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Edo Poll: EDOCSO Urges Security Agencies On Neutrality As Police Pledge Readiness For Credible Election

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2024

Editor

The Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), yesterday, urged the security agencies deployed for the conduct of the September 21 governorship election in the state to maintain a high sense of neutrality before, during and after the election.

The group made the call during a rally to the Edo State Police Command headquarters and the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Benin respectively.

Addressing the Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo at the state command on what they tagged “Security agencies stay neutral in this Edo guber election #eyesontheball”, the Coordinator-General of the group, Leftist Omobude Agho, said that the governorship election is very important to the people of the state, stressing that the police and its sister agencies must do all in their powers to restrain themselves from being used by one political party to intimidate others.

Leftist Agho said the undue harassment and intimidation of other political opponents by security agencies under the influence of one political party would discourage potential voters from coming out to exercise their franchise on election day.

He said the state has been very peaceful not until the ugly incident that happened at the Benin airport where a police officer was shot dead.

Agho added that the people of the state would want to count votes and not the number of deaths in the election and that the police can do that by playing by the rules of the game.

On the part of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo, he said the police under his watch would always remain neutral as they don’t belong to any political parties.

“I want to assure you and reassure you that we are neutral. Nigeria Police and other security agencies, we are neutral. And we are going to make sure that this election is conducted in a very peaceful environment”, Edwin-Iwo said.

He said he has conducted elections in other states and that there were no issues raised, noting that he is willing to replicate same in the state.

“We have conducted elections in so many states.

“I have conducted in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, the records are there. We are very neutral and we came out without blemish.

“Whatever they are saying is their own because we have a focus to make sure that this election is properly conducted.

“Yes, police and other security agencies, they have their shortcomings but I am telling you that before the election, everything is going to be streamlined.

“So, I am assuring you again that we are neutral and I am going to ask you to support me to make sure everything goes on successfully”, Edwin-Iwo said.

The Commissioner of Police further appealed to the civil society group to help sensitize the members of the public to come out in their large numbers to cast their votes for their preferred candidate.

He said the police can only arrest those who are involved in crimes.

“Please help me tell the people of the state to come out and vote. Tell them to do the right thing and if you do the right thing, nobody is going to arrest you. If you watch well, most of you who are members of the civil society activists, nobody is arrested but that doesn’t mean if you commit crime, we will not arrest you.

“We have not arrested you but if you commit a crime we will arrest you and it is not because you are in a party or whatever it is.

“We don’t know political parties and what we know is that, do the right thing, obey the law”, Edwin-Iwo said.

News

Customs Launches One-stop-shop To Cut Cargo Clearance To 48 Hours

Published

27 minutes ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has officially introduced its ‘One-Stop-Shop (OSS)’ initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

He said the meeting deliberated on the service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

Maiwada quoted the C-G as describing the OSS as a “transformative shift” which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

Adeniyi said the reform was designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts and ensure predictability in customs procedures.

“The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.

The C-G acknowledged the role of technology in customs operations but also emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.

“As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence, coming together under one roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.

The NCS boss said the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide.

He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

“This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he said.

The spokesperson said that under the OSS framework, all customs units would work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays.

According to him, consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, thereby reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.

He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction.

News

SEC Warns Nigerians Over AI-generated Investment Scams

Published

1 hour ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Nigerians to be cautious of a rising wave of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven scams that are targeting unsuspecting investors with promises of guaranteed profits and fake celebrity endorsements.

The Commission, in a statement, recalled that platforms such as CBEX, Silverkuun, and TOFRO were operating illegally by advertising AI-powered trading systems that promised unrealistic returns.

“These platforms are not registered or regulated by the SEC, yet they continue to mislead the public with false claims of AI-driven investments. They pose serious risks to investors; hence, the Commission issued a series of disclaimers against their activities,” the Commission stated.

The SEC explained that fraudsters are increasingly turning to deepfake videos and AI-generated content to lure victims, noting that manipulated videos featuring politicians, celebrities, and television hosts are being shared through Facebook adverts, Instagram reels, and Telegram groups to give fraudulent platforms an air of credibility.

According to the Commission, “Scammers are exploiting AI to fabricate endorsements and testimonials that appear genuine. This has made traditional fraud detection methods less effective, hence the need for tech-enabled regulation and greater public awareness.”

To counter the growing threat, the SEC explained that it is adopting advanced surveillance systems capable of detecting fraudulent activity in real time, adding that partnerships with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) are being strengthened to enable data sharing and joint enforcement actions.

“We are moving from reactive to predictive oversight. This is essential in combating fraud and systemic risks in our market,” the Commission emphasised.

The regulator said it has also engaged social media companies to clamp down on misleading adverts and cautioned influencers against promoting unlicensed investment schemes.

“Any influencer or blogger found to be complicit in promoting illegal platforms will face regulatory sanctions or even prosecution,” the SEC warned.

The Commission urged Nigerians to take extra precautions before investing, stressing that any scheme promising daily profits, zero risk, or celebrity-backed endorsements should be treated with suspicion.

It stated: “Any investment that guarantees unrealistic returns or uses manipulated videos of public figures should immediately raise a red flag.”

The Commission further encouraged Nigerians to verify the registration status of any investment platform on its website, where a list of licensed Capital Market Operators is available.

It added that investors should confirm that registration numbers displayed on company websites match the details on the SEC portal and avoid platforms that only operate through Telegram or WhatsApp without a verifiable office address.

News

Olubadan Unveils Economic Plan For Ibadanland

Published

2 hours ago

September 28, 2025

Editor

The newly crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja,
The newly crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has assured both local and foreign investors of an enabling business environment as he reeled out his socio-economic plan.

Ladoja, who made his first appearance at a Thanksgiving service in his honour at the Ascension of Christ Catholic Church, Bodija, Ibadan, stressed the need for the resuscitation of moribund businesses as well as the employment of the teeming youths in Ibadanland.

He said this had become imperative in order to grow the economy of not only Ibadan but Oyo State as a whole.

He stated that the throne of Olubadan was not about status or bead-wearing but about facilitating the socio-economic growth of Ibadanland.

The monarch added that this could only be achieved with the support of all stakeholders.

According to him, “The major assignment before me as Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland.

“The status of Olubadan is not about the wearing of status but ensuring the all-round growth of the town.

“To achieve this feat, I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintain their pace-setter status.

“We are all governing Ibadan. I am just the coordinator. You people are the small Olubadans; I am the big Olubadan.

“Ibadan will be greater by God’s grace and with your support. I am now the king of all religious groups in Ibadan.

“We have never had a record of religious crisis in Ibadan because members of the various religious groups are represented in each family in Ibadanland.

“Ibadan is a fertile land for investment and economic growth. It shall continue to be well with Ibadan.”

In his congratulatory message, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Rev Dr Gabriel Abegunrin, described Ladoja’s installation as the new Olubadan as the unfailing providence of God, who had preserved the life of the monarch with strength and wisdom.

According to him, Ladoja’s longevity is a crown of grace, and his enthronement is a divine mandate which entrusted him with peace, unity and the progress of the Ibadan people.

The cleric hailed Ladoja for commencing his reign with an act of thanksgiving in the house of God, saying the gesture of the new monarch reflected not only his humility before God but also his deep recognition of the sacred duty of fostering harmony among all faiths.

“Oba Ladoja has set forth a shining example of interfaith goodwill and mutual respect which will long endure as a legacy of his reign.”

Abegunrin said the church and Christian community in Ibadanland commended Ladoja as a father, leader and custodian of Ibadan heritage, pledging the church’s continued prayers and support as it looked forward to collaborating with the monarch in promoting justice, peace and the common good for all residents of Ibadan.

He, however, prayed that God would bless Oba Ladoja with continued good health, wisdom from above and divine guidance to rule with justice, compassion and courage.

The event was attended by the Olubadan-in-Council, the family of the monarch, Iyalodes and well-wishers.
(TRIBUNE)