Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Family Residence in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown hoodlums wielding cutlasses and firearms reportedly attacked the family residence of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the early hours of Tuesday in Obeiba-Ihima area, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the Chief Security Officer to the Senator, Yakubu Ovanja, reported the incident to security authorities, revealing that the attack occurred around 1:00 a.m. and involved at least three armed individuals who vandalized the building, including shattering window panes.

Following a distress alert, a team of security operatives from Okehi Division swiftly mobilized to the scene. While no casualties were reported and no arrests have been made, the premises were documented and preliminary investigations have commenced.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown as investigations continue.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent political figure in Kogi Central Senatorial District, has not issued a public statement as of press time.

Gunmen Attack Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Family Residence in Kogi

NSCDC Arrests Seven Operators of Illegal Oil Dumps in Abuja

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested seven suspects for their alleged involvement in operating seven illegal oil dumps in Jahi/Katampe area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

A statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale read: “Following the directive of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni OFR; on relentless crackdown against oil thieves across the federation; the CG Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) has arrested 7 suspects for their alleged involvement in operating 7 illegal oil Dumps in Jahi/Katampe ; Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja.”

Babawale added that in a comprehensive interview with the CG SIS Commander, Apollo Dandaura, he said the operation that led to the arrests was a well coordinated raid based on credible intelligence tip-off that some suspected vandals are engaging in illegal refining of petroleum products.

He said: “Acting on the Intelligence received my men and I swung into action and uncovered 5 illegal oil dumps out of the 7 raided.

The suspects arrested during the sting operations are: Akande Olusola (M) 48 years, Anas Usman (M) 33years, Jonathan Onekutu (M) 45years, Uchenna Kelechi (M) 44years, Chukwuma Solomon (M) 37, Monday Israel (M) 34years and Bello (M) 33years.

He said among the exhibits retrieved at the crime scene include a white colour truck with Reg. no. GYA-777XA with three (3} compartments fully loaded with 45,000ltrs of AGO with an unverifiable WayBill seen at the illegal dump; Mercedes Benz Short Peddler Truck 1202 model with Reg. no FST-425XB; Four Short Peddler trucks with Reg. RSH-197ZANSR-27YW while 2 others are without visible Reg. Number; White Colour DAF CF KSF161XQ; MAN Diesel Short Truck KWL-241XA; Volkswagen Bus RBC-140XF; Red and white color DAF CF; Short peddler truck with Reg. no RBC431XG; Mercedes Benz 1831 model short peddler Truck ABJ 647XD, among others.

The CG SIS Boss, Commandant Dandaura hinted that the NSCDC would approach the court of competent jurisdiction through its Legal Department and due diligence would be observed in the investigation and prosecution process to serve as deterrent to others.

NSCDC Arrests Seven Operators of Illegal Oil Dumps in Abuja

Nigeria, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meet to Strengthen Economic Cooperation

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Niger have moved to strengthen economic cooperation especially in operationalization of cross-border markets, trade and energy.

The relationship between the two neighbouring countries was near crashing after the coup d’etat that ousted democratic government in Niger and the Nigerian government leading other countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to place series of sanctions on Niger and two other countries of Burkina Faso and Mali who have had their civilian administration toppled.

The three countries moved ahead to further distance themselves from ECOWAS by denouncing membership of the regional bloc and subsequently forming Alliance of Sahel States or in French, Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

Though Niger and the other two countries seems to have moved on but a lot need to be done to keep the age long relationship.

Meeting in Niamey, the Nigerien capital on Wednesday the foreign affairs ministers of both Nigeria and Niger, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and Mr. Bakary Sangaré respectively had talks on building on the relationship of the two countries.

In a communique they both signed after the meeting, they disclosed the engagement was the initiative of both parties.

The communique read that: “His Excellency Ambassador Yusuf MaitamaTuggar was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, in a spirit of brotherhood that characterizes the warm and friendly relations that have always existed between the peoples of the two countries;

“The discussions took place in a climate of great cordiality and provided an opportunity for an in-depth examination of the challenges facing the two countries and major current issues at the sub-regional, regional, and international levels;

“The two countries deliberated on various issues of mutual interest that would foster closer relations amongst the people and government of Niger and Nigeria. Some of the concerns raised were the renewed commitment to revitalise the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC), which would further consolidate the gains made so far. Furthermore, the two parties emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation especially in operationalization of cross-border markets, trade and energy, the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi railway, the construction of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic, Bilateral Air Services, local bilateral committees, micro-diplomacy, tariffs and taxes, desertification, good neighborliness policies, migration, tourism, education, new information and communication technologies, agriculture and livestock farming, and infrastructure. In this regard, the two Ministers agreed to cooperate and follow up on these issues through the NNJC as soon as possible;

“During their discussions, the two Ministers welcomed the quality of the relations of fraternity, friendship, cooperation, and good neighborliness that bind Niger and Nigeria, and reaffirmed their shared desire to boost and energize bilateral cooperation between the two countries, to raise it to the level of their ambitions and the legitimate expectations of their respective peoples, who aspire to peace, security, and development;

“On the security front, the two Ministers noted the terrorist threat raging along the border between the two countries, which constitutes a real obstacle to the effective implementation of all development programs initiated by the governments of their countries. Therefore, the two ministers called on the ministries of defense of both countries to continue their security cooperation;

“The delegations expressed their conviction of the need to strengthen social, political, economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between the two countries and agreed to increase mutual exchanges at all levels, particularly through the regular holding of meetings of the committees of experts, the Council of Ministers, and the High Authority of the Niger-Nigeria Joint Cooperation Commission;

“To this end, the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs have expressed the need to set up a Joint Consultative Forum that will bring together all relevant stakeholders of both countries to address their common challenges and explore further opportunities for the benefit of their citizens;

9. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigerien abroad, His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, expressed his sincere thanks to his brother and Nigerian counterpart for his visit to Niamey. He requested him to convey the gratitude and appreciation of the President of the Republic, Head of State, Government, and people of Niger to the Government and people of Nigeria;
10. His Excellency, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar expressed his thanks to the Government and people of the Republic of Niger for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to him and his delegation and invited His Excellency Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré to pay an official working visit to Nigeria. This invitation was warmly accepted, and the date will be communicated through diplomatic channels.”
11. Nigeria, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Meet to Strengthen Economic Cooperation