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Kidnapping: N350m paid as ransom indictment on Soludo, security agencies – Ogbu
A human rights advocate, Charles Ogbu, has described the SBM Intelligence report ranking Anambra State as the headquarters of kidnapping as a huge indictment on Governor Charles Soludo, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies.
The statement comes after the SBM Intelligence report stated that 27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states recorded ransom payments to kidnappers between July 2023 and July 2024, with Anambra State recording the highest ransom paid at N350 million.
Reacting to the development, Ogbu lamented that there is hardly a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, including clerics, businessmen, and students.
In a post on his Facebook page on Friday, Ogbu alleged that everyone who lives in the state knows about the issue but has chosen to be silent about it.
He, therefore, urged Soludo not to wait for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the governor needs to step up before the people lose one of the most important parts of Igbo land to criminals.
Ogbu’s words: “As Anambra Becomes Nigeria’s Kidnapping Capital:
“Yesterday, the SBM Intelligence report covering July 2023 to July 2024 ranked Anambra as the headquarters of ransom-for-kidnapping in the country, with around N350 million paid by Anambra victims to kidnappers, with many killed even after the ransom was paid. This is far ahead of the second-placed Rivers, which recorded N67 million in ransom payments by victims of kidnapping.
“This is a huge indictment on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies and, above all, the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led government in the state.
“Just last week Wednesday, a man who parked his car to buy suya close to the G.R.A gate ran into the local government secretariat right opposite that popular suya joint, but the kidnappers followed him right inside the secretariat and still took him. That same week, just a small traffic jam from Sea Breeze Hotel after Sharon Hall to that 33 Road close to the G.R.A gate, saw gunmen diligently robbing almost all the cars in the traffic.
“There is hardly a day that someone is not kidnapped in the state, from reverend fathers to businessmen to students. No one is spared.
“The worst part is that everyone who lives in the state knows about this, but there appears to be a conspiracy of silence on this issue.
“To develop AlaIgbo and encourage Aku-Ruo-Uno, we must be ready to call out special cases of this nature and put pressure on the governor and those in charge to do something. Silence DOES NOT CUT IT!
“Soludo should not wait for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who clearly ‘no send anybody.’ Before Mr. Peter Obi’s tenure, Anambra was a no-go area, but he came in and tackled it squarely. Soludo needs to step up before we lose one of the most important parts of AlaIgbo to criminals.”
CREDIT: DAILY POST
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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