Category: News

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is investigating the shooting incident during a raid on a drug joint at the Okpanam area of Asaba in Delta.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Saturday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that a stray bullet from the weapon of an NDLEA officer was reported to have hit a young man who eventually died while undergoing treatment in a hospital.

He said that the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), set up the investigation panel consisting of top officials from the national headquarters, after receiving initial briefings on the incident from the Delta Command.

Babafemi said that the chairman directed the investigators to immediately proceed to Asaba to establish the actual facts of the case.

According to him, the NDLEA has been in touch with the family of the deceased.

Babafemi also reported the initial brief on the incident given to the Chairman by the Delta command.

“A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday July 13.

“And in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“In a bid to demobilise the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped.

“While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital, and supported in facilitating his treatment but he unfortunately died in the process.

“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident.

“We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action,” Babafemi concluded.

Recall that a 2-year-old baby, Ivan Onose Omhonrina was shot dead and his younger brother, Eromonsele, sustained injury during a raid on a notorious drug joint by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State. 

According to reports, the kids were shot at their mother’s shop when NDLEA operatives raided the drug joint at Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, July 13, 2023. 

An eyewitness account had it that the victims were in their mother’s shop after school hours when they were hit by stray bullets.

The witness said a stray bullet brushed Eromonsele on the eye while Ivan was hit on his abdomen.

He added that the victims were rushed to the FMC for surgery, adding that Ivan could not survive it. 

The Delta State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr. John Tunde, who confirmed the incident, had, however, insisted that his men did not open fire on the kids.

Tunde explained that when the operatives of the command stormed the notorious drug joint to raid and dislodge the place, there was a Toyota Camry parked within the precincts.

According to him, while the operatives were surrounding the place, a Camry car “ran over one of our men while escaping. And in attempts to demobilise the car, our men shot at it.

“What we cannot tell now is whether the children were inside the car at the time of the shooting. Our men did not open fire at any shop. As we speak now, our man, who the car ran over is at the Central Hospital in Ogwashi-Uku,” he stated. 

The United Nations has called for a pause in debt repayment by developing countries saying the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and the war in Ukraine have pushed 165 million people into poverty since 2020.

The report called for a “debt-poverty pause” in economically struggling countries “to redirect debt repayment towards financing social expenditures and countering the effects of macroeconomic shocks.”

“The solution is not out of reach for the multilateral system,” the report said.

According to another UN report, some 3.3 billion people, nearly half of humanity, live in countries that spend more on paying interest on debt than on education and health.

And developing countries, despite having lower levels of debt, are paying more interest, partly because of higher rates.

Experts have said that Nigeria spends about 90 percent of its revenue on debt servicing. And only recently, the Federal Government repaid the N500m Eurobond loan.

It said further that the annual cost of lifting the 165 million newly poor people out of poverty would be over $14 billion, or 0.009 percent of global output and a little less than 4 percent of total public external debt service in 2022 for developing economies.

“The poorest suffer the most and their incomes in 2023 are projected to remain below pre-pandemic levels,” the report said.

“Countries that could invest in safety nets over the last three years have prevented a significant number of people from falling into poverty. In highly indebted countries, there is a correlation between high levels of debt, insufficient social spending, and an alarming increase in poverty rates.” UNDP chief Achim Steiner said.

The report says 75 million people will have fallen into extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 a day, between 2020 and the end of 2023 — and 90 million more will fall below the poverty line of $3.65 a day.

If the income losses among the already poor prior to the shocks are also included, the mitigation cost would reach some $107 billion, or 0.065 percent of the world’s GDP and around a fourth of total external public debt service, the report’s authors estimated.

“There is a human cost of inaction in not restructuring developing countries’ sovereign debt. We need new mechanisms to anticipate and absorb shocks and make the financial architecture work for the most vulnerable,” Steiner added.

*Says violent killings dropped by 28.26% compared to April

Global Rights Nigeria has disclosed that at least 391 people were killed with over 207 persons abducted in 91 communities across the country in the month of May 2023.

In its mass atrocities report for the month of May, the non-governmental organization said the figure is the 3rd lowest recorded since the start of the year.

According to the NGO, the figure showed a 28.26 percent decrease in violent killings compared to what was recorded in April. Moreover, abductions have gone down by 22.30 percent compared to the previous month of February. 

Nigeria Mourns is a data-tracking report summarising mass atrocities across Nigeria.  

“Communal Clashes claimed the highest number of deaths in April, with 135 deaths ahead of Banditry which accounts for at least 122 casualties, followed by Herdsmen-related Killings which constitutes at least 44 casualties.

“Secessionist activities in the Southeast claimed at least 28 lives. Cult Clashes were responsible for at least 34 deaths while Boko Haram/ISWAP and Isolated Attacks claimed at least 14 lives respectively,” it said.

Out of the 391 killings recorded, 7.16 percent representing 28 deaths were security personnel representing.

A breakdown revealed that 16 cops and 12 military personnel were killed across the country in April, while the remaining 92.84% of the lives lost were civilians (at least 363 deaths).

The report noted that “Though the data on killings of security operatives shows a significant decrease, the continued loss of lives of security personnel in Nigeria creates significant challenges and dangers in recent years, with reports of attacks by armed groups and criminal organizations.”

The report further revealed that at least 207 people were kidnapped across the country with bandits operating mainly in the Northwest and North Central parts of the country being the main perpetrators.  

“72.25% representing 151 of such abductions took place in the North-Central and Northwest parts of the country respectively while the Northeast had at least 3 reported abductions within the period under review.

“However, 27.75% of casualties representing 58 abductions happened in the Southern part of the country. The South-South recorded at least 36 abductions; the Southeast recorded at least 10 abduction cases while the Southwest recorded 12 people abducted.

“Even with this seeming decrease in abduction cases compared to what was recorded previously, it has been confirmed that this emerging form of mass atrocities continues to pose a threat to the free movement of citizens in pursuit of their livelihoods,” Global Rights said.

While acknowledging a decrease in mass atrocities, the report noted the increased Herdsmen related killings in the North-Central part of the country especially Benue State leaves a lot to be desired as the mayhem continues to escalate.

“Sadly, the continued unending reported loss of lives of security personnel is a grievous assault which continuously strikes an air of palpable fear to the consciousness of all Nigerians raising doubts as to the capacity of the nation’s military to effectively secure her land and people.

To allay these fears in the minds of people, there’s a need for a sustained and far-reaching military offensive against criminality in the different regions of the country which are all experiencing one form of human rights violation or the other,” the report said.

Shell Plc is exploring options for its global renewable power operations, including a potential stake sale to outside investors, reports have said.

According to World Oil, the UK energy giant is working with advisers to study a range of possibilities that could also include separating the business into a more independent unit.

Shell, reports further say, has approached several international investors to gauge their interest in buying a stake.

The deliberations come as Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan focuses the company’s investments on fossil fuels in a bid to increase shareholder returns and narrow the valuation gap with Shell’s U.S. peers.

The newspaper says there is no certainty yet as discussions are still at an early stage. Shell may also consider introducing outside investors into some other operations such as its downstream assets, one of the people said.

A representative for Shell declined to comment beyond a capital markets day presentation in June, when the company flagged plans to divest certain power assets through 2025, but also make selective investments in the business.

If a deal does happen, it could be a significant shift in Shell’s green strategy. The oil major has spent more than two decades trying to figure out just how big of a player it wants to be in renewables. Over the years, some CEOs have set targets for low-carbon alternatives to oil and gas, only for their successors to focus more squarely on the fuels that drive most of the company’s profits, but also cause climate change.

Shell’s approach in recent years was emblematic of the European oil majors’ efforts to position their businesses for a world that cuts carbon emissions and relies less on fossil fuels in the coming years. It’s been a stark contrast to their U.S. peers Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., which have stuck more closely to their core businesses of oil and gas.

Under previous CEO van Beurden, Shell rapidly grew its green power business and briefly sought to become the world’s biggest electricity producer. The company’s portfolio, which had 6.4 gigawatts in operation or development at the end of last year, includes offshore and onshore wind farms in Europe and the US. It recently acquired Indian solar developer Sprng Energy, Danish biofuels producer Nature Energy and American renewable power company Savion.

So far investors have rewarded the US oil majors’ strategy, pushing their valuations far above their European competitors.

Shell’s renewable-power business has come under pressure as Sawan pursues what he’s called a “ruthless” approach to prioritizing returns, meaning the unit has to generate profits in addition to cutting the company’s carbon footprint.

While Sawan said he will continue to invest in renewable power, he vowed to be more selective and only pursue projects that create sufficient value.

For the third time, the court on Friday threw away a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama described the EFCC’s charges of fraud as abuse of office.

This is the 3rd judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction on charges of fraud filed by the EFCC against the former governor.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, had on 6th February, discharged Senator Okorocha, of N2.9 billion fraud charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, struck out the charges for contravening section 105 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which gives the Attorney-General of the Federation the power to recall a case.

Justice Ekwo held that the directive of the AGF in a letter dated 12th September 2022, to the EFCC to forward the case file with its comments on the issues for consideration and review, was binding on the commission.

The court agreed with Senator Okorocha that the earlier judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction which sat in Port Harcourt in suit number: FHC/PH/FHR/165, between him and EFCC and restrained the agency from further proceeding on the alleged offence, subsists.

Justice Stephen Pam, of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, had declared it unlawful and made an order prohibiting the EFCC from further prosecuting Senator Okoracha.

Operatives of the EFCC had on May 24 2022 arrested the former governor of Imo State after over six hours of siege at his residence.

The operatives gained access to him by climbing into and breaking through the ceiling of his Maitama residence.

He was arrested minutes after security operatives fired teargas to disperse protesters who did not want the ex-governor arrested.

Senator Okorocha was taken away in a white Hilux vehicle by armed security operatives.

This action, Justice Ekwo had held, was needless, saying that the controversies surrounding his trial must stop.

Senator Rochas Okoracha was a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 presidential election.

The act by the EFCC, the Senator says, is a violation of his rights and defamation of his character, and an abuse of the judicial process.

The court premised its judgement on the fact that the EFCC had filed a similar charge against the former Imo State governor at the Federal High Court, which was decided upon in favour of the former governor in December last year it.

This will be the 3rd judgment that will be delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction on charges of fraud filed by the EFCC against the former governor.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Service Chiefs, nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The confirmation came after the consideration and approval of a motion brought by Senate Majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti), on confirmation of the shortlisted service chiefs.

The Service Chiefs are Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshall Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff Christopher Musa.

Tinubu had on June 19 appointed the Service Chiefs and have since assumed duty making the screening and confirmation a mere formality.

They were after the screening exercise sworn into their respective offices.

Before their confirmation, the Senate suspended its order 1b and rule 1b, to make provision for the admittance of strangers into its chamber.

Those admitted into the chamber included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Abdullahi Gumel, the nominated service chiefs, and others.

Thereafter, the service chiefs took turns to highlight their career profiles and professional experiences, before the senate dissolved into a close session that lasted for three hours for screening of the nominees.

In his speech, Musa pledged the commitment of the armed forces to serve Nigerians in line with the dictates of the Constitution.

He said, “Under my watch, the Armed Forces shall continue to serve the Nigerian people dutifully and in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant provisions of the law for the federation.”

Ogalla noted that he would put in his best to upgrade the standard he met, assuring Nigerians that he was fully prepared for the job.

According to him, he will improve existing strategies and develop new ones to secure the nation’s maritime waters.

Ogalla stated, “I wish to state that if given the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Naval Staff, I will put in my best to be able to accomplish the standard. I fully understand the challenges facing the Nigerian Navy.

“In line with our statutory roles, which are the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity of the maritime domain as well as the policing roles of protecting the nation’s resources and contribution to military aid to the civil power, I am fully prepared to carry out these roles.

“If given the chance, my command philosophy as the Chief of Naval Staff, I will be committed to leading with integrity, courage, and relentless pursuit of excellence. I believe in the power of teamwork, discipline, and human capacity development.”

Ogalla added that he would collaborate with other services to secure the nation’s waterways, adding that he would initiate continuous monitoring and surveillance to achieve maximum results.

He said, “My goal is to ensure that every Nigerian Navy personnel and civilian on staff is equipped, trained and ready to execute our mission effectively. I expect all personnel to hold these high standards of professionalism, ethics and respect for human rights. Together, if given the chance, we will work to fulfill our mission, achieve our vision and uphold the honour and tradition of the Nigerian Navy.  I am not unmindful of the numerous challenges facing the Nigerian Navy. It is evident that Nigeria’s economy and the well-being of its people is heavily dependent on the maritime environment.

“Nigerian maritime environment is full of resources. It is also a vital sea lane of communication. It is the responsibility of the Nigerian Navy because of our secondary responsibility in policing duties that this vital lane is kept peaceful and secured. I am also fully aware of the tendency and challenges which are being posed by threats to this maritime environment. I am fully prepared to tackle the prevailing issue of oil theft which has been a burden that has been militating against our resources.

“To this end, I am going to build on the strategies that have been put in place in the past. I am going to improve on these strategies. For instance, our choke point operations regime and other operations which we have started and developed new strategies and build on it.

“I am also going to improve on regional cooperation and inter-agency cooperation. I thank God that we are in a regime whereby the mandate is to ensure that all the services collaborate. I am ready and prepared to do just that. Let me also state that we will enhance monitoring and surveillance to ensure that our operations are cost-effective. I believe in achieving maximum with little resources that are available.”

Also, Abubakar said he would mobilise the nation’s air power to ensure peace and security of the country, in line with the aspiration of the president.

He said, “On assumption of office as the acting Chief of Air Staff, on the 19th of June 2023, I reiterated my commitment to reinvigorating our fight against terrorism, insurgency and other security threats facing our dear nation.

“I also noted two key attributes of cooperation and joint-ness which have been instrumental to the successes so far recorded in our counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts which we intend to hold in mind Mr President’s directive as outlined during the maiden National Security Council meeting.

“We will also adopt additional air power measures and approaches that will continue to diminish our security challenges and enhance the disposition of our various theatres of operations. This is important in view of the enormous expectations of Nigerians on us and to ensure an expeditious and accelerated actualisation of the security of lives and property of Nigerians.”

Abubakar added, “Before making a pronouncement on my command philosophy that would guide our journey going forward, let me lay the premise on which this philosophy would be predicated to enable us to have a clear understanding of the Service’s future direction and be on the same page.”

Lagbaja noted that the country in the past two decades, has gone through challenging security situations that have impacted adversely on our economic, social, and political lives.

He stated that what used to occur as occasional or episodic crisis have now become enduring, making governance and the rule of law more challenging for the Government of the day.

He said, “The feat of our founding fathers is that of a strong prosperous, globally competitive and influential nation. However, today’s painful reality is that insecurity has distorted our developmental plan and aspiration as Nigerians.

“The volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous nature of our contemporary security environment makes leadership challenging and therefore demands new skills that are proactive, adaptive and inclusive and I make bold to say that is what I intend to bring on board as Chief of Army Staff.

“I know that the Nigerian Army that I have been nominated to lead is a crucial component of our military instrument of national power. It is the largest, most complex, most geographically spread and often, most sought after when security situations go sour. For the Nigerian Army to grapple with the demands of the contemporary security environment, must consistently transform to be a step ahead of its time.”

Lagbaja pledged, “ I upon my nomination as the Chief of Army Staff conceptualized my philosophy of command as: ‘To transform the Nigerian Army into a force that is well trained, equipped and highly motivated towards discharging our constitutional responsibility.

“To achieve this, I have identified some pillars upon which my philosophy will rest. That includes leadership, operational effectiveness, and sound administration.”

“I was conscious of the pronouncement and the directives of Mr. President on the need for synergy, and cooperating in harmony with sister services and other security agencies including the larger Nigerian society and I have identified the need to work in a joint environment with my colleagues nominated as Service Chiefs and other security agencies.

“I see my nominated as a privileged opportunity  to bring about more positive changes to the Nigerian Army to enable it to function optimally in line with the dictates of our constitution.”

“If confirmed by this Distinguished Senate and given the uncommon mandate to lead the Nigerian Army during this period, I shall do my best to justify the confidence reposed in me by His Excellency and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and the larger Nigerian society,” Lagbaja added.