Falling Naira: EFCC Threatens To Arrest Dollar Hoarders

Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, made this known on Friday while meeting representatives of Bureau De Change operators in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has made a new threat.

The agency threatened to arrest Nigerians hoarding dollars and other foreign currency.

Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, made this known on Friday while meeting representatives of Bureau De Change operators in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The meeting was sequel to the anti-graft agency’s ongoing efforts to check the rising cases of foreign exchange speculations, which had brought pressure on the value of the naira.

Bawa warned those involved to desist or risk arrest as a major offensive against the speculators was under way, adding that the EFCC had intelligence linking some persons and organisations to the hoarding of foreign currencies especially the United States dollars in commercial cities across the country.

He said, “The commission has intelligence linking some persons and organisations to the hoarding of foreign currencies especially the United States dollars in key commercial cities of Kano, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Calabar.

“We, however, warn those involved to desist or risk arrest as a major offensive against the speculators is under way.”

The EFCC had intervened by raiding some Forex markets in Abuja, which saw the currency return to its pre-speculated value.

Bawa noted that the meeting was called to fashion out a collaborative stakeholders’ response to brazen foreign exchange speculation especially at the parallel market which was hurting the country’s monetary policy by instigating a decline in the value of the naira.

The anti-graft agency noted that similar meetings are planned for other Bureau de Change operators in other major commercial cities across the country’s including key players, regulators and operators within the Nigerian financial sector.

Goodluck Jonathan Leads Election Observation Mission To Kenyan Elections

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has departed Nigeria for Nairobi on Friday to monitor the elections in Kenya.

The ex-leader is leading a team of observers to the country’s general elections that will be held on August 9.

Jonathan is the Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).

His spokesman, lIkechukwu Eze said the EISA team comprises 21 short-term observers drawn from Civil Society Organisations.

The delegation comprises election management bodies and representatives of the academia from across Africa.

Eze noted that observers will be deployed in all the regions and specifically in ten counties in Kenya.

They will observe the final stages of the political parties’ campaigns, Election Day procedures and results from the aggregation processes.

Their assessment of the electoral process will be guided by the principles set out in the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

“It will also be guided by the 2002 OAU/AU Declaration of the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, among others”, the statement added.

The EISA Electoral Observation Mission would issue a preliminary statement on its findings at a news conference on August 11.

Three feared dead in Delta as car rams into cows

Three persons have been reported dead as a Toyota Camry car rammed into two big cows along the refinery road in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident is causing serious tension within the area, DAILY POST can report.

Security Operatives have mounted surveillance in the area with a view to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

It was learnt that the vehicle driving along the dual carriageway rammed into the cows(2) and veered off the road leading to the death of three occupants.

Police Debunk Viral Video Of Kidnappers’ Den In Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force on Saturday debunked reports claiming the existence of a kidnappers’ den in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Force Spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this through his Twitter page after videos indicating such information went viral.

Several videos shared on the internet showed a burning bush area along the Goodluck Jonathan expressway, allegedly indicating the presence of suspected kidnappers/criminals hibernating in such areas to attack their victims.

The videos claimed that these criminals attack innocent commuters whose vehicles may have broken down along that route, robbing them of their belongings, and escaping into the bush.

Those who captured the video also claimed that the flame from the burning bush was a result of the police destruction of a kidnapper’s hideout discovered in the axis.

Another video also showed two gruesomely injured criminals, suspected to have died from the raid operation, but Adejobi debunked the content of the videos.

He tweeted: Fake News: No kidnappers den was discovered near the NPF Headquarters, Garki Abuja. Not at all. The news or video being shared was mere misinformation and a mischievous act of the enemies of the state to continually create fears in the residents of FCT and Nigerians in general.

“However let me reiterate that the police command in the FCT, on the directive of the IGP, has embarked on an aggressive raid of black spots and destruction of some shanties that might be hideouts for criminals in Abuja.

“So no cause for alarm as we have taken necessary steps to decimate activities of hoodlums and criminal elements in the FCT and across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Thanks.”

The FCT Police Command on August 3, said it carried out a raid on untended bushes and abandoned structures within the city centre and suburbs.

The command had also debunked claims of a kidnapper’s den within the territory, thus, advising its residents to go about their daily activities.

It vowed to adequately police the city, which has palpably been clouded by panic and the fear of terrorist attacks .

Checks by THE WHISTLER showed that there has been an increase in the surveillance of the city by operatives of the police.

Dark spot areas like Berger bridge, Sheraton Wuse Zone 4, Central Mosque and the AYA barracks areas of the FCT are manned by more security operatives conducting stop and search although not as thorough, considering the number of fleeing inmates after the Kuje Corrections jailbreak.

Police operatives only flag down vehicles, check their occupants with a security touch light and ask them to move on afterwards.

Since the jailbreak at the Kuje Correctional Centre over a month ago, the city alongside neighbouring states has been tensed, coupled with the various intelligence by security agencies of plans by terrorists to attack North Central and the North West States.

Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba directed a ban on motorcycles, while the FCT command banned the unauthorised flying of drones within the city.

Kogi government on the other hand had placed a ban on the use of facemask in the state while Benue Governor Samuel Ortom had pledged to purchase Ak-47 and other riffles for the new state’s security outfit. Other states are implementing measures to secure their residents.

IPOB Attacks Hausa Community In Imo, Kills 7 Members

Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have killed seven persons in an attack on Hausa community in Oroge, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Confirming the attack to DAILY NIGERIAN on Friday, the Hausa community leader (Sarkin Hausawa), Auwal Bab-Sulaiman, who represents Northern Community in the Council Traditional Rulers in the state, said the incident took place on Monday night.

According to him, eight people sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Center, Owerri.

“They shot at six people and beheaded one person and took away the head, eight people sustained injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Center Owerri because Oroge community is just about 10 minutes drive to Owerri town,” he disclosed.

Mr Sulaiman added that the gunmen returned to the community on Wednesday but were repelled by the police.

“After killing our people on Monday, they came back again on Wednesday to attack but luckily the police were able to foil the attack and killed two of the gunmen,” said Mr Suleiman.

The community leader added that the attack had caused panic in the community as many people have fled their homes out of fear of another attack.

While noting that those kiilled had been living in the community for over 20 years, Mr Suleiman explained that the head of traditional rulers in the state had sent a delegation to sympathize with members of the Hausa community over the incident.

When contacted, the state commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the police are currently investigating the incident.

According to him, the attack was a pure act of criminality which didn’t target the Hausa community.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, had condemned the alleged targeting and killing of Northerners in the Southeast region of the country.

Writing on his Twitter handle on Friday, Mr Baba-Ahmed said such heinous crimes, if not not abated, could worsen community relations in other parts of the country.

The elder statesman added that politicians who would need the support of Northerners in the 2023 general elections should immediately condemn the acts.

“It is very dangerous because it could worsen community relations in other parts of the country.

“We need to hear clear and emphatic condemnations from those who want our votes,” Mr Baba-Ahmed tweeted.

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Court Sets Date For Tinubu’s Hearing

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed September 7, to hear a suit seeking to nullify the candidature of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over an alleagtion of certificate forgery.

The case was filed by four chieftains of the APC namely; Memuna Suleiman and Jigo Mohammed Garba, Ofodu Anthony and Ibiang Miko Ibiang.

They instituted the action against the electoral body, the 1st defendant, along with the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Assembly and Attorney General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice as the 2nd, to 5th defendants respectively.

The appellants have asked the court to bar Tinubu who is the flag bearer of the leading political party, APC from participating in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election alleging that the information the latter submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the presidential candidate of the party is false.

The vacation judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed has, however, fixed the date for the hearing.

Delete these four apps immediately, Android users warned

The apps were found to be hidden dangerous malware called Joker.

If you use an Android, you might want to take a quick inventory on the apps you have installed on your device. This is necessary because Google Play Store has removed four suspicious apps , but you could be one of the 100,000 people who had already downloaded them.

What are they?

The applications that were removed from the Play Store include the generic named Smart SMS Messages , which has been downloaded 50,000 times, The Sun reports. The others, also bearing unsuspecting names like Blood Pressure Monitor, Voice Languages Translator and Quick Text SMS , had each been downloaded over 10,000 times.

Experts at Pradeo, who discovered the malicious apps say they contain a piece of malware called Joker which can secretly subscribe you to paid services with premium text and calls.

All of these apps are programmed to install other applications on users’ devices, acting as dropper to potentially convey even more dangerous malware. By using as little code as possible and thoroughly hiding it, Joker generates a very discreet footprint that can be tricky to detect.

You would be none the wiser if you install these apps, because the subscription and related charges all happen in the background.

Do this to protect yourself

These are just the latest apps to be discovered as containing malware. According toThe Sunarticle, the four add to the thousands of malicious apps being created over the past three years to steal from people.

You should go through your apps and see if any of the four listed above is on your device. If so, you are advised to delete them immediately . Pradeo reiterated:

Users are advised to immediately delete these applications from their smartphones and tablets to avoid fraudulent activities.

If You Use Gas Cooker, Beware Of These Mistakes That Can Lead To Explosion

As you might have guessed by now, gas explosions happen more often than you think they do. There are both good and bad things about using gas to cook, but they should not be overlooked. Gas is one of the fastest ways to cook. The kitchen isn’t like other rooms that are used for relaxing.

Having to cook for the family after work may be a time-consuming thing for us to do. Or, on special occasions, you could use it to make cupcakes or serve a big party at home with a lot of people coming over. Many of us forget to follow proper kitchen safety rules amid all the hurry.

If you cook with gas at home, here are some things to avoid.

As a last resort, you can use a flashlight on your lighter or your cell phone to check your gas stove. Use gas stoves, and don’t do this. It’s important to shut off the gas valve right away if the gas stove starts to leak.

You also need to open the door to let the gas out. There is no way you should use lighters, fans, or phones near a gas stove. They can get very hot and be very flammable.

Placing flammable objects near a gas stove.

The heat from a gas stove burner can burn things that are close to it, like flammable things. During the time that the gas stove is on, plastic utensils or jars, foil paper wrappings, and air-tight glass containers must be kept at least a few feet away from it.

Most people make the mistake of putting things on burners that aren’t being used. The safest thing to do is not put anything on the burners and keep flammable things away from the stove.

Filling your gas tank to the brim.

Stop doing this. This is another thing you should stop doing! Putting gas in an empty gas cylinder to the brim could cause it to leak gas, which puts you at risk of a gas blast.

Putting the gas cylinder in the wrong place.

Putting things in the wrong place can cause gas-related accidents and even death. There are a lot of things you need to think about when it comes to Positioning. To be safe when cooking with cooking gas, always keep your gas cylinder on a stable and firm surface, and be sure to place it vertically. This means that the bottom of the cylinder should be on the surface, and the regulator side should be facing up.

Teenager threatens to commit suicide if Buhari does not resign

By Bashir Bello

A teenager, Hamza Yahaya has on Friday threatened to commit suicide from popular Kofar Nasarawa flyover bridge in ancient city of Kano if President Muhammadu Buhari does not resigns.

Hamza’s action created a scene under the bridge linking to the Emir of Kano’s palace and State road as passerby stopped by to catch a glimpse of the scenario.

It was gathered that the one man protest could not be unconnected to the economy situation or hardship in the country.

It took the intervention of firemen to rescue Hamza from the pavement of the bridge.

An eyewitness and a resident Kofar Nasarawa, Abdullahi Madugu who confirmed the development to Vanguard said he was on his way to attend the Friday Juma’at prayers when he stormed over the scene of the incident.

According to him, “I was rushing to attend the Juma’at prayers around 1:30pm when I saw large crowd of people gathered watching a boy who climbed the bridge (popular Kofar Nasarawa bridge) and threatened to commit suicide or President Muhammadu resign.

“They (people around and even the firemen) pacified him to come down but he insisted that he would not come down. I heard him saying this with my own ears. He is not a small boy. This may be as a result of situation of day to day activities.

“It was one Malam Musa (who move about selling clothes) that drew the attention of the fire service who deployed their men and rescued the boy,” Madugu said.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif denied claims that Hamza threatened to commit suicide or President Buhari resigns.

“We got a distress call around 1:40pm about one Hamza Yahaya, 25-year-old who was found on a pavement of a bridge.

“He told us he doesn’t know how he got in there.

“He told us he is a resident of Sharada area of the state and that he ran away from their house to the area some three months ago because their neighbor sent him on errand with N4,000 and he spent the money.

“He is about 15 years old and can’t say such (commit suicide or President Buhari resigns) but the claims were by people around who coined the story along that line giving previous experiences.

“Our men deployed tactics and safely rescued the boy from the pavement. We handed him over to one SP Rabiu Tale at the Kwalli Police Division to investigate the matter,” Yusif said.

When our correspondent contacted the spokesperson of Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna promised to investigate the matter.

Adeleke forged certificates, Oyetola tells tribunal

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State on Friday asked the Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo to nullify the election of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke.

According to the governor, the election was fraught with certain irregularities.

He also said that Adeleke ought not to have been declared winner as he was not qualified to have contested the election in the first place, having submitted forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commision.

Saturday PUNCHreported that Adeleke was returned elected by the INEC, after defeating his closest challenger, Oyetola, and 13 other candidates, scoring a total of 403, 371

Oyetola got 375, 027 votes and won in 13 Local Government Areas of the state to come second in the election.

A member of Oyetola’s legal team, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), in an interview with Saturday PUNCH immediately after filing the petition in Osogbo said the governor has assembled 50 lawyers including 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, listing 13 grounds on which premises Adeleke should be disqualified.

Other key members of the legal team included Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Chief Akin Olujumi (SAN), Prince Biodun Layonu (SAN/, Muritala Abdulrasheed (SAN).

Adegoke said the election in many 749 polling units were fraught with irregularities.

The legal team, he said, have established by the petition that the election in those 749 polling units across 10 Local Governments in Osun State was characterized by irregularities pertaining to over voting.

Adegoke said, “We have nothing less than 50 lawyers, including 10 SANs that we cannot list all of them, so we have listed about 20 lawyers in the petition. We have 13 reliefs. What we are contesting is that the election is fraught with certain irregularities by which the person declared winner ought not to have been declared and the petitioner, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola ought to have been declared the winner on the ground that Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke was not qualified to have contested the election in the first place, having submitted forged certificate to INEC.

“The second is that the election in 749 polling units was fraught with irregularities and the election in those units ought to have been nullified. All the polling units mentioned are in 10 Local Governments, out of 30.

“So, if the election in those units is nullified and the votes are cancelled, then Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola will have comfortable requirements of the constitution to be declared winner of the election.”

Asked when the trobinal would commence sitting, Adegoke said he does not know.

“We don’t know yet but now that we have filed, it is expected that once the PDP is served, their lawyers will file their own defence then we will file a reply to their defence. That is when the tribunal will be able to give a date.

“Except if either of the two parties have an application that requires urgency, only then can the Tribunal have an emergency sitting but as of now nobody knows the date”, he said.

Adegoke had on July 19 toldThe PUNCHthat Oyetola may line up over 50 lawyers to contest the declaration of Adeleke as winner.

He had said, “We are still reviewing documents and the legal team is actually working. In an election of this nature, the documents will be so many; so it is important to look at them critically before we take a decision and that is exactly what we are working on right now.

“Dr Biodun Layonu (SAN), is the leader of the team. The legal team is not complete yet because there are so many others that will still come in.

“In the meantime, the two members of the legal team we can reveal is Dr Biodun Layonu and Kunle Adegoke. Others that may come in are people, we may not know but as soon as we are ready to move, we will notify the press.

“The membership can’t be determined as many lawyers are interested in joining the team. You know election petition is a special case. So, we allow as many lawyers that are interested to come in. We may run into 50 or more membership.”

When contacted for reaction, the Chairman, Media Management Team of Osun PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said the party was not losing sleep over the petition.

According to him, many of APC leaders that were saying that the result of the election should be challenged before the tribunal, lost election in their wards, saying APC should have adopted the spirit of sportsmanship regarding the result of the poll.

“It is so unfortunately that APC did not believe in the spirit of sportsmanship. We would have expected them to congratulate Adeleke. Many of them, who are championing the cause of tribunal lost in their polling units and their wards.

“We wonder what they want to take to the Tribunal now. We are not afraid or losing sleep, Oyetola can’t win. We will meet them at the tribunal. Regarding the allegation of forged certificate, there is nothing like that. They are only looking for an avenue to come back to government through the backdoor. PDP is a thorough political party that looks at all the certificates presented by the candidates,” Odeyemi concluded

Gunmen Invade Imo Police Station, Kill Four Cops

Four policemen were killed on Friday night when criminals invaded Agwa Divisional Police headquarters in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.

Part of the division and vehicles, including the one belonging to the Divisional Police Officer were burnt by the attackers.

This is even as the gunmen invaded the house of a resident identified only as Ejike, shot him dead and shot his wife before fleeing.

The development has caused panic in the area as natives and residents expressed shock.

Sources in the community who do not want to mentioned disclosed that they struck around 10- 11pm in three vehicles.

According to the sources, the gunmen came in a tipper vehicle and two sienna cars and invaded the police division.

One of the sources said,” They came in a tipper and two sienna vehicles shooting indiscriminately and we all ran into our houses. It was around 10 and 11pm.

“It was this morning that we heard that they were criminals and they attacked the police division, killed four policemen and burnt vehicles there.”

Another source said he was in his house when he started hearing sounds of gunshots and he didn’t bother coming outside.

He said, “I was already inside when I started hearings sounds of gunshots. I didn’t bother coming outside because it was safer to stay indoors than to come outside.

“It was this morning that we heard that the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters was attacked. Four policemen were killed. Two male officers were shot dead while two female police officers were burnt to death.

“Part of the building were the female officers were was burnt. Vehicles at the division, including the one belonging to the DPO were burnt. They also went to the house of an Okada man known as Ejike, shot him dead and shot his wife. His wife is alive.”

Another person said that his people were living in fear, calling on the government to rescue the situation.

He said, “We are living in fears. We don’t sleep with our eyes closed anymore. It is one problem or the other. We don’t even know the reason for this heinous crime. Two female police officers roasted and the two others killed in cold blood. This is anti- human.

“This is unbelievable. God should please come to our rescue. The government should please rise up to the occasion. Things are getting out of hand. I don’t know if they want us to run away from our homes. It is now like a way situation. God

please help us.

Another source told our correspondent that one of the slain officers was only two weeks old in the force.

He said, “One of the officers killed is a new recruit. He is not more two weeks he became a police officer after the passing out parade.

Our correspondent saw gory pictures of the attacked division and some officers lying dead in the poll of their blood.

Another source told our correspondent that policemen drafted from outside the division had taken over the area and the state commissioner of police, Muhammed Berde, was being expected.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, Micheal Abattam, did take his calls when contacted. He had yet to respond to messages sent to his mobile lines as of the time of filing this report.

Buhari sympathizes with Bongos Ikwue over wife’s death

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday joined the entertainment industry, particularly artists and musicians, in commiserating with ace instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Bongos Ikwue, over the loss of his wife, Josephine Ifeyinwa, 73.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, in Abuja, Buhari condoled with family members, friends, Catholic Women Organisation, International Association of Lions Clubs and associates of the matriarch of Bongos-Ikwue’s family.

The deceased hailed from the Ijeh Royal family in Issele –Uku Town in Delta, but by providence, she shared most of her life with the Benue-born musician.

Buhari noted the deceased’s dedication to the service of humanity and the Church.

He also lauded her for supporting the poor and needy across the country, especially prisoners, whom she regularly visited to pray with, counsel and guide on the fear of God, and provided support for the people awaiting trial, and their families.

The president affirmed that her contributions to the stability of her family, sense of duty in community development, and love for God will always be remembered.

Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would comfort the renowned musician and his family and grant the wife and mother a peaceful rest.

suspected ‘yahoo boys’ arrested in Benue

Five suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were identified as Adipe Philip, Akpa Alexander, Andrew Odokor, Ishegbe Samuel and Peter Ajine.

The suspects were arrested in a sting operation in Makurdi following credible intelligence on their alleged involvement in Internet fraud.

According to a statement by the Commission, items recovered from them include 2 Hp laptops, 7 mobile phones, a power bank, charms and several incriminating documents.

”The suspects will be charged to Court as soon as the investigation is concluded.” the statement added

Military Airstrikes Kill Notorious Boko Haram Leader, Alhaji Modu, 27 Others

Troops of the Air Task Force (ATF), Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised another notorious commander of Boko Haram terrorist group, Alhaji Modu, also known as ‘Bem Bem’.

Modu was killed alongside 27 other terrorists in Borno State.

This comes as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, charged Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational Commanders to ‘show no mercy’ and ensure they employ maximum firepower against terrorists posing security threats in the country.

‘Bem Bem’ and his fighters were killed on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 by the military airstrikes on Mandara Mountain in Gwoza local government area of Borno State.

An Intelligence report obtained by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region from top military sources and made available to LEADERSHIP on Sunday, said a battle damage assessment has indicated that the air interdiction had recorded devastating impact as many jihadists were killed while others were severely wounded.

Sources reportedly said the the operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating that the Boko Haram fighters were converging in large numbers with the intention to conduct attacks.

‘Bem Bem’ was a popular drug baron who rose from an armed robber to Boko Haram kingpin.

He took part in the displacement of Bama town in 2014 and the killing of hundreds of people before declaring it as the town as a caliphate.

Residents Uncover Kidnappers’ Den Opposite Police Headquarters

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, #Abuja have uncovered a suspected kidnappers’ den opposite The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in the Central Business District.

The den is located inside thick bush in a ravine off the expressway

Security agents were said to have invaded the hideout and arrested one of the suspected kidnappers.

A man in the video recalled how he was attacked when his car broke down near the spot sometime ago

Smoke could be seen billowing from the kidnappers’ den right in the heart of the Federal capital.

A message sent to the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, was not responded to at the time of filing this report.