Wike, who said this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, insisted that FCTA would not condone lawlessness by military officers, serving or retired.

According to him, no country will allow impunity and lawlessness, even among government officials, not to talk about private individuals.

His comments followed Tuesday’s confrontation with a naval officer, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, who denied him access to a disputed land, allegedly belonging to a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Gambo.

The minister urged Nigerians to learn to obey the law, adding that the FCT Administration would not tolerate any attempt to violate land use regulations or obstruct government officials performing their lawful duties.

He explained that his actions were guided strictly by law and not by sentiments or emotions.

Wike said that there were no documents to prove the military owned the land, adding that the alleged impunity and lawlessness would not be tolerated.

He attributed the controversy that followed the incident to people that were not happy with his style of handling land matters, particularly his political enemies.

He added that the issue was blown out of proportion by those bent on portraying him as being at loggerheads with the military.

He maintained that he only intervened after top officials of the FCTA were assaulted while carrying out their official duties.

“As a Minister, I won’t sit in my office while those working with me are being attacked.

“Yes, I have wounded some people politically and I have no regret about it. Yes, people are not happy over it.

“So, when things happen like this, people will say all manner of things,” he said.

Wike, however, commended some leaders who contacted him to resolve the issues affecting them in the FCT, emphasising that due process must be followed.

He disclosed that the FCTA, had in the past, engaged the military hierarchy, including  a former head of state and president, on similar matters, adding that the issues were handled with mutual respect and understanding.

He recalled that when the Police had a similar issue, he personally visited the site where buildings were being constructed under a power line, and the Inspector-General of Police ensured the stoppage of the construction.

“A former president had the courtesy of calling me and said look, I have this problem. See how you can look into it.

“Another general will call you. Look at this and this. These are people; they are all retired generals. These are people with discipline.

“They didn’t bother because they were former chief of army staff or former presidents. They never sent soldiers, they never sent anybody to go and attack anybody,” Wike said.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to developing the FCT in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of restoring order and sanity to the nation’s capital.

He promised that enforcement against illegal developments, land grabbing and violations of the Abuja Master Plan would continue without compromise.

He said the FCT Administration’s duty was to protect the integrity of Abuja’s Master Plan and ensure that all developments conformed with approved land use.

“As long as I remain FCT Minister, the law will take its course. Abuja must reflect the image of Nigeria – disciplined, planned and lawful,” Wike declared.

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, recover AK-47 rifle in Taraba

I was never accounts officer for Kogi Govt House account, EFCC witness tells court

CRC Credit Bureau MD, Popoola, to chair MAPAMA 2025 convention

TB cases fall for first time since 2020 –WHO

Farmer-herder conflict: Gombe suspends two traditional rulers

When the minister and the Naval officer met on Plot 1946

FOR THE RECORD: Editors, uphold highest standards of journalism -Tinubu

The post I have respect for military but abhor lawlessness –Wike appeared first on Frontpageng.

With a deeply saddened heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), I pay tribute to a towering figure in our national history, our beloved father, leader and elder statesman, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. His passing is not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, but to the entire Nigerian nation, which he served with unmatched devotion and dignity.

As a soldier, General Buhari stood tall with courage, unwavering discipline and an incorruptible spirit. As a statesman and former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he embodied the highest ideals of public service, personal sacrifice and national commitment. His journey through Nigeria’s turbulent political and security landscape remains a testament to his resilience, fortitude and selfless patriotism.

I recall with immense gratitude and humility his entrusting me with the honour of serving our nation as Chief of the Naval Staff, in January 2021. That appointment, which lasted until the end of his tenure in 2023, remains one of the greatest privileges of my life. I have very fond memories of hosting him at the Navy’s Presidential Fleet Review in Lagos, a week before he left office. It was his last major military assignment as President and Commander-in-Chief, and an opportunity to commemorate the transformation of the Nigerian Navy under his leadership.

READ ALSO: Police rescue three kidnap victims, recover ransom money in Abia

In him, I found not only a Commander-in-Chief, but a father figure who was firm yet fair, deeply principled and constantly invested in the well-being and professional growth of those under his leadership. His impact on my life and the lives of countless others in the military and civilian spheres, will remain indelible. In his quiet and unassuming style—he was never one to seek adulation or publicity for what he did—he offered boundless support to me and the other Service Chiefs—investing in the welfare of our personnel, and the acquisition of new hardware and equipment, and giving us the space and the confidence to fulfil our mandate.

As we bid him farewell, I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) grants him Aljannah Firdaus. May He also grant strength and peace to his beloved family and to all of us who mourn the passing of a great patriot.

President Buhari’s integrity was his enduring signature. In a world too often swayed by transient gains, he remained unmoved, anchored in honesty, simplicity and love for his country. His deep compassion for the poor and the less privileged reflected in his policies and personal conduct. His austere lifestyle, transparent governance style and tireless war against corruption set a standard that continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

There was no bigger fan of his than my mother, and her joy was indescribable when I was named the Chief of Naval Staff by a President she deeply admired and had followed for decades. One of her best moments was paying him a personal visit after he left office, and she joins the millions of people who now deeply mourn him.

Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every institution he strengthened, every reform he championed, and every life he touched.

His family and Nigerians will find solace in the knowledge that he served his people with honour, left this world with dignity, and will forever be remembered as one of the most consequential leaders in our nation’s history. His legacy is a light that will never fade, Insha Allah.

As we bid him farewell, I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) grants him Aljannah Firdaus. May He also grant strength and peace to his beloved family and to all of us who mourn the passing of a great patriot.

*Vice Admiral AZ Gambo (Rtd) CFR is the 21^st Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff (2021-2023)

The post Tribute to the Late former president, Muhammadu Buhari appeared first on Frontpageng.

This is contained in statement on Sunday by Hawwau Gambo, Acting Head, Communication and Public Affairs.

She said the funds were realised from sales of the bank’s assets and recovery of debts owed.

Gambo explained that a liquidation dividend is paid to depositors of a closed bank, beyond the maximum insured limit, using proceeds from asset sales and debt recovery.

She added that liquidation dividends might also cover payments to creditors and shareholders once all depositors had been fully reimbursed.

The NDIC began payment of the first tranche of liquidation dividends on April 25.

According to Gambo, the initial dividend is paid at 9.2 kobo per Naira on a pro-rata basis to depositors with balances above N5 million.

She noted that further payments would be made as more assets of the defunct bank are realised and outstanding debts recovered.

READ ALSO: Police rescue two kidnap victims in Kwara

Following the revocation of Heritage Bank’s licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on June 3, 2024, NDIC immediately reimbursed insured deposits up to N5 million.

To ensure a seamless process, NDIC used depositors’ Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, to locate alternate accounts and automatically credit the insured amounts.

The corporation also used existing records from insured payments to disburse the first tranche of liquidation dividends.

“Depositors with balances exceeding N5 million who did not receive their liquidation dividends should visit the nearest NDIC office.

“Depositors without alternative bank accounts, who were not paid the insured amount, should also visit NDIC offices or download forms from www.ndic.gov.ng.

“Depositors must complete and submit a deposit verification form to receive their insured amounts and, where applicable, the first tranche of dividends,” Gambo said.

She reiterated NDIC’s commitment to ensuring the recovery of assets and the reimbursement of all eligible depositors

Source: NAN

The post NDIC begins payment to Heritage Bank depositors appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr Gambo Ibrahim,  confirmed this in a Road Traffic Crash, RTC, report in Dutse.

READ ALSO: Road safety: FRSC seeks co-operation of corps members

He said that five persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash that occurred at about 1:30 p.m.

The spokesman said the deceased comprised five males and two females, adding that victims had been referred to Birniwa General Hospital, for medical attention.

Gambo, who could not ascertain the cause of the accident, urged motorists to shun overloading, over-speeding and road traffic laws violation.

Source: NAN

The post Seven killed, five injured in Jigawa auto crash -FRSC appeared first on Frontpageng.

Tinubu went into a closed door meeting with the service chiefs and others when he arrived at about 10.53 in the morning.

At the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.

Also present were the Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Abubakar.

It is believed that the meeting would witness briefing of the president on the present state of security among other relevant things.

Recall that Tinubu has stressed that security will be one of his areas of priority.

He said during his inaugural speech: “Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security DOCTRINE and its ARCHITECTURE.

“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide better training, equipment, pay and firepower.”

The post Tinubu holds first security meeting with service chiefs, IGP, others appeared first on Frontpageng.

Irabor made the disclosure during the fifth Stakeholders’ Meeting of Operation Safe Corridor, OPSC, on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operation, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, the CDS said the 613 clients are currently undergoing deradicalization and rehabilitation handled by the OPSC.

He said that the meeting would exhaustively discuss the Deradicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, DRR, Programme ahead of the transfer of the rehabilitated clients to their state governments.

Irabor said the OPSC was established by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2015 as a window for willing and repentant terrorists to lay down their arms and undergo a structured DRR programme.

He added that the scheme was a multi-agency and humanitarian operation utilising the expertise of over 17 services, ministries, departments and agencies, supported by local and international organisations and friendly nations.

The CDS said the successes of OPSC had continued to resonate within the region and in the diaspora, thereby attracting the interest of researchers from far and wide.

“It is also important to mention that upon graduation from the programme, each client will be provided some food and personal items, as well as start-up pack according to the trade learnt during training to enable them set up small businesses and start a new life.”

Irabor recommended that the receiving state governments should provide necessary support to enable the ex-combatants wade through the transitional and most challenging phase of their lives.

“We are optimistic that working closely with local and traditional authorities, the states can deploy security apparatus at their disposal to effectively track and evaluate the re-integrated ex- combatants.

“I must emphasise that it is critical for all stakeholders involved in the reintegration processes in order to mitigate, or completely eliminate incidences of recidivism,” he said.

Irabor said the Armed Forces had significantly degraded Boko Haram and Islamic State terrorists and restricted them to a small portion of Sambisa Forest and isolated islands on the Lake Chad.

According to him, through consistent and effective air interdictions along with well co-ordinated clearance operations on positively identified strongholds of the insurgents, troops have continued to inflict heavy casualties on the groups and their leadership.

“These sustained operations continue to put pressure and confusion within the ranks of the adversary causing many to surrender to the armed forces.

“As at today, over 83,000 insurgents and their family members have surrendered, while those captured have been tried and convicted to various jail terms by the law courts.

“As we speak, many more captured combatants are being held in several correctional facilities and their trial is ongoing,” Irabor said.

The CDS said that the military had been adopting kinetic and non-kinetic methods to win the war against insurgency.

“I must emphasise that counter-insurgency operation is dynamic and requires a lot of ingenuity and proactive strategies to achieve success.

“One of such strategies adopted by the Federal Government is by extending an olive branch to low profile members of the insurgent groups who form the critical mass,” he said.

The Coordinator of OPSC, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Maina, said the programme had successfully processed 1,573 clients comprising 1,555 Nigerians and 18 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger since its commencement in 2016.

Maina said that all the foreign clients were transferred to their respective countries for reintegration.

He said that the 613 clients were transferred to the DRR camp on September 8, 2022 to commence training, adding that among them were five foreigners from Chad and Niger.

The OPSC coordinator disclosed that 19 of the clients have been transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital neurological center for expert psychiatric management.

On the meeting, Maina said it was to work out modalities for the smooth transfer of the clients to  their national and states authorities for reintegration after graduation in February.

“Specifically, at the end of this meeting, all stakeholders would be fully abreast with activities of OPSC and DRR Programme in particular.

“The State authorities and the MDAs would know in specific terms, the roles they would play in the transfer as well as reintegration process of the clients.

“Identify and recommend in specific terms affordable resettlement package for the clients and assign responsibility to relevant MDAs to provide.

“Determine the mode of community sensitization, camp visitation and community service programmes to take and ratify the graduation date and initiate arrangements for the ceremony,” he said.

The Secretary to the Government of Adamawa, Mallam Bashiru Ahmad, said the state had been collaborating with OPSC to bring clients’ parent together and prepare communities to receive them after deradicalisation.

He said they were at the stakeholders’ meeting to look at what could be done to ensure the effectiveness of the programme and expressed optimism that the effort would yield the desired result.

On her part, Borno Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, said the state had received the largest chunk of the repentant terrorists since the programme started.

Gambo assured that the state would continue to assess the clients even after graduation from OPSC in Gombe to ensure that they were ready for reintegration into their communities.

She said the only difference between the Borno model of deradicalisation and OPSC was the military involvement, adding that the Borno model was more civil in outlook.

According to her, the repentant terrorists live with their families in Borno camps while the camp in Gombe only allows families visits.

She called for more support from federal government and relevant stakeholders for the state government achieve its desired objective.

Source: NAN

The post FG to transfer 613 rehabilitated repentant terrorists to  states appeared first on Frontpageng.

Declaring open the 12th Nigerian Navy Games, Lagos 2022, the president assured Nigerians that the armed forces would continue to sustain their operational tempo to contain the security challenges in the country.

He said the security agencies would continue to ensure that all appropriate measures were in place for the safety of Nigerians.

The president also re-emphasized the importance of synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and the general population for peace and security.

Buhari, who also commissioned the newly constructed Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for investing in sports development.

‘‘Over the years, sports have remained a tool to strengthen the ties between troops, instilling discipline and readiness to serve a common cause in the military. I am sure that these Games will create the forum for the Nigerian Navy to achieve these objectives and more.

‘‘The construction of this sports complex has provided a standard venue for the Nigerian Navy to host major games as well as an appropriate venue for naval personnel within Lagos to use for training and other recreational purposes.

‘‘I am therefore confident that besides the conduct of the Games, the Nigerian Navy and its personnel will continue to make good use of the facilities in this complex,’’ he said.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces expressed the hope that the Games would provide the needed platform and avenue for the discovery of new talents that will represent the Navy and Nigeria in international competitions.

READ ALSO: Major shake-up: Nigerian Army redeploys GOCs, top officers

He, therefore, urged all participating athletes to inculcate fair play and exhibit a high level of decorum during the competition.

‘‘I note that all commands in the Nigerian Navy are participating in the Games.

‘‘This means that the Nigerian Navy can take stock of the level of preparedness of its personnel while encouraging the development of team spirit amongst its personnel.

‘‘The Games should therefore provide a glimpse of what Nigerians expect from the Nigerian Navy; dedication, commitment, unity, oneness and comradeship,’’ President Buhari said, assuring that the federal government would continue to encourage sporting activities in view of its importance towards national cohesiveness and unity.

The president also thanked the Lagos State government for supporting the Games and cooperating with the military in the state, describing the goodwill as highly commendable.

In his goodwill message, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos described the Nigerian Navy as a strategic partner to the ‘‘coastal State of Lagos’’ on security of lives and property.

He, therefore, thanked the president for approving the establishment of a new Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Lekki axis, one of the fastest growing industrial, commercial and residential development areas in West Africa.

‘‘Lekki is also home to the largest deep-sea port in Africa, which Mr President will commission soon, it is home to the largest private refinery, among other landmark investments in our country,’’ he said.

The Lagos State governor wished the over 1,800 Naval athletes participating in the Games success, charging them to display the full spirit of sportsmanship and fair play in the eight-day competition.

The Chief of Naval Staff pledged that the Navy would sustain the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes, ensuring that the country maintained its delisting from nations of high piracy risks.

He expressed delight that Nigeria exited from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List early in the year and no incidence of piracy had been recorded in the last one year, adding that that attested to the Nigerian Navy’s willingness and resilience to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.

The Naval Chief also used the occasion to thank the president for his unquantifiable support to the Nigerian Navy, saying:

‘‘The President within the last year approved the acquisition of two 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels and 3 helicopters to join the recently acquired hydrographic survey ship and the Landing Ship Transport, including numerous fast attack craft to boost maritime security operations.

‘‘Mr President, it is pertinent to state that induction of Landing Ship Tank, Nigerian Navy Ship KADA into the Fleet has further enhanced Nigerian Navy’s naval power projection, within the region and beyond.

‘‘Significantly, the ship embarked on its first official trip last month, with military hardware and logistics for the Nigerian Contingent deployed for ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission at Guinea Bissau.  This further confirms your administration’s commitment towards regional stability in furtherance of our foreign and defence policy objectives.’’

On the ultra-modern complex commissioned by the president, the Naval Chief explained that it was equipped with the state-of-the-art indoors sporting equipment, a world class gymnasium, swimming pool and a standard football pitch as well as tracks for athletics events.

He recounted that the ultra-modern edifice was conceptualised and constructed by the immediate past Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd).

According to him, the retired Admiral’s plan was to invite the president to commission the complex at the end of 2020, however, the commissioning could not be actualised due to restrictions imposed by the COVID – 19 pandemic.

The Naval Chief noted that contemporary warfare generally described as being volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, places a huge demand on personnel combat readiness and thus necessitates the need to sustain high levels of physical fitness and mental alertness.

He added that physical fitness and mental alertness of personnel had become key considerations for armed forces to meet increasing demands of current operations environment of the Nigerian Navy, which he said had recorded significant appearances at local and international competitions.

The post Buhari in Lagos, urges Nigerians to have faith in armed forces appeared first on Frontpageng.

Gambo has been in captivity for over two months after his kidnap from his residence at Kofar Gayan Lowcost, Zaria city.

Gambo was abducted along with some other residents when bandits invaded the area around 9 p.m. on March 31.

However, most of the victims abducted along with him were earlier released.

A credible family source that the Customs officer was released having paid the sum of N25 million and two motorcycles worth N1.6 million.

“The freed captive is currently undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital as he had sustained severe injuries on his legs following long time of chaining,” the source added on condition of anonymity.

The Police is yet to confirm the development after several calls to the command’s spokesman, ASP Mohammed Jalige.

Source: NAN

The post Ransom: Abducted Customs officer regains freedom appeared first on Frontpageng.

The president gave the order when he met the security chiefs at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the president gave the order when he met the security chiefs at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Monguno, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, quoted the president as warning that his administration would not accept a situation where the security agencies were reactionary rather than being proactive in the fight against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.

“On issues of kidnapping and banditry – these menaces still persist especially in the North West and the North Central zones.

“Mr President has stated very clearly that this problem must be brought to an end but using the tradition that the armed forces have been trained to deploy.

“Mr President has made it very clear to both the intelligence and operational elements that their first assignment will be to identify the leaders of these bandits and kidnappers and take them out in order to restore confidence in those areas.

“Mr President has said that he will no longer tolerate a situation where bandits and kidnappers are the ones dictating the pace and setting the tones and he will not also condone a situation in which our own operations are reaction rather than being proactive,’’ he said.

The NSA also revealed that the president had directed the service chiefs, the intelligence community as well as the constabulary forces to target those agents of disunity across the country.

He said such people had been creating chaos, disunity and disharmony among peace-loving citizens.

He said: “I’m also to send out a warning to those people who think they can continue to behave in a manner that undermines national security.

“Those people engaging in all kinds of underhanded, unscrupulous, mischievous and deceitful practices, people who are working with those that are in government, in particular, critical agencies of government.

“We have been able to identify certain areas that are weak and these areas have to be strengthened so that these characters who are engaging in acts that you can describe as outright acts of brigandage, people who are behaving in a manner that portends a lot of danger to innocent lives, have to be fished out.

“This is the directive from the President, I am to send a warning to those people who think they’re in close proximity with those who have the instruments to make the space easy for criminals, those people who think they have some kind of authority, who are engaging in all kinds of hocus Ppcus in all kinds of jiggery pokery or skullduggery.

“These people will be brought down to their knees.’’

The meeting was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lieut.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.

Others were the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, Director-General of the Department of State Services,  Yusuf Bichi, Director General of the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufa’s and the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu.

Source: NAN

The post Buhari issues fresh orders, says bandits, collaborators must be crushed appeared first on Frontpageng.

The service chiefs, who were appointed on Tuesday, arrived at the villa in their old official vehicles at about 4.00 p.m.

It was gathered that the new service chiefs – Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Adm. Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff and AVM Isiaka Amao, Chief of Air Staff – may be decorated with their ranks by the president at the meeting.

They replaced former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Source: NAN

The post Buhari meets new service chiefs at Aso Villa appeared first on Frontpageng.