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CBN, DSS Collaborate Against Rice Smuggling

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 By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

In its move to ensure the success of federal government’s diversification of Nigeria’s economy from oil to agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS) initiated a robust anti-smuggling drive.

Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Adamawa State, the CBN Branch Controller, Mr.

Jatau Sato said that the new resolve and cooperation was aimed at enhancing the rapid growth of Nigeria’s economy leveraging the agricultural sector to boost the country’s foreign exchange, create massive job windows and ensure food security in the country.

A statement from the Corporate Communications Department of CBN in Abuja on Tuesday,  said that so far a number of contraband had been seized by the DSS following raids on many properties where the contrabands were hidden.


Quoting the Controller, the statement noted, “the DSS operatives raided some warehouses in remote areas being used by smugglers for their nefarious activities and recover item which include 1,207 bags of foreign rice, ten jerry cans of groundnut oil, 58 bottles of energy drinks and 83 bags of sugar.”

While acknowledging the efforts of the federal government aimed at diversifying the economic base of the country especially from crude oil dependent economy to more comparatively advantageous resources in agriculture, Mr Sato stated that “for a long time the CBN has actually been complimenting the effort of the federal government in that respect, especially with various intervention programmes in various sectors of the economy, particularly agricultural sector.”

According to him, “to achieve the diversification drive, the CBN has evolved a number of strategies including the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, to ensure the growth of the agricultural sector.”  

He further stated that the scheme had so far recorded successes in a number of areas but lamented with dismay that the activities of smugglers might hamper the milestones so far achieved. Hence the new cooperation between the CBN, DSS and other security operatives. 

”With the introduction of Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, we know the success story in Kebbi State and many other states. In particular, we recorded great success in Adamawa State but we have been encountering some challenges and the desire of the federal government is to ensure that we create jobs for our people especially the teeming youth in particular, feed the nation and generate income”, he stated. 

“Recently, Nigeria has stepped up from primary level of production to the secondary level of production which is processing so that we can improve the shelf life of most of our produce. That is why we have the Anchor Borrowers Programme because the anchor borrowers will ensure the complete value chain in the agricultural business.


“Unfortunately, these efforts that we are proud of is being frustrated by some unscrupulous elements in our society. People who believed in their personal pecuniary penchant for mundane things will smuggle foreign rice in particular into our economy thereby frustrating our farmers and the effort of government. What we essentially have been able to do is to partner with the security organization,” he said.


He noted that in view of Nigeria’s vast porous borders and the scant number of customs operatives to man them, the partnership with the DSS became imperative noting that so far the cooperation has led to seizure of a number of contraband smuggled into the country.
“We discover that Nigeria has porous borders and the customs charged with the responsibility of controlling the borders are not adequate enough to cover all those porous borders and so many a times we discovered that products like foreign rice get into our economy into the market.


“So when we partner with the DSS to find out the source where these products are coming from we were able to discover that these people circumvent conventional way of warehousing these products by even going to hire individual houses to store some of these products instead of the warehouse”, he added. 

Meanwhile, the DSS has obtained court order to distribute the seized item to vulnerable groups in the zone. 

Jatau hinted that the DSS is therefore, set to commence the distribution of the impounded food items to the IDPs camps, orphanages, organized almajiri houses and religious organization that have organized IDP camps.

CRIME

Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno

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The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.

10 while riding a tricycle.

He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.

He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.

“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.

“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.

Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)

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CRIME

Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss

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From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State,  Danlami Abdullahi  Saku was assaulted and seriously  injured over his inability  to settle  a campaign  loan he obtained,  the State Police  Command said three suspects were now in their  custody  over the incident.

Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun  in a release on Wednesday said  On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.

Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer,   the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.

He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.

A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.

The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.

The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.

“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”

The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.

However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.

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CRIME

Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos

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There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.

An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.

Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.

He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.

The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.

We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.

“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”

Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.

He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.

“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.

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