Metro
Police Affairs Minister Hosts Turkiye Ambassador, Reiterates FG’s Commitment to Safety, Security
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure the safety and security of the citizens through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices in the field of security with the Republic of Turkiye
He made this known during the visit of the Turkiye Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Hidayat Bayraktar, to the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja, according to a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The Minister acknowledged the challenges and complex security in the country noting that it is through collaborative efforts and shared experiences that they can effectively address them. Your visit serves as a testament to the importance that both our countries attach to our partnership and the desire to further enhance our cooperation for the mutual benefit of our nations. He stressed.
According to him, “Your visit served as a stepping stone towards greater collaboration, partnership, and friendship between Nigeria and the Republic of Turkiye. Let us work together, hand in hand, to create a safer, more prosperous future for our nations and our people”.
Gaidam said his visit would serve as a catalyst for greater cooperation and understanding and present a unique opportunity for us to explore avenues for collaboration in various areas of trade, security, education, and cultural exchange. One such area of immense importance is intelligence sharing and capacity building to combat transnational crimes.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force will require intervention in the area of procurement and use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for precise mapping surveillance and intelligence-led policing to combat ever-evolving terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crimes in the country.
The Minister opined that he would spare no effort in strengthening our bilateral relations, fostering greater understanding between both countries, and exploring new avenues for cooperation in various fields. Together, we can build a more secure, prosperous, and interconnected future for our nations and our citizens.
Gaidam assured that Nigeria is fully committed to nurturing, protecting, and promoting the bond of friendship that exists between our two countries adding that the nation is blessed with diversity, resilience, and a vibrant culture.
Earlier, the Turkiye Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Hidayat Bayraktar pointed out that both countries have had a long-standing relationship since 1961 and the relationship has been improving.
He said both countries have done a lot in the security cooperation and law enforcement training. He assured the Minister of more cooperation in those areas in the future and will get back to the Ministry for further discussion.
Mr Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, a blogger and content creator, who is also known as Ijele Speaks is in a fresh round of trouble.
Ofoegbu was granted bail several weeks ago after he was charged to court for threatening the life of the Spiritual Director of Zion Prayer Movement, Evangelist Ebuka Obi. With the bail, the matter with the Evangelist appears to be in limbo as he did not show up in court on Friday when the case was scheduled.
However, he is embroiled in another battle as he is billed to appear in an Awka High Court in Anambra State for defamation and cybercrime against the founder of Living Christ Mission, Rev. Prof. Victor Onukaogu, popularly called Daddy Hezekiah.
The blogger is alleged to have defamed the character and integrity of Hezekiah by releasing a video in which he accused the church leader of sexually molesting and abusing young girls in his church. “This man is evil. He is one of the bunch of criminals that destroyed Igbo land”, he stated in the video. He also described the recent celebration of 40 years anniversary of Living Christ Mission as “40 years of this criminal molesting people’s children”.
Also, Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Church has a petition against Ijele pending with the National Cybercrime Centre for the blogger’s threat to kill the pastor and his family.
Ijele had also released videos in which he threatened to eliminate prominent church leaders including Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Johnson Suleman and Jeremiah Fufeyin.
He is also known to have courted the ire of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in another video in which he said he castigated the group’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and said he should be left to die in detention.
Metro
Inter-Agency Collaboration: Lagos FRSC Boss Pays Courtesy Visit to LSSTF ES, Transport Commissioner
As part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and partnership, Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Patrick Dung Davou, has paid separate courtesy visits to the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Balogun Abdulrasaq, and the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Oluwaseun Osiiyemi.
The visits were aimed at fostering robust relationships as well as promote efficient involvement of the Corps in the State, according to a statement by available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Receiving the Corps Commander, who was accompanied by senior FRSC officials, the Executive Secretary expressed appreciation for the Corps’ efforts in maintaining a better traffic environment in Lagos State.
During the visit, the Sector Commander raised vital concerns, including the shortage of patrol vehicles, PowerBikes, and Ambulance for efficient operations, as well as the need for special patrols to clamp down on over-speeding and enforcement against articulated vehicles transporting humans and animals.
The Executive Secretary welcomed these concerns and promised to cooperate with the Corps to improve collaboration, enhance work efficiency, and maintain assets.
The visit concluded with the Sector Commander presenting a plaque to the Executive Secretary as a symbol of appreciation for the existing relationship. Both parties reiterated their commitment to maximizing their partnership for the benefit of the State.
At the meeting with the Transport Commissioner, which also has in attendance the General Manager of LASTMA, Director VIO and other directors of the Ministry of Transport, Davou reiterated the need to foster a robust relationship and promote a continuous mutual working relationship for better transport management in Lagos State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner also expressed appreciation for the Corps’ efforts towards a better traffic environment in Lagos State.
Among issues of concern raised at the parley were the increasing spate of hit and run, misuse of bus stops, menace of commercial buses, need for enforcement of pedestrian bridge use, and collaboration to combat overloading and speed violation.
The Commissioner and other officials from the ministry and agencies, including LASTMA and VIS, responded positively, expressing delight in the existing relationship and the need to improve it.
The Commissioner disclosed efforts by the state government to address the concerns raised, including re-jigging of KAI to tackle pedestrian bridge abandonment, construction of more pedestrian bridges, and plans to set up a task force to holistically address traffic problems.
He further reiterated his resolve to partner with FRSC to maximize their wealth of experience for the benefit of the State.
The visit concluded with a promise to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the modality for the task force and a commitment to meet again with sister agencies within the next 30-45 days.
