SUSPECTED OIL THIEVES BURNT TO DEATH

No fewer than seven suspected smugglers of petroleum products have been reported burnt to death in a petroleum tanker fire outbreak in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Mubi is a commercial nerve of Adamawa and it is bordering with the Republic of Cameroon.

An eyes witness, Alhaji Mansur Bala, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

Bala said that the fire brokeout when the deceased were transferring petroleum products from a tanker to over 1,000 plastic jerricans at a filling station.

Another eyewitness, Malam Iliya Haruna, told NAN that he counted seven death bodies that were burnt beyond recognition.

Haruna said that among the death bodies were two paternal brothers who were well known in petroleum business in Mubi.

Dr Mohammed Sulaiman, the Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) has confirmed the incident.

Sulaiman however said that only three people were killed in the incident, while two sustained various degrees of injuries.

“The petroleum tanker fire incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at about 1.30 a. m.

“So far, three people lost their lives and two sustained injuries from fire burns and they are receiving medical treatment at the Mubi General Hospital,” Sulaiman said.

He said property worth millions of naira were also destroyed by the fire.

The executive secretary, therefore, advised petroleum products dealers in the state to as matter of safety avoid operation during odd hours. (NAN)

COURT FINES FANI-KAYODE, THREATENS TO REVOKE BAIL

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday ordered a former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode to pay a fine of N200,000 for being absent from court for his re-arraignment, on the excuse of having a bed rest

when the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, prosecution counsel Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari informed the court that second defendant Fani-Kayode was not in court to take his plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to revoke Fani-Kayode’s bail earlier granted him by the court.

F. B. Ajudua, who is Counsel to Fani-Kayode, prayed the court to decline the application, on the grounds that the defendant had sent in a letter explaining the reason for his absence.

Ajudua told the Court that Fani-Kayode, he is on ‘bed rest’, at Kubwa General Hospital, Abuja, emphasizing that this was Fani-Kayode’s first absence from Court since the matter commenced in 2016.

Having gone through the Court’s record booked, Hon. Justice Osiagor noted that, contrary to the lawyer’s Fani-Kayode had been absent from court five times as against his Counsel’s claim.

Hon. Justice Osiagor then ordered Fani-Kayode’s to pay a fine of N200, 000(two hundred thousand naira) before the next adjourned date, else the Court will revoke his bail and Fani-Kayode’s Counsel opted for the fine.

The defendants’ arraignment was consequently adjourned to 30th November 2021.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed a charge marked FHC/L/C/251c/2016, against Fani-Kayode and others for money laundering related charges.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nnenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria LTd, on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1.5Billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.

Cunt 17 reads: “That you Femi Fani-Kayode and Olubode Oke (still at large) on or about the 12th day of February,2015 in Lagos, without going through a financial institution made cash payment in the sum of N6million to Paste Poster Co (PPC) of 125, Lewis Street, Lagos Island, Lagos which sum exceeded the amount authorised by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

The offences according to the anti-graft agency contravened sections 1(a), 15(2)(d), 16(d), 18(a), 16(d) 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3), 16(2)(b) and 4 of the same Act.

UNKNOWN VIGILANTE ATTACKS EDO POLICE WHILE RESCUING CHILDREN KIDNAPPED BY HOUSEMAID

Some hoodlums, suspected to be members of a yet to be identified vigilante group have attacked men of the Edo State Police Command who were on a mission to rescue two children stolen in Lagos State and brought to Benin City by a housemaid.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Bello
Kontongs, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, August 28, said operatives, however, rescued the victims who were between 2 and 4 years old respectively.

He stated that Operatives of the Command also arrested the 21-year-old househelp, Precious Mmaduike, who on 23rd August, 2021, allegedly abducted David lbe, 4, and Chizaram, 2, both children of her employer, Mr lbe Phenasus of No. 31 Balogun kuku street, Aguda
Surulere in Lagos State.

The statement said the housemaid was arrested alongside two other suspects; Jane Osas, 35 and 45-year-old John Obasu.

“According to the complainant who also is the father of the children, at about 08:45hrs, his children were given N500 by his wife to buy biscuit outside the compound in Lagos in the company of their housemaid.

“They waited for them to return but they were not forthcoming.

The phone of the housemaid was switched off, all efforts in search of the children and
housemaid proved abortive.

That was when the father immediately reported the situation to Aguda Police Station, Lagos, where it was discovered that the last location of the housemaid before she switched off her mobile was in Benin city, Edo State.

“The complainant decided to come to the police in Edo State for assistance.

Men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of Edo State Police Command immediately commenced
investigation.

“With the aid of the information gathered from the origin of the abduction and field assets, the
abducted children were rescued on 26/08/2021 at about 1730hrs by the
operatives of the Edo State Police Command, Benin city in a very remote area at Upper Ekewan Road, Benin City with the housemaid and a woman she came to visit with the children.

“The housemaid who met the woman on the internet claimed that the two children belonged to her and they came to Benin City for visit but unknown to the woman that the children are not for her.

The woman had bought gift items and other properties for the children and are currently with the police, the PPRO explained.

According to Kontongs, “while the operatives were on their way to the State Command in Benin city with the rescued children, the suspects and two other children found in the
house, the husband of the woman, one Joseph Obaze raised alarm of kidnapping against the police Operatives which attracted a group of unknown vigilante members who blocked the road”

“The Police Operatives identified themselves to the unknown vigilante group but they went ahead to attack the police operatives with all kinds of weapons, causing bodily injuries to some policemen.”

“Before reinforcement could arrive at the scene, the vigilante group had escaped to an unknown destination.

Efforts are in place by the command to apprehend the vigilante leader and his gang members that attacked the police operatives” the statement disclosed.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police enjoined all law abiding members of the public to go about their lawful businesses, noting that the command would not allow miscreants in the name of
vigilante group to take over the public space.

“For the police to achieve its mandate of protecting lives and property, the CP enjoins the public to continue to provide useful information to the police about criminals and their activities” Kontongs stated.

…AND THE GUITAR BOY GOES HOME

It was a sad day for Edo people, Nigerians and the world at large as the news of the death of a musical Maestro, Sir, Prof., Victor Efosa Uwaifo, MON, JP, filtered in.

At first, it was a mere rumour until a nephew of his, Uwaifo Peter The
Rock, a gospel singer, broke the news on Facebook Saturday evening as he wrote:

“Daddy whyyyyyyyyyy. Did you leave us now

Prof sir Victor UWAIFO has gone to rest

Black Saturday for me now.

One week now after
collaborating with me.”

WE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN: BIDEN ADDRESSES U S. ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN

President Biden spoke to Americans on Thursday, nearly nine hours after
the first attack on the Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport, after being MIA all day.

“It’s been a tough day,” Biden began, adding that he’s “been engaged all day in constant contact with military commanders” in the Pentagon and Department of Defense.

Biden’s affect was flat throughout the speech, except for a few moments
when he read some tough-talk off the
teleprompter.

He stumbled badly in the first few minutes of the address to the nation, sounding more defeated
and confused than resolute.

He acknowledged that “the situation on the ground is still evolving,” but said the American service members who gave their lives “were heroes”

“They were part of an airlift and evacuation effort unlike anything in history”

He didn’t mention that the devastating events on the ground were caused by his failed leadership.

He said the soldiers who died on Thursday were part of “the bravest, most selfless military on the face of the earth… the spine of America, the best the country has to offer” Jill and I, our hearts ache” he said, showing no emotion.

“We’re outraged as well as heartbroken.”

As Biden usually does when he faces criticism, he trotted out his deceased son Beau, bizarrely suggesting that his son’s cancer was somehow the result of his military service.

He said he was devastated “when Beaul came home after a year in Iraq and was diagnosed, like many, many coming home, with an aggressive cancer of the brain, who we lost”

“You get this feeling like you’re being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest and there’s no way out” he reflected.

He then turned his attention to the attackers.

“To those who carried out
this attack, we will not forgive, we will not forget, We will hunt you down and make you pay,” he said, vowing to use “every measure at my command.

“We must complete this mission and we will” he said, referring to the evacuation. “And that’s what l’ve ordered them to do”

“We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose, at the moment of our choosing.

“These ISIS terrorists will not win.

We will rescue the Americans in there.

We will get our Afghan allies out’ he vowed. “America will not be intimidated”

He revealed that there had been “complete unanimity” among his military commanders concerning the hasty evacuation.

“I granted every request from military commanders”

“We have so much to do. It’s in our capacity to do it”‘ he said.

“We just have to remain steadfast”

Asked whether he will send additional troops to Afghanistan, he replied, “l’ve instructed the military, whatever they need, if they need additional force, will grant it”

He explained that the Taliban “subscribe to the mission as defined to get as many people out as we can” before the deadline.

Regarding whether his mistakes were responsible for the devastating events
of the last week, he said, “No, I don’t.

Look, I think Gen. McKenzie handled this very well. The fact is, we weren’t in a situation, we inherited a situation”

Shockingly, he said that members of the Taliban-the same folks beheading people across Afghanistan-“are moving back the perimeter, stopping vehicles, and searching people” suggesting that that was a good thing.

But don’t worry, because “they’re acting in their interest… no one trusts them.

We’re just counting on their self-interest to continue to generate their activities.

It’s in their self-interest that we leave when we said and that
we get as many people out as we can.”

“It’s not a matter of trust, it’s a matter of mutual self-interest” he again
insisted.

“There’s no evidence thus
far, that I’ve been given… that there has been collusion between the Taliban and ISIS in carrying out what
happened today”

The president said the evacuation is “expected to continue beyond today”

Asked how he can justify putting more troops in harm’s way, he gave an incoherent answer.

“What America says matters.

What we say we’re going to do in the context in which
we say we’re going to do it, that we do it, unless something exceptional
changes.”

“They’re not good guys, the Taliban” he reiterated.

“Im not suggesting that at all. But they have a keen interest… they’d very much Iike to see how they can keep the airport open.. and maintain what is a portion of the economy that is not robust but fundamentally different than it had been”

Asked whether it was a mistake to abandon Bagram Air Base, he said that in the “best military judgment” of his commanders, “they concluded, the military, that Bagram was not much value added, that it was much better to focus on Kabul and so I focused on that recommendation”

“1 bear responsibility for fundamentally all that’s happened of late” he
confessed, but then blamed former President Trump.

“Here’s the deal… you know as well as I do that a former president made a deal with the Taliban to get all forces out of Afghanistan”

“There is a reason why there were no attacks on Americans on the date until I came into office was because the commitment was made by President
Trump, 1 will be out by May 1st.

In the meantime, you agree not to attack any Americans! That was the deal.

That’s why no Americans were attacked”

“Ladies and gentlemen, it was time to end a 20-year war” Biden concluded.

ARMY DENIES ENLISTING REPENTANT TERRORISTS

NIGERIAN ARMY DOES NOT ENLIST FORMER TERRORISTS

Our attention has been drawn to an online video making rounds in the social media by one Young Elder and produced by Anthony Jay. In the video, the so called Young Elder attempted to draw conclusion from the collapse of the Afghan military and trying very hard to relate it to the ongoing surrender by the Boko Haram/ Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorists in Nigeria.

The Young Elder in a comic way tried to express worries about the surrendered terrorists.

While it is understood that the situation in Afghanistan calls for concerns by any right thinking person or organisation, the manner in which the comic Young Elder presented it shows his lack of basic knowledge on the subject he hurriedly delved into. The amateurish production conjured some unfounded and baseless claims that only exist in the pigment of their imagination, claiming that surrendered terrorists where going to be absorbed into the Nigerian Army (NA).

For the avoidance of doubt, the NA does not have any repentant terrorists joining its ranks and does not have any plan for that. There are teaming able-bodied Nigerians that are willing to join the NA and genuinely help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes. The NA therefore is not desperate for prospective recruits to stoop so low and engage the services of former terrorists. As a general rule, it is not even recommended to absorb former fighters into the services of a regular military.

The NA wish to state that the campaign of falsehood embarked upon by some individuals who do not wish the nation well cannot distract its personnel from their resolve to bring an end to the violent crimes in the country. We wish to reiterate that the NA under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya will continue to operate within the dictates of the law. Surrendered terrorists will be received, processed and passed to the appropriate Government agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of handling them.

While we recommend that matters related to security be left with those who have the requisite expertise and experience, we wish to remind comic characters like Young Elder to focus on contributing towards nation building and not engaging in campaign of falsehood.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
24 August 2021

US EMPOWERS TALIBANS TO BECOME THE 26TH WORLD LARGEST AIR FORCE

There are growing concerns over the fate of the Afghan people, religions as well as the multiplier effect the US recent withdrawal from Afghanistan would be in the coming months, owing to the large catches of arms, ammunitions and other military wares for Prosecuting wars left behind for the Talibans by the US.

Kabul, Afghanistan, had fallen to the Taliban amid the Biden administration’s poorly executed withdrawal from the country.

The Taliban possess a burning hatred for America and for those within their own nation’s boundaries who don’t suit their radical Islamic ideals.

US VETERAN GRIEVES

Now that they have access to U.S. military technology left behind amid our untimely departure, for the world?

Could we see our own supplies being used against the Afghan people or even against ourselves?

On Friday, The Wall Street Journal cited a 2017 Government Accountability Office report that indicated the U.S. had sent “nearly 600,000 small arms, 76,000 vehicles and 208 airplanes to Afghanistan’s military and police from 2003 to 2016.”

The Afghan military has put down their weapons in light of the Islamic militant takeover, and the Taliban isn’t reluctant to make use of the military technology we’ve left behind.

What once worked for us and for the Afghan people now works against both.

The Biden administration’s poorly executed troop removal gifted the Taliban a bounty of our own supplies.
It’s a devastating reality.

Judging by the numbers , the number of aircraft we’ve left behind for the Taliban to take would be enough for the radical regime to supplant Vietnam as the world’s 26th largest air force.

And this is happening as Biden laughs 0ff questions about the Taliban and attempts to justify his decision by saying “everyone wanted out of Afghanistan, so I finally got them out” (paraphrasing, of course).

He will continue to offer that defense as if his manner of executing the withdrawal is irrelevant.

But we know better.

Americans grieve. Veterans of a 20-year war feel as if their sacrifices were in vain. Our people left behind are hostages to the Taliban. The Afghan citizens, along with them, are left behind as collateral.

To salt the wound, Taliban fighters now have access to U.S. equipment.

“The Taliban have seized airplanes, tanks and artillery from Afghan outposts and from evacuating U.S. personnel, revealing one of the heavier costs of a U.S. troop withdrawal amid a collapse of Afghanistan’s government and army,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

The outlet also said “scores of videos” have emerged amid the catastrophe, showing Taliban fighters “rejoicing near abandoned American helicopters, carrying U.S.-supplied M24 sniper rifles and M18 assault weapons, stacking other small arms and materiel in unending piles and driving Humvees and other U.S.-made military trucks.”

They’re doing everything they can to flaunt their victory over an inept administration, even mocking us by raising their flag in a style reminiscent of the iconic Iwo Jima photo from World War II in a recent photo.

All the while, the U.S. the supplier of these arms, the world’s largest air force presence, the third-largest standing army in the world (behind China and India) and a world superpower (among other titles), sits back, watching the destabilization in agony.

Now the Taliban may be the world’s 26th-largest air force.

Assuming the militants have captured and made use of all 208 airplanes mentioned by The Wall Street Journal, the Taliban would rank just behind Belarus and ahead of Vietnam in number of combat aircraft, according to Nation Master .

Imagine the national security nightmares several nations now face in light of this and in light of what has already transpired.

Great Britain, one of our greatest allies, was left “rattled” by Biden’s rapid withdrawal-to quote an article from The New York Times-after the U.K. and other allies supported us in the region for 20 years.

The British Parliament even elected to hold Biden in contempt over the “botched withdrawal” on Wednesday (which essentially means Biden’s actions obstructed or interfered with Parliament’s operations).

Now, as U.S. presence remains at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport , Britain and France are conducting military operations to liberate their citizens trapped behind enemy lines.

Needless to say, it’s unfair that they are forced to clean up the mess our president made for them.

Is this how they’re thanked for their help?

They, too, understand the grim reality we face as Islamic militants emerge as the victors of this long-standing conflict.

We all see where the Taliban’s newfound ownership of our military technology might lead, and the thoughts aren’t inviting.

And we all know who’s to blame.

OBASEKI GOES TOGH ON COVID-19 VACCINATION

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has announced that people who did not take COVID-19 vaccine would not be allowed into churches and mosques and other public places.

Mr. Obaseki made the announcement while
inspecting the Edo State
Primary Healthcare Agency, to monitor the state’s readiness ahead of arrival of the vaccines.

He disclosed that as the
third wave of COVID and the Delta variant continued to ravage the world, the state
government was working
with its epidemiological team

The visit, he said, was to check the response arrangements and
emergency facilities, which was used for the first and
second waves of COVID-19 to ensure that they are in shape and are ready for the response that we are
currently planning for the
third wave.

According to the Governor, “Beginning from the second week of September 2021, large gatherings, as well as high traffic public and private places will only be accessed by persons who have proof of taking at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination.

“People who have not yet been vaccinated at all will depend on remote access to these gatherings”.

“From the second week of September people may not be allowed to worship in churches and mosques without showing proof of their vaccination cards at the gates.” the Governor declared.

OBASEKI TASKS ARMY HIGH COMMAND ON SECURITY

Edo State Govory, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has appealed to the Nigerian Army to set up a base in crime-prone areas in the state especially on the Benin-Auchi road axis.

Obaseki made the appeal while hosting the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, who led other senior officers on a courtesy visit to Edo Government House on Tuesday in Benin.

He said “First, I have to commend you and your men for the cooperation we’ve continued to enjoy from your end.

“Having said that I want to add that we are having security challenges in the
state such as kidnapping, especially between the Benin-Auchi axis.

“We have military formations in Edo South, also Auchi and Agenegbode
both in Edo North Senatorial District.

“And because the 120 kilometers spaces between them do not have any
military presence, it has been difficult for the military to respond either from the South or North when there is an incident.

“While l appeal to Niaeria Army to heed our request, the state Government will give all necessary support if the army can consider
setting up a forward operating base between the distance of the North and South senatorial districts.

“This will help us cover the axis where we are beginning to experience a lot of kidnappings and robbery incidents.

“The 4 Brigade has been very helpful in terms of supporting our communities in crisis.

“We also appeal if they can assist us with a special squad to support our efforts in calming the restiveness we are seeing around communities largely because of land disputes.

“We have laws in place that will help us deal with these issues.

“But by the time some of these communities find out that we now also have heavily armed military personnel within their communities, peace will
return to such areas.

“I want to say that we are very happy with you and we will continue to support you by providing some logistics to function optimally, he said.

Earlier, Lt. Gen. Yahaya had informed return to such areas.

“l want to say that we are very happpy with you and we will continue to support you by providing some logistics to function optimally, he said.

Earlier, Lt. Gen. Yahaya had informed the governor that he was in Benin on a working visit to formations and units to interact with officers and men as well as to motivate them for greater
responsibility. (NAN)

CONTROVERSIAL HIJACK OF UKRAINIAN PLANE

A Ukrainian plane that arrived in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul to evacuate Ukrainians was hijacked by unidentified people who flew it into Iran last Sunday, media reports quoted Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Yenin as saying.

“Last Sunday, our plane was hijacked by other people. On Tuesday, the plane was practically stolen from us, it flew into Iran with an unidentified group of passengers onboard instead of airlifting Ukrainians. Our next three evacuation attempts were also not successful because our people could not get into the airport,” Yenin said.

According to him, the hijackers were armed. However, the Minister did not report anything about what happened to the plane or whether Kyiv would seek to get it back or how the Ukrainian citizens got back from Kabul, onboard of this “practically stolen” plane or another one sent by Kyiv.

Yenin only underlined that the whole diplomatic service headed by Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba “had been working in the crash test mode” the whole week.

On Sunday, a military transport plane with 83 people on board, including 31 Ukrainians, arrived from Afghanistan to Kyiv. The presidential office reported that 12 Ukrainian military personnel returned home, while foreign reporters and public figures who requested help were also evacuated. The office also added that around 100 Ukrainians are still expecting evacuating in Afghanistan.

After the US announced the end of a 20-year-long military operation in Afghanistan and started to pull out soldiers, the Taliban went on an offensive against Afghanistan government forces.

Taliban on August 15 swept into Kabul, forcing the US and other countries to evacuate their embassy staff and people from the war-torn nation.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian foreign ministry
spokesperson has denied the claim, telling the local internet television station, Hromadske, that Yenin was trying to describe the difficulties faced by Ukrainian pilots during the
evacuation of Kabul.

Ukraine has evacuated 256
citizens on three flights, the spokesperson said, adding that all aircraft being used to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from Afghanistan were currently in Ukraine.

An Iranian official also denied the hijacking claims, saying that the plane had landed in Mashhad, a city in the country’s north-east, for refuelling before continuing on to Kyiv.

FlightRadar data shows that a Ukrainian plane previously leased to the private Atghan airline Kanm Air flew from Kabul to Mashhad on Monday, not Tuesday as Yenin said.

Later on Mondayonday, the plane flew from Mashhad to Kyiv, Flightradar data showed.