Eight months later, on Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) carried out more cleanup work by deploying bulldozers to shield the Mpape people from crime and traffic jams.

After eight months of demolishing shanties on the perpetually busy road, Comrade Ikharo Attah, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, claimed that the illegal structures had returned on the road corridors, which had become a haven for undesirable characters in the neighborhood.

He explained that the administration had received information of illicit activities along the road corridor from the Crush Rock location all the way down to the old market area.

As stated by Attah, the cleanup will improve the city’s sanitation, fight against encroachment and curb reported cases of criminal activities.

He stated that illegal operations in Mpape area which is adjacent bustling Maitama District in Abuja must be checked.

“After eight months, we are back to Mpape because the criminals have returned to the crush rock area. We have gotten report that they are back, so we have to quickly come and clear them.

“We are doing two things here, revisiting of sanitation exercise, freeing of the road, encroachment and curbing of criminal activities especially within the crush rock area.

“The FCT Administration recently launched tourism roadmap, that means that the crush rock area is needed this will change the narrative of tourism, with this cleaning up criminals won’t disturbed people going to the tourist area.

“We have also knocked down criminals’ hideouts behind the banks’ area which is the commercial hub. This shows that we are winning in our fight against criminal elements in Mpape”

*** Arrests Two Drug Peddlers, Three Suspected Criminals

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has committed to support the removal of unauthorized buildings, markets, and shanties erected along Gwarimpa rail line.

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the minister for the FCT, and Sunday Babaji, the police commissioner, have reaffirmed their resolve to cleaning out all criminal hideouts in the nation’s capital.

Immediately following the cleanup operation in Gwarimpa, Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the Minister of FCT, gave this hint on behalf of the administration.

The joint tasks team which comprises of FCTA Senior officials, Nigerian Army, The Nigeria Police Force , Federal Road Safety Corps , Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, The Nigeria Immigration Service The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services
, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) stormed the rail corridor unannounced to commence demolition of shanties, market and batchers defacing the satellite town.

The shanties were not only cleared but also burnt to ashes. This according to him was to prevent a comeback of the illegal structures and market.

Attah words: “We are here for several reasons, the first one is that there have been series of complaints over this place.
Secondly, the issue of city Sanitation is a problem here and general issues of insecurity here. This is Hayari kasua market , we cleared it last year and this year we have come again to clear it because the traders returned.

“The Police Commissioner , Sunday Babaji and Police DPO in Gwarimpa have gotten report of criminal activities going on here , residents have complained very bitterly of persons trying to hide here as cover to rob neighborhoods and that has been very alarming.

” Today, some arrests were made of people carrying illicit drugs and were arrested by the NDLEA of the Command and Control JTF team under the CP of FCT and the DC Bernard Iwe.

“The Police also arrested three suspected criminals and the NDLEA arrested two people peddling drugs. This is a big task, but we are not given up. We will keep coming until they stop to come. We came under the rain for the enforcement, he explained.

Responding to a question on why the land was not put to its original use, Attah said , “The land belongs to FCT Administration and was designed as a transit part connecting the Kubwa outer northern road, that it has not been awarded does not mean that people should encroached on it and build offensive market, batchers and shanties that serve as criminal hideout.

“The park and recreation are aware of it, and the police had advised that the administration should build a fence around it. To keep out intruders”.

Fielding question from newsmen on the sustainability, he said , “last year, we cleared this place, and we are here today, we will keep coming until the criminals and those breaking the laws learn to stop seized to come back. Gwarimpa will take us up to a week, Kuje

“Gwarimpa will take us one week, Kuje is still work in progress and Npape is beckoning, Airport road is a constant place of operation and everywhere around the city is calling for clean up”

Meanwhile, traders were seen salvaging their wares as motorcyclists were making brisk business.

FCTA asserts that the ongoing Kuje Demolition is intended to reduce crime and insecurity. NASS Summon

On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) stated that the continuous demolition of illegitimate buildings in Kuje Area Council was done so as to reduce crime and other forms of insecurity.

This is in response to a petition from demolition victims, its officials provided this justification when they spoke before the House of Representatives Committee on Area Councils.

Umar Shaibu, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), stated that the administration undertook the initiative in order to swiftly address threats to the nation’s security, peace, and order.

He stated that to ensure the protection of human rights, a careful approach was followed, all applicable laws were upheld, and the key players were also involved at various points.

The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah hinted that before the exercise, the administration was worried about the security breaches that had taken place in Kuje. 

This breeches, he said could not be tolerated by the administration, as it puts government in a bad light.

Attah explained that the most painful situation was that certain people disregarded warnings and illegally converted reserved railway corridors and public abattoir site to residential homes.

Also , speaking the Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima  explained that Area Councils had since list the right to allocate lands in FCT after the reforms that were introduced in 2005.

He added that local chiefs also do not have the legal right to transfer any valid title to anyone. 

The Representative of Kuje Area Council Chairman, Ishaku Habila, who is also the  Chief Surveyor of Kuje Area Council, confirmed that the Area Council had followed the illegal developments, especially at the railway corridors with concern.

He further noted that notices were served at illegal occupants, while some of the buildings were removed, but the land was illegally acquired by others.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Yusuf Tijjani assured that justice would be done to both Government and the victims of the demolition. 

He also endorsed the motion raised by the Committee members who  raised the  alarm and doubts over the integrity of documents submitted by the victims and claimants.

The committee has ordered the FCT Minister to appear before it,  produce all relevant documents to the exercise. 

Meanwhile, the Counsel to the Victims,   Victor Onyekachi,  urged the Committee to compel the Minister to do things right by first revoking  the land, halting  further demolition in the area and also enumerate the houses that were demolished and compensate the victims. 

The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey/National Immunization Coverage Survey Report is made public by the National Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF.

According to a study, the percentage of exclusively breastfed children in Nigeria climbed from 24% to 34%, and approximately 60% of newborns are now registered with civil authorities.

With the official launch of Nigeria’s 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) reports today, Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has made it easier to track the conditions of women and children in Nigeria.

A household survey called the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey was created by UNICEF to help nations cover data gaps for tracking human development indicators in general and the plight of children and women in Nigeria.

The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey is a household survey developed by UNICEF to assist countries in filling data gaps for monitoring human development indicators in general and the situation of children and women, in particular. It has evolved over the years to respond to changing data needs, expanding from 28 indicators in the first round in 1999 to 200 in its current sixth.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) implemented MICS which provides data on child mortality, health, nutrition, education, child and social protection, women’s health care and empowerment, water, sanitation and hygiene, while NICS assesses vaccination coverage provided through the health systems.

Indicators produced for the first time include social transfer, household energy use, child functioning and foundational learning skills. The survey measures the government’s progress towards national commitments and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The MICS results reveal that Nigeria has made progress in some sectors. Child mortality decreased from 1 in 8 children dying before their fifth birthday (MICS 2016) to 1 in 10 children (MICS 2021). There has also been significant progress in exclusive breastfeeding and birth registration rates – the exclusive breastfeeding rate increased from 24 per cent to 34 per cent, while nearly 60 per cent of Nigerian children are now registered at birth with civil authorities, compared to 47 per cent in 2016. In addition, child marriage (women married before age 18) has reduced from 44 per cent to 30 per cent since 2016.

“The 2021 Nigeria MICS-NICS report provides evidence-based data for all key stakeholders to prioritise quality services for children and women with higher efficiency and effectiveness,” said Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO National Bureau of Statistics Prince Adeyemi Adeniran. “The information collated will inform policies aimed at social inclusion of the most vulnerable population, help identify disparities, and allow for international comparability.”

“Data is critical for effective budgeting and decision making – and the data from these surveys together paint a picture of the situation for children and families in Nigeria,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

“The picture is a mixed one. While there has been some good progress, and we should celebrate that – we still have a long way to go to towards ensuring the well-being of children in Nigeria.,

The findings of this survey will help guide the federal and state governments as they plan their budgets – providing evidence for where more support and funds need to be   wisely allocated and utilized.”

“As we build back better from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MICS-NICS survey provides evidence to shape interventions and focus resources in a way that helps children and their families reach their full potential,” Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO National Bureau of Statistics Prince Adeyemi Adeniran. “Using the data to monitor progress towards our collective commitments to children and families, and inform future action is critical if we must leave no one behind.”

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has kicked against the planned moves by the federal government to privatize the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and federal hospitals in rhe country.

Speaking in Abuja at the end of its inaugural National Executive Council meeting, NEC, the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo, said that the decision was taken because Nigerians have not felt the impact of previous privatizations by the government.

Osifo said that the TUC will no longer encourage any form of privatization of government’s assets again, saying that the privatization of the Distribution Company PLC Discos and the Generation Company PLC Gencos, done years ago for effective and efficient service delivery failed as Nigerians are yet to “see anything better from that sector”.

“You know today, the government have made some announcements, that they are going to privatize TCN, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and that they are also going to privatize some federal hospitals in the country.

“As TUC we take a complete exception to this and as TUC, the NEC we frown at this because of the privatization that was done before now, where are we today?”

“In 2012, 2013, the privatization process started and at the end of the day, the Discos and the Gencos were privatized, but do we have more light today than we had pre-privatization…the answer is no,” Osifo said.

According to him, most of the facilities privatized in the past ended up being sold to individuals saying that there is no guarantee that the same fate will not be the case with the planned privatization being peddled.

On the privatization of some federal government hospitals, the TUC said that it is like “adding salt to injury”, as people are already overstretched financially.

“Privatizing hospitals, it will be very costly for our hospitals to be privatized. That means healthcare is going to go beyond the reach of the common.

“Today things are difficult in our country, today, the common man has been battered, today, the living wage can no longer even pay our transport to work talk less of feeding our families or sending our children to school”, Osifo said.

He said the present challenges in the country as fundamental and called on the government as a matter of urgency to address and arrest them.

On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU and other Unions in the Universities in Nigeria, the trade Union Congress called on the government to resolve the contending issues with the Unions stressing that the prolonged strike could not have been as a result of lack of finances on the part of the government.

“TUC as a body is here to protect our national interest. We will do everything possible to ensure that we engage the government, and also engage ASUU as well as to find an amicable solution.

“You will agree with me that where there is a will, there is always a way. Recently the Federal government spent about 1.4 billion naira to buy vehicles and donated it to the Government of the Niger Republic. If the government is serious, I can tell you that they will resolve this issue of ASUU within 48 hours.

“Go through the budgets and you will see the different budget heads. So, it is the value that is placed on education. The value that is placed on our University system is the reason why we are here today” TUC stressed.

Wanted fugitive from justice, Francis Oduwanor Odiakose aka Big Fish who was only recently declared wanted by the Delta State Commissioner of Police and Delta State Security council, DSS has attempted to fraudulently use a letter purportedly from the offices of the respected Senior Advocate Kanu Agabi SAN who was a former Attorney General of the Federation to secure his release from custody at the Delta State Police Command headquarters.

In a letter signed personally by the respected Senior Advocate and sighted by our correspondent, Kanu Agabi SAN wrote a disclaimer in which he stated as follows: That Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe Esq, Kanabilweze Esq, or D I Otutu Esq who have entered appearance as counsel are not under the employ of Kanu Agabi (CON) SAN & Associates neither do they have the authorisation of the renowned Learned Silk Kanu G Agabi to prosecute any suit on his behalf.

‘Take notice that whosoever might be transacting with either Ibrahim Ernest Ojochegbe Esq, Kanabilweze Esq, or D I Otutu Esq on the assumption that they may be acting for Kanu G Agabi (CON) SAN & Associates does so at his/her own peril as the office of Kanu Agabi (SAN) shall not be held liable for whatever liabilities or duties as may arise from such misassumption,” the letter added.

“These lawyers who have been disclaimed by the revered Senior Advocate purportedly wrote the petition on behalf of Kanu Agabi & Associates to the Inspector General of Police and Deputy Inspector General of Police Johnson Kokumo to complain about the wanted declaration of Francis Oduwanor Odiakose,” he said.

In addition to the recent WANTED declaration by the Delta State Police headquarters against Francis Oduwanor Odiakose and his brother Christopher Odiakose for terrorism, attempted murder and other charges, the courts in Delta State have also revoked his bail on gun running and illegal possession of firearms charges he is facing in the courts in the state.

His bail was revoked for failing to appear at several court dates for his criminal trial that has been going on for the past year.

Discrete sources in the Police informed our correspondent that the suspect, Francis Oduwanor Odiakose was arrested last week in the police headquarters in Abuja after he fled the state upon his being declared wanted.

He is said to have made his way to Abuja and used a letterhead from Kanu Agabi to write a petition against his being declared wanted.

He was apparently invited by the DIG DOPs Bala Zama Senchi to interview him about his use of policemen to intimidate members of the public in Delta State. After an extensive interview by the DIG DOPS and his staff, the DIG cautioned him against his use of the police and also for parading himself as a traditional ruler despite documentations from the State Government stating he was not a Traditional ruler. It was after the interview and report by the DIG to the Inspector General of Police that officers from the State Headquarters in Delta State arrested him and took him back to Delta State.

But in a bizarre twist, immediately after reaching the Delta State headquarters, the suspect according to our sources started bragging that he had made arrangements with some officers in Abuja to be returned back to Abuja to be released despite his court warrant for his revoked bail and also the warrants issued for the new charges he is facing.

Our confirmed sources have stated that the fugitive is still currently in the custody of the Delta state police.

Documents sighted after his arrest indicate that he has made plans to flee to Accra, Ghana if he is able to secure his release by officers in Abuja.

Court sources in Delta state have confirmed that the same fake letters from the Kanu Agabi SAN’s chambers have been used by other gang members such as Chibuzor Anayo and Jossey who are suspected members of the gang of Francis Oduwanor and who were recently arrested by the Nigerian Army during an armed robbery incident and are currently facing trial in the High Court in Delta State.

They apparently used the forged letters in their attempt to secure bail and release from custody from the courts in Delta State.

The judge in those cases has denied them bail based on advice from the DPP in Delta State.

The Area Council Election Tribunal in the election to the office of the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory has ordered a Stay of Execution on the judgment delivered by the Tribunal between the AMAC Chairman, Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu of the PDP and his challenger Mr Murtala Karshi of the APC.

This followed a Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Section 143 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as Amended and Sec285 Sub Section (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended by the Respondents, Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Subsequently, the Tribunal granted the Stay of Execution pending the determination of the Appeal filed against the said judgment at the FCT Area Council Election Appeal Tribunal.

The election tribunal sitting in Abuja on Friday to look into the February 12 election in which Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu won the election with a total vote of 19,302 votes while Mr Usman Karshi secured 13,249 votes.

However, the Tribunal granted over 21,000 votes to PDP’s challenger, Mr Murtala Karshi of the APC, with the current AMAC Chairman Zakka still maintaining 19000 votes, making Murtala Karshi the valid Chairman of AMAC in the process.

The National Coalition Group (NCG), have inaugurated newly elected national executives to oversee the youth wing of the All Progressive Congress(APC) Presidential campaign team to fruition come 2023.

The new national executives were sworn in by Mr Francis Shoga, a representative of the NCG Board of Trustees (BOT) at the Tinubu campaign office in Wuse2 Abuja.

Shoga urged the newly elected executives who are drawn from all walks of life, to use their wealth of experience to strategize programmes and events that will not only educate, enlighten Nigerians on why APC presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is the best man to lead Nigeria, come 2023.

The NCG had its elections on Monday after receiving other groups on the grounds of merger for the purpose of ensuring that the Ahmed Bola Tinubu-Shetimma who are riding on the APC presidential ticket sails to harbour.

The Chairman during a chat with the in House media personnel at the end of the inauguration, said the NCG is in high spirit and is ready to set the ball rolling at ensuring that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the APC presidential flag bearer is victorious.

For their part, the Deputy National Chairman North, Mrs Abiodun Essiet; Deputy National Chairman South, Comr.(Sct.) Ekene Nwokoro; explained that the youth population makes up a huge chunk of the electorate population, hence the need for the youth to support the candidacy of Tinubu and Shetima.

According to the duo, the inauguration of the executives would aide the activities mapped out for the success of the principal, considering the fact that youths need to be more enlightened on the issue of legitimacy of their franchise and why they should give their mandate to a leader who would salvage the country’s situation.

The new national executive of the NCG include, the National Chairman of the group, Dr. Bako Muhammed; Deputy Natioanl Chairman North, Mrs Abiodun Essiet; Deputy National Chairman South, Comr.(Sct.) Ekene Nwokoro; National Secretary, Miss Martha Agba; National Coordinator, Mr Idris Jibril; National Legal Adviser, AbdulAzeez T. Ahmed Esq; National Auditor, Sadiq Abdulfatai; National Director Project Design and implementation, Mr Ahmad Abdullahi; National Director Policy Strategy Development Delivery and Implementation Prince Shinna Agoi.

Others are National Director Media and Publicity, Mrs Aminat Aminu-Isah, National Director Logistics and Oversight, Hon. Chukwuma Patrick; National Director Welfare, Ashlee Momoh, National Treasurer Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa; National Director Youth Mobilisation and Consultation, Mr Musa Abdulrahman Idoko; National Director Community Engagement, Dr. Justice Chikezie; National Director Finance, Funding and Sponsorship, Mr Samaila Audu
Director. Finance, National Director Women Affairs and Development, Hon. Mary Ofie Odey.

Also elected are, South West Zonal Coordinator, Mary Adekemi Oluwajana; Zonal Coordinator North Central, Ibrahim Tahir; North West Zonal Coordinator, Mr Yusuf Amosu; Mr James Omini, Zonal Coordinator South-South; South-East Zonal Coordinator, Ms Ogechi Michael.