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Presidential yacht delivered before public outcry, says Ndume

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The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has clarified the issue bordering on the controversial Presidential yacht said to be worth about N5 billion.

Ndume made this clarification while speaking on the review of the supplementary budget on Arise Television’s Morning show on Friday.

The All Progressives Congress Senator representing Borno South said the presidential yacht had been signed and delivered but not paid for before the public outcry, adding that the Senate has since added the required payment fee to the student loan budget.

Ndume said, “We queried the amount budgeted for the yacht, but it was signed for a dollar rate, and the new rate isn’t favourable. The budget was predicated for about N435, and now it is over N800.

“The Navy also clarified that it is not a new budget. And even the House of Representatives moved the budget to the Student loan. The deal for the yacht has been agreed, signed, and delivered but not paid for.”

Speaking on the N160m for Land Cruiser SUV for each lawmaker in the National Assembly, the Chief Whip stressed that it is not a new thing for government workers to be buying vehicles for official duties.

He maintained that the price of the vehicles was also affected by the volatility of the naira to dollar rate, adding that the vehicles are needed for the lawmakers.

“The reason why we did not choose Nigerian-made cars is because they don’t manufacture their vehicles, but they assemble them.

“I prefer Nigerian-made products, but the Nigerian car companies are only buying the vehicle parts and assembling them here.

He maintained that the reason for the SUVs is because most Nigerian roads are not motorable, adding that these vehicles are the only ones that could help them carry out their oversight functions.

Recall that Ohibaba had earlier reported that Nigerians condemned a part of the expenditures proposed in the 2023 supplementary budget the President submitted to the National Assembly for approval, including a proposal to spend N5.095 billion on a presidential yacht.

Reacting, the Presidency said the item named ‘Presidential Yacht’ as found in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill is not for President Bola Tinubu’s personal use.

This was, as it said, the naval boat bears such classification “because of the high-level security features.”

“What was named as a presidential yacht in the budget is an operational Naval boat with specialised security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President,” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained in a statement on Thursday evening.

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NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron, Seizes Tons of Skunk in Raids

NDLEA further confirmed that it seized $11,600; ⁠2,000 British Pounds; 2,200 Euros and 50 Canadian dollars all in cash from the suspect at the point of his arrest.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a wanted drug baron, Frank Ibemesi, alias Chisco Bee.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Chisco Bee who operates under the cover of being a businessman and hotelier, is the MD/CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig Ltd.

Babafemi disclosed that Chisco Bee was arrested at his Daisy Garden Hotel, in Ago palace way, Isolo Lagos.

He was then taken to his warehouse where 42 jumbo bags and four cartoons of Loud were recovered.

NDLEA further confirmed that it seized $11,600; ⁠2,000 British Pounds; 2,200 Euros and 50 Canadian dollars all in cash from the suspect at the point of his arrest.

NDLEA also confirmed that operatives foiled attempt by a drug syndicate in Osun state to load and distribute large quantities of processed skunk, across the country.

Two trucks used to transport the illicit consignment were seized and seven suspects arrested.

The peddlers are Lucky Abiodun; Julius Amos; Victor Ngbikili; Sunday Oduegwu; Ibrahim Akanni; Eze Godstime; and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.In Edo State, NDLEA said it recovered a total of 1,902.1 kilograms of skunk.

While 184.1kg was recovered along a bush path in Igbanke, in Orhionmwon LGA , 672kg was evacuated from Utese forest, Ovia North East LGA with 494kg recovered along Benin-Akure road where a suspect, 45 year old Felix Edah was arrested.

The NDLEA also confirmed the arrest of four suspects: Micheal Okoh; Offor Agada; Raphael Nkemjika and Nwabueze Franklin for being in possession of 68kg skunk and 3.150kg methamphetamine.

They were arrested along Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun state just as Danjuma Tukura, was nabbed with 172kg skunk at Sunkani area of Ardo Kola LGA, of Taraba state and Wisdom Titus was nabbed with 84kg of same substance at Takum area of the state.

NDLEA made several other similar arrests in Adamawa, Kwara States even as it intensified its fight against drug crime in Nigeria.

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DSS Cracks Down on Plateau Violence, Arms Recovery

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The Department of State Services has recorded another breakthrough, arresting a man believed to be a major supplier of weapons to armed groups.

This comes Three months after arraigning suspects in the Yelwata and Plateau massacres.

In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms manufacturer, in a targeted raid on November 12th.

The operation took place at his workshop in Mista Ali, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The arrest followed weeks of meticulous surveillance and the gathering of credible intelligence.

According to investigators, Abubakar confessed to manufacturing and distributing high-caliber weapons and ammunition.

These weapons were allegedly supplied to groups responsible for the recent violent attacks in Plateau State and other northern states.

Authorities seized a cache of evidence during the raid, including components of improvised explosive devices, various chemicals, and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

The DSS is continuing its investigation, aiming to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the arms supply chain and bring them to justice.

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JUST IN: Governor Mutfwang Disassociate Self From Motion Expelling Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, others From the PDP

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….Fintiri Abandons Convention after Wike’s Expulsion

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike; former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Samuel Anyanwu alongside other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a press statement, Governor Mutfwang clarified that the subject was neither discussed by Governors Forum nor at NEC before the motion was presented. He emphasized that the proposal does not reflect his position on the matter.

Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time is not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.

He reiterated the need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.

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