Explosion rocks gas pipelines in Rivers

An explosion has rocked the Right of Way housing two gas transmission system pipelines, one of which belongs to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

The explosion occurred Thursday night about 3km from Rumuji in Rivers State.

A statement by the General Manager, External Relations Division of NLNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke, said the cause of the explosion was yet to be determined.

It added that no injuries or fatalities had been reported.

Eresia-Eke said emergency response procedures were immediately activated and the relevant authorities notified.

“Communities closest to the area of the incident have been advised not to approach the site in the interest of safety.

“Other measures and engagements have also been initiated to ensure that the situation does not escalate. In the meantime, investigation into the incident is ongoing”, he disclosed.

The NLNG said further updates on the explosion would be provided in due course

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Buhari happy with Nigerians for their prayers during phone call with Ganduje

Buhari

With a clear voice which changed the mood of the congregation, President Muhammadu Buhari again yesterday thanked Nigerians for praying for him to recover quickly and return to work.

“We are very grateful for all the efforts Nigerians are putting in praying for my quick and successful recovery. May Almighty Allah reward you abundantly; my sincere regards to all,” the President said.

He spoke at about 6.30pm during a phone call to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the Africa House, Government House, in Kano.

The telephone conversation, initiated by the president who is ‘resting’ at the Abuja House in London, took place during a prayer session for the president’s quick recovery.

Apart from the governor, there were many Islamic scholars, prominent politicians and Imams of the Friday Mosques.

Ganduje said: “Your Excellency, you are calling at the right time, when we have gathered here praying to the Almighty Allah for your quick recovery. All participants said they are extending their heartfelt greetings to Your Excellency. “Many of those at the session expressed surprise to hear President Buhari’s voice. As he spoke, the mood changed in the prayer hall. Many people burst into tears as others expressed relief.”

The governor told the President that, on Friday, there would be special prayer sessions in over 7,000 Friday Mosques. He said the call from the President was a sign of good things to come.

Moments after the phone call, Ganduje told the gathering: “This is the end of my speech. We are very happy Allah has showed us that He has answered our prayers.

“From the way we heard his voice, we are so happy to believe that he is recuperating quickly and with full happiness and good wishes for the country.”

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17 exotic vehicles recovered by EFCC from ex-Customs CG Dikko

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered 17 exotic vehicles in a warehouse belonging to a former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

The warehouse on Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna, has been sealed off.

Two suspects – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe –  have been arrested in connection with the recovery.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the vehicles were retrieved following an intelligence report.

The EFCC, in a statement, said: “The recovery was sequel to an intelligence report the Commission received that stolen money and properties suspected to be proceeds of crime were being warehoused at the former Customs boss’ premises.

“Upon receipt of the intelligence, a team of operatives from the Kano Zonal Office of the EFCC were deployed to investigate the matter.

 ”On arrival at the location, two individuals who were identified to be the custodians of the property – Dantala Mohammed and Ahmed Balarabe were presented with a search warrant.

“In the course of the search, a total of 17 vehicles, among which are brand new cars, shuttle busses and SUVs were found in the premises.

 ”Consequently, the vehicles and the two individuals were conveyed to the Commission’s zonal offices in Kaduna and Kano respectively. Investigation revealed that the warehouse in question actually belongs to the former Customs boss.

“The two suspects arrested are in custody assisting the EFCC in investigation.”

 The particulars of the vehicles recovered is as follows:

262936. Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.
262937. Ash colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038.

iii. Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.

82080. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080.
82081. Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661.
82082. Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895.

vii. Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018.

viii. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.

1301. Yellow colour Toyota FJ Jeep, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301.
1302. Black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245.
1303. Dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288.

xii. Silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738.

xiii. Golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.

xiv. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833.

605023996. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P605023996.

xvi. White Toyota Hiace Bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268.

xvii. White Nissan Bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.

The EFCC quizzed   Dikko  on June 16, last year over alleged N42billion fraud. He was not detained due to his alleged ill health.

The EFCC also traced how about N2.6billion was withdrawn from NCS’s coffers and remitted into the accounts of some companies floated by a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs who served under Dikko.

EFCC asked Dikko to explain the sources of funds with which he acquired a N2billion mansion at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi Abuja.

Dikko is believed to have refunded about N1,040,000, 000 to the Federal Government.

A highly-placed source said:  “The operatives of the EFCC have been able to establish that Dikko’s Jabi mansion was funded largely through kickbacks from Customs contractors.

“For instance, it was learnt that the N100million used to purchase the land on which the mansion sits was provided by a Customs contractor. Ditto for the first tranche of N650m used in the construction of the gigantic building.

“These funds were allegedly paid to Dikko’s personal lawyer by the contractors. The Lawyer in turn transferred the funds to the engineer handling the construction of the building. Both the lawyer and the Engineer allegedly admitted their role, claiming they acted on the instruction of the former CG.

“Also, operatives of the Commission are looking into how a former Assistant Comptroller General of Customs under Dikko, got paid over N2.6billion, which were remitted into accounts of companies floated by the officer from the customs coffers.”

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Police lambasts INEC over indicting report

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) report on the police during the Rivers legislative re-run election, describing it as a disservice to the police.

INEC in its 37-page report on the December 10 Rivers legislative re-run elections, indicted personnel of the police.

Reacting, Force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said the report was misleading, adding that all the issues raised by the INEC were discovered by the Joint Investigative Panel set up by the police and had been dealt with accordingly.

“The story is, therefore, misleading, malicious and capable of misinforming members of the public on the statutory roles of the Nigeria Police Force in election security,” he noted.

He explained that after the violence that followed the election, the police acted promptly and proactively by setting up a joint investigative panel.

Moshood said that the panel in its reports indicted six police officers who were arrested, investigated, subjected to internal disciplinary measure and dismissed.

“Other agencies whose personnel were also indicted by the Joint Investigation Panel are expected to do the same to their personnel indicted in the report without any further delay,” he said.

He said that 23 INEC Electoral Officers and two Administrative officials who were also indicted by the panel had been granted bail and released to the Director of Human Resources, INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Moshood pointed out that N111,300,000 million, part of the money allegedly given to them by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was recovered from them.

“The Nigeria Police Force is apolitical and will not engage in any political partisanship, and will continue to ensure that election security is guaranteed across the country”, the statement concluded.

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