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BIG STORY

Anambra Lawmaker’s Killing Invokes Panic, Killers Vow To Go After Politicians

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Recently, Anambra State has come under severe attacks from “unknown” gunmen, despite the seemingly unrelenting efforts to end their onslaught by the state government and security agencies. All the attacks and killings remain unsolved as the concerned authorities do not go beyond the rhetoric each time the criminal elements perpetrate the evil act.

The lawmaker representing Aguta II in the state House of Assembly, Dr. Okechukwu. Okoye, popularly known as “Okey Di Okay,” and his Campaign Director, Mr. Cyril Chiegboka, were kidnapped within his community by the yet-to-be-identified assailants on Sunday, May 15, 2022, while returning from a function. They were immediately taken away inside his black Sienna car within his constituency.

While the state Police Command, through the Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident and said that the lawmaker’s “black Sienna bus,” which he was driving before the incident, had been recovered, and he said where efforts were being made to apprehend the kidnappers and rescue the victims.”

This was all that was heard from the security agencies until the following Saturday, when the lawmaker’s freshly cut head and that of his aide were mounted at the Chisco Park in the Amichi community, with a written note placed on the side.

The handwritten note had messages signed by ‘unknown gunmen’, one of which read, “We give the politicians 48 hours to withdraw all the soldiers in Biafra land or face our wrath or consequences [sic]. Signed, unknown gunmen.

Okoye, before his death, was representing the Aguata North Constituency II, the same community as the governor of the state, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

Following the lawmaker’s death, efforts were further heightened to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book by both the state government and the security operatives, including the announcement of an N10m reward for anyone who could give information that could lead to the doorstep of the hoodlums.

The incident created mixed reactions in the state, with some sections, including the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, through its Media aide, Chinedu Obigwe, saying that the killing of the lawmaker and his aide had a political undertone, especially as it was an election period, others believe that abductors perpetrated the act for ransom purpose.

This is so as a member of the lawmaker’s family, who did not want to be mentioned, lamented that even though the ransom was paid, the kidnappers still went ahead to kill him, an insinuation the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, debunked through a security briefing on Monday. Echeng, during the meeting called in reaction to the killing of the lawmaker, said, “The command is not aware if any ransom was paid.”

Echeng also revealed that the police swooped into action when a relative of Okoye reported at the Police division in Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA, that he had seen a headless corpse allegedly lying along Nnobi-Ideani Road, which he believed was that of the lawmaker who was abducted alongside his aide.

He added that the police operatives accompanied him to the scene and found the claim to be true, saying that the police personnel also recovered the severed head of the lawmaker for preservation and autopsy.

He said, “Later that same day, information was received that the head of the lawmaker was seen at Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area, which has been the epicenter of attacks by unknown gunmen on security forces, vigilante groups, and defenseless civilians.”

The gruesome murder of the lawmaker and his aide has generated wild fear and reactions from stakeholders in the state, as evidenced in the following Monday’s sit-at-home, where residents stayed indoors as they did not want to incur the wrath of the gunmen.

But Echeng, while calling for better volunteering of information from the various communities to unravel the gunmen, dismissed the threat, saying that the gunmen were not “unknown” but “known” and vowing to bring the perpetrators and criminals operating in the state to book.

He further said that the police had discovered the criminals’ hideouts and assured the Anambra people that they would “start hearing of how the police are dislodging the criminals within 48-hours”.

However, there is nothing tangible on the ground to suggest that their efforts were yielding the desired results as both the “unknown” and “known” criminal gangs have yet to be unveiled to the public as promised by the police for more than “48 hours” after the promise was made.

The Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, said, “You know security is a strategic approach, which the state government has been doing. The fact that you hear of gun attacks does not mean that the government was folding its arms. A lot is ongoing underground, and the killing of the lawmaker is quite regrettable. It has further made the state government more resolute and determined in fighting to rid the state of criminal elements.”

Also, there have been separate attacks, with no fewer than seven people killed, including a pregnant woman and her four children. The gunmen stormed those areas, opened fire on their victims, and left.

This was less than 24 hours after the severed head of the lawmaker was found.

Within the week, a headless body was found on the Nnobi-Alor-Nkpor road, an attack at Onitsha Tollgate, Ogbunike/Nkwelle Junction, an attack around Eke Adazi Nnukwu, an attack at Ogidi, an attack at Aforigwe, Umunnachi, attack around Oraukwu-Abatete, attack on Agulu, attack on Nanka.

In all of these, the lawmaker’s death has taken center stage among the growing concerns in the state. This is more so because lawmakers are seen as “sacred” and “untouchable” because of their function in society. “If a lawmaker could be killed without any traces, what then is the fate of the common man,” remains a question that begs for an answer.

An Aguata indigene, Grace Ogah, said, “I am still coming to terms with how somebody, who is not just an ordinary individual could be kidnapped, beheaded and his head displayed and videotaped, and nothing happened. I expected the National Assembly, the Presidency, and prominent Igbo groups to come in and not only to condemn the act but to take decisive steps.”

Aguata is the hometown of the state governor, Soludo, and the killed lawmaker.

Soludo, while reacting, lamented that the lawmaker’s killing meant that “criminals have desecrated our land” and showed that criminals don’t value human lives anymore.

The governor said no human being should ever experience death in that way the lawmaker did while promising an N10m bounty for anyone with useful information on the killing.

“Okey di okay and Cyril Chiegboka were murdered in the most gruesome manner. No human being should ever have to experience death in that way.

“This is a test of our resolve, and we are more emboldened than cowed that this criminality must be stamped out of our land.

“Umunnem Ndi Anambra, this is not who we are. The party is over, and every community must join forces with the government in this war to reclaim our homeland.

“Okey and Cyril will never die in vain. May God console their young families, the people of Isuofia, and Ndi Anambra. May their souls and all others who have lost their lives in the hands of these criminals continue to rest in peace.

“We have placed an N10m bounty for anyone with useful information. This war is one that Anambra must win!” Soludo added.

Despite the efforts the state government and the security agencies said they were making, the attacks had continued, thereby prompting the governor to declare a 6 pm to 6 am curfew in eight local government areas of the state, commencing on Thursday, May 26 with the hope that this will be a further boost in tackling the insecurity situation, which has claimed many lives in the state in the last one month.

But following the words of the state police boss, Echeng, one could have ordinarily suggested that the security architecture would have been beefed up to start bursting the perpetrators of these dastard acts, especially as he has said repeatedly that the police “know them…they are not unknown”.

There is no other concrete evidence to show that the situation is firmly under control, as no suspect has been unveiled to the public six days after the murder of the lawmaker.

Credit: PUNCH

BIG STORY

National Assembly Passes Life Imprisonment Bill For Nigerian Drug Traffickers

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In a bid to tackle drug-related crimes, the National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, introducing life imprisonment for drug offenders and traffickers.

This comes after the Senate and House of Representatives adopted the harmonised report on the amendment.

Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, presented the report, highlighting that the amendment introduces stricter penalties to deter drug-related crimes.

“Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment,” Monguno said.

The Senate approved the amendment through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary, which was presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

In addition, the Senate passed the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission Bill, 2024, aimed at replacing the 2004 RMAFC Act. Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, stressed the need for the commission’s reform, citing Nigeria’s declining revenue and increasing population.

“The Act, last revised over 20 years ago, no longer reflects Nigeria’s evolving economic realities. This bill proposes additional funding and a restructured operational framework for the commission to improve its efficiency,” Abdullahi explained.

He further emphasised the need for adequate funding from the Federation Account for the RMAFC to effectively carry out its constitutional duties.

The bill, passed after deliberations and a majority vote, now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent to become law.

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: We’re Ready To Provide Evidence For Trial Of Simon Ekpa — Enugu Government

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The Enugu State Government has expressed its readiness and willingness to provide evidence to assist in the prosecution of Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland on Thursday over allegations of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.

Enugu State Government made this offer in a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday.

In the statement, the Enugu State Government also commended the Government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Ekpa, whom it described as “the Finland-based leader of the criminal gang, Autopilots.”

The Enugu State Government further referred to Simon Ekpa as “a common criminal, con man, and terrorist, who has no interest of Igbo people at heart.”

It added that Ekpa “is a murderer and fraudster, who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.”

“Enugu State was ready and willing to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against Ndigbo to aid his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.”

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa.”

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

“This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region.”

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work.”

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” the government said.

Ekpa was arrested and detained alongside four other suspects by the government of Finland on charges of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria, according to local newspapers in the European country.

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BIG STORY

Much Ado About Meddlesome Minions, And Messengers Of Misinformation — By Tayo Williams

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There is a growing phalanx of pseudo-intellectuals parading the social media space with faux and fictitious knowledge of the indigenous oil and gas industry, and it is scary because of the grave danger they portend and present for the average Nigerian.

From X (formerly known as Twitter) to Facebook and even the photos and videos-sharing site, Instagram, they abound, in their inglorious number, lending their platforms to deliberately distort facts and spread misinformation especially to favour the narratives propounded by popular Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Since the refinery began operations earlier in the year, it has been one week, one controversy allegedly orchestrated by Dangote in a brazen attempt to arm-twist the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, into playing by his rules.

Those conversant with the modus operandi of Dangote and his refinery say the long-drawn warfare with every institution and individual in the oil and gas value chain is nothing but a self-seeking and mindless profit maximisation tactic.

Whilst nobody begrudges Dangote’s drive for profit as a businessman, perhaps he needs to be reminded that the NNPC has a mandate to ensure and provide energy security in a way that is affordable and sustainable for the generality of Nigerians. And, the NNPCL management has declared in very unambiguous terms that it would not pander to the din of the market whether orchestrated by Dangote, his rampaging minions or anyone else.

The truth, however, is that there is an increasing army of vacuous, vicious, and vile individuals strutting the social media space defending and propagating outright and outlandish falsehoods. Of particular concern is one Kelvin Emmanuel who has become the unofficial mouthpiece of the Dangote Refinery. Going from one media house to the other, he pulls figures out of the air and projects obnoxious untruths on hapless Nigerians. With the backing of his paymaster’s billions, it is no surprise that this otherwise irrelevant and fatuous character now commands appearances on major television stations.

But it is on X that he has made lying glibly and gratuitously the Holy Grail. He once premised Dangote’s inability to secure feedstock for his refinery on the government and the NNPCL. While peddling this untruth, he conveniently forgets that the refinery had a seven-year window, during its construction phase, to lock in feedstock supplies that could last a minimum of five years. Dangote did none of that. As it would later unfold, his game plan, which Emmanuel glossed over, was to monopolise equity oil and production quotas to serve his business interests.

Another deliberate misinformation from the Dangote camp was the allegation that International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other industry players were trying to sabotage his interests. Apart from being an investor in the Dangote Refinery, the NNPC still supplies gas to various Dangote companies across Nigeria. How can anyone or any institution jeopardise their investment? What further proof of faith does Dangote and his minions need to know that the NNPC is their cheerleader, and is here to make operating in the industry seamless and a win-win for all?

Echoing Dangote’s baseless stance, Emmanuel also called for the sack of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), regulators of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream value chain. By Emmanuel’s warped reckoning, Ahmed had no locus to speak against Dangote or his enterprise because the latter questioned the quality of the product from Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in comparison with imported ones. Of course, Emmanuel’s was a lone voice in the wilderness because those who understand the invaluable role that the NMDPRA plays in the industry did not as much as dignify his tirade with a glance.

In a robust response to Emmanuel’s groundswell of egregious lies, Ibrahim Y. Kabo, a petroleum engineer based in Abuja, described him as “Someone who has not seen the inside of a refinery before Dangote built one, let alone understood the mechanism of the energy industry, …(yet) assuming the role of an authority in oil and gas matters.”

He went further to lampoon Emmanuel for stating that only Dangote Refinery’s products meet specifications while others are all sub-standard. “The obvious question is: whose specifications? For a refinery that has barely made four of seven pre-inauguration certifications, it sounds somehow laughable to suddenly assume the role of regulator in an industry you’ve barely entered,” Kabo said.

In the article, entitled, “The Hand of Aliko, the Voice of Kelvin: Inside Dangote Refinery’s Media Stunt Lab”, Kabo declared that from all Emmanuel’s interviews and pretensions to be an industry expert, one thing is obvious: “He lacks an understanding of both the mandate and the reach of NNPC as a national oil company.”

Kabo adds that, “Downstream is the least of NNPC’s business interests. The mandate, as per PIA (Petroleum Industry Act), is to facilitate both the extraction and commercialization of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. 20 billion dollars may be a lot, but NNPC and industry regulators routinely handle projects of that magnitude. At best, Dangote and (Emmanuel’s) ranting are an irritation. I believe that’s why NNPC openly declared it was not interested in being Dangote’s off-taker.”

Like the Yoruba saying goes, derision does not stop the sweetness of the honey. The meddlesome minions and messengers of misinformation can continue dancing naked in the marketplace, but what is most important is that the NNPCL has assured that it will not cease doing everything in its capacity “to harness the possibilities of oil and gas, address energy demand and drive the national economy, and become the number one oil producer and supplier in Africa.”

 

Tayo Williams is a Lagos-based media executive

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