News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The newly appointed Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, has convened a strategic meeting with Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical and Operational Commanders.

This meeting is part of a broader effort to strengthen security and safeguard the lives and properties of all residents in the state. 

The Commissioner of Police appreciates the officers for their commitment and dedication to crime fighting and maintaining peace despite the daunting security situation in the state.

He further charged them to remain resolute and redouble efforts towards surmounting the scourge of thuggery and other violent criminal activities that had hitherto bedevilled the good people of the state. 

He charged the officers to continue with the community policing engagements with their stakeholders and to ensure no thuggery (Daba) incidents are recorded in their areas of responsibilities.

They are also warned to always be available to supervise their men, as the CP will be going around on supervision. 

Dogo reminded the officers that accountability and professionalism will be his driving forces.

In addition, he urges all the supervising officers to ensure the cleanliness of their offices, including detention facilities. 

The CP reiterated that “I can not be sitting in my office to allow thugs (Yan Daba) and other perpetrators of criminal activities to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgain

The former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Kaduna State Assembly. The lawsuit was presented today, Wednesday, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

El-Rufai is demanding a public apology from the lawmakers for a report they published, which he claims defamed him and his cabinet. The State Assembly’s report alleged that the former governor misappropriated over ₦423 billion during his tenure.

El-Rufai’s legal team argues that the report is both false and malicious, designed to tarnish his reputation and discredit his administration’s achievements. They assert that the allegations have caused significant harm to his personal and professional standing.

The former governor, noted for his developmental policies and efforts to improve infrastructure and education in Kaduna State, has consistently defended his administration’s transparency and commitment to public service. He maintains that the Assembly’s allegations are politically motivated and lack any substantive evidence.

The legal proceedings have drawn significant attention, with many awaiting the court’s decision on the matter. The outcome of this case could have substantial implications for El-Rufai’s political future and the current political landscape in Kaduna State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the passing of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Essien, who was in charge of revenue, died shortly after showing signs of discomfort during a presentation at the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday. 

President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to Essien’s family, describing his passing as “most distressing” while on an official assignment.

He also commiserated with the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the entire Nigeria Customs Service. 

The President prayed for the repose of Essien’s soul and comfort for his family.

This condolence message was released by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), on June 25, 2024.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service’s special team, Operation Whirlwind, has intercepted 21,810 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Seme-Badagry road in Zone ‘A’.

The National Coordinator, Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, announced this during a press briefing at the Seme Area Command on Monday. 

“The operation Whirlwind Teams’ effort geared towards curtailing the menace of illegal smuggling of PMS product in Zone ‘A’ axis resulted in the interception of 21,810 Litres of PMS product,” Ejibunu said. 

The seized items include 43 kegs of PMS, a tanker with 15,200 liters of PMS, and several vehicles with specially built bunkers loaded with PMS.

The total value of the seized items is equivalent to 21,810 liters of PMS. Ejibunu stated the devastating effects of smuggling, including distortion in the supply chain and contribution to insecurity.

“The smuggling of PMS has two dangerous effects: economic and security.

So, we want to cut the supply chain by all means possible,” he said. 

He urged Nigerians to provide timely information to support the battle against petrol smuggling, which requires a concerted effort from all.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is mourning the sudden loss of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien, who died on June 25, 2024, while presenting before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts. 

According to customs spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwadah, Essien, 56, who was in charge of revenue reconciliation, complained of discomfort and requested water during his presentation before collapsing.

Despite immediate attempts to revive him, he sadly passed away. 

With over 30 years of service, Essien was a dedicated and valued member of the NCS team, known for his exceptional service record and diligence in the Accounts Unit.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed his condolences to Essien’s family, describing his loss as a significant blow to the entire NCS community. 

Deputy Comptroller Essien is survived by his wife and children. 

By Abdullahi Algasgain

The attention of the Sokoto State Government has been drawn to a malicious publication credited to the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging a plan by the sttate government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The state government wondered how a responsible body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.

We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last one year.

We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.

The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.

This is not the first time stories such as this were fabricated to show that all is not well between the state government and the Sultanate Council, as some few months back we had a similar obnoxious story which the state government categorically condemned and denied in whole.

From the look of things,those nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.

MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government.

We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on the Ahmed Aliyu’s nine-point Smart Agenda,therefore Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 per cent Muslim-dominated society.

It is on record that no administration in the history of Sokoto State has done to Islam what the present administration has done in just one year. This we say without any fear of contradictions.

Therefore, for any one to think that the present administration could engage in acts or actions that could jeopardize the development of Islam is not only unfair but unjustifiable.

To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been very cordial.

The present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation.

On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours,such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.

In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee.

It is equally important for MURIC to note that nobody is above the law, therefore,the sacked District Heads are just reaping what they saw, and that the action taken by the Sokoto State Government was indisputably in the best public interest.

Abubakar Bawa
Press Secretary to
Sokoto state Governor
25/06/2024.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu said his administration would not rest on its oars until banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity are completely eliminated from the country.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Kashim Ibrahim Shatima, opened the session of the North West Peace and Security Summit with the theme, “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North West Nigeria.”

The summit was organised by the North West Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Government House, Katsina State.

In his remarks, he declared that the Tinubu administration will not rest on its oars until banditry, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity are completely eliminated from the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has collaborated with the European Union (EU), the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and GIZ to launch a capacity-building program for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). 

The training, held from May 20 to May 31, 2024, focused on critical customs procedures such as Tariff Classification, Rules of Origin, and Customs Valuation. 

“The capacity building is divided into three stages: Intermediate, Advanced, and Training-of-Trainers (ToT), to ensure a thorough and progressive enhancement of skills among NCS officers,” said a WCO official. 

The training aimed to improve the implementation of Advance Ruling, a trade facilitation measure designed to bring certainty and transparency to Nigeria’s customs operations. 

“The WCO has supported the development of Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) to guide the implementation of Advance Rulings, providing detailed guidelines on handling HS and RoO,” the official added. 

The initiative aims to create a more efficient and transparent customs environment in Nigeria, aligning with international standards and fostering greater trust and cooperation in global trade.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has launched a series of airstrikes against illegal refining sites and boats in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states, destroying 13 sites and 7 boats. 

According to NAF spokesperson, AVM Edward Gabkwet, the air interdictions were carried out between June 18 and June 22 as part of Operation Delta Safe. 

Gabkwet said the airstrikes also dispersed 5 J-5 buses attempting to siphon crude oil products from surface tanks. 

The NAF spokesperson described the operation as a significant success, saying: “Air strikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves have continued to record the expected outcomes.

“This is majorly due to improved intelligence, enhanced air-to-ground coordination, and most importantly, due to NAF’s improved agility and resilience.” 

He added that the operations will be sustained until the activities of the oil thieves are reduced to the barest minimum. 

The crackdown on oil thieves is part of the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat illegal oil refining and smuggling in the Niger Delta region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, paid a surprise visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. 

Accompanied by former Governor Aminu Tambuwal and other PDP stalwarts, Atiku’s closed-door meeting with Buhari has set tongues wagging about the purpose of the visit.

This development comes hot on the heels of Atiku’s recent meetings with former Military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Niger State. 

While the details of these discussions remain under wraps, sources suggest that Atiku’s visit may be connected to the 2027 general elections.

As political intrigues continue to unfold, many are watching with bated breath to see what this unexpected meeting will yield.