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Just In : Ekiti Police Command nab Inspector supplying weapons to robbers
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a Police Inspector, Hillary Garcha, AP NO 272969, attached to the command’s Safer Highway Patrol, Ado-Ekiti for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to various robbery groups.
The arrest of the Inspector of Police was sighted by The Eagle Online in a Situation Report on Saturday.
According to the Situation Report the arrest of Garcha led to the crack dismantling of different gangs in different areas in the state.
Also, the smashing of these gangs began with a single arrest of a robbery suspect named Ponyi Nambe Boka, who is 34 years old.
The smashing of these groups not only led the investigating police team in the state to storm hotels to make arrests and recover guns, it also led to guns being recovered inside a well.
It was further gathered that these different gang members, arrested in different places, including hotels, all mentioned Inspector Garcha as their arms and ammunition supplier.
It was gathered that on June 2, 2024 at about 10pm, a gang of robbers, numbering about eight, stormed Oshodi Community, Ado-Ekiti, armed to the teeth with sophisticated guns.
Obiyomi Oluwatunmise, who is 20 years old, was robbed and sustained a gunshot injury on his right hand.
A Senior Police Officer, Superintendent of Police Oke Ila, attached to the Ekiti State Police Command, with his men arrested 34-year-old Boka was at the scene, where police also recovered an AK-47 rifle with Breech Number NA2329, with one magazine loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
During interrogation, Boka sang like a bird, leading to the arrest of Inspector Garcha.
Further efforts by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad attached to the Ekiti State Police Command led to the recovery of an AK-47 Rifle with Breech Number 56-25012126, with three magazines, loaded with nine rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the house of the Inspector in the Irona area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The police team, still working on confessions of the suspect, stormed Wonder King Hotel located at Water Works Area of Ado-Ekiti, where Tinnam Timmel Moses, 31, and Ponpyal Domfas Yohanna, 38, aka Boss, were arrested.
On June 7, 2024, the police team extended investigations to Ido-Ekiti, where one Napkul Amos, aka Birdman, was arrested.
On June 8, 2024, the arrested suspects led RRS operatives to YGL Hotel, located in the Oke-Ila area of Ado-Ekiti, where two locally made Beretta pistols with two magazines loaded with four 9mm live ammunition were recovered inside a well within the hotel premises.
During the operation, 29-year-old Peter Nalde; Loktul Joshua Sunday, 25; Benjamin Dashe, 27; Selna Luka, 29; and Sadul Marmap 29, were arrested in the hotel premises.
According to the SITREP: “All arrested suspects confessed to be members of the robbery gang and indicted the arrested inspector as their supplier of arms and ammunition.
“Investigation further revealed that the gang members were responsible for the armed robbery attacks on one Bukola Esan at Adebayo Area Ado-Ekiti on 5th of January 2024, murder of one Adewumi Blessing, 29 at Ajebamidele area Ado-Ekiti, which occurred on the 6th of February 2024.
“Also, these gang members also murdered Isijola Temitope Opeyemi, 40, POS Operator at Ilawe Road Ado-Ekiti on 22nd of May 2024.
“Armed robbery attack on Ms Badmus Sekinat and three others along Ilawe road on 22nd of May 2024, armed robbery attack on Bakare David Oluwaseun and others at Ilokum Ado-Ekiti on the 19th of May 2024.
“Investigation revealed that the arrested suspects have been snatching motorcycles in Ado metropolis since January 2024. The suspects are in custody and currently undergoing interrogation.
“Effort is on top gear for possible arrest of fleeing gang members mentioned as one Toomuch Dashe, Ponsak, Samak, Shinquam and recovery of remaining arms and stolen valuables in their possession.”
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives is set to host the country’s first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, aimed at driving new laws, attracting investment, and pushing Nigeria further along its energy transition journey.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who described the event as a turning point for energy legislation in Nigeria.
He said: “The conference aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters.
“It’s about developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy”.
The conference, which is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will take place under the UNDP Parliamentary Development Program.
Rep. Ogene noted that recent legal reforms have created space for state governments to play a more active role in Nigeria’s power sector. He pointed to the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No.33), now signed into law, which allows states to legislate on electricity matters within the national grid. Before now, states could only act on off-grid power.
In addition, he highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023, which came into effect in February 2024.
“It permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities – generation, transmission and distribution across the entire power sector value chain,” he said.
The Committee Chairman further stated that the new National Integrated Electricity Policy, expected in 2025, will guide states in forming new electricity markets, where solar power and other renewable sources will be key to reaching underserved communities.
Ogene explained, “The conference has three clear objectives:
“To promote dialogue among legislators, experts and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities.
“To establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers, and to produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan.
“International partners are also on board. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will participate, and parliaments from South Africa, Ghana and Gambia have confirmed attendance. Ghana is sending a three-man delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin”.
In another major highlight, the Netherlands-based platform INCLUDE will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session on renewable energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The session will focus on how to establish a unified legislative framework on renewable energy development, investment and financing.
“The time has come for us to act. This is not just another conference – it is the foundation of Nigeria’s renewable energy future”, Ogene added.
Expected outcomes from the conference include new policy and legislative reform proposals to boost renewable energy use, as well as draft laws that will encourage public and private sector investment.
Other goals are to enhance collaboration between federal and state lawmakers, raise public awareness, and roll out a practical roadmap for implementation and progress tracking.
The event will also feature a technology showcase of renewable energy innovations and business opportunities.
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