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Nigerian Army arrests 5 fake soldiers in Lagos for impersonation

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No less than five persons who have been masquerading as soldiers have been arrested by 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos State, Vanguard reports.

The suspects who were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution, were reportedly apprehended on separate occasions at Ojodu Berger, Ikorodu, Ogba, and Ikeja areas of Lagos.

The suspects, identified as Johnson Ayemoba, Salami Olamilekan, Mumammed Bilyaminu, Abijo Taofeek, and Adewale Quadri, according to the Director of Public Relations for the 9 Brigade, Major Augustine Kolawole, were captured during a routine patrol conducted by the Brigade.

According to Vanguard, one of the impersonators, 32-year-old Johnson Ayemoba, was found dressed in full military camouflage, with a photograph of himself wearing the military uniform.

During interrogation, Ayemoba claimed that a friend gave him the uniform.

He said, “I work as a bouncer and provide security at event places like Ikeja, Lekki, and Victoria Island. I obtained the uniform from my friend, Tiger. My arrest occurred in Ikeja while I was not wearing the uniform but in civilian attire. I took this picture during my birthday.”

For Olamilekan, he explained that he wore it to escort vehicles within and outside Lagos, adding that he acquired the uniform from a man he gave his name simply as Tiger, who was introduced to him by the first suspect.

While briefing journalists on the arrest, Major Kolawole, said “These impostors had been presenting themselves as soldiers of the Nigerian Army, causing disturbances, engaging in theft through deception, and at times, resorting to violence while using military uniforms and equipment. These actions, along with those of other impostors still at large, have severely tarnished the reputation of the Nigerian Army among law-abiding citizens.

“For the record, Headquarters 9 Brigade Nigerian Army under the command of Brigadier General Adegoke Adetuyi will continue to ensure that troops deployed on Internal Security duties operate professionally within the purview of the law. This headquarters will continue to uphold the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct, ethics, core values, and soldiers’ creed, hence, it will never encourage or tolerate the engagement of troops in any act that will hurt law-abiding citizens they are meant to protect.

“We, therefore, appeal to law-abiding citizens to be wary of such impostors parading themselves as soldiers and mounting illegal roadblocks in some parts of Lagos state.

“We also request Lagosians to report any suspicious act by unauthorised men in military uniforms to the appropriate authority in order not to fall victim to their dastardly acts.”

Major Kolawole expressed optimism that the police investigation and subsequent prosecution would send a strong warning to other criminals within the 9 Brigade’s Area of Responsibility and the nation as a whole.

He further warned members of the public to desist from the use of Army stickers, placement of camouflage jungle hats on vehicle dashboards, and the display of other military insignia or accouterments on private vehicles, “as well as wearing military uniforms for fashion purposes. They are illegal. Anyone caught engaging in these violations may face prosecution for impersonation.”

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Tunisia’s President Fires Finance Minister, Appoints Magistrate

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Tunisia’s President, Kais Saied, has dismissed the country’s finance minister and appointed a new official to the position.

Michket Slama Khaldi, a magistrate, has been chosen to oversee the nation’s financial affairs.

The announcement was made on the presidency’s official Facebook page overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, accompanied by images of her swearing-in ceremony.

No explanation was provided for the removal of outgoing minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia. The presidency also did not elaborate on the reasons behind the appointment.

Before her new role, Khaldi led a national commission focused on retrieving misappropriated public funds.

Tunisia has been grappling with intermittent shortages of essential goods, including milk, sugar, and flour, over the past two years.

More recently, the country has also faced difficulties in securing domestic gas cylinders, a crucial resource for cooking and heating.

 

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Okpebholo Uncovers N682bn Debt, Alleged Mismanagement

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Edo State Asset Verification Committee has disclosed that the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki left behind a substantial debt of N682.57 billion.

Presenting the committee’s findings to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday, Chairman Ernest Umakhihe highlighted financial discrepancies and questionable contract allocations under the previous leadership.

The extensive 3,900-page report revealed that when Obaseki took office in 2016, the state’s debt stood at N84 billion.

Over the years, liabilities increased by more than 900%, raising concerns about fiscal mismanagement.

According to the committee, numerous contracts awarded during the past administration exhibited irregularities, prompting calls for a thorough review of all agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.

One significant finding was the state’s N19 billion investment in a hotel project, despite owning only 20% of it.

The remaining 80% was reportedly controlled by a company established in 2024, which had not contributed funds at the time of the agreement.

Additionally, the report uncovered that 22 contracts, valued at N22 billion, were awarded for ICT-related projects, with 18 companies receiving payments totaling N17 billion by November 2024.

Concerns were also raised about non-state actors managing the backend of the e-governance platform.

Further scrutiny fell on projects such as the modular refinery, the Museum of West African Arts, and the renovation of Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

Despite a budget of nearly N1 billion, the hospital was commissioned before completion.

Regarding a $75 million World Bank fund designated for basic education reform, the report stated that only $5 million was allocated to the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board.

Of this amount, just $2.5 million was used before the project concluded, while the remaining $70 million was reportedly handled directly by the governor’s office under a “Performance for Results” arrangement.

The committee recommended forensic investigations into assets and enterprises tied to the state before Obaseki’s tenure, legal action against implicated officials, blacklisting of indicted companies, prosecution of contractors who violated regulations, and a full audit of the Edo BEST programme to track the use of World Bank funds.

Receiving the report at the Government House in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo expressed gratitude for the committee’s dedication and assured that the recommendations would be implemented.

“I appreciate the committee for a job well done and the time invested in this exercise. I understand the challenges you faced, yet you successfully carried out this crucial assignment. Rest assured that your findings and recommendations will be implemented appropriately,” he stated.

In response, Umakhihe stressed that the report was not merely an assessment of past actions but a directive for necessary reforms.

However, when reached for comment, Crusoe Osagie, former Governor Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, dismissed the allegations. He accused the committee of distorting facts and misleading the public.

“For the benefit of the people of Edo State and the public, every activity of the government was in the report of the transition committee, which was handed to the new government. Everything raised in their so-called verification committee is nothing but falsehood and in the coming days.

“We will publish everything item by item for the people of the state to see. The Okpebholo government is in possession of everything that the Obaseki government did and what the committee is claiming is all false,” he said.

 

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