Ebonyi governor orders arrest of six commissioners, LG chair over contract

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has ordered the arrest of six commissioners and a local government chairman for their alleged involvement in a contract breach.

The governor gave the directive on Monday, stating that the officials had violated contract terms related to the construction of 140 housing units in the Izzo and Amaze communities of Ishielu Local Government Area.

The arrested commissioners were Professor Omari Omaka, (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu, (Environment) Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Ifeanyi Ogbuewu.

Others are: the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Felix Igboke and the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwach.

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It was gathered that the affected commissioners were declared wanted by the state government before they were arrested.

Sources within the government alleged that the affected commissioners and contractors are sabotaging the efforts and plan of the governor to commission the 140 Housing Units for Izzo and Amaze communities to mark his second anniversary in the state.

Speaking on the arrest, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisations, Ebonyi Central, Mrs. Maria Okohu, said that the non-completion of projects by the contractor and the failure of some of the commissioners to supervise them as directed by the governor was an act of sabotage.

The governor insisted that the arrest would continue until all the commissioners and contractors involved were brought to book and as well do the needful.

Sources said the police have reportedly invited some fleeing commissioners and contractors connected to the contract.

Ebonyi governor orders arrest of six commissioners, LG chair over contract

Nigerian Army opens online registration for new intakes

The Nigerian Army has officially commenced online registration for its 89 Regular Recruits Intake Exercise, inviting applications from qualified tradesmen, non-tradesmen, and women.

Announced via the Army’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the recruitment drive aims to enlist capable individuals to serve in various capacities within the force.

This initiative presents a significant opportunity for Nigerians aspiring to build a career in the military.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the Nigerian Army’s recruitment portal to complete their registration.

According to the Army, the registration period will run from March 31 to May 7, 2025, encouraging interested individuals to apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.

In a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria, the Nigerian Army emphasised that applicants must be single Nigerian citizens by birth and possess a valid National Identity Card (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Interested candidates must also be medically, physically, and psychologically fit in accordance with the Army’s standards, and must not have any criminal conviction by a court of law.

Also, applicants must have at least four passes, including English Language, in WASSEC/NECO/GCE/NABTEB, and tradesmen/women must possess a valid trade test/certificate.

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Applicants must present a valid birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, hospital, or local government council as part of the application requirements.

The announcement also gave the age limit at 18-22 years for non-tradesmen/women, and 18-26 years for tradesmen/women, and such persons’ minimum height requirements are 1.68m for male candidates and 1.65m for female candidates.

A state of origin certificate is also required as part of the requirements.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, warning applicants against making payments to any individual or group claiming to influence the selection process.

“Candidates are advised to conduct their own due diligence and not engage in any form of financial transaction to secure recruitment,” the statement read.

The Army also stated that successful recruits will enjoy several benefits, including career opportunities in the military, regular and enhanced pay allowances, opportunities for further education and interaction with people from diverse backgrounds.

Other benefits include health and insurance housing in choice locations across Nigeria, pension and gratuity upon retirement, and the opportunity to serve the nation within and outside Nigeria.

Interested candidates must apply via the official portal https://recruitment.army.mil.ng.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a screening exercise from June 2 to June 19, 2025, at their respective states of origin.

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process, the Army warned that all documents submitted will be thoroughly verified by the appropriate issuing authorities.

“All those with fake documents will be handed over to the police for prosecution,” the Army cautioned.

The Nigerian Army also reminded applicants that there will be no pre-selection computer-based test, and all shortlisted candidates must participate in the physical screening exercise at designated centers.

The Army’s announcement concluded with an appeal to young Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to national security and territorial integrity.

“Join the Nigerian Army and contribute to the preservation and protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Army stated.

Nigerian Army opens online registration for new intakes

Woman arrested for trafficking daughter for N50,000 to Mauritania

Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a woman whose identity was not disclosed alongside an accomplice for allegedly trafficking young girls to Mauritania as commercial sex workers for N50,000.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer, Umma Ayuba, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the suspects were arrested at their hideout in the Meiran area of Lagos State on March 22.

She disclosed that the syndicate worked with other accomplices in Mauritania to traffic young ladies as commercial sex workers.

According to Ayuba, the suspects confessed to the crime upon their arrest and interrogation.

Ayuba stated, “Operatives of the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad led by SP Francis Kpoughul stormed their base where two suspects were apprehended.

“The first suspect said she was introduced to a woman based in Mauritania by another woman, who has been prosecuted for the same offence and is currently serving a jail term.”

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The ZPRO added that the first suspect confessed that she received a sum of N50,000 for each person, and among her victims was her 19-year-old daughter.

“She said the woman in Mauritania contracted her to recruit young girls below the age of 22 to be used as sex workers there.

“She added that she received N50,000 as a commission for each girl sent to Mauritania.

“She confessed that, among the girls she recruited, was her 19-year-old daughter. She also admitted to receiving over N500,000 from the woman in Mauritania.”

The second suspect was said to have admitted that she was contracted by the first suspect to recruit girls as domestic staff in Mauritania, but when she sent one victim to the first suspect, she rejected it.

The second suspect told the police further that she became suspicious after the victim she sent to the first suspect was rejected, and upon further questioning, she realised that the victims were to be used as sex workers.

The ZPRO continued. “She said that, upon further questioning, she discovered the girls were to be used as sex workers and decided to withdraw from the business.

“She added that the only girl she sent to the first suspect was rejected due to her age and body size. That was when she realised something was wrong.”

Ayuba concluded that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.

PUNCH Metro reported on March 3 that the Ogun State Police Command arrested a 28-year-old woman, Opeyemi Adetoro, for trafficking three girls to Libya from the Oke Itoku area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the suspect was arrested after the mother of one of the trafficked victims reported to the police that her child had been taken to Libya without her consent.

Woman arrested for trafficking daughter for N50,000 to Mauritania

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