60th independence: FG declares Thursday public holiday – Newstrends
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60th independence: FG declares Thursday public holiday

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Rauf Aregbesola

Thursday, October 1 has been declared public holiday by the Federal Government to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

He congratulated all Nigerians on the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and assured of government’s unwavering commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the country.

Aregbesola said, “A country of about 200 million people whose natural talent, grit and passion glitter like the precious DIAMOND that we are.

“Nigerians are sparkling like diamond in the pack, whether in academia, business, innovation, music, movie, entertainment, fashion and culture.

“We are indeed the leading black nation in the entire world and no doubt Africa’s pride and beacon of hope.”

The minister, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Georgina Ehuriah, said though, celebrating 60 years of independence really called for pomp and pageantry, but for the global COVID-19 pandemic “we cannot avoid the imperative of a low-keyed celebration at this time.”
While wishing Nigerians fruitful independence celebration, he reminded them that the founding fathers in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue came together for Nigeria’s independence.

He therefore, called on all Nigerians to join hands together with the present administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad as this, he said, shall be a befitting tribute to the struggles of our heroes past.
“We must together make Nigeria great again,” Aregbesola said.

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BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

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BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

The remains of the military personnel killed in Delta State on March 14, 2024 have arrived the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:26pm on Wednesday, were conveyed by the Military Ambulance Emergency vehicles and was accompanied by the FCT Ambulance Emergency services.

Our correspondent reports that top military echelons from various formations across the country are currently on ground to pay last respect to the fallen heroes.

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Distraught relatives and relations of the deceased personnel as well as wives of other military officers are also on ground. The burial is billed to also have the President, Bola Tinubu in attendance.

Recall the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on peace mission to Okuoma Community were surrounded and killed by some irate youths in the community.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in Delta.

BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

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NFIU uncovers IPOB cells in UK, US, others

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NFIU uncovers IPOB cells in UK, US, others

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit uncovered 27 cells affiliated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in 22 countries worldwide, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The NFIU reports that the Ucenited States and the United Kingdom have the highest concentrations of IPOB cells, with seven and six cells in each country.

A newsletter revealed that IPOB, bandits, and other extremist organizations used global crowdfunding and sports betting sites to support terrorist activities in Nigeria.

In 2017, the Federal Government made the decision to ban IPOB and label them as a terrorist organisation. The government is currently trying its leader, Nnmadi Kanu, on terrorism charges.

In a recent document titled “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter,” the NFIU has identified 54 individuals from around the world who are allegedly connected to the activities of IPOB.

According to the document, it has been confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have established a presence in over 22 countries worldwide. Upon closer examination, it was discovered that there were 27 entities scattered around the world that were registered under the group’s name. Interestingly, the United States and the United Kingdom had the most registrations, with seven and six entities registered, respectively.

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“The analysis further indicates that the group has several bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services and for ESN’, among others, then later disbursed for various operations.

“It was confirmed that one of the major sources of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly Nigerians.

“It was observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The analysis profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation.”

The NFIU has disclosed that a betting platform, known as ‘XC’, reported a Suspicious Transaction Report on a 24-year-old Nigerian customer from North-Central, Nigeria.

“This 24-year-old from Nigeria’s North-Central region received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping,” the NFIU said.

In a separate incident, the financial intelligence unit uncovered a terrorist who was trying to avoid detection. The report highlighted that the person made organised cash withdrawals from various ATMs and bought plane tickets to volatile regions, using credit cards.

The NFIU clarified that whenever the person went over their withdrawal limit, they would find different ways to travel.

“The terrorist then attempted suspicious transfers exceeding €1,000 to a local charity with potential links to terrorism. These transactions, along with others for luxury goods and escort services, raised red flags,” the newsletter stated.

The NFIU has called on law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate transactions involving individuals connected to known terrorists or financiers. They have also highlighted the need to look into unauthorised tax collection or forced donations in areas prone to terrorism, as well as the role of Bureau de Change operators in facilitating transfers within suspected networks.

The unit is urging security agencies to focus on various areas of concern. These include monitoring multiple cash deposits in bank accounts, scrutinising Point of Sale operators who receive large deposits followed by cash withdrawals, tracking money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk countries, investigating individuals who are recruited to open multiple bank accounts, and monitoring financial transfers to charities that may be linked to terrorism.

NFIU uncovers IPOB cells in UK, US, others

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JUST IN: Dangote, Otedola meet Sanwo-Olu as Dangote Foundation flags off rice distribution

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

JUST IN: Dangote, Otedola meet Sanwo-Olu as Dangote Foundation flags off rice distribution

The founder and chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, Femi Otedola have arrived at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja to meet Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The event will kick-start the distribution of eighty thousand 10 kg bags of rice across Lagos by the Dangote Foundation.

This was disclosed in a post by Jubril Gawat, the senior special assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on new media on his official X page.

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He wrote: “FLASH: Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu, The Founder and Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote @AlikoDangote and Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, Mr Femi Otedola @realFemiOtedola arrive at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja for the Rice Distribution Flag-Off through the Aliko Dangote Foundation @AlikoDangoteFdn.

The Foundation is distributing eighty thousand (80,000) 10 kg bags of rice to the vulnerable communities across the state.”

JUST IN: Dangote, Otedola meet Sanwo-Olu as Dangote Foundation flags off rice distribution

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