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Fulani herdsmen not under attack in Ebonyi — CP
The Ebonyi Police Command has described as “fake, baseless and mischievous” an online video in circulation alleging that Fulani herdsmen in the state were being attacked and forced to leave the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Philip Maku, made the assertion in a statement issued to journalists in Abakiliki on Sunday.
According to the statement, Fulani herdsmen are not under attack or being chased out of Ebonyi.
“The attention of the Ebonyi Police Command has been drawn to a distorted and misleading video in circulation on social media platform by a faceless group that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of Ebonyi.
“To set the record straight, the command wishes to state that on January 2, one Fulani herdsman, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri Community decided to relocate.
“Adamu relocated with some members of his family to Taraba in-search of greener pastures for his cows as the dry season is setting in.
“He also informed the village chairman and Ichaba Development Centre Coordinator before his peaceful and voluntary relocation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Adamu left seven other members of his family, including Alhaji Musa Danfo and six others, who are still residing at the same settlement with some of their cattle.
“Before this video, the command has no record of threat to the lives of the peace-loving herders or their cows, neither to those residing in the said camp or entire state.
“It may also interest the public to know that the Fulani community on Saturday, January 2, paid a Christmas and New Year visit to Gov. Dave Umahi and no such threat was reported.
“However, the mischief makers and the enemies of the state made a recorded video to create panic, mislead the public and misrepresent the peaceful coexistence between the herders and their host communities,” the statement stated.
It further states that the police boss had ordered full scale investigation into the matter with a view to arresting those behind the fake video.
It therefore urges the public “to regard the video as fake, baseless and mischievous” and go about their lawful businesses.
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), Ikeja, says there is no ticket racketeering at the terminal.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications of the company, on Tuesday in Lagos.
Yinka-Olawuyi also described as unfounded, an allegation that unpatriotic Nigerian were using private Point of Sale (POS) machines within the terminal to carry out fraudulent payments.
She said that the company was commitment to maintaining a secure, transparent and efficient airport environment.
There is an allegation that ticket racketeering is rampant at MMA2, with one-way ticket cost being inflated to as high as N250,000 by some staff of airlines and others.
The official said that internal monitoring systems of the company did not detect any hoarding of tickets or any collusion between airline staff and touts to inflate ticket prices.
“At MMA2, all ticket transactions are conducted at the airlines’ sales booths, using their official means of payment.
“To combat any form of touting or illegal activities, MMA2 collaborates closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and other relevant authorities.
“Recently, FAAN established a joint task force specifically aimed at addressing touting activities across all Nigerian airports,” Yinka-Olawuyi noted.
According to her, anyone found engaging in illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law.
She said that the company’s commitment to passenger safety was unwavering, urging that passengers to feel free to lodge complaints.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that Nigerians spends N16.5 trillion annually on fuel and the servicing of generators.
Adelabu made this known on Tuesday at the ongoing NOG Energy Week in Abuja.
The minister attributed his assertion to research in 2023. However, he did not give the exact details but rather compared the figure to the 225 per cent electricity tariff hike of April 3, 2024.
“What Nigerians spend on self-generation of power—on fueling and servicing their generators—is N16.5 trillion, according to research that was carried out in 2023. Looking at this, you will see that what Band A customers pay is still cheaper compared to this, despite having 24-hour uninterrupted supply,” he said.
He further declared that “over $1 billion in investments have been placed into renewable energy sources by foreign lenders and institutions,” adding that his ministry, under the guide and support of President Tinubu, is making giant strides in energy and gas developments.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hajiya Salamatu Ahmed as the new Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB).
Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
In the statement made available to newsmen by Muhammed Ahmed, Director, Communications, HOCSF office, Yemi-Esan also handed over appointment letter to the new Executive Secretary.
She said Ahmed’s appointment was sequel to terminal leave embarked upon by the former Executive Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Mairiga, ahead of the expiration of his four-year tenure in September.
While congratulating the new appointee, the HOCSF charged her to leverage on the wealth of experience garnered over the years, towards ensuring the full realisation of the Board’s core mandate.
Before her new appointment, Hajiya Ahmed was the Board’s Director of Operations of the FGSHLB.
Bi-Courtney debunks ticket racketeering allegation at MMA2
Nigerians spend over N16.5trn annually on fuel, servicing generator – Adelabu
