By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

The Zonal Director of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), North Central Zone, Abdul Adamu Eneche, has called for stronger cooperation and intelligence sharing among security agencies to combat illicit arms trafficking in Nigeria.

Eneche made the call in Lafia, Nasarawa State, during the formal handover of recovered firearms and ammunition by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasarawa State Command, to the Centre.

He commended the NDLEA for recovering the weapons, describing the operation as a significant contribution to national security.

The Zonal Director emphasised that sustained collaboration among security agencies was critical to dismantling networks involved in illegal arms trafficking, urging stakeholders and members of the public to support efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Eneche assured that the recovered weapons and ammunition would be properly documented and securely stored before their eventual destruction in accordance with established international arms-control procedures and best practices.

The Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Nasarawa State Command, CN Daniel Saidu, said the weapons and ammunition were recovered during raid operations and stop-and-search exercises across the state.

Saidu explained that although the agency’s primary responsibility was to combat drug-related offences, its operatives also recover illicit firearms encountered during operations and hand them over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling drug and arms trafficking, stressing that the seizures reflected its zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities.

The recovered items comprise four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made revolver pistol, one locally made single-barrel cartridge pistol, 13 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and eight rounds of live cartridge ammunition.

The handover is in line with Section 35(1) and (2) of the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, 2024, which provides for the transfer of recovered, seized or surrendered illicit small arms and light weapons by security agencies to the Centre for documentation, safe storage and eventual destruction.

Officials of both agencies jointly inspected and verified the recovered items following the handover.

The weapons were subsequently transported from Lafia to Minna, Niger State, under armed escort by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and secured at the DSS Niger State Command pending further directives.

By Our Correspondent

Sequel to the gruesome murder of an All Progressives Congress (APC) member in Ibadan by Allied People’s Movement (APM) hoodlums, the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) has called on elders across the state to warn Governor Seyi Makinde and the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, against foisting violence on the people of Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement by the organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity Bisi Oladele, the SSACO expressed surprise that Makinde and Adekanmbi have adopted bloodshed as their new campaign method, but insisted that their ambition is not worth the life of any individual living anywhere in Oyo State.

The organisation chronicled attacks and killings of opposition members in the state in the last two weeks, and warned that senseless killings and brigandage must not take over Oyo State in Governor Makinde’s desperation to force his lackey, Hon. Adekanmbi, on the good people of the state in 2027.

The statement read: “The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) was gripped with horror as an APC member in Ward 6, Ibadan South West Local Government, Ridwan, popularly known with the nickname Paul Moor, was machetted to death by APM hoodlums on Friday. The young man was gruesomely murdered for defecting from APM to APC, only 24 hours to his 35th birthday.

“This is the latest in the series of attacks on opposition figures in the last two weeks. Senator Alli’s wife, Alhaja Tawakalit Alli, was attacked during a peaceful free health programme she organised last week. The APC candidate for Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo, was also attacked during a peaceful campaign on the same day. The campaign train of Hon. Remi Oseni, the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, was also attacked on the same day.

“Similarly, the campaign team of Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, Accord Party’s governorship candidate, was attacked at Molete, Ibadan, during a peaceful campaign.

“These ugly attacks and killing of opposition members in Oyo State are anti-democratic, senseless and unacceptable. The rights of Nigerians to freedom of association and speech are guaranteed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and remain sacred. Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi must always remember this fact. The state must not descend to bloodshed by their directive.

“The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation wishes to remind Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi that Oyo State belongs to all citizens and residents, not just APM members. It is important for the two leaders to tame their fear of losing in the forthcoming election which is responsible for these senseless attacks. We urge them to have a rethink and prevail on their members to desist from the heinous crimes they are committing.

“For emphasis, the people of Oyo State are tired of the Makinde administration, and they have already embraced Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who will run a people-centred governance instead of continuation of a government of deceit. We call on elders across Oyo State to call Governor Makinde and Hon. Adekanmbi to oder.

“We call on the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State and other security agencies to fish out these murderers and bring them to justice. Oyo State people deserve a peaceful campaign. And Senator Alli will sustain his issue-based campaign throughout this period. We urge the APM to take a cue from us.”

By Our Correspondent

A Civil Society Organization CSO under the aegis of Registered Trustees of Empowerment and Welfare Development Initiative for Unemployed Youths (RTEWDIUY) has asked an Abuja High Court to suspend the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), probe the Managing Director, Mr Osahon Okunbor as well as setting aside the vote of confidence passed on them by the House of Representatives.

A member of the CSO and legal practitioner, Barr, Jonas Idowu said this in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Abuja.

Idowu revealed that that the CSO in line with the spirit of transparency and accountability has gone to court to institute an uncompromising investigation into the operations of the PINL as well as probing the activities of the Managing Director in terms of oil business between him and NNPCL.

“A suit seeking the suspension of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), an investigation into the company’s Managing Director, Osahon Okunbor, probe of terms of all oil business between them and Nnpcl and the nullification of a purported vote of confidence passed by the House of Representatives in favour of the company and its MD have been filled before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.

The legal practitioner explained that the suit, filed his CSO has PINL, Okunbor, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as defendants.

“In a Motion Ex Parte filed pursuant to Order 42 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Civil Procedure) Rules 2025, Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the claimant is seeking interim/exparte orders to suspend the pipeline surveillance contract pending the hearing and determination of a Motion on Notice.”

He also said that the claimant is also asking the court to direct the relevant authorities EFCC, ICPC, POLICE etc to commence an investigation into the operations, management, financial status and expenditure of PINL and its Managing Director in connection with the pipeline surveillance contract, money laundering etc

According to the court processes, the application raises allegations of gross financial mismanagement, ineffectiveness, personal aggrandisement, diversion and misappropriation of funds, living above legitimate means, and economic sabotage in relation to the contract.

He however said that These allegations are yet to be established by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Idowu said that the claimant is further seeking an interim injunction for PINL contract suspension and also seeking a restraining order for the relevant authorities Presidency, Nnpcl, etc from renewing or re-awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to PINL or any of its nominee companies pending the determination of the substantive application.

He reiterated their prayers seeking is an interim order setting aside the purported vote of confidence or resolution passed by the House of Representatives Hostcom Committee in favour of PINL and its Managing Director.

Idowu therefore argued that the resolution is unconstitutional, ultra vires the powers of the House, and of no legal effect plus the fact that the hearing was not transparently done.

According to him, the application asks the court to grant such further or other orders as it may deem fit in the circumstances.

The legal Practitioner expressed optimism that the court is expected to consider the reliefs sought in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.

Idowu explained that the filing of the application does not, in itself, establish the allegations against the defendants, and the substantive issues remain subject to judicial determination.