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Category: North Central

  • Parts of Abuja to Experience 7-Hour Blackout

    Parts of Abuja to Experience 7-Hour Blackout

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to experience a seven-hour power outage on Saturday and Sunday.

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said the disruption in electricity supply is due to a scheduled routine maintenance of the 132/33kV 2X100MVA power transformers at the Apo Transmission Substation.

    According to the TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, affected areas include Garki, Asokoro, Lugbe, Airport Road, Gudu, Gaduwa, parts of Lokogoma, Apo, Kabusa, Guzape, and Nepa Junction.

    The maintenance activities are necessary to ensure the reliability and efficiency of power supply in these regions.

    The operations are planned to take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days, with the assurance that power supply will be restored each day by 4 pm.

    This planned power interruption is part of TCN’s ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the nation’s capital and its environs.

    While acknowledging the inconvenience this may cause to residents and businesses in the affected areas, TCN emphasizes the importance of these maintenance works in enhancing the stability and capacity of the power grid.

    Residents and businesses are advised to make necessary preparations to mitigate the impact of the power outage during the specified times.

  • Former Kwara Governor Arraigned In Court For Fraud

    Former Kwara Governor Arraigned In Court For Fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward charges against the immediate past Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed. 

    Ahmed was arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that Ahmed misappropriated the sum of N1,610,730,500.00, originally designated for the security and running costs of the state, to charter private jets during his tenure. 

    The charges include an alleged N10 billion fraud, with Ahmed facing a total of 12 counts.

    One of the counts accused Ahmed of converting N400 million from a N1 billion short-term loan received by the Kwara State Government from Ecobank Nigeria Limited. 

    The EFCC contended that this conversion was done fraudulently, diverting funds intended for ongoing state projects.

    The EFCC’s document stated, “Ahmed (while being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court used an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500, property of Kwara State Government, meant for the security and running cost of the Government of Kwara State, to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited on different occasions for your local travels and which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust or theft.”

    Abdulfattah Ahmed, who served as the state finance commissioner during Dr. Bukola Saraki’s governorship, succeeded Saraki in office and governed Kwara from 2011 to 2019.

  • FCT Police Arrest Notorious Kidnapper, Dahiru Adamu Whom Wike Placed N20 Million Bounty

    FCT Police Arrest Notorious Kidnapper, Dahiru Adamu Whom Wike Placed N20 Million Bounty

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police has arrested a notorious kidnapper, Dahiru Adamu, who is part of the criminals terrorising Abuja and its environs.

    Adamu, whose real name is Saidu Abdulkadir, was arrested on Thursday by the FCT Police Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit when the operatives raided two kidnappers’ camps near the Nasarawa-Abuja border via Kuje area council at about 12am.

    Confirming the arrest, the FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Friday, said on sighting the police, the criminals opened fire but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the Police.

    Adeh added that one Habu Yakubu and Isufu Abubakar, earlier abducted from Kwaita village via Pegi district of Kuje area council, were rescued unhurt during the process.

    The arrested suspect is the gang leader and one of the wanted suspects of the kidnapping syndicate paraded by the Police Command on 14th February, 2024.

    Adeh said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect masterminded the kidnap and killing of one Mr Sunday Yahaya Zakwai, the district head of Ketti village.

    “While effort is till ongoing to apprehend the other wanted suspects on the run, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh psc, mni, wishes to reassure criminals in FCT that there is no hiding place for them. He equally urges residents to report suspicious activities through the following emergency lines ; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883; PCB: 09022222352.”

    The arrest comes a few hours after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced a 20 million naira reward for the capture of the kidnapper.

  • N9 Million Ransom Recovered As Police Arrests Kidnappers In Abuja

    N9 Million Ransom Recovered As Police Arrests Kidnappers In Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has apprehended seven notorious kidnappers in Abuja and recovered a ransom of N9 million.

    CP Benneth Igweh, the police commissioner, announced the arrest of the wanted kidnappers by operatives of the Utako police division in a coordinated operation at Tudun – Wada Lugbe and Pyakasa areas.

    He gave the names of the wanted kidnappers as Usman Muazu from Kwali, FCT, Aliyu Mohammed, from Pumpomare area of Borno state, Awwal Dahiru, who hails from Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, Rabi Sani, from Safana, Katsina state and Madina Abubakar, from Gulu, Lapai local government area of Niger state.

    Others are, Jonah Elimelech from Kauru, Kaduna state, Saminu Idris, from also from Kauru, Kaduna state and Mariji Iliya from Mangu, Plateau state.

    All have confessed to their crimes, providing valuable information for the arrest of other gang members. 

    The police commissioner also mentioned the recovery of weapons, including knives and cutlasses, along with bulletproof vests and charms.

    Additionally, 79 suspects were arrested in raids on various black spots in the FCT, part of the command’s efforts to combat crime in the area.

    “And we speak, the suspects who have been profiled are in custody undergoing interrogation at respective division, while those found wanting will be charge to court,” he said.

  • Police Kill ‘Wanted Notorious Kidnappers,’ Destroy Camps in Abuja

    Police Kill ‘Wanted Notorious Kidnappers,’ Destroy Camps in Abuja

    The fight against insecurity in the nation’s seat of power has again yielded results this time, as the nation’s police authorities say some wanted kidnappers have been neutralized and their camps destroyed in Abuja. 

    These recent feats, according to Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, took place on Friday.

    “In the early hours of February 9, 2024, around 2.40 am, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau – Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), acting on intelligence, successfully attacked, neutralized and eliminated many notorious kidnappers including the kidnapping kingpin identified as Musa Wada (Sabo) Magaji, in an operation conducted around Mpape, Abuja,” a Saturday evening statement from him read.

    “The team also destroyed the camps of the dreaded kidnappers who have been thorns in the flesh of Abuja residents in recent times.”

    Police operatives engaged the criminals in a 30-minute gun battle, the statement added, with several of the kidnappers “fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds”.

    He said the development comes just on the heels of the “neutralization of Abubakar Wada, an associate of Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024, who served as a lead to their hideout.

    “Musa Wada, aka Sabo, was the mastermind behind numerous kidnappings for ransom activities plaguing areas including Mpape and Bwari in the FCT; Kagarko in Kaduna; Masaka, and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State. His modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets and mobilizing armed gangs to carry out abductions for ransom”.

    While noting that the recent operation was carried out by the FIB-IRT “through a surprise assault,” items recovered from the hideout include mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, charms, and hard drugs”.

    “Efforts are on to recover additional arms and ammunition and other equipment they use for their nefarious operations,” the police added, reiterating its commitment to bringing perpetrators of “heinous crimes to justice, against all odds”.

  • TCN Announces Blackout In Abuja

    TCN Announces Blackout In Abuja

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria 
    (TCN) has announced a six-hour power outage on Saturday for residents in parts of the Federal Capital Territory. 

    The outage is necessary for TCN’s maintenance crew to conduct a scheduled annual preventive maintenance on its 132kV line 1 at Gwagwalada and Apo Transmission Substations.

    The maintenance, scheduled from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, will result in a power interruption at the 132/33kV Kukwaba Transmission Substation. Affected areas include Lokogoma, Kabusa Garden, TradeMore, Pyakasa, Aleyita, Chika, Games Village, Stadium, Wuye, Utako, Life Camp, and Idu.

    Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s spokesperson, apologized for any inconvenience caused, assuring customers that power supply would be restored promptly after the maintenance work. 

    “Power supply will be restored as soon as the maintenance work is completed as indicated.

    “We regret any inconveniences this will cause electricity consumers in the affected areas,” the statement read.

    This announcement comes after the TCN Gwagwalada-Kukwaba-Apo 132KV Transmission Line 1 was attacked by suspected vandals in December, prompting the need for repairs.

  • Kwara University deputy bursar dies watching Super Eagles AFCON semi-finals

    Kwara University deputy bursar dies watching Super Eagles AFCON semi-finals

    The Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, on Wednesday night, died while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.

    Nigeria won the match against South Africa by 4-2 goals on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.

    Sources close to the deceased but who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abdullahi went to a sports centre in the Sango area before he started feeling uneasy.

    One of the sources said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a penalty kick.

    “He complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.

    “On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.

    “He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”

    The university’s Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death.

    Aliyu, however, stated that the cause of death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.

     Super Eagles’ Victory: Shettima pledges government reward for AFCON finalists
    “Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus” she said

    A statement by the university said, “This is to announce the death of Mr. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of the Bursary Department.

    “Janazah will be held this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.”

    Also, a former federal lawmaker in Delta State, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, died while watching the Eagles’ match..

    A source close to the politician said, “Cairo Ojougboh, a medical doctor died during the Nigeria vs.South Africa match.

    “The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to a massive heart attack when SA scored.”

    In the same vein, a member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Adamawa State also reportedly died during the game. 

    The corps member identified only as Samuel from Kaduna State, allegedly passed away just before the final kick which secured Nigeria’s win in the match, The Nation reports.

  • Police Denies Involvement In Formation Of Vigilante Group

    Police Denies Involvement In Formation Of Vigilante Group

    The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shehu Umar Nadada, has dismissed claims of the police command’s involvement in the creation of a Fulani Nomad Vigilante team. 

    This comes in response to the recent formation of a 1,144-member security team by the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo.

    During a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, CP Nadada clarified that the command had no prior knowledge of the establishment of the Fulani Nomad Vigilante team and cannot be held responsible for their actions.

    While acknowledging that the police provided security during the inauguration ceremony, CP Nadada emphasized that it was done solely to prevent potential disruptions and maintain law and order.

    Residents had expressed concerns about alleged collaboration between the police and the nomad vigilante group, but the Commissioner affirmed that the police only secured the event venue and had not officially endorsed the vigilante team.

    In his statement, CP Nadada asserted, “We have been working with some vigilante groups that are recognised by the government, but we will not work with any vigilante that is not recognised by the government.”

    The Chairman of the NUJ, Nasarawa State Council, Salihu Alkali, congratulated the CP on his recent posting and pledged cooperation to ensure the success of the police command’s programs.

  • Kwara Governor Vows To Get Justice For Slain Monarch

    Kwara Governor Vows To Get Justice For Slain Monarch

    Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Peter Aremu, the Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti in Ekiti LGA of Kwara state. 

    The traditional ruler was brutally killed during a home invasion by gunmen on Thursday, who also abducted his wife and two others.

    In a statement issued by Rafiu Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to the governor, Abdulrazaq denounced the incident as “reckless, shocking, and abominable.”

    The governor has urged security operatives to swiftly track down the perpetrators, rescue the abducted individuals, and ensure justice is served.

    “We will certainly get the perpetrators and ensure that this is their last crime against humanity,” Governor Abdulrazaq vowed. 

    “My profound condolences go to the people of Koro. Our hearts are broken, and we stand by them at this time and always.”

    This tragic event further compounds the unsettling pattern of attacks on traditional rulers, echoing the broader security challenges facing the nation.

    Just days ago, on January 29, two traditional rulers fell victim to suspected kidnappers in Ekiti state, heightening concerns about the safety of community leaders.

  • Bandits Kidnap FHA Director In Abuja

    Bandits Kidnap FHA Director In Abuja

    Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted Aondo Ver, a director at the Federal Housing Authority in the Federal Capital Territory. 

    The attack occurred around 12:30 am on Thursday merely 200 meters from a military base in Pambara, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

    The assailants, firing indiscriminately, created panic before fleeing through the bushes with their captive. 

    Residents, including serving and retired military personnel, confirmed the incident, expressing shock at the audacity of the bandits given the proximity of a military base.

    Sources revealed that the targeted area, Pambara Extension, housed both civilians and military personnel. 

    The abducted director’s home was located a short distance from the military base known as ‘camp.’ Witnesses reported that despite the military presence, the bandits executed the kidnapping successfully.

    Concerns are escalating over the rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, with residents and authorities expressing growing apprehension. 

    Efforts to obtain comments from the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.