News
Asset declaration: We’re not witch-hunting but sanitising banking sector, says EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained that its directive to bankers to declare their assets is aimed at sanitising the banking sector.
Abdulrasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman, spoke on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for security agencies.
The EFCC had, in March, directed all bank executives to declare their assets latest by June 1.
Represented by Mohammed Ghali, EFCC Lagos zonal commander, Bawa said a clarification became necessary because many people had misconstrued the measure for a “witch hunt”.
“Knowing the rots that permeate the nation’s banking sector, the directive was born out of efforts to sanitise the banking sector, but it was received with mixed feeling,” he said.
“It is obvious that those who kicked or are still kicking against the directive are ignorant of the unmistakable details of the bank employees declaration of assets act.
“Unlike the claims in some quarters, it is not a witch-hunt; rather, it is part of measures to sanitise the country’s financial institutions.”
Bawa said in carrying out the responsibility of ridding Nigeria of corruption, as mandated by the EFCC establishment act, he had realised that “there is a slew of corrupt practices going on in the banking sector”.
He added that the situation had prompted the EFCC, under his watch, to intensify engagement with bank executives, more than ever before.
“We are aware of the different shades of fraudulent activities going on in our financial institutions, particularly in the banking industry sector,” he said.
“The nation cannot afford to go through another serious crisis in the banking sector, and this explains the constant intervention by the EFCC.”
He assured that the anti-graft agency, through its bank fraud section, would continue to prevent fraudulent practices in the banking sector and prosecute perpetrators of such fraud.
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News
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
ABUJA — Nigerian troops have rescued 119 abducted civilians and neutralised several terrorists during a week-long series of military operations across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced.
The operations, conducted between November 6 and November 12, reportedly dealt significant blows to insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.
The latest military breakthrough comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, particularly attacks on motorists, abductions and terrorist activities along major highways and communities.
According to updates from the military high command, troops recorded significant successes across several operational theatres, with Borno State emerging as one of the major areas where security forces disrupted terrorist activities.
In one of the operations, soldiers reportedly intercepted insurgents attempting to ambush motorists and abduct travellers along major transportation routes in the state.
The intervention prevented the planned abductions and further demonstrated the military’s efforts to secure vulnerable highways and protect commuters.
The DHQ disclosed that 119 kidnapped civilians, including women and children, were rescued during the period under review.
The military also reported the elimination of several terrorists during offensive engagements targeting criminal hideouts, operational bases and suspected supply networks.
Beyond the rescue operations and neutralisation of insurgents, troops recovered eight operational vehicles allegedly seized by terrorists, alongside assorted weapons, ammunition and other logistical equipment.
Security operations were also intensified outside the North-East, with troops and other security agencies carrying out intelligence-led raids, disrupting kidnapping attempts and confronting criminal elements in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Kwara states.
Watch: Nigerian Military Operations Against Terrorists and Rescue of Kidnap Victims
For additional context on the military’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign and rescue operations, watch the video below:
The military’s nationwide operations were aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing further attacks and restoring confidence among residents and travellers using vulnerable routes.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its determination to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.
The latest operational figures represent another major effort by the Nigerian military in its ongoing campaign against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
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News
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report) at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.
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News
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.
The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.
The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.
Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.
His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.
The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.
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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.
Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.
The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.
The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.
The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.
The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
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