A 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, allegedly involved in various types of internet-related frauds, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism, offered operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, $100,000 (over N160 million) bribe but it was rejected.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Adegoke Fayoade, made this known while addressing the press on Friday.

Fayoade revealed that the investigation into Akpoguma began on November 7, 2024, after receiving reports from residents of Chevron Drive, Lekki, where the suspect resides.

He said the suspect admitted to the crime while speaking with journalists, stating that the monetary bribe was an attempt to clear his name.

Fayoade said, “Patrick Akpoguma admitted to being involved in what is known as romance scams and other cryptocurrency-related scams.

“He meets various people online and presents himself as a notable and famous Caucasian American, such as Colonel Matt Herbert, a serving U.S.
Army officer currently on a peacekeeping mission in Iran. He also impersonated Adam Taggart, a renowned cryptocurrency and stock brokerage expert in the United States.

“He convinces his unsuspecting victims that he is a top executive working on several projects that require funding, which leads him to request loans. Typically, he receives these loans via his Bitcoin Trust Wallet or through blockchain transactions. So far, he has defrauded more than seven victims using this method.

“To perfect these fraudulent activities, he created a fake Instagram account under the name ‘Adam Taggart.’ This account allowed him to purchase a silicone face and hand mask from maskmarkers.com, which was delivered to his residence on Chevron Drive, Lekki. He paid $11,200 USD for the manufacturing of this mask, which he used to impersonate Adam Taggart on Facebook and Instagram.

“Surprisingly, during the investigation, the suspect began pleading and offering money to be let off the hook. Once I was informed about this, I instructed my detectives from Raider team to play along. On November 12, 2024, he offered the sum of $100,000 USD (One Hundred Thousand Dollars), equivalent to about One Hundred and Seventy-Four Million Naira. The money was accepted, registered as evidence, and the investigation continued. So far, the investigation has been concluded, and the suspect will be arraigned accordingly.” 

Speaking about his actions, the suspect, Patrick Akpoguma, said he felt too intelligent to work for a salary, which is why he turned to fraud three years ago.

He said, “I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, and I am 28 years old. After leaving school, it became clear that I needed to find my path and try to get on my feet. I decided to try fraud while I looked for something legitimate. I started doing fraud three years ago, and since then, I’ve made over USD 500,000.

“I’ve achieved a lot—owning a house in Lagos, a house in Edo State, and a GLE Benz worth N100m. Once I defraud people and feel I’ve taken enough from them, I simply walk away. I don’t leave them penniless.”

• Analysts anticipate inflationary pressure to persist in November

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and oil marketers operating in the country imported 1.5 million metric tonnes of petrol and 414,018.764 metric tonnes of diesel respectively between October 1 and November 11, 2024, a document obtained by THISDAY has shown.
This emerged as the naira weakened to N1,740/$ on the parallel market yesterday, lower than the N1,720/$ it closed the previous day. Likewise, on the official forex market, the NAFEM, the naira depreciated marginally to N1,652/$ yesterday, compared with the N1650/$1 it closed the previous day.

Also yesterday, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to gauge inflation in the country increased to 33.88 percent in October compared to 32.70 percent in September, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed yesterday.
The oil importation data which highlighted the movement of motor tanker vessels during the period, further indicated that 13,500 metric tonnes of jet fuel was brought into the country during the 42-day period.

These petroleum products imported into the country were valued at approximately $1.9 billion or nearly N3 trillion, according to estimates.
 A further breakdown of the tonnages showed that the volume of petrol brought into Nigeria during the time was roughly 2 billion litres, about 500 million litres of diesel and around 17 million litres of jet fuel.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, at an event in Lagos during the week, said the company had ended its prolonged reliance on imported refined products.
However, the NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, later clarified that the national oil firm and its partners would not stop the importation of products,  but that decisions on whether to import or not would be based on the prevailing economics of it.

Although the management of the Dangote refinery had made case that since there’s sufficient local refining, products should be purchased within the country, the issue of pricing remains very knotty.
“Today, NNPC does not import any products; we are taking only from domestic refineries,” Kyari had said, a statement which Soneye later shed light on.
 “The GCEO’s statement should not be construed to imply that NNPC is obligated to be the sole off-taker of any refinery or that we will no longer import fuel. While NNPC prioritises sourcing products from domestic refineries, this is contingent upon economic viability.
“If local supply is cost-effective, it will be preferred, but the same principle applies to other marketers, who will also evaluate total costs when deciding whether to buy locally or import,” Soneye had said.

In addition, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), it was learnt, may have granted additional licences for the importation of more petroleum products before December.
But the report obtained by THISDAY showed that tanker vessels carrying refined products have been arriving at ports in Lagos, Warri, Calabar, and Port Harcourt, despite the push by the Dangote refinery to ensure oil marketers get products from its $20 billion facility located in Lagos.

For instance in October, the NNPC and its partners imported a total of 994,446.438 metric tonnes of petrol, with Lagos receiving 555,121.617 metric tonnes, Warri 281,100 metric tonnes, Port Harcourt 94,224.821 metric tonnes, and Calabar 64,000 metric tonnes.
Besides, a total of 285,518.764 metric tonnes of diesel was imported, with Lagos getting 162,500 metric tonnes, Warri 58,500 metric tonnes, Port Harcourt 56,018.764 metric tonnes and Calabar 8,500 metric tonnes.

In the same vein, from November 1 to November 11, a further 358,083 metric tonnes of petrol, 112,500 metric tonnes of diesel, and 13,500 metric tonnes of aviation fuel were discharged at Nigerian ports.
Aside the NNPC, 23 other oil marketers, including Matrix, A.A Rano, Bovas, Eternal Oil, Deep Water, Ibeto, Chisco, T-Time, Dozy, North-West, Shorelink, AYM Shafa, Rainoil, Prudent, Fatgbems, also got products.

Specifically, on October 10, NNPC received 60,590.187 metric tonnes of petrol via the Navig8 Honor ship at Pinnacle Terminal, while on October 16, another 38,083 metric tonnes of petrol were delivered by the CL Agatha Christie ship.
Similarly, on October 18, four ships, namely: Largo Sea, Binta Saleh, CL Game Ousten, and Berners, delivered a combined 97,000 metric tonnes of petrol. Additionally, AA Rano imported 18,860 metric tonnes of petrol and 20,000 metric tonnes of diesel via ships Binta Saleh and Lausu at its own terminal.
At a recent meeting with government authorities, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said  that his refinery currently holds more than 500 million litres of fuel in reserves.
Meanwhile, the CPI which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities increased to 33.88 per cent in October compared to 32.70 per cent in September.
The 1.18 percentage increase in headline index was blamed on rising food and energy prices.
The uptick in inflation came despite the current harvest season when food prices are expected to crash.

According to the CPI report for October, year-on-year, inflation was 6.55 per cent higher compared to 27.33 per cent in October 2023.
Month-on-month, headline inflation rose by  0.12 per cent to 2.64 per cent compared to 2.52 per cent in September.
Food inflation rose 7.64 per cent to 39.16 per cent year-on-year compared to 31.52 per cent in October 2023.
The NBS attributed the rise in food inflation year -on-year to increases in prices of guinea corn, rice, maize grains, rice, others (bread and cereals class), yam, water yam, coco yam, (potatoes, yam and other tubers class), palm oil, vegetable oil milo, lipton and bournvita.

Month-on-month food inflation was attributed to increases in the prices of palm oil, vegetable oil, mudfish, croaker (apo), and fresh fish (obokun).
Others are dried beef, goat meat, mutton, skin meat, other meat class, and bread, guinea corn flour, plantain flour, and rice among others.
On other hand, core inflation which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produces and energy rose by 5.79 per cent to 28.37 per cent, year-on- year in October compared 22.58 per cent in October 2023.

Core inflation was attributed to highest increases in prices of bus journey within the city, journey by motorcycle, bus journey intercity, others (under passenger transport by road class), rents (actual and imputed rentals for housing class).
Others are meal at a local restaurant (accommodation service class), and hair cut service, woman hair brush, women’s hairdressing, (hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments class).

Year-on-year, in urban inflation increased to 36.38 per cent compared to 29.29 per cent in October 2023, while month-on-month, the index also rose to 2.75 per cent from 2.67 per cent in the preceding month.
Similarly, rural inflation increased to 31.59 per cent, year-on-year compared to 25.58 per cent in October 2023.
Month-on-month, the rural index stood at 2.53 per cent compared to 2.39 per cent in September.
At state level all item inflation year-on-year, was highest in Bauchi (46.68 per cent), Kebbi (40.02 per cent), Sokoto (39.65 per cent), while Delta (27.85 per cent), Benue (28.22 per cent) and Katsina (29.59 per cent) recorded the lowest rise.

Month-on-Month, however,  highest increases was observed in Kano (3.77 per cent), Bauchi (3.74 per cent), Adamawa (3.59 per cent), while Kwara (1.27 per cent), Ondo (1.49 per cent) and Lagos (1.91 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.
Year-on-year, food inflation was highest in Sokoto (52.18 per cent), Edo (46.55 per cent), Borno (45.85 per cent), while Kwara (31.68 per cent), Kogi (33.30 per cent), and Rivers (33.87 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.
iOn a Month-on-month basis, however, food inflation was highest in Adamawa (5.08 per cent), Sokoto (4.86 per cent), Yobe (4.34 per cent), while Kwara (1.11 per cent), Ondo (1.31 per cent) and Kogi (1.50 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.

However, reacting to the inflatable report, analysts at Cordros Research, said despite the typical boost from the October harvest season, food inflation surged by 30 basis points (bps) to 2.94 per cent month on month, resulting in a 39.16 per cent year on year.
It said, “This trend reflects persistent structural challenges undermining the agricultural sector’s productivity. Key factors include widespread flooding disrupting farming activities, ongoing conflict in the Northern region limiting agricultural operations, and rising input costs constraining harvest yields below historical averages, all of which have kept agricultural food prices elevated.

“Additionally, the persistent currency depreciation maintained upward pressure on imported food prices, while increased transportation costs –  a direct consequence of higher Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices – inflated retail food prices across the board.
“To put this in perspective, October’s month on month food inflation significantly exceeded the five-year October average of 1.47 per cent, underscoring the unusual intensity of current price pressures.”

Cordros added that “Across sub-items, prices rose for farm produce (+20bps to 2.95 per cent month on month) and Processed food (+33bps to 2.93 per cent month on month), while imported food prices saw a slight decline (-24bps to 3.37 per cent month on month).
“Concurrently, the core inflation increased by 4bps to 2.14 per cent month on month (September: 2.10% m/m) within the review period after declining in September, pushing the year-on-year print higher to 28.37 per cent (September: 27.43 per cent y/y).”
In its outlook, however, Cordros further stated that combined with persistent naira volatility and festive-driven consumer demand, inflation is expected to sustain price pressures on both locally produced and imported food items.  

Cordros said, “As a result, we expect food inflation to print 3.04 per cent month on month in November, leading to a further increase in the year-on-year numbers (+160bps to 40.83 per cent).
“At the same time, prices within the core basket are poised to remain elevated, reflecting the combined effect of (1) naira depreciation, (2) elevated costs of energy, (3) increased transport expenses and (4) high operational costs.

“Consequently, we project core inflation to increase by 2.16 per cent m/m, cascading to 28.17 per cent y/y (October: 27.42 per cent y/y).
“Taking these components together, the headline inflation is expected to print 2.65 per cent m/m, pushing the year-on-year numbers higher to 34.60 per cent in November (October: 33.88 percent y/y).”

• Insists anti-crime agencies Acts need no ratification by state assemblies 

The Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes whether at the federal, state and local government levels.

The apex court in a judgement delivered by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, held that the Acts establishing the anti corruption agencies were lawfully made by the National Assembly that is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the good governance of the entire country.

The Attorney-General of Kogi State had dragged the federal government to court to challenge the legality of the EFCC, ICPC and NFIU’s Acts, on the grounds that they were not ratified by the state Houses of Assembly haven been an offshoot of the United Nations convention on corruption.
The plaintiff later joined by 18 others, thereby asked the apex court to hold that the anti-graft agencies lack powers to investigate and prosecute states on how they administer funds belonging to them in their states.

Besides, the plaintiffs prayed the court to restrain the EFCC, ICPC and NFIU form inviting, arresting, investigating and or prosecuting them in respect of their states’ funds.

However, the apex court in its judgement on the issue held that the anti-graft agencies are legal entities empowered to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes across all strata of the country on the grounds that they are products of the National Assembly, whose laws are binding on all the federating units as well as their agencies.

Besides, the apex court held that although the Acts establishing the anti corruption agencies were an offshoot of the United Nations convention, they are nonetheless lawful, legal and binding, having been enacted by the National Assembly.
According to the apex court, laws passed by the National Assembly do not need any ratification by the states of the federation.
“Let me first look at the constitutional provision. The plaintiffs rely on Section 12 of the constitution in their argument. Treaty is an agreement reached by two or more countries which has to be ratified.

“Convention: Conventions are agreed by a larger number of nations. Conventions only come into force when a larger number of countries agree.

“Therefore, the EFCC Act, which is not a treaty but a convention does not need the ratification of the Houses of Assembly. A convention would have been ratified by members state and the NASS can make laws from it, which will be binding on all the states in Nigeria as it is the case of EFCC Establishment Act,” Justice Aba-Aji held.
While pointing out that the federating units in a country like Nigeria, do not have absolute power, the apex court held that where an Act or law is made by NASS like the NFIU and its guideline, it is binding on all.

“Any act that has been competently enacted by the NASS cannot be said to be inconsistent.
“Where the NASS has enacted several laws on corruption, money laundering, etc, no state has the right to make law to compete with it. The investigative power of the EFCC cannot be said to be in conflict with legislative powers of the state assembly.

“I must agree with the AGF that the plaintiffs’ argument, that is, the Houses of Assembly of the plaintiffs’ states is not tenable in law,” the Supreme Court adding that the NFIU guideline had not any way contravened the provision of the constitution to manage the funds of their states.

The apex court subsequently dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

Although, the panel initially dismissed the federal government’s objection to the suit for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

Reacting, the counsel to Kogi State, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, said, “This is an issue we have raised before the FHC, it was not addressed. We raised it at the Appeal Court and was not addressed. This is going to enrich our jurisprudence. We thank your lordship for hearing us out.”

Representative of the AGF, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said, “We convey our gratitude to the court for your wisdom. Your lordship has permanently settled the legality of the anti-corruption agency in fighting corruption.” 

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc says shareholders have approved its plan to change the company’s name to First Holdco Plc. 

In a notice on Friday, Adewale Arogundade, the company secretary,  said the decision was approved by shareholders at its 12th annual general meeting held virtually on Thursday.

According to the company, the change will be extended to all subsidiaries.

“That there should be a change of the legal and brand names of the Company from FBN Holdings Plc and FBNHoldings to First Holdco Plc and FirstHoldco, respectively,” FBN Holdings said.

“That the change of legal and brand names should be extended to the subsidiaries of FBN Holdings Plc

“That the directors be and are hereby authorised to perform all such other acts and do all such other things as may be necessary to give effect to the above resolutions, including, without limitation, complying with the directives of any regulatory authority.

“That upon completion of the processes for the change of name, Increase of the Company’s share capital and allotment of the new ordinary shares in accordance with the resolutions above, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be amended as necessary to reflect the Company’s new legal name and Issued share capital.”

FBN HOLDINGS TO RAISE N350BN VIA RIGHTS ISSUE, PRIVATE PLACEMENT

FBN Holdings also announced shareholders approved the sale of shares to private investors and existing shareholders to raise N350 billion.

“The Company be and is hereby authorised to undertake a capital raise of up to ₩350,000,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira),” FBN Holdings said.

“The capital raise transaction shall be implemented by one or more transactions through the issuance of shares by way of a public offering, private placement, rights Issue in the Nigerian or International capital markets.”

FBN Holdings said the price will be determined by “way of a book building process or any other valuation method or combination of methods, in such tranches, series or proportions and at such periods or dates, coupon or interest rates, within such maturity periods and upon such other terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

The financial institution said the capital raise will be subject to approvals of the relevant regulatory authorities.

FBNH Holdings said the share capital of the company will be Increased by the exact number of ordinary shares “which would be required upon determination of the terms of the capital raise and the Directors are authorised to pass resolutions for such increase, as well as to allot the new ordinary shares. required in connection with the capital raise”.

“That the directors be and are hereby authorised to undertake all necessary actions to secure the listing and admission to trading of securities issued pursuant to the foregoing resolution on the Official List of the Nigerian Exchange Limited and/or on any other securities exchange(s) or market(s),’ the company said.

In April, the company had said it would sell shares to private investors and existing shareholders to raise N300 billion.

On November 1, FBN Holdings  announced plans to raise about N150 billionthrough a rights issue programme.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has deployed 34,000 officers in Ondo ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.

Abiodun Alabi, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) coordinating election security, spoke on Friday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.

Alabi said adequate measures are in place to stop the infiltration of thugs during the poll, noting that operatives will be stationed at the 3,933 polling units in all LGAs of the state.

“We just want to dominate the security space, to let people know that we cannot allow anybody to truncate the electoral process,” he said.

“We have intelligence that some people are trying to organise some militias to truncate the electoral process.”

The police chief said tactical units, an aerial surveillance team, and marine police, among others, would be deployed in the state.

Alabi noted that there would be restrictions on movement on the election day from 6am to 6pm, adding that the police have received intelligence about plans to sabotage the poll.

 

He assured voters of their safety, noting that the police have done adequate threat analysis to ensure a peaceful election.

“No movement; we are going to restrict everybody’s movement. We don’t want anybody to infiltrate the state,” he added.

“It is part of the intelligence we have had that some people are trying to bring in thugs, hoodlums from the neighbouring states of Edo and Osun to come and cause problems here. We are not going to allow that to happen.

“We are working hand in hand with the military, who will take care of our borders. We are not going to allow anybody to infiltrate the state.”

A full list of President Bola Tinubu’s media aides has sparked reactions on social media. 

On Thursday, Tinubu added a new member to his list of advisers on media-related matters.

Daniel Bwala, an ex-aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, was named the special adviser on public communications and media.

Bwala’s appointment increased the number of Tinubu’s media aides to 13.

In a post shared on Thursday, 36 Kiniun, an X user, compiled a list of all the president’s media aides and their portfolios in the administration.

Many X users criticised the list and berated the administration for paying lip service to cut the cost of governance.

Obum, an X user, said all the appointees’ assignments are identical and described their role as “a waste”.

“These people do the same thing. Check their timelines all the same tweets. What a waste,” the tweet reads.

Streams, another X user, said the appointments are “unnecessary.”

“There are a lot of very unnecessary appointments here. One person can do like 3 of these roles and still have a lot of time on their hands. But appointment for here na reward, and that’s why you can see a lot of people on this street fighting to be seen,” the tweet reads.

Italian professional football club, Juventus, has terminated Paul Pogba’s contract.

The Serie A club announced this in a statement issued on Friday as the France midfielder prepares to return to action from a doping ban.

In the statement, Juventus said that they and Pogba “have reached a mutual agreement for the termination of their contract as of 30 November 2024.”

The ex-Manchester United player received a four-year suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, but this was reduced to 18 months after he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Pogba, who led France to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is expected to play for a club again in March 2025.

The 31-year-old player shared a post on social media after the decision from the Serie A team.

“There are moments when things don’t go the way we want, but one thing is certain: the bond I have with you, dear fans, will remain unforgettable,” Pogba wrote on Instagram.

“You have given me so much, more than I can put into words, and I will always carry with me all the affection you gave me. You’ll be in my heart, always.
“Good luck, Juventus.”

Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okunneye, better known as Bobrisky, has revealed that his ordeal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission began after accepting the best dressed female award at the movie premiere of Nollywood actress, Eniola Ajao.

Naija News recalls that Bobrisky recently faced scrutiny over allegations that he paid for special treatment while serving a jail sentence for naira abuse. Viral audio suggested that he bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to secure preferential conditions in prison.

The EFCC arrested Bobrisky at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State as he attempted to board a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam.

Bobrisky’s arrest quickly made waves online when he alerted followers, sharing that he had sustained injuries in the process, saying, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”

He was subsequently transported to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he faced questioning over allegations of bribing EFCC officers to drop previous money laundering charges.

In a post via his Instagram page, Bobrisky stated that he would never get involved in any price or award belonging to a female.

He wrote, “My problem started from when I collected best dressed female with N1 million price. For my life if I see award for best dressed female I go disappear from that location. Everyone know the truth that I am a baddie with class, you wanna compete with me? your mummy never, but when problem wan too much, I run”

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Friday, launched a scathing criticism against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a “serial betrayer.”

He also controversially remarked that Nigerian singer Portable is “better” than Wike in terms of loyalty.

Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, Adeyanju accused Wike of betraying key political allies, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Rivers State governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi.

Wike, who was recently appointed as FCT Minister by President Tinubu, has faced scrutiny over his political maneuvers and alliances, particularly after switching allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

According to Adeyanju, “Wike has never worked anywhere; from a motor garage tout he became a local government Chairman and he has been betraying people.

“The only difference between Wike and Portable is that Portable does not betray people who have helped him but Wike betrays everyone who has helped him. Wike betrayed Goodluck Jonathan, he betrayed the wife, betrayed Rotimi Amaechi, he betrayed Peter Odili and those who helped him.

“Is it Tinubu that he would not betray? Even Tinubu is not that dull, he’s politically savvy and knows. He’s just using the long spoon to deal with him, there is nothing you will do with Wike that you will be safe.”

The activist lawyer also accused the minister of deceiving and sabotaging the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

“Typical Wike, just like he deceived Peter Obi, Obi kept going to him but he went behind his back to sabotage him,” he added.

This comes after Wike called out Adeyanju for criticising his demolitions in the nation’s capital.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday, Wike stated that Adeyanju was jobless, hence his reason for becoming an activist.

The former Rivers Governor claimed that Adeyanju came to him begging for the role of Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but he turned him down.

Emotions ran high as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, on Friday.

The ceremony brought together family, colleagues, and dignitaries to bid a final farewell to the late army chief.

The grief-stricken family members and colleagues struggled to contain their tears.

Even the nose mask worn by his widow, Mariya, couldn’t conceal the steady stream of tears that dropped from her eyes.

The procession began at precisely 3:00 p.m. when Lagbaja’s remains arrived at the cemetery.

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, each took turns laying wreaths at the grave.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Musa, assured Nigerians that Lagbaja’s death would inspire the military to defeat the nation’s enemies wherever they may be.

Musa stated that the military took solace in the fact that the late army chief lived a purposeful life, urging the troops to honour his memory by committing themselves to the ideals he stood for.

Musa said, “We will not leave you alone. We know your loss is immeasurable, but please take solace in knowing that he lived a life of purpose and left behind a legacy that will never fade. To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for.

“Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside. As we lower him today into the embrace of the earth, let us raise our voices in prayer and gratitude for a life well lived. “

Reflecting on Lagbaja’s tenure, Musa noted that he took bold and decisive actions against terrorists, bandits, and other threats.

He said, “His tenure was marked by decisive actions against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to our nation’s peace. His efforts significantly enhanced the operational readiness and the morale of the Nigerian Army. But beyond his professional achievement, General Labaja was a man of profound faith, kindness, and humility.

“His commitment to safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the security of our citizens was unwavering. From his early days as a young officer to his ascension to the esteemed office of the Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja consistently demonstrated a rare blend of intellect, bravery, and humanity. He understood the complexities of modern warfare and the need for innovation in our strategies.

“Yet, he never lost sight of the human element, the men and women who serve under the flag and the citizens whose freedom they defend.

In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, said Lagbaja embodied the core values of soldiering and served Nigeria without reservation for over 30 years.

Badaru said the late army chief was not only courageous but also an inspiring leader who lived from the front, exemplifying his tedious dedication to the service of the nation.

At the event, Tinubu conferred a posthumous national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic, on Lagbaja.

Tinubu said the conferment was to appreciate Lagbaja’s service to the nation.

The President described Lagbaja as one of his best appointees.

He said, “Lagabaja was a true soldier, a general and officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.

“He was more than I could have hoped for. He was one of my best appointments. Lieutenant General Lagbaja embodied the finest ideas of a patriot and a soldier. He had an abiding faith in the capability and readiness of our armed forces to save and keep us”.

Tinubu described Lagbaja as a trusted advisor, adding that he was a man of prudent action who cared about the nation and the men who served under him.

“He displayed uncommon valor in the charge of his duty and the administration of the rank and file for he cared about their welfare and that of their families.

“For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well,” he added.