Connect with us

DEFENCE

Presidency Gives Breakdown on $1bn Excess Crude Account Fund

Published

on

Nigeria Army
Share

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Presidency has released further details on how the $1billion which was withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for security was spent. 

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday explained that the N876.

9million already spent from the money domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
 

According to him, a balance of $123,111,571.

29 has remained unspent at the CBN. 

Shehu said: “Here is as much detail as we can provide at this time concerning the USD 1,000 Million from Excess Crude Account which withdrawal was authorized by the National Economic Council.

“The record we have is that the Buhari administration paid $496,374,470 for a dozen Super Tucano fighter aircraft for the Air Force in a direct, government-to-government (no Contractors or Commission Agents) transaction with the government of the United States of America. They are due for delivery in 2020.

“Various other military procurements for critical equipment have been made. These are for the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy, amounting to $380,513,958,71. 

“These procurements include money for the purchase of Navy Lynx helicopters. Total amount spent so far: $876,888,428.71. The equipment paid for have due dates of delivery of between six months to two years.

“Balance of the money that is unspent as at today is $123,111,571.29.”

He said that the entire expenditure involved in these exercises is on the basis of government-to-government procurement. 

He added “In cases where the Nigerian government dealt with equipment manufacturers, their home governments have in all cases given guarantees to the federal government. 

“Again, it is important to stress that no contractors or commission agents have been involved in the procurements under discussion.

“All USD 1,000 million was domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria and to date, not a single Dollar of it has been transferred to the Ministry of Defence or any other ministry, agency of government, individuals or political party office as was the norm under the PDP administration.

“We note that the PDP made so much of a report claiming that the National Security Adviser, NSA had declared the entire amount of USD 1,000 million as missing. The NSA will not have said this. 

“I’am sure have the correct story to tell. Without approval of end-user certification as issued by his office, no arms can lawfully enter Nigeria. 

“In these days of fake news, citizens including political parties pretending to the role opposition parties must be careful about the reports they work with.” he said 

CRIME

Police Arrest 53 Suspects over Benue, Plateau Killings – IGP

Published

on

Share

By David Torough, Abuja

Barely one weekend after President Bola Tinubu’s directives to immediately fish out the perpetrators of the Yelewata massacre in Benue state, the Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has confirmed the arrest of 26 suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent massacre at Yelewata community of Guma local government area in Benue State.

Egbetokun said in the attack, 47 villagers were killed, two attackers were killed by the police and over 100 others were displaced.

He disclosed this during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja.

Egbetokun said the majority of the suspects were arrested on June 22.

Relatedly, the IGP also revealed that 22 suspects have been arrested for killing 12 travellers in Plateau State, while five persons have been arrested for killing two people in Benue State this week.

The arrests were coming barely a week after President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of the killer-herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.

Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi, during a visit to the State.

The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers and former governors of the state among others.

Tinubu had called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made at the time.

 “How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu directed.

He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

DEFENCE

Malete Imposes Nighttime Restrictions to Curb Robbery Attacks on KWASU Students

Published

on

Share

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin

In a move to stem the tide of rising robbery attacks targeting students in Malete, authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on movement and nighttime activities within the university host community.

The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the management of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, on Monday with the agreement of all key stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, members of the University’s extended management team, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, traditional leaders, security agencies, the alumni association, and the Student Union body.

As part of the new security measures Motorcycle operations are now restricted from 10:00PM, all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11:00PM while generator sets are to be switched off by midnight and night parties banned outright.

The stakeholders also agreed on the formation of a Joint Security Committee, comprising representatives from the University, Malete community, Students Union, and security agencies.

In addition, all private hostels in the community are mandated to engage security personnel, while trained vigilantes will be employed to support formal security efforts.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh reiterated the University’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students.

Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, disclosed that the Council would initiate the legal framework to enact a bye-law formalizing the agreed restrictions.

She also announced the deployment of 10 additional vigilantes equipped with necessary security tools to bolster the area’s night patrol.

ReplyReply allForwardAdd reaction
Continue Reading

DEFENCE

Troops Arrest Eight Kidnap Suspects, Rescue Others in Kwara

Published

on

Share

From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin

Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Patigi, Kwara State, have arrested eight kidnap suspects and rescued two victims from captivity. The operation, carried out on Saturday, June 21, 2025, was the result of a tactical strike based on credible intelligence, according to the Nigerian Army.

The operation targeted a known hideout on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area of the State.

Acting on credible intelligence, the troops launched a swift and coordinated assault, catching the suspected criminals off guard. The successful rescue underscores the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the region.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 22 Brigade, the suspects attempted to resist the troops but were quickly overpowered by superior firepower. “During the engagement, troops encountered mild resistance but swiftly subdued the criminals,” Lt. Nwankwo stated.

The operation led to the safe rescue of two kidnap victims, identified as Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael. Both individuals were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. Their rescue brought relief to the local community, which has grappled with a rise in cases of abduction in recent months.

During the operation, one individual, identified as Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds in the crossfire. He was promptly evacuated to Bachita Teaching Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. His role in the incident, whether as a suspect or otherwise, has not been officially clarified.

Military personnel also recovered two motorcycles and two expended cartridges from the scene, items believed to have been used by the kidnappers during their operations. The recovered materials are currently in the custody of the military and will aid ongoing investigations.

All eight suspects are now in military custody pending preliminary investigations. Lt. Nwankwo confirmed that they will be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Reaffirming its commitment to regional security, the Nigerian Army assured residents of Patigi and its environs that operations will continue to root out criminal elements, urging the public to continue supporting security efforts with timely information. The Kwara North senatorial district has, in recent months, witnessed a wave of terrorism and banditry with the presence of “Mahmuda”, believed to be a splinter group from Boko Haram around Kiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state, around Kainji National Park. The public outcry over the havoc being wreaked necessitated the visit of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on the 22nd of April, 2025, to rally the troops of 22 Armoured Brigade Sobi, Ilorin. The visit has yielded positive results, as the criminals have since the operation got under way.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS3 hours ago

Stakeholders task FG on making Uterine Health a priority

ShareBy Laide Akinbpade, Abuja Stakeholders in the Health sector on Thursday, tasked the Federal Government (FG), to make women uterine...

NEWS3 hours ago

ShareNAFDAC Generates N2.5bn from Illicit Drug Market Raids By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration...

POLITICS5 hours ago

S/West PDP National Ex-Officios Lauds NEC for Selecting Ibadan as Convention Venue

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja National Ex-officio members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South West have commended the...

POLITICS5 hours ago

INEC Warns against Underage, Multiple Registration as Exercise Begins Aug 18

ShareAhead of Aug.18 commencement date for Continuous Voters registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned against multiple...

NEWS5 hours ago

Adamawa Police Boost Capacity to Handle Gender-Based Violence Cases

ShareFrom Yagana Ali, Yola The Adamawa State Police Command, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has begun...

NEWS6 hours ago

FG Calls for United Front to Tackle Human Trafficking

ShareThe Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response...

SPORTS6 hours ago

Gyokeres Breaks Arsenal Shirt Sales Record After Completing £70m Move

ShareViktor Gyokeres has smashed Arsenal’s shirt sales record since his move from Sporting Lisbon was confirmed. Following weeks of arduous...

SPORTS6 hours ago

Bayern Sign Liverpool Winger Diaz for £65.5m

ShareLuis Diaz said he “fulfilled his duty” at Liverpool after completing a £65.5m move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The...

SPORTS6 hours ago

Okoronkwo Wins Super Falcons’ WAFCON 2024 Fans Award

ShareEsther Okoronkwo has been voted Super Falcons’ Fans Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations....

Metro6 hours ago

FG to Set up Livestock Breeding Centers in Six Geopolitical Zones

ShareThe Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed a plan to set up a livestock breeding center in each of the six...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc