Month: July 2021

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Police raid kidnappers’ hideout in Imo, free 46-yr-old victim

The Police Command in Imo has rescued a 46-year-old kidnap victim, Mr Uzondu Kaka, after raiding a forest in Ehime-Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The rescue operation was disclosed by CSP Mike Abattam, spokesman for the Command.

Abattam confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Owerri. Further, he revealed that the police operatives killed one of the suspected kidnappers during a gun battle.

However, the Police PRO affirmed that one of the operatives was injured during the operation; adding that the affected cop was receiving medical attention.

Kaka was kidnapped in the front of his house at Umunuma Okohia in Isiala-Mbano LGA on July 1. Thereafter, he was taken to the Ehime-Mbano forest by his abductors.

Meanwhile, Abattam explained that the command received information of the victim’s kidnap on July 5 at about 2:30pm.

“On receipt of this information, the command’s tactical teams after gathering technical intelligence, was able to trace the location where the kidnappers used as their den in the forest at Ehime Mbano.

“The hoodlums on sighting the tactical team engaged them in a gun duel…In the process, one of the suspects was neutralised, others escaped with gunshot wounds and the victim was rescued unhurt.

“One of the operatives of the tactical team who sustained gunshot injury was rushed to the hospital where he is presently receiving treatment,” he said.

In addition, the Police spokesman stated that one pump action gun; five live cartridges; six expended cartridges and cellotape used to blindfold the victim were recovered from the suspects.

Also, he revealed that efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects; even as he appealed to the public and hospitals to report any person/persons with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station.

4wardwego blog reports that the wave of kidnapping for ransom has surged astronomically in Nigeria in recent times, especially in the North and parts of the South.

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Python bites man on genitals while sitting on toilet

A man has been bitten by a python while using the toilet in his home.

The incident occurred in Graz, Austria on Monday, July 5, 2021.

The python reportedly slid through his drains and bit him while he was sitting on the toilet.

Reuters reports that the stunned 65-year-old in the city of Graz turned around shortly after 6am to see a roughly 1.6-metre (5-foot) albino reticulated python in the bowl, police in the province of Styria said in a statement.

“Shortly after he sat on the toilet, the Graz resident – by his own account – felt a ‘pinch’ in the area of his genitals,” the police statement said.

However, the man was not seriously injured. He was only treated in the hospital for minor injuries. The case would have been different if the snake was a venomous one.

Meanwhile, the snake, a constrictor native to Asia that can grow to more than 9 metres (29 feet) long, is thought to have escaped a neighbour’s apartment unnoticed and slid into the toilet through the drains, though its exact route was still unclear, Reuters quoted Austria police as saying.

The snake was eventually removed after a reptile expert was contacted by the emergency services. Thereafter, it was cleaned up and returned it to its owner.

However, the owner, a 24-year-old neighbour of the bitten man, was reported to the prosecutors’ office. His offence centres on suspicion of negligently causing bodily harm.

Equally important, he is believed to own 11 snakes, all non-venomous constrictors.

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EFCC confirms arrest of nightclub owners over fraud allegations

Two owners of a nightclub have been arrested for alleged internet fraud in Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial hub by the EFCC. The suspects – Boniface Odenigbo Amandianeze and Olasunmbo Olawale Winfunke – were nabbed by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed this via a statement issued on Monday, July 6.

He said their recent arrest on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island area of the state followed credible intelligence about their alleged involvement in romance scam, business email compromise, benefit scam, credit card fraud, as well as money laundering.

“Upon their arrest, four exotic cars, mobile devices, laptop computers, jewelry, and wristwatches worth hundreds of millions were recovered from them,” the statement partly read.

“Further investigations have also established nexus with other associates who are suspected to be into computer-related fraud.”

The EFCC also assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has mandated the immediate closure of 13 schools located in areas that have been identified as vulnerable to attacks by bandits.

This pronouncement came in the wake of Monday’s bandits’ attack on Bethel Baptist school in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where an unspecified number of students were kidnapped.

4wardwego blog learned that this mandate was issued on Monday, July 5, by the Director-General of Quality Assurance Authority in the state Ministry of Education, Umma Ahmed.

Ahmed stated that the closure is with immediate effect.

“You are hereby advised to adhere to the contents of this letter; as appropriate sanctions shall be meted out to schools that are found wanting for non-compliance, please,” she said.

Ahmed listed the names of the affected schools to include Faith Academy, along Kachia Road adjacent to Jakaranda; Deeper Life Academy, Maraban Rido; ECWA Secondary school, Ungwar Maje; as well as Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi.

Others are St. Peters Minor Seminary, Katari; Prelude Secondary School, Kujama; Ibiso Secondary School, Tashar Iche; Tulip International (Boys) School; as well as Tulip international (Girls) School.

Also on the list are, Goodnews Secondary School, St. Augustine, Kujama; Comprehensive Development Institution (CDI), Tudun Mare; as well as Adventist College, Kujama.

Kaduna has been experiencing series of attacks by bandits, with educational institutions considered as soft targets.

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Matawalle: Zamfara Gov clarifies reason for defection to APC

Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has clarified reports about the reason he defected to the All Progressives Congress.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, July 5, via his spokesman, Yusuf Idris Gusau.

Matawalle noted that he defected to the ruling APC to bring more development to the people.

“It is a known fact that Governor Matawalle is one of the leaders in the country that speaks wisdom on all matters; and he joined the APC in order to strengthen political unity in the state; for the purpose of bringing more development to his people,” Gusau said.

The Governor said the defection was also due to “the upper hands he (the governor) had been enjoying from President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC high command on all matters concerning the state.”

Gusau explained that President Buhari and the APC governors had been sympathetic to the people of the state in trying times; adding that this encouraged the governor to reciprocate the concern and respect given.

“The governor’s mission for joining the ruling party was nothing more than that. Any other report is mischievous and the handiwork of those diversionary characters who have remained vehemently opposed to the defection to APC by Governor Matawalle,” the spokesman added.

The governor’s reaction comes a week after he joined the ruling party – following months of speculation and denial; with all the federal and state lawmakers in Zamfara.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Assembly on Monday, July 5, passed an amended version of the Criminal Justice Law of the state barring the police from parading suspects before the media.

The bill was passed through voice votes conducted by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, who presided over the plenary session.

Eshilokun-Sanni said Section 9(A) of the newly passed bill states that “as from the commencement of this law; the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.

“The bill further stipulates conditions under which a policeman can arrest without warrant; one of which is that a person must be reasonably suspected to unlawfully be in possession of firearms or other such dangerous instruments.

“A subsection of the bill also barred the police or any other agency; from arresting a person in lieu of any other person in a criminal matter.

“The bill adds that a person who is arrested shall be given reasonable facilities for obtaining legal advice; bail or making arrangements for defence or release,” he said.

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Hackers demand $70 million to restore data from hundreds of companies hit by cyber attack

HACKERS:The cybercriminals believed to be behind a devastating attack; that left hundreds of companies worldwide offline have reportedly demanded $70 million to restore the data they’re holding ransom.

The demand was posted on a ‘dark web’ blog on Sunday, Reuters reported.

The blog is “typically used” by the REvil cybercrime gang, who cybersecurity researchers believe are responsible for the latest attack; as well as an attack in May on JBS, the world’s largest meat-processing corporation.

Last week’s attack targeted Kaseya, a remote IT management platform.

Hundreds of Kaseya’s clients in the US, Canada, the UK and worldwide had their data frozen; with knock-on effects for customers in some cases.

Swedish grocery chain Coop was forced to close all 800 of its stores on Saturday; as the attack had taken its cash registers offline.

The White House announced on Sunday that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security “will reach out to identified victims to provide assistance.” President Joe Biden; who has previously accused Russia of being behind similar attacks; told reporters that he is “not sure it’s the Russians,” and is waiting on the US’ intelligence agencies to investigate.

The US has previously blamed Russia for numerous cyberattacks on American infrastructure and commerce.

The Biden administration sanctioned Russia in April, partly over its alleged involvement in last year’s SolarWinds hack.

Even though Biden didn’t accuse Moscow of direct involvement in a cyberattack targeting the US’ fuel supply in May; he did insist that it bore “some responsibility,” as the hackers had allegedly been operating from a Russian-speaking country.

Blame has also been leveled at Beijing. Microsoft claimed in March that it had caught Chinese “state-sponsored” hackers breaking into its email servers, and cybersecurity researchers have accused the Chinese state of involvement in multiple attacks since, including one on New York’s public transportation network.

Moscow and Beijing have consistently denied US accusations of cybercrime involvement.

In a statement on Friday, the Russian Embassy in Washington expressed hope that the US would “abandon the practice of unfounded accusations and focus on professional work with Russian experts to strengthen international information security.”

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SERAP sues Buhari over CBN overdrafts totalling $25bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to disclose details regarding the spending of the overdrafts and loans taken from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, since May 29, 2015.

SERAP is also seeking an order from the court to compel Buhari to explain and clarify whether the $25billion overdraft reportedly taken from the CBN is within the five-percent limit of the actual revenue of the government for 2020.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/559/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, SERAP is also seeking the government to specify the purpose of any borrowing, including the economic and social benefits.

Joined as respondents are Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN, and the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

The suit was filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms. Adelanke Aremo.

An excerpt reads: “Transparency and accountability in the spending of CBN overdrafts would also ensure that public funds are properly spent, reduce the level of public debt, and improve the ability of the government to invest in essential public goods and services.

“The recent overdraft of $25.6bn (about N9.7trn) reportedly obtained from the CBN would appear to be above the five-percent limit of the actual revenue of the Federal Government for 2020, that’s, N3.9trn, prescribed by Section 38(2) of the CBN Act 2007. SERAP notes that five-percent of N3.9trn is N197bn.

“While Section 38(1) of the CBN Act allows the Bank to grant overdrafts to the Federal Government to address any temporary deficiency of budget revenue, sub-section 2 provides that any outstanding overdraft ‘shall not exceed five-percent of the previous year’s actual revenue of the Federal Government’.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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Senate President, Lawan urges lawmakers to ensure implementation of PIB

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has urged lawmakers to track, monitor and supervise the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) after assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He made the call in a keynote address at the Conference of Presiding Officers of the Nigerian Legislature (COPON) held on Saturday, July 3, in Abuja.

The theme of the conference was: “Public Perception of the Role of Legislature: Post Legislative Scrutiny and Independence of the Legislature.”

Lawan said: “We passed the PIB. But what is important is for the National Assembly to continue to track, monitor, and supervise the implementation of the PIB when it is eventually assented to by the President and the execution starts.

“This is because this is a 319 clause legislation and it is so sensitive, so central to our economy and lives of the people, particularly the host communities in the Niger Delta, in oil-producing states.

“So we need to devote sufficient time to ensure that the implementation, especially in the Host Communities Fund is done in such a way that what we think and anticipate will happen in host communities happens.

“Otherwise, we have to come back and see where the flaws will be.”

On legislative scrutiny, Lawan said it was a learning process that reduced ambiguity and distrust by allowing the legislature to learn by doing.

“Post legislative scrutiny will encourage citizens to engage more with parliament and improve the quality of our laws and governance.

“For this to be achieved, we must develop the political will and make available time, funds, and other resources to get it done,” Lawan said.

In his remarks, Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said: “Public perception of the legislature is a topic that has been debated and talked about.

“It is a losing battle, you cannot win, but public perception is public perception. No matter what you do, it is all about the National Assembly.

“Unfortunately, public perception and what is right and what is legal and what is constitutional, are in a thug of war and it is a very difficult and delicate balancing act.

“One has to be very careful because even where the country catches on a slight cold, you blame it on the National Assembly.

“There is a lot of work still to do. As legislators, our ability to do what is required of us in this joint task of nation-building depends on how well we can work together with Federal legislatures and across the legislature from the 36 states.”

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Mint – Inner Mind

Nigerian fastest Jos based exceptional female singer “Mint” comes through with an amazing tune from her amazing melodious voice tagged “Inner Mind”

Inner Mind as released by the singer “Mint” seems so perfect as the love message was pass straight to the Mind.

Following her previous hit song released tittled “Loving you pain”

Listen, Download & Enjoy…

DOWNLOAD MP3: Mint – Inner Mind