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Tag: FCT

  • Kidnapping, one chance crime reduced in FCT – Security Service

    Kidnapping, one chance crime reduced in FCT – Security Service

    The Federal Capital Territory has recorded a drop in the incidents of kidnappings and other crimes across the territory in 2024.

    Mr Adamu Gwary, the Director of Security Service Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) , made this known during the department’s end of year news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Gwary described kidnappings as one of the major areas of security concern in rural communities across the FCT, particularly in 2023.

    “Today, we can beat our chest to say that the number of reported cases of kidnappings have significantly dropped.

    “Before now, you can hardly go a week without having a reported case of kidnapping.

    “Now, when we check our statistics, you will notice that sometimes a whole month will go by without any incident,” he said.

    The director, a fellow of the National Defence College, also said that the incidence of one chance crime has drastically dropped compared to the situation in 2023.

    He added that the current operation against the use of tinted glasses across the city has contributed to the declining incidents of one chance.

    He also said that the operations against scavengers, street hawkers and beggars also yielded the desired result.

    He said that the measure had rid the city of criminal elements disguising as scavengers, beggars and street hawkers.

    According to him, FCT is safer and secure as at today, when compared with the security situation in early and middle of 2023.

    “Looking at the outgoing year, there are a lot of changes that the department does in terms of executing our assigned responsibility.

    “Traditionally, we used to generate a monthly Intelligence report, process the same and transmit it to the office of the National Security Adviser for further action.

    “This year we have done it differently by bringing our statistical information about crime and criminality, particularly the level of success our security agencies achieved in terms of busting crime, arm recovery and other activities of our security personnel.

    “The data were generated to ensure that at least, it helps the administration in terms of assessing the performance of our security agencies for planning purposes.

    “For instance, when we look at our statistical information, we look at what crimes are most prevalent, where the administration will channel its energy toward addressing the same.”

    Gwary attributed the successes to the measures put in place by the FCT Administration in collaboration with security agencies and the support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

    He said that the minister has supported the department in ensuring that security agencies in the FCT were effectively supported to improve their operations and coverage.

  • Wike dragged to court over land tussle

    Wike dragged to court over land tussle

    A firm, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, has urged an Abuja High Court to restrain the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and others from selling its landed property.

    The property is located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.

    Nextdora Ltd, in a fresh suit marked: CV/5517/24 and filed by its lawyer, Reuben Atabo, SAN, also prayed the court to award the sum of N500 million against the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit as damages for trespassing into the plot.

    In the writ of summons filed on Dec. 16, the company, listed as the claimant, sued Mr Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Hajiya Bilikisu Mallam, FCT Minister and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    It sought seven reliefs, including a declaration that the claimant is the title holder of the property lying and situate at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja.

    It said the land measures about 2.46 hectares which is covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC128232.

    The company also sought, “a declaration that the claimant is entitled to the lawful use, occupation and quiet enjoyment of the property.

    “A declaration that the claimant reserves the exclusive title to the piece of land lying and situate at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District in Abuja.

    “A declaration that the grant of the parcel of land measuring 2.46 hectares covered by Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 128232 to the claimant is still subsisting.

    “A declaration that the entry of the 1st and 2nd defendants (Nnamdi and Hajiya Bilikisu) into the claimant’s property amounts to trespass and therefore wrongful, illegal and unlawful,” among others.

    Nextdora Nigeria Ltd, a property development company, in its statement of claim, averred that it applied to the minister for allocation of parcel of land within the FCT, Abuja and paid the prescribed fees as stipulated by the authority.

    It further averred that after a careful consideration of its application, a plot of land lying and situated at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja, measuring about 2.46 hectares was allocated to it.

    The company said upon the allocation of the plot to the claimant, it applied to the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the FCDA for the development of the said plot of land.

    It said the application was granted upon payment of the prescribed fees on Jan. 9, 2023, with approval file number FCDA/DC BP RSD PHS 1/22046.

    The claimant said in order to get the approval. the minister and the FCDA gave a bill of N3, 729, 766.10 as settlement of building land fees to it via their letter dated Dec.15, 2022, and it paid the said sum.

    According to the company, in order for it to carry out development of the property within the time frame prescribed by the Department of Development Control, it commenced the fencing of the said property, whereupon it constructed an access road to the said plot of land.

    Nextdora, however, alleged that on Dec. 10, Nnamdi and Hajiya Bilikisu, who were purportedly claiming ownership of the property, accompanied by armed men of the NPF, forcefully entered into the said property and obstructed the ongoing construction works.

    It said upon realising the antics of Nnamdi and Bilikisu, it wrote a letter to the Director, Lands, Abuja Geographic Information System requesting it to place a caveat in its file in respect of the land.

    It alleged that the duo had continued to use men of the police to harass and intimidate its workers who are on the site.

    “Further to paragraph 22 above, the claimant avers that she is into property investment and third parties have already invested into her project.

    “The claimant states that her investors are beginning to lose confidence in her project due to the activities of the 1st & 2nd defendants.”

    The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of filing the report.

  • Wike mum as workers ground activities in FCT

    Wike mum as workers ground activities in FCT

    Workers have grounded activities in all the six (6) area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after commencing an indefinite strike on December 1.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has maintained deafening silence as the indefinite strike enters Day 8 on Sunday.

    It was learnt that pregnant women, some at the point of birth, were sent away at the Primary Health Care Centres spread across the 6 area councils of the FCT.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT Council had directed all workers in the six area councils of the FCT to proceed on the indefinite strike to protest against non-implementation of the N70,000 new national minimum wage.

    The NLC had in a communique following a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on November 8 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, appealed to FCT council chairmen to implement the new national minimum wage.

    Chairman of the council, Mr Knabanyi Adalo, however, said that the chairmen had refused to respond to the demand for implementation of the minimum wage in their respective area councils.

    Adalo said that in response to this inaction, the organised labour in its State Administrative Council meeting held on November 12, unanimously resolved to adhere strictly to the national directive to embark on the indefinite strike.

    He said the directive was subject to any State government’s failure to implement the national minimum wage on or before the last day of November.

    “The state administrative council also noted with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by the area councils’ chairmen to pay some pending entitlements to the workers, including the outstanding arrears of primary school teachers,” Adalo said.

    According to him, failure to implement the new national minimum wage is a gross violation of the law and total disregard to the welfare and well-being of workers in the area councils.

    Meanwhile, chairmen of the 6 FCT area councils had pleaded with the workers to implement the N70,000 minimum wage from January, 2025, which was rejected by the NLC.

    Adalo confirmed to Daily Trust that the union had met with the area council chairmen and revealed that the chairmen cited backlog of some pending primary school teachers’ arrears and other entitlements for posting implementation of the minimum wage to January, 2025.

    He explained that the union rejected the council chairmen’s plea and insisted that the minimum wage should be implemented before the end of December 2024, adding that it was unfortunate workers and primary school teachers in the FCT were going through tough time due to the economic hardship in the country.

    “Actually, the union met with the area council chairmen and they requested that the union should give them till January, 2025 to implement the minimum wage because of some commitment.

    “But we insisted that the implementation should commence in this December, 2024. So, that is how things stand between the union and the council chairmen at the moment,” he said.

    Adalo said the strike will continue until the minimum wage is implemented.

  • REVEALED! How Emefiele’s cronies acquired 753 duplexes in FCT using forex kickbacks

    REVEALED! How Emefiele’s cronies acquired 753 duplexes in FCT using forex kickbacks

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has revealed the massive Abuja property with 753 duplexes and other apartments located in the Cadastral Zone area of the capital city was acquired by the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and his cronies.

    The revelation was made by the anti-corruption body in court documents.

    Recall that the anti-graft agency had on Monday announced the recovery of the property from an unnamed ex-government top brass, describing the property as the biggest single recovery it had made in the course of fighting corruption since its establishment in 2003.

    However, they failed to name the individuals who owned the properties.

    However, documents released by Omoyele Sowore showed that the EFCC told the court that the properties belonged to Emefiele and his cronies.

    Emefiele is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC in three separate cases before different judges.

    Before Justice Hamza Mu’azu, he is being tried for procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other charges.

    Before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5bn and N2.8bn.

    Additionally, Emefiele is before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5m notes at the cost of N18.96bn.

    According to the document, Emefiele allegedly carried out “monumental fraud” as the CBN governor with his cronies to acquire several properties including the estate.

    second paid N700m, while the third paid N600m, totalling N2.2bn.

    It said the directors of the companies were arrested “and their statements voluntarily obtained in the course of investigation.”

    “The funds used in the acquisition of the property highlighted in Schedule A to this application are not legitimate earnings of Godwin Emefiele but funds acquired through illegal and unlawful activities.

    “That I know as a fact and verily believe that the source/origin of the funds used in the acquisition and/or development of the properties sought to be forfeited are proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: corrupt enrichment, receiving of gratification or kickbacks and abuse of office,” an EFCC investigator stated in the affidavit filed in court.

    The EFCC noted that the court had on November 1, 2024 made an order for the temporary forfeiture of the property “after evaluating facts placed before it.”

    It, therefore, urged the judge to order the permanent forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government as no one had come forward to challenge the facts placed before the court, in spite of adverting the interim forfeiture order in The PUNCH edition of November 6, 2024.

    According to the EFCC, the court acceded to its request and has now permanently forfeited the property to the Federal Government.

  • Untitled post 541275

    Patrick Osadebamwen -led Exco Boycott avoid NUJ election in FCT as journalists usher in new leaders

    The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, said the Patrick Osadebamwen-led Executive boycotted election seeking to usher in new executives.

    The chapter’s election was scheduled for Wednesday 4th December, 2024, with Mrs Grace Ike being the only candidate vying for the championship position.

    In a twist of events, the outgoing executives led by Patrick Osadebamwen were absent during the business session where the executive ought to have been dissolved.

    Against this backdrop, the former secretary of the Correspondent Chapel, Mr Ubong Ukpong moved a motion that the Credentials Committee be stopped from conducting the elections until the Patrick-led executive is dissolved.

    Ukpong argued that conducting an election that will usher in new executives while the old executives had not been dissolved would be an arbitration to the Union’s constitution.

    The motion which was seconded by Mr Osisam Edeh received popular support from the journalists, as they were heard shouting “yes yes yes”.

    In the absence of a counter motion, the National Union represented by its Vice President, Zone D, Adeiza Momojimo, called for a motion for the formal dissolution of the Patrick-led executive.

    Prior to that, Adeiza Momojimo disclosed that Patrick had earlier sent a message bidding farewell and acknowledging today’s election.

    The motion was ably moved by Haruna Salami and seconded by Mrs Uzor Amaka. Thereafter, Mr Momojimo pronounced, “In the absence of counter motion, “The executives led by Patrick stand formally dissolved”.

    Spark News Daily reports that voting is ongoing with NTA, VON and Ministry of Information Chapels having voted.

    Meanwhile, in a telephone chat, Patrick Osadebamwen said the Credentials Committee was not constituted in accordance with the constitutions.

    “I do not believe the Credentials Committee was constituted in line with the constitution of the Union”.

    According to him, the National secretariat ignored series of calls that some members of the Henry Umoru-led Credentials Committee were not qualified.

    However, Henry Umoru, while speaking during the Manifesto held yesterday, said, “In 2012 I conducted the NUJ FCT election, they said I was a journalist, in 2018, I did the same, and they said I was a journalist, but in 2024, they are saying I’m not a journalist.’

    Giving clarification on Umoru’s statement, Mr Patrick said, “Everyone can be a journalist, but not everyone is a member of the Union”.

  • Police impound 296 vehicles over tinted glass, number plate offences

    Police impound 296 vehicles over tinted glass, number plate offences

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said it had impounded 296 vehicles over tinted glass and number plate offences.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, said this during a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the vehicles were impounded over use of tinted glass, driving with only one plate number and use of concealed or defaced number plates.

    Disu said the various operations of the command had successfully foiled five ‘One Chance’ robbery attacks, resulting to the rescue of three victims abducted by the criminals.

    According to him, the achievements highlight the effectiveness of the command’s proactive strategies and the importance of public collaboration in ensuring the safety of FCT residents.

    He said the command’s recent declaration of war against “one chance” robbers and other criminal gangs in the FCT led to the arrest of a “one chance” robbery suspect on November 23.

    Disu said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the command’s State Intelligence Department (SID) during routine patrol along Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja.

    According to him, suspicious circumstances surrounding his parked vehicle prompted a search that led to the recovery of one Point-of-Sale (POS) machine, one knife, scissors, two mobile phones and female luggage, suspected to be stolen.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items, raising concerns about his involvement in ‘one chance’ robberies,” he said.

    Disu said the suspect was in the command’s custody and would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

    The CP said operatives from Karimo Division on Nov. 28 arrested a suspect over “one chance” robbery along Idu Industrial Area Road.

    He said the arrest of the suspect and rescue of the victim, a heavily pregnant woman, followed swift response to a distress call over an ongoing robbery attack in the area.

    Disu said preliminary investigations had revealed that the victim was abducted on her way home from Federal Medical Center Jabi by a gang posing as commercial vehicle operators.

    The CP said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

  • Why there are rising cases of abandoned babies in FCT – PPRO reveals

    Why there are rising cases of abandoned babies in FCT – PPRO reveals

    The police public relations officer (PPRO) in the FCT,  Josephine Adeh has fingered men’s neglect as the reason for the increasing number of abandoned babies in the capital city.

    Adeh via the microblogging platform, X on Sunday bemoaned the issue, in which she described as “alarming”.

    Attributing the cause to “men who abandon women after getting them pregnant”, Adeh further advised men who are not ready for the responsibility of fatherhood to either avoid unprotected sex or abstain totally.

    “The increasing number of abandoned babies in the FCT is alarming. Just yesterday, two new cases were reported. This troubling trend is largely due to men abandoning women after impregnating them. If you are not prepared to take responsibility for fatherhood, avoid unprotected sex or abstain from it,” she wrote.

  • Why I am succeeding as FCT Minister – Wike

    Why I am succeeding as FCT Minister – Wike

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has attributed the successes being recorded in the execution of road projects in rural communities to the support of area council chairmen and community members.

    Wike stated this in Gwagwalada on Thursday, when he inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of 9-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa road, and Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

    He explained that the chairmen of the six area councils of the FCT were working in tandem with the FCT Administration.

    “They have given us support to carry out these projects without any protest. You know, sometimes when you are executing a project and the communities and the councils’ chairmen are not in support, they will begin to sabotage the project.

    “They will create a situation where some youths will be angry for one reason or the other and begin to protest. We have not had those complaints so far.

    “This means that the community has fully bought into the projects and owned them as their own. That is why we are succeeding,” Wike said.

    The minister added that the council chairmen were also supporting whatever the FCTA was doing, saying, “they are doing their best for their people within available resources.

    “Some of them have even invited me to commission some of the projects they have embarked upon.”

    Wike described infrastructure as ” basic” in turning around any economy in any part of the world.

    “If you don’t have basic infrastructure, too bad, and that is part of the problem we have had in Abuja. We are trying to make sure that we create more infrastructure to open up not just the city but the rural areas so that the economy will thrive,” he said.

    He explained that all rural roads would be fitted with street lights as part of the government’s duty to bring development to all residents.

    According to him, no one will talk about the impact of governance without touching all areas, be it in the city; be it in rural areas.

    He said that provision of infrastructure in the city and rural areas was in fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to re-candle the hope of every Nigerian.

    “Yes, things were bad yesterday, but we are trying to improve to make sure that things may not be bad today or worse tomorrow. You can see the joy of residents and those carrying out businesses in Gwagwalada market.

    “When there is a positive impact, the people will always rejoice and say, yes, we are feeling the presence of the government. Nobody will see good things and will not appreciate it.

    “People are complaining because they never felt the impact of the government, but now they can feel and they can see that indeed, there is a government that is working for them to change their lives for good,” Wike said.

    He assured the people of Gwagwalada that the road projects would be completed to ease the movement of people and enable farmers to go to their farms and bring their produce to the market.

    Reacting to critics over the current hardship being experienced across the country, the minister said that no government would run away from criticism.

    “It is not everything you have to react, let the people see for themselves, but I can tell you that before this administration ends, you will see that Nigerians will also say things have really changed, just like they are singing the praises that Abuja has changed.

  • FCT approves N33.24bn for new projects

    FCT approves N33.24bn for new projects

    The Federal Capital Executive Committee has approved N33.24 billion worth of contracts for execution within the next one year.

    The committee gave the approvals during its 9th meeting, chaired by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Friday.

    Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr Chidi Amadi, said the decisions were part of the FCT administration’s efforts to provide critical services to residents of the FCT.

    Providing details of the projects, Dr Chinedum Elechi, Mandate Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, said that N7.22 billion was approved for the construction of access roads to Kugbo and Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminals as additional works.

    He recalled that contracts had been awarded in May for the construction of bus and taxi terminals in Kugbo, Mabushi and the Central Business District.

    Elechi added that the projects in Kugbo and Mabushi had reached an advanced stage before the realisation of the need for an access road to service the terminals from the major roads.

    According to him, the committee has approved the award of the project to Planet Projects Ltd and to be completed in 12 weeks.

    The mandate secretary also said that the executive committee approved the procurement of 120,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) and 40,250 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    He explained that the products were for the operation and maintenance of Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant, adding that the contract was awarded to Safah and Fresh Ltd. at N2.92 billion, and to be delivered over 12 months.

    Similarly, Elechi said the supply of Diesel and PMS, at Wupa Basin Sewage Treatment Plant, was awarded to the same company to cover one year.

    He added that N638,550 was also approved for the supply of 400,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil to Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant of the FCT Water Board.

    Also speaking, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, said that the executive committee also approved the construction of access road to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Academy in Giri District.

    Ahmad added that the contract was awarded to Levant Construction Ltd. and N7.83 billion and to be completed in nine months.

    He aid that the committee equally approved the design and construction of 10 units of Staff Quarters for the Nigerian Law School, Bwari Abuja.

    He said that the project was awarded at N2.19 billion to Austlinks Energy Services Ltd., and to be completed in nine months.

    The executive secretary further said that the committee also approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing Bill Clinton Road link to the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

    He said that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger at N9.88 billion and expected to be completed in six months.

    “The contract also includes rehabilitation of facilities in the Presidential Wing, which includes the Presidential Hanger, taxiway, and airport apron, among other facilities,” he said.

    On his part, Mr Gardiya Bawa, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Legal Secretariat, said the committee equally approved N605.94 million for the procurement of office equipment, furnishing of the new office for the secretariat, and purchase of utility vehicles.

  • Infrastructure: Abuja will look different by 2027 – Wike

    Infrastructure: Abuja will look different by 2027 – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says Abuja will look different by the time President Bola Tinubu finishes his first tenure in 2027.

    He said this is due to monumental infrastructural development. Wike stated this at the inauguration of the upgrading of War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, on Monday.

    He said that as far as infrastructure was concerned, by the time this administration ends in 2027, Abuja would be completely different.

    He said that beyond infrastructural development in the city, the area councils were also being transformed with more than 15 projects currently ongoing.

    The Minister, who listed the projects and were confirmed by the area councils’ chairmen, added that three other projects would be inaugurated for construction in satellite towns.

    “When we came on board I did say that under Tinubu’s administration, when he makes a promise, all you need to do is to be patient; that promise would be fulfilled,

    “I have said before that politics is a covenant between those that are elected and those that elected them. I have said that people should hold those that they have elected accountable; those who have been appointed should be held accountable,” Wike said.

    He called on those who doubt the achievements of Tinubu-led administration to challenge what the administration has done in the six area councils in just a year and some months. According to him, the achievements are not propaganda but verifiable facts.

    “The point we are making is, this is just one year and a few months Mr president has stayed in office but see what he has done in terms of infrastructure in area councils. When he spent four years, can you say what will happen in area councils?,” he asked.

    Wike added beyond road infrastructure, the Tinubu-led government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to provide potable water in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje area councils.

    He urged the residents of FCT to support the Tinubu administration to do more for the people.

    He explained that the procurement of the project to upgrade the War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa began before the current administration.

    He said that the 18-kilometre road, which would be executed by local contractor, was part of the administration’s efforts to improve road networks in satellite towns.

    “It is also part of Tinubu directive to empower indigenous contractors who have shown capacity and are willing to work. I am happy with what I have seen today in terms of equipment,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Zulkiflu Abdulkadir, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, said that the project was awarded on Sept. 28, to Abdul Val Limited and expected to be completed in 18 months.

    Dr John Gabaya, Chairman, Bwari Area Council, commended the FCT Minister for investing in rural infrastructure to better the lives of rural dwellers.

    Describing Wike as a “Messiah”, the area council chairman described his investment in satellite towns as unprecedented.

    Also, David Jimkuta, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, said that the project was another milestone of the renewed hope agenda of President Tinbu.

    Jimkuta pledged continued support of the committee to the minister to enable him do more for FCT residents.