The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Minister of Interior

  • FG to deploy NSCDC special force to protect agricultural investments

     

    No fewer than 3,000 personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Special Force known as “Agro-rangers” will be deployed to protect farms and agricultural investments in the country.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference.

    Dambazau said that the measure was meant to stem the tide of herdsmen/farmers clashes and protect agricultural investments in the country.

    He said that the armed NSCDC personnel would be specially trained in the act of protection and mediation in conflicts, especially as it related to ownership of farmlands and arresting cattle rustlers.

    “We know that the Police are being over-stretched in terms of maintaining law and order while the military is also battling insurgency.

    “So this falls within the purview of the NSCDC, this agro-ranger will be trained in the protection of agricultural assets and mediation in issues such as land disputes,” he said.

    He said the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also been charged, especially with the new Immigration Regulations 2017, to ensure proper registration/monitoring of all foreigners, including foreign herdsmen who come into the country.

    The minister said that although Nigeria was a signatory to the ECOWAS Trans-human protocol which allowed herdsmen from the region into the country, all the necessary precautions such as registration and possession of valid travel documents would be enforced.

    He expressed optimism that all these measures would help in addressing farmers/herdsmen clashes and boost agricultural production as part of government’s plan to diversify the economy.

     

  • Why we won’t reveal Buhari’s health spendings – Lai Mohammed

    Why we won’t reveal Buhari’s health spendings – Lai Mohammed

    …F.G sets up panel to smoothen Executive, Legislative relation 

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Wednesday said that disclosing how much President Muhammadu Buhari spents on his medical vacation in the United Kingdom may jeopardize national security.

    The President, who returned to Nigeria on March 10th, had spent about 50 days in the UK where he carried out some medical tests.

    He had also in June last year embarked on medical trip abroad.

    Even though the President’s health status and ailment is yet to be made public, the President had disclosed on his return to the country on Friday 10th March that he received blood transfusion during the vacation.

    The Minister, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, was reacting to the calls for the President to disclose the amount spent on his medical treatment abroad.

    He was with the Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzu and the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

    According to Mohammed, it was too sensitive to disclose the amount spent on the President’s health.

    He said: “This matter has come several times and our position on the matter is quite straight forward.  What are the President’s conditions of service? What are his entitlements in terms of his wellbeing and health care? The state is supposed to take responsibility for these.

    “We believe that asking for how much has been spent on the health of the President is an issue that we should weigh very well both for national security and also for moral issues.

    “I don’t know why we must divulge such very sensitive information. I might be wrong but I don’t have experience elsewhere that the President of any country will be ill and be forced to disclose how much the state has spent on his health.

    ‘Yes, there is Freedom of Information Act but it is also carved in such a way that when such information is likely to endanger national security, I think it is an area that is not covered.” he said

    He also said that the executive is concerned that the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government is not as smooth as it is supposed to be.

    Although he noted that it is a continuous struggle in any democracy for balancing between the Executive and the Legislature because each of them are creatures of the law.

    With the not too cordial relationship between the two arms of government due to issues concerning the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, the Minister said a committee is already working to smoothen the relationship.

    He said “We must strive at all times to ensure that there is that balance, amity and smooth relationship.

    “Just today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, the issue was discussed and a committee is already working on ensuring that we resolve all these outstanding issues.

    Speaking on the protest by unions in his ministry, Mohammed said that it is not unusual for unions to call for the removal of ministers.

    He said “They are complaining about welfare but there is a limit to what government can do within the available resources.

    “As much as we sympathise with them on the situation, the economy is simply not healthy enough to accommodate what it used to accommodate in the past.

    “If anybody is concerned and worried about expenditures in my ministry, they should go and check because it is open.

    “We have appealed to them several times but we met a culture that we cannot sustain.” he said

    The Minister promised that the Ministry will look into some of the grievances that are genuine when the economy improves.

    “We listen to them, they always meet with the Permanent secretary and directors. But once the resources are not there, there is little we can do. We will just continue to plead with them to be patient with us.” he added

    Dambazzau said that the Council approved the procurement of some water carrying vehicles for the Federal Fire Service.

    He said “This is in an attempt to further revamp the federal fire service which has experienced dearth of equipment for a very long time and that with the challenges we have in terms of fire incidents all over the country, the last time I spoke I told you the government is making every effort to make sure that the fire service is revamped so that we have the necessary euipment, training and personnel to be able to face the challenges.

    “Today as part of it FEC approved what is remaining of the 2016 budget, the procurement of 15 water tankers that have the capacity to be used as fighting trucks. This is costing the government N403 million out of the budget that was appropriated in 2016.

    ‘The totsl budget is about 5.5 billion naira for the procurement of firefighting equipment and we have already procured a lot from that.” he said

    The Minister of Finance, on her part, said that the Council approved the ratification for the establishment of the West African Tax Administration forum which is a platform to promote mutual agreement and cooperation among West African tax authorities.

    While disclosing that Nigeria is the host of the body, she said that Nigeria has already rectified the project.

    She said “The effect of it is that there will be better information sharing and cooperation between countries within West Africa on tax administration. This is really part of our tax reform efforts.

    “As you know Nigerians own properties in Ghana and other neigbouring countries, now for tax purposes they will be able to have access to that type of information.

    “Linked to that is the directive of the FEC to the SGF to remind companies that there is an existing provision in the law that companies are supposed to have on their letter headed papers the names of their directors and their registered offices but what we have seen is that many bodies that are transacting business with government simply have the names of the company and no details of who the directors are.

    “So for tax purposes it is quite difficult to trace them, so the SGF will be issuing a circular reminding agencies and ministries of government that it is the law and therefore they are at liberty not to treat any document that doesn’t comply with the law.

    “And equally the Accountant General is being advised that payment will only be effected to companies that are fully in compliance with the law just to make sure that all those who are doing business with government and making from government are paying the right taxes.

    “The other memo was the 500 million Eurobond, remember that the National Assembly had approved and council was also required to approve and that was done,” she stated.

  • FG to launch new immigration regulation

    FG to launch new immigration regulation

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau will on Monday officially launch the new Immigration Regulations, 2017 to ensure better security and Immigration in the country.

    Mr Sunday James, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said that the Immigration Regulations, 2017 was a vital document that sought to operationalise the Immigration Act, 2015.
    ‎
    “The honourable Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (retired) will officially present the Immigration Regulations 2017 to the public on Monday, March, 20, 2017.

    “The Immigration Regulations 2017 is a vital document that operationalises the Immigration Act 2015 and provides the legal framework for the effective implementation of the Act,” he said.

    He further said the new immigration regulation was a product of robust discourse that involved legal and migratory experts, including serving and retired immigration officers.

    James expressed optimism that the document, if properly implemented, would go a long way in transforming the operations of NIS in line with international best practices.
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    NAN reports that the Immigration Act, 2015 contains updated structure and functions of NIS in relation to immigration, passports, deportation, visas, resident permits and general immigration offences.

    The Act also gives effect in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the provisions of the protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea, air which supplements the UN Convention Against Transitional Organised Crime.
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    The Act was enacted by the National Assembly in May, 2015 to the Immigration Act, 2004.

  • Airport: FG launches harmonised deparure/arrival cards

    Airport: FG launches harmonised deparure/arrival cards

    The Federal Government on Thursday in Kaduna launched a harmonised departure/arrival cards for air travellers in the country.

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau while launching the document, said the new cards would replace the multiple cards which hitherto existed at Nigerian airports.

    He said “Federal Government has chosen the Kaduna International Airport to formally launch this unique security document to the travelling public.

    “These cards will replace the multiplicity of cards that hitherto existed and will take care of the interest of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Customs, Port Health Services, NDLEA and others.”

    He explained that foreigners were expected to fill the departure/arrival cards, while Nigerians would fill the departure card only.

    Dambazau said that the document had been scanned and stored in a data bank to be shared with relevant stakeholders, while travel records of passengers would be secure.

    He added that the new measure was part of government’s policy on “Ease of doing business in Nigeria” in line with international best practices.

    Earlier, the NIS Comptroller-General, Mr Muhammad Babandede, said the service
    had put in place all the necessary logistics to implement the policy.

    He said the NIS had strengthened its synergy with relevant agencies like Customs and NDLEA to ensure efficient service delivery.

    He urged officers and men of the NIS, particularly those at the airports, to be professional and diligent in the‎ discharge of their duties.

  • FG extends Eid-il-Fitr holiday to Thursday

    FG extends Eid-il-Fitr holiday to Thursday

    The Federal Government on Tuesday extended the Eid-il-Fitr holiday to Thursday.

    A statement issued by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, in Abuja quoted the Sultan of Sokoto,  Sa’ad Abubakar III,  as saying  the Ramadan fast continues on Tuesday due to the “non-sighting of the moon” heralding the month of Shawwal in the Muslim calendar.

    Sultan Abubakar is the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

    Dambazau noted that the federal government has now declared Wednesday and Thursday  as public holiday.

    The government had earlier declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holiday to mark the Eid-il- Fitr.

    The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bassey Akpanyung,  “In making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), urges Nigerians to use this period of sober reflections to ensure harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence, while giving full support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained effort to pursue socio-economic and political growth of the nation.”

     

  • Ex-Immigration boss denies involvement in botched 2014 recruitment

    Ex-Immigration boss denies involvement in botched 2014 recruitment

    A former Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), David Shikfu Paradang has denied involvement in the 2014 recruitment exercise conducted by his agency which led to the death of about 20 job seekers.

    Paradang spoke Wednesday while testifying as the first prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro and three others before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Moro is being tried with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, on an 11-count charge.

    They are being tried over their alleged involvement in the botched 2014 recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) while Moro was Minister.

    They are accused of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings.

    The four defendants also were accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

    Paradang, who was led in evidence yesterday by prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Yusuf, said even as the head of NIS, he was never involved in the planning and execution of the recruitment exercise, but only read about it in the media.

    He said his attention was drawn to a publication in one of the dailies – Sunday Trust – on September 9, in respect of a recruitment exercise purportedly being carried out by NIS

    Paradang said: “As the then Comptroller General of the NIS, I was neither aware of the ‘advertisement’ nor the recruitment exercise. So, it came to me as a surprise.”

    When asked what he did when he became aware of the exercise, the witness said  he called the Secretary of the NIS board, one Dr. Attahiru and asked if the agency was recruiting, to which the man responded ‘yes’.

    Paradnag, who said he was worried by Attahiru’s response, told the court that he further asked him (Attahiru) why he, as the head of the organisation, was not informed of the recruitment.

    He said Attahiru told him not to worry.

    Paradang said he was unsatisfied, and later called two of the board members, who also claimed they were not aware of the exercise.

    Paradang stated that he wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Board, Dr Attahiru that same day, September 9, 2013, expressing his dismay over the advertisement placed for employment.

    At that point, defence lawyers, Chris Uche (SAN), Paul Erokoro (SAN), and Sunday Ameh (SAN) objected to admissibility of a copy of the letter and the witness’ pattern of evidence, saying its amounted to hearsay evidence.

    They argued that though the letter was certified, necessary fees were not paid as required by law.

    The defence team argued that Paradang could not give details of what he was told by others who are not witnesses before the court.

    Erokoro (for Moro) Erokoro argued that though the document was certified, there was no evidence to show that the certification fee was paid as it carries no endorsement certificate

    He said, being a public document, it is not admissible as it has not met all the necessary conditions precedent to its admissibility.

    Uche (for Mrs Daniel-Nwobia) agreed with Erokoro’s position and urged the court to reject the document.

    Ameh (for Alayebami ) argued that the certification had to be done by the person who had the original of the letter, but it was done by the officer of the Ministry of Interior instead of the officer of the Civil Defence who was the Secretary of the board.

    Ameh added that the essence of certification is to show that the content of the document is the same as the original.

    Responding, Yusuf contended that the document, being relevant to the proceedings, is admissible as relevancy determines admissibility.

    He said, the witness (Paradang) had testified that he made the document and sent it to the Secretary of the Board.

    On the issue of fees payment, Yusuf cited Section 104 of the Evidence Act to support his position that such requirement was not necessary in criminal proceedings.

    On the argument on who has custody of the document, Yusuf argued that the board is part and parcel of the Ministry of Interior and as such it is expected to superintend over the affairs of some parastatals under it.

    Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba adjourned to June 10, 2016 for ruling and continuation of trial.

     

  • Agatu killings: Dambazzau, Arase absence stalls investigation

    Agatu killings: Dambazzau, Arase absence stalls investigation

    The House of Representatives has asked the Minister of Interior, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) as well as the Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Solomon Arase to appear before its Committee on Police Affairs Thursday.

    The House may be forced to apply the instrumentality of the law to compel the state officials should they fail to comply with the directive, the summoned officials were warned.

    The invitation followed the failure of the Interior Minister, the IGP, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major Gen. Buratai as well as the Director General of the Department of State Services  (DSS), Musa Daura among others to appear before the Committee for a public hearing on the attack of some Benue communities by unidentified Fulani herdsmen.

    The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and the representatives of Fulani herdsmen were also absent at the hearing yesterday.

    In attendance were only officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Tiv socio-cultural association, Mdzough U Tiv (MUT).

    The leadership of the House expressed disappointment that the exercise that took great efforts to put together was met with such nonchalant attitude by some of the stakeholders.

    A visibly disappointed Chief Whip, AL Hassan Doguwa, who represented the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara regretted that most critical stakeholders failed to show up for the hearing.

    “If need be, here may be a need to revert to the constitutional powers conferred on the House to compel the absentee government agencies to attend the hearing and participate fully.

    “It is disheartening to the House to see that agencies that were particularly affected by the subject at hand were not here,” he said.

    Chairman of the Committe,  Haliru Jika, earlier in his remarks said the alarming influx of unidentified herdsmen into Benue State and the consequent threat to peace, life and property could not be overlooked by the House.

    “The problems caused by the Fulani herdsmen and the communities where the graze their herds has assumed a hydra-headed dimension seeking immediate solution.

    “The work of Committee is not to witch hunt but to seek facts and report back to the House,” he said.

    With the dismal attendance, Jika was forced to adjourn after a short execusive session of the Committee as he  willing to continue the hearing after MUT made its presentation.

    However, with several members of the Committee insisting that nothing would be achieved without the presence of the IGP in particular due to the sensitivity of the situation, the hearing was put off after the presentation of the Tiv group, MUT.

    MUT lamented the deterioration of relationship with the herdsmen that had barely 50,000 cattle but now having more than a million in the State.

    The group also alleged that chemical weapon might have been used by the herdsmen that have killed thousands since the outbreak of the attacks.

    “883 persons were killed in 2014 with 23324 displaced and properties worth N31.4 billion destroyed.

    “101 persons were murdered in Buruku, Logo and Tarka LGA in 2015 with 6650 displaced and properties worth N8.3 billion displaced.”

    The group also rejected the proposed grazing routes for cattle as a solution to the problem, “The cattle herdsmen go about with are not government cattle, so tax payers’ money should not be used to establish ranches for the Fulani.

    “Those who have cattle/livestock must find the funds to buy land where they can afford and establish ranches for their livestock,” the group noted.

     

  • FG declares Monday public holiday

    FG declares Monday public holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 30 as public holiday to celebrate the 2016 Democracy Day.

    The Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja.

    A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Bassey Akpanyung, quoted the minister as wishing Nigerians happy democracy day celebration.

    He assured Nigerians that with the signing into law of the 2016 Appropriation Act, the country would witness a “New Deal” with its full implementation.

    The minister noted that the 2016 Appropriation Act was laced with social intervention programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the populace.

    Dambazau congratulated Nigerians on the attainment of one year in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and enjoined all to continue to support the President in his sustained effort to build a peaceful, enduring and democratic legacy

  • Easter: FG declares March 25, 28 as public holidays

    Easter: FG declares March 25, 28 as public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 25 and Monday, March 28 as public holidays to mark the Good Friday and Easter celebrations respectively.

    The Minister of Interior, Retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration in a statement issued by the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The minister urged Christians and Nigerians in general to support and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.

    He further urged Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the nation.

    While wishing Nigerians and Christians the world over happy celebrations, Dambazau also reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the change agenda in the country.

  • Agatu killings: Minister urges IGP to fish out culprits

    Agatu killings: Minister urges IGP to fish out culprits

    Rtd. Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Minister of Interior, has urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, to fish out and prosecute the culprits of the recent killings in Agatu, Benue.

    Dambazau made the appeal in a statement issued on his behalf by his Press Secretary, Mr Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

    Dambazau decried the incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians in Agatu and other communities in Benue, by unknown gunmen, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter.

    “The perpetrators of this dastardly act are unwittingly testing the will and capabilities of government securities,’’ he said.

    The minister expressed his condolence to the government and people of Benue State over the incident and pledged government’s resolve to ensure the security of lives and property in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that incessant clashes between suspected herdsmen and communities in Agatu, had led to the killing of innocent Nigerians and destruction of property.