News
Planned bandits invasion: Police tightens security within FCT
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Benneth Igweh, has deployed officers, including material and physical assets across Abuja over an alleged planned bandits’ invasion.
A message broadcasted on the popular messaging application – WhatsApp on Sunday and Monday, claimed that there was a movement of bandits led by one Ardo – a sub-commander of a notorious bandits leader, Boderi Yellow mai One Million.
The WhatsApp broadcast read in part, “There is the movement of bandits led by Ardo, a sub-commander of Boderi yellow mai one million. They are coming from Kweri forest Kagarko KADUNA state. Their destination is Gauraka/Kubwa Hills FCT.
“Sir, following the escape of one Inusa Lawal, Male, 18yrs from the camp (picture attached). He was one of those kidnapped in Ushafa along with others at Dawaki on 19/05/2024. He escaped from their custody today 2/6/2024 at about 06:00hrs.
“During interrogation, he confirmed that the bandits had 10 hostages including him in their camp. He also said that the victims kidnapped from Dawaki and Dakwa are all in the camp. Intelligence from our sources confirmed that Ardo led 10 of his gang members from the Camp to FCT since yesterday night.”
The message added, “Their mission in FCT is not clear, however, in view of the above, there is a need for security forces to collaborate in the operation already in place to the hills (Kubwa-Gauraka Hills) today,”
The security alert further urged security agencies to intensify patrols across locations in and around the Bwari area council.
It added, “In view of this movement, it is clear that Ardo and his Gang have potential targets in Kubwa, Zuba and Mpape General Area. Additional sources confirmed that Ardo is frustrated that the families of the victims refused to pay the ransoms demanded by them.
They are really in need of funds for the upcoming Sallah reason why they are now becoming more desperate.”
Reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said CP Igweh admonishes the general public to always give useful information to the police to aid its efforts in the fight against insecurity within the territory.
Adeh said, “The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to a publication making the rounds on social media on the alleged entry of some suspected bandits into the Federal Capital Territory.
“Consequent to the above, the Commissioner of Police FCT, Benneth Igweh wishes to appreciate members of the public for their outstanding environmental alertness and admonishes the general public to always give useful information to the Police to aid its efforts in the fight against insecurity within the State.
“He therefore urges residents to go about their lawful business without fear from any quarters, as the command has made all necessary deployments of both material and physical assets, and is working assiduously to ensure the safety of all residents and avert any intended attack within the Nation’s capital.”
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News17 hours agoGov Adeleke Speaks On Death Sentence For Chicken Thief
-
Sports23 hours agoCAF Awards 2024: Full List of Winners
-
News17 hours agoJust in: CBN Imposes N100k Bar on PoS, Issues Warning to Operators
-
News23 hours agoThree to die by hanging for killing Delta monarch
-
News22 hours agoCAC deregistered 300,000 dormant companies in one year
-
News22 hours agoKaduna returns Abacha family property seized by El-Rufai
-
Sports23 hours agoAlejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick wins 2024 FIFA Puskás Award
-
Entertainment22 hours agoBBNaija’s Chichi reportedly returns to pole dancing