Law & Crime – Page 28

Recruitment now will lead to infiltration of terror linked individuals into security agencies “,Analyst.

By Our Correspondent As the nation awaits the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Emergency declaration on Security, a public opinion analyst, Mr Daniel Okereke has...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Appeal Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal, -Says Case Now ‘Academic’ After Terrorism Conviction

By Our Correspondent Contrary to the expectations of many that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu may regain his...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Boat Mishap Claims One Life In Southern Ijaw LGA …..as council boss,Maritime union condemns reckless seafarers

By David Owei, Bayelsa A tragic boat mishap along the Onyoma to Ekowe route of the Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State has claimed...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Senate Assures Police Retirees of Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

By George Mgbeleke President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has assured protesting police officers who have been keeping vigil at the gate of the National Assembly...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Sugar Sweetened Beverages: Stakeholders disagree on higher Excise Duty Ignatius Okorocha ,Abuja Sharp disagreement ensued on Thursday among critical stakeholders in the Finance and Health sectors on move by the Senate to increase excise duty on Carbonated Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) through amendment of extant law . The Senate Committees on Finance and Customs had pursuant to further consideration of a Bill seeking for percent levy of excise duty per litre of SSB , in discouraging consumption of high sugar by Nigerians , organized public hearing on the legislation . But at the public hearing chaired by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance , Senator Sani Musa ( Niger East), stakeholders disagreed by either supporting or kicking against the proposed legislation . Specifically, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare , Professor Muhammad Ali Pate in his submission , declared that his ministry supported the proposed bill which according to him, represents a progressive, evidence-based approach to public health financing. “We commend the Senate for proposing a bill that seeks to increase the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and earmark part of the revenue for health promotion. “This measure demonstrates strong political will, aligns fiscal policy with public health goals, and provides sustainable financing for prevention programmes—critical steps toward achieving universal health coverage”, he said . He added by recommending to the committee to Increase the current SSB excise tax from ₦10 per litre to at least 20% of the retail price, in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendation, earmark or plough back at least 40% of the revenue generated to fund public health programmes specifically targeted at the prevention and control of diet-related non-communicable diseases. According to him, if we fail to act now, in 10 to 20 years , we will face a far higher burden of diabetes, hypertension, and other complications that will place even greater demands on our fiscal resources for treatment, saying ” Prevention is far more cost-effective than cure” . Though representatives from other stakeholders like the Nigeria Cancer Society , Diabetes Association of Nigeria etc , supported the proposed bill , but the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN),The Ministry of Finance , Nigeria Employers Consultative Association ( NECA) etc, kicked against . MAN, represented by one of its Directors , Mr Adeyemi Folorunsho said the proposed law may lead to job losses in the manufacturing sector and called for restraint . He debunked the claim that consumption of SSB by Nigerians leads to diabetes, obesity and other related diseases . According to him, ” contrary to erroneous belief , Nigeria has the lowest rate of Sugar consumption in the world which is 8.3million kilogramnes as against 22.1million kilogrammes that it’s supposed to be . He advised the committee to adopt win – win engagement and approach for the proposed legislation . The Committee Chairman in his closing remarks , assured all the stakeholders that legislation that would be presented to Nigerians at the end of the day , shall be fair , transparent and people oriented

By George Mgbeleke Sharp disagreement ensued on Thursday among critical stakeholders in the Finance and Health sectors on move by the Senate to increase excise duty...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Senate Okays Amendment to establishment of Nigerian Army University

By Our Correspondent The Senate on Thursday passed a bill to amend the Nigerian Army University, Biu, passed for second reading. The sponsor of the bill,...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Senate Throws Out Bill On Ethnic Commission, Says It’s Unnecessary

By Our Correspondent The Senate on Thursday at plenary threw out a bill seeking to establish a National Ethnic and Reconciliation Commission (NERC). The bill, according...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Stakeholders demands constitution amendment to usher State Police —–As Senate ad-hoc committee holds North Central security summit

By Our Correspondent In a bid to end the spate of insecurity in parts of the country,Stakeholders within the North Central geopolitical zone, has demanded for...

Law & Crime5 months ago

PSC, NPF Hit The ground running In compliance with Presidential directive on recruitment of 30,000 Police Officers

By Our Correspondent The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have established a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee to drive the immediate commencement...

Law & Crime5 months ago

Senate Probes withdrawal of soldiers from Kebbi secondary school before abduction of students -Probes killing of Brig.Gen.Musa Uba -Moves to classify kidnapping as an act of death sentence By GeorgeMgbeleke,Abuja Deeply disturbed by the inexplicable withdrawal of soldiers manding Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga in Kebbi State shortly after the students were kidnapped by bandits, the Senate directed its Joint Committee on defence,Army Interior and Police Affairs to investigate the incident and report back to it. The Red Chamber also mandated the same joint committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the killing of Brig Gen.Musa Uba by terrorists. It also resolved to classify kidnapping as an act carrying death sentence. The upper chamber dissolved it’s committees on National Security and Intelligence, Air-Force based on their in activity and resolved to reconstitute the membership of the committees in the next one week. It directed it’s joint committes on National Security and Intelligence The Red Chamber Mandate the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and Defence Intelligence Bureau to intensify intelligence-driven operations including aerial surveillance, forest combing, cross-state collaboration, and community-based intelligence systems across Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, and other hotspots. Senate called for the establishment of a Joint Task Force (JTF) covering the Kwara–Kogi corridor, with forward operating bases in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, and Isanlu. It directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and NEMA to provide immediate relief support to traumatized families and affected communities, especially where schools have been shut down. The Red Chamber mandated the Senate to investigate the root causes of rising insecurity and the role of internal collaborators, and report back within 14 days. These resolutions of the Senate followed a motion by Senator Oyelola Ashiru (Kwara) on Ugent need to address escalating insecurity in kwara,Kebbi, and others. Senate had devoted the entire plenary to debate on spate of kidnapping and killings by terrorists in parts of the country profering solutions to the insecurity in the country. In his lead debate Senator Ashiru had lamented the horrific attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on November 18, 2025, during which heavily armed assailants invaded the place of worship, killed two innocent worshippers, and abducted 38 persons—all of whom have since been freed following coordinated security operations. He noted with grave concern that the attack compelled school closures in five Local Government Areas of Kwara State (Ekiti, Ìsìn, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Oke-Ero), across the entire Niger and Kebbi States, and in all 47 Federal Unity Schools nationwide, thereby disrupting the education of thousands of children and exposing the depth of national fear. According to the lawmaker ” this incident forms part of a worsening national pattern, including the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States, demonstrating the acute vulnerability of schools and worship centres across Nigeria to terrorist and bandit attacks. “Further concerned that credible reports indicate military personnel were withdrawn from the affected Kebbi school just hours before the bandits struck, raising grave questions that demand transparent and urgent investigation. “Disturbed that intelligence reports reveal the involvement of internal collaborators—often driven by economic and political desperation—who aid criminal groups with information, logistics, and escape routes, thereby exacerbating national insecurity. Aware that attackers demonstrate increasing sophistication by intercepting communications, conducting surveillance on schools, worship centres, and markets, and scavenging personal items after raids across multiple states.” He observed that,”criminals continue to exploit porous forest corridors including the Kwara–Kogi axis, Kebbi–Zamfara corridor, and Niger’s Shiroro–Rafi–Munya region, complicating rescue missions and inter-state security coordination. “Further notes that the affected communities of Eruku, Isapa, and Koro where a traditional ruler and retired Army General was brutally murdered by bandits are predominantly Ekiti with affinity to the other Ekiti of the South West but geographically located in Kwara State, and observes with concern that information has it that insurgent activities are now spreading into Osun State, signaling a dangerous expansion of the security crisis. “Also notes that the Idofian–Omu-Aran–Eruku (Kwara state) –Egbe–Kabba (Kogi State) Federal highway remains in severe disrepair, enabling criminals to ambush travellers, escape after attacks, and exploit bush paths for concealment. “Further concerned that Kwara South alone has recorded over 40 abductions in 18 months, mirroring similar surges in neighbouring states and contributing to a broader national crisis affecting schools, farms, worship centres, and rural communities. Worried that continued inaction risks mass displacement, prolonged school closures, collapse of rural livelihoods, and long-term psychological trauma among children and vulnerable populations.” Meanwhile, majority of senators present at Wednesday sitting contributed in favour of the motion and gave their valuable contributions to the adoption of the prayers

By GeorgeMgbeleke,Abuja Deeply disturbed by the inexplicable withdrawal of soldiers manding Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga in Kebbi State shortly after the students were kidnapped...

Daily Echoes

Recruitment now will lead to infiltration of terror linked individuals into security agencies “,Analyst.

Appeal Court Dismisses Nnamdi Kanu’s Appeal, -Says Case Now ‘Academic’ After Terrorism Conviction

Boat Mishap Claims One Life In Southern Ijaw LGA …..as council boss,Maritime union condemns reckless seafarers

Senate Assures Police Retirees of Exit From Contributory Pension Scheme

Senate Okays Amendment to establishment of Nigerian Army University

Senate Throws Out Bill On Ethnic Commission, Says It’s Unnecessary

Stakeholders demands constitution amendment to usher State Police —–As Senate ad-hoc committee holds North Central security summit

PSC, NPF Hit The ground running In compliance with Presidential directive on recruitment of 30,000 Police Officers

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