Joint troops, comprising the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Police, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have successfully cleared several camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its Eastern Security Network (ESN) along Umulolo-Umukele-Amousu and Agbobu in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, Acting Deputy Director, 82 Division Army Public Relations, revealed that despite encountering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the troops stormed and destroyed the hideouts of the terrorist groups. The operations also involved cordon-and-search activities in buildings used by the terrorists.

During the search, disturbing signs of the group’s activities, including occultic practices and acts of cannibalism, were discovered. The troops successfully destroyed the IED-making factory of the terrorists, recovered rank badges of two kidnapped policemen, and found various items such as Biafran currencies, fake US Dollar bills, Biafran Liberation Army T-shirts, military kit bags, cables used for IED detonation, and axes.

Unuakhalu mentioned the arrest of two suspects and the discovery of burnt policemen corpses for proper burial. In Owerri metropolis, troops on a night patrol thwarted a kidnapping attempt by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists, engaging them in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victim. The troops recovered weapons and the vehicle used by the criminals.

Addressing civil-military relations, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, visited Isiuzo-Amufu community in Enugu State. He emphasized the need for community cooperation and assistance to end insecurity, herders and farmers clash, and youth restiveness in the region.

The GOC expressed commitment to collaboration with other security agencies and urged the people of the South-East to provide timely and credible information through the Emergency Line ‘193’. He assured continuous efforts to protect lives and property within the constitutional roles of the Nigerian Army.

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, expresses deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State and is set to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss measures aimed at securing lives and property.

Condemning the recurring attacks in Plateau State, Speaker Abbas deems them unacceptable and calls for renewed efforts in the fight against criminality in the region. The recent attacks in Mangu, resulting in numerous casualties, prompted the Plateau State Government to impose a 24-hour curfew in the affected area.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Speaker Abbas pledges to take a strong position when the House resumes from the Christmas and New Year break on Tuesday, next week. He emphasizes that the House will initiate plans for a security summit to address the persistent security challenges not only in the North but also in other parts of the country.

“I am deeply saddened by the continuous killings in Plateau State. It is unfortunate and disheartening that this is happening at this time when efforts are on to tackle insecurity around the country,” the Speaker states in the release.

Appealing for peace among the people of Plateau State, Speaker Abbas urges unity to confront shared challenges rather than resorting to violence. He calls upon the various security agencies to take decisive action to arrest the alarming situation in Plateau and underscores the need for collective efforts to build a more secure and harmonious society.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging the Audience Measurement System to strategically position the broadcasting industry as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

Receiving the interim report of the Audience Measurement Task Team in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the importance of using data on audience behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns to create a conducive environment for economic activities within the media sector.

Idris highlighted the outdated nature of the current Audience Measurement in the country, which relies on the age-old Diary Method, hindering the growth of the entire Entertainment and Media ecosystem. He expressed optimism that the scientifically based Audience Measurement System would provide accurate data, enabling better decision-making in the industry.

The Minister noted the underperformance of the broadcast advertising market in Nigeria despite its large population and stated, “if properly harnessed using accurate data mined through the Audience Measurement System, advertising marketing revenue can boost the nation’s GDP.”

He emphasized the potential of the system to empower broadcasters and content producers, providing valuable insights into audience viewing habits, content preferences, and engagement patterns. Idris commended the thoroughness of the Task Team and the Service Provider and pledged to engage critical stakeholders for the successful implementation of the system.

The Chairman of the Task Team, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi, highlighted that the initiative to implement a scientifically based audience measurement system began in 2020, incorporating stakeholder opinions. The Chairman of the service provider, Mr. Rotimi Pedro, assured the credibility of the findings, mentioning the engagement of an independent company for an establishment survey of 60,000 people based on global best practices.

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented estate agent Godfrey Oscar Opara before a Federal High Court on Wednesday. He faces charges of swindling Mr. Ibim Simeon Dakubo of N25.4 million, proceeds from a property sale.

Presided over by Justice P.I. Ajoku, the court arraigned Opara on four counts related to obtaining money by false pretense, a violation of Section 1(1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The defendant also faced charges of attempting to swindle Mr. Ibim Simeon Dakubo of N16,200,000 by falsely claiming ownership of two plots of land that belonged to another person. This action is deemed an offense under Section 1(1)(b) of the same Act and punishable under Section 1(3).

According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Opara sold a property he was entrusted to sell as an agent but failed to remit the proceeds to the owner or return the property.

Following Wednesday’s hearing, Justice Ajoku granted the defendant bail at N1 million, with two sureties in similar sums. The sureties, stipulated to be public servants with the River State Government or the Federal Government of Nigeria, must not be below grade level 12. They are required to deposit two recent passport photographs with the court registry, be residents in Port Harcourt, and possess a landed property with a Certificate of Occupancy.

Additionally, the sureties must provide a letter of evidence from their respective offices. Justice Ajoku remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service until all bail conditions are met. The trial is set to commence on May 6, 2024. Earlier, the prosecution counsel, M. Abubakar, requested a new trial date, while the defense counsel, Okey Ehogwo, sought bail for the accused.

A private jet carrying Very Important Personalities (VIPs), including 10 individuals, crash-landed at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident occurred around 11 am on Friday, and the jet, with registration number N580KR, overshot the runway, landing in a nearby bush.

Despite the crash, there were no reported deaths or casualties.

Firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were swiftly deployed to the scene.

The jet had reportedly flown from Abuja. In November, a similar incident occurred at the same airport when a plane carrying the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, crash-landed.

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy probe, Hon. Farouk Lawan, had his hope for freedom dashed as the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal seeking to quash his 5-year jail term.

Lawan was found guilty of demanding $3 million from Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Chief Femi Otedola, during the fuel subsidy probe in 2012.

Justice Angela Otaluka sentenced him to seven years in prison in June 2021, a decision that was later reduced to 5 years by the Court of Appeal.

Lawan argued that he was not allowed to make a plea for leniency before sentencing.

The Supreme Court, however, affirmed the judgement, stating that the failure to call for allocution did not vitiate the sentence.

Lawan has been in prison since 2021, and the Supreme Court’s decision marks another setback in his quest for freedom.

The Nigeria Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their readiness to grant the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) powers to prosecute offenders in the oil and gas sector.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, conveyed this during a meeting with NEITI officials.

He mentioned that the parliament is working on the review of the NEITI Act to empower the agency to implement investigation findings and execute recommendations.

The goal is to enhance transparency, governance, and accountability in the extractive industries.

The Deputy Head of the International Secretariat of NEITI, Bady Balde, emphasized the necessity of updating the NEITI Act to align with current realities.

NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Ogbonnaya Orji, highlighted the importance of implementing investigation reports for effective impact.

A coalition of 23 Fulani groups, operating under the Conference of Fulbe Group for Peace and Human Rights (COFUGOHR), has expressed commendation for the Nigerian Military’s intensified efforts in combating terrorism in the North West and across the country.

The coalition emphasized the resilience, determination, and patriotic zeal demonstrated by the troops, stating that it reflects their high morale.

In a statement signed by Dr. Hamza Ibrahim (President of COFUGOHR), Hajiya Zanaib Gidado (President, League of Fulbe Women Rights Advocates), and Ardo Yau’ Modibo (President of Fulbe Professional for Peace and Equity in Africa), the coalition declared confidence in the professionalism of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

The group affirmed that military actions against bandits and criminal elements align with international best practices and principles of transparency and accountability.

They specifically lauded the military’s commitment to denying criminal elements the freedom to operate, thereby addressing security challenges like banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and separatist agitations.

COFUGOHR urged the public to increase support for the military and cautioned against attempts to undermine authorities and weaken their resolve. The coalition clarified that military operations adhere to specific rules of engagement, respecting human rights and international standards.

Addressing recent incidents, the coalition absolved the Nigerian Army of 1 Division Kaduna of complicity in the killing of 11 Fulani in the Laduga grazing reserve of Kaduna State. They called on those affected to disregard false information aimed at tarnishing the Army’s image.

The statement acknowledged the ongoing security challenges in the country, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts by security agencies to boost the administration of President Bola Tinubu in securing lives and properties. COFUGOHR recognized that while the security situation may not be entirely satisfactory, the military’s aggressive posturing is yielding positive results.

In conclusion, the coalition commended the military for sustaining efforts against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, expressing hope for continued success until total victory is achieved.

They called for a secure environment where citizens can go about their daily activities without fear, expressing prayers for lasting peace in the nation.