The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has paraded a Point of Sale (PoS) operator, Sunday Musa, also known as Dan Gwari, who allegedly specialises in supplying sex workers to bandits in their camp, as well as distributing money to their families in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Benneth Igweh, the commissioner of police in the FCT, who disclosed this while parading the suspect at the command in Abuja on Tuesday, said he was arrested during a coordinated clearance operation by operatives of the anti-kidnap unit of the command at Kagarko.

He said the suspect was also the chief informant and logistics supplier to banditry groups under the general command of one Ardo, who he said was on the run.

He said the suspect confessed to also being the facilitator of the movement of nurses, hard drugs and sex workers on request by the banditry groups.

“The suspect has also confessed to being a financial courier through which money is distributed or shared to the bandits’ families. He confessed to have so far distributed over N20 million on behalf of the bandits,” CP Igweh said.

He added that the suspect further confirmed that the bandits, led by Ardo (general commander), have over 15 members, all with AK-47 rifles.Igweh further disclosed that the police had also arrested a 41-year-old housewife, Ruqquaya Ibrahim, who allegedly supplies foodstuff and other logistics to the bandits.

He said the suspect, who is a resident of Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, had confessed to supplying food items to one of the groups under the commander of Shumau, who is currently on the run.

The commissioner of police revealed that the suspect was arrested at Gidan-Dogo forest on her way to supply food to the bandits, adding that she led the police to Shumau’s residence, where 14 rustled cows were recovered.

When Essien Etop Andrew, Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, walked into the National Assembly Complex, on Tuesday, there was no indication that he would not walk out of the parliament alive.

Andrew had led a team of top customs officers to the House of Representatives for an investigative hearing by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The deceased and his colleagues appeared before the Committee to make presentations on the revenue remittances by the Service.

“These levies as stated earlier is listed as federation account levies and it is the responsibility of the office of the Accountant general to say this money for sharing in FAAC, but for whatever reason that this money, which the Nigeria Customs Service has remitted into the appropriate account was not sent to the federation account, is what the service cannot give explanation,” he had said.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, had interjected by asking: “So your position is that this money was actually sent to the account provided by the Accountant-General and that the obligation of now taking it to the federation account is out of your own purview.”

Responding, the deceased had said, “Yes. The same thing applies for 2017 and 2017 can be seen in the next page. If you look at 2016, it encompasses other levies. Sir, I may need to take water.”

“Go ahead,” Bamidele had said, adding, “Do you need tea.? Can somebody please attend to him?”

Shortly after, he collapsed and was rushed to the House of Representatives Clinic, where he died.

In a statement issued by Abdullahi Maiwada, Public Relations Officer of Customs, the Service expressed shock over the death.

“It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announces the passing of Deputy Comptroller Etop Andrew Essien, who served as the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue in the Account Unit of the service. Deputy Comptroller Essien, who was in charge of the reconciliation of revenue for the service, passed away on the 25th of June 2024 while making presentation before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts.

“During his presentation, approximately three minutes in, Deputy Comptroller Essien requested water and showed signs of discomfort. Despite immediate efforts to assist him, he unfortunately passed away.

“Deputy Comptroller Essien was born on the 16th of November 1967 and joined the Nigeria Customs Service on the 27th of November 1989 with over three decades of service to our nation. Hailing from Nsit-Ubium in Akwa Ibom State, he was known for his diligence and exceptional service record in the Accounts Unit. His role as the DC Revenue was pivotal in ensuring the accurate reconciliation of revenue, which he performed with utmost precision and dedication.

“The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, On behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Deputy Comptroller Essien. “The loss of such a dedicated and valued team member is deeply felt across the Service. We are committed to supporting and assisting his family and colleagues as they navigate this difficult period.”

Seven persons died while 11 others sustained injuries in a road accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday night.

Two vehicles — a truck with no registration number and a Mazda bus with registration number MNY894 YN — were involved in the crash which occurred at 9:33pm on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Florence Okpe, said, “The suspected cause of the crash was excessive speed on the part of the Madza bus driver who rammed into a moving truck from the rear.

“The injured victims were taken to PATMAG Hospital Ogere for medical attention while the corpses were deposited at FOS morgue Ipara.”

FRSC sympathised with the family of the victims and advised passengers to always be on alert to correct some wrong mistakes of drivers.

The Corps also cautioned motorists to shun speed and use common sense speed limit especially at night and during the rain due to poor visibility.