By Uzair Adam
At least 150 people have been confirmed dead, and around 300 others hospitalized following a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Majia town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The Daily Reality learned that the incident, which occurred while the tanker was in motion, has left the community in shock.
Authorities are still gathering more details about the tragedy.
By Uzair Adam
The Taraba State Government has debunked rumors that it is planning to demolish the Ukwe Takum Palace and the Central Mosque in Takum.
The allegations were made by the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria (KYN), a cultural group representing the Kuteb people, during a press conference in Jalingo.
According to the group’s president, Mr. Emmanuel Ukwen, who was represented by Mr. Markus Apwende, a foreign contractor, backed by armed militia and heavy security, was seen marking the palace and mosque for demolition.
In response, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Zainab Usman Jalingo, labeled the claims as false and an attempt to incite fear and unrest.
She assured the public that the government remains committed to peace, unity, and the equitable development of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“These baseless rumors are the work of troublemakers and should be ignored,” she stated, reaffirming the government’s focus on the welfare and justice of its residents.
By Uzair Adam
On Monday, October 14, 2024, a team of officers from the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited Urban Radio 94.5FM, Enugu, to invite Favour Ekoh, the host of the station’s program Prime Time, for questioning.
Ekoh is under investigation for her alleged involvement in a N700 million Ponzi scheme that affected about 50 victims.
The victims claimed Ekoh enticed them to invest in “Life Trading,” a scheme run by Leverage Index Limited, where they were promised 10 percent returns on their capital after a set period.
However, after they invested, the company, located at No. 1 Colliery Street, Okpara Avenue, Enugu, shut down, leaving them without their capital or any promised returns.
The victims said Ekoh was their primary point of contact for the scheme.
Upon arriving at the radio station with an arrest warrant, EFCC officers identified themselves to the station’s Managing Director, Bamikole Owoyomi.
However, in an unexpected move, a staff member called the station’s Chairman, who ordered the gates to be locked, trapping the EFCC officers inside the building.
The officers then called for backup, which led to the arrest of Owoyomi, Ekoh, and two security guards for obstructing the EFCC’s duties.
Ekoh, who was trailed to the station as part of a sting operation to prevent her from evading arrest, was allowed to make a statement at the EFCC’s Enugu office and has since been released.
Owoyomi and the guards, who were initially detained for preventing the officers from carrying out their duties, also made statements and were later released.
In a statement, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, emphasized that the commission holds the media in high regard but criticized the actions of the station’s staff as unlawful and obstructive.
He called on the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to examine the station’s conduct and Ekoh’s professional ethics, given her involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
The EFCC clarified that no equipment at the station was damaged and that there was no disruption to the station’s lawful operations during the arrest.
By Uzair Adam
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has made significant strides in restoring the national grid after a partial disturbance on Monday evening.
The incident, which occurred around 6:48 p.m., triggered an immediate response.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, confirmed that recovery efforts began swiftly, with the Azura Power Station providing the essential blackstart to stabilise the grid.
By 10:24 a.m. on Tuesday, the recovery process was in its advanced stages, despite a minor setback that briefly slowed progress.
Mbah reassured the public that the TCN continued working to restore full power, with about 90% of the country’s substations already receiving bulk electricity.
Power has been fully restored to Abuja and other key distribution centres.
She added that the disturbance did not impact the Ibom Gas generating station, which remained functional and continued to supply power to areas in the South-South, including Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu transmission substations.
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a one-month extension for the verification exercise on import duty recovery for privately owned aircraft, from October 14, 2024, to November 14, 2024.
This extension aims to provide additional time for aircraft operators who have expressed willingness to regularise their import duties and comply with necessary regulations.
According to the NCS, the extension is crucial in ensuring that all illegally imported aircraft meet legal requirements, promoting transparency and accountability in the aviation sector.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, noted the service’s dedication to enforcing laws governing import duties and maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Aircraft operators are encouraged to take advantage of the extended period to fulfil their obligations and avoid sanctions that may arise from non-compliance after the deadline.
The NCS appreciates the cooperation and understanding of stakeholders in this ongoing exercise.
The verification exercise extension demonstrates the NCS’s commitment to ensuring compliance and integrity in the aviation sector.
By providing an additional window for operators to regularise their import duties, the service aims to maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, signed the press release on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, dated October 14, 2024.
By Anwar Usman
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has announced the suspension of the State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, and the Commissioner of transportation, Muhammad Diggol.
The State party Chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, confirmed this to journalists late Monday.
He said the two people were suspended over disloyalty and abuse of power and creating unnecessary tension in the party.
“We are here by informing the public today that we have suspended the SSG Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and the commissioner of transportation, Muhammad Diggol over abuse of power, office and disloyalty to the party.
“We appreciate the leadership of the party from their wards and the Local Government confirmed to us. They are all from Bichi north where they all came from for bringing the issue to us in written.
“Serving as the leaders of the party, we deliberated and consider that this is the best decision to take until we are done investigation on the issue.”
Reports has it that there is a growing crisis in the Bichi area of the NNPP between the stakeholders in the party.
By Uzair Adam
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has alerted the public to the activities of imposters falsely claiming to represent the commission in securing contracts for the 2025 Hajj.
In a statement released on Monday by Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, the commission stressed that it will not recognize any unauthorized agreements made in its name.
The statement explained that certain individuals have fraudulently contacted service providers and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah under the guise of acting on behalf of NAHCON, making arrangements for accommodations and feeding for Nigerian pilgrims.
NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, clarified that no individual or group has been authorized to make such arrangements.
“All official transactions must go through recognized NAHCON personnel and follow due process,” the statement emphasized.
The commission urged the public and service providers in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to verify all dealings through official channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes, noting that NAHCON will not be liable for any losses caused by such activities.
For any clarifications, stakeholders are advised to contact NAHCON through its official communication platforms.
By Uzair Adam
The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has reached a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning an alleged fraud involving N1.6 billion.
During the resumed hearing on Monday, EFCC Counsel Ogechi Ujam informed Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja that Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, had proposed a settlement since the last adjourned date.
Ujam stated that the agreement had been submitted to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for approval.
“We are seeking a date to file our plea bargain agreement and amended charge,” Ujam said.
Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Isidal Udenko, and Emeka Onyeaka, who represented Nweke, also confirmed their decision to opt for a plea bargain. Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until December 2 for the adoption of the plea bargain agreement.
The anti-graft agency has brought forward an 11-count money laundering charge against both defendants, who are accused of laundering funds while Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence from 2019 to 2021.
Nwabuoku, the first defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/240/24, was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over allegations of N80 billion fraud.
However, Nwabuoku was removed just weeks later, in July 2022.
Sylva Okolieaboh was appointed as acting AGF to replace Nwabuoku amid reports of ongoing corruption investigations by the EFCC.
According to reports from July 10, Nwabuoku and his co-defendants requested additional time from the court to finalize the refund of the public funds allegedly misappropriated, asking for the arraignment to be postponed to allow for the completion of this process.
By Uzair Adam
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology has rolled out a 10-year strategic roadmap aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s raw material sector, with the goal of achieving 60% value addition by 2034.
Announcing the plan during a Program Presentation and Dialogue Session in Abuja, Minister Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji highlighted the need to enhance the value of raw materials before export to promote job creation, stimulate domestic manufacturing, and strengthen the naira.
Currently, only 25% of raw materials undergo value addition, which Nnaji described as “unacceptable.”
The roadmap, developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, includes building capacity in circularity, developing real-time data systems, and upgrading testing laboratories to support research and technology innovation.
Nnaji urged the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), development partners, and financial institutions to collaborate on these ambitious goals.
By Uzair Adam
In a continued effort to tackle crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Nigerian troops have successfully dismantled more than 30 illegal refinery sites and recovered over 230,000 litres of stolen crude products.
According to a statement from Army headquarters, the operation took place in several locations, including Assa, Lekuma, Abiama, and other creek areas.
Alongside the destruction of refining sites, the troops also confiscated 44 cooking pots, six wooden boats, and various equipment used in the illegal operations.
Collaboration between the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division and other security agencies in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) has led to increased success in thwarting attempts to steal crude oil.
In the past week, the troops intercepted 12 boats, nine vehicles, and four motorcycles used to transport stolen products, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
Additionally, in Rivers State, an illegal refining site was destroyed in Akuku-Toru LGA, with 9,000 litres of stolen gas oil recovered.
More operations in the region also uncovered a criminal loading point in Eleme LGA, resulting in the arrest of five guards and the seizure of over 40,000 litres of stolen products.
