The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says efforts by air and ground components of Operation Hadin Kai to clear the Northeast of remnants of terrorists have continued to record series of successes.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said that one of such successful operations occurred on Jan. 5, at Parisu after terrorists were, for days, observed moving items suspected to be weapons and ammunition to the area.

According to him, Parisu, a location near Sambisa Forest, was once a terrorist enclave deserted after its own troops had cleared the area of terrorists’ activities.

He added that the convergence of terrorists within the location raised suspicion of their intent and plan, hence the directive to strike the location.

Gabkwet noted that the result of the strikes led to a huge ball of flames from two adjacent spots within the vicinity, while some surviving terrorists were observed scampering for safety.

“Feedback also revealed that 12 terrorists were neutralised in the strike, and their logistics destroyed, thereby degrading their ability to attack soft targets and own troops.

“Similar strikes were also carried out at a location about 1.5Km Southwest of Tumbun Agiri within the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on Jan. 6.

“Intelligence gathered over time had revealed the continuous gathering of armed terrorists in pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, hence the go-ahead to attack the location.

“The precision strikes on the location led to the destruction of the vehicles, motorcycles as well as elimination of several terrorists,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu has advised gunmen operating in the South East to come out of the bushes, drop their guns and negotiate for better jobs and sound future from the Federal government.

This is even as he launched a Food-For-Peace Program, to tackle hunger in the South East.

Kalu, who addressed journalists in Bende during an All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders’ meeting and empowerment program for his constituents, said that President Bola Tinubu has been fair to the South East in appointments and other developmental programs.

He lamented that the economy of the South East region was destroyed by the effects of sit-at-home in parts of the zone, which according to him, made many investors of South East origin to flee the area.

The Deputy Speaker described the actions of unknown gunmen as an affront to the Federal Government, arguing that resorting to violence was at the detriment of the South East economy and general development.

Kalu however advised all the agitators in the South East who are still operating from the bush to drop their guns and embrace the Federal Government’s calls for peace, using the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) as a vehicle.

He noted that Tinubu has given key positions to the Igbos including the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Minister of Works, Chief of Naval Staff and others, he deserves total support of the Igbo nation now and in his future political interests.

Kalu disclosed that he is interested in the release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention but said that the process for Kanu’s release can be hastened if enforcers of the sit-at-home and actors of other violent crimes in the South East dropped their guns and embrace peace.

“Sit-at-home at-home is the biggest folly. You can’t match or outrun the fire power of the Federal Government. The best approach is to reduce the level of violence in the South East.

“Tinubu did not contribute to the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu. Why will we punish him for what he did not do? Calm down, return the guns to the security agencies because PISE-P is designed to create jobs for you,” he advised the unknown gunmen.

He recalled how the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office he established in Abia State was destroyed with more than 200 bullets fired by gunmen before the 2023 general election.

The Deputy Speaker however expressed joy that PISE-P has yielded fruit with the relative peace recorded throughout the South East during the Yuletide.

He also spoke of the need for social cohesion between Ndigbo and other tribes, for the development of the South East.

During the stakeholders’ meeting, about 25 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the constituency defected to the APC.

A total of 23 teams have so far qualified for this season’s FA Cup fourth round.

This follows the conclusion of Sunday’s third round fixtures.

Recall that Manchester City thrashed Huddersfield 5-0 to qualify for the next round of the FA Cup.

Leeds United won Peterborough 3-0 in an away tie.

Liverpool won 2-0 against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday night.

Jakub Kiwior’s own goal and Luis Diaz’s strike ensured the Reds eliminated Arsenal from the competition.

However, here are the teams that have booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round after Sunday’s games:

Fulham, Tottenham, Maidstone United, Coventry, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Newcastle, Watford, Brighton, Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers, Bournemouth, Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday, Chelsea, Swansea, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Wrexham, West Brom, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic will host Manchester United in the third round tie on Monday, while third round replays will take place on January 15, 16 and 17.

The Super Eagles walloped Al Gharbia FC, a local team based in Dubai 12-0 in a training match in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ademola Lookman scored four goals, while Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon grabbed a brace each.

Also, Sadiq Umar and Ahmed Musa weighed in with a goal each, while there were also two own goals to complete the dozen-goal rout.

Calvin Bassey as well as substitutes Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel all gave a good account of themselves as an aggressive Super Eagles team laid seize on their opponent’s defence line in a one-sided encounter.

The team, Al Gharbia, play in the third division and paraded a Nigerian midfielder.

A post on the team’s official X account noted that it was indeed a comfortable win for the Eagles, adding that coach Jose Peseiro must be pleased his team are firing from all angles.

It noted, however, that the bigger test for the Eagles will come on Monday when they face another AFCON-bound team Guinea in a final warm-up game before they jet out to Lagos.

“Osimhen’s overall play showed that he is in fine shape to justify his coronation as the best player in Africa at the AFCON.

“Fulham defender Bassey was calm and collected in the heart of the back after he started the test match alongside Portugal-based Chidozie Awaziem.

“Both Iwobi and Osayi Samuel did not start the game, but they impressed when they were introduced to the fray.

“Late replacement for injured Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf also saw action as he played the last 15 minutes of today’s match, which was played behind closed doors at the Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

“NPFL lone representative Olorunleke Ojo will later replace Francis Uzoho, who started in goal.

“Enyimba shot stopper Ojo kept out a penalty to ensure a clean sheet for the team.

“Coach Jose Peseiro made many changes in the game as he tried to have a closer look at all options available before the team’s opening AFCON game next Sunday against Equatorial Guinea,” it said.

It added that Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface and South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali did not see action as they were probably rested ahead of the Guinea clash.

The 34th edition of the AFCON is expected to kick off on Jan. 13 and end on Feb. 11. (NAN)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a thorough investigation into the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on alleged misappropriation of N585 million.

Recall that the humanitarian affairs minister, Betta Edu, came under criticism after a leaked memo on December 20, 2023 revealed that she directed the accountant-general of the federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585 million to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the project accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

A statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, signed by the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the president had directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.
Idris said the federal government is aware of the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the ministry.

The statement reads in part, “We are aware of the narratives circulating widely and wish to assure Nigerians that the government takes these issues most seriously.
“The federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is transparent and accountable to the people, and committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.”

It said the federal government was determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and gave assurance that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.

“The public is advised to note, against the backdrop of various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet, that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under the leadership of Minister Mohammed Idris, is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the statement said.

Idris said only accurate details will be shared with the public and promised to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.

“We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public,” the statement added.

Lawmakers have budgeted an additional N30bn for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex in the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

The N30bn earmarked for the renovation of the building was part of the N344.85bn budgeted for the National Assembly after they raised their allocations from N197.93bn.

The N344.85bn, signed by President Bola Tinubu on January 1, is the highest ever allocated to the legislature.

The additional N30bn brings to N60bn the amount being spent on the renovation of the National Assembly complex.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who is also the President of the National Assembly, had on June 30, 2023, declared that Tinubu would in December, last year inaugurate the N30bn different ongoing projects at the National Assembly.

Akpabio said, “The entire complex of the National Assembly is like a construction site due to ongoing general renovation work and fresh projects which would, on completion, be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu in December this year (2023).”

The renovation was initially billed to be completed and delivered in August 2022 but the delivery date was later moved to January 2023 and then December 2023.

As of January 2024, the renovation of the National Assembly Complex is yet to be completed with skeletal work ongoing on the premises.

Our correspondent, who was at the site on Saturday, observed that the contractor, Visible Construction Company, was still at work.

An official of the construction firm, who spoke to our correspondent anonymously, said, “People keep blaming us for not finishing the project but those with the money have refused to release money to us.

“How are we expected to finish the work without money? If money is released to our company, the project will be done in no time.”

Earlier during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, the site engineer, Tajudeen Olanipekun, blamed “fluctuations in the value of naira to the United States dollar for the delay.”

“This has hampered the importation of required materials and equipment, in addition to the need for more funds from the FCDA,” he said.

However, the Head, Public Relations, Federal Capital Development Agency, Richard Nduul, in June disclosed that N19bn had been paid to the construction company.

He said, “I would like to refer you to a recent press briefing by the Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, just about three weeks ago, where disclosed that so far about N19bn has been expended out of the sum of N30bn being the cost of the contract awarded in 2021 to Messrs Visible Construction Nigeria Limited with a completion date of August 2023.

“This project when completed, will bring the Complex to the status of a world-class parliamentary building that will ensure both the comfort, convenience and functionality of the complex,” Nduul added.

However, when our correspondent called Nduul to get an update on how much had been expended on the project, he said he was on sick leave.

He said, “Please call back on Monday so that I can get the records from the concerned department.”

In the same vein, our reporter reached out to the site engineer, Olanipekun for comment on the amount paid, but he refused to pick up his calls and even blocked our correspondent from reaching him.

He had also refused to reply to the text messages sent to him.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is poised to release a three-part investigative documentary outlining the alleged atrocities and sexual crimes committed by the late Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua, widely known as TB Joshua.

Joshua passed away on June 5, 2021. As part of the investigation, the BBC interviewed at least 30 former members and workers of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The first segment of the documentary is slated for release on January 8.

The three-part documentary exposes the covert lifestyle of the deceased SCOAN founder, detailing instances of abuse, harassment, rape, manipulation, and staged miracles. Sources informed the BBC that although the church was aware of all the allegations, they never investigated them. They allege that the sexual crimes spanned over two decades.

Part of the documentary reveals how SCOAN shielded its congregation from the truth about the collapse of one of the church’s guesthouses in 2014. A video repeatedly shown to members on Emmanuel TV depicted a brief clip of the structure with what appeared to be an aircraft flying over it.

SCOAN is situated in the Ikotun-Egbe area of Lagos State and grew from a local evangelical church into a multimillion-dollar establishment with worshippers from around the world.

Emmanuel, a former worker at SCOAN, revealed to the BBC that the narrative about an aircraft was entirely false. He asserted that the church building had a structural defect. Additionally, Rae, a British woman who attended the church and was a disciple, corroborated this claim. She added that despite professional advice against it, Joshua insisted on raising the building, which had an inadequate foundation for its constructed floors.

Following the tragedy, SCOAN compensated victims’ families with cash, which some interpreted as “hush money.” Sources revealed that TB Joshua instructed a church worker, part of the team distributing compensation in South Africa, to advise grieving families against speaking to the media. Allegedly, Joshua personally threatened families who refused the money.

“The building collapse is a prime example of life under TB Joshua. It’s a series of cover-ups. This incident was so significant that it was nearly impossible for him to conceal,” Rae said.

The BBC investigation also discovered that individuals were dismembered under the rubble, and deceased bodies were transported in SCOAN ambulances to shield the true extent of the disaster from the press, protecting both the church’s image and TB Joshua.

Sexual Exploitation

Survivors of TB Joshua’s sexual exploitation recounted how they were manipulated and silenced, even when aware that the relationship they had with “daddy” was abusive. These women were part of TB Joshua’s discipleship. Multiple women shared their experiences of being molested and raped by him. Some women who initially resisted his assault were threatened into submission, as revealed by one of the women in an interview with the BBC.

According to all the women, TB Joshua justified his sexual assaults by claiming it was for their salvation. These women joined the synagogue as teenagers and endured years of abuse before finally leaving. Abisola, a woman who spent 14 years in the church, disclosed that she was raped throughout her stay. Additionally, when these women became pregnant from the assaults, they were coerced into having abortions at a squalid clinic within the synagogue.

One of the women recounted her experience: “We went into his room, and I stood there. He said, ‘Off your clothes,’ so I removed my clothes. He just pointed, so I lay down, and then he raped me. He broke my virginity. I was screaming, and he was whispering in my ears that I should stop acting like a baby. I was 17 years old. I was underage.’”

One survivor managed to escape and confronted TB Joshua, recording the encounter in videos shared with the BBC. In the video, a security officer was heard threatening to shoot the woman. Survivors detailed being targeted, beaten, and shot at by suspected thugs associated with the pastor.

The BBC’s documentary uncovered how the church orchestrated, managed, and exaggerated miracles showcased on television. Individuals were instructed to amplify their problems for healing, and likewise, their healing was exaggerated to appear “perfected by God,” according to a source from the miracle department interviewed by the BBC.

Rae questioned, “How is somebody like that permitted to walk free? You’ve got this man who positioned himself as a father to many children and went on to rape, abuse, and molest all these people who call him daddy.” Rachel joined the church at 17, hoping to be cured of homosexuality.

Another segment of the investigation delved into how TB Joshua mistreated and ostracised his daughter born out of wedlock. Ajoke, now 28, revealed to the BBC how she confronted her father about sexual abuse allegations and was subsequently expelled from the church. She recounted experiencing isolation and indoctrination and admitted contemplating suicide.

In March 2023, Mail Online reported that an aristocrat, Constance Marten, allegedly ‘groomed’ by TB Joshua, spent time in a compound near Lagos, Nigeria as a teenager. The report detailed how Marten was subjected to stringent controls, including staying in a dormitory monitored by armed guards, enduring biblical readings, and being forced to address the leader as ‘daddy’.

The compound where Marten was detained gained attention after her arrest, along with her partner, in connection with the death of her child Victoria. Reports indicated Marten’s affluent background and revealed her association with the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria.

Former members described instances of humiliation inflicted by the controversial pastor on Marten and other white people at the compound. Marten later reached out to individuals, expressing confusion and trauma from her past experiences, seeking to understand what had happened to her.

In April 2021, YouTube suspended TB Joshua’s channel, Emmanuel TV, following controversial remarks about homosexuality being linked to demonic possession.

Marten’s ex-partner, Francis Agolo, reflected on her time in Nigeria, noting a stark change in her demeanour after her experience, describing her as caring and loving before but withdrawn and distressed thereafter. Marten previously shared her ordeal of living among 50 girls in a religious cult, emphasising the leader’s influence over their lives by dismissing their families and asserting himself as their sole father figure.

Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, says the G5 group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Ortom made this known on Sunday at a luncheon hosted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Wike, an ex-governor of Rivers donned a black shirt and a butter-coloured jacket and was flanked by Ortom and another G5 member, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The G5, a group of five then-governors within the PDP, rejected Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate before the 2023 poll last February. The G5 backed a southern candidate in the person of Tinubu.

The G5 include Ortom, Wike, Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo). All the members of the group finished their second term of eight years as governor last May except Makinde who is now in his second term.

Addressing the gathering crowded with Wike’s allies on Sunday, Ortom said the G5 has no regret for supporting Tinubu’s victory in the last poll, declaring that the group will again back the ex-Lagos governor for a second term in office as Nigeria’s President.

Ortom said, “If we work to ensure Bola Ahmed succeeds, there will be tomorrow for anybody to even contest the election at all.

“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, has already made a declaration that in 2027, we are supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We have nowhere to go because that is what Nigerians believe. Even the past administration that took Nigeria from top to bottom, we allowed them to work for eight years. So, why can’t a seasoned administrator in the person President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rule us for eight years?” he asked, assuring Nigerians that Tinubu will fix security, economy and other critical areas of challenge to the citizens.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, should resign for “betraying the confidence reposed in her”.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a statement on Sunday, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to speed up the ongoing investigation of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and charged all indicted persons to court.

The senior lawyer described as an “extremely embarrassing drama”, the circumstances surrounding Edu’s alleged involvement in the approval of N585,198,500.00 to be disbursed into a personal account.

In a letter allegedly signed by the minister, Edu allegedly instructed the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer the sum to the account of one Oniyelu Bridget as grant for vulnerable groups in four states.

However, Madein explained that although her office received a request from the humanitarian ministry to make certain payments, her office did not act on it.

The minister subsequently said there were plans to tarnish her image, adding that she won’t embezzle government funds.

However, Falana said the minister should stop insulting Nigerians, adding that she failed to deny that she gave approval for the funds to be paid to a private account instead of direct transfer to the beneficiaries’ accounts from the ministry’s.

He said, “It is interesting to note that the minister has not denied that she gave approval for the payment of the over half a billion Naira to a private account in contravention of the extant Public Service Rules as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Act and the Penal Code applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Instead of apologising to the Federal Government and people of Nigeria and calling it quits for betraying the confidence reposed in her, the Minister has arrogantly said that the N585.18 million fraud allegation is a mere fabrication by her detractors and an alleged attempt by mischief makers to undermine her ministry’s effort in fighting corruption and uplifting the needy.

“However, notwithstanding that the Accountant-General of the Federation has successfully frustrated the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million from public treasury, it is crystal clear from the leaked memorandum of the Minister that the offence of an attempt to commit a felony has already been completed.

“There can be no legal justification for the criminal diversion of the said sum of N585.18 million for disbursement to vulnerable people in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and Ogun States since the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has collated the individual bank accounts of all the vulnerable people.”

The Nigerian presidency has announced an ongoing investigation into a significant financial irregularity involving the transfer of N585.189 million.

This substantial sum, designated as a grant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, was reportedly diverted into a private account.

This revelation has sparked widespread concern and calls for accountability.

In a related development, several civil society organizations have vehemently called for the dismissal of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betty Edu.

The groups accuse Edu of directing the controversial payment and are urging the president to take decisive action against such acts of impunity.

The civil society organizations emphasize the need for the presidency to not only investigate but also enforce strict consequences.

Their demands include the immediate removal of Edu from her ministerial position and her subsequent interrogation by anti-corruption agencies.

This strong stance reflects a growing impatience with governmental misconduct and a push for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds.

The incident has raised serious questions about the management of funds meant for the welfare of vulnerable populations.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Daily Trust on Saturday, “The matter is under investigation.

“Appropriate Action will be taken thereafter.”

In a viral document signed by her and directed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Edu directed the disbursement of N585.189 million into one Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu’s private account.

The leaked document revealed that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account.

The minister had, in a statement on Friday by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Zubair, said the payment followed due process.

Zubair had explained that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account because she currently serves as the project accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

He said it is legal in the civil service for a staff member, to be paid, use the same funds legally and retire same with all receipts and evidence after the project or programme is completed.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) Global Resource Initiative, Buna Olaitan Isiak, urged Tinubu “to set up a panel to probe the matter so as to set precedence for future culprits.

“Payment of humongous public funds into a private account is purely corruption no matter the merit of her (Edu’s) defence. This is a violation of all the anti-corruption laws of Nigeria.

“The development is an opportunity to test the sincerity of President Tinubu on his willingness and determination to fight corruption and the readiness of his government to depart from the past ways of doing things.

“By now, Betta (Edu) should be a guest of relevant anti-corruption agencies to answer questions about how our funds escaped to a private account. It is not too late to act.”