Some stakeholders in the oil and gas sector on Thursday commended the Federal Government for the total deregulation of the petroleum sector. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, they said the move would provide enabling environment for investment in the sector.
Buhari
Mr Oluwaseyi Gambo, the former Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, said the deregulation would allow government to focus on revitalising ailing areas of the economy. “It is unfortunate that it is happening at this time that most Nigerians can hardly feed themselves. “However, we also know that only very few towns like Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja were enjoying the old pump price. “The only thing that I will give to this government is that whatever is saved from the removal of subsidy will not be looted or catered away. “It should be invested in ailing, but important areas of the economy like road infrastructure, power and health. “Past carelessness on the part of the citizenry is what we are all paying for now,” he said. Gambo urged the government to put in place palliative measures in order to alleviate the hardship masses would face as a result of the total deregulation of the petroleum sector. “It is really like putting the cart before the horse this time, but one can understand the constraints of government, the pressure of government to perform and bring to the fore some electoral promises. “So, let us swallow the bitter pill now and people will understand when things start taking a turn for the better,” he said. Chief Folorunsho Alake, an IPMAN member, told NAN that the price increase was a welcome development, adding that government had no business doing business. Alake said that the step would allow for massive investment in the oil and gas sector. He urged Nigerians to bear with government over the current economic hardship and said that the price of crude oil in the international market might soon appreciate. “When President Olusegun Obasanjo removed subsidy in diesel, we were selling it between N160 and N180, but now the price has come down. “You can get diesel between N120 and N130; that is a difference of about N50. It will soon come down if we embrace the new price. “I will urge the people to support the new price regime,” he said. NAN reports that the Federal Government on May 11 announced a new price regime for petrol with the highest price of N145 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) said in Abuja that the new price regime had taken effect from May 11. The NNPC, however, advised its retail stations on the outskirts of major cities to sell at prices lower than N145 per litre
Buhari Mr Oluwaseyi Gambo, the former Public Relations Officer of PENGASSAN, said the deregulation would allow government to focus on revitalising ailing areas of the economy. “It is unfortunate that it is happening at this time that most Nigerians can hardly feed themselves. “However, we also know that only very few towns like Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja were enjoying the old pump price. “The only thing that I will give to this government is that whatever is saved from the removal of subsidy will not be looted or catered away. “It should be invested in ailing, but important areas of the economy like road infrastructure, power and health. “Past carelessness on the part of the citizenry is what we are all paying for now,” he said. Gambo urged the government to put in place palliative measures in order to alleviate the hardship masses would face as a result of the total deregulation of the petroleum sector. “It is really like putting the cart before the horse this time, but one can understand the constraints of government, the pressure of government to perform and bring to the fore some electoral promises. “So, let us swallow the bitter pill now and people will understand when things start taking a turn for the better,” he said. Chief Folorunsho Alake, an IPMAN member, told NAN that the price increase was a welcome development, adding that government had no business doing business. Alake said that the step would allow for massive investment in the oil and gas sector. He urged Nigerians to bear with government over the current economic hardship and said that the price of crude oil in the international market might soon appreciate. “When President Olusegun Obasanjo removed subsidy in diesel, we were selling it between N160 and N180, but now the price has come down. “You can get diesel between N120 and N130; that is a difference of about N50. It will soon come down if we embrace the new price. “I will urge the people to support the new price regime,” he said. NAN reports that the Federal Government on May 11 announced a new price regime for petrol with the highest price of N145 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) said in Abuja that the new price regime had taken effect from May 11. The NNPC, however, advised its retail stations on the outskirts of major cities to sell at prices lower than N145 per litre
Badeh He told the court that two bureaux de change, Juda BDC and Vasma Holdings, were engaged to help in the conversion of the money to dollars every month. Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the witness said: “As the cashier, my duties were to assist the Camp Finance Officers in all financial transactions, book keeping, interfacing with bankers, bureau de change (when necessary) and payment of bill for NAF headquarters. “In 2011 when I resumed, I served under a Camp Finance Officer (CFO) Wing Commander, S. A. Bukar, from June 2011 to November 2012. “In November 2012, a new CFO was posted in the person of Group Captain Mohammed Lawal Sini, who is now an Air Commodore. “As a cashier, the source of funding from my office was the NAF headquarters and the funds are usually for personnel emoluments and monthly overhead expenses. “We received the personnel emoluments in UCA NAF 37 PE Account, domiciled with UBA Zone 2. The account is for the payment of personnel emoluments. “The second account from which we receive funds for overhead is UCA NAF 37 current account, domicile at Zenith Bank, Maitama. It is used for monthly overhead expenditure, for daily running of the office. “In PE, we usually received about N900 million to N1.3 billion monthly. We pay salaries from it, the balance of the salaries, which is usually for non-regular allowances, training and operations and hanger catering, is transferred to five other accounts, three with Zenith Bank, one with Diamond Bank and one with UBA. Five other accounts “The remnant in PE account are transferred to five other accounts after paying salaries, because the balance of the salaries are meant for other purposes, and the PE account is just for payment of salaries. “After distributing the money into five accounts, the funds are used to augment NAF overhead expenditures. We use them to pay estacode, non-regular allowances, training and operations, also purchase of aviation fuel. “For the expenditure of the fund, we receive approvals from the headquarters of NAF, usually approved by the Chief of Air Staff. “However, in November 2012 when the new CFO resumed, he informed me verbally that there was a standing instruction for N558,200,000 to be set aside monthly for headquarters NAF training and operational purposes. “He also informed me that the amount is to be converted to US dollars, except there is any other instruction to the contrary. “I complied with the instruction and I converted the amount monthly, from November 2012 to December 2013. Within the 14 months, a total of N7.8 billlion plus was set aside. “Of this, within the 14 months, I received instruction to transfer a total sum of N410 million to AFCO Nigeria Ltd and N875 million plus to Right Builders Technologies.” Justice Abang adjourned further hearing on the matter till May 18.
The troops, who arrived the community in two gunboats, were in search of members of Niger Delta Avengers, the militant group that resumed bombing of oil installations in the state. The military men, who came at 12.30a.m., laid siege to the community until about 5a.m., when they departed. A source said the Army reportedly acted on intelligence report that the militants had secretly converged on the community. However, the Pere (traditional ruler) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe Agadaba, who expressed fears over the development, yesterday, offered to mediate in the face-off between the Federal Government and Tompolo, despite his dissatisfaction over neglect of the kingdom by government. But the Niger-Delta Avengers, which earlier claimed that it had no link with Tompolo and in fact, issued him a three-day ultimatum for denouncing the group, remained unperturbed, as it said it had concluded plans to extend its attacks to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Calabar. A source said leaders of the militant group reviewed their operations, weekend, and expressed satisfaction that it was able to effortlessly cripple oil operations in Delta State and was willing to continue with the bombings, if President Buhari failed to address their demands. Military’ll fish out perpetrators— Boroh Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Co-ordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), expressed confidence in the ability of the military and other security agencies to apprehend those behind the recent sabotage of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta. “None of these elements will go unpunished for their nefarious acts against the interest of the nation,” Boroh warned. Boroh, who spoke in Abuja, said following the presidential directive to arrest the situation, he was confident that the perpetrators will be arrested soon. Yoruba group warns against attack on Lagos Similarly, Oodua Defenders Union, ODU, described the threat by NDA, to attack Lagos within a matter of days as an insult on the Yoruba race. In a statement by its President-General, Rabak Anthony, the group warned Ijaw youths against any attack in Lagos or any part of Yorubaland. Oodua Defenders Union, said: “This Ijaw threat that was published in all the media, both electronic and print, cannot be taken for granted. Therefore, the Yoruba are ready to make the first move against the Ijaws in Lagos before their brothers will storm Lagos. “We fought the Ijaws here in Lagos before because of this arrogance and they know we are ready for them. They came here about five years ago to attack the Atlas Cove where Naval officers guarding tank farms were killed. So, we are not taking this threat without preparation. We are ready, let them make the move.” The group said its members, spread across the South-West, could deal with the Ijaw threat, asking security agents to go after the Niger Delta Avengers. Goodday Smith disowns NDA Meanwhile, a former militant leader and member of the Delta State Waterways and Land Security Committee, Mr. Goodday Smith, yesterday, denied being a member of Niger Delta Avengers. He said: “Those who are aggrieved in one way or the other with the Federal Government should channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters, instead of engaging in such acts of destruction of oil installations.” They sent a wrong signal —Ijaw leader Ijaw leader and Ibibenimowei (Chief Mobilizer) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekam, who confirmed the invasion of Oporoza by soldiers, told Vanguard on phone: “No arrest was made and there was no casualty, but they sent a wrong signal to the people. They came in two gunboats and people ran for their lives. “They were armed and nobody could approach them as they moved about the community, going from one place to the other. After they left this morning (Monday), there was tension everywhere as people did not know what their mission was and what next. “Gbaramatu people are not part of Niger Delta Avengers, which claimed responsibility for the recent bombing of oil installations in the state and can never be part of them. We condemn their actions and are against pipeline vandalism of any sort. So, we do not see why the army should turn our community to a hunting ground.” Osinbajo in crucial meeting with Gov Dickson, Kachikwu, security chiefs, oil companies Against the backdrop of current attacks on major oil installations in the Niger Delta, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday evening, met with many stakeholders. Among them were the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson; the Amanyanabo of Toun Brass, Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff in company of the representatives of major oil firms, which included Shell, Total, AGIP, NLNG and Chevron. Before the meeting with the Bayelsa governor, the Vice President had first met with some security chiefs from Navy and Army, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and some other officials of government Political solution can’t be ruled out — Monarch HRM Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketeke Agadaba, in a statement, said: “Tompolo is one of my illustrious subjects. It is therefore, incumbent on me to set machinery in place to intervene in this matter. In as much as it is apparently a legal issue, political solution cannot be completely ruled out and so I am desirous to see this matter resolved amicably. “Mr President will agree with me that this matter has generated so much tension in the Niger Delta in recent times, and in my opinion, such tension is unnecessary at this point in time, as peace is very necessary for this administration to deliver the promised dividends of democracy to the people. “I wish to state my total abhorrence of pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in the region because such would hinder economic progress and development in the region. “One of my priorities as the Pere of Gbaramatu is to ensure that the area is free of crimes such as illegal crude oil refining as such acts do not only affect the economy of the country, but also destroy the ecology which is very dear to me and my people.” APC warns NDA against troubling Buhari Meanwhile, the South-East caucus of All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to direct its grievances to former President Goodluck Jonathan, if there was anything to avenge or blame the government for. The party also called on the militants to immediately sheathe their swords and give President Buhari more time to look into their demands. Mixed reactions trail NDA’s bombings Findings by Vanguard, however, showed that there are divisions among groups in the region over whether or not to support the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers and the continued hunt for Tompolo by security agents. Niger Delta Riverine Security slammed NDA, which it described as “a criminal and devilish group, which is interested in turning the Niger Delta into a region where the safety of lives and property is not guaranteed.” Commandant-General of the organisation, Commander Oduku, said: “The group (Niger Delta Avengers) is interested in crippling economic activities in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. I advise Niger Delta youths not to fraternize with these criminals.” Spokesperson of non-operational Niger Delta Liberation Front, NDLF, “Captain” Mark Anthony, said members of Niger Delta Avengers should come out boldly to declare their mission if the group had a good motive for the region and stop behaving like cowards. “If they have genuine intentions for the region, they should be bold enough to come out and make their demands known. When we were carrying out our activities under the leadership of the late “General” John Togo, we did not hide our identity,” he said. IYC blames Buhari for attacks Blaming President Buhari for attacks on oil installations, President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Udengs Eradiri, said: “This is what we were avoiding and President Buhari should be blamed for anything that is currently happening in the region. “He has not come up with an economic plan for the region since his assumption of office. All his plans, including the budget, have no reflection that economic activities would blossom in the region and once you keep these youths idle, they become the devil’s workshop.” Meanwhile, some militant leaders, under the auspices of Concerned Militant Leaders, have thrown their weight behind NDA. A statement by their spokesperson, “General” Ben, said: “We are in total support of the actions of our colleagues, and the Federal Government should know that the attacks on oil installations in the region will continue if it fails to address topical issues affecting the people of the area.”
Funmilayo Adeyemi alleged kidnaper of three Orekoya’s kids Adeyemi, 35, who hails from Osun State, was arraigned on May 4, on a seven-count charge of kidnapping preferred against her by Lagos State. The police had alleged that on April 8, last year, the defendant connived with others who are still at large to kidnap three children of the Orekoya family, identified as Demola, 6, Adedamola, 4, and 11 months’ old Aderomola. The children, who were abducted by Adeyemi from their parents’ home in Surulere, were reunited with their parents after N2.5 million ransom was paid. She however denied the charge preferred against her and urged the court to grant her bail in the same terms as she was granted by Magistrate Mr. W. B. Balogun of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court where she was first arraigned on September 15. In her ruling yesterday, Justice Adebiyi upheld the prosecution’s argument that the grant of bail on health grounds was a special circumstance which required proof. The judge observed that although the defendant had been in custody since April 15 last year, she “tendered no evidence of her health challenge.”
Suicide attempt Before he turned himself in, report had it that he attempted to flee to the Benin Republic,where he hoped to proceed to Ghana, but all his moves were reportedly trailed by the Police, until he was forced to make a U-turn from Ondo State . While in hiding, Lekan sent a message via WhatsApp to one of his friends (names withheld) announcing his intention to commit suicide, in order to end the whole matter. The conversation dated May 7, 2016 read: “I want to die. Pls help me, I can’t face the Police or cell, they will kill me.” After much persuasion from the friend, Lekan finally replied same day, saying “ Ok, I will see you tomorrow (Sunday)” But he never showed up. Lekan, however, sent another text, yesterday morning, to this same friend saying, “Morning, Senior Sunday. Thanks for everything you have done. I want to go to the CP office now. You are the only one that advised me not to kill myself. I will respect you till I die.” ‘I never killed my wife’ 
Late Ronke Shonde with her alleged killer husband during their ‘sweet’ days However, during his conversation with his friend, who was present at the command with another friend, Mr. Gbenga Soloki, Lekan denied having any hand in his late wife’s death. Although he admitted that there was a quarrel between them a day before she died over infidelity on the part of his late wife; he maintained that he had nothing to do with her death. According to him: “The cause of the quarrel was over infidelity. I over-heard her discussing on phone with one Kayode, who was her boss and lover. “I never killed my wife. We had a normal quarrel after she owned up that she had a man friend. We didn’t talk over-night. “She held my legs begging, as I was leaving the house that morning. And I pushed her away. As I left the house my son bolted the door behind me. “Later, our nanny called to alert me of what had happened. I immediately called my landlady’s daughter, who confirmed that my wife was dead. As I was rushing back home, neighbours called to inform me that policemen were there that I should run away. That was why I ran away. “I loved my wife, all my accounts are in her name. I bought her two cars and would not have wished for a better person as a wife. I did not kill her. She was hypertensive. “I never spoke with any journalist until now. The media (not Vanguard ) misquoted me.” He further disclosed that while in hiding, he contacted his late wife’s alleged lover to inform him of the trouble he had put his entire family into . He said: “I called Kayode and said ‘hope you have succeeded in ruining my marriage,’ and he apologized to me” Demands for forensic investigation Friend of the suspect, Gbenga Soloki, said: “When we got the information, as law abiding citizens, we asked him to come out of hiding. I know him as a gentle man . His account proved it, but unfortunately, his wife is not alive to state her side of the story.” Meanwhile, the Manager Public and Government Affair, Mobil Oil, Akin Fatunke, has denied that Lekan Shonde ever worked with the organisation. “It’s obviously an error, as we don’t have any member of staff by name Lekan Shonde in our Apapa depot.
Late Sani Abacha 
File: Bama IDP Camp This was disclosed yesterday when Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state visited the headquarters of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maimalari Cantonment to officially receive the Boko Haram hostages by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Victor Ezegwu. Our Correspondent observed that most of the rescued hostages comprising 27 children and over 30 young girls with few women including two Camerounians have been indoctrinated by the sect as many of them claimed they have been with the sect for the past three years, and were willing to go back to Sambisa to meet their husbands. Briefing Governor Shettima at the Youth centre in Maimalari Cantonment, venue of the official handing over of the hostages to the Borno State Government, the GOC said, the ongoing Operation crackdown in Sambisa forest which commenced about a week ago was recording successes as according to him, many of the insurgents have been killed by troops with the recovery of chunks of arms and ammunitions at Balaza, Walasa, Banki and other surrounding villages. He said during the crackdown, over 300 persons held by the insurgents in Dikwa, Gamboru, Ngala, Kala Balge axis have been rescued and handed over to their families in Dikwa resettlement camp, while 300 cattle rustled by the sect have been returned to their real owners. While commending Governor Shettima and the state government for their support towards complementing effort of the military in the fight against insurgents, the GOC assured that the Nigerian Army will not rest on its oars, until Boko Haram elements are dislodged from their hideouts. Responding, Governor Shettima commended the military and other security agencies for storming the heart of Sambisa Forest, which according to him will see to the end of the insurgents deadly activities in the north east. He said, as government, he will do everything possible with the scarce resources at his disposal to support military in order to put an end the Boko Haram madness in the state. While congratulating the rescued hostages Shettima said, the state government will keep them in a safer place to enable them undergo proper counselling and traumatic training before they reunite with their families, pointing out that the two Cameroonians who were freed alongside other Borno citizens will be taken back and handed over to the Cameroonian government
Budget 2016: President Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with others during the signing of the 2016 budget into Law on 6th May ,2016. Speaking after signing the budget into law the President said that N350billion will immediately be injected into the economy by way of capital projects. The President also said that N200billion was earmarked for roads infrastructure. Other witnesses to the budget signing ceremony were the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Samaila Kawo; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun; Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje and Chairman House of Reps Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumuni Jubril. In his remark after the signing ceremony the President said “It gives me great pleasure today to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law. I thank the leadership of the National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all members of the National Assembly for their cooperation in making this a reality. A RENEWAL OF FAITH WITH NIGERIANS “The budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year. “Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled “Budget of Change”, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The Budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06 trillion. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning. MORE DETAILS FOR MAY 29 “I shall be speaking in more details about the Budget, its implementation and the over-all national economic and social policies of the Government in my address on May 29th, God willing. In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings. All borrowings will however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures. “The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects. To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget. Continuing the President said “Despite the current difficulties we will work extra-hard to achieve our revenue projections. Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues. I SHARE YOUR PAINS “Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond. As I said in my New Year message, living in State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. I share your pains. “We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our Nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians. But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all. We are working night and day to diversify the economy so that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use. We intend to create the environment for our young people to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology. “I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey, but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path. I can assure you that this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication, day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria”. NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE Meanwhile the news that the President has signed the 2016 into law buoyed activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with the market indices growing by 0.54 per cent after declining for two consecutive days. Investors gained N47 billion as the market capitalisation closed at N8.84 trillion compared with N8.79 trillion recorded on Thursday. Mallam Garba Kurfi, Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., attributed the growth to investors reaction to the signing of the budget. Kurfi said that signing of the budget had ended the impasse between the presidency and the lawmakers for over four weeks, adding that the uncertainty surrounding the budget had ended with the signing. /
•The prophet exhuming a cow head he buried inside his church His Church, Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Agbala Dagunduro located at Kilometre 5, Ijare Road, Ikota Junction in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state has been sealed by security operatives in the state. This followed reports of his alleged “unholy” activities made to security operatives by one of his lieutenants who had disagreements with him over the booty that accrue to the Church. Also his neighbours who were perturbed by what they noticed was happening in the “House of God” reportedly lodged a complaint to members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, who later involved officials of the Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state. Findings by Vanguard showed that acting on a tip off by a confidant of the suspect who reportedly fell out with him when the church started making waves and the church’s bank account started swelling, officials of the corps who later swooped on him some scary discoveries at strategic points inside the church. Sources said that the suspects’ confidant, who knew about the activities of the prophet was sidelined and all his efforts to convince the prophet to allow him partake in the booty were rebuffed. Vanguard was informed that the prophet called the bluff of the confidant when he threatened to expose him to the church members and security operatives. When he discovered that the prophet was unperturbed by his threat and having felt cheated he spilt the beans upon which the suspect was picked up, interrogated and detained. Vanguard gathered that the prophet’s close ally actually told security agents that the prophet allegedly buried human heads in strategic places inside the church. This allegation prompted the invasion of the church by officials of the Security and Civil Defense Corps who later discovered that the prophet actually buried heads of a cow, tortoise, cowries, divination board and other fetish items on the altar and all the entrances of his church. These discoveries were made when he was interrogated and he reportedly confessed and took the security agents to the church. He was also forced to excavate all the fetish items buried in the church. The decomposed heads of the cows full of maggots, pigeon heads tied with kola nuts, clay pots wrapped with white clothes and the dead tortoise were dug out by the prophet in the presence of security operatives and members of the public who got wind of the development in the church. Reports had it that the youths in the area descended on him but security operatives prevented them from setting him and the church on fire when the fetish items were dug out . Security operatives had to cordorn off the church premises following the influx of people who trooped in to have a glimpse of the discoveries from the “House of God.” The church became deserted after the exposure of the prophet while his co-workers in the “vineyard” have equally disappeared into thin air. Vanguard gathered that the prophet also reportedly confessed that same fetish items were buried in his house where he equally held consultations with members of the public and his church members. Security operatives who escorted him to his house made him exhume all the fetish items. Vanguard learned that officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state effected his arrest and detention. Speaking with Vanguard, the state commandant of the corps, Mr. Fasiu Adeyinka said the suspect aged 34 hails from Esa-Oke in Osun State. Adeyinka confirmed that the suspect was picked up following a tip-off that he was suspected to have buried something suspected to be human head inside his church. “The men of NSCDC quickly swung into action, went straight to the church and he was asked to dig in specific spots inside the Church where various items suspected to be charms such as cow head, pigeon head tied with kolanut, big clay pot wrapped with white clothes and other numerous fetish items were exhumed from the ground both at the entrance and inside the church. According to him the self acclaimed clergyman was subsequently picked up after his officers were able to make the discoveries about the illicit activities of the pastor. The commandant said investigation is still on-going to unravel the pastor’s motive of burying fetish items in strategic places inside the church . He said that the suspect would soon be charged to court after the conclusion of their investigations. As it stands, no member of the church showed up for the Sunday and Tuesday mid-week services last week, ostensibly to show that all is no more well with the so called church. CAC disowns cleric Meanwhile, the national body of the Christ Apostolic Church has disowned alleged fetish clergyman. The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC Kayode Balogun told Vanguard that some people from the national headquarters of the church came to the office to disown the suspect. He said a team from the C.A.C asked him several questions about when and where he was ordained as a pastor of the church, but he could not give any answer. The Church leaders have promised to charge the suspect to court for impersonation.
The insurgents, according to government officials had targeted roads construction workers especially engineers and the routes through which building materials were transported to various projects sites in the state. The roads projects cover a total distance of 48 kilometres, including the Old Maiduguri 7.5 kilometer dual carriage way. Commissioner of Works and Transport, Alhaji Adamu Lawan disclosed this at the Maiduguri-Bulumkutu and Lagos Street project sites, while briefing newsmen over the uncompleted roads projects.. The affected construction firms, according to him; include Eighteenth Engineering Company, EEC, Grand Scope Company and a Kano-based Hajaig Construction Company handling the Bulumkutu roads projects that had been stalled by insurgency and insecurity of engineers and other workers. According to him: “The non-completion of these roads and bridges in Maiduguri in metropolis was caused by the insurgency. We are very frustrated over this development. It prevented the haulage of roads construction materials and equipment to sites; while the lives of sites engineers were threatened, including the killings of some contracting partners in 2013 and 2014 at three different project sites in Borno State. “Hajaig firm had; for example, brought in its laterite from Damboa, 87 kilometres from Maiduguri, unfortunately the road was closed to motorists for almost two years ago. Other roads construction equipment had to be transported from far away Kano to this Bulumkutu project site. The state government had wanted to revoke this contract, but doing so could lead to the loss of over N2 billion.” He however said the Bulumkutu high density community roads complex had reached 98 per cent completion, explaining that the remaining two per cent, included roads’ marking and painting.