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NAPTIP Secures Benin City High Profile Trafficker, Mama Masha

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NAPTIP Secures Benin City High Profile Trafficker, Mama Masha

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of a well-known socialite in Benin City and high-profile trafficker, Felicia Osaigbovo, also known as Mama Masha.

Mama Masha was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined N24 million by Hon. Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo of the High Court, Criminal Division, Benin City.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, the 62-year-old woman, is a member of a human trafficking syndicate, and was involved in the recruitment and trafficking of 12 Nigerian girls to Belgium for sexual exploitation.

He said notably, 12 collaborators, including three of the convict’s children, have already been convicted in Belgium.

The case against the convict commenced on July 1, 2021, with a 24-count charge that included assisting the activities of persons engaged in trafficking in persons and organizing foreign travels that promote prostitution, in violation of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Enforcement and Administration Act (TIPPEA), 2015.

Mama Masha was said to have pleaded not guilty to all counts. The statement said the prosecution presented three witnesses, including a Belgian Chief Inspector of Police and submitted 13 exhibits as evidence.

Following a thorough trial, the court found the convict guilty on all 24 counts, leading to a sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of N24 million.

In response to the judgment, Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, PhD expressed her appreciation for the verdict by the judiciary, emphasizing that it represents an appropriate and significant punishment. She lauded the collaborative efforts of the Belgium Police Authorities, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the UK National Crime Agency under the Joint Border Task Force Initiative, and UNODC in ensuring justice for the victims.

Upon assuming office in September 2021, the Director General pledged to pursue high-profile traffickers vigorously. This conviction underscores NAPTIP’s determination to send a clear message to those involved in this heinous crime.

She said: “NAPTIP shall continue working tirelessly to ensure a safer and better society.”

NAPTIP Secures Benin City High Profile Trafficker, Mama Masha

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Chinese Embassy Mourns Buhari

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Chinese Embassy Mourns Buhari

By: Michael Mike

The Chinese Embassy has mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Embassy in a message on X commiserate with the government and the people of Nigeria.

The message read: “The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria extends our deepest condolences to the people of Nigeria on the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), Former President of Nigeria.

“We mourn a resolute leader whose unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress leaves an enduring legacy.

“His pivotal contributions to advancing China-Nigeria relations will forever remain etched in our shared history. Our thoughts are with his family and Nigerian people.”

Chinese Embassy Mourns Buhari

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NTAC DG Mourns Former President BuhariAdvocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased

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NTAC DG Mourns Former President Buhari
Advocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased

By: Michael Mike

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has joined numerous individuals, groups and countries across the globe to mourn the passing of Nigeria ‘s former President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Retd) who passed away at 82.

In a message he personally signed and made available to the public, late Sunday, the former lawmaker said the entire nation was particularly saddened by the sudden passing of a man who gave his all to Nigeria as a soldier, a politician, a mentor to many as well as a nationalist.

Yakub, who emphasized that the former Nigerian leader, would forever live in the hearts and minds of generations of Nigerians who knew him and those who would, eventually, read about his incorruptibility and altruistic approach to service, conveyed heartfelt sympathies to President Tinubu, the former President’s immediate family and to all Nigerians.

Yakub message read in part: “On behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and its Management, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, government and good people of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“While we mourn this great soldier, nationalist and Leader, we remember his dedication to democracy, regional stability, and the unity of Nigeria, as well as his unwavering commitment to the anti-corruption crusade, which endeared him to many Nigerians.”

The NTAC boss while praying for the forgiveness of the sins of Buhari, suggested
that a great national monument, like the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, be named after the late leader.

He said: ” May Allah grant him Aljana firdausi and grant his family and entire Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Born in Daura, Katsina State in 1942,the former President distinguished himself as a soldier,a politician and a national hero of all time.Having held the position of Nigerian leader twice, a Federal Commissioner of Petroleum,a Military Governor of what is today the Northeast Geopolitical Zone as well as the head of Abacha’s development behemoth,the Petroleum Trust Fund,among others, Buhari in service was acknowledged to have lived above board and held his head high as an incorruptible Nigerian.

He will be remembered more by the principles he espoused in leadership than the monuments he built for self, kith or kin.

NTAC DG Mourns Former President Buhari
Advocates the Naming of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, after the Deceased

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Tuggar: Buhari was a Statesman of Uncommon Integrity

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Tuggar: Buhari was a Statesman of Uncommon Integrity

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has described late President Muhammadu Buhari as a statesman of uncommon integrity, and a towering figure in our nation’s history.

The Minister gave this description in an official condolence message on Sunday.

The message read: “It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of national loss that I mourn the passing of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR — former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a statesman of uncommon integrity, and a towering figure in our nation’s history.

“President Buhari served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, both in uniform and in civilian leadership. His legacy is marked by a lifelong commitment to discipline, national unity, and the fight against corruption. His calm resolve in moments of turbulence and his steadfast belief in the promise of Nigeria will continue to inspire generations.

“At home and abroad, he was a symbol of Nigeria’s strength and dignity — a leader who carried the burdens of state with humility and a deep sense of duty.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari spoke at his inauguration in 2015, he said: ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.’ He was sending a signal not just to Nigerians, but also to the region, to Africa and the world. He was not for sale, Nigeria was not for sale, Africa was not for sale. He was a soldier by training and a patriot by instinct – and a committed champion of democracy: he was instrumental in the peaceful resolution of Gambia’s electoral crisis in 2016, and an unprecedented transfer of power. He worked tirelessly to support regional efforts to roll back the scourge of violent extremism in the Sahel, just as in the 1980s he supported the liberation movements fighting for democracy in South Africa and Namibia.

“He was committed to the rules-based international order and worked to deepen ties between Nigeria and ECOWAS, the AU, UN and Commonwealth, and was a firm advocate of institutional reform. He had friends and allies in the four corners of the globe, but national interest always trumped sentiment: he bought fighter planes from the US, fertiliser from Russia and sealing the gas pipeline deal with Morocco. Nigeria has lost a dedicated patriot; Africa has lost a noble son. We salute you.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s diplomatic community, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government and People of Nigeria, and all who mourn this irreparable loss.

“May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.”

Tuggar: Buhari was a Statesman of Uncommon Integrity

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