Crime
Nasarawa: Army Apprehends 12 Suspected Rail Track Vandals
In a significant move to tackle security challenges, the Nigerian Military, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has intensified efforts to combat criminal activities.
A recent operation conducted by the ‘@HQNigerianArmy Four Special Forces Command’ in Doma, Nasarawa State resulted in the arrest of twelve individuals suspected of being rail track vandals at Angwan Yara in Keana Local Council of Nasarawa State.
Alongside the suspects, two truckloads of stolen railway tracks were also seized.
The Command’s acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Major Joseph Afolasade, revealed this at a press briefing, yesterday, in Doma.
Afolasade said: “On June 15, 2023, troops of the command, during a routine patrol, intercepted five suspected rail track vandals at an abandoned railway station between Angwan Yara and Agyaragu communities in Keana Local Council.
“The suspects were arrested with large quantity of rail track loaded in two trucks fully loaded.
“In the course of investigation, the troops arrested additional seven suspects on June 18, who made confessional statements.
“They admitted to have played various roles in rail track theft and mentioned the names of prominent persons in Nasarawa and Plateau states as being part of the syndicate,” he added.
According to Afolasade, the Army declined a bribe of N5 million offered by the suspects in exchange for their release.
“They admitted to have played various roles in rail track theft and mentioned the names of prominent persons in Nasarawa and Plateau states as being part of the syndicate,” he added.
In addition, the suspects admitted to being deceived by their fugitive sponsors, as highlighted by Afolasade.
Following this revelation, the Commander of the Special Forces, Maj.-Gen. Owyinka Soyele, authorized the transfer of the suspects to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and two others, have been slated for arraignment today (thursday) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They face charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.
The proceedings are set to unfold before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The charges, based on court documents, accuse Sirika of granting undue advantage to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023.
The anti-graft agency has accused Sirika of misusing his authority by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
This alleged action is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a separate charge, the EFCC alleges that on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika utilized on or about August 18, 2022 ia, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”
The anti-graft agency asserted that Sirika’s actions amounted to a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.
In count three, the EFCC accused Sirika of criminal breach of trust “while serving as the Minister of Aviation and in his capacity as a public officer” on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.
In late April, the former aviation minister was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency and interrogated for several days.
Zamfara State is in the grip of fear and mourning following a series of vicious attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and the abduction of a branch manager of Taj Bank in Mandir Laura.
In a daring raid, approximately fifteen armed bandits stormed the manager’s residence in Rijiyar Gabas, seizing him and vanishing into the night.
Meanwhile, Faru Town in Maradun local government area witnessed a bloodbath as bandits struck, leaving eight residents dead.
Eyewitnesses recount the terror as the attackers besieged the town, instilling fear and chaos before retreating with captives into the surrounding forests.
The incidents have prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to stem the tide of violence plaguing Zamfara State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reached an out-of-court settlement with renowned barman, Pascal Okechukwu, famously known as Cubana Chief Priest, regarding charges of naira abuse.
This development surfaced during the latest court proceedings presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare.
Cubana Chief Priest has been facing a three-count-charge related to the misuse of the national currency at a social gathering, a violation of the Central Bank Act of 2007.
Details later.. . ..
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