The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a housewife, Fatima Bishir, 22, for allegedly arranging the kidnap of her five-year-old daughter to implicate her husband’s ex-wife.

She was said to have sent an SMS to her husband demanding N2 million ransom in Mashi local government area of the state before the daughter would be released.

The police spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, made the disclosure on Thursday in Katsina during a press briefing.

“On July 5, 2020, at 0800 hours, the suspect falsely reported at Mashi Police Division that her little daughter was missing and strongly suspected the ex-wife of her husband,” he said.

Isah added that the suspect further claimed that the said ex-wife once threatened her that she would avenge the death of her daughter who died under her care.

He revealed that the suspect took pants and canvas shoes of the daughter to the house of the ex-wife to implicate her, where the police recovered them.

“After thorough investigation, the suspect confessed to being the writer of the text message sent to her husband, Bishir Isyaku, 40, threatening him to either pay N2 million ransom or risk his daughter being killed by the kidnappers,” he said.

He further revealed that the suspect confessed to have taken away the daughter from their residence in Mashi to Kano, where she hid her with the help of her housemaid, Faiza.

According to him, luck ran out of the suspect when she took the girl away from Kano to Dutsi trying to abandon her near the house of the ex-wife’s mother.

He said an investigation was ongoing and the suspects would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

COVID-19: FG mulls alternatives on WAEC, schools re-opening

WAEC urges FG to introduce E-Learning

The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja said that final year secondary school students may have to sit for the General Certificate Examinations (GCE) in November if there is no shift in the timetable of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

The Minister of State Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, while answering questions at the 52nd joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

This is as he said that the government would meet with stakeholders again on July 30, next week Thursday to review the guidelines, provisions and preparation for safe reopening of schools.

According to him, sitting for the GCE may become the only option for Nigerian students if the country cannot convince WAEC to shift its examinations as requested for by the Federal Government.

“Should Nigeria be able to meet up with the WAEC timetable, there was already a negotiated timeline to move local language subjects such as Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa behind to allow all participating countries the needed time to write the general subjects at the same time.

“WAEC unfortunately, is unable to wholesomely move the exams but we have also worked out a negotiated time line with WAEC on what we call peculiar Nigerian subjects which in the language of WAEC are subjects that are only held in Nigeria such as Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba.

“The Ghanaians will take examinations peculiar to them. But they are all in the first part of the time table so we will work out a domestication module that will take our peculiar subjects behind after we have done generals,” Nwajiuba said.

When asked to comment on the Oyo State Government cancelling third term, the minister said that the education is on concurrent list and that while the states are expected to work together on common front, especially on the COVID-19 crisis, the states were at liberty to evolve some measures on their own.

Eid-el-Kabir: FG praises Kano for cancelling Sallah festivities

The Federal Government has praised Kano and other states that have announced ban on Sallah festivities as part of measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The government urged Nigerians to continue to observe the COVID-19 health protocols ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 52nd joint national briefing of the taskforce.

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According to him, there is the need to advise Nigerians on the upcoming Eid-El Kabir festival.

“This naturally comes with lots of mass gatherings but we must not forget that the guidelines are still in existence and the virus is very potent.

“We urge all State Governments to ensure that guidelines are adhered to and citizens should not indulge in activities that would allow for the spread of the virus and lives are endangered,” Mustapha said.

He said that the Federal Government is encouraged by state governments that have announced ban on Sallah festivities and hope it would be upheld and replicated by other states.

The Kano State Government recently cancelled all traditional Sallah festivities to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir in the state.

The government said the decision was part of its effort to consolidate on the successes achieved in the fight against COVID-9 and the relaxation of lockdown in many states of the federation, including Kano.

The state’s Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, in a briefing with journalists on Wednesday, said the decision was taken at the State Executive Council’s meeting held on Tuesday.

He said, while permission was granted for the conduct of Eid congregational prayers across the state, such would be under strict observance of safety protocols, which are also to be supervised by government officials.

Garba added that all the five Emirs in the state would go to the Eid Prayer Ground in their respective domains in motor vehicle, while there would be no visit to Shettima House, gathering for Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa and other traditional outings in the Emirates.

He added that government would assist in the provision of safety materials that included face masks and hand sanitizers as well as ensure strict observance of social distancing at the praying grounds.

SARS Officer Assaults 65-Year-Old Woman And Her Children, See What Happened

An officer of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has been accused of assaulting a 65-year-old woman and her children.

According to reports, the officer as Ekene assaulted the 65-year-old woman, her 23-year-old son identified as Godwin and his sister yesterday in Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos.

It was gathered that Godwin was chased by a certain man identified as “Catcher” infamous for setting up boys to be harassed by Ekene and his squad in the neighborhood.

According to an eyewitness and a family member, “Catcher chased my brother to our mom’s shop and before we knew what was happening, Ekene and his squad appeared demanding that they arrest Godwin.

Our mother requested that they explain why her son should be arrested but they refused. Even the catcher couldn’t explain the crime my brother had committed.

Ekene and his squad broke the chairs in our shop, assaulted my mother and sister because they refused to allow them to arrest Godwin.

Unfortunately, they were overpowered and they whisked them to Century Police Station where they spent the night for nothing. I fear for what could’ve befallen them.

I’m pleading with the relevant authorities to please pick this case up and ensure Ekene and his squad are brought to book.”

 Policeman Causes Car To Run Into Two Boys Selling Pure Water Over N100 Bribe

Two young boys are currently battling for their lives after a bribe-seeking policeman caused a serious accident over N100 bribe.

The incident happened in the Ugbowo area of Benin City, Edo State, yesterday evening after a bus driver hit two boys selling sachet water by the roadside.

It was gathered that a policeman attached to BDPA police station, was struggling with the driver for the control of the steering wheel when he rammed into the boys.

Lack of synergy among security agents worsening insurgency battle – Retired AIG

It has been observed that the absence of synergy among security agencies in the country is one of the reasons why the war against insurgency has not been won.

A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor said on Thursday that instead of collaborating to defeat insurgency and other insecurity challenges facing the nation, the nation’s security agencies engage in what he called “individualism.”

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He told Daily Trust that the lack of synergy among the nation’s security apparatuses could be seen in the manner the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile of the Nigerian Air Force was handled.

According to him, the NAF took over the role of the police in investigating the accident which allegedly claimed the life of the flying Officer.

He faulted the interim report released by NAF on the death of the young Officer who was buried on Thursday.

The security expert stated that the NAF should have allowed the police to take charge of the investigation and come up with their report instead of the NAF rushing to conduct investigation in the cause of the accident.

“The NAF would have called the police immediately to take over the case,” he said.

He said the earlier the nation’s security agencies synergized to tackle the myriads of insecurity confronting the nation the better.

Police probe cops extorting N100,000 from youths claiming they are yahoo boys

The Police Complaint Response Unit says it is investigating an allegation levelled against men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos.

The policemen were accused of arbitrarily arresting youths in the Mushin area of the state, tagging them as Internet fraudsters and demanding that they part with N100,000 each before being set free.

The Police CRU, in response to a tweet, said, “Your complaint is hereby acknowledged and investigation has been initiated. Your tracking number is #CRU694654. Thank you for contacting NPF-CRU.”

According to an activist, Segun Awosanya, the policemen usually order their victims to call on their relatives to bail them with N100,000 each.

The activist tweeted, “FSARS from Adeniji Police Station went to Mushin today (Wednesday) to shop for innocent victims. They took a number of guys and ordered them to start calling their families after being harassed at gunpoint and tagged ‘Yahoo boys’, having violated their privacy by going through their phones.

“They parked under Jibowu Bridge where families came to buy back their wards’ freedom at N100,000 per head asking price. Some were lucky to get a rebate, having proven that they had been abducted once before by the same team.”

According to Awosanya, some of the youth were tagged fraudsters simply for having on their phones the Google Hangout app, which allows people to have virtual video calls.

He further tweeted, “A man, whose staffer was among those raided, narrated his ordeal and how he was made to pay N40,000 to release his staff for having Google Hangout on his phone. They claim this app has been outlawed by the Federal Government and they are in charge of this anti-Google Hangout operation. Is this a country?

“Can these rogues be arrested and jailed for armed robbery and kidnapping? The witnesses are willing to testify. This shouldn’t be happening in a country that has a President, even if invalid. Will the police be the trigger of the end of our democracy? It is looking that way.”

Police launch manhunt as gunmen attack Plateau warders, free suspects

Gunmen, on Thursday, opened fire on officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State and freed some suspects.

It was learnt that the NCS officials were conveying the suspects, who were charged with homicide, to a court in the area when the gunmen attacked them on the court premises.

It was gathered that during the attack, six of the inmates brought from the Jos Correctional Centre escaped with the gunmen, while four others were recaptured.

A statement by one Mr I. K. Ikiriko of the state command of the NCS, confirmed the incident.

He said, “On July 23, 2020, around 1.01pm at the High Court, Barkin Ladi, some gunmen stormed the court and aided the escape of six inmates out of 10 brought from the Jos Prison for trial.

“Findings revealed that the inmates were brought in a van escorted by four armed officials of the correctional service around 9.55am; the gate was immediately opened and as soon as they entered the court premises, the gate was locked.

“Around 1.01pm in the process of removing their handcuffs, six were already freed from the handcuffs, the attackers started shooting.

“The attackers were able to aid the escape of six without handcuffs, while the four with handcuffs were apprehended by troop of the OPSH, Sector 4, and taken to the Barkin Ladi Police Division; search for the attackers and fugitives has commenced.”

The statement named the suspects as Umaru Adamu with two others; Bashiru Mohammed with three others; Musa Mohammed with two others; and Abdul Haruna with one other.

The Plateau State Police Command said it had launched a manhunt for the gunmen and the fleeing suspects, adding that it had recovered three motorcycles.

Senate begins eight-week recess

The Senate, on Thursday, adjourned plenary till September 15, 2020, to enable members to enjoy the annual eight-week vacation.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the announcement after approving the votes and proceedings for Thursday’s plenary session.

He, however, said the various committees of the Senate would be working during the vacation.

Lawan urged the committees on Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) and Gas to engage the executive arm of government, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Department of Petroleum Resources, on the Petroleum Industry Bill to be submitted to the National Assembly.

He stated, “It is our hope and desire that we are able to break the jinx that has visited the PIB since 2007.

“If we are able to do it, we will get more revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government as well as attract and retain investments into the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.”

House of Representatives probes Nunieh’s house invasion

The House, also on Thursday, resolved to investigate the invasion and the siege laid to the home of the former acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Joi Nunieh, by men of the Nigeria Police.

At the plenary, the Deputy Chief Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, jointly moved a motion titled: ‘Need to Investigate the Remote Causes of Police Invasion of the Former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Joi Nunieh’s Residence on Friday, 16 June, 2020’.

‘Appoint amnesty programme coordinator’

In another development, the House has called for the appointment of a substantive coordinator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The House, on Thursday, adopted a motion moved by Mr Preye Oseke, titled, ‘Urgent Need to Appoint a Substantive Coordinator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta Region’.

Following the adoption, the House mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to interface with relevant agencies of government in ensuring that a substantive coordinator for the PAP was “urgently appointed in order to douse the already growing tension in the region.”

Meanwhile, the House Committee on the NDDC has indicted the commission’s Interim Management Committee after its investigation of alleged extra-budgetary spending and mismanagement of funds.

The committee recommended members of the IMC for prosecution by anti-corruption agencies for alleged breach of financial regulations.

At the plenary on Thursday, the committee laid its report on the probe, but the House stepped down its consideration for a review.

The Chairman of the committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who excused himself from the probe based on the demand of the IMC, laid the report.

Both the Senate and the House had on May 5, 2020, separately resolved to investigate the alleged spending of over N40bn by the Expanded Interim Management Committee of the NDDC between October 2019 and May 2020 without approval.

It was later discovered that the NDDC had spent N81.5bn by June 2020.

The committee recommended that “these gross violations should be reported to the anti-graft agencies for further investigation, prosecution and recovery.”

“The total sum made to the acting Managing Director (Prof. Daniel Pondei), the executive directors and other directors of the NDDC to attend overseas graduation be refunded, and failure to do so immediately, the anti-graft agencies should commence investigation, prosecution and recovery,” the committee recommended.

The panel also recommended that Ojuogboh should be sacked as director of projects, being a medical practitioner and not an engineer.

It said, “Based on Sections 12(1) and 12(1)(a) of the NDDC Act 2000, Dr Cairo Godson Ojuogboh is unqualified and unfit to occupy the office of Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, and should be discharged forthwith from that position and all affected employees recalled.”

It also said the monitoring and advisory bodies of the agency, which was recognised by the Act that established the NDDC, should be inaugurated immediately.

It noted that Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had no capacity to supervise the forensic audit and therefore demanded that the Auditor-General for the Federation should take full charge of the exercise for transparency and efficiency.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said the report would be submitted to the President, who “is eagerly expecting it.”

Meanwhile, A civil society organisation, the Centre for Leadership and Justice, has called for the dissolution of the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission over allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta region.

The President of the group, Emmanuel Umohinyang, also expressed disappointment in the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for failing to wield the big stick when it became obvious that the NDDC management was derailing from its objective.

Umohinyang explained in an interview with one of our correspondents that with the controversies surrounding the management of funds by the IMC, the committee did not deserve to continue to preside over the agency.

Umohinyang, who is the Convener, Re-elect Buhari, and currently an aide to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), warned that the NDDC might be scrapped if the people refused to fight for its survival.

Akpabio recants as Reps move to sue the minister for defamation, perjury

The House of Representatives has resolved to sue the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for alleged perjury and defamation of the parliament.

Akpabio had on Monday, while appearing before the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission at an investigative hearing on the alleged illegal spending and mismanagement by the NDDC, alleged that members of the National Assembly got 60 per cent of contracts from the commission.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, with the leave of the House, on Tuesday, had asked the minister to provide details of the contracts between 24 hours and 48 hours.

At the opening of plenary on Thursday, Gbajabiamila announced that Akpabio failed to meet the ultimatum to prove his allegation.

The Speaker said he had consequently asked the Clerk to the House, Patrick Giwa, to meet the lawyers on the legal action to be taken against the minister.

Gbajabiamila said, “Last Tuesday, I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to substantiate his allegation that over 60 per cent of contracts awarded by the NDDC went to members of the National Assembly. I said then that the minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations.

“The minister has failed to respond to my request. Therefore, I must conclude that his statement was intended solely to gaslight the nation to avoid accountability for the evident maladministration and malfeasance in the NDDC.

“This morning, I asked the Clerk of the House to engage the services of legal counsel and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the minister. At the same time, we will instruct the counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the minister.”

About one hour later, the Speaker announced that Akpabio had replied the House and recanted the claim.

In a letter read out by Gbajabiamila, the minister said, “I never referred to members of the 9th House of Representatives as beneficiaries of the NDDC contracts, as the NDDC is yet to fully implement any budget since the commencement of the 9th National Assembly.”

Akpabio said the Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, forwarded to him 19 old contracts amounting to N9bn, which the Chairman of the House Committee on the NDDC, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, insisted that the IMC must pay for.

The minister stated, “As a former Minority Leader of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I shall forever hold the ideals of the National Assembly and will not make the entire document public, which I got from the lead forensic auditor in confidence.

“As to the reference to 60 per cent of contracts, the investigative committee refused and neglected to give me (an) opportunity to explain that I was responding to a question by a member of the committee. Permit me to explain that any reference to 60 per cent during the investigative hearing was in answer to a question by a member of the committee as to whether or not a medical doctor could act as executive director, projects, which I answered in (the) affirmative and that the greatest project in the world today is COVID-19, which is medical in nature.

THE remains of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, were interred on Thursday at the Military Cemetery in Abuja, amidst tributes and tears.

NAF, others pay tributes as Arotile is buried in Abuja

THE remains of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, were interred on Thursday at the Military Cemetery in Abuja, amidst tributes and tears.

She was accorded full military honours as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, led other military brass and dignitaries in paying tributes and laying wreaths.

Arotile’s remains were interred at 11.05am with her family members standing at the graveside. A barrage of 21 gunshots also rent the air as part of the military honours accorded the departed pilot.

The 24-year-old died on July 14, 2020, at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna, after she was knocked down by a Kia Sorento SUV driven by Nehemiah Adejoh, her ex-classmate at the Force Secondary School, now Air Force Comprehensive School.

Before the burial, there was a hymnal rendition by a choir, while the NAF Director of Chaplaincy (Protestant), Group Capt. Dogo Gani, delivered a sermon taken from Isaiah, 57:1-3.

He advised the audience to focus on doing the right things in order to leave a great legacy behind.

The Chief of Air Staff and the chief mourner, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the Nigerian Air Force was still in shock over Arotile’s death, noting that her passage had cut short the service’s expectations.

He described the deceased as a confident combat helicopter pilot who braved all odds to achieve her dreams, adding that her short stay was impactful.

Abubakar stated, “I must confess that even at this monument, NAF is still in palpable shock and grief at this because it is the loss of a mentee, who the Nigerian Air Force had so much confidence in and our expectations had been cut short.

“As a combat helicopter pilot for several years, I can tell you that this young and confident combat helicopter pilot in the history of the Nigerian Air Force braved so many odds to get to where she was before her demise.”

The CAS added, “As a service, we have so many expectations for Tolu, which she was already living up to with ease. Though she is no longer with us, I must say that her short stay with us was highly impactful.”

He said Arotile carried out her assignment both on the ground and in the air with professionalism, commitment and confidence, noting that she contributed immensely to the decimation of subversive elements across all theatres of operation, most especially, in the North-West and North-Central axis.

The elder sister to the deceased, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, in her tribute, expressed gratitude to God for giving the nation Arotile and the NAF for giving her the platform to “outshine her peers.”

Adegboye said, “Because of their (NAF) trust and investment, Tolulope showed exemplary skills too difficult to emulate. As a child, Tolulope had always dreamt of flying a plane.

“At that age, her aspirations were blurry, but today, we can all gladly testify to the impact she had made not only in the Nigerian Air Force but among family members, colleagues and the entire nation.”

Senate honours Arotile

Meanwhile, the Senate on Thursday, observed a minute silence in honour of the late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat helicopter pilot of the Nigerian Air Force.

The red chamber also condoled with the Arotile family, the Nigerian Air Force, Governor Yahaya Bello, and the people of Kogi State.

This was sequel to a point of order raised on the floor of the Senate about her demise by the representative of the Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi.

The red chamber did not approve an additional prayer by Adeyemi, who sought his colleagues’ approval for a monument to be named after the late Arotile at her local community in Kogi State.

The representative of Kogi East Senatorial District, Senator Jibrin Issah, called for a full scale investigation into the death of Arotile.

Adeyemi had urged the Senate to note with grief, the death of Arotile, who died on Tuesday, 14th July, 2020 in a freak accident at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, at the age of 24;

He added  that the late Flying Officer  was winged as Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot at the Nigerian Air Force headquarters, Abuja on 15 October 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa.

He said, “Flying Officer Arotile, who hailed from Ife in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was born on 13th December 1995 to the family of Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna.

“She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2006-2011. In September 2012, she gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, where she was a member of 64 Regular Course.

“Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017, holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.”

Benue State Government seizes 230 cows, arrests four herdsmen

The Benue State Livestock Guards, on Thursday, seized 230 cows found grazing in the open in some parts of the state in contravention of the anti-open grazing law.

The Commandant of the Livestock Guard, Linus Zaki, said four herdsmen were arrested in connection with the offence.

Zaki explained that his team found a large herd of cattle grazing around Iorde, Gbajigba, in the Guma Local Government Area of the state when they were on patrol of the area on July 13, 2020.

He stated, “Again, on July 15, 2020, we went on patrol in the Gbaji area of the Gwer West Local Government Area and saw some cows grazing; we also seized them and arrested two herdsmen.

“Then, on July 26, 2020, we got information that some Fulani herdsmen were grazing their cattle openly at Daudu; again, we seized 80 cows, bringing the total number of seized animals to 230.”

Majority of COVID-19 patients prefer home treatment – Lagos

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said majority of COVID-19 patients in the state prefer to be treated at home, rather than being admitted to the state’s isolation facilities.

Abayomi, at a briefing on Thursday, lamented that many people give false information when they come for tests, making it difficult for them to be traced when their results come out positive.

He stated, “On a day-to-day basis, we make a diagnosis of COVID-19, which ranges between 100 and 200 every day. Out of those we diagnose, only a small number are willing to be admitted. Generally, we don’t have a problem convincing those who are very sick to be admitted to our isolation facilities. But by and large, the majority of COVID-19 patients prefer to be managed at home. So we keep in touch with them by telephone and telemedicine.

He said 2,036 cases were confirmed in the past two weeks, but the patients had not been picked from the community for treatment.

The commissioner added that the state was spending between N100,000 and N1m on a daily basis for each patient receiving care at its isolation facilities.

“For mild to moderate cases in our isolation centres, it cost the government in the region of N100,000 daily. That gives you an idea of the amount the state government is spending on COVID-19 patients daily. If you require high and intensive care, that amount can go up to anything from N500,000 to even N1m daily, depending on the complications of the case.”

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, said schools and worship centres would remain closed in the state, adding that the state government would continue to prioritise the safety of the residents.