News

Freed Train Abductee Laments Child’s Illness In Captivity

Published

3 years ago

August 10, 2022

One of the released abductees from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Maryama Abubakar Bobbo, has lamented how her child fell ill and did not respond to treatment while in captivity.

Maryama and her husband, Idris Abubakar, were abducted alongside their four children during the attack on March 28, 2022.

Idris Abubakar, a staff of the National Assembly Service Commission, is the son of a former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue States.

The family of six, together with a 60-year-old woman, Aisha Hassan, were released on Wednesday following the intervention of controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.

In an interview with Arise TV, a tearful Maryam narrated how her child refused to respond to treatment and begged the Federal Government to secure the release of other abductees.

She said, “Back in the forest, it hasn’t been easy. Everyone has been sick. I came back with my daughter sick because they’ve not been medication. “She has not been responding to treatment from the medication they’ve given, but we thank God for mercy and grace.

“We just pray that the rest of the people we left would be released as soon as possible. So whatever the government or whoever it is that can support to get them out, we pray that they do to get them out as soon as possible.”

Although Tukur Mamu, Publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald and Media Consultant to a controversial Gumi, withdrew as one of the negotiators, he had earlier confirmed the release of the seven hostages to journalists in Kaduna.

According to a statement by Mamu, disturbed by the flogging of the hostages, Gumi for the first time in four months of the abduction saga, reached out to the terrorists with the message of Allah, “to consider the release of the poor children and their innocent parents.”

He said throughout their captivity in the hands of the terrorists, neither the National Assembly Commission nor the members of the National Assembly intervened for the commission staff and his family.

Mamu, however, noted that with the efforts of Sheikh Gumi and the support of a serving Senator from the North, the family of six regained their freedom.

News

Misconduct, Indiscipline: 151 Senior Police Officers Face Force Disciplinary C’ttee

Published

1 hour ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

As part of effort towards reinforcing internal accountability and professional standards, 151 senior police officers are currently facing the Force Disciplinary Committee, FDC, over various pending disciplinary matters.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi while confirming the appearances, said: “The exercise commenced on July 14 and will last till July 25, 2025, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“The Force Disciplinary Committee is an essential internal structure responsible for reviewing and adjudicating cases of alleged breaches of professional conduct, misconduct, and ethical violations involving senior officers of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above.

“The affected officers, drawn from various commands and formations across the country, are expected to undergo a thorough and transparent review process in line with extant police regulations and disciplinary procedures for final recommendation to the Police Service Commission, PSC.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to discipline and ethical conduct within the Force. He emphasized that the Police Force will not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.

“The Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to promoting integrity, professionalism, and public trust. The disciplinary process reflects the Force’s keenness to maintaining an accountable and service-driven institution, where standards are upheld and the rule of law is respected from within.”

News

FG Suspends Online Application Recruitment Into Paramilitary Services

Published

2 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Service Board (CDCFIB) has suspended online recruitment for job applicants in any of the paramilitary agencies until July 21.

In a statement on Thursday, the Secretary to the Board, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, said that the temporary suspension was to optimise the efficiency of the recruitment portal https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng.

“This development will ensure that the portal accommodates the high level of applications while guaranteeing a smooth, transparent, and fair recruitment process.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and interest of young Nigerians to serve their country through these vital agencies,” Jubril said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the online recruitment exercise was initially slated to commence July 2 before it was moved to July 14.

The paramilitary agencies with vacancies are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Federal Fire Service.
(NAN)

News

Court Strips Transport Minister, CRFFN Regulatory Power Over Licensed Customs

Published

2 hours ago

July 17, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared that Licensed Customs Agents, LCA shall not be subjected to regulatory control of the Minister of Transporation and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding, CRFFN or required to pay fees or obtain clearance as a condition for access to ports or renewal of their licenses under Customs Act.

The suit No. FHC/CS/765/2018 which commenced at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, was instituted by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA against the Minister of Transportation, the Nigeria Authority, NPA and the CRFFN as defendants.

The court ruled that the Minister of Transportation lacks legal authority to issue directives regulating the business or operation of LCA, declaring null and void the directive published in the Vanguard Newspapers on August 1, 2017.

The landmark judgment delivered by Justice Daniel Osiagor, resolved that: “the regulation of LCA is governed squarely by the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA which provides a comprehensive legal frame for the licensing and oversight of Customs operation in Nigeria. Only the Minister of Finance, acting through the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS is statutorily authorized to regulate the business and operation of LCA.

“The Minister of Transportation is not recognized under the Customs Act as having any supervisory or regulatory role in this regard.

“Under section 4 the CRFFN is empowered to determine qualification, register freight forwarders and set standard for practice. LCA is a distinct profession from freight forwarders.

“The business and regulation of LCA fall exclusively under the Customs Act, which vests regulatory control in the Minister of Finance and NCS. The CRFFN established under the CRFFN Act 2007, is a separate regulatory body whose jurisdiction applies only to freight forwarders not LCA”

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, described the victory as long overdue, even as he maintained that the CRFFN and the Ministry of Transportation have no statutory authority to regulate the business or operations of LCAs.

“We are not freight forwarders. We are licensed under a different law, and this judgment affirms that distinction. “Meanwhile, Registrar of CRFFN Kingsley Igwe, said that the court ruling will not prevent the Council from collecting Practitioners operating Fee, POF from customs agents.

Speaking at a press briefing in response to the judgment, Igwe said that it remains the legally empowered authority to regulate freight forwarding in Nigeria under Act No. 16 of 2007.
(Vanguard)