TheNewsGuru

Tag: dss

  • Breaking: DSS release Capital Oil boss, Ifeanyi Ubah

    Breaking: DSS release Capital Oil boss, Ifeanyi Ubah

    The Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, has been released from Department of State Services, (DSS) detention.

    A source very close to the oil tycon told TheNewsGuru.com that he was released yesterday night unconditionally by the security outfit.

    Recall Ubah was arrested detained by the DSS in connection with the theft of petrol kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in his tank farm in Lagos. The product was valued at over N11 billion.

    The agency said Ubah’s action amounted to economic sabotage, with “capacity to negatively impact on national economy”.

    Details soon…

  • DSS warns ethnic groups against hate speeches, misinformation

    The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned all ethnic groups in the country against misinformation and hate speeches, saying they are capable of causing disunity.

    The warning is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Tony Opuiyo, an operative of the service.

    Opuiyo further warned that the service would stop at nothing to deal with any group found culpable in line with its mandate.

    It will be recalled that on June 6, a coalition of Northern youth groups rose from a news conference in Kaduna where it issued an ultimatum for Igbo people living in the North to leave before Oct. 1.

    The coalition also ordered people of Northern extraction living in the South Eastern part of the country to return to the North.

    In response to the quit notice issued to the Igbo, a coalition of Niger Delta militants asked the Federal Government to return all oil blocks owned by northerners to oil producing communities.

    The DSS operative, has therefore, advised all those “charting the course of disunity among Nigerians to desist from their divisive actions.

    “The service is also not oblivious of the efforts of some miscreants to ignite fear and cause ethnic tensions across the country,’’ he said.

    Opuiyo stated that the service condemns in its entirety the issuance of a quit notice to anyone against their wishes.

    “Such relocation order is not only illegal, but strongly viewed to be against the spirit of our constitution, which allows for freedom of movement and association, among other things.

    “The service has already commenced detailed investigation to get the perpetrators of these hate campaigns as well as their sponsors.
    “At the appropriate time all those involved in these condemnable acts will be unmasked and decisively dealt with in line with the laws of the land.’’

    He advised law-abiding citizens to disregard persuasions by these tribal groups to cause disaffection.

    He assured Nigerians that the service would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that those bent on causing a breakdown of law and order were not spared.

    Opuiyo, therefore, called on anyone with useful information to volunteer same to the service or the nearest security agency for prompt action.

  • Full List: DSS releases names of kidnap gangs arrested in 2017

    The Department of State Services, DSS, has made public names of suspected kidnappers arrested in 2017 in collaboration with other security agencies.

    In a statement signed by a DSS spokesperson, Tony Opuiyo on Tuesday, the agency noted that the arrest of gang members of the notorious kidnap kingpins was made possible through its tactical operations.

     

    The statement reads…

    The hunt for the notorious kidnap kingpin, Terwase Akwaza (aka Ghana), led to the arrest of some of his close associates. For instance, on June 9, 2017, the trio of Dondo Orsaa, Terhile Mbaloha and Teryima Ihiambe (aka Clark) were apprehended at various locations within Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State for their sustenance of kidnap operations across Benue and Taraba States.

    During the operation, one AK-47 rifle, a 9mm Pistol, Ammunition and complete set of Army uniform were recovered from ORSAA. Relatedly, on 10thApril, 2017, one Terna Sapko, an informant to the Akwaza syndicate was arrested around the Army Barracks in Takum, Taraba State.

    The Service on June 9, 2017 in Aviele, Etsako West LGA of Edo State arrested 15 kidnap suspects led by Lance Corporal Samaila MADU, a dismissed soldier.

    Another member of the gang, Ibrahim Topa sustained gunshot injury on his left leg while trying to escape. Similarly, in Ebonyi State, one Chinonso Onwe (a.k.a Abino Flash) was arrested at Izhia Community, Ohaukwu LGA “on June 1, 2017, by the Service in collaboration with the Community’s Security Council for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping. He was identified to be a member of the confraternity.

    During his arrest, two locally made pistols and a pair of Nigerian Army fatigue were among items recovered from him.

     

    Falgore Forest Criminals:

    “Prior to those arrests, the Service on May 11, 2017, in collaboration with the Military, at the Kano State stretch of the Falgore Forest, arrested five suspected Kidnappers/Cattle rustlers namely – Sani HASSAN (aka Ashana); Suleiman Abdullahi (aka Dogo Sule); Bashiru Abdullahi (aka Lamo); Amadu Abdullahi (aka Mallam); and Auwalu Sanda (aka Maitaru).

     

    “Alesa Abdulkarim:

    Also, on May 17, 2017, along the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) road, Rivers State, the Service arrested one Alesa Abdulkarim, for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of one Mayowa Akinkuade.

    “Similarly, on May, 19 at Achala Autonomous Community, Obowo LGA, Imo State, the Service arrested one Chinyere Onyeanulum for his connection with the kidnap of one Jennifer Chizitere Anuruo.

     

    Aminu Aliyu:

    “On May 28, 2017, the agency also arrested Aminu Aliyu in Sokoto State for the kidnap of Ifeanyi Amos (a Nigerian Army Captain) on May 27, 2017 along the Jaji-Kaduna Highway.

     

    Yusuf Aliyu:

    On June 7, 2017, Yusuf Aliyu was arrested at Ungwar Danmani, Rigasa, Kaduna-North LGA, for his suspected membership of the syndicate terrorizing users of the Abuja-Kaduna Road.

     

    Isah Baki-led Gang:

    “Again, on June 9, 2017, at Dankande village, Rigachiku, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, the Service confronted a notorious kidnap gang. Though Isah BAKI, leader of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds, three of his members namely: Hassan Abdullahi (22 years), Abubakar Abdullahi (27 years) and Suleiman Abdullahi (30 years) were arrested.

    “On the same day, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Road in Kaduna, the Service engaged another dangerous kidnap group and arrested two of its members: Yusuf Sani and Yusuf Adamu. Two AK-47 rifles and nine live ammunitions were recovered from the suspects who are currently being interrogated.

     

    Abdulhamid Isiaka:

    Committed to the effort aimed at achieving a terror free country, the Service sustained its counter terrorism/insurgency operations. To this effect, it continued the degrading of the capabilities of these terrorist elements. Consequently, the Service in a joint operation with the Military on 9th June, 2017, arrested Abdulhamid Isiaka (aka SMALL) and Habib AUDU, at Obajana and Ibilo in Kogi and Edo States respectively.

    It is instructive to note that ISIAKA is a Libyan returnee, who had travelled to that country alongside Abu Uwais, a most wanted terrorist. While in Libya, Isiaka had undergone terrorism training and also acquired a cache of weapons in preparation for attacks in Kogi and Kaduna States.

    He, however, became notorious and specialized in gun-running, kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorist acts. Isiaka has made useful statements to facilitate further investigations and actions against the terrorist and kidnap networks on the Abuja-Okene and the Kaduna-Abuja axis,” the statement said.

  • Army, DSS, police, others indicted in Diezani’s $115m bribery case — Witness

    The Economic and Financial Commission yesterday named some of the individuals and public officials who collected from an alleged bribe of $115m doled out by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to compromise the 2015 general elections.

    Sourced by TheNewsGuru.com, the document the anti-graft agency made available before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, it stated that the Resident Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Kwara State at the time received N1m cash.

    The document stated that while the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State at the time received N10m cash, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations got N2m cash.

    Similarly, both the Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of operations and administration in Kwara State, according to the document, received N1m cash each.

    The document also showed that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara State for the 2015 general elections was also given a cash of N10m, while the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Administrative Secretary in Kwara State at the time received N5m cash.

    The INEC Head of Department, Operations and “his boys” were given N5m, while “other officers” received and shared N2m among themselves.

    Also listed as beneficiaries of the Diezani bribe in Kwara State were OC Mopol and “his men”, who got N7m; 21c Mopol and men in the state, who got N10m; the Director of the DSS and his men, who got N2.5m.

    The military in Kwara State was bribed with N50m, according to the document, while other security agencies including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps got N20m.

    An investigator with the EFCC, Usman Zakari, who brought the document to court on Thursday, told Justice Rilwan Aikawa that it was recovered from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore.

    Belgore is standing trial before Justice Aikawa for allegedly collecting N450m from Diezani and distributing same to beneficiaries in Kwara State.

    The EFCC accused him of handling the money in cash without going through any financial institution, an act said to be an offence under sections 1(a), 16(d), 15(2)(d) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    The EFCC said Belgore is liable to be punished under sections 15(3)(4), and 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

    Standing trial along with Belgore for the offence is a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

    The SAN and the don were arraigned on charges of money laundering on February 8, 2017 but they pleaded not guilty.

    Zakari is the second witness to be called by the EFCC in its efforts to prove its case.

    Testifying before Justice Aikawa on Thursday, Zakari explained that Belgore volunteered the list to the EFCC when he was invited and interrogated by the anti-graft agency.

    The investigator pointed out to the court Belgore’s endorsement on the document titled, “Security and Transportation per State,” stating: “document supplied by me, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN).”

    Equally, the EFCC exhibited another document recovered from Belgore also showing other beneficiaries.

    The document simply titled “Kwara State” showed beneficiaries of a sum of N155,220,000 and the breakdown of what they got.

    Among them were 15 electoral officers who each received, 250,000; 15 supervisors, who got N100,000 each; the state Returning Officer, who got N1m, among others.

    The two documents were tendered by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, and admitted in evidence as Exhibit 7 and 7A, against Belgore and Suleiman, as their lawyers, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), raised no objection.

    In his evidence, Zakari told the court that the EFCC’s findings showed that the money was disbursed in cash to the beneficiaries.

    “My Lord, the mode of payment, as contained in Exhibit 7, is cash payment. The payments were not done through any financial institution,” Zakari said.

    The case was adjourned till July 7.

  • We are not recruiting – DSS debunks rumour

    The Department of State Security (DSS) has dismissed news making the rounds in the media that it was recruiting, even as it urged Nigerians to be wary of fraudulent persons or groups.

    A statement by its spokesman, Tony Opuiyo in Abuja, said: “The attention of the State Security Service (SSS) has once again been drawn to the illegal activities of some fraudulent persons and groups who extort money from unsuspecting members of the public with a promise to employ them into the service.

    “The service wishes to state for the umpteenth time that it is not currently employing. The public may note that in the event that the service begins recruiting, it does not charge money for that purpose.

    “Members of the public are therefore, advised to be wary of these fraudulent persons and groups whose stock in trade has remained spreading falsehood and engaging in impersonation.

    “The service further warns that it will, in accordance with the law, not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone caught in the act of impersonation. While efforts have been sustained at uncovering the network of the fraudsters, the public is enjoined to pass relevant information in this regard to the nearest service command,” the statement added.

  • JUST IN: DSS hands over 82 Chibok girls to women ministry

    JUST IN: DSS hands over 82 Chibok girls to women ministry

    The Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) on Tuesday handed over the recently released Chibok schoolgirls, abducted by Boko Haram terrorists to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for rehabilitation.

    The 82 girls were released after the Federal Government agreed to swap them for some members of the terror group.

    It would be recalled that 21 girls were released in October 2016.

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, represented by his Chief Personal Physician, Dr Nicholas Audifferen, gave assurance that the Federal Government remained committed to the well being of the girls.

    Osinbajo said the Buhari administration would do everything possible to ensure that the girls were rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

    “It is the role of government to ensure that you are safe and properly cared for,” he said.

    The Director Medical Services, DSS, Dr Anne Okorafor, who handed over the girls to the ministry, said they were medically, psychologically and physically fit.

    He said, “All the investigation required has been done and we have treated the girls except for a few of them who require additional follow up treatment.”

    While receiving the girls, the Minister, Sen. Aisha Alhassan said they would remain under government’s care until September when they would be reintegrated into school at the commencement of the new academic session.

    Alhassan also refuted the allegation that the girls were being kept against their wish, saying “government is only trying to ensure that they are well catered for.

    ‘”Nobody is holding the girls against their wish; these girls have gone through a lot and we need to help them to fit back into the society.

    ”They have missed a lot and we have brought teachers to help them to catch up with what they have lost while away under captivity; but anyone who wishes to go back is free to do so,” she said.

    The Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF, Mr Samuel Manyok, said the organisation was glad to be part of the stakeholders involved in providing the girls with necessary rehabilitation.

    According to Manyok, his organisation looks forward to closer relationship with all stakeholders in rehabilitating the girls.

    On his part, the Deputy Representative of UNFPA, Dr Eugene Kongnyuy said the handover was a new chapter for the girls.

     

     

    NAN

  • Police raid Ekweremadu’s official guest house

    The police in Abuja on Friday reportedly carried out a search on the Maitama, Abuja official guest house of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

    Ekweremadu Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Uche Anichukwu who confirmed the development to journalists said that neither Ekweremadu nor any of his senior aides was informed before the search.

    According to him only the steward was present when the policemen who claimed to be from the Force Headquarters arrived at the 10 Ganges Street, Maitama guest house. Mr. Anichukwu said nothing was found from the search.

    The search happened about two weeks after Senator Ekweremadu alleged plans by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to raid him in either Abuja or Enugu.

    The EFCC in response at that time said that he needed not to fear if he had nothing to hide. Details Coming.

  • Why we won’t release Ifeanyi Ubah – DSS

    The Department of States Services, DSS, on Friday explained it had secured a court order authorising it to detain the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeanyi Ubah, in its custody for at least 14 days.

    The DSS counsel, Peter Oluremodu, who appeared before Justice Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday with a notice of objection to the order to produce Ubah in court, said Ubah was being detained on the orders of Justice Y. Haliru of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The lawyer said the order was lawfully obtained in compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    Ubah’s lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, urged Justice Idris to hold that the DSS violated his order by not producing Ubah.

    The oil magnate said the claim by the DSS that he was involved in theft of petrol kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in his tank farm in Lagos was wrong accusation.

    DSS last Friday picked up Ubah over his connection with the missing petroleum product, valued at over N11bn.

    It said Ubah’s action amounted to economic sabotage, with “capacity to negatively impact on national economy”.

  • Apostle Suleman: Court slams N250,000 damages against DSS DG

    A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has asked the Department of State Services, DSS, to tender an unreserved apology to the son of the South-South Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Mr Tareri Avwomakpa, over his illegal arrest by DSS operatives in February.

    Justice T.B. Adegoke gave the ruling on Tuesday in a suit numbered FHC/ASB/CS/14/2017 filed by Tareri, a Warri-based legal practitioner against the Director-General, Department of State Services and the Delta State Director, DSS, following his arrest and detention over a message calling for support for the General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that operatives of the DSS had in February arrested and detained Tareri over an alleged message sent through a social media platform, Whatsapp, wherein he called on Christians in the country to support and accompany Suleman to honour the invitation by the DSS at its head office in Abuja.

    Justice Adegoke while delivering his ruling on the case, held that Archbishop God-do-well Avwomakpa son’s arrest was unlawful and unconstitutional even as he awarded N250,000 damages against the DSS director-general and the Delta state director of the organisation.

    According to a copy of the judgment sighted on Thursday in Asaba, the court ordered the DSS authorities to write a formal letter of apology to the claimant for a breach of his constitutional human rights

    Tareri also confirmed the ruling when contacted on Thursday and dedicated the judgment to Nigerians who had been killed, maimed and were currently suffering oppression for being Christians across the country.

  • Alleged N3.9b fraud: Suswam withdraws N10bn suit against DSS, AGF

    Alleged N3.9b fraud: Suswam withdraws N10bn suit against DSS, AGF

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday struck out a N10bn fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, against the Department of State Service, DSS, its Director-General, Lawal Daura, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole struck out the case following an application by Suswam’s lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) for the withdrawal of the suit.

    Counsel for the defendants, Mr. C.D Akpe,said he had no objection to the withdrawal.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Suswam, who was arrested on February 25, 2017 released from DSS custody on Sunday after spending about 70 days in detention, was present in court on Wednesday.

    Suswam, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the same Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, was absent from court on health grounds on Tuesday, which had been scheduled for the continuation of his trial.

    He was, in the case, charged along with his then Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, with diversion of about N3.9bn belonging to the state when he was governor.

    Suswam, alongside Oklobia, and the then Accountant, Benue State Government House Administration, Mrs. Janet Aluga, is also scheduled to be arraigned by Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation before Justice Kolawole on Thursday.