One suspect has been apprehended as operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, raided the hideout of kidnappers in Jibi forest bordering Dei-dei Abuja.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who made this known in a statement on Monday, March 25, 2024, said exhibits such as firearms and cows were recovered from the camp.

According to the PPRO, the operatives stormed the hideout on March 23, 2024, at about 06:00 AM following credible intelligence that the bandits, led by one Mallam Danyaboi and Ilu, were planning a reprisal kidnapping over the arrest of their members.

“On sighting police operatives, the bandits fled from their hideouts to escape arrest,” the statement read.

"The crime prevention operation was carried out on the heels of credible intelligence that one Mallam Danyaboi and Ilu, gang members and colleagues to one Nasiru Mohammed A.K.A. Danger, who was earlier arrested and paraded by the Police Command on March 11, 2024, in connection with a series of kidnappings in FCT, had planned a reprisal kidnapping attack in Zuba and its environs for the arrest of their members.

"Exhibits such as firearms and cows were recovered from the camp. While intensive crime prevention patrols are already in place to forestall any intended kidnapping in the area, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, wishes to reassure residents of his commitment to ensuring the safety of all and sundry.

“He urges residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; CRU: 09022222352''.

The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that the 17-year-old girl, Omowunmi Aduloju, who stabbed her foster mother to death is mentally ill.

It was earlier reported that the deceased, Funmilayo Adelayi, a staff of the Ondo State Ministry of Finance, was found dead in her apartment at Premier Estate, in Oda area of Akure on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Wumi, as she is simply called, was later arrested by the police where she confessed to have stabbed her aunt to death on the 13th of March 2024

Spokesperson of the command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the development on Sunday, said a medical report from the psychiatric hospital where she was treated confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect was mentally sick.

“On Sunday 17th, of March, 2024, the police was informed about the death of a woman in her mid 50s in her home with her body already decomposing,” the statement read.

"The Police took the remains to the morgue and during clean up, a mark of violence (stabbing) was observed, while a knife was also found at the scene of crime

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased lived with her niece, Omowunmi Aduloju, aged 17 years who suddenly disappeared and locked the door

"The stench oozing out of the house attracted the residents who notified the deceased’s sister

"The sister on arrival peeped through the window and saw the body on the floor, hence police was informed.

"The corpse at a decomposing state was removed for preservation.

"The teenager was later arrested by the Police and was interrogated on what happened to her foster mother. The suspect said she stabbed and locked her up in the house because she was always disturbing her to use her medication.

“Family members claimed the young girl had been under her late Aunt’s tutelage since she was 6 years but developed mental illness in 2023 and was admitted at a psychiatric hospital in the state.”

Odunlami-Omisanya said the young girl was discharged and handed over to the late woman to continue to monitor her

"The psychiatric hospital where she was treated confirmed the claim by providing her medical history.

“The suspect is currently in police medical facility for safe keeping to avoid injury to herself and others."

The crisis rocking the Labour Party, LP, took a dangerous dimension last week, with members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, picketing the party’s national secretariat and some of its state offices.

There are also indications that the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and his supporters known as Obidients have abandoned the party’s National Chairman, Julius Abure to his fate.

This is not unconnected to the internal crisis that has been rocking the party structure since the 2023 general elections was concluded.

After a series of legal battles with the factional chairman of the party, Lamidi Apapa, Abure has been in the news over alleged financial impropriety and other disturbing issues.

Abure’s unending alleged financial scandals

DAILY POST recalls that Peter Obi in February 2024, called for a thorough and forensic investigation into an embezzlement allegation levelled against the party’s chairman, Abure.

The call by the former Anambra Governor was in response to allegations earlier made by Oluchi Oparah, the national treasurer of the party, accusing Abure of allegedly misappropriating N3.5 billion.

Oparah also alleged that the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, was working hand-in-hand with the Edo State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the September 2024 governorship polls.

Similarly, in a letter signed by Comrades TItus Amba and Chris Uyot, the chairman and the secretary of NLC Political Commission, the party expressed concerns over recurrent scandals and pending cases of fraud.

Labour Party administration under Abure

Abure was recently accused by some stakeholders of the party, including the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, of running the LP as a “sole administrator.”

DAILY POST recalls that the Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Dr Theophilus Ndubuaku, who spoke when the workers occupied the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja recently, said the decision to picket the party’s headquarters was taken to express workers’ grievances against Abure’s style of leadership.

He said, ”Now, it is in the hands of this usurper, he is looking for N30 million, N40 million, and so on to buy forms, excluding the people who founded the party. Enough is enough, Abure must go,” said the acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Bello Ismail on the cost of governorship interest and nomination forms.

Similarly, in a letter issued by Comrades TItus Amba and Chris Uyot, the chairman and secretary of NLC Political Commission, respectively, the union also knocked Abure for not being committed to the ideology of the Labour Party.

Controversial national convention

The embattled LP Chairman was in the news recently again over his alleged plan to hold National Convention without due processes.

DAILY POST reports that the Abure-led National Working Committee, NWC, was accused of planning to hold the national convention of the party in Umuahia, Abia State capital on March 27.

The planned convention was captured in a notice issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on March 13.

The move was, however, rejected by critical stakeholders, such as the House of Reps Caucus and the NLC, leading to the recent picketing of the party’s secretariat last week.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission – the political wing of the NLC, had in an open letter dated March 15, condemned the planned convention.

While demanding for the immediate resignation of Abure, the commission described the plan as illegal, noting that it would not allow any form of illegality in the affairs of the party to stand.

A source who spoke to DAILY POST on Saturday on condition of anonymity, alleged that Abure’s intention was to impose leadership on the party.

He said major stakeholders in that party were against the March convention, stressing that the party needs more time to select its leaders.

“Everybody in the party including our leader, Peter Obi is tired of Abure’s leadership. If we are not in court today, we will be in the news for one allegation or the other.

“The time we need to use to prepare for elections like the ones coming up in Edo and Ondo is used in settling disputes.

“Abure knows that everyone wants him out and the next thing he wants to do to remain relevant in the party is to impose a chairman on the party.

“How can you be talking about conventions and stakeholders of the same party are not even aware? The Labour Party is not Abure’s personal company”, he said.

Search for new chairman begins

DAILY POST gathered on Saturday that a former Deputy National Campaign Manager to Peter Obi/Dati Presidential Campaign, Comrade Isaac Balami from the Northern region may take over from Abure.

An insider told DAILY POST that some party leaderships and chieftains have had a meeting and suggested Balami as the next National Chairman of the party.

When contacted, Balami told our correspondent on the phone that he was “under pressure to run for the chairmanship of the party”, but that there are issues on ground still stopping his declaration.

According to him, he doesn’t even know whether the convention will be held as scheduled as “there are forces fighting against the unity and progress of the party”.

“But then, I can’t refuse or turn down a request coming directly from the youth constituency of the party.

“You know they were instrumental to the change in the political narrative and advancement of the Labour Party in the last election, so we can’t joke with their position.

“I truly appreciate their commitment to the success of our party and I won’t take their call for granted.

”In a couple of hours, we shall make our final decision on this matter.”

DAILY POST reports that the former All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain had prior to the 2023 general elections, dumped his party for the LP, saying he believed in the ideology of the party and its candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the convention, Dr Yunusa Salisu Tanko, Chief Spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 election, told DAILY POST on Saturday that Abure failed to carry the stakeholders of the party along in the planned convention.

He said, “all we want is for us to build a political party we all will be proud of. A part that will represent the interest of everybody.

“We have all that it takes to build the structure of the party. That is the best thing that can happen to us as a party.

“We don’t want a closed convention like the Chairman is trying to have. Because it is likely going to be a closed convention instead of an open convention and that is not good for us.

“Many people did not even know that there was going to be a convention. I was not aware of the convention too. I saw it in the newspaper just like any other person.

“This is what NLC is also saying. Nobody is against any particular person but for us to have a convention that all of us will be proud of. Peter Obi has also said that the convention should be open for everybody.”

Asked to clarify the viral report purporting Peter Obi’s decision to dump the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, Tanko simply said, “It is not true. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing like that”.

The National Hajj Commission has requested 2024 intending pilgrims to pay an additional N1,918 million amid Naira fluctuation against US dollar.

The Commission disclosed this in an update released through its official X handle on Sunday, noting that intending pilgrims should pay up the additional cost before 11:59 pm, 28th March, 2024.

Recall that the Commission had earlier pegged the fare for Hajj at about 4.9 million depending on the departure zone as approved by the government.

However, according to the NAHCON, the revaluation of the Naira against the US dollar in the foreign exchange market resulted in additional costs.

The Commission added that 6,441 intending pilgrims had made the initial payment and were advised to visit their state pilgrims boards to confirm their status.

The states included Bauchi, which had the highest figure of 2,290, followed by Adamawa(1,767). Thirdly, Edo(265) and others made up the total number of 6,441.

With the latest update, intended pilgrims will pay N6,818 million for the 2024 hajj, depending on the location.

“It is widely acknowledged that Hajj preparation follows a strict timeline. As for the 2024 Haj, the preparatory timeline released by the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah began earlier than usual and is expected to end before its normal timing. NAHCON endeavoured to adhere to the schedule outlined by the Ministry.

“However, non-to-late remittances of Hajj fare by those concerned necessitated adjustments, resulting in two date shifts, with the final being 12th February 2024. Recall that on 31st December 2023, Naira was still at N897:00 to a Dollar at the banks. These shifts, unfortunately, pushed the Haj fare collection deadline to fall after the harmonization of foreign exchange rates, presenting a new and significant challenge.

“What the harmonization meant in the Hajj fare equation was that in the face of global financial challenges, coupled with the new forex policy.

“Nigerian pilgrims would now be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite having already paid the fixed fare of about N4.9 million, depending on the departure zone as approved by the government.

“The Federal Government saw the wisdom in deliberately intervening on behalf of the Nigerian intending pilgrims through various strategies, including persuading cost reductions.

“Unfortunately, the interventions could not cover the entire number that had met the final registration deadline. This had remained the Commission’s dilemma. To make matters worse, about 50,000 pilgrims under the Public Quota have now paid the hitherto announced fare of about N4.9 million, and their payments are currently under the custody of the Commission.

“Considering the urgency of the situation, NAHCON was forced to explore various options, including encouraging State Governments and affluent individuals to intervene on behalf of their pilgrims. This window remains open.

“This will complement the intervention of the Federal Government that went the extra mile to support the Nigerian Muslim pilgrims in discharging their religious obligation. Commendably, the government’s policy focus on bringing down the exchange rate has boosted the Hajj fare reduction.

“The good news now is that with Naira having appreciated to N1,474.00 to a Dollar over the preceding week and after due consultation with stakeholders, coupled with NAHCON’s desire to ensure equitable spread because of the Federal Government’s intervention to all the already registered pilgrims whose payments have been received, the Commission resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 by the current foreign exchange rate.

“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are, by this release, advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024. The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March, and no other payment will be accommodated after.

“Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status”, NAHCON stated.

A Nigerian journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, has alleged that the Nigerian government paid through the nose to secure the release of abducted Kaduna pupils.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, the journalist claimed that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm or conning will convince the ruthlessly avaricious bandits to release hostages without payment of ransom.

DAILY POST earlier reported that Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani had announced the release of the over 100 Kuriga schoolchildren who were kidnapped by suspected bandits.

The Governor gave the news on Saturday night, confirming the freedom of the schoolchildren.

Although the abductors had demanded N1 billion as ransom as the only condition for their release, it was unclear if the children were rescued by security operatives or if ransom was paid.

However, Jaafar claimed that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the “rescue” of the Kuriga schoolchildren, suggested that the government paid through the nose.

He said: “The reality is that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm or conning will convince the ruthlessly avaricious bandits to release hostages without payment of ransom.

“From President Tinubu to Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the ‘rescue’ of the Kuriga schoolchildren, you know the government paid through the nose to simply rescue its image, held hostage by the worsening insecurity.

“Our leaders hardly bother taking proactive measures to stop these abductions. In hindsight, the money the government paid the bandits should have been used to resettle villages that were prone to attack.

“Government is more concerned about its image than the security of lives and property. Whenever you see a government in turbo action, its political image is concerned.”

The groups for the 2024 Copa America have been confirmed.

This follows the completion of the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday.

Canada, Jamaica and Costa Rica have now confirmed their spots at the tournament.

The competition, which runs from June 20 to July 14, will feature 10 South American countries, along with six North American guests.

Argentina are the current holders of the trophy.

Group A:

Argentina
Peru
Chile
Canada

Group B:

Mexico
Ecuador
Venezuela
Jamaica

Group C:

United States
Uruguay
Panama
Bolivia

Group D:

Brazil
Colombia
Paraguay
Costa Rica

Centre-back, Kenneth Omeruo is expected to start Nigeria’s clash with Mali on Tuesday night after missing the first friendly against Ghana due to a training ground injury.

Omeruo was an unused substitute against the Black Stars.

With the Kasimpasa player and Calvin Bassey unavailable for the game, interim head coach, Finidi George named Benjamin Tanimu in the starting line-up.

Tanimu, who plays for Tanzania outfit, Ihefu SC is expected to make way for the experienced defender against the Tanzanians.

Omeruo is the most senior international at Finidi’s disposal in Marrakech, Morocco.

Brentford midfielder, Frank Onyeka and Bassey are unavailable for the game.

The Super Eagles duo of Calvin Bassey and Frank Onyeka have left camp ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Mali.

Bassey missed the 2-1 win over Ghana on Friday, but Onyeka played in the game.

Both players have now flown back to their base in the UK, where they will continue their recovery as the business end of the season kicks in.

The rest of the Eagles squad have continued training for the next friendly.

All the remaining 22 players are available for selection.

Nigeria will take on Mali at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday and interim head coach, Finidi George, is expected to shake up his starting XI.

The Nigerian Federal Government announced that applicants of its N50,000 Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme for citizens across the 774 local government areas should watch out for SMS to link applications with the National Identity Number.

The Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed this in a notice she posted through her official X account on Sunday.

The Minister stressed that the applicant’s NIN must tally, without which there will be no processing in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s NIN- Account number linkage requirement.

“The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment thanks all applicants for their interest in the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme and assures that applications are being thoroughly processed.

“Due to new regulations from the Central Bank of Nigeria, applicants are now required to link their national identification numbers (NIN) with their bank accounts. We currently do not have a record of the NINs of those who applied. Therefore all applicants will receive an SMS from ‘FGGRANTLOAN’ With instructions to submit this information via a
secure link.

“This step is essential for the continuation of the application process. Only verified applicants will receive this notification, and NINs must match the applicant’s name for the process to proceed.

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation, and we will keep you updated on your application’s progress. Thank you for your participation and contribution to national growth”, the statement reads.

The scheme, which was expected to commence on March 9, 2024, would offer financial grants, without repayment obligations, to eligible small business owners in Nigeria.

The average price of automotive gas oil, known as diesel, increased by 50.20 per cent on a year-on-year basis amid economic hardship.

The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed this in its latest diesel price watch for February 2024.

Accordingly, the report stated that the retail price of diesel surged to N1,257.06 per litre in February from N836.91 last year.

On a month-on-month basis, an increase of 9.02 per cent was recorded from N1,153.01 in January 2024 to an average of N1,257.06 in February 2024.

Looking at the variations in the state’s prices, the top three states with the highest average price of the product in February 2024 include Akwa Ibom State (N1,525), Gombe State (N1,500) and Kwara (N1,444).

In contrast, the top three lowest prices were recorded in Adamawa State (N1,037.50), Kano State (N1,111.43) and Katsina State (N1,125).

The zonal representation of the average price of diesel shows that South South zone has the highest price of N1,343.09 despite its huge gas and crude oil deposits, while the South West zone has the lowest price of N1,164.05 when compared with other zones.