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DEFENCE

Benue Approves 150 Hectares of Land for Naval  Base

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By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Benue state government has approved the allocation of a 150-hectare piece of land, situated opposite the Alfred Akawe Torkula Polytechnic for the establishment of a Naval Base. 

This decision was made after careful consideration of the substantial benefits  for the state will accrue from this development, including the construction of barracks and various essential amenities such as schools, a hospital, and a market beyond strengthening security in  the state.

The decision was part of conclusions of the State Excutive Council meeting presided over by the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia was conveyed in a press briefing at the Government House Makurdi, by the Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula,  along with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mnyim Lord Phydel, and the Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Solid Minerals, Barr.

Martin T Shaagee, co

According to the officials, EXCO also authorized a budget allocation of N9.2billion  for the construction of 16 roads within the Makurdi metropolis. 

The administration also reassured that other urban areas in the state, including Katsina-Ala, Otukpo, and Gboko, will receive attention as the government progresses.

The improvement of feeder roads and rural rroads would also remains a priority.

Recognizing the financial challenges facing the nation, EXCO increased the Governor’s approval limit from N50 million to N250 million. It was evident that the previously established N50 million limit, in place for two decades, was insufficient to address present economic realities, necessitating an upward adjustment.

Council endorsed the restructuring of several ministries, resulting in 17 reconfigured entities:

 Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management; Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy; Ministry of Power and Transport; Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Ministry of Cooperatives, Urban and Rural Development; Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management; Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning; Ministry of Justice and Public Order; Ministry of Energy, Science and Technological Innovation; Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Ministry of Works and Housing; Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity.

 Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change;Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals; Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism; Ministry of Health and Human Services;

The EXCO disclosed that due to the Governor’s effective rapport, lobbying efforts, and positive relationship with the Presidency, the Federal Ministry of Works has approved the comprehensive rehabilitation of key roads in the state, including the Gboko-Lessel-Ihugh-Tse Mker road, Aliade-Gboko-Yandev road, and Oju-Otukpo roads. 

Additionally, a commitment has been made to accelerate the completion of other federally awarded road projects, such as the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka-Ankpa road; Makurdi-Gboko-Ugbema road and the necessary repairs on the Katsina-Ala-Vandeikya-Ogoja road.

EXCO also gave the green light for a supplementary budget, which will be submitted to the State Assembly for confirmation and passage. 

The total budget amount remains consistent with the prior administration’s allocation, but EXCO approved a virement of N30. 2billion for the initial budget of N179,750,090.13. 

This adjustment implies that projects with extended completion timelines will be replaced by those with shorter durations, ensuring fiscal alignment with the year’s end. 

Specifically, projects spanning more than six months will no longer be considered, and funds will be reallocated to endeavors with completion times of three to four months, the officials explained.

CRIME

Police Rescue 28 Kidnap Victims, Detain 10 Suspects In Enugu

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The Police Command in Enugu has rescued 28 kidnap victims and detained 10 suspects in Enugu State.

The command also recovered firearms, ammunition, cash, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits in separate coordinated operations within the past 10 days.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe on Tuesday in Enugu.

Ndukwe said that the feat was part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid Enugu State of unrepentant violent criminals.

“On May 18, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives attached to Umumba Police Division, working with the Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards and community members, rescued two male and two female victims kidnapped along Umumba-Ndiuno-Aguoba Road in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

“This followed a tactical bush-combing operation.

“Four male suspects linked to the crime were immediately detained and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” he said.

The spokesman said that on the same day, at about 6:34 p.m., operatives from 9th Mile Division responded to a distress call and arrested a suspect.

According to him, the suspect and three others have attempted to kidnap a woman, who raised an alarm.

He said that the suspect, who was severely beaten by the mob, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being investigated further.

“Similarly, operatives from Okpuje Police Division of the Command, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards, on May 17, 2025, carried out a strategic bush-combing operation in a forest bordering Okpuje in Enugu State and Odolu in Kogi State.

“During the operation, they intercepted two men found with ₦150,000 and ₦70,000 respectively, intended for ransom payments, as well as loaves of bread and drinks requested by the kidnappers.

“Upon further incursion, the team encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers but responded with superior firepower, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandon the victims, a pump-action gun, and two live cartridges.

“The victims were rescued unhurt and the exhibits recovered. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that earlier, on May 14, 2025, at about 5:30a.m., operatives from Igbo-Eze North Division, with the Military and Neighbourhood Watch, rescued 21 kidnapped victims in Amaka-Okpodu community in Kogi State.

He said that the victims, some of whom were returning from a traditional marriage ceremony, had been allegedly abducted on May 10, 2025, along Iyionu-Aguibeje Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA by hooded armed men.

“Five male suspects were subsequently detained following credible intelligence, and three firearms were also recovered. Additionally, a minibus and four motorcycles used by the travelling victims were earlier recovered from the scene of the crime.

“In another operation, on May 13, 2025, at about 9:45 p.m., operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, acting on credible information, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Enugu/Port-Harcourt Expressway and recovered his Toyota Camry.

“A white Toyota Corolla with registration number ENU 703 LP used by the suspects and a Lexus 330 Jeep abandoned at the kidnapping scene in Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu, were also recovered.

“Operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects are ongoing,” he said.

Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had commended the police operatives, the collaborating security agents and law-abiding community members for their efforts in making the operations successful.

The spokesman said that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s avowed commitment to make Enugu State safer and more secure by rooting out violent criminals and their activities.

He said that the state police boss urged residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant and cooperative with police and other law enforcement authorities. (NAN) 

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CRIME

Police Nab Native Doctor, Recover Arms, Ammunition From Shrine

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The police operatives of the Enugu command, attached to the  Special AntiCultism Squad (SPACS)  have nabbed a native doctor, for alleged possession of fire arms and ammunition hidden in his shrine.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in Enugu on Monday.

Ndukwe said that the police recovered one locally-made pistol, one revolver pistol, one expended and one live .

38 special calibre ammunition and one live cartridge from his shrine located at Ugwuochie-Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

“The recovery followed the suspect’s confessional statements after his earlier arrest, as well as a subsequent raid on the shrine by the operatives.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity.

“He will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum, ensuring that “Enugu State remains uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals.”

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain supportive of the command’s efforts. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

FG Introduces New Online Citizenship, Business Management Platform

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The Ministry of Interior has  announced the launch of a new Online Citizenship and Business Management Platform.

This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.

Ajani said that the new digital platform was designed to streamline the application and processing of citizenship and business-related services, ensuring faster turnaround time and improved user experience.

The platform is aimed at managing citizenship applications, processing business permits, and administering regulations related to businesses and foreign workers.

The permanent secretary explained further that the initiative was part of the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at promoting transparency, enhancing operational efficiency thereby significantly improving service delivery to the public.

“Members of the public, corporate entities, and other stakeholders are hereby expected to access the platform through the following official channels: Ministry of Interior’s website: https://interior.gov.ng.

Direct portal access: https://candb.interior.gov.ng, candb-support@interior.gov.ng for support or inquiries.

“The ministry remains committed to establishing a more efficient, transparent, and secure framework for citizenship administration, while continuously enhancing service delivery through digital transformation.(NAN)

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