Police launch manhunt for kidnappers of German archeologists

The Nigeria Police has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of Johannes Behringer and Professor Peter Breunig, the two German archeologists who were  abducted by gunmen on 22 December 2016 at Janjala area of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

At the time of their abduction, the Germans were working in collaboration with National Commission for Museums and Monuments on the relics of NOK Culture in Nigeria at an excavation site at Janjala.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said that a team of Special Police Forces comprising the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, the Technical Intelligence Unit, TIU, the Anti Kidnapping Unit, the Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, the Police Mobile Force, Police Surveillance Helicopters and Special Investigation Team are presently working to rescue the Germans and apprehend their abductors.

“The team is already on the ground working in synergy with the Kaduna State Police Command and the local indigenes of towns and surrounding villages where these German Archaeologists were kidnapped”, said the police.

“Though the two (2) Germans archaeologists have Police officers attached to them for their protection at the NOK Archaeology Research Project Centre they did not go with the Policemen to the excavation site where they were kidnapped.

“Two (2) locals in the company of the Germans archaeologists were killed during the kidnap attack.

“The Special Forces and Police Investigators deployed are in contact with the colleagues of the victims and have provided additional security for their safety.

”In order to achieve prompt result, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department has also been mandated to coordinate the investigation aspect of the operations.

“The Nigeria Police Force while assuring all Nigerians and foreign Nationals in the country of their safety, the Force wishes to implore them to always request and obtain Police escort to protect them any time they are embarking on research, mining and related endeavours outside the towns and cities across the country," he said.

NAN

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See the 17 luxury automobiles EFCC recovered from ex-Customs boss Dikko

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has announced the recovery of 17 luxury automobiles in a warehouse allegedly belonging to a former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service NCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

The anti-corruption agency said that two suspects Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe were arrested at the warehouse situated at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street in Kaduna.

EFCC spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren said in a statement that the vehicles were retrieved following an intelligence report.

“The recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the Commission received that stolen money and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former Customs boss’ premises.

“Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC were deployed to investigate the matter.

 ”On arrival at the location, two individuals who were identified to be the custodians of the property – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe were presented with a search warrant.

“In the course of the search, a total of 17 vehicles, among which are brand new cars, shuttle busses and SUVs were found in the premises.

 ”Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals were conveyed to the Commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano respectively. Investigation revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former Customs boss.

“The two suspects arrested are in custody assisting the EFCC in investigation.”

 He said that the recovered vehicles included the following:

1. A Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.
2. An Ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038.

3. Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.

4. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080.

5. Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661.

6. Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895.

7. Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018.

8. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.

9.Yellow colour Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301.

10. Black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245.

11. Dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288.

12. Silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738.

13. Golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.

14. White colour Nissan Urvan Bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833.

15. White colour Nissan Urvan Bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P605023996.

16. White Toyota Hiace Bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268.

17. White Nissan Bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.

Since being quizzed by the EFCC on June 16, 2016 over alleged 42 billion naira fraud, Dikko is believed to have refunded over a billion naira to the Federal Government.

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Why Osinbajo vetoed four bills passed by National Assembly

The Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday at plenary, read four letters conveying the decision of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to veto four bills recently passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the Presidency for assent .

The bills are Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016; National Lottery Act (Amendment) Bill; Currency Conversion Forfeiture Bill Amendment Bill; and Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund Bill.

The Acting President cited pending legal cases and the fact that some of the words and phrases in the bills were at variance with the spirit of the proposed changes as the reasons for his action.

Osinbajo hinged his rejection of the National Lottery Amendment Bill on the grounds of a pending legal case.

“The rationale for withholding assent to the bill is the existence of pending legal challenge to the competence of the National Assembly to legislate on the subject matter.”

On the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill, the Acting President said he withheld his assent because of certain words and phrases construed to be inconsistent with the spirit behind the amendment.

“The rationale for withholding assent to the bill are the concerns regarding certain words and phrases utilized in the draft bill that maybe inconsistent with the principal act and the spirit behind the proposed amendments,” he said.

On the Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund bill, Osinbajo raised concerns on funding and composition of the board.

“The reason for withholding assent to the bill are the concerns surrounding board composition, funding arrangements, limitation of liability of funds and proposal to increase levels of uncollateralized loans from N5,000 to N250,000.”

Concerning the Currency Conversion Bill, he wrote that: “The rationale for withholding assent to the bill is the concern regarding the modalities for the communication of asset forfeiture orders.”

Meanwhile, the Senate President has said that the decision of the Acting President would be studied by the legal team of the Senate with the view to determine the upper chamber's next course of action on the matter.

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Buhari speaks on live radio, says "I'm feeling better"

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday spoke for about three minutes in Hausa on phone with Governor Ganduje of Kano State  while a prayer session was going on at Africa House, Government House, Kano.

When Ganduje asked about his health, President Buhari said "all thanks be to Allah; I am feeling better."

The conversation along with the prayer session was broadcast live on local radio stations in Kano.

An elated Gov Ganduje said that from Buhari's voice, it was clear that his health had greatly improved. He enjoined Nigerians to continue to pray for the president.

“ We prayed for Buhari to win and he won . It is now mandatory on us to rally round his government and pray for his wellbeing," he said.

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Photo news: Osinbajo at President Adama Barrow's swearing in

Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo last weekend attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new President of the Gambia, Adama Barrow in Banjul.

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Man flogged 12 strokes, jailed 2 years for defiling minor.

An Upper Area Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja on Wednesday sentenced Mansir Mohammed, a 40 years old driver to two years imprisonment and 12 strokes of cane for defiling a 10 years old boy.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Alhassan Kusherki ordered that the convict be flogged publicly with his offense made known to the spectators.

Mohammed was sentenced after pleading guilty to the charge of unlawfully having carnal knowledge of the minor.

“Based on his plea in which he said it is true; I hereby convict him on same offence .

“Such acts ought not to be prevalent in the society . You are supposed to be among God -fearing people.

“This punishment will make him have a rethink and it will serve as deterrent to others .

“You are hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment or you pay a fine of N50,000.”

The prosecuting counsel , Mr Abdullah Tanko, had told the court that Mansir Mohammed of Angwan Dodo in Gwagwalada had on February 14 had sexual intercourse with the 10-year -old boy through the anus.

He also said that the victim was treated at Rosa Haske Hospital, Gwagwalada with N5,250. The judge also ordered that the cost of treatment should be refunded to the victim by the convict.

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Jonathan meets with ex-ministers in Abuja

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja met with ex-ministers from the Peoples Democratic Party, who served under his administration.

Those present at the meeting included former Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Aviation , Femi Fani Kayode, former Minister of Special Deities Saminu Turaki, Former Minister of Aviation Mrs Fidelia Njeze and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali.

Photo credit: Gbemiga Olamikan.

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