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Why FG must probe heavy claim USAID funded Boko Haram -Senator Ndume
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District has asked the Federal Government to probe a claim by US Congressman Scott Perry that aborted United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram.
You can’t say it’s just an allegation; it’s more than that,” the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
“That’s why the Nigerian government and the National Assembly, especially, need to look into it to investigate and verify the veracity of such a very weighty allegation.”
The lawmaker, who has been in the National Assembly for more than 20 unbroken years, said the Nigerian government should be interested in the US congressman’s revelation, considering that there had been suspicions that foreign humanitarian agencies operating in Nigeria’s insurgent-ridded North-East zone sponsored terrorist activities.
Ndume said, “This development is very worrisome, especially because one of the terrorist organisations mentioned by Scott Perry is Boko Haram, and Boko Haram has ravaged not only the North-East but even (other parts of) Nigeria.
“You can remember Boko Haram bombed the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja, and the casualties were enormous. So, the Nigerian government must be interested.
“I’m worried, but the Nigerian security agencies have raised this indirectly several times. Even the Borno State government was wary of the operations of the NGOs.
“I remember during the period of (Lieutenant General Tukur) Buratai, the Nigerian Army got intelligence and even raided the office of USAID or United Nations in Maiduguri. There was also a time when the governor got intelligence and security agencies raided one NGO that was providing training to some of their staff on how to use guns.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there will be a seven-hour power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas will experience blackout on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
She attributed the action to scheduled annual preventive maintenance on two transformers.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria informs the public that its maintenance crew will conduct annual preventive maintenance on the 2x100MVA, TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise.”
Transmission Line Tower – TCN
Mbah explained that on Saturday, February 22, the power disruptions will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro for seven hours.
According to the statement, areas including Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas will also experience a seven-hour power outage.
Mbah explained that the interruption is necessary as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the affected transformers during the maintenance period.
TCN apologised for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers during this time.
“Power supply will be restored once the maintenance exercise is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the affected electricity customers,” the company said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 100 senior officers to higher ranks within the force.
The decision includes the elevation of 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, alongside 100 Chief Superintendents of Police.
The approval was confirmed in a statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, following an extraordinary plenary session held on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), and attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
Notable officers promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police include Emmanuel Deenom, Olufemi Takeet, and Yusuf Doki Sani, while others like Ibrahim Mohammed Agava and Akinloye Joseph Oyegade were promoted to Assistant Commissioners.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal University Lokoja has been shut down following students’ lingering protest.
The students began the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer who rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.
The closure of the school was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.
The circular reads “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”
TCN envisages seven-hour blackout in parts of Abuja
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