COVER
Eid-el-fitr: Security Agencies Issue Alert to Muslims Faithful
Don’t Use Mosque for Political Rally – Kwara Police
… FCTA Restricts Prayers to Mosques
… Nasarawa Deploys 4, 500 Police
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja and Beauty John, Lafia
Amid growing insecurity in the country, occasioned by attacks and killings by bandits, Boko Haram, herdsmen and gunmen, have separately advised Muslims faithful to be conscious of the security situation in the country.
In separate Sallah messages, the security outfits assured of doing everything within their reach to ensure a peaceful celebration.
…Don’t Use Mosque for Political Rally – Kwara Police
From Kwara, the Police said to avoid any rancour, politician in the state should not turn Eid praying ground to a political rally.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Bagega, gave the warning in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ajayi Okasanmi yesterday in Ilorin.
“I wish to use this medium to inform the people of Kwara that some people have perfected plans to disrupt the peace and harmony in existence in the state using the Eid praying ground as a venue.
“The command, therefore, warns politicians not to turn Eid praying ground to a political rally. Anybody found in possession of any dangerous items like arms and ammunitions will be treated as a criminal.
“No sachet water is allowed on the praying ground as adequate water has been provided for ablution.
“No chanting of party slogan of any kind, praise singing of VIPs within the praying ground will also not be allowed.
“Motorists are advised to respect the rights of other road users as all acts of irresponsibility will be met with stiff legal consequences,’’ Bagega said.
He further warned that the police had the determination to deal decisively with anybody found committing crime before, during and after the celebration.
…Watch Your Environment – Sokoto Command
From Sokoto, the Police Command advised residents in the state to be vigilant and security conscious before, during and after the Eid-el-fitr celebrations.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Kamaldeen Okunlola, gave the advice in a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Sunusi Abubakar, yesterday.
Okunlola congratulated Muslim faithful in the state on the successful observance of the holy month of Ramadan, wishing them a hitch free Sallah celebrations.
He assured members of the public of the preparedness of the police to provide adequate security for lives and property before, during and after the festivities.
“Policemen drawn from all departments have been deployed in the Sokoto metropolitan area, while adequate provisions have also been made to secure other parts of the state, including all praying grounds.
“However, in the event of distress, please contact the following phone numbers: 08031230631 and 07019699968,” he said.
…FCTA Restricts Prayers to Mosques
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello,
said this year’s Eid-prayers will hold only in Juma’at mosques..
In a statement issued by FCT and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, the minister said it was imperative for the administration to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.
The Minister who met with a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative led by its Chairman, Imam (Dr) Tajudeen M.B Adigun. to discuss the modalities of holding Eid prayers for the upcoming Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
The statement reads: “In his remarks, the Minister thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the course of the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT and said that having gone through a first wave of the pandemic and a second wave that caused more fatalities and had increased number of positives, it was imperative to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.
”Consequently, based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Monday. 10th May 2021, the following guidelines are hereby issued:
“There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road). All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at Mosques.
“Indoor worship are to be limited to less than 50% of installed capacity. Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.
”All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and hand washing are to be observed. All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed
“At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun, speaking on behalf of the League, said “In Islam, you listen to experts, those who are specialists and those who have actually discussed with us are experts in the field of medical sciences. In Islam, you also abide with the commands of leadership”.
“Based on this and what we are convinced of, we urge Muslim Ummah to also respect this stand of the Administration of the FCT by observing our Eid prayers within our localities”, the statement added.
Nasarawa Deploys 4, 500 Police
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state, C P Bola Longe has ordered the deployment of 4,500 personnel to major towns, Eid praying grounds, junctions, recreational centres and other public places to ensure safety of citizens during the Sallah celebration.
In the same light, undercover operatives have also been deployed to nook and crannies of the State for surveillance and information gathering.
The CP in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia by the police image maker, Ramhan Namsel enjoins citizens to go about the celebrations without any fear or apprehension noting that, the Divisional Police officers (DPOs), Operational Commanders and their supervisory Area commanders were directed to ensure the safety and security of the public .
“Consequently, the State Police Command is committed to providing an enabling environment for a hitch-free celebration. Sequel to this, Four thousand, five hundred Police Personnel have been strategically deployed to cover major towns, Eid praying grounds, junctions, recreational centres and other public places, while rigorous patrol will be sustained on our highways for the safety of travellers.
Longe urged the public to report any suspicious movement around their neighborhood to the nearest police station.
“The State Command also wishes to call on the good people of the State to live in peace with one another irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation and report any likely breach of peace in their area to the Police for prompt action.
“In case of any distress or emergency before, during, and after the festive period, the general publics are advice to call: 08108795930, 08112692680, 08037461715 and 08032875187”; the statement reads.
FRSC Deploys 665 Personnel, Tasks Motorists on Safety
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ekiti, Elizabeth Akinlade, has stressed the need for motorists to be safety conscious before, during and after the Eid-El-Filtr celebrations.
Akinlade, who called on road users to adhere to traffic rules and regulations during the period, said that a special patrol team had been put in place to arrest erring motorists.
The sector commander said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
She disclosed that more than 300 regular marshals and 365 special marshals had been engaged for traffic control across the state.
“As Eid-el-Fitri will be celebrated by Muslim faithful worldwide on May 12 and May 13 to mark the end of Ramadan, Muslim faithful and other Nigerians may want to use the period to celebrate with their families and loved ones, thus compelling them to travel from one point to another.
“FRSC, Ekiti sector command, in collaboration with other relevant security agencies, will be carrying out special patrol operations, which will commence from May 11 to May 17,” the sector commander said.
She added that the special patrol operation was aimed at ensuring that all motorists and other road users had safe and memorable celebrations, even amidst COVID-19 pandemic and security challenges.
“This special patrol operation is to reduce road traffic crashes and traffic infractions.
“It will ensure prompt response to road traffic crash victims and enforcement as well as strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols by motorists.
“The patrol will give robust public enlightenment and education as well as clear possible obstructions,” she said.
Akinlade, however, warned that there would be strict enforcement of traffic violations, such as compliance with COVID-19 protocols, overloading, using phones while driving, using worn-out tyres and other life-threatening traffic offences.
Edo Deploys 3,410 Policemen
The Edo State Police Command has deployed 3,410 personnel to different venues across the state to provide security during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
SP Kontongs Bello, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, made the disclosure in a statement in Benin yesterday.
According to Bello, the command wishes to rejoice with all our Muslim ummah in the state during this period of Eid-el-Fittr celebration which marks the end of Holy Month of Ramadan.
“In the light of this celebration, the command has put in place adequate security measures in ensuring the security of lives and property of our Muslims and the general public during and after the celebration.
“The command has massively deployed 3,410 Policemen to Mosques and recreation venues across the state.
“Also deployed are traffic personnel to ensure free flow of traffic especially in Benin.”
The PPRO also disclosed that the command would also collaborate with other sister security agencies to ensure that the celebration was hitch-free.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, CP Phillip Ogbadu, enjoins all Muslim Ummah to be security conscious while celebrating and report any suspicious movement,” the statement added.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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