News

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has been honoured for rejecting an N150m bribe from a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele. 

Akindele was arraigned in August 2023 for allegedly diverting $5.6m and N73.5m belonging to Summit Oil International Ltd. Sini led the investigation team and was offered the bribe to permit Akindele’s escape abroad and write a favourable report.

Sini said, “I am very happy to be here and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination and added more grease to my elbow.”

He recalled the incident: “The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said this is an opportunity for you to be rich. So, what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. 

“I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. 

“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police, and also for the country at large,” he added.

Sini advised youths not to trade their integrity for anything, stating that he would like to have money that would allow him to sleep at night and have peace of mind.

Presenting Sini with the document of the land, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.

The charge sheet revealed that Akindele and his company, Duport Midstream Company Limited, were accused of conspiring to commit a felony, stealing, and dishonest conversion of the sum of $5,636,397.01 and N73,543,763.25 belonging to Summit Oil International Limited.

By Abdullahi Khairalla

Borno State Police Command has confirmed that eight people were killed and fifteen others sustained various degrees of injuries following a bomb explosion in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, which is about 100 kilometres away from Maiduguri.

Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso reported that the tragic incident occurred on June 29, 2024, at approximately 15:40 hours. 

The command further notes that ” a woman carrying a baby detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a busy motor park in Mararaba T. Junction in Gwoza town. 

The explosion claimed the lives of the woman, her baby, and six others, with fifteen individuals who sustained injuries currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Gwoza”.

This is happening in the wake of the cropping season, which many observe is part of the sinister efforts of the insurgents to cause havoc and instil fear in the people, thereby preventing them from accessing their farmlands.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old driver for allegedly attempting to steal his boss’ car after dropping her off at Tejuosho Market, Yaba.

The driver was trailed to Shubiri Road, Ojo, where he was arrested and the car, a Lexus ES 350 with registration number EXY 950 FZ, was recovered.

The police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

The complainant, whose identity was not disclosed, reported the theft of the car and her laptop to the police at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The suspect will face charges for the attempted theft, and the police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

By Uzair Adam Imam

An Abeokuta Magistrates Court has remanded a 32-year-old housewife, Rahmat Abdulateef, for allegedly arranging her own kidnap to extort money from her husband.

The defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge of self-kidnapping and was remanded in prison for 60 days pending legal advice from the Department of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

According to the police counsel, Insp Adekunle Opayemi, the defendant committed the offence on June 20 at about 2:42 p.m. at Elite Road in Abeokuta.

She allegedly arranged for herself to be kidnapped to extort money from her husband, Mr Ogunbummi Lateef.

The offence committed contravened section 27 of the Prohibition of forcible occupation of landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping cultism and other anti-violence and related offence laws of Ogun 2016.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.O Odumosun, adjourned the case until September 19 for mention.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has expressed profound sadness over the tragic loss of 14 worshippers who were crushed by a trailer after Friday prayers in Kano State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, which occurred in Imawa town, Kura LGA of Kano State.

Senator Barau commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls and the speedy recovery of the injured.

He described the incident as “shocking” and offered his deepest condolences to those affected.

The statement read, “With profound sadness, we mourn the tragic loss of 14 worshippers crushed by a trailer after Juma’at prayers on Friday in Kano.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. We offer our deepest condolences in this hour of unimaginable grief.

“We pray for the souls of the departed to rest in Aljanatul Firdausi and for the Almighty Allah to grant strength and comfort to those they left behind,” the statement added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A tragic incident occurred in the Kuntau area of Gwale Local Government Area, Kano State, on Friday morning, resulting in the collapse of a one-storey building.

Reports indicate that eight people lost their lives in the disaster. 

The building, which was under construction, collapsed during a rainstorm, trapping 15 people, including the owner, workers, and passersby who had sought shelter inside.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as neighbors and bystanders rushed to assist those trapped under the rubble. 

Seven victims were rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

Unfortunately, one person succumbed to their injuries en route to the hospital. 

Efforts are ongoing to ensure no one else is trapped in the debris.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of Halima Adamu, the mother of popular Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu, known as Rarara. 

According to a statement by police spokesperson Aliyu Abubakar, the suspects are currently being interrogated over the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday at the singer’s mother’s residence in Kahutu village, Danja Local Government Area. 

The police responded swiftly to the report, with the DPO Danja leading a team of operatives to the scene to arrest the culprits and rescue the victim. 

Rarara, a well-known political singer and songwriter in northern Nigeria, has gained fame for his support songs for former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 general election.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Tragedy struck Kano on Friday when a trailer with registration number MKA 537XN lost control and ploughed into worshippers, leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, killing 14 people and injuring dozens. 

The accident occurred in Imawa town, Kura local government area, shortly after the Friday prayer, when the driver of the trailer coming from the Kaduna axis lost control and ran into the worshippers.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, stating that nine of the deceased were buried on the same day, while those injured are receiving treatment at a hospital. The driver of the trailer is currently at large.

The FRSC Kano Sector Commander, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said, “Upon receiving the distress call, FRSC Kano State Command promptly dispatched personnel to the scene, alongside other security agencies, to initiate rescue operations and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured victims.”

Abdullahi emphasised the FRSC’s commitment to road safety and urged all road users to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent such avoidable tragedies. 

He also extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries to fill in existing and impending vacancies in some states and geo-political zones in the top administrative cadre of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The new Federal Permanent Secretaries appointed after a diligent selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are:

Dr. Emanso Umobong Okop – Akwa-Ibom 

Obi Emeka Vitalis – Anambra 

Mahmood Fatima Sugra Tabi’a – Bauchi 

Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi – Jigawa  

Olusanya Olubunmi – Ondo 

Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila – Zamfara 

Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma (South-East)

Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen (South-South)

The President anticipates that the new Federal Permanent Secretaries will exercise absolute dedication, diligence, and fidelity to the nation in discharging their functions and ensuring optimum service delivery to the Nigerian people.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The military high command has established new commands in Kaduna State to address insecurity. 

The three new commands are located in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari. Additionally, the Air Force will establish a base in Millennium City, in Chikun local government area. 

The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has praised the collaboration between the State governor, Uba Sani and the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, for their efforts in addressing insecurity in the State. 

In a statement issued by SKJF chairman, Ango Bally and Secretary, Lilian Silas, the forum expressed joy over the establishment of the military bases. 

The statement read in part: “These strategic moves will significantly help in addressing the protracted banditry, kidnapping and other security threats in the region and enhance agricultural activities in the State”. 

The Forum expressed optimism that the deployment of additional military personnel will significantly improve security and enable farmers to access their lands without fear, especially in communities like Maro-Kajuru, Kauru, Sanga, Giwa and Birnin-Gwari, which have been witnessing persistent banditry attacks.