NAF denies paying N20m to avoid shooting down Buhari’s plane by Solomon Odeniyi

The Nigerian Air Force has denied a report by the Wall Street Journal that it paid N20m as ransom to bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army. The Wall Street Journal said in a report on Sunday that the NAF brokered the deal as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was planning a trip to Katsina, his home state. The US media outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force officer, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over. The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the President’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies had previously warned. “The mission to buy back the anti-aircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.” It’s a lie, says air force But the Nigerian Air Force denied making such payment to bandits in exchange for weapons. In a statement on Sunday by the spokesperson, Air Commodore, Edward Gabkwet, said there was no truth in the report. The statement was titled, “NAF DID NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENT TO BANDITS IN EXCHANGE FOR WEAPONS” It read, “The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to news reports circulating on some media platforms alleging that the NAF, through one of its personnel, paid the sum of N20 Million to armed bandits operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun allegedly seized. The report went on to state that the reason behind the payment was to retrieve the anti-aircraft gun which, it alleged, the NAF feared could be used against aircraft operating within Katsina State. “The NAF wishes to categorically state that there is absolutely no iota of truth in the spurious allegation that was undoubtedly designed to cast aspersions on the good image of the Service. “The said report is totally false. It should therefore be taken as fake news and disregarded. Indeed, we ordinarily would not have responded to such baseless and utterly illogical allegation but for the need to set the record straight as well as reaffirm the NAF’s unflinching commitment to decisively dealing with the armed bandits and all other criminal elements *in the Country in partnership with other services of the Armed Forces and other security Agencies.* “For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated that there is no basis for the NAF to pay bandits or any criminal elements that it has continued to attack and decimate in Katsina State, other parts of the North-West as well as other Theatres of Operation in the Country. “Indeed, as recent as October 12, 2021* , NAF aircraft conducted 5 missions in the Jibia general area and engaged targets with rockets and cannons at Bala Wuta bandits’ locations in Kadaoji. “Similar successes were recorded at Fakai Dutsin Anfare, an area in Jibia LGA known for its high incidences of bandits’ activities. The false reportage therefore, begs the question as to why the NAF would negotiate for a weapon allegedly seized and still carry out air interdiction missions on the same bandits and their strongholds. “The NAF is of the view that, this latest false report could be a part of a campaign to further the cause of insecurity in Nigeria by elements who see the NAF as a threat following series of successful exploits in operations against criminal gangs.” The statement further read, “Perhaps, this provides an avenue for the NAF to yet again appeal to members of the media, both local and international, as well as social media, to be circumspect in their reportage and endeavour to always verify their facts before going public. The public is enjoined to disregard the falsehood emanating from some sections of the social and mainstream media. “The NAF also uses this opportunity to call on citizens to continue to cooperate with security agencies as efforts are ongoing to rid the entire Nation of criminals and their activities. “On our part, the NAF, as a professional and disciplined force, will not in any way be discouraged from carrying out its mandate to rid the entire North-West Nigeria of banditry and other forms of criminality. We remain resolute in performing our function and will continue to work in synergy with other sister Services and security agencies to rid the Country of all criminal elements.”

Pandora papers: EFCC opens probe of Obi, Oduah, NPA boss, others by Adelani Adepegba

There are indications that the Economic and Crimes Commission has commenced investigations into the alleged tax evasion by some Nigerians named in the Pandora Papers. It was gathered that a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has already been summoned for questioning by the commission over his secret assets and financial deals exposed in the Pandora Papers. Apart from Obi, the acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko; and a former minister and serving senator, Stella Oduah, mentioned in the report are also being probed. Others include Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State as well as his associates including former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. Children of a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), were also said to have engaged in offshore deals. Pandora Papers is the biggest leak of 11.9 million documents from offshore services providers, detailing the secret offshore accounts of 35 world leaders, including current and former presidents, prime ministers, and heads of state as well as celebrities. The EFCC was said to have asked Obi to report at the agency’s Abuja headquarters on October 27 for questioning following revelations that he incorporated offshore holdings, which he did not declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he served as a governor, apart from allegedly operating foreign accounts and hiding his wealth in tax havens to evade taxes. PremiumTimes, which has been publishing the Pandora Papers, said Obi and others were being investigated for tax evasion. The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said he had not been briefed on the investigations. Obi did not respond to calls on Sunday and he had yet to reply a text message sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report. PUNCH.

Presidency faults Onu, NITR council contests minister’s dissolution order by Godwin Isenyo

There is indication of imminent crisis following the decision by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, to dissolve the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research, Kaduna. The NITR’s Governing Council had asked the minister to withdraw the decision dissolving the board, noting that the tenure of the members which began in 2018 would elapse in 2023. The controversy over the dissolution of the institute Governing Council began when the minister in a letter dated August 5th, 2021 notified the Chairman of Board of NITR, Haruna Lambu, that the tenure of the board had elapsed. Onu had argued that in line with the laws and regulations guiding the tenure of agencies and research institute’s under the umbrella of the ministry, “It has become necessary to inform you and members that the tenure of the Governing Board which was inaugurated on Tuesday 8th March 2018 elapsed 7th of March, 2021”. The Minister pointed out that “consequently, the Director General/Secretary of Board has been directed to prepare end of tenure report and submit to the ministry” However, the action of the minister has already elicited reactions from the Presidency and the lawyers of NITR board. The Presidency had earlier written a warning memo against the Ministry, dated September, 1st 2021 over undue administrative Interference, harassment and intimidation. In the letter addressed to the Minister by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Administration and Operation), Ibrahim Dikko Adamu titled, “Undue Interference bordering on wrongful and unlawful intimidation, oppression and harassment of the Governing Council of NITR and the ignoble role of the Minister in perpetuating Dr Augustine Chinyere Igweh as Director General of the Institute after due retirement.” Adamu said, “The President has directed the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to stop interfering in the administrative procedures which are within the mandate of the NITR Governing Council. Mr President has also directed the Head of Service of the Federation to take disciplinary actions on Dr Augustine Igweh for using the police to forcefully take over management of the Institute”. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the board members, Shuaibu Umar, in a reply letter dated September 1, 2021 to the minister over the premature dissolution of the board, said from the provisions of law, that the “tenure of office of members of all the councils created and established by the Act is five years and not three years as erroneously claimed by the Honourable minister.” t PUNCH.

Blame Nigeria’s high debt service on large expenditure, says finance minister by Noah Banjo

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has blamed Nigeria’s high debt service to revenue ratio on the country’s large expenditure base. She said this during an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday, noting that a large proportion of Nigeria’s budget caters to payroll. She said, “Our debt service to overall revenue is high because we have a very large expenditure base. We have a large proportion of our budget dedicated to payroll, and Mr President had decided from the beginning of his administration that we were not going to disengage staff. “So, you have to pay salaries, you have to pay pensions. And also, we have to fund the other arms of government, which are the judiciary and the legislature.” However, Ahmed expressed hope in oil prices stating that the current rise would help the country earn more revenue from the sale to other countries. She also noted that buying back petroleum products from other countries due to moribund refineries dents the revenue Nigeria earns. She said, “The high price of oil means that we would be able to earn more revenue. At $85 per barrel is way above the $40 per barrel we have on our 2021 fiscal projections.” “But we also have the challenge of having to buy petroleum products for use in-country, because we do not have functional refineries. So that eats into the revenues we would have otherwise realised.”

Interest in UK truck driver jobs soars in Nigeria, two others -Study by Femi Asu

Against the backdrop of the recent fuel crisis that rocked the United Kingdom, interest in truck driver jobs in the UK has surged the most in Nigeria and two other countries. A new finding by a delivery management platform, Urbantz, revealed this, according to an emailed statement by Search Intelligence Limited. It said online interest in truck driver positions in the UK skyrocketed to 14 times the average volume from September 26 – an unprecedented spike in interest for truck driver vacancies, according to Google search data analysis. The UK fuel crisis was triggered by the chronic shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers hit supply chains across the world’s fifth-largest economy. The British haulage industry said it needed about 100,000 more drivers, and the government announced last month a plan to issue temporary visas for 5,000 foreign truck drivers. Read Also Nigeria not prioritising ideology, says Falana Nigeria needs young people in innovation, VC says 2022 Commonwealth Games: Queen’s Baton Relay arrives Nigeria “The data also shows that interest in truck driver positions in the UK is the most widespread in Zimbabwe, followed by Nigeria and Sri Lanka. South Africa and Ireland were also among the countries with the highest online searches for ‘truck driver UK’,” the statement said. It said the study also found that the number of HGV vehicles registered in the UK decreased from 54,000 to 36,000 between 2019 and 2020, according to data collated from the Department of Transport. A spokesperson for Urbantz was quoted as saying, “It’s fascinating to see how much online interest in UK-based truck driver jobs has increased across the globe, following news of the country’s unprecedented need for HGV drivers. “The fuel crisis and driver shortage has the potential to put a lot of pressure on the country, as we rely on deliveries for our basic necessities; so hopes will be high that search interest will convert into job applications.”

Don’t report insecurity as rising, Buhari begs journalists by Segun Adewole

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has urged the media to address the tone, content, and standards of reporting into security and safety measures. In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Monday, Buhari said the term “rising insecurity” should be replaced with the “reality of declining insecurity.” The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari Felicitates With Muslims On Eid-el-Maulud, Reassures That Significant Gains Are Being Made In Combating Insecurity.’ It partly read, “The President urges Muslims to strive for forgiveness and closeness to the noble life and teachings of the Prophet (SAW) whose birthday is being marked on this blessed day. On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all the blessings of today. “The President uses the occasion to give a snapshot of the increased activities the Armed Forces, Police Force, and intelligence agencies have embarked upon to effectively respond to the security challenges in the nation. “He says the government fully expects and intends for these trends to continue, and calls on the media to address the tone, content, and standards of reporting into security and safety measures. Time has come to revise the prefixes “rising insecurity” with “declining insecurity.” “The President adds that increased cooperation and collaboration from the citizenry, coupled with reinvigorated, dynamic, and energised police, security and military leadership is helping the administration score more victories against terror, criminality, and economic sabotage. The reality of declining insecurity should replace the inaccurate narrative of rising insecurity in the country.” Shehu quoted Buhari as saying, “While there is work to do, the men and women in uniform who are helping the nation to achieve this goal, desire our collective appreciation and encouragement to do even more. The whole country and its mass communication systems have a duty in this regard.” The President concluded his message by appealing to road users to drive with care and avoid needless accidents.

Colin Powell dies of COVID-19 complications

Colin Powell, a US war hero and the first Black secretary of state who saw his legacy tarnished when he made the case for war in Iraq in 2003, has died of complications from Covid-19. He was 84. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family said in a statement posted to social media on Monday. The retired four-star general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who served four presidents made his reputation as a man of honor distant from the political fray — an asset in the corridors of power. “General Powell is an American hero, an American example, and a great American story,” George W. Bush said as he announced the nomination of Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants who became the Republican president’s secretary of state in 2000. “In directness of speech, his towering integrity, his deep respect for our democracy, and his soldier’s sense of duty and honor, Colin Powell demonstrates… qualities that will make him a great representative of all the people of this country.” Read Also Ihekweazu hands over to Adetifa as NCDC DG COVID-19 cut purchasing power but boosted e-commerce – Visa Nigeria boss COVID-19: FG lists fresh conditions to inbound travellers But he found it hard to live down his infamous February 2003 speech to the United Nations Security Council about the alleged existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq — the evidence he presented was later proven to be false. “It’s a blot… and will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It’s painful now,” Powell said in a 2005 interview with ABC News. Tributes nevertheless poured in from Congress, where Democratic Senator Mark Warner praised Powell as “a patriot and a public servant,” while House Republican Peter Meijer described him as a rarity in the modern age: “a true soldier statesman.” The family statement said Powell had been fully vaccinated.