Bomb explosion rocks Yobe market

An explosion, suspected to be caused by a planted Improvised Explosive Device, has occurred at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. Channels Television reported that a resident of Buni, Ali Hassan said that the incident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday, injuring a girl. The name of the girl and her current state of health has yet to be known The spokesman of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Shehu also confirmed the incident, saying another IED planted in the market was discovered and successfully defused by the Army. He further explained the only victim of the explosion, is currently receiving treatment at one of the health facilities in Buni Yadi. He stressed the incident was a planted IED and not a suicide bombing incident. Buni Yadi, located 54 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital, was the most severely affected local government area in Yobe State during the two years it was under Boko Haram insurgent control.

Police Deny Selling Falomo Barracks

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Police headquarters in Abuja has described shocking and unfounded, trends of discussions on the dilapidated status of barracks and their redevelopment, specifically the Falomo Barracks and others in Lagos in social media dismissing allegations that the barracks have been sold. Rather the Police said the barrack along with others is being redeveloped in partnership with sub-national governments and reputable developers to unlock value in the assets by building more befitting and modern barracks Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi made this known on Tuesday. He said, “Following series of misleading write-ups and social media comments alleging that the Falomo Barracks land in Lagos State has been sold, it has become pertinent for the Nigeria Police Force to address the shocking and unfounded trends of discussions on the dilapidated status of barracks and their redevelopment, specifically the Falomo Barracks and others in Lagos. “While we appreciate the concerns and interests of concerned groups and individuals on the general welfare of police personnel, we aim to provide clear and accurate information about these unpalatable allegations. “Due to the critical state of several police barracks (including the Falomo Barracks) the NPF leadership conceived a partnership arrangement with sub-national governments and reputable developers to unlock value in the assets by redeveloping the barracks into more befitting and modern barracks – with complementary facilities and modern infrastructure. “The redevelopment of the barracks (including Falomo Barracks) is set to be speedily completed after which the occupants will be duly offered fresh accommodation in the redeveloped sites. “In specific terms, the occupants of Falomo Barracks Blocks A and B have each received a sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) only as a temporary relocation allowance. “This payment has been made to 347 families after a validation process to facilitate their temporary relocation. “It is important to note that this initiative is not limited to Falomo Barracks alone. “Similar redevelopment projects will be implemented across all police barracks nationwide over time. “This is a strategic effort to improve the living conditions of our officers and their families, which is a key focus of the current police administration. “The claims that the Barracks are being vacated and the pieces of land sold are false, mischievous, and a calculated attempt to cause unnecessary discord within the ranks of the NPF. “The improvement of these facilities is a priority for the Nigeria Police Force, and steps are being taken to address the issues effectively.

Police condemned for restricting peaceful NASU, SSANU protest in Abuja

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force for restricting a peaceful protest by non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities. Benson Upah, NLC’s head of information, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja. The protesting unions include the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). The police had prevented these unions from proceeding with their planned street protest in Abuja, aimed at addressing their four months of unpaid salaries and other related issues. The protesters had gathered at the Unity Fountain with plans to march to the ministries of education and labour and employment to submit their letters to the ministers. However, they were restricted to the Unity Fountain. FCT Commissioner of Police Beneth Igwe had informed the union members that the protest was confined to the Unity Fountain for security reasons. Upah noted that the peaceful protest by NASU and SSANU was a last resort after all other avenues to secure their salaries had been exhausted, especially since workers from other unions had already been paid for the same strike action. He argued that the police’s actions breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee freedom of association and speech. ”It is a violation of the Supreme Court ruling that citizens do not need the permit or approval of the police to peacefully protest and an insult to the dignity of self-respecting and law-abiding citizens. “In light of this, we demand an immediate police apology to NASU and SSANU members whom they violated. “We also demand the immediate payment of the withheld salaries. “We had had cause to write to government as well as issued a press statement on this matter in the recent past. “Government will be courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore our wise counsel,” he said.

Crypto Billionaire BLord Arrested For Terrorism Financing 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a crypto billionaire, Linus Williams, popularly known as BLord. According to a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, BLord was arrested for offences related to alleged internet fraud, terrorism funding, and violation of the CBN act based on complaints lodged against him and his company. Adejobi promised that the Police would do due diligence in the investigations into the allegations against the crypto billionaire and ensure Nigeria’s cyberspace is safe and secure. “The FCID (NPF-NCCC) is currently investigating complaints lodged against BLORD GROUP, BLORD REAL ESTATE LTD, BLORD JETPAYE LIMITED, and BILLPOINT TECHNOLOGY. “These offences include allegations bothering on cryptocurrency fraud, aiding internet fraud, computer-related fraud, terrorism funding, and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks. “We will do due diligence in our investigations. Our cyber space in Nigeria must be safe and secured by all means. We are committed to achieving that,” the statement reads.

IGP Suspends Enforcement Of Electronic CMR

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the suspension of the Proposed Enforcement Process on the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR).  The process was initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024. In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the relaxation of enforcement is to allow for massive enlightenment to highlight the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative, which is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles by collating data imputed into the system by vehicle owners, and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen amongst other values. The statement further explained that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform, but an initiative to digitalise policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigerian residents. While urging members of the public to obtain the digitalised CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng, the IGP warned all police officers, to desist from requesting e-CMR certificates, as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public under the guise of not having e-CMR certificates, will be sanctioned accordingly.

Buhari’s Minister Of Power, Sale Mamman Collapses In Court

The trial of Saleh Mamman, who served as the Minister of Power under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was postponed on Thursday after he fainted just outside the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mamman, who was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning for his trial, fainted before the proceedings began. The lawyer for Mamman, Femi Ate, SAN, informed Justice James Omotosho right after the trial was announced that Mamman needed to take his plea. When the trial resumed, the former minister entered the courtroom and took his place on the dock, with some of his clothing already soaked. Justice Omotosho then inquired about Mamman’s condition, asking if he was overheating or if it was raining outside. Mamman, from his position on the dock, replied that he had been drenched with water. The lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while speaking in court, mentioned that the trial for Mamman had been scheduled, but there was an unexpected incident outside the courtroom. Olumide-Fusika explained that he had a conversation with Ate outside the courtroom regarding Mamman’s health issues. “I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said. Addressing journalists on Thursday morning, Ate said Mamman, “Upon being brought into the premises of the court, he collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.” Ate stressed that his client (Mamman), was served with the charge after he was resuscitated. “He was served this morning,” he added. The senior lawyer requested a delay in proceedings from Olumide-Fusika to ensure the arraignment could take place on Monday, when his client would be in a better state. However, the judge informed them that the court was so busy with cases that the arraignment could only be rescheduled for the end of September. Following this, Olumide-Fusika decided to cancel the request for a delay. Olumide-Fusika mentioned that he had corrected a typo in the defendant’s name earlier that morning and asked the court to inform Mamman of the updated charge, hoping he would give his plea. However, Justice Omotosho opposed this request. The judge then inquired if Mamman was capable of giving his plea today, to which he replied in the affirmative. The former minister explained to the court that he fainted outside the courtroom due to not eating and the effects of the drugs he had taken. While waiting outside, his blood pressure dropped. Mamman, on the other hand, stated that he was in good health and ready to proceed with the arraignment. “It can happen to anyone,” the judge said. The former minister stated to the judge that he notified his attorney about the mistake the EFCC made regarding the name included in the arrest warrant they presented to him. “I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said. However, Justice Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment until 1 pm today.

PDP asks IGP to stop pro-Wike lawmakers from disrupting governance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to caution the 27 ousted members of the Rivers State House of Assembly against actions that could disrupt Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. In a press statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba noted that these lawmakers, who had pledged allegiance to former Governor Nyesom Wike, openly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ologunagba cited the 1999 Constitution, stating that their defection disqualifies them from holding legislative positions in the assembly, and therefore, they lack the authority to convene or issue directives to the governor. Ologunagba, in the statement, said, “The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the umpteenth time, cautions the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who lost their seats upon defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) @OfficialAPCNg to desist from actions and utterances that are capable of disrupting peace and governance in the State. “The Party counsels the former lawmakers to wake up to the reality that they are no longer members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by virtue of the self-executory provision of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and as such cannot gather or issue any notice to the State Governor in the capacity of members of Rivers State House of Assembly,” he explained. According to the party’s national spokesperson, the caution followed the former lawmakers’ purported seven-day ultimatum issued from an unknown location to the governor to re-present the 2024 state’s budget already passed and signed into law. Ologunlagba said the action by pro-Wike lawmakers’ seeking to assume the powers of the state assembly “is apparently with the intension to cause crisis, undermine and disrupt the Democratic and Constitutional Order in the State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” “Having irretrievably lost their seats upon their defection from the PDP, the political Party platform upon which they were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly, they cannot enjoy the powers, rights, privileges, recognition and obligations of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” Mr Ologunagba insisted. The party, therefore, charged the IG “to note the subversive action of these former lawmakers and take immediate action to protect the Institution of Democracy, peace and security in Rivers State.” He also urged the state’s residents to stay vigilant, uphold the law, and collaborate towards maintaining stability, peace, and the delivery of democratic benefits under the party’s leadership.

Police release prankster, Zfancy on bail

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the release of a skit maker and prankster, Zion Ubani, better known as Zfancy. Recall that the NPF-National Cybercrime Centre had on Thursday, July 4, arrested Zfancy in Abuja over prank videos accusing him of heinous crimes, including rape. However, the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in an update on Wednesday, said the skit maker was released on bail. In a statement, Adejobi said the young man was released to the executives of the Practitioners of Content Creation, Skit-Making and Influencers Guild of Nigeria, PCCSIGN. According to him, the delegation was led to the Force Headquarters by Tokoni Peter Igoin, Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation. “The videos were later found to be scripted. “He has been warned to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest. “While encouraging positive creativity amongst the youthful populace, the NPF urges content creators to responsibly use social media and avoid spreading misinformation that may incite public disorder,” Adejobi said.

More woes for Yahaya Bello as EFCC placed him on interpol watchlist 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has placed former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on INTERPOL’s watch list in three North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria. Recall that the ex-Governor had earlier been put on the watch list of Egypt, Libya and Sudan. The anti-graft commission said the recent action followed an intelligence that the Bello may try to run to any of these countries. The watch-list was also activated ahead of the July 17 expected appearance of the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja. Bello is facing a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N80.2billion. The ex-governor has denied the allegation and has consistently failed to appear before the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite on June 13 and June 27.   At the last hearing, Bello filed an application for the transfer of his trial to the Federal High Court, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. Speaking on the situation, the EFCC source said, “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa. “We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile. “From Singapore, the EFCC executive chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor. “He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted. “The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa. We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been bidding time not to be available for arraignment. “We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid bad precedent.”

27-Year-Old Steel Company Worker Dies in Ogun Factory Incident

Yahaya Ibrahim, a 27-year-old worker at KAM Steel Integrated Company, tragically lost his life at the factory located along the Sagamu-Ogijo Expressway in Ogun State. Reports say that the fatal incident occurred when Ibrahim slipped and fell onto an engine roller while working early Sunday morning, around 4:50 am. The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the accident, noting that Ibrahim’s body has been transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital morgue in Sagamu. Police officers responded to the scene following a distress call and identified the event as an industrial accident.