News
Kano govt vows to fish out, punish masterminds of destructions
Kano govt vows to fish out, punish masterminds of destructions
The Kano State Government has vowed to bring to book the masterminds behind the violence and destructions that marred the end of #EndBadGovernance protests in the state.
This is as Governor Abba Yusuf and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state yesterday accused each other of instigating the violence that erupted during protests.Also, the state Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has detained 108 suspects allegedly involved in vandalising government and public properties during the nationwide protests in the state.
The protests in the state had turned violent as hoodlums used the opportunity to loot public and private properties, a situation that compelled the government under Governor Abba Yusuf to declare a 24-hour curfew in the state to restore normalcy.The Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, made this known in an interview with the BBC Hausa monitored in Kano.
Gwarzo said some politicians with sinister motives allegedly sponsored the unfortunate incident to destroy the state.
According to him, “The government had credible intelligence and evidence that the politicians sponsored the incidents, and we are working diligently to ensure the masterminds and their foot soldiers who perpetrated the heinous acts are brought to justice. The government will not rest on its oars until all the masterminds and perpetrators are brought to book.“Security agents have embarked on house-to-house search operations, and have recovered 40 to 50 per cent of the stolen items such as computers among others. We commend the people who cooperated and provided credible information on the looted properties leading to the recoveries. We call on parents not to accommodate stolen items in their houses.
“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the good people of the state to be patient and continue to obey the law and order as the government is working hard to ensure the situation improves.“The curfew will continue as security personnel monitor the situation. They will advise on the next steps. When they are convinced that the situation has improved, they will recommend relaxing the curfew.
“We also call on parents to take responsibility for their children. Stop your children from participating in these kinds of bad acts that lead to regret,” Gwarzo said.
READ ALSO:
- Death toll in Mogadishu beach bomb attack rises to 37
- CSOs condemn disruption of Internet during hunger protest
- US urges citizens to leave Lebanon on ‘any available ticket’
Meanwhile, the opposition APC in the state and Governor Yusuf yesterday accused each other of instigating the violence that erupted in the state.
In a live broadcast, Governor Yusuf accused the APC of sponsoring thugs and hoodlums who hijacked the protests in the state.“Yesterday, protesters gathered at the Government House as promised, and security operatives welcomed them without any issues. They were waiting for the governor to address them when suddenly, buses carrying thugs arrived, and violence erupted.
“We are aware that unpatriotic politicians from the opposition party have sponsored thugs, who are on rampage, looting and destroying properties of innocent citizens,” the governor stated.In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, the governor expressed regret that certain individuals, referred to as ‘enemies of the state’, had allegedly hired thugs from within and neighbouring states to infiltrate and disrupt the planned peaceful protest, resulting in chaos and unrest in a state previously known for its tranquility.
However, the Chairman of the APC in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas and the Director General of the Tinubu/Gawuna Campaign Council, Alhaji Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, in a statement, also condemned the violence in the state.They, however, noted that the extension of an open invitation to protesters to the Government House coupled with his careless comments, which undermined the authority of the police in the state, encouraged arson and looting in the wake of the protests.
“Violence unleashed in Kano on Thursday is to be blamed on the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP government and some opposition figures.”
Abbas added that it was undiplomatic for a sitting governor to openly attack the police authority, which has been rendering its duties based on constitutional provisions.He stated that being an opposition state, politics largely played a part in the governor’s decision to exploit the situation to its advantage.
READ ALSO:
- Riot in UK after killings, police van burnt
- Don’t let violence, destruction tear our nation apart, Tinubu begs Nigerians [Broadcast Full Text]
- NELFUND lists 6 institutions to receive students loan
However, the Command of the NSCDC has said it detained 108 suspects allegedly involved in vandalising government and public properties during the nationwide protests in the state.The state Commandant of the corps, Mohammed Lawal-Falala, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Kano.
He said the suspects were apprehended at different locations with various items found in their possession, following credible intelligence from men of the NSCDC’s intelligence and investigation departments.According to him, some of the suspects were from neighbouring states while some were Nigeriens.
The commandant said the NSCDC was the leading agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure in the country.
“We have been working assiduously to arrest the suspects and recover the stolen properties,” Lawal-Falala said.
He said that the suspects allegedly vandalised and looted facilities at the soon-to-be-inaugurated Digital Industrial Park, belonging to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).The commandant further said some of the items recovered from the suspects included: LCD TVs, executive chairs, door and window frames as well as drawers.
He listed the other items to include: State Road dual carriageway iron demarcating shields and a 50 KVA Mikano Generator for streetlight at Dorayi Quarters, Gwale Local Government Area.He said the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of an investigation.
“I want to restate my stance that the NSCDC Kano command under my watch is committed to protecting lives and property in the state,” Lawal-Falala said.
He appealed to the public to cooperate with the corps by providing credible information to enable it to achieve the mandate of securing a safer and secure environment.The commandant warned scrap buyers to avoid buying stolen properties, adding that the corps was working with sister security agencies and other key stakeholders to recover all stolen properties during the protests.
Kano govt vows to fish out, punish masterminds of destructions
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
READ ALSO:
- Mixed reactions trail moves to privatise PH, Warri, Kaduna refineries
- Ronaldo’s brace propels Al Nassr toward AFC champions league quarters
- Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe
- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
-
metro22 hours ago
BREAKING: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
-
Business3 days ago
Just in: Dangote refinery reduces petrol price for marketers
-
metro2 days ago
40-foot container falls on car in Lagos
-
Politics3 days ago
2027: Lagos Speaker, Obasa joins gov race, may battle Seyi Tinubu, others
-
Politics2 days ago
Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary
-
International2 days ago
Trump to sack 15,000 transgender officers from U.S. military: Report
-
Entertainment2 days ago
Polygamy best form of marriage for Africa – Okey Bakassi
-
Education15 hours ago
US University opens 2025 scholarships for international students