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Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

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Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

By: Michael Mike

Scavengers activities have been restricted in and around the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to dumpsites as they have been warned against moving around either during the day or at night in the city.

The present ban followed the criminal activities of some scavengers popularly known as ‘baba nbolas’ in the area.

They have been alleged to be involved in carting away critical infrastructure especially manholes from the expressways in the city.

Parading 36 scavengers who were arrested with dangerous weapons and vandalized items, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said scavengers who roam the streets of FCT, indiscriminately, perpetrate all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.

According to him, the move by the FCT Administration was necessitated by the need to nip vandalism of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables, and so on, in the bud.

Items recovered from the 36 suspects include four daggers, three jack knives, two chisels, three knives, two pinches and 10 bottles of codeine syrup.

Others are 45 wraps of indian hemps, thrash bags, pieces of iron rods and narcotic drugs.

The scavengers, he explained, go about the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns; house-to-house, estate-to-estate, scavenging for plastics, scrap metals and irons.

He said: “But from previous arrests, interrogations and investigations, we have realised that their real business is to vandalise and remove our road infrastructure such as: manhole covers, flood drain covers, streetlights, armoured cables, rail sleepers, iron rods for bridge enforcement and the likes, which would fetch them good money.

“The public also needs to know that some ‘Baba Nbolas’ now disguise to rob innocent commuters and bystanders as they go about with dangerous weapons to attack and disposes them of their personal belongings especially at night. Our record shows that many who dared to challenge them in the past had met their untimely deaths while others are maimed in various parts of the Federal Capital Territory” he said.

Many residents of the FCT and environs, Odumosu noted, have experienced sudden disappearances of many of their household items like generators, cooking pots, stoves, pressing iron, air conditioners, compressors, car batteries, security light panels, iron drain covers and so on.

“Scavengers are major suspects to most of such disappearances and they carry out these activities whenever they notice that there is no one in sight, but not without wielding dangerous weapons in case they are busted by the house owners.

“The most vital is that many of them work as informants for armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins, terrorists, bandits a#nd all sorts of criminal gangs. Many families have fallen victims of kidnapping, abduction for ransom, murder, assassination and the likes because they give information about your family, the number of children you have, the types of cars you drive, where you work and by extension, keeping tabs on your movement.

“They (baba nbola) also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose which, in most cases, reveal your status and lifestyles.

Unfortunately, and in most cases, many of us perceive these miscreants and criminals as ordinary innocent, poor Nigerians, hustling for their daily bread so they move about unchecked and unquestioned by anyone, some of us even sympathise with them, by extending alms to them, whereas, they are responsible for the various crimes happening around you.

“Owing to these revelation and credible intelligence at our disposal, it is therefore imperative that citizens and residents join hands with the corps and other security agencies to flush out these dangerous elements in the FCT by chasing scavengers away whenever you see them in front of your houses, your streets, neighbourhood or estates.

“The public should note that, although, they appear innocent, armless and vulnerable, most of them are extremely dangerous, their activities are criminal in nature and they constitute threats not only to the safety and security of lives, property and infrastructure in the FCT but to Nigeria’s national security architecture as a whole” he noted.

The commandant used the occasion to advise FCT residents to dispose their refuse properly and stop patronising the Baba Nbolas for the sake of their own safety and that of their family members.

Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites

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Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud

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Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a serving officer over alleged fraud involving N915,000 in a failed rice supply deal.

Sources said the case was reported on Sept. 11 at about 2:34 p.m.

According to sources, it was alleged that a Complainant (name witheld) in January 2024, gave a Police Inspector attached to Lagos State Command, the sum of N915,000 to supply 20 bags of rice.

“Ever since she received the money, she went into hiding until she was traced to her residence at Olusosun area of Ojota and brought to the station,” said the sources.

The sources added that on interrogation, the officer admitted to the crime and had been detained for appropriate disciplinary action.

The sources said investigation into the case was ongoing.

Police arrest officer in Lagos over alleged N915,000 rice fraud

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Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings

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Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings

By: Lazarus Balami

The University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) has recently faced concerns regarding the allegedly restricted access of patients’ relatives to hospital wards due to security issues.

Earlier reports, including one by Zagazola Makama, have suggested that the gates at the hospital have been closed to limit entry. 

NEWSng, however, reports that this summary of the situation does not fully represent the complexities involved that informed the measures taken. 

The primary reason for these measures relates to rising security incidents within the hospital. It has been reported that thieves, posing as patients’ relatives, have managed to gain unauthorized access to the wards and steal phones and other valuables of patients and their relatives. 

These individuals have exploited the vulnerabilities in the hospital’s entry protocols to commit theft and other illegal activities. 

Such incidents have understandably raised alarm among hospital management and staff, prompting them to take action to ensure the safety of all patients and visitors.

Another source from the hospital confirmed that it was in response to these security breaches that the hospital security team took a proactive measure.

They have implemented stricter security measures, including monitoring the entrances more closely and conducting regular patrols within the hospital premises. 

The situation has improved after security personnel apprehended several suspects involved in these criminal activities. 

These individuals were handed over to the Gwange Police Station for further investigation and legal action.” The source said. 

NEWSng reports that the actions taken by the security team demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to not only providing medical care but also ensuring a safe environment for its patients and their families. 

 It is, therefore, crucial to clarify that access to wards has not been entirely closed off. The hospital continues to prioritize patient care and recognizes the importance of having family members present to support their loved ones. 

Security measures are designed not to alienate relatives but to protect them and the hospital community. Procedures may be more stringent, but they aim to safeguard both patients and visitors from potential harm.

Communication is vital in these situations. The media should seek clarity of information before reaching out to the public.

The hospital administration is also doing the necessary to ensure that information reaches the public effectively, alleviating concerns about restricted access.

Transparent communication can help foster understanding among relatives, patients, and hospital staff, thereby reinforcing trust. 

Addressing Security Concerns at UMTH: Clarifying Misunderstandings

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Troops of Op-MESA intercepts nine illegal immigrants in Ogun

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Troops of Op-MESA intercepts nine illegal immigrants in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation MESA have intercepted nine suspected illegal immigrants in Ogun State.

Sources who confirmed the developments to Zagazola said the interception took place on Sept. 11 at about 6:00 a.m. when Op-MESA Team 9, led by ASP Vincent Ohilebo, was on duty at the Laderin pin-down point near the Immigration office.

“The nine intercepted persons, all male, confessed to being illegal immigrants.

“They were immediately handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service through its officer, Prince Omotola Adefemi, for necessary action,” said the sources.

The sources added that security agencies remained on alert to check the influx of irregular migrants into the state.

Troops of Op-MESA intercepts nine illegal immigrants in Ogun

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