TheNewsGuru

Tag: Arms

  • Renewed attacks: FG orders $877m arms to fight Boko Haram, others

    Indications emerged over the weekend that out of the $1 billion approved by the National Assembly for the procurement of military equipment, $877 million has been released.

    There has been some controversy over the whereabouts of the money.

    Immediately after the Metele, Borno State attacks on the military last month, the controversy got bigger. Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said the military had not received such cash from the government to boost the anti-Boko Haram and other campaigns.

    However, reliable sources confirmed that $496,374,470 was released from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States. The payment has been made.

    Besides, $380,513,958.71 was released (as first tranche) for the procurement of critical equipment for the Army, the Navy and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), a source said.

    These releases along with other deductions may have contributed to the depletion of the ECA from $3.502 billion in January to $631 million in December 2018.

    Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed attributed the “rapid” depletion of the ECA to payments made to the military as approved by the National Assembly.

    A source in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) confirmed said $876m had since been released to the military. But the source did not give the exact date when the payout was made.

    The source also disclosed that the ECA had an opening balance of $3.502 billion in January 2018, made up of $2.451 billion as balance brought forward on the January 1, 2018 and additional inflows of $1.052 billion.

    In the course of the year, the source said that $1.761 billion was withdrawn from the ECA as refund to state governments for Paris Club deductions made in the past from the state governments accounts. Besides, $0.233 million was withdrawn and paid to state governments as grants to fund their Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) obligations.

    These deductions brought the ECA down to over $600 million balance as at the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja.

    Gen Buratai did not categorically say how much the military was expecting from the government but said that the government had not released funds to the military to effectively prosecute the war against insurgents across the country.

    A member of the Senate Committee on Defence said it was not aware that the fund had been released.

    He spoke of how some members of the committee made inquiries, but were not told that part of the $1 billion had been released.

    He said: “We are actually in the dark as far as the issue is concerned. It is an important issue. When the Chief of Army Staff said they had not received the money as approved by the National Assembly, some of us made enquiries.

    “May be because of the security nature of the fund, the authorities may not want details of the releases to be known. We will definitely follow up, although it may not be for public consumption because of the security implications.”

    “We may have to invite relevant authorities to brief us,” the senator, who did not want his identity disclosed, told one of our reporters.

    The House of Representatives is investigating the whereabouts of the $1 billion appropriated for the procurement of arms and equipment in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast and general insecurity.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of $1 billion for the procurement of security equipment.

     

  • FAAN aviation security personnel to start bearing arms in three months — Minister

    Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, says Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will start bearing arms within the next three months.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Sirika made the disclosure on Thursday at the 5th Aviation Stakeholders Forum in Abuja.

    “Within the next three months, we will get the FAAN AVSEC to start bearing arms like their counterparts in the Transportation Security Agency of the United States, ” he said.

    The minister recalled the Turkish Airline incident in 2016 where some aggrieved passengers overpowered AVSEC officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and gained access to the tarmac.

    Mr Sirika also cited the recent occurrence at Sokoto Airport where some political supporters forcefully entered the tarmac, stressing that these actions were clear security breaches.

    He said the personnel would be provided with new uniforms, sniffer dogs and other things that would enable them discharge their responsibilities of securing and safe guarding airline officials, passengers and other airport users.

    “So, for us, our focus is to ensure that we are secured and safe. Aviation is not just about building terminals because safety is one of the most critical aspect,” Mr Sirika noted.

    The minister said Nigeria scored 96.45 per cent in the last International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Security Audit.

    He said the country also attained level three out of the four levels of ICAO Safety Audit, thereby moving it from red to green which was a good way of attracting investors to the sector.

    Mr Sirika said the Federal Government had consolidated on these achievements by the successful Certification of the Abuja and Lagos airports as well as the ongoing processes to certify the Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu airports.

    Earlier, Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, noted that the forum was aimed at interacting with the various stakeholders in the aviation industry and how to address the prevailing challenges.

  • NASS Invasion: Reps Want Assembly Security to bear Firearms

    NASS Invasion: Reps Want Assembly Security to bear Firearms

    By Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
    Following the invasion of the National Assembly by the Department of State Security DSS in early August this year, the House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to empower the Sergent-at Arms its security outfit to bear arms for the purposes of securing the legislative institution.
    This followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Osai N Osai (Delta,PDP) titled: “Urgent Need to Address the Desecration and Security Challenges on the Invasion of National Assembly by Security Operatives” on the floor of the House.
    Osai while debating the motion recalled the recent invasion of the National Assembly on August 7, 2018 by masked and hooded armed security operatives of the Department of State Security DSS, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
    He further noted that prior to the invasion, there was massive defection of lawmakers on both the Senate and House of Representatives from one political party to another.
    He hinted that key institutions of national security in Nigeria have over the Years been partisan and acting disgracefully.
    The lawmaker averred that the resultant effect of these actions is a desecration of the alter of law making and the hallowed precincts of the National Assembly is gradually being eroded of legislative independence.
    The PDP member also expressed worries that Executive intimidation subsists and asked that legislative institutions do address the security challenges posed by incessant abuses of the Executive power.
    He also stated that there is the need to train the Sergent-At-Arms its security outfit for the purposes of bearing firearms and other self defence mobile electronic devices.
    Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon.Yakubu Dogara adopted the motion with a voice vote.
    Dogara approved that the Presidency grant a licence for the use of firearms by officers in the Sergeant-At-Arms of the National Assembly.
    He also mandated the House Committee on Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to liase with the Presidency and report back to the House within 4 weeks for further legislative action.

  • Edo police arrest graduate with arms

    Edo police arrest graduate with arms

    The Edo State police said they have arrested a graduate of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms.
    The suspect, identified as one Wilson Iriajien Edo, who claimed to be an international businessman, was also alleged to have been found in possession of a wrapped substance suspected to be India hemp.
    The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Iheanacho, disclosed that one double-barrel gun, marked MBDT 5870; and two English pump-action, guns, marked T587013- 0216 and P630882, were recovered from the suspect.
    Other items include an Apple laptop and three international passports.
    Iheanacho, however, added that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded.
  • Customs intercepts 200,000 ammunition in Niger

    Customs intercepts 200,000 ammunition in Niger

    The Area Command of the Nigeria Customs in Minna has intercepted a truck load of 200,000 live ammunition, the Comptroller, Benjamin Binga has disclosed.

    The Area Command comprises of Kogi, Kwara and Niger states.

    The Onitsha-bound truck was intercepted along the Wawa-Babana border on its way into the country from Benin Republic at about 3am on Monday.

    Two suspects, the driver, Bukari Dauda and the owner of the cartridges, Martin Anokwara, were apprehended along with the consignment when the vehicle, an Iveco Truck with Lagos registration number AKD 904 XE was intercepted.

    Mr Binga said that the truck on the surface was supposed to be carrying over 100 empty gerrycans, but after thorough search by men of the command, a false bottom which was used to hide the cartridges was discovered.

    “The checking was not from tip off, it was just out of sheer curiosity that my men decided to do a thorough checking and discovered that unlike other bottoms of trucks, this one had nuts and on removing the nuts, they discovered it was a false bottom which revealed the cartridges.

    “The cartridges are numbering thousands, it would take us hours to count it. We are now working to establish what the cartridges are really meant for and who sent them to bring it into the country,” he explained.

    The driver of the truck, Bukari Dauda, said during the interrogation that he is from Cotonu in Benin Republic, adding that he was commissioned by the driver, Martin Anokwara, to drive the truck for him to Onitsha.

    Dauda said that he did not know that the truck contained live cartridges as Martin only told him he wanted to take the empty gerrycans back to Nigeria.

    The owner of the cartridges, Martin Anokwara, admitted ownership of the cartridges just as he said that it was not meant for robbery .

    According to him, he supplies hunters and licensed owners of double barrel guns adding that he only sells them in Anambra.

    He said he had to contract Dauda to drive him back to Nigeria because the driver of the truck fell sick.

    Binga said the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigation by the command.

  • FG presents alleged stolen prohibited arms, posh cars recovered from Dasuki

    The Federal Government on Tuesday revealed to the Federal High Court in Abuja, 11 posh cars and some prohibited arms allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of the detained former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, during a search operation by the Department of State Service in July 2015.

    The items were revealed through the Federal Government’s first prosecution witness, William Obiora, an operative with the DSS who was said to be part of the search operation that took place between July 16 and 17, 2015.

    The prosecution said some of the firearms were owned by the Federal Government and belonged to the prohibited class of arms but were allegedly stolen by Dasuki while holding sway as the NSA.

    ‎Dasuki has been in the detention of the DSS for undisclosed offences since December 2015.

    Obiora, who testified behind a shield with his face masked, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi.

    The prosecution through the witness on Tuesday, tendered the search warrant executed on Dasuki’s residence at 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Listed on the search warrant were 29 items allegedly recovered from the house in an operation which the witness said Dasuki personally witnessed.

    Many of the items particularly the firearms were during the Tuesday’s proceedings identified by the witness but yet to be tendered as exhibits.

    Part of the arms allegedly recovered from Dasuki were f‎ive Tavor X95 Assault Rifles, Macro Uzi rifle with serial number 60244; and Luger gun with number 033373.

    The items also included small magazine containing16 rounds of 9mm ammunition and bigger magazine containing 23 life rounds of 9mm ammunition and 36 rounds of live ammunition.

    He said one macro uzi with serial number 60244 and magazine with 16 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from a Range Rover car with registration number ABUJA – RBC 517 JN parked on the premises.

  • Senate summons service chiefs over arms proliferation

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned all Service Chiefs for explanation over proliferation of firearms in the country.

    The upper chamber also mandated its Committee on Intelligence and National Security to conduct thorough investigation into the development to unravel its remote and immediate causes.

    The resolutions were sequel to a motion on “Proliferation of Dangerous Firearms in Nigeria’’ by Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC-Kaduna) at plenary.

    Hunkuyi said that tribal, communal, religious and other sectarian clashes, including farmers/herdsmen crises were now more devastating.

    “This is due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations.

    “This ugly trend has contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens.”

    He explained that the situation was attributable to inability to control the proliferation of firearms within country.

    “The spate of unrest due to proliferation of firearms has negatively impacted on economic and agricultural activities to the extent that due to fear of attacks, law-abiding citizens fear going to the market and farms.”

    In his contribution, Sen. Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna) said the rate and frequency at which people were being killed in the country was evident that there were more firearms than there were tractors.

    “The political class are complicit in the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria,” he said, adding that stakeholders must move fast “to rescue the drift”.

    Sani called for a new national political orientation where people should not see politics as a do-or-die affair, but should see it as an opportunity to serve the people.

    On his part, the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, said “the country is bedevilled by so much insecurity.”

    He said that proliferation of illegal firearms was the major reason why there were many killings in the country.

    The leader called on the service chiefs to find lasting solution to the issue.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that the issue of security in the country was number one concern of all Nigerians.

    He decried the rate of killings and the inadequate and poor response by security agencies to address the menace, and calling for concerted effort to check the trend.

    “People are now going about with weapons as if they are accessories,” Saraki said.

  • Police recover 47 illegal arms, arrest 17 suspects in Akwa Ibom

    The Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom Command, on Saturday said it recovered 47 illegal arms and 172 live ammunition and cartridges across the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Odiko Macdon, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the police headquarters Ikot Akpan-Abia in Uyo.

    Macdon said the recovery was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunition and weapons across the country.

    He said that the arms were recovered from suspected bandits, vigilance group and individuals.

    According to him, arms recovered include three AK 47, one G3 rifle, three Pump action gun, three Single barrelled gun and 37 locally made pistols.

    “Today again, the Commissioner of Police has been able to showcase arms that have been recovered. Most of these arms were returned while some were seized during the mop up operations.

    “A total of three AK 47, one G3 rifle, three Pump action gun, three Single barrel gun and then 37 locally made pistols and over 172 live ammunition and cartridges were recovered,” he said.

    The police spokesman also said that within the month, the command arrested 17 suspects over alleged involvement in different forms of criminalities in the state.

    He said that some of the suspects were arrested for murder, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of fire arms.

    “It is unfortunate and dastardly act when you see a family of three and two connived together and kill their brother and cut his head as you can see there.

    “All the persons so paraded, ranging from cultism, unlawful possession of fire arms, murder and burglary will be charged to court,” he said.

    Macdon said it was the determination of CP Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, to make Akwa Ibom one of the safest states in the country and a destination of choice for tourists.

    He called on Akwa Ibom residents to maintain peace and stay in harmony with one another

  • BREAKING: Buhari offers amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday reiterated his desire to offer amnesty to repentant members of Boko Haram sect willing to surrender their arms and embrace peace.

    The President stated this while receiving the recently released students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said the government is ready to rehabilitate the repentant Boko Haram fighters back to the society.

    He warned politicians politicizing security issues that the situation would no longer be tolerated.

    The President also warned security agencies against any laxity in the discharge of their duties.

    He said those involved in such laxity would be viewed strongly and sanctioned appropriately.

    The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawan Daura, said 105 out of 111 girls abducted by Boko Haram on February 19 were released.

    He said the remaining six girls have not been accounted for.

    According to him, two pupils of Dapchi primary school were also released with the secondary school girls on Wednesday.

  • Buhari, Customs boss set for Turkey over arms smmugling

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) are billed to travel to Turkey for a bilateral meeting with the authorities of Turkish Customs Service.

    According to Deputy Comptroller-General, Aminu Dangaladima, the meeting’s aim is to put an end to the importation of deadly weapons from Turkey.

    It will be recalled that the service last month announced the seizure of 2,671 pump action rifles illegally imported from Turkey into Nigeria.

    Owing to the seizure, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Halal. Cakil, vowed on September 26 that his country would fish out the brains behind the shipping of illegal arms into Nigeria.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, Dangaladima said: “Let me seize this opportunity to impromptu you that we are making progress on investigation into the illegal arms importation.

    “More arrests have been made and the CGC will be on the entourage of Mr. President to Turkey for sideline bilateral meeting with the Turkish customs authorities.

    “This is with the aim of permanently putting an end to such deadly importations from Turkey.”

    He revealed that on October 10, the NCS operatives seized 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles worth N432 million.

    His words: “On Wednesday 10th October, 2017, based on credible intelligence, operatives of the NCS Compliance Team went to two open car stands along Kubwa Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory and evacuated 27 Toyota Hilux pick-up vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country. These vehicles have estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N432 million.”

    He urged the owners of the vehicles to come forward with valid Customs clearance documents, otherwise they will be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the federal government in line with the laws of the land.

    Dangaladima recalled that last month, Ali, while briefing the media on the interception of exotic vehicles, 18 of which were bullet proof, said that the service under his leadership would enforce the powers given in the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) effectively.

    He said that being in possession of smuggled items is an offences under Section 3 of Customs and Excise Act Cap 47 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.