National News
UK partners with Nigerian Government to launch Illicit Finance sensitisation campaign

UK partners with Nigerian Government to launch Illicit Finance sensitisation campaign
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom Government is extending its partnership and support to the Nigerian Government, civil society and media, to launch the #ProtectWhatsYours campaign, which aims to raise awareness of illicit finance.
According a statement on Thursday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, the British High Commission, Abuja, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Illicit finance is an umbrella term, which includes but is not limited to illegal financial activity such as cyber-crime, money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption and bribery.
She noted that the campaign, which will be seen on TV and online highlights the detrimental and long lasting effects that illegal financial activity is having on communities and on Nigeria’s entire economy.
According to her, it is estimated that illicit financial crimes costs every Nigerian 35,000 Naira for each year of their life, and robs the population of $18 billion annually. Financial crime directly impacts upon the development and economic growth of Nigeria, with the monies lost each year being diverted away from key areas for sector growth; including infrastructure, technology, and the health and education sector.
She said the #ProtectWhatsYours campaign seeks to encourage Nigerians to recognise and report financial crime in their immediate environment, and calls on Nigerian diaspora to report from around the world, where assets could be located. Illicit finance and associated crimes do not recognise borders, which is why the campaign is necessary to empower citizens to report suspected financial criminals to the relevant authorities both at home, and to go one step further to encourage reporting from around the world.
She quoted the British High Commissioner, H.E. Catorina Laing CB, to have said: “It is important we understand the direct harms that illicit finance causes, this is a crime that affects every citizen of Nigeria. The #ProtectWhatsYours campaign aims to demonstrate these harms and encourage reporting to the relevant agencies. This will help to continue the excellent work in investigating the individuals who are involved in illicit finance, whether this be the professional enablers who facilitate money laundering or those directly involved in corruption, tax avoidance, bribery and other crimes. The UK has partnered to deliver this innovative Prevent campaign and we thank all agencies, civil society groups and media organisations who collaborated to deliver the films and content. This is another excellent example of UK/Nigeria co-operation in tackling illicit financial crime.”
Also Read: Dabiri-Erewa Demands Justice and Arrest of Killers of…
Andrew Clowes Illicit Finance Lead, FCDO in Nigeria, said: “This is an innovative project which has brought together Nigeria’s government agencies, civil society and media organisations who have collaborated to produce the key messages in this campaign. Illicit finance is a crime which cuts across all sectors of Nigeria’s society and directly impacts on the development and growth of the country. It is a crime which costs the country $18billion dollars per year. These figures are staggering. Citizens need to understand the direct impact this crime has on them and their families, and should be bold to report those they believe are involved in these crimes.”
According to the statement, each year thousands of people in Nigeria are arrested for committing financial associated crimes. It is hoped that this campaign will help to reduce criminal activity even further. Tracing and recovering of stolen assets is key to the campaign message, and increased reporting will support Nigeria’s anti- crime agencies to locate and retrieve assets.
The #ProtectWhatsYours sensitisation campaign comprises of a series of short video animations will air on the digital platforms of media agencies such as The Premium times, International Centre for Investigative Reporting and Paradigm Initiative, from Thursday 30 June 2022, and will air nationally across the NTA and Channels network, from Monday 4 July 2022.
UK partners with Nigerian Government to launch Illicit Finance sensitisation campaign
National News
We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged
By: Michael Mike
Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.
The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.
The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.
“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.
“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.
Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.
He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.
Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.
The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.
NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.
She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.
A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.
Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.
Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.
Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End
National News
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
National News
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
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