Headline

Kidnappers Overtake Nigeria’s Capital City

Published

3 months ago

January 20, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The rising spate of criminal invasions, kidnappings and killings in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have become a matter of great concern. The once bubbly city; a conglomeration of ethnicities, global melting point and centre of government is gradually becoming a shadow of its former self with the way unknown gunmen have operated unhindered in the last couple of weeks.

The kidnappers, whose identities have remained unknown, have boldly penetrated residences, market places, highways and even Army barracks to abduct victims with little or no resistance from security agencies, and in scorn of the braggadocio of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The activities of hoodlums in Abuja today could be a reminiscent of the attacks witnessed in Kaduna in 2023 when the state, arguably the nation’s defence capital, became the beehive of high scale criminal activities. Then, installations and establishments of great military and security presence were attacked, personnel either killed or abducted. In one of the attacks at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), two personnel were killed, and one abducted. Till date, no news of the abductee’s whereabouts have been recorded.

For the benefit of doubt, Kaduna is home to First Division, Nigerian Army; Nigerian Defence Academy; Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji; Nigerian Air Force Base; Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT; Ground Training Command; the Army Training Depot in Zaria; the Nigerian Military School in Zaria; Defence Industries Corporation, DICON; Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia; Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology; Command Engineering Depot and Command and Staff College and several other military formations.

Kaduna State is also home to the State Security Service Training Academy, a Police College, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), in Zaria and Borstal Training College, among others.

Stakeholders have said that the proximity of Kaduna to Abuja may have been responsible for the sudden influx of criminal elements in the FCT, and their brazen attacks and operations attributed to lack of administrative attention as the Minister-in-charge has been accused of channeling his energy to matters of less consequence both within and outside the state.

The kidnappers’ free reign in the nation’s seat of power took a new dimension when on January 14, 2024, four bodies of kidnapped were dumped for recovery at Ida, near Ushafa in Bwari Area Council. The four were out of 10 that were kidnapped from their various residences the weekend before in Kubwa/Dutse area of the territory.

Among the bodies were that of a secondary school student and daughter of Ekiti State-born Chief Legal Officer of the National University Commission (NUC), Folorunsho Ariyo, and a 400 level student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar.

Miss Ariyo was abducted along with her mother and three siblings two Sundays before her remains were recovered while Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar was seized with her father and five of her female siblings in the same axis.

The kidnappers, according to family sources, had demanded the sum of N60 million ransom to release members of the Ariyo family, but they could only raise about N5 million.

“Talks were still ongoing and as at last Friday, we were optimistic of a positive outcome until we were contacted to pick up her body,” the family source said.

The teenage girl has since been buried in Dutse Cemetery, Abuja while the other members of the family have remained with their abductors till date.

As for Nabeeha, another source narrated as follows: “On Tuesday 2nd of January around 9:00pm, kidnappers struck and took away a father and her six children (all girls) at Zuma 1 after Bwari FCT before Veritas University.

“The junior brother that was contacted on distressed call died during the attack. The father was released 48hrs after to bring N60m ransom.

“We were contacted last night Friday 12th Jan around 7pm to bring the money and later called around 10:30pm same night telling us they have killed one of the girls and even described the location for us to pick the corpse.

“While were we at the point of picking up the corpse, they called again raising the ransom to N100m insisting that any attempt in delaying the payment will be met with equal treatment. These are the phone numbers being used by the abductors: 07016250005 0912 391 5983.”

Amnesty International has described the situation in Abuja in particular, and Nigeria in general as ‘epidemic of kidnappings’, calling on the Nigerian authorities to stem the tide as a matter of urgency.

In reaction to an avalanche of complaints and criticisms from the general public however, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said through his X account that, “We have been working on it, but we need some info. We will try our best possible to emplace all necessary measures to rescue them unhurt. But we need to get some info pls. Thanks.”

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the police have already initiated a comprehensive plan of action, noting that the force was diligently coordinating efforts to address and prevent any further occurrence as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.

An official statement by the Force Headquarters, and signed by Adejobi, noted that the sensitivity of the situation necessitated discretion and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity,” he said.

In another development, an Abuja resident simply known as Northern Man on X, narrated how he miraculously escaped being kidnapped in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He however, suffered gunshot wound while navigating his escape.

“I made a miraculous escape from kidnappers on Wednesday with a bullet wound, just outside my estate at Lugbe, en route Penthouse and Elsalem estate, at about 10:00.p.m.

“I was blocked by their car on my lane but courageously reversed, and then drove through them while being shot at. Bullets penetrated the door behind the driver and got me on my left bum.

“Let’s exercise extra caution and avoid night movements, please! These deadly guys are all over the city,” he wrote.

Also, three persons were abducted from an estate behind the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu Estate in the FCT. This is the latest in the kidnapping scourge that has hit Abuja.

The Director of Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu confirmed that the incident happened in the estate at about 9.00 p.m. on Thursday, and troops are presently on search and rescue mission.

According to residents of the estate, gunmen fired gunshots before escaping with their victims.

In their reactions, President Bola Tinubu and Wike summoned separate emergency security meetings, where they mandated to go after the kidnappers, and immediately restore order.

While speaking at a townhall meeting on Friday, Wike further read riot acts to the kidnappers, telling them that their time was up. He boasted that the security apparatuses have arrested the informants of the kidnappers, assuring the residents that normalcy is returning to the capital city, and seeking two additional police divisions in the Gwagwalada area immediately.

“The other day, I was in Bwari and next week, I will go to Kwali. Security is one thing the president promised Nigerians, because his job is to protect lives and property. If we can not protect lives and property, then we have no reason to be in government.

“The president has asked me to assure you that he will not abandon you. So, all these criminals, be ready, your time is up. You know if I say I will do something, I will do it. And now that I am here today, if you know you are an informant or even one of the criminals, the end has come for you.

“I and security agencies will follow you to the point that you will not enter Gwagwalada again. Some of the people giving them information, we have arrested them. If they have not arrested you, it does not mean that we will not arrest you tomorrow or even before we leave this place.

“The CP should work out how we can provide two more police divisions in Gwagwalada. We must do this immediately. It is a security matter and must not be bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“The president has given me power to buy more vehicles. By next week, we shall give more vehicles to all police stations. We shall give them modern communication gadgets. The president has said he does not want to hear any story of kidnapping in Abuja again and the security agencies have promised to rise to the occasion.

“We are very serious. We are not playing. But we need your support too because security agencies cannot do this work alone. They need information. When you give them information, they will work better.

“It is not also good to go to the radio to raise ransoms. It is a way of encouraging criminals. We know it is not easy when your people are in captivity but we have to avoid raising ransom. It fuels the activities of kidnappers.

“By Monday, the chairman should bring the letter for me to approve the demolition of uncompleted structures where criminals are hibernating. Do not behave like civil servants. Today is Friday, ensure you bring the letter by Monday and I will be happy to approve it,” he stated.

But in a twist, the FCT Police Command confirmed the arrest of a notorious kidnapper, Chinaza Phillip, by the Kaduna State command of the force.

A statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday and handed over to it on Friday.

She said Mr Phillip is currently in police custody in Abuja.

“The FCT Police Command wishes to confirm the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January 2024.”

“The suspect has been handed over to FCT Police Command today being Friday 19th January 2024, and currently in police custody,” she said.

The arrest of the notorious kidnapper brings relief to FCT residents, who have been living in fear in the recent past following the upsurge of kidnappings in the territory.

Phillip was arrested he and his gang were transporting their victim, one Segun Akinyemi, from Abuja to Kano following a distress call to Kawo Divisional Police Station.

In a follow up to the arrest, the Police, on Saturday, paraded 16 suspects, including Phillip, terrorizing Bwari Area Council and other parts of the country.

Two of the suspects Idris Isiaku and Dahiru Salihu, were arrested by men of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), after the launching of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, to wipe out terrorists in the FCT.

The suspects who said they have been in Bwari and working as farmers and security guards, say they use the opportunity as security guards to monitor the activities of residents, especially the rich ones, and report to their colleagues in the bush before carrying out the kidnapping.

The suspects also revealed that they get paid after such operations.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Adejobi said the arrest of the suspects comes in response to the pressing need for enhanced security measures in the nation’s capital.

Adejobi said the launch of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the Inspector–General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun at the Force Headquarters comprising highly trained personnel equipped with advanced technology and resources of the force also made it possible for the suspects to arrest the suspect in their various hideouts.

Adejobi maintained that the force would not relent in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

The Force PRO said ammunition of all kinds and valuables were recovered during the operations.

He further advised members of the public, especially landlords and caretakers to be wary of who they employ as security guards.

Kidnappings have remained one of the many security challenges facing President Bola Tinubu’s government. Reports say that over 12 persons were killed and 60 kidnapped just one week into the Tinubu presidency.

Respondents told The Boss that Nigerians, especially Abuja residents at this time, live in absolute fear, not knowing what danger lies ahead at any moment.

Headline

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Prioritize Existing Unfinished Projects, Peter Obi Tells FG

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Eric

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has advised the federal government to prioritize existing unfinished projects spread across the country instead of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Obi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stated that the project was a misplaced priority given the numerous unfinished roads throughout the country.

The former governor of Anambra State mentioned that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Works is insufficient for significant progress on the country’s various unfinished roads, much less their completion.

Obi therefore, advised that the government prioritize the existing infrastructural projects in the country before embarking on any new and colossal projects like the Lagos-Calabar super highway project.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.

So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?

“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects. We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi said.

Back in March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier described the project as a fraud.

“Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku said.

Headline

2027 Presidential Race: Opposition Parties Under Attack

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

While it is still a whole three years before the next general election in 2027, The Boss has learnt that opposition parties in the countries are being muffled to pave the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to, and retain power.

From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Labour Party (LP), and down to the New Nigerian Peoples Paty (NNPP), crises have engulfed the rank and files, in what a source told this paper was the attempt and making of the ruling party, APC, to decimate, destabilize and make redundant the machineries of the opposition parties.

It is believed that by 2027, the apparatuses holding together the various opposition parties would have weakened irredeemably to the extent the country would seemingly nosedive into the inglorious one party state that every civil right advocate and democrats abhor.

It is alleged that all the crises in all the opposition parties are being engineered by the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling APC, with the hope of getting the fibres of their system weakened, thereby luring the members of the crisis-ridden parties into the APC.

Slightly one year after the last presidential election, the two major opposition platforms, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have separately been embroiled in a crisis of confidence which has diminished their capacity to provide viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crises in both opposition parties got to a head. The Labour Party led by its national chairman Julius Abure held its much-opposed national convention which was boycotted by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; its only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State; federal and state lawmakers elected on its platform, and the organised Labour.

In the Labour Labour, members have been embroiled in endless battle of supremacy with a faction led by Mr. Apapa steadily contesting the leadership of Julius Abure.

Consequently, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, reverence as a leader in the fold, noting that whatever the party faces presently, that Nigeria’s problems are far bigger than the crises in his party.

The LP has been embroiled in crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, and leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman.

TheCable reported that “On March 27, the LP conducted a national convention in Anambra state where Julius Abure was re-elected as its national chairman.

Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling over ditching the LP for another platform.

Speaking during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo over the weekend, Obi said he is confident that the crises rocking the LP will soon be resolved amicably.

“Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country,” Obi said.

“So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let us worry about the country.

“Let us worry about how the average Nigerian would be able to have a means of livelihood to be able to eat, that should be our worry.”

Obi said he has no interest in being the party’s leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

“I don’t see what I do in politics as being the leader of any place or not. My position is that just like I always say, I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria, I am desperate to see Nigeria work because I know it can work,” he added.

“We have a more desperate situation. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections. What is important is that being a leader of a party does not reduce the price of food.

In the PDP, the shenanigans of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has practically kept the party in constant crisis with many observers concluding that the now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is working for the APC, and is just a mole in the PDP. Wike has denied the allegation, however,

But news filtered in last week as that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NEC meeting on Thursday was not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

While political stakeholders concluded that the outcome of the Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan; every page of what finally transpired at the meeting pointed to the fact.

The much touted removal of the party chairman, who is believed to be a crony of the Abuja minister, Damagum, retained his seat, with his executives.

“It is very clear to everyone that a lot of money politics is being played to cajole many loyal members of the party, forcing them into frustration, and eventually it of the party. The option afterwards, will be the APC. This, will for all intent and purpose actualize the intended one party state as an APC agenda.

The Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP is not faring better either. The only governor under their ticket, Abba Kabir Yusuf, just had the confidence of their party on him withdrawn. He was fighting for his political life until suddenly it was announced the the APC in Kano has collapsed its structure into the NNPP.

“This is just another APC strategy to actualize their hidden intentions. Time will reveal the very sinister agenda they harboring,” an analyst said.

Much as 2027 is still three years away, but intrigues are in play to render Nigeria a one party state, and perpetuate the APC in power. The three other opposition parties are basically under attack to bring to pass this unpopular agenda.

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government, Governor Umo Eno Receive Top Honors at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos

Published

7 days ago

April 21, 2024

Admin

The Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Pastor Umo Eno were recognized with Travellers Awards at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos for their sustained enhancement of infrastructure, support for local talent, and dedication to investment in the tourism sector. The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.

While Akwa Ibom won the Most Active Tourism State of the Year, Governor Eno was adjudged the most Tourism-Friendly Governor of the Year at the event that had Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in attendance.

According to Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder/Publisher of ATQ Magazine, the organizers of the event which is in its tenth edition, Akwa Ibom State won the top prize “in recognition of its valiant and resourceful efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism by promoting the industry.

‘In 2023, Akwa Ibom was one of the states that hosted World Tourism Day (WTD ) events. The state also organized the famous Christmas Unplugged, which featured music, food, and cultures from all 31 LGAs as well as ensured friendly policies.”

While hoping that the Travellers Awards would spur Akwa Ibom to do more to dominate the domestic tourism industry, the organizers hoped that the state would gradually evolve into one of Nigeria’s top international tourism destinations.

That was not all, the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in the travel and tourism industry, while other Akwa Ibom indigenes and entity were also celebrated: Mrs. Ime Udo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor( Tourism) won Tourism Promoter of the Year, Favour Udo won Tourism Photographer of the Year, Loretta Effiong and Prince Uduak Sunday (Qua Tours) were listed among the Tourism Personalities of the Year and Ibom Air won Airline of the Year International.

In his remarks, Sir Charles Udoh, who represented the Governor at the event, thanked the organizers for the awards and noted that Akwa Ibom is certainly enjoying the golden era when it comes to tourism development. He stated that Governor Umo Eno is very keen on making Akwa Ibom a leading tourism destination with his programmes and policies.

He revealed that with the new Victor Attah International Airport nearing completion, the purchase of a ferry for the Oron-Calabar route, new developments along its coastline and the restoration work that will be done at all its major tourism sites, Akwa Ibom is well on the way to becoming the number one destination for all domestic and foreign tourists.

In her speech, Tourism Minister, Mrs. Ade John hailed the organizers for hosting the Expo, where practitioners were lectured by top experts while also rewarding those who have excelled in the past year.

She affirmed that her ministry is open to partnership with public and private sector operators, adding that tourism development can only be successful through collaborative efforts.

The event, which attracted leading and budding tourism professionals, also featured interactive and entertainment sessions.

Apart from Sir Charles Udoh and Mrs. Ime Udo, the Akwa Ibom State delegation, also included: Mr. Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor, Mrs. Eme Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison) and Akparawa John Offiong, Deputy Director ( Culture) Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More photos below: