The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspected fake Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officers while planning to abduct and collect a ransom of N150m from their victim name (withheld).

Parading the suspects alongside other suspects at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, said the principal suspect, Emmanuel Akpayak, masterminded the kidnap of the would-be victim whom he owed over N12m as he tried to extort money from him and subsequently kill him to evade repayment of his debt.

He listed the suspects to include one Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak ‘M’ aged 27years, Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, ‘M’, aged 27years, Promise Udofia ‘M’ aged 28 years and Jeremiah Johnson Okon ‘M’ 38 years.

According to the CP, “Investigation revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak had arranged for the kidnap and killing of the would-be victim by engaging men on arms and procuring the EFCC vest/uniform for the operation.

“(The) Victim was invited and a search was conducted at the principal suspect’s house where four pairs of the EFCC vest were recovered. Information at hand indicates that the suspect transacted a business of selling cars with the would-be victim and owed the victim about N12m. To evade the repayment of the debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap, extort the sum of N150m and also kill the victim thereafter but the operation was foiled. Suspects will have their day in court,” he said.

In an interview with the principal suspect, Akpayak, he claimed that the intending victim was his business associate to whom he owed some money but hired “boys” who were issuing threats to him.

He noted that attempts to make his associate come to roundtable discussions failed hence he resorted to getting the EFCC vest from an online vendor to give to his syndicate who posed as officials to arrest the man and force him to bring N150m as he alleged that the would-be victim was rich and into Internet fraud. 

The commissioner also paraded suspected advance fee fraudsters who had been swindling PoS operators in Uyo.

“On 21/06/2024 at about 7:00pm, one Glory Uko Okon ‘F’ of Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, called in through the emergency hotline and alleged that one Donald Ita Nyong ‘M’, Rex Clement Uso ‘M’ and one Kingsley Mathias Joekim POS syndicates came to her stand at Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo, pretended to make a withdrawal of N10,000. While she made the withdrawal to the suspects, one of the suspects gave her N3,200 to deposit into an Opay account which she tried three times and the transaction was unsuccessful. The suspects mounted pressure on her which made her give out the POS machine to the suspect to type in the account number. Before she could realise it, the suspects had withdrawn the sum of N320,000 from her machine and quickly jumped into their waiting car and zoomed off. Suspects were arrested, they all made useful statements and have confessed to the crime.”

At least, three members of a suspected child trafficking syndicate have been arrested by the Akwa State Police Command for allegedly selling a 12-year-old boy (name withheld) for N400,000 in Ibesikpo in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, announced this in a statement following a press conference at the police headquarters in Uyo on Monday.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects were arrested at about 2 pm on May 9, 2024.

Ayilara stated that the trio of Michael Edet, Umem Moses, and Ability Tom were apprehended in their hideouts in the state by operatives of the command following credible intelligence about the syndicates.

Our correspondent learnt that the suspects allegedly kidnapped the victim, who was selling groundnuts along Oron Road in Akwa Ibom State, and transported him to the Ovum Community, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, where he was sold to another suspect identified as Loveth Nwankwo for the stated amount.

Ayilara said, “On May 9, 2024, at about 2:30 p.m., acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the command arrested one Michael Emmanuel Edet ‘M’, one Ability Henry Tom ‘F, and one Uwem udoh Moses ‘F’ from their hideouts within Ibesikpo and Aka Etinan Road for stealing a child (name withheld) ‘M’ 12 years while he was hawking groundnuts along the Oron Road and was taken to Ovum community and sold out for the sum of N400,000 to one Loveth Nwankwo.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of the said Loveth Nwankwo in Abia State. Suspects confessed to the crime and promised to help arrest other fleeing members of their syndicate. The victim was rescued and with others. The investigation is still ongoing. The above suspects and others will have their day in court.”

He assured the state’s residents that the command would continue to confront criminals directly and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

“We urge Akwa Ibom people to continue cooperating with the police through intelligence sharing so that together we can fight and successfully defeat crime and criminal elements in the state,” Ayilara added.

…Says FG’s Planning ‘National Social Housing Funds’ For All

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Dangiwa on Monday, lamented that 80 per cent of Nigerians cannot access affordable housing because of financial constraints.

This, the Minister noted, accounted for the major causes of the housing deficit in the country.

The Minister stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday.

He noted that the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainable to the the citizens, was the issue of affordability.

The Minister added that statistics had shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 200 million were poor and had weak purchasing power.

He said, “in fact of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1 Million Purchasing Power. Of this 40% (about 17.2million households fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2million) fall into the low-income group.

“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macroeconomic challenges including inflation have made things worse.”

Against this backdrop, the Minister said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, was planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund.

According to the Minister, under the NSHF, the Federal Government is aiming to pull funds from the government budget, philanthropic organisations and well-meaning Nigerians towards providing decent shelter for Nigerians with no income, low income and vulnerable brackets who cannot afford to own their homes.

“Some of these units will be delivered at no cost. We have developed the concept note that is undergoing review. Once concluded we will present it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and legislation.

“Social housing is not only a necessity, it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor. Because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds, we must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged. It is for our collective good.

“In this way, the underprivileged will know that we are one; that we are our brother’s keeper and that will help social cohesion, understanding and peace. This is because home ownership gives individuals a sense of belonging and a stake in the community,” the Minister said.

The Minister also commended the Governor Uba Sani-led government of Kaduna State for its practical, inclusive and pragmatic vision for housing delivery which led to the organisation of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.

Earlier in his remarks, the governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said provision of affordable houses for citizens of Kaduna State, was a key priority of his administration and committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said that the state government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnership with local and international investors to frontally address its housing deficit.

He said, “Qatar Charity in partnership with the Kaduna State Government is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout.

“This project is being executed through a Public – Private Partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people.

“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced in order to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed.”

The Governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across Kaduna metropolis under PPP arrangement.

On his part, the Managing Director Kaduna State Development and Property Company, Abubakar Rabiu-Abubakar announced the launch of two social initiatives: ‘the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society,’ demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.

He also said KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.

“A private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, A Trucks and Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.

“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” the KSDPC boss said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of 25 travellers following an auto crash on the Kano-Kaduna highway.

The accident, which took place early Monday morning near Dangwaro International Market in Kano’s metropolitan area, also left 53 injured.

According to the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the incident involved a trailer (IVECO) with the number plate XA 311 ZB, which was transporting both passengers and cows from Maiduguri to the southern part of Nigeria, when the trailer collided with another vehicle, causing it to somersault.

“We received a call at about 03:15 am on July 1, 2024. On receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our personnel and vehicle to the scene of the incident to rescue the victims at 03:30 am,” Abdullahi stated.

He attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speed, dangerous driving, and overloading, which led to the driver losing control of the vehicle.

Explaining further, Abdullahi noted that during the rescue operation, FRSC personnel recovered six motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, several animals including goats and rams, bags of maize, and a sum of N400,000.

He stated that all the victims were rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical treatment, where doctors confirmed the deaths of 25 individuals.

“All the victims were immediately conveyed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical attention. The doctors on duty confirmed 25 dead out of the victims,” Abdullahi said.

The commander advised motorists against the unsafe practice of transporting animals and goods alongside humans.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of naira by President Bola Tinubu were right policies wrongly implemented.

The Professor of Political Economics said both the petrol (fuel) subsidy and defence of naira by the previous administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari, and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele was not the best policy for the country.

Moghalu said what was wrong with the execution of the removal of the fuel subsidy and suspension of naira defense against the US Dollar was that President Tinubu failed to put measures in place to cushion the effects of the policy on the citizens.

He said the President “hurriedly”, without proper planning for consequences, removed fuel subsidy. He added that the President announced the floating of the naira without monetary tightening and a substantive CBN governor.

“The petrol subsidy and the forex subsidy were unsustainable. The fact that wrongheaded execution of their removal – removing the petrol subsidy hurriedly without proper planning for consequences and alternative transport solutions for the people, and floating the exchange without first tightening monetary policy and without a substantive Central Bank of Nigeria Governor with a real plan in place — is a very different thing from whether those reforms were needed.

“The issue was, and is, competence of conception and execution. Framing and executing evidence-based public policy is a real challenge for Nigeria and many African countries. I say this because the reality of the suffering faced by Nigerians should not confuse us as to why the situation is this way. My position on the fuel subsidy and exchange rate subsidy, given our country’s fiscal realities in 2023, remains consistent and not populist,” the former CBN Deputy Governor said.

Experts have continued to question “fuel subsidy is gone” statement of President Tinubu on his inauguration day on May 29, 2023. Also questioned was the government’s decision to allow naira to gain its strength against foreign currency.

An Economist, Olayiwola Adejare Lawal, in an interview, said Nigeria’s economy being import-dependent requires subsidies to grow.

Lawal said the federal government’s decision was against the local economics of Nigeria. He said economic advice against fuel subsidy and in support of naira floating would affect Nigeria’s economy.

Moghalu, however, said if policies to incentivize productivity and exports were put on ground before the fuel subsidy removal and naira float were carried out, the policy would have been beneficial.

The President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation Africa further said the leaders have also failed to sacrifice while asking citizens to bear the pains of necessary but poorly executed policy,

“Beyond this, executing painful reforms requires the legitimacy of shared sacrifice. That such a sacrifice on the part of the political leaders of Nigeria is absent, while asking citizens to bear the pain of necessary (although incompetently executed) reforms damages the legitimacy of the reforms.

“If it is accompanied by policies to incentive productivity and exports it would be beneficial,” he added.

Jan Vertonghen would wish he wasn’t included in Belgium’s national team squad for Euro 2024 as he helped France to end his team’s campaign in the round of 16.

Jan Vertonghen who has played 156 times and scored ten goals for the Belgium national team was arguably the most experienced player on the pitch in the France vs Belgium clash. Unfortunately for him, he left the pitch with his head covered in shame.

The scrappy first half of the round of 16 clash at the Merkur Spiel Arena ended in a 0-0 draw giving the Belgian side hope that they could come up with something tangible in the second half.

They were able to hold their own against the French side in most parts of the second half as the game was relatively balanced.

While Belgium looked good in midfield, they weren’t looking that convincing in the final third. France looked more dangerous in the final third throughout the game as they recorded 19 shots but only two were on target.

Jan Vertonghen’s woes in the game started in the 76th minute when the 37-year-old defender who currently plays for Belgian side, Anderlecht, received a yellow card for his harsh reaction against Kolo Muani.

Nine minutes later, the worst happened to him in the game when he scored an own goal that gifted unconvincing France a 1-0 win and ended Belgium’s run in the Euro 2024.

France who had masked Kylian Mbappe to bank on for 90 minutes couldn’t score a goal of their own but they wouldn’t have much to complain about as they make it to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contracts with three companies due to non-performance on the dualization of the Obajana-Benin road project.

The companies are Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd, and RCC Ltd.

In a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna, said the termination was necessary due to the inordinate delay and failure of the companies to fulfil their contractual obligations.

The Minister, David Umahi, directed engineers to take over the sites and measure the work done to facilitate the takeover from the companies.

Lagos hotel raid: EFCC operatives to face disciplinary panel over alleged assault of woman
He noted that the contracts, worth billions of naira, were awarded in 2012 but were abandoned by the contractors, leaving road users to suffer due to the deplorable condition of the road.

The Minister warned that the government will not tolerate acts of unseriousness and sabotage by contractors, stating that “going forward, all funded but non-performing contracts shall be terminated.”

This move is seen as a bold step by the Renewed Hope administration to address the country’s infrastructure challenges.

“We will not condone any act that will hinder our progress. We are determined to change the narrative of Nigeria’s road infrastructure”, Umahi said.

The terminated contracts include Contract No. 6136 with Mothercat Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section II (Okene-Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; Contract No. 6137 with Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section III (Auchi-Ehor) in Edo State; Contract No. 6138 with RCC Ltd for the dualization of Obajana-Benin road, section IV (Ehor-Benin) in Edo State.

The multimillion Naira Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam in Niger state has been hit by an explosion.

The Dam which is yet to be officially commissioned by the Federal government is the fourth located in the state coming after Jebba, Kainji and Shiroro.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the explosion occurred early morning of today.
The real cause of the explosion is yet unknown.

A dependable source from the area who confirmed the incident to our Correspondent however said that several of the workers on duty sustained various degrees of injuries and are being attended to at different hospitals close by while those seriously affected are said to have been rushed to Minna, the state capital for more medical attention.

“We saw a foreigner,(Chinese) who is a worker who had severe injuries being ferried to Minna for further medical attention but we cannot say the exact number of staff injured but they are many,” the source added.

Besides the human injuries, the explosion was said to have affected some installations at the Dam.
The implication of the explosion on power supply generally across the country is not yet known.
Details later.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has announced that it has fixed the date to conduct local government elections in the state for October 5.

The Commission, on Monday, released its guidelines in view of the conduct of the council elections in the state.

This was coming as the police in the state have maintained the occupation of the local government area council secretariats following the leadership crisis rocking the councils.

Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors of the 23 LGAs, the governor of the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, inaugurated Caretaker Committees pending the conduct of council elections.

However, the development had sparked protests by the outgone chairmen loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

They are insisting that the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly had extended their tenure by six months in the repealed Local Government Administration law of the state.

However, RSIEC met with the leaders of political parties and major stakeholders in the state, over conducting the elections.

The Ogun So-Safe Corps has apprehended three suspects for buying stolen transformer armoured cables worth N9.8m in OPIC Estate, Agbara, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued by the State Commander, Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, the suspects – Mansirina Usman (27), Janadu Ahyarn (20), and Husseni Abdullahi (20) – were arrested on Thursday, around 7pm.

Ganzallo said the arrest was made possible by the corps’ surveillance team, who acted on a tip-off that the stolen cables were being sold in the area.

“Before the arrest, information reached the corps that unknown thieves had vandalised and stolen transformer armoured cables worth N9.8m.

“The Area Commander, Assistant Commander Adeosun Adeniyi, and his team were tasked with bringing the perpetrators to justice within 48 hours,” the statement read.

Ganzallo explained that the suspects confessed to buying the stolen cables from Mustapha and one other person identified as Minister, who are currently at large.

“Usman bought 30kg of cable for N300,000, Ahyarn bought 25kg for N250,000, and Abdullahi bought 20kg for N200,000.

“The suspects had in their possession four off-cut armoured cables, N18,850 in cash, three Android phones, two wristwatches, and two unmarked TVS motorcycles,” it was added.

The three suspects and the items recovered have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Agbara Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Ganzallo commended the surveillance team for their swift action and reiterated the cops’ commitment to combating criminal activities in the state.