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SDP National Chairman Lauds FG’s Efforts To Tackle Insecurity

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The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, has commended the efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the of nations insecurity
Alhaji Gabam spoke in Abuja at the weekend while fielding questions from news men on the state of the natione.
According to online reports, he stated that the efforts of the government have yielded significant improvements and called for the support of Nigerians to achieve more for the betterment of the citizens.
He also called on the government to ensure it keeps improving as the non-statement of the actors behind such nefarious activities are also improving themselves.
Gabam also commended the government for the measures it was taking to ensure the stability of the naira and improve the economy, saying that the nation would rise again with the political will to mentain the current efforts aimed at fixing the nation for the betterment of the Citizens
According to him, “I know as a matter of fact that the level of crime and criminality, kidnapping, the maiming and barbarism has drastically reduced. Most of the gang leaders that have been responsible for kidnapping people have been eliminated or arrested or under prosecution.
“This is a kudos to the Federal Government because in the absence of securing the environment, you cannot have a political environment and you cannot have investment friendly environment. The confidence needs to be restored.
“People who are bringing in resources need to be assured that their lives would be secured, their investment would be secured. So the security level in the country is tremendously improving.
“You can drive from here, Abuja to Kaduna anytime now even in the night. Even in the South-East, the sit-at home has reduced drastically. So the government has put a lot of attention, a lot of priority in securing the territorial integrity of the country.
“So I give them kudos in terms of security and in terms of improving the security architecture of the country. But they should do much more because the sophistication of the non state actors challenging the states are also improving.
“So the dynamics and the approach of the government and the security agencies must also improve to deal with the unanticipated areas of behaviour to undermine the government that is in place. But so far in the area of security, the government is doing tremendously well.
“In the currency, we are seeing the fluctuations even though in the last few days, it has shot up again but we hope that they would look at the entire mayhem surrounding the forex and those responsible for the fluctuations and sabotaging the economy and deal with it aggressively.”
This came just as the SDP National Chairman lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, for his efforts in addressing the problem of corruption threatening the foundation of the country in all spheres of the economy
He urged Nigerians to be fair to the new chairman of the EFCC and support him in his efforts in dealing with corruption in the country.
He couselled the EFCC boss to be focused and not being deterred in sanitising the system.
According to him, “listening to the current chairman of the EFCC, his approach, I think Nigerians should be fair to him. They should give him credit for the way and manner he is dealing with the issue.

 

 

“First he had mentioned that the institution needs to be sanitized because individuals use institution to siphon public funds. Now if you do not strengthen the institution, if you do not block the leakages, there’s no way you can be able to strengthen the institution and stop individuals from using our public institutions to siphon resources of the country for personal interest.
“I believe that approach he is doing particularly in the ministry of Humanitarian affairs is professional, well articulated. And he has said he is not dealing with individuals. He is dealing with institutions and that investigation would take time because it has to do with the root causes and the easiest way people can siphon public funds which is great to me.
“So it is not fair for people to vilify him simply because he has granted a press conference and he is giving a situation report and the approach he is taking. Normally investigations professionally all over the world take a very long time.
“So for me he has expressed himself. He should be given the opportunity. He is approaching it professionally. The government should strengthen and encourage him to do the needful.
“He should remain focussed, decisive and patriotic in dealing with every issue. He has a more civilised approach as far as I am concerned. in encourage him to continue doing whatever he is doing. Whatever he does people are going to criticize him so let him remain focussed and achieve the goal,”

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BPP Saves  Nigeria N1.9trillion from Contracts  Fraud  – DG

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The Bureau of Public Procurement ,( BPP,)  Thursday said  it’s activities  on  Contract monitoring has
 saved Nigeria  over N1.9trillion from contracts fraud  over the years.
The Director – General , of the agency ;  Dr Adebowale Adedokun stated this  during  a budget defence session the  BPP had with the Senate Committee   on Public Procurement in the National Assemby .
According to he BPP Boss  the agency set up 17 years ago , precisely on the 14th of June 2007 , has been on the fore front  of  the war against corruption in the country, particularly those that have to do , with contracts awards , inflation and diversion.
His words ” BPP has within the last seventeen years been changing the landscape of public procurement in Nigeria by ensuring transparency , fairness and efficiency on contracts awards and execution .
” BPP has been saving the country from loss of at least  N40billion annually to contracts inflation , diversion of public fund and poor service delivery.
“Records from our price intelligence unit indicate that total money prevented so far  from being diverted to personal pockets from contracts award  is N1.9trillion .
” BPP has over the years been significantly contributing to increase revenue generation by the relevant agencies like  the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ), Nigeria Pension Commission ( PENCOM) etc .
 Dr Adedokun however lamented that the budget envelope  of N1.57 billion for the agency for the year 2025 is far below it’s  proposed N,63.5bn for Capital Expenditures.and may likely affect  the agency’s  proposed  projects .
The said   sum according to him , will not help in any way , help  to solve the accommodation problem being faced by Staff of the Bureau , replacing moribund project monitoring vehicles bought since 2008   and  executing the E – procurement programme that is in the pipeline .
However in their comments , members of the committee chaired by Senator Olajide Ipinsagba (  Ondo North) ,  wondered how BPP with just 158 workers, would effectively and efficiently monitor contract awards and execution of over 800 government agencies under its purview .
The Committee through the Chairman therefore , directed the DG of BPP to increase the staff strength  of the agency and add the overhead for new employees in their  2025 budget
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Osun Park Management Chairman Shot By Police, Union Alleges

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The Chairman of the Osun State Park Management System (OSTMS), Comrade Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, was reportedly shot by officers of the state police command in the late hours of Monday.
The union, in a statement issued by its Secretary, Mikaela Popoola, in Osogbo, confirmed that its chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody.
According to him, the shooting of the chairman occurred while in police custody, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting call for a thorough investigation.
The union scribe, who reiterated that the chairman was arrested over domestic issues and taken into police custody, called on members of OSTMS not to take the law into their own hands.
He stressed, “We must maintain peace across the parks while we take the matter up with the appropriate authorities.”
While confirming the shooting, a top Police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Alowonle was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of one Oyewale in 2022 and the assault of some residents on Monday night.
“He was shot while attempting to escape and has been taken to a hospital for treatment.”
According to him, Alowonle was maimed by the police gunshot, and a Hummer bus with registration number AWK 480YD, an unregistered Nissan Almera, and a Toyota Sienna with registration number GNN 595 XD were also recovered from him.
“During the arrest, a Barrett pistol, six rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and one expended empty shell were recovered from Alowonle’s private unregistered Toyota Highlander jeep,” the officer said.
“Alowonle and his boys conveyed themselves in a Previn bus with registration number RBC 275XK, but a distress call to the police led to his arrest. He was rearrested at Susi area of Oke-Baale, Osogbo, alongside eight others before being taken to the state police command.”
Meanwhile, all possible efforts made to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, for comment on the incident proved abortive as calls put to her mobile phone were not answered.

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Police Kill Notorious Cultist In Rivers, Recover Gun, Ammunition

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The Rivers State Police Command has announced that its operatives neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, identified as Gbarani Bume, in the Luawii Community of Khana Local Government Area (LGA).
Bume, also known as Pelele, was a member of the infamous Iceland cult group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA along with his gang.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko said that Pelele and his gang attempted to kidnap a site engineer working in Luawii when the police, acting on a tip-off, swooped in. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire, but Pelele was fatally wounded after a fierce exchange of gunfire and later died.
The statement reads: “The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime, neutralising a notorious cultist and kidnapper, Gbarani Bume, a.k.a. Pelele, a native of Bere Community in Khana LGA.
“He was a member of the Iceland Cult Group, which has been terrorising the Beree/Tabaa axis of Khana LGA.
“On the 15th of November 2024, operatives from the Bori Division, acting on a tip-off, were mobilised to Luawii Community where Pelele and his gang were attempting to kidnap a site engineer.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a fierce crossfire, during which Pelele was fatally wounded. His accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 10 rounds of live ammunition.”
She added, “An investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice.”
The state police spokesperson stated that this operation underscores the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety in the state.

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