From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps has apprehended a group of suspects involved in the theft of iron steel valued at over N4.5 million from a steel company in Ede, as well as other cases of burglary and property theft across the state.

The suspects Wilson Titus (26), Gabriel Simon (23), both from Kaduna State, and Ogundele Sunday (32) from Ekiti State were arrested by Amotekun operatives for conspiring to steal large quantities of iron steel from their workplace, a steel manufacturing company located in Ede. Investigations revealed that the trio, who are employees or closely affiliated with the company, had been stealing iron materials over time and selling them to a scrap dealer in Sabo, Ede, at prices ranging between N3,000 and N7,000, a fraction of the total market value.Upon interrogation, Wilson confessed that this was not their first involvement in such criminal activity. He admitted that they had been conducting the thefts for a long time before their recent attempt was foiled during a surveillance operation by Amotekun. The stolen materials are estimated to be worth over N4.5 million.In separate incidents, Ogunbunmi Yemi (38) from Ila-Orangun was arrested for breaking into a residential building and stealing household items including a television set, a generator and Iron Steel. He claimed the motive was to sell the items to support himself.Gbadegesin Ibrahim (28), from Osogbo, was also taken into custody after being linked to the theft of iron steel in Eleweran, Ile-Ife, and the stealing of an Itel mobile phone at Toll Gate, Ile-Ife. He was apprehended after a complaint was lodged with Amotekun, who then tracked him to his hiding location.In yet another incident, Biodun Akinwale (32), also from Osogbo, was caught red-handed while removing aluminium fabricators from a newly constructed building within the Ede North Local Government premises. He had forcibly broken the windows and fittings before being spotted by a resident who promptly alerted the authorities.On the arrests, the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Chief (Dr) Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, praised his team for their swift response and operational excellence.He highlighted the importance of the Corps’ Intelligence Unit in facilitating the surveillance that led to the successful bust of the Ede steel theft ring.“Our operatives acted swiftly following reports of consistent theft at the company. Surveillance was established, and the suspects were apprehended while committing the crime. They confessed to having sold stolen iron steel in the past for as low as N3,000, while the actual value of the stolen materials exceeds N4.5 million,” Omoyele said.He also assured that all suspects will be charged to court and prosecuted in accordance with the law to serve as a deterrent to others.Dr. Omoyele urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Amotekun or other law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that community collaboration is vital for effective security.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Due to failure of property owners in payment of ground rent on 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent for between 10 and 43 years, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), at the weekend said, from today (Monday), it will start taking possession of the properties.

Director of Land Administration for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director Development Control, Muktar Galadima and Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, stated this in Abuja. Nwankwoeze said N6,967,980,119 was owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners, as of March this year.They said; “ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts, had already reverted to the FCTA, and as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”The Director of Development Control explained that affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday. He said the FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course.On the claim that some people went to court, the Director of Lands stated that there was no court decision on the revocation and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.Chijioke Nwankwoeze also disclosed that the FCTA was already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance of title holders that were in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, who were given a grace of 21 Days to pay up.He said the government will act accordingly as soon as the records are fully compiled and analyzed.Olayinka said “Recall that on March 18, 2025, we informed you of the revocation of 4,794 land titles in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts.”These 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which Ground Rent was not paid from one year to 43 years.”We did say then that consequent upon the revocation of these titles, ownership of the affected properties have reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).”As from Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin to take possession of the affected properties, using relevant agencies of government.”As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process”.”It would be recalled that a grace of 21 Days was given to title holders that were in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, to pay up or have their land titles revoked.”Relevant agencies of the FCTA are already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance with this directive, with a view to acting accordingly.”It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.”In March, this year, list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent was compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), namely; Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08) and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).”In the listed districts, a total of 4,794 land titles were in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above. As at then, a total of N6,967,980,119 was being owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners.”This contravenes the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”Consequently, the titles of the properties in default were revoked in March 2025.”Therefore, from Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin to exercise its lawful rights of taking possession of these revoked properties”.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has declared that the Service has recorded unprecedented revenue of N1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than double the N600 billion collected during the same period in 2023.

Adeniyi attributed this remarkable growth to transformative reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as revealed in an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary. He highlighted that the revenue surge emanated from improved technological deployment, enhanced port operations, tightened enforcement on revenue leakages, and a renewed culture of accountability across Customs commands.”We collected N1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone. This is not due to higher import volumes. Imports have dropped due to foreign exchange constraints. What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement,” the Comptroller-General said.He disclosed that the Service is preparing to launch the E-Customs Modernisation Project. This $3.2 billion initiative will digitise cargo processing, surveillance, and payment systems across Nigeria’s ports and borders.”We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. The E-Customs Project is central to our future. Once fully deployed, we project it will add $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years,” he said.Adeniyi added that the newly launched Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme is now onboarding pre-vetted importers, allowing compliant businesses faster processing and reducing port congestion.”It’s about trust and efficiency. If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally,” he saidThe Customs CG confirmed that the Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue leakages.He said over N64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the last nine months, and major smuggling rings at the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina and Sokoto borders have been dismantled.He said the new joint border patrol task forces established in coordination with the Nigerian Army, DSS, and Police have also yielded positive results.”We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real-time. Once systemic leakages are now being plugged,” Adeniyi said.To ease trade and reduce business costs, Adeniyi disclosed that NCS is fast-tracking the roll-out of the National Single Window. This digital portal will integrate all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.”Right now, you deal with up to 15 agencies manually. With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs,” the CG explained, adding that clearance timelines at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to 7–10 days for compliant importers.The Comptroller-General said the agency has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is working with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processes in line with the government’s push for non-oil exports.”We’re promoting exports aggressively. Last year, Nigeria exported over N340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels, up by 38 percent. We’re targeting even more in 2025,” he said.He stated that the Customs Service is also undergoing internal transformation, with over 1,800 officers trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence.”Customs is no longer just about physical inspection. We are becoming an intelligence-led organisation, and our officers are being retrained to match global standards,” Adeniyi said.”The President gave us a clear directive: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without burdening Nigerians. That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves.”