News

Wike Places N20m Bounty On Two Wanted Abuja Kidnappers

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2024

The Minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike has put a N20 million bounty on two wanted kidnappers, Dahiru Adamu and Abu Ibrahim, who has allegedly been terrorising the nation’s capital.

This was as he ordered police officers to fish out the kidnappers, dead or alive.

He stated this on Wednesday when he met the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, during a parade of 23 criminal suspects, at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja.

He noted that his administration would not give criminals breathing space just as they’ve not been giving FCT residents breathing space.

Seven other members of the kidnapping gang – Usman Muhazu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani, Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, and Saminu Idris; have been arrested by a combined team of operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.

They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada, and Ketti village, FCT, in connection to the kidnap of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking on Wednesday, while calling on the attention of the CP, Wike said, “You’re still looking for two amongst them, right? Okay, I will put money on them. I have placed a N20 million bounty on the two of them. Anyone who finds them would get the N20 million.

“Fish them out, dead or alive. We will not give them breathing space just as they’ve not been giving us breathing space,” the Minister added.

Speaking earlier, CP Igweh noted, “Seven members of a kidnapping gang, Usman Muhazu, Aliyu Muhammed, Auwal Lahiru, Rabiu Sani, Madina Abubakar, Jonah Elimelechi, Saminu Idris, have been arrested by a combined team of operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.

“They were arrested in Pyankasa, Tudun Wada and Ketti village, FCT, in connection to the kidnap of 14 notable persons in the Federal Capital Territory. They were arrested by operatives of the Utako Divisional Headquarters and the Anti-Kidnapping team, following credible intelligence.

“However, we are still looking for two remaining members of the gang, Dahiru Adamu and Abu Ibrahim whose wives were arrested while they were about to receive a N9 million ransom on behalf of their husbands who are on the run.

“Members of this gang of kidnappers who have been giving the FCT sleepless nights and are on the wanted list of the command for a long time, have now been arrested. They are responsible for the kidnapping of five victims in Federal Mortgage Housing Estate, Kabusa, three persons at Ketti village, Fulani residence of Alhaji Sani.”

The police boss added that “the abduction of a woman and her gate man in Kabusa Estate, one Mr Sunday Zakwai and four others. They equally killed a district head. And two staff members were kidnapped at the Defence Estate, Kabusa.”

During the parade, the CP noted that a total of 23 suspects were arrested, while ₦9 million, six AK-47 rifles, bulletproof vests, and a locally-fabricated walkie-talkie, were recovered from them.

Igweh added, “A total of 23 suspects were arrested, while ₦9million, six AK-47 riffles, bulletproof vests, and a locally-fabricated walkie-talkie, were recovered from them.

“Aside from the seven suspected kidnappers arrested, we also arrested some one-chance suspects, and others for various offences. On February 11, at about 4:00 pm, the operatives of the FCT Police Command attached to Mabushi Divisional Headquarters, in the continued fight against criminality arrested eight notorious armed robbery suspects terrorising the FCT.

“The arrested suspects are; Auwal Yusuf (an ex-convict), Ismail Hudu, Sylvester Poto and Abdusalam Mamuda, Sunday Udoma aka Akido, Ifeoma Ngoze-Obodo, Muhammed Telegbe aka Chocolate, Sarah Mohammed-Telegbe.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the suspects who are responsible for several one-chance activities in the past were trailed to Central Area in an attempt to rob some innocent residents and were promptly arrested. The suspects confessed to using toy guns and knives to scare their victims to illegally obtain from them. The suspects will be charged to court soon.”

Kidnapping and banditry have become a menace in the country as bandits have abducted several Nigerians and received ransoms in millions.

In January 2024, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad, Federal Capital Territory Police Command, neutralised three notorious bandits in a forest within the Bwari area of Abuja.

Within the same month, a kidnap kingpin identified as Janari, who was said to have masterminded several kidnappings within Kaduna State and Abuja, alongside some of his foot soldiers were killed during operations conducted by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Kaduna state.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

11 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.