Borno to probe diversion of IDP rice

The government of Borno State has ordered the investigation of alleged diversion of rice meant for the feeding of internally displaced persons.

Large quantities of rice supplied by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA are alleged to have been diverted by some unscrupulous civil servants.

A statement issued in Maiduguri on Saturday by Malam Isa Gusau, Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to Gov. Kashim Shettima said that the directive followed widespread allegations that some government officials were diverting food supplies meant for the feeding of IDPs to their personal use.

“Gov. Kashim Shettima has directed security agents to investigate and arrest anyone found culpable in the alleged diversion of rice meant for the feeding of the IDPs in the state.

“The directive followed the circulation of video clips and still pictures on social media alleging that some officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are re-bagging rice meant for the IDPs feeding for onward sales in the market,’’ he said.

Gusau said that Governor Shettima blamed the rumors on political enemies who are bent on bringing down his government.

“The governor said that although he would await the outcome of the investigation, he is aware that a group of Abuja-based politicians from the state have sworn to bring down his administration.

“They are using all kinds of mischief, including the one of May 29 when hundreds of his posters were dubiously produced.

“The posters were pasted along strategic points in Abuja and Kaduna, claiming that he is aspiring to become Nigeria’s president in 2019 with Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo as his running mate.
“They are coming up with all kinds of mischief, including trying to set me up against the Presidency, they don’t care if doing that can obstruct our success in the war against Boko Haram insurgents,’’ he said.

NAN

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The 41 items CBN won't sell you forex for

To ease the pressure on the country's scarce foreign exchange reserve, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has compiled a list of products that will not be able to access forex from the official foreign exchange market.

While these products are not banned, their importers will have to source their foreign exchange from the parallel market.

See the list here.
1. Rice
2. Cement
3. Margarine
4. Palm kernel/Palm oil
products/vegetables oils
5. Meat and processed meat products
6. Vegetables and processed vegetable products
7. Poultry chicken, eggs, turkey
8.  Private airplanes/jets
9.  Indian incense
10.  Tinned fish in sauce(Geisha)/sardines
11. Cold rolled steel sheets
12. Galvanized steel sheets
13. Roofing sheets
14. Wheelbarrows
15. Head pans
16. Metal boxes and containers
17. Enamelware
18. Steel drums
19. Steel pipes
20. Wire rods(deformed and not deformed)
21. Iron rods and reinforcing bard
22. Wire mesh
23. Steel nails
24. Security and razor wire
25. Wood particle boards and panels
26. Wood Fibre Boards and Panels
27.  Plywood boards and panels
28.  Wooden doors
29.  Toothpicks
30.  Glass and Glassware
31.  Kitchen utensils
32. Tableware
33. Tiles-vitrified and ceramic
34. Textiles
35.  Woven fabrics
36. Clothes
37. Plastic and rubber products. 38. Polypropylene granules , cellophane wrappers
39. Soap and cosmetics
40..Tomatoes/tomato paste
41. Eurobond/foreign currency bond/ share purchases

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Security agents seal Wadata Plaza over PDP crisis

Following threats of violence from youths loyal to opposing camps in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Chairmanship crisis, security agents have taken over the National Secretariat of the party at Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

On Thursday, a clash between youths loyal to rival camps had left some people injured.

By Saturday morning, security personnel were seen patrolling the vicinity of the secretariat and barring movement into the place.

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A session of the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja

The  monthly National Economic Council, NEC meeting took place on Thursday . Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo presided.

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Censors board to begin clampdown on unwholesome, uncensored films

The National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB has said that all is set for a nationwide clampdown on marketers selling unwholesome and uncensored films in the country.

The Director of Operations, NFVCB, Mr Cornel Agbim said in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday that the board had commenced the prohibition and sanctioning of distributors as well as the distribution of every defaulting film found nationwide to improve the status and security of the industry.

"The NFVCB Director-General, Ms Patricia Bala is bent on getting rid of all unwholesome films in the country.

"The defaulters include unlicensed distributors of uncensored movies, unwholesome films and pornographic videos.

The action also targets those who are known to exhibit film or video works in unregistered premises or places that are not approved and certified by the board.

The board warns that anyone who falls into any of these categories should quickly go to the nearest NFVCB office and rectify his or her area of default.’’

The statement disclosed that the first phase of the clampdown would commence on June 13 and end on June 24.

It added that the first phase would cover Benue, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu States

NAN

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Troops capture Boko Haram kingpin, technician, rescue 47

Troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, 3 Division, in conjunction Civilian JTF on Thursday captured two Boko Haram kingpins comprising of a commander and a technician in Alagarno forest.

A statement issued by Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman said that the troops also rescued 47 hostages who were abandoned by fleeing terrorists.

The statement reads in part;
"Today, Thursday 17th June 2016, troops of Sector 5, 27 Task Force Brigade, 3 Division, in conjunction Civilian JTF from Maiduguri arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Ibrahim Jagwal, aged 38 at Gishiwa Dabua area of Potiskum, Yobe State.

"The suspected terrorist who turned out to be the Ameer of the Boko Haram Terrorists at Tumbin Gini, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, also led the team to Garejin Audu in Potiskum, where another terror suspect, Audu Ahmadu, (alias Condemned) aged 45 years, was arrested same day.

"Preliminary investigation confirms that Audu Ahmadu is a Boko Haram Engineer who specializes in repairs of automobiles for the Boko Haram terrorists group. It was further confirmed he was at the garage to repair 2 vehicles. The vehicles were recovered by the team, while the suspects have been taken into custody for onward movement to Joint Interrogation Centre.

"In a related development, troops of 156 Task Force Battalion, 29 Task Force Brigade carried out clearance patrol yesterday. The patrol team came in contact with Boko Haram terrorists near Abalam, South West of Alagarno forest. The team engaged the terrorists who fled due superior fire power.

"The troops pursued them and discovered that they left behind 7 men, 13 women and 27 children that were held hostage at Gemri village. The patrol team also recovered 4 Dane Guns, 3 Bows and 5 packs of arrows containing 114 arrows.
The terrorists camp was destroyed while the rescued persons have been moved to Maiduguri Internally Displaced Persons Camp."

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Boko Haram: Troops kill 6 insurgents, rescue 5 victims

Troops of 7 Division Strike Group Team B, 21 and 155 Task Force Battalion  killed six Boko Haram terrorists during clearance operations in Borno.

The troops also rescued five hostages including four women  and a child at Kircha/Dungu village of Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman said in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Thursday that troops recovered a number of items from fleeing terrorists.

“During the operation, the troops encountered Boko Haram terrorists in which they killed four of them while few others fled leaving behind four women and a child. The troops have rescued and evacuated them for screening and further rehabilitation.

“The troops further discovered a pair of military desert camouflage uniform and a Boko Haram terrorists’ flag hoisted in the village. They also recovered a generator set and water pumping machine.”

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