Troops Neutralise Terrorists In Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo Operations

Troops of “Operation UDO KA II” in the South East conducted a clearance operation on terrorists’ hideout in Orsumoghu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra. Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, who stated this at the weekend in Enugu, said the troops neutralised two terrorists. He added that the clearance operation centred on suspected hideouts of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN). Unuakhalu stated that the terrorist group deployed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to slow down the troops, but the latter were undaunted. “The troops were able to dislodge the group; neutralised two of them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. “Items recovered from the camps included a pair of military boots, one military belt, five mobile phones, one binoculars, leather hand gloves and police head warmer. “Others were one locally-made handheld IED and four locally-made IED launchers (Ogbunigwe),” he stated. Unuakhalu added that troops of Sector 2 of the “Operation UDO KA II’’ arrested a suspected gunrunner on Thursday while on a search-and-rescue mission at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi. He stated that the suspected gunrunner, one Francis Nwekire, 63, was arrested in his house with 48 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition. “Additionally, a suspected Effium Militia in Ebonyi was arrested and he led troops to their hideout. “Items recovered from the hideout were one AK 47 rifle, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and one AK 47 magazine. “Both suspects are presently in troops’ custody for further interrogation,’’ he stated. Unuakhalu also stated that troops of Naval Base, Oguta, under “Operation UDO KA II’’ began “Operation IRON TETE’’ on Friday to flush out IPOB/ESN elements from Agwa community in Imo. He added that during the operation, an identified member of the group, a known local gun fabricator nicknamed “Packing Store’’ was neutralised. He stated that items recovered during the operation were one pump-action rifle, one locally-made pistol and a head warmer with IPOB inscription. “Operation UDO KA II calls on law-abiding citizens of the Southeast not to relent in providing timely, credible and reliable information that will assist in ending this menace in the region. “Operation UDO KA II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,’’ Unuakhalu stressed. 

NCAA lifts suspension on XEjet operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it lifted the suspension on the operations of XEjet Airline following the resolution of an aircraft insurance challenge with one of the airline’s planes.  According to a letter signed by Director General Civil Aviation, Capt Musa Nuhu, after considering the submission of the airline and confirming it met regulatory compliance, the suspension was lifted. The document titled: Lifting Of Suspension On Your Air Transport Licence (Atl) And Air Operators Certificate (AOC) reads: Further to the NCAA’s letter on the above subject matter referenced NCAA/DGCA/GC/8/16/628 and dated 30 August, 2023, the Authority hereby lifts the suspension on your ATL and AOC after considering your submissions.  “Consequently, you have been cleared to exercise the privilege of your ATL and AOC.” Speaking on the issue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XEjet, Mr. Emmanuel Iza said: “The suspension is within the regulatory framework and we want to thank the Authority for diligently doing its work. We are happy to be back and we will continue to deepen our safety consciousness. “We sincerely thank you all for your patience, unwavering support, understanding and cooperation. We look forward to continuing delivering our premium services to you. Your safety and security is always of utmost importance to us.”

NDLEA seizes 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in 3 states, FCT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives intercepted at least 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in Gombe, Adamawa, Ogun and other parts of the federation between August 21 and August 23. Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that NDLEA officers recovered an abandoned vehicle on Darazo Road in Gombe State containing 373,420 tramadol and diazepam pills on August 21. He added that operatives also recovered 60,000 pills of tramadol from a suspect travelling in a commercial Toyota Starlet car from Kalaa village to Mubi both in Adamawa on August 22. “Operatives raided the home of a drug dealer in Ibafo area of Ogun on August 23 and recovered 81,000 tablets of tramadol weighing 32.4kg. “In the FCT, operatives intercepted two consignments of suspected skunk with a gross weight of 1,242.1kg. “The first consignment of 665.1kgs was seized from a truck in Abuja on August 20, while the second one, weighing 577kg, was recovered during a stop-and-search operation on Lokoja- Abaji Expressway. “The consignment was concealed in an online shopping company’s goods delivery packs conveyed inside a containerised truck. The driver and his assistant were arrested,’’ he stated. Babafemi stated also that NDLEA operatives conducting stop-and-search operation on Jebba-Minna Road linking Kwara and Niger intercepted a commercial truck conveying goods from Lagos to Katsina on August 22. The truck had 37.5kg of suspected Indian hemp hidden among other items inside it, he added. The driver and his assistant were also arrested for investigation. “In Yobe, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle on Potiskum (Yobe)-Gombe Road on August 23 “Three suspects in the vehicle were arrested with 133 blocks of suspected Indian hemp weighing 62kg,’’ Babafemi also stated. 

Alkali pledges to reactivate road, rail transport operations

The newly appointed Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Àhmed Alkali, has assumed office, with a pledge to reactivate road and rail transport operations in the country. The Minister gave the assurance in Abuja during his first day in office, saying he will collaborate with relevant Ministries, Agencies, and corporate entities to make this possible. Similarly, Sen. Alkali said that his administration will carefully study the prevailing economic trends, as well as undertake the provision, modernization, rehabilitation, planning and development of the rail transport sector with efficient security services to support the realization of the primary purpose of government. This initiative according to him, will no doubt maximize the potentials embodied in the recent constitutional alterations that moved rail transportation services to the Concurrent List, adding that this will reduce the frequent menace on Nigerian roads which are characterized by accidents, kidnappings, and armed robbery. ”As a compliment towards ensuring the realization of this aspiration, I will support the provision of necessary conducive environment while at the same time, maintaining zero tolerance to indiscipline, laxity, inefficiency, and any form of misconduct in the discharge of any official responsibilities. While pledging that the Ministry will under his supervision, strive to ensure the realization of its mandate and the mandates of agencies under its purview, he joined the staff to accord him the necessary support to succeed. According to him, working as a team would not only help to harness the resources of the nation but promote national prosperity and a dynamic self-reliant economy that would actualize the renewed hope of the present administration’s developmental agenda of ensuring an efficient transport system that is in consistent with the socio-economic objectives of the constitution. The Minister further said that he will soon embark on facility tour of Agencies supervised by the Ministry with a view to making them more efficient and effective to meet global standards. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/ Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Magdalene Ajani in a welcome address, promised a smooth working relationship with the Minister for the development of the sector, while expressing optimism that he would be of immense help to the Ministry coming from the National Assembly. Speaking on the agencies under the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary said: “The University of Transportation in Daura is our newest baby. It was a Corporate Social Responsibility from one of our main railway contractor, CCECC. So, the University was built in Daura purely for transportation; training of Nigerians on transportation. The immediate past President appointed the Vice Chancellor just before he left and he’s trying to midwife the University”.

Sterling HoldCo appoints Oduniyi as new GMD/CEO

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has announced the appointment of Yemi Odubiyi as the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company. The Holding Company also announced the appointment of Yemi Adeola as the new Chairman while Abubakar Suleiman and Shola Adekoya were appointed as Non-Executive Directors. In addition, Ms. Aisha Bashir and Mrs. Eniye Ambakederemo are to take up the role of Independent Non-Executive Directors, and Mr. Olayinka Oni as Executive Director.  In an official statement to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), the company said the appointments were approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Odubiyi started his banking career with the Nigeria unit of Citibank as an Operations & Technology Generalist serving across all its Operations and Technology functions and was thereafter enrolled in its Management Associate programme undertaking stints across all key units of the Bank.  He left Citibank to join the turnaround team of the then Trust Bank of Africa in 2003 as Head of Operations & Technology. Upon the consolidation of Trust Bank into Sterling Bank Plc, Yemi served as the pioneer Group Head, Trade Services. In 2008, he was mandated to build the Structured Finance Group and also assumed oversight for corporate strategy serving as Chief Strategy Officer. The new GMD served as the Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank Limited from February 2015 to June 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Estate Management and a master’s in international law from the University of Lagos. He has undertaken senior public management/executive education programme in Risk Management, Finance, and General Management at leading international educational institutions including the London and Harvard Business Schools.