Federal Govt set to deploy fighter jets against bandits – Newstrends
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Federal Govt set to deploy fighter jets against bandits

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3 years ago

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Tucano jet

•Court order classifying gunmen as terrorists excite Presidency •U.S. monitors Tucano jets deployment

The Federal Government is set for the deployment of 12 Super Tucano jets against bandits as part of concerted efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari to end terrorism before 2023.

As a prelude to the deployment, government has also started perfecting the conditions for the release of a gazette, which will legally classify bandits as terrorists.

Already, the government has secured a court order declaring bandits as terrorists.

But, the United States (U.S.) has not given a blank cheque to Nigeria on the use of the fighter jets.

The U.S. has floated a monthly schedule to monitor the deployment of the jets, the battle grounds and the purpose of the deployment.

Some U.S. officers have been coming to Nigeria to evaluate the use of the jets in line with the terms of sale, it was learnt yesterday.

Sources said the Super Tucano jets will be deployed as soon as the gazette against bandits is out.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice last night confirmed that the procedures were almost met.

It was learnt that the Armed Forces, top government officials and some states and communities held hostage were excited about the news of imminent deployment.

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A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said the court declaration of bandits as terrorists was an impetus to the war against insurgency.

The source said: “You know that the Federal Government, on its own, went to court and got the judgment declaring bandits as terrorists.  This has excited everyone.

“The American suppliers of the aircraft needed to be assured that Nigeria will keep to the terms of the sale, which is to strictly use them against terrorists.

“Now that the courts have said so, you should expect the deployment of the aircraft as soon as all processes, including the gazetting of the judgment, are completed.

“But, even before this is done, new platforms are being received and deployed and you can see the devastating effects of the nation’s airpower on the terrorists and bandits in the Northeast and the Northwest.

The source added: “Last week’s Nigeria Air Force bombing of the camp of the notorious bandit, Turji, in Zamfara State, is a case in point. Things are changing very rapidly.”

When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “We in the presidency are excited by the decision of the court.”

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the procedures for the gazette on bandits were almost done.

The Special Adviser on Media to the AGF, Dr. Umaru Gwandu, said: “The Federal Government has published the proscription order in two national dailies as a requirement.

“The Federal Government has also ordered that the order be in the gazette. I am optimistic that the Nigerian public will soon see the published order in the gazette. I think if it is not out, it could be out any moment from now.”

However, the U.S. has not given a blank cheque to Nigeria on the use of the Super Tucano jets.

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Apart from limiting the jets for campaign only against terrorists in the North, a US team has been monthly auditing their operations.

The condition made the Federal Government to apply to a High Court to declare bandits as terrorists, said the source.

Also, the U.S. has been “very strict” in evaluating the deployment of the jets to avoid abuse by the military,

The source added: “Every month, a team from the U.S. used to come to audit the deployment of the jets. They have asked us to ensure that the number of hours of operations will be registered in the box; where the jets have been to for operations and for what specific purposes.

“They sold the aircraft to us but they did not give us a blank cheque on how to use these aircraft. We have kept to the terms and we are winning the war. This is why the President directed the Armed Forces to end the war before his exit in 2023.”

In October, the U.S. Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, Jonathan Finer, said the terms of the agreement during the sale of the 12 Tucano aircraft were unambiguous.

Finer said: “We are pleased to deepen our security cooperation with the Nigerian government. I think we made very clear our expectations about this platform where it would be used and in the right way and we are always raising concerns when we have them and that it is true with all our security partners around the world.

“This is an important platform for security, particularly in the North, and we are pleased the transaction is finally concluded.”

The Nation

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Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos

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10 minutes ago

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January 1, 2025

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Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos

A fire outbreak has razed the Okokomaiko police station and surrounding buildings in Lagos, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

According to LASEMA’s permanent secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the inferno started in a diesel tanker carrying 10,000 gallons of fuel.

He stated that the tanker caught fire while supplying diesel to a network tower near the police station.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the inferno spread fast to surrounding properties, devouring police station offices, three bungalows, and parts of a hotel.

The statement said, “Following distress calls received via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 12:38 hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and its Emergency Response Team from the Igando Base,” the statement read.

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“Upon arrival at the incident scene, a loaded diesel tanker (registration number unknown) was found to have caught fire at the aforementioned location.

“Further investigation revealed that the diesel tanker, laden with 10,000 litres of diesel, was supplying a network mast at the aforesaid location when it caught fire while discharging its contents.

“However, the fire reportedly spread to adjoining buildings, one of which is Okokomaiko police station, due to negligence. No loss of lives nor injuries were sustained as a result of the fire incident.

“Three bungalows were completely burnt down when the fire reignited, with household properties worth hundreds of thousands of naira affected. One lock-up shop and four containerised shops were also burnt down.

“A generator house of an unknown hotel and their kitchen was also affected. Cables of the PHCN transformer nearby were also affected.”

Oke-Osanyintolu stated that emergency response teams from LASEMA, LASTMA, the fire service, the Nigerian Army, and the police collaborated to control the disaster.

 

Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos

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EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede

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21 minutes ago

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January 1, 2025

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Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede

EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has assured that the agency will surpass its 2024 record in the fight against corruption in 2025

Olukoyede who made the promise in Abuja on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in a New Year Message to Nigerians affirmed that officers of the Commission will be unrelenting in breaking strongholds of corrupt practices across the country in the new year.

“ Our work is more than a vocation but a patriotic calling. We know this and will always offer our best to move the nation forward. 2025 will be another year of bringing towers of corruption down. Our focus is set and our commitment is total”, he said.

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The EFCC Chairman also called on Nigerians from all walks of life to be more determined and steadfast in their rejection of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, pointing out that the progress of the country is awaiting their resolve in this regard.

According to Olukoyede, progress and robust development of the commanding heights of the economy and improvement in the quality of lives of Nigerians are hinged on rejection of corruption.

“We can make any progress and development we want for our nation to happen by our support for anti-corruption initiatives. The new year is offering us fresh opportunities to recommit ourselves to the ideals of transparency, accountability, and probity. The commanding heights of the economy and improvement in our lives can only be driven by our dedication to integrity and accountable conduct”.

The EFCC boss also wished Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year.

 

EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede

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Two online scammers arrested in Rivers for defrauding woman of N110m

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29 minutes ago

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January 1, 2025

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Two online scammers arrested in Rivers for defrauding woman of N110m

Operatives of the C4i Intelligence Unit of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested two suspected online scammers, Michael Onyedikachi and Akachukwu Benedict, for defrauding a Canada-based Nigerian woman of N110m.

The spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 said the victim, Sandra Austin, a resident in Ontario, Canada, was deceived by the suspects into transferring N110m over two years.

Iringe-Koko explained that the scam began in February 2022 when Sandra received a Facebook friend request from an account named “Engineer Desmond Chibuike Okechukwu.

“Initially hesitant, Sandra eventually accepted the request, which led to frequent exchanges of messages. The individual behind the account posed as an engineer capable of assisting her in constructing properties in Nigeria,” the statement read.

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“The fraud escalated when the suspect persuaded Sandra to move their conversations to WhatsApp, where he shared photos of luxury homes he claimed to have built in upscale areas like Ajah, Lagos.

“Sandra expressed interest in one of the showcased properties, which the scammer claimed would cost N150m. Trusting his claims, she transferred a total of N110m to a provided bank account between 2022 and 2024.

After making a final payment of N30m, she was abruptly blocked from all communication channels.

The scam caused Sandra’s blood pressure to spike, requiring hospitalisation. Determined to seek justice, she contacted her family in Nigeria, who reported the matter to the police.

Following a petition to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the case was referred to the C4i Intelligence Unit in Port Harcourt for a discreet investigation.

“The suspects attempted to intimidate Sandra to deter her from involving the authorities. However, the operatives, through intelligence-led policing, apprehended two suspects,” the statement read.

The first suspect, 29-year-old Michael Onyedikachi from Nkanu West LGA in Enugu State, was arrested on 14 August 2024 in his bungalow in Ama-Okponike, Enugu.

Iringe-Koko said Michael confessed to creating the fake “Engineer Desmond” account and admitted to using downloaded images of construction projects to deceive Sandra.

“Michael spent eight months in Accra, Ghana, learning online fraud techniques. During his arrest, a shrine believed to be linked to his fraudulent activities was discovered in his residence.”

The arrest of Michael led to the apprehension of his accomplice, 29-year-old Akachukwu Benedict, from Ngo-Okpala LGA, Imo State, on 16 August 2024.

Akachukwu was found in a hotel suite in Enugu, which he had booked for a year. He admitted to introducing Michael to online fraud in 2022 and confessed to swindling an American woman out of $600 in 2021.

The suspects revealed that they used cloned SIM cards and cryptocurrency wallets to avoid detection.

Items recovered from them included a Toyota Corolla, land documents, laptops, and mobile phones.

The police stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices, adding that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

“The swift action by the C4i Intelligence Unit underscores their commitment to combating cybercrime and ensuring justice for victims,” the statement concluded.

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