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Donald Trump’s victory Monday in the Iowa caucuses surprised no one, confirming his grip on the Republican Party and offering clues about the campaign ahead.
Here are five takeaways from the first contest of the 2024 election race, where Trump supporters defied bitter cold to deliver a victory for the ex-president, who swept aside challengers Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley.
– Trump, GOP master –
In his first judgment by voters since his chaotic White House departure in 2021, the verdict is clear: It’s still Trump’s Republican Party.
Just over half of caucus goers voted for the 77-year-old Trump, and entrance polls show he won across the board including with the religious right.
Christian conservatives were initially skeptical of Trump, who is plagued by sexual assault accusations and allegations of a tryst with a porn star. But they warmed to the tycoon since three of his Supreme Court picks spearheaded the bench’s anti-abortion moves.
It marks an extraordinary turn in America, where defeated politicians are often left behind by their party. Not so with Trump.
– Who’s in second? –
Battling for scraps were Florida Governor DeSantis and Trump’s onetime UN ambassador Haley.
While DeSantis narrowly won second spot, he is under immense pressure given he sank everything he had into doing well in Iowa — but still lost by 30 percentage points.
Nevertheless DeSantis told supporters “we’ve got our ticket punched out of Iowa,” as the choreographed political ballet shifts to the northeastern state of New Hampshire.
That is seen as more fertile ground for Haley, considered the more moderate of the top three and who has gained on Trump in the Granite State.
She fared respectably in Iowa, at 19 percent compared to DeSantis’s 21 percent, and on Monday night predicted she would outpace DeSantis next week in New Hampshire and in her home state of South Carolina, another key battleground.
Each claim to be the future of the Republican Party, and could ultimately be looking down the road to the 2028 election.
– What legal problems? –
Will former real estate mogul Trump’s multiple legal challenges weigh him down in 2024? Not on the campaign trail, if Iowa is any indication.
He is under criminal indictment in four cases, but none has dented his popularity with party voters.
CNN polls show most Republican caucus participants, including nearly three quarters of Trump voters, believe he is fit for the presidency even if convicted of a crime.
Trump, who faces yet another trial opening on Tuesday in New York, has put his legal challenges at the heart of his campaign, railing against the alleged “witch hunt” by Democrats.
– All over? –
Not quite. Trump’s resounding victory in Iowa gives him momentum for sure, but the caucuses — with barely 100,000 voters — are quirky party-run affairs that do not necessarily translate nationally.
“I don’t know a single analyst who didn’t think Trump would win Iowa… It’s heavily Republican and evangelical,” Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia, told AFP. “New Hampshire will be much more interesting.”
The state bordering Canada votes on January 23, and Haley is aiming to shrink Trump’s lead there.
– Biden gearing up? –
The White House incumbent, barring a shock, will be nominated in August. But he is already preparing for a rematch of his 2020 Trump duel, saying Monday that the Iowa results make Trump “the clear front runner on the other side.”
Biden’s re-election campaign is flush; earlier Monday it announced a massive war chest of $117 million — a considerable asset in a country known for expensive presidential races.
Republican political consultant Mike Madrid said Biden was the night’s big winner. “He’s gonna get the candidate he wants: Trump.”
[AFP]
Liberia’s outgoing president George Weah has said he has no plans to run for the top job again after his defeat in recent elections, local media reported Monday.
Weah, 57, a former international football star, won the presidency in 2017 but lost in November polls to Joseph Boakai, who is due to be inaugurated on January 22.
Addressing his future with congregants at the church he attends outside the capital Monrovia on Sunday, Weah pointed to his age at the next presidential vote in 2029, according to a recording of his remarks to which AFP had access.
“I am 57 now and our retirement age is 65 and six years from now I will be 63 and I cannot work for two years,” he said.
“You are not going to drag me to politics until I reach 90 years,” he added.
“I became a president, so I say thank you Liberians that I became president whether it was one time or 50 times, but I can guarantee you that it’s one time.”
Weah did not reveal what he planned to do next but said he would work for peace and prosperity, in one of the world’s poorest countries.
He won praise for conceding and promoting a non-violent transition in a region marred by coups.
Before entering politics, Weah was the only African to win football’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or during a career as a striker for top-flight European teams.
Boakai, who is 79, won a narrow victory over Weah by a margin of just 20,567 ballots with a 50.64 percent vote share.
The Presidency has reacted to the calls by Nigerians and opposition parties for the suspension of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Naija News reports that New Planet Projects, a company co-founded by the minister, was reported to have benefited from an N438 million contract from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
A leaked document revealed that the firm received the fund as payment for “consultancy fees” from the humanitarian ministry, which has been enmeshed in several scandals.
However, the interior minister has since denied any wrongdoing, saying he had ceased to be a director of the company in 2019.
Following the development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have demanded the immediate suspension of the minister over the controversy surrounding the contract award.
The party described the allegations as “heavy and huge”, adding that Tunji-Ojo’s excuse that he has no interest in the company despite his confession of owning huge shares in the firm is lame.
Reacting to the call in a chat with Daily Trust on Monday, the presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, asked Nigerians to be patient with the investigation that is being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The presidential aide also appealed to the citizens to refrain from media trials and mauling of the people and issues being probed.
Onanuga stated that there is no saint, no sinner yet until the EFCC finishes its investigation and confirms that the minister is guilty.
He said: “I will plead that Nigerians should exercise patience and allow the EFCC to complete its investigation. There is no saint, no sinner yet until the EFCC says so. Let’s refrain from media trial and mauling of the people and issues being probed.”
Biafra war anniversary: End fight against Igbo, pardon Nnamdi Kanu – Ohanaeze chieftain to Tinubu
AdminA chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo sociocultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged President Bola Tinubu to officially end the war against Igbos, ahead of the 54th Biafra war anniversary.
He urged Tinubu to implement the reconstruction, reconciliation, and rehabilitation and the opening up of the Eastern corridor for economic development and the liberation of the old Eastern region.
In a statement he signed, he said Ndigbo endured persecution and economic strangulation due to the historical neglect of the old Eastern region by past federal governments.
He said while other zones have benefitted from the center, the Southeast has been systematically excluded and deprived of its rightful share.
According to Isiguzoro: “Major infrastructures destroyed during the 3 and 6 months of the Biafra war have not been adequately reconstructed by previous military and civilian governments over the past 54 years.
“Genuine reconciliation from the Federal government towards Ndigbo has been lacking, replaced by the deliberate exclusion of the Southeast from certain privileges and the denial of access to viable seaports in the old Eastern region, such as the permanent closure of the Calabar seaport.”
He also reminded Tinubu that the Federal Government has failed to pay the reparation fees demanded by Igbo leaders during the administrations of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and late Musa Yar’Adua.
“Additionally, the reparation fees demanded by Igbo leaders during the Obasanjo and Yar’adua regimes have not been paid, and the implementation of the 2014 Constitutional conference and the restructuring proposals put forth by the APC committee led by former Governor El-Rufai have been disregarded,” he said.
Isiguzoro also informed the president that he was yet to grant pardon to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and other agitators.
He added: “Furthermore, the granting of pardons to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra agitators who are genuinely fighting against previous governments’ untold persecution is yet to be realized.
“Another aspect that demands urgent attention is the rehabilitation of the old Eastern region through increased federal presence. The lack of federal infrastructural development in the Southeast is deeply concerning.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores President Tinubu to utilize his esteemed office to initiate the end of the war by prioritizing reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the Southeast.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains hopeful that President Tinubu, as a leader known for his commitment to justice and fairness, will champion the cause to end the war and bring about lasting peace, reconciliation, and development in the Southeast.”
President Bola Tinubu remarked on Monday that a select few individuals have embezzled Nigeria’s collective resources under the pretext of subsidies over the past four decades.
Tinubu expressed regret that Nigerians are bearing the brunt of this misappropriation.
Addressing attendees at the second-term inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodinma in Owerri, the President assured the public that he was aware of their concerns and affirmed that the challenges arising from crucial reforms were actively being tackled.
He also revealed that his administration will prioritise education and healthcare while facilitating the necessary conditions for industrialisation and investments. This aligns with his vision of fostering economic stability and prosperity within the country.
Tinubu said, “In the past 40 years, a few people were cornering our commonwealth and calling it subsidy, but I call it wasteful. Right now, we are all bearing and sharing that pain. But things are looking up. Things will get better for the good of all Nigerians. With me, there is hope.
“I assure you that there will be substantial development in education for your children; priority is on industrialisation, and healthcare will receive more allocation and attention. We will train more health workers.“
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued 13 new licences for the generation of off-grid and embedded power, independent electricity distribution, as well as for the trading of electricity.
It said the new licences were issued in the third quarter of 2023, as the cumulative quantum of electricity to be generated by the licensees was 40.9 megawatts
Under the section titled, ‘Licences and Permits Issued or Renewed,’ in the latest third quarter 2023 report of NERC, it was revealed that five new off-grid generation licences that would generate 8.81MW were issued during the review period, as well as one new licence for embedded generation of 5MW.
On other licences that were issued, the commission said, “One new licence for Independent Electricity Distribution Network, one new licence for trading, three off-grid generation licences, one embedded generation, and one IEDN licence.”
It explained that the commission issues licences for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, trading and system operations in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry.
“For activities that do not require licenses based on the provisions of sections 65-68 of the Electricity Act 2023, but still require authorisation from the commission, such as off-grid captive power generation and mini-grid development, the commission issues permits to the operators following a review of the relevant applications,” the NERC stated.
Nigeria generates between 3,500MW and 5,000MW of electricity for the over 200 million people across the country, a development that has been described as poor for Africa’s biggest economy.
On Monday, for instance, the country’s power generation at 6am was 4,357.09MW. Peak power generation the preceding day was 4,579.5MW, while off-peak power generation on the same day was 4,062.98MW. Many parts of Nigeria, particularly rural communities experience blackouts due to the country’s meagre power generation.
In June 2023, Nigeria was designated the country with the largest number of people lacking access to electricity, as 86 million of its over 200 million population were living without electricity as of 2021, according to a joint report by some international agencies.
The report compiled by the International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations and the World Health Organisation, stated that the countries with the largest number of people without access to electricity as of 2021 include Nigeria (86 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (76 million), and Ethiopia (55 million).
However, the Federal Government and operators in the power supply space have been making efforts to increase the country’s electricity output over the years, which led to the privatisation of the successor generation and distribution companies in November 2013.
The issuance of licences for the generation of electricity by the government through NERC is another way of boosting the country’s power supply and reducing the number of persons who lack electricity.
Providing further explanation on the 13 new power generation, distribution and trading licences, the NERC in its report stated that Daybreak Power Solutions Limited received eight licences for various off-grid power generation projects in Lagos, Abia, Borno, Kano, Oyo and Abuja.
Ekiti Independent Power Project got a licence for the development of a gas-fired 5MW embedded power project to be constructed in Ekiti State.
Olokiti Power Distribution Limited received an Independent Electricity Distribution Network licence that would be operational in Ekiti State.
Ember Power Limited got an electricity trading licence, while Island Power Limited got a licence for the development of a 10MW embedded gas-fired power project in Lagos.
Also, Energy Company of Nigeria Limited was issued an Independent Electricity Distribution Network licence that would be operational in Lagos State.
Power consumer groups have repeatedly condemned the poor electricity supply in Nigeria despite the trillions of naira invested in the sector. They have also charged the government and operators to work harder to deliver adequate electricity to Nigerians.
The Presidency has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N3 billion for the verification of the National Social Register.
Naija News reports that the social register was created under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for cash transfers and other social investment programmes.
It was learned that a memo dated December 18, 2023, from the Office of Chief of the Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, that three billion naira for the verification of the national social register was from the COVID-19 palliative fund.
Speaking with The Punch on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said investigation has begun into the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Onanuga called for restraint and patience from Nigerians in light of the ongoing investigation of the suspended minister, Betta Edu, over alleged N585m fraud.
The presidential aide warned against the media trial of Edu and appealed to Nigerians to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to do their job thoroughly.
He said: “The President has directed the EFCC to investigate the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and all these matters are under investigation already.
“I am sure that the EFCC had seen that memo from the Office of the Chief of Staff and they are doing something about these findings.
“Let us allow them to do their work. Let us not do a double investigation on the same issue or a media trial on an issue that is under investigation. Nigerians should exercise patience.
“When the EFCC is done with their findings, they will tender their report to the President, who will then act on the result of the investigation.”
United States Republican presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, on Monday suspended his campaign, throwing his support behind former President Donald Trump.
The development came after he fell short at Monday’s Iowa Caucuses.
Ramaswamy, however, chose to endorse Trump, who kickstarted his bid to win his party’s presidential nomination, cruising to an easy victory in the lead off contest in the 2024 Republican presidential nominating calendar.
He had garnered roughly 8 per cent support among caucus goers, trailing behind both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley who finished second and third, respectively, at roughly 20 per cent.
In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Ramsaswamy announced suspension of his campaign, telling supporters his campaign was “founded on speaking the truth not just when it’s easy but when it’s hard.”
While announcing the suspension of his presidential campaign, Ramsaswamy disclosed that he had called Donald Trump to lend his support.
According to him, he will do everything he could to make sure Trump emerges as the next U.S. President, saying he was enormously proud of the team, movement, and country.
“It is true that we did not achieve the surprise that we wanted to deliver tonight.
“Earlier tonight, I called Donald Trump to tell him that I congratulate him on his victory. And now going forward, he will have my full endorsement for the presidency,” he said.
Trump exceeded expectations and shattered contested caucus records, securing more than 50 per cent of the vote.
Before now, Trump himself had appeared threatened by Ramaswamy in the late stages of the race, attacking him on Truth Social within days of the Iowa Caucuses.
“This entire campaign is about speaking the TRUTH. We did not achieve our goal tonight & we need an America-First patriot in the White House. The people spoke loud & clear about who they want. Tonight I am suspending my campaign and endorsing Donald J. Trump and will do everything I can to make sure he is the next U.S. President. I am enormously proud of this team, this movement, and our country,” Ramsaswamy’s post on X read.
A leading international oil company, Shell, has agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies based in Nigeria, and an international energy group, for up to $2.4 billion.
The company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The development will bring an end to the British oil giant’s core operation in Nigeria years after its formation in 1979.
However, the company stated that completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria, who has a 55 per cent stake, and other conditions.
Explaining the implication of the development, Shell noted that the transaction had been designed to preserve the full range of SPDC’s operating capabilities following the change of ownership. These include the technical expertise, management systems and processes that SPDC implements on behalf of all the companies in the SPDC Joint Venture (SPDC JV).
Meanwhile, the statement clarified that SPDC’s staff will continue to be employed by the company as it transitions to new ownership.
The company said it retains a role in supporting the management of SPDC JV facilities that supply a major portion of the feed gas to Nigeria LNG and NLNG to help Nigeria achieve maximum value from NLNG.
Zoë Yujnovich, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, speaking on the company’s next line of action, said it will focus investment on deepwater and integrated gas operations.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions.
“It is a significant moment for SPDC, whose people have built it into a high-quality business over many years. Now, after decades as a pioneer in Nigeria’s energy sector, SPDC will move to its next chapter under the ownership of an experienced, ambitious Nigerian-led consortium.
“Shell sees a bright future in Nigeria with a positive investment outlook for its energy sector. We will continue to support the country’s growing energy needs and export ambitions in areas aligned with our strategy.”
DAILY POST gathered the SPDC JV is an unincorporated joint venture comprised of SPDC Ltd (30 per cent), the government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55 per cent), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10 per cent) and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd (5 per cent).
[DailyPost]
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Tuesday, January 16, failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for an interaction over his alleged link to one of the companies that got contract from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
The minister, who was scheduled to appear before the CCB at about 11.00am on Tuesday reportedly wrote to the Bureau requesting for another date.
The Nation learnt the minister informed the Bureau that he had prior engagement official engagement which he need to attend to.
The company, New Planet Projects Limited allegedly got about N438million consultancy contract from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The consultancy job is part of ongoing probe of the suspicious N3 billion spending by the Ministry Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development under the watch of now suspended Minister, Dr. Betta Edu.
Tunji-Ojo who is said to be a shareholder in the company, said he had resigned as a director since 2019 when he won election to the House of Representatives, leaving its management in hands of his wife.
However, invitation to the minister was for him to come and show proof that he is no longer involved in the activities of the company, while also reviewing his asset declaration form with a team of investigators.
When The Nation visited the CCB office on the fifth floor, phase 1 of the Federal Secretariat complex, there was no sign that the Minister was to appear there.
A staff of the Public Relations Unit simply told The Nation that “the meeting has been postponed”, but could not say when the Minister will no appear.
[TheNation]
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•Kidnappers move from expressways to Lagos, Ogun, Abuja city centres
•Abductors kill two young victims, demand N700m ransom for nine others
The scourge of abductions which has strangulated social and economic activities in the North-West has spread nationwide as bandits and other criminal elements have moved their operations into the major cities across the country.
The hoodlums, who hitherto operated on highways and in rural communities, have in recent times escalated their attacks on residents of Lagos, Abuja, and other urban centres.
The killing of four abducted victims from the Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutsen-Alhaji area, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, ignited a groundswell of anger on Monday, as the bandits who kidnapped seven family members demanded N700m for their release.
The hoodlums had Friday killed Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, over alleged delay in providing the ransom, generating a firestorm of anger across the country and on social media.
As of Monday night, the remaining five sisters, including Najeebah, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student, and Nadherah, a 300-level Zoology student, are still in captivity.
The siblings were kidnapped alongside their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home at Zuma 1, on the outskirts of Bwari town in Abuja on January 11.
The captors had released Al-Kadriyar, asking him to pay N60m ransom for the release of his daughters.
It was learnt that the bandits later raised the ransom to N100m for each captive which they insisted must be paid by Wednesday.
However, in a bid to secure the release of the hostages, the Al-Kadriyar family sought financial support from Nigerians.
The bandits also murdered in cold blood 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo abducted alongside her mother and three siblings.
Two unidentified hostages were also killed by the blood-thirsty criminals and their bodies were dumped around a former military checkpoint behind Idah junction along the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in the Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Reports said Folashade had been buried on Sunday while her mother and siblings were still with their captors.
13-year-old killed
Meanwhile, the bereaved father, Oladosu Ariyo, has pleaded with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene in the rescue of his family members facing death threats.
Ariyo’s appeal was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user known as @kcuzoka, who said that the message was copied from a lawyers’ WhatsApp group platform.
In the shared post, on Monday night, Ariyo stated that he was a lawyer, and narrated that the kidnappers killed his 13-year-old daughter, despite having raised N7m out of the N60m they demanded, through the donation of friends and family, which the kidnappers had refused to collect.
He added that the kidnappers were threatening to kill his wife and his three remaining children, who were minors and were still in captivity while calling for the intervention of the NBA.
The post read, “Dear seniors & colleagues, most respectfully, I’m Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, a lawyer working in Abuja. On Sunday evening the 7th of January 2024, around 7:30 pm, a band of kidnappers dressed in full military camon invaded my home located at Sagwari Layout Estate in Dutse, Abuja.
“They kidnapped my wife (who is also a lawyer) & our four children. The kidnappers called and demanded 60-million-naira ransom, out of which through generous donations from friends and family, I’ve been able to raise the sum of several million naira which they have vehemently refused to collect.
‘’As of today they’ve, killed my first born Michelle Ariyo (age 13) and dumped her corpse on Kaduna Road while threatening to kill my three remaining children (who are all minors) and wife, who are still in captivity. Please and please sir, I urgently need the intervention of the NBA. When will these kidnappings end, when will the government pretend to be serious about this insecurity in our country? God help us all.”
Meanwhile, no fewer than 9,754 were killed while there were 4,049 abduction cases across the country between January and December 2023.
This is according to the 2023 Nigeria Security Report by Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security risk management and intelligence consulting company.
Also, no fewer than 10 passengers travelling along Ette – Umuopu Enugu-Ezike Road in the Igbo Eze North Local Government area of Enugu State were kidnapped on December 15, 2023.
On December 12, a total of 23 residents in the Dei-Dei community in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were similarly abducted while a nursing mother and three children were also taken away by gunmen in Abuja on December on the same day.
About six days later, a musician and band members were kidnapped on December 18.
On September 17, 2023, 19 people were kidnapped in Abuja while gunmen took away 20 residents of Madaki, Manasseh, and Gambo communities in Kuje, Abuja.
About 10 residents of Grow Homes Estate along Kuchibiyi in the Kubwa area of the FCT were also abducted on March 12, 2023.
On January 10, bandits kidnapped a director in the centre for research of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, Malam Bello Janbako.
Janbako who is also a senior lecturer in the department of Islamic Studies of the university was kidnapped in his residence in Damba Gusau, the state capital.
A resident of the area, Nasamu Garba told The PUNCH that, the bandits broke into the residence of Janbako around 2 o’clock in the morning and whisked him away.
Comparison of fatalities in each geopolitical region for the year 2023 showed that the North-East topped the list with 3,412 cases, followed by the North-West zone with 2,290 fatalities; the North-Central with 2,002 fatalities; the South-West recorded 774 fatalities; the South-South recorded 698 fatalities; and the South-East recorded 558.
For the abductions, the North-West recorded 1,728 cases, followed by the North-Central with 1,006 cases; 795 in the North-East; 186 were abducted in the South-South; 169 in the South-West; and 165 in the South-East.
According to an intelligence report released on August 23, 2023, entitled, ‘The Economics of Nigeria’s Kidnap Industry: Follow the Money,’ by SB Morgan, kidnappers’ activities have spiralled out of control over time.
Between July 2022 and June 2023, 3,620 people were abducted in over 582 kidnapping incidents in the country, with a reported ransom demand of at least N5bn and an actual ransom payment of over N302m, a figure that could be higher due to underreporting, the SB Morgan report says.
Although the report noted that the North-West and North-Central regions exhibited higher-in-kind cases of this abduction, the trend of kidnapping is now shifting to some South-Western states, with Lagos and Ogun states experiencing a similar situation.
Early December 2023, the family of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Miracle Adereti, called on the police to locate the whereabouts of their daughter, who was kidnapped by an unknown gang in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Miracle was said to have been kidnapped while returning from school, and it was gathered that the kidnappers trailed her to school in the morning and waited till the closing period.
The gang, who parked a short distance away from the school premises, thereafter abducted Miracle while she and her sister were walking home.
Another case in Lagos was that of a car dealer popularly known as Ejike Conversion in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market, which occurred in mid-December.
Ejike was said to have been taking an inventory of his newly imported goods in front of his plaza around 12am when some armed men swooped in on him and his workers.
While his workers fled for safety following the sound of gunshots, Ejike was not so lucky as the armed men attacked him, dragged him into their vehicle, and drove off.
Lagos businessman
In a similar development, a yet-to-be-identified businessman was allegedly kidnapped in early January in the Ago Palace area of the state while the kidnappers demanded a sum of N500m.
A project architect, Daario Naharis, while narrating his experience on Wednesday via his X handle (formerly Twitter), said he was almost abducted in the area in November where the abductors blocked his vehicle while in motion.
He wrote, “I had this experience firsthand last month in this same Ago. I was coming home around midnight when some guys with 2.4 Camry blocked me on the motion. I bashed into their back bumper, alighted immediately, considering the way they drove, and bolted away, seeing four doors opening in an instant.
“My saving grace was that I was riding on a heavier vehicle as the impact devastated them. Before they could reconcile it, I decided in a nanosecond and crossed to the other road. If they were just robbers, they would have ransacked or taken the vehicle along.
“I have never dared to speak about my experience that day except seeing this tweet. I never knew what made me go into them with such speed, which turned out to have saved me in that situation. Those guys were properly armed and casual.”
Meanwhile, in the Ijebu area of Ogun State, there was a report of an abduction of a 70-year-old piggery farmer and elder with a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, simply identified as Pa Adeife Ifelaja.
The aged man was kidnapped at his residence on December 31st while preparing for a Crossover service to usher in the new year.
His abductors also held him captive for nine days and demanded N50m ransom.
Also, no fewer than 10 passengers travelling along Ette – Umuopu Enugu-Ezike Road in the Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu State, Southeast, were reportedly kidnapped on December 15, 2023.
On December 2, 2023, gunmen abducted a Catholic priest, Kingsley Eze, alongside his driver in Imo State.
On January 8, 2023, men armed with AK-47 rifles kidnapped more than 30 people from a train station in Edo State.
The police said in a statement that armed herdsmen attacked Tom Ikimi station as passengers awaited a train to Warri, an oil hub in nearby Delta state.
Gunmen also killed eight people and abducted at least 60 others in two communities in Zamfara State on September 24, 2023, according to Reuters.
On August 23, 2023, a group of 42 peasant women were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu urged security agencies to intensify their efforts in rescuing five sisters still held hostage by kidnappers and to address the cases of kidnappings altogether.
“I implore our security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the pressing matter of kidnappings and insecurity in our nation. The safety and swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters and others in captivity should be our paramount concern,” said Mrs Tinubu in a personally signed statement on Monday.
First Lady pleads
In her statement, the first lady said, “It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the devastating loss of Nabeeha and extend my deepest condolences to her grieving family.
“In difficult moments like this, I urge the nation to join in fervent prayers for the safe return of these girls. Let us hold the families close to our hearts in prayers.
“To the parents, especially mothers, I appeal for intensified prayers for our children and for peace to prevail in our beloved country. May the Almighty God comfort the Al-Kadriyar family for their loss and may God bring the other children back home safely.”
Reacting to the kidnapping trend, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just-concluded election, Atiku Abubakar, decried the long reign of the bandits and kidnappers’ horrific activities.
Atiku added that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land are contributing to the insecurity menace in the country, particularly Abuja, FCT.
“The escalating violence and lawlessness in our nation deeply distress me as bandits and kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked.
Our youths and innocent citizens are being murdered daily. Just last Saturday, we lost Nabeeha to her captors. Yesterday, the tragedy deepened with the murder of more victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student. Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
“It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital,” he wrote on his verified Facebook page.
The former Vice-President further extended his condolence to the deceased families while urging the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens.
Meanwhile, efforts made by our correspondent to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and Lagos police spokesperson to react to the spike in cases of kidnappings across the major cities were abortive.
They failed to respond to several messages seeking their comment on the efforts being made to address the situation.
Commenting on the epidemic of abduction in the FCT, the Chairman, of the NBA Bwari FCT chapter, Paul Dauda, urged the government to tackle the issue of insecurity confronting the nation’s capital.
He said, “It is a pity that this is happening because the warning signs were there. They say they have been working and averted different attacks but the current situation in my jurisdiction is alarming. I have reached out to the Minister, he said he has set up a joint task force. Anything that must be done must be done fast because we do not sleep at night. “
A security expert, Chidi Omeje, knocked the government and security agencies for keeping silent amidst the rising cases of insecurity especially in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The issue of kidnapping in this country is just incredible. People who travel by road are in fear. The government does not seem to understand that there is an issue.
“I am perplexed because every day there is a kidnapping incident in one state or the other.
“We have the NSA, Service Chiefs, Police, and NSCDC and they are doing nothing to address the situation. The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike is more interested travelling to Rivers State for rallies and campaigns. Nigerians are traumatised. People cannot travel safely. It is unfair.’’
He advised the government to “prioritise security because, without security, Nigeria has nothing.”
The Chief Executive Officer, YouthHub, Rotimi Olawale, said, “The FCT is not only affected by the kidnapping incidents. It has spread to neighbouring states such as Niger, Kaduna, and Benue among others. If not properly handled, the ugly incident will spread to more states.
“The security agencies need to deploy intelligence to deal with this issue. If the kidnappers know that they will not go scot-free once apprehended, the criminal acts will reduce. They need to always act swiftly whenever the need arises.”
The Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani said nothing changed since the Tinubu administration came on board.
He said, “Comparing between the Buhari and administration and this, what has changed? Nothing. Bandits and terrorists are still very active. Abuja is becoming unsafe, even under Buhari we did not have the mass abductions witnessed in Abuja of late what can you say has changed? Let nobody deceive himself that there has been progress made so far. The government has to redouble its efforts.
Speaking on the security crisis, the Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Intel, and security expert, Dr Kabir Adamu, advised the federal and state governments to collaborate in dominating the forested and other ungoverned spaces, which the gunmen use as safe havens and to keep their victims.
He added, “Individuals and corporate organisations must understand threats and the inherent risks; a necessary prerequisite for adopting the appropriate risk treatment. As security threats are transient, the approach should be dynamic and forward-looking.”
[Punch]
Shell Plc has agreed to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.
In a statement on its website on Tuesday, it was disclosed that the transaction has been designed to preserve the full range of SPDC’s operating capabilities following the change of ownership.
This, it said, “includes the technical expertise, management systems and processes that SPDC implements on behalf of all the companies in the SPDC Joint Venture (SPDC JV).”
The SPDC is to be sold to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies comprising four exploration and production companies based in Nigeria and an international energy group, for $2.4 billion.
However, Shell said the completion of the transaction is subject to approvals by the Federal Government of Nigeria and other conditions.
The statement added that SPDC’s staff will continue to be employed by the company as it transitions to new ownership.
“Following completion, Shell will retain a role in supporting the management of SPDC Joint Venture facilities that supply a major portion of the feed gas to Nigeria LNG (NLNG), to help Nigeria achieve maximum value from NLNG,” the statement read partly.
“This agreement marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta, simplifying our portfolio and focusing future disciplined investment in Nigeria on our Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions” the statement quoted Zoë Yujnovich, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, as having said.
The statement added, “It is a significant moment for SPDC, whose people have built it into a high-quality business over many years. Now, after decades as a pioneer in Nigeria’s energy sector, SPDC will move to its next chapter under the ownership of an experienced, ambitious Nigerian-led consortium.
“Shell sees a bright future in Nigeria with a positive investment outlook for its energy sector. We will continue to support the country’s growing energy needs and export ambitions in areas aligned with our strategy.”
The SPDC JV is an unincorporated joint venture comprised of SPDC Ltd (30%), the government owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55%), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10%) and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd (5%).
[Vanguard]
The six governors of the south south region will meet in Benin City, Edo state on Thursday 18th January 2023 under the auspices of the BRACED Commission.
The meeting will be chaired by the chairman of the BRACED Commission Governors Council, H.E Mr. Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo State and it is expected to be attended by the newly elected governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa lbom, Cross River, and Delta states along with their commissioners of economic development and Planning.
This first meeting of the south south governors will focus on how to revive and strengthen the BRACED Commission and the regions aspiration for collective regional development and integration.
The idea of the BRACED was the outcome of the first south south economic summit held in Calabar in 2009 and the Commission was created thereafter to drive the region's aspirations of a sustainable a regional economy strong enough to provide employment and prosperity for the people of the region and one that is is globally competitive.
The meeting will also discuss issues pertaining to the security of the region and how to effectively entrench its knowledge sharing and peer review mechanism. A communique is expected to be issued after the meeting.
Scores of passengers have been reported missing when a passenger boat with about 100 persons on board capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Disaster Officer, Borgu LGA in the state, Mallam Musa Said, disclosed that five bodies have so far been recovered while search and rescue operations were still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, saying that the number of deaths and survivors were yet to be established.
He said the boat took off from Dugga Mashaya in Dugga ward, Borgu LGA heading to Wara market in Kebbi State with passengers estimated to be around a hundred in number and goods, such as grains and sugar cane.
Arah said, “NASEMA has received a report of a boat mishap that occurred at Borgu LGA. The incident happened this afternoon, Monday 15th January 2024, at about 2:05pm.
“No clear information about deaths and survivors yet. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are ongoing by the local divers, NSEMA desk officers, and local government officials. Updates will be forwarded as they are received.”
However unconfirmed sources attributed the incident to waves of the river and overloading.
Niger State has experienced several boat mishaps in the last few months that claimed several lives.
The latest incident was in November 2023 in Shiroro LGA where no fewer than 10 lives were lost.