ZULUM RESETTLES IDPs NOV.27, CLOSES CAMP DEC.31

NAN report says, the Borno State Government will, Dec. 31, close all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps located within Maiduguri.

Gov. Babagana Zulum made this known while addressing State House correspondents at the end of a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja on Friday.

He said the decision to close the camps in Maiduguri was informed by the recent improvement in the security situation in the state.

According to him, the state government decided to close the camps to enable displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.

“I came to brief the president on efforts made by Borno State government in ensuring the return of internally displaced persons to their homes.

“So far so good, Borno State government has started well and arrangements have been concluded to ensure the closure of all internally-displaced persons’ camps that are inside Maiduguri on or before Dec. 31.,’’ he said.

According to the governor, arrangements have also been concluded for the safe return of persons displaced into neighbouring Niger and Cameroon Republics, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

“In addition to that, Borno State government is also making efforts in collaboration with the ministry to continue with the repatriation of Nigerians in Minawo Camp in Cameroon.

“Furthermore, on Nov. 27, Borno State government will ensure the resettlement of IDPs that are living in Diffa Province of Niger to Malumfatari, a local government area in Borno where we don’t have human population because of the insurgency,” he added.

Zulum commended security agencies for their support and efforts in the restoration of peace to troubled local government areas in Borno.

“To this effect, the Nigerian military is providing all the needed support to the government of Borno State.

“I am pleased to inform you also that the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Awwal Gambo, ensured the return of Naval Base to Baga last month,” Gov. Zulum said.

FCTA ARRESTS 217 STREET BEGGERS

Some of the beggars and destitute arrested by the Enforcement Officials of the FCTA Social Development Secretariat (SDS) on Friday, in Abuja.

The FCT Administration Social Development Secretariat (SDS) on Friday, in Abuja arrested 217 defaulters over street begging.

This is even as the secretariat declared zero tolerance against destitute, child abuse, street begging and all forms of activities that constitute environmental nuisance in the territory.

Malam Sani Rabe, Acting Director, Social Welfare Services of the SDS, made the declaration when he led an enforcement team of security agencies and evacuation squad to arrest beggars and destitute within the city centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enforcement team arrested and evacuated beggars and destitute at Gwarinpa, Galadimawa Junction, Maitama, around National Mosque and the city centre.

He disclosed that over 217 street beggars and destitute had been arrested by the enforcement team within three days of the renewed efforts to rid the city of environmental nuisance and other social vices.

Rabe gave the assurance that the operation would be sustained until the city was free of street beggars and destitute.

He appealed to religious leaders to educate the public on the implications of begging.

“We arrested many beggars with substantial amount of money with them yet some of them are sick, malnourished, and don’t even take care of themselves as they leave in a very dirty environment.

“We have on record at the FCT Bwari Area Council Rehabilitation Center, where we used to organised rehabilitation and vocational training for the beggars and destitute.

“In particular, there is a lady (beggar) we arrested with N675,000 cash, some of the naira notes that were kept for long are looking very dirty. I have the video record kept as an evidence,” he said.

Rabe, who condemned begging in it totality, said there were some people who were into business and were providing for their family with credit of less than N50,000.

He promised that the FCTA would intensify efforts to subject the arrested beggars to attitudinal change to make them understand that having hopeless mind doesn’t help an individual and the society.

The director, while noting that beggars were parasites and burden to the society, reiterated the determination of SDS to change their minds set to enable them become useful to themselves and the society.

Earlier, Amb. Haliru Shu’aibu, Director, Finance and Administration, Abuja National Mosque, said Islam doesn’t support begging and gave assurance of the management of the Mosque to the total support of eradicating beggars from the territory.

“The management of the Abuja National Mosque has directed all Imams of the mosque to announce everyday that begging is not allow in the religion centre.

“It is on record that the mosque have empowerment programme for the widows and those who have genuine reason to be assisted and empowered,” he said.

NNAMDI KANU CHALLENGES NEW CHARGES AGAINST HIM

Nnamdi Kanu and lawyers — Kanu and his team of lawyers

A Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday fixed Nov. 10 for hearing the application of the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, challenging the competency of the charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Justice Binta Nyako fixed the date after the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) filed a fresh seven-count charge against Kanu.

The judge also made an order that three people of Kanu’s choice should be allowed to visit him every Thursday

However, Kanu’s plea to be transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre was rejected by the court.

Earlier, the DSS brought Kanu into the courtroom on the fifth floor of the high-rise building about 9:45 am in the company of heavily armed security agents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on Monday filed fresh charge against Kanu bordering on treasonable felony and acts of terrorism.

NAN also reports that there was pandemonium earlier at the main entrance of the building as lawyers clashed with the DSS personnel over refusal to allow them access into the court premises.

NAN reports that Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony.

He had been granted bail in April 2017 for health reasons but skipped bail after flouting some of the conditions given to him by the court.

He later left Nigeria after soldiers raided his father’s residence in Abia state in November 2017.

IPOB was subsequently declared a terrorist group by the defence headquarters and court after the south-east governors proscribed it.

The Federal Government arrested Kanu.

NAN reports that on June 28,Justice Binta Nyako gave the order that he be remanded in DSS custody. (NAN)

ANAMBRA ELECTION: INEC DISTRUBUTES NON-SENSITIVE MATERIALS AS PRESIDENT BUHARI GIVES MARCHING ORDER FOR PEACEFUL ELECTION

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered Service chiefs to ensure election holds in Anambra State amidst peaceful atmosphere.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno made the position known while briefing Newsmen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, after the on the outcome of yesterday’s National Security Council meeting.

The NSA disclosed that President Buhari had made it clear to heads of security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in other to give Anambra people their constitutional right to vote, despite threats by non-state actors to disrupt the election.

According to him, “Today’s (yesterday) meeting of the National Security Council focused its attention on several issues, primarily the elections in Anambra State, which will be held on the 6th of November. Council observed recent trends in which a lot of violent activities have been taking place and Council is desirous of seeing a hitch-free election being conducted by next month.

“Now the problem here is that in as much as the government wants to conduct peaceful elections, there are non-state actors who have been heating up the polity, who have made all kinds of attempts to stymie orderly elections for next month.

“The President has directed that under no circumstances will anything be allowed to stop the elections from taking place successfully, the people have a right to vote, they have a right to select their leader, and no group or individual will be allowed to stimulate anarchy and chaos, leading to murderous activities.

“The President has made it very clear that the armed forces, security agencies, and law enforcement agencies must make sure that the elections take place, if it means overwhelming the entire environment with the presence of security agencies.

“There are so many implications for elections to be sabotaged by non-state actors. In the first place, we’re in a democracy. Secondly, it is important to note that if these non-state actors should succeed in destroying the potential for orderly elections, then it is natural that other parts of the country will also want to copy this situation.

“The tail cannot wag the dog, it is totally unacceptable and again, we in the security and intelligence community have been trying as much as possible to talk with the leadership in the Southeast, to make them aware of the fact that President Buhari is not averse to the aspirations of the people of the Southeast.

“So long as whatever they desire to achieve, they do it through the normal prescribed manner, either legislative, legal or whatever. For as long as it is within the confines of legitimacy, President Buhari does not have a problem with that. But any action that is outlandish, any action that typifies roguery, the usurpation of the authority of the state is not going to be tolerated.

“Again, we’re also mindful of the fact that Nigerians, being what they are, also need to understand that if these non-state actors should go out on a limb and extend the frontiers of violence, and begin to kill people, there is a possibility that reprisal attacks can take place in other parts of the country, which is what we do not want to happen.

“So, we’re working with the community leaders, with the governors and everybody to ensure that they bring their people, restrain them.” the NSA said.

Meanwhile, Non-sensitive materials for the Anambra governorship election have been destributed for the conduct of the November 6 election in Anambra State.

Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement, disclosed that the Commission has successfully implemented 12 out of 14 activities in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.

COVID-19: ONDO GOVT RESTRICTS MOVEMENT NOV.1

The Ondo State Government has vowed to enforce a policy of no vaccination card, no access to its offices.

Mr Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, disclosed this on Wednesday at a meeting with the staff of the Ministry in Akure.

He said the presentation of the COVID-19 vaccination card has become a compulsory requirement for civil servants as workers go to their workplaces as from Nov. 1.

“The directive would be enforced as from Nov.1 with compliance to all the COVID-19 protocols by the civil servants in the state.

He said the enforcement has become imperative due to the ravaging effects of the pandemic and its attendant morbidity.

Odusanya said that the meeting was the fallout of an earlier meeting with the Head of Service, who directed that any civil servant not vaccinated by Nov. 1 would not be allowed into any state government office.

According to him, enforcement is a means of protecting the staff because the pandemic, which is not yet over, has a more deadly variant, hence the need to be vaccinated and to obey the protocols.

He also urged them to prioritise routine check of blood pressure, blood sugar, and others, as certain diseases could be prevented by being careful.

Odusanya, who called for punctuality and seriousness at work, appealed for prudence with spending due to the prevalent economic situation in the country. (NAN)

13 PASSENGERS KIDNAPPED BY GUNMEN

Thirteen passengers have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen, dressed military uniform at Konar Barau village of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Confirming the incident, Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State, Monday Kuryas, while briefing Newsmen in the state capital, Minna, said one Mubarak Idris who is the driver of an 18-seater bus Mubarak Idris of Kwanawa village, Sokoto State, reported the matter at Zungeru Police Division.

He said the 18-seater bus with registration number LGT 12 XWX was conveying 18 passengers from Yauwuri Kebbi state mostly fishermen were heading to Yenagoa Beyelsa state when the incident occured.

According to the Commissioner of Police, the driver reported that on getting to Konar Barau sharp bend under Rafi local government area along Tegina/Minna road, suspected bandits in military uniform kidnapped 13 of his passengers and his motor boy.

The commissioner said that already aggressive manhunt for the hoodlums had commenced and solicited the support of residents, especially those in rural areas, to assist the police with reliable information that could lead to the arrest of the miscreants.

” We appeal to residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in the state.

” We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the protection of lives and property in our area of supervision.

” All we require from residents is vital intelligence information that could aid the security personnel deployed across the state on movement of dubious characters in their midst for necessary security action,”he said.

DECLARE BANDITS TERRORISTS -El-RUFAI TELLS FG

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called on the Federal Government to declare bandits as terrorists, to allow the Nigerian military deal with them.

El-Rufai made the call at the presentation of the Kaduna State Security Incidents Report for the Third Quarter of 2021 in Kaduna.

“we in the Kaduna State Government, have always aligned with the declaration of bandits as insurgents and terrorists.

“We have written letters to the Federal Government since 2017, asking for this declaration because it is the declaration that will allow the Nigerian military to attack and kill these bandits without any major consequences in international law.

” So, we support the resolution by the National Assembly and we are going to follow up with a letter of support, for the Federal Government to declare these bandits and insurgents as terrorists, so that they will be fair game for our military.” El-Rufai added.

NO INTENTION TO SACK SCRAPED DPR, PEF AND PPPRA WORKERS -SYLVA

Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylvia, has assured that the scrapping of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), will not in any way relief the workers of their duties.

The Minister who disclosed this during his visit to the agencies in Abuja alongside the Chief Executive Officers of the Upstream Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA), assured the workers that the Petroleum Industry Act guarantees their jobs in the new regulatory agencies.

Chief Sylva in company of the CEOs of the Upstream Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe and Mr. Farouk Ahmed of the NPRA at the meetings with the with the workers, said assets and liabilities of the scrapped agencies would be fully assumed by the successor agencies.

“It is normal that at junction like this, there are anxieties and that is why I thought I should come by myself along with the permanent secretary to assure you that this is a very normal transition.

Sylva stated that owing to the passage of the PIA, the winding down of the DPR and the emergence of two successor agencies, he had to step down as Chairman of the NNPC (board) according to the law.

While assuring that the law is very clear on the position of the staff of the DPR, PEF and PPPRA, the Minister stressed that No job and no remuneration is to be lost in this process.

“ The process is ongoing and the implementation committee is working on it, and the new CEOs will join that committee and we will work together to ensure that there is a seamless transition”, the Minister added.

#EndSARS MEMORIAL: POLICE PREVENTS PROTESTERS FROM GATHERING AT LEKKI TOLL GATE

One year after the 2020 EndSARS protest, some protesters have stormed the Lekki Toll Plaza in commemoration of the first anniversary of the protest.

The protesters were led by popular comedian popularly known as Mr Macaroni, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz and a host of others.

The protesters, brandishing Nigerian flags, however, drove around the toll gate in convoy as Policemen on ground disperse from gathering at the toll gate.

Motorists living in the Lekki-Ajah axis are stuck in traffic as #EndSARS protests caused gridlock along the Lekki expressway stretch of the road.

COURT CONVICTS NSCDC OFFICIAL FOR FORGING ND CERTIFICATE

The Independent Corrupt Practices an other Related offecnces Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction one Idowu Olamide who forged a National Diploma Certificate to upgrade his official status at the National Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The ICPC, in a statement on Tuesday disclosed that Idowu Olamide was convicted by an Ogun State High Court, after being found guilty of the offences charged.

The prosecuting ICPC led credible evidence as to how the convict presented a forged National Diploma Certificate in Automobile Engineering from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, to NSCDC to be upgraded to senior cadre.

The commission said the alleged offence was contrary to Section 25(1) of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25(1) (b) of the same Act”.

According to the ICPC, the comvict had earlier entered a “not guilty plea” when the charge was read to him in June 2021, only to later approach the Court, during trial, with a prayer for a plea bargain which was granted by the Court. trial Judge, A. A. Akinyemi.

Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice A. A. Akinyi the judge found the NSCDC official guilty, and following a passionate plea by his counsel, the court convicted him on a non-prison committal sentence of a fine of N100,000.