Crime
Nigeria Govt. reiterates commitment to tackle banditry, terrorism
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, reiterated the commitment of his administration to tackle terrorists and bandits who have been putting their knees on the necks of Nigerians.
Buhari gave the assurance at the Citizens summit for National Integration, Peace and Security convened by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Partners, with the theme,” Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust,” held in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Buhari assured Nigerians that just like his administration had put the seemingly-intractable farmers-herders crisis under control, it would also successfully tackle the terrorists and bandits.
” As our security agencies put them on the run, they will no longer be able to carry out their
deadly attacks as well as kidnappings.
”Peace and security will return to our country, and our unity will be strengthened.
” We have directed the military to crush those terrorising our citizens, peace and
security are gradually being restored to the country.
” In the past couple of days, you must have
heard about the number of terrorists neutralized by the military, and the number of hostages freed,” Buhari said.
The president said that these efforts will not stop, or reduce, adding ”We must take the fight to the terrorists and demonstrate that there is no hiding place for them within the borders of our country.
” Each one of them will be hunted, pursued and spoken to in the language that
they understand,” he added.
Buhari, who commended gallant men and women in uniform, appealed to all compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping the country safe.
” We must also realize that security is the business of everyone, hence the
the tagline ‘if you see something, say something.
”Terrorists or bandits are not spirits. They are human beings and they reside in our
communities.
” They must all be exposed and crushed for peace to reign,” he said
He challenged the institute to use its powerful platform to speak
out against those fanning the embers of disunity and discord in the
country.
” In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
” This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation.
He said that fake news and misinformation are exacerbating insecurity, fuelling
apprehension among the citizens and demoralizing the security agencies.
Buhari said: ” Let me cite some recent instances of fake news and misinformation
in this regard.
” On August 10, the Kaduna State Government had to debunk an online report claiming that hundreds of bandits had laid a siege on the Kaduna-Zaria road.
” The widely circulated message even advised travellers not to enter or leave Zaria due to the presence of bandits at Dumbi and Jaji along the Zaria road.
” Imagine the apprehension and disruption of plans that this fake news could have
caused.
” Imagine its impact on the security agencies who are doing
everything, including paying the ultimate price, to keep us safe.”
The president also recalled that in April 2022, a drone video went viral showing a group of
five men wearing red clothes and cooking inside an unknown forest.
”Those circulating the video claimed that it was somewhere in Nigeria.
” But when the BBC did a fact-check on the drone video, it discovered that
it was not in Nigeria.
”The video was circulated just to create panic among the citizens and put the society on edge,” Buhari added.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, commended Buhari’s administration for its strong and unwavering commitment to resolving most of the socioeconomic and political challenges bedevilling the country.
Bello, therefore, urged the institute, as managers of public perceptions, to push forward in identifying workable solutions to enhancing national integration.
Also, the President of the institute, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo said that the task of rebuilding Nigeria is very enormous and demanding.
He expressed the readiness of the institute to join efforts with the government and other well-meaning Nigerians individually and cooperate to drive the process to a logical conclusion.
” The institute believes no sacrifice is too much for a nation like Nigeria which God has bestowed with outstanding people and resources.
”It is for this reason that we challenge government organisations and individuals to always place Nigeria first above personal and any other interest,”Sirajo added.
In attendance was the former Minister of Information, Mr Jerry Gana, former governor of Kano State, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, Rep. Ado Doguwa, and others.
An Area Court in Jos, on Tuesday, sentenced one Jeptha John, to three months imprisonment for stealing a Redmi mobile phone valued at N165, 000.
The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the John after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The judge, however, gave the convict an option to pay N20, 000 fine and N50, 000 restitution to the complainant.
Bokkos said that if the convict defaulted in paying the restitution, three months should be added to his sentence to make it six months imprisonment.
Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Monday Dabit, told the court that the case was reported at the B Division Police Station, Jos, on Dec. 1, 2024, by Ms Nerat Danjuma.
He said that the complainant alleged that the defendant trespassed into her house and stole her mobile phone valued at N165, 000.
The prosecutor further told the court that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code, Law of Northern Nigeria.
Troops of the Nigerian army have apprehended no fewer than 15 persons over suspected oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the Spokesman, Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said in a statement on Monday that the operations were carried out in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers recently.
Danjuma said that the army apprehended 15 persons, dismantled 32 artisanal refineries and seized 14 boats during operations.
He further said that during the operations, conducted between Jan. 6 and 12, the troops confiscated no fewer than 60,000 litres of various petroleum products
The spokesman said that the operations were part of a broader collaborative effort with other security agencies to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Danjuma said that the raid commenced in Bille, Degema Local Government Area, and Rivers, where soldiers dismantled seven illegal refining sites, confiscated 20,000 litres of crude oil, and destroyed two boats.
“We also deactivated ten illegal refineries, several crude oil cooking pots, and receivers, and recovered about 19,000 litres of stolen petroleum products along the Imo River.
“In Odagwa, Etche, our troops intercepted three boats carrying about 12,000 litres of stolen crude oil and arrested three suspects in the process.
“Similar operations were carried out in Abiama, Asa, Obuzor, Okoloma, Ozaa, Ukwa, and Oyigbo” he added.
He stated that the soldiers advanced to Nkisa in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, where they confiscated 1,600 litres of crude oil and 1,200 litres adulterated diesel.
Danjuma said that along Ndoni Road, the troops intercepted a Toyota van transporting an estimated 1,200 litres of stolen condensate.
The spokesman said that in Buguma, Asari-Toru, Rivers, the troops dismantled two illegal refineries, seized 1,500 litres of stolen crude oil, and apprehended five suspects.
“In Baberegbene, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa, our soldiers dismantled an illegal artisanal refinery and intercepted a wooden boat carrying no fewer than 1,500 litres of stolen
“Similarly, an illegal refining site containing an unquantified quantity of stolen petroleum products was deactivated in Emago-Kugbo and Oluasiri communities in Nembe, Bayelsa.
“The operations continued in Akwa Ibom and Delta, where troops maintained a strong presence and effectively denied economic saboteurs the liberty to operate,” he said.
The police in Lagos have dragged two women, Mmesuma Ofunna, and Blessing Adimekwe, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence.
Ofunna, 22, and Adimekwe, 25, were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr L K J Layeni, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conduct likely to breach peace.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offence on Oct. 26 at the Okokomaiko area of Ojo.
He alleged that they had obtained the sum of N70, 000 from one Faith Ahamefule, with a promise not to post her nude photo on social media.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants later posted the nude photo of the nominal complainant on social media, knowing that their promise was false.
He alleged that they stole the N70, 0000, thereby conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace.
The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 168(d), 287, 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The court granted the defendants bails in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2025 for mention.
NSCDC Denies Involvement in Bolt Driver’s Death, Pledges Cooperation with Police
North Hails Tinubu’s Marching Order to End Banditry by 2025
Oyebanji Warns Ekiti Pilgrims Against Tarnishing Nigeria’s Image in Israel
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology5 months agoZero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years agoPhyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business8 months agoNigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business10 months agoWe generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines8 months agoPhilippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
