NEWS
FCTA arrests Two land racketeers, says no compensation for victims
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday arrested two suspected land racketeers for selling plots of land illegally to unsuspecting residents of Ungwan Zaki, in Jahi District, Abuja.
Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, FCTA, who stated this in Abuja, during the demolition of illegal structures in Jahi community said there would be no compensation for the victims.
Galadima said the suspects, one Mr Yusuf Ibrahim, popularly known as Baban Kalifa, and Prophet Emmanuel Ayisa, would be prosecuted according to the law.
“I am not surprised because these are the antics of criminals, but we have warned the residents and citizens about this kind of ugly situation.
“We have warned people to beware because every land in Abuja has been planned for something. We equally warned residents not to buy land from local chiefs. You have to go to the appropriate authority.
“Even if you want to buy land from somebody, you have to conduct a due diligence search. It is unfortunate that these are victims of circumstances,” he said.
He stressed that the authority would not give them compensation for their loss and advised people to consult appropriate authorities to search for whatever property they want to buy.
The director said, “I feel their pain, but whatever it is, it is illegal and that is why we are removing it.
“It is a continuous process of cleaning and sanitising the city. Obviously, this place is like a criminal den, because when we came in, we saw a lot of characters,” he said.
The Deputy Director and Head of Enforcement, Mr Hassan Ogbole, said that the area was reserved for a road corridor between Kado and Jahi Districts.
Ogbole said that the enforcement team visited the area five times, adding that the people often return and rebuild after every demolition.
“I believe that with this extensive removal of the trees, it will be difficult for them to come back,” he said.
Also, Mr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA, explained that the arrest was based on intelligence reports by security agencies who gathered that people were contributing money to bribe the enforcement team.
Olumoji explained that the security operatives were able to identify the culprit and arrest was made, adding that the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command had ordered thorough investigation and prosecution of the fraudsters.
One of the victims, Ms Florence Emedo, said that she bought the land about two years ago, and was assured that the area would not be demolished and that she could stay there for 10 years.
“We were told that the traditional leader of the area, called Zaki of Kado, was fully aware of the land, which was initially being sold for N75,000.
“Baban Kalifa assured us that nothing will happen, adding that they have an insider in FCTA and assured us that nothing will happen but from time to time we will just contribute money and give them.
“They asked us to gather money and they will go to the office, and we contributed N10,000 each,” she said.
Another victim, Ms Owadia Valentina, said that she bought the plot for N450,000 while some bought between N100,000 and N200,000.
“He assured us that we can stay for 10 years and that there is already an agreement on the land.
“I moved in October last year, and I just painted two months ago,” she said.
However, the suspect denied the allegation, claiming that they have not sold land to anyone in the area.
Yusuf Ibrahim specifically said that he did not collect any money from anybody for the purpose of enriching himself.
He, however, acknowledged collecting money from the residents, but said it was for compensation to the Gbagyi people who owned the cashew plantation where the lands were sold.
Similarly, Prophet Ayisa, agreed that he and Baban Khalifa held a meeting after which they collected money from the victims of the demolished structures, but not to appease the officials of the FCTA against demolition of their area.
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.
Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo on Thursday in his office on a courtesy visit.The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.
On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.
Abah on his recent well deserved feat as the FUSHO Acting Vice Chancellor.Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.
He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.
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