Ember months : We’re working to prevent security threat in Bauchi – Police

Published

8 months ago

September 16, 2023

The Police command in Bauchi State has placed operatives and residents on high alert for possible security threat at ember months in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil made available to newsmen on Saturday in Bauchi.

He said the command is working closely with sister security agencies to ensure that no one or group of persons succeeded in destabilising the peace enjoyed at ember months in the state.

“The command identified herders’/farmers’ feud and communal clashes, armed robbery, kidnapping and abduction as some of the crimes it is working hard to prevent.

“Road traffic accidents, stealing of farm produce and mischief as well as youths’ restiveness amongst others as potential security threats for the ember months season.

“We, therefore, notify the public of the proactive security measures which everyone is required to adhere to and enhance general safety and security in the state,” he said.

The spokesman called on the respective organs to refrain from acts of mischief or any acts that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and public peace.

He also advised farmers to evacuate their farm produce in good time before herders begin grazing freely and it might degenerate into the aforementioned.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Muhammad reiterated that the command’s relentless efforts toward ensuring a crime-free society in our beloved state will never be halted.

“The CP re-emphasises that community engagement in crime prevention, management and control, it is the desired goals and our primary mandate to protect lives and property amongst others.

“The proactive measures came up following Credible Intelligence and analysis of security threats identified by the command,” the spokesperson said.

Wakil advised perpetrators of crime and criminality to vacate the state or face the danger and consequences that came their way.

EFCC bars dollar transactions, orders embassies to charge in naira

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2024

Desmond Ukafor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has barred foreign missions based in Nigeria from transacting in foreign currencies and mandated them to use Naira in their financial businesses.

The EFCC has also mandated Nigerian foreign missions domiciled abroad to accept Naira in their financial businesses.

The anti-graft agency said the move is to tackle the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy and the degradation of the naira

The Commission, therefore, asked the government to stop foreign missions in Nigeria from charging visa and other consular services in foreign denominations.

The EFCC gave the advisory in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, for onward transmission to all foreign missions in the country.

In the letter, the EFCC said it issued the advisory because the practice of paying for consular services in dollars was in conflict with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria.

In a letter dated April 5, 2024, which was addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, titled: “EFCC Advisory to Foreign Missions against Invoicing in US Dollar,” the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede expressed dismay over the invoicing of consular services in Nigeria by foreign missions in dollars.

The EFCC cited Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

The letter read, “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States dollar ($).

“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.”

The commission further stated that the rejection of the naira for consular services in Nigeria by certain missions, along with non-compliance with foreign exchange regulations in determining service costs, is not just unlawful but also undermines the nation’s sovereignty embodied in its official currency.

The letter continues: “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

“In light of the above, you may wish to convey the commission’s displeasure to all missions in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country.”

Diplomatic sources said yesterday, May 10, that some embassies were wondering whether the EFCC’s advisory represented the position of the Federal Government.

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Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.