The kidnappers of 14 passengers on two buses traveling from Umuahia, Abia State, to Abuja, who were kidnapped at Inele Eteke in the Olalamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, have contacted the husband of one of their victims and demanded a ransom of N15 million to release her.

Vanguard gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Inele-Eteke, Ogugu new road in Kogi East senatorial district.

A social media influencer, Chude Nnamdi, who broke the news on his X handle, said the two buses belong to God Is Good Motors, GIGM, and ABC Transport.

Chude said his wife was in one of the hijacked buses but could not ascertain the number of persons in the two buses.

“The GIGM bus left Umuahia at 7.30am and was hijacked in Kogi State. The company said they have contacted security services and they are tracking them.

”The kidnappers phoned this morning via my wife’s phone and were demanding N15 million,” Nnamdi said.
In another post, yesterday, Nnamdi said: “Passengers in two loaded buses were kidnapped and everywhere is just quiet like it is nothing. Is this the new normal? Two buses for that matter!”

He attached a message from one of the eyewitnesses who said: “Apparently, this happened around 3pm, along Olamaboro LGA, after one of the sharp road bends, some distance away from the police checkpoint.

“Both buses were five minutes in front of us. Only the GIGM driver escaped but with lots of actively bleeding cuts on his body.

“It was really scary. That spot is not really far from the boundary between Olamaboro and Enugu State.”
Kogi State police command confirmed the incident yesterday, as the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, said the area commander who led his team to the area saw the two buses but did not see the occupants and, so could not tell the number of people kidnapped.

“Yes, the incident happened but the DPO, local vigilantes, and hunters have been in the bush in an effort to rescue the victims,” Aya said in a statement, yesterday.

The PPRO added: “The CP has deployed additional tactical squad consisting of Quick Response Unit, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, as well as conventional police personnel to the area to continue with the bush combing and to ensure all victims are rescued unhurt.

“The report reaching me this morning (yesterday) is that a GIGM and ABC Transport buses heading to Abuja were hijacked by kidnappers in Kogi State.

Tactical team rescues driver of GIG“Meanwhile, the tactical team set up by the Kogi State police command, the DPO, local vigilantes and hunters have reportedly rescued the driver of the GIGM bus, Mr Godwin

Oniovosa.“Confirming the rescue in a short statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said: “God is Good Motors was with 12 passengers while ABC was with 2 Passengers. Meanwhile, the driver of the God is Good Motors, Mr Godwin Oniovosa has been rescued. Bush combing continues.”

ABC mgt reacts, ALBON keeps mum

Reacting to the issue upon inquiry, yesterday, the management of ABC Transport Plc explained the circumstances leading to the hijack of the buses.

The company said in a statement: “What did occur was that at about 1:30pm on Saturday, February 3 2024, at a village called Ayele Adumu, in Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, unknown persons blocked and attacked oncoming vehicles, among which was an ABC Sienna en-route Enugu to Abuja with two passengers.

“”The two passengers and the bus driver were led into the bush alongside other passengers of other vehicles and have since been held hostage.

“ABC Transport is actively cooperating with relevant security agencies to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.“”Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure a prompt and thorough resolution to the issue at hand.“”We understand the concerns raised by the public due to the reports in circulation, and we urge everyone to rely on official statements from ABC Transport for accurate and up-to-date information. Our team is working tirelessly to provide updates as the situation unfolds.

“We appreciate the cooperation of our passengers, stakeholders, and the public in allowing us the time and space to address this matter responsibly. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security for our valued passengers and staff.”

On his part, President of the Association of Luxury Owners of Nigeria, ALBON, Mr Nonso Ubajaka, refused to comment on the matter. He dropped the phone when Vanguard’s Correspondent introduced himself and asked for his reaction and refused to pick further calls.

We’ll flush out killers, kidnappers from S-West —OPC

Meanwhile, the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, yesterday, condemned the killings of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, saying it would do everything possible to secure the South-West.

The Yoruba socio-cultural organization also urged the Federal Government to fish out the killers of the two monarchs and bring them to book.

OPC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, in reaction to the gruesome murder of three monarchs in Ekiti and Kwara states said it is sad that the monarchs died in such a situation, adding that the OPC would not fold its arms and leave unknown gunmen to spill blood of innocent people.

The statement reads: “We have indicated our resolve to assist the government of the South-West region in addressing the surge of killings in Yoruba land.

“OPC will not allow the South-West to be used as an abattoir where innocent people will be slaughtered and gunmen would live like kings in our region. It is unacceptable. We will resist any attempt by gunmen to turn Yoruba land into a den of killers.

“It is unfortunate now that reports of killings and kidnappings are spreading across the South-West. We appeal to the federal and the state governments to co-opt the OPC in their attempt to solving the security challenges in the country.

“We are ready to salvage the region from marauders and killers that have infiltrated our region. Those behind the killings of the three traditional rulers would not go unpunished.”

Develop robots to tackle kidnapping, banditry, FOUYE VC tasks FG

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, has urged the Federal and state governments to be more innovative by investing in the development of robotics technology to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities beleaguering the country.

Fasina urged the government at all levels to provide an enabling environment that will birth opportunities for both the young and old, to arrest brain drain, which seems to be the order of the day in the country.

The Vice Chancellor said this at a press conference to herald the institution’s 18th convocation ceremony, saying, “we should use the resources we have to sustain our human and capital development.”

We need state, LG police urgently, says Olawepo-Hashim

In like manner, Former Presidential Candidate and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to implement the APC’s policy of decentralization of Policing to halt the rising wave on insecurity, blood-letting and kidnapping in the country.

Civil society groups, under the aegis of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, said last week that 2,423 persons had been killed, while 1,872 others had been abducted in the eight months of President Tinubu’s administration.

Decrying the development, Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement, said that the barbaric killings and kidnappings were condemnable.

Lamenting that rampaging gangs of terrorists and kidnappers moving like a guerrilla movement round most states in Nigeria, the business-cum-politician said: “I really do not understand the hesitation on the part of the President and the party leadership to lead the charge. “Many State governments and Local Government Councils are being controlled by APC. The Party also controls the National Assembly and majority of tate houses of assembly. So, it means the party can obtain the Legislative consensus within one week to bring to birth State Policing.”

[OpinionNigeria]

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar as the referee for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final encounter between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The match, which will commence at 5 pm Cote d’Ivoire time (6 pm in Nigeria), will see Omar’s compatriots, Mahmoud Kamel Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Ibrahim, playing the roles of assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2, respectively, while Sudanese Mahmood Ali Ismail will serve as the fourth official.

Attia Essa Amsaaed from Libya will be the reserve assistant referee, with Yacoub Ali Elmi from Djibouti as commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as the referee assessor.

Three-time champions Nigeria and 1996 champions South Africa will face off in their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix. Their only previous meeting at the same stage, at the National Stadium in Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 finals with Ghana, ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

Wednesday’s clash is being billed as the more potentially explosive of the two semi-finals (hosts Cote d’Ivoire are up against the Democratic Republic of Congo), given the pedigree, rivalry, and ambition of the two teams.

South Africa has only beaten Nigeria twice in 14 previous meetings at full senior level, though Nigeria edged an African Nations Championship clash by beating the hosts 3-1 in Cape Town in 2014.

The Eagles are presently ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA (6th in Africa), while the Bafana Bafana are 66th in the world (12th in Africa).

Four years ago, both teams met at the quarter-final stage, with the Super Eagles edging the encounter at the Cairo International Stadium 2-1, the goals coming from Samuel Chukwueze and William Ekong. Both players are in the present squad and likely to be part of Wednesday’s battle.

[Leadership]

THE Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has purportedly warned Super Eagles fans to stay safe following threats of xenophobia regarding the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final fixture against Bafana Bafana.

There is a history of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa and the upcoming match has caused some tension, with some South Africans threatening to pounce again.

An advisory note circulating online with the Nigerian High Commission letterhead has told Nigerians to mind how they celebrate if the Super Eagles win tomorrow’s encounter in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

“The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024,” the statement reads in part.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if Bafana Bafana lose to the Super Eagles”, among others.

“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud. riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

Nigerians have been engaging in online banter with Ghanaians, Cameroonians and Angolans since AFCON 2023 began over three weeks ago, and this is the first time there have been threats of physical violence from any set of fans.

 [NaijaTImes]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of Hadi Sirika, the immediate past Aviation Minister over an alleged contract fraud in the aviation ministry.

Abubakar was picked up by the anti-graft agency on Sunday, February 4 following an investigation in the Aviation Ministry.

During his tenure as minister, Sirika faces allegations including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.

The Commission stated that the amount in question is related to four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to a company called Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger brother.

In addition to being designated as the MD/CEO of the company, Abubakar is the only signatory to its two accounts, which are maintained in Zenith and Union banks, according to the agency.

Contract Awarded to Sirika’s Company

• Sources within the EFCC disclosed that Sirika granted the contracts to his brother fully aware that Abubakar is a civil servant serving as a deputy director on Level 16 at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, a position he has held since 2000.
• The first of the disputed contracts granted by the ex-minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, involving the construction of a Terminal Building at Katsina Airport, with a total cost of N1,345,586,500.
• The second was awarded on November 3, 2022 for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3.8 billion.
• The third contract, signed on February 3, 2023, involved the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator’s house at Aviation House in Abuja, with a total cost of N615 million.
• Meanwhile, the fourth contract, awarded on May 5, 2023, was for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria, totaling N2.2 billion.

More Insights

• According to reports, the former minister allegedly disbursed N3.2 billion to his brother’s company, Engirios Nigerian Limited, which subsequently transferred the funds to various entities and individuals.
• Despite this transaction, there is no evidence of any work being carried out on the contracted items to date.
• Abubakar Sirika is presently held in EFCC custody, where he is offering supplementary information concerning the financial dealings of the ministry, all under the supervision of his older brother, Hadi Sirika.

[Nairametrics]

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is likely to miss the semi-final clash against South Africa.

Nigeria will take on South Africa by 6pm on Wednesday in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

In a statement late Monday, Babafemi Raji, media officer of the Nigerian team, said the striker is suffering from abdominal discomfort.

He disclosed that Osimhen did not travel with the team to Bouaké, the city hosting the semi-final clash.

Osimhen toasts ‘statement’ win for Nigeria

“Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight. Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him. If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 pm,” the statement read.

Many Nigerians were really looking forward to Osimhen in action when Nigeria take on the rival nation.

While ruing the loss of five Nigerian stars to a South African at the Grammy Awards, music star Teni, had specifically mentioned Osimhen among those whom she wanted to seek revenge in the match.

Daily Trust had reported how Nigerian quintet; Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake and Olamide were snubbed at the 66th Grammys on Sunday.

Tyla, the only non-Nigerian nominee in the maiden Best African Music Performance category, was given the award.

Reacting in a video shared via Instagram, Teni pleaded with the Super Eagles players to avenge the Grammy loss of their compatriots by defeating South Africa in the semifinal clash in Cote D’Ivoire.

]“Grammy there’s a problem. We have many parties. You have killed our groove. South Africa, Tyla’s ‘Water.’ Alright. Osimhen, over to you. Lookman, over to you. South Africa, you will dance Amapiano after your AFCON defeat. You killed my groove. Grammy why?,” she said in a mixture of Yoruba and English.

[DailyTrust]

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday nullified a criminal charge preferred against a former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, and two others over alleged N21.5 billion money laundering.

DAILY POST reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had re-arraigned the defendants on an amended 13-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N21.5 billion.

Justice Aneke on Tuesday upheld a preliminary objection by the defence counsel challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case on the grounds that the defendants were serving officers of the military at the time.

It had argued that the defendants were, therefore, only subject to trial by a court martial, since they were still officers during the period.

[DailyPost]

Following the Super Eagles’ progression to the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, The PUNCH reports that the team has earned a prize money of $2.5m (N3bn).

Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON after defeating Angola 1-0 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday.

As one of the remaining four teams in the competition, the Eagles, alongside South Africa, their semi-final opponents; DR Congo and hosts Ivory Coast, have already secured $2.5m.

Before the start of the tournament, Confederation of Africa Football president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, announced a 40 per cent increase in prize monies.

The runners-up of the African showpiece event will now get $4m, while each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2.5m, with each of the four quarter-finalists taking home $1.3m.

“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” he said.

“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON prize money.

“I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations,” he added.

If Nigeria advanced to the final, they would have secured a minimum of $4m (N5bn) in prize money.

Additionally, if they win the tournament, they will receive $7m (N8.8bn).

Meanwhile, the Eagles arrived in Ivory Coast’s second-largest city, Bouake, on Tuesday (today) ahead of their semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday.

Jose Peseiro’s men have played all their matches in the tournament in Abidjan. Their first two games were at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, where they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea before pipping hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 in their second game.

Their last group game against Guinea Bissau which they also won 1-0 was at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium while they also slay the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 as well as the Antelopes of Angola 1-0 at the same venue.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the team will have one training session in Bouake on Tuesday afternoon, having had two sessions in Abidjan on Sunday and Monday.

Historically, when Ivory Coast hosted the AFCON in 1984, Nigeria also played their semi-final match in the city of Bouake against Egypt – which they won 8-7 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 2-2. Nigeria, however, lost the final 3-1 against Cameroon.

The winners of the Nigeria vs South Africa game face the winners between hosts Ivory Coast and DR Congo, who also faceoff in Yamoussoukro same
day.

[ThePunch]

Operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL) owned by former freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, in collaboration with security personnel, have arrested another vessel for crude oil theft in Bayelsa State.

The vessel MT Harbour Spirit, with IMO No. 8226272, is anchored at the Tantita facility in Oporoza.

Details shortly…

[TheNation]