01032021 - Zamfara abduction’ll be the last, Buhari assures

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021—7 Police bust car-snatching, drugs gangs in Abuja, arrest 40 By Kingsley Omonobi FORTY suspects have been arrested by the FCT Police Command for car-snatching, drug peddling, armed robbery and other crimes along Abaji, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Jabi-Daki Biyu and Mabushi axis. The suspects were arrested during coordinated raids and patrols between February 18 and 24, 2021. Police Public Relations Officer, FCT, ASP Yusuf Mariam, said exhibits recovered from the suspects are one white Toyota Hilux; one ash colour Toyota Corolla; one locally fabricated rifle; 21 unexpended cartridges Bandits raid homes, beer parlours, abduct 3 in Niger By Wole Mosadomi M INNA—THREE persons were reportedly abducted by bandits that stormed some villages in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, yesterday. It was gathered that the main targets of the bandits were shops and beer parlours, where they could easily get cash and other valuables, especially edibles, to further sustain their mission The bandits reportedly raided shops on the outskirts of the town close to the official residence of the Divisional Police Officer of the town. A reliable source disclosed that the bandits, during the attack, moved from house to house for about three hours unabated. They were also said to have carried out the raid with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons. In each of the shops raided, the bandits made away with yet to be disclosed amount of money, valuables and scattered bottles of assorted drinks. Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area, Mohammad Nna, who confirmed the incident on phone to journalists, said: “The incident happened in the night and lasted for three hours. They went away with three persons, including a woman and we are yet to hear from them. “The bandits came with sophisticated weapons and I am sure that this must have scared the policemen from coming to the spot on a rescue mission,” the Chairman explained. He, however, said security agents were already notified and that they have swung into action towards rescuing those kidnapped. and one fabricated marking gun. “Among the suspects are Olamide Atanda, 29 and Osas Raphel, 32, arrested for snatching a vehicle after attacking and trampling their victim along Lugbe axis. The vehicle was recovered by eagleeyed Police operatives on stop-and-search operations along the Abaji axis. One silver colour Toyota Corolla was recovered. All the suspects have been arraigned in court except the carsnatching syndicate, that will be arraigned upon the conclusion of the investigation. “We enjoin residents to remain calm, law-abiding and comply with all COVID-19 regulations. Some of the suspects The suspects with the recovered car. Bandits kill 7 in Kaduna communities By Ibrahim HassanWuyo SEVEN people were reportedly killed by bandits in different parts of Kaduna State, weekend, with some sustaining different injuries. The Kaduna State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, yesterday, said two persons were reportedly killed while one sustained gunshot injuries when armed bandits attacked Kajinjiri village, Igabi local government area of the State. He gave the names of those killed as Ibrahim Rabi’u and Abdulrahman Mohammad while Kamal Murtala, sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at a nearby facility. He said bandits killed two locals identified as Alhaji Ibrahim Iro and Muhammadu Rabiu in Rago village, Igabi Local Government Area. Aruwan said in a separate incident, gunmen invaded Kutura station, Kajuru Local Government Area and killed three residents, identified as Michael Shadari, Clement Aura Bili and Danlami Shaban. Governor Nasir el-Rufai noted the reports with sadness and condoled with the families of those killed in both attacks while offering prayers for the repose of their souls. He also wished the injured victim from Kajinjiri village a quick recovery. Man falls to death from 2-storey building in Lagos By Evelyn Usman TRAGEDY struck, weekend, at 27, Alli Street, Lagos Island when a man, who was sleeping on the staircase of a two-storey building fell while trying to change position. The 25-year-old victim, identified simply as Halidu, was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead as a result of loss of blood from a deep cut in his forehead. Late Hamidu, a loader at Lagos Island, was said to have lived in the area for four years. One of his colleagues, who simply gave his name as Ismail, said: “The staircase served as home for my friends and many of us since we don’t have money to pay for house rent in Lagos. We load and offload goods for traders. "Last Friday, we all retired to the building. Halidu took his bath, ate and discussed with us before retiring to his side of the staircase. “By 12.20 am, we were alerted by a disturbing noise. Halidu had fallen from the staircase when he wanted to turn from one side to the other. He did not only land on the concrete floor, his head landed on an iron rod that pierced into his forehead. “We rushed him to the General Hospital but he was not attended to. Rather, we were asked to take him to the Orthopedic Hospital at Igbobi or the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. “By the time we got to LUTH, it was about 2.10 am (Saturday). The doctor on duty examined him and told us to take him back because he had lost much blood and may give up any moment. As we were taking him to Igbobi, he died. We had to take him back home. “When we contacted his family in Kebbi State, we were told to bring his remains to the village for proper burial. They said he had a wife and three children. "His corpse arrived at Kebbi State by 10.30 pm on Saturday. He was buried on Sunday morning.” Youths intercept vehicle laden with arms, ammunition in A-Ibom By Harris Emanuel UYO —Vigilant youths, weekend, reportedly intercepted a vehicle laden with arms and ammunition in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The vehicle, a blue colour Peugeot 307 with number plate: Lagos LND 133 EU, was said to be heading to Uko Nteghe Uda community when it was intercepted Vanguard gathered that the youths handed over the vehicle to the Police after the driver reportedly abandoned it and ran into the bush. Militants from Uko Nteghe Uda, last Thursday, invaded Enwang, headquarters of the council and destroyed several property, including the house of former Inspector General of Police, late Chief Etim Inyang, thus rekindling the embers of the simmering crisis over the disputed land. Responding to the inquiry, the Area Commander, Ali Sarbi, confirmed that the vehicle belongs to a military intelligence officer, but denied being used to convey arms and ammunition to the crisis-torn area. Sarbi said: “The vehicle belongs to a military officer. Even me, I am using my car. The vehicle belongs to a military intelligence officer, who was on the ground during the crisis.” Selong wades into communal crisis Meanwhile, Chairman of council, Mrs Precious Selong, has waded into the inter-communal crisis between Okuko and Umume in Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area. The two communities were said to have clashed over the harvest of palm trees leading to the killing of one person while two others were injured. Selong said she has set up a Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee to look into the matter and ensure a lasting solution to it. Trader arrested for raping, impregnating mentally challenged woman in Lagos By Esther Onyegbula OPERATIVES of the Lagos State Police Command are currently investigating a 38-year old trader, Ikechukwu Nweze, for raping and impregnating a mentally challenged woman in the Ikorodu area of Lagos. It was learned that a few months ago, Ikechukwu Nweze took advantage of the victim’s mental condition, who had gone to purchase some items from his shop, and had carnal knowledge of her. However, trouble started when the victim’s mother, Margaret Adebayo, discovered that her daughter had become pregnant. According to Margaret Adebayo, who lives at 26, Bolumade Avenue, Omitoro area of Ikorodu, “it was after my daughter became pregnant Ikechukwu, the suspect that I knew what had happened. “When I questioned her, she revealed that it was Ikechukwu that was responsible for her pregnancy. She said that the incident happened when she went to Ikechukwu;s shop to buy something, adding that Ikechukwu took her inside his shop and had sex with her. Confirming the arrest, spokesperson, Lagos State Police Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said on February 22, one Margaret Adebayo of 26, Bolumade Avenue, Omitoro, Ikorodu reported that her daughter (name withheld) went to Ikechukwu shop at Imito. Ikechukwu took her into his shop and had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim. Adejobi further explained that immediately the case was reported to the police, the police swung into action, the victim was referred to Mirabel Centre for a medical test while the suspect has been arrested. Meanwhile, the case has been taken to Gender Unit, Ikeja for further investigation.”
8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021 :Vanguard News DMO denies receipt of N2.2trn 2018 budgetary allocation •Says it can only account for N721, 251, 798 •As Reps query accountant-general over unaccounted funds By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA—DEBT Management Office, DMO, has denied the receipt of N2.2 trillion in its 2018 budgetary allocation. It said the money was not released to them but managed by the Office of the Accountant- General of the Federation. DMO’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Feyi Olumide-Akinyemi, gave the testimony at the ongoing investigative hearings into financial activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, by the House of Representatives Public Accounts Commitee, PAC, occasioned by audit query from the Office of Auditor General of the Federation. The DMO said although the figure was appropriated to them, they were only accountable for the sum of N721,251, 798 allocated to them. Olumide-Akinyemi said it was the Accountant General that was responsible for the fund, adding that they had made a case that the money be separated. She, however, added that the funds must have featured on their account due to a projection of cost the office made. “It does not come to our books. It does not come to our account. It does not reflect anywhere in our books. We do not have access to the other one and that is why we always say it should be separated. “During each process, the budget office requires the DMO to give them a projection of interest payments, so these are the interest projections we made that the government will bear on our domestic and external debts and then a provision to take care of local contractors which is the sinking fund,” the DMO official who appeared with a colleague said. Giving details of the N721, 251, 798 the Office received, Mrs Olumide-Akinyemi said N435, 768, 793 was for personnel cost; N110, 883, 005 for overhead cost, while N174, 600, 000 was earmarked for capital expenditure. She added that in the year under review, the Office received 89.74 percent of the personnel cost appropriation which she said was released through the office of the Accountant General. She also said that N64,000,000, represen-ting 58 percent of overhead cost was received, while the remaining amount from both items were mopped up automatically at the end of the fiscal year. Why Buhari should sign executive order on unexplained wealth —Ndume •Says Army must be better equipped with sophisticated weapons to stop insurgency By Henry Umoru ABUJA —FORMER Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, All Progressives Congress, APC, Borno South, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign an executive order on unexplained wealth as a powerful tool for financial investigation in the country. According to him, Unexplained Wealth Order must be domesticated in Nigeria as obtained in the United Kingdom. Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja weekend, Senator Ndume said if the just confirmed substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, must carry out his job effectively, it was imperative for President Buhari to sign the Unexplained Wealth Order, UWO. Ndume said the President should send the Order as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for approval, subsequent passage and signing into law. He said: “Unexplained Wealth Order must be domesticated in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari should sign an Executive Order on Unexplained Wealth to enable the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to work. ‘’If one is in a house more than his salary, government should go after such a person to explain how he got the money. Mr. President should send a Bill to that effect to the National Assembly to work on and pass.” It will be recalled that from January 31, 2018, new powers enabled the UK government to query “Unexplained Wealth” and seize assets whose funding source cannot be explained. The UK courts can grant Unexplained Wealth Orders and forfeit property for which the owners are unable to prove the source of fund. The properties will be transferred to the UK Government and sold to fund their law enforcement efforts. The senator, who kicked against plea bargaining, said that he was totally against it and anyone in the country who steals government money, irrespective of his or her position, must be brought to book and dealt with to serve as deterrent to others. Ndume said: “ I don’t support plea bargain, any one who steals Government money must be dealt with seriously.’’ On the new service chiefs, Ndume, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said there would be more synergy compared to the previous ones, considering the fact that the new Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Air Staff are professional colleagues, and family friends whose relationship dated back to their days at the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA. :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 VISIT: From left; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, during the Central Bank Governor's visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemical Complex, Fertilizer Plant & Subsea Gas Pipeline Projects, Lekki Lagos weekend. CBN plans to strengthen Naira, economy through $15bn Dangote refinery By Udeme Akpan THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has concluded plans to strengthen the Naira, and by extension the nation’s economy through the $15 billion Dangote Refinery. Specifically, the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who visited the Project at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, weekend, said: “We have taken the decision to sell the crude to the Refinery in Naira because we want to impact the economy. “We also hope that by the time the Refinery starts to refine, and sell its petroleum products in Naira, the local currency will be stronger, and by extension the nation’s economy, which is still oildriven.” According to him, this is expected to help Nigeria save about 41 per cent of its foreign exchange that is being expended on the importation of refined petroleum products. Emefiele, who noted that the first shipment of Urea from the Dangote Fertiliser Plant would begin in March 2021, said: “Based on agreement and discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the oil companies, the Dangote Refinery can buy its crude in Naira, and refine it for Nigerians in Naira’, said: “That is the element where foreign exchange saved for the country becomes very clear. We are also very optimistic that by refining this product here in Nigeria, all those costs associated with either demurrage from import, costs associated with the freight will be totally eliminated. “This will make the price of our petroleum products cheaper in naira. If we are lucky that what the refinery produces is more than we need locally you will see Nigerian businessmen buying small vessels to take them to our West African neighbours to sell to them in naira. “This will increase our volume in naira and help to push it into the Economic Community of West African States as a currency.” Expressing confidence that the refinery would be completed by the first quarter •As fertilizer plant comes on stream March of 2022, Emefiele, said: “I am saying that by this time next year, our cost of import of petroleum products for petrochemicals or fertilizer will be able to save that which will save Nigeria’s reserve. It will help us so that we can begin to focus on more important items that we cannot produce in Nigeria today.” Emefiele said the CBN had given a N100 billion intervention to the projects, adding that the apex bank is ready to support Nigerian busines-ses set up to uplift the country economically. Also speaking Aliko Dangote said that the fertilizer and petrochemicals plants are capable of generating $2.5 billion annually while the refinery would serve Nigeria and other countries across the world. Dangote, who expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN Governor for their support toward the completion of the projects, said they would create additional jobs for Nigerians. “He said: “I will like to thank the president personally for helping us and assisting us in making sure that we are now back on track. “Mr President personally wrote a letter to the president of China and asked Presidency directs FIRS to remit NASENI statutory cash to boost technology AS part of steps to boost Science and Technology development in the country, the Presidency has directed the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to remit the statutory deductions accruable to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI. The agency may soon get one to two per cent of the Federation Account as contained in its establishment law. The directive followed the upholding of the decision of the Governing Board of NASENI, which is headed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the chairman. The directive has also been communicated to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. In the NASENI Establishment Act 2004, FIRS is statutorily expected to deduct and remit to it a quarter per cent of the levy on turnover of firms earning over N100million and above. Although NASENI was established in 1992, the law guiding its funding has not been complied with by successive governments. But in January, President Muhammadu Buhari decided to ensure total compliance with NASENI Act. Buhari has also approved the placement of NASENI directly under the supervision of the Presidency instead of the Ministry of Science and Technology. According to a letter from the Presidency, signed by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the FIRS has been directed to remit the deducted levy on turnover as approved by Buhari. The letter said: “I write to inform you that on 24th January 2021, Mr. President approved the prayers of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) on the funding of NASENI activities. “In accordance with the NASENI Establishment Act, one of the prayers of the EVC relates to the funding of the agency via a levy on income or turnover of commercial companies and firms with turnover of N4million (later increased to N100million) by the NASENI Governing Board) at the rate of a quarter per cent( 1/4 %) of turnover. “Accordingly, you are kindly requested to act on the implementation of this provision of the NASENI Act as soon as possible.” PFN condemns abduction of students in Zamfara By Sam Eyoboka THE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has condemned the abduction of students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State, by bandits. In a statement signed by Simbo Olorunfemi on behalf of Rev. Felix Omobude, National President, the PFN stated: “We are disturbed that this incident is coming on the heels of the abduction in Kankara, Katsina state and Kagara, Niger State. “The PFN empathises with the students, their families, the government and people of Zamfara state. “We urge all Christians to pray fervently them to bring the expatriates that we don’t have so that we can continue work. “During the coronavirus, you will remember that we had one or two cases when it started and everybody ran away from site but right now we are beginning to bring people back and we have about 30,000 people now.” He added: “The good part of it is that we have learnt a lot also and there are a lot of Nigerians that just need small training and they are doing extremely well. So now, we only need a small number of people coming from abroad just to give that training.” for the release of the students and for an improvement in the security situation in the country. “We call on government to intensify efforts at strengthening the level of security all over the country, with a worrisome upsurge in all sorts of criminal activities, with bandits, kidnappers and terrorists running riot. “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria urges the Federal Government to decisively step up efforts to guarantee that all Nigerians are protected, irrespective of faith, ethnicity or location, as security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government.’’
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01032021 - Zamfara abduction’ll be the last, Buhari assures

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