Gunmen Strike Abuja Community, Kidnap 4
Gunmen attacked the Bmuko community in Dutse Baupma area of Bwari in Abuja, kidnapping four individuals including the wife and brother of Engineer Patrick, a pastor, and another young man. The attackers, numbering more than 30, fired shots into the air before breaking into the engineer's house and abducting the victims. They split into groups, heading towards different directions after the abduction. The incident caused panic among residents, with calls for improved security and police presence in the area to deter criminal activities. Police and soldiers responded but were unable to apprehend the kidnappers or rescue the victims, who have not yet been contacted for ransom.
JUST IN: FG Flags Off P’Harcourt-Aba Train Service
The Federal Government officially launched commercial train operations on the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, after two previous postponements. The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, inaugurated the service at the Railway Station in Port Harcourt. This initiative is part of efforts to boost trade, improve mobility, and connect the southern and northeastern parts of Nigeria. The project, awarded to China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, involves rehabilitating the railway line, constructing modern stations, and acquiring new rolling stock. The railway will link ports like Onne, Bonny, and Port Harcourt to facilitate goods transportation along the Eastern Corridor. The project is funded with 15% by the Federal Government and 85% through a bank loan. The Minister emphasized the project's alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's priorities for enhanced infrastructure and transportation. After the ceremony, the Minister and attendees boarded the train for a ride to Aba, Abia State, marking a significant milestone in the rail corridor's revitalization.
Revive all abandoned high-profile corrupt cases against politicians now — Clark tells EFCC
Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, has urged the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, to prioritize the revival of abandoned high-profile corrupt cases against politicians. Clark emphasized the need for urgent investigations into former governors suspected of looting state treasuries, specifically mentioning the case of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. He highlighted the significance of tackling corruption to support President Bola Tinubu's anti-corruption agenda.
In a letter titled "Revive all Abandoned High Profile Corrupt cases against Politicians by the EFCC," Clark emphasized the alarming scale of corruption in public service and private businesses, stressing that corruption has become pervasive in daily life. He commended the EFCC Chairman for speaking out against corruption and urged him to confront corruption without discrimination or political victimization.
Clark referenced specific cases of alleged corruption involving former governors, urging swift investigations and trials to prevent impunity among public officials. He expressed concern about the continued presence of accused individuals in political positions despite pending corruption charges against them. Clark emphasized the necessity of political will in prosecuting corrupt individuals and recommended creating a special court or expediting trials to combat corruption effectively.
NSCDC Arrests ‘Cyber Criminals’ Impersonating Gov’t Officials On Facebook
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has apprehended two suspects involved in cybercrime activities, specifically impersonating government officials on Facebook. The suspects, Henry Ushie Odep (34 years old) and Emanuel Ushie Odep (23 years old), both from Cross Rivers State, were responsible for creating a fake Facebook account in the name of FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu to defraud Nigerians. Emmanuel, the younger brother, was the first to be arrested, leading to the capture of Henry, who possessed the phone used for the fraudulent account. Henry confessed to initiating his brother into cyber fraud and revealed their use of various online platforms to receive illicit funds. The NSCDC is continuing its investigation and plans to prosecute the suspects accordingly.