News
Alia Aircraft probe: Heads to roll in Benue APC
as EFCC calls for State files from 1999 to date
Indications have emerged that there is palpable tension among political leaders in Benue State, particularly, those of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC as the state governor Rev Hyacinth Alia, has discreetly launched a probe on a missing Aircraft belonging to the state government.
A highly placed security source yesterday, confirmed to our correspondent that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC alongside the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, are currently probing how whopping billions of naira was paid to a businessman coy, for the purchase of the airport on paper but, nothing to show on ground.
According to the source, the NSA, is directly involved in the ongoing probe because he allegedly had some idea in some of the transactions that took place in the state given his position as former EFCC boss who investigated such cases of fraud on state finances.
The source further added that the principal actor about the aircraft transactions is no More but, the coy that was used is still functional as well as the details of the said transactions.
Recall that the immediate past governor of Benue State, Chief. Samuel Ortom’s media Aide, Mr. Terver Akase had refuted and distanced his boss Samuel Ortom from allegations of missing aircraft in the state. He denied that his boss inherited an aircraft while he took over as governor of the state in 2015.
Terver Akase was reacting to a statement credited to Governor Alia’s Spokesman, Tersoo Kula, where he said that the state has an airplane which whereabouts is still being looked into.
The former governor’s media aide further in a press statement he issued to journalists stated among other things that there was no record of an airplane in the handover notes given to Chief Samuel Ortom PhD in 2016.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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