By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the reported extortion of over N56 million from farmers in Zamfara State by armed groups as well as the chilling video of an entire village in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State, completely abandoned to bandits, Nigeria under President Tinubu and the APC is sliding into a dangerous new phase of state failure.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said a situation where farmers had to pay money to terrorists before they could gain access to their own farmlands, is not just a Zamfara tragedy, but a national warning.

“A situation where people had to abandon an entire town to bandits, in the very heart of the country, is not just a local challenge but an evidence of national surrender.

“When armed gangs can collect N56 million from farmers for the “right” to plant food, the issue is no longer about insecurity. It is about criminal elements contesting the right to govern a part of Nigeria. When criminals can tax citizens at gunpoint, it means the state has surrendered its monopoly of force and state authority is in retreat.

“We are dismayed that this could be happening in a country with one of the largest defence budgets in Africa, yet our farmers are left to bargain with warlords for their survival. We recall that in the same Zamfara state only a few days ago about 50 people were abducted in one swoop.”

According to the statement,”this is the eerie picture of an entire town where all the people, the young, the old and the infirm had to seek refuge elsewhere for fear of bandits attacks. There are other cases which shows a very alarming pattern suggesting that other parts of the country considered safe may not be so for long.

“The pertinent question therefore is whether the Tinubu-led APC government is still in charge and can still be trusted to do its most fundamental duty, which is to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.

“We recall that in November 2014, President Bola Tinubu, leader of opposition party at the time, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over the Boko Haram Challenges in The North-East of the country.

His words: “If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation? And you give us excuses every day. In any civilized country Jonathan should have resigned.

“Although the security situation that President Tinubu was using to campaign in 2014 had multiplied exponentially under his party and is currently enjoying great prosperity under his direct watch, no one is calling on him to resign.

“The ADC does not want President Tinubu to resign. We only ask him to do his job. We also ask the pertinent question, why did the President think that the security situation in Rivers State warranted the declaration of state of emergency, but the one in Zamfara with industrial scale kidnapping and a direct challenge to the authority of the Nigerian State by way of bandit tax does not even deserve a direct comment from him?”

Continuing party said “We will like to urge President Tinubu to drop whatever else that pre-occupies him and direct his attention to Zamfara State and other parts of the country menaced by bandits.

“If the Tinubu administration cannot guarantee the safety of our farms and farming communities, if people could be forced to abandon their homes out of fear, then it has failed in its most basic responsibility.

“You cannot boast that you are in charge of your country while your citizens are negotiating their survival with criminals.”

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

A total of Fifteen Personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NcoS),have been dismissed from the service for their involvement in a serious misconduct and violation of the service laid down regulations.

Their dismissal was contained in a press release signed by the Service head of Media and Public Relation Umar Danlami Abubakar Deputy Controller of Correctional (DCC) made available to our correspondent in Minna stated that the case were brought before the civil Defence, Correctional,Fire and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) after extensive Investigations and due process.

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has concluded deliberations on 224 disciplinary cases involving personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Following a thorough review, the Board approved various disciplinary measures in line with its commitment to enforcing discipline and upholding the integrity of the Service.

Additionally, DCC Umar Abubakar disclosed that 59 officers had their ranks reduced as a result of confirmed breaches of professional standards, while 42 personnel were issued written warning letters as a corrective measure.

According to the Spokeman, the Board also exonerated 16 personnel who were found not guilty of the allegations made against them and seven Staff are currently on suspension to ascertain the levels of their involvement in a case under investigation.

” In one of the case, an officer was suspended from duty and recommended for handover to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution due to the gravity of the offence.

“Furthermore, 8 personnel were compulsorily retired from the Service, and 1 officer had his rank reversed with a directive to refund all earnings received while wrongly holding the rank.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional,Fire and immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) under the Leadership of Hon. Minister of interior Dr Olubunmi Tunde Ojo reiterates its commitment to maintaining high ethical and professional standards across all cadres”. he stated

While soliciting for the cooperation of the general public, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwacuhe , assures that disciplinary actions will continue to be handled with fairness in strict compliance with extant rules and procedures.

By Our Correspondent
Determined to rid the country of fraudsters,Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Directorate, have arrested 55 individuals suspected of engaging in internet-related fraud activities.

The Anti-graft Agency made the arrests during a sting operation carried out on Wednesday, July 6, 2025, at K Hotel, located in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to EFCC, the operation was based on credible and actionable intelligence received about the suspects’ alleged involvement in various forms of cybercrime.

Among those arrested are Ogunniyi Oluwaseun, Babalola Ibrahim, Dada Qowiyu, Kunle Ajayi, Rufai Suleman, Babajide Shedrack, Oloyede Toheeb, Monday Joseph, Akinbode Babatunde, Oyedipe Michael, Adekunle Jeremiah, Mustapha Muyideen, Mike Opeyemi, Bale Abayomi, and Odukoya Samuel. Others include Joseph Oyegunle, Bakole Abayomi, Babalola Michael, Tajudeen Adeyemi, Ogunsola Habeeb, Amao Samson, Amuleya Matthew, Aroleyun Ifeoluwa, Babalola Ayomide, Popoola Oluwaloseyin, Mayowa Fasola, Muhammed Bahil, Asiru Qoyim, and Babatunde Qudus.

Additional suspects arrested in the raid are: Akande Ibrahim, Ojerinola Tumininu, Adedokun Hassan, Ogundele David, Opakunle Ayomide, Adeniyi Isreal, Yusuf Sikiru, Jimoh Olamilekan, Tosin Abiodun, Bamiduro Afeez, Lamina Usman, Bakare Farouq, Ilori Michael, Segun Titiloye, Anifowose Musa, Idowu Peter, Laisi Ibrahim, Olaofe Emmanuel, Akeem Obabunmi, Afolabi Michael, Afolabi Idris, Bamidele Ibrahim, Godwin Joshua, Adeeko Ayoola, Owoeye Kolawole, and Mutiu Olude.

Items recovered from the scene include six luxury vehicles, two locally-made pistols, one motorcycle, a large number of mobile phones and laptops, incriminating documents, and a staggering 89 unclaimed phones suspected to be linked to fraudulent activities.

Spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the suspects are currently in custody and have provided useful information to investigators.

He added that the commission is concluding arrangements to charge them to court as soon as investigations are completed.

The EFCC reiterated its commitment to intensifying the fight against cybercrime, which has become a growing threat to Nigeria’s economy and global image.

The agency urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information that could aid its operations.