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You must account for missing 3,907 rifles to facilitate passage of your Budget–Senator tells NPF, IGP

The Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Peter Nwaebonyi, has called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to account for 3,907 missing firearms before any further steps are taken towards approving the national budget.

In an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Wednesday, Nwaebonyi, a Senator representing Ebonyi North, emphasized the crucial role that the police’s accountability plays in enabling lawmakers to craft a well-informed and responsible budget.

The committee’s demand follows an earlier query directed at the NPF over the firearms’ mysterious disappearance, which was first revealed in the 2019 audit report from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had grilled the NPF on Tuesday, raising concerns about the missing weapons. In response, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun had appointed Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Suleiman Abdul to represent the police in the inquiry.

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However, senators found Abdul’s explanations to be unsatisfactory, rejecting his responses as inadequate and declining a proposed executive session for further discussions.

As a result, the committee has demanded the police leadership return to answer further questions on January 17.

Nwaebonyi stressed that accountability in the NPF’s handling of these firearms is not just a matter of national security but also essential for transparent and effective budget planning.

Without a clear understanding of the police’s operations and resource management, he argued, lawmakers would be unable to appropriately allocate funds in the national budget.

“What we are considering is the report from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation from 2019 till date,” the lawmaker said.

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“He gave us an insight of what they had as at 2018 but what is before us is the report from 2019 till date and in that report, 3,907 firearms mainly AK-47 is missing within the Nigeria Police Force and that is what we are discussing.
“When we probed further as to the whereabout of these firearms, we discovered that some were lost as a result of death of the officers that were holding them. These people paid the supreme price, and we should honour them as a nation.

“However, over 99 per cent is unaccounted for. That is why we asked the AIG whose is representing the IG to go and come back and give us facts on this, because all we need to know is to give account as to the whereabout of these firearms.

“We need this information because it will guide us in making our budgets, because if the Nigerian police is losing such number of arms, it is important that they (should) be supported to replace the firearms, but the accounts of the missing ones must be given.”

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How Police Inspector dressed in uniform was allegedly kidnapped by two Suspects

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How Police Inspector dressed in uniform was allegedly kidnapped by two Suspects

Two persons have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital for allegedly abducting a police inspector.

It was gathered that the defendants include one Lekan Osansan and Olubodun Oladimeji allegedly abducted Inspector Michael Aromeh in uniform alongside others before taking him to an unknown destination.

It however took a team of policemen before Inspector Michael Aromeh could be rescued.

Police Prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso, preferred three-count charge against the suspects.

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The counts read: “That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji “M’ on the 12th day of January in Akure Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to wit kidnapping of Inspector Aromeh Michael on the uniform from NTA junction to unknown destination and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37 voll laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did kidnap Inspector Aromeh Michael to an unknown destination and were rescued by Asp yahaya Ondeku and five others and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 364 the criminal code cap 37 vol [1] laws of Ondo State Nigeria 2006.
“That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by kidnaping Inspector Aromeh Michael to an unknown destination without his consent and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable Under Section 249 (D) of Criminal Code Cap37 Volume [1] Laws of Ondo State Nigeria 2006.”

The Police Prosecutor prayed the court to grant the suspects bail on stringent conditions.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate R.A Olumilua granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N1million and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties is required to be a Level 14 officer in the state civil service and the other who must be a clergyman or a recognised Chief.

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Wanted notorious Bandit leader, barking like Dog, dies after mysterious illness

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Wanted notorious Bandit leader, barking like Dog, dies after mysterious illness

Kachalla Dan Lukuti, the infamous bandit leader responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Zamfara and Katsina states, has reportedly died under bizarre and unsettling circumstances.

Known for his brutal reign of terror, Lukuti’s final days were marked by unusual symptoms, including violent aggression and an eerie, continuous barking that some likened to the sounds of a rabid dog.

Sources close to his activities revealed that Lukuti began showing signs of a mysterious illness about a week ago, with his condition rapidly deteriorating.

His gang members, frightened by the strange nature of his symptoms, reportedly kept their distance, unable to assist their leader. Despite their attempts to flee his deteriorating state, Lukuti eventually succumbed to the illness.

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Lukuti had been a terror in the Kokonba forest of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara, where he led a group of over 50 armed bandits.

His group was behind a series of violent attacks in villages such as Dan Jiloga, Rijiya, Zonai, Magami, and along the Gusau-Magami highway, even spreading his criminal activities into the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Despite his ruthless operations, Lukuti’s final days were marked by agony. Witnesses reported that he howled and barked in pain, a strange and terrifying end for the notorious bandit leader.

Out of fear and superstition, his gang coerced villagers in the community of Kizara to bury him, interring his body at a local primary school.

The cause of his death remains a mystery, with theories ranging from rabies to spiritual retribution for his years of violence and terror.

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His passing comes amid heightened military operations targeting bandit strongholds in the Northwest, raising questions about whether Lukuti’s death signals the beginning of the end for his criminal network.

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BREAKING; NLC orders boycott of glo, mtn, Airtel,demands immediate reversal of telecom tariff hike

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BREAKING; NLC orders boycott of glo, mtn, Airtel,demands immediate reversal of telecom tariff hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate reversal of the 50 per cent telecommunications tariff hike.

Mr Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, made this demand in a communiqué jointly signed with Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the NLC, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The communiqué was issued at the conclusion of the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the NLC, held in Lokoja, Kogi State.

It is important to recall that the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) had declared a one-day mass rally at all Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) offices across the country in response to the proposed 50 per cent tariff hike.

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The Federal Government and the NLC had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which set up a 10-man committee to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back on the key concerns raised by the Congress.

However, the telecom companies went ahead and implemented the new tariff hike.

Ajaero condemned the action by the telecommunications companies, calling it a betrayal of trust.

“It is an affront to the principles of negotiation, a direct slap on the government and its institutions, and a disdain for the Nigerian people,” he said.

The CWC described the tariff hike as a further demonstration of regulatory capture and accusing the government of favouring the rich over the people.

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The CWC also called for an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect that day.

It insisted that the companies should revert to the previous tariff until the committee completed its deliberations and reached a conclusive agreement.

As a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed Nigerian workers and other willing citizens to boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

This boycott will start on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, and continue until the end of February 2025.

Ajaero also urged workers and citizens to suspend the purchase of data from these companies, which he said had become tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.

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He demanded the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these telecom companies.

He further warned that if the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide would commence on March 1, 2025.

“All NLC state councils are directed to begin immediate sensitisation and mobilisation of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.

“We also urge all NLC affiliate unions to mobilise their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours,” he added. (NAN)

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