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JUST IN; Former Governor raises alarm, accuses retired Army Generals of involvement in illegal mining activities

In a strong statement made yesterday in Abuja, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of Edo State and current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has accused retired military generals of being behind the illegal mining operations plaguing Nigeria.

Oshiomhole’s remarks came during a session where Senator Sampson Ekong, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, presented his report before the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

Oshiomhole, a prominent member of the Appropriations Committee led by Senator Olamilekan Adeola, expressed deep concern over the country’s growing illegal mining crisis.

He warned that unless the administration of President Bola Tinubu urgently addresses these unlawful activities, Nigeria’s ambitions to diversify its economy would remain unattainable.

The former Edo governor emphasized that no amount of funding allocated to the solid minerals sector would yield tangible results unless the rampant illegal mining issue was effectively curbed.

Describing the situation as “embarrassing,” Oshiomhole underscored the urgent need for action to protect Nigeria’s natural resources and ensure the sector’s potential is realized for national development.

Oshiomhole said, “Whereas the federal government is ruthless with people who are doing illegal oil bunkering by deploying the Joint Military Task Force to deal with them, when it comes to illegal mining of solid minerals, the federal government changes. It’s like using different standards and I am very angry about that.

“If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army even to kill anyone who is involved in the illegal pumping of oil. We should also deploy JTFs, comprising the Army, Police, Air Force, against them. The ongoing illegal mining across the country are being carried out by retired generals and we know them.

“Yes, we know them. I did a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter when he was in office. This is because a team that I sent to go and conduct the primary somewhere, reported back to me, the challenge of conducting primary elections in Zamfara because of the illegal miners. The team told me that those illegal miners procure arms the same way the military is doing in South Sudan. They give them arms. They use choppers to come and cart away the gold and they take them out of this country and make billions of U.S. dollars.

“Unfortunately, the federal government is not doing what it should be doing. When I was the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, I took this letter to the former president and said, call the generals to give you more briefing. What was happening or what was supposed to happen in that part of the country was exactly what the general told me was going to happen.

“These guys have been weaponised by the illegal big men. The weaponry was made to protect the Chinese and other foreigners and that’s why they are going to carry out the mining. So, retired military officers, and army officers, are involved in it. The day we can’t tell the truth, this country cannot flourish.

“That is what is going on with the mining sub-sector. It is not that we don’t know where it is. We have a whole survey of where we can find them across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“My position is that we shouldn’t be lamenting. We should fix the problem. We should tell the executive, you must deploy exactly the same force that you deployed against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta. That same force should be deployed to deal with criminals who have money. When I say criminal, it can be a retired general, it can be a retired permanent secretary, it can be a retired trade unionist or a retired labour leader.”

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JUST IN; Vice President Shettima reveals what’s disturbing President Tinubu

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JUST IN; Vice President Shettima reveals what’s disturbing President Tinubu

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequencies of tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas.

Shettima stated this on Monday in his condolence message to the Enugu State Government and families of those who lost their lives in the recent fuel tanker fire incident in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a fuel tanker had on Saturday veered off course and burst into flames along the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

The Vice-President said that it was time to put an end to avoidable tanker accidents and explosions.

Shettima noted that President Bola Tinubu is very concerned and disturbed by the incident and other tanker explosions in recent times.

” It was with a heart full of sadness that I received news of the fuel tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Ugwu Onyeama local government area of Enugu State.

” I am deeply saddened that another tanker accident would lead to the loss of lives of Nigerians, leaving others injured in the gory incident.

” His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seriously worried by the frequency of these tanker explosion incidents on public roads and residential areas, which are ordinarily avoidable, he said.

The Vice-President reassured Nigerians that the government would stop at nothing to put an end to tanker accidents on our roads.

Shettima promised that following Mr President’s directive, the government will engage relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to prevent future occurrences.

He also said that government would look at possible ways the road traffic authorities, as well as federal and state Transportation Ministries could cooperate to urgently forestall further tanker accidents.

” I express my profound condolences to the government and people of Enugu State, particularly the families that lost their loved ones and those that are undergoing treatment for various degrees of injuries in the hospitals.

“While my thoughts and prayers are with you, I pray Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed and quick return to health for the injured,” Shettima said .(NAN)

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BREAKING; Police foil alleged terror plot in Kano State, recover explosives, weapons

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BREAKING; Police foil alleged terror plot in Kano State, recover explosives, weapons

The Kano State Police Command said it has recovered explosives and dangerous weapons allegedly planned to be used during the just-concluded National Tijjaniyya Maulud in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo-Garba,told the News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) in Kano on Monday that the explosives were reportedly recovered at Tokarawa village of Gezawa Local Government area.

He said that the command had made a significant breakthrough in maintaining peace and security in the state.

Dogo-Garba explained that the recovered explosives and weapons were allegedly planned to be used during the just-concluded event.

He said that the police, in collaboration with state agencies, foiled the terror plot and recovered the explosives reportedly intended for use during the Maulud.

Dogo-Garba started the police have commenced an intensive investigation to identify those behind the alleged botched plot.

” This proactive measure demonstrates the commitment of the Kano State Police Command to ensuring the safety and security of residents and visitors alike,”the CP said.

Dogo-Garba said the command had also arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged kidnapping and killing of Alhaji Atiku Mu’azu, a 64-year-old resident of Janbulo Quarters, Kano.

The suspects, Abubakar Hassan, aka Captain, Adamu Adam, and Alhaji Hamisu aka Bakin Bross, were nabbed after a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation.

He said in another incident, armed men invaded the residence of Alhaji Auwalu at Sabuwar Unguwa Garo, Kabo LGA, Kano, robbing him of N8 million and kidnapping his 16-year-old daughter, Zainab Aliyu.

Dogo-Garba said that the police had launched an investigation to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.

In a separate operation, he said,the police arrested 17 suspected armed robbers who stormed Hotoro, Kawu Quarters, Kano, breaking shops and motor vehicles, and attacking innocent people.

“Three additional suspected armed robbers were also arrested for attacking two innocent people and robbing them of 200 mobile phones at Yankatsari Quarters, Kano,” Dogo-Garba said.

He urged the residents of the state to continue to support the command with credible intelligence information to prevent future threats.

The commissioner urged the members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious.

Dogo-Garba called on them to promptly report any suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station or through the command’s contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.(NAN)

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JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody

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JUST IN; Sowore rejects police bail conditions, chooses to remain in Police custody

Omoyele Sowore, a former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and activist, has declined to accept the terms of the Nigerian police’s bail and chose to stay in detention.

The decision was made after he was told that he would have to give up his international passport and furnish a Grade Level 17 officer, which is the equivalent of a permanent secretary, as surety in order to be released on bail.

Sowore had arrived at the police headquarters in Abuja early Monday morning after being summoned for questioning regarding a viral video he posted, which accused police officers of extorting motorists at a checkpoint in Lagos.

As he made his way to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), the area surrounding the Force Headquarters was heavily barricaded, with roads blocked from both ends.

The police had issued a formal invitation to Sowore, outlining several charges against him, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobeying lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.

After his questioning, Sowore posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, revealing that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dasuki Galandachi, had informed him that he would be granted bail pending the conclusion of the investigation.

However, Sowore made it clear that he would not accept the bail if the conditions were unreasonable.

“I have been informed by the DIG of FID that my bail has been approved, but if the conditions are unreasonable, I will remain in detention until I am charged to court,” Sowore wrote.

“I know there is no defined crime to investigate—it’s just the impunity of the police hierarchy.”

Later, Sowore reiterated his stance by rejecting the bail conditions outright.

“The Nigeria Police Force has requested that I deposit my International Passport and provide a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for bail, but I have declined these conditions and opted to remain in police custody,” he declared.

Sowore, who had arrived at the Force Intelligence Department at around 9:56 a.m., was accompanied by his lawyers and supporters, including members of the Take It Back Movement.

The group had earlier circulated a flier on social media, calling for a protest against police extortion at the Force Headquarters, urging supporters to “Occupy Force Headquarters.”

In the official invitation from the FID, Sowore was informed that he was being investigated for multiple offenses, including obstructing public officers, cyberstalking, and preventing arrests.

He was instructed to attend an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Intelligence Department at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Outside the FID premises, members of the Take It Back Movement gathered, waiting for updates on Sowore’s situation, as the activist continues to challenge what he views as the unjust actions of the police.

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