CRIME
Resign Now Or Face Mass Protests, CSO Tells Eyo-Ita

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Independent Public Service Watch (IPSW), has called for the resignation of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita following the allegation of N3billion fraud leveled against her.
The CSO in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by its Executive Secretary, Mr Okpanachi Jacob, vowed to commence nationwide protest against her if she fails to resign within 72 hours.
It would be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Oyo-Ita over alleged N3billion contract scam, abuse of duty tour allowance, money laundering, among others.
The group said it would henceforth take legal action against the likes of Oyo-Ita to ensure that public servants facing corruption trial vacate their seats pending the outcome of their investigation.
“As stakeholders in the Nigeria project, we shall henceforth go all out including seeking legal means to ensure that public servants facing corruption trial vacate their seats pending the outcome.
“We hereby issue a 72- hour ultimatum to Mrs Oyo-Ita to resign from office barring which we shall massively mobilise our civil society partners to picket wherever Oyo-Ita is.”
Jacob stressed that Oyo-Ita ought to have resigned her position pending the outcome of investigation, as all efforts to reform the civil service would amount to nothing if she remained in office with the level of the allegation against her.
He wondered why public servants facing investigation for corruption in the country still find it convenient to remain in office.
“It is worrisome and unacceptable that the Head of Civil Service of the Federation that is central to the fight against corruption is involved in corrupt practices.
“There is no way the service can be reformed when its head is enmeshed with series of allegations of corruption.
“More painful is the fact that a single Nigerian and a woman of Oyo-Ita’s calibre who by all means looks very pious, will be in custody of such mind numbing sum of money in the midst of the abject poverty faced by civil servants and Nigerians in general.
“Preliminary findings by the anti-corruption agency confirmed that about N3billion has been traced to the Head of Service which came in through proxy companies.
“Also, about N600million has been traced to the account of one of her key aides who has been unable to give any justifiable explanation for it,” Jacob said. (NAN)
Business News
IGP Orders Full Enforcement Against Naira Note Hawking

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, has ordered full enforcement of the CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises the hawking and selling of naira notes.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
He ordered the arrest and prosecution of all individuals engaged in the sale or abuse of the Naira notes issued by the CBN.
Baba said the order was in line with the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the CBN Act, 2007 that criminalises amongst others, the hawking, selling or otherwise trading on the naira notes.
He directed all supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands and Formations to carry out the full enforcement.
The I-G also ordered the placement of officers and men of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Force Intelligence Bureau on high alert.
He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau to effect the order.
According to him, the order is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s policy and drive to uphold the provisions of the CBN Act, 2007 and dignify Nigeria’s currency.
He reiterated the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to enforce all laws and regulations without prejudice to the enabling Acts of other security agencies.
Baba called on the public to cooperate with the Nigeria Police Force in the enforcement of the CBN Act against violators. (NAN)
CRIME
MNJTF Troops Eliminate Dozens, Capture 40 Terrorists in Lake Chad

Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed dozens of terrorists and captured more than 40 in recent operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt. -Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement yesterday in N’Djamena Chad.
Adegoke said the troops also destroyed several terrorists camps during the clearance and stabilisation operations in the region conducted from January 18 to 29.
He added that 87 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists surrendered within the period.
Adegoke said in Sector 1, Cameroon, the troops conducted ambush operations on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23 in the general area of Kolofata-Kirawa, captured one terrorist alive and recovered significant quantity of assorted foodstuff.
According to him, the Sector has been very active in dominating its area through land and maritime operations especially in areas such as Tchika, Gore Kendi and Kerena, among others.
In Sector 2, Chad, he said the troops had dominated the maritime domain from Bagalam-Kongalam to Koulfoua and denied the terrorists freedom of operation.
The MNJTF spokesman said this had led to the return of about 3,000 civilians in the general area of Bakatorolorom.
Adegoke also said troops of Sector 3, Nigeria, had on Jan. 18 and Jan. 23, intercepted a Boko Haram logistics supplier in Baga in possession of motorcycle spare parts.
He added that the troops on Jan. 27, encountered terrorists along Damasak–Gubio road who fled on sighting the troops and abandoned two motorcycles, two hand grenades and some terrorists uniforms.
Adegoke said a raid operation on terrorists’ camp in Matari on the Niger/Nigeria border was conducted by troops of Sector 4, Niger, on Jan. 21 and Jan 23, with the support of Sector 3, Nigeria, and other partners.
According to him, the well conducted special forces operation led to the destruction of terrorists’ camp, neutralisation of over a dozen terrorists, destruction of their equipment and capture of two high value target criminals.
“There was no casualty on our forces side as they were successfully extricated.
“The courageous troops of Sector 4, Niger, acting on intelligence reports also swooped on three suspected terrorists logisticians in Nguigmi market on Jan. 29 in Niger Republic.
“They were trying to buy supplies for suspected BHT/ISWAP key leaders hiding in the Lake Chad, a total sum of N1.2 million (old notes) and CFA160,000 were recovered.
“The criminals are in custody undergoing further profiling.
“On same day, troops of Sector 4 in continuing offensive operations conducted a special forces raid operation in Afofo forest in Niger Republic and destroyed a terrorist camp and captured 36 suspected criminals.
“In the process of withdrawing from this operations, the troops intercepted a FJ45 Toyota vehicle loaded with assorted pharmaceutical products possibly being ferried to the Lake Chad areas,” he said.
Adegoke said that 77 terrorists comprising fighters and their families surrendered in the last two weeks to MNJTF Sector 4 troops in response to kinetic and non-kinetic activities of the MNJTF.
He added that eight others surrendered in the same period to Sector 1, Cameroon and Sector 2, Chad troops, making a total of 85 surrendered terrorists within the period.
According to him, all the surrendered are being treated in line with International Humanitarian Laws and profiled for further action by relevant state and non-governmental organisations.
Nigerian Ambassador to Chad Hails MNJTF, Pledges More Support
Newly appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Republic of Chad, Amb. Lami Remawa–Ahmed, has commended the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for their efforts in tackling the scourge of terrorism.
Remawa–Ahmed gave the commendation when she visited the force Headquarters at Camp Farcha in N’Djamena, Chad yesterday.
The Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
The ambassador praised the work of the MNJTF and its various Sectors in tackling the scourge of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region.
Recalling the dark days when the terrorists were operating all over the region and causing havoc, she said the tremendous efforts of the MNJTF and other security outfits had changed the narrative favourably.
Remawa–Ahmed commended officers and men of the force for their commitment, courage and hard work which was largely responsible for the success so far achieved.
She also appreciated the political will of the leaders of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin region who came together to give life to the security outfit.
The ambassador who called on the MNJTF to evolve strategies to end the conflict, paid tribute to officers and men who paid the supreme price in the quest for peace in the region.
She promised to sustain the support of the embassy to the force in its quest for total peace in the Lake Chad region.
Earlier, the Force Commander appreciated the ambassador for the visit and called on the embassy for more support to the MNJTF.
Ibrahim promised to continuously take the fight to the criminals until all terrorists in the region are totally rooted out.
The ambassador was accompanied by Nigerian Defence Attaché to Chad, Col. OU Eke and Minister (Political) in the Nigeria Embassy, Nura Aliyu.
In attendance were the Deputy Force Commander, Brig Gen Assoualai Blama, COS and other senior officers of the MNJTF.
CRIME
Adamawa CP Warns Against Political Thuggery

From Yagana Ali, Yola
The Adamawa state Commissioner of Police SK Akande, has deployed operatives of the Command drawn from the Special Rapid Response Team (SRRT) and other Tactical Squads to carry out a tactical and intelligence – driven 24/7 raid against political gangsters and their instigators that go around to disturb the peace being enjoyed in the state.
The CP made this known while speaking with DAILY ASSET yesterday in Yola, the state capital.
He said the Command is collating pictorial evidence of every event that will be used in prosecuting offenders and their sponsors, even as he warned that all should play peacefully by the rules.
“We direct all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Operational Commanders and their Supervisory Area Commanders to personally lead the operations in their Respective Areas Responsibility (AOR) to ensure total domination of the public space and arrest trouble makers,” he said.
The CP while re-emphasizing the firm determination of the Command in ensuring safety of lives and property sought full cooperation from members of the public particularly political leaders to talk to their supporters to shun all forms of violence and key into the Command’s effort in maintaining peace.
He further called on members of the public to report any suspicious character around them to the nearest police station, especially during the forthcoming general elections.