The National Assembly Sergeant-At-Arms on Tuesday, denied at least 10 television stations from accessing the gallery as Senators resume at the newly renovated Chamber for legislative activities, the

A Sergeant-At-Arm operative, who was stationed at the entrance of the Chamber, told journalists that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the security unit to restrict and prune down the number of media houses covering proceedings

Reports say that a document signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, pasted at the entrance to the hallowed chamber listed only seven media houses permitted to cover proceedings.

Those accredited include the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Channels Television, African Independent Television (AIT), Television Continental (TVC), Arise News, Newage and ADBN.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Press Corps, on Wednesday last week, met with the Clerk of the Senate to harmonise issues relating to covering its proceedings in the chamber.

Journalists who report the National Assembly have expressed shock at the action of the Senate, coming only a few days after the World Press Freedom Day.

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has reduced the electricity tariff payable by its Band A customers to N206.80 per kilowatt-hour from the N225/kWh approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The spokesperson for the IKEDC, Olufadeke Omo-Omorodion, disclosed this to Channels Television in a notice on Monday.

According to the notice, the downward tariff review of the Band A customers would take effect from Monday, May 6, 2024.

Under the approved review, Band A customers who hitherto were charged N225/Kwh, are now to pay N206.80/Kwh.

“Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily,” the statement said.

The decision to crash the tariff may not be unconnected with public outcry over the increase in electricity which industry observers, Civil Society Organisations, and labour unions have described as insensitive.

The tariffs for Bands B, C, D, and E remain unchanged.

The Nigeria Police on Thursday, announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna where some passengers were killed while scores were abducted in March 2022.

The mastermind was identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, also disclosed that the suspect had also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.

Adejobi also added that 48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts were underway to identify his sponsor and supplier of weapons.

He said, “On 12th January 2024, police operatives attached to an anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department, based on credible information swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi aka MANDE at Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.

“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”

Meanwhile, the police spokesman also said that no fewer than 81-armed robbers, 40 kidnapers, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities between January to date with particular focus on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

According to him, the strategic initiative being implemented by the force along the Abuja-Kaduna highway was responsible for current success stories so far recorded.

Similarly, he added that operatives have successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres.

“Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.

“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed. These achievements include.”

The police spokesman further said that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remains steadfast in its resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of all citizens as well as combat criminal activities in the country.

Some bloodthirsty terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March 28 and abducted some passengers.

A day after the attack, another passenger who suffered from a gunshot wound died, making it nine, the total number of those killed in that attack.

From the manifest received by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 398 passengers bought tickets but 362 were validated as having bought tickets.

The Punch