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Bold action: Ikeja Electric disconnects power to Air Force Logistics base

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The growing tension between the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, over the duration of the power supply disconnection may escalate if not promptly addressed.

Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveal that the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, has been without power for two weeks following its disconnection by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) over an unpaid debt running into millions of naira.

NAN learnt that an agreement was reached for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to pay IKEDC a monthly sum of ₦60 million to ensure a daily electricity supply of 10 to 12 hours to the base.

But a reliable source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, informed NAN that the prolonged power outage was compromising the base’s safety and security, confirmed the base had consistently kept to its part of the bargain.

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According to the source, his particular concern is about the operational warehouse housing high-caliber armaments, ,which are reportedly at risk due to rising temperatures caused by the failure of the cooling systems.

“The Ikeja (TA Lagbaja) Cantonment Bomb blast of year 2002 is still fresh in our minds, a repeat of such disaster will not be palatable to Ikeja environs and Lagos State,” the source said.

“The Base runs essential services such as medical services and water supply to the Base community, these services have been significantly disrupted,” the source said.

The source said that NAF paid up to N60 million in excess for the bill in the month of November and there were no returns or any accounting for the balance of the payment.

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“Furthermore, similar short change happened in the month of December,” the source said.

The source said that, the NAF Base had sufficiently kept to its side of the agreement in making payment but had currently being shortchanged with regard to power supply without any justifiable reason.

“From our investigation, there is no damage or destruction of the distribution channel leading to the Air Force Base.

“Blatant act of withholding power is considered unprofessional and unpatriotic with dire consequences on national security,” the source said.

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The anonymous source noted that 10 to 12 hours of light daily was not a luxury for serving military personnel and their families, but an essential service.

“Consequently, frontline personnel are traumatised due to complaints of untold hardship suffered by their families back in the Base, due to the deliberate denial of power supply,” the source said.

The source said that the actions of IKEDC was tantamount to incitement, which could have serious consequences and dire repercussions for the peace of the state.

“Ikeja Electric is a service-oriented organisation with an expected high hevel of responsibility to the public.

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“Unfortunately, the conduct of the organisation falls short of what is expected of a service provider with national interest.

“Electric power supply to the base is a right for military personnel in the service of their nation, moreso, that money was remitted for the service,” the source said.

The source kindly advised IKEDC to restore power to the base within 48 hours.

When contacted, IKEDC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Kingsley Okotie, stated that the base was only paying for the hours of power supplied under a Band A feeder.

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He added that in spite of the payments made, records and evidence showed a significant outstanding debt to IKEDC.

“However, technically, they are disconnected, and the reason is not primarily financial but due to other factors,” he said.

Okotie explained that certain installations were required within the facility to improve energy supply, and the base leadership was aware of this after multiple engagements.

“We can only carry out these improvements and installations to enhance the situation if we are granted access to the base,” he said.

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“Right now, they are not allowing us to access the facility to resolve whatever issues they are facing.

“The level of hostility within the barracks towards our staff is high and aggressive. We have had unpleasant incidents in the past, including cases of staff harassment.

“While we are willing and fully available to address the needs of all our customers, we do not want such incidents to continue,” Okotie said.

He noted that nearly all military barracks within IKEDC’s jurisdiction in Lagos State had implemented the necessary installations, improving energy management.

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“So, we do not understand why the Air Force Base should be an exception that we cannot access.

“Moving forward, all parties should return to the table to discuss an amicable resolution.

“Energy consumed must be paid for, and no one is being charged for what they have not used,” he emphasized.

Okotie urged the Air Force authorities to provide an opportunity for dialogue to resolve the matter.

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“However, proper installations and isolations must be implemented to ensure all parties are adequately protected.

“If there is no access and opportunity to do so, then we cannot make any progress,” he said.

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SAD! ISWAP terrorists reportedly k!ll 2 sons of Police Inspector

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Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedy launched a deadly attack on Buni Yadi in Gujba local government area of Yobe State, killing two children of a Police Inspector, Mallam Jibril Mohammed, setting their corpses and house on fire.

A credible intelligence source confirmed that the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday around 1am in the Shuwari Baban Layi area of the town.

One of the resident who did not want his name in print said the assailants infiltrated the town and targeted the home of Inspector Mohammed of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and started shooting sporadically.

Another security information confirmed that the terrorists set the house ablaze and killing two of the police officer’s children before escaping.

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LEADERSHIP gathered that upon receiving intelligence report on the attack, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI swiftly mobilised to the scene.

However, the terrorists fled upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning their bicycles in the process. (LEADERSHIP)

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CRYPTO: Trump to Host Top Industry Leaders

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U.S. President Donald Trump will host top crypto industry leaders at the White House on Friday, marking a significant shift in the administration’s approach to digital assets.

The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.

The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.

Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump.

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These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.

During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.

The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.

For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.

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However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.

Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.

The summit comes as the cryptocurrency sector enjoys renewed momentum following Trump’s election victory.

The event, led by Trump’s newly appointed “crypto czar,” Silicon Valley investor David Sacks, will bring together prominent figures in the space, including Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reports suggest that Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Michael Saylor, the head of Bitcoin investment firm MicroStrategy, will also be in attendance.

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Trump’s engagement with the industry has been personal as well as political. In January, he launched his own “Trump” memecoin in partnership with the exchange platform World Liberty Financial, following a similar move by former First Lady Melania Trump. These ventures have drawn accusations of conflicts of interest.

During his campaign, the crypto community overwhelmingly backed Trump, pouring millions into his effort to unseat Joe Biden, whose administration had taken a more skeptical stance on digital currencies and imposed tighter regulations. Now, industry players are looking for policies that will accelerate crypto adoption and provide long-sought legitimacy.

The summit comes at a crucial time for the sector, which continues to grapple with the fallout from the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. Its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.

For advocates, cryptocurrencies represent a financial revolution, offering an alternative to centralized banking and serving as a hedge against inflation and political instability. Bitcoin, the world’s most traded digital asset, is increasingly compared to gold as a store of value.

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However, critics warn that digital assets remain highly speculative and vulnerable to abuse. Law enforcement agencies have raised concerns over their potential use in money laundering, while the rise of “memecoins” – cryptocurrencies based on internet trends or celebrities rather than technical innovation – has fueled worries about market manipulation and pump-and-dump schemes.

Despite his past skepticism, Trump has now positioned himself as a champion of crypto innovation, declaring his intent to make the United States a global leader in digital finance. The upcoming summit is expected to set the tone for his administration’s policies on the industry moving forward.

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Wike in Italy, to meet with Lombardy Region’s President, agribusiness investors

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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday arrived Milan, Italy, ahead of official engagements with the President of Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.

Wike is also expected to meet with agribusiness investors in the country.

The minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, announced this in a statement in Milan.

The statement said Wike departed Abuja on Tuesday night and arrived in Milan around 4:30 a.m. yesterday. He was received by the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of Nigeria in Italy, Ambassador Mustapha Mohammed.

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“While in Milan, the FCT minister will hold a meeting with the President of Lombardy Region on Thursday, and also meet agribusiness investors.

“Lombardy is adjudged as the first region of Italy in terms of economic importance, with a population of about 10 million people. It is the second most populous region of the European Union (EU) and the second region of the European Union by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The FCT minister’s meeting with the Attilio Fontana will centre on seeking collaboration and evaluating possible prospects in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education, as well as strategic development partners with the Lombardy Region.

“Subsequently, Wike will meet investors in agribusiness and experts in vocational training, with a view to unlock new opportunities.

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“The FCT Mandate Secretaries for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, and Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, and Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multi-Lateral Cooperation, Benedict Daudu, accompanied the Minister on the trip,” the statement said.

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