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  • Cocaine deal trial: court orders Abba Kyari, others to enter defence

    Cocaine deal trial: court orders Abba Kyari, others to enter defence

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, ordered the suspended DCP Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants to enter their defence in the charge preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings on their no-case submission applications, held that a prima face case had been made out against Kyari and other police officers in the charge.

    Kyari, the 1st defendant and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Police was arrested on Feb. 14, 2022, after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links to an international drug cartel.

    The suspended DCP and four members of the IRT – ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba and Inspector John Nuhu are being prosecuted on charges of  conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine.

    They are also accused of dealing in cocaine without lawful authority; conspiracy to tamper with cocaine and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers.

    On March 7, 2022, Kyari and others were arraigned alongside Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, the two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu by the officers.

    READ ALSO: James Bamidele, 65, 2 others docked in Abeokuta for forging CBN document

    Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty.

    However, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the 6th and 7th defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly.

    Although Kyari and others had, at one time, applied for bail, their application was rejected.

    After the NDLEA closed its case, each of the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that no evidence had been adduced by the prosecution on which the court could convict them.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite held that with the state of evidence led so far by the prosecution, he was convinced that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants to require them to put forward their defence.

    Justice Nwite held the same view in the five separate rulings he delivered on Friday.

    In a ruling on Kyari’s application, the judge held that “assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with less amount of cocaine that is lesser than 17.55 kg or more than that, it does not take away the fact that there is prima facie evidence that the 1st defendant dealt or tampered with cocaine.”

    He held that the argument of the 1st defendant’s lawyer on the need to sufficiently prove the amount of cocaine on the face of the charge is not the requirement of the law.

    He also held that there was nothing on the face of the section of the law, on which the defendants were charged, that states or provide different punishment as it relates to the quantity or amount of cocaine, whether the charge provides for 1 kilogram or more.

    According to the judge, in view of the foregoing, I am of the view and I so hold that a prima facie case has been made out against the 1st defendant in the five count charge and I hereby order him to enter his defence in all the five counts.

    The judge issued similar order in relation to the other four defendants.

    He consequently adjourned the matter until May 21 for the defendants to open their defence

  • James Bamidele, 65, 2 others docked in Abeokuta for forging CBN document

    James Bamidele, 65, 2 others docked in Abeokuta for forging CBN document

    Three men were on Friday arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court, Isabo for allegedly forging a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) document.

    The documents were those for recording enrollment and employment details.

    The defendants, James Bamidele, 65, Joseph Awolope, 29, and Sesan Adebayo, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a two-count  charge of conspiracy and forgery.

    The prosecutor, SP Henry Obiaze, told the court that the defendants conspired and committed the offences sometime between July 2024 and March.

    Obiaze alleged that the defendants forged a CBN enrollment letter dated March 1, with reference numbers 005/1529 and 005/1429, with which he used to defraud several job seekers.

    He also said the defendants allegedly forged an appointment letter dated July 22, 2024, with reference number 009/CBN/Vol.2/GDS, to defraud several job seekers.

    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 516, and 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Olubanke Odumosu-Akeba, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N2.5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

    She ordered that one of sureties must be a traditional ruler, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The Magistrate added that the defendants must submit their international passports and passport photographs to the court

    She, however, held that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre, pending the perfection of their bail, and adjourned the case until April 24 for hearing

  • Court orders staff member to forfeit properties acquired with stolen money to FIRS

    Court orders staff member to forfeit properties acquired with stolen money to FIRS

    EFCC investigations revealed that between 2017 and 2018, Garunbaba received the sum of N341, 971,960.00 as Duty Tour Allowance for journeys he never undertook

    Garunbaba also personally converted to his use the sum of N148, 079,450.00

    EFCC operative said in 2018, Garunbaba purchased the four bedroom terrace maisonette from Barumark Investment and Development Company Ltd (Barumark) at the rate of N65,000,000.00 (sixty five million naira).

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, ordered the final forfeiture of two property linked to a staff member of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Aminu Garunbaba, to the Federal Government.

    The property include a four bedroom terrace maisonette with BQ at Barumark Groove Estate, Plot 667, Cadastral Zone, BO3, Wuye District, Abuja and bought by Garunbaba in the name of MYZ Venture.

    The second property, located at No. 5, Lodge Road, Kano in Kano State, was said to have been purchased also by Garunbaba.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, held that Garunbaba failed to show the instrument he used to purchase the property.

    Justice Egwuatu held that the respondent also failed to show any reasonable cause that the funds used in purchasing the property is from his legitimate earnings.

    “A person cannot be allowed to benefit from illegitimate acts,” he said.

    The judge earlier dismissed the preliminary objection filed by Garunbaba on the grounds that the objector did not discharge the burden to proof that the particular paragraphs in the EFCC’s application offended the Evidence Act.

    He  agreed with counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Martha Babatunde, that a public officer can be investigated and prosecuted before an administrative disciplinary action is taken.

    The EFCC had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2021 filed by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, sued Aminu Sidi Garunbaba as sole respondent.

    In the motion on notice dated March 16, 2022 but filed on March 21, 2022, the anti-graft agency prayed for final order of the court “forfeiting the properties described in Schedule 1 which were found by the commission on the respondent as properties reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

    Giving four grounds, the commission  argued that the court had the statutory powers under the provision of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 to grant the reliefs being sought.

    It said: “The properties sought to be attached and forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    “The interim order of this honourable court has been published in two national dailies namely: THISDAY and PUNCH Newspapers.

    “No cause or sufficient cause has been shown why the properties under the interim forfeiture should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by an operative of the EFCC, Apagu Wudah, the officer said several investigations were carried out regarding the assets.

    He said as an investigating officer with the Economic Governance Section of the agency, he was assigned to investigate an intelligence report bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering among some FIRS

    Wudah said the investigation revealed that between 2017 and 2018, Garunbaba and some of the staff of the FIRS conspired amongst themselves and obtained millions of Naira from the FIRS under the guise of Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) which they never travelled for.

    He said in the execution of the fraud, the staff involved applied for DTA in respect of a non-existing trip.

    According to him, upon being paid the DTA, the staff would deduct 10% to 15 per cent  of the amount paid as his/her share, while the rest amount was withdrawn and transmitted to other senior officials of the agency who in turn also retained some while passing the rest up to the former Director of Finance and the Coordinating Director.

    “The respondent (Garunbaba) not only directly applied and received DTA payment for none existing trips from FIRS, other staff who received these fraudulent payments also handed over to him part of their own money.”

    The investigator said between 2017 and 2018, Garunbaba received the sum of N341, 971,960.00 (three hundred and forty one million, nine hundred and seventy-one thousand, nine hundred and fifty naira) from the misappropriated DTA payments.

    He said Garunbaba also personally converted to his use the sum of N148, 079,450.00 (one hundred and forty eight million, seventy nine thousand, four hundred and fifty naira).

    “The respondent gave details of the various funds he received in the fraudulent scheme and how he utilised some of them in his extra l-judicial statements to the applicant,” he averred

    Wudah said Garunbaba, in explaining how he shared part of the entire funds, wrote in his extra-judicial statement made in the presence of his legal representative on May 23, 2019  some startling revelations.

    He said the respondent revealed that the total sum of N269, 335, 750 was giving as follows: Peter Hena, 145,000,000; Bello Auta, N95, 000,000; and Aminu Sidi, N29, 336,750.

    He said Garunbaba confessed that the money was giving in cash at the FIRS office.

     The investigator said Garunbaba received part of the above diverted funds through his Stanbic IBTC Bank account number: 9301540597 while the rest were in cash from other staff.

    He said Garunbaba also converted most of these funds into US dollars through a Bureau De Change Operator — Mr. Wan Jafar Shehu.

    “According to Mr. Shehu, between 2017 and 2019, the respondent gave him a total sum of about N216, 000, 000 at different occasions for him to exchange into United States Dollars which he did” Wudah said.

    The EFCC operative said in 2018, Garunbaba purchased the four bedroom terrace maisonette from Barumark Investment and Development Company Ltd (Barumark) at the rate of N65,000,000.00 (sixty five million naira).

    He said the money was paid through his First Bank account number: 3040986059 to Barumark’s First Bank account.

    He said Garunbaba equally purchased the property situated at No.5 Lodge Road in Kano State at the sum of N39, 000,000.00 (thirty nine million naira) from one Alakhillau Enterprises which is operated by Adamu Muhammed.

    Wudah said Garunbaba is a public servant on fixed annual salary whose lawful income was not used to purchase the property described.

    He said the assets were purchased at the time Garunbaba was receiving and diverting funds paid as DTA by the FIRS to him and his colleagues.

  • US Vice President, JD Vance, wife visit Greenland amid annexation tensions

    US Vice President, JD Vance, wife visit Greenland amid annexation tensions

    U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced that he would accompany his wife, Usha Vance, on her planned visit to Greenland later this week.

    “There is so much excitement around Usha’s visit to Greenland this Friday that I decided I didn’t want her to have all that fun by herself, so I’m going to join her.

    I’ll be visiting some of our guardians in the Space Force on the northwest coast of Greenland, and also just checking out what’s going on with the security there,’’ JD Vance said in a video posted on X.

    He went on to mention the Pituffik Space Base, a significant U.S. military installation in Greenland.

    Originally, Usha’s travel plans included visits to historic sites and participation in a traditional dog-sledding race.

    However, the White House announced a change in the itinerary, canceling the dog sled race and replacing it with a meeting with U.S. military officials.

    “Speaking for U.S. President Donald Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important for protecting the security of the entire world,’’ JD Vance stated.

    Trump has repeatedly mentioned wanting to assert control over Greenland, citing national and international security concerns.

    However, Greenland’s politicians and most of its population oppose the idea of it becoming a U.S. territory.

    In a related development, the Greenland government denied claims made by Trump that a U.S. delegation, including Usha Vance, had been invited to the island.

    The government in Nuuk clarified that no official or private invitation had been extended.

    Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticized the visit, emphasizing that Greenland did not welcome such a gesture.

    She noted that both Greenland and Denmark were under undue pressure but would stand firm.

    Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., had previously visited Nuuk earlier this year, further drawing attention to the tense relationship between Greenland and the U.S.

  • 2024 deadliest for migrants in Asia – IOM

    2024 deadliest for migrants in Asia – IOM

    The UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says 2024 marks the deadliest on record for migrants in Asia.

    It said 2,514 lives were lost on the region’s perilous migration routes.

    The latest figure represents a staggering 59 per cent increase from the 1,584 deaths recorded in 2023.

    This highlights the worsening dangers faced by people on the move, according to new data from IOM.

    “No one should lose their life in pursuit of safety or a better future,” Iori Kato, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, said.

    “Every life lost on migration routes in Asia, or anywhere else, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and regular migration pathways,” Kato said.

    He also emphasised that, “these are preventable tragedies.”

    The spike in migrant deaths was linked to two of the region’s most vulnerable populations: the minority Muslim Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Afghans escaping conflict and instability.

    “The increase in deaths across Asia of people fleeing conflict and persecution in the region is of grave concern,” Kato said.

    In 2024, at least 1,517 Afghan migrants lost their lives while in transit – up 39 per cent from 2023.

    Deaths among Rohingya migrants more than doubled, reaching 889 compared to 436 the previous year.

    On August 5, 2024 alone, over 150 people were reportedly killed by artillery fire while attempting to cross the Naf River from Myanmar to Bangladesh.

    IOM also highlighted that the risks facing migrants extended beyond conflict-related violence.

    Many are vulnerable to perilous conditions en route, including overcrowded and unsafe boats, abuse by smugglers and extreme weather conditions.

    Lack of identification of migrants was also a major concern, with over 1,000 of those who died in 2024 unidentified.

    Among the documented deaths, 1,086 were men, 205 were women and 217 children.

    “A lack of official reporting of data on missing migrants means we know our data do not fully capture the true number of lives lost during migration in Asia.

    “And even within the records we have, so few identifying details are known, meaning there are immeasurable effects on families searching for lost relatives,” he said.

    Migration in Asia is complex, driven by economic inequality, conflict and environmental factors, worsened by climate change.

    However, limited legal pathways have forced many to rely on irregular and highly dangerous routes.

    One of the deadliest corridors remains the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, where stateless Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants embark on treacherous sea journeys in search of refuge.

    Rohingya Refugees

    Many pay smugglers for passage, only to find themselves trapped on overcrowded boats with insufficient food and water.

    They also face violence from crew members and the risk of being turned away at their destination.

    Meanwhile, overland migration routes across South and Southeast Asia – such as those from Nepal to India, or from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Iran and Turkey – also pose serious risks.

    Migrants frequently endure extreme environmental conditions as well as exploitation by traffickers, and border violence.

    Sea crossings to Australia, once a significant migration route, had sharply declined in recent years due to strict border controls, according to IOM.

    While official data on boat interceptions remains scarce, the closure of this route had left many stranded in transit countries.

    The result is that they are left with little access to healthcare, education or legal protection, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.

  • Scientist urges FG to tackle poverty, hunger for improved health

    Scientist urges FG to tackle poverty, hunger for improved health

    Dr Livinus Abonyi, a Medical Imaging Scientist challenges the Federal Government to tackle poverty and hunger if it hopes to reduce pervasive ill health in the country.

    Abonyi, a Lecturer in the Department of Medical Radiography, University of Lagos, made the call in an interview on Monday in Lagos.

    He said that poverty contributes to ill health, which in turn aggravates the level of poverty.

    The medical scientist expressed concern over Nigeria’s growing food security challenges.

    He attributes the growing food challenge to climate change, economic instability, limited access to quality agricultural inputs, and market constraints for smallholder farmers.

    According to him, such a trend ends up having adverse effects on the country’s health indices.

    He said over 40 per cent of Nigerians below the poverty line and nearly 20 per cent of children under five suffer chronic malnutrition, based on 2020 World Bank Report.

    “Urgent action is needed to build resilient food systems to improve the nation’s health indices.

    “Living in poverty can have a devastating effect on health; and poor health leads to poverty.

    “Good leadership, strong partnerships, and targeted investment will change this trajectory to bridge the gaps with smart solutions,” he said

    The Nigerian setting where more than five people live in a room apartment thereby contributing to the spread of airborne diseases compounds the situation, he added.

    The causes of poor health for millions globally include political, social and economic injustice.

    Dr. Ahonyi added that poverty was both a cause and a consequence of poor health.

    He added that poverty increases the chances of poor health and poor health, in turn, traps communities in poverty.

    “The World Bank recognises the relationship between economic development and health.

    “It also recognises that the poor health indices in most developing countries are as a result of entrapment in a vicious circle of unrelieved poverty.

    “Therefore, for our economy to be more vibrant, we need to pay more attention to the health and welfare of the population and of course the health sector,” he said.

    The scientist explained that, to improve on the poor health indices, healthcare policies must be inclusive of all socio-economic strata.

    Tackling the structural causes of poverty and poor health, he argued, requires adopting measures to address inequality and injustice by the government.

    “There must be universal basic healthcare coverage and provision of health insurance to Nigerians, especially the rural community dwellers.

    “Reducing poverty, improving nutrition and making sure people have access to safe water and sanitation, as well as strengthening national health systems, is of the utmost importance.

    “Otherwise, tackling one particular threat simply leaves people open to another deadly disease soon afterward,’’ Abonyi said.

  • Kogi Central commence recall process of erstwhile favorite senator

    Kogi Central commence recall process of erstwhile favorite senator

    Some registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District on Monday submitted a petition to commence the recall process of their erstwhile favourite Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    The petition was submitted at Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The constituents, in a letter signed by the Lead Petitioner, Salihu Habib, declared that they no longer have confidence in Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan currently serving a 6-month suspension.

    In a sudden turn of events the registers voters said they no longer want Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as their senator and representative in the National Assembly.

    The petitioners, under the aegis of Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, urged INEC to act with urgency and impartiality in processing the petition.

    “We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian senate.

    “In particular, this petition for the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions,’’ the petitioners stated.

    They said that the petition arose from the constituents’ loss of confidence in the senator on grounds of gross misconduct in the senate, abuse of office, evasion of due process and lack of respect for the presiding officer.

    According to them, the petition was signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central senatorial district.

    “We hereby demand that INEC immediately commences the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant,’’ the petition stated.

    Speaking with the newsmen after the submission of the petition, the lead petitioner expressed confidence that the process would be the first successful recall process in Nigeria.

    “This will be the first recall that will be successful. The good people of Kogi Central have spoken with one voice.

    “It is simple; we need a credible representative; we need a credible senator who can speak the minds of the good people of Kogi Central,’’ he said.

    Habib denied the allegation that former Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, was the one instigating the recall process.

    “ Bello is not here. Habib is here. Many youths are here. Many women are here. I can’t see Yahaya Bello here,’’ he said.

    A member of the group, Mrs Charity Omole, said that the entire people of Kogi Central senatorial district could not afford not to have a representative in the senate for the next six months.

    “ We have come to recall her so that we can have a representative in the senate because as a people, we cannot afford not to have a representative in the senate arm for another one year.

    “So we are here to tell INEC to please follow the constitutional process so that her recall process can begin; that is why we are here,’’ she said.

    Omole said that the group had more than the required number of petitioners to begin the recall process.

    She denied being bankrolled by anybody, saying: “We are the ones who voted her and we are saying we don’t want her anymore.’’

    Another petitioner, Hamza Yakubu, urged INEC to speedily swing into action and review the petition submitted to it on the commencement of the recall process, in line with the provisions of the constitution.

    Yakubu also urged the people of the senatorial district to be calm as the recalling process continued.

    “My message to the people of Kogi Central is for us to begin to understand that politics and good governance are things that should be driven by logic and not emotion.

    “ We’ve seen a whole lot of things happening and we’ve seen the messages that are not appropriate that have been circulated. But the fact remains that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.

    “At the moment, what we are doing is what is right because we are doing what the constituents want from us; we are representing the constituents at the moment and what we are doing is right.

    “So for now, my message to our people is to be calm. This recall process will be successful, just as everybody anticipated,’’ Yakubu said.

    As at the time of filing this report, no official reaction had been made by INEC over the submission of the petition.

  • Gov. Fubara urges Rivers people to remain peaceful, law-abiding 

    Gov. Fubara urges Rivers people to remain peaceful, law-abiding 

    Gov. Siminilayi Fubara of Rivers, has urged the citizens in the state to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the face of the  state of emergency declared in the state.

    Fubara made the remark in a statewide address on Tuesday in Port Harcourt after the pronouncement of emergency rule on the state by President Bola Tinubu.

    He said that his administration had been guided by ‘’his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty’’ since his assumption of office as the Governor of Rivers.

    Fubara said that he had prioritised the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of the state.

    “Even in the face of the political impasse, we have remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else.

    “This was why, immediately after Mr. President’s intervention to broker peace, we did not hesitate to implement the agreed terms in good faith, including welcoming back commissioners who had previously resigned on their own volition.

    According to him, they moved swiftly to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement immediately he received the certified true copy of the judgement to return the state to normalcy.

    He stated that these steps were taken not for personal gains but to foster peace, unity and stability in our dear state.

    “Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult,” he explained.

    He expressed that the priorities of his administration remained the security of lives and property and advancing the well-being and prosperity of Rivers people.

    Fubara noted that though there was political disagreements in the state, good governance had continued, salaries were being paid, and great projects executed to move the state forward.

    He stated that in all, the state was safe, secured and peaceful under his watch.

    Fubara said that Rivers people had always been resilient people, and would continue to face the situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process.

    “We will engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong and the Rivers State continues to thrive,” Fubara said.

    President  Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for the state due to the unabated political crisis bedeviling the state.

    He, however, appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas to administer the state after suspending Gov. Siminalaye Fubara and his Deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu as well as the elected members of the state Assembly.

  • Rivers group gives condition for Fubara’s impeachment

    Rivers group gives condition for Fubara’s impeachment

    As a faction of the state assembly moves for his removal, the Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) said another Ijaw must succeed him if Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.

    The group’s Director General, Johnson Georgewill, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday that the arrangement would ensure that the Ijaw people completed their tenure.

    He stated that replacing Fubara with another Ijaw governor would ensure equity and fairness for the Ijaw people.

    Georgewill noted that the RRM, loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had worked tirelessly to ensure an Ijaw candidate emerged as governor in 2023.

    According to him, the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has a constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over the Executive Arm of Government.

    “RRM believes that Gov. Fubara has committed several impeachable offences.

    “If the RSHA eventually decides to impeach him, we appeal to our leader, Wike, to consider another Ijaw man as governor.

    “This appeal is based on the principles of equity, fairness, and justice, ensuring that Ijaw people complete their tenure in office,” he said.

    Georgewill backed Wike’s position that it was unacceptable for individuals to threaten to destroy pipelines if Fubara were removed from office.

    He emphasised that Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers state Houses of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against any governor found guilty of an impeachable offence.

    “Threats of violence and unguarded statements cannot override what the laws stipulates,” Georgewill added.

    The RRM director general further stated that, aside from Bayelsa, the Ijaw people could not singlehandedly produce a governor in Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Rivers states.

    He praised the FCT minister for his unwavering commitment and contributions to the development of Rivers.

    “RRM stands 100 per cent in support of the statements made by the leader of Rivers State politics, Wike, during his recent media engagement,” Georgewill concluded.

  • Human  trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 2 young boys  in A’Ibom 

    Human  trafficking: NAPTIP rescues 2 young boys  in A’Ibom 

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued two young boys from Akwa Ibom.

    Nigerian Anchor checks reveal that the boys were trafficked to Taraba for labour exploitation.

    The Uyo Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mr. Emmanuel Awhen, disclosed this in Uyo on Monday.

    According to Awhen, the agency received a complaint about the disappearance of two boys, 16-year-old Abasifreke Okon and 17-year-old Precious Ene, who live with their parents in Uyo metropolis.

    Ene was accused of luring Okon away, leading to his mother, Mrs. Grace Ene, being reported to the Paramount Ruler of Uyo.

    The traditional ruler subsequently handed her over to NAPTIP for investigation.

    Through inquiries, it was discovered that a man identified as Christian Gombe had traveled to Uyo and persuaded the boys to work for him in Taraba without their parents’ consent.

    “Upon receiving the complaint, we immediately contacted our NAPTIP office in Taraba and alerted them about the incident,” Awhen said.

    READ ALSO: Africa at cross roads: power, progress and the AI revolution

    “The search for the boys began, and Gombe was contacted. Realising that NAPTIP was involved, he volunteered to return the boys immediately.

    “We received a call from the Paramount Ruler of Uyo about the case, and we sent our officers to bring the woman (Mrs Grace Ene) to our office.

    “She was detained, and we communicated with our Taraba office. In the process, we obtained the contact details of the man who trafficked the boys.

    “Our men in Taraba instructed him to take the boys to the NAPTIP office there, and upon hearing this, he immediately complied and returned them to us,” Awhen explained.

    Narrating their ordeal, Precious Ene said they met Christian Gombe at a BetNaija outlet along Nwaniba Road, where he offered them jobs in Taraba.

    “On Feb. 12, Gombe returned with tickets for us to travel to Taraba, where he promised we would work for him.

    “We arrived on Feb. 13, and he provided accommodation for us. We then started selling building materials for him,” Ene recounted.

    However, he added that they were not paid any money until they were returned to Uyo to reunite with their parents on March 14.

    READ ALSO: 25-year old man hangs self in Ogun Forest

    The boys expressed gratitude to NAPTIP for their rescue, stating that they were uncomfortable staying in Taraba.

    NAPTIP advises to parents

    Awhen urged parents and guardians to be cautious about individuals offering their children opportunities for a “better life,” warning that they could end up in child labour or prostitution.

    He also advised traffickers to desist from such acts, emphasising that both the state and country were cracking down on human trafficking.

    Awhen encouraged victims, parents, and the general public to reach out to NAPTIP for assistance through the following helplines: 08069539747, 08023574406, and 08035961835.