• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 63 views

Zamfara: Military troops take over Shinkafi LGA as community members flee

A few days after bandits’ kingpin Bello Turji attacked some communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, military troops have taken over the areas to protect the communities. It was also reported that followers of the bandit leader reportedly invaded the Shinkafi Market, killed two traders, and abducted scores of residents. Turji had
Zamfara: Military troops take over Shinkafi LGA as community members flee

A few days after bandits’ kingpin Bello Turji attacked some communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, military troops have taken over the areas to protect the communities.

It was also reported that followers of the bandit leader reportedly invaded the Shinkafi Market, killed two traders, and abducted scores of residents.

Turji had threatened to attack communities in Shinkafi Local Government Area in Zamfara State on New Year’s Day if his relatives detained by the military were not released by December 31, 2024.

In a video clip released last week, Turji threatened to attack Shinkafi and Zurmi communities in Zamfara and Isah in Sokoto State if his relatives arrested by Nigerian troops were not freed before his deadline of December 31, 2024.

This prompted some Fulani leaders in Shinkafi, Moriki, and Zurmi in Zamfara State to call for a meeting with the terrorist kingpin to beg him to allow peace to reign.

The leaders were said to have pleaded with Turji for a cessation of abductions and killings, emphasizing their devastating impacts on Zamfara and the neighboring Sokoto State.

They allegedly informed him that his planned attacks on the communities could lead to reprisals against innocent Fulani on market days.

The bandits also attacked travelers from Shinkafi to Gusau, which has forced villagers to abandon the route for fear of being attacked.

A resident of Shinkafi, who pleaded anonymity, said that a few hours before the peace meeting organized by the Fulani leaders, the bandits — suspected to be Turji’s boys — ambushed two vehicles at Chitti village near Shinkafi on Tuesday evening, December 31, 2024.

The occupants, including the two drivers, were reportedly abducted, and one of the vehicles was burnt.

Similarly, on Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day), another attack was launched on some communities in Bafarawa, in Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The villagers claimed that Turji’s gang struck again on Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Shinkafi community on a market day when the villagers were conducting their businesses.

It was learnt that bandits, who came on several motorbikes bearing dangerous weapons, stormed the market and shot sporadically.

They reportedly killed two people and kidnapped scores of traders.

When the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, was contacted, he said he would respond only after getting approval from the state police commissioner.

There was no response from him as of the time of filing this report.

Similarly, the spokesperson of the 1 Brigade Command Gusau, Lt-Col Abdullahi Abubakar, said only the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) could speak on the matter.

Zamfara: Military troops take over Shinkafi LGA as community members flee

• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 27 views

Late Kwara SSG, Saka Issau laid to rest in Ilorin

The remains of the late former Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Saka Isau, SAN, who died on Saturday, were finally laid to rest on Sunday. He was buried at his residence behind Admiralty Villa in Ilorin, the state capital. Prominent Nigerians present at the janazah included the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and
Late Kwara SSG, Saka Issau laid to rest in Ilorin

The remains of the late former Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Alhaji Saka Isau, SAN, who died on Saturday, were finally laid to rest on Sunday.

He was buried at his residence behind Admiralty Villa in Ilorin, the state capital.

Prominent Nigerians present at the janazah included the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN; the Principal Partner of Ghalid Chambers, Professor Yusuf Ali, SAN; the immediate past Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Durosinlohun Kawu; Justice Lambo Alanbi; and Justice Orilonise.

Others in attendance were the Danmadami of Ilorin, Alhaji Shehu Gafar; the Danmasani of Ilorin, Alhaji Engr. Sulyman Alapansapa; KWASU Don, Professor Hamza Abdulraheem; the Talba of Ebira, Alhaji Hamza; former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; and former Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Wahab Oba, along with top legal professionals, politicians, academics, and other dignitaries.

Late Kwara SSG, Saka Issau laid to rest in Ilorin

• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 30 views

Italy’s prime minister, Meloni visits Trump

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Sunday, paid an unofficial surprise visit to the incoming US president, Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence, Photos sent by the office of the prime minister early Sunday showed Meloni and Trump posing at the entrance to Mar-a-Lago and chatting in a reception room, a Christmas tree visible
Italy’s prime minister, Meloni visits Trump

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Sunday, paid an unofficial surprise visit to the incoming US president, Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Florida residence,

Photos sent by the office of the prime minister early Sunday showed Meloni and Trump posing at the entrance to Mar-a-Lago and chatting in a reception room, a Christmas tree visible in the background.

Meanwhile, the prime minister’s office has not provided any statement on the visit but photos of the two conservative leaders side by side were on the front pages of all Italy’s newspapers on Sunday.

Meloni is one of several foreign leaders, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who have paid visits to Trump, who is due to be inaugurated for the second time on January 20.

The visit by Meloni, who heads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, comes ahead of a four-day visit to Rome by US incumbent President Joe Biden, where he is expected to meet with Meloni and, separately, Pope Francis.

Italy’s prime minister, Meloni visits Trump

• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 39 views

NDLEA arrests wanted drug kingpin, Nollywood filmmaker over illicit drug shipments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that its operatives have arrested a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye. According to NDLEA, Elediye was apprehended on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos, following the interception of a truckload of illicit drug
NDLEA arrests wanted drug kingpin, Nollywood filmmaker over illicit drug shipments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that its operatives have arrested a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye.

According to NDLEA, Elediye was apprehended on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos, following the interception of a truckload of illicit drug consignment from her staff the same day.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.

Babafemi revealed that the kingpin’s so-called invincibility was shattered when NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a white Isuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis. The truck was driven by one of her staff members, 41-year-old Abideen Adio.

He further disclosed that the operatives stormed her hideout at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, where they arrested her.
“On the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman who imports fabrics and shoes from China, but beneath that façade is a massive illicit drug trade. She is also recognized as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos,” Babafemi stated.

In another major operation, NDLEA announced the arrest of a US-trained Hollywood and Nollywood filmmaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, who is also a motivational speaker. Mbadiwe was arrested in his hotel room in Lekki after the arrest of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, earlier that same day at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

The NDLEA alleged that James was sent by Mbadiwe to retrieve a shipment of 33 parcels of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilograms. The shipment arrived at the import shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on December 24, 2024, from the United States on a Delta Airlines flight, concealed in large wooden boxes.

Announcing other interceptions, Babafemi noted, “In Kwara State, a fresh graduate, Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and a 20-year-old student of the University of Ilorin, Ayomide Morakinyo, were arrested on Sunday, December 29, 2024, by NDLEA operatives along Tanke-University of Ilorin Road, Oke Odo, Ilorin. They were found to be producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students in the community. A search of their apartment revealed 42 pieces of the drugged cakes.”

Babafemi continued, “An ex-convict, Sodade Sunday Eniola, who was arrested by operatives of the Tincan Command of NDLEA in June 2024 for drug trafficking, prosecuted, and sentenced to four years in prison, has been arrested again by officers of the MMIA Strategic Command for passport racketeering. After his conviction by a Federal High Court in Lagos on June 14, 2024, he paid a fine of ₦750,000 and was released.

“However, in a series of operations in December 2024, NDLEA operatives at the export shed of Lagos airport intercepted 52 passports of different countries concealed in shoe soles and food items. Further investigations led to the arrest of four members of three syndicates involved in the racket. The suspects, Sodade Sunday Eniola, Ayinde Saheed Awwal, Salaudeen Afeez Ayode, and Sheriff Adebayo Bamigbade, were handed over to the Zonal Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos on December 30, 2024, for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

In another development, NDLEA officers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, recovered 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from two containers during a joint examination of the shipments with Nigeria Customs and other security agencies on December 31, 2024. The seizure followed credible intelligence processed by the Port Harcourt Port Command.

In Kano, NDLEA operatives raided Mafarki, Dan Dishe, in Dala Local Government Area on December 31, 2024, recovering 149,090 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from a local dealer, 45-year-old Ismail Muhammad.

Reacting to the developments, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, PHPC, and Kwara Commands for their arrests and seizures. Marwa praised their operational successes and highlighted the importance of their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA arrests wanted drug kingpin, Nollywood filmmaker over illicit drug shipments

• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 29 views

Northern elders demand suspension of tax reform bills, urge dialogue

The Northern Elders Forum has reiterated its opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, demanding their immediate suspension and calling for extensive dialogue with stakeholders. The forum criticised the Federal Government for failing to engage critical stakeholders and experts before drafting the reforms. In a press statement released on Saturday and signed by
Read More

The Northern Elders Forum has reiterated its opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, demanding their immediate suspension and calling for extensive dialogue with stakeholders. The forum criticised the Federal Government for failing to engage critical stakeholders and experts before drafting the reforms. In a press statement released on Saturday and signed by

Read More

• 
• All News
• January 5, 2025
• 32 views

Account for N825bn, $2.5bn for refinery repairs, SERAP tells NNPCL

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, to explain the disappearance of over N825 billion and $2.5 billion earmarked for refinery rehabilitation and oil revenues. The demand follows a 2021 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which
Read More

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, to explain the disappearance of over N825 billion and $2.5 billion earmarked for refinery rehabilitation and oil revenues. The demand follows a 2021 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, which

Read More