Niger community gives terrorists N2m, six motorbikes for release of 40 abductees – Newstrends
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Niger community gives terrorists N2m, six motorbikes for release of 40 abductees

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Niger community gives terrorists N2m, six motorbikes for release of 40 abductees

The Kuchi community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger state has secured the release of 40 out of the 150 people abducted by terrorists three weeks ago.

This was achieved by giving the terrorists six Honda motorcycles, each worth N1.2 million, and N2 million in cash.

The released victims are mostly women and children.

The terrorists have now demanded another six motorcycles and N2 million in cash for the release of another 40 hostages.

A source within the community reported that negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining abductees.

It would be recalled that terrorists had abducted 150 villagers of Kuchi village three weeks ago when they invaded the community.

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The bandits had earlier demanded for N150 million ransom for the release of the victims rejecting the N1.5 million offered by the community.

Residents and families of the abductees have lamented over government silence over their challenge as they claimed that no government official or security agent have visited the community to get information on what happened.

They also lamented that there is no security in the community leaving them vulnerable to attacks, a development which they said had led to people leaving the village in fear of future attacks.

The chairman of Munya local government area, Honorable Aminu Najume said that the negotiations are being done by the community as the Council is not involved in the negotiation with the terrorists.

Niger community gives terrorists N2m, six motorbikes for release of 40 abductees

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FRSC threatens to withdraw licences of defiant drivers

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FRSC threatens to withdraw licences of defiant drivers

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will henceforth revoke the driver’s licenses of recalcitrant drivers.

Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, made this known on Friday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the 2024 Eid-el Kabir Special Patrol Operations held between Friday, June 14 and Sunday, June 23.

He said that the Corps had realised more than ever before the increasing need for collective participation and collaboration among all stakeholders.

He also said the Corps leveraged this as a necessary variable tool that would help in achieving the mileage recorded within the periods under consideration.

According to him, prominent amongst these activities are ;strengthened ongoing Inter-agency Joint Task Force (JTF) to mitigate the excesses of trailer drivers.

“Enforcing compliance on indiscriminate use of trailers to convey human beings.

“This also includes aggressive public enlightenment, robust media engagement, and aggressive advocacy campaigns carried out in motor parks across the Federation.

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“Finally, there was also the identification and mapping of strategic routes across the country and effective deployment of appropriate personnel and logistics to cover them, “he said.

The FRSC boss said that the Corps had a robust engagement with the leadership of the various transport unions and security agencies.

This, he said, included state traffic management agencies and the FCT Department of Road Traffic Services.

“All these were done to ensure that every stakeholder, both in public and private sectors, plays cardinal role in entrenching safety on the highways.

“On the strength of the foregoing, may I bring to your notice that we have added to the conventional enforcement of traffic regulations on articulated vehicles.

“We have gone a step further by commencing prosecution of recalcitrant drivers through Mobile Court operations in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.

“Subsequently, more drastic measures, including suspension and withdrawal of the national drivers license will be carried out,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the commencement of the 2024 Sallah special patrol, the FRSC Corps Marshal had spoken on the mileage to achieve in bringing down the curve of road traffic crashes.

These include fatalities, injuries, as well as traffic offenders on the nation’s highways.

FRSC threatens to withdraw licences of defiant drivers

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Nigeria making progress in money laundering, terrorism financing fight –  FATF

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Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit

Nigeria making progress in money laundering, terrorism financing fight –  FATF

According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Nigeria will exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list by early 2025.

The FATF acknowledged Nigeria’s progress during its June 2024 Plenary meeting in Singapore. Nigeria’s efforts to address anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing deficiencies have been recognized.

The Nigerian delegation at the Plenary included the EFCC Executive Chairman, the SCUML Director, and the NFIU CEO’s Chief of Staff.

A statement by Sani Tukur, Head of Strategic Communications at NFIU, confirmed Nigeria’s advancement and commitment to the Action Plan.

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It noted, “The Plenary approved two more upgrades. Nigeria has completed 30% of the Action Plan and is on track to exit the grey list by early 2025.”

Hafsat Abubakar Bakari reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to fully implementing the Action Plan and updated the Plenary on GIABA’s progress in strengthening its technical capacity.

Nigeria was placed on the grey list in February 2023. Exiting the list is expected to enhance Nigeria’s international reputation and attract foreign investment.

Nigeria making progress in money laundering, terrorism financing fight –  FATF

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Scrap LGs if govs won’t allow them to function, Audu Ogbeh tells FG

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Former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh

Scrap LGs if govs won’t allow them to function, Audu Ogbeh tells FG

Former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has called on the federal government to consider scrapping the local government system if state governors continue to hinder its effective operation.

Ogbeh highlighted concerns over the inefficiency of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, citing issues of governance control and alleged mismanagement of funds by governors. He emphasized that little improvement has been seen despite calls for local government autonomy and recent legal actions against governors for misusing local government funds.

Speaking on the socio-political programme “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande” on Channels Television, Ogbeh, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed frustration over disappearing funds meant for local government administration. He criticized the lack of visible development projects despite significant federal allocations.

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“If we don’t want the local government system, let’s scrap it. But if allowed to function properly, it could be a fantastic system,” Ogbeh asserted.

He urged the federal government to withhold monthly allocations to states where governors appoint caretaker committees for local government administration, labelling such committees illegal according to Supreme Court rulings.

“Don’t send them cash; deduct their allocations and retain it,” Ogbeh insisted. He argued that governors failing to manage local government affairs adequately undermine national stability and development.

“These failures are creating dangerous problems for the country,” he concluded, emphasizing the urgent need for effective governance at the grassroots level to benefit all Nigerians.

Scrap LGs if govs won’t allow them to function, Audu Ogbeh tells FG

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