’s defence production cycle,” he said.

    It is not just China, however. Individuals and organisations in countries elsewhere in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean are also subject to new restrictive measures.

    Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Russia “is deeply isolated from the international financial system, leaving the Kremlin’s military desperate for access to the outside world.”

    She said the sanctions go after critical supplies Russia needs from other countries.

    Several Russian banks also saw their foreign locations put on blacklists to make it harder for financial transactions to be fulfilled.

    Other corners of Russia’s financial infrastructure were hit, including the Moscow Stock Exchange and two subsidiaries, and insurance and reinsurance providers.

  • Hajj: Saudi arrests over 300,000 violators amid enhanced procedures

    Hajj: Saudi arrests over 300,000 violators amid enhanced procedures

    Authorities in Saudi Arabia have apprehended over 300,000 violators of Hajj regulations, including 153,998 foreigners who arrived on tourist visas without the necessary permits.

    In light of these violations, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has underscored the importance of the Nusuk card.

    “This card is the only official proof for conforming pilgrims within the Holy Sites, facilitating their access to services as an identification document,” the ministry reiterated.

    This Friday, on the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims will initiate their Hajj rituals by heading to Mina for the Day of Tarwiyah, preparing for their ascension to Arafat on the ninth day, in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad.

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    This year’s Hajj is characterised by stringent procedures and extensive services deployed by Saudi authorities, spanning across security, health, service, and logistics sectors.

    In a concerted effort to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage, Saudi authorities have intensified measures to permit only those with valid Hajj permits and the Nusuk card access to the Holy Sites.

    The Nusuk card, an essential identification document, facilitates the pilgrims’ stay in Mecca and movement within the Holy Sites throughout the Hajj season.

    “Hajj security forces, along with auxiliary agencies, have established extensive security perimeters to safeguard pilgrims and facilitate their movement within the Holy Sites according to designated times,” stated an official.

    “We have also worked to arrest violators of Hajj regulations and apply penalties.”

    The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated the necessity for every pilgrim to carry their Nusuk card throughout their pilgrimage.

    This card is the only official proof for conforming pilgrims within the Holy Sites, facilitating their access to services as an identification document.

    Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, emphasized the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to serving the guests of God.

    “Saudi Arabia, since its founding, has been dedicated to easing the arrival of pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques and Holy Sites, ensuring they can perform their rituals with ease and reassurance while receiving the highest levels of care and attention,” Al-Rabiah said.

  • Hezbollah bombs Israel after top commander killed

    Hezbollah bombs Israel after top commander killed

    Hezbollah launched nearly 200 rockets at northern occupied Palestinian territories yesterday, igniting fires in retaliation to the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in southeastern Lebanon in a strike the previous evening.

    The attacks raise concern that the military confrontation between the Israeli regime and Hezbollah is escalating, with both saying they are prepared for war.

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    The Israeli military confirmed yesterday it had killed Taleb Abdullah as well as three other Hezbollah fighters in the strike.

    It also said at least 90 rockets were fired from Lebanese territory as sirens sounded in dozens of settlements across the north of the occupied territories.

  • Man arrested with eight human skulls, body parts

    Man arrested with eight human skulls, body parts

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested one Yusuf Adinohi, who was in possession of eight human skulls and other body parts.

    Yusuf, 31, was arrested at Agbasi Locust checkpoint in Ase area of Isua-Akoko in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area.

    The state Police Commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo, said: “Police pursued and arrested him (Yusuf). His load was searched and eight dry human skulls, fresh human flesh, and charms were found in a wrapped polythene bag concealed in a garri sack he was travelling with.”

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    In an interview, the suspect said he was going to Osogbo, Osun State to deliver the human skulls to one Opeifa, an herbalist. He said he had earlier supplied seven human skulls before he was arrested.

    According to him, “This will be my third time in this business. The first trip, I sold four heads, the second time three and the latest one which is eight. Also, this comprises both human parts and the dog ‘s heart. I bought the dog heart at Ibilo. For the skull, I usually buy it from my friend, Ismaila who usually gets them from burial grounds. ‘‘

  • Troops kill three terrorists, recover arms, rustled cattle

    Troops kill three terrorists, recover arms, rustled cattle

    Troops of the Nigerian Army and the Community Protection Guards have killed three terrorists.

    The troops also recovered some arms and ammunition, and rustled cattles in multiple operations that were conducted on Monday, June 10.

    Army spokesperson, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, announced this in a statement yesterday.

    He said: “In Rukudawa Village, located in Zurmi Local Government Area of the state, troops launched an offensive operation targeting the hideout of notorious terrorist kingpin Gwaska Dan Karami.

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    In the encounter, troops eliminated two terrorists and uncovered a terrorists’ warehouse stocked with looted food supplies. The warehouse was also destroyed.

    “In another operation in Mayanchi general area of Maru Local Government Area, troops on fighting patrol intercepted and engaged marauding terrorists who had rustled a flock of sheep. The troops neutralised one terrorist in the overwhelming firefight compelling the rest of the terrorists to flee, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, a magazine with three rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition, two motorcycles, and 410 rustled sheep; which have been recovered by the troops. ‘‘

  • Residents decry indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Residents decry indiscriminate dumping of refuse

    Some Lagos State residents have decried the heaps of refuse on some major roads without prompt evacuation by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

    The residents also lamented the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roads.

    In a separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some residents faulted LAWMA for the delay in evacuating the refuse in their homes.

    NAN reports that indiscriminate waste disposal is a common issue in many cities, including Lagos.

    It can lead to environmental pollution, health hazards, and other negative impacts.

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    A businesswoman, Mrs Ibukun Cole, said residents could avoid littering and disposal of waste properly.

    “I think we really need to be more enlightened on the dangers of improper waste disposal.

    “It will interest you to know that some people even dispose of waste in the gutters, especially when it rains.

    “I feel there should be a form of community clean-up and awareness programmes in every area to ensure people know the dangers of indiscriminate refuse dump,” she said.

  • Police bust cartel dealing in stolen jewellery

    Police bust cartel dealing in stolen jewellery

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismantled a cartel dealing in jewellery worth billions of Naira obtained from armed robbery operations in Abuja and its environs.

    The police said on April 28, this year an armed robbery occurred at the residence of a police officer attached to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    During the incident, the officer was nearly smothered, while a secured safe containing jewellery, money, academic certificates, documents, phones and other valuable properties belonging to various residents in the compound were carted away.

    The police said the CCTV footage captured the suspect at the crime scene, which has been helpful in the forensic investigations in the case.

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    In a statement yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said subsequent investigations traced the stolen items to Wuse Market, where they were allegedly purchased by one Alhaji Auwal.

    Adejobi said despite police warnings to the FCT Gold Dealers Association to avoid purchasing the stolen gold via their joint WhatsApp platform, Auwal facilitated its purchase and instructed his associates on how to handle it.

    Further investigations by the Force Intelligence Department indicated thatAuwal, his sons, and other associates are part of a cartel involved in dealing in stolen jewellery.

  • Vandals destroy rebuilt towers along Damaturu-Maiduguri line

    Vandals destroy rebuilt towers along Damaturu-Maiduguri line

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said vandals have destroyed the rebuilt two of its towers, T193 and T194, along the Damaturu -Maiduguri  330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line.

    Its Public Affairs General Manager, Ndidi Mbah, broke the news in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    She said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) hereby states that two of its towers, T193 and T194, along the Damaturu -Maiduguri  330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line have again been destroyed by vandals.”

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    The incident, according to her, is believed to have happened about 10:15pm, yesterday (Tuesday) night, when the 150MVA power transformer at Molai Substation tripped at the same time as the 330kV transmission line supplying bulk power to Maiduguri from Damaturu Transmission Substation.

    The spokesperson noted that after  the line tripping, efforts were made by TCN engineers to close the Mulai-Damaturu line to enable bulk transmission of electricity, which failed repeatedly.

    Mbah said early yesterday, however, TCN lines engineers along with security operatives patrolled the line and discovered that towers 193 and 194 along the 330kV transmission line were brought down using an explosive device, whose fragments are scattered at the site of the incident.

  • Police raid suspected IPOB/ESN camp, kill two

    Police raid suspected IPOB/ESN camp, kill two

    Two persons have been killed following a raid of a suspected IPOB/ESN criminal camp in a forest in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State by police operatives of the Enugu State Command serving in Igbo-Etiti Division.

    The policemen, working with the Neighborhood Watch Group, 2 a.m.yesterday utilised an intelligence report to enable them to undertake the action.

    According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, the criminal elements opened fire on the operatives upon sighting them.

    “However, the operatives returned fire at a superior level, forcing the criminals to escape with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

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    “Thereafter, two of the fleeing suspects’ bodies were discovered and recovered in the forest, along with one AK-47 rifle, four magazines loaded with a total of 75 live 7.62 mm calibre ammunition, and one Beretta pistol loaded with eight live .9 mm calibre ammunition.

    “Further recovered were one KC Sanya and Honda Today ladies motorcycles, one GTB ATM card, N2,600.00, and several raw food items. The manhunt for others on the run is ongoing.’’

  • Famzhi Interbiz MD sentenced to five years over N2b fraud

    Famzhi Interbiz MD sentenced to five years over N2b fraud

    Chairman and Managing Director of Famzhi Interbiz Limited, Mariam Suleiman, has been sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding investors of over N2 billion.

    A statement from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment, finding Suleiman and her company guilty on two counts brought against them by the Federal Government.

    In his ruling, Justice Ekwo stated: “Upon the provisions of Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act and Section 56(6) of the Securities and Investment Act being read to the defendants for understanding of the terms of punishment therein. And upon hearing the allocutus of the learned counsel for the defendants and considering the same, I am minded not to impose the full punishment on the first defendant (Suleiman) particularly.”

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    As a result, Suleiman was sentenced to three years in prison for the first count and two years for the second count, with both sentences to run concurrently.

    Also, Justice Ekwo ordered Famzhi Interbiz to be wound up and its property forfeited to the Federal Government. “The said property shall be sold and the proceeds thereof used to compensate the victims of this crime,” he declared.

    The SEC had previously disclaimed Famzhi Interbiz, warning the public that neither the company nor its products were registered or regulated by the Commission.

    Despite this, the company unlawfully solicited funds from the public, promising guaranteed returns on investments, which violated the Securities and Investment Act (ISA) 2007.