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International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced its forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth to 3 percent in 2024 — down from a 3.1 percent projected in October 2023.
This is contained in the Washington-based institution’s World Economic Outlook (WEO) update for January 2024.
The outlook, released on Tuesday, is titled, ‘Moderating Inflation and Steady Growth Open Path to Soft Landing’.
IMF also projected a 3.1 percent economic growth for Nigeria in 2025.
In the outlook, IMF also downgraded its forecast for sub-Saharan Africa from 4 percent to 3.8 percent for 2024.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to rise from an estimated 3.3 percent in 2023 to 3.8 percent in 2024 and 4.1 percent in 2025, as the negative effects of earlier weather shocks subside and supply issues gradually improve,” IMF said.
“The downward revision for 2024 of 0.2 percentage point from October 2023 mainly reflects a weaker projection for South Africa on account of increasing logistical constraints, including those in the transportation sector, on economic activity.”
Revealing further, the organisation increased global growth by 0.2 percent to 3.1 percent this year, before rising modestly to 3.2 percent in 2025.
IMF said: “Compared with that in the October 2023 WEO, the forecast for 2024 is about 0.2 percentage points higher, reflecting upgrades for China, the United States, and large emerging markets and developing economies.”
“Nevertheless, the projection for global growth in 2024 and 2025 is below the historical (2000–19) annual average of 3.8 percent, reflecting restrictive monetary policies and withdrawal of fiscal support, as well as low underlying productivity growth.
“Advanced economies are expected to see growth decline slightly in 2024 before rising in 2025, with a recovery in the euro area from low growth in 2023 and a moderation of growth in the United States.
“In emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to remain at 4.1 percent in 2024 and to rise to 4.2 percent in 2025.
“An upward revision of 0.1 percentage point for 2024 since October 2023 reflects upgrades for several regions.”
IMF also said emerging markets and developing economies are expected to experience stable growth through 2024 and 2025, with regional differences.
On inflation, the outlook said global headline inflation is expected to fall from an estimated 6.8 percent in 2023 (annual average) to 5.8 percent in 2024 and 4.4 percent in 2025.
The organisation said advanced economies are “expected to see faster disinflation, with inflation falling by 2.0 percentage points in 2024 to 2.6 percent, than are emerging market and developing economies, where inflation is projected to decline by just 0.3 percentage point to 8.1 percent”.
IMF, however, said inflation declines toward target levels across regions, adding that the near-term priority for central banks is to deliver a smooth landing, neither lowering rates prematurely nor delaying such lowering too much.
“With inflation drivers and dynamics differing across economies, policy needs for ensuring price stability are increasingly differentiated,” IMF said.
“At the same time, in many cases, amid rising debt and limited budgetary room to manoeuvre, and with inflation declining and economies better able to absorb effects of fiscal tightening, a renewed focus on fiscal consolidation is needed.”
IMF said intensifying supply-enhancing reforms would facilitate both inflation and debt reduction and enable a durable rise in living standards.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a private trip abroad at a time when there are killings and kidnappings in the country.
The presidency in a swift response said Atiku’s statement accusing the president of fiddling amidst some security and economic challenges is “to say the least, reckless.”
The presidential candidate of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the president to step aside if he is overwhelmed by the office, noting that the country cannot afford another “Tourist-in-Chief.”
Atiku’s position is contained in a statement he posted on his verified X handle @atiku on Tuesday.
But in a swift response, the Presidency described the former vice president’s remark as reckless.
“Tinubu is playing fiddle while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity. To imagine that the Commander-in-Chief is on a so-called private visit while kidnappers kill a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja for failing to pay N90m ransom and two monarchs in Ekiti, among other regular tragedies besetting Nigerians.
“If the shoes are too big for Emilokan, he should step aside. Nigeria does not need another Tourist-in-Chief. The country needs 24/7 leadership to confront the pervasive insecurity and collapsing economy. -AA,” the former vice president posted.
In his response, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, assured that Tinubu is on top of the situation.
Onanuga said coming days after the former vice president made “an equally reckless allegation” against the President on the crude for loan deal for NNPC Limited, his latest statement fell short of what is expected from an elder statesman.
The statement added: “We like to believe that Alhaji Atiku is still not nursing the hangover of his electoral defeat and now latches on any issue to attack President Tinubu.
“President Tinubu did not travel without informing Nigerians of his whereabouts. He announced a private visit to France and announced a return date.
“While in France, President Tinubu has been following developments at home and he is on top of the situation in the country. Today’s inauguration of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum wage bore his imprimatur.
“He is in constant touch with his officials and security chiefs and has directed them to stamp out every form of criminality in the country.
“He has particularly ordered them to apprehend those criminals responsible for the murder of two monarchs in Ekiti State and the kidnapping of some pupils in the state.
“We are already seeing results with the arrest of over 139 kidnappers around Abuja, Kaduna and Benue States in the last one week. The police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and DSS have also rescued 154 abducted persons in the last few days.
“Just last week President Tinubu approved N50billion as Special Fund to address some of the lingering security challenges in North East where Alhaji Atiku hails from. To cope with the kidnapping challenges in the FCT, President Tinubu also approved funds for the acquisition of equipment to track criminals.
“If Alhaji Atiku is really concerned about security issues and not playing cheap politics, he should have known that President Tinubu is on top of issues and working hard to restore peace to every part of our country.
“Our security agencies are working very hard to bring the security situation under control. President Tinubu is giving them all the necessary support they need to win the battle against criminal elements and secure every inch of our country.”
Lagos Gives 30-Day Quit Notice To Owners Of Houses ‘Illegally’ Converted To Clubs, Religious Houses
AdminThe Lagos State government, on Tuesday, gave a 30-day final notice to owners and occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted to religious houses, club houses, lounges and bars without approval for change of use, to revert to the original use of the structure.
The notice was issued by the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki.
The notice, Oki noted, is sequel to the distortion of the state master plan, especially residential areas by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas to club houses and worship centers, thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.
According to him, the removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.
Oki called on owners of buildings in residential areas that have been converted without the requisite approvals to evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30-day final notice, warning that the state will not give further notice of sealing but outright removal of such buildings at the cost of the owners.
“We are giving them one month’s final notice from today 29th of January to revert all properties converted to churches, mosques, clubs and bars to revert to the original plan or have such buildings removed at their expenses,” he warned, according to a statement by LASBCA.
Oki maintained that LASBCA had earlier identified the non – conforming structures and have served the statutory enforcement notices but regretted that those affected have either failed or refused to respond to the notices.
He advised property owners to take the notice with all seriousness it deserves, adding that nobody will be spared in the effort to sanitize the state in line with Africa’s model mega city status vision of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cleared all the 10 aspirants who obtained its nomination form for the February 22 Edo State governorship primary.
The aspirants were screened on Monday by a panel headed by Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.
Eleven aspirants obtained the party’s expression of interest form, but one, Balogun Egiele Sunday, according to the National Organising Secretary Capt. Umar Bature (rtd.), did not pay for the nomination form.
Bature who issued the aspirants provisional clearance certificate on Tuesday, however, denied that Asuerinme Ighodalo, who is believed to be the choice of Edo governor Godwin Obaseki for the PDP ticket, was chased out by other aspirants for allegedly being rude to the Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
Ighodalo was not among the aspirants presented with the provisional clearance certificate on Tuesday, which seemed to give credence to the rumour.
There was also rumour that he would be disqualified because he joined the PDP late last year, and has not spent the constitutional requirement of 12 months to qualify him to run for office on the PDP platform.
But Bature disclosed that Ighodalo was issued his own clearance certificate on Monday.
“No aspirant was disqualified. Ten aspirants obtained the nomination form and all of them were cleared. One person bought the expression of interest form but did not obtain the nomination form,” he explained.
Among the aspirants issued the clearance certificate on Tuesday were, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, a member of the House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbedie Ihama, former Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum Osaro Onaiwu, daughter of former Edo governor Omosede Igbinedion and former Chairman of PDP in Edo State, Anslem U. Ojezua.
Others are Felix E. Akhabue, Arthur Esene, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibh and Umoru Adizetu Hadizat.
The Nigerian Labour Congress said on Tuesday that the N200,000 minimum wage it earlier proposed to the Federal Government was no longer realistic, considering the country’s current economic situation.
The congress, which spoke through its National Vice President, Tommy Etim, was reacting to Tuesday’s inauguration of the Minimum Wage Committee by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Etim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday, emphasised that the congress would base its national minimum wage negotiation on the current economic reality rather than what it earlier proposed.
He said, “You are aware that when we opted for the N200,000, the socio-economic challenges were not as biting as they are now. And when you now look at the exchange rate, it was not what it is now. The naira rate not been devalued as it is now. So, N200,000 is no longer tenable.”
When our correspondent asked whether there was a minimum figure the congress would take along to the committee, Etim said, “We are not going there with a fixed amount, but definitely not N200,000. By the time we get there, we will decide based on the socio-economic situation. That’s what we are going to base our national minimum wage discussion and negotiation on.”
The Federal Government had earlier charged the 37-man wage committee to hasten its deliberations and submit its recommendations promptly while directing the Ministry of Finance to ensure its adequate funding and calling for collective bargaining in good faith, emphasising contract adherence even as he urged committee members to consult outside their ranks.
With its membership cutting across federal and state governments, the private sector, and the organised labour, the panel is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country.
To guarantee sustainability in all tiers of government, President Bola Tinubu said the committee must pay attention to the ability of all parties to pay the new wage, just as he asked the committee members to ensure the timely completion of their assignment.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, said this when he inaugurated the tripartite committee on the national minimum wage at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.
“The committee is anticipated to conclude its deliberations promptly and submit its report and recommendations.
“This timely submission is crucial to initiate the necessary processes for implementing a new National Minimum Wage.
“The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has been instructed to allocate the essential funds and logistics to the Committee, facilitating the timely completion of its assigned task. I hereby inaugurate the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage and extend my best wishes for fruitful deliberations,” declared the President.
Tuesday’s inauguration follows months of agitation from organised labour who expressed concerns over the FG’s failure to inaugurate the new national minimum wage committee as promised during negotiations last October.
In May 2017, the House of Representatives moved to amend the National Minimum Wage Act for a compulsory review of workers’ remuneration every five years.
Consequently, the Minimum Wage Act 2019, signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, empowers the committee to deliberate and present an agreed wage to be ratified by the National Assembly after due legislative scrutiny.
Buhari also signed the Minimum Wage Act that approved N30,000 for federal and state workers in the same year. However, Tinubu announced the discontinuance of fuel subsidies on May 29, 2023, which triggered a sharp rise in the general cost of living.
Although the administration approved an additional N35,000 wage award for six months (starting September 2023) to alleviate the impact of the subsidy removal, the organised labour maintained that this was only a provisional solution and called for a complete review of the minimum wage in 2024.
The President said his administration hopes to surpass the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers, considering the sustainable payment capacity of each tier of government and other employers or businesses.
He explained why: “I express this viewpoint because the minimum wage represents the least amount of compensation an employee should receive for their labour, and as such, it should be rooted in social justice and equity.”
“I hope that the results of your deliberations will be consensual and acceptable to all parties involved,” the President told members of the committee.
He reaffirmed his administration’s promise to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers and, by extension, the entire nation, saying, “The labour force stands as the cornerstone of the progress of every nation, and ours has been the enduring engine of our pursuit of development.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, urged the committee to give its best, noting that the task before it carried the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerian workers.
Akume said the new panel fulfilled the promise of the Tinubu administration to embark on a comprehensive review of the minimum wage for the average Nigerian worker.
On his part, the Chairman of the tripartite committee, Bukar Aji, assured the President that the committee would do justice to the task assigned to it.
“We shall, by God’s grace, carry out extensive consultations with key stakeholders to arrive at a new minimum wage that is fair, practical and implementable,” Aji, a former Head of Service of the Federation, said.
Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, who is a member of the wage committee, told journalists that he foresaw no challenges in the next two months of the committee’s assignment.
“We don’t want to preempt the outcome of this meeting, but you need to understand that the sub-nationals also have challenges and that the Federal Government, in its own wisdom, has brought the sub-nationals into perspective and this discussion will be done together with the sub-national, so I’m not sure we’re going to foresee any challenge,” he said.
On his part, THE Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Humphrey Ngonadi, argued that raising the minimum wage would make no difference if the prices of essential commodities kept soaring.
“I thank God for this initiative that the government is taking at this particular place, but I’m still worried. We may remember some time long ago, there was the Udoji Award and that was the first time salaries of workers were increased and immediately after the increment, the commodities in the market ran up to meet.
“So while we increase the salary of the workers, let the government work on bringing down the prices of commodities in the market.
“If a worker is paid N1m as the minimum wage and a bag of rice is N900,000, the N1m still has no meaning. So what I think is while we are thinking of minimum wage, to hike the salary of the worker, the government, on its side, has to think of how that money will have value,” Ngonadi argued.
The 37-man tripartite Committee has six Governors, some cabinet Ministers, representatives of the organised labour and the private sector among its members.
The governors include Bago of Niger State, representing the North Central; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, representing the North-East; Dikko Radda of Katsina State, representing the North-West; Charles Soludo of Anambra State, representing the South-East; Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, representing the South-West, and Otu Bassey of Cross River State, representing the South-South.
The ministers are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs) Yemi Esan, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the establishment of state police has become imperative to surmount the security challenges facing different parts of the country.
Makinde stated this when he received the Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, South-West Chapter, led by its chairman and Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye on Tuesday.
The speakers paid a courtesy visit on the governor in his office in Ibadan over the January 16 explosion in Bodija.
The governor, who maintained that the refusal of the Federal Government to approve South-West Governors’ demand to establish state police a few years ago led to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, said it is important for the Federal Government to revisit the matter.
The governor maintained that there is a need for collaboration and cooperation between the executive arm of government and the legislators to deliver dividends of democracy and bring development to the people.
The governor said, “I want to observe that you need to all come together irrespective of the political party that brought you into office. This is a demonstration that the electioneering period is over and you need to have everybody pulling together to govern and deliver dividends of democracy to our people.”
Makinde maintained that the establishment of state police is an idea whose time has come and that the fears in some quarters that states would not be able to maintain state police are unfounded.
He cited the example of Oyo State where the payment of salaries and pensions has never been an issue despite the economic challenges in the country.
Makinde said, “A lot of people may not know that before we launched Amotekun in this state, some of us governors went to the Federal Government and we asked to be allowed to set up state police for our various states but we did not get that approval during the time of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I disagreed at that particular time and still disagree to date that the states are not in the position to maintain state police. I have never seen where the Federal Government went to a particular state and gave the police everything they needed. So, the states are already maintaining the police.”
Makinde said that the police are on the exclusive list, but if that responsibility is split and states have to run their police system, they should have access to resources from the federation account to meet the responsibility of maintaining the police.
“So, the issue of being unable to maintain state police will not arise again. Give us the responsibility first and see if certain states will be able to maintain it or not.
“But since we could not get state police, we settled for Amotekun. All the state assemblies in the South West passed a common law for its establishment. So, we have to be pushing for state police, and you lawmakers have a role to play to make that a reality.”
The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday paraded three police officers who had been subjected to orderly room trial for alleged involvement in armed robbery in Ijebu-Ode after which they were dismissed and would soon be charged to court.
The dismissed officers are Inspector Taiwo Kolawole with force number AP/No 341113, Inspector John Ogbe with force number AP/No 309292 and Cpl Idowu Sunday, with force number 513707. All the officers were attached to Ijebu-Ife in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
This is just as a Library and Information Science student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, and Abdul-Azeez Ibrahim, a suspected Black Axe cultist, were also paraded in connection with series of kidnapping and armed robbery in and around Ijebu Ode and its environs.
Ibrahim was said to have been arrested on Saturday, January 27 at Imaweje Ijebu in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.
He was said to have been found with seven assorted guns and charms all of which he was alleged to be using for his nefarious activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen over the success of the state command in fighting crime and criminalities at its Eleweran headquarters, Abeokuta.
Speaking on the dismissal of the three police officers, Alamutu said that one Kashimao Emmanuel of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State had on January 12 at about 8:45am reported how the three erstwhile police officers accosted him while driving and forced him to transfer from his account to an Opay account no. 9097829766.
Alamutu said, “On 12/01/2024, at about 0845hrs, one Kashimao Emmanuel ‘m’ of TASUED Ijebu-Ode , reported at the station that while he was driving in his Toyota Venza car, with Reg No. LSD 813 EX brown in colour, that he came across a gang of four armed men and one of them was putting on a police round neck camouflage, while three others were on mufti.
“They demanded his phone, which he calmly declined. In the process, one of them fired a shot into the air and that was when he complied.
“They entered into his car and took him away towards Sagamu Expressway. On getting to Ososa, they made a U-turn to Ijebu-Ode, where a sum of N312,000 was forcefully transferred from his account to an Opay account no. 9097829766.
“Upon the receipt of the report, the DPO quickly made a call to the Opay account number where it was discovered that the Opay account number belongs to a POS operator in Ijebu-Ode.
“The DPO then gave instruction that on no account should the POS operator give out the money transferred to him to anyone who comes for it. More so, the operator should tactically delay anyone who comes for the money pending his arrival.
“On getting to the POS shop at Ibadan garage, one Force No 513707 Cpl Idowu Sunday attached to Ijebu-Ife was met waiting to cash the money and was promptly arrested.
“While taking him to the station, he sighted his accomplices, namely AP/No 341113 Inspector Taiwo Kolawole, AP/No 309292 Inspector John Ogbe, both were attached Ijebu-Ife Division, and one civilian, Adesiyan Mathew, who happened to be the driver, was also arrested.
“In the course of investigation, two other complainants who were victims at various times came forward and identified them to have earlier robbed them of their belongings in the same manner.
“The three policemen have been tried in orderly room and dismissed. They will be charged to court soonest.”
The CP also disclosed that over 80 suspects were arrested for various criminal acts such as cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping among others.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the completion of payments for all verified claims by airlines, adding an additional $64.44 million to foreign aviation firms.
The disclosure came on Tuesday from Hakama Sidi-Ali, the acting director of corporate communications at the CBN.
According to Sidi-Ali, this latest payment brings the total verified sum disbursed to the aviation sector to a substantial $136.73 million.
According to Sidi-Ali, the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso and his team are committed and would stop at nothing to ensure that the verified backlog of payments across all other sectors are cleared and confidence restored in the Nigerian FX market.
She also assured that the CBN is working with stakeholders to ensure liquidity improves within the forex market, thereby reducing pressure on the naira — Nigeria’s local currency.
While expressing optimism that the market would respond positively with the latest injection of over $64 million, she admonished actors in the FX market to guard against speculation as such actions could hurt the naira.
Siri-Ali, therefore, urged the public to support the reforms in the FX market, adding that the CBN would continue to promote orderliness and professional conduct by all participants to ensure market forces determine exchange rates.
Foreign airlines have struggled to repatriate their revenues since July 2022, when the total amount hit $464 million.
In an attempt to recover the funds, Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria in November 2022.
British Airways (BA) also closed its inventory to Nigeria in the global distribution system (GDS) — an act that prevented local travel agencies from making bookings from their portals.
Following several meetings by the authorities aimed at addressing the impasse, the CBN released the sum of $265 million to foreign airlines operating in the country to settle outstanding ticket sales.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), foreign airlines’ revenue blocked from repatriation by the Nigerian government increased to $743 million from $662 million in January 2023.
IATA, however, said the figure increased to $2.27 billion in April 2023, adding that Nigeria now has the highest amount of unrepatriated airlines’ funds worldwide.
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has distanced himself from campaign posters claiming that he was running for the position of the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News had reported the campaign posters of the former governor were seen on major streets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially around the federal secretariat.
Also, the campaign posters, with the inscription, “APC Next Level. Alhaji Yahaya Bello as APC National Chairman. Leading the Change, Building a Stronger APC”, were pasted on walls and fences of structures around the APC National Secretariat along Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
But in a statement, he personally signed on Tuesday, Bello said he is not running for the APC chairmanship seat, adding that the insinuation of party chairmanship ambition through some posters in Abuja is infantile and false.
The former governor described the move as the antics of opposition leaders, mischief makers, and fifth columnists bent on creating confusion within the hierarchy of the party.
Bello said the APC is not in the process of conducting congresses or a convention, therefore, there is absolutely no basis for anyone to circulate any posters for party offices.
The former governor urged members of the public to disregard the false impression, saying that he never authorised anyone to circulate any posters on his behalf.
According to Bello, he remains a loyal party man who is committed to the leadership of the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC).
No fewer than six pupils, three teachers and the driver of a private school bus in Ekiti State were, on Monday night, kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
They were abducted while returning from Eporo-Ekiti on the school bus.
Their kidnap came barely hours after two monarchs, the Onimojo of Imojo in Oye Local Government Area, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin were killed by gunmen along Ipao-Oke Ako Road while their colleague, the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba in Ikole Local Government Area, managed to escape.
It was gathered that the kidnapped pupils were students of Apostolic Nursery and Primary School, Emure-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
Kidnappers of Ekiti school children demand N30m ransom
Abductors of school children contacted the families of their victims, demanding N30 million as ransom to release the five pupils and other victims.
A source close to the family of one of the children, said the kidnappers reached out to them yesterday evening, asking for N30 million naira in exchange for the freedom of their victims.
Police arrest 5 kidnap suspects
In a related development, the joint operation team of Ekiti State Police Command, Amotekun, OPC, Civil Defence and Local Hunters, also yesterday arrested five suspected kidnappers while in the bush combing operation through Oke-Osun, Ikere/Igbo-Okah to the thick forest around Iju/Ikere boundary.
During interrogation, the suspects, who claimed to be herdsmen, were found with two motorcycles, one cutlass, one jack knife/dagger and four phones.
They include Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi and Suleiman Abdulahi.
On the slain traditional rulers, sources said they were returning from a function in Kogi State when their vehicles ran into the suspected kidnappers who had laid an ambush.
According to sources, as the bandits chased Alara in a bid to kidnap him, the two other monarchs also attempted to escape but were shot by the gunmen.
Chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Micheal Ogungbemi, in whose domain the incident took place, said the corpses of the two monarchs had been recovered from the scene and taken to a mortuary.
He confirmed that the traditional rulers were coming from Kogi State when they were attacked in the Oke Ako area.
Vanguard gathered yesterday that tension was brewing in the communities of the two monarchs killed by the gunmen with a source saying that the people might be forced to arm themselves against herdsmen in the state, as those suspected to have killed the monarchs were herdsmen.
The sad incidents elicited an immediate response from Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who urged Ekiti residents not to despair over the kidnapping of the school pupils and their teachers as security had been stepped up to rescue them.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the security agencies to rescue those abducted, vowing that the killers of the traditional rulers would not escape justice.
In response to the clarion call, the Ekiti and Ondo Police commands have launched a joint rescue operation.
Nothing’ll be spared to rescue them – Oyebanji
In a statement, Governor Oyebanji described the kidnap as callous and unacceptable, saying nothing would be spared in efforts to rescue the children and their teachers.
“Security agencies in the state are already on the trail of the abductors with a mandate to bring the pupils and their teachers back safely,” he said
The governor said security is being stepped up across the state to flush out criminal elements from their hideouts.
While calling on the citizens to remain calm and vigilant, he urged them to cooperate with security agencies, by making available relevant information to the authorities.’’
He pledged a swift and comprehensive rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted children.
Ekiti, Ondo Police launch joint rescue operation
Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Sunday Abutu, stated that the command in Ekiti and their counterpart in Ondo have launched a search and rescue operation in the area the incidents took place and adjourning forest to rescue the 10 kidnapped victims.
He added that other sister agencies had equally joined the operation to bring the kidnapped victims home to their families and also apprehend the bandits responsible for the heinous crime.
On the killing of monarchs, Abutu said: “It was a case of suspected murder, adding that necessary action is underway as tactical and intelligence teams have been deployed to that axis to unravel the killers and bring them to book.”
Ekiti students hold peace walk
Meanwhile, the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union, FESSU, held a peaceful walk in Ado-Ekiti, seeking the state government’s intervention to rescue the pupils and restore security.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, National President of FESSU, Comrade Abel Adewale Ajibade, described the incident as pathetic.
“These children were kidnapped in their bus. This is the major reason we are calling on the security forces, media houses, and the government itself to rescue the pupils and bring them back to their comfort zone. Education is our right and if we cannot study in a peaceful environment anymore, then what is our right?” He queried.
Monarchs’ killers won’t escape justice – Tinubu
Condemning the killing of the two traditional rulers, President Tinubu declared that those behind the dastardly act would not escape justice.
Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on the agonizing development.
He also directed the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around the Eporo-Ekiti area of the state.
“As security of life and property is the primary responsibility of the government, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that the nation’s security architecture is being robustly fortified for better and expected outcomes,” the statement read.
“It is with grief that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
“President Tinubu condemns this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice.
“The President condoles with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on this deeply agonizing development,” it added.
Ex-Ekiti monarchs’ chairman mourns
Reacting to the killing of the traditional rulers, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti and the immediate past Chairman of Ekiti Council of Obas, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, described the untimely death of the monarchs as a stark reminder of a challenge they face as a community.
His words: “With heavy hearts, I mourn the tragic loss of our revered Kabiyesis, HRM Oba Olatunji Olusola, the Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti, and HRM Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, Elesun of Esun Ekiti. Their untimely demise at the hands of armed Fulani bandits is a stark reminder of the challenges we face as a community.
“Olumojo’s courageous advocacy for people’s rights and Elesun’s dedication to development have left indelible marks on our hearts. Their legacies will forever be etched in the annals of our state’s history.
“In condemning these senseless attacks, we stand united against violence and injustice. Let us remember and honor the exemplary lives of these noble leaders. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and the entire community in this difficult time.”
Seek help, S-West PDP tells Oyebanji
In its reaction yesterday, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Southwest lampooned Governor Oyebanji for the worsening state of insecurity in Ekiti State, advising him to be humble enough to admit failure in administering the state and her resources. In a statement by the Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, the South-West PDP described the killing of the two monarchs as unfortunate.
“Nigeria has now become a terrible nightmare and an animal republic. Nigerians are now at a state of total confusion and helplessness.
“It has now become imperative for every right thinking citizen of Ekiti State regardless of religious or political affiliation, to compel the Governor not only to tender his resignation but to as well apologise to Ekiti people for his gross incompetence since he took over power in 2022.”
The PDP spokesman said Nigerians have never had it this worse in all facets, while calling on the well meaning Nigerians to help in rescuing the country from those he described as “progressive terrorists.’’
Atiku asks Tinubu to step aside
In like manner, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has asked President Tinubu to step aside, if the shoes of governance have proven too big for him.
Atiku, who said this on his X handle @atiku yesterday, mocked the President for embarking on a ‘private’ foreign trip at a time the nation’s capital, Abuja and other parts of the country appeared to be at the mercy of armed kidnapping gangs.
Atiku said: “Tinubu is playing fiddle while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity.
“The Commander-in-Chief is on a so-called private visit while kidnappers kill a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja for failing to pay N90m ransom and two monarchs in Ekiti, among other regular tragedies besetting Nigerians.
“If the shoes are too big for Emilokan, he should step aside. Nigeria does not need another Tourist-in-Chief. The country needs 24/7 leadership to confront the pervasive insecurity and collapsing economy.”
Again, Senate Summons security chiefs for meeting next week
Worried by the state of insecurity caused by multiple crimes, banditry and kidnappings across the country, the Senate has again summoned all the service chiefs to appear before it next week.
The Senate yesterday invoked its earlier resolutions to invite the security chiefs for an interactive session with the Senate, with a view to resolve the insecurity plaguing the country.
Those summoned to appear before by the Senate include the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar; and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Also summoned are Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The resolution of the Senate was sequel to a motion, titled “Spate of insecurity in Nigeria” sponsored by the entire 107 senators that was discussed during an executive session.
According to the Senate, after brainstorming with the security chiefs, the report would be presented to President Tinubu for further action. The senators stressed that the service chiefs must appear because security is everybody’s business, and without security Nigeria as a country cannot make progress. The senators went into a closed door session from 12.20 to 2.25 pm.
Prior to the Executive session, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue South, had come up with a point of order, citing Order 41 and 52 on matter of urgent public importance that the people of Agatu where attacked and killed by bandits on January 18, 2024 and their communities taken over by their attackers
At this point, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who stepped down discussions on the point of order, said there were up to five similar motions, hence the need for the closed door session to discuss all the motions.
Recall that the Senate had on December 30 December, 2023 summoned the security chiefs to appear before it and provide explanation for the military lapses.
Unfortunately, the meeting did not hold as the senators passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law and went for Christmas and New year break from which they resumed plenary yesterday.
After the closed door session, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central who read out the resolutions of the 109 Senators, recalled the avalanche of security breaches since the lawmakers went on break and stressed the need to address them decisively.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio said: “After the interactive session with the security chiefs, which we agreed should be next week, we would also fix a time to discuss the outcome with Mr President.
“We have a responsibility to collaborate with the executive and contribute our ideas to ensure that our constituents and ourselves, including our children can sleep with two eyes closed.”
Reps to convene security summit, tasks Tinubu on security architecture
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, expressed worry over the current rising insecurity across the country.
Addressing members of the House on resumption from the Christmas and New Year break, Abbas urged President Tinubu not to hesitate to change the security chiefs if necessary, to address the security challenges. He, however, commended the President for his directive to the security chiefs to redouble their efforts and address rising insecurity in the country.
He said he was deeply troubled about the rising cases of insecurity, including kidnapping in Abuja and other parts of the country as well as the attack by bandits on communities in Plateau State leading to the death of several persons.
He said: “In these trying times, President Bola Tinubu has exhibited exemplary leadership and a proactive approach. His recent interventions and directives for more action by security agencies are timely and reflective of his deep-seated resolve to restore peace and order. Indeed, the time has come for the President to demand greater performance and accountability from our service chiefs and all security and enforcement agencies. I implore the President not to shy away from making the tough decisions. If necessary, we must not hesitate to enact changes within our security apparatus, for the cost of inaction is far too great to bear.”
Abbas further stated that in light of the challenges, the House will propose convening a National Legislative Security Summit. The Summit, he said will serve as a crucible for ideas, where stakeholders from diverse sectors – security, traditional and religious institutions, academia, civil society, and more – will forge enduring solutions to our security woes.
He charged all the relevant security-based Committees of this House to engage with the security chiefs on some of the most immediate measures and resources needed to improve security across the country.
Over 180 kidnapped in Abuja, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger in one month
No fewer than 180 persons were kidnapped in the FCT and adjourning states by bandits and herdsmen between December 2023 and this month.
Aside from the FCT, other states affected include Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger. Before December, 2023 there was no kidnapping incident reported in Abuja for about 10 months.
But from December 2023 till date, over 180 people have been kidnapped Abuja, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa states
In January, a man and six of his daughters were kidnapped in a home invasion in the Bwari area of FCT.
The kidnappers released the man and ordered him to pay N50 million for his children. One of the sisters, a 21-year-old undergraduate, was killed by the kidnappers because ransom payment was delayed.
Also this January, 30 people were abducted along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at Dogon Filli. Still in January, a man with 13 of his children and other relatives returning to Kaduna from Edo State were kidnapped at the Abuja- Kaduna highway.
Similarly, three persons were kidnapped in Kurudu community of Abuja in December 2023, while 10 were kidnapped in Sagwari Estate, Dutse Alhaji in Abuja in January 2024
At the Lugbe-Kuje-Airport road axis, six kidnapping incidents have taken place in January 2024, while
12 others were abducted at Gbaupe Community bordering Kuje and the AMAC estate, along Airport road, Abuja in December 2023
At the Abuja-Katari-Kaduna highway, about 85 people have been kidnapped between December 2023 and January 2024
23 people were kidnapped along the Kubwa/Dei-Dei axis which stretches to the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Government statistics for Abuja showed that 40 kidnapping cases involving 236 victims were recorded in 2023. On Monday, IGP Kayode Egbetokun said 154 kidnapped victims had been rescued by the Police after several operations.
State police‘ll tackle insecurity challenges —Makinde
To fight insecurity headlong, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for the establishment of state police, noting that it had become imperative to surmount the insecurity challenges facing different parts of the country.
The governor, who maintained that the refusal of the federal government to approve South-West Governors’ demand to establish state police a few years ago led to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, said it was important for the federal government to revisit the matter.
Makinde stated this when he received the Conference of Speakers of State Legislators, South-West Chapter, led by the chairman and speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Adeoye Aribasoye. The speakers paid a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Ibadan, where he appreciated them for their condolences and words of support over the January 16 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan.
The governor maintained that there was need for collaboration and cooperation between the executive arm of government and the legislature to deliver dividends of democracy and bring development to the people.
On the security challenges in the country, the governor said the establishment of state police was an idea whose time had come., adding that the fear in some quarters that states would not be able to maintain state police was unfounded.
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Communique Issued at The End of The Monthly General Meeting of The Afenifere Held At The Country Home Of The Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo At Isanya Ogbo Ogun State On Tuesday 30th Day Of January 2024
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- 000 PREAMBLE.
- The Afenifere held its regular monthly General Meeting today, 30th day of January 2024, at the country home of the Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.
- The Meeting was attended by delegates from the member states and after intensive deliberations on the state of the nation Resolved as follows:
2.00 RESOLUTIONS.
2.01 on the Plateau Christmas eve terrorists attacks: Afenifere received reports of the visit of the delegation of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum to the Government and people of Plateau State and the Middle Belt on the killings by terrorists in several parts of Plateau State on the eve of Christmas last year.
2.02 The delegation which was led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Leader of Afenifere and Deputy Leader of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum included other leaders across the federation and received by the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, traditional rulers, Leaders of Thought in Plateau State and other parts of the Middle Belt. It was resolved by all that the country needed be urgently restructured as a true federation with a new constitution using the reports of the 2014 National Conference as minimum template. The imperative of State Police was emphasised in the overall security of the nation.
2.03 On the Ibadan explosion: The Meeting further received reports of its delegation led by the Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan to the Government and people of Oyo State on the recent Ibadan explosion. The delegation and the host Governor Seyi Makinde noted that the unfortunate incident was made possible under the pseudo-Federal military constitution where explosives of that magnitude may be used in states without regulations by the state government.
2.04 On the Amotekun South West Security Networks: The Governor briefed the delegation on the activities of the Amotekun Security Corps. The delegation noted the immense contribution of the Amotekun initiative, commended and urged the governments of all South West states to fully equip the Corps in a greater proportion of weaponry than available to terrorists now ravaging our land.
2.05 Increased terrorists attacks in Nigeria and Yorubaland;
The Meeting was incensed by the activities of terrorists all over the country and its incursion into Yoruba land, the latest being the gruesome and sacrilegious murder of two Obas in Ekiti State. The Meeting noted the unfortunate kid gloves with which the Federal Government continued to treat Security matters and therefore called on the people to rise in their own defence stating that no action is illegitimate in self defence.
2.06 Afenifere: For the umpteenth time, the Meeting reiterated that Afenifere is the Yoruba interpretation of Action Group, a political party founded in 1951 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his colleagues on social welfarist ideology. The Group is constituted by those who subscribe to its ideology. Afenifere is thus not a Yoruba sociocultural group or social club of Yoruba.
2.07 The General Meeting as the highest organ, expressed the appreciation of Afenifere for the untiring activities of its leadership in line with the objectives and aspirations of its founding fathers. The Meeting thus resolved and passed a vote of confidence on Chief Ayo Adebanjo as the Leader and Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the Deputy Leader of the Organisation.
2.08 Appointments. The Meeting approved the following appointments.
(1) Mr. Alade Rotimi-John as Assistant Secretary General.
(2) Prince Justice Jadesola Faloye as Assistant National Publicity Secretary.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo
Leader.
Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo
National Publicity Secretary.
The Nigerian Senate has summoned security chiefs for an interaction, following the escalating insecurity in the country, with a specific date to be decided later.
Rising from a closed-door meeting that lasted over three hours, the senate condemned the increasing incidents of kidnappings, banditry and the outright murder of innocent citizens by criminals.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, revealed that the motion on insecurity was sponsored by all 109 senators due to its paramount importance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, lamented the continuous banditry and kidnappings.
He noted that the situation has reached a point where middlemen are involved in collecting ransom on behalf of kidnappers.
He strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau by bandits and the gas explosion in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Akpabio added that a specific date will be determined for the security chiefs to appear before the Senate.
The lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks and the Ibadan explosion before adjourning until Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
Kogi State House of Assembly has confirmed the screening of 15 commissioners, which was presented by Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The new commissioners confirmed by the eighth assembly include
Farouk Danlami Yusuf, Salami Ozigi-Deedat, Basiru Abubakar Gegu, Adams Abdulaziz, Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen.
Others were Muizideen Yinusa Abdullahi, Rabiatu Okute, Kingsley Fanwo, Fatima Momoh, Mohammed Yusuf, Timothy Ojoma, Sunday Faleke, Abanika Taye, Idris Asiru and Mohammed Adbulmutalib.
The Speaker of the assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, urged the commissioners to work hard for the development of the state.
The Chief Magistrate Court in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered that a 35-year-old labourer, James James Emmanuel, be remanded for allegedly raping a 55-year-old co-labourer, Mrs Deborah Abiodun, to death.
The defendant was alleged to have committed the offence at a poultry firm located at Oke-Odu area, off Ilere, on Ijare road, Akure.
James, who was arraigned on two counts bordering on murder and rape, after allegedly raping her to death, hit her with stone on her head and dumped her corpse inside a waste pit.
Earlier, the police prosecutor, Anwana Josephine, informed the court that the suspect committed the offence on 17th day of January, 2024, at about 11.00pm.
Anwana said that the offence, was contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The charge sheet read: “That you James Emmanuel ‘m’ on the 17th day of January, 2024 at about 11.00pm at Ilere, on Ijare Road, Akure in the Akure Magisterial District, did rape Deborah Abiodun ‘f’ aged 55 years old and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 357 and punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That you James Emmanuel ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterai District did kill one Deborah Abiodun ‘T’ by hitting her with stone on her head and dump her corpse inside a waste pit and thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006”.
In her ruling, Magistrate Folashade Aduroja, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Correctional Centre in Ondo town and adjourned the trial till March 27, 2024.