Crime
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
By: Joe Lazarus
Facts emerging from the Nigerian Postal Services, NIPOST revealed that to circumvent the laid down procedure in Public Procurement Act on Award of Contract with particular emphasis on mandatory ceiling; a contract of N95 million was fragmented into three to bring it within the mandatory ceiling of the Postmaster General to the same company- CONNECT 4 NIGERIA LIMITED.
Staff of NIPOST described this as a serious crime under the procurement acts that attract jail terms for any individuals found guilty of contract splitting, alleging that this was done under the supervision of the Director Procurement, Mr. Samuel Sagontayo.
A source within NIPOST said: “The case in NIPOST was done without due process to budgetary provision. I can tell you that the case is currently with the ICPC and investigation is ongoing. However, there are issues because we learnt that some cronies of the Vice President have approached those in charge of the investigation to downplay it for certain interest.”
Also another staff of NIPOST explained that: “Liability for the contract was not also taken at the initial award of the contract in the year 2020 and bills of payments were presented for payment in the year 2021 at the detriment of other contractors whose bills have been processed for payment and have not been paid in the last two to four years.”
According to him, Dr. Adebayo Ismail has also neglected other regions of the country in the development programme of NIPOST since he came on board. “All developmental projects of NIPOST have been in the Southwestern part of the country. For example, since he came into office, he has awarded twelve (12) contracts of which only two (2) were awarded to the northeast in Bauchi and Gombe. This was also because the Board Chairman and Board member of NIPOST were from these two states. All other contracts were awarded to states in the southwest and mostly to his companies or his associates.”
It was also learnt that the Director IT, who is a Ph.D holder and IT expert, was deliberately removed from the IT department in order to perfect fraud in the organisation.
According to staff, a consultant was hired by Mr. Adebayo Ismail and was given an office inside NIPOST Headquarters. “This Consultant is collecting over N7 million on a quarterly basis without doing anything to show for his consulting work. The same consultant was also being given a contract to execute through his firm.”
In a petition written to the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, a part read: “We believe that the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST, is a Federal Institution as Mr. Adebayo Ismail Adewusi has no right whatsoever to turn this organization into a tribal organization. We therefore humbly submit that you use your good office to intervene in the gross fraud, misrule and flagrant disregard to civil service procedures and total violation of the guidelines and rules governing this government institution.”
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Speaking on huge allegations the Director Corporate Communication, NIPOST, Mr. Franklyn Alao told journalists at a meeting at the corporate headquarters that, rather than feeling on small issues of distraction, he would rather build and established a relationship with the press.
However, the meeting which lasted for about an hour revealed that almost all the allegations were true as the Director Corporate Communications could not deny the facts laid to him. He however, said that they are investigating and shall correct them.
Mr. Franklyn Alao, who was emphasizing on creating an atmosphere of relationship was also being tactical in avoiding making comments on the issues, however, when asked whether he knows or is aware of some of the issues brought, he said he has been with NIPOST for over 20 years implying that he would not want to speak on issues.
According to him, “Let us forget about everything here and build a relationship.”
Insisting on the Issues of Certification for Mr. Sagontayo and asking whether or not he has a BPP clearance, or a letter showing he has a waiver from the BPP, Mr. Alao said “That issue is gone. Let us have a new relationship”.
On the drafting of Mr. Sagontayo from the legal department to procurement. Mr. Franklyn Alao told newsmen that Mr. Samuel Sagontayo has been in the Procurement Department as Director since 2012. This is however against the facts in NIPOST records that the Director Procurement Mr. S.G Wakawa retired on March 13, 2019 and Mr. Samuel Sagontayo was drafted in June 13, 2019.
Contract Splitting: NIPOST caught in the web as ICPC, others Investigate case
Crime
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four persons were abducted by suspected armed bandits in Munya Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when bandits invaded Siyona community via Mangorota, Kabula Ward in Munya LGA.
Sources said the attackers kidnapped four residents of the community and took them to an unknown destination.
The victims were identified as Iya Bulus, 20; Lami Bulus, 30; Ayelo Elisha, 15; and Soja Elisha, 15. They are all members of the Siyona–Mangorota community and of the Bagyi ethnic group.
The source said information about the attack was received at about 11:00 p.m. the same night. On receipt of the information, the troops of the Nigerian Army, police and vigilante personnel were swiftly mobilized to the scene.
The sources added that on arrival, the bandits had already fled with their captives.
According to the sources, intensive monitoring and intelligence gathering are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Four abducted in bandit attack in Munya, Niger
Crime
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army with massive support from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) has sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorists within the Joint Operations Area (JOA), achieving notable successes between 23 and 29 January 2026.
These operations were conducted under the leadership of Major General Chinedu Nnebife, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), alongside Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, the Commander 22 Brigade.
A statement by captain Maureen Ogbuka for Acting Deputy Director 2 Division Army Public Relations Nigerian Army/ Sector 3 Operations FANSAN YAMMA noted that their efforts reflected a high operational responsiveness and determination to dismantle terrorist networks in the general area.
The statement noted that “in the engagements, troops , in collaboration with the ONSA conducted fighting patrols in several bandits enclaves.
“They successfully neutralised a terrorist, while others managed to escape into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds. Their hideouts and camps were completely destroyed leaving the brigands dislodged.
”Similarly, troops cleared Garin Dandi, a known enclave of bandits in the Ifelodun council Area of Kwara State leading to the decimation of the bandits logistics bases and supply system.
”Troops also stormed remote camps hitherto inaccessible to security forces where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed significantly degrading the terrorists’ sustainment capability.
”Despite the difficult and restrictive terrain, troops maintained an aggressive posture throughout the forested areas, effectively denying the bandits freedom of movement.
“Furthermore, troops intercepted fleeing elements at various blocking positions, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits.
” The operations also resulted in the rescue of numerous kidnap victims from different camps in the state.
”Observations from the operations indicate that bandits receive support from collaborators within nearby communities, who provide intelligence on troop movements, enabling early withdrawal from targeted locations.
” The successes recorded underscored the resolve and operational effectiveness of the Divison in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security across Kwara State.
”The GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army has called on members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to enhance ongoing operations. The operation is ongoing to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State.” Said the statement.
Nigerian Army’s 2 division launches operation Igbo Danu (operation forest flush) ….crushes terrorists in kwara state
Crime
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops in Benue have repelled an attack on its personnel at a checkpoint in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, killing four suspected armed bandits and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Zagazola gathered that operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force were on stop-and-search duty at the Otukpa/Orakam checkpoint at about 5:00 p.m. on Jan. 29 when they stopped a black Golf 3 car for a routine search.
“The occupants resisted the search, pulled out firearms and engaged the policemen in a shootout,” the source said.
During the exchange, four of the bandits sustained fatal injuries. They were rushed to a hospital where they later died while receiving treatment. One suspect reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle with breech number 1960, 15 rounds of ammunition, a black Golf 3 vehicle with registration number KEF 909 ES, and assorted criminal charms.
The sources said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect.
Troops repel attack in Benue, kill four bandits, recover AK-47
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