TheNewsGuru

Tag: Security Operatives

  • Security operatives have turned insecurity to cash-cow biz in Nig – Rep alleges

    Security operatives have turned insecurity to cash-cow biz in Nig – Rep alleges

    Ahmadu Jaha, a member of the house of representatives, has declared that security operatives have turned insecurity to cash-cow business.

    He insisted on the floor of the House on Thursday that some security personnel are benefitting from the insecurity challenges in the country.

    Jaha, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), While contributing to a motion promoted by Shehu Balarabe, a lawmaker from Kaduna, on the killings in Birnin/Gwari/Giwa federal constituency of the state.

    Jaha said despite the huge funds allocated to the Nigerian Army, the insecurity in the country has continued unabated.

    “In 2021 we budgeted N460 billion for the Nigerian Army alone only N29 billion was for capital expenditure, the remaining was for recurrent expenditure,” he said.

    “In 2022 we budgeted N571 billion for the Nigerian Army alone only 37 billion is capital expenditure, the remaining were recurrent expenditure. Mr speaker, the truth of the matter is that security in Nigeria has become a cash cow business.

    “I am not willing to go without taking my own and he is not willing to go with taking his own and the other person is not willing to leave until when he takes his own.

    “It’s just like a medical doctor putting professionalism aside. You presented a patient, as the patient’s relative, you say okay every month I’ll give you N100 million until when the patient recovers or otherwise. The doctor will make sure that the patient does not die and will continue to maintain he does not recover because he will keep collecting the money. It is a simple analysis, every person can understand.

    “Mr speaker it is a cash cow business, they don’t want it to finish. Because they will realise that everybody’s attention was diverted towards north-east. Okay, let them release north-east to some extent and go to north-west after north-west they move to the south-west. Before you realise what is happening, the whole country is gutted with security challenges.

    “Another thing, somebody brought the issue of national security adviser. We are making one mistake in making appointments, particularly in security architecture. There is no way you can appoint a major general or brigadier general to be a national security adviser and he issues directives to a lieutenant.

    “I think if you are going to appoint a national security adviser or a defence minister, try and appoint a full-fledged Nigerian army general who was one time chief of defence staff.”

    Speaking in an emotionally laden voice, the legislator accused one of his colleagues of sabotaging the nation’s security.

    “Lastly, about the resolution on the floor of this house. I am happy today that everybody has concerns now. When I was speaking on behalf of my constituency in this chamber, an honourable member rose up and said if my people are displaced how did I manage to win my election. He didn’t know that my election was conducted in IDP camps,” he said.

    “Two, a member on this floor wrote a letter of commendation to one of the service chiefs that he is going good. I got a copy of the letter.

    “I know the honourable member. But I know the time I will scandalise on till the whole world will look down on him. I will not mention his name, I will deal with him personally.”

  • How security operatives invaded, shot sporadically in church to arrest me – Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    How security operatives invaded, shot sporadically in church to arrest me – Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu

    The 2019 governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) in Imo state, Uche Nwosu, has opened up on how he was ‘abducted’ on Sunday in a Gestapo style by security operatives.

    He said the operatives who acted on the orders of one Shafa, whom he described as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Imo State Government House”, threatened to “blow off my head if I did not follow them.”

    Nwosu, who is the son-in-law of the former Governor Rochas Okorocha, added that he was first driven to the Government House in Owerri before being taken to Enugu where he was put in a private jet for a flight to Abuja.

    The politician had earlier yesterday confirmed through his Spokesman, Chikezie Nwadike, that he was freed the same day. He also claimed he was not invited by any security agency, prior to his ordeal.

    Nwosu was arrested during an outing service in honour of his late mother, Jemamah Nwosu, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The incident led to a verbal altercation between the senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and the Imo State Government.

    The government, which had distanced itself from the arrest, yesterday condemned the fact that it was carried out on church premises. Also yesterday, the state Police Command claimed that “officially,” it was not aware that Nwosu had regained his freedom.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, Nwosu, who is also an All Progressives Congress(APC) chieftain, said the invasion of the church by the operatives and his arrest were uncalled for as there was no prior invitation by the Police or any other security agency.

    He said: “While the service was going on, some heavily armed security men invaded the church from different doors. While some went straight to the alter, others were walking from one line of the pew to the other.

    ”When they spotted me, they opened fire and started shooting inside the church, some of them walked up to me and said I should get up and follow them or they will blow off my head. I demanded to know who they were and where they were taking me, but they started dragging me. All the while, they were still shooting and everyone in the church was scampering for safety.

    ”It was like a war; they kept shooting inside the church and everybody was running in different directions. It was just an act of God that stray bullets didn’t hit any of the clergymen because they were firing straight at the alter.

    ”After they dragged me from the church into their car, they drove off, When we got to Owerri, three of the cars drove into the Government House and they drove me in one of the cars to Enugu”.

    ”On the way, they stopped after one of them answered a phone call and said Shafa, who is the CSO asked them to get my pictures. They tore my clothes and took my pictures with handcuffs and sent them to the CSO.

    ”After that, they drove me straight to Enugu Airport, where a chartered private jet was waiting and they flew me straight to Abuja. It was at Abuja that it was discovered that the Police hierarchy was not aware of the operation. It was purely planned and hatched at the Imo Government House.

    ”I was not invited by the Police or any other security Agency before my abduction from the church”.

  • Security operatives prevent unvaccinated civil servants from accessing federal secretariat, Abuja

    Security operatives prevent unvaccinated civil servants from accessing federal secretariat, Abuja

    Civil servants and the general public without proof of vaccination and negative PCR tests are currently being prohibited from accessing government buildings in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that the Boss Mustapha-led presidential steering committee on COVID-19 had announced in October that civil servants without proof of vaccination and negative PCR tests would not be allowed to access government buildings from December 1, 2021.

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria had however asked the Federal Government to extend till March next year, today’s deadline for the compulsory vaccination of civil servants, a move which the PSC had described as “impossible”.

    The nation on Wednesday had also reported three cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease.

    ..Details later

  • How traditional rulers, security operatives connive with criminals to cause mayhem in Bauchi – Gov Mohammed

    How traditional rulers, security operatives connive with criminals to cause mayhem in Bauchi – Gov Mohammed

    Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Tuesday alleged that criminals are conniving with some traditional rulers.

    Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting in Bauchi, the governor said some bad eggs in the security circuit also collude with criminals to unleash mayhem on communities in the state.

    According to Mohammed, his administration is having sleepless nights over renewed criminal activity in the state.

    This is even as he charged the newly appointed state commissioners and special advisers to be on the alert and security-conscious in their various local governments.

    “Security, we are having sleepless nights. There is no time I am not talking about security,” the governor told his political appointees. “You are my representatives in your own right; we will have to change our style.

    “These people are coming, and they are conniving with our traditional institutions and even bad eggs within the security agencies.

    “We have to work very hard because everything in this world is about life and property. If you are dead, then there is nothing in it. The fact that we are being mentioned as the most peaceful state in northern Nigeria is giving us more challenge.”

    Bauchi, just like other states in the north-east has had its fair share of the security challenges, especially as the nation battles a 12-year insurgency.

    Boko Haram’s Islamic State-allied rivals have been consolidating their grip on the northeast after the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau this year, in a major shift in Nigeria’s 12-year insurgency.

  • Ogun APC Congress: Tension as security operatives seal venue, chase Amosun’s loyalists

    Ogun APC Congress: Tension as security operatives seal venue, chase Amosun’s loyalists

    Security operatives have sealed off the Ake Palace Ground in Abeokuta to avert break down of law and order following moves by All Progressives Congress (APC) members loyal to ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun to hold a parallel State Congress.

    The operatives from the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) as well as members of the Department of State Service (DSS) were seen taking over the palace ground.

    They blocked the entrance to the palace arcade ground with vehicles and prevented Amosun loyalists from going ahead with their planned parallel APC Congress.

    There has been fierce war by proxies between Governor Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, over the soul of the APC in Ogun State.

    People suspected to be political thugs from both camps were said to have clashed at Ake Palace area over the planned parallel Congress.

    The APC members loyal to the immediate past Governor had widely advertised the Ake Palace Arcade Ground as venue of their parallel APC congress while the Hon. Wale Ohu- led State Congress Committee for Ogun State fixed the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital, as venue for the Congress.

    According to reports, security operatives deployed for the exercise had as early as 5am arrived at the two separate venues in readiness for the task.

    Early Saturday morning, the purported parallel APC Congress in Ake Palace Ground, scores of party members loyal to Amosun were seen scattered and loitering around the Ake Centenary Hall where they camped directly opposite the security operatives who had taken over the Palace Ground where their canopies were mounted the previous day.

    Wale Ohu, during the screening of aspirants at the State party Secretariat on Abiola Way, Abeokuta, threatened arrest on any body or group planning to conduct separate congress anywhere in the State.

    Describing such people as “impostors” and “mischief makers,” Ohu declared that any congress conducted outside MKO Abiola Stadium would be deemed an “exercise in futility, null and void.”

  • BREAKING: Security operatives commence interrogating Igboho, wife in Benin Republic

    BREAKING: Security operatives commence interrogating Igboho, wife in Benin Republic

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG now has it that the Beninoise security operatives are interrogating embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho and his wife.

    A judicial source confirmed to BBC Pidgin that Igboho and his wife, Rope are with operatives of Brigade criminelle in Cotonou.

    It was gathered after the interrogation, he is expected to appear before the Cour d’Appel in Cotonou.

    The court is expected to debate on the international arrest warrant issued against him.

    If it is found to be in order, he’ll be extradited.

    But if the warrant is defective from the legal or administrative angle, he’ll be referred before the prosecutor.

    It was also learnt that since Igboho did not commit any of the alleged crimes in Benin Republic, the prosecutor will determine the next steps.

    Meanwhile, many Yoruba-speaking supporters of the activist were seen on the court premises on Thursday afternoon.

    Details shortly…

     

  • Yoruba nation rally: Security operatives surround rally venue

    Yoruba nation rally: Security operatives surround rally venue

    There is palpable heavy presence of security operatives at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, the planned venue of the Yoruba nation rally.

    Men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps are stationed at the Park. It was also gathered that men of the Department of State Services are among the joint security forces who are at the venue with scores of patrol vans, heavy anti-riot gun trucks and Black Marias.

    As at the time of filing this report, no Yoruba nation agitator has been seen at the venue.

    The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, was also seen with his men at the venue. TheNewsGuru recalls that police operatives had on Friday embarked on a show of force in the state to warn agitators against any form of rally slated to hold in Lagos.

    Following Thursday raid of the house of Yoruba rights activist Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho by the Department of State Services, the activist, who has been declared wanted by the secret police for allegedly stockpiling arms, had suspended the Lagos rally.

    However, the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, led by Second Republic Senator, Banji Akintoye, had said there was no going back, adding that “It is the duty of Police to ensure the rally is not hijacked by hoodlums”.

    “Our rally scheduled to hold on Saturday will still hold without any fear or intimidation and we promise to be peaceful like we have always been,” the Akintoye-led body wrote in a letter to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu; and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Details later…

     

  • Banditry: DSS invites Sheikh Gumi over comments implicating security operatives

    Banditry: DSS invites Sheikh Gumi over comments implicating security operatives

    The Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Thursday invited Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for questioning, VOA reports.

    According to the VOA report, Gumi was invited by the DSS after he alleged that security officials work with bandits to carry out criminal activities.

    Gumi made the allegation when he appeared in ARISE TV on Wednesday.

    The Nigerian Army however rejected the claims of the Kaduna-based cleric, saying that security agents have sacrificed their lives in the battle against insurgency.

    “It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri from kidnappers,” the army explained in a statement.

    The statement added, “While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel.

    In the wake of kidnappings, murder and other terrorism acts of bandits operating predominantly in the northern region of the country, Mr Gumi has become popular for advocating peace deals with terrorist herders

    He has at different times chaired negotiations between the herders and their victims. And recently, he likened the herders to the Niger Delta militants, saying that the herders should be granted amnesty as the militants enjoyed.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen raze Uzodinma’s country home, kill two security operatives on duty

    BREAKING: Gunmen raze Uzodinma’s country home, kill two security operatives on duty

    Gunmen have attacked the country home of Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma.

    According to reports, the daredevil gunmen invaded the Governor’s residence in Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area in early hours of (today) Saturday.

    They reportedly killed two security men on duty before torching it.

    It was also learnt vehicles parked at the compound and part of the building were affected by the fire.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, confirmed the incident.

    According to him: “It is true but the information is not still clear. It is not true that several security men lost their lives. About two security men on duty at the governor’s house were killed. NSCDC personnel was among the security men who lost their lives during the attack.”

    Details shortly…

  • Supplementary poll: Panic as armed security operatives abduct four INEC officials in Bauchi

    Supplementary poll: Panic as armed security operatives abduct four INEC officials in Bauchi

    Reports reaching TNG has it that four yet-to-be identified staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducting the ongoing supplementary poll in Bauchi State have been kidnapped by armed men.

    As of the time of this report, the issue has caused tension among INEC staff and residents who were seen discussing the issue in hushed voices.

    The incident was said to have taken place at Jamare Local Government Registration Area 02 with Polling Unit Code 010.

    However, unconfirmed reports by voters at the aforementioned polling unit said the INEC officials were abducted by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    A staff of INEC, who escaped said the armed security operatives came in seven Toyota Hilux vans.

    According to him, the abducted staff were taken away with voting materials.

    He said, “Four of our staff in Jamare LGA Registration Area 02 with Polling Unit Code 010 have been abducted with voting materials. The place was invaded by heavily armed security operatives who came in seven Toyota Hilux Vans, and took the four INEC officials to Jamare LGA to perfect their plots.”

    More details later…