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DEFENCE

ICPC does not Spend Recovered Funds — Owasanoye 

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The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has said  that money recovered by the commission is paid into the coffers of the Federal Government.

The chairman disclosed this at a one-day Sensitisation Dialogue with stakeholders  on Behavioural Change, National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Wednesday in Abuja.

The workshop is an avenue to sensitise stakeholders on its Constituency Projects Tracking Initiative which commenced in 2019, focusing on how well money allocated to critical sectors by government is utilised.

The project is in it fourth phase with the recovery of assets worth billions of Naira to the government, return of equipment to communities for whom they were meant.

Also, the project has forced a lot of contractors to return to sites and completed hitherto shoddily done or abandoned projects.

The exercise, however, led to revelation that some projects were excellently and completely executed.

Reacting to question on what happened to recovered assets, the ICPC boss reiterated that all the monetary recovered goes into the ‘Recovery Account’ and the account is with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said the commission has no powers over funds or assets recovered from corrupt people, adding that it does not spend recovered funds.

“The commission has a designated account for the recovery of proceeds of crime known as ‘ICPC Recovery Account’ into which all recovered funds were paid into

“Let me clear some of the misinformation out there. First thing is that, all the monetary recoveries goes into the recovery account.

“And there’s a lot of misinformation out there and it’s because there is a high level of cynicism. People do not believe anything righteous about the government.

“But I can swear an affidavit I can go on oath and swear on the Bible. Since I resumed in ICPC, no one kobo from recovered assets have been diverted.

“What is the proper thing? There is a  recovery account the money goes there, that’s one.

“So if it is liquid cash, the money goes there and that account is in the CBN. This information is important for community leaders to have because most people just accuse and say things that are simply incorrect.

 “You can ask anybody that you know who has ever been the suspect of investigation by ICPC.

“They have paid through remittance into the  recovery accounts called ‘ICPC Recovery Account’, he said.

Owasanoye further explained that the Proceeds of Crime Act was recently passed and the law says, “confiscation account should be opened and we have also opened one.

“If you step out of our compound, all you cars you see to the right are sized vehicles, covered vehicles, because the procedure for disposal was not carried until recently.

“We pressured until government  made claim the guidelines by saying every agency now has responsibility to dispose of assets and put the money into the recovery account.

“So ICPC has formed an Asset Disposal Committee which included members of the public as observers. The Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Civil Societies, Bureau of Public Procurement all are represented.

“Let them come and see what we are doing and broadcast it to the whole world,” he added.

He urged the public to visit the ICPC website for information on its recovered assets, adding that such information has been on its website since 2020.

“We try to put this information out there. All the recovered assets by ICPC have been on our website since 2020 and we have a digital assets record for all recovered assets whether interim or final.

“Government doesn’t have good reputation. Even when they are doing the right thing, citizens will say they have stolen the money.

“People will grant interview and they will be talking with passion and you will almost believe them that what they are  saying is correct. But sometimes, how many people can you correct?”.

In explaining further, the three categories of assets recovery, Owasanoye added it was important for the public to be carried along for transparency purposes.

“It’s good to educate the public.

When assets are recovered, they are recovered in three categories.

“They can been siezed, interim forfeiture and final forfeiture.

“So, a lot of assets that dragged for years are under interim forfeiture. If at the end of the day ICPC loses the cases for whatever reason. The court might say we do not agree with us on some evidence tendered.

“Like recently, we arrested somebody that used public fund to acquired 19 properties and we say this can not be his money.

“We filed all the documents. The court said some of these properties can be acquired by the suspect.

“The court forfeited four to government and left the rest of the properties to the suspect. We have appealed but there is nothing we can do, ” he said.

The ICPC boss maintained that under interim forfeiture, the properties would be under its custody until the court case had concluded.

“We will mark them and put security there. We do not allow you to operate there except if they are perishable, we bond it. You give us the value of the assets. We hold it until the case is concluded.”

He, however, stated that the new regime openly stated that before the end of the year, the commission would publish some assets that were under final forfeiture that have been valued and have no challenge in court.

“We will wait until the court cases are concluded. If ICPC wins, the assets becomes government properties, if we lose it goes back to the suspect,” he maintained. (NAN)

DEFENCE

Police Nab 32 Suspects, Recover 10 Firearms, 43 Vehicles in September

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The Police Command in Lagos State says it apprehended 32 suspects and recovered 10 firearms, 43 vehicles and N2.5 million during various operations across the state in September.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police(CP), Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the command’s achievements for the month at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

Tijani said the command also impounded 43 vehicles during an early-morning enforcement operation on Monday against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, adding that further checks were ongoing.

He said the command arrested the suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing, breaking and entering, public disturbance and other violent crimes.

The CP said the command recovered 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, suspected criminal charms and other incriminating exhibits.

He added that the firearms comprised five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols.

Tijani said a 32-year-old suspect was arrested during a routine patrol along Oko Oba Road after some suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting the police.

“A search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools,” he said.

The commissioner said a 29-year-old suspected armed robber was also arrested in connection with the alleged robbery of a man at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.

“The suspect was arrested at the Toll Gate, Lagos-Ogun boundary, following investigation into the Sept. 26 incident, in which armed men allegedly robbed the victim of his gold wrist chain and rings.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover the remaining exhibits,” he said.

He said police also arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged conspiracy and stealing case involving a gang that reportedly travelled from Idi-Oro, Mushin, to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah.

According to him, the suspect led operatives to a hotel room in Idi-Oro, where N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered.

The CP said three suspected robbers were also arrested in Idi-Oro, while intelligence obtained during investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges at Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

He added that another suspect was arrested in Olorunsogo, Mushin, where a locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition were recovered.

Tijani said the suspect allegedly confessed to membership of the Eiye Confraternity, while two other suspected cultists, aged 27 and 35, were arrested at Ganyigbo Beach Yard.

He said 12 suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were also arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered.

According to him, seven of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigation continued to apprehend other members and recover additional arms.

The commissioner further disclosed that police arrested a 15-year-old suspected arms courier at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.

He said a locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun were recovered from the suspect, while further investigation led to the recovery of an additional cut-to-size gun and 11 cartridges.

Tijani said the command also arrested a 53-year-old man in Ojo for alleged unlawful possession of a locally made pistol and six suspected hoodlums over alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property along Ejigbo–Idimu Road.

He said another suspect was arrested in Badagry for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance, adding that two victims had so far made statements against him.

Tijani said the command would continue to protect police personnel lawfully carrying out their duties while holding accountable officers whose conduct fell below expected standards.

He commended the officers and operatives for the breakthroughs and appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and timely provision of credible information. (NAN)

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DEFENCE

Troops Foil Two Abduction Attempts, Rescue 10 Victims in Zamfara

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By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled two separate abduction attempts and rescued 10 people in operations across Zamfara State.

The military said the incidents occurred on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas of the state.

In Maru, troops of Sector 2 responded to information that terrorists had abducted villagers at Kade Daba Village in Kanoma District.

The troops engaged the attackers and rescued three victims, while a subsequent search of the area led to the rescue of another victim, bringing the total rescued at the location to four.

In a separate incident along the Tsafe-Funtua road, troops conducting a picketing operation near Kwanoni heard sporadic gunshots and moved towards the area. They encountered terrorists withdrawing through surrounding high ground and engaged them, forcing the attackers to flee.

According to the military, the terrorists had set a Sharon vehicle ablaze while attempting to abduct its occupants. The occupants escaped before the vehicle was completely consumed by fire.

Six other people were rescued from another vehicle that reportedly lost control as a result of the gunfire. The vehicle was later towed away from the road to restore traffic flow.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their vigilance and swift response, saying their actions helped protect civilians along major roads and communities within the task force’s area of responsibility.

The commander also reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustained operations against terrorists in the North West and urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities to security agencies through official channels.

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DEFENCE

COAS Operationalises 28 Armoured Brigade in Kebbi, Assures Residents of Enhanced Security

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The Nigerian Army has operationalised 28 Armoured Brigade and Garrison in Birnin Kebbi, alongside 281 Tank Battalion in Yauri and 381 Artillery Regiment in Kaoje, as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and protect vulnerable communities across Kebbi State.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the deployment was part of the Army’s strategy to optimise its force structure, expand its operational presence, strengthen command and control, and improve response times to security threats across the North-West.

Shaibu, represented by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Paul Koughna, charged the Acting Commander of 28 Brigade, Colonel Abdullahi Umar, to ensure that the new formation provides effective fire support and contributes to ongoing security operations within the division’s area of responsibility.

Koughna said the deployment was particularly aimed at addressing threats posed by criminal elements and other security challenges in Kebbi State.

He urged troops to maintain discipline, professionalism and tactical focus while adhering strictly to the Rules of Engagement and protecting law-abiding citizens in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

The GOC also stressed the importance of cooperation among security agencies and other stakeholders, noting that sustained peace would require effective coordination and synergy.

During the visit, Koughna commiserated with residents of Jandutse community over the recent death of a resident in a bandit attack. He assured the community of an increased military presence to enhance the safety of residents.

The residents expressed appreciation for the Army’s continued efforts to improve security in Jandutse and across Kebbi State.

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