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  • Fed Govt lauded on TraderMoni

    TraderMoni has been lauded for its impact on the citizens, especially, the poor people in both the rural and urban areas.

    The TraderMoni initiative is a key element in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s Social Investment Programmes. Its predecessors are MarketMoni and FarmerMoni. They fall under Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) under the Office of Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, according to a statement.

    Speaking at the inaugural TraderMoni town hall meeting in Taurani Market, GEEP Chief Operating Officer, Uzoma Nwagba,  said the town hall meetings would provide an avenue for the beneficiaries to engage directly with the different stakeholders such as officials from the implementation partner, Bank of Industry (BoI); financial institutions and partner organisations from the private sector.

    Read Also: TraderMoni loans not for election, says Presidency

    According to him, beneficiaries will also benefit from business advisory services to guide them in the utilisation of the funds for their businesses.

    He said the process of receiving cash out of the TraderMoni loans have been simplified and more transparent through the printing of lists of approved applicants which is vetted by the market leaders.

    Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Investment Programmes, Barr Ahmed Isma’eel said the market leaders have been empowered to take ownership of the programme and ensure that the process runs smoothly.

  • Revisiting the Next Generation report III

    As we continue our discussion on the 2010 “Next Generation” report, it will be imperative to focus on an area that has been a source of concern to many: Nigeria’s growing population. I have written over four articles on this subject over the years. Recall that the “Next Generation” report is a series of global British Council research focusing on the attitudes and aspirations of young people, and the policies and conditions that support them in becoming creative, fulfilled and active citizens.

    The research projects examines young people’s views around education, employment, and lifestyle, as well as uncovering their hopes and fears for their country, their degree of international engagement and views on the wider world, and the values and beliefs that affect their lives. A ‘Task Force’ of some eminent Nigerians chaired by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at that time the Managing Director of the World Bank and later the Minister of Finance, was convened to explore Nigeria’s future at a time of rapid demographic, social, and economic change.

    In the chapter titled: “Dividend or Disaster: understanding Nigeria’s demographic choices,” the report drew a parallel between Nigeria and many countries that have experienced similar demographic challenges over the past 50 years prior to 2010. The essence was to draws on this international experience by providing a strong base of evidence on which effective policies can be built upon by policy makers.

    The report pointed out that: “demographic dividend is a concept that is well understood by economists. The window of opportunity opens as fertility and youth dependency decline, and the working age share of the population rises. The East Asian countries saw a sharp increase in the number of young adults in the workforce from the mid-1970s onwards, a period that coincided with the region’s economic ‘miracle.’ One third of growth in this period can be directly attributed to the favourable demographic conditions the region was experiencing at the time.”

    But as it rightly pointed out, demography is not destiny. “Countries can only collect their dividend if young workers are healthy, adequately educated, and able to find productive employment. Robust financial markets help too, allowing adults to save for their retirement while generating the capital that can provide a further boost to growth. All this requires an effective government, a strong society, and relatively high levels of peace and security.

    If these factors are not in place, a country will miss its opportunity. The damage may be subtle at first, with decades of underperformance followed by crisis as the baby boom generation reaches retirement.”

    What should frighten us now is the reality of some of the factors the report said would happen if certain actions were not taken. For instance, if young workers are not healthy, adequately educated, or being able to find productive employment, the outcome maybe glaring. “The results may also be much more dramatic, as large cohorts of unemployed or underemployed young people destabilise their societies, fuelling crime and creating conditions where civil conflict becomes more likely. Instead of collecting a dividend, a country that is not well prepared to make the most of its baby boom generation can find itself in the midst of a demographic disaster.”

    I watched a video clip of a demonstration by a group that took place in Abuja last year, and immediately this report came to my mind. I saw a young man atop a fast moving vehicle – movie style, except that it was in real life – trying to use his fist to smash the windscreen while the driver of the vehicle swerved in an attempt to get the intruder off his vehicle. The same daring feat was carried out on the Nigeria Police armoured water canon vehicle. These are some of the individuals we may have wittingly or unwittingly created through serious policy lapses.

    In analysing the seriousness of the demographic risks the country faces, the report had an “upside” and a “downside.” It stated that during the current decade (2010 era), Nigeria’s economy experienced relatively robust growth, with annual per capita income growth far outstripping its historical performance by most measures. “Assuming Nigeria maintains this growth; Nigerians would see significant improvements in their standard of living. By 2020, the average Nigerian could expect to have 48% more income than today. By 2030, his or her income would have more than doubled. Such a sustained period of growth would have a transformational impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

    We are today one year shy of 2020 and we all know what the conditions are; Nigeria was not able to significantly accelerate the transformation of its economy. Task Force research modelled a scenario that includes two economic drivers that are at the heart of the demographic dividend: an expanding labour force and steady improvements in life expectancy. Their impact on Nigeria’s prospects would be substantial as “31.8 million people are taken out of poverty by 2030, showing the potential of the demographic dividend to transform lives.” This certainly has not happened.

    Moreover, the research suggests that the dividend could be larger if its effects are augmented and supported by much-needed investment in human and social capital. At 48 years, life expectancy in Nigeria is still shockingly low and is projected to increase only to 56 years by 2030. “We explore what would happen if health improvements raised life expectancy to the current developing-country (excluding China) average of 64 years by 2030, which would correspond to Nigeria achieving a significant degree of catch-up by 2030 to income-adjusted global health standards. We also look at the impact of steady improvements to Nigeria’s institutions, where the country continues to lag well behind international standards on indicators including corruption, rule of law, and public sector efficiency.”

    Again, as it pointed out, the results are striking. Although the impact of better health and institutions looks modest in percentage terms, adding about two percent to per capita GDP in 2030, its true impact is in terms of lives, bringing another 2.3 million people out of poverty. Over the next generation, Nigeria’s demographic wave could bring huge benefits to its citizens – halving poverty and nearly trebling per capita incomes in a generation. Again, this has not happened.

    On the “downside” of the equation, the report noted with concerns that at the same time as Nigeria’s opportunities are increasing, its risks are multiplying. “Demographic change does not take place in the background. It heralds a profound and deep-seated transformation to all facets of a society, and many of these changes are already being felt in Nigeria. In 1960, fewer than 7 million people (17% of the population) lived in the country’s towns and cities. Today, Nigeria is half urban, half rural. Over the next 20 years, the urban population will almost double, increasing by 65 million (64% of the population).”

    This will come with enormous challenges as is being felt in major urban cities across the country. Nigeria’s urban centres are very different in character from its traditional villages. Kinship structures are weaker and families are smaller. Young people – especially those in cities – tend to have very different attitudes and expectations than their parents – and the sheer size of the new generation ensures that it will be an influential, and potentially disruptive, force.

    And as the report stated, these social and cultural changes are unsettling, but they can have a positive impact with certain conditions in place. Young urban countries can be powerful engines for innovation, but only if the society is sufficiently robust to adapt to new pressures and demands. “Weak states, with stagnant economies, are more likely to find themselves overwhelmed by the demands placed on them, leading to a vicious cycle of failure and decay.”

    In the worst case, Nigeria will find that: growing numbers of young people are frustrated by a lack of employment opportunity. Competition for jobs, land, natural resources and political patronage fuels violent conflict between groups. This unrest is exacerbated by the growing impact of climate change on weather patterns, water and other resource availability, and agricultural productivity.  Cities lack the resources to cope with the speed of their growth and become increasingly dysfunctional and lawless.

    It would appear we are witnessing some of these outcomes already.

  • Beyond N270b abandoned constituency projects 

    Budget preparation is strictly a function of the executive. The legislature debates, examines and authorizes spending of public revenue. To protect the interest of their constituencies, the legislature, like all other actors such as NGOs, pressure groups and international donors, are expected to lobby the executive at the budget preparatory stage.  The constitution clearly identifies areas of cooperation between the two arms of government in the budgeting process as implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Absence of constitutional ambiguity has however not stopped massive corruption in the name of constituency projects by the legislature and their collaborators in the executive.

    Between 2011-2016, N350billion was appropriated by the National Assembly in respect of about 2,516 projects spread across the country. Those projects according to Civic Technology Organisation-BudgIT never took off even after full payment had been made. In its July 2016 survey of 436 projects across 16 states, 211 projects covering water bore-holes, rural electricity and roads projects and primary health centres designed to alleviate the suffering of the poor according to the body were abandoned.  The legislature was soon to confirm that the whole idea of constituency projects was designed to serve none but themselves.  In July 2016 Abdul Mumin Jibrin while reacting to his removal as chairman of the appropriation committee following a claim he ‘unilaterally padded the 2016 budget to the tune of N4.1 billion to his Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in Kano State attributed his travails to his refusal to ‘admit into the budget almost N30 billion personal requests from Mr. Speaker and the three other principal officers”.

    Not much has changed under President Buhari. In 2015, speaking at a one-day summit organised by the House of Representatives and Conference of Speakers in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), the then Secretary to Government, Babachir Lawal, told Nigerians that his principal was posed to change the practice whereby “constituency projects had been the conduit pipe through which lawmakers embezzled money”.

    Only last Saturday, four years after that solemn promise, BudgIT’s Tracka’s Head, Ilevbaoje Uadamen told Nigerians that “Constituency projects costing about N270 billion, nominated by federal lawmakers between 2015 and 2019 are lying uncompleted or poorly implemented across the country”. He also drew attention to   ”wasteful empowerment projects” in the 2019 Zonal Intervention Projects which according to him account for N58 billion of the N100 billion budgeted for Constituency Projects.

    If anything has changed, it was that the  8th assembly law makers became more daring intimidating  ministers and threatening to impeach vice president Osinbajo  as Acting President for criticizing diversion of  budget allocations from government critical projects to law-makers’ pet  constituency projects. They even held the nation to ransom by sitting on the president’s budget proposals for six months.

    The government however appears determined to continue the battle with the law makers. The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye recently inaugurated the Constituency Project Tracking Group (CPTG) steering committee with members drawn from ICPC, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Media and other stakeholders such as the National Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) to look into federal constituency projects that had been funded from years 2015 to 2018.

    But I think the new initiative is bound to fail. Massive budget fraud in the legislature with active connivance of a few in the government is a mere symptom of our crisis of nation building. The current system, everyone agrees is not built on justice. The leaders have no faith in a system while the led have no axe to grind with their representatives who are in Abuja sharing a national cake that belongs to everyone but to no one. As for the led, prof Wande Abimbola, former vice Chancellor of University of Ife  and a former senator says : the peoples mindset is  “we vote them (the law makers)  to go and steal and bring home the loot”  He narrated how on one occasion while travelling from Ibadan to Lagos in danfo(commercial bus) the other passengers who did not know he was sitting in front had wondered why a former senator like him would be going around by taxi with one in fact suggesting “people like him who could not steal should not be voted”

    If the president really wants to know, the constituencies whose war he sets out to wage do not begrudge their leaders for collecting their own share of Abuja free cake. They are at peace with their Obas and his traditional chiefs who receive 5% of LGA Abuja free allocation without doing any work They have no axe to grind with their local council counselors who put off massive building after six months in office, their Abuja representatives who without asking  what the people want institute  irrelevant empowerment progammes , give out free motor cycles, sewing machines to favoured members of the community or nominate members of the community as contractors for projects that had been designed to fail.

    It will also interest the president to know that the same constituencies will ensure no one toys with funds contributed at village level by villagers for development of their communities. No one steals from his community. In the first republic, no one, and not even the federal government dared toy with funds generated through the labour and sweat of the people in the regions. It was said the western region once threatened secession from the federation if anyone touched cocoa money they were using to prosecute their free education programme.

    But unlike during the first republic when the state was strong with stakes holders sustaining it with revenues they generated from their regions, the Nigerian state today is an orphan with Abuja, a no man’s land. This is why none of the law makers accused of constituency project fraud or who according to Wall street Journal receives between N160m-N240m annually as constituency allowances, the bulk of which goes into the kitting of the law makers’ political war chests and their loyalists have been reprimanded or recalled by their constituencies since 1999.

    It is also on record that in the first republic, poverty reduction was through creation of self-sustained and skill acquisition programmes for rural people as against today’s free gift of commercial motor cycles and sewing machines procured through Abuja funds that belong to everyone but no one. Effective constituency projects such as roads, provision of health care facilities, construction of class rooms, school laboratories and libraries were funded through the taxes of the people and their farm products as against current practice where according to Tracker, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) allocated N1.5b in the 2019 budget for ‘for provision of ICT, Mathematics, and English language textbooks for JSS1-3’ with no details of the states, local governments and senatorial districts of beneficiaries. It is obvious why similar government efforts since 1999 have only earned us a place in Guinness Book of records as a nation with over ten million children of school age out of school

    The problem is our dysfunctional structure. And to get government off our back, we must end mainstreaming which we embarked upon in 1970 when our current leaders resuscitated the dead British policy that allowed them seize resources of conquered territories for ease of administration. After seventy years in the wood we need to retrace our steps back to the ‘path to Nigeria freedom’ never taken.

  • Aregbesola calls for change of attitude by Nigerian youths

    Nigerian youths have been urged to change their attitude/values and pursue those things that will add to the development of the society.

    They were also advised to pursue their needs rather than wants so that they would not be involved in shady deals that could lead to unhealthy consequences.

    Former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated these at the launching of a book containing the opinions and suggestions of a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade on national issues tagged; “Eleniyan Perspectives.”

    The event held on on Wednesday at D’ Podium International Event Centre, 31B, Aromire Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Eulogizing Hon. Segun Olulade, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recalled that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was not keen on contesting for governorship of Lagos State in 1998, but that he was encouraged to vie for the office by him and others and that a lady presented Olulade to the party as her son to work with them.

    He added that Olulade was one of the few young men that devoted their lives to ensure that Tinubu became the Governor of Lagos State then

    In his lecture titled, ‘You can be what you want to be’, Aregbesola, who was the chairman of the occasion stated that predators take all they want to take, and that while predators are few, the preys are many.

    He enjoined Nigerians, especially the youths to discover their needs and separate them from their wants. “Needs are the things you require daily such as food, water, shelter and others.

    “Wants are things like houses, cars and others. A car is a necessity in our society, but your choice of cars should be according to your capacity.

    “Many people pursue their wants and forget their needs. Wants are expensive, but needs are not,” he said.

    The minister designate reiterated that he didn’t receive salary for eight years as the Governor of Osun State and that he never operated a bank account anywhere throughout his stay in office.

    According to him, “I lived in a government house, I passed government roads, my security was provided by the government. “Also, my children are old enough and the government provided my clothes.

    “My guests are taken care of by the government. I didn’t have a house of my own in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State as Governor for eight years, so what did I need a salary for?

    “It is now I am thinking of getting a house in Osogbo and I have been contacting friends to help me.

    “I have friends that have houses in Ilesha, Osun State, my home town who are begging people to live in the houses. Building a house there is a want and not need for me.”

    “Someone like Bill Gates set a goal that was beneficial to himself and to other people. He fulfilled his goal and has gone to other areas as a philanthropist.

    “Chief Obafemi Awolowo set a goal of providing free education for the people of the South West, which gave a gap of 50 years between the people of the South West and those from other parts of the country.

    “Many of us desire to be political leaders such as president, governors, ministers, commissioners, local government chairmen and others it is very easy, but you must work for it.

    “While some people have opportunities and are not prepared, others are prepared, but the opportunity has not come. “You must be prepared so that when the opportunity comes you will grab it.

    “A lot of people are poor because they are consumers and not producers. They spend more than they earn anytime and the wisdom of being rich lies in earning more money than you spend.

    “There must be self-restraint. Don’t indulge yourself. You must learn to save and invest,” he said.

    He however, advocated that investment should be taught in Nigerian schools from primary to tertiary levels and that investment comes with a price and sacrifice.

    He said that productivity is the act of adding value to everything one touches or he or she is asked to work upon, adding that the efforts that is put into achieving this is work.

    He said: “If you don’t produce or work to add value then you are a parasite.

    “The future belongs to the youths. The youths are here for a long haul. We should therefore be more concerned about them.

    “Young people are setting the pace such as Bill Gates, Mark Zucherberg and former British PM, David Cameroun, who turned the world around as leaders in their young ages.

    “We have the likes of the late Anthony Enahoro, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alaba Lawson and others, who became leaders as youths.

    “But today, our youths indulge in internet fraud, rituals and other vices.

    “Our youths should be ambitious and separate entertainment from knowledge. The future is knowledge driven.”

    Earlier in his welcome address, Hon. Segun Olulade said that it was a royal privilege to have the guests at the event.

    “I am indeed very grateful for the honour you have bestowed on me. In the 23 chapter book, I have detailed some of my thoughts on some national and international issues,” he said.

    The reviewer of the book, by Mr. Babajide Otitoju said that Hon. Segun Olulade had broken records by representing Epe Constituency 2 on two occasions in LSHA.

    Otitoju added that Olulade has hit a milestone on national discourse.

    He emphasized that”Eleniyan Perspectives” is a good book for the modern day fit for sale in any bookshop all over the world safe for some proof reading and editing in some areas.

    “The book is enlightening on critical political issues, and the writer spoke extensively on the legislature.

    “Hon. Olulade has enlightened the readers that debates are part of legislative activities.

    “His insight into power sharing formula is commendable. He reflects critically on political issues in the book.

    “The role played by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on nation building is well spelt out in the book.

    “He leveraged on the leadership prowess of Asiwaju Tinubu to develop the South West,” he said.

    Otitoju also commended Olulade for the role he said he played in Kogi State during the last governorship election in the state.

    “Olulade stood to ensure that good leadership comes out of Kogi State during the last election in the state.

    Present at the event were former speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Rt. Hon. Jokotola Pelumi, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and Speaker of LSHA, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,  who was represented by Hon. Tunde Braimoh.

    Others were Majority Leader of LSHA, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, Vice Chairman of APC, Lagos West, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, star musician, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, and Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji.

     

  • Court sentences 25-year-old man to death for killing friend over N20 loan

    A Kano High Court on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Umar Yakubu, to death by hanging for stabbing his friend,  Ibrahim Adamu, 22, to death  during an argument over N20 loan.

    Yakubu, who lives at Sabuwar Gandu Quarters in Kano, was convicted on one-count charge of culpable homicide, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code Law.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Dije Aboki, held that the Prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Supreme Court sacks Adamawa House of Reps member

    Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Lamido Soron-Dinki, told the court that on June 13, 2018 at about 11 a.m in Sabiwar Gandu Quarters, Kano, the convict asked the deceased to give him a loan him of N20.

    Soron-Dinki said the convict the stabbed the deceased in the chest with a scissors during an argument over the N20 loan.

    Soron-Dinki presented six witnesses before the court while the convict defended himself.

    NAN

  • 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open: Austria’s Gardos ready to rumble in Lagos

    Former European champion – Austria’s Robert Gardos has acknowledged the quality of players heading to the 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open but the France-based star is ready to rock the boat with the top stars.

    Being the second time the Austrian star will be heading to Africa but this time, he wants to make an impact when the tournament serves off on August 7 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    The Hungaria-born Austrian star admitted the timing of the tournament fits into his calendar in readiness for the new season. However, the former European Youth Champion is not going for vacation this time in the West African nation but hopes to make a statement in the tournament.

    “I think the tournament fits into my calendar for the new season preparation and I will try to make a good result for my ranking to qualify for the next Olympic Games in Japan.

    Despite not knowing much about the tournament, Robert Gardos believes he was convinced by some of the top players to be part of Africa’s elite competition.

    “I did not know much and I have never been to Nigeria before. I am aware it is a Challenge Plus tournament which has always been well organised in an exciting atmosphere,” he said.

    With a modest ambition heading to Lagos, Robert Gardos said: “I hope to play a good level of my game and hope to make it to the last eight and be among the top four in the men’s singles.”

    Recalling his maiden visit to Africa, the Austrian star said: I was in Egypt for a tournament a long time ago, where I also had a vacation. I have not visited many countries in Africa before and I hope to enjoy every moment in Lagos.”

  • 16-man Assembly panel to screen Lagos commissioner nominees, others

    THE Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday constituted a 16-man ad-hoc committee to screen Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for the state Exco.

    The Speaker,  Mudashiru Obasa, who read the list of the members of the ad hoc committee, said it would be headed by Rotimi Abiru, a fourth-term lawmaker, representing Somolu Constituency II.

    Other members of the committee are Jimi Mohammed (Ikeja I), Yinka Ogundimu (Agege II), Abiodun Tobun (Epe I), Setonji David (Badagry II), Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo I) and Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II).

    Others are Mojisola Alli-Macaulay (Amuwo-Odofin I), Rasheed Makinde (Ifako-Ijaiye II), Lanre Afinni (Lagos Island II), Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa II), and Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II)

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    The rest are: Suraju Tijani (Ojo II), Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo I), Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Apapa II) and Abdulsobur Olawale (Mushin II).

    The committee is to report back to the House in a week.

  • Makinde inaugurates panel to probe Ajimobi’s contracts

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a committee to probe contracts awarded by the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

    The inaugurated 10-man committee, headed by the Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Oyo State chapter, Mr. Damola Falade-Fatila, is to review contracts and projects awarded by the Ajimobi’s government between 2017 and 2019.

    The committee has a four weeks duration to carry out the assignment.

    Makinde conducted the inauguration at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat in the company of top government functionaries, including, the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, the Head of Service, Mrs. Amidat Agboola, Director General, Due Process Ms Tara Adefowope, Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Mojeed Ajibola, Executive Assistance (Admin) Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe, Special Adviser (Legislative Matters) Mr. Ademola Adejumobi, Special Adviser (Media) Mr. Jide Ajani, Chief Press Secretary Mr. Taiwo Adisa, among others.

    Conducting the inauguration, the governor said the committee was meant to examine the status of some of the ongoing contracts to ascertain if they were justifiably tied to the socio-economic development of the state.

    Makinde, who noted that some contractors were making claims on ongoing projects, added that the committee was to examine if the costs of contracts awarded were appropriate, and examine if the contractors were capable enough to deliver the contract in terms of quality and scheduled time.

    Falade-Fatila assured the governor that the committee will not disappoint the people of the state.

    The members of the committee include Mr. Seun Adelore, Dr. Idowu Oyeleke, Mr. F. O Omokemi (Cabinet Governor’s Office) and Mr. A. Popoola (Ministry of Finance and Budget).

    Others are Mrs. M. Adeshina (Office of the Head of Service), Mr. A Olabiyi (Ministry of Justice), Mr. S. Ogunjimi (Bureau of Public Procurement), Mr. T. Oduniyi (Office of the Auditor-General for State) and Mr. O. Popoola (Office of the Head of Service).

  • Gunmen kill three in Benue

    GUNMEN on Monday shot dead three persons in Katsina Ala, Benue State.

    The deceased were travelling to Makurdi in a private vehicle with the correspondent of Bussinessday, Benjamin Adesan.

    An eyewitness said the incident occurred near Kiilometre 5, Katsina-Ala-Makurdi Federal Highway.

    The journalist, who was returning to Makurdi from Katsina-Ala, boarded a public transport, but later changed his mind and opted for a private vehicle.

    He said the vehicle was believed to convey huge sums of cash by revenue collectors.

    Gunmen trailed the vehicle and opened fire on the occupants, killing three of them on the spot.   

    Police spokesperson Anene Kate could not be reached for comments last night.

    The Nation gathered that Adesan was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Makurdi.

    The bodies have been deposited in a mortuary in Gboko.

  • Police rescue seven kidnap victims

    THE police in Ogun State have rescued seven kidnapped victims, including the three employees of Lafia Hospital, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    They were reportedly rescued on July 27, inside Fidiwo/Onigari forest, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    It was gathered that their rescue followed a manhunt for suspected criminals said to have kidnapped the hospital workers on July 23.

    Police sources said Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu had ordered the deployment of air and ground forces in the forest to arrest the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

    Following this directive, it was learnt that Police Commissioner Bashir Makama mandated his deputies to carry out the mission and assisted them with technical and forensic investigation tools.

    Confirming the rescue, spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the victims had been reunited with their families.

    He said operatives raided area, forcing the kidnappers to push out their victims.

    “It was then we discovered that the victims were seven and not three. We discovered that four other persons were kidnapped on July 24, but the incident was not reported. Seven victims were rescued in all on July 27 and they have been reunited with their families.

    “We arrested a suspect who is believed to have taken part in the kidnapping. He is assisting the police in their investigation. Forty others were arrested during a raid of surrounding forests and vulnerable points. We recovered illicit drugs from them.

    “They are being investigated. Whoever is culpable among them will be arraigned. The command will not rest on its oars to ensure crimes become a thing of the past in Ogun State,” Oyeyemi said.

    An indigene of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has been linked to the July 23 abduction of three persons, including Kayode, the son of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lafia Hospital, Apata, Ibadan, Dr. Oladipupo Sule, by bandits on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The suspect, who was earlier convicted of kidnapping, was arrested inside Fidiwo/Onigari forest on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the Ogun State Police Command’s special force comprising Anti-Kidnapping, Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and detectives stormed the forest and smoked the bandits out.

    Kayode and two others – all said to be workers of Lafia Hospital, were rescued in the forest.