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UK govt, stakeholders move against organised crime in Nigeria

Published

4 months ago

July 17, 2024

By Francesca Hangeior.

THE United Kingdom hosted a multi-stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to discuss how its Serious and Organised Crime, SOC, Prevent Programme is making significant strides in deterring vulnerable young people from joining Organised Crime Groups in Nigeria.

The meeting included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, INTERPOL, Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, OSPRE, Ministry of Police Affairs, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and others.

The programme, launched as a three-year pilot in December 2021, is designed to disrupt Nigerian Organised Crime Groups, by redirecting at-risk youth towards positive alternatives in Bayelsa, Edo, Zamfara and Lagos states.
Collaborating closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the programme has trained 83 officers in the Prevent methodology, reinforcing the commitment to institutionalise this approach in tackling SOC.

To date, approximately 1,500 beneficiaries across the four states have been diverted from potential involvement in organised crime.

Speaking at the meeting, the Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever said: “Serious and Organised Crime is a priority for both Nigeria and the UK, and can take many forms. Ranging from online-focused activities like cybercrime to the physical movement of illicit commodities and people in the form of trafficking.

“Our results in Nigeria have proven that the prevent methodology works, and it has been successful in diverting young people from choosing a life of crime. I believe that the valuable discussions that took place today will smoothen the way for Prevent to be fully institutionalised in Nigeria.”

Related Topics:Nigeria organised crime Stakeholders UK govt

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Bill On 6 Years Single Term, Rotational Presidency/Governorship To Be Introduced – Rep Ugochinyere

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Leader of the opposition coalition Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other members of the House of Representatives who sponsored the bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen, have said the bill will be reintroduced again on the floor of the House.

In a statement issued by the lead sponsor and member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja, Rep. Ugochinyere said all hope is not lost as more consultation will be done on the bill and represented at a later time.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the bill which also seeks zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day was rejected at the plenary on Thursday 21 November, 2024.

Rep. Ugochinyere said, “the decision on the floor of the House today does not put an end to agitation and hope as they will realize this objective.

“The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all inclusive and provide Avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost. The decision on the floor of the House today not to allow the bill for 6 year single tenure for presidency/governorship and for power to rotate between north and south, all elections to hold in one day, not to scale 2nd reading does not put an end to agitation and hope that we will realize this objective.

“This is a temporary set back which does not affect the campaign for all inclusive democratic process. We are going to review these decision and find possible ways of reintroducing it after following due legislative procedures. All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us. If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost, reduce rigging. If power rotates, it will help de-escalate. political tensions and six year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders focus on delivering their democratic mandate. All hope is not lost, we will continue the advocacy and we hope that when reintroduced our colleagues will support it.”

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Trump Announces Pam Bondi For Attorney General after Rep Gaetz Withdrawal

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

After Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida abandoned his quest for U.S. attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in choosing another candidate for the position.

On Thursday evening, Trump announced his decision on social media.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” he posted on Twitter. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,” according to him.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths.”

News

SAD! 38 Casualties As Gunmen Ambush Shiite Convoys

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

No fewer than 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces.

The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurram’s population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions.

Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the government’s persistent struggle to maintain control in the region.

The vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions on the main road connecting Parachinar, a Shiite-majority town in Kurram, to Peshawar, the provincial capital 135 miles away.

The road, a vital lifeline for the district, had only recently reopened after being closed for three weeks because of an ambush on Oct. 12 that left at least 16 people dead.

During the closure, residents of Parachinar were cut off from essential supplies, including food and fuel, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.