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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari approves enhanced salary structure for Police

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured that his administration will continue to give attention to the welfare and operational needs of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with a view to restoring its lost primacy in the internal security framework of the country.

    He spoke in Abuja during an audience with members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force at the Presidential Villa.

    They were on a “Thank You” visit following Buhari’s approval of Rank Salary Structure Adjustment, by which salary, allowances and pension of policemen will be increased.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also regretted that the inability of the police in their constitutional role as the frontline force in the prevention of crime, had led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.

    “From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people don’t feel secure until they see the military. I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.” he stated

    He observed that the more efficient the police is, the more confident the government and citizens will be.

    He said “The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes. In every town and village, there is the presence of the police.

    “From all these places, they should be able to forward first class intelligence to you on which to act.

    Read Also: Who says Buhari has not performed?

    “There is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the North-East, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country.

    “I congratulate you on the success you recorded against criminals taxing people and stopping them from their farms. We are expecting more from you,” the President told the police.

    Full-time Commissioner in the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), who represented the chairman, Musiliu Smith, had informed the President that the Rank Salary Structure Adjustment would enhance police welfare and morale.

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also assured that the police would redouble efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections throughout the country next year.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on the forthcoming elections at the end of the meeting, Ibrahim Idris said “We are ready; we have gone round the country; we have conducted several bye-elections which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next.

    “I am assuring all Nigerians that we are going to do our best in ensuring that we have a free and credible election next year.

    “Obviously, we have the equipment but if we can get more, we will appreciate it,’’ he said

    On the welfare of the Police Force, he said that he was excited with the whole commitment and efforts aimed at improving not only the salary but the training of the Nigeria Police Force.

    According to him, he expects more dedication and loyalty to government and people of Nigeria from the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

    Also Justice Clara Ogunbiyi said that the welfare of Nigeria Police needed to be enhanced because the idea of security had become critical.

    Policemen, she said, should be encouraged as the entire populace will like to see them perform maximally.

    She said “We are here on behalf of the PSC to appreciate the President Muhammadu Buhari for seeing it to enhance the welfare of Nigeria Police.

    “To enhance in their emolument generally and to see that things are improved not only in terms of salaries and allowances but also seeing that infrastructure is improved;  their working conditions, training expected of the police.

    “In our recent retreat; we were in Enugu and we saw that a lot of the training facilities are in deplorable condition.

    “We will want to see that our policemen are properly trained; and our police will be able to match up with any police force anywhere in the world,

    “This is one the reasons why we think we need to encourage the government to do that and the president is doing same in the right direction,’’ she said.

  • PDP urges N/Assembly to investigate killing of Nigerian soldiers

    …says Presidency condoning extra-judicial killings in Kwara

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to commence investigation into alleged compromises that led to the killing of over 100 Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents, particularly as the Buhari Presidency has refused to offer explanations on the matter.

    The PDP also accused the Presidency of condoning extra-judicial killing in the country and demanded an immediate forensic inquiry into the reported killing of a principal witness in the Offa robbery incident, Michael Adikwu, in the custody of the Kwara State police command.

    The main opposition party said investigation into the killing of  soldiers in Metele, Borno State, has become imperative given reports of compromises and alleged failure of the authorities to promptly act on a reported threat by insurgents to attack the base and other military locations in the area, a few days before the attack.

    A statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the probe has become expedient going by a disturbing video circulating in the public domain, showing soldiers, weeks before the attack, giving accounts of their neglect by the authorities, resulting in their vulnerability to insurgents.

    The statement said, “This is particularly worrisome given apprehensions that President Muhammadu Buhari has been distracting the military by dragging our Service Chiefs to participate in his re-election campaign activities, instead of concentrating on their statutory duties.

    “Moreover, the apparent insensitivity of the Buhari Presidency to the killing as well as alleged moves by the authorities to sweep the matter under the carpet has created despondency among the citizens.

    “The PDP therefore urges the National Assembly to unravel the compromises leading to the killing of our soldiers and those behind them”

    Read Also: 2019: We will end APC’s reign in Lagos — PDP

    Similarly, the party also insisted that an inquest into the extra-judicial killing of the principal suspect in the Offa robbery has become essential following conflicting reports by the police over the cause and circumstances surrounding the death in police custody.

    The PDP recalled that the police had initially claimed that the witness was killed in the course of arrest, but later claimed that he died in the course of investigation, only to again declare that he was discovered dead just as he was about to be taken to court.

    “The PDP notes that the conflicting reports by the police only point towards an attempt to cover a case of extra-judicial killing, ostensibly with a view to muting vital information and derailing the course of justice in the matter which has since assumed a political dimension targeted at key opposition leaders.

    “The PDP therefore calls for a public investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing, which will require an open questioning of all those involved in the arrest and detention of the suspect”.

  • ‘Caution Nigeria Customs over killings’

    Lagos State House of Assembly has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Nigerian Customs over reckless termination of lives while chasing rice smugglers.
    The House said the government must  commiserated with the family of those who lost their live in such occurrences.
    Hon. David Setonji, representing Badagry  constituency 2  spoke on the issue under matters of urgent public importance during plenary on Monday.
    Setonji recalled an unfortunate incident that claimed the life of one Mrs. Patience Oni and injured many others in his area on Tuesday, 20th of this month.
    The lawmaker appealed to the House to caution the Nigerian Customs before they kill more people.
    His counterpart, Hon. Ibrahim Layode from Badagry 1 suggested that the matter must not be swept under the carpet, he called on the Inspector General of police to ensure the prosecution of those arrested.

    Read Also: Buhari accepts Nigeria Customs chief’s resignation

    Contributing, Hon. Rasheed  Makinde representing Ifako-Ijaiye constituency 2 raised a similar issue on the floor about someone that was killed when some Customs officers were pursuing rice smugglers.
    According to him, this incident is now rampant in the State. “I wouldn’t know why customs officers will be chasing smugglers within the State, when their job is limited to borders.
    The Majority leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu 1 said that the Nigerian Customs must compensate the family of the deceased, saying that this would still not bring the woman back to life.
    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa emphasized the need to write to the President to caution Nigerian customs officers over their excesses.
    His words: “This shows that Nigerian Customs are inefficient to manage the borders. The Clerk of the House should therefore send a letter to the President on the prayers of the House.”
    Meanwhile, the House read for the second time a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Security Trust Fund law presented by Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho, Chairman House Committee on Information and Strategy.
    Lagos State audit  Law amendment bill was also read for the second time.
    The House committed the bills to the House Committee on Public Accounts (State) and directed the committee to  report back to the House in two weeks time.

  • Buhari postpones visit to Edo

    The Edo Government has said that the scheduled visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state slated for Tuesday, November 27, has been postponed.

    In a statement signed by Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the state government said that the visit has been postponed and a later date for the official visit will be announced.

    Read Also: Benin wears new look for Buhari’s visit

    The President had been slated to commission the Edo-Azura Power Plant and other state functions scheduled to hold in the state.

  • 2019: ‘No vacancy in Aso Rock’

    The State Chairman, All Progressives Congress(APC) , Jones Ode Erue has said Deltans are enthusiastic in their readiness to return President Muhammadu Buhari to power following his sterling leadership qualities.
    Erue made this known in a signed statement by Nick Ovuakporie, APC, Head Strategy & Communication, weekend in Warri , Delta State
    The meeting had in attendance leaders and party faithfuls including the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan.
    He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to developing the economy saying he has “performed tremendously in all sectors of the Nigerian economy and now consolidating on his achievements in order to move the country to the next-level”.
    He appealed to voters to vote ” leaders of impeccable characters clothed with untainted and unblemished integrity like President Muhammadu Buhari”.
    He stressed further that Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan is the kind of Senator he wants at the red chambers owing to his landmark achievements as Governor.
    He appealed to Deltans to vote enmass for Great Ovedje Ogboru as Governor and all candidates of the party and liberate the State from the tyranny of PDP misgovernance.

    Read Also: Buhari, President Vaz meet in Aso Rock

    According to Erue, “Ogboru is driven by strong passion for service delivery, he knows the pains of Deltans who are living in economic deprivation, fear of kidnappers,armed robberies, ritual killings,lies & deceit under the Okowa’s clueless administration”.
    He praised Deltans for their resilience in the face of the numerous challenges and urged them to elect leaders they could trust saying; “PDP is a disaster”.
    Erue said ” the blind can feel the infrastructural revolution of the Buhari administration in the areas of road construction, railways ,seaports, airports remodeling, and the reconstruction of the 2nd Niger Bridge”.
    Erue said an APC government in Delta State, will attract Federal presence to the State for quick development of decaying infrastructure.
    He said, ” Nigerians are more than ready to reward President Muhammadu Buhari with our votes for clearing backlogs of pension arrears, prompt payment of public servant salaries and for taking Nigerians from the poverty level through the social intervention programmes such as Npower, Tradermoni and the conditional cash transfer to those in dire need.”

  • ‘We will deliver 15 million votes to Buhari in 2019’

    Women and youth leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West zone have risen from their meeting to strategize on how to deliver victory to the party in the zone, saying that, they will mobilize 15 million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 elections.
    The North West Youth Leader, Sadiq Sani Fakai while opening the meeting said, the presidential election was just 82 days away, hence the need to strategize on how to mobilize support for the party and ensure its victory.
    He said, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has delivered good governance in all ramifications, but corrupt politicians are bent on rubbishing its achievements, therefore the youths must rise to promote the APC government’s achievements and canvass votes for it.
    Briefing newsmen shortly after the opening of the meeting, leader of the youth caucus and Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investment, Ismail Ahmad, said the meeting has mapped out strategy to deliver 15 million votes President Buhari in the forthcoming polls.
    He also vowed that they will work to reclaim Sokoto State and all legislative seats lost to other parties, both in states and National Assembly.
    According to him, “We have a lot of work to do, but we have a lot of opportunities to mine. As at January this year, there were 18.5 million registered voters in the north west zone and theere was opening again within the year, where we had encouraged more people to register and a lot of people were encouraged to collect their PVC as well, so the registered voters should be in the region of 20 million now.
    “We are going down to all the wards, all the local government area in all the seven states of the North West to mobilize for the people. Remember that in 2015, with the exception of Senator Danjuma Lah of Kaduna South, all the senators of The North West zone we were APC. All the governors of the North West for the first time since 1999 were APC, until recently when we had the defection of the Sokoto State Governor.
    “Our plan is to ensure that the party maintains that 2015 success and reclaim Sokoto State as well as all our legislative seats both at the national and state levels.

    Read Also: Corrupt leaders won’t escape jail, says Buhari

    “It is going to be a lot of work, what I have called on my colleagues at the north west level to do is not going to be easy, it is not going to be a tea party. We are aware that the contest is between two northerners, but we will do our home work well. Again, we know people appreciate performance that is glaring and the president has performed way above expectation in terms of real things on the ground, not just semantics.
    “This government has done a lot of work, but it doesn’t have many people speaking for it
    “So, we know in reality we cannot get hundred percent votes from the North West, but in 2015, north west alone delivered over eight million votes to the APC, this time, we will work hard and ensure that we deliver 15 million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari from the North West alone.
    “Talking about the aggrieved party members, Ahmad charged the youth not to leave the job of reconciliation to the reconciliation committees alone, but talk to aggrieved party members within their own domains.” He said.
    The zonal woman leader, Yahanasu Buba Ahmad in her own remarks at the meeting said, the women wing had concluded arrangements to organise 35,000 women rally for President Muhammadu Buhari next Tuesday.

  • 2019: Christians, Muslims have no preferred candidates, says Sultan

    … As CAN president urges youth to shun thuggery 

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on Saturday said Nigerians should hold President Muhammadu Buhari to his words that he will conduct a free, fair and credible 2019 general elections. 

    Abubakar disclosed that Nigerians should also know that Christian and Muslim leaders: “We do not have any preferred candidate for any elective post in the forthcoming 2019 elections. Everybody is our candidate. 

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to ensure violence free campaign and free, fair and credible 2019 elections. So we will hold him to his words. INEC should also take note of what the president said. Security agencies especially the police should take not of this. Let us deliberate and see who is the best to lead us out of this quagmire.”

    He said this during the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), Youth Wing second National Youth Summit themed: Towards Peaceful And Contribution Of Christians And Muslim Youth In 2019 General Elections In Nigeria,held in Abuja.

    He said that Nigerians should take a stand and not to be used by politicians and other stakeholders to cause violence especially during the forthcoming general elections. 

    Abubakar said that the second summit came at the time Nigeria have been politicised by the political class and that there was the need to sit as a family irrespective of their various religious. 

    He advised Nigerians to be untied and that the summit is aimed at contributing to peaceful participation of inter religious groups on the 2019 election. 

    The sultan called on the youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to instigate violence of any kind.

    His words: “This summit is better now as we are approaching the 2019 general elections. Nigeria has never been so tensed-up  as it is today. Everything is politicized. Religion is politicized, economy is politicized, including politics itself. We have seen politic in other lands and it is not as hot as our own. 

    “The youths are the foot-solders of tomorrow and it is necessary that we bring them together. There is so much apprehension yes. Our religions have never preach violence. So where did we get our own violent mood that we use children to kill, burn and destroy houses and properties. 

    “As religious leaders we are worried. The victims of election violence are not my children or yours, the victims are the children of the common men and women who cannot afford one meal a day. So why should we be used by politicians to commit crime. 

    Read Also: Sultan urges Nigerians to shun ethno-religious differences

    “Why won’t the politicians use their children for election violence, or their friends. Even  if it is the president, we will not be used by any politician. And the earlier we do that the better for us.”

    The president of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, also told youths not to allow themselves to be use by selfish politicians to cause mayhem during the 2019 general elections.

    Ayokunle said that youth should not allow disgruntled politicians to use them as political thugs by providing them with drugs and all sort of weapons to attack their own brothers because of political differences while their own children are schooling abroad. 

    He said that Youth should wake up from slumber and always see themselves as futher leaders instead of being cheap to selfish politicians.

    “Our youths should stay peacefully and not allow selfish politicians to use them in breaching the relative peace in the country. Whoever approaches you for thuggery, ask him to lead you in the act.”

    The CAN president, caution ahead of the elections, saying “any distraction or violence will only set our democracy backwards and affect all areas of human development”.

    He noted some of the challenges being experienced in the country are instigated by politicians while urging them to play politics devoid of acrimony and violence.

    Lamenting the security challenges across the country.

    In his remarks, the National Security Adviser to the President Maj.Gen Babagana Monguno, (rtd) represented by Brig-Gen Emmanuel Ndagi said that peaceful dialogue is the path way to peaceful coexistence.

    Monguno said that security is a collective responsibility, adding that Nigerians should stay peaceful. 

    He urged the youths to ensure that Nigeria achieve peaceful elections and that Nigeria’s President is working to ensure free fair peaceful and credible elections in 2019. 

    He, however, added that the Federal Government, religious leaders, politicians as well as youths have critical roles in preventing the used of social media to propagate fake news, hate speech and any act capable of instigating violence. 

    The United States of America Ambassador, represented by David Young, Deputy Chief of Mission of embassy in Nigeria, said that the US is committed to supporting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve credible elections in Nigeria. 

    Young commended the role NIREC in mobilising Nigeria’s Youths towards peaceful 2019 general elections.

    He advised that Nigerian youths should practiced their faith and put it into action by loving God and their neighbors with all their hearts,” for faith without works is dead” . 

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said government is working seriously for the success of the forthcoming 2019 general election.

    Idris who was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police  Raheed Akintunde vowed that both vote buyers and sellers would be dealt with without fear or favour.

    He urged youths not to allow themselves be used as political thug.

    It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had few weeks back given the assurance at the International Conference Center(ICC),in the Hague, Netherlands, where he assured the International Criminal Court that his administration would deploy every power within its reach to conduct free, fair and violence-free polls in 2019.

  • 2019 : Group backs Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat

    Also Buhari/Osinbajo, other APC candidate

     

    An independent political campaign group in Lagos, ‘Project LOUD’ has endorsed the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship/deputy governorship candidates in Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu/ Obafemi Hamzat for the 2019 election.

    The group also endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and all other APC candidates in the forthcoming election.

    Convener of the group, Prince Kenny Bakare made the call at a press conference he addressed at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island. ‘LOUD’ is an acronym for: ‘Lagos Of Our Dream’.

    While urging Nigerians to make conscious effort to see that the journey to 2019 is peaceful and orderly, Bakare called for a situation “where all parties and partners freely discuss their weight and justify their hopes on fair grounds,” adding that the journey should be raucous free and violence should be shunned.

    “Government, politicians, electorates, electoral bodies, observers, securities, all have a cogent and pivotal role to play in ensuring the journey is successful and hitch-free,” Bakare said.

    According to him, “Project LOUD goals and objectives are set in accordance with good vision and mission of All Progressives Congress contestants, the vision geared towards progress and development for the country and in the interest of the citizens alone”.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: I will focus on the poor

    Adding that the love for the country should be paramount and be made to suppress others aspirations, “we should disallow doubling the wealth of naysayers and bad wishes by comporting ourselves in the right direction”.

    Saying the group was officially endorsing all the APC candidates, the convener said, “ostensibly, the change maker (Buhari/Osinbajo) is here with another next level of moving Nigeria forward to the desired level of recognition in political development and sustainable society.

    “Sanwo-Olu is all about good governance, an all inclusive government, a listening government that would listen to everybody and respond swiftly,  a Lagos that would be good for all”, he said.

    Speaking on mobilizing and sensitizing voters especially at the grassroots, he said there are already structures in place in all the 57 local councils in the State and that by December 1 when governorship campaigns kick off they will all go into action.

    He called on all voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, “obviously it is less than 90 days, the country would be ready to elect new leaders, as such, as law abiding citizens, it is imperative for us to have our our Permanent Voters Card for the purpose of positive next level in the country”.

  • Offa robbery: Police diverting attention from case of extra judicial killing – Saraki

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has accused the police authorities of diversion in the alleged extra judicial killing of a prime suspect in the April 5, 2018 Offa robbery incident in which 33 persons were killed by the bandits.

    Police had reported that the suspect, Michael Adikwu had died in detention in prompting Saraki to demand inquiry into the circumstances that led to the suspect’s death.

    In response, the police authorities have said that the death of Adikwu would not in any way stall the trial of the remaining suspects.

    Police investigation had linked Saraki to some of the robbery suspects who claimed that they received empowerment from the President of the Senate and that they were in the past, used by Saraki to disrupt elections in Kwara State.

    But in a statement on Friday by his media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the President of the Senate said that the response by the Police was a mere diversionary tactic.

    According to him, the action of the police was aimed at evading the serious issues of human rights abuse, extra-judicial killing and politicization of criminal investigations.

    Read Also: Saraki has personalised Senate, says Ndume

    The statement clarified that when mentioned in his statement on Wednesday that he had been vindicated, Saraki was not referring to the outcome of a case which is just about to commence.

    Rather, the statement said he was pointing to the belated admission by the police that Michael Adikwu, the prime suspect, had died in custody, a fact that was initially denied by the police when he (Senate President) raised it a few months ago.

    He alleged a cover up by the police in the mishandling of the investigations and politicisation of the process, adding that the police authorities have continued to make inconsistent statements and committing more blunders.

    The statement said, “The police, while reacting to our disclosure that the prime suspect had died in custody, caused their spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, to respond that: ‘Michael Adikwu is in police custody in one of the South-west states…helping in the investigation’. The same Police have equally documented the claim that the suspect died during arrest. What a contradiction!

    “It is surprising that the Police which initially allowed the said Adikwu to grant interviews to several national newspapers while in custody, refused to inform the public that the suspect had died until the Attorney General of Kwara State mentioned it on November 21, 2018 in the course of his address to the High Court in Ilorin while applying to amend the charge sheet”.

    Saraki urged President Muhammadu Buhari to institute inquiry into the death of Adikwu because it has several implications for the country’s legal system and its engagement with the international community.

    This, according to him, was necessary, in view of the consistent allegations of human rights abuse and extra judicial killings against the Federal Government by the international communities and foreign rights organisations.

    He recalled that the international community has consistently cited issues of human rights abuses and extra judicial killings by Nigerian security forces for refusal to sell weapons to the Nigerian government in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    “One of the key issues those of us who have been engaging with the international community on the need for them to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism in the North-east region through supply of arms, provision of training and other technical aid has been confronting is that of the flagrant abuse of human rights and extra-judicial killings by our security agencies.

    “This is an instance of what these international partners complain about. The Presidency should make a point that the present government does not tolerate human rights abuse, extra-judicial killing, politically-motivated criminal investigation and refusal to comply with global best practices by security agencies by instituting an inquiry into the case of the death of this suspect”, Saraki added.

    The Senate President called for diligent prosecution of the Offa robbery case so that justice can be done to the innocent victims of the April 5 attacks, the suspects facing trial and the state whose peace was disturbed by the sad incident.

  • Insecurity: Buhari orders Defence Minister to parley with Chad

    President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali to Chad  for an urgent meeting with President Idris Deby and his defence counterpart on the deterioration of security situation on the Nigeria–Chad border.
    The insecurity situation has led to the recently increased Boko Haram terrorism in the area.
    This was disclosed by reliable sources on condition of anonymity in Abuja.
    One of the sources said “Nigeria has a Chad  problem in the Multi-National Joint Task Force, MNJTF put together to secure the Lake Chad basin areas and repel the Boko Haram terrorism attacks against all the countries neighbouring the Lake.”
    Stressing that Chad is believed to be having its own internal security challenges, he said that it has reportedly led to the country pulling away it’s own troops manning their own boarder around Lake Chad.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Navy deploys more boats in Lake Chad

    “That lacuna is being exploited by the Boko Haram terrorists, who go in and out of Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon to launch terrorist acts. This is a clear illustration of the fact that terrorism is beyond national borders.” he said
    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said he is aware that the Defence Minister is going to Chad.
    But that he was not aware of his mission to Chad.