News

Reps Displeased With Nigerian Navy Over Arbitrary Purchase of Foreign Platforms, Seaman Abbas’ Dismissal

Published

3 hours ago

October 22, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has expressed displeasure with the Nigerian Navy for indiscriminate acquisition of foreign platforms without its knowledge, and failed to respond to its letters demanding for documents to facilitate effective oversight of the security agency.

Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Rep Yusuf Gagdi stated this while addressing journalists after a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Navy, during an oversight visit, on Monday in Abuja.

He said: “We cannot say anything now until we have gone to see those projects, the platforms that are being built, then we can come back here, and have another interaction”.

Gagdi also provoked with the Nigerian Navy over at manner in which the case of a personnel, Seaman Haruna Abbas, was handled, leading to his dismissal after six years in detention.

Abbas was allegedly held in detention for the period without trial over some disciplinary issues. As a result, his wife had cried out through a popular Abuja radio programme, Brekete Family Radio and Television programme on Human Rights Radio. This sparked wide condemnation before the Navy tried and subsequently dismissed him from service.

“We came for an oversight function, you all know every committee has the Constitutional power, so we came to the Navy to ask questions on tax payers’ money, how monies appropriated to the Navy is being spent.

“We came to ask questions on how interventions by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is being spent by the Navy. How the junior officers are being treated by the senior officers, including the famous case of Seaman Haruna, how he was suddenly dismissed. It is our responsibility on behalf of the Nigerian people to ask questions on these pertinent issues.

“We’ve asked them, but we are generally uncomfortable with them, so we’ve said that we are going to go on oversight visit, to perform a deep rooted oversight to know how resources are being applied and how disciplinary matters are being handled by the Navy.

“So by the special grace of God, it’s not a new thing, we are only doing our job. And I have told you without any fear of contradiction that the committee is not satisfied.

“Beyond the Seaman Abbas issue, we are not satisfied with the non-response to letters written by this committee, for documents demanded to guide us in our oversight function and so on, and the acquiring foreign platforms without the knowledge of this committee, and so many things.

“We cannot say anything now until we have gone to see those projects, the platforms that are being built, then we can come back here, and have another interaction”, he added.

In his brief earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, told the committee that the Navy was facing several challenges hinging on but not limited to “inadequate resources to effectively carry its operations.”

The CNS stated that beyond its military responsibility, the Navy also performs the function of policing the waterways, complementing the Nigeria Customs which has no deep-sea policing capacity.

News

Reps To Invite FCT Minister, Police Commissioner, Others Over Rising Cases Of ‘One Chance’

Published

24 seconds ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has mandate its Committees on Federal Capital Territory, Police and National Security and Intelligence to summon the FCT Minister, Commissioner of Police, DG DSS over the resurgence of activities of one chance operatives within the capital city.

The House also mandated its Committee on FCT to investigate the use of unregistered/unpainted taxis within the capital city as well as a comprehensive investigation into the activities of kidnapping and arm robbery within the capital city and report to the house within three weeks.

This resolution is sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Ismail Haruna Dabo, lawmaker representing Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi state, on The Resurgence of “One Chance” Taxi Operators” in the FCT on Tuesday at plenary.

The interaction is part of an investigation ordered by the House following the killing of one Miss Nimah Sulaiman a lby “one chance” operatives on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Abuja.

Debating the motion, Rep. Dabo decried that in recent years, the nation’s capital has experienced an upsurge in the rate of kidnappings and robbery incidents, including “one chance,” from those kidnapped from far flung suburbs to those kidnapped along the Airport Road, from those picked from their Estates, to those kidnapped at the City centre to those abducted by renegade one-chance taxi operators.

According to him, it has been a tumultuous and scary situation for people living within the capital territory of the use of unregistered and unpainted taxis has further worsen. the situation, providing an easy conduit for criminal activities within the capital city.

He said residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are living in fear as the security of the nation’s seat of power has continued to deteriorate as brutal criminals go about with their daily operations without mercy on citizens.

The motion reads: “Further aware that one Miss Nimah Sulaiman a Legislative Aide of Hon. Dabo, was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday 17 October, 2024 on her way home to Jahi District, around 6:15 pm, where she was taken at gunpoint at Banex Junction in Wuse 2, by one chance operators;

“Recalls that despite paying ransom in full, her life was tragically cur short. Her body was found between the hours of 9 to 10 pm at Maitama/Mi.ister’s hill Bridge;

“Disturbed that this heinous crime has sent shockWaves through our community, confirming the escalating insecurity in the FCT. It is our collective responsibility as lawmakers to ensure the safety and security of our citizens”.

The lawmakers observed a one minute silence to pray for Late Nimah Sulaiman.

News

Just in: Ex-HoR member finally regains freedom after serving jail term in Kuje

Published

3 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

Ex- House of Representatives member, Hon Farouk Lawan has finally regained freedom after serving his jail term at Kuje custodial.

Lawan in a statement he personally signed thanked his family and friends who supported him while serving his jail term in Kuje.

Read statement below:

“I Thank Almighty Allah – Hon Farouk Lawan

Alhamdulillah
Alhamdulillah
Alhamdulillah

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life as I step out of Kuje Custodial Centre, with a heart full of gratitude to Allah SWT for seeing me through this trial.

“My gratitude is deep, I’m alive and in good health and high spirits to be with my family, friends and associates. I don’t take that for granted.

“I remain grateful and indebted to my family and friends who stood by me through this particularly trying phase of my life.

“May Allah SWT bless you🙏

News

SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, October 22

Published

3 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

See Exchange Rate As Naira Gains 0.07%

Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, October 22 2024 Can Be Accessed Below.

The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.

Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand for dollars in the market. While you can currently purchase one dollar at a certain rate, it’s important to remember that the rate can shift (either upwards or downwards) within hours.

How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?

Dollar to naira exchange rate today black market (Aboki dollar rate):

The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1715 and sell at N1725 on Monday 21st October 2024, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).

Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate N1715
Selling Rate N1725
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate N1651
Selling Rate N1652
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may differ from what is captured in this article because prices vary.