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NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

Published

9 months ago

February 14, 2024

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has apprehended 42 suspected bandits and terrorists masquerading as miners.

This was revealed on Wednesday by FCT NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Odumosu stated that the operation was conducted on Monday, February 12, 2024, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 176 Guards Battalion at Tsaumi Village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to him, the suspected bandits were found with sharp objects like daggers, knives and cutlasses. He noted that preliminary investigations by the Corps revealed that the apprehended individuals were likely fleeing military operations in Zamfara State.

The commandant said that despite the bandits claiming to be miners, they failed to provide evidence of their purported mining activities. He noted that the suspects confessed to having sponsors, prompting further ongoing investigations.

“I am happy to announce to you today that the charge is paying off. Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals have been arrested. The arrest took place on Monday, 11th February, 2024 at about 0600hrs.

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“The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Preliminary investigation by the Corps revealed that they may not be miners as they presented but rather suspected bandits fleeing the on-going onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council enroute Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.

“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.

“Further investigation revealed that this group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger States. At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggest they have a sinister agenda.

“They have also confessed to having sponsors, however investigation in that regard is still on going and you will be intimated when it is concluded.

“The suspects have been cooperating with the corps by giving useful information that will help determine their level of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT. When investigations are concluded and their level of involvement in crime is determined, necessary further actions will be taken.”

In a separate operation, the command in collaboration with the Department of State Security Services (DSS) led the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a 27-year old from Kaduna State.

Anthony was apprehended in the Mabushi axis of the FCT with incriminating exhibits, including pieces of armored cables, a hacksaw, a jack knife, a Techno Bolton handset, and ₦20,000 in cash.

Odumosu further disclosed that Anthony’s statement uncovered three of his accomplices – Hakilu Muhammed, Abdulrahaman Abbas, and Samila Promise – all members of a syndicate invovled in the vandalisation and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

He stated that the arrested suspects, linked to a vigilante group, will soon face court proceedings.

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“In the same vein our operational synergy with the men of Department of state security services led to the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a male, 27yeaars old from kaura Local government area of Kaduna State. He was arrested at the mabushi axis of the FCT.
The said Bartholomew Anthony was arrested with the following exhibits… Pieces of Armoured cables, 1 hacksaw, 1 Jack knife, 1 Techno Bolton handset and Twenty (₦20,000) Thousand Naira cash.

“The suspect made useful statement that lead our operatives to arrest three of his other accomplices: Hakilu Muhammed ”M” 25 yers old from shango LGA Niger state, Abdulrahaman Abbas “M” 30 Yers old from Unguwan sarki Piako LGA, Niger state, Samila Promise “M” 20 YERS OLD from karim limido, Pitiko LGA, Taraba state all four arrested suspects belong to a syndicate that specialize in vandalization and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

“The suspects through our discreet investigators, belong to a vigilante group and hence use their purported membership of the security outfit to commit heinous acts. We have profiled them and their statements obtained, they will soon be arraigned in court for justice to prevail,” the Commandant said.

Odumosu assured residents of the FCT that relentless efforts will be made to eradicate criminal elements within the territory and encouraged the public to report any suspicious individuals, while emphasizing the collective responsibility for maintaining security in the region.

He said, “I want to assure the residence of the FCT that we will not rest on our oars until we rid the FCT of all criminal elements that want to make the FCT unsafe for habitation. I want to also appeal to the general public to report all suspicious persons, as security is everyone’s business.”

Recall that the Commandant had summoned Heads of Intelligence teams, Area Commanders and all Divisional Officers to a meeting in order to review strategies over the current trends in the security situation in(FCT).

During the meeting, he charged the officers and men of the NSCDC to step up their game against criminal elements within the territory using intelligence gathering.

NSCDC Arrests 42 Bandits Claiming To Be Miners In Zamfara, Kogi, Niger States pic.twitter.com/sm8w9lp7hN

— The Whistler Newspaper (@TheWhistlerNG) February 14, 2024

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

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BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

The federal government has unveiled a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Bagudu revealed that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.

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According to the minister, the government has pegged the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

The budget also sets the exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar and aims for a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4%.

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

metro

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told FIJ that they have arrested Timber Wabote, the former executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCMB), on the grounds of a failed $35 million Bayelsa refinery project fraud.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, confirmed this to FIJ on Thursday.

“It is true,” Oyewale responded to FIJ’s inquiries.

Wabote is accused of misappropriating public funds for a refinery project that should have improved local energy production.

Vanguard reported that the NCDMB under Wabote paid $35 million to support the development of energy infrastructure in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, yet there was nothing to show for it.

The EFCC picked Wabote up following the arrest of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, the Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, for alleged misappropriation, money laundering and diversion of $35 million in public funds.

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“NCDMB under the watch of Wabote allegedly paid the $35 million to Akindele to build a 2,000 barrel per day (BPD), refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre and tank farm at Brass free trade zone (FTZ), Okpoama Community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State,” a source with the EFCC had explained.

Since December 2020 when the payments were made, Akindele abandoned the project with little or nothing to show for the huge sum he received.

Preliminary investigations showed that Wabote’s NCDMB financed 17 different projects, including the 2,000 BPD refinery in Brass LGA.

There has been a series of public fund misappropriation cases in the energy sector in recent times.

FIJ earlier reported that members of the House of Representatives summoned three ministers to defend how over $2 billion was spent on renewable energy with not much to show for it.

A recent FIJ report also recently detailed how residents of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, have not had power in their homes since July due to the vandalisation of the Ahoada-Yenagoa transmission towers caused by unidentified persons.

The Bayelsa state government told FIJ it was the federal government’s responsibility to provide electricity for residents. The state has no renewable energy options reliable enough to power its capital despite the multi-million-dollar NCMB energy project.

Transparency in the energy sector has become necessary at a time when Nigerians have suffered power instability due to frequent grid collapses.

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

metro

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

Published

11 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

Yahaya Bello

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested an adjournment in the new case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, stating that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons is still active.

The commission has granted administrative bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and asked the court for an extension of time for Bello to appear.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro noted that the court’s order from October 3rd had not yet expired.

“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November, 2024, my lord,” he told the court.

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He also mentioned that the previously set date of November 20th was not convenient for the prosecution counsels.

Counsel to the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution and had no objection to the adjournment request. The third defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, concurred.

The prosecution counsel also requested the court to allow the notice of hearing to be pasted on the last known address of the first defendant.

After hearing from all counsels, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and the issuance of the hearing notice.

“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” she said.

Justice Anenih then adjourned the case to November 27th for arraignment.

The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.