TheNewsGuru

Tag: Vehicle

  • Third-Party Insurance: Feb. 1 commencement of enforcement sacrosanct — Police

    Third-Party Insurance: Feb. 1 commencement of enforcement sacrosanct — Police

    The Nigeria Police Force says the Feb. 1 commencement of enforcement of the mandatory Third-Party Insurance for vehicle owners nationwide is sacrosanct.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the initiative was to reinforce road safety measures and ensure that vehicle owners comply with the stipulated insurance requirements to protect themselves and others on the road.

    Adejobi warned vehicle owners and operators against non-compliance.

    He said the enforcement actions would include fines and other penalties, as mandated by relevant extant laws.

    “Effective Feb. 1, all vehicle owners nationwide are required to possess valid Third Party Insurance as they move about.

    “Those without the insurance are advised to be insured quickly to avoid any sort of embarrassment,” he said.

    He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed all Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure due enforcement.

    Adejobi said police officers would be empowered to conduct checks and enforce penalties for non-compliance in line with relevant extant laws.

    He said the Nigeria Police Force would remain dedicated to enhancing road safety and protecting the lives of all citizens through the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations.

    The police spokesman called for cooperation from members of the public to ensure successful enforcement of the regulation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the I-G had on Jan. 10 announced that the enforcement of third-party insurance for vehicle owners nationwide would begin on Feb. 1.

    The I-G made the announcement when he received Mr Olusegun Omosehin, the Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission.

  • Police comply with court order, return Matawalle’s vehicles

    Police comply with court order, return Matawalle’s vehicles

    The Zamfara Police Command on Saturday said it had returned all vehicles it seized from the former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yazid Abubakar confirmed the development on Saturday.

    Abubakar said the vehicles were returned in compliance with the order of Federal High Court sitting in Gusau.

    The court, presided by Justice Aminu Bappah-Aliyu had on June 15, ordered all security agencies that removed the vehicles from Matawalle’s houses in Gusau and Maradun, to return them within 48 hours.

    Security operatives removed the vehicles from the two houses on the order of the State government.

    The court gave all parties involved in the invasion of the former governor’s houses 48 hours to comply with the order.

    “Yes, the police command has complied with the court order as regards to returning of all vehicles belonging to the former governor, Bello Matawalle.

    “We have returned all the vehicles to the premises of Federal High Court, Gusau, as I speak to you now, no single vehicle is in police custody,” Abubakar said.

    The court also gave an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents in the suit filed by Matawalle from taking any further action in connection with the matter.

    The respondents include the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and Commissioner of Police, Zamfara.

    Others are the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    The court further ordered the security agencies to stay away from all actions, pending the hearing and determination of the matter before it.

    Mr Suleiman Idris, spokesperson to Gov.  Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, had earlier said more than 40 vehicles were recovered from the two houses of the former governor.

    He also confirmed that the security agencies took the action on the directive of the state government.

    NAN

  • FRSC speaks on drivers with faded number vehicle plates

    FRSC speaks on drivers with faded number vehicle plates

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it will continue to apprehend motorists with faded vehicle number plates because they are a security risk to the public.

    The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem said this in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Abuja.

    Kazeem said criminals take advantage of faded number plates to perpetrate heinous crimes in the country, as such impounding such vehicles would enhance security of lives and property.

    “What we are saying is that driving a vehicle with faded number plates on our roads is like living with neighbours who do not have identity; that is a huge security risk for other road users.

    “This is because, miscreants, kidnappers, terrorists as well as other enemies of the state can leverage on that gap to commit heinous crimes because their identity is masked,” he added.

    Kazeem said that the corps would continue to educate vehicle owners on the imperative of having very clear number plates.

    “I think the emphasis here should be channeled to educating people on the need to know the basis so that owners of faded number plates can replace them rather than devoting energy on whether or not arrest is imminent,” he said.

    Kazeem said that the mandate of the FRSC included making highways safe, designing and producing vehicle number plates and keeping custody of every information about vehicles in Nigeria.

    The Corps Public Education Officer said vehicle owners rather than the FRSC, should bear the cost of getting their faded number plates reissued.

    According to him, number plates fade because of using  concentrated detergents in washing vehicles.

    “In this case and other cases of theft, loss and mutilation from crashes, replacement is at the cost of the vehicle owners.

    “Such vehicle owners must first apply and will be contacted on the required fee for the replacement through the motor vehicle administration.

    “Where materials are available for the production of number plates, it doesn’t take up to two days for the issuance of number plate for a new vehicle.

    “And also less than one week for re-issuance in case of theft, loss, mutilation and where they become faded,” he said.

    The spokesman emphasised that it was not the desire of the FRSC to arrest motorists and impound their vehicles, but to educate them to do the right thing.

    He added that ensuring safety on roads was a collective responsibility.

    “When it comes to enforcement, there is always collaboration and synergy amongst security agencies.

    “As for enlightenment, we have commenced that even before the enforcement began.

    “This is so because the Corps has a tradition of embarking on robust enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns on policies before proper enforcement,’’ he said.

    Kazeem denied that the number plates issued by the FRSC were substandard.

    “If the vehicle and all its parts including the paint on it are subject to fading away, wear and tear, then the number plate should not be an exception.

    “We are known for quality, both in our services and products, so saying the quality of materials we use are substandard, does not reflect the truth.

    “We are aware of this but not deterred from doing what is right and we shall continue to stand on the side of the truth and deliver on our mandate.”

  • Vehicular Support to Niger: Critics got it Wrong – By Aliyu Mohammed

    Vehicular Support to Niger: Critics got it Wrong – By Aliyu Mohammed

    By Aliyu Mohammed

    There is, currently, a national hysteria over the recent vehicles purchased by the federal government of Nigeria and donated to Niger Republic to boost security in that beleaguered nation. Since the “scandal” blew open, Nigeria’s tribe of the informed, the misinformed and the mischievous are united in lacerating and whipping the government of the day on this account.

    Columnists, writers of all hues, breakfast shows hosts, panelists on radio and of course, the ubiquitous social media “influencers” all, without reprieve, are exacting their pound of flesh on what they all concluded is a misplaced priority.

    As I write, editorials are being churned out condemning the purchase of these vehicles. One editorial by a major newspaper with a history of subjectivity and promoting regional divide described the act as that of a “Santa Claus” doling out moneys to other sovereignties whimsically.

    The government’s defense, so far, has been feeble and lackluster. It merely justified the purchase on the grounds of “security”.

    Security or lack of it in the Sahel, for which, Niger Republic with a landmass of nearly 500,000sq mi, constitutes, a substantial part, should be a major concern to Nigeria. In sheer size, it is the second biggest country in West Africa. It is bigger than Nigeria by a staggering 148,000sq mi. Eighty per cent (80%) of Niger Republic is arid and its population is one quarter of Nigeria’s. This means despite its enormous size, it is scarcely populated. Its twenty five (25) million inhabitants are mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture. It is a highly indebted Country (HIPC).

    Nigeria shares border in the north with this vast country. Apart from providing vast land cover for cross border criminals and bandits, Niger Republic provides sanctuary to insurgent elements of the dreaded ISWAP.It is also a smuggling route. A lot of Nigeria’s refined petroleum products. A 2019 report by the Guardian said that Nigeria loses over one trillion naira daily as a result of fuel smuggling across borders to West African states. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) put Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption at 52 million litres but the actual fuel consumed is 45 million litres.

    A litre of petrol sells at N400 in Niger Republic Niger Republic pose as a threat to Nigeria’s security on account of illegal migration. Several illegal aliens find their way into the country under cover of the free movement and trade under the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement and Trans border security.

    Increasingly nation states realize the importance of cooperation and integration. Nigeria with the biggest economy on the continent of Africa appreciates the import of sub regional integration and having secure neighbours. The country is battling with raging cocktail of insurgency and banditry.

    States have realized that they can’t live in isolation. Rich and poor nations appreciate the importance of corroboration in boosting commerce, trade and security.

    The goal of any national security is the protection lives, property and promotion of the country’s enduring needs. One of such is enduring security.

    And in the final analysis, a serious country will always create and maintain an enabling environment for the prosperity of the nation.

    Informed critics know this. But they will chose to misinformed and misguide mainly for mischievous political reasons. This latest opposition didn’t come as a surprise.

  • Aggrieved Ondo senator retrieves vehicles given to party leaders after losing

    The representative of Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Akinyelure, has allegedly started retrieving the vehicles he had given to some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leaders in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this development comes after the senator lost his bid to return to the Red Chamber of the parliament for the third time.

    In the Ondo Central Senatorial District primaries on Monday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions came second behind Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), who clinched the ticket with 82 votes.

    Akinyelure got 58 votes, while ex-Ondo State PDP Chairman, Chief Clement Faboyede, came third with 57 votes.

    An official of the party claimed that Akinyelure had retrieved the vehicles given to Chief Segun Adegoke, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, and that of Wole Akindiose, a former PDP Chairman in Ondo East Senatorial District and national delegate to the forthcoming convention of the party.

    However, Akinyelure’s Media and Strategy Adviser, Charles Akinwon, said the senator only retrieved the vehicle given to Akindiose because of the role he played during the primaries.

    Akinyelure had blamed the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, for the loss on Monday.

  • 20 burnt to death, 1 injured in Bauchi auto crash

    20 burnt to death, 1 injured in Bauchi auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi State, says 20 people were burnt beyond recognition in an auto accident on Tuesday in the state.

    The Sector Commander, FRSC in the state, Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident, said one other sustained injury.

    According to him, the accident which involved a commercial Golf 3 bus and a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle, occurred at Huturu Village on the Bauchi-Kano road in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.

    Abdullahi, who explained that the accident occurred at about 11.30 a.m., said it took corps personnel barely 12 minutes to arrive at the crash scene.

    He attributed the cause of the crash to dangerous driving and speed violation.

    “Twenty-one people were involved in the crash and there were 12 male adults, five female adults, one male child and three female children.

    “Eleven male adults, five female adults, one male child and three female children lost their lives to the crash and one male adult is still receiving treatment,” he said.

    Abdullahi explained that the deceased would be buried in Huturu Village, while the injured had been taken to Kafin Madaki General Hospital in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state for treatment.

    The sector commander advised motorists to always observe traffic rules and regulations.

  • 7 operatives injured, vehicle damaged as NDLEA nab Taraba drug baron

    7 operatives injured, vehicle damaged as NDLEA nab Taraba drug baron

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, nabbed a notorious drug baron at Nukai market, along Jalingo-Wukari road in the Taraba state capital, Jalingo, Micha Godwin, during which the anti-narcotic officers came under attack and at least seven of them were injured and one of their vehicles damaged.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a release signed by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

    According to the release, the officers however managed to arrest their target after recovering some quantities of illicit drugs from the suspect and thereafter retreated to take the wounded to the hospital for treatment.

    “The operatives following credible intelligence on Tuesday stormed the market at about 2.30pm to arrest the drug dealer and evacuate illicit substances in his warehouse.

    “Soon after the arrest of Micha, miscreants mobilised from the community to attack the officers and vehicles with dangerous weapons.
    A reinforcement from the state Command of the Agency and other security agencies was able to move in to rescue the operatives from the scene of attack.

    In custody, the drug dealer said “what happened today is bad because this is the second time I have been arrested and brought here but the first arrest was not like this. I don’t know who invited the boys who attacked the NDLEA officers”.

    Reacting to the incident, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) condemned the attack and directed immediate switch to new operational guidelines that will make officers and men well positioned to defend themselves adequately in the course of carrying out their duties. He again warned that henceforth any obstruction or attack on NDLEA operatives in line of duty by suspects or their supporters would receive commensurate response.

  • VIN crisis: Licensed agents call off strike, secure waivers on vehicles

    VIN crisis: Licensed agents call off strike, secure waivers on vehicles

    The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) on Monday called off its two-week old strike embarked upon over the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Valuation policy.

    The Task Force Chairman of ANLCA, Alhaji Rilwan Amuni, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the strike was called off due to a month grace given by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to clear backlog of vehicles manually.

    The clearing agents, since Feb. 21, crippled economic activities at the Lagos ports, with protests at the Tin Can Island Port and Port and Terminal Multi-services Ltd (PTML) Terminal.

    Their protest had to do with what they described as anomalies in the VIN valuation system policy introduced by the NCS for imported vehicles.

    “We have called off the strike and work is starting tomorrow because customs have given us one month grace to clear backlogs.

    “On the issue of demurrage in Ports and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML), they gave us 70 per cent waiver and Five Stars logistics Terminal, 50 per cent.

    “We are expecting others to follow suit,” he said.

    Amuni said that the waiver given was fine because it was not something they did normally.

    The NCS, through its National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, in a statement, had announced the one month window given to enable clearance of vehicles at the port.

    Bomodi said that uniform application of rebates would be used for all vehicles using correct values for assessment during the exercise.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the VIN-Valuation protocol is still in operation, as reviews and updates are being captured in our systems to reflect the genuine concerns of stakeholders,” he said.

  • 23 burnt to death as bandits ambush, set vehicle conveying 30 passengers ablaze in Sokoto

    23 burnt to death as bandits ambush, set vehicle conveying 30 passengers ablaze in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State Police Commissioner, Kamaludeen Okunola, has confirmed twenty-three deaths following an attack on travellers in Angwan Bawa, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    He confirmed the figure shortly after briefing Governor Aminu Tambuwal in an emergency security meeting summoned by the governor on Wednesday.

    The CP described the incident as unfortunate, noting that security personnel have been mobilized to the area to fish out the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence.

    Earlier, the spokesman of the Sokoto Police Command Sanusi Abubakar had narrated that a vehicle, which was conveying twenty-four passengers, was attacked by bandits, leading to the death of eighteen persons.

    He, however, explained that after verifying from local authorities and police officers on the ground, it was confirmed that the vehicle was conveying thirty passengers.

    The police spokesman said only nine of the occupants survived while twenty-one were burnt beyond recognition.

    Villagers said the vehicle conveying the travellers was ambushed and shot at before the suspected bandits burnt the vehicle and its occupants.

    The victims were said to be local migrant traders heading to the Kaduna village market in Gadan Gayan.

    Sokoto State, just like other states in the North-West region has been ravaged by banditry of recent, which has led to the loss of lives and properties.

    As part of measures to contain the situation, the state government shut down telecommunication services in some selected local governments, perceived to be the worst hit by the bandits.

  • How Senator Bala Na’Allah’s son was killed, vehicle stolen – Police

    How Senator Bala Na’Allah’s son was killed, vehicle stolen – Police

    The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the murder of the son of Senator Bala Na’Allah representing Kebbi south, Capt. Abdulkarim Ibn Na’Allah by suspected assailants.

    The 36-year-old pilot was murdered in his house on Saturday in Kaduna state by unknown assailants.

    According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, Mohammed Jalige, the assassins forcefully gained access into Abdulkarim’s residence at Umar Gwandu Road, Malali in Kaduna metropolis at night and choked him to death in cold blood.

    Then they made away with his Lexus SUV to an unknown destination.

    The police spokesman said the police have launched a full scale investigation into the incident with a view to unraveling the identities of the culprits and bringing them to book.

    “Detectives are currently leaving no stone unturned in compliance with the directive,” the statement said.

    “The Command is soliciting for information from the general public that will assist in getting to the root of this incident as well as proactively preventing future reoccurrence of similar tragic incident.”