News / Security

After three months in detention, DSS releases Nnamdi Kanu’s foster mother

A popular supporter of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Madam Ukamaka Ejezie, popularly known as Mama Biafra, has regained her freedom after more than three months in the custody of the Department of State Services.

This development was confirmed by Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer of the Leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, in a statement.

Ejiofor revealed that the Septuagenarian, said to be the foster mother of Kanu, was set free on Saturday evening.

She was arrested during Kanu’s last court appearance in Abuja on May 18.

Ejiofor said: “I am very delighted to inform you all that Mrs. Ukamaka Ejezie (Mama Biafra) has regained her freedom.

“She is now out of DSS dungeon.

“We thank thee Chukwuokike Abiama for this huge success.

“We are not relenting; every prisoner of conscience, including our indefatigable client, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will soon regain their freedom.

“We in the legal team are doing everything legally permissible to make it happen, we are not resting on our oars at all.

“Be assured forward ever and backward never!

“We move.”…

News / Security

Bwari attack: Troops eliminate 30 terrorists who attacked soldiers – DHQ

The Defense Headquarters says military troops have eliminated 30 of the terrorists who attacked troops of the Guards Brigade in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday.

The Director, Defense Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made this known on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko, who spoke at the bi-weekly news conference on military operations, said the operation was conducted by troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Force Battalion in conjunction with the air component of “Operation Whirl Punch” between Sunday and Tuesday.

He said the troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages, neutralizing the terrorists and destroyed their enclave and hideout.

According to him, the ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, one fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mob up.

Onyeuko said: “The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to re-assured Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.

“With the recent operations carried out between from July 23, we wish to assure residents of FCT in particular that we are undaunted and unrelenting in our efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

“People should go about their normal business as their safety is guaranteed.

“The support and cooperation of all Nigerians is hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business.

“Citizens are encouraged to report any unusual persons in your community to security agencies.

“If you see something say something.”

On his part, the Director Defense Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor, urged media to continue to support the military in ensuring that the enemies of the nation were defeated.

On the voice note being circulated on social media purportedly belonging to a soldier involved in the attack, Akpor said that enquiries to know its authenticity was unnecessary.…

News / Security

Terrorists attack Military checkpoint in Abuja, kill soldiers in shootout

An unknown number of soldiers were said to have been killed on Thursday night by Boko Haram terrorists stormed an Army checkpoint around Zuma Rock, the border between the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Niger State.

Sources said the terrorists arrived Zuma Rock on the axis of Madalla and Suleija along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at about 8:30pm and took the soldiers by surprise, opening fire from different angles.

“They were shooting continuously at the checkpoint for more almost one hour, and soldiers at the checkpoint were fighting back. But after a while, the shooting stopped,” a source said.

The sources said the terrorists later abandoned their mission of moving into Abuja and retreated towards Kaduna axis.

While retreating, the bandits who were said to be in several motorbikes, reportedly attacked some villages and shops in Madalla and carried foodstuff on their motorbikes before bolting.

Following the retreat of the terrorists, more troops and equipment from the Army base in Zuma Barracks were deployed for reinforcement to the scene.

Another source said a joint security operatives team were going on patrol around the axis when sounds of gunshot erupted and they moved towards the scene only to discover that it was an ongoing battle between soldiers and bandits.

The source said the security operatives immediately radioed the Army Barracks at Zuma Rock, resulting in the deployment of reinforcement to the scene.

The fighting reportedly caused severe traffic jam, as motorists remained trapped on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

The attack comes barely six days after terrorists carried out an ambushed a patrol team of Presidential Guards team along the Bwari-Kubwa Road resulting in the death of six soldiers and officers following intelligence report that they were planning to attack the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.

The attack and other kidnapping incidents have resulted in heightened tension in the FCT, with schools closed.

The management of Federal Government College, Kwali asked parents to evacuate their children from the school as a result of an attack by bandits in a neighboring community 24 hours earlier.…

Education / News / Security

Terrorists ambush Guards Brigade in Abuja, forces closure of schools

Barely 24 hours after terrorists, who hijacked the Kaduna-bound train released a video, where they threatened to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, insecurity fears heightened at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to the immediate closure of all unity schools in Abuja.

This was after three soldiers sustained injuries in an ambush by Boko Haram terrorists in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. The soldiers from the elite Guards Brigade guarding the FCT as well as the presidential seat of government were ambushed along Bwari Kubwa road, while on patrol of Bwari Area where the Nigerian Law School and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) is located.

The Guards Brigade is in charge of the security of the President, his entire family, the Vice President, Very Important Personalities (VIP), the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding states. This would be the first direct encounter between terrorists and the Brigade of Guards in Abuja.

The soldiers from 7 Guards Battalion, who have been carrying out patrol in the town following intelligence report of an impending attack on the Nigerian Law School, came under heavy fire around the Kubwa-Bwari road.

The wounded soldiers have been moved to the 7 Guards Medical center, where they are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

The signal message on the attack reads: “Troops on routine patrol along Kubwa-Bwari were ambushed by suspected terrorists. Three soldiers were injured during the attack. The soldiers have been evacuated for medical attention. Details on the extent of their injuries are still under confirmation. The ambush attack happening within the general area of Bwari shows that the terrorists are actually within the location and possibly preparing to carry out their plans to attack the law school in Bwari as earlier reported.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Guards, Captain Godfrey Anebi Abakpa, confirmed the attack but declined further comments.

It was earlier reported that while responding to potential terror attacks in the nation’s capital following a security alert by the FCT command of the …

News / Security / Transportation

Planned Okada ban will deepen poverty, insecurity – ActionAid Nigeria

A non-governmental organization, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) said it agreed with the Federal Government (FG’s) plan to ban the use of motorcycles and mining activities, still, expressed concern on the impacts of the move on the socio-economic lives of the people.

The group in a press statement it circulated on Monday admitted that the approach  may cut the supply of logistics and source of funds for the purchase of arms to the terrorists, but it opined while this was being contemplated in the national interest to combat insecurity, “there must be well thought-out alternatives to lessen the effects of the attendant loss of livelihoods on the people that will be affected”.

The statement advised that regardless of the means being considered for the proposed ban on Okada riders, artisanal and small-scale miners, it must be implemented in a way that will not further worsen the country’s dire economic situation, recalling that a World Bank report has already noted that the number of poor persons in Nigeria will rise to 95.1 million in 2022.

ActionAId  added that the number of poor people was 89.0 million in 2020, meaning that over 6.1 million more persons would have fallen into the poverty bracket between 2020 and 2022, a 6.7 per cent increase, while the projected 2022 figures, the number of poor persons in Nigeria has had a four-year increase of 14.7 per cent from the 2018/19 figure of 82.1 million to the projected 95.1 million in 2022. It established that in Nigeria, the poverty rate has been aided by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the growing population, the high level of inflation, which stood at 18.6 per cent as of June 2022 and the harsh effects of the Ukraine-Russia warfare, adding that the development is coming after the Nigerian government said it lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty between 2019 and 2021.

It recalled that the President has repeatedly said the Bank of Industry has created nine (09) million jobs in the country since 2015, and different schemes to create jobs and …

News / politics / Security

Significance of President Buhari’s visit to Liberia – Presidency

The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Liberia on Tuesday signifies the importance attached to the security and wellbeing of that country and the rest of West Africa.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, offered the clarification in a statement.

On July 26, Liberia marks a Special Independence Anniversary, commemorating 175 years of self-rule, with the country being the oldest independent post-colonial African State.

According to Shehu in the statement on Monday, Buhari is the Special Guest of Honor at the celebration and will deliver an address. He said: “The trip to Liberia comes at a time when political instability and the return of coups-d’état have upended two to three decades of democratic order in the sub-region.

“Liberia, Sierra-Leone along with Nigeria are going into elections in 2023 and President Buhari is expected to emphasize to them the importance of free, fair and credible elections.

“The President is expected to stress the importance of the respect for rule of law rule throughout the sub-region. Without rule of Law and constitutional rule, there cannot be security, peace and development.

“Peace and security of Liberia (and Sierra-Leone) is important to Nigeria given the enormous investments in men, material and resources expended by this country to secure the two states.

“Without the leadership of Nigeria in the context of ECOWAS to secure these two, there would not have been a Liberia on the map in its present configuration today.”

The presidential aide said Nigeria and Liberia would bilaterally bring to the table issues of cross-border terrorism, bolstering defense and trade ties.

“The warmth of the relationship and personal chemistry between President Buhari and George Weah of Liberia is no less significant and will play a key role in the events of tomorrow,” he added.…

News / Security

Train attack: Shock as terrorists vow to kidnap Buhari, el-Rufai

Irked by Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands, terrorists who kidnapped the Kaduna-Abuja train passengers on March 28, 2022, have vowed to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari and governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai if their requests are not met.

The terrorists, suspected to be members of Ansaru, also stated that they would abduct other prominent Nigerians, as well as cause mayhem in the country.

These were contained in a new video the group released yesterday. The viral video saw the terrorists flogging the remaining male passengers of the ill-fated train attack, while female passengers were asked to line in front of the male passengers.

The nearly three minutes video showed a bearded passenger, who was asked to speak on their behalf, saying the terrorists told them that they did not plan to keep them as hostage for more than a week, but for government’s nonchalance. He, therefore, called on the international community and the United Nations (UN) to come to their aid since the government has failed to ensure their freedom.

Also, in the background, an elderly woman, about 85 years old, was heard cursing the Federal Government in Hausa, saying, “Allah ya isa” (meaning We leave you with God). She lamented that they voted the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari with the hope that the North and entire country would be secured, but it was all in vain.

The terrorists threatened to kill and sell off some of the remaining train passengers in captivity.

“This is our message to the government of Nigeria and just as you have seen these people here, by God’s grace, you will see your leaders; your senators and governors will come before us. These ones you are seeing here, we will keep some as our slaves and sell them off just as our Imam told you in the past.

“Just like the Chibok girls that were sold off, we will equally sell these ones as slaves. If you don’t adhere to our demands, we will kill the ones we need …

News / Security

IPOB declares Ebubeagu Commander wanted, offers N2m bounty

The Indigenous People of Biafra has announced a N2 million bounty on the Imo State Commander of the Ebubeagu security outfit.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the spokesman of the IPOB, Emma Powerful, on Thursday.

IPOB accused the Command of murdering 14 youths in Otulu and Awo-Mmamma area of the state.

Powerful said the Eastern Security Network in Imo State has been given the task of fishing out the Ebubeagu Commander in the state.

The statement said: “Hope Uzodinma of Imo State is killing his people in honor of his agreement with the caliphate and consistently lies to the public.“The head of this murderous militia named Ebube-Agu in Imo State is one drug and cult leader returnee from Mozambique, (name withheld by News Express) (Aka Ogwu). As a result of his murderous terrorist activities against our people, IPOB hereby declares this Ebube-Agu Commander in Imo State wanted. He is now a wanted person in Biafra land.

“Anybody who gives useful information about him and what will lead to the capture of this murderer will get a reward of 2 million Naira from IPOB. ESN Imo State Command has also been given a matching order to look for him to account for the innocent blood of Biafrans his criminal gang has wasted.”

The deceased were reportedly killed by operatives of Ebubeagu while returning from a wedding.

However, the security outfit and security agents claimed those killed were criminals.

The Department of State Services classified those killed as members of the ESN and not wedding guests.

The DSS said the youths were killed during an exchange of fierce gunfire with a joint security team.

…
Music / Security

Police arrest terrorist who escaped from Kuje prison in Adamawa

The Adamawa State Police Command has rearrested a 23-year-old Kuje Prison escapee, Abubakar Muhammad, in Mubi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, Sikiru Akande, disclosed this during the handing over of the escapee to the Nigeria Correctional Service.

The naming over was done on Thursday in Yola.

Akande said the escapee was arrested by operatives of the command on Wednesday on his way to home Bama in Borno State. He said: “The suspect, who escaped from Kuje Prison during the recent prison attack, was tracing his way to Bama Local Government Area, Borno State through Adamawa border.

“The suspect further confessed to have been in Kuje Prison custody since 2017 following allegation of terrorism leveled against him.”

The CP further said the Command’s operatives attached to State Criminal Investigation Department and Crack Squad also apprehended 12 kidnapping and robbery suspects in the past one week in the state.

He said the police recovered one AK-47 Rifle, 15 ammunitions, one locally made pistol, one Dane gun, tricycle and military camouflage from the suspects.

He said the suspects would be prosecuted upon completion of investigations.

While commending the people for their support to the command, Akande reiterated the commitment to protect lives and property in the state by the police.…

Crime / News / Security

4G Network rearrested by police after jail break in Owo Prison

The Ondo State Police Command has re-arrested one Ikuemelo Tosin, aka 4G Network, a convict, who escaped during the jailbreak in Owo Correctional Centre in March.

The spokesperson of the Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Akure.

Odunlami recalled that the convict was arrested and arraigned in court for alleged cultism and murder, and was remanded at Owo Correctional Centre.

He, however, escaped from custody in March during a jail break. The statement by Odunlami said: “Today, 4th of July, 2022 at about 0700hrs, information was received by men of Igbokoda Division in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo.

“That one Ikuemelo Tosin ‘m’, AKA 4G network, a convict, who escaped during Owo Correctional jail break, was in town.

“Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer of the division and his men went after him and was re-arrested in a soak away.”

Odunlami, therefore, said that Tosin would be charged to court immediately.…

News / Security

Ansaru militant group bans political activities in Kaduna communities

The Ansaru militant group has reportedly banned political activities in some communities in Birnin-Gwari LGA of Kaduna, where its fighters are said to have bases.

This was revealed by the Chairman of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union, Ishaq Kasai, in a statement on Sunday.

He said the group regularly recruits young residents and marry the young girls.

According to Kasai, Ansaru has banned political activities in many communities in the eastern part of Birnin-Gwari LGA. He said in the statement: “In fact, the group continues to gain acceptance from many members of the communities, particularly in old Kuyello and Damari communities in Kazage Ward.

The Ansaru and the recruits are of the belief that their numerical strength will help them to bring the present democratic government down.

“Presently the Ansaru are going round  distributing memory cards to the locals which contains their beliefs and doctrine.

“A disturbing scenario is where the group banned all political activities in many communities such as Damari of Kazage Ward.

“Politicians from these communities have to go far away secretly to the neighboring communities before they hold political meetings.

“For instance, this week an Okada rider who lives in Unguwar Makera of Kazage Ward was seen with a sticker of one of the candidates vying for the Kaduna State House of Assembly and he was thoroughly beaten by the Ansaru.”

“People in these communities are now disenchanted and frustrated about participating in political activities.

“We don’t know how the coming elections will take place in those areas because even the last Local Government election in Kaduna state did not hold in those communities due to the escalating insecurity.

“In short, the Ansaru are now in charge of many of the communities in the area and the group is expanding its occupation.

“The terrorists now call the shots and determine what is to be done in the villages they are dominating.”…

News / Security

Ondo holds mass burial for Owo attack victims

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Friday leads other dignitaries in Funeral mass for the victims of Sunday, June 5, 2022 deadly attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, South Western Nigeria.

Bodies of the victims, among of which were six kids and 20 women, were brought in a hearse in separate coffins to the venue of mass.

While speaking at the mass, Governor Akeredolu admitted that there was total collapse of the country’s security apparatus, however said the occasion was not the forum to debate such a critical National topic.

He said the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria and the way out would be discussed at the appropriate place. Recall that suspected gunmen stormed the Church on Sunday, June 5, 2022 and opened fire on the worshippers. No fewer than 40 people including young, old, kids and women died in the bloody attack.…

News / Security

Breaking: Soldiers find abducted Chibok schoolgirl in Borno

Troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade, on Tuesday, found one Mary Ngoshe, who, according to the Nigerian Army, is believed to be one of the kidnapped girls from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in 2014.

Ngoshe, who was found with a child believed to be hers, was intercepted by the troops while on patrol around Ngoshe in Borno State.

This is contained in a tweet posted to the Nigerian Army’s verified Twitter page, @HQNigerianArmy, on Wednesday morning.

The tweet reads, “Troops of 26 Task Force Brigade on patrol around Ngoshe in Borno State on 14 June 2022 intercepted one Mrs Mary Ngoshe and her son. She is believed to be one of the abducted girls from GGSS Chibok in 2014. Further exploitation ongoing.”

Details later……

News / politics / Security

DSS rescues kidnapped mother of Kano senatorial candidate in Jigawa

Barely 24 hours after Hajia Laure Mai-Kunu, the aged mother of the Kano Central Senatorial District candidate, A. A Zaura was kidnapped, operatives of the Department of State Services, on Tuesday, rescued her in far-away Jigawa State.

An unspecified number of unknown gunmen invaded Zaura town in Ungogo Local Government area of Kano State and kidnapped the mother of the All Progressive Congress senatorial candidate, on Monday.

The Chairman, Ungogo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Ramat, confirmed on Tuesday that she had been rescued in Jigawa State.

Also, a top DSS operative, who declined his name in print, confirmed that their operatives rescued Laure and another aged woman, who was abducted for about 10 days.…

News / politics / Religion / Security

Owo attack: Akeredolu directs flags to fly at half-mast for seven days

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has directed that flags should be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences for seven days in honor of the victims of the Owo terror attack on Sunday.

This is contained in a statement issued by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde on Monday  in Akure.

”In honor of the victims of this unfortunate attack, I hereby direct that all flags be flown at half-mast for seven days, starting from Monday to June 12.

”It is a collective loss to the people of our dear state. ”The attack on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street,Owo is a deliberate and calculated assault on the people of the state.

”Those who unleashed this unprovoked terror attack on our people have tested our collective resolves.

”We will not be deterred in responding appropriately to this dastardly act,” he said.…

News / politics / Security

Ex-NHIS boss urges youths to unite against insecurity, bad governance

A former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has called on Nigerian youths to unite against insecurity and bad governance.

Yusuf gave the charge, Saturday night, during a virtual youths summit organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Americas (NIDO) and Nigeria Diaspora Network (NDN).

The event, which was monitored by newsmen in Abuja, was titled: “Youth and National Development in Nigeria.”

Yusuf said the recent Abuja-Kaduna bound train attack was a mortal existential threat to the country, saying that it was disheartening that the elders are disconnected from the youths. The ex-NHIS boss, who recalled the bond of love and understanding that existed among Muslim and Christian students while growing up, charged the youths to unite together irrespective of religious, ethnic, language or political barrier.

“This country, Nigeria, has given my generation so much that we can never give back.

“I am an optimist and wherever I go, I tell the youths my history.

“I attended a Catholic school and I was the only Muslim in my class.

“We went into the world and competed favourably. The so-called village school we went were better than the best school presently.

“This was the Nigeria of my time. We had bond of relationship between Christians, Muslins and different tribes,” Yusuf said.

The former NHIS boss who decried the rate of insecurity in the country, called on the youths to unite against it, recalling the time he went with Sheik Ahmad Gumi into the forests to persuade the bandits to change from their bad ways.

He expressed concern at the rate the youths in Nigeria now get involved in criminalities like the Boko Haram, ISWAP, IPOB and the destruction that followed the #ENDSARS protest, among others.

“Nigeria has changed,” he said.

According to him, public service is seeing as a way to enrich our pocket and not for the interest of the country.

Yusuf, who emphasized the importance of youths’ involvement in nation building, urged them to be ready to actively participate in the political process.…

News / Security / Transportation

Osun NSCDC receives operational vehicles

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command has received two operational vehicles from Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency.

He donated two  branded  Toyota Sienna to the Osun East ‘A’ Area Command; one for Obokun Division and the other for Oriade Division.

This was made known by the State Commandant,  Emmanuel Ocheja through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Atanda Olabisi, at the Command’s headquarters, Ilesha Road, Oke Ayepe, Osogbo.

Commandant Ocheja while appreciating the kind gesture of Hon. Oke, noted that security is a collective responsibility, the need to collectively fight and combat crimes cannot be over-emphasized. He therefore enjoined privileged people, public spirited individuals, and corporate entities in the state for more support to the Corps for prompt response and fight against insecurity in the state. Hon.Oke in his address at the ceremony, emphasized the fact that community security should not be left in the hands of the government alone. He, therefore, advised all and sundry to emulate the gesture to create safe environment for the entire citizenry in the country. The Area Commander, Osun East ‘A’ Area Command, Dapo Osanyingbe appreciated the Honorable, traditional rulers across Ijesa North Federal Constituency (Oriade/Obokun), artisans, traders, religious leaders for their support to the Corps. He advised them to put in proactive efforts to protect the community and to continue to work with the Corps in achieving a crime-free and peaceful community.…

News / Security

IGP appoints new Police Commissioners for four States

The Inspector-General of Police,  Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the posting of four new Commissioners of Police to four States Commands.
The development was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement on Thursday, CP Abutu Yaro is now to oversee the Edo State Police Command as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the State.
The IGP also ordered the posting of CP Sikiru Akande Kayode, CP Yekini Adio Ayoku and CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde to head the Adamawa, Kaduna and Imo States Police Commands respectively.
Yaro holds a B.A [Hons] from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He was appointed to the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1988.
He has served in various supervisory capacities within the Nigeria Police Force, including as Commissioner of Police in charge of Zamfara and Imo States Police Commands.
Until his recent appointment, he was CP Force Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The new Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Police Command holds a B.sc in Political Science from the prestigious University of Benin.
Kayode joined the service of the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP in 1990 and has served in various operational, investigative, and administrative capacities within the Force.
He has served as the Officer-in-Charge of Presidential/VIP Movement, State House, Abuja.
He was equally a one-time Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Police Command.
Until his appointment, he was CP ICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Ayoku holds a B.sc from the University of Ilorin.
He is an indigene of Agbeyangi, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State.
CP Ayoku enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP in March 1990.
He has served in several capacities in the Nigeria Police with a great wealth of experience.
He was a one-time Commanding Officer, 24 PMF Squadron, Presidential Guard and Escort.
He has participated in peacekeeping operations and was decorated with the United Nations Medal for meritorious service in Kosovo.
He is a member of the International Association
…
News / Security

Four killed as gunmen attack NDLEA facility in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that four persons were killed in Tuesday’s attack on the facility of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in the state.

The spokesperson of the Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

Odah said that security agencies killed two of the gunmen, while others escaped with  injuries at the incident that occurred at Ntezi.

She added: “Too bad, one of the officers and a patient at the NDLEA rehabilitation center were also killed. “The security agencies are still searching the bush to get some of the gunmen who were injured.”

The spokesperson added that two riffles and other ammunitions were recovered from the attackers.

“Other items recovered include: 140 rounds of K2 ammunition, 36 rounds of GPMG live ammunition, 30 rounds of Ak 47 rounds of ammunition, a 4Runner jeep, motorcycles, military and police uniforms, charms amongst others,” Odah said.

An Officer of NDLEA, who preferred anonymity, also said four persons were killed in the attack.

“Security agencies repelled the attack on our office, located at Ntezi, Ishíelu local government area of the state around 2pm on Tuesday,” the Officer said.…

Crime / News / Security

Senate moves to re-amend Proceeds of Crime Bill 2022

The Senate, on Tuesday, moved to re-amend the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022, passed by the chamber on March 9, 2022, last week.

The decision to re-amend the bill followed the consideration of a motion for re-commital sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

In his presentation, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, relied on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (as amended) to move for the amendment of the bill.

He explained that the re-amendment of the bill became imperative in view of the amendment that was made to Clause 74 which placed the Burden of proof on the investigating Agencies but not on the Defendant as recommended by the Joint Committee in its report. According to him, the amendment runs contrary to the provision of Article 12(7) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

Article 12(7) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime provides that, “States Parties may consider the possibility of requiring that an offender demonstrate the lawful origin of alleged proceeds of crime or other property liable to confiscation.”

On the need to amend the Clause 74 of the bill, Abdullahi said, “the implication of the amendment is that civil forfeitures would be a thing of the past in Nigeria as there would not be final forfeitures without a conviction.

“Implying that all property seized are included in the clause, even those that may be incidental to an arrest and may contain evidence needed for investigation of the crime.”

“For example, phones, computers, documents, photographs etc recovered from suspected kidnappers, drug barons, human and child traffickers, cyber criminals, terrorists and the like would also wait for convictions before they can be seized, even in situations where the suspects are at large and the properties can be recovered for the benefit of the victim and Nigerians where applicable.

“Another example of a conundrum, is the “Ikoyi Loot” case, where no one has yet come to claim ownership of the funds and since there are no suspects …