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 PRESS RELEASE Government, Security Forces Deliberate on Tackling Illegal Mining in Nigeria ...as Technical Committee Meets in Abuja In line with the frantic efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria, to emplace sanity in the country's mining sector, the technical committee charged by the Federal Government to set up a joint taskforce, convened on Tuesday 30th January, 2024, at the instance of the IGP in Abuja, to address the challenges posed by illegal mining in Nigeria.  The Committee meeting, which was held at the Police Force Headquarters, had in attendance the representatives from the Armed Forces, Police, NSCDC, Ministry of Solid Minerals, Environment, and other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The mandate of the proposed Taskforce is multifaceted, aiming to curb illegal mining activities perpetrated by both foreigners and Nigerians.  Key objectives include enhancing security in mining areas, enforcing mining laws, ensuring pr

 How Bafarawa Diverted N4.6bn from ONSA .... Witness   A Second Prosecution Witness, PW2,  in the trial of a former governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Bafarawa,  Kassim Yusuf, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, recounted before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  High Court, Abuja, that the former governor diverted a staggering N4.6billion he received as security fund from the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  is prosecuting Bafarawa on amended 25-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and diversion of public funds to the tune of N4.6billion. Other defendants in the case are, Bashir Yuguda, Colonel Sambo Dasuki  (rtd), Dalhatu Investment Limited and Sagir Attahiru.   Yusuf, an officer of the   EFCC, who was led in  evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that N4.6billion security funds received by Dalhatu Investment Limited

 AFCON 2023: Nwabali not ruled out of Angola clash – NFF Stanley Nwabali may still be available for Nigeria’s quarter-final duel with the Palancas Negras of Angola, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The 27-year-old, the NFF sustained a mild ligament injury during the Super Eagles quarter-final clash with Cameroon on Saturday. Nwabali will undergo another test on Wednesday to ascertain his fitness level ahead of the game with Angola. “The doctors have been working on him to see if he will come good in a late fitness test 48 hours before the cracker with the southern Africans,” reads the statement. “Fingers crossed. If all goes well, he might be available for selection.” Nwabali has kept three clean sheets in four outings at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Kanye West clashes with paparazzi over questions about ‘controlling’ his wife American rapper, Kanye West, has engaged in a heated exchange with a paparazzi following questions about his wife, Bianca Censori and her perceived “lack of free will”. Kanye was on his way to attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honouring R&B singer, Charlie Wilson, when the incident occurred on Monday. A female photographer working for TMZ approached the singer and asked: “People want to know if Bianca has her free will. Some people say you are controlling her”. Kanye immediately became upset and snatched the phone from the paparazzi. While describing the question as disrespectful, the rapper accused the paparazzi of feeling entitled because she is white. He stressed that he deserves the same respect he is expected to give. “You think because you are a white woman that you can walk up on me like that and ask me some dumb ass shit like that? “You asked me if my wife has free will. A disrespectful q

 UK suspends British-Nigerian minister Kate Osamor for condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as ‘genocide’ A British-Nigerian minister, MP Kate Osamor, has been suspended by the United Kingdom’s Labour Party after she accused Israel of genocide on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day. Osamor, however, has apologised for “any offence caused” over the message distributed to local party members on Friday. BBC reported that the chief whip suspended her from the parliamentary party while an investigation was instituted into the matter, as Jewish groups have criticised the remarks. Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) marks the six million Jews and other groups murdered during the Holocaust, alongside recent genocides. Osamor, the MP for Edmonton had shared a photograph of herself at a Holocaust Educational Trust event. She wrote, “Tomorrow is Holocaust Memorial Day, an international day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other people murdered under Nazi perse

Illinois community shocked by the loss of a 14-year-old girl who collapsed during a basketball game.  Students and faculty at Momence High School are mourning the loss of 14-year-old Amari Crite. Amari was participating in a basketball game against Tri-Point High School when she collapsed on the court  Thursday, January 25th. The Kankakee County Coroner's office said the death remains under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with Amari's family and friends as well as the entire community.  

 LEKKI FAST BECOMING MARITIME LOGISTICS HUB OF AFRICA –  GOV. SANWO-OLU  Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the Lekki Deep Sea Port as a project that has enshrined the name of the State and Nigeria in the global maritime business, saying Lekki is fast emerging as the hub of maritime logistics in Africa.  The Governor made this remark at the arrival ceremony of CMA CGM Scandola, the largest container vessel to berth in Nigeria on Monday at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Ibeju Lekki.  Speaking at the ceremony referred to as simple but very important, Sanwo-Olu expressed happiness at the coming of the vessel which he referenced as proof that Nigeria is creating a new environment for business.  His words: “My sheer happiness is that in less than one year, given all of the challenges confronting big businesses like this, Lekki Free Port Terminal is receiving the largest ship to ever berth in Nigeria. In Lagos State, this is an exciting time for us and I believe Lagos can d

 Governor Abiodun Commends Ogun Assembly For Seamless Transition As Elemide Is Elected Speaker Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has congratulated the new Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide and other lawmakers for ensuring a rancour free process. The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele spoke when he received 19 members of the House who accompanied the new speaker on a courtesy call on him on Tuesday in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He commended the seamless manner in which they elected the new speaker, reaffirming that the lawmakers have the right to decide who would lead them in a democracy. He said: It is worthy of note that the executive has not interfered in the process to make sure that you are comfortable in what you want to do, that led you to making your decision. And we support you in the decision that you make.  "You have gone through the process in a way that is exemplary. Thi

 PRESS RELEASE IGP DECORATES NEWLY PROMOTED SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS; ORDERS POSTING, DEPLOYMENT OF AIGs, CPs The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, on Tuesday 30th January, 2024 at the Goodluck Jonathan International Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja, decorated thirty-five (35) Senior Police Officers comprising fourteen (14) Assistant Inspector Generals of Police and twenty-one (21) Commissioners of Police with their new ranks amidst cheers from families, friends, and well-wishers. The newly decorated officers include AIGs Yetunde Longe; Haruna Gabriel Garba; Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, Julius Alawiri Okoro; George Chijioke Chuku; and CPs Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo; Mohammed Dahiru; Dankombo Faling Morris; and David Iloyanomon amongst others. Similarly, the IGP has ordered the posting and redeployment of seventeen (17) AIGs and eighteen (18) CPs with immediate effect. The affected AIGs include AIG Yetunde O. Longe to AIG Training; AIG Haruna G

 Wicked: Lagos man Morekeji attacks ex-wife with big stone Police operatives in Lagos have arrested one Olamilekan Morekeji, for beating and using a big stone to hit his ex-wife, Mary Ololuwa, on the head and face, causing serious injuries to her over their children. Morekeji reportedly got angry and attacked his ex-wife after he asked him about their children when he accosted her on the road. The spokesperson for Lagos Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrest of Morekeji followed the report of a case of domestic violence at Owode Onirin Police Division on Thursday at about 3.00 p.m. by the victim. He said the victim was brought to the station by some sympathisers, while she was bleeding from the injuries allegedly inflicted on her face by the suspect. Hundeyin said the victim told the police at the counter all that happened to her. According to Hundeyin, the victim said that at about 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, while she was going to her shop around Bako Estate, at Weighbridge

 Court Jails 17 Internet Fraudsters in Oyo, Ogun   The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of seventeen (17) internet fraudsters to various jail terms. They were jailed between January 8 and 28, 2024 after being arraigned before Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan and Justice A.A. Babawale of the Ogun State High Court, sitting in Abeokuta on a separate lone count charge each. The convicts are Akinbode Abiodun, Samad Tijani Owolabi, Ademola Olabamiji Quadri, Evewiekpoamare Tivere Jackson, Adeagbo Stephen Adegbenro, Adesanya Olamilekan Dare, Yusuf Saka Olaoluwatobi, Akinbode Adedolapo Joshua, Musa Ayinde Olorunnisola and Lawal Mohammed Segun. Others are: Moses Bitrus Bugama, Odude Kehinde Ayomipo, Bashiru Quadri Adeyinka, Ochoche Silas Ochola, Nurudeen Olamilekan Quam, Afeez Adewale Jimoh and Olowookere Ademola Sobbur. One of the charges read: “That you Adesanya Olamilekan Dare ‘M’

 TROOPS OF OPERATION HADARIN DAJI RESCUE 20 KIDNAP VICTIMS, NEUTRALIZE ONE TERRORIST LEADER IN ZAMFARA STATE The troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI have again recorded another success against the terrorists in continuation with the dry season clearance operations in its Areas of Responsibility in Zamfara state. In the recent success, the troops rescued 20 kidnap victims unhurt and neutralized 2 terrorists including a notorious terrorists’ leader identified as Sainaje from Katsina state in a separate operations conducted in Zamfara state. On the 29th January, 2024 the OPHD troops during its continuous clearance operation at terrorists’ enclaves at Rukudawa, Dumburum, Tsanu, Birnin Tsaba, Magare and Shamushalle general areas of Zurmi and Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state. During the operation all the  discovered terrorists’ enclaves including that of a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Sule were destroyed, as the terrorists fled their camps during a

 TROOPS OF OPERATION HADARIN AGAIN RESCUE 35 KIDNAP VICTIMS, NEUTRALIZE 2 TERRORISTS IN KATSINA STATE In continuation with the series of simultaneous well coordinated clearance operations in its Areas of Operational Responsibilities in the North West which has continued to yield tremendous successes. Troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) operating in Katsina state have rescued 35 kidnapped victims and neutralized 2 terrorists in Katsina state  in a search and rescue operation. The feat was achieved on 27 January 2024, during clearance operation to some identified terrorist camps at Dumburum forest.  During the operation troops had an encounter with the armed terrorists, neutralizing 2 of the terrorists while others escaped with severe gunshot wounds.  The rescued victims include 19 males, 12 females as well as 4 children and were immediately handed over to the Katsina state Government by the Commander 17 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation HADARIN

 Nabeeha: Obi Visits Family Of Kidnapped Abuja Sisters  The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has paid a condolence visit to the Al-Kadriyar family, whose six daughters were abducted on January 2.  During the visit to the family on Tuesday, Obi expressed concerns over the rate of kidnappings in the country and urged the government to curb insecurity.  Obi said, "I came to have the opportunity of condoling the family and then see the young ones that are still in the hospital.  "It is for all of us to sacrifice everything possible to see that criminality is contained.  "Can you imagine how it feels for a father to lose a young daughter. Imagine Folashade's family as well. Just imagine the trauma. Imagine what they are going through.  "The government and the people must work hard to stop this. It is a very sad situation, I don't even know how to start commenting, because this is happening everyday. We can't continue this way."  The PUNCH

 Ekiti: Efforts Are On Top Gear To Rescue Kidnapped Pupils – Oyebanji Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has urged the citizens of the state not to despair over Monday’s kidnapping of some school pupils and their teachers in Emure- Ekiti, assuring that efforts are on to get the children and their teachers rescued. Six pupils of a private school in Emure-Ekiti, three teachers, and the bus driver were abducted while returning to Eporo- Ekiti, Monday evening. The Governor, who described the kidnapping of the school pupils, as callous and unacceptable, said nothing would be spared in the efforts to rescue them. According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely. Governor Oyebanji said security is being stepped up across the state to flush out criminal elements from their hideouts. While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vig

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE  PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDEMNS KILLING OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN EKITI, DIRECTS IMMEDIATE RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED PUPILS It is with grief that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola. President Tinubu condemns this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice. The President condoles with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on this deeply agonizing development. In the same vein, the President directs the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around Eporo-Ekiti area of the State. As security of life and property is the primary responsibility of government, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that the nation's security architecture is being robustly fortified for bette