News
FG To Build 40 Houses For Judges In Abuja
The Federal government has approved the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike announced this decision following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, which President Bola Tinubu presided over.
The initiative, part of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to provide secure and convenient accommodation for judiciary members.
According to Wike, the 40 residences will be constructed in the Kantampe district, with 20 allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.
He said the project is slated for completion within 15 months.
He said, “Also, given the importance that the President attaches to the Judiciary, he finds it problematic that judges and Justices will live in rented houses and hotels. That is unsafe for our judicial officials and inconvenient for them to do their work. The president directed that the FCT, through the FCDA, immediately construct 40 numbered judges and Justices’ quarters in the Kantampe district.
He said, “What it means is that out of these 40 FCT high courts, which is like the FCT court will have 20, the federal high court Will have ten, and the court of Appeal will have ten, which will be completed in fifteen months.”
In addition to the housing project, Wike said FEC approved several infrastructure developments to improve access to the judicial quarters.
There is “construction of an access road from Artillery Road N11 from Mabuchi to the judges’ quarters. Development of all internal roads within the judges’ quarters.”
Others are constructing an access road from Ring Road 1-N16 Shehu Shagari Way to the judges’ quarters and developing roads connecting to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.
He said these approvals are part of a more significant infrastructure push in the FCT, which includes the development of over 75 kilometres of roads in satellite towns across Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Bwari area councils.
The minister said the government aims to complete these projects by December.
Wike also announced the termination of a previous contract for the development of Maitama 2, citing delays and lack of progress.
He said a new procurement process will be initiated to ensure the area’s development, potentially addressing the capital’s housing deficits.
News
READ 8 Facts About New Lakurawa Terror Group in North West
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Lakurawa, a new terror group is now wreaking havoc in northwestern part of the country. It was once dismissed as harmless herders.
Initially seen as seasonal migrants, the Lakurawa group has evolved into a powerful militant force linked to jihadist networks in the Sahel.
With roots stretching back six years, Lakurawa has grown under the radar, exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders and limited government oversight.
Here’s what you need to know about this escalating threat and the challenges it poses to the region’s security.
From Herders to Terrorists
Originally seen as seasonal herders from Niger, the Lakurawa group quietly entered Sokoto communities in search of pasture, later gaining a reputation as militants with ties to jihadist networks across the Sahel.
Authorities’ Early Misjudgment
Locals first reported suspicious activities by Lakurawa herders nearly six years ago, but authorities dismissed them as non-violent. However, recent intelligence from Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters reclassifies Lakurawa as a new terror group with connections to extremist networks.
Cross-Border Threats
The Lakurawa exploit Nigeria’s porous borders with countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali, entering remote areas to promote radical ideology, often in Hausa and Fulfulde languages, and impose strict “Islamic” rules on communities.
Unusual Alliances
Invited by local leaders to fend off other bandits, Lakurawa quickly grew from an auxiliary force into a dominant presence, controlling communities through a mix of militant enforcement and religious influence.
Camp ‘Darul Islam’ in Forests
Lakurawa established camps around Gwangwano, Mulawa, Wassaniya, and Tunigara along the Nigeria-Niger border, naming them Darul Islam, or “Abode of Islam.” Their membership has since swelled to over 200 young men.
Escalation and Armed Attacks
Once tolerated by local communities, the group’s violent tendencies surfaced through alleged attacks on military bases and confrontations with Nigerian security forces, marking a shift to full-scale militancy.
Radical Ideology and Social Control
The group enforces stringent rules, often forbidding music and dancing, and collects levies disguised as religious Zakat. They pressure locals to obey these laws, maintaining authority over vulnerable communities.
A Growing Regional Concern
With ties to jihadist groups across the Sahel, Lakurawa’s presence reflects broader security challenges. The breakdown in joint border patrols after Niger’s recent coup has only worsened Nigeria’s exposure to such extremist threats.(PRNigeria)
News
It’s wrong to arrest individuals in place of suspects — Says PSC chairman
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) has condemned the practice by Nigeria Police Force operatives of arresting individuals in place of actual suspects.
He also frowned at the handcuffing of suspects during arrests, adding that the law prohibits these practices.
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said Argungu made this known
during training on international Human Rights-based policing and effective oversight of personnel of the Police Service Commission.
Ani said the PSC chairman stressed that every suspect must be accorded humane treatment and must not be subjected to any form of torture, cruelty, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The statement read, “DIG Hashimu Argungu, x-rayed human treatment of arrested suspects and declared that a suspect shall be accorded human treatment, having regard to his right to the dignity of his person and not be subjected to any form of torture, cru
Argungu noted that a suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract and shall be brought before the court as prescribed by law or otherwise released conditionally or unconditionally.
He explained that “a person shall not for any reason be arrested in place of a suspect adding that the law prohibits the handcuffing or any other unnecessary restrain of an arrested person, except if there is reasonable apprehension of violence or an attempt to escape; the restrain is considered necessary for the safety of the suspect or defendant or by order of court.”
Ani added the PSC chairman also noted that all over the world, police officers generally have broad powers to carry out their functions and duties.
“He noted that the constitution as amended and other procedural laws, however, place limits on how far Police can go in trying to enforce the law.
“According to him, one of the primary purposes of these laws is to protect citizens from abuses by the government, including police misconduct,” the statement added
News
Just in: Plateau Govt Approves N70k Minimum Wage for Civil Servants
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.
The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.
Full text of the statement reads in part:
Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.
As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.
-
News11 hours ago
Trump picks ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US Intel Chief
-
News11 hours ago
NNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO
-
News11 hours ago
JUST IN: Govt Declares Friday As Public Holiday
-
News10 hours ago
Umahi Frowns At Slow Pace Of Suleja-Minna Road Construction
-
News11 hours ago
Abia Assembly orders Deputy Governor, Emetu to apologise over assault on House member
-
News10 hours ago
NYSC announces date for ‘2024 Batch C’ registration
-
News19 hours ago
Stop importation of fake fuel to Nigeria, professionals in Europe tell Tinubu
-
News11 hours ago
NNPC, Dangote Sign GSPA Agreement To Boost Local Production, Revamp Industrial Growth