The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Pastors in court for stealing two-year-old girl

    Pastors in court for stealing two-year-old girl

    The Police in Lagos on Wednesday brought two Pastors, Dorothy Ekutosi, 51, and Asekameh Victor, 27, who allegedly stole a 2-year-old girl in a market before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates ’ Court.

    The accused, whose addresses were not provided, are standing trial a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on Aug. 29 at the Abule Market area of Ajao Estate in the state.

    He said the accused conspired and stole the child in the market, without the knowledge of the mother, who was a trader.

    “The duo were caught with the help of her mother’s neighbour in the market, who intercepted the child, while they were taking her away to an unknown destination,’’ the prosecutor said.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 287 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    The accused, however, pleaded “not guilty’’ to the charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing.
    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

    Akanni said the sureties, who should be relations of the accused, should also show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case until Sept. 20, for mention.
  • Man jailed 12 months for laptop theft

    Man jailed 12 months for laptop theft

     A court in Lagos sentenced a 26-years-old man, Oluwasegun Olayemi to 12 months in prison for stealing a laptop and phone valued N119,000, from a businesswoman in Lagos.

    Olayemi of no fixed address, was convicted on Wednesday by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.I Dan-Oni, said, “based on the facts of this case, confirmed report and the plea of leniency, I hereby sentence you to 12 months imprisonment without option of fine.”

    Earlier the prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher John told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 4 at Nacho Estate, Ayobo, Ikeja.

    John said that the convict conspired with others now at large and broke into the apartment of the complainant, Mrs Adenike Oludare, to steal a laptop and phone worth N119, 000.

    He said that Olayemi was caught by the complainant’s neighbour who saw the accused and his accomplices acting in a dubious manner.

    John said that Olayemi’s accomplices escaped with the phone and laptop while he was apprehended and taken to police station for further questioning.

    The offences contravened Sections 287, 309 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

  • ‘We’ll enhance people’s well-being’

    We are leveraging technology for tracking and effective cash management issues without compromising members’ money and attended risk of fraudsters and posers. We are in talks with reputable technology companies that are major players in the financial service sector of the Nigerian economy to provide and issue Smart (ATM) Cards branded in FCMS colours and logo for our members only.”

    These were the statements of President Front (Ikeja) Co-operative Multipurpose Society Limited, Lagos Ogbuefi Bede Nevobasi during the launch of the society in Lagos.

    He stated that the society, which is founded by various professionals to enhance the financial status and to eliminate poverty among its members, will create special funds for investment purposes, including procurement of essential commodities, aimed at enhancing the economic and social well-being of members.

    Nevobasi said it will also promote the spirit and practice of thrift, mutual aid and self-help based on co-operative principles as well as invest in agro-allied and other profitable ventures among members.

    “Invest in mutual funds and other securities of federal, state and any other international securities of both private and public interest,” he added.

    According to him, the society’s target audience includes co-operative shops, real estate, insurance, corporate organisations with less than 100 members of staff who might not have staff co-operative societies, individuals such as private employees, shop owners, market men and women, petty traders, associations and organisations such as church groups and others.

    Speaking on “Role of Co-operative in a Recessive Economy”, President, Federal Medical Centre Senior Staff Co-operative Society, Mr. Ibitoye Kehinde identified the use of technology and insurance scheme as two vital elements that stand FCMS out among other societies.

    He further said the present crisis of capital and ideology, credibility and management will not befall the society as there are capable hands in the management team. “They have the knowledge and capacity to carry on with the operation of the society,” he said.  An insurance expert, Mr. Anthony Olaseyile stated that insurance policy is designed at handling risk of organisations and individuals, even as he added that it provides access, identity, and control of threats to survival of any organisation or individual. Insurance, he said, comes to play when there is accidental occurrence, and it comes handy when there is either temporal or permanent disability.

  • Fed Govt concessions Lagos, Abuja airports

    Fed Govt concessions Lagos, Abuja airports

    The Federal Executive Council has okayed the concessions of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, broke the news in Abuja at the fifth Edition of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum at the old Banquet Hall of the State House.

    “I am pleased to say that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the concessioning of the Lagos and Abuja airports,” he said

    The Federal Government’s main commitment on ease of doing business in the country, he said, was to ensure a general overhaul of the business environment which he said would involve the concession of all airports in the country.

    Osinbajo noted that partnering with private sector operators was a sensible decision to take at the moment.

    The forum, he said, is important for the government to receive both criticisms and suggestions from the private sector.

    He pointed out that government’s commitment on ease of doing businesses in Nigeria was predicated on both evolution plans and capacity building.

    On capacity building, Osinbajo said it had become imperative to improve the capacity of government agencies which regulate business activities.

    According to him, even though the pursuit of enabling business environment might be slow, the government would remain focused, a situation he said was responsible for the signing of executive orders with a view to ensuring that things are properly done.

    Osinbajo further said that government’s approach to ease of doing business in Nigeria was dynamic.

    While the country currently generates 6,700 megawatts of electricity, he said that 2000 of it get wasted daily because of problems associated with connection difficulties as well as problems between the transmission and distribution companies.

    He said the distribution companies also expressed their unwillingness to take the 2,000 megawatts because of the unwillingness of some consumers to pay.

    The Vice President also pledged government’s commitment to improving infrastructure related to power distribution.

    He also said part of the business overhaul initiatives of the government is to ensure the provision of power in some notable business environments such as the Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State; the printing industry in Somolu, Lagos, and a Kano market without the necessary connection to the national grid.

    He described it as “all sorts of off-grid initiatives to get power.”

    Osinbajo said the government was promoting solar power initiative as well as the construction of integrated power plants in nine Nigerian universities to boost power supply.

    According to him, even though the pursuit of enabling business environment might be slow, the government would remain focused, a situation he said was responsible for the signing of executive orders with a view to ensuring that things are properly done.

    Osinbajo further said that government’s approach to ease of doing business in Nigeria was dynamic.

    While the country currently generates 6,700 megawatts (Mw) of electricity, he said that 2000 of it get wasted daily because of problems associated with connection difficulties as well as problems between the transmission and distribution companies.

    He said the distribution companies also expressed their unwillingness to take the 2,000 megawatts because of the unwillingness of some consumers to pay.

    The Vice President also pledged government’s commitment to improving infrastructure related to power distribution.

    He also said part of the business overhaul initiatives of the government is to ensure the provision of power in some notable business environments such as the Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State; the printing industry in Somolu, Lagos, and a Kano market without the necessary connection to the national grid.

    He described it as “all sorts of off-grid initiatives to get power.”

    Osinbajo said the government was promoting solar power initiative as well as the construction of integrated power plants in nine Nigerian universities to boost power supply.

     

     

  • Three ‘Boko Haram escapees’ apprehended in Lagos

    Three suspected Boko Haram terrorists, who fled Borno State, were apprehended in Lagos last month, an Islamic cleric, Mohammed Abdullahi, said yesterday.

    He spoke at a meeting between Acting Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal and stakeholders at Area ‘D’ Command, at Isolo town hall.

    Abdullahi said the suspects were held at Ajao Estate, wondering why they always ran to the area.

    He said: “A lot of people think Boko Haram issue is just about the Northeast, but they are mistaken. We have been apprehending fleeing Boko Haram insurgents in Lagos.

    “I don’t know if it is as a result of proximity to the airport. Most of the escapee Boko Haram members, who came to Lagos, have been held at Ajao Estate. Just three weeks ago, we apprehended three of them, who escaped from Borno State.

    “We have a way of identifying them. The Seriki Hausa at Ajao Estate has contacts of local government chairmen in Borno State. This assists us to know those Boko Haram elements, who have fled the area to other parts of the country.

    “We have been doing this since 2014. We have been working in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno. Once we identify them, we contact JTF and they come and arrest them.

    “We were not working with the police because we thought they would not collaborate with us. But now that the Police commissioner has indicated commitment to partner stakeholders and ensure community policing, we will work with the police.”

    Edgal said the police would verify claims by the cleric because they were serious security issues.

    He urged residents to be more vigilant, saying Lagos cannot be isolated from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    Edgal said: “The issue raised by him is a vital security issue. I’ve taken his phone number. We must verify the facts. It calls for increased vigilance. We cannot isolate Lagos from security challenges in other parts of the country.

    “We know Lagos is the melting pot of Nigeria. Because Lagos is functioning, we are having influx of people at astronomical rate.

    “We will meet Arewa leaders so that localities where they have majority of their people are policed.

    “Already, based on this community policing, I have extended hands of partnership to them. As I said, I intend to partner their leaders to ensure every new person, who comes into Lagos from that part of the country, is monitored.

    “The final points of the partnership will mean that every community leader in Lagos will assist the police profile their members. We do not want strays. Anyone who comes into the state must identify with their communities and it is incumbent on the leaders to bring the persons forward for biometrics so that we will have records.”

  • FG okays Lagos, Abuja airports’ concession

    FG okays Lagos, Abuja airports’ concession

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday disclosed that the Federal Executive Council has agreed to the concessioning of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    He spoke in Abuja during the 5th Edition of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum at the old Banquet Hall of the State House.

    “I am pleased to say that the federal executive council (FEC) has approved the concessioning of the Lagos and Abuja airports.” he said

    The Federal Government’s main commitment on ease of doing business in Nigeria, he said, was to ensure a general overhaul of the business environment which he said would involve the concession of all airports in the country.

    Osinbajo noted that partnering with private sector operators was a sensible decision to take at the moment.

    The forum, he said, is important for the government to receive both criticisms and suggestions from the private sector.

    He pointed out that government’s commitment on ease of doing businesses in Nigeria was predicated on both evolution plans and capacity building.

    On capacity building, Osinbajo said it had become imperative to improve the capacity of government agencies which regulate business activities.

    According to him, even though the pursuit of enabling business environment might be slow, the government would remain focused, a situation he said was responsible for the signing of executive orders with a view to ensuring that things are properly done.

    Osinbajo further said that government’s approach to ease of doing business in Nigeria was dynamic.

    While the country currently generates 6,700 megawatts of electricity, he said that 2000 of it get wasted daily because of problems associated with connection difficulties as well as problems between the transmission and distribution companies.

    He said the distribution companies also expressed their unwillingness to take the 2,000 megawatts because of the unwillingness of some consumers to pay.

    The Vice President also pledged government’s commitment to improving infrastructure related to power distribution.

    He also said part of the business overhaul initiatives of the government is to ensure the provision of power in some notable business environments such as the Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State; the printing industry in Somolu, Lagos, and a Kano market without the necessary connection to the national grid.

    He described it as “all sorts of off-grid initiatives to get power.”

    Osinbajo said the government was promoting solar power initiative as well as the construction of integrated power plants in nine Nigerian universities to boost power supply.

  • Lagos titled chiefs call for devolution of powers to states

    Lagos titled chiefs call for devolution of powers to states

    The Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs has commended the National Assembly for the successful completion of the first step towards the amendment process of the 1999 constitution and demanded for devolution of powers to states.

    In a statement by its President, Chief Mrs Iyabo Foresythe the association noted with delight that the depth of work done would deepen democracy and improve on the quality of governance at all levels in the country.

    It said it agrees with diverse opinion leaders who in their various contributions have noted that the 1999 constitution is an anti-development framework that unhealthily endowed the government at the centre with all economic power, in direct contravention of the most basic tenets of federalism, which presupposes the broad distribution of economic rights and powers within a federation.

    “We are not in doubt that the States have assumed a beggarly status, transformed into dependent serfs who depend on monthly releases and regular bailouts from Abuja for their subsistence.”

    The Association wondered why the federating units should be precluded from performing several important constitutional responsibilities most listed in the Exclusive Legislative list.

    “As key stakeholders with varied interests in the cosmopolitan city of Lagos and the economic capital of Nigeria, we are of the strong view that there is a need to identify and address the provision in the 1999 constitution as amended that had become a stumbling block. One of such provisions is the “Devolution of Power to States”, vide decongesting the Exclusive Legislative list.

    “For us, an Association of prominent members of the Lagos Community who have served the State and the Nation meritoriously, our request to revisit the position on devolution of power is borne out of our realisation of the potentialities of Lagos State, germane to enhancing its economy and revenue.

    “Our position is that if Nigeria is to make progress economically and achieve its goal of a sustainably diversified economy and revenue base, it must reform its political economic institutions in order to reflect the legitimate aspirations of the different groups of Nigerians that are voluntarily resident in cosmopolitan Lagos.

    “The less subjugation of the federating units nay states, that are the engines of our march to economic development, the more the bondage that has shackled Nigeria’s economic potentials will be loosened. Again sincere leaders will be needed to manage this new found state resources for quick and rapid growth in the federating. units. Each state has its comparative advantage and must therefore struggle to raise its revenue profile in order to meet the needs of the people.

    “Until the states are strengthened and made viable, the federal government cannot be strong. Every state has its own peculiarity as we are all naturally endowed. The endowment might not be in equal proportion, but each federating unit sure needs the other.  Kebbi State is a good pointer to improving internal revenue by harnessing abundant available resources through rice production and processing for the Lagos market.

    “Also, the recent proposal between Lagos and Kano States for a joint economic summit we applaud as an initiative in the right direction towards stronger federating units, repositioning to harness its economic potentials.
    “What is needed is for a constitution that will: i) Provide for the healthy and broad distribution of economic power to the states with incentives to encourage the active participation of the states to bolster and sustainably expand the Nigerian economy via harnessing of their comparative advantages. Arising from this will be a diversified economy and revenue base, not susceptible to the volatile, cyclical and dwindling energy market in which present day Nigeria depends.

    “ ii)  Ensure social cohesion, devoid of “resource control” agitations, attacks on oil and gas facilities, pipeline vandalisations and militancy. This can only be possible if the states and its residents are given a sense of ownership of both the resources and facilities domiciled in the federating units.

    “Our appeal for the revisit on the devolution of power to the federating units should be viewed from the point that this is another path at reworking the country for greater efficiency. Indeed we are in support of the clamour for devolution of power to states as a means for the provision of quality services and dividends of democracy to the residents of Lagos.

    “It is a rightful call whose time has come to amend the constitution to vest the control of the revenues derived from Value Added Tax, Minerals, Ports charges, inland waterways and other revenue sources to give the much needed impetus and realism to the Lagos quests for economic and revenue diversification.”

    The Association noted that 55% Nigeria’s VAT is collected in Lagos State with 15% of this located to Federal Government, while the States and Local Governments get 50% and 35% respectively.

    “It is not in doubt that Lagos State accounts for 70 per cent of maritime trade in the country and hosts 60 per cent of industries that help generate the VAT that is shared among all the states. Aside from accounting for 86.2 per cent of Companies Income Tax in 2008, according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Lagos is also the manufacturing hub of Nigeria.

    “Figures from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria also indicate that the Ikeja Industrial Zone alone – not even the entire Lagos – accounted for 55 per cent of goods manufactured in the country in 2016. This also means sustenance of jobs for Nigerians from all parts of the country. The narrative on the abnormal and unacceptable interrupted electricity supply situation in Lagos State and indeed other federating units can be changed if the issue of electricity is devolved to the states allowing each state to generate from several sources, transmit and distribute to consumers within the federating units for manufacturing/industrial and domestic consumption.

    “These are issues we suggest must be revisited for justice and equity as Lagos State need not go to Abuja monthly to share from Federation Account Allocation as VAT is a sufficient and veritable internally generated revenue for development. There is sure no justice in the current system where wealth is sitting there in the federating units to be shared and not created.  It is wrong and unjust for states to have an entitlement to a share of other people’s efforts rather than a reward for their own efforts. Surely, this tripod of injustice is a source of concern in the polity.
    “It is the humble submission of the Association to the 8th Senate to revisit its position on devolution of powers to the federating units. The Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs made up of prominent members of the Lagos community who have served the state and nation meritoriously is making the call in the national interest and fairness to Lagos State especially, a mini-Nigeria, multi-cultural federating unit with a projected population of 40million residents in Year 2025 and an emerging ‘African Dubai’.

    “ Decongesting the exclusive legislative list and devolving power to the states will no doubt enhance the management of its endowments, potentialities and resources, boost the revenue base and provide quality services and the necessary dividends of good governance to the residents of Lagos, “ the association stated.

  • Statistical lab berths at Anchor varsity

    Statistical lab berths at Anchor varsity

    Researchers stuck with chapter four of their research work can get help from a new statistical collaboration laboratory that has been set up at the Anchor University, Lagos (AUL).

    The Anchor University Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Science and Data Analysis (AU-USSDA) was inaugurated by Eric Vance, Director of the Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Statistical Analysis (LISA) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, United States, on Monday.

    The laboratory, which is the third in Nigeria and seventh in Africa to be established under the LISA Vision 2020 programme to plant 20 laboratories in developing countries, will train statisticians to work with researchers from various fields of endeavour to interpret their data.

    The other two LISA laboratories in Nigeria can be found at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-ife, and the University of Ibadan (UI)).

    Delivering a lecture after the inauguration, Vance said he was inspired to set up LISA after noticing that researchers in the United States struggled with their researches because of limited knowledge of statistics.

    “I noticed in United States that they were so many researchers who wanted to be able to do more but were limited by their ability in statistics so they weren’t able to analyze the data in new modern ways they were not able to come up with answers to their research questions.  It is a worldwide problem,” he said.

    Apart from serving as an incubation facility to teach students of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science core technical statistical skills and collaborative information gathering techniques, Vance said the laboratory would serve as infrastructure for researchers, businesses and even government to work on their data and come up with solutions that can positively impact society.

    He said; “It is useful in two ways.  One is the students studying mathematics and statistics will have modern statistical software to be able to analyse data; and they can work in the laboratory to gain practical experience to solve problems. The second way is the laboratory is the centre for research; and every field needs statistics and so researchers from the university can come to the laboratory to work with the statisticians to be able to solve their own problems. Not everyone can be and an expert in statistics and data science, so what we do is to train them to be able to collaborate with the researchers to be able to ask them questions; to be able to explain statistics, to be able to identify ways by which statistics can accelerate research.”

    The associate professor of Applied Mathematics said the training would be provided by Dr Olawale Awe of the Department of Mathematics, OAU, the first LISA Fellow he trained from a grant he got from Google in 2013/2014, which underscored the importance of developing capacity of local researchers to find indigenous solutions to local problems.

    Awe, who was selected from a pool of 108 African researchers for the fellowship in 2013, said like the OAU-LISA laboratory, the AUL version would solve problems for researchers and business.

    “We will bring people from the industry, research organisations, come and receive training in data science and statistics. Statistics is needed in almost every aspect of human endeavour.  So we want to float programmes, workshops and issue certificates that will be co-signed by Prof Vance. We want to make this stat lab the centre of data science in Africa.  We are happy to have one in Lagos where we have more people in business and industry so that people can come here and receive training,” he said.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Afolayan, said the institution welcomed the statistical laboratory because it would help its speedy development.

    “We desire to have collaborations from international bodies as part of our effort to internationalize Anchor University.

    “The LISA Vision 2020 is a vision that pursues the establishment of this kind of laboratory in 20 developing countries of the world, and for us at this time to key into that vision being the seventh university in Africa and third in Nigeria is a great excitement for me personally,” he said.

    Afolayan added that the establishment of the laboratory in his university would spur him up to undertake his own research work in risk management in Civil Engineering, an area that requires a lot of statistical data.

     

  • Senators earn N3bn per annum – Sagay

    Senators earn N3bn per annum – Sagay

    Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay has disclosed that an average Nigerian Senator earns three billion naira per annum.

    He made the revelation while delivering the Nigerian Society of International Law (NSIL) Public Lecture titled  “The Many Afflictions of Anti-Corruption Crusade in Nigeria” as Guest speaker on Wednesday in Lagos.

    “From the information I have gathered, a Nigerian Senator earns about #29 million a month and over #3 billion a year,” Sagay stated.

    The comprehensive breakdown of the salary of the Senators given by Professor Sagay amounted to  #3, 264, 329, 264.10 per annum.

    The breakdown of the salary of 29 million naira per month is as follows:

    Basic Salary #2, 484, 245.50;

    Hardship allowance, 1,242, 122.70;

    Constituency allowance #4, 968, 509.00;

    Furniture allowance #7, 452, 736.50;

    Newspaper allowance #1, 242, 122.70;

    Wardrobe allowance, 621,061.37;

    Recess allowance #248, 424.55;

    Accommodation 4,968,509.00;

    Utilities #828,081.83;

    Domestic staff #1,863,184.12;

    Entertainment #828,081.83;

    Personal Assistant #621,061.37;

    Vehicle Maintenance Allowance 1,863,184.12;

    Leave Allowance #248,424.55;

    Severance Gratuity #7, 425,736.50

    Motor Vehicle Allowance, #9, 936,982.00.

    “The younger the more corrupt”

    Sagay also spoke against the rush of younger politicians in haste to run the affairs of the country, noting that Nigerian politics has quickly declined since the first  Republic.

    According to Sagay, “One common thread that runs through the attitude of recent politicians borders on greed, avarice, self-service and accumulation of wealth at the expense of the country.”

    “Why the rush? A young politician who wants to run at 25 will still become 30, it is just a matter of five years. Why can’t they wait to run? Most politicians are just consumed by greed and the younger they get, the corrupt they become,” the professor said.

  • New Police boss in Lagos vows to reduce crime by 30 %

    New Police boss in Lagos vows to reduce crime by 30 %

    The new Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command, Imohimi Edgal, has vowed to reduce crime rate in the state by 30 per cent within two months.

    Edgal made the vow on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the Police Officers Mess, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He stressed that his roadmap was based on a police plan driven, largely, by community policing and partnership.

    The news police boss promised go to any length, including dinning with the devil, to protect and guarantee the safety of the people in Lagos.

    “My strategy will be based on community policing, which will increase the involvement of community members on how they will be policed.

    “It is all about partnership, decision-making and accountability, partnership will, however, form the core.

    “My mission is to make Lagos the safest place for people to do business; to restore the pride of police and bequeath to the people a friendly police.

    “Also, community safety partnership is an aspect that emphasises synergy with other security agencies and civil groups,” he said.

    Edgal said that the command had established pin down points across the state as first point of contact for the people, when in distress.

    “I have established police observation/pin down points in the state to serve as first point of contact when in distress.

    “Patrol vehicles will concentrate on major highways during peak periods and on residential areas at night.”

    He emphasised that he was ready to work with other security agencies, including registered vigilante groups.

    “I will also partner closely with the informal policing sector, like vigilante groups that aid police in ensuring security and peace in the inner communities of the state.

    “The issue of functional partnership will be taken very serious as legal and operational guidelines for vigilante will be established.

    “The vigilante is important but before any group can metamorphose, such group must report to the Divisional Police Headquarters where they will be registered, profiled and scrutinised.

    “None will, however, be accepted if found to be having a criminal case, a drunkard or with any form of deviant behaviour.

    “They will be documented and submitted to the Area Commander for final scrutiny. If the Area Commander confirms and I approve, they will be able to work closely with the police.

    “None of them will, however, be allowed to carry arms. ‘’This is because, they are not legalised to do so. They will be used primarily for intelligence networking.

    “We will improve intelligence gathering. Henceforth, any intelligence leading to arrest will be rewarded and the identity of the informer protected.”

    Edgal said a platform, named Citizens Complaints Hot Centre (CCHC), will be activated at 6 p. m. on Wednesdays to handle complaints from members of the public.

    He also said the former Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Section had been unbundled, adding that a new section would operate independently from the command and headed by policemen with integrity.

    Edgal, who noted that there was connection between crimes drugs, vowed to clamp down on drug traffickers by collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He commended journalists in the state for a job well done and urged them for more support, saying that no commissioner of police could succeed without media support.

    The news police commissioner, however, advised the media against stories capable of causing panic to the public, stressing that exposing the activities of criminals would enhance better security.