Nigeria Police IRT arrest foreigners for allegedly supplying explosives ,ammunition to Cameroonian separatists , bandits

 

A man who claims to be a Cameroonian and his Nigerian counterpart have been arrested by the   Intelligence Response Team, IRT of the Nigeria Police Force led by DCP Olatunji Disu   for  illegal possession and illicit sales of explosives and ammunition

Their arrest follows the order by the  Inspector General of Police,IGP, Usman Alkali Baba to all commands  of the police to  battle crime to its barest level in line with his  zero tolerance to crime and criminality.

The IGP has ordered that any one who is found with illicit weapons and  exploiting the crisis in Cameroon by dealing  in ammunitions in order to make selfish gains must face the full wrath of the law 

Following the order,the men of the  IRT swiftly went to work and arrested the  suspects identified as 38 years old farmer Obi Ndifon Bate,from the Nmojosob Division in Cameron and the main suspect, 40 years old Ntui Lambart Assam from Ntui local government area of Cross Rivers whose mother is a Cameroonian.

According to Ndifon Bate, he claims  he only comes to Nigeria to do menial jobs but was unfortunate to have been arrested in Ikom local government area of Cross River State along side Ntui whom he claims  to be his cousin.

Due to the crisis in Cameroon between the separatists and the government, it has forced a lot of people from Cameroon into Nigeria through the boarders. 

In view of this, the Nigeria Police Force in order to curb crime in its boarders sorted intelligence gathering and discreet investigation to arrest anyone involved in illegal sales of any ammunition or involving the use of improvised explosive device(IEDs)through the boarder to cause high rate of crime.

Speaking with journalists, ,Ndifon who further explained how he got involved in the crime said, '’I am a registered member with the United Nation,my wife was pregnant and the baby died inside of her, I went to Calabar to collect money. Ndifon who according to him went to Ikom to collect money from his brother confessed to be aware of the kind of illegal business his brother was into.

He said’ I am aware that my cousin is into the business of selling dynamite and he sells them to Cameroonian but I was not involved in the business. I was only unfortunate to be around when the IRT men came around to make arrest.

The suspected  mastermind who is referred to as General Assam Lambert Ntui(Black Mamba)of Manyu was arrested in Ikom in Cross River State.

The 40 years old Assam Ntui who is from Ntui local government of Cross River but whose mother is from southern Cameroon said he was arrested in his house in Ikom.

Narrating his story,Ntui said he was introduced into the business of selling explosives and ammunition through a friend he met in his home town in 2019,thou he has successfully done the business five times between the spaces of three years and claim it’s not a regular business he does.

He said, “ I was introduced to this business of selling dynamite by a friend I met in Ikom, thou he’s now based in Jos. When we met,we were discussing the crisis going on in Cameron. He said the fighters will need ammunition and the need arises I should contact him which I did. I contacted him the first time in 2019,when I sent him money,he will send the explosive to me. 

Ntui denied having knowledge of where he got the ammunition or explosives from.

According to him, I don’t know where he gets those things from. I only contact him when I needed them, I will pay him money and he will send them to me.The explosives does not come regularly,it comes every five month at times. 

They send it with waybill by road through trailers and the drivers will call me and give it to me. I don’t know the faces of the guys that comes with them because they always hide their faces. Some of them masks their faces while some will hide inside the trailer but the drivers are the ones who deliver the explosives and ammunition well wrapped to me.

He further said,”The Cameron boys give me the money to buy the explosives in bulk for them.They give me #70,000 or #80,000 and I burchase it and give it to the fighters in Cameroon to face the crisis in their Country. The fighters compensate me with 20 to 30 thousand naira.

When I was arrested in my house in Calabar by the IRT men,I was taken to a bar I manage in Ikom where they discovered some dynamite in my custody.

The suspect denial knowing the suppliers of the dynamite,he claim they are  from black market and has disclosed their phone numbers to the Police when he was taken to Uyo in Akwa-Ibom State.

Ntui who sometimes ago was burnt by unknown explosive said he's married with five kids and regretted getting involved in the illicit business and promised to practice the good conducts  he learnt while in  police custody.

Oil magnate Jim Okolo bags Nelson Mandela leadership Award

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Jimez Petroleum Resources, Chief Hon. Jim Chimezie Okolo has bagged the prestigious 2021 Nelson Mandela Leadership Award.  Organizers of the ceremony, Trans-African Youth Initiative in Accra, Ghana said Hon. Okolo who was described as a patriotic African, bagged the award because of his immense contribution to nation building, educational empowerment, selfless service to humanity and youth empowerment in Africa.

Presenting the award, founder of the Initiative,  Amb. Bakare Luqman described Hon. Jim Okolo as a golden fish with no hidden habitat stating that his delectable and impeccable records, visionary leadership and characteristics are rarely found amidst other men and lovers of youth in Africa.  According to him, Hon. Okolo has displayed rare commitment to the cause of humanity in the areas of security of lives and property, educational development and empowerment, nation building, youth emancipation among other human capital development.

Luqman said Okolo’s philanthropic and indelible contributions towards the transformation of good governance in all ramifications are in line with the vision of President Buhar’s vision of transforming and repositioning Nigeria.

Responding, Hon. Okolo dedicated the award to God, his family and Nigerians for their trust and support.

The award came on the heels of another honorary doctorate degree conferred on him by the Freedom University and Theological Seminary, Pottstowm PA, USA. Hon. Okolo who holds the traditional title of Ezeugo 1 of Okwe Kingdom, Nike  Autonomous  Community  was awarded the degree at a colorful ceremony attended by high caliber individuals who showed up to be identified with Chief Okolo.

CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF LAUNCHES FOUR SEMI BALLISTIC GUNBOATS CONSTRUCTED BY NAVAL SHIPYARD LIMITED

Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor on Monday, 25 October 2021 launched four Semi Ballistic Gunboats constructed for the Defence Headquarters by the Naval Shipyard Limited in Port Harcourt. According to the Chief of Defence Staff who was also the Special Guest of Honour for the occasion, the decision to provide armoured gunboats for operations was informed by the need to provide added protection to troops in the discharge of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s responsibility of ensuring safety and security of the nation’s maritime environment.

Speaking further, the CDS reiterated the confidence emplaced on the Naval Shipyard Limited by awarding the contract to construct the boats. In his words, “From all indications and from what we are seeing here today, the decision has proven to be a wise one. I must also state quickly that the decision was borne out of the need to support the shipbuilding capability of our Armed Forces in order to improve local capacity and expertise for the production of our defence needs”. General Irabor further commended the Nigerian Navy and the Naval Shipyard Limited for achieving this feat despite the interruption of industrial, commercial and economic activities that emanated due to the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic. He further stated that this achievement would be a boost to enhancing military presence within the waterways in order to mitigate maritime security challenges in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The General enjoined the end users of the ballistic gunboats to imbibe the culture of maintenance to ensure their longevity.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo stated that the construction of the Semi Ballistic Gunboats is yet another milestone achievement by the Naval Shipyard Limited in the provision of necessary support to the on-going effort at combating threats to the nation’s maritime interest. Speaking further, Admiral Gambo said the protection of Nigeria’s maritime environment remains a key mandate of the Nigerian Navy hence the need for developing requisite capacity for ship building as well as provision of necessary logistics support for the sustenance of the fleet. Therefore, the construction of the platforms and their subsequent induction into the maritime assets of the Operation Delta Safe would bolster the operational capacity of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta area. 

The Chief of the Naval Staff expressed delight on the project and appreciated the Chief of Defence Staff for the patronage as well as trust and believe in the capability of the Naval Shipyard Limited to build the boats for the Defence Headquarters. He said the achievement has contributed immensely to the development of expertise of the Naval Shipyard Limited and expectedly a cost saving option considering other competing demand for scarce resources. According to him, the endeavour also aligns with the Federal Governments agenda of encouraging local content towards developing indigenous capacity and reducing dependency on external vendors. The Admiral reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy will not relent in its effort at developing the capacity of the Naval Shipyard Limited stating that the Navy is exploiting partnership with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer to further develop the infrastructure and human capacity of the Yard towards national socio-economic development.

The event was graced by very senior officers from the Defence Headquarters and the Services.

Ebosetale Favour Okojie, daugther of Dr Luke Okojie bags First Class Degree in Accounting from the Covenant University Otta Ogun State.

 

Dr.  Okojie, FIMC, CMC

A modest Prince and Selfless Leader

Dr. Luke Okojie is a Prince from the Okojie Royal Dynasty of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. He is a media magnate, an experienced communication expert with specialties in Public Relations, Advertising and Print Journalism. He is the Managing Director and chief Executive Officer of Accolade Communications Limited, a media platform on which he has contributed his own quota not only in the industry but towards the growth and development of our dear country. With an enviable track record of being an enthusiastic operator in the Small and Medium Enterprises, he foray into public relations and communications is in fulfillment of his desire to form a conglomerate targeted at wealth creation and employment generation with consequential economic growth. 

He is skilled in Event Planning, Customer Service, Strategic Planning, Marketing Strategy, and Public Speaking. This Strong business development professional is a 1990 graduate from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is SMEs Business and Life Coach as well as brand specialist. He is Fellow of several institutes including the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC).

Dr. Okojie’s new found interest in internet and digital marketing is infectious. The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR has recognized him as a HeForShe person for her campaign of egalitarian and equal gender society. He is that person that knows no impossibility as he fines opportunities even at unlikely places. He is a leader par excellence, compassionate philanthropist,bridge builder, reformist, community leader, astute administrator, devout Christian, committed parent, husband and selflessly patriotic.

Known for his uncommon charisma, Dr.Okojie possesses a remarkable aura that enables him interact across class divides and mixes well with the high and mighty without losing his essential values and orientation. He is a lover of peace, a conciliator and arbitrator. He is a Convener/ current Executive Secretary of Accolade Ambassadors.

Dr. Luke Okojie’s conglomerate and organizations include: Jacob Stones Technical Company, Accolade Communications Limited, International Centre for Comparative Leadership for Africans & Blacks in Diaspora, Laurel Garments, Accolade Colours, David Ziglar Training Centre, Guild of Professional Biographers, Accolade International Magazine, Nigeian@50 Leaders Par Excellence, Nigerian Role Models (Volumes 1 &2), Audacious, Nigeria@60:60 Leaders Par Excellence amongst others.

An amiable family man, Dr. Okojie is happily married and blessed with children.

UI final year student murdered , another killed by hit and run vehicle.

 

 

Two students of the university of Ibadan have died within two days at the weekend.  

The students are Adedayo Ridwan, a 400level student of History Department who was reportedly killed by suspected armed robbers at a shopping mall closed to the university on Saturday by supected armed robbers who were said to have snatched his phone before shooting him. While the university is still mourning Ridwan, a 200level female student  identifed  as Adeyemi Ayomide, was reportedly knocked down by a vehicle as she attempted to cross the road in front of the university gate. 

Their deaths are coming few days after the university appointed a new Vice Chancellor. 

IMB report shows piracy in Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria waters records lowest in 17 years.

  

 

 

 

 

 The latest piracy report from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) released this week shows 85 vessels boarded, nine attempted attacks, two vessels shot at and one hijacked. 

This is indicative that the  Nigerian navy may have begun to win the anti-piracy war as activities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian waters are now a record low.     

 Piracy incidents in the first nine months of 2021 are the lowest reported in 17 years, with at the other end of the scale, 51 crew kidnapped, eight taken hostage and one killed.

The bureau, while welcoming the decrease, repeats its ongoing warning for seafarers to remain vigilant particularly in view of high levels of violence against crew in many areas.

  The Gulf of Guinea region recorded 28 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in 2021’s first nine months, compared to 46 for the same period in 2020. “Notably, Nigeria reported only four, compared to 17 in 2020 and 41 in 2018. Crew kidnappings in the region dropped with a single crewmember kidnapped in quarter three 2021, compared to 31 in five separate incidents during the same quarter in the preceding year. “All 2021 quarter three incidents were against vessels at port anchorages and the average successful kidnapping location was 100 nautical miles from land. “The overall reduction of piracy and armed robbery incidents in the region bears testament to enhanced maritime security and response co-ordination measures adopted by regional and national authorities,” according to an IMB statement.

  The IMB statement makes no mention of piracy incidents, kidnappings, violence against crew or hijackings on the east coast of the continent off Somalia including the Horn of Africa. Going further east, the IMB notes 20 armed robbery incidents in the Singapore Straits, the highest since last year and four up on the 2019 number. Attacks are low level and opportunistic in nature with IMB warning perpetrators pose a direct threat to seafarers and vessels underway. In four incidents, crew were threatened, assaulted or injured. There was also a “noticeable reduction” in incidents reported from Indonesian waters. The six reported in the first nine months of this year is the lowest in Indonesian water since 1993.

 

(Source: www.defenceweb.co.za)

 

NAF DID NOT PAY BANDITS IN EXCHANGE FOR WEAPONS

 

 

 

 The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)  has denied reports  circulating on some media platforms alleging that the NAF, through one of its personnel, paid the sum of N20 Million to armed bandits operating in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun allegedly seized. The report went on to state that the reason behind the payment was to retrieve the anti-aircraft gun which, it alleged, the NAF feared could be used against aircraft operating within Katsina State.

 Edward Gabkwet Air Commodore 

Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force  said  there is absolutely no iota of truth in the spurious allegation that was undoubtedly designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the Service. The said report is totally false. It should therefore be taken as fake news and disregarded. Indeed, we ordinarily would not have responded to such baseless and utterly illogical allegation but for the need to set the record straight as well as reaffirm the NAF’s unflinching commitment to decisively dealing with the armed bandits and all other criminal elements *in the Country in partnership with other services of the Armed Forces and other security Agencies.* 

  For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina State, other parts of *the North-West as well as other Theatres of Operation in the Country.* Indeed, as recent as *12 October 2021* , NAF aircraft conducted 5 missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji. Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia LGA known for its high incidences of bandits’ activities. The false reportage therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds. *The NAF is of the view that, this latest false report could be a part of a campaign to further the cause of insecurity in Nigeria by elements who see the NAF as a threat following series of successful exploits in operations against criminal gangs.* 

 Perhaps, this provides an avenue for the NAF to yet again appeal to members of the media, both local and international, as well as social media, to be circumspect in their reportage and endeavour to always verify their facts before going public. The public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from some sections of the social and mainstream media. The NAF also uses this opportunity to call on citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts are ongoing to rid the entire Nation of criminals and their activities.

 On our part, the NAF, as a professional and disciplined force, will not in any way be discouraged from carrying out its mandate to rid the entire North-West Nigeria of banditry and other forms of criminality. We remain resolute in performing our function and will continue to work in synergy with other sister Services and security agencies