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Again, Northern elders ask FG to suspend tax reform bills
Again, Northern elders ask FG to suspend tax reform bills
The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has again raised concerns over the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, urging immediate suspension of the implementation and calling for extensive dialogue with stakeholders.
The forum criticized the government for failing to engage critical stakeholders and experts before drafting the reforms.
NEF expressed its position in a statement on Saturday signed by its Chairman of Management Board, Al-Amin Daggash, highlighting the reforms’ potential adverse effects on Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.
Daggash said: “Once again, it is necessary to reiterate, that indeed, Nigerians in general and Northerners in particular, are not really against the introduction of any form of good and meaningful reforms by those in positions of authority, at the federal, state or local government levels.
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“Even though, we shall remain very implacable in reaffirming that, our practical experiences teach us, that, going by global best practices, successful reforms are known to be underpinned by strict adherence to certain common cardinal characteristics of the public policy-making process.
“For convenience of exposition, these similarities include, but, not limited to the under listed basic essentials: Extensive pre-reforms early engagements with experts and critical stakeholders, in order to secure their buy-in
“Establishing a very well-defined media/communication strategy, that clearly articulates the full import of the reforms and disseminates public awareness and mass enlightenment on a nationwide scale.
“Designing a robust, transparent and inclusive implementation mechanism. Pro-actively putting in place a well-sequenced process, in order to ensure that the meticulously planned reforms, really meet the society’s desired and anticipated outcomes.
“The Northern Elders’ Forum make bold to say that the recently proposed Tax Reform Bills by the Federal Government, were clearly in the breach, with regards to adhering to the above listed common characteristics of reforms and public policy-making process, all over the world and in conformity with the global best practices.”
Again, Northern elders ask FG to suspend tax reform bills
metro
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
The Ogun State Police Command has successfully dismantled a child trafficking syndicate led by a suspect known as Mama Faith, who is currently detained at the Ibara Correctional Centre.
Three other individuals—ThankGod Taiwo (35), Patience Chikezie (54), and Oluyinka Folake (43)—were arrested in connection with the illegal activities.
During a press briefing on Monday, January 6, 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Taiwo was apprehended at his hideout after abducting a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande. He sold the child to Chikezie for N650,000 at Ipaja Roundabout in Lagos.
Chikieze, arrested on 29 December at Lafenwa-Itele, led police to her residence, where the child was rescued unhurt.
According to the CP, Chikieze confessed that her buyer rejected Mercy because of her age.
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Further investigations revealed that Chikieze had previously purchased a three-year-old boy, Mohees Daniel, for N250,000 and sold him for N3 million.
Chikieze also allegedly bought another child, David Jesulayomi, from Oluyinka for N1.5 million, which she attempted to sell for profit.
Both children were recovered, along with fake adoption agreements issued by Chikieze.
“She created a WhatsApp group named Prema Consult to lure unsuspecting adopters under the guise of legal child adoption,” the CP explained.
“She and her accomplices, including Taiwo and Folake, confessed to working for Mama Faith, who orchestrated the illegal operations.”
CP Ogunlowo, who assumed office three weeks ago, warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.
He urged residents to support the police with timely intelligence to combat crime effectively.
Speaking to newsmen, Chikezie, a mother of two, confessed to the crime and begged for forgiveness.
“It’s not right. I have offended man and God. I plead for mercy.”
Ogun police busts child trafficking syndicate, arrests 3 suspects
metro
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
No fewer than 46 individuals, including women and children, have been abducted in Gana town, Zamfara State, during a violent attack on Sunday night.
Residents reported that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. when dozens of gunmen on motorcycles stormed the community, setting fire to homes and businesses.
Although authorities are yet to release an official statement, a traditional leader, Alhaji Garba Haure, confirmed the incident to Reuters, describing the scale of destruction and the trauma experienced by the affected residents.
“We have 46 men, women and children that have been abducted altogether, and are still counting,” Haure said.
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He said the quick intervention of government security forces prevented the assailants from setting the entire town ablaze, adding that no life was lost in the attack.
But another resident, Bala Harauma, told Reuters that the actual number of abducted people could be higher.
“Six people managed to escape while the armed gang moved the captives in the early hours of Monday,” Harauma said.
Another resident, Yusuf Mohammed, explained that the bandits set ablaze dozens of houses and silos containing foodstuff.
The Northwest has been experiencing a severe security crisis, with terrorist and bandit groups wreaking havoc on local communities.
These groups have been responsible for a multitude of violent attacks, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread kidnappings.
46 kidnapped in Zamfara as gunmen attack Gana town
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Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
The Defence Headquarters on Wednesday confirmed that over 34 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were neutralised in a fierce battle at Sabon Gari Community, Damboa Local Government Area, Borno State.
The attack also resulted in the loss of six soldiers.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement titled “Terrorists Killed in Attack on Sabon Gari in Damboa LGA of Borno State.”
He revealed that the terrorists, riding on motorcycles and gun trucks, attempted to retaliate the recent killing of their commanders but were overwhelmed by joint air and ground forces.
The statement reads: “On 4 January 2025, an unspecified number of ISWAP/BHT terrorists riding on motorcycles and gun trucks engaged troops deployed in Sabon Gari Village of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in a firefight. The terrorists had attempted to surprise troops and retaliate the recent killing of their commander and combatants by troops.”
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“The terrorists were taken unaware when troops’ fighting patrol, returning to base, foiled their planned attack as soon as the assault commenced. Additionally, a reinforcement team comprising elements of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, vigilante, and hybrid forces arrived at the scene in time to overpower the terrorists.”
The statement further detailed how the battle unfolded: “Though the reinforcement team encountered an improvised explosive device, injuring the vigilante commander, they arrived timely to decimate the fleeing terrorists. Furthermore, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on the fleeing terrorists.”
Battle damage assessments revealed that 34 terrorists were killed, with 23 AK-47 rifles and over 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition recovered.
The statement also highlighted the toll on the military:”Sadly, six personnel were killed in action. Kindly note that the names of the personnel killed in action are withheld to allow administrative procedures of notifying their next of kin to be concluded. Accordingly, the media is requested to respect this process, please.”
“On the whole, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Accordingly, troops remain committed to the course of defeating the terrorists.”
Six soldiers killed, 34 terrorists eliminated in Borno troops, ISWAP clash
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