The Nigerian Army has arrested alleged Boko Haram masterminds of the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded over 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State.
The suspect, identified as Victor Moses was arrested at Alkaleri town of Bauchi alongside 3 other suspects, namely; Abubakar Shetima Bama, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Madaki
The Army said Moses was arrested while loitering around a mosque in Alkaleri town in his bid to convert to Islam
The suspects were paraded before the Chief Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai who was in Bauchi on an official engagement in Bauchi.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at Shadawanka Barrack in Bauchi on Monday, the Brigade Commandant of 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, Brigadier General Abraham Luka Dusu said the suspects were arrested following information from the public.
He said; “our troops on duty in Alkaleri arrested Victor Moses after receiving report from the people in the area that the suspect, Victor Moses has been loitering around the mosque claiming that he is a Christian and want to convert to Islam but because he is not from the area, they suspected him and reported to our men.
“Victor Moses confessed that he is conducting surveillance for Boko Haram sometimes he stays in the shop Of Abubakar Shetima Bama who is based in Jos while the other two accomplice, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Madaki are based in Gombe.
Brig General Dusu said the suspects will be handed over to Joint Intelligent Centre in Maiduguri for further interrogation. Thanks for reading.
A sucide bomber kills 20 people at funeral
A suicide bomber killed at least 20 people when he detonated an explosive belt at a funeral northeast of the Iraqi capital on Monday, security officials said.
According to AFP, the attack in Muqdadiyah, which was hit by revenge attacks on homes and mosques after a January suicide bombing, also wounded at least 40 people.
WIll Nigeria boycott banks on tuesdays.
If Nigerians heed the call by the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) and Coalition of Nigerian Consumer Protection Associations, banks across the country, on Tuesday, March 1, will be empty. CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele The group wants Nigerians to boycott the banks on that day in protest against alleged arbitrary charges imposed on customers by the financial institutions. This is coming weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed N50 on customers as compulsory stamp duty on deposits of N1,000 and above. The charge, however, is collected on behalf of NIPOST and the Federal Government and it goes to the Federation Account. Only last week, the CBN said it got banks across the country to return excess charges, estimated at N6.2billion, to customers. Our investigations revealed that, aside normal bank charges associated with daily transactions, depositors are exposed to many hidden charges as well as what financial experts described as arbitrary charges. Charges enormous – Mikail, Shareholders Association boss In a chat, the National President, Constance Shareholders. Association of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Mikail, explained. that the banks are facing a lot of challenges in the operating environment, saying, however, that this does not justify some of the charges. He said, “The reality is that, banks have to collect certain charges to sustain their operations, in order to remain in business. They have to pay their staff, give dividends to shareholders and carry out general maintenance of their facilities. The banks spend a lot of money to buy diesel daily to generate power due to erratic electricity supply in the country. So, at the end of month, they transfer some of the costs to customers as bank charges. We are not saying that. banks should not collect charges from customers, because they need some of these charges to stay afloat in business. But the issue is that, the charges are so enormous and, if not checked, may have adverse effect on the cashless monetary policy already in place. For instance, a large part of Nigeria is still un-banked, and if these numerous charges are not curtailed, many people who are already using the services of banks may stop patronising them”. Responding to what the Bankers Committee, which often meet to examine issues in the financial sector, is doing currently to tackle the challenges in. the sector, he said, “It is clear that the Bankers Committee, at present, does not know exactly what to do, in order to turn around the financial sector of the economy, especially in the issue of forex crisis rocking the sector. So, deliberate and consistent government policies are needed to restructure the sector for greater efficiency, especially in the aspect of exchange rate that is affecting virtually everything in the economy now.” CBN, Bankers’ Committee and bank charges: It could be recalled that the cashless policy was first introduced by CBN on January 1, 2012 in Lagos State, where the higher. proportion of cash circulates daily as a pilot study to test-run the process. Thus, the CBN and the Bankers Committee, in November 2012, agreed to abolish all charges associated with the use of ATMs, in order to increase patronage of ATMs, thereby deepening financial inclusion strategy of the apex bank. So, in December, 2012, they abolished the payment of N100 ATM withdrawal charge by depositors. They transferred the payment of the N100 fee to the issuing banks, stressing that the fee be split between the acquiring bank, issuing bank and switch companies. But, on August 13, 2014, the. same Committee and the CBN re-introduced ATM charge of N65 instead of N100, to be paid by individual customers. The circular, signed by the Director of Banking and Payment Systems Department of CBN then, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, stated, “The CBN agreed to re-introduce ATM charge because the cost of transaction was becoming too burden some for the banks to bear. The circular from September 1, 2014 shall be effective date for the implementation of the new charge. Banks are expected to conduct adequate sensitisation to the customers on introduction of the new fee. As a result. of the un-intended consequences of the decision, which has resulted in substantial cost burden incurred by banks in defraying the cost of the service, the payment structure for card carrying bank customers is hereby reviewed in line with the present realities”. Customers’ angle When we visited some commercial banks in Lagos, customers were seen carrying out their normal transactions. It was also observed that, some banks had more customers in the banking halls and at the ATM points, while other places were very scanty. Some of the depositors who spoke during the visit blamed. the CBN for re-introducing ATM charged that was abolished by the former governor of CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, while other said that banks are making a lot of money from customers, yet they keep on retrenching, even as many of their workers are on contract. A customer at Oluwo, Ikeja branch of First Bank, who gave her name as Mrs. Gloria Moses, said, “The apex bank that regulates activities of commercial banks is acting as if it is panicking, especially in the area of foreign exchange. If you look at the forex policies of the CBN critically, you can easily realise that the current CBN is already. panicking. To me, the re-introduction of ATM charge after it was removed by the same CBN was unnecessary. For that reason, I don’t use ATM of other banks for withdrawal since that charge was brought back. I simply withdraw from my own bank to avoid paying extra charge. It seems the CBN is even losing focus on what the banking public actually want, which is a reduction in interest rate for industries to thrive and create jobs for the masses. I think the re-introduction of ATM charge constitutes policy inconsistency”. Perspective of advocacy group/Objective Some of the practices mentioned by. CAFON, which necessitated the action against banks excessive charges, unexplainable fees and unfair contracts designed to protect the financial institutions to the detriment of the banking public. Others are indiscriminate debiting of customers’ accounts for charges that are arbitrary and unilateral changes in interest rates by banks, and this without prior notice to the consumers.
Thank for reading.
Thank for reading.
Governor Dickson's sister Nancy regains freedom after 72 days
The abducted 26 years old sister of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Miss Nancy has regained freedom.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secreta
The abducted 26 years old sister of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Miss Nancy has regained freedom.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
According to the statement, “Some of the kidnappers took to their heels while others were apprehended following a tip off on their hideout”.
Governor Dickson assured that plans were underway to amend the Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping and other Related Offences Prohibition Bill 2012 to proscribe payment of ransom in the state.
He stressed that the Bill when passed into law, would go a long way in putting a stop to kidnapping in the state. Dickson urged Bayelsans to take a cue from his personal experience with kidnappers when his aged mother was abducted in 2009 and efforts were made to secure her release without payment of ransom.
As part of efforts to stem criminal activities in the state, Governor Dickson said “a comprehensive security strategy would be launched soon to boost government’s policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminality.”
He therefore advised anyone or group of persons who indulge in the unwholesome practice to turn a new leaf as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on any culprit.ry to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
According to the statement, “Some of the kidnappers took to their heels while others were apprehended following a tip off on their hideout”.
Governor Dickson assured that plans were underway to amend the Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping and other Related Offences Prohibition Bill 2012 to proscribe payment of ransom in the state.
He stressed that the Bill when passed into law, would go a long way in putting a stop to kidnapping in the state. Dickson urged Bayelsans to take a cue from his personal experience with kidnappers when his aged mother was abducted in 2009 and efforts were made to secure her release without payment of ransom.
As part of efforts to stem criminal activities in the state, Governor Dickson said “a comprehensive security strategy would be launched soon to boost government’s policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminality.”
He therefore advised anyone or group of persons who indulge in the unwholesome practice to turn a new leaf as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on any culprit.
Breaking:Emir Sanusi orders sharia commision to release Ese Oruru
The emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II Monday ordered the state Sharia Commission to liaise with office of the Assistant Inspector General of police, zone 1 to commence process of returning the 14 years old teenager, Ese Oruru allegedly abducted by one Yunusa to Kano state.
The Emir’s order followed Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase’s revelation that the Emir of Kano’s Hajj trip is responsible for the delay in securing the release of 14-year-old Ese Oruru, who is being held captive in Kano State.
The emir of Kano also distanced himself, Kano Emirate Council from the purported abduction of Ese Oruru by suspected lover.
Sanusi II said “I have ordered the sharia commission to liaise with the office of Deputy Inspector General of police zone to repatriate and reconcile the teenager with her family immediately”
Ese Oruru was allegedly abducted in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, by one Yunusa an indigene of Kura local government area of Kano sometimes in August, 2015.
I didn't spend N329M on any official car Saraki cries out
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has denied allegation that he spent over N329million to replace vehicles on its official fleet as part of the N4.7billion budgeted by the Senate for car purchase this year.
Saraki while reacting to the allegation by an online medium, said that it was only his official car inherited from former Senate President,David Mark, that was replaced and no any other one.
The statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yusuph Olaniyonu reads: “It is an obvious fact that the official and spare cars that the Senate President inherited and has been using are old and have been malfunctioning. There are instances like the day Dr. Saraki visited Keffi for the marriage of the daughter of SenatorAbdullahi Adamu and another day at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport that the spare vehicle broke down. In both instances, the spare vehicle did not return home with the convoyThe same vehicle had malfunctioned at the Presidential Villa and National Mosque on different occasions. It is for this reason that the Senate President approved that instead of providing two vehicles for him as he is entitled, only one should be bought to replace the official vehicle while the old official car should be converted to spare car.
“Also, if the National Assembly Management chose to provide operational vehicles for Security Agencies, should that be presented as if they are personal or official vehicles meant for the use of Dr. Saraki? These are vehicles that cannot be used for other purposes and by other people. The Senate President also have no control over the security vehicles.”
JAMB shifts UTME in Unilag center
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, 2016 all Computer Based Test ( CBT) version conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) would not hold at the University of Lagos centre until March 7.
Dr Beatrice Okorie, the Coordinator of JAMB National Head quarters
Annex, Lagos, told journalists that this was because of the
institution’s 2014/2015 convocation that would start on Monday February
29 with the convocation lecture and will run till March 3, she noted.
Okorie had, however, commend the conduct of candidates during the examinations for being peaceful and seamless. According to her, candidates at the Yaba College of Education centre where she monitored the examination for instance, arrived the centre as early as 8.30 a.m.
She said that the candidates were searched and screened by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), using the scanners. Her words: “The conduct of this year’s examination looks encouraging, smooth and stress free. It is seamless as reports reaching me from the slit one of the examination that comprises 30 centres across the state says that so far the exams have been very peaceful with no issues at all.
“Here in our centre, actually we have 53 accredited centres but we used 30 for Saturday , but from Monday we shall put all the remaining 23 others in use. We have enough machines for the biometrics and as a result, there was no waste of time in checking the candidates into the examination hall,’’ Okorie noted.
She said that the entire examination centre was calm and one would hardly know that an examination was going on here unlike what was obtained before then. Okorie noted that only one session of the examination was held on Saturday in all the examination centres in and outside the country.
NAN reports that 1.8 million candidates are sitting for the examination in 540 centres in Nigeria and eight foreign centres, including Cameroon. The figure includes 343 inmates and 201 visually impaired candidates. The examination is expected to be concluded on March 11.
UNILAG Convocation To Affect UTME – JAMB Official
UNILAG Convocation Causes Shift In UTME – Official. Thanks for reading.
Okorie had, however, commend the conduct of candidates during the examinations for being peaceful and seamless. According to her, candidates at the Yaba College of Education centre where she monitored the examination for instance, arrived the centre as early as 8.30 a.m.
She said that the candidates were searched and screened by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), using the scanners. Her words: “The conduct of this year’s examination looks encouraging, smooth and stress free. It is seamless as reports reaching me from the slit one of the examination that comprises 30 centres across the state says that so far the exams have been very peaceful with no issues at all.
“Here in our centre, actually we have 53 accredited centres but we used 30 for Saturday , but from Monday we shall put all the remaining 23 others in use. We have enough machines for the biometrics and as a result, there was no waste of time in checking the candidates into the examination hall,’’ Okorie noted.
She said that the entire examination centre was calm and one would hardly know that an examination was going on here unlike what was obtained before then. Okorie noted that only one session of the examination was held on Saturday in all the examination centres in and outside the country.
NAN reports that 1.8 million candidates are sitting for the examination in 540 centres in Nigeria and eight foreign centres, including Cameroon. The figure includes 343 inmates and 201 visually impaired candidates. The examination is expected to be concluded on March 11.
UNILAG Convocation To Affect UTME – JAMB Official
UNILAG Convocation Causes Shift In UTME – Official. Thanks for reading.
