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Immigration raises alarm on planned foreign terror attacks, FG heightens security

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• Nigerien, Algerian terrorists on the way from Mali to invade Abuja

Nigerian military and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have intensified security within Abuja following a warning from the Presidency over a planned attack by some terrorists during the Christmas holiday.

The information is contained in a letter dated December 23, 2021, and titled, ‘Terrorists Plan Attacks In Abuja’, the immigration authorities informed its officers that the information on the impending attack was from the Presidency.

The letter, which was signed by the Land Border Patrol Commander, Edirin Okoto, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Idris Jere, stated that the terrorists were coming from Mali, one of whom possessed a diplomatic passport.

The letter was addressed to all sector commanders and border patrol corps all over the country. They include those at the Seme, Idi Iroko, Jibia, Illela land borders, as well as immigration officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, amongst others.

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It read, “The Office of the Ag CGI is in receipt of a Security Report (URGENT) from the Presidency. The import is about a looming attack on Nigeria’s Capital City, Abuja, between 17th and 31st December, 2021. The planned attack is purportedly being led by one Drahmane Ould Ali aka Mohammed Ould Sidat, an Algerian national to be assisted by one Zahid Aminon, a Nigerien national.

“The report indicates the duo is en route Nigeria from Mali through Gan and Niger Republic, riding a white Toyota Hilux van with Reg. No- AG157EKY; that these two had four Nigerian accomplices who are already embedded in the country.

“It is further reported that Ali holds an Algerian diplomatic passport with the name Najim Ould Ibrahim. Consequently, I am directed to request you to intensify alert levels, emplace necessary countermeasures at all our entry/exit points- air, land, sea/marine, including, but not limited to, surveillance, rigorous search on persons and vehicles, transhumance, to effectuate the immediate arrest of these terrorists/countervail this and any terrorist attacks in Abuja.”

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The spokesperson for the NIS, Amos Okpo, confirmed the letter, adding that the service had put in place measures to prevent the proposed attack.

Okpo said, “The letter is a normal intelligence we do issue across our formations. This just happened to be in the public. There is no cause for alarm. The residents should not panic. I can assure you that the needful is being done to avert the planned attack.”

Also, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, said the planned attack would not succeed, adding that the security structures in the FCT were intact.

He said, “The brigade has recently been conducting several operations in the FCT to ensure it is adequately secured. The brigade is always on top of the security situations. Residents should not panic. The security situation in the FCT is under control.

“The aim of every terrorist group is to instill fear in the populace. That may be what they are trying to do. Their plans can never work, the whole security structures in the FCT is intact. “

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BREAKING: Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 33.69%

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.69 percent in April, as prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages soared.

 

The NBS shared the inflation data in its consumer price index (CPI) report on Wednesday.

 

“Looking at the movement, the April 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.49% points when compared to the March 2024 headline inflation rate,” the NBS said.

 

“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.47% points higher compared to the rate recorded in April 2023, which was 22.22%.”

 

Details later…

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Naira notes printing: Court grants Emefiele N300m bail

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A federal capital territory high court has granted bail to Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the sum of N300 million.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Emefiele on a four-count charge before MaryAnn Anenih, the presiding judge, on Tuesday.

 

Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge when it was read to him.

Moving an application for bail, Mahmud Magaji, counsel to Emefiele, asked the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition and on the same grounds and conditions of bail already granted him by a coordinate court presided over by Hamza Muazu.

 

He added that the defendant will always be in court to face trial.

 

In her ruling, Anenih granted the former CBN governor bail in the sum of N300 million, with two sureties in like sum.

 

The court said the sureties must be residents of Nigeria and owners of properties within the Maitama district of Abuja, and that they must possess an affidavit of means.

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Emefiele has also been asked to deposit his travel documents before the court. He is not permitted to leave the country without the permission of the court.

 

Anenih added that Emefiele should be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

 

The case has been adjourned to May 28 and 29 for continuation of trial.

 

The anti-graft agency is accusing Emefiele of “illegal” printing of naira notes in its fresh charge.

 

In the charge sheet seen by TheCable, EFCC alleges that Emefiele “disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public” by approving the printing of naira notes without “strict approval” from former President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN board.

 

Emefiele is alleged to have approved the printing of N684.5 million notes at the rate of N18.96 billion.

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UN approves extension of Nigeria’s maritime territory

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The United Nations (UN) has granted Nigeria sovereignty over additional square kilometres of maritime territory.

 

Nigeria made the submission in 2009 through the high powered presidential committee (HPPC) on the country’s extended continental shelf project.

 

Larry Awosika, a marine scientist and member of the committee, told President Bola Tinubu that the approval came after years of meticulous research on geophysics, geology and geography.

 

He added that diplomacy also helped to solidify Nigeria’s legal rights over a vast expanse of seabed and subsoil beyond its traditional territorial waters.

 

Awosika spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting the approval report alongside other members of the HPPC, according to a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

 

The professor said the economic potentials of the newly acquired territory are vast, including increased investments in hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals, and a wide variety of sedentary species.

 

Aliyu Omar, committee secretary, said the new approved area “is about 16,300 square kilometres, which is about five times the size of Lagos State”.

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Omar added that the official notification of the decision was conveyed to Nigeria by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in August 2023, shortly after Tinubu assumed office.

 

”The first option is to take the area gained and finalize the registration with the UN Secretary-General and close everything, meaning that we are satisfied with what we got. This will take at least one year,” the surveyor said.

 

”The second option is to take what we have right now, acquire more data, do a support write-up, and make a revised submission as recommended by CLCS for further consideration. This will take another four years.

 

”Either way, Nigeria will keep what has been approved.’’

 

Tinubu lauded the achievements, saying it reflects Nigeria’s economic and strategic interests.

 

‘‘This is big congratulations for Nigeria,’’ he said.

”I commend the team, and we must take advantage of this and invite you again to have a repeat of this knowledge exploration on geography, hydrography, and the marine life.

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”Nigeria is grateful for the efforts that you put into gaining additional territory for the country without going to war. Some nations went to war, lost people and economic opportunities.”

 

Tinubu said his administration will continue to pursue the best options for the country.

 

Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy; and Hassan Tukur, HPPC chairman; also attended the meeting.

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