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School Abduction: FG Rules Out Ransom Payment

Crime Watch

The Federal Government (FG) disclosed it would not pay a ‘dime’ as ransom for the release of about 280 pupils and staff recently kidnapped by bandits from the Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kaduna State. This disclosure was made on Wednesday to State House Correspondents by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at Aso Rock, Abuja.

Gun Factory Uncovered In Delta, Suspects Arrested

Crime Watch

The 63 Brigade of the Nigeria Army has uncovered a criminal gun factory in Onicha Olona community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state. Commander, 63 Brigade Brigadier General, Ugochukwu Unachukwu, stated that the factory can produce ten guns per week. Unachukwu said, “Eight suspects involved in the family business including the mastermind of the operation, his father, mother, and sister were among those arrested at the factory.”  “The arms factory located in a forest has a surveillance post, a generating set connected from a remote location, an oven for melting of iron, and a cache of arms and ammunition.” 

Documents Approving $6.2m For Election Observers Were Forged - Forensic Expert

Crime Watch

A forensic document examiner Bamaiyi Meriga on Thursday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that documents used to facilitate the withdrawal of $6.23 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year were forged. The money was withdrawn purportedly to pay foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections. Meriga said this while giving evidence as a witness in the trial of Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the CBN. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that on February 8, 2023, a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.

Strike: NASU, SSANU Ground Varsities Education As FG Keep Ignoring Them

Education

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions, NASU will commence a nationwide industrial action today in protest of their withheld four months’ salary by the federal government. The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, revealed these yesterday that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike date. However, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claimed he was not unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike. 

FG Converts Fed College of Dental Tech to Varsity

Education

President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, to a full-fledged University of Allied Health Sciences. Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the move was part of his dedicated efforts to build robust human resources for the health and social welfare sectors. The statement clarified that the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy in Enugu will now be known as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, and will be domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Execution of Student Loan Suspended For Weeks Not Indefinitely - FG

Education

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono has disclosed that the launch of the student loan scheme contrary to the news making round has only been postponed for a couple of weeks and not indefinitely. Echono disclosed this at the TETFUND headquarters in Abuja when the governor of Kwara state paid him a courtesy visit. He said the delay in the process is only to fine tune it such that the authorities make sure that there are no stone left unturn in the proper implementation of the scheme and to ensure that the scheme is up to standard.

Killers Of Our Military Personnel Must Be Brought To Justice – Tinubu Orders CDS

Security

President Bola Tinubu has directed that the killers of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, must be brought to justice. This was released in a statement signed by the president yesterday describing the killing as “unprovoked” expressed “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.” This followed the incident where 16 military personnel on duty were attacked and killed at one Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state last week. 

Delta Youths Killed Three Officers, 12 Soldiers During Communal Clash - DHQ

Security

Following the killing of troops of the Nigerian Army including a commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers who were deployed on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA by some youths of the community, the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa has ordered the immediate investigation and arrest of all those involved. The incident occurred when the personnel responded to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State on Thursday. Confirming the deaths, the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said on Saturday, “The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Its Time To Track Down Those Involved In Terrorist Financing – Military Urges EFCC

Security

The Nigerian Military command has today Friday, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track down some enemies of the country who are responsible for terrorism financing. Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, made the call today to the anti-graft agency when the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, visited Defence Headquarters in Abuja for a courtesy call. According to the Army General, tracking of terrorism financing is one of the non-kinetic means of fighting terrorism across the globe, which is already being championed by the military. 

Same-Sex Marriage: Nigerian Catholic Bishops Junks Pope Stance

Religion

The Catholic Bishops in Nigeria in an accord junked off Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples. Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji disclosed this at the formal opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN on 18th February, 2024, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.  The gathering states that, the statements or declarations from the Holy-See should promote unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy, but unfortunately, Fiducia Supplicans did otherwise; but rather impairing the unity and catholicity of the Church.  The statement read, “We must sincerely admit that the Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning Blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has added to our pains.” 

As Israeli Hamas War Thickens, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Jets To Greece, Rome

Religion

Following the Israeli verses Hamas war, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Reverend Yakubu Pam, has revealed that the Nigerian pilgrim contingent has chose to heads to Greece and Rome instead to visit biblical sites for its religious rituals. The Reverend father stated this in Abuja yesterday while addressing journalists, saying that safety of the pilgrims has always been a priority to the NCPC.

Federal Government Approves Airline Carriers For 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage

Religion

President Tinubu has granted approval to three airlines to serve as exclusive carriers for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Fatima Sanda-Usara, made the above public in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The airlines selected were named as Air Peace Ltd, FlyNas and Max Air.Max Air, which has the highest allocation, is responsible for the conveyance of pilgrims from Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Oyo, Taraba, Kaduna, Armed Forces, Gombe, Jigawa and Plateau states. Similarly, Air Peace is scheduled to transport intending pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kwara, Ondo and Rivers states.

Killers Of Our Military Personnel Must Be Brought To Justice – Tinubu Orders CDS

Security

President Bola Tinubu has directed that the killers of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, must be brought to justice. This was released in a statement signed by the president yesterday describing the killing as “unprovoked” expressed “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.” This followed the incident where 16 military personnel on duty were attacked and killed at one Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state last week. 

Strike: NASU, SSANU Ground Varsities Education As FG Keep Ignoring Them

Education

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions, NASU will commence a nationwide industrial action today in protest of their withheld four months’ salary by the federal government. The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, revealed these yesterday that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike date. However, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, claimed he was not unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike. 

Delta Youths Killed Three Officers, 12 Soldiers During Communal Clash - DHQ

Security

Following the killing of troops of the Nigerian Army including a commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers who were deployed on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA by some youths of the community, the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa has ordered the immediate investigation and arrest of all those involved. The incident occurred when the personnel responded to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State on Thursday. Confirming the deaths, the Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said on Saturday, “The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Bomadi LGA of Delta State were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, March 14, 2024.