The Kano State Police Command has arrested two key suspects in connection with the murder of one Bridget Abahime who was extra-judicially murdered in the State for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, those arrested were Dauda Ahmed and Subeiru Abubakar.

The statement added that the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has called for calm while reassuring the family of the deceased and the general public that justice shall be done in the case.

The IGP has also directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in- charge of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCII, to deploy the Homicide Section of the Department to immediately take over the investigation of the case and ensure speedy prosecution of the arrested suspects.

“IGP Arase has directed the Commissioner of Police of Kano State to sustain the various engagements with all stakeholders and community leaders in the State in order to douse already rising tensions.

“In addition, enough police personnel has been deployed to the state to protect citizens and prevent the incident from degenerating into a major security threat and as well as to continue with the search for the other suspects who are at large.”

The police chief assured that the members of the public will be updated on progress of investigation into the case, and also called on all citizens to imbibe the culture of tolerance and peaceful co-existence and to cooperate with the police in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, have joined other Nigerians in condemning the murder of Bridget Agbahime in Kano for allegedly blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed.

The President spoke even as the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, yesterday sued for peace and said the police would ensure justice was done.

Governor Ganduje condemned the killing as unislamic and urged residents to maintain peace as government would ensure the culprits were brought to book.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, June 3, 2016, arraigned a former Commander of Guards Brigade and erstwhile Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, “OPERATION PULO SHIELD,” Major General Emmanuel Atewe, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos State, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering.

This was made know by the Head of Media and Publicity in the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, in a press release on Friday.

The senior army officer who is currently serving with the army’s Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger state was charged alongside former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and two others.

They were accused of diverting over N8 billion which was paid into the account of the Joint Military Task Force by NIMASA when Akpobolokemi was NIMASA DG.

According to the EFCC, payments to the tune of N8, 537,586,798.58 were allegedly made by NIMASA to the JTF’s account with a new generation bank. A substantial part of the money, about N6, 038,350,741 was converted into US Dollars through various Bureau De Change operators, and later shared by the defendants

Part of the money was allegedly used in the acquisition of choice properties in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as shares in blue chip companies.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, pleaded for accelerated hearing of the case and said he was ready with his witnesses.

Counsel to the first accused, Mathew Bukar, however prayed the court to grant his client, Akpobolokemi, bail, as he had earlier been granted bail by judges in the other cases where he is currently standing trial. Counsel to the third and fourth accused also asked for bail for his clients.

After considering the bail applications, Justice Saidu subsequently granted bail to Akpobokelemi on the terms earlier given by courts where he is currently standing trial on corruption charges.

The second, third and fourth accused were also granted bail in the sum of One hundred million naira each, two sureties and one of whom must be a senior civil servant of the rank of Deputy Director. The other must be a relative who must have a property in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, or Lekki areas of Lagos.

The defendants were to remain in prison custody until they have perfected their bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to June 24, 2016 for commencement of trial.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday fulfilled his promise to disclose details of stolen state assets so far recovered from corrupt personnel and companies.

The Federal Government  said a total of N78, 325,354,631.82 (Seventy eight billion, three hundred and twenty-five million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty one Naira and eighty two kobo); $185,119,584.61 (One hundred and eight five million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, five hundred and eighty four US dollars, sixty one cents); 3,508,355.46 Pounds Sterling (Three million, five hundred and eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five Pounds and 46 Pence) and 11, 250 Euros (Eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty Euros) were recovered between May 29, 2015 and May 25, 2016.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made this disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Saturday said that Recoveries Under Interim Forfeiture (cash and assets) during the period totaled N126, 563,481,095.43 (One hundred and twenty six billion, five hundred and sixty three million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, and ninety five Naira, forty three Kobo; $9,090,243,920.15 (Nine billion, ninety million, two hundred and forty three thousand, nine hundred and twenty Dollars, fifteen cents; 2,484,447.55 Pounds Sterling (Two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, four hundred and forty seven Pounds, fifty five Pence) and 303,399.17 Euros (Three hundred and three thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine Euros, 17 cents ).

According to the statement, which is based on the interim report on the financial and assets recoveries made by the various government agencies from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016, the Funds Awaiting Return From Foreign Jurisdictions total $321,316,726.1 (Three hundred and twenty one million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty six Dollars, one cent); 6,900,000 Pounds (Six million, nine hundred thousand Pounds) and 11,826.11 Euros (Eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty six Euros, 11 cents).

Non-Cash Recoveries (Farmlands, Plots of Land, Uncompleted Buildings, Completed Buildings, Vehicles and Maritime Vessels) during the period stood at 239.

Acting on credible tip off, Nigerian troops on Friday stormed Chukundugu, a Boko Haram camp, killing 19 terrorists, including their local commander, Abubakar Gana.

The operation was carried out by a combined team of troops from  22 Brigade Garrison,153 Task Force Battalion of  7 Division and 8 Task Force  Division as well as Nigeria Air Force Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance, ISR. The troops were assisted by some members of the Civilian JTF.

A statement issued by Sani Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said the troops were ambushed during the operation at Muskari, Gilam and Hausasi, but successfully repelled the terrorists before descending on Chukungudu.

The troops discovered and destroyed the Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, making factory, where they detonated four IEDs. The troops also  recovered two  Anti-Aircraft Guns, 1  AK-47 Rifle, a Pistol, 1 Rocket Propelled Gun, RPG, Bomb, 1 AK-47 Magazine, 267 rounds of 7.62mm,NATO, metal links ammunition and 23 rounds of 12.7mm belt ammunition.

Other recovered items include a Canter truck, 1 Gun truck, 1 Land Rover  vehicle and a Toyota Hilux vehicle.

The statement added that two were injured in the operation and were receiving treatment at the Field Ambulance.

The Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, has condemned the rising insecurity in the Niger Delta which has led to loss of lives and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take over on-going peace talks.

In a statement by the IYC Spokesman, Eric Omare, in Yenagoa on Friday, the youth group noted that the insecurity in the region is rapidly deteriorating and seem to be getting out of control.

The group condemned the reported cases of attacks and killing of soldiers and civilians, and the destruction of oil facilities in Ogbeinbiri, Bayelsa State and Forcados export line, Delta state. The statement called on President Muhammad Buhari to personally take over the Niger Delta peace process to ensure that peace returns to the region.

“We in strong words condemn this senseless killing of soldiers and civilians that were working in the houseboat. We condemn this act of wickedness as it would only complicate an already delicate security situation. The IYC is of the view that to make the process effective and produce the required result, President Buhari must personally take charge and provide leadership.”

The youth group also called on the governors of the Niger Delta states to work together with community and youth leaders in the region to seek ways of returning peace to the area.

The IYC also passionately called on the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups and individuals to give peace a chance as the continuous bombing of oil facilities is not in the interest of the Niger Delta people.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has directed banks, insurance and financial institutions to suspend the on-going retrenchment in the sector.

This is contained in a statement made available to the media in Abuja on Friday.

He said the directive must be complied with pending the outcome of the conciliatory meetings in the industry.

The Minister said that the decision was based on the fact that the continued retrenchment in the financial sector was jeopardising the outcome of the mediatory processes undertaken by the ministry.

“All the retrenchments and redundancies done in the last four months, and all proposed ones should be put on hold pending the outcome of the proposed stakeholders’ summit for the banking, insurance and financial institutions’ employers and employees, slated for the first week of July 2,’’ the statement read.