Authorities have confirmed that the office of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in the Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State was attacked by hoodlums.

During the attack which occurred on Thursday night, one officer was injured and property including vehicles were damaged, according to a statement by the Command's spokesman Mohammed Salisu.

The statement partly read: “During the late hours of Thursday, March 21, 2024, at about 2310 hours, the combined team of Yauri outstation and surveillance were informed of a suspected smuggling activity at Yauri Waterside.

"Upon arriving at the scene, 41 bags of foreign parboiled rice were seized, secured, and taken to the outstation," he said.

The statement noted that afterwards, "a mob attack was launched by the aggrieved smugglers by way of mobilising hoodlums to attack the outpost.

“Upon sighting the mob, the management contacted the command and other sister agencies for reinforcement, which helped in containing the situation.

“Amid the attack, the OIC sustained a hand injury; 1 AK-47 rifle was carted away but retrieved shortly; and 29 out of 41 bags of the seized rice were taken away by the attackers.

“The mob went further to vandalise the OIC personal vehicle, the outstation Air Conditioner, chairs, tables, windows, doors, and other essentials put in place to support the operations of the outstation.”

The spokesman said that the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has intervened to douse tension, after he hosted the Customs Area Controller on the way forward.

Meanwhile, normalcy has since been restored.

“The Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ojike, has been in touch with the Commissioner of Police, and so far, some arrests have been made and an investigation was launched in view of arresting and prosecuting the criminals,” he added.

According to findings by Vanguard , it has been revealed that the late Major Salisu Danjuma Shaffa had spent only three weeks in his new Area of Responsibility (AR) before his untimely death on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Shaffa was among officers and soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the military Joint Task Force, JTF, Bomadi Division, including the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col Ali, another Major, one Captain and 12 others, who were ambushed and killed during a rescue mission to Okuama to release a hostage.

The hostage was identified as Anthony Aboh from neighbouring Okoloba community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State who Okuama youths had held over a lingering land dispute.

Sources said Shaffa, who was a University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) alumnus, hailed from Shaffa town in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno South represented by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Senate).

He is survived by two children, a wife said to be pregnant and heavy, and two small children.

Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard learnt that the father of the deceased (Danjuma Shaffa) also died as a retired Major of the Nigerian Army some years ago in Borno State.

A family friend, Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, told our correspondent that the “late Shaffa, before paying the ultimate sacrifice, penultimate Thursday, had two children “while the wife is pregnant and is expecting delivery soon.”

Durkwa, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 general elections in Borno State, prayed “Allah (God) to grant Aljannatul Firdaus to the soul of the deceased officer and all officers and soldiers killed during the ambush”.

He called on proper investigation of the incident, saying anyone found wanting must face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent.

A brother of the slain Army officer, Mallam Hussain Danjuma, who formally announced the death in a social media post, said, “With a heavy heart and total submission to the will of Allah, I inform the sudden death of our beloved brother Major SD SHAFFA.

“We pray that Allah will forgive and grant him eternal rest in this Holy month of Ramadan.

“May your soul rest in peace, dearest brother as you will be remembered”.

Another family member, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, said, “May Allah have mercy on Major Salisu Danjuma Shaffa. May Allah lighten his grave, Amen”.

Amos Bwala, a friend of Shaffa, on his part, wrote on his Facebook page: “Innalillahi wainnailaihir rajiun. May Almighty Allah forgive our good friend and brother, Major Salisu Danjuma Shaffa, who was ambushed n Delta State rabbi fagfirlahu warahamhu.”

Buba Ali, another friend, in an emotionally laden voice said, “The loss of the Nigerian soldiers in Delta State is unfortunate and terrible. We lost a gallant brother from Borno, Major Salisu Danjuma Shaffa. May their souls rest in peace.”

In a related development, Ndume and Dr Midala Usman Balami, member representing Hawul/Askira-Uba Federal Constituency, have called on the authorities to immediately fish out the masterminds of the killings just as they strongly condemned the incident.

According to a statement signed by Ndume’s spokesman, Junaid Maiva, the senator “has been deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Major Salisu Danjuma Shaffa, whom he described as a brave military officer”.

The Senate Whip went on: “Major Shaffa, whose recent deployment led him to Delta State, met his untimely end in a devastating ambush alongside fellow military officers and soldiers following a successful mission.

“The news of his passing has cast a pall of sorrow over Senator Ndume and the entire nation.

“Senator Ndume paid tribute to the late Major Shaffa, extolling him as a genuine patriot who epitomized the highest ideals of service and sacrifice.

“The senator urged Major Shaffa’s family, friends, and constituents in southern Borno to take comfort in the knowledge that their beloved relative lived a life dedicated to serving humanity and defending the nation’s sovereignty.

“On behalf of myself, my family, and the constituents of southern Borno, we stand in solidarity with the family and friends of the late military officer”.

Balami, in a statement he personally signed said, “It is with immense sadness that I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Major Danjuma Shaffa and the gallant soldiers, who lost their lives while on peacekeeping mission in Delta State. This death is a great loss to the Nigeria Army and the entire nation.

“Major Danjuma Shaffa was a patriotic soldier who dedicated his life to the service of our country. He was a role model and inspiration to many, and his death has left a deep void in our hearts.

“We condemn this senseless act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. The sacrifices of our soldiers will not be in vain, and we will continue to support our brave men and women in uniform who work tirelessly to protect our nation’s peace and security.

“Once again, I extend my sympathies on behalf of the people of Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency and pray for the repose of Major Danjuma Shaffa’s soul and all the deceased patriots.”

The deaths of six police officers in Delta State has been confirmed by the Nigeria Police Force.

The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the officers were killed while investigating the disappearance of three colleagues in Delta.

The Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Adejobi added that six other officers are still missing and five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings.

The statement partly read, “The Nigeria Police Force is profoundly saddened by the devastating loss of six courageous officers in Delta State who exhibited exceptional valour in the face of adversity.

“These brave officers tragically fell victim to a cowardly ambush by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest, Delta State, while six others are currently missing-in-action.

“Our hearts extend to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officers during this period of profound sorrow. We stand in solidarity with them, offering our deepest condolences and earnestly praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.”

The FPRO identified the deceased officers as Inspector Abe Olubunmi, Inspector Friday Irorere, Sergeant Kuden Elisha, Sergeant Akpan Aniette, Sergeant Ayere Paul, and Sergeant Ejemito Friday.

He also identified the missing officers as Inspector Onoja Daniel, Inspector Onogho Felix, Inspector Emmanuel Okoroafor, Inspector Joel Hamidu, Sergeant Moses Eduvie, and Sergeant Cyril Okorie.

The statement further added that the NPF will posthumously recognise the officers for their service and sacrifice at an upcoming awards ceremony.

It also stated its commitment to supporting the families of the deceased officers.

The statement added, “Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to honouring the memory of our fallen heroes by recognising their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice.

“In accordance with this commitment, the Force will posthumously honour the slain officers for their noble service and ultimate sacrifice at the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony scheduled for April 5th, 2024, in Abuja.

“In response to this grievous loss, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has taken decisive actions as expected.

“The bodies of six of the slain officers have been recovered after a fierce search conducted by a combined team of police officers and other security outfits.

“The Force is focused on the search for the other six officers, while all their families have been duly contacted.

“Additionally, the Inspector General of Police has mandated the expedited processing and payment of all entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers, aiming to alleviate any financial burdens they may encounter in this challenging time.

“Similarly, immediate measures have been initiated to ensure that justice is served swiftly and the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime are brought to justice.

“The Inspector General of Police has mandated the deployment of all necessary resources and personnel to apprehend those responsible for this senseless killing of our officers, and this has led to the arrest of five suspects in connection with the preceding incident and the killing, who are currently volunteering information necessary for the rounding up of all the perpetrators.”

In the statement, the NPF condemned attacks on law enforcement personnel and urged the public to come forward with any information that could aid in the apprehension of the remaining perpetrators.

On Saturday night, bandits attacked worshippers observing Ramadan prayers in Mairuwa village, situated in the Faskari local government area of Katsina State.

Some of the worshipers were killed in the attack.

At least two persons were shot dead while another sustained injury during the attack.

Daily Trust reports that one of the deceased persons was a prominent man simply identified as Alhaji Lado.

He was suspected to be the prime target of the assailants.

A source who described the deceased as a businessman, politician and large scale farmer, said the victim was killed when he refused to take orders from his murderers.

“They opened fire on him when they attempted to kidnap him but he refused to follow them,” the source said.

One of the survivors of the mosque attack told our reporter that the attackers kidnapped the wife and two daughters of Alhaji Lado.

An eye witness told our reporter that the other victim of the attack was a health worker he simply identified as Sani.

“He worked at the Mairuwa Health Facility,” the witness said.

Katsina is one of the worst-hit states of banditry. Many attempts to keep the criminals in check have not yielded desired result.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has decided to extend the ongoing registration for Direct Entry by an additional two weeks to accommodate all prospective candidates in the process.

This is contained in a statement by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor (PCA), Fabian Benjamin on Saturday.

The statement reads “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would be extending the 2024 Direct Entry (DE) registration by two weeks to enable all candidates desirous of DE registration to do so.

“The Board commenced the 2024 Direct Entry on Wednesday, 28th February, 2024, and was to have concluded it on Thursday, 28th March, 2024, but on subsequent consideration, has now extended the exercise by two weeks from Wednesday, 28th March, 2024, consequently bringing the registration to a close on Thursday, 11th April, 2024.

“This extension became necessary following the challenges faced by candidates in going through some of the security screening measures put in place to arrest the rampant and embarrassing cases of fake A’level certificates being paraded by some DE candidates.

“The Board apologises for the inconveniences caused the prospective DE candidates and pledges that, going forward, the process would be made more user-friendly.

“However, in doing this, the Board will not compromise on its avowed determination to ensure that candidates, whose certificates were dubiously acquired are prevented from benefiting from such certificates.

“It is also to be noted that candidates, whose certificate-issuing institutions are among those on the list of institutions that have not verified their certificates despite repeated requests, would not be allowed to register without doing the needful.”

On Saturday, March 23, no less than two policemen attached to MOPOL 18, Owerri, Imo State, were killed by gunmen in the Okigwe area of the state.

It was learnt that the gunmen, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its affiliate, Eastern Security Network, threw dynamite at the police patrol vehicle and engaged the policemen in a gunfight along old Gariki Road.

Four other policemen were said to have sustained multiple injuries during the incident.

The police spokesman, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the incident, said, “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, March 23, 2024, while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road, Okigwe, by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight.

“In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.”

Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, condemned the attack, adding that the commissioner and the Commander, MOPOL 18 and 64, immediately led men of the command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

Former Cameroonian and Chelsea football star Geremi Njitap has initiated divorce proceedings to terminate his marriage after discovering that he had raised twins for 12 years that were not biologically his.

The 45-year-old has been married to Toukam Fotso Laure Verline for over a decade.

According to The Sun, the couple’s twins were born after the player’s wife Laure had a fling.

The UK Sun reports that court documents in Geremi’s native Cameroon show Toukam “destroyed the harmony” of their marriage “through her abject behaviour”.

They also mention her “repeated lies”, and add: “No children have been born from this union.”

Toukam had claimed the twins born in June 2008 — four years before the couple’s marriage were his, which motivated them to get married.

“But the discovery that the children were from her previous partner destroyed the couple’s harmony,” the documents add.

The former Indomitable Lion also alleges verbal mistreatment at the hands of his spouse, claiming that he has been subjected to insults and derogatory language in front of their children.

During his playing days, Geremi Njitap was known for his versatility, being able to play at right back, right midfield or defensive midfielder.

Njitap played for Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Turkish club Gençlerbirliği among others before his retirement in January 2011.

Geremi earned 118 caps for Cameroon from 1996 to 2010, scoring 13 goals.

He was a member of their squad for seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning in 2000 and 2002, as well as the World Cup in 2002 and 2010 and a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.

Some unknown gunmen have abducted at least 10 passengers traveling in a commercial bus from Wukari, Taraba State, to Gboko, Benue State, in Jootar, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.

The passengers, said to be artisans, were heading to Akure in a Sharon bus when their abductors stopped their vehicle, forced the driver out of the bus before driving into one of the forests in Jootar.

According to a source, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard in confidence, he received a call from the driver, who informed him of the development shortly after the incident occurred on Friday afternoon.

He said: “The driver called me that his vehicle, a Sharon bus, was stopped by heavily armed gunmen. He said they took his bus, abandoned him and drove the vehicle into the bush with 10 persons who looked like artisans who were supposed to alight in Gbok

“He said his phone was collected and he had to use somebody’s phone to call me just as the incident happened. The driver, who is somebody I know very well, said the incident happened around 12pm on Friday.

“The driver said he picked the passengers from Takum Junction, Wukari in Taraba State, and that the incident happened just two kilometres from there in Jootar, Ukum LGA. According to the driver, they were supposed to drop in Gboko as they were en route to Akure in Ondo State.”

Speaking on the incident, the lawmaker representing Ukum Constituency, Mr Ezra Nyiyongo, said: “I was told that a vehicle was intercepted. According to what I heard, he said he picked those people from Wukari, Taraba State, to convey them to Gboko. According to the driver, the victims were intercepted in Jootar, while they were going to Akure for menial jobs.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive any report on the incident.

The Lagos State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has called for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure, in order to uphold the party's integrity.

Rasheed Bamishe, the LP chairman in Lagos State, made the call at the party’s secretariat in Lagos on Saturday.

He urged the National Working Committee, members of the party Board of Trustees and other relevant stakeholders to prevent Abure from holding his proposed National Convention on March 27, 2024.

According to him, Abure should prioritize the party interest while a Caretaker National Chairman should be appointed to organize State Congresses before convening the National Convention.

“We urge Barrister Abure to leave the Party now because the litany of corrupt cases against him has done collateral damage to the image of the Labour Party.

“The Labour Party which was formed by the founding fathers to be a beckon of hope for millions of Nigerians is gradually being destroyed by Barrister Abure and this should not be allowed to continue,” he said.

Bamishe further stated that Abure was free to create his political party and manage its business but declared that the Labour Party, as a democratic organisation, cannot function as a one-man show.

He said that allegations of dishonesty, forgery, and fabrication of signatures have brought public shame and embarrassment to the Labour Party.

“Even if all these allegations are not true, the reasonable option open to the embattled Labour Party National Chairman is to step aside to pave the way for thorough investigations into the cases of alleged fraud against him.

“In a civilized clime, Barrister Abure should have exited office since the flurry of fraud cases against him became public knowledge but because of the culture of impunity in Nigeria, he is still clinging to power.

“Barrister Abure should tell the world where the National Convention of Labour Party in which he emerged as National Chairman was held.

“Barrister Abure is plotting to install himself again as the National Chairman of Labour Party through another illegal Convention and this should not be allowed to happen,” he stressed.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to unite to seek legitimate options including litigation to make sure Abure is removed from office to restore credibility, dignity, and integrity to the party.

As Naira continues to strengthen against foreign currencies, especially the United States Dollar (USD) at both parallel and official markets, the foreign exchange on cargo clearance at the nation’s seaports and international airports across the country has been reduced again.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Saturday, slashed the foreign exchange rate on cargo clearance from N1,572.507/$1 to N1448.386/$1.

The slash represents 7.8% reduction or a difference of N124.121 between the new and the old rates.

It was gathered that the exchange rate between the Naira and the Dollar At the official market strengthened to N1,431/$ on Friday, March 22, 2024, closing the week on a positive note.

Data from the FMDQOTC, where the exchange rate is officially set, revealed that the official currency gained 1.52% at the close of business, continuing a rally that has now lasted seven days.

The Naira has now gained over 12% in one week, suggesting that the apex bank’s policies, implemented aggressively since February, were beginning to yield fruits.

On the parallel market where the exchange rate trades unofficially, traders still quoted between N1400-N1480/$1 depending on who is buying or selling.

To this end, importers that opened Form ‘M’ on Wednesday will pay less to clear their cargoes as import duties are benchmarked against the dollar.

Also, importers will open Form ‘M’ at a lower rate compared to those who opened Form ‘M’ on Friday, March 23, 2024, according to the central bank’s new directive to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to use the rate on the date of submitting Form ‘M’ for calculating import duties.