A senior police officer, now retired, has said that the real-time tracking technological platform that once helped the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, to crack many criminal cases ended up being used by politicians to monitor “enemies and mistresses”.

The officer said this while responding to Vanguard’s question on what went wrong with the system put in place to monitor the locations of kidnappers and interception of calls for prompt arrest and rescue of abducted victims.

The Police launched intelligence-led policing in 2015 with the installation of a tracking device that was installed by the then-Inspector-General of Police office, Solomon Arase.

There was also the operation unit code-named Intelligence Response Team, IRT, (still in operation). The team monitored the kidnappers’ movements in real-time, with the information from the device, thereby helping them stay one step ahead.

This device also helped investigators analyze the locations and patterns of calls made by the kidnappers, the routes, and potential safe houses.

In addition, the device provided valuable evidence, such as call records, location data and communication patterns, to build a strong case against the kidnappers.

One such case was the arrest of five kidnappers of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae. He was taken captive by the herdsmen on September 21, 2015, during his 77th birthday.

In this case, five of the kidnappers came to pick up the N5 million ransom in Suleja, Niger State.

An officer’s eyewitness account

One of the senior police officers who effected the breakthrough told Vanguard “Immediately the kidnappers removed the SIM card used to negotiate, we knew where they were and intercepted them at the last bridge to Minna.

“The ransom money they collected was still in the boot and the SIM card. Five of them were arrested. The motorcycle they used to convey Chief Olu Falae was retrieved.

“The N5 million ransom was marked by the bank. They removed only N100,000 from it. The kidnappers were sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Asked what went wrong with the system put in place to monitor the locations of kidnappers and interception of calls for prompt arrest and rescue of abducted victims, the retired senior officer attributed it to the priority of successive Inspectors General of Police.

His words: “The priority of successive IGPs was quite different. Solomon Arase set up the platform when he was the IGP. It was a technical platform to track calls.

“It was mounted in the IGP’s office then and only one officer, who is now an AIG, had access to the technical platform.

“The Intelligence Response Team, IRT was supposed to be the operational wing that would work with the technical platform. When the technical team got information, it would pass it to IRT to go to the location and make an arrest. Drones and vehicles were bought for the operation.

“But successive IGPs who were analogues didn’t know what to do. They merged the technical platform and IRT. Instead of the platform being used for crime prevention, it became political.

“People in the National Assembly and Villa got hold of the platform and used it to track their enemies and mistresses.

“For such a platform, you don’t give both the technical and the operational units to just one person who would be compromised by politicians. That was the beginning of the collapse of the platform. It requires someone with power and intelligence; someone of a strategic level who is keen on that line.

“This platform was supposed to be renewed and hooked up with the service provider. But that was never the priority of successive IGPs.

“They had money to pay for the accumulated subscription but they refused to pay. When you leave such a system for more than one year, it requires recalibration. This technology keeps evolving.

“You can’t say something you set up today will be used the same way for 10 years without being upgraded. Before long, the system broke down, and the functionality of the Police tracking equipment began to diminish and subsequently went comatose.

The tracker, particularly, became non-functional due to non-subscription as well as failure to engage the relevant company to carry out required system upgrades.

“Due to the failure to pay subscription fees for about three years, and after a grace period had expired, the company overseeing its maintenance and upgrade decided to withdraw its services. This made it difficult to track bandits, kidnappers, and other forms of violent crimes.”

However, Saturday Vanguard gathered that the present IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, reactivated the tracking device.

However, despite its reactivation, in addition to the tracking devices of the DSS and Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, kidnappers are still having their way without being tracked in many parts of the country.

The Deputy National Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said the three leading opposition figures in Nigeria are discussing the possibility of a merger to salvage Nigerians from hunger and widespread insecurity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Abdullahi made this statement on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.

According to him, the three opposition candidates in the last elections—PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)—would put personal interests aside and form a formidable alliance to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 and salvage Nigerians from hunger.

He said that had the party’s past leadership managed differences and party conflicts well, high-ranking chieftains like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso, and Obi would still be full-blooded members of the PDP, and the party would have defeated Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.

“We’ve lost Kwankwaso, we’ve lost Peter Obi, all of these people; imagine if they were in the party, we would have won the elections.

“This APC said they defeated us with one million plus (votes); just one of these names that I mentioned would have covered that gap for us, and we would have been in power today, and certainly Nigerians would not have been confronted with this despair and despondency in the land,” he said.

Two brothers have apprehended for for abducting and raping 14-year-old girl in Rivers State.

The duo were said to have committed the crime in Erima community in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State on Saturday.

The suspects, who are in their early 20s, were said to have waylaid and abducted the victim on a deserted alleyway while she was heading to her uncle’s residence.

The hoodlums are identified as ‘Honest’ and Okwukwe, according to PUNCH.

A community source who spoke in confidence with newsmen on the issue, said the girl’s mother became apprehensive when the teenager didn’t return from her uncle’s residence several hours later.

Unsettled by the situation, she immediately went to her elder brother’s house only to find out that her daughter did not even get there.

The source said the woman raised the alarm and started crying around the community and ran into a vigilante leading to the arrest of one of the suspects.

“It was then that the vigilant people started searching for the girl and saw that the brothers, after kidnapping her, took her to a house near a bush and took turns to rape her,” he said.

Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, the Second in Command of the vigilantes known as the ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee in Egi community, Onuigba Chinonye, said he was on a patrol with his men when they saw the distressed woman.

Chinonye explained, “I was on a patrol with some of my boys on Sunday morning when we met one woman crying that her 14-year-old daughter had been missing since Saturday.

“I asked the woman which area, and she told us where she was staying and where the girl was going before. So, we started investigating and through some good neighbours too, we found out where the girl was.

“When we went into the place, we saw two brothers, senior and junior, raping the little girl in an isolated compound near a bush.”

Continuing, the vigilante official said, “In the process of trying to arrest them, the senior one proved stubborn and tried to fight us.

“As my boys were dragging him, his junior brother ran away. So, we apprehended the elder and handed him over to the Egi Police Division Headquarters in Obite, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.

The spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing.

Iringe-Koko stated, “He (suspect) is in our custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered the Divisional Police Officer to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspect for him to face the law.”

The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is pushing for a death penalty for ten #EndBadGovernance protesters.

The government accused the protesters of treason, a capital offence punishable by death.

This was contained in a Court document with file number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, indicating the Tinubu regime is seeking death penalty for the protesters.

The arrested protesters include:

Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye
Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi
Suleiman Yakubu
Opaluwa Eleojo Simon
Angel Love Innocent
Buhari Lawal
Mosiu Sadiq
Bashir Bello
Nuradeen Khamis
Abdulsalam Zubairu.

Since the end of the nationwide protests against widespread hardship and insecurity in the country last month, a crackdown on those who participated in the public demonstration by security agencies has been the order of the day.

Hundreds of people have been arrested, including minors, for their alleged involvement in the protest. Many of the arrested persons are being detained without any arraignment.

Critics and human rights organisations have expressed their revulsion at the repressive behaviour of the government, saying the development is deeply disturbing.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed deep concern over the dire conditions faced by public sector retirees, revealing that some still receive as little as N500 per month in pensions.

Alhassan Musa, Secretary of the union in Kaduna State, described the situation as “pathetic,” highlighting that many retirees are living in precarious circumstances after years of dedicated service to the nation. 

“The worst affected are pensioners in several Southern and oil-producing states, despite these regions receiving substantial allocations from the federation account,” Musa said. He noted that the situation in some Northern states and the FCT is relatively better, with monthly pensions ranging from N3,500 to N18,000.

However, Musa pointed out that only Kaduna State has implemented a N30,000 minimum pension, a policy introduced in 2020 under former Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i’s administration.

Musa emphasized the union’s call for a 50% pension increase to match the new N70,000 national minimum wage, noting that even under the Federal Government, some pensioners are still receiving just N10,000 per month. “We are hopeful that the Federal Government will ensure that no pensioner receives less than N70,000 monthly,” he added, stressing that pensioners deserve the same benefits as active workers.

Musa also raised concerns about the plight of retirees under the contributory pension scheme (CPS), stating, “Many who retired in the last decade are yet to receive their benefits. It is truly a distressing situation, not just in Kaduna but in other states and even at the federal level, where pensioners are suffering due to delayed remittances.”

Ahmad Muhammad Kabir, an undergraduate at the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA) in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, has admitted to providing logistical support and supplying firearms to terrorist groups operating in the region.

Kabir, a student of Geography and Regional Planning, was arrested while attempting to deliver a large cache of ammunition to bandits in Dutsinma.

During a video-recorded interrogation, he implicated fellow student Manir Musa as a collaborator in the illegal arms operation.

Kabir was apprehended on Saturday at a motor park in Dutsinma, Katsina State. He revealed to investigators that he had transported the ammunition from Nasarawa State, concealing it in sacks of guinea corn to avoid detection.

Originally from Kaduna, Kabir confessed to being a key logistics supplier for terrorist organizations. He also disclosed that he had moved to Dutsinma’s Hayin Danmani in the Igabi Local Government Area to pursue a university education at FUDMA.

When asked how he became involved with bandits, Kabir explained: “Two weeks ago, a friend from school, Manir Musa, told me to expect a call from someone that could earn me money. I agreed.

“I later received the call and was instructed to travel to Nasarawa State to bring in ammunition for a fee.

“I went to Lafiya, the state capital, where a man met me on the outskirts and handed me a sack of guinea corn with ammunition hidden inside.

“From there, I traveled to Abuja and boarded a commercial vehicle to Dutsinma.”

When questioned if he had ever met with the bandits in person, Kabir responded, “No, we only communicate by phone.”

Nigeria’s Falconets kicked off their 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea early Monday morning at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Colombia.

Exciting forward Flourish Sabastine netted the winning goal four minutes from time to hand the Falconets all the maximum points on offer.

The first half was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. However, the Falconets started the second half with renewed vigour.

Imuran tried to set up Mary Nkpa for the opener, but the forward couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity. Imuran had another chance to score from a free-kick, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.

A moment of anxiety followed when goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare misjudged a free-kick, almost gifting South Korea a goal, but the Koreans failed to take advantage. 

The Falconets continued to push for a breakthrough, and their persistence paid off in the 86th minute. Flourish Sabastine’s attempted cross turned into an unlikely goal, evading Korean goalkeeper Woo Seo-Bin to put Nigeria ahead.

Osigwe had a chance to double Nigeria’s lead in stoppage time but missed the target.

With this win, Nigeria join Germany atop Group D and will face the three-time World champions on Wednesday in a crucial match that could secure their progression to the next round.

The Germans were good value for the win in their first game as they smashed Venezuela in a 5-2 victory.

Bayer Leverkusen youngster Loreen Bender bagged a brace in a frantic first half that ended 4-1 in favour of the European giants.

Elsewhere, Spain U20 edged to a narrow 1-0 win over the United States while Paraguay forced a 2-0 defeat down the throat of Morocco.

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has demanded an investigation into the alleged “importation scam” surrounding petrol in Nigeria.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Falana emphasized the need to probe the ongoing issues related to fuel importation.

He criticized the ongoing inquiries in the National Assembly, labeling them as insufficient.

He said, “It is high time the importation scam was investigated. I am not talking of the joke that is going on in the National Assembly. The media must help, civil society organisations must help to expose the fraud.”

Recent reports have linked a $6 billion debt owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fuel suppliers as a contributing factor to the worsening petrol scarcity in the country.

In a rare admission, the NNPCL acknowledged on Sunday the “significant debt to petrol suppliers,” warning that this debt threatens the sustainability of fuel supply in Nigeria.

“Once the government begins to speak about affordability and sustainanbility in response to growing queues at filling stations, there are problems,” Falana pointed out.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also criticized the government for a lack of transparency regarding fuel subsidies.

He questioned the logic behind spending “$2.9 billion to fix the refineries” while the dates for their resumption continue to be postponed.

Falana warned that he would take legal action against those responsible for the ongoing delays in the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries if another postponement is announced.

Protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance movement are set to go on trial today in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Borno.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence, Dasuki Galadanchi, disclosed this at the just-ended Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The DIG revealed that 126 individuals, apprehended for waving the Russian flag and advocating for a regime change during the protest, will be charged to court today.

The protest, which spiraled into violence resulting in deaths and the looting of both public and private properties in various states, led to these arrests.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana is set to lead a team of lawyers in defending the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

These protesters were detained following a nationwide demonstration from August 1-10 against the hardship attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies on petrol subsidy removal and currency floatation.

Meanwhile, a group of detained protesters has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to overturn its earlier order allowing the police to detain them for two months.

On August 22, Justice Nwite granted the police’s request to remand 124 protesters for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigations.

Amnesty International Criticizes Trial as a Mockery of Justice

Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the mass trials of the #EndBadGovernance protesters, calling it a travesty of justice and the rule of law.

The organization highlighted that over 1,000 protesters remain in custody nationwide and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) echoed this sentiment, urging the government to release the detained protesters without conditions.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, expressed deep concern that the upcoming trials would serve only to further the government’s agenda of punishing and demonizing peaceful protesters.

“We condemn the sham trials even before they began and call for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest. What is going to happen to these protesters, who took to the streets last month seeking good governance, is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters,” Sanusi said.

He called on the Nigerian authorities to release all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and criticized the government for prioritizing the punishment of protesters over investigating the deaths and other violations that occurred during the protests.

“The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing detained protesters, without saying even a word on the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri. Many protesters were subjected to many other violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force,” Sanusi said.

he ongoing petrol scarcity in Nigeria shows no signs of abating, with a $6 billion debt to fuel suppliers, liquidity challenges, and other factors severely hindering the Federal Government’s ability to maintain product importation.

Oil marketers have reported that the current exchange rate of $1,500 per dollar has driven the landing cost of petrol to over ₦1,100 per liter, making it nearly impossible for them to import the product.

As a result, the shortage continues to affect businesses and the broader economy.

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) highlighted yesterday that the country’s economy remains under significant pressure due to fluctuations in the foreign exchange market, ongoing low crude oil production, and high monetary policy rates, all of which are constraining business activities.

Investigations by Vanguard revealed that stakeholders in the fuel supply chain have adopted strategies to maximize the distribution of the limited available supply.

Major marketers and depot owners reportedly obtain the product at around ₦560 per liter, selling it to independent marketers for between ₦670 and ₦680 per liter.

These independent marketers, who bear the cost of transportation to various parts of the country, sell petrol to consumers at prices ranging from ₦700 to ₦900 per liter, depending on the location.

Long queues were observed at the few filling stations that were operational yesterday, while many others remained closed due to a lack of product.

NNPC Admits Debt to Petrol Suppliers

In response to the worsening situation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) acknowledged its significant debt to petrol suppliers, which it says is threatening the sustainability of fuel supply in the country.

According to NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the company is actively working with government agencies and stakeholders to maintain a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide.

Soneye, stated: “NNPC Ltd has acknowledged recent reports in national newspapers regarding the company’s significant debt to petrol suppliers.

‘’This financial strain has placed considerable pressure on the company and poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply.

‘’We are actively collaborating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to maintain a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide.”

NNPC also disclosed that the total subsidy on petrol from August 2023 to December 2024 is projected to reach ₦5.4 trillion.

Despite the removal of the petrol subsidy in June 2023, which initially saved the federation ₦400 billion monthly, the company’s importation costs turned negative in August 2023, largely due to the devaluation of the naira.

Independent Marketers Struggle with Supply Access

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) expressed frustration over its members’ exclusion from direct bulk supply of petrol from NNPCL.

IPMAN’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, emphasized that without access to direct supply, the lingering fuel queues will persist.

Although petrol has started arriving at ports in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, IPMAN members have faced difficulties in accessing the product.

Ukadike explained that independent marketers have had to source petrol from private depot owners at high rates, further driving up the cost to consumers.

He also highlighted the increased cost of transporting petrol from coastal depots to inland locations like Abuja, which has risen from ₦500,000 to ₦3.5 million due to high diesel prices, truck maintenance, and poor road conditions.

Calls for Competitive Downstream Sector

Oil marketers have called for a reduction in the pump price of diesel to around ₦700 per liter to improve the distribution of petrol across the country.

President of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Benneth Korie Doi, suggested that NNPC leverage its stake in Dangote’s refinery to lower costs and create a more competitive downstream sector.

He argued that monopolies in the industry are detrimental and that a competitive environment is necessary for the healthy circulation of petroleum products.

Doi also praised Aliko Dangote’s contribution to the industry with the establishment of Nigeria’s largest refinery, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. He urged that Dangote’s refined products be distributed widely to ensure sustainable supply across the country.

Dangote Refinery Seen as Potential Solution

Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Joseph Ehimen, expressed hope that the Dangote Refinery could play a crucial role in ending the fuel shortage once it becomes fully operational.

He acknowledged the efforts by NNPCL to maintain refineries but stressed the need for expedited action to bring them online and alleviate the suffering caused by the limited supply of petrol.

Joseph Ehimen, said: “The sector was deregulated to bring about positive changes. But the changes have been wiped out because of this fuel shortage.

‘’Nigerians are suffering because of limited supply. As operators, we are also facing many problems, including the high cost of moving the product from the depots to the filling stations, maintenance cost and dues.

“We are aware of efforts by NNPC Ltd to maintain the refineries. We need to get them to work as quickly as possible. If all required arrangements are made, Dangote Refinery should be able to assist in ending the fuel shortage because of its huge 650,000 barrels per day capacity.”