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Tag: Abuja

  • ‘WHAHALA DE’: Fuel scarcity hits FCT as NARTO stops lifting products

    ‘WHAHALA DE’: Fuel scarcity hits FCT as NARTO stops lifting products

    Long queues have resurfaced on Monday, February 19, at Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) halted tanker operations, citing unsustainable high costs.

    The association has notified the Federal Government and Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria of its plan to suspend operations.

    Monitoring the petrol market on Monday morning, The Nation observed that most petrol stations have shutdown.

    The few Independent marketers who opened to customers dispensed the product for between N648 to N670 per litre.

    The few Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail outlets that were opened sold the product for N617 per litre amid endless queues.

    Besides, black marketers sold 1litre for N850 in plastic containers.

    Meanwhile, the NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, who spoke with a national daily on phone confirmed that the enforcement of the suspension of operation has just begun.

    He said it will culminate in complete stoppage of the haulage of the product.

    Details shortly…

  • How Air Force general foiled ‘one chance’ robbery, rescues victims in Abuja

    How Air Force general foiled ‘one chance’ robbery, rescues victims in Abuja

    A serving officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore John Ijudigal, has foiled a ‘one-chance’ robbery and kidnap attempt in Wuse, Abuja.

    The officer ensured the arrest of the three suspected robbers and the rescue of the two female victims.

    A statement by the NAF Spokesman, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Saturday in Abuja, said that the incident occurred on Feb. 14 along Accra Road, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at about 7.28 pm.

    “As the senior officer was commuting home in his staff car after work, he suddenly came across a distressing scene.

    “Air Commodore Ijudigal saw an Abuja-painted taxi, a Mazda 323, with registration BWR 232 XB, reversing on high speed, with terrified passengers inside screaming for help.

    “In pursuit of the taxi was a black Toyota Land Cruiser.

    “Instinctively, Ijudigal immediately joined in the pursuit by using his official vehicle to block the escape route of the criminals.

    “The driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, in a state of panic, then collided with Air Commodore Idjudigal’s official vehicle, resulting in significant damage to both cars.

    “The impact caused the ‘one-chance’ vehicle to skid into a nearby garden.

    “Following the collision, Air Commodore Ijudigal promptly exited his vehicle and chased after one of the occupants of the ‘one-chance’ taxi, who had fled into a nearby bush.

    “With the assistance of onlookers gathered at the accident scene, the driver of the ‘one-chance’ vehicle, along with two other suspects, a male and a female, were apprehended while two female victims were rescued,” he said.

    Gabkwet said the senior officer subsequently contacted the police and personally ensured that the three criminals were handed over to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Benneth Igweh, at his office.

    According to Gabkwet, the commissioner of police commended the officer for his courage.

    He said the intervention did not only foiled a robbery and kidnapping attempt, but also helped to apprehend the suspected criminals.

    Similarly, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan AbAbubakar, hailed Ijudigal for his bravery and selfless service.

    Air Commodore Ijudigal is the Deputy Director of Logistics at the Defence Headquarters.

  • FCCPC reopens Sahad supermarket previously sealed for extorting customers

    FCCPC reopens Sahad supermarket previously sealed for extorting customers

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has reopened the head office of Sahad supermarket previously sealed for customers extortion and lack of transparency in prices fixing.

    The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

    Abdullahi said the reopening followed a mutual understanding and commitment from the store to implement transparent pricing practices.

    He said the Commission was aware that similar practices might be happening at other Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) outlets nationwide.

    Abdullahi advised supermarkets or outlets engaging in customers extortion to desist from such practices immediately to avoid consequences.

    ”Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times.

    ”The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights.

    ”The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices.

    ”Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.

    ”The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment,” the acting executive vice chairman said.

    The Commission had on Friday sealed the supermarket for customers extortion and lack of transparency in prices.

  • FCCPC seals Sahad supermarket in Abuja

    FCCPC seals Sahad supermarket in Abuja

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has sealed off the head office of Sahad supermarket/stores over customers extortion and lack of transparency in prices.

    Dr Adamu Abdullahi, the Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, while sealing off the premises in Abuja on Friday, said the act was an obnoxious practice which amounted to violation of rights under the FCCPAct.

    He said the practice contravened Section 155 (3) of the FCCPA and the fine amounted to N100 million or more.

    ”What we have found out that they are doing is misleading pricing and lack of transparency in their pricing which is against section 155 (3) of the FCCPAct.

    ”It is an obnoxious practice and amounts to violation of rights under the FCCPA.

    ”Section 155 of FCCPA states that any corporate person that contravenes this law is liable to a fine of N100 million or even more.

    ”We found out that they are contravening this law and made sure that we came to tell them that our mandate is very clear.

    ”What we have come here today to do is to make sure that they complied with the law.

    ”We called them to defend themselves but they failed to show up and in the long run, they sent a lawyer and the lawyer is not familiar with the case but we requested for names of people that we wanted to come and defend them.

    ”Those people refused to come and these are the people in charge of retail, fix prices on the computer system and shelves.

    ”We do not have a choice than to seal off the premises until they comply with the provisions of the law,” Abdullahi said.

    He said that the Commission would continue to protect the citizens in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda.

    The acting executive vice chairman said the Commission would continue to monitor the supermarket to make sure they complied with the law.

    Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, the Director Surveillance and Investigations Department of FCCPC, said that price tags on products on the shelves of the supermarket were different from prices at the pay point computers.

    Adeyinka said that even the same products and brand had different prices.

    ”The same products, the same brand has different prices. One is N5,000 while one is N6,000.

    ”Imagine if you buy 10 pairs, that means you have been short-changed by N10,000.

    ”In this period, we want people to have maximum value for their money,” she said.

    Mr Salisu Zango, an official of Sahad Supermarket, admitted that the store had engaged in the practice but had since made amends.

    ”We have corrected it,” he said.

    The supermarket premises was sealed off to avoid customers’ access.

  • NSCDC arrests 46 suspected criminals in FCT

    NSCDC arrests 46 suspected criminals in FCT

    Operatives of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested 46 suspected criminals in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, said while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that 42 male suspects were intercepted while on transit from Zamfara, and four others in possession of stolen armoured cables.

    “Because of their number, my men had to seek the intervention of the Army to aid in the successful arrest of the suspects.

    “We suspect they are fleeing the ongoing onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara as they all claimed to have migrated from the state,” he said.

    According to Odumosu, the suspects have after interrogation, claimed to be on their way to a mining site when they were intercepted.

    “In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.

    “At the time of interception, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggested they had a sinister motive.

    “They were in possession of their personal belongings and some other weapon,” he said.

    The commandant, however, said the suspects have been cooperating with the corps in its investigation.

    Odumosu added that the operatives had arrested 27-year-old Bartholomew Anthony, a vigilante group member, in Mabushi area of the FCT in possession of stolen amoured cables, a hacksaw, jack knife, handset and N20,000 cash.

    He said that the suspect gave useful statement that led to the arrest of his three accomplices.

    The commander added that the suspect was allegedly using his membership of a private security outfit to commit heinous acts.

    The commander assured residents that the corps would continue to make the FCT safe from criminal elements.

    He appealed to the public to report all suspicious persons and promised to keep the details of such informants discreet, as security is everyone’s business.

  • Hoodlums attack NAFDAC officials in Abuja

    Hoodlums attack NAFDAC officials in Abuja

    Some hoodlums on Monday attacked officials of NAFDAC who were on enforcement operation against substandard drugs in Abuja.

    The officials were attacked by the hoodlums during a raid at Area 1 motor park.

    The hoodlums harassed the enforcement officers including mobile policemen, and stoned  the Agency’s vehicle, breaking its windscreen.

    It took the effort of police officers, who shot into the air several times, and released teargas to disperse the hoodlums before journalists and the NAFDAC officers could scamper for safety.

    The team leader, Mr Umar-Ahmed Suleiman, an  Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said the raid followed intelligence received by the Agency of high volume of substandard drugs in the park.

    “This exercise that we just conducted today at Area 1 motor park is as a result of intelligence report received from DSS in 2023, although we have done some part of it then, we are trying to conclude the operation.

    “You can see a lot of drug hawkers relaxed selling their products and people patronising them, that was why we raided the place.

    “What happened is a normal thing to us in the investigation and enforcement unit of NAFDAC.

    “That is why anytime we are going, we go with our armed mobile police officers, and Investigative Police Officers in case of any arrest.

    “On our arrival here today, we swung into action but to my surprise, we have not even done half of the work, when the drug hawkers all absconded, not knowing that they were re-enforcing against NAFDAC.

    “They came back in full force, attacking us, you can see our vehicle how they broke the glass, throwing stones on us.

    “Thank God for the gunshot and teargas released on them and we had to leave the scene,” he said.

    Suleiman, however, said that the enforcement unit would reenforce, prepare more, do the needful.

    He said in spite of the attack, the enforcement team was able to seize some controlled drugs including Rohypnol, Dizapam, Tramadol 500mg, Tramadol 225mg, Cocodamol and so many other afrodisiac with some codeine syrups.

    According to him, the value of the drug seized is more than N5 million.

    “Area 1 motor park is a troublesome area for substandard drug sales and the enforcement unit will be going back there to complete the operation,” he said.

  • Police arrest 307 criminal suspects in Abuja

    Police arrest 307 criminal suspects in Abuja

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has raided some criminal hideouts along the Dei-Dei-Zuba axis of the territory and arrested 307 suspects.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh, said this during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that the suspects, consisting of 293 males and 14 females, were arrested when he led the tactical team of the command to raid the hideouts on Sunday.

    Igweh said the team was made up of personnel of the newly-inaugurated “Operation Velvet”, initiated to raid marked black spots in the territory.

    The CP said the suspects were arrested in a marked black spot, “Gidan Dambe”, in the Dei-Dei-Zuba axis, where kidnappers from Niger, Kaduna, and other communities usually meet to relax.

    He said one English Pistol with 15 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from one of the suspects who claimed to be personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Igweh said pistols, motorcycles, drugs of different makes, illicit substances, suspected to be Indian hemp, handsets of different makes, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.

    He said that valuables suspected to have been stolen from innocent residents were also recovered.

    The CP said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of screening and investigation.

    Igweh warned those operating illegal “Gidan Dambe” in the FCT to desist from harbouring criminals or be ready to face the law.

  • NDLEA intercepts N125.71m worth of illicit drugs in FCT

    NDLEA intercepts N125.71m worth of illicit drugs in FCT

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 7,345.209 kilograms of illicit drugs and substances worth N125.71 million in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The NDLEA Commander in the territory, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa, said in an interview on Sunday in Abuja that the illicit drugs were intercepted in 2023.

    Tsakuwa named the various drugs intercepted as Marijuana, Cocaine, Diazepam, Methamphetamine, Rohypnol, Tramadol, Pentazocine, Heroin, Megadon, and Ecstasy among others.

    Giving breakdown of the seizures, the commander said a total of 7, 138.72kg of marijuana was intercepted by operatives of the agency within the period under review.

    He said other drugs seized in 2023 included 0.5kg of Cocaine; Diazepam, 29.629kg; Methamphetamine, 4.587kg; Rohyphol, 5.934kg, and 133.753kg of Tramadol.

    Tsakuwa added that the rest of the illicit drugs intercepted were Pentazocine weighing 21.727kg; Heroin, 0.002kg; Megadon, 0.263kg, and Ecstasy, 0.134kg.

    “All the illicit drugs and substances intercepted were with the street value of N125, 714, 620 million,” he said.

    The NDLEA commander said 640 suspects comprising 614 males and 26 females were arrested within the period under review.

    Tsakuwa said out of the number, 295 of the suspects were charged to court and 201 of them were convicted while 264 cases are pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    On rehabilitation, he said that within the year under review, 175 drug users were counseled and helped back into the society out of which, 172 were males and three were females.

     

  • Police raid kidnappers den in Abuja, many neutralised

    Police raid kidnappers den in Abuja, many neutralised

    The Police on Saturday said its operatives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT),  raided kidnappers camp and neutralised many in Mpape area of Abuja.

    A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in Abuja said the camp was raided at about 2:40am on Feb. 9 following intelligence report.

    He said the successful operation that led to the killing and elimination of many notorious kidnappers, including a kingpin was conducted around Mpape area.

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

    “The armed bandits engaged the police operatives in a gun battle that lasted for about 30 minutes, which left many of the bandits fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds.

    “This significant achievement followed the neutralising of another kingpin of the syndicate on Feb. 8, who served as a lead to their hideout,” he said.

    He said the recently neutralised kingpin was the mastermind of  numerous kidnappings for ransom activities plaguing areas including Mpape and Bwari in FCT, Kagarko in Kaduna, Masaka and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State.

    According to him, his modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets and mobilising armed gangs to carry out abductions for ransom.

    He said the successful raid on their hideout, situated in the outskirts of Mpape Hills, was conducted through a surprise assault, resulting in the elimination of the notorious criminals.

    Adejobi said items recovered from the hideout were mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, charms and hard drugs, which were crucial pieces of evidence aiding ongoing investigations.

    He said efforts were being intensified to recover additional arms and ammunition, as well as other equipment being used by the criminals for their nefarious operations.

    Adejobi said the Nigeria Police would remain resolute in its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

    He said the force would continue to employ proactive measures to dismantle criminal networks, and bringing perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice against all odds.

  • Police arrest 6 robbery suspects in Abuja

    Police arrest 6 robbery suspects in Abuja

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has arrested six suspected armed robbers in the Utako area of Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, on Friday in Abuja.

    According to her ,the suspects were arrested on Feb. 7 during a coordinated  operation.

    She said the suspects were arrested in an uncompleted hospital building, marked as a black spot in Utako Village by operatives from Utako Divisional Headquarters.

    Adeh said a locally made pistol, two live cartridges and wraps of substances, suspected to be marijuana, were recovered from the suspects.

    She said the suspects were all from neighbouring states bordering the FCT.

    According to her, further investigation about the recovered ammunition, led to the arrest of the leader of the robbery syndicate, who is  an ex-convict.

    She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Benneth Igweh, had pledged the unwavering commitment of the command to making Abuja a hell for criminals and ensure safety of all.

    The CP urged residents to report suspicious activities to the command through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.