News
Police rescue five Chinese nationals, 22 others in Kaduna


BY: Oliseama Okwuchukwu
The police on Thursday said 545 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers had been arrested, 105 assorted weapons and a large cache of ammunition recovered since January, assuring Nigerians of new strategies to take the criminals off circulation.
Among the strategies adopted, The Nation gathered was a stronger partnership with telecommunication operators for easy tracking of criminal gangs and their sponsors.
Already, reforms have commenced in operations, intelligence, investigation, training, science and technology and innovation (STI), and monitoring and evaluation within the service, it was learnt.
It was gathered that a total of 261 suspected kidnappers, 535 armed robbers, 326 murder suspects have been arrested and 361 firearms plus large cache of arms recovered since Adamu assumed duty as acting IG with some of them already charged to court.
A statement Thursday by police spokesman Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner (DCP) said the adopted strategies would be purposeful and intelligence-driven, targeted at identifying, locating and dismantling kidnapping gangs across the nation and bringing the perpetrators, their collaborators to justice.
“The operation will involve the deployment of undercover operatives, decoy operations and high-level tactical missions with active participation of operatives drawn from the conventional police units, the Force Intelligence Unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (SARS), the Special Anti-kidnapping Squads and the Police Tactical Units comprising the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and the Special Forces.
“The IGP, while commending the public for their understanding and support so far, reassures the nation that the end to violent crimes and other sundry criminal activities is in sight.
“He promised that the Force under his leadership will continue to work with other relevant stakeholders in the task of making Nigeria safer and better,” Mba said.
Mba also disclosed that operatives deployed for Operation PUFF ADDER on May 5, rescued 27 kidnapped victims including five Chinese who were whisked away at Bobi, Niger State on April 19 in an operation that left two of the criminals dead.
The other 22 hostages were rescued in Zamfara State and other parts of the country.
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“The Chinese citizens who were earlier kidnapped on April 15, in Bobi, Niger State were safely and successfully rescued on May 5, 2019 from a forest in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, following painstaking investigative efforts, including both air and ground surveillance.
“22 other kidnap victims were rescued in Zamfara State and other parts of the country.
“Between January and the first week of May, a total of 270 suspected kidnappers, 275 suspected armed robbers were arrested and 105 assorted weapons plus a large cache of ammunition recovered,” he said.
These assurances came on the heels of revelations by the acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu recently that 1,071 have been killed across the country this year with 767 of the total figure emanating from the north.
Speaking at the quarterly Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council meeting held in Kaduna on April 30, Adamu had disclosed that 436 of the killings occurred in the northwest, 250 in north-central and 130 in the south. Zamfara State currently plagued by armed banditry topped the list with 203 killings and 281 kidnap and 18 armed robbery cases.
“The North-Central geopolitical zone with a total of 81 armed robbery cases represents the zone with the highest rate while Niger State, the FCT and Zamfara State with 32, 23 and 18 cases, respectively occupy the three topmost states in the national armed robbery profile,” Adamu told the gathering.
Irked by the realities, the IG who assured Nigerians of new approaches to contain insecurity, disclosed that the strategies would complement efforts of ongoing Operation PUFF ADDER.
Source: The Nation


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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