Category: News

  • Police arrest notorious thug in crackdown on violence in Kano

    Police arrest notorious thug in crackdown on violence in Kano

    The Kano State Police Command on Tuesday made a significant breakthrough in its fight against thuggery, arresting a notorious thug identified as Inuwa Zakari, also known as “Gundura,” alongside 14 others.

    The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest via a press statement released to The Punch in Kano.

    Gundura, 24, who was wanted for terrorising the metropolis, was also identified as the assailant who attacked a Vigilance Group Commander, inflicting life-threatening injuries and damaging a police vehicle.

    The arrests were made during clearance operations conducted between 25 and 27 October 2024, following directives from the State Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, to launch aggressive action against thuggery.

    The police sent a clear and strong message that such violent activities would not be tolerated.

    The suspects are currently undergoing investigation at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department and, upon completion, will be charged in court to face the full extent of the law.

    The Commissioner of Police expressed appreciation for the public’s continued support and cooperation.
    He stated, “This isn’t the first time the Kano State Police Command has taken decisive action against criminal activity.”

    The Kano Police Command had previously arrested 269 suspects for looting during a protest in August 2024.

    The Police Commissioner urged everyone to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through emergency contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, or 09029292926 for prompt action.

  • NDDC pledges support to police, other security agencies

    NDDC pledges support to police, other security agencies

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the Commission will not relent in providing the needed support to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the region to enable them to function optimally.

    Ogbuku stated this when the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Mohammed, recently redeployed to Rivers State, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama and sent to newsmen. 

    Ogbuku added that despite the commission’s recent donation of operational vehicles and communication gadgets to the Rivers State Police Command, a contract award for supplying Solar – lights to the nine police state command headquarters in the region will soon be concluded.

    He assured: “The Niger Delta Development Commission is committed to giving adequate support to the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the region to ensure effective job performance.

    “As part of this commitment, we have been able to provide security gadgets and operational vehicles to the police and we are determined to collaborate and link up with other state commissioners of police and sister security agencies in the region to enhance their operations.”

    The NDDC boss commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police for his good track record and achievements, as well as the police command’s successes in fighting crime, thus minimising the number of kidnappings and other criminal activities in the state.

    Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police said he was at the commission headquarters on a familiarisation visit and to seek the support of the NDDC in fighting crime and criminality in the state.

    The police boss, who underscored the importance of community policing, observed that the interface with NDDC would promote a healthy synergy in security and intelligence gathering.

    He also urged the public not to hesitate to report police misconduct to his office for disciplinary action.

  • Sokoto residents decry delayed sales of subsidised rice

    Sokoto residents decry delayed sales of subsidised rice

    Residents of Sokoto State, especially those within the metropolis, have called on the state government to identify points of sale of its subsidised rice to the people.

    Punch reports that the state governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, flagged off rice sales to the people of the state about two weeks ago at a 55% per cent discount rate at Kware town, Kware Local Government Area of the state.

    This move, according to the governor, was part of a measure to make life easy for the people, especially with the current economic situation in the country.

    The governor during the flag-off about two weeks ago said, “A bag of 50kg of rice will be sold at the rate of N38,700, while the 25kg will go for N19,350 and 10kg is expected to be sold at the rate of N7,740.

    “We have also advised the committee on the sales of the foodstuffs to also consider those who can not afford the aforementioned sizes and to also attend to those who want to buy plates of the items.

    “The government is not ready to collect the proceeds of the sales but to open a special account to put the proceeds, which we will use again to buy other foodstuffs to continue the projects.

    “The state government expended a sum of 14.488 billion naira on this project with 280 trailers of rice, while the ward in the state is entitled to one truck, which is equivalent to 600 bags of rice.”

    Speaking on the current situation, Mallam Usman Bello, a resident of the metropolis, said the long wait is gradually demoralising the people of the state.

    He said many people in the state have put so much hope in the sales of the rice. ” We have been waiting for this thing since the announcement of the flagging off was made but unfortunately, nothing seems to be working.

    “Life is so difficult with a bag of 50kg foreign parboiled rice in the market now going for between N95,000 and N105,000 depending on where you get it.

    “We have moved to most of the wards in the metropolis to find out about the sales of the subsidised rice as promised by the state government.”

    Also speaking, a woman, Hajia Asabe Lawal, said her husband has set aside some amount of money to procure the item since it was launched but the reverse seems to be the case as she could not get the rice as expected.

    “I had the opportunity to move to about three wards in Sokoto South Local Government but could not get the rice to buy.

    “We are appealing to the government to make this rice available to us at the market as promised with a subsidised rate to enable us to have food on our table.”

    Responding to the development, the state Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, said the committee on the sales of rice in the state is busy with transportation of the items to the local government levels.

    He said the state government committee led by former deputy governor, Chiso Abdullahi, is currently supplying the items to the local government committee.

    “Yes, they have started moving the items to the local government level, starting with the faraway local governments like Isa, Sabon Birni, Kebbe, Gudu, and Tambuwal.

    “I believe once they are done with those faraway local governments, those close by will be the next port of call.

    “I want to assure our people in the state that the rice is intact and will soon get to everyone in need of it,” he assured.

  • JUST IN: N750m donated as Tinubu, others unveil Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem

    JUST IN: N750m donated as Tinubu, others unveil Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem

    President Bola Tinubu has launched Nigeria’s 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

    He pledged to prioritise the welfare of servicemen and women as they secure the country’s territorial integrity and her citizens.

    Speaking at the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Tinubu acknowledged the role of Nigeria’s armed forces as the Federal Government’s first line of defence.

    He highlighted his administration’s commitment to supporting military personnel and honouring those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

    Tinubu also noted the pivotal role of security in Nigeria’s economic future, pledging continued allocation of resources to address security challenges across the country.

    Tuesday’s ceremony also featured several significant donations as a gesture of support for the armed forces.

    On behalf of the FG, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation pledged N500m.

    The National Assembly, represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, contributed N200m, and the nation’s top security heads, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, collectively committed N50m on behalf of the military and police.

    Details shortly…

  • DSS clears ministerial nominees for Senate screening

    DSS clears ministerial nominees for Senate screening

    The Department of State Services (DSS) have cleared the ministerial nominees put forward for President Bola Tinubu.

    This means the Senate will now screen the nominees for confirmation.

    Meanwhile, Senator Lado in a statement on Monday has confirmed that ministerial nominees have commenced documentation ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate, which commences on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

    The statement read, “He stated that the nominees were already submitting relevant documents as first in the series of procedures for the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees.

    “The nominees are expected to be screened and confirmed by the Senate in compliance with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).”

    Recall that President Tinubu had written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation
    of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja on Wednesday.

  • I will make you disappear – Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh assaults Uber driver | VIDEO

    I will make you disappear – Abia Rep, Alex Ikwechegh assaults Uber driver | VIDEO

    A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, has been caught on camera assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, who went to deliver a package to him.

    The video was recorded by the driver whose name is yet unknown in Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.

    The video depicted the visibly angered Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency (APGA) repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.

    In the footage, Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status while threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.

    “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.

    “I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.”

  • I’m truly sorry – Abia lawmaker, Ikwechegh apologises for assaulting Bolt driver

    I’m truly sorry – Abia lawmaker, Ikwechegh apologises for assaulting Bolt driver

    A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, has apologized publicly for assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, who went to his house to deliver a package to him.

    Ikwechegh, in a statement, admitted that his behaviour did not meet the standards required of a public official.

    He said “As a public servant, I recognise the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behaviour fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

    Ikwechegh said he regretted the harm and embarrassment his actions had caused Abuwatseya, his constituents, and the public.

    He also confirmed his cooperation with the Nigerian Police, pledging to support their investigation and uphold accountability.

    “I, Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, Member of the House of Representatives, wish to address a deeply disturbing incident that occurred at my residence recently. A video has surfaced showing me engaging in unacceptable behaviour towards an Uber driver who came to deliver a waybill for me. I am deeply sorry for my actions and acknowledge that they were unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official.

    “As a public servant, I recognize the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behaviour fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry. I understand that my actions have caused harm and embarrassment to the driver, my constituents, and the nation at large.”

  • CBN to start gradual withdrawal of old notes ahead of 31st December deadline – House Of Rep

    CBN to start gradual withdrawal of old notes ahead of 31st December deadline – House Of Rep

    The Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) has been ordered by the House of Representatives to start the process of circulating the old notes before 31st December which is the deadline.

    This has put Nigerians in a state of turmoil, as last year was tough for many Nigerians to secure the new naira notes while other burnt and disposed off their old notes.

    In addition, CBN was mandated to release more new, N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.

    It is also said by Ogene, that the supreme court ruled and ordered that the old  N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, will cease to be legal tender in Nigeria, and also stop to circulate as of January 1, 2025.

    He also showed displeasure with the fact that this wasn’t announced to Nigerians 3 months earlier, to prepare Nigerians, because the last time this happened it caused a hike in the price of goods and litigations last year.

    Ogene is the lawmaker and he still went further to show his displeasure about the CBN still releasing the old Naira notes alongside the new naira notes, for day-to-day transactions in Nigeria, rather than gathering the old notes and ceasing to circulate them back to the public, to make it easier for the citizens.

    With that statement, the House of Rep decided to ask the Central Bank Of Nigeria to start issuing and circulating the new N200, N500 and N1,000 notes, and gradually cease the withdrawal of old notes in circulation before 31st December which is in 2 months.

    The House of Rep said, “ To urge the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to order commercial banks to forthwith stop cash payment to their customers with old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes but instead, engage in gradual mopping up of the old notes;

    “Urge the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to kick-start awareness programmes for Nigerians to be aware and prepare for the deadline of December 31, 2024.”