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Operation Tranquility: Ridding Corrupt FRSC Personnel From The Nigerian Highways

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FRSC CORPS MARSHAL COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF DECEASED PERSONNEL KILLED IN ACTIVE SERVICE

 

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Operation Tranquility: Ridding Corrupt FRSC Personnel From The Nigerian Highways

 

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Over the years, corruption has been a clog in the wheel of progress in Nigeria and has incessantly frustrated the realization of noble national goals, despite the enormous natural and human resources in Nigeria.

 

 

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It has been described as the misuse of entrusted power or dishonest use of one’s office or position for personal gain. It is a cancerous global phenomenon, which has continued to cripple the developmental efforts of Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

Corruption in Nigeria manifests in the form of misappropriation, kickbacks, over-invoicing, bribery, embezzlement, tribalism, nepotism, money laundering, and outright looting of the treasuring, and so on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is an obvious fact that in Nigeria, some of the elected and appointed public office holders and top bureaucrats use their position of authority to actively engage in corrupt practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to a Transparency International Report, corruption drains Nigeria of about 20 percent of its Gross Domestic Product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on statistics from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, the Nigeria Police, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been listed to be among the seven worst receivers of bribe in Nigeria in which 85 percent of their victims have been discouraged from seeking redress or reporting exploitation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is in a bid to rid corrupt road safety officials from the Nigerian Highways that the leadership of the FRSC and the ICPC mapped out a new strategy known as “Operation Tranquility”. Operation Tranquility is a joint operation that involves the ICPC, FRSC, and the Department of State Services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It would be recalled that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi had in 2019 approached the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, for collaboration to curb the unwholesome practices by Road Safety officials on the highways, particularly the extortion of motorists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collaborative exercise was aimed at arresting FRSC officials who extort motorists on the highways. As a result of the exercise, over 100 FRSC Officials have been arrested across the country while huge amounts of funds taken as bribes have been recovered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It also involves bringing an end to unwholesome practices by FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and Motor Vehicle Authority Agency (MVAA) towards generation in Driver’s License Centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the launch of “Operation Tranquility”, the stage was set for a joint operation by ICPC, FRSC, and DSS across the nation. The first phase of the operation was in the six States of Kaduna, Rivers, Ogun, Kogi, Bauchi, and the Abia States, while Tranquility Phase 2 was conducted in Ondo, Zamfara, Yobe, and the Imo States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under phase four, the operation was carried out in 10 Driver’s License Centres in Lagos State. The Centres were in Coker/Aguda, University of Lagos, Ikeja, Iponri, Bariga, Ojo, Town Planning Ilupeju, Eti-Osa, Agege, and Oshodi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For phase five of the exercise, the operation was conducted in four states namely Anambra, Cross-River, Enugu, and the Plateau States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The exercise under phase 3 was not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Joint team successfully arrested 46 FRSC officers and recovered N40,830 in Phase 1, while 26 FRSC officers were arrested in Phase 2 with N51,260 recovered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highest amount recovered from corrupt road safety officials was N1,063,920 under Tranquility Phase 4 and 25 road safety officers were picked up, while 33 personnel were arrested under Phase 5 with N45,870 recovered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A breakdown of the figures showed that under phase one, four officials were arrested on 16th August 2019 in Kaduna State; five were arrested and the sum of N3,500 recovered on 16th August 2019 in Rivers State, while six officials were arrested and N500 recovered on 16th August 2019 in Ogun State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further breakdown of the arrest made and the amount recovered under phase one of the exercise showed that 11 FRSC officials were arrested on 16th August 2019 in Kogi State; Five FRSC officials were arrested and the sum of N4,300 recovered on the same date in Bauchi State; while 15 FRSC officials were arrested and some of N32,530 recovered in Abia State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under the second phase, Five officials were arrested and the sum of N1,150 recovered on 4th October 2019 in Ondo State; eight officials were arrested and about N10,530 was recovered in Zamfara State; nine officials were arrested and N11,300 recovered in Imo State; while four officials were arrested and N28,280 recovered in Yobe State;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the fourth phase of the operation, 25 officials, VIO and Motor MVAA were arrested and the sum of N1,063,920 recovered on 20th August 2020, in Coker/Aguda, University of Lagos, Ikeja, Iponri, Bariga, Ojo, Town Planning Ilupeju, Eti-Osa, Agege, and Oshodi Driver’s License Centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the same vein, five FRSC officials were arrested in Onitsha under the fifth phase of the operation while Awka had 11 arrested officials; Calabar eight; Enugu five and Jos had four FRSC officials arrested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The suspects were granted administrative bail and further investigation activities are on-going. Others are undergoing administrative disciplinary procedures while some are being prosecuted in Federal High Courts across the Country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The FRSC had in August 2020 constituted the Federal Road Safety Corps Disciplinary Panel to investigate corps personnel who were involved in infractions or played key roles in disruption of the FRSC/ICPC/DSS Joint Monitoring exercise (Tranquility IV) conducted at the Driver’s Licence Centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ICPC officials, who led the various monitoring teams, served as principal witnesses during the investigation. The ICPC is pressing charges against the FRSC officers in a resolve to check petty and grand corruption in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to ICPC, all the suspects were arrested during a joint operation, code-named: “Operation Tranquility V”, comprising officers of ICPC, DSS, and FRSC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ICPC has expressed its determination to sustain the operation to rid the Nigerian highways of government officials who extort money from road-users.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under the leadership of Owasanoye, the ICPC has embraced a paradigm shift, consciously promoting strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders to strengthen public enlightenment efforts in discouraging corruption and corrupt tendencies. Working with key government agencies, the ICPC has evolved a National Ethics and Integrity Policy designed to prevent corruption while enforcing ethical codes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owasanoye captures the dynamics of the war against corruption when he said, “Enforcement is important but where corruption is systemic, you need a combination of factors because when it is systemic, everything is affected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We need a combination of enforcement and prevention because if you don’t prevent it, corruption weakens the capacity of the state. A lot of prevention methods have been introduced under President Muhammadu Buhari, using technology trying to stop the money from going away.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owasanoye said the campaign against corruption this time will engage every stratum of the society. “We will ensure citizen-by-in. If the leadership continues to make an effort to stop corruption and the people disagree, you will be swimming up the creek without a paddle because it will be very challenging for you; you need the people’s consent and support to succeed,” he argued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ICPC boss said his agency is not re-inventing the wheel but leveraging existing platforms, laws, and institutions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“There are things that the Government wants to do for the people but are made impossible because of the conduct of the people, so we feel that the people have a great role to play and the first is that it is already in the Constitution that is governing us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Let’s bring out all those values of dignity, patriotism, cooperation, and hard work of integrity, and then we need to design a communication strategy around it because it is one to have a good policy and another thing to communicate it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We are also mindful of traditional institutions, religious platforms, ethnic, congregation, and congregation that people trust and believe in; they need to be part of it,” he explained

 

 

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Moremi Ojudu Leads The Charge To Eradicate Malaria in Southwest Nigeria

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*Moremi Ojudu Leads The Charge To Eradicate Malaria in Southwest Nigeria*

In a bid to significantly reduce malaria cases in Nigeria’s Southwest region, Moremi Ojudu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South West), today commissioned a new campaign titled “Change the Narrative Now.”

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The initiative, spearheaded by the Presidential Community Engagement Office in collaboration with Chestrad Global and the Federal Ministry of Health, aims to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote preventative measures against the mosquito-borne illness.

The official launch took place at the Ago-Egun community within Iwaya-Makoko, Yaba LCDA. Moremi emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement in tackling the challenge.
“Malaria continues to disproportionately affect our communities,” she stated. “The ‘Change the Narrative Now’ campaign signifies a concerted effort to empower residents with the knowledge and resources needed to protect themselves and their families.”

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The campaign encompasses various activities, including community mobilisation to raise awareness about malaria prevention and treatment, distribution of resources, insecticide-treated mosquito nets and sanitation materials were distributed to households within the community. Medical personnel were also on-site to provide check-ups and distribute medications. Essential food supplies were also provided to ensure the well-being of residents.
Expressing her commitment, Moremi stated, “We are confident that through a collaborative approach, we can significantly reduce malaria cases in the Southwest. By working together, we can change the narrative and create a healthier future for our communities.”
The “Change the Narrative Now” campaign is a significant step towards achieving a malaria-free Southwest Nigeria. With the combined efforts of the government, international partners, and community members, the fight against this preventable disease can be won.

 

Moremi Ojudu Leads The Charge To Eradicate Malaria in Southwest Nigeria*

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Primate Ayodele’s Prophecy Fulfilled As Deadly Flood Hits UAE, Kenya, Burundi (VIDEO)

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Niger: One Week After Primate Ayodele’s Warnings, Bandits Attack Nigerian Soldiers (VIDEO)

Primate Ayodele’s Prophecy Fulfilled As Deadly Flood Hits UAE, Kenya, Burundi (VIDEO)

 

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If only leaders of nations are committed to listening to God-given instructions and warnings, the world would be a better place free of unnecessary chaos and panic but the incessant ignoramus attitude towards divine instructions by leaders make people become endangered in their own world.

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God has blessed us with vessels that he speaks through, he has provided us with prophets like Primate Ayodele who on a daily basis shares the mind of God with mankind. Through vessels like Primate Ayodele, God warns presidents of countries ahead of time against unpleasant happenings but at all times, these warnings are ignored and sometimes, citizens sacrifice their lives because of the obstinacy of their leaders.

There is currently an issue of flooding globally which has led to the death of several people, displacement of thousands, destruction of properties worth billions of dollars and panic across continents but these could have all been avoided if leaders of the countries had listened to Primate Ayodele when he warned them in 2023 and early 2024.

The United Arab Emirates, a nation that had never recorded any heavy rain fall until a few weeks ago, is still counting losses and struggling to get back on its feet due to a deadly flooding that swept through the country.

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The rainfall, which flooded streets, uprooted palm trees and shattered building facades, has never been seen in the Middle Eastern nation since records began in 1949. In the popular tourist destination Dubai, flights were canceled; traffic came to a halt and schools closed.

One-hundred millimeters (nearly 4 inches) of rain fell over the course of just 12 hours on Tuesday, according to weather observations at the airport – around what Dubai usually records in an entire year, according to United Nations data.

The rain fell so heavily and so quickly that some motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles as the floodwater rose and roads turned into rivers.

Meanwhile, Primate Ayodele had warned first in 2022 that he foresees climatic problems in the world which would cost a lot of money, lives and properties. He revealed then that the issue of flooding will come up in places that it has never happened before. He called on world leaders not to take climatic problems with levity because it will turn out to be very serious.

These were his words:

‘’I am seeing water and ecology problems, floods in Africa and many places that it hasn’t happened before … .natural catastrophe is imminent in 2023/2024. The issue of climatic problems must be taken very seriously, they must not joke with it….what we are saying will cost the world a lot of money, lives and properties..’’

@primateayodele

#primateayodele #iescworldwide #world #cnn #EU #europe #european #politics #peace #safe #SAFETY #food #water #climatechange

♬ original sound – Primate Ayodele

In his 2024 prophecy to the United Arab Emirates, Primate Ayodele called for prayers against disasters that will cause problems in the country.

These were his words:

‘’UNITED ARAB EMIRATE: The Emirate should pray against any disaster that will cause problems in the country. I foresee an unexpected incident in the Emirate that will require the people to be more careful than ever before.’’

Unfortunately, the prophecy has been fulfilled with the unexpected disastrous flooding that has shut down activities in the highly revered United Arab Emirates.

In the same vein, Kenya is currently battling with the effects of flooding that swept through almost half of the country.

At least 32 people have been killed and two are missing after flash floods swept as a result of the flood. Some 103,500 people in all have been affected.

Kenya has registered heavy rain since mid-March but downpours have intensified over the past week, leading to mass flooding. The Kenyan Red Cross says it has carried out over 188 rescues since the onset in March.

Some roads in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi were closed Wednesday and several neighborhoods remained submerged after another day of heavy rainfall.

In Primate Ayodele’s 2024 prophecies to the nation, he called on Kenyans to pray against flooding and cases of collapsed buildings.

These were his words

‘’KENYA : The spirit of God says Kenyans must pray against assassinations and the killing of any governor. I foresee there will be bomb scares and killings. They must pray against floods and cases of collapsed buildings. The spirit of God says the efforts of the Kenyan President William Ruto will be troubled and not appreciated. He should pray not to encounter a crisis in his government Cabinet. He must be careful against protests even as health workers will go on street protests in Kenya.’’

Similarly, People in Burundi are struggling to cope with flooding after months of heavy rains, with hundreds of thousands being displaced and many homes and schools damaged.

The relentless rain has resulted in the level of water in Lake Tanganyika rising considerably, causing chaos for communities living along its shores.

Lake Tanganyika’s rising waters have invaded the port of Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital, disrupting business there and elsewhere in the country.

This has also fulfilled the prophecy of Primate Ayodele warning African countries that there will be flooding and other natural disasters.

Primate Ayodele has always said that he doesn’t celebrate the fulfillment of his prophecies and doesn’t pray that they come to pass but world leaders have to start following divine instructions for the sake of their citizens and in order to avoid calamities like this.

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Justice For Chinemerem Anosikwa: Cut Down in His Prime

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Justice For Chinemerem Anosikwa: Cut Down in His Prime

 

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In yet another tale of the unending brutality of the Nigerian Police Force, a member of visiting 12 PMF squadron identified as Inspector Aliyu Taofeek has sent one Mr. Patrick Chinemerem to his early grave over an undisclosed dispute.

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Justice For Chinemerem Anosikwa: Cut Down in His Prime

 

According to reports, the killer policeman, Inspector Taofeek who was one of the policemen attached to Skymall Supermarket located in Sangotedo, Ajah area of Lagos State, stabbed Chinemerem to death and took to his heels after committing what’s clearly a premeditated murder.

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According to reports, the fleeing policeman has been arrested and in custody according to the statement released by the Lagos Police Command. The sad incident which occurred a few days ago has sparked an outrage among members of the public who are demanding justice for Chinemerem. It would be recalled that police brutality led to the massive ENDSARS protest across the country a few years ago. Apparently, nothing much has changed since then, the latest murder of an innocent man by Inspector Taofeek is a reminder of the brutality embedded in the Nigerian Police Force.

 

 

In order to forestall another avoidable death, Nigerians are calling for swift investigation and prompt prosecution of Inspector Taofeek.

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