Airwaves Watch

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the duo of Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma\’il Iliyasu Mangu for deliberately inciting violence in parts of Kano State.  It was gathered that the suspects had separately recorded messages, which they shared through various social media channels. In those potentially harmful messages, they specifically championed certain political interests and directly called on their supporters to violently attack those opposed to them, including security personnel during the 18th March, 2023 Governorship and House of Assembly election in the State. As a result of this development, a particular political party in Kano has threatened to organise protest march in the metropolis as well as storm offices of some of the security agencies on 16th March, 2023 in solidarity for the suspects. However, DSS has called on the concerned party to shelve it forthwith or be ready to face the consequences. The DSS assures that it will not idly watch misguided persons or groups undermine the peace and security of the state. Meanwhile, the Service is collaborating with sister security agencies to ensure that adequate security is provided for a successful electoral exercise. Aside Kano, the Service recently arrested similar subversive elements that threatened violence in other States of the Federation 376 Views

Last Saturday, 11th March, two members of the Bureau De Change (BDC) operating at Ikota shopping complex, Ajah, in Lagos State were reportedly murdered by some people suspected to be ritualists. It was reliably gathered that the two BDC members were lured by a customer to one of the houses located inside an Estate opposite the plaza for a business transaction, only for them to be killed and their bodies found decapitated with organs missing. While police are gathered to have made some arrests, the culprits were learnt to be at large. 381 Views

A notorious criminal in Ilesa, Tunde Oginni ( aka Tunde Bongo, has been arrested in Ilesa by gallant security agents who had been on his trail for weeks. Bongo who is described as a member of the Eiye Confraternity has been linked to multiple murders of the APC members in Ilesa and its environs, including the gruesome murder of Ebenezer Alaro who was traced from campaign rally and shot infront of his father\’s house at Araromi Street, Ilesa, a couple of weeks ago. While Tunde Bongo has since been taken to the Force Headquarters in Osogbo, for further interrogation, the police are still on the manhunt for other members of his gang, especially Junior, who escaped by the whiskers when Bongo was apprehended. Meanwhile, the Ilesa residents, who expressed happiness over the arrest, appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to ensure Bongo is duly and timely prosecuted so it can serve as a deterrence to other hoodlums who have made Ijesaland a haven of criminals. (Source Olatunji Arije) 534 Views

“I don’t know anything about that chief of staff thing. All I heard was that I didn’t come here last week to pick up my certificate and for that reason, somebody conjectured that must be about something about Chief of Staff I was in Lagos and I could not leave Lagos because I was campaigning for my party. That’s number one. Again, it’ll interest you to know that I was not here four years ago to pick up my certificate because I couldn’t make it. I don’t think it is anything significant. I’ll pick up my certificate today or tomorrow.” 448 Views

On Sunday morning, Monday Market, the largest in Maiduguri, Borno state capital is gutted by fire and properties worth hundreds of millions of Naira ruined. However in his State wide broadcast, Babagana Umara Zulum , the State governor has announced N1 billion for emergency relief, console victims and set up an assessment committee. \”My fellow people of Borno State, We woke up today with a very sad and unfortunate fire disaster at the Maiduguri Monday market. This is very unfortunate but we believe that this is decreed by Allah. Inna lillahi Wa inna ilayhi raajiun.I feel deeply pained by this incident and I know how painful it is for anyone to work hard over years to build his or her business but end up losing that investment in seconds. I really feel the pains of everyone affected by this incident. I commiserate with all of youI have approved the release of one billion naira as emergency relief for us to quickly support victims of the disaster because we know that some of them may even have difficulty surviving the next few days. Many rely on daily businesses in order to cater for themselves.We are setting up an assessment committee that will comprise respectable individuals from our society including representatives of the victims, for us to speedily assess damages, and take comprehensive list of those affected and their loses. I willa lso be holding meeting with leadership of the market and representatives of victims. I am going to see Mr President and seek for presidential intervention on how to get support for victims. We will also reach out to other humanitarian establishments to seek help\”.   675 Views

The massive operation by the Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) to deter vote trading and other financial malfeasance ahead of tomorrow\’s presidential and national assembly elections may have begun paying dividends with the interception of the sum of N32,400,000 (Thirty-two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) allegedly suspected to be used for vote buying in Lagos. The Anti Financial Crime agency disclosed that the recovery was made by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission. The suspect involved has been taken into custody for further questioning. 405 Views

Police Officers from Rivers State Command deployed to INEC Headquarters Aba Road today announced to have arrested Hon Chinyere Igwe for money laundering. During a stop and search operation, Hon Chinyere Igwe, member House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency with a cash sum of 498,100 USD inside a bag in his car.  Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money. The AIG Election, AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court. 519 Views

News has been bandied about that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Bola Ahmed Tinubu\’s home and discovered billions of naira. The Anti crime agency has stepped out to debunk the story. The EFCC statement read, \”The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report circulating in the social media, claiming that operatives of the Commission raided the home of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming presidential elections and recovered a humongous sum of N400billion. The Commission wishes to state that no such operation was carried out by the EFCC. The public is enjoined to disregard the report as fake news. 391 Views

The Central Bank of Nigeria has denied given a directive to banks to be collecting old 500, 1000 naira notes. The issued press release read, \”The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some fake and unauthorized messages quoting the CBN as having authorized the Deposit Money Banks to collect the old N500 and N1,000 Banknotes. For the avoidance of doubt, and in line with Mr. President’s broadcast of February 16, 2023, the CBN has been directed to ONLY reissue and recirculate the old N200 banknotes and this is expected to circulate as legal tender for 60 days up to April 10, 2023. Members of the public should therefore disregard any message and/or information not formally released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on this subject\”. 466 Views

The State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the naira policy till February 22. When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender. The State Government hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court. Governor Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. He is confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis. 508 Views