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Customs seizes 3,620 live ammunition cartridges in Kwara

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The Kwara Area Customs Commander of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Hussaini Ahmed, disclosed on Wednesday that men of the Service ave seized 3,620 live ammunition cartridges in Kwara State.

Displaying the ammunitions at the headquarters of the Command in Ilorin, Ahmed said they were seized in the new year at Bukuro in the Baruten Local Government Area of the state.

Recall that the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 3, North Central Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service covering Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Benue states intercepted 550 pump action gun cartridges in Adikpo junction, Benue State in December 2021.

Ahmed said, “The Command is showcasing the strategic and remarkable seizures of a large quantity of ammunition packaged in 25 packs of 25 rounds each, contained in fourteen cartons, worth N1,444,000. This landmark seizure was made around the Bukuro axis of the Command.

“Based on an intelligence report, the Command intercepted a Peugeot 504 vehicle with registration number AP 448 AKD. On searching the vehicle, it was found to contain a large number of pump-action cartridges suspected to be smuggled into the country. Section 149 of the Customs and Excise Management Act of April 1958 Cap 45 LFN 2004 (as amended) gives Customs officers powers to search vehicles/ships.

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Ahmed who said that ammunition was classified under schedule 4 of Absolute Prohibition List of the Common External Tariff of the Nigeria Customs Service noted that “This epic seizure is very commendable at the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the country.

“Should 3,620 rounds of live ammunition of this magnitude find its way into the country and fall into the wrong hands, the result would be appalling, devastating and disastrous.”

Stressing the importance of the intelligence network in the country, the Controller said that greater successes are continuously being recorded by the Command.

Despite resistance, threats and confrontations with charms, stones and other dangerous weapons by the perpetrators of this criminal act, officers were able to evacuate a total of 402 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, using about 21 official patrol vehicles to convey the goods to the Command Headquarters.

On revenue, the Controller disclosed that the Command generated a total sum of N19.159 billion between July 2019 and December 2021 which had been paid to the federation account.

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He said that out of the amount, the sum of N9.848 billion was generated between January and December 2021, which surpassed the revenue generated in the year 2020 with N2.942 billion.

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Soldiers’ Killings: Army transfers surrendered Delta monarch to Abuja

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The Army has reportedly flown the Ovie of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo,  who surrendered himself to the Police in Asaba on Thursday to Abuja.

 

The Delta State Police Command handed over the king, who the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, declared wanted with seven others over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama on Friday morning.

 

The Commanding Officer Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade,  Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner,  and other senior military officers escorted the monarch to the Asaba International Airport.

 

The monarch was reported to have boarded an Air Peace airline, and the plane departed Asaba Airport tarmac at about 9.10 am to Abuja.

 

 

 

 

 

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Don’t condemn or curse Nigeria in your sermons — this is a beautiful land, Tinubu urges clerics

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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to religious leaders to desist from laying curses on the nation in their sermons.

The president spoke on Thursday while breaking the Ramadan fast with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the presidential villa.

Tinubu harped on the significant role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and promoting unity in the country.

The president asked the clerics to be constructive in their criticisms of government officials, saying his administration is determined to address Nigeria’s challenges.

 

“The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important,” Tinubu said.

 

“Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say: ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there’.

 

“Leave the beads there. This is your country, do not condemn it in sermons, and do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes.”

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Tinubu said instead of condemning the country, “bad” leaders should be shown the exit during elections.

 

“Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land,” Tinubu said.

 

Also speaking, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, advised religious leaders to continue to “build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides”.

 

“The president means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership,” he said.

 

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The president took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, said the monarchs are in support of Tinubu’s administration.

 

“You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” Ogunwusi said.

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Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, who spoke for the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Ramadan is a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

 

“I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the president for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” he said.

Samson Fatokun, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), commended Tinubu for fostering unity in the country.

 

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation.”

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Tompolo rejects Tinubu’s wish for low-key birthday, buys out frontpage of dailies

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Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s wish for a low-key birthday celebration by buying the frontpages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President.

Tompolo is the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm that tackles crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

 

Last Sunday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will not celebrate his 72nd birthday on March 29 “in deference to the challenging times” in the country.

The presidency said the president “does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name”.

Tinubu also “enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name”.


However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.

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TheCable understands that a frontpage newspaper advert of the size Tompolo splurged on costs an average of N10 million.

 

This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.

In October 2023, after the supreme court affirmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.

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