News
Pay N20M Tax or Face Deadly Attack” — Bandits Threaten Benue Community
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a scary ultimatum, bandits have warned the residents of Torough community in Ukum local government area of Benue State to pay a N20 million tax or face a violent attack. This dire situation has put the community into a frantic scramble to gather the demanded sum.
Many Residents are desperate to avoid the threat and have started selling their farm produce and livestock.
Each family has been asked to raise N500,000. A local source, speaking under the condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, revealed that the least amount any household is expected to contribute is N50,000.
“Some people have started disposing of their farm produce and livestock to raise the levy, while others have contacted their relatives outside to gather the funds,” the source told *Punch*. The fear is palpable, with nobody, including the village head, daring to report the threat to security forces to avoid provoking the local militias.
Confirming the development, the local government chairman, Victor Iorzaa, said he had alerted the police and the state security council. Iorzaa said, A notorious militia leader, known as Full Fire, is the mastermind behind the threat. “The report is true, and the person behind it is Full Fire. He has been terrorizing the area for the past five years, often collaborating with Fulani militias,” Iorzaa explained. “If you recall, the military recently launched an attack on his house.”
Iorzaa described the community as living in constant fear, noting that anyone venturing into the village risks being attacked. Despite this, he commended state security operatives and Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for their efforts in combating crime in the area. “The security operatives are doing their best to curtail the militias,” Iorzaa added. Meanwhile, State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, stated that the command had not received any reports of such an incident. Similarly, the Governor’s Security Adviser, Joseph Har, dismissed the possibility of bandits collecting taxes from villagers
“The issue of this illegal levy is a common practice among bandits worldwide as they use it to survive,” Har said. “However, only an irresponsible government would allow such a callous thing to happen. The bandits are on the run, they cannot collect any taxes.” Har emphasized the ongoing efforts to dismantle the bandits’ operations. “Most of them have fled their camps, and we intend to sustain the momentum until they surrender or are neutralized. There is a reduction in their impunity, and we aim to fill the security gap they have created.”
By Francesca Hangeior
The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
*** says 163 victims saved between July, November
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.
This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.
The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.
The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.
It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.
NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.
Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.
In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.
Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.
Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.
While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.
Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.
The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.
Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.
Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.
#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate
NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana
Dabiri-Erewa celebrates Chidimma’s emergence as First Runner up, Miss Universe
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