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Reps Urge FG To Investigate Financial Activities Of Bandits, Use of Telecoms Network

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2 years ago

October 8, 2024

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to investigate the use of telecommunications networks and financial systems by bandits to facilitate ransom payments, and to work closely with law enforcement to block such channels of communication and financial transactions used by criminals.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Shehu Dalhatu, member representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State on Tuesday at plenary.

Rep. Dalhatu decried the deteriorating banditry acts to the point where bandits now openly provide bank account details for ransom payments to be made for kidnapped victims.

According to the lawmaker, this audacious act shows not only the impunity with which those criminals operate but also raised significant concerns about the security of the telecommunications and financial systems in the country, adding that evidence of such ransom demands was readily available, including on personal devices, further proving the gravity of the situation.

He asserted that in the past four months, there has not been a 48-hour period without a bandit attack in the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa federal constituency, even as he noted that last week Friday, armed bandits ambushed members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, along the Yankara-Faskari road, killing six members, wounding two others, and seizing their weapons.

According to Dalhatu, just two days later, on Sunday the bandits targeted innocent people at Balan Dawa village, killing three and kidnapping some women while the violence escalated again on Monday, when bandits attacked the Funtua-Gusau road, killing one person and kidnapping an unspecified number of commuters.

He expressed concern that: “the situation has deteriorated to the point where bandits now openly provide bank account details for ransom payments to be made for kidnapped victims.

“Despite previous efforts by government agencies and the deployment of security personnel, banditry in these areas has persisted, signaling that current strategies are inadequate.

“The local communities have made brave attempts to protect themselves through initiatives such as the Vigilantes, but they are severely outmatched by the heavily armed bandits.”

Dalhatu called on security agencies to urgently intensify efforts towards rescuing all those affected by those criminals while the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police Force should immediately reinforce security measures by deploying additional personnel to the Constituency for the protection of lives and property.

The House adopted the motion and referred it to the committees on Defence, Army, Police and National security for further legislative action.

The lawmakers also observed a minute silence in honour of those killed by the banditry acts and condoled relatives while it sympathised with all those affected.

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Senator Wadada promises to deepen legislative ties, stop inactivity

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2 hours ago

July 9, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Aliyu Wadada has promised to revive the committee’s activities after acknowledging concerns over its prolonged inactivity.

Wadada spoke on Thursday at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja.

Specifically, the chairman admitted that the committee had been underutilised, noting that it had met only once in the last three years.

He, however, said issues responsible for the situation had been identified during a closed-door session and would be addressed.

“Of course I feel concerned about it, but when we got into the details in a closed-door meeting, we got to know where the problems are, and they will all be taken care of. The committee will be as active as it should always be,” he said.

Commenting further, the chairman said the committee would focus on its core mandate of promoting and strengthening legislative relations between Nigeria’s National Assembly and parliamentary bodies across the world.

According to him, the committee will deepen engagement with regional and international legislative institutions, including the ECOWAS Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and other parliamentary organisations.

He disclosed that a new work plan had already been developed to guide the committee’s activities.

He added: “The direction is basically around the responsibilities of the committee, which is to promote and deepen legislative relationship within Nigeria and with other legislative bodies around the world”.

The chairman added that the committee’s first major activity would be a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation.

SINL NIgeria Online reports that Senator Wadada assured that the public would be kept informed of the committee’s activities as the new work plan is implemented.

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Just in: FG jerks up salaries soldiers to N100k monthly

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers has increased to N100,000 after the Federal Government reviewed their welfare package.

Musa made the disclosure during an interview with News Central ahead of his appearance on the NC Exclusive programme.

He said the adjustment was part of efforts by the government to improve the living conditions of military personnel.

Executive Branch

The former Chief of Defence Staff, however, said the country’s defence sector still requires more funding despite the improvement in soldiers’ earnings and welfare.

He stated that the current defence budget remains inadequate, adding that more resources are needed to effectively support the armed forces and their operations.

Musa explained that soldiers who previously earned about N49,000 monthly now receive at least N100,000 following the salary review carried out by the government.

The minister also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers, saying stronger measures are needed to reduce the increasing cases of abduction across Nigeria.