Headline

Ondo Nightclubs Owners Break Silence On EFCC Operatives’ Invasion

Published

1 year ago

June 10, 2024

Editor

The Ondo State chapter of the Lounge and Club Owners Association has called on the state and federal government to investigate the raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives on a nightclub and a hotel in Akure, the state capital.

The PUNCH reported that operatives of the commission, on Saturday, stormed the nightclubs and arrested about 127 youths who were suspected to be internet fraudsters.

The suspects were apprehended in an early morning raid on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at simultaneous parties held in the state capital.

According to an EFCC statement on Saturday, credible intelligence indicated the party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, but was postponed to Saturday in an attempt to evade the commission’s security and intelligence networks.

Speaking with journalists in Akure on Monday, the chairman of the association in the state, Mr Abayomi Ajepe, disclosed that the anti-graft commission operatives allegedly stormed the premises of the affected night clubs in a commando-like manner, like armed robbers, and vandalised property worth millions of naira during the sting operation.

Ajepe also noted that many of the customers and guests of the invaded hotel, including a new couple, were embarrassed as the operative was forcing the door open on the guests, adding that the incident had negatively affected the hospitality business in the state as many of their customers were afraid of lodging in their hotels.

He said, “What we experienced on Saturday we never expected of it, because Akure is a very peaceful community, we are not too happy, the incident happened around 1:45 am on Saturday morning and personally I drove to the scene to witness what was going on and on getting there it was barbaric so I have to turn back because I don’t want to get hurt.

“I was on the phone, making calls to authorities but it was later we discovered that these people came from the Ibadan EFCC office because initially, we thought they were armed robbers. So we are telling the whole world that we are not too happy with what happened.

“They took away the cameras, phones, CCTVs, along with about 127 people and some of them were still there. So why they are denying their operations here in Akure? We want the government to check-mate this unacceptable attitude in our community, government needs to come to our aides.”

On the next action to be taken on the matter, the chairman said the association was still consulting their lawyers, either to take legal actions on the issues, lamenting that there had been no business after the incident happened.

Expressing his displeasure about the incident, the manager of the affected night club, the Signatures Elixir, Mr Ayo Abass-Akinwande, said, “At about 1:30 am on Saturday, June 8, 2024, the men of EFCC came into our premises. They were about 40 of them and they came with about 10 unregistered Toyota buses. The only thing that could be used to identify them was their red jackets and the guns.”

He said, “After gaining access to our premises, they rounded everybody up and instructed them to lie down on the floor. Using snooker sticks to beat people to comply, Both male and female customers were dealt with mercilessly. Other members of their team went into the club and rounded everyone up, releasing tear gas in the process. We were lucky to have adequate first aid materials on the premises that were used by our staff to rescue some of the customers who had various forms of medical emergencies. The CCTV engine room was completely turned upside down and the CCTV engine was taken away.”

Similarly, the Chairman/CEO of Alba Royale Hote, Mr Ayo Alabi, confirmed that a lot of things were destroyed in the hotel by the operatives.

“I went there in the morning and I saw the massive damage, I was told that all the guests were seriously dealt with, they took away our CCTV engine, they never invited us, we never had any issue with them and we have evidence on how they carried out the operations,” Alabi lamented.

Headline

PHOTOS: Xi, Putin, Kim At Beijing Parade As China Flaunts Military Might

Published

25 minutes ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

In a spectacle of military might, China commemorated the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II with a grand parade on Wednesday, leaving observers worldwide questioning the balance of global power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, oversaw the event at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

The event showcased an array of cutting-edge weapons, including nuclear, artificial intelligence-powered, laser, and robotic weapons, that highlighted China’s rapid advancements in defence technology, a development heavily scrutinised by Western defence officials, according to the BBC.

The parade, dubbed Victory Day, featured over 10,000 troops, hundreds of vehicles, and aircraft flyovers, drawing at least 50,000 spectators and leaders from more than 25 nations, including allies like Iran.

But BBC reported it was notably boycotted by Western countries. According to Al Jazeera, only two European leaders, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, were present.

Xi’s address emphasised China’s “unstoppable” rise and that “the Chinese nation is never intimidated by any bullies and always forges ahead.”

He insisted the country “should stay firmly on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

China unveils new weapons even Trump can’t overlook

Central to the parade was the unveiling of groundbreaking weapons systems that tell China’s leap in military strength.

Beijing’s power is not just in its numbers, backed by its huge economy, but also by increasing innovation and self-reliance.

Its hypersonic glide and cruise missiles, for example—weapons that travel at above Mach 5—are largely unmatched by anything the US or its allies have in their arsenal.

Its J20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ fighter jet employs 5th generation stealth technology, while its LY-1 directed-energy laser system (DEW), mounted on an eight-wheeled truck and described as the “world’s most powerful” for intercepting missiles and drones.

The JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile also made its first appearance, alongside giant underwater submarine drones, drone boats, unmanned helicopters, and multiple new unmanned aerial vehicles.

Trump, who was notably missing from the grand parade, berated Xi in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday for not recognising US’s contribution to China’s emancipation.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that the United States of America gave to China to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader,” Trump posted.

“Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honoured and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!”

Trump also criticised Putin and Kim for conspiring against his country.

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.”

World’s mightiest arsenal: US or China?

Observers view the parade as a direct message to Washington, especially amid trade disputes and regional flashpoints in regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

An analyst, famously known as Trademan on X, said on Wednesday, “While the West debates, Beijing fires photons,” adding that the event is a message that China isn’t just playing catch-up but rewriting the rules of engagement.

However, experts believe that while China is fast catching up, the US still maintains an edge in terms of operations.

Speaking with BBC, assistant professor in the military transformations programme at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Michael Raska, argued the US military has a culture that gives more leeway for units on the ground to make decisions and innovate, “whereas China is top-down.”

“You can have flashy platforms and systems, but they will not move a finger until they receive an order from the top.”

“The US military excels because there’s a bottom-up mission type of culture, where units can make decisions as the situation evolves,” he said.

Headline

Xi, Putin Discuss Immortality, Organ Transplants At Beijing Parade

Published

45 minutes ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed life-prolonging organ transplants and immortality as they conversed before Beijing’s massive military parade this week, according to comments picked up by state media microphones.

Historic images showed Xi shaking hands and speaking with Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as they walked down a red carpet by Tiananmen Square, in scenes viewed as a challenge to US President Donald Trump.

“These days… 70 years old,” Xi said in Mandarin as he walked beside Putin and Kim, footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed.

Xi’s translator, conveying his remarks to Putin, is then heard in Russian quoting a line from a Tang dynasty poem: “In the past, it used to be rare for someone to be older than 70 and these days they say that at 70 one’s still a child.”

Putin then turned towards Xi, speaking while gesturing with his hands, though this is inaudible on the CCTV feed.

The same Chinese translator then relayed Putin’s remarks to Xi.

“With the… development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted, people could get younger as they grow older, and may even become immortal,” Putin said, according to the translator.

Xi then spoke again in Mandarin as the camera cut away: “Predictions are, in this century, it may be… possible to live to 150 years old.”

Putin confirmed the exchange during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“Ah, I think it was when we were going to the parade that the Chairman spoke about this,” he told reporters, referring to Xi.

“Modern means — both health improvement and medical means, and then even all kinds of surgical ones related to organ replacement — allow humanity to hope that active life will continue not as it does today,” Putin added.

The Chinese and Russian leaders, both 72, have not expressed any intention of stepping down.

While Xi’s predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, relinquished power after 10 years in office, he abolished term limits in 2018, and in 2023, he was handed a third term as Chinese president.

AFP

Headline

US Commits $32.5m To Support Food Security In Nigeria

Published

17 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The United States Government has committed $32.5m to the United Nations World Food Programme to support food and nutrition assistance for hundreds of thousands of people affected by conflict in Nigeria.

According to a statement released by the US Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, the funding will enable WFP Nigeria to reach approximately 764,205 vulnerable individuals in the Northeast and Northwest regions of the country.

These areas have been severely impacted by ongoing insecurity and displacement, with millions struggling to access necessities.

The assistance package includes general food distributions as well as targeted nutritional support.

Among the beneficiaries are 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, and 43,235 children who will receive specialised nutrition support through electronic food vouchers, according to the statement.

“World Food Program Nigeria, with US Government’s contribution of $32.5m, will provide food assistance and nutrition support to internally displaced persons across conflict-affected areas.

“With the US Government’s donation, the World Food Programme Nigeria will provide food and nutrition assistance to 764,205 beneficiaries across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.

“This includes complementary nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers,” the statement read.

On December 18, 2024, PUNCH Online reported that the United States Agency for International Development has denounced recent media reports misrepresenting US agricultural initiatives in Nigeria, stating that its programmes operate transparently and align with the country’s laws.

In a statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria, USAID highlighted the significant achievements of its agricultural collaboration with Nigeria, which it claimed has supported over five million Nigerian farmers since 2019.

The agency maintained it has boosted food production and strengthened rural economies across the country through its efforts.